Winters Frost - Bucky Barnes

8 - She's Got Walks, Talks And Metallic Looks

Sam's P.O.V:

The city loves me in ways no person ever has. It listens to my fierce footsteps, the clicking of my polished heels against it's dirty pavements early on a Monday morning. It sees me smile ear to ear when I see the windows on it's skyscrapers reflect the orange glow of the afternoon sun. 

It hears my satisfied sigh in winter as the first sip of a morning coffee warms my throat and thaws my freezing hands. It celebrates with me when I'm on top of the world and cries for me when life gets hard. The city sees and hears and feels every moment of every day of my life. 

New York city was my home, it's streets a comforting pillow that graced my trembling body every day, and every night.

Red flags waved viscously in my brain as my skin prickled, goosebumps lacing my skin as I felt a pair of eyes on me. I droned out Maddie's voice, her absent babbling about her grades becoming a distant memory.

My ears prickled at the sound of multiple heavy footsteps tapping along the pathway, blending together in the bustling street. I pressed my shoulder closer to Maddie's, cocking my head ever so slightly behind me.

A broadly built man with an expensive suit had his eyes cast to the ground, a large cap pulled closely to his head, covering his eyes. He kept his distance, his hands clasped into his pockets.

As we turned the corner, the man rounded it slightly after. His pace began to quicken, his steps falling align with ours.

He followed the next street.

And the next.

And the one after that.

The anxiety is like being hooked up to a cattle fence - not enough voltage to kill but sufficient to keep things uncomfortable.

My breathing became more rapid, more shallow as the man approached, getting dangerously close. His coat swayed with every step, until he was almost breathing down my neck.

His shadow loomed over me, his shoulder brushing mine. My breath was caught in my throat, like a lump preventing me from reaching my destination. 

The man caught my eye, awkwardly giving me a confused look as he walked right past me. His footsteps faded into quiet taps as he faded into the distance.

Extra weight pulled my jacket pocket askew, an object rustling inside. I went to reach inside, until Maddie's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"The poor barista who was hitting on me, walked over with my order but ended up running into this waitress, who turned out to be his ex and he spilled coffee all over himself and her." 

Neds face lit up as he waved enthusiastically to our approaching bodies. His smile faltered at my deranged state, looking at me in concern. Maddie ran towards the boy, pulling him by the arm as she whisked him off to class.

I waved off his worry, Ned turning around as the pair walked away. The scream of the shrill bell made me jump, causing my feet to scuff against the tiled hallway.

❄

Every guitar is born to sing, to make its way into loving hands that give it such soulful caress. My passion for music flowed through the strings, strumming to the beat. 

The bass strap hung low over my shoulder, fuelling my satisfaction as I bobbed my head to the rhythm. Indulged in the moment; I plucked the last string, letting the note ring out on the amp. 

The sound of applause filled my ears, and I peeled my eyes open, seeing the students clapping. The teacher gives a curt nod, prying for his next victim.