The next few days went by uneventful, the classes I had with Bucky, barely had time for chit-chat, Professor Phillips wouldn't let that slide. On Friday I got a call from the bar I'd handed in my resume to, I got an interview. After Lab on Friday I headed straight down, the bar manager seemed like a nice guy, Phil. He showed me around, introduced me to the guys on shift, asked me what I could do.

"Well, I know how to pull a pint, open a bottle… I'm friendly. Um, sorry I've only had one bar job before last summer back home, and that's all I had to do, wipe down some tables?" I laughed nervously.

"Hey, take a breather, you've got the job I'll get one of my guys to give you a refresher course on your shift, I go off personalities, you can't teach a good personality," he held out his hand "Well, you want the job?"

"Yes, yes!" I stuttered grabbing and shaking his hand "Thank you!"

"How's Monday 4pm - 8pm work for you?"

"That's perfect!"

"Bring your class schedule with you so I can pencil more shifts for you, 20 hours enough for you?"

"Yeah, that's brilliant, thanks again"

"Sure, kid, 2 weeks probation though, so don't mess up."

"I won't!" I smiled and left ready for the weekend.

Walking into the dorm, it was empty, Nat should be here, her classes finished an hour ago. Grabbing my phone, I started to text;

Me: Nat,where are you? I've got exciting news!

Nat: With Bucky. What's up?

Me: I got the job in The Crown, I start Monday!

Nat: Let's celebrate then, come meet us at Pico's

Me: I'll see you in 10.

I dropped my phone on the bed and changed into a long sleeved, short striped dress and a pair of black heeled boots. I quickly freshened up my make-up, brushed and pinned half my hair up and sprayed some deodorant. Grabbing my purse, phone and keys I shoved them into a small shoulder bag and made my way out the door and to Pico's.

I couldn't spot Nat or Bucky yet so I went to the bar and ordered a drink.

"Hey, put that on my tab," I spun around, it was Brock, one of the guys I'd met at my new job

"Oh hey, thanks, you shouldn't have," I smiled up at him,

"No problem, you here alone?"

"No, well yes, for now, I'm waiting on some people,"

"Why not come sit over with us until they get here? Better than waiting by yourself,"

"Thanks Brock, sure," I followed him over once we'd gotten our drinks, sitting down he introduced me to his table of friends, they were big guys, all jocks I guess.

"So, first shift Monday, your training is with me by the way," Brock smirked

"Really? Well thanks in advance and I'm sorry if I'm terrible," I laughed nervously,

"We'll see about that,"

I felt a tap on my shoulder, I turned to see Nat, frowning.

"We've got a table in the back, come on," Nat was glaring at Brock. "Rumlow."

"Nat nice to see you, didn't know you knew Kate."

"We're roommates," I smiled up at him, trying to ease the tension,

"Lucky girl," Brock smiled back,

"Come on, Kate" Nat pulled my arm loosely

"Okay Nat I'm coming" Pulling my arm away "Sorry, Brock, nice to meet you all" I waved to the table.

"See you Monday!"

Nat grabbed my arm and kept pulling me away "What you doing with Rumlow? How do you know that creep?"

"Woah Nat, calm down, he's works behind the bar at The Crown, what's up with you? That was really rude," I pulled my arm away again "And stop dragging me I'm coming!"

"Sorry, look, it's just he's bad news, he's a complete ass"

"Well, he's my new colleague so you know, be nice."

We walked over to the table Bucky was sitting at with Clint and Sam, I waved

"Where you been?" Clint asked,

"I couldn't see you's so I was waiting with a friend-"

"Colleague." Nat interrupted.

"Nat." I glared at her.

Sam pointed between us, "What's happening here? Roomie fight?"

"Her friend is Rumlow."

Sam and Clint's heads quickly spun to look at Bucky, he was frowning and clenching his fists. Nat pushed me down into a seat;

"Am I missing something here? He's seems like a nice guy, bought me a drink, he's offered to train me at the new job, what's wrong?"

Bucky grabbed my drink and sniffed it, "Probably spiked it too, the piece of shit,"

"You're crazy," I snatched it back,

"Seriously, Kate, he's a nasty piece of work, just stay away from him, he'd chew you up and spit you out," Nat snarled,

"He'd do worse than that," Bucky muttered,

"Quit that job, go find something else, you can do better than a bar anyway,"

"You should look into the coffee shops-"

I raised my hand to stop them, "Look. I came here to celebrate and you are all frankly being assholes about it," I stood up, "I'm going home,"

"Hey, we're just trying to-" Clint started

"Make me quit my new job that I'm genuinely excited for, yeah I got that," I picked my drink up and downed it "Look. No poison."

Throwing my bag over my shoulder I stomped out, deciding not to go straight home, I headed to the library. All dolled up, I might as well do something with my evening… like read. God, this has turned out to be a shitty night.

The library was open until 10 on a Friday, so I had plenty of time to hide myself away and catch up. I walked through the stalls finding some reading for my Women in War Studies, grabbed a copy of Women Heroes of WW2, I settled into a comfy chair in the back of the library and started to read. An hour or so went by before I heard my phone buzz, it was Nat.

Nat: You're not in the room.

Me: Brilliant observation Nat.

Okay, so that was a little snotty, I'm mad. She responded but I decided not to respond, or even look at my phone. I carried on reading while my phone buzzed a few times. After a few chapters I check it.

Nat: Where are you?

Nat: Are you with Rumlow?

Nat: Bucky's looking for you.

Bucky: Hey Kate, it's Bucky I got your number of Nat, where are you, we've looked everywhere for you, we need to apologise.

Sighing I responded to Nat first,

Me: Library.

Then to Bucky;

Me: Library, don't worry about it.

Their responses came in pretty fast,

Nat: Coming.

Bucky: Can I come see you?

Sighing I put a scrap bit of paper in my bag as a bookmark in the book and put it down, to Bucky I replied;

Me: I'll see you in class on Monday, I'm tired.

I didn't get a response. Before I could pick up my book and start a new chapter, Nat appeared around, walking straight up to me and sitting in the seat to my left,

"I'm sorry. It's just Rumlow and our group don't get on, and honestly, I'm happy you got the job but he is just the worst. We all have pretty strong feelings on him, but we- I shouldn't have let that cloud the celebration, really I'm sorry."

"I'm not going to say it's fine, because it's not, it was a shitty way to react to me talking to some guy."

"I know, it's just-"

"Let's just forget it, I'm not spending a weekend being mad at my roomie when we are literally stuck together"

She smiled, "Can I buy you a drink? It is a celebration after all?"

"Sure. A big one," I stood up, "But first I'm going to check out this book, it's really good, glad I came to the library," I scoffed a laugh

"You should thank m-"

I pushed her shoulder so she lost her balance, "Don't push it Nat"