Some notes-

1)For the purpose of this story, Bucky is not a year older than Steve. Birthdays are as follows:

Bucky- March 10, 1918

Steve- July 4, 1918

Florence- May 19, 1918 (for you astrology nerds I made her birthday this day at 11 am in Sligo so that she's a taurus sun, virgo moon, and leo ascendent)

2)I am from America (New York baby!) so to my UK and Aussie friends especially, spelling, slang, and expressions may be different

3)Don't worry we won't be in high school for a while, after this chapter the action begins to pick up, so if the teeniebop drama isnt your niche, no need to fear it'll be over soon (the best part about writing in first person is I don't have to give you any foreshadowing; thank you to one of my favorite authors EVER Kryalla Orchid for that nasty little idea :D, P.S. you should all give her a follow and a read)

Thanks loves! I hope you enjoy and if you feel so compelled to leave a comment, suggestion, or ask a question PMs are open and reviews are GREATLY appreciated

"I heard you punched Dottie today." Elle was staring at her shoes as we walked home, the passive aggressive comment stung more than any look she could've given me.

"Dottie? What're you two best friends all of a sudden? Does she know we're sisters? She deemed me and our family lower than dirt, and if i'm recalling correctly, you're a part of that."

"She's not really that classist, she just likes Bucky," she shrugged, "Dottie just got jealous and all."

"Oh ok that clears things up, everything's a-ok now." Elle just rolled her eyes and pulled a face, still not looking me in the eye. "Thank you by the way for telling everyone that rumor was fake. I don't even know what it actually was but I appreciate the support."

"I don't know what youre talking about. People talk Florence, people see things. Did you think that your late night alleyway escapades would go unnoticed? You aren't that stupid are you? I feel bad for him, stooping so low to get a fix in the street when he could have any girl he wants. You must've told him if he didnt pay and come back again you'd talk."

I grabbed Elle's arm and spun her to face me. "Bullshit. C'mon Elle, you know that I haven't done anything with Barnes, I can barely stand him half the time."

Her eyes narrowed, "Then why are you always sneaking around with him? And with that poor skinny kid too?"

"Oh please, don't tell me you've suddenly become 'too cool' to know who Steve is for christ's sake. You don't seriously believe what Dad was saying, do you? The man's psychotic. I know all you want to do is go around acting like a kid, pretending to live in fantasy land with a perfect family and a knight in shining armour who will save you one day, but I know it's all an act. Whether you're naive or not, you're becoming a vindictive little bitch."

"Have you ever considered that maybe you aren't god's gift to humanity? That you can do wrong? Not everyone who disagrees with you is an idiot Florence. You're only going to be eighteen in a month, you're not even an adult."

"So you do believe him, huh? Fine, that's how it is. You must've got whatever crackpot disease is eating away at mom's brain then, because I can see the Blaney Family craziness in you already. All these years I've taken care of you and for what? I've given up my life, I've worked since I was five, I've washed your clothes and made you dinner, and for what? I didn't have to! I could have checked out like those two idiots and left you and Carl to fend for yourselves. I know how to take care of myself, I hold everything together, I get beaten once a week for putting his kids ahead of me!" I was out of breath from yelling, a shaking finger pointed at Eleanor. She was crying, not big sobs, but slow tears filled with anger and pain spilled over her eyes. I could see what she was thinking: Then leave.

I wanted to turn around and walk away, just keep walking til I saw a sign. Run away right now, find somewhere to spend the night, pick up more shifts at the diner, figure something out. There were still a lot of people homeless from the crash, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I could use bread lines while I save money to have somewhere to go. If I found some roommates I could afford a decent apartment. I'd be eighteen in a few weeks, I'd just have to be careful until then, and then I couldn't get rounded up in some 'orphanage' or 'children's refuge'.

As I was planning my vagabond future I noticed my feet did not match up with where I wanted to go. I was walking in the direction back to our apartment building, the sound of small footsteps behind me told me Eleanor was trailing along. What a bitch. This was all her fault in the first place, if she would just shut up, pull her weight, and stick up for me like how I would for her, we wouldn't be here. She could've stopped that rumor and Doris and I would've never gotten into a fight and we would've never said such mean things to one another.

I unlocked the door, kicking it open, trying to get out my remaining anger. I didn't want to be mad at her, I wanted a cooler head to prevail, but damn it there was hot anger still rushing through my veins with no way of stopping it, I would just have to ride it out. I went into the bedroom I shared with Eleanor and Carl, slammed the door before she could come in, and changed out of my school clothes. I knew I was being childish but I've had to be an adult since I was ten, cut me some slack. Screw my consciousness for making me feel guilty about being angry. I deserved this time to brood. I grabbed my purse, and opened the door to a very surprised Eleanor, I clearly startled her with my abruptness.

"I'm going out," I said pushing past her.

"Where?"

"It's none of your business. You're fifteen you can figure out how to feed yourself. Pick up mom from Mrs. McHelen's downstairs. Carl will be home at seven thirty." I walked out of the front door, slamming it shut behind me, not even bothering to turn around and look at my sister as I left, knowing it would just make me sad to see her upset.

The walk from my house to James's was about ten minutes, but I made it there in five. I needed a release and what better way to get out my frustrations than by learning how to punch someone. I probably should have walked slower, let myself get lost and wander around for a bit before I met up with the boys to get some steam off, but I was being stupid. God help Barnes if he tried to push my buttons, I might run my mouth off again.

I knocked three times on the door, trying not to bang it as loudly as I wanted too. Steve answered with a very forced smile, god I didn't think to plan on him having heard about what happened.

"Hey Flor! Come on in." I put my purse down on a chair in the dining room, and took off my jacket, revealing a gymnastics leotard. Steve's eyes got big when he saw the tight fabric against my figure.

"Sorry, I thought this would be better than a skirt or blue jeans, I can't afford to rip any more of my school clothes."

He gulped, "Now it's fine- good thinking." He let out a nervous laugh. "I think I'll get Bucky."

He disappeared for a moment and returned with Barnes.

"Well this is a nice surprise, you didn't have to get all dressed up for me."

"Shove it, I'm really not in the mood right now Barnes. It's one of my old gymnastics uniforms. I thought it'd be a good idea to wear it for this." I pulled my hair back with a ribbon and tied it up.

"Listen, if you're still in a bad mood because of Doris maybe we shouldn't be doing this, and I mean talked to her about-"

"Don't lecture me James, I don't want to talk about it."

"Calm down Flora, I'm trying to actually be nice right now. Somebody made up some story about us and it got around, Dot got jealous and was an idiot, and that's it. I told her to apologize to you tomorrow and I set the record straight about us."

"Oh good, good, we wouldn't want your reputation to be tarnished," I snarled. "Can't have the famous lover boy being associated with trash-"

"Give it a rest Flora, it happened. It's over. You can't change it so just get over it and move on like everyone else. Things happen all the time, you move on." He was beginning to raise his voice to me.

"Please you don't think I know that? What's the worst that's happened in your life, Barnes? Daddy bought you the wrong colored football helmet? I've had to raise my family and care for four other people, Barnes."

His face softened when he realized what he said, "I'm sorry Flora, I didn't-"

"Stop calling me that. I don't call you Bucky, you don't get to call me Flora." I was still yelling, righteous anger in my blood. I realized he was trying to extend an olive branch, neither of us had really meant what we said, and I was rude to him as well. I waited a minute before adding, "My mom used to call me Flora...god she'd be so disappointed if she knew what I turned out like."

"Flor, you haven't done anything wrong. You did a great job with Carl and Ellie, you have a nice apartment, food on the table, a job. You always stick to your guns and stand up for the little guy. She'd be so proud of you," Steve worked his way over to me and stuck his arms out. I didn't realize how long it had been since I had hugged Steve, but it was nice. His little arms surprisingly wrapped me tight and warm, and I felt safe and protected.

Bucky started, "You know you don't always have to be strong, we're here to give you a break. You ever need help at home, you call us. You know we'd do anything to help you." I nodded and pulled away from Steve. "That being said, I still want to teach you to fight, properly… just in case we can't get there in time for you." I smiled and blushed slightly, not used to the affection from both of them, but it was greatly appreciated. It also seemed to calm me down, the hot anger cooling into guilt.

"Steve and I cleared everything out of the living room, we'll have enough room in there. My dad won't be home for another hour, and my mom went to pick up some groceries. She said you can stay for dinner too, unless you're busy." I trailed behind the boys through a doorway to the living room, devoid of its usual high-end furnishings.

"Ok," James put his hand out, parallel to my face, "give me your best punch." I raised an eyebrow, and he just nodded, encouraging me. I pulled my right arm back, and lunged into the blow. "Ok, I like the power, but your stance is a little wide. Step into it more, instead of meaning, and keep your feet shoulder width apart." I adjusted my body as he commented. "Also you're going to break your thumb if you keep your hand like that, make a fist with your thumb on the side, not tucked under. And make sure your arm doesn't overextend straightforwardly, you'll mess up your elbow." We went on like this for a while, Barnes demonstrating different types of hits and strikes, occasionally moving my limbs to the correct places. An hour and a half later, I was able to pin Steve a few times and had even gotten Barnes down at the very end.

"AHA I did it!" I jumped up and down, Steve whooping and yelling with me.

"You're not small, but you're probably going to be smaller than any opponent you face," He was smiling and laughing at Steve and me. I reached out my hand, helping him up. "You did a good job of using that to your advantage but just make sure you don't forget what you're good at. If you don't know a person's strengths, make sure you rely highly on speed, ability, and getting them to the ground so you can get away. That was also a great job of incorporating your gymnastic training. I like the agility that brought in."

I couldn't contain my smile, the fact that I was able to take down Barnes was incredible. He's a 6'2" athlete who was pure muscle. I know he probably went easier on me, but still. "Well you have to try and keep up then next time." I added after he cracked a smile, "Don't worry I'll go easy on you." He ruffled my hair like how he usually did to Rogers.

"Alright, alright, don't get ahead of yourself."

"Are you going to stay for dinner then Flor?"

I hesitated. I really wanted to, but I was still upset with how I left things with Eleanor. On the other hand, if she told Carl about what happened today I would be screwed.

"Nah I'll head home I don't want to impose. Besides you two need to shower anyway, you stink." I hoped my tone was light enough and they wouldn't suspect something was wrong. I didn't feel like telling them about my argument with my sister.

I thanked Mr. and Mrs. Barnes for having me over, I couldn't tell if they approved of me or not but I tried to be as polite as possible, and went on my way home. It was dusk, the spring sky a light orange and blue, with a deep pink in the east. Even though I know I should've gone straight home, so not to give anyone another reason to get pissed at me, and because this part of Brooklyn was dangerous at night, I meandered along, exploring side streets and going in circles. I knew I was in for it from Carl, and possibly my father if someone told him, but I didn't care. I was still upset with who Eleanor had become.

When I walked in, I was immediately bombarded by Carl, who grabbed me by my shoulder and pulled me to our room. He threw me in, slammed the door, and then turned his finger to my face.

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"After everything that happened last night you go and pull a stunt like that? Do you have a death wish?"

"You didn't hear what she was saying, she insulted our whole family, called us trash, and said I was a cheap hooker. I didn't want to fight her, it just happened!"

"What do you mean you fought her? She didn't look like you hit her, she just said you called her a selfish bitch. You're lucky she didn't tell Dad you attacked her."

"Wait a minute what're you talking about? I never said that. Why would Doris tell Dad I hit her?"

"YOU GOT IN A FIGHT AT SCHOOL?" Uh oh. I guess Eleanor only told him about our fight. I was screwed. Shit. "Are you fucking kidding me Florence? You punched Doris? Is that why you attacked Elle out of nowhere? You were just on a roll-"

"I wouldn't talk about things you don't know about, Carl," I snarled at him. "Eleanor heard a rumor about me and Barnes and she encouraged it, Doris came over to tell me to stay away from him, called me a hooker, called our family poor and unworthy, and I punched her. Eleanor then said she was right, I should stay away from Barnes, pretended to not know who Steve was, and said I was selfish and you all didn't need me."

He stepped back and for a moment his expression softened, the eye of the storm. He looked up at me, his face changed again, and it was back to hashing insults.

"Don't go making shit up Florence, this is exhausting having to deal with everyday. It's not Elle's fault that she just wants a normal family and you're like a rabid dog."

"Would it kill someone to be grateful to me for something, for once?" I threw my arms out to the side. "All I've done is work my ass off so we could keep the apartment, and stay in school, and not go hungry. And what do I get? You people telling me I'm selfish and I have issues. Screw you, Carl.

"I wasn't even mad at you, because I know and I understand how much you've sacrificed for this family too. But it seems like you just don't want to understand me. I'm done with all you people never having my back. All anyone ever does is make fun of me and I'm so tired of it. I can't keep doing this. I hate having to be so strong all the time where nothing bothers me and I have no feelings. I hate having to act like I don't care that we aren't rich or cool. I'm done."

I hadn't even noticed that Eleannor had slipped into the room while I was yelling and ranting. She stood small and her face was puffy, like she had been crying. My father barged in behind her, shoved Carl out of the way and ran up to me.

Ouch. His fist made contact with the same spot on my lip and cheek that it had the night before and I was on the ground again. My head made a funny noise when it hit the worn out rug and it was so tempting to just lay there and let him kick me or do whatever. I got up onto my knees and spit the blood out from my mouth. I made a split decision. I could let this play out the same way as it did last night, or, I could stop this from going any further. I knew what would result from the latter, but I didn't think doing nothing would be conducive if I wanted to survive, at the very least.

I know he favors his left side, I'd have to take that into account. I stood up, made a dive to his right side, and he grabbed me around the waist, lifting me off the ground. Perfect. I wiggled my body so my stomach was facing into him, swung my legs around to the right, lifting them up until I found where his head was. Wrapping my legs around his neck, he let go of my body to release my legs. I leaned down, getting my hands to the floor, and pulled my legs back, causing him to stumble back to the ground.

I got off the floor, and made a run for it. Out the front door, don't look back, don't think about the footsteps you hear, keep going. Run, run, run. Don't think about how you can never go back there or he'll kill you, or how you left all of your belongings, or if he's still following you.

"Florence! Come back!" Carl's voice.

What if it's a trap? I stole a quick glance over my shoulder as I was running, and saw Carl gaining on me. Run, run, run. I felt myself being grabbed around the waist again. Uh oh.

"Stop it Flor! He left! Went to the bar!" He was getting out in between gasps for air, I was swatting my hands at him, and he had been chasing me for at least ten minutes, including making up for the headstart I got.

"Let me go! I'm not going back, he'll string me up!"

"If we go now you can get your stuff! Elle's started packing for you. If he's there when we get back I'll tell him I lost you and we'll drop your bad on the fire escape." Oh. Good thought out plan. This could work. I stopped trying to escape and Carl put me down. We ran back to the apartment, side by side and slower this time.

"Where'd you learn to fight like that? Don't tell me that's what you did to Doris."

"No way. I went to Barnes's before and he was helping me clean up my style."

Carl let out a snort and we remained silent the rest of the way home. "It was pretty cool though, I'll give you that. You should've seen how surprised he was when he realized what happened. He'll be at the bar for a long time tonight."

"Good. He'll be away from you two then."

"I've put in a deposit for a place." I stopped in my tracks, on the way to our bedroom. "I'm gonna take Elle with me, if she wants, and Mom. I don't have it yet but once I do you can…"

I put a hand on his arm, "It's ok Carl, I'll find somewhere to stay, I've heard I'm a likeable person and people would kill each other to put me up. Besides, he'll know where you live, and even if he doesn't, I don't want to get you lot in hot water with him." He nodded, and it almost seemed like he was relieved. Eleanor came out with two bags for me.

"I've got all the important stuff in here, birth certificate, money, that kinda thing. I also got you a good amount of clothes, basically all of it, the stuff you wear most… I put your good shoes in here too, just in case." I tried to give her a small smile, thanking her, but I didn't feel in the mood for a smile, so I probably looked pained.

I gave a once over of the room, making sure I had everything I needed, but not wanting to stay too long, just in case. I headed out into the night, not sure of what was next. Everything happened so quickly, I couldn't decide what I should do.

My feet carried me, but I didn't know where I was going. Somehow, I ended up at the Barnes residence.

"Do you mind if I stay here tonight? I have nowhere else." That night I had one of the deepest and most comfortable rests I've ever had in years.

Hope you all enjoyed! I'll try to have updates out once a week, that way I can have a stockpile written up (I finished this 4/23, so this way I'm ahead on writing is all I mean). Hope you all had a good day, sending love!