Chapter 1
I found solace in the strangest place,
Way in the back of my mind,
I saw my life in a stranger's face,
And it was mine...
~Alive; by Sia
"You're gonna love it, Bobbi, I promise." Angelique, my older sister, was telling me about the joys of living in D.C. Honestly, I could've cared any less about it—the only reason I was going to live in D.C. was because our parents decided I needed a change of scenery and, given my conditions, Angelique would be the best person when it came to watching over me while I adjusted to a more comfortable living situation.
"I'm sure it looks amazing."
"That's hilarious."
I smirked.
For the record, I'm not blind. At least not completely blind. I can see blurry images of people and certain things—not blurred to the point where I can't make it out, but there was just enough blurriness to make it hard for me to see those little details. It was like my vision was constantly out of focus. Not to mention the partial deafness in my right ear. If there's any wonder as to why I have this partial blindness and partial deafness—in one ear—it's because I had served in the Military and was lucky enough to only sustain, what I had been told to be, minor injuries. I was impulsive enough to think I could join the Military right after high school, thinking it'd be like a new journey into my path to adulthood. There was a part of me that did genuinely enjoy being in the Military, but after the explosion that got me medically discharged, I realized that maybe I had been a little in-over-my-head when it came to that decision.
"Listen, Mom and Dad think that living with me is the best for you right now," Angelique said. "At least try to be positive about this."
"I am being positive," I said dryly. "Do you hear me complaining?"
"You're being sarcastic," Angelique said, "which means you don't like it."
"I'm trying OK?" I frowned. "I only just got here."
There was a moment of silence between us. Angelique continued driving to her house, and I could feel she was thinking of something, which concerned me a little. Whenever Angelique started thinking of something, it always ended in some big disaster.
"You know, there's a Department of Veterans Affairs here," she said, trying to sound casual.
"So?"
"I sort of know this guy—really nice guy—who helps veterans overcome traumas from the Military..."
"No."
"Bobbi..."
"I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with me."
"Mom and Dad said you'd have violent night terrors." There was a sharpness in Angelique's voice that made me stiffen. "You punched Mom so hard you fractured her jaw."
"She startled me."
"You need to talk to someone."
"I don't need to talk to anyone."
"Bobbi Theresa, I swear to God, you're the most stubborn person I've ever met," Angelique snapped. "This is for your own good."
"Is this why I was sent here to live with you? To see some guy about what I did in the Military?"
"No, this is about you getting a new start. Living back home wasn't going to do you any good."
After leaving the Military, after five years of service, I was sent to live with my parents. For the most part, it felt like I was doing OK—I was getting better physically, and it didn't feel like I had anything wrong with me psychologically. I knew that I'd have little episodes of anxiety attacks whenever I heard certain noises, but I didn't think anything of it. Not to mention there were moments where a few bottles of beer managed to comfort me, but I didn't think it was much of a problem.
"Once you're settled, I think it'd be best if you went."
"I'm not going."
"Bobbi Theresa, you're going and that's final."
Once we reached Angelique's neighborhood, she helped me out of the car. I stood beside her car for a moment while she rummaged through the car to get something. Despite the fact that my vision wasn't too bad, I still had a white cane with me. There were certain things that were too difficult for me to see.
"How're you doing, Angelique?" a voice called.
My brows furrowed a little. It was a man's voice, a young man at that. I could pick up a hint of mischievousness and liveliness in his voice.
"Hey, Sam." Angelique's voice became friendlier. "I'm doing fine. This is my sister, Bobbi Theresa."
I saw the blurred figure of a man with a dark complexion walk in front of me. I stuck out my hand. "Just Bobbi," I said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you." I could practically hear the smile in his voice. "Sam Wilson."
"He's the one I told you who works at the V.A." Angelique nudged me.
"You were in the Military?" he asked.
I nodded. "Navy SEAL. Were you...?"
"Air Force," he replied. "Navy SEAL, huh? Must've been tough."
A humorless chuckle. "Oh yeah. Just because I'm a woman, didn't mean I got any special treatment."
"I was actually going to bring Bobbi by the V.A., if you're doing your thing today."
"Oh yeah." I could hear a tone in Sam's voice that caused my lips to purse. "I don't mind at all. Anyone can come."
"Well I..." I started.
"We'll be there," Angelique interrupted. "Thank you, Sam."
After everything I brought with me was put into Angelique's, I nudged her shoulder. "You and Sam seem chummy," I said.
"No." There was a definite firmness in her voice. "Trust me, Sam's nice, but he's not my type."
"Are you sure?" I teased.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Sam's a good friend and he knows I wouldn't be interested."
"I still can't believe you're making me go to that thing," I muttered. "I don't have any problems!"
"You've got night terrors, Dad said you'd drink bottles of his beer at a time, you'd have anxiety attacks—that doesn't sound like nothing."
"Sounds like you're all overreacting."
"I'm not changing my mind, Bobbi, you know that."
"And you say I'm stubborn."
Author's Note:
I hope you guys like this chapter. Let me know what you think! If I get any characters wrong, just tell me so I can fix them. Unlike my other story, 'Mad World', a Bucky/OC pairing which is set after 'Winter Soldier', this story is a Sam/OC pairing that's leading into 'Winter Soldier'.
A reminder to the reviewers: I know that when this chapter first went up, all it said was Chapter 1. I know. And when I update future chapters, it'll be a repost of the previous one until the newest update has been put up. I don't need any reminders of that. I'm completely aware. Please understand that! I don't need constant reminders of something I'm aware of.
Anywho, I own nothing in the 'Marvel' universe. All I own are my OC's and fillers.
Leave a kind and helpful review, please!
Thank you.
Susan Strong