I Guess We're Cool. [Captain America]

Chapter Five ♡

Michelle decided to make breakfast for Nycole and I. We hadn't realized that we hadn't eaten for awhile. I felt grateful that Michelle knew how to cook and we didn't have to find some place to eat. We sat at the table eating some eggs when Natasha came over. She started to ask us if we could help look out for the SHIELD agents coming after them. We agreed and changed from pajamas to new, fresh clothes. Nycole wore her black, leather jacket over her white shirt that said MEOW on it with red jeans, black Vans, and a white beanie. I wore my black jacket over my cream top with blue jeans and sandals then put my hair in a ponytail. Nycole got into the car and drove to the mall.

It was a silent drive. No music. No talking. No nothing. I didn't know if that was a good sign or not. We both were distressed, but there should be at least something.

Nycole parked the car and sighed. She faced me with tears in her eyes. I didn't see her cry much. She wiped her eyes and placed her hand in mine.

"I never planed on this happening, Adriella. I didn't want you to get involved. I hope this doesn't trigger anything for you," she whispered.

"I'll be fine, Nycole," I told her with a smile. "We have a job to do and this is different than what I had to go through." Nycole embraced me and sighed.

"I'm a mess," she laughed as she pulled away. "Let's get this done."

We walked into the mall and paid attention to where we had to guard. Nycole went right and I went left. I saw someone that I knew I had to get away. I walked towards him and fainted into his arms. He tried to throw me off him, but I put my weight there. I took a deep breath and grabbed the man's arms.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," I said. "I just gave blood."

"Well, get along," he demanded.

I moved along until I found Nycole. We looked around then saw Steve and Natasha coming down the escalator. They suddenly kissed and something in me clicked. Nycole and I went back towards the car.

I got into the passenger seat and sighed. Nycole looked at me then back at the steering wheel. Someone knocked on my window. I jumped and looked at the window. Steve was there. I rolled down the window and raised my eyebrows so he would know I was ready to listen.

"I know you saw what happened," he whispered.

"It's okay. We're nothing," I laughed. "I'm gonna get jealous. I can get moody when my hair's a mess and I cry over nothing. Im gonna ask all about your ex, which we won't need to worry about. Gonna be late because I can't choose which dress. These are things I must confess, and if you're okay with that, then I'm okay with you and if you'll always have my back, I guess we're cool." Steve chuckled and nodded.

"Alright," he said. "I'll see ya."

"Bye," I smiled.

Nycole and I drove back towards the apartment. We were silent for almost the whole night. I moved into the bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror. I pulled up my shirt and looked at the scar on my lower stomach. Nycole knocked on my door, scaring me, and asked to come in.

"Yeah, I just finished brushing my teeth," I told her. I unlocked the door and before turning the doorknob, I leaned my head against the door and sighed.

"Something happened to Natasha and Steve. They're going somewhere, Natasha doesn't know, and she wants us to meet them there after they arrive," Nycole said. I nodded and looked back at myself in the mirror. My shirt pulled up a little and showed my scar. "And none of this is triggering?" Nycole made sure.

"None of it is. It's fine," I reassured. She nodded and left the bathroom. I sighed and went into the room I was staying in.

I packed back my things, being careful and checking everything. Someone knocked on the apartment door. I reached for my gun and headed towards the door with Nycole.

"I've got mine. You answer," I whispered. She nodded and looked in the peephole.

"What do you want?" Nycole asked.

She reached for her gun and a shot was fired. She yelled and fell over.

I knew this feeling all too well.

I took a chair and pushed it up to the door. I took Nycole into my arms and grabbed our bags.

"Hold on tight," I whispered to Nycole. I shut the door behind me.

"What are you doing?" She got out.

"Just hold on tight," I said.

She squeezed my jacket tightly and closed her eyes. I held onto her and jumped out of the window, falling on my back. I winced at the pain in my back. Nycole stood up slowly and helped me back up. We rushed to a motorcycle and Nycole told me how to start it. It started under my touch and I hurried to drive away.

"Are you okay with shooting?" I asked as I turned out of the complex. I heard a shot then Nycole say yes.

We reached the hospital and I hurried to get her in. The nurses took her from me and I told them to keep her somewhere private. They agreed and told me to wait.

I left and drove to a bar. I pulled my hair down, zipped up my jacket, and walked in. I sat at the bar and asked for just a soda. The bartender came back with the drink and set it down. The earpiece beeped in my ear, letting me know someone was trying to contact me. I pushed on it then listened. Natasha told me where they were going and to meet them there.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" I asked.

"Yes, Steve says it's safe," Natasha said. I sighed.

"Nycole isn't with me," I whispered.

"What? Where is she?" Natasha tried to get me to say it, but I couldn't bring myself to. The tears were at the brim of my eyes.

"She got shot," I whispered. Natasha was silent for a minute.

"Just get here," she whispered.

I paid for the drink and rushed to get to wherever this place was. The sun was rising behind me now. I parked outside of the apartment and saw Steve wave at me. I walked up and Steve let me in. He took me into a room and let me change my shirt. Steve stared at my scar.

"What happened?" He asked, motioning towards the scar.

"It happened a long time ago," I whispered. I pulled my shirt down and sat on the bed. Steve sat beside me.

"You can tell me," he said. I sighed and fiddled my the ends of my shirt.

"My brother, Danny, came back from Iran one day. He was fine, of course, and I was so excited to see him. He was my best friend. He said that just the two of us were going to go out to eat and we did. On the way home, some drunk, angry men came over to my brother as we were walking and was giving him hell." I started to choke up. I took a deep breath and went on. "They said things I can't un-hear and when my brother stood up for himself and I, they went to attack us. Danny hit them a few times and they went down. We walked home and we were alone. We locked the door and when there was a knock, we thought it was our parents. Danny looked through the peephole and then I heard a shot. He fell and the door swung open. I screamed and ran to my brother. Those guys were the ones who shot him. They followed us home. They took their gun and aimed it at me. I ran and they shot me from behind in this area. I pretended I was dead so they would go away." I stopped and wiped my eyes. "The police came and pronounced him dead on the scene. I wasn't okay for years and now I'm okay and it happened again, but I saved Nycole. Everything is okay, I hope."

"I lost my best friend, too," Steve said. I looked up at him with teary eyes. "You can't block that sight out and you learn to live with it." I nodded and hugged Steve.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"You're more than welcome," he replied.