9. The Diary of Natasha Rogers

Instructions

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Mum, Dad, I'm home," I called out quietly as I stepped into the living room. Charlie followed me excitedly. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Natasha," Mum said firmly from where she and Dad sat on the couch, "what is he doing here?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I told him," I said plainly. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help it." I glanced over at Charlie, who was staring at Dad. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"You're-you're really him," he said breathlessly. "i can't believe it." He walked over to shake his hand. "It's an honor, sir." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Very nice to meet you," Dad answered. "I still can't believe you're Bucky's son." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I know. It's so...cool." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I suppose then that you are alright with this, Steve?" Mum turned to him. I knew she wasn't pleased, but Dad gave it an okay, then it was okay for her. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yes," he nodded. "Now, Charlie, you must keep this secret." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Of course, sir, I understand," Charlie answered solemnly. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hey, I have leftover cookies, want some?" I asked him. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Sure!" He headed for the kitchen, and I followed after giving and receiving a smile from Mum and Dad. ⠀⠀⠀⠀I woke up on Tuesday feeling nervous. Today, the track results would be posted. My name should be on that list, but the certainty was not what was worrying me. I worried about the other girls and gossip. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Morning, Nutmeg," Dad opened my door. "Ready for today?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Absolutely," I smiled, adjusting my uniform in front of the mirror. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Then go get 'em," he said, patting me on the back. ⠀⠀⠀⠀We smiled at each other in the mirror, Dad doing his Look. Now I knew what it meant. He had spent nearly twenty years in the future with no hope of ever seeing Mum again. But now, he had her and me and the baby. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Steve, Nat, hurry up!" Mum called. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Can't leave your mother waiting, Nutmeg," Dad said, and we both laughed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Ready, Nat?" Charlie asked me. We were about to head to the bulletin board. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Let's go," I pulled him down the hall. The results were indeed posted, and the first name was Natasha Carter. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I knew it!" Charlie cheered. Soon, a group of students began to huddle around us. Charlie picked me up and spun me around. "I knew you would do it!" ⠀⠀⠀⠀I laughed, looking over the sea of faces. Faces in awe and shock. I smiled at my fellow students, and they smiled back. For once, I felt like I belonged. ⠀⠀⠀⠀At lunch, Charlie and I sat at a table by ourselves, enjoying my success. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hey, Natasha," someone came up to me. I turned and stared. It was Tony. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hey, Tony," I said casually. "Oh, this is my friend, Charlie." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Nice to meet you," Tony said, almost sarcastically. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Tony, what is your problem?" I burst out, setting down my fork. All my anger and frustration rolled out. "Are you jealous that I have another friend that's a boy? Well, welcome to the club." ⠀⠀⠀⠀He stared at me, "I think you're the one who's jealous. I can actually d^te c^te girls, but you have to settle for..." he looked over at Charlie, "that." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Well, that is what I prefer," I answered hotly. "I don't want to hang around j^rks like you!" Picking up my tray, I stood and went to put it away before storming out of the cafeteria.