A/N: So I'm finally throwing my hat into the MCU fanfiction ring. Honestly, I've been in love with Captain America since forever and Civil War definitely gave me the inspiration I needed to start. This is going to start several years earlier from the First Avenger and this will definitely be a novel-kind of piece. I'm loving pre-Captain America and especially Pre-Serum!Steve. If you love fanfictions with depth, I truly hope you'll enjoy this! Also shout-out to Anastasia Lolita for the very first review and to the 5 faves and 7 follows! You guys rock!

Book One: Antebellum

Chapter 2: Graduation

"Jesus Christ, it's hot." Vernetta fanned herself.

It was the end of May, the sun at its peak of cruelty in the upcoming season. A large gathering, outside no less, would certainly result in plenty of fainting spells. Those poor students in their gowns zipped up on top of thick suits. Vernetta felt guilty about the suit now. This Steve could faint because of her. Amelia shared the same sentiment about the one she knew as Bucky.

"I heard it's suppose to be pleasant around that time." Her friend attempted to ease their minds. "The hottest days are suppose to be in July."

"With this kind of heat, we'd all be dead by then."

Vernetta chose a cream-tan dress. The heat made her decide on a tighter, less airy skirt with short sleeves. There was no way in hell she was going to wear the small travel cape and was quickly detached and tossed onto the bed.

"You're more than welcome to choose anything you like." Vernetta reminded Amelia, being met only with a smirk.

"I don't want to look blatantly upper class. With the two of us, they might expect a grand donation."

Well, there was that. Vernetta, with all her boasting about wanting to live the simple American life, still preferred the fashions from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Without that expertise in the fine and refined, she very well couldn't run a clothing store with confidence bordering haughtiness.

"Well what are you going to wear then?"

"I don't see what that's important."

Amelia simply grabbed a white day dress much to Vernetta's chagrin. A tousle of hair wasn't enough, and her bare neck and ears felt like Vernetta was witnessing a crime.

"My dear, you can't go out looking like that."

Still only in her garter and bra, Vernetta shuffled Amelia to their boudoir immediately beginning her work.

"The white added with the sun will completely drown you out, Emi." Vernetta sighed. "You need boldness somewhere."

"Lipstick is all I'm willing to do."

Through the mirror, Vernetta shot her a most disapproving look.

"And some jewelry, but that's it!"

Pinning her hair and spraying the final product, Vernetta dug through her jewelry collection. Amelia wanted to be simple, so she clasped pearls around her neck and fastened them to her ears.

"I trust you can do this yourself." She handed off the tube.

Vernetta slid on the dress as Amelia worked on creating perfect lips. Matching creme shoes, hair done up to comfortable wear a cloche hat, matching of course, and held rounded sunglasses in her hand.

"You always liked the old look." Amelia laughed. "What is that? Twenties?"

"Twenty-five to be exact."

No doubt a gift from her mother, Amelia thought. "Lady Holbrook" as she so often thought of her friend's mother was a true woman of the day, flaunting and flapping her youth.

"You alright?" She noticed Vernetta tugging on the small necktie.

"Just hungry, is all."

"We'll eat before we sit through that nonsense."

Turning in her chair, Amelia eyed Vernetta with a very knowing glint in her green eye. Her now bright lips were made up in a smirk.

"Is there a reason why we're going exactly?"

"Those suits are new." She waved it off. "I want to know if they're durable."

Amelia slowly nodded.

"Not for that guy?"

Vernetta paused for a moment. Even if it were instant, she still stole time to think. Amelia knew the truth even if Vernetta refused it.

"I suppose. Wish him a nice graduation and all."

And more, Amelia thought.

Both girls went out early to a local diner. It was surprisingly cool between the leather and tile mixing with heat and the grill. Vernetta had enough of Amelia pestering her, so she turned the table.

"So tell me about this Bucky." She took a sip of her soda.

Amelia's expression instantly changed to a more lighter image. The mere mention of the name seemed to have her under a spell.

"He seems...nice."

"Nice? Nice?! Amelia…"

"What? That's all I had to say!"

Vernetta scoffed, sinking into the hard booth. "So he was just nice? During the entire appointment?"

The waitress had slid hot plates under their noses, the salty aroma filling their nostrils. Both said their thank yous and eased themselves in.

"He was flirtatious." Amelia bit into a fry. "But not as much as you, that's for damn sure."

The girl arrived to George Washington High at one with an hour to spare. Signs, banners, streamers, this school was all about their seniors and celebrating the next big step. Vernetta kept her head held eye with sunglasses protecting eyes from the sun. She walked with a strut and spine straight, confident. It's just kids and their families, not some gala forced upon her by her own family. Amelia seemed to fit in more and her friend was just fine with that.

"Hello ladies!" The school secretary greeted them warmly.

"Hello ma'am."

The secretary was perhaps a middle-aged woman, married and had reared a child that has already graduated. She, too, was dressed for the occasion with dulling red hair done up like one of the people in the talking films. Her eyeglasses were an even brighter shade of the same color. It was not the only bright thing adorning her body. Her dress was a shiny deep blue with black pointed shoes.

"And who might you girls be?" The secretary inquired.

"Oh, we're friends with a couple of students." Amelia replied.

"Oh how Iovely! Who?"

"Bucky Barnes."

"Steve Rogers."

Vernetta swore she saw her eyes pop when she said Steve's name. Apparently women don't associate themselves with him, especially women like her. She merely smiled.

"I actually sold him his suit and was curious to see how he would look in it. Naturally, I came to see and also offer support."

Vernetta smirked.

"Well, we should be heading in. Where will the ceremony take place?"

"The football field. Take a left and head towards the gym before going outside. You should see the back of the stands."

Along with her directions, the secretary also offered the pair a program. Graduating Class of 1936, it read. They thanked her before traversing the empty halls.

"What exactly are you hoping from this?" Amelia questioned.

Her friend was acting like an oddity but she remained composed. Out of the corner of her eye, Vernetta looked at Amelia.

"Nothing. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, nothing."

The area looked magnificent for a Brooklyn school. The decor only added to its splendor. Dotted by flowers and patriotic bunting, the stage was raised so that everyone attending could witness the moment. The podium and lectern was strategically placed several steps away from the front of the stage. A substantial amount of chairs had been set in the field as many students and families mingled.

"You know," Amelia flipped through the program, "there's only twenty kids. This should only last an hour."

"Amelia, you always worry about time and how it's spent."

"I'm just saying it'll go by quick."

"And do what afterwards? Sew the rest of the day away?"

Both of them quickly silenced themselves, however, when a man approached them. He was a rather large man wearing a black and grey pinstriped suit that definitely did not flatter him. Balding hair retaining dark color, thick mustache and intense eyes, Vernetta guessed that he was an Italian. Strange considering the neighborhood yet now she finally realized what Steve said about looking like a gangster. He smiled and both girls were met with a wolfgrin.

"I don't believe we've met." He extended a hand. "And I know all students past and present."

"We're both from out of the borough. Just recently moved to work." Amelia innocently answered.

"A good cause. I'm Principal John Skinner."

Amelia introduced herself first, shaking his hand before Vernetta.

"Now, you two can't be from the same borough. You look like opposites."

"Oh, well…" Amelia hesitated.

"I'm from Manhattan." Vernetta bluntly stated.

This seemed to interest the man. He rubbed his chin.

"Ah yes. Only high up women could wear such an outfit."

Noticing status or an insult, Vernetta didn't care. She rolled her eyes behind the sunglasses but remained smiling.

"You must be proud of this class."

"Boy, am I. A handful of them are movers and shakers."

"Even those you don't seem to notice?"

Skinner studied Vernetta, still smiling although spite twisted the intention. Amelia immediately scoffed and squeezed her eyes shut.

"There's twenty kids, Miss. It's not hard to keep track of them."

"I certainly hope so. But I'm afraid we must be off to mingle."

Amelia and Vernetta pulled themselves together wishing the principal goodbye. They locked two arms together before diving into the horse. Vernetta's charm and confidence seemed to rub off on her friend. Even more so when Vernetta saw her chin high and walk change. Looking ahead, she saw the cause.

"Amelia! Vernetta! You both made it!" Bucky nearly bolted from his parents to meet the pair.

He wore Amelia's pick with hair styled. The graduation gown was folded over an arm whereas his mother held onto the cap. He sure was handsome, but Vernetta wasn't interested.

"Bucky! Oh, you look so handsome!" Amelia exclaimed, leaving Vernetta to embrace the young man before them.

"Not as lovely as you two." He chuckled. "You know, for some reason, I thought you two would be matching."

"Yes, well, she's too rich to dress normally."

Vernetta snorted. Suddenly Amelia had the confidence to jab at her whenever this Bucky was around. She couldn't help but chuckle along.

"I take pride in my fashionable status."

"You still look beautiful. Oh, by the way, Steve and his mother should be here soon." His smile never faltered, nodding along to his words.

"Thank you." Vernetta ignored the wink that followed.

In the meantime, she met Bucky's rather large family: parents, five siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, he even had two living grandparents. They were all an exciting bunch to be around and Vernetta could admit that. A younger sister, Hazel, was an exceptionally bright young lady. She had asked how to act cultured, even though Vernetta preferred the term refined. Still, she offered advice.

"Stand straight, speak softly, use more refined vocabulary."

"What? That's it? No balancing books on your head like a princess?"

"Why on earth would a princess balance a book on her head?"

"Well...because…"

Hazel pondered, her face scrunching up with thought.

"Well...I don't know but they apparently do that!"

"I'm not stopping you. Just do those things and dress nicely. They're stepping stones."

Time went on as the horde multiplied in number. Glancing around, their own bundle of people searched all over for familiar faces. Yet the Rogers' could not be found, neither mother nor son.

"I hope they're not running late." Mrs. Barnes worried.

Vernetta heard Mr. Barnes quickly comforting his wife, stating "You know Sarah." and that they'll be here. Vernetta sure hopes so. She'll be damned if she didn't witness the look on the young man's face when he saw her among spectators.

Vernetta and Amelia sat with the Barnes' with Hazel at the former's hip. Bright and curious, yes, but constant with her talking.

"Why did Bucky tell you about Steve?" The girl's face twisted.

"Because we're friends."

"But Steve doesn't have any friends. Especially lady friends."

The nerve of that girl. She hadn't been been exposed to a proper conversation with her clearly blunt and open intentions. Yet it was entirely truthful. She shouldn't be reprimanded for that. Instead, Vernetta glanced down to Hazel.

"Well he has one now."

Both mother and son had arrived just before the ceremony commenced. Sarah Rogers had slid past the rows of people and their bony knees, collapsing next to Mrs. Barnes.

"Most important day and they decided it'd be wonderful to hold up the streets!" Sarah gasped for breath.

Vernetta immediately scanned eyes over the crowds. She searched for the signs of tardiness: a late student disheveled, running, something of the sorts. Yet the tint of her sunglasses and countless heads rendered her efforts futile. Amelia watched her, pondering and formulating an idea. Her friend was so keen on being noticed. She hadn't a clue why she was so interested in a kid shorter than her, but that was Vernetta's problem. Amelia could only watch and judge and wonder how someone like Steve Rogers could captivate her best friend, with one rather strange appointment, no less.

"Oh?" Sarah's voice rose with interest. "You girls from the store are here?"

Amelia looked up to see the same peculiar look in the woman's eyes. She, too, knew this was odd. True to her nature, Vernetta remained composed and offered a genuine smile.

Have to win over his mother somehow, Amelia instantly thought.

"Mrs. Rogers, it is a community event celebrating every student's achievements. We became so well acquainted with your boy and hers that Amelia and I wanted to extend our congratulations."

"That's Manhattan for good job." Amelia leaned in.

This caused the adults to chuckle. Even Sarah showed a smile.

"With those suits, those boys are unstoppable." She nodded. "Thank you, by the way. I saw the receipt."

Yes, yes, the price was dropped. Vernetta couldn't care less about that kindness. But there was more to it. His mother's look and tone. It wasn't disapproving. Actually, it was quite the opposite with a hint of tease. Well, if she wanted to play that game, Vernetta was more than happy to jump aboard.

"The split-second before I handed it to him, I saw how the white completely ruined the shade." Vernetta sighed. "I hope that's not the case on my lips."

"No, my dear, you are a rose. Thorns and all."

"And which part is the thorns?"

"Your tongue, but I quite enjoy the refreshing conversation."

"As am I to find a woman of the same sentiment."

Sarah and Vernetta smiled. Amelia couldn't help but roll her eyes. That mission was clearly a breeze. The group focused their attention onto the stage as Principal Skinner took the helm of the lectern. He cleared his throat before deep voice seeped out from the few speakers dotted over the field.

"Welcome friends and family, to the ceremony celebrating the graduating class of Nineteen-thirty-six…"

With his words, the school band began bellowing the field with brass and percussion and so on. The beautiful graduation theme everyone knew even if they've heard only a hum of it. Everyone rose to their feet ready to applaud and cheer, exploding with noise as boys and girls clad in black walked through the wide aisle. The group was on the opposite side yet continued to poke head over others and steal a glance. Each student sat in the empty chairs that made up the first two rows, sitting and standing in uniform. There was the national anthem, a little welcoming speech, choir and band. Vernetta was bored by the time the sole Valedictorian and Salutatorian made their own speeches, which had began as the next hour came. Then there was Skinner.

He went on about the future and honor and all the topics that bored everyone. Most were accepting of it; every graduation was a drab occasion. It was the students and the cheering that made the most of it. Everyone anticipated their final walk yet Skinner dragged on and on. It was a good twenty minutes before he began to announce names.

"Norma Jane Abernathy, with Honors…

Nicholas Lee Adam...

Edward Paul Aldridge…

James Buchanan Barnes..."

The whole lot clapped and cheered as the men and younger ones screamed with excitement. Even Amelia joined in, though her voice was much lighter. Vernetta settled for clapping. He was handsome, yes, but he was of the same stock as all the rest. Plus, he's been flirting with Amelia and she was above "man stealing". She held her head high and looked on as the list continued. It wasn't until the 14th name that Vernetta perked up alongside Sarah Rogers. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the mother rest on the very edge of the chair, fingers twined together ready to spring up on her heels.

"Steven Grant Rogers..."

Just as she expected, Sarah jumped and began clapping and hollering. The Barnes' slowly rose to join her, but Vernetta was the absolute second one.

He walked across the stage with suit resting comfortably on him. The gown covered most of it, but like a mother's intuition, Vernetta knew. She couldn't stop smirking. Steve met with Skinner and exchanged handshakes and one certificate. Steve looked out to the small cheering crowd and Vernetta swore they locked eyes. Not that he could see anyway.

They stood clapping and cheering until Steve was seated amongst his classmates in the second row. He knew he was being watched the entire time, so he waved back to the group. Vernetta returned with only a smile and a nod.

"My...what a crowd!" The speaker exclaimed. All the students have received their diplomas. Really, their stand-ins, but all was concluded for the most part. Now it was time for yet another boring segment. There was no point; graduation was technically done! Yet they all remained sitting. A woman occupied the lectern. She was a bit thinner and younger than the secretary but still just as bright and perhaps a bit more.

"It's just so wonderful to see so many faces of all kinds here today! I, Mrs. Lila Stocker, have been selected by our graduating students to send them off with the best speech since Lincoln."

The field went silent. Several coughs and sniffles filled the empty air. Stocker herself cleared her throat, taking a deep breath and dropping her shoulders.

"in order to succeed," she began, "We must first believe we can."

Corny. Cheesy. Vernetta thought of many synonyms. Yet she remained ever-listening. This speech had potential.

"You once believed you couldn't get through high school: classes too hard, teachers too demanding, peers too hard on eachother, final exams plummeting your GPA. Well, yes, that may happen, but you're here now with that cap and tassel. Think about that."

"Every single senior at George Washington High sits here today, ladies and gentlemen! Rude jocks, Judgemental cheerleaders, they sit here. Quiet lonely boys and delinquent girls, they sit here too. They once believed they couldn't, yet now they have their diplomas in hand. Think about that."

Quite the teacher, insulting an overgeneralized group in front of everyone. Vernetta couldn't stop her smile from erupting upon her face.

Stocker went on about how college will be the same, how careers and marriage and parenthood will share the same feeling. Wise words.

"Wish we would've heard that, huh?" Amelia whispered.

"You have no idea."

Truth be told, Vernetta never actually sat through a graduation ceremony. She left St. Bernadette's before she was a true graduate. This has been an event, so far.

"What you do today can improve all your tomorrows. Even the littlest things can create the biggest moments that will become treasures. God-willing, when you all make it to the nineteen-nineties or beyond, you will cherish this moment even as you think it'd be best to leave the past in the past."

Stocker ended her speech that resembled a poetic postcard. "You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world."

Then she presented the world to the graduating class and caps instantly went into the air with screams of joy.

"I honestly have no idea why I'm getting all this attention." Vernetta flipped her head.

She clearly feigned innocence yet Amelia could tell that it wasn't entirely false. A wealthy-looking woman in a Brooklyn high school. Public, no less!

"If that's the case, why don't you dress like your friend? Or even like me?" Sarah shook her head.

"Well first, I'm not a mother."

"And second, Vernetta just absolutely loves being the most stylish woman in the borough."

She could definitely count on Amelia's input, that's for sure. She shot her a strained look and a tight-lipped smile.

"Emi, if you keep saying such things, Mrs. Rogers might get the idea that I'm a vain narcissist."

"Everyone is a tad, my dear." She laughed. "Some more so than others."

The three were engulfed in a frenzy. After the caps began their descent, many friends and family shot from their seats to begin their crazed search. The women, however, chose to remain still and wait for the tide to recede. It was several moments before Steve and Bucky emerged from the horde grabbing onto each other for safekeeping. Vernetta paused in those moments, sliding off her sunglasses. Her smile was sincere while also beaming like the sun.

"Now tell me if I'm wrong, but I didn't hear an Honors following both your names." She teased.

"Psh, it's overrated. Bunch of dweebs." Bucky shrugged it off, but Steve took time to think.

"I'd probably would've got one of they had one for art."

"Both of you have reached a major milestone, Honors or not. I'm proud of you."

Sarah naturally embraced her son first before moving on to the son-like figure beside him. Amelia and Vernetta stood on the side watching their every move. It was a bit baffling that Vernetta was the very next person the short graduate turned to. Her eyes showed it, Bucky's showed it as did Amelia's. Everyone was, including Steve.

"Y'know, the suit's pretty nice." He awkwardly confessed. "Gotta lot of compliments."

"I know how to show off people and their assets, even if they don't believe they have any."

"She knows what she's talking about." Amelia jabbed her with a thumb. "She does it herself everyday."

The sun, after achieving its own momentous pinnacle, began to descend. It transformed from action to trend and those still mingling left their field in their respective clusters. The Barnes-Rogers-and-Friends cluster slowly disappeared by the stands. Vernetta, nearly hellbent in the eyes of her friend, remained at Steve's side.

"You doing anything exciting afterwards?"

He looked up, thinking about her looks rather than her words. He didn't notice the greenness of her eyes before, nor the sharp edges that made her face. Only her lips were familiar; bright and red just like before.

"Err...no. I'm just heading home now."

Her lips curved down almost in a pout. Her eyes sharpened.

"Oh, what a shame…"

The cluster soon became three separate parties once they reached the front of the school. Vernetta could hear Bucky attempting to coax Steve into pulling up his trousers and ask her out or something of the sort. Desperate for his attention, Amelia might say, but Vernetta was required to turn the tables for her own sake. She whirled around on her heels continuing her walk backwards and addressed the graduates.

"Go home and relax. It's been too hot and exciting of a day." She then faced forward and walked off campus. Amelia was just simply so confused yet her friend reassured her. She had a plan, afterall.

A/N: Well, it kind of wraps it up? I don't know, I needed to end this long chapter somehow. If I think of something, I'll end it better. Anyway, thanks for reading and stay tuned!