Ezra Jamie Micheals, my mother's name so I could be a unique little boy who was bullied because my name was odd and I was smart. I was sitting in the back corner of the room, my eyes watching everyone around me. It didn't matter that I was a genius with an IQ of 169 and an emotional range of nothing according to everyone around me. Still, all that did matter was because I had managed to sneak my way into the Avenger's event of the season. I really just wanted to get a look around. It was a Saturday night, and I had grown bored of staring down at a new book, my eyes scanning a page. But I was never really getting any real feelings or emotions from it.

Frankly, it sucked; I was bored as always; nothing good ever came from me being bored. I was sitting on my shitty apartment fire escape when I saw the lights from the tower and said, fuck it. I got dressed in the only suit that I owned and came down flashing a fake entry pass I had made ten minutes earlier to the man at the door before sliding inside.

I could be doing anything I wanted in life, really with an eidetic memory and my super ability at reading people. I could be unstoppable, but I was burnt out making straight As until high school before dropping out because school was boring, and teenagers are morons. Took an exam and got the hell out of West Virginia. Now I work at the local gas station and read all the time. It's an exciting life that I lead.

I lean back against the wall that I had taken refuge near, the champagne glass in my hands for the show, as I look around, watching the rich people and the Avengers work the room. Natasha Romanoff had passed by a few minutes ago with Tony Stark. I wonder if Tony knows she was counting how many times he said the word team. Then was signaling it to her friend Hawkeye who seemed to be enjoying the intel as he sipped on his drink perched on the overlooking balcony of the room.

Steve Rodgers was there, too. I have watched him check his watch 48 times and constantly glance at the door before snapping back to attention and smiling back at the people who approached him to talk. The Scarlet witch was stood off to the side, speaking lowly to the weird robot man before they both disappeared out the door Rodgers kept looking to. Bruce Banner caught my eye next as he was standing next to the God of Thunder, nodding along to whatever the god was saying to him. However, he looked bewildered about what they were speaking about.

I sighed, taking a long sip of my drink I could go exploring. The probability was low, and I'd be out before anyone noticed. I glanced at the door Steve kept looking to before making a decision and making my way over towards it. Again, I slipped in before anyone could notice.

The door led to a short hallway, and with an elevator, next to it was a set of stairs. I took the stairs. Making my way up a couple of random floors before exiting the hall, I had maybe thirty minutes to walk around before the AI adequately registered. I wasn't supposed to be up here and snitches, so I'd have to be gone in twenty, so a quick look around don't touch nothing, then time to go.

I looked around, walking down a few hallways peering into the rooms quietly humming to myself. It was honestly a let down thought it would be more relaxed. I knew that most of the things in each room probably cost more than my rent, but it was still dull. Ten minutes into my walk around on the next floor, I barely heard it. Someone was walking behind me. Their steps are almost silent, as though they matched each step I took with their own. That wasn't good. Not good at all. I paused, stopping in front of a window to stare out into the city. I could hear the breathing now, just barely over the pounding of my heart, could always say I go lost, but I couldn't figure out an excuse if someone tried to prove I wasn't even invited. I glanced over my shoulder quickly, my eyes falling onto a man in a hoodie and sweats. His hair was cut short but styled, both hands shoved into his hoodie pocket. Mystery man's grey-blue eyes met my ocean blues. A new plan was needed. The dude was tremendously big compared to me, who would have only come up to his shoulder.

" Party uh sucked figured I could walk around for a moment walk off the drinks before trying to drive home. " I stated before, almost cringing, I explained himself without being prompted by anybody one of the sighs of guilt.

The man nodded slowly. He was silent for a few minutes before finally talking. " Never heard anyone describe one of Stark's parties as sucking. That's a first. " The man finally spoke, his voice smooth but not much emotion there. I usually could read anyone, whether body language, facial expression, tone of voice, or even tics. I had it all memorized and could get a feel of anyone, but I got nothing from the man in front of me. It was like he wasn't feeling anything to show me.

" to much crowd, and the people just wanna do business, so not much fun going on. " I shrugged, turning back to stare out the window. Be uninteresting. That was my goal.

The man stepped closer but still kept his distance like I was the scariest thing in this hell. I knew what that action screamed, weary of the unknown male in the hallway. He definitely lives here because he's not dressed to be attending or working at the party. The man glanced back over his shoulder. I followed his gaze for a minute. " I uh really should get back down there so I can leave. " I reached up fixing my tie. " It was nice to meet you. " I smiled, my dimples popping before attempting to excuse myself and begin making my way back down the hall to get to the bottom floor, but before I could make it even a little way down the aisle, a hand had reached out and grabbed my arm stopping me from passing. Why is he touching me? I glanced down at the contact, wincing. I don't like being touched in general, especially when trying to escape from a situation. My brain barely registered that it was a metal arm holding me back from leaving. I looked up at him, confusion spilling across my face hoping it reached out to the bigger man and displayed how uncomfortable I was.

" That's the wrong way. " The brown-haired man stated simply, and I, like a typical moron, nodded with what he was saying. I wasn't bad, though technically, it wasn't the wrong way back to the stairs and a side door. It was as if I was gonna take the elevators and leave where everyone else did.

I shrugged my arm free a little shaking his hand off. "sorry, I've got a thing about touching. " I stated. " Could you uh show me back to the elevators? Everything looks the same? I have no idea how to get to them." It wasn't a lie; I had no idea how to find the damn elevators. " I'm Jamie, by the way. " A personal touch, and we should be fine. I, however, did not receive the reaction I wanted; instead, the man's eyes widened for a second before holding out his metal hand. I shook it carefully; metal hand meant I wasn't really touching someone, right.? It was cold, a few degrees colder than the rooms I'd been walking through.

" Bucky," he answered, and then it all made sense Bucky Barnes was Captain's newly recused best friend. Every media thing about him says he's seen maybe once or twice a month outside of the tower during his eight-month stay so far. Reports about the metal arm were everywhere too. So no wonder he's out sulking around the hallways and why Captain America looked like his little murderer was out running amock because he was. He was standing in front of me with a mask of nothing gesturing to follow him so he could lead me to the elevators. I followed after him. I kept some distance and kept up the smile even as I departed from him. While getting inside the elevator with a bit of a wave while the doors were shutting.

I made my escape quickly out of the elevator. Through the doors and across the showroom, ensuring I didn't stop once during my trek to the apartment. As soon as I got back, my curiosity won out, and I did all the research I could on James Buchannan Barnes.