I Guess We're Cool. [Captain America]

Chapter Eight ♡

The silence in my apartment made me smile. I picked up the pieces of glass in the floor from when I had accidentally dropped my vase. I threw away the shards and the dead flowers. Leaning down, I fixed the strap on my heels. I stood and turned on some music. The click of my heels was the only other sound.

I moved into a new studio apartment in New York and was alone ever since. Nycole and Michelle visited occasionally just to check in. They didn't understand why I needed space. I didn't have my cell phone or any communication with anyone else in the world.

Natasha had visited once before. She invited me to one of Stark's parties, which was tomorrow night. I told her I would try, although I didn't really want to. She told me that everyone would be there.

I looked in my closet when there was a knock on the door. I groaned and acted like I didn't hear it. The knock got louder.

"I'm coming!" I yelled.

My heels clicked loudly, showing my anger. I turned down the music and grabbed my gun beside the stereo. I held it behind my back and looked in the peephole. Steve was there.

"How did you find me?" I asked, unlocking the door. I opened the door and Steve held out flowers.

"Natasha finally told me," Steve smiled. I moved towards the stereo and turned off the music, set the gun down, then turned on the heat. "I see you're off to a date?" He questioned.

"No one speaks to me unless I speak to them," I whispered. "The possibilities of me going on a date is very little."

"Then why the heels?" He asked.

"Breaking them in," I turned to face him. I pulled out a new vase and put water in it.

"Would you go on a date with me?" Steve asked. I laughed a little then set the vase down on the counter.

"No, Steve," I said.

"Come on, one date. That's all I'm asking here," he almost begged. I smiled at myself then wiped it off as I turned to face him. "Please."

"I'm busy, Steve," I protested.

"Doing what? Hiding? You can't do that forever, Adriella." I sighed and gave in.

"Where are we going?" I asked, taking the flowers and placing them in the vase. Steve smiled and I caught a glimpse of hope in his eyes.

"Wherever you want," he said, shaking his head.

"Just let me change," I told him. "Make yourself at home." He sat on the couch and looked around the apartment.

I changed into a pastel blue dress and wrapped myself in a white cardigan. I walked into the living room and cleared my throat. Steve stood from the couch and stared at me.

"You look wonderful," he whispered.

"Let's go, lover boy," I joked.

Steve led the way to his motorcycle and drove to the restaurant. We arrived and Steve helped me off. We walked into the place, got a table, and sat down across from each other. After ordering something to drink, Steve stared at the bags under my eyes.

I hadn't been able to sleep well since everything.

I stuck my nose into the menu and looked for something appetizing. Steve did the same. Eventually, I could see it tearing him up inside.

"What happened?" Steve asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Your eyes, the hiding, what happened?" Steve put his menu down and tried to grab my hand, but I pulled away.

"It was all too triggering. I couldn't take it. I haven't been able to sleep since and when I do sleep, it's only for about an hour," I whispered. Steve sighed and looked down.

"So you left all of us because you don't think we'd... I'd understand?" He asked. "I know your friends wouldn't understand, but I would." I sighed.

"Steve, I don't want to talk about it," I said. He nodded and looked back at his menu.

The "date" didn't take long and before I knew it, I was walking up to my apartment. Steve followed behind. I unlocked the door and pushed it open. Steve stood in front of me, closer than we had been before.

"Goodnight, Steve," I whispered. I was hesitant to move away from Steve. I turned to walk in, then turned back. "Do you have a place to stay tonight?" I asked. He shook his head, no. "The bed in the extra room is pretty comfortable. You can sleep there if you want."

My heart was getting softer.

"I'd love to," he answered.

I led him into the apartment and showed him to the extra room. He sat down on the bed and thanked me. I nodded in response and went back to my room. I changed into shorts and a sweater. I walked by the extra room and saw Steve was already asleep.

I went into the exercise room I had and stared at the punching bag, hanging from the ceiling. I had hit it before, but not as much as I wanted to now.

The events from before now played in my mind. I took my hair and put it in a ponytail. I tried to stop the memories, but they didn't stop. I punched the bag with my bare hands. I punched it again and felt my tears well up. I went hard against the punching bag and felt someone pull me backwards. I covered my face and sobbed.

"It's okay," Steve comforted. I turned around and hugged him, tightly.

"I don't want to deal with this," I cried.

"You don't have to deal with it alone," Steve whispered. He helped me get back to my room and set me down in bed.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like this," I said.

"I don't mind it," Steve smiled. I closed my eyes and sighed.

"I hate to ask this, but will you lay in my bed with me?" I asked. Steve nodded and crawled under the covers with me. He wrapped an arm around me and I cuddled up to him. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

"Everything is okay," Steve whispered, kissing my forehead.