Chapter 7 Different part 1

At the Tabber's coffee shop, a coffee shop known for their famous freshly brewed caffeine and occasional free drinks including coffee and teas of all kinds. It was also the usual place the trio used to frequently go there a lot when not doing other things such as playing baseball, Lilly's hopscotch, chilling at the playground or hanging out in the library and other places. Inside the shop which was covered in mahogany walls that ran around the large L shaped building, framing around the windows and door, both made out of glass in the middle with mini squares. The table that held the machines for the coffee sat at the back of the cashier which sat at the front wooden counter. Pictures decorated the little white area above the machines which also carried a blackboard made with written chalk menus. Next to the cashier was a mini display of how big cup size you want. Nearer toward the back, there were booths of brown leather and white table cloth covered areas, on the left bathrooms of both genders stood side by side with the opposite side being of a window double doors that lead to a patio where people could sit under the metal white umbrella attached picnic tables with attached benches on each of its sides, all fenced with a black metal fence to line its borders as if to let the guest know what area is what. Inside taking seats to the tables not bound by a larger leather clad booth was a smaller version with two sides, allowing the guests to face each other and a mini white cloth table in between the booth chairs.

Steve was playing around with his mini menu that the shop provided. It was disposable paper, Bucky relaxed a bit, keeping his legs crossed as he leaned back on the seat, his arm out stretched, scratching lightly the wall with his index finger and thumb nail, occasional eating opened peanuts that sat between him and his friend in a tiny glass bowl, wondering where was Lilly. "What time it is?" asked Bucky, his little friend kept his eyes on the menu.

"Bucky, she'll be here, just wait," he said continued playing with the menus between his fingers like hockey. The brunette turned to look at his work of art of light wall scraping which made tiny shreds.

"I will. Just check, will you?" he said sighing. He turned back to see the blonde lean back with an almost thud, lifting his wristwatch around his arm.

"It's 6:56," replied Steve.

Hearing that, Bucky lifted his leg slightly, jolted a bit out of agitation. What's taking so long? Lilly has been late many occasions and it never bothered him or Steve, in fact it was their little joke which they fondly called her their white rabbit more so Bucky, could this be his fear acting up again? Giving another sigh, which caused Steve to glance up, seemingly catching his impatience. "Buck, you know Lilly is always late," he answered plainly. "She will be here, she is always here if not later," he added.

"Yeah, I know…" he replied, straightening his legs only to fail to show his calmness, shredding a little more of the wall.

"Bucky, relax, Lil will be fine," he responded plainly, taking a couple peanuts from the bowl and chucking one in his mouth. The brunette gave him a half smile.

"I know, man, I just can't help, but feel like seeing her that way means something," he continued on now, removing his hand from the wall and cleaning his hands from the scraps.

But before Steve could say anything more which was probably another reassurance pep-talk, the café's bell rang, causing both men to look at the entrance, seeing Lilly walk in. She stood there and looked around as if to look for them, Steve raised his hand out, "Over here!" he shouted, signaling her to come over where they were at. Prompting a smile from the blonde girl, she seemed to be more comfortable now perhaps it was the place or maybe Bucky's hope coming in.

As she walked nearer, Bucky got up from his slouching, adjusting in his seat. Steve scooted to make room for Lilly as she stopped for a moment, brushing her skirt. "Sorry for being late," she responded, making little fixes on her tied up hair and then dress sleeves. Something about this made Bucky feel safe, maybe it's because it reminded him of how she would always have her pretty bangs falling out and her needing to fix it. His eyes got drawn in looking at her dress; it was unusually a different color from her dress she wore earlier.

"Well, you dolled up nicely," he commented, drawing her back to look at him, taking a seat next to the other blonde who slightly turned to her.

"Yeah, you look really pretty," spoke Steve, keeping his arm on the chair and the other on the table.

She gave an awkward smile, "Um, thank you," resting her hands on her lap. Her eyes now, looking at the table. Why was she being awkward? Was she feeling what Bucky had felt earlier, if so, he'd like her to feel normal with them. His thoughts were broken when Lilly began to speak, "The dress is for the dinner my parents took me too," she explained as if reading his mind.

The blonde male glanced at her and laughed. "I was wondering why the sudden change of colors," he went on, "How about you, Buck?" catching the dark haired man off guard with such a question.

The brunette cleared his throat and smiled, "Yeah, yeah, I did. I thought it was strange," he answered honestly, leaning near the table. "Looked like you were on date," placing his arm on the table in a curious manner.

Lilly looked at him surprised, moving back and then laughing a little. "Um, no," she moved her hair over her ear, "I went to dinner, it was for me, and Juliet, my family are loving Juliet." She explained, shifting in her seat. Not realizing the comment made Bucky feel a little upset now, perhaps it was because it reminded him of change or rather the possible change.

"I bet," he interjected, he leaned back.

Steve looked at him, now glaring, "Buck, come on."

"No, no it's alright, I know that my family gives you guys a hard time, I probably shouldn't mention her." She looked at the two, particularly Bucky who suddenly found himself looking at her. "Anyways, you have letters for me?" she seemingly tried to change the subject, placing her elbows on the table eagerly.

Steve glanced at Bucky, "Buck's got it in his car, and perhaps we can go and get them. And maybe talk about England?" he suggested, moving away and facing toward Bucky who now seemed in thought.

"Sure, I would really like that," she answered, giving Bucky a smile. "I missed you guys a lot," she explained.

The smaller blonde joked, "We missed you too, maybe we should do a group hug?" he announced making the blonde girl to smile at Steve. The brunette stared at Lilly. Why was she just being chilled about England? She seemed so considerable earlier and now disregarding how they could possibly feel about her, about her changing and about that new friend.

"Nah, I got a better idea, it'd be like old times," Bucky spoke happily.

Steve looked at him, furrowing his eyebrows as if trying to guess what the brunette had in his head. Bucky reached out, taking a few peanuts and moving the bowl towards the two blondes. Only to frown when he realized what Lilly was wearing.

As if catching his frown, she leaned in near him, meeting him halfway, tilting her "What?"

"Nothing," he simply replied, throwing a peanut in his mouth.

"Bucky, you can't just say that," Lilly said, she looked so serious.

"Yeah, Buck, you don't suggest an activity only to keep us hanging. Whatever it is, I'm sure Lilly would love to do it," Steve agreed, taking a peanut and giving the bowl to Lilly who looked like she gentle denied it.

"Well, I would tell you but you probably don't wanna do it," he leaned back, causing the blonde woman to turn her head in slight confusion.

"How would I not like it? I mean I haven't done anything with you guys in a long time," she explained.

"Just tell her, Buck," said Steve sternly, perhaps he was catching on what Bucky was trying to say. Bucky glanced at the two and then back at Lilly.

"Hmm alright," he shrugged, looking at his nails. "It's baseball."

Steve looked relieved and smiled, "Baseball would be nice to play again." He turned to Lilly, "How about it, a game for just the three of us?" she looked at Bucky and then back to Steve, about to say something only for Bucky to cut in.

"But I'm pretty sure new Lilly wouldn't like it," Bucky added, taking another peanut and putting it in his mouth, giving her smile.

She turned to face and watch him, turning her head, "what's with you?" she looked at him questionably. "I'm not new, I'm still me."

He scoffed, chewing his peanut and shaking his head, catching Steve who seemed to be glaring at him again most likely for turning this into something that a friend wouldn't do. His eyes were drawn back to Lilly who was leaning really close to him.

"Is this what it's about? Me not being me?" she asked, her voice sounding a little challenging. "James Buchanan Barnes, I'm still Lillian Farina Fontana, I'll play." she spoke, her hands now on the table.

He spotted her reaction and smiled, again getting up and looking at the two. "Then baseball is it," leaving her to stare at him as he sauntered off.

Outside, in the neighborhood of Brooklyn on a big open street with cars hugging the gray cement sidewalk that framed the sides along with where tall, vertical rectangular shaped buildings reside, standing together and facing to meet the sidewalk midway. Illuminated by spaced out streetlights which lined the streets of both sides keeping those lived there guided to their houses, shining above the trio who stood near a sidewalk behind a green car.

Reaching over in the trunk which held some boxes, Bucky bent a little as he pulled out a bat, hoisting it under his arm along with grabbing a baseball and baseball glove which he carried in his hand. He turned to the two blondes, his face held a smile as he closed down his trunk, Lilly looked around, she seemed so stiff glancing up at the sky.

"It's so late,' she spoke.

Bucky followed her gaze and looked up, "it is…we can wait until tomorrow to play if you aren't sure," he looked back down at her, he felt a bit bad, they didn't get to do anything fun and he instead chose an activity so late, he also thought maybe they should play in the morning, however his thoughts were pulled away with her giving him a smile.

"I can do this," she shook her head and brushed against her bangles as if to look ready. Seeing this, Bucky felt the need to ease her a bit.

"Worst case scenario we lose my ball and have to find it tomorrow," he said, handing the bat to her. She seemed so eager that her grabbing the bat held a bit of force. He then nodded to Steve who kept his hands opened, throwing a ball to Steve who fumbled a bit. "Got it?" he asked.

Steve smiled, "Yeah, got it, though I do think this is a bit late too, maybe we should go and catch a movie?" he suggested straightening up.

Bucky put the glove on his hand, "I don't know, I suppose we could, but we are here now, and the movies are probably all closed tonight besides my house isn't that far so you guys can stay over," he explained, bending down on his knee like some umpire at the Stadium.

Lilly saw this and began to smile, walking towards them and preparing the bat only to slip a little. Steve and Bucky caught this, walking near her. Despite wearing things and making Bucky feel uneasiness, he still felt a need to help her. He stopped midway with Steve helping her to stand which she responded with a kick off of her shoes.

"Shouldn't be wearing heels for this," she stated, prompting Bucky to smile.

After playing a few rounds, the sky became cloudy, the three of them switched, having Lilly becoming the thrower, Bucky the batter and Steve the one with the glove. Bucky looked up along with Steve when they heard thunder, "Geez, I think it's gonna rain," spoke up Steve, hearing a laughter from a certain blond. Bucky and Steve looked down.

"It's fine, just one more game," she said, adjusting her space while she play with the ball, Bucky position bat "alright," he smiled he liked seeing Lilly have fun, her smile seem to make everything better,

She positioned herself to pitch looking at Steve "I hope you're ready Brooklyn Boy," she said, holding the ball behind her. Steve gazed down at his glove and smile "you always have to be ready in Brooklyn, show me what a Manhattan girl can do," he punched the glove, she smiled, Bucky glanced at her and nodded "hey don't forget me, unless you're too scared to throw," hearing that she shook her head and threw the ball instantly causing Bucky to hit it really hard, it flew probably a good ten feet above them before disappearing into the back of the neighborhood. Steve ran trying to catch it until he slip and fell on the sidewalk. Making both teens to look at each other.

"Oh my God, Steve I'm so sorry," she covered her mouth. "I should have threw it lighter," she reached over to pull the short man up.

Bucky placed his hands on his waist, "I knew it, it probably should have been at the morning." He spoke. Looking down, Lilly looked at him.

The other blonde shook his hands apparently from the grass that had been wet earlier. "No, it's alright, I slipped," he replied.

Bucky shook his head, "Nah, pal, still would have gone over higher anyways" he lifted his head, finding Lilly staring at him.

"I could have made it lighter," she replied. Bucky swallowed hard, why did she look at him like that? Was it something he said? If so, he was saying nothing because it is the truth and the truth it is wouldn't have mattered how much she threw because it was already too strong of ricochet. "Anyways, are you alright, Steve?" she asked.

He nodded, brushing the dirt off of him, "Let's go home, I mean at my house," Bucky looked up. He took the glove from Steve and walked up to Lilly.

"We don't have to stop," she said.

He nodded slowly, "Well, we have to, the ball is out of bound unless you or we all go and find it, but for now I say we turn in for tonight," he showed his hand to her which she gave him the bat. Going over and picking up her shoes which were a few feet away from her. Steve came up to Bucky,

"Maybe we can play more tomorrow, I think Lilly had fun," he suggested.

Bucky lowered his voice. "Can't, the ball is gone," he shrugged as he went to his trunk and placed the glove and bat into the trunk and closed it.

Rain started to drop a little as the trio gathered their things, letters and such. Steve holding the letters under his jacket as Lilly walked beside him, with Bucky leading them away, heading to his house. Lilly's hair fell out of place with the sudden fast walking, causing it to shows its real length. The smaller man stopped and pointed at her sudden disheveled look.

"Lilly, you're hair," he spoke.

She smiled, trying to push it all out of her face. "I know, its fine," she smiled until Steve yelled.

"Buck stop!"

The brunette not paying attention finally turned around, jogging up to them. "Yeah, bud, what's the problem?" he asked.

Steve gave him a raised eyebrow and pointed at Lilly who just shook her head. "Its fine, Steve, it's not a crisis," she gave Bucky a glance, clearing her throat.

"Wait for Lil, will you?" suggested sternly Steve, perhaps Steve remembered how Bucky was acting earlier to which Bucky raised his hand.

"Go ahead and fix it, we won't leave you," Bucky said. Maybe it was the emotion in his voice, but Lilly didn't look happy, shaking her head at him and looking down as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye, placing his hands on his hips.

Her head lowered as Steve went to check at the letters to make sure they weren't wet, giving a sigh. "Are you going—" Bucky was about to ask until she cut him off.

"How far is your house from here?" she asked abnormally.

He straightened up from his pose, "About a block, why?"

"Just asking," she replied, her eyes kept to the floor.

Bucky rubbed his eyes, he didn't know why she is acting suddenly so strange. "Did you forget? If so—"

"No, no, I didn't, I never would forget," she said, giving him a small smile.

Steve caught sight of this and glanced at the two, turning to the brunette. "Buck, what are you doing?" he chided him.

The brunette turned, "I'm not doing anything—it's just I wanted to know because she—" he cut off; turning his head to find Lilly was gone. "Lil?" he asked, looking around the streetlights on but they were empty.

Steve looked around too. "Where did she go?" he asked, keeping his hands in his jacket for the letters.

"I don't know," replied Bucky.

The brunette searched to every corner, "Lil!" he screamed, quickly turning to the blonde. "Listen, Steve, go to my house and stay there."

"No way, I want to look for Lil too!" he exclaimed as the brown haired man pointed at the letters.

"This needs safeguarding, alright? I'm going to look for Lilly," he told him, taking off, "Steve, go!" he shouted.

The blonde reluctantly nodded and went ahead.

This is half of a whole chapter but I decided to cut it in half as I'm currently working on the other part, I actually wrote chapters 6 & 7 before completing chapters 4 & 5 'cause of a writer's block. I also cut it for dramatic effect.