THE AMERICAN DREAM

1.13▫︎ APRIL, 1934 ↦ BUCKY

"Quick!" William Barnes shouted over the loudness of Goldie's Gym. "Push it!"

Bucky quickly maneuvered under the rope to the right, then pushed two jabs. Under the rope and up to the left, two jabs. Over and over again, hearing only ohis brother's words of encouragement. When he reached the end of the rope, he collapsed against the wall, gasping for breath and his fatigued muscles resting immediately.

Will chuckled and slapped him on the chest. "That's it," he told him with a smile on he face.

"That's it," Bucky repeated, falling against the wall and sliding to the ground. He began to stretch and towel his sweat off. He'd shower when he got home.

Bucky followed Will out the door into the evening sun. It was bright compared to the dingy overhead light in the gym.

"you know we just stoked the fire, Buck."

Bucky squinted at the sky as they crossed the street. "Yeah, I know. Youd think at least Uncle Vurt would be okay with it."

"well you did almost die last year, " will pointed out.

Bucky scoffed. "Pain is temporary. Victory is forever."

"Aunt Eliza would say—"

"Death is forever," Bucky interrupted. "If you keep talking all this sense, then I can't let you be my manger for the coming fight. If you through in the towel before I win my third and final championship, I might have to box you"

Will just sighed, refraining to say what was on his mind. Bucky knew that having his thirteen-year-old brother as a manager and trainer was not the best idea, but Bucky liked to find easy ways he could pay his siblings without them having to work in factories. Besides, Bucky could train on his own just fine. He had his varsity coach, which he consulted with every school day. He also has his friends to workout with. Will was an excellent assistant when Bucky was doing work on his own.

He had never been as close to Will as he had been to Becky, but Bucky was the over loving and protective type, and Will was his baby brother. They shared the most likeness too. As brothers, they nearly looked like the same person. Will was well on his way to being tall and strong. He had brown eyes, unlike Bucky, but his deep brunett hair was strange that as a board and fell all the right ways. His smile was intoxicating and his charm was irresistible.

As a person, he was unlike Bucky entirely. After their father died, Will was the sole thing that held their mother together. She was quite protective of him and did not let him out as much as she did Bucky and Becky. It hit even worse when Lester died. Their mother felt like she had failed and she poured her heart out into raising Will right. Will developed personality that was not at all extroverted. He would rather stay home and work there. He like to keep his circle full of no one but family.

And he was a mother's son. Their relationship was stronger than that of Bucky or Becky's wit their mother. Will was the fine line between happiness and insanity for their mother. And when she died, Will shut down. It was as if he didn't know what to do any longer. He was only now coming out of his shell bit by bit.

"How was your date last night?" Will asked.

Bucky grimaced, as the uncomfortable memories flashed through his mind. "Not good."

Will turned to walk backwards as he cocked his head incredulously. "James Buchanan Barnes... King of Class... Lover of All the Ladies... had a bad date? Impossible."

Bucky scoffed, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Come on, will. It's not everything can go perfectly . I'm gonna find the right girl eventually."