Different → S.Rogers | Wattys 2019 |

Troublesome

A V A ' S P O V

The sun shined brightly over the Brooklyn neighborhood and the weather was immensely warm for a spring day.
Which I guess I shouldn't complain.

I had just left the diner after a morning shift, stopping at the local newspaper stand to purchase the daily headlines, reading the first headline to decide if it was worth purchasing.

To Be War?

That always seems to be a headline these days, the moment you think everything is fine headlines like this get released to the public.

It's a shame.

"Hey, Ava." A familiar voice said from behind me.

I jumped, startled at the sudden presence. Whipping my head around to see Bucky standing there amused at how easily he had scared me.

I'm sure my face was burning red in embarrassment at this point.

"You can't do that, you nearly scared the daylights out of me." I said as I handed the vendor a nickel to pay for the paper.

He laughed lightly. "Sorry." He said. "You haven't happened to see Steve today, have you?" He asked warily.

"No." I replied, raising a brow. "Why?"

He leaned his head back and sighed. "Man, that punk." "He's always getting into trouble."

Well that explains why he shows up to the diner with cuts and bruises on his face occasionally. I've always wondered about it but I didn't want to pry on his personal matters.

"Should I be worried?" I asked.

"Welcome to my world." He muttered and glanced around the street.

I looked around as well, pondering.

Maybe I should help.

"Um, I could help you find him, if you'd like?" I asked and he seemed grateful that I asked.

"If you don't mind, I'd hate to intrude in your day though."

"Oh no, no, you wouldn't be intruding at all." I assured. "I was only heading home."

"Great." He said and smiled, motioning in front of him. "Shall we?"

The two of us began to walk down the sidewalk beside each other. The neither of us spoke, the thought of Steve possibly being hurt plaguing our minds. I assume it's something Bucky dealt with often the way he brought it up, and how he was expecting it to be the case. I on the other hand, am visibly anxious to see if he's okay.

I've only known him for a few weeks, but it's enough to know he's a sweet boy who doesn't deserve to be knocked down by bullies. Something I know a little of as well.

"He's gotta be around here somewhere." Bucky muttered, glancing down an alley that we passed.

I looked over at him. "I don't mean to be inquisitive, but why does he do this?" I asked.

He sighed, pressing his mouth into a thin line for a moment, thinking of an explanation.

"His mother taught him to always stand up for himself, and not to let anyone knock him down or tell him how to live or how to be, which he took it very seriously and now it often leads to him being beaten up." Bucky explained.