Out of Oblivion

Chapter 14

I slept for what felt like hours; until I was awakened by Grace entering my room. Her face was stained with worry as she ran to my side, pressing the back of her hand against my forehead.

“Oh El, you’re freezing. What have you done?” she asked frantically.

“It’s ok, I’m alright,” I coughed.

“No, it’s not ok. Tell me, Eleanor Stanton.”

So then I proceeded to tell her.

The whole time her face was frozen in shock. When I finally finished my account, Grace stood up and began pacing the room.

She dug a hand in her dark brunette locks and flipped it out, as if exasperated. “You, Eleanor Stanton, are the most stupid person I have ever met.”

“Hey! I didn’t know—“

“He saved your life!”

I stopped, confused by her turn of subject. We obviously were not thinking of the same thing.

She muttered a stream of complaints before turning to me again. “Do you really think the Winter Soldier would save your life? Uhh, you—“

“Grace.” I then caught on to what she was pressing at. The way she was pacing around the room, her exasperated glaze in her eyes, it made me extremely uncomfortable. Her voice in my head when he was being kind to me…it had to stop. I had to get her to calm herself. Even if I gave her false hope.

“I can’t believe this. How could you be so—“

“Grace.”

Finally she heard me. She stopped pacing and looked me squarely in the eyes. “What?”

“I’ve forgiven him,” I blurted out, each word cutting knives in my throat.

Her eyes widened. “Y-you have? Really?”

I felt tears rising, but I refused to let them spill. I simply nodded.

“Oh thank goodness,” Grace sighed. “I was worried. Especially when Barnes himself came up to me, wet clothes and torn sleeve and all.”

I let out a slight laugh, but it hurt my sore lungs. Inside I wasn’t sure to be relieved or devastated that she believed me.

Grace bent down to my level and smiled at me. “I am glad you are alright.”

I gave her a weak smile. A shudder overtook me. The fever wasn’t dying. Grace seemed to notice my uncomfortableness.

She then became my mother, rushing around for water, more blankets, a wet rag for my head, and hot soup on the stove.

She spoon fed me the soup once I felt strong enough to sit up. The warmth trickled down my throat, filling my stomach comfortably.

“El, I’m going on a date tomorrow night,” Grace blurted out.

I looked up at her, my eyes sparkling with curiosity. “With whom?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.

“Steve,” she replied with a giddy smile. “He’s taking me to Claude’s.”

“Hmm, only the best with Captain America,” I said, taking another spoonful of soup.

Grace laughed giddily.

“I’m happy for you, Grace,” I told her, giving her a smile.

“Thank you, El. Only thing that would make it better is if it could be a double date with you and Barnes,” Grace said, doubling over in a fit of laughter.

The soup that had been in my mouth was now spewing out of my mouth. “You little nutmeg,” I said, using the term I had always called her when I was annoyed with her.

“Thanks for the spray of soup!” Grace exclaimed, still laughing.

I rolled my eyes, sulking. “You’re welcome.”