Chapter 8:
NATASHA'S POV:
The people I had previously talked to had been know help in my search for Luna. Drunken and loopy, they muttered things about not knowing who Luna was, and after a while I developed a deep thirst, and not for alcohol. I step inside to find water, and catch sight of a girl and boy fleeing the scene. I can't see a face, but I'd recognize the dark brown hair anywhere.
"Luna!" I scream, chasing after the two.
My hand fists a lock of her hair, and her wail of pain startles me. She turns, her features lit up by fear and adrenaline. Her eyes seemed dark and lost in the haze of the alcohol on her breath. The boy still clutches her hand, but they're both paralyzed by fear.
"Luna, you're in a boatload of trouble." I hiss.
LUNA'S POV:
Calum grips my hand tighter. Tasha snatches me away, and a tear rolls down my cheek. I mouth 'save me' to Calum as Natasha drags me out the door and into her car. Once I get in I roll down the window. A bright idea breaks the silence in my head. I wait for the moment that we cruise past Steve's house. I have one second to get him to come for me, and I use it accordingly. On the tip top of my lungs, I scream his name in a tone that could break glass. Natasha freaks out and brakes sharply.
"Luna, stop! You're coming back with me and I won't let you escape again. Just, please don't make this any harder than it has to be."
"I will never stop fighting. No one not even me, deserves this." I wail.
And then it hits me. I'm superhuman. I work up anger until it boils in my blood, and I scream. My hands get bigger, and my body grows until I'm the spitting image of everyone's favorite Hulk. Honestly, I'm equally scared as Natasha, but I'm in less danger than her. I yell again, and pick up Tasha's car (with Tasha inside) then walk off. I take her to the edge of town, and put her down.
"Don't EVER come back!" I scream, morphing back into me at the most inopportune time.
"I'm not scared of you. Luna, we're friends! Why don't you make this easy for the both of us?"
"If you were my friend you wouldn't make me go back."
Natasha's heart shatters in front of me. I can see the betrayal in her eyes, and they start to glimmer. She calls S.H.I.E.L.D. on the spot.
"It's Natasha. I need your help. We need to get Luna settled." A pause. "Yes that means bring money. Hurry."
A smile creeps onto her lips and I hug her. I whisper thanks into her ear, and she says that I'll owe her one. I was completely okay with that. Just as I was about to ask about my "powers" when a silver car zips around the corner. Clint jumps out and stands at Natasha's side.
"What happened!?" he exclaims, gesturing towards the car.
"Uh, I figured out how to Hulk-out." I blushed.
"Oh, I see. Well, I have emergency funds. Let's see, one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven, seven hundred dollars… that can't be right."
"No kidding! That's a lot." I point out.
"No it's right. She should be able to pay rent in an apartment for like, a month with that. So I suggest you stay wherever you've been staying, and then get on your own feet, and use that cash to pay for your first month okay? And for the sake of my sanity, please get a phone! We need to stay in touch somehow." Natasha smiles.
I hug her again and thank her and Clint.
"You guys are the greatest. Stay safe, stay employed, and don't do anything I wouldn't do! Bye-ah love birds!" I giggle as I walk down the street.
My mood has left earth and is now about 236.8% higher than it was. I can't fight the urge to skip, so I unstrap my heels, and skip down the street barefoot singing happy songs and giggling and twirling the dress. My laughter must've been louder than I thought, because Steve was sitting on his porch watching me when I dance past. Then I noticed I had completely bypassed him and backtracked until I was directly in front of him. I dashed over and sat beside him.
"So, how was the party?" he asked.
"Ah, it was okay. I got to see Tasha and Clint and now I need to get on my own feet, metaphorically of course, because despite my heels I am very capable of standing." I ramble excitedly.
We go back and forth, talking about random and stupid stuff, and honestly, compared to hanging out with Steve, Calum was nothing. With Calum, it was lovey dovey and pretty forced, considering we'd just met and I kissed him and stuff, but with Steve it's just chilling with a cool friend, and maybe there's something, maybe there's nothing, but that's the last thing on your mind.
"Well, do you mind if I stay a little longer?" I question, hopeful and nervous.
"Of course. But you don't really hate me right?"
"Of course not. You're actually quite great." I laugh.
I playfully shove him, and then he does it back, and we go on like best friends from seventh grade. He slings his arm over my shoulder, and I rest my head on his, and we just sit there, but all in a friendly way, right?
"I'm so glad I found you." He says.
"Funny, I was going to say exactly that." I say, and then we go inside.
