A/N Another update! Let me know what you think.

Glancing up from my exam paper, my eyes landed on the familiar red head a few seats over. I can see her face becoming paler as the time ticked down. Finishing half an hour earlier than the rest, I sat and listened to the sound of scribbling pens and the tapping buttons of calculators. A raspy cough sounded from the front of the room and I diverted my attention to the old man sitting behind his desk. Mister Glyson stood up with a groan of his chair.

"Alright everyone, times up. Hand in your paper on the way out" listening as the bell signalled for lunch, a few sighs echoed out into the classroom.

Getting up from my seat, I picked up my bag and walked toward the desk. Placing down the sheets of paper on the growing pile, I exited the room and followed the crowd to the cafeteria "Amelia! Wait up" I slowed down at the sound of Cassidy voice. Walking beside me, she sighed in relief "I'm so glad that's finally over"

I looked at her and asked "Did you do well?"

"Well" she started off none so confidently as we both lined up at the lunch que "I don't know about that, but maybe I did. How about you?" Cassidy laughed to herself before I had the chance to answer "What am I saying? You're the smartest person I've ever met. I don't even know why you're here at this school. With your brains you should be going to one of those private fancy places"

After paying for our food, we both walked over and sat down at our usual table "I believe everyone has an equal chance of becoming successful. It doesn't matter what school you attend. If you don't want to learn that that's your fault. Don't blame anyone but yourself" Cassidy nodded her head in agreement before taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Attention. Amelia Corvine, please go to the principal's office now. Amelia Corvine, principals office now please"

Stopping mid-chew, I glanced up at the speaker above the door as it bellowed my name. Looking at Cassidy, she shrugged her shoulders as I got up and grabbed my tray. Placing it onto the ledge above the garbage bin, I headed down the hallway and turned left into the familiar waiting room before knocking on the door. Miss Harrison's voice sounded on the other side.

Stepping into the office, the principal gestured to chair "Please, take a seat. You're not in trouble. I'd just like to go over tomorrow night" I sat down and gave the blonde my attention "Now, I sent a letter to your guardian letting him know of the details. It's nothing to worry about, so please don't stress" she spoke with a friendly chuckle "All that's going to happen is we'll all sit down and go over how your doing so far. I know you haven't been here for very long, but it's mandatory that we inform your legal guardian how you're progressing. Sound good?"

"Yes, thank you. That sounds good" I replied with a smile "Is there anything else?"

"Yes actually" she leant in a little "How are you getting along here at school? I know you're more than capable in your classes, but I was wondering more along the lines of socially. Have you made any friends?"

I wanted to snicker "Yes, I've made a friend. Her name is Cassidy" I caught myself in time as I soon realised that I don't know her last name "She has red hair" I added.

Miss Harrison gave me a surprised look "Cassidy Michaels" she clarified "She's a very lovely person. How are two getting along?"

"We're getting along just fine. She came to my house on Sunday" I added, giving the extra information. The principal is asking too many questions and I want to leave. I have more important things to be doing than sit here and be counselled on my social life.

"That's fantastic to hear Amelia. Well, that's all I wanted to talk about" she said with a smile as I stood up and grabbed my bag "Have a good rest of the day and I'll see you tomorrow night"

The rest of the day had gone smoothly after the talk with the principal. Going on an afternoon jog after returning home, my breaths are controlled as my arms swung a little in motion. Glancing up at the sky, I watched as it formed a swirl of orange, pinks and blues. It was a reminder of how beautiful I knew the world could be.

Slowly lowering in the sky, the sun is starting to set which meant I needed to head home soon. Finishing up the last block, I made my way back. Turning left, I slowed down along the footpath as I came to the start of my street. I nodded as Miss Ferguson, an old woman, stood watering her petunias. Waving her thin hand in my direction, she smiled wide "Afternoon dear"

"Afternoon Miss Ferguson" I replied.

Walking past her house and a few more others, I made my way up the driveway and into the house. Heading into the kitchen, I made a glass of water and took small sips "Your back" stated the Soldier as he went and sat at the kitchen table. Nodding my head, I eyed the instrument in his hands.

"What are you doing?" I squinted in his direction. Holding a pair of scissors, the Soldier ran his fingers through his brown locks of hair.

"Come here" he said while waving me over with his metal hand. I moved to stand in front of him "I want you to cut my hair" grabbing my hand, he handed me the scissors "Just don't cut it too short"

I glanced from the scissors and back to the Soldier. I wondered if he was joking for a moment, but I found no sign of trickery. Letting out a shaky breath, I made my way around to stand behind him. Looking of his hair, I was hesitant as I touch the few strands; combing my fingers through the surprisingly soft locks. Starting, I snipped the first few bits and watched as the hair dropped down to the floor.

It took me longer than I thought it would to cut his hair, as I wanted to make sure I did it just right. Discovering the length I liked, I trimmed away until the rest was even and neat. Not too short but not too long. I found my hands designing it to be the way he used to look. When reading the book on the Second World War, I'd discovered some old photos of the Soldier. Including one of him in his army uniform, and another of him standing beside Captain America with a smile on his face.

"Stay here" I instructed.

Placing down the scissors, he joked "You didn't mess it up did you?"

"Trust me" I said.

Quickly jogging upstairs and into the bathroom, I grabbed a razor and shaving foam. Grabbing a bowl of water, I went back to the Soldier and sprayed some cream into my hand and patted it over the stubble along his jaw. Putting the can down, I held the razor up and went to start shaving when his metal hand reached up and wrapped around my wrist. Wincing from the tight grip, I looked at him and watched as his adams apple bobbed and his eyes glistened with awareness.

"Trust me" I repeated softly to reassure him that it's safe.

Taking a minute to respond, the Soldier slowly unwrapped his metal fingers and I pushed the razor closer to his face. Running it down, I watched as the blade collected foam as it travelled along his skin. Making swift and careful work, I noticed he hadn't taken his eyes off of me the whole time. Putting down the razor when I was finished, I grabbed a clean towel and wiped his face.

Stand back to admire the Soldier as he sat before me, a frown formed on my face. I couldn't help but feel a little sad. For some reason, I felt as if I was staring at a ghost of a man. I'd made him look like the James Barnes he once was, but we all know that isn't who he is. The knowledge made my stomach feel unsettled.

The Soldier gave a light cough "How do I look?"

I looked over his face once more before staring into the depth of his blue eyes. It's the one thing that couldn't be changed. The one thing that told you who he really is "Not who are, but who you were meant to be" I replied. He gave me a quizzical look before I turned and left upstairs.

Heading to school the next day, the Soldier didn't emerge from his room like usual during the morning. Not bother to knock or try to enter his room, I left without a word. When arriving at school, I went along with the usual loud bustle of the day's work. Exchanging few words with Cassidy as we barely spend time together other than lunch.

Walking down the familiar footpath back to home, my eyes focused on the ground. Turning my head, Miss Ferguson stood out on her lawn on the other side of the white picket fence. Instead of watering, she stood in a blue gown with a faded yellow apron while trimming the plants. Looking up from the garden, her eyes went wide as she waved me over.

I approached with a curious look "Is everything alright Miss Ferguson?"

"I'm not so sure" she said while standing near the fence "The most peculiar thing happened this morning"

I waited for a response but she'd zoned out "What happened?"

She looked around before talking a little quieter "Well, I was out getting the paper when I saw – him"

I gave a confused expression. The description isn't very elaborate "Who's him?" I asked. It could be anyone. A burglar. The postman. A neighbour.

"Bucky" she said "I saw Bucky"

"Bucky?" I repeated. I wanted to make sure I'd heard correctly and that I wasn't being deceived. Nodding her head with a smile, I could see in her eyes she's recalling a fond memory.

"I remember seeing him when I was a young girl, like yourself. He was so handsome" she fluttered out "You see, my father owned a barber shop in Brooklyn. I was riding home on my bike one day when I dropped in to see him, and there he was! Dressed in his green uniform" she laughed "He was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. Hard to forget a face when you think you've fallen in love. Silly me"

There was a pause of silence as I let it all sink in "You saw this Bucky when you were sixteen, and you think that the man you saw today is him?" I questioned. It's a normal response. I couldn't tell Miss Ferguson that it who she saw is most likely the very same person she'd met all those years ago.

"Yes" she smiled "Yes, it has to be. I saw him"

I gave a light sigh before diverting the subject "And what happened to him, after the day you first met?"

"Well, we never talked. But my father told me that he stops by the shop every month like clockwork. He said that he has to look good for the misses" she paused before adding "It was a foolish thing, but I admit I was jealous when he said that. I kept thinking to myself that, whoever she was, she's the luckiest girl in the world to have a man like him – but beside that day, it was the last I saw him"

I could only assumed "He left for the war"

Miss Ferguson nodded in agreement as she played with a flower petal between her wrinkled fingers "Yes dear. He left – but he came back, didn't he? I know. I know I saw him earlier this morning, coming out of that house and walking down this street. I know what I saw" she repeated.

I realised something. Miss Ferguson said that he'd left early this morning, but he didn't take the car. Which means that he was gone before I got up this for school, and he didn't want me to know about it. I had to make sure "Exactly how early this morning did you see him?"