I might be getting a little crazy. But it's the weekend so I have a lot of free time! REVIEW!
"Jace I'll see you later! I'm heading off to work!" I called, hoping he heard me. I closed the door behind me and walked to Ada's Diner.
Right after the dinner rush ended I plopped in a booth and blew hair out of my face. Loose strands of hair escaped my intricate bun that was held together by pencils. I kept an extra one in there to take orders with. Its a good magic trick with kids. I wiped down the booth I was sitting at before getting up to wipe the counters. As I was wiping, I heard the bell ring, but continued to clean. The person sat down in my section as I saw from my peripheral, I huffed. I was so tired. Lauren came over to me, and leaned against the counter.
"Hey Maeve, I can totally take your section. You look like you need a rest." She offered. I was surprised, considering she's a bitch to me. I smiled,
"Um yeah that-" I looked over and saw Steve. He waved shyly at me. I turned back towards Lauren. Of course. That's why she wants my section. I gave a smile. "No thanks Lauren I got this one." I walked past her and on my way she grabbed my bicep, hard, and instantly I reacted. I gasped, roughly pushing her arm off, feeling fear. My breathing came up short and I started to feel dizzy. What is going on? Why did I feel scared? Its just Lauren! She couldn't do anything to me! I panicked, looking around. Lauren was staring at me in disgust, Steve behind her in concern.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Lauren asked. I couldn't answer, because I couldn't breath. "Goddamn are you always this much of a freak?" Steve walked up and gently pushed Lauren out of the way.
"She's having a panic attack." He sent her a frown before turning towards me. Fear shot through me again, and I backed away and hit the counter, sliding to the ground with my knees to my chest.
"No!" My outburst startled Lauren and Steve, though Steve almost looked hurt. Realization dawned on his face. He put his hands up and crouched down kneeling in front of me.
"Maeve. It's me Steve. I'm not going to hurt you please look at me. You need to calm down. You're gonna be okay." My vision started getting blurry and my chest tightened. Ada rushed out all the customers, giving them coupons to use another day. She came over and stood by Steve.
"Please no" I sobbed. Steve swiftly went into my apron pocket and grabbed my cell phone, causing me to flinch back and sob harder. Steve looked at Ada, instantly in Captain America mode.
"Ma'm go through her contacts and call Jace. It's her brother and we need him immediately, I don't think I can calm her down and she's going to make herself pass out." Ada nodded and got a hold of Jace.
"He said he is right down the road. He'll be here in a minute." Steve nodded and continued to try to calm me down until Jace got here.
"Maeve please look at me. You're safe." I shook my head, tears still streaming down my face. By this point, I didn't know what was wrong with me. It's like I was conscious of what was happening but I was terrified of Steve even though I know him. It was like reflexes and muscle memory. I just could't stop even if I tried. Jace burst through the doors and ran over to me. Steve slid out of the way still kneeling but letting Jace through. Jace knelt down and grabbed my face to force me to look at him. I tried to pull away but he held on tighter.
"Maeflower look at me," He said softly, "Its me Jace. Your brother. You're okay. Look at me sis." I recognized his voice and my reaction was immediate. My heartbeat slowed down and I gasped for air, intaking the sweet oxygen. He crawled over and held me, rocking me back and forth whispering quietly. I finally calmed down enough to talk.
"What the hell just happened to me?" My voice cracked multiple times, and felt like cotton. Steve handed me the water from his table, as if he read my mind. It was him who answered.
"You had a panic attack. This waitress over here grabbed your arm and it must have triggered something." He looked at my arm, and saw red fingers, and sent a glare over at Lauren. "You grabbed her a little harshly there didn't you?" Lauren muttered a sorry before folding her arms. Jace looked at my arm and stood up facing Lauren.
"You do realize I am an officer correct? I can have you arrested for assault." She paled, and I responded before anyone could.
"Jace. It's okay. It's just her." He sent her another glare, and knelt back down patting my back.
"Let's get you home." I nodded, and he and Steve helped me stand up.
"I am so sorry. I don't know what happened. Oh my god I'm so embarrassed" I put my face in my hands as I turned red. Ada walked over to me.
"None of that dearie. You did nothing wrong. As for Lauren," She looked towards Lauren, "You're fired." Lauren gasped, and turned red in anger. Ada held a hand up, "I don't want to hear it missy. Get your stuff and don't come back. You are not welcome in my diner." Lauren made a frustrated noise and immediately ran turned towards Steve, "As for you handsome, come back any time." She winked then stopped. She looked at him in wonder before asking, "What's your name young man?" He stuck out his hand.
"Steve Rogers ma'm its a pleasure to meet you." Ada smiled, her eyes lighting up.
"No need for introductions Captain. We've already met." Steve gave her a confused look, as did Jace and I. "I was a USO dancer back when you were selling war bonds. Fresh at sixteen." Steve's face lit up, and a smile broke out on his face.
"Wait. Sixteen? Adalynn King? I remember you! You were a such a sweetheart! Oh Ada!" Steve gently grabbed her in a hug. "I remember when you first joined. Golly you were terrified and such a shy little thing." She chuckled.
"Ah yes, and the other girls were giving me a hard time because I was so young. And who stood up for me? You got them to all leave me alone." She poked him in the chest, "I never did thank you for that." He smiled.
"There's no need to. I knew how it felt. Gosh Ada its so good to see you." He hugged her again. Obviously happy to meet someone from his own time.
"Well every meal is on the house from now on okay? Come in whenever your little heart desires." Steve shook his head.
"Nonsense. I couldn't ask that of you." She swatted him with a towel.
"I am your elder you do as I say young man." We all chuckled.
"Technically I'm older than you. But I'll give you that one." She sighed wistfully and looked him over.
"I remember praying to God to let me age a couple of years so I could pursue you" We all smiled,she huffed and muttered, "I didn't think he would take it literally." We all laughed for a good couple minutes at that. Steve turned pink before laughing along with us. I got a dizzy spell after laughing and my knees buckled. Thanks to Steve's fast reflexes he caught me before I hit the floor.
"Woah. Easy there. Jace we should probably get her home." Jace nodded in agreement. Ada ran into the kitchen before coming back out with a takeout box and handing it to Jace.
"Here, let her eat this when you get home." Jace agreed before holding the door open while Steve scooped me up into his arms bridal style. Mortified, I pushed against him telling him to put me down. I have legs. I can walk. But he ignored me. The cool night air that softly tickled my face, the warmth radiating off of Steve's body, and the gentle swaying, lulled me into a peaceful sleep in Steve's arms.
I woke up gasping, feeling sweat trickle down my neck. I had the same dream about my dad from a few nights ago. Same beginning, same feeling, same ending. I looked at my clock and saw it was three in the morning. Wait. I looked around, seeing I was in my room. How'd I get in here? I didn't remember coming home. That last thing I remembered was being carri- Shit.I must have fallen asleep in Steve's arms. Oops. I laid back down, thinking of Steve. Before I knew it, my eyelids slid back shut.
I woke up the next morning feeling rejuvenated. Bouncing out of bed I got ready for the day. Jace and I were picking up Izzy to take her to the park to go feed the ducks. I made sure Jace was awake and then we went into the kitchen and made breakfast. He cooked the eggs while I made the bacon. It was our usual routine. We were done with breakfast in no time and ate fast, before heading out the door to get Izzy. Jace was on call today so he may or may not have to leave early, much to Izzy's soon to be disappointment.
We reached her house and Jace was about to knock on the door when we heard a scream and a crash. We looked at each other, before Jace kicked the door opened and sprinted in. I followed quickly behind and gasped at what we saw.
Izzy was laying face down on the floor, blood pooling from her head and staining the white carpet a dark burgundy color. A plate lay cracked in half next to her.
"How do you like that you little shit?!" We heard a shrill voice say. Ice pooled in my stomach. I closed my eyes, hoping this was a nightmare. I turned to see Izzy's mom holding another plate, and Jace sprinting at her holding her in a headlock. I called 911 immediately and ran to Izzy's side careful to examine her. Her arm was bent at an odd angle, and even I could tell it was broken. Jace was saying something to the mom, and produced handcuffs and locked her to the sink. He ran over to where I was and gently turned Izzy face up. He paled, and put his head to her chest before making a sobbing noise. I looked down and saw why. I put my hands to my mouth and choked a sob back.
She wasn't breathing.
