CHAPTER 10: Movie evening

The next morning Katelin decided to get up and go for a breakfast as early as she could. There were many reasons why she chose to abandon her bed in the middle of the night, meaning 6 am. Firstly, she felt kind of uncomfortable with a thought that she could meet Pietro at breakfast. She didn't really know why, but after last evening she had a slight feeling that she to imposes herself on Pietro, though actually Fury gave orders for him to train her. Secondly, Katelin felt like it's about time to get off her ass and start working on her powers... and condition.

After a light meal, she dressed in some loose trousers and a shirt, that would be comfortable to run in.

I really need to go shopping... - she thought searching through her closet. Kat never liked wondering through the mall, but more she hated spending hours in front of the closet, trying to find some neat clothes.

Heading towards the forest, she was really surprised how empty it was in here. She never noticed it, but in the living quarters there were a bunch of free rooms, because the only ones to live there were the Avengers. Not that Kat complained - she was really happy that it was calm and quiet but this felt odd and nearly abandoned. She started regretting that Steve decided to leave her in here. She was still thinking about the silver-haired boy and tried to figure out his intentions.

She headed to the forest and started running. She conjured some freaky zombie-like noises, it was easier for her to run when she felt as if she's being chased. Apparently it worked miracles, because Kat returned to her room an hour later, almost dead. Her face was read and wet and it wasn't for the rain. As a reward she spent the next half an hour singing, or rather yowling, in the bath.

It was nearly 8 AM and Kat decided it's about time to practice. With conjuring music and sound waves she didn't have bigger problems. But the difficulties started when she had to materialize something that would look exactly as if it was real. She decided to stay in her room, all these halls were so huge that Kat would feel not very good all alone out there.

She sit on the bed and started from the bases. Wood. She closed her eyes, focusing as hard as she could and imagined a wooden stool. She opened her eyes and sadly realized that the one she created was far from looking like a wooden one. It was transparent, in a violet-blue color as everything she created. It took her a really long time before it started to turn brown. Kat leaned over the stool and staring at it she begged it to became more wooden. She stared at it for good couple of minutes. Not even a slightest change. Her head was pulsing and Kat felt that if she won't stop she'll explode. She fell on the floor trying to catch her breath. Getting up, she gladly noticed that the stool was still in place. She tried once more, but failed again. And again. And again. After a fifth attempt she gave up. But still, Kat was quite proud of herself. It was the first time that something of her creation had a different color that blue or violet. Working on one, damn stool took her one and half an hour. Thinking about trying to improve it's look made Kat sick. But than she got an idea how to relax.

Kat conjured her favorite waltz and after a second of stretching her numb neck and back, she slowly tried to remember if she could still dance. At first it looked like a disastrous disaster, but after a few minutes it got better. She was so busy trying not to trip and kill herself that she didn't notice the door to her room opening.

-What are you doing..?

No. No, God please, no. - Kat almost cried, hearing Pietro's voice, quickly stopping the music

-What the fuck, Pietro?! Don't you know how to knock?! - she found herself in a stadium that her thoughts missed the station called 'should I say it' and went straight from her brain to her mouth. Yey to the social skills.

-I knocked, few times...

-But I... I didn't... - Kat thought that explaining herself in even more pathetic so she just covered her face with her hands and moaned with resignation.

-Your face is really red, you know? - Pietro laughed unable to stifle it any longer.

-It's your fault, you keep embarrassing me!

-It's not my fault that I choose the worst moment to enter.

-Stop laughing! Weird people do weird things. It's not my fault either.

-I'm laughing at your reaction not at what you've been doing. You were doing a quite nice job. And this waltz was very nice but I haven't heard it before.

-Eee, thank you...? - she was really shocked with what he just said still not knowing if he was joking. - It's from the movie.

-Which movie, though?

-'Anna Karenina'. The new one, you know, with Keira Knighely. It's one of my favorite movies, very well made and... Yes, very good movie. - Kat had to shut up before it got even more awkward.

-Seems I have shortages. We'll have to make up this unacceptable lack.

-Sure thing - Kat's face started to return to it's normal color and the tension seemed to decline, though Kat's heart was still beating like crazy.

-So, you're ready for training? - Pietro asked after a short second. Kat couldn't help looking at him with consternation.

-You're serious? You want to train me?

-Even if I didn't, I'd have to. Orders are orders. But why not? It's gonna be fun, I have some ideas - and there he was again, standing and smirking like rebelled thug.

-Now you freaked me out. But yeah, gonna be hilarious. Nothing worse can happen today. I hope.

They were just about to leave the room when Pietro stopped, stiffing a laugh.

-If I may, my Lady - he said in a swanky tone, taking her arm in arm. She quickly pushed him back and poked him in his shoulder, which made Pietro loose control and burst out with laughter.

-Listen to me very carefully, Maximoff - Kat said in a deadly tone. Pietro immediately stopped and looked at her, surprised, but still amused. - If anyone, ANYONE, finds out about this, I will kill you very, very, VERY slowly.

-Understood, my Lady.


-Good. So what is your training plan, speedy?

-I run. You shoot these waves of yours ant try to hit me - Pietro grinned.

-And how am I supposed to do that? - she laughed. - I'm not fully aware, but to an average human you are so fast that it's hard to spot you.

-But you're not an average human.

Katelin wasn't sure if he was complementing her or just stated the obvious. This slightly put her off her stroke but she made sure for him not to realize this.

-And besides that's the point - he continued. - You need to predict your enemy's moves and learn to shoot right on target. I'm not saying that you can't do it already - he added quickly, seeing her frowning - but practice makes perfect.

With a wide smile, Pietro started running around Kat, making her head spin a bit. From time to time he would run to her and tickle her a bit.

-Normally you'd be dead - he laughed.

-Normally, no one else that you can run so fast!

-Yeah, more excuses.

That was enough. It was high time to 'show-off'. Kat loosened up her wrists and conjured a loud shriek. Surprised Pietro slowed down for a second and that was enough for her. Laughing, Kat knocked him with a quite strong wave.

He was right, it's hell of a fun!

-What the hell? - Pietro shouted, getting up and barely dodging another hit. His male pride got a bit frayed and he became really pissed.

-I do what I can, boss - she grinned at him. Seeing that Pietro quickened his run, but Kat seemed to have no problem with that.

The training passed quicker then they could have expected and the only reason they finished it was the fact that none of them had any strength left.

-Nice job, kid. It was pretty impressive.

-Kid? - Kat frowned - You're aware of the fact that I'm only two years younger, right?

-And how can you know that? - Pietro asked not without a surprise.

-I have my sources - Kat teased.

-Wanda? - he guessed.

-...possibly. Anyways, what is the plan for now, coach?

-I suppose you'd like a break.

-You read my thoughts.

-I hoped you'll agree - Pietro said, stretching his neck. -We need to spend some time on the gym also, but let's put it off on the evening, shall we?

-I couldn't be happier - Kat laughed.

-I'll call you - Pietro winked at her and left the room.

Katelin was getting used to his charm but actions like that didn't help her frame of mind, only made her feel pathetic, because she knew that she had no chance with him. It wasn't for her complexes, for she had none. It was the reason of her reasonable thinking and years of practice.


Kat was almost asleep in her room when her phone rang.

-Oh, what again! - she shouted at the phone before answering it - Listen, I know, training and stuff, but I would sell my soul for one more hour of rest- Kat said with a sleepy voice.

-No need to go for such a sacrifice - Pietro laughed - It's not about the training this time.

-So what is it about then?

-Come to the library - she heard and hung up.

What. The actual. Hell.

There were two things that Kat hated the most: diet and being waken up. Not knowing why, reluctantly she got up and went to meet Pietro, don't minding to even brush her hair.

When she came to the library, she sensed a beautiful smell - popcorn with butter. Her humor immediately turned from 'leave me' to 'life is beautiful'.

-I thought that watching a movie would be a better idea, then sitting locked in our rooms - Pietro greeted her

-I love the idea of popcorn, movie is a nice addition, though. - Kat smirked. - But yeah, why not? Which movie?

-I was looking through the shelves and I found this - Pietro showed her a DVD. "Anna Karenina".

-I hoped you'll forget - she gowned as he burst out with laughter. - Why are you doing this to me?

-Because I liked that tune and thought that if you like this movie so much we can watch it together.

Either he's serious or really, really churlish.

-Fine - she said grabbing a bowl with popcorn and sitting comfortably on the sofa. She was quite excited to see this movie. It was one of her favorite and seen it a dozen of times. But she didn't seem to care. Pietro sat close to her, closer than ever before. Their shoulders were abutting and Kat could feel the warmth beaming from him and a lovely chill ran down her spine.

Throughout the film, Kat was trying to keep calm and don't overreact, but than came the first scene with Vronsky. He was one of the biggest love of her life. Katelin let out a quiet groan and bit her lip, smiling.

-What is it? - Pietro asked. At that moment Kat realized that it was much more that just a quiet groan.

-The question is "who". Come on, can you see him? He's literally Alexei "sex on legs" Vronsky.

-Meh, I don't know. He looks a bit like a foppish gay.

-Don't you dare! He's not gay, he's too hot for that. I'm not surprised that Anna fell for him - Kat said looking at Pietro. - You look quite like him, actually - she stated with surprise. But then, Lady Fail realized what did she just say.

-You think I'm hot? - Pietro asked with amusement.

Quickly, jump out of the window! - the inner Katelin screamed. It has been a long time since she felt that pathetic.

-...I didn't say that, don't flatter yourself.

-You said that he's hot and then that I look like him - Pietro kept teasing.

-I said "quite" like him! That's a difference.

-Really?

-Yeah. And... Yeah - Kat decided to end this and stuffed her mouth with popcorn. Seriously, second time today. SECOND. How do I do this? Couldn't I get a power of not being a twat? Or at least of being socially acceptable?

-Hey, that's ok. I don't blame you for that. Well, I must quite agree.

-That you look like him?

-No, that I'm hot.

-Stop that. That's not funny anymore - it was too much for Kat to handle.

-So you don't think I'm hot?

-Oh Jesus Christ!

-No, it's Pietro - he chuckled.

-Can we just continue the movie please? - Kat begged turning even more red.

-Sure, it's getting interesting - Pietro smirked and leaned closer to her

She would have probably got excited, it not the fact that she was really on the edge of exploding. Quickly, she contained herself, and decided that if she will forget about this, so will Pietro.

But do you really want to forget and keep pretending that you're strangers? - a single thought passed her mind.


I hope that you got the irony in this chapter :p If not, make sure to check out the actor, who played Vronsky. I hope that you're enjoying the chapters, because I've got plenty of the new ones coming!