i'm with you, every step of the way

Chapter 20

December fast approached and their winter break was about to start. After a hellish finals week, Natasha was about ready to collapse due to all the stress and pressure that she was feeling. She had a cheer competition a week before testing and they won, meaning that they're advancing to the finals round after the new year. She also knows that her junior year grades are important for college applications so in when not practicing, she was studying for finals, leaving her little to no free time.

"Ugh, I'm going to explode," Natasha groaned while throwing herself on her couch. Bucky and Steve laughed from across her, both looking tired as well. "I hate school," she dramatically added and covered her face with a pillow to scream in it.

"Aw, that's okay, Nat, you know you don't mean that," Bucky joked. He got a glare from Natasha who briefly raised the pillow up. "Well at least you get to relax now...?" Bucky sheepishly offered.

"But this sucks, Buck, you're not gonna be with us!!! In fact, everyone's leaving!!!" Steve complained and pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Oh yeah, that too!!! So not fair, gosh why did my parents have to go to that stupid conference," Natasha further groaned into the pillow, sitting up abruptly, and chucking said pillow at Bucky.

"You guys know I don't even want to go to our reunion! I mean, I love my family but Christmas in Canada is just downright torture," Bucky rolled his eyes and set the pillow Natasha threw at him down on the couch.

"Yeah, why is it in Canada? You guys aren't even Canadian," Steve remarked.

"I don't know! They could've done it at our house but nooo , it's not 'vacation-like enough,'" Bucky sighed and threw his hands up, exasperated. "Guys I gotta go, our plane leaves in four hours and my mom's going to freak out if we don't leave soon." he stood up and hugged both of his friends, reminding them that his presents are under the tree at Steve's house.

Steve stood up from the couch after Bucky left. "Nat, I have to go grocery shopping with my mom for the Christmas eve dinner tomorrow," he said as he was getting his coat.

"Go, go, I'll be fine here. Guess I'll just rot here alone," she said and turning to bury her head on the couch.

"Hey, you'll be fine," Steve approached her and sat next to her. "Your parents aren't leaving until tomorrow morning then we get to hang out! Hang in there," he reminded her and gently stroked her hair before standing up to leave.

Natasha ended up falling asleep on the couch until her parents came home and prodded her to stay up for dinner. Them leaving for Christmas isn't really a big deal because they don't celebrate but Natasha was just a tid disappointed that they won't be there for an important holiday. Her parents apologized to her again but she just smiled and told them it's fine. At least she'd get to spend three days at Steve's place so she's not entirely alone like she feels like.

The next day, Natasha went to Steve's house in the afternoon once her parents had left and after cleaning some parts of the house. Their arrangement was that she would be there when she's awake and only go back to her house to sleep because they don't want her to be completely alone, something all of them agreed to.

"Good afternoon, Aunt Sarah, how are you?" Natasha greeted Steve's mom with a hug and a big smile.

"I'm good dear, glad you're here. Come on in," Sarah moved aside to let Natasha in and they both went straight to the kitchen. "Steve, Nat's here," she called out and Steve entered from the dining room, wearing an apron. Natasha tried to hide a chuckle.

"I know what you're thinking," Steve started and pointed an accusatory finger at Natasha, "But I love helping my mom cook and I'm proud of it," he stated proudly.