Unlimited - Steve Rogers/Captain America

Chapter 7 - Truth

The girl in the mirror looks different. I just don't know if that is good or bad.

I'm wearing a black dress. It fits me just perfectly; as if it was made for me. The tight dress ends below my knee. It has a cut on one side, showing a little bit of my leg and thigh. I have never wore this type of dress; this is a whole new territory. It is, in fact, a new me. A social me. Someone who is actually throwing a birthday party. Well, not exactly. Tony is responsible for the party. He said I need to meet more people. Normal people. The type that doesn't fly around the house or that kills monsters as a job. He said I need a regular life, apart from all the killing we do for a living. Even offered to hire a therapist for me. Tony acts like he knows everything you need. Maybe he actually does.

At first, I was reluctant to even go to this party. But between millions of conversations with Jasper - who, by the way, is fangirling over the fact that he's gonna be socializing with the Avengers - I figured the party wasn't a bad idea.

However, I could not help but feel a little anxious. I've never had a birthday party before, let alone a Tony Stark kind of party.

"Do I look too simple? Or slutty?" I ask Jasper, who is sitting on my bed, already ready for the party.

"No, Liv. You look perfect!" He says. "Now, can we go already? You're gonna be late to your own birthday."

"Jasp, I need you to be honest." I say turning to him. "I don't wanna look too forward, you know? But at the same time, I want something a little bit more..."

"Mature?" He asks.

"Old-fashioned." I say.

"Well, this cut is not old-fashioned, but is really elegant." He gets up from the bed and gets close to me. "But, it is your 20th birthday. Why are you trying to look older?"

"I don't wanna look older." I say turning to the mirror once again. "I just don't wanna give the wrong impression."

"Who are you trying to impress Miss Grace?" He asks suspiciously.

"No one."

"You're an awful liar, Olivia." He walks to the door. "I need to go. My boyfriend is already here. See you downstairs?"

"Yeah, of course!"

He left the room leaving me to worry about my outfit.

"Old-fashioned." I say to myself. "Why are you trying to impress someone who doesn't even like you?"

I take one more look in the mirror.

You got this, Liv. It's your birthday party.

As I walk through the door, my brain tries to imagine his reaction when he sees me. Will he be surprised? Will he be attracted to me? Or will he continue to ignore me? After all, Steve is an unpredictable man.

After the last mission, we didn't talk. At all. It has been three days that he has been sleeping at his place in Brooklyn and not at the Tower. The only reason I know this is because Steve told Sam, Sam told Nat, and Nat told me. To be honest, I don't even know if he is going to be here today. To be even more honest, I really want him to come.

I should be mad at him. I am, actually. Just not as much as I want him to notice me. Yes, it feels as pathetic as it sounds.

Once I get to the party, Tony sees me.

"Here she is! The birthday girl!" He says loudly. I feel every eye looking at me. A wave of 'Happy Birthdays' echoed through the room, making me feel more uncomfortable than before.

"Oh God, Tony. Is this really necessary?" I ask him, accepting his hug.

"Of course it is! You're part of the team now."