⠀⠀⠀⠀It was Charlie who finally found me crying underneath the bleachers. I had been there all day, and I knew Mum and Dad would not be pleased when then heard about it. But right now, I didn't care. About anything. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Nat," he said softly, sitting beside me. It was all he said, but it comforted me like nothing else. I melted into his arms, still sobbing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Half of me wants to be friends with him and half of me h^tes him." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Which part is stronger?" He asked, rubbing my arm comfortingly. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I don't know. I don't care anymore. I don't have this need for him, not like I used to." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Well, let me get you home, okay?" He stood up and held out his hand. After wiping my face, I took it. Putting his arm around me, we headed home. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Natasha Rogers," Mum said as soon as the screen door shut, "why did you miss half of your school day?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I got into a fight at lunch, and then I just hid at the bleachers." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"A fight?" Dad asked, stepping in. "Are you hurt?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀I shook my head, "I just yelled at Tony. That's all." I brushed past them to the stairs and made my way up to my room. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"What's up with this?" I heard Dad ask. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Tony has been slipping away from her for a while now, and it's always bothered her." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I told her that's like him." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"But who wants to like a j^rk who won't be a good friend?" Mum demanded. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Dad sighed. I knew it was hard for him because he had been friends with Tony. But still, even then he had to know what he was like. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Why don't I talk to Howard?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Steve-" ⠀⠀⠀⠀"His son is hurting my daughter. I have every right to go and speak to him." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Alright, Steve," she said quietly. "I'll go bring Nat her dinner." ⠀⠀⠀⠀I quickly ran the rest of the way into my room and sat on my bed, pulling out my braids. I heard the door close, and Dad's car start in the driveway. It felt nice to think of Dad going for me. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Here, Nat," Mum pushed my door open. "I brought you some dinner." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Thanks, Mum," I scooched over and made room for her next to me. "I'm sorry I've been such a problem." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Don't worry about it, darling. Your father and I love you very much." ⠀⠀⠀⠀"I know," I smiled. ⠀⠀⠀⠀It was one of those nights where I was sleeping great. Maybe the whole Tony issue was a weight off my shoulders. Whatever it was, my slumber was rudely interrupted by the quiet cracking of glass. ⠀⠀⠀⠀I sat up quickly and looked to my window just as the glass shattered, oddly very quiet. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Who's there?" I called out. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Are you Natasha Rogers?" The voice asked, a mix of creepy and foreign. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Who's asking?" ⠀⠀⠀⠀"No none who matters to you." A figure finally emerged, a cloaked man, I believed. He floated to my blank wall and pulled out a small can. ⠀⠀⠀⠀"Tell me who you are, or I'll scream," I threatened. ⠀⠀⠀⠀The man laughed and turned to face me, throwing off his hood. ⠀⠀⠀⠀I nearly screamed. He face was red and looked skeletal. And he had no nose! I started to softly cry, feeling suddenly unable to utter a sound. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Again, the man laughed and faced my wall again. Shaking the can, he sprayed it, the chemical smell filing the room. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Coughing, I rubbed my eyes, and when I opened them again, he was gone. All that remained to prove it wasn't a dream were the black words dripping down my wall. Hail Hydra.
Credits: Story - Marvel & me Music - Captain America's Theme
