Not Just A Pretty Face // Book One

I

(1942)

Sitting on the small couch in Steve and I's apartment, I took a sip of my water, before placing it on the worn, wooden coffee table. Our apartment wasn't the newest, or the most expensive, but it was home. The cosy living room with the cream-coloured couch, the small coffee table which sat on the big, shaggy rug. And the little kitchen, with the mahogany table
and its four matching chairs. Although there were only two of us who lived in the apartment, Bucky often came round for dinner, or to crash on the couch, so that's why we had two extra chairs. There was also the possibility of guests, but we never really had any.   That's what I liked about our apartment, it had imperfections; worn at the edges, if you like.

I sat on the couch, waiting for Steve to come home from the recruitment office. This was the fifth time he had tried to enlist, and though I tried to talk him out of it, he wouldn't budge.

"I can't just sit back and watch while these men are laying down their lives 'Lena. I just can't. What would dad think?" he had said to me.

Our father was a soldier in the 107th infantry, and served during World War One. He died before we were born, yet Steve looks up to him immensely. Of course, I look up to my father too, but they'd never let a woman in the army. Instead, I work in a small café, owned by a woman called Deidre Smith, but everyone calls her Dee.

Ever since my mother passed away, Dee took Steve and I under her wing, treating us like her own grandchildren. Steve and I were barely 18 at the time, and honestly, I don't know how we would've coped if it weren't for her and Bucky. Speaking of Bucky, I wonder if he's going to drop by today? He mentioned something about getting his orders today - he's going to England! I'm going to miss him immensely; before, nothing could separate Steve, Bucky and I. But now, the war is tearing us apart. I hate to imagine all the horrible experiences the soldiers encounter over there, and the fact that I'm not there to protect him, makes me feel so uneasy. What if he gets injured? What if I never see him again? What if-

My thoughts were cut off by the front door of our apartment closing with a soft *thud*. A sullen-looking Steve entered the apartment, head hung low as he hung his coat up on the hook; he'd been denied again. I got up from my seat on the couch and tried to comfort him.

"Hey, Stevie." I said softly.

"Hi, 'Lena." he replied, offering a small smile, yet I saw right through it. He walked past me, handing me a file before taking a seat on the couch. I scanned through the file, before my eyes landed on the familiar black stamp; 4F. Frowning slightly, I walked back over to the couch and sat beside my brother, putting the files on the coffee table. I placed my hand on his back, trying to console him.

"C'mere." I told him, wrapping my arms around him, letting him bury his head into my shoulder. I always let him do that as kids, whenever he got hurt, or had a nightmare. It gave him a sense of comfort, I guess.

"Don't stress about it Stevie, there's always next time. You know what they say, sixth time's a charm!" I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Shut up, 'Lena" he mumbled into my shoulder, but I could hear the smile in his voice. Breaking apart from the hug, Steve let out a small sigh.

"I just want to serve my country. They need as many guys as they can get, what's so bad about me?" I didn't realise it was upsetting him this much. I'd do anything to cheer him up.

"I don't know Steve. I really don't know." My shoulders slumped in defeat, I hated seeing my brother down in the dumps like this. I began to think
of ways that I could cheer him up...

"Hey Steeeeve." I smirked, dragging out the 'e'. He looked up at me in confusion, quirking an eyebrow. I stayed silent, jumping up from my seat and walking over to the coat hook next to the front door. I grabbed both of our worn, faded coats, throwing Steve's onto his lap, before wrapping my own around my shoulders.

"Let's go to the movies!"

Hope you enjoyed Chapter 1! I know it's short, but it was just to give you a little more information about Selena and her family/friends. Let me know what you think, and stay tuned for Chapter 2!

~ Haylie