Independence Day

(Part 1)

Over the next few days, Beth and I made our way to the hidden obstacle course to train. We'd do a few laps together, racing each time. I have yet to beat her; I've come close, but not close enough. Afterwards, I'd practice my bending, while Beth walked. I never did any fire-bending though; if I wasn't careful, I could set the woods ablaze. That definitely wouldn't make a good impression. It would be lasting, though.

As time moved on, Sophie Carrock (the bossy, but effective ginger) joined our duo. I called us the three musketeers. When Jason, Evan, and Mark joined the fabulous three (Sophie, Beth, and I), we liked to call them the three must-get-beers. It wasn't strictly true, but they did always seem to be drinking beer when alcohol was available.

The six of us grew closer over time, and as July approached, along with the celebrations for the fourth of July, the whole compound prepared to celebrate. Now, as a British citizen (of an alternate universe) I wasn't exactly planning on going all out with them. After all, Britain lost part of its empire. Not that that really bothered me; it all happened centuries before any of us were born. Although, Steve was closer to it than the rest of us.

So, come first of July, everyone was buzzing for the celebrations. But the Avengers' were planning something a little different.

Dressed in some new clothes – courtesy of Stark's bank account – my confusion grew as seeing all the Avengers sat around the kitchen table, talking in hushed tones. Having just been out on the course with Beth, I'd come and showered, so my hair was dripping wet. I fix myself a slice of toast, and shuffled round in my fluffy socks to join them.

Wanda gave me a quick grin, and whispered the details to me. "We're planning a surprise birthday party for the Captain. Just us, though – the Avengers." My face must have fallen, because she hastily amended her statement. "And you, of course. You've been here nearly two months, you count." She gives me a quick nudge with her shoulder, and I give a quick smile.

Everyone seems a little on edge, waiting and watching to see if Steve walks in the room. It's only 7:00 am, so he's usually in the gym, working out. I don't understand why exactly; doesn't the super solider serum keep him fit and healthy? Maybe he just enjoys it. I wouldn't. But hey, guess it's just not my cup of tea.

After an hour of everyone chiming in, the party is finalised and all the tiny details are straightened out. They're setting it up at 8:00 on the fourth, and it's Sam's job to distract Steve for another hour until everything is ready. I'm not sure it's going to work, but the party for Independence Day is happening at the same time, so maybe they can use that. I wanted to go hang with Beth, Sophie and the others. But I'm honoured that the Avengers have invited me, and I haven't known them very long at all. Well, a few days longer than I've known my other friends, but everyone's invited to it. It's not really the same.

I suppose, I could try and go to both of them. It may be a little difficult though. I'll have to make a choice.

By the time the fourth has rolled around, I've decided to spend the first hour of the party with my friends, and then go back to the Avengers' party. We can see the fireworks from inside – nobody will be outside, most of them have PTSD or some such affliction. They don't need the loud noises triggering memories. The flashing lights will be bad enough.

Right now, though, I'm clicking down the corridors to Beth's room. We've decided to meet up before we go, and she'll critique my outfit for me. I'm not sure what people wear to these things, and it's not my Independence Day. I was tempted to show up in a Union Jack dress, but I don't think that would go down well.

I hesitate before I knock, my fist hovering over the wood. But the door opens before I can knock, and Beth ushers me inside. Her straight hair is pulled up into braided bun. I just left mine half-up, half-down, with my wavy hair falling down my back.

"Hey there!" Beth hugs me, make-up brush clutched in one hand. "Nice top, by the way. Very, uh, patriotic."

"Please …" I roll my eyes. "It's got red, white, and blue stripes. That's the same colours as the Union Jack. Which it has – a Union Jack flag pattern, that is – on the inside. It's an inside-out top."

"Nice." She gives a wicked grin as she pulls back from the hug. "You gonna wear it the other way 'round at some point?"

"Maybe …" I say, widening my eyes innocently. Well, as innocently as I can manage to get.

"Do it."

"Sure. Just for you, Beth."

"Damn right. So, you coming or what?"

"Me?" I give a look of mock outrage. "I was waiting for you and your make-up."

"Eh … True, true. I've just gotta touch up – "She picks up an eyeliner pencil, positioning it at her eyes. Incidentally, they have already been outlined in black, making her deep blue eyes stand out, brighter and harder.

"Nope." I grab the pencil, turning her away from the mirror. "You don't need any more make-up. You look fabulous already. If you don't hurry up, you know, we'll miss the food …" I coax her, dragging her towards the door.

"Oh – please, I just have to …" Beth protests half-heartedly, casting her room a longing look as we progress into the corridor, towards the barbeque area. The initial part takes place outside, but we'll watch the fireworks from inside. As I said, most people have something like PTSD, and don't need any flashbacks.

As we progress down the halls, we reach the tarmacked training grounds (and I suspect it's used as a landing strip too), meeting up with friends along the way. It's only just ten minutes since the party started, so there's not many people here. But they have started making food yet, and my stomach is growling. I barely had any tea to save up for this. Now the food isn't even ready yet. Like, come on!

I've only got about another half an hour, before I have to head back inside, for Steve's birthday party. Guess that means I've half an hour to come up with a believable excuse for my absence until the fireworks which start around 10:30. Maybe I can just cross my fingers, and hope they won't miss me. I can try. I can try.

As more people arrive, the BBQs start heating up, and the delicious smell of burgers, sausages and steak rises through the air. All around, people start swarming for the food, arriving at the tables in a gaggle, pushing and jostling each other to get closer. It makes me raise an eyebrow at the madness.

"Don't you people queue for this? Isn't that … wouldn't it be more efficient?And bloody easier?" I question Mark, who's decided, like me, to wait for the chaos to die down a little.

"Well, if you think this is bad, just wait for black Friday. Now – that's chaos." He chuckles, and ruffles my hair.

"Hey! I spent ages trying to stop my hair from frizzing!" I scold him, swatting away his hands. "You're going to ruin it …" Whining at him, I nudge him away, all the while sporting a half-smile.

"You love it really." Mark pushes me back.

"If you want to keep your misguided views than be my guest." I put on a lofty, posh London accent, as I shove me back.

Eventually, we end up in a shoving war. People around us give us a wide berth and a strange look. But I don't care; we're laughing, and it's fun. This is what friends are for, right? Someone you can mess around with at parties. They're for having fun times with, and not being afraid to be yourself. They're for making memories worth keeping. They're for having the good moments; the ones you could use for forming a Patronus.

Friends are the family we choose.

Beth and the others have come back now, each holding a couple of burgers/hotdogs and a drink. The crowd is really building up; I'd no idea just how many people this HQ held. It's way more than I ever expected. Then again, I've only been in the tiniest proportion of this place, and interacted with a rather small range of people. It shouldn't surprise me. Not really.

Whilst I was sucked into my thoughts, the alarm on my phone has chimed. Reaching into the pockets (surprising for women's clothing) of my jean shorts, I pull out the device and cancel the alarm. Beth gives me a quizzical look.

"I, uh, gotta go do some, like, stuff for an hour or two. Be back as soon as I can." I scramble an excuse together, fumbling with the phone in my hands.

"Uh-huh … What 'stuff' would that be?" Beth raise an eyebrow in question. All I think is: sugar, she's on to me.

Struggling to come up a reason, I just blurt the first thing that pops into my head. "It's … bending stuff." Beth doesn't look convinced.

"Yeah – we, uh, have to do a special, um, ritual every fourth."

"Alright then … Don't stay away the whole night. I know it's not exactly your day, Miss British, but it's a party anyways. Don't spend it locked up inside, yeah?" She raises her glass to me in salute.

I nod back, as I walk backwards from the immediate area. As soon as she disappears from sight, I turn and sprint along the tarmac, bursting through the doors in a rush. Using the air to propel myself forwards faster, I launch myself down the corridors, making my way to the Avengers' quarters. My sneakers leave streak marks on the lino flooring. The smell burns at my nostrils.

As the clock strikes 8:59 pm, I duck under the kitchen table, squashing against the chairs alongside Wanda. She gives me a quick grin, and we both focus our gaze towards the entrance way as the time ticks down. In a few seconds, Sam and Steve will walk through that door, and we'll announce our happy birthday wishes.

Three.

Two.

One…

Hey there! Another chapter up for you guys to read.

Again, I know this chapter is shorter, but it's a two-parter, so they'll be more words overall.

Hope you've enjoyed it.

I own nothing but my OCs.