The fair was brimming with adults and kids alike all enjoying the offerings the fair had brought to town. The group huddled up in the parking lot before the boys fully decided they'd waste no time in getting to the rides. Charlie reluctantly was dragged onto the teacups by the boys, which always made her nauseous. Sam made sure to laugh at her green tint as she exited the ride.
"I didn't expect the Hulk to make an appearance."
"Shut up bird brain," she said, taking a deep breath and talking herself down from a vomit-induced ledge.
The day was full of laughter and fun. Charlie hadn't felt this type of togetherness in as long as she could remember. The fair was something she always went to with her parents and she missed dragging her father onto the ferris wheel. She looked at it longingly, the bright lights on the wheel causing a pang of pain. As the heat of the day died down and the sun set the family enjoyed fair food for dinner before Cass passed out on Bucky's lap.
"I guess that's our cue to go. Bucky you coming back with us?" Sarah asked as Bucky picked up the boy and began carrying him back to the family's car.
"I should probably get Sam's truck. If that's okay with you?" he asked Charlie.
"No of course it's okay," she smiled following the group back to the parking lot. They loaded the boys into the car before once again it was just the two of them illuminated by the light of the carnival rides filtering into the field of vehicles.
"Shall we head back or can I convince you to stay for an ice cream cone?" she teased.
"Whatever you want, doll," he said, turning back to the fair.
"Doll?"
"Sorry it just slipped," he said sheepishly. In reality he didn't know where that even came from.
"No its ok… I like it," she said, slipping her arm into his at his elbow. If his face turned pink and he hoped she didn't see. She did.
"You're insane. A certified psychopath." he quipped. Charlie was holding her side she was laughing so hard, her ice cream in her left hand.
"I am not the only one who does this!"
"You don't bite ice cream!" he teased.
"Then how am I going to eat the peanut butter cups without them falling off the cone?"
"Well first of all I'm not sure when they started putting everything imaginable in ice cream but when I was younger they didn't have so many mix-ins."
"You mean 100 years ago?" she lifted a brow.
"Alright easy," he held his hands up in surrender.
"I'll let it slide Sergeant Barnes," she winked at him and he was sure his heart had stopped. How was it that this girl could so quickly send his world crashing down. He wasn't even sure she liked him like that. He didn't care though. A small part of him was going to take the momentary happiness and run with it. No one was here to see him like he was now, no one would judge if he let a wall or two down for the doe eyed girl who bit her ice cream
"Come on," he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her off the picnic table bench.
"Where are we going?" she asked, throwing her now empty cone into the garbage as he led her down the aisle way of the fair.
"I have not played one of these games in 80 years and I'm not going to let the opportunity pass me by." he said, stopping in front of the toy shooting game.
"Isn't this a little unfair?" she quipped from beside him.
"What ever could you mean?" he smirked before picking up the bb gun and sending all 5 shots into the bullseye of the target. The teenage vendor rolled his eyes and handed him a stuffed frog which he promptly passed to Charlie.
"My hero," she said, giving the toy a squeeze.
"I know I know my talent for overpriced carnival games is unmatched," he joked. He looked at her receiving no response and caught her looking at the ferris wheel.
"Do you wanna go?"
"Oh um- no it's okay I just- I used to ride it with my dad and… I haven't been back here since he died…" she said sadly.
"Then come on, I'll take you." he said, offering her his arm.
"Really?"
"Yeah," he smiled.
"You know Sam was wrong about you."
"Wrong about?"
"He said you were this big brooding pain in the ass but you seem like a softy on the inside." she said.
"He's not wrong. I don't know… something about being here. With Sam's family. They make me happy." he said, helping her into the bucket of the ferris wheel.
"Have you ever thought about staying?" she asked, settling into the seat. Not wanting to seem too eager he sat across from her. She felt a little hurt at the gesture but then again this wasn't a date and she didn't want to make him uncomfortable by flirting too openly. He wasn't staying, she knew that, but the question still slipped out.
"Not really I guess. New York is my home, but it's so different now. I don't have anyone there so it's rather lonely."
"I know the feeling," she said. "This is the first weekend since my parents passed that I actually feel like I belong somewhere. I have no family left and all of my friends are married with kids. I just don't really… fit?" she said almost as a question. He related to her and sympathized with the feeling. He could feel the question burning at his lips and he almost saved himself before it burst out.
"I guess I just don't get why you're not married?" he would've thrown himself off the top of the wheel had he known he'd survive and make things even more awkward.
"I don't know James, why aren't I?"
"I didn't mean it like that I just meant-" she interrupted him with a laugh.
"It's okay. I guess I just never let myself settle ya know? Like every guy I've met has been a major jerk. I saw the way my dad treated my mom and I've never wanted anything less than that. So I've just kept waiting until I can meet someone I don't mind being with forever. Half the women I know who are married can barely get their husbands to acknowledge an anniversary nevermind bring them flowers for no reason. I can't imagine not being totally head over heels in love." she explained. His heart swelled a little more. The idea of someone NOT being totally head over heels for Charlie was such an odd thought for him.
"What about you? Any ladies back home?" she asked, playing with the stuffed frog's bowtie. He audibly laughed and threw his head back.
"What!? It's a valid question." she said.
"No, I do not have any ladies back home. I don't even have a friend. Well there was one- his name was Yori. Older gentleman. We used to get lunch but I haven't spoken to him in months."
"How come?"
"To which?"
"Ladies and Yori I suppose." she said.
"Yori and I had a…falling out I guess you could say. He found out more about my past and we just kind of fell apart from there. And the ladies, well- for one I guess explaining my past to someone is just too difficult and if they do already know about me they're scared of me. Plus this is kind of a crutch." he said, holding up his gloved left hand.
"They really don't like the arm?"
"I have shown it to exactly one girl and she never came back from the bathroom. Or they just ask why I'm a weirdo who wears gloves 24/7." he explained. She put the frog next to her before grabbing his wrist that was still held up.
"What are you doing?" he asked. She waved him off before removing his glove. He watched her in silence as she looked over the digits of his hand. She bent his fingers a couple times before placing her hand against his to gauge the size before intertwining their fingers from where she sat.
"It doesn't feel that different to me." she smiled at him, and for the upteempth time that night his heart skipped a beat at the way she treated him. A moment of silence passed in between the two before they realized they were next to get off the wheel. They awkwardly broke their hands and shuffled off the ride.
"I guess we should head back. I have school in the morning ya know." she teased.
"Sorry for keeping you out after curfew." he laughed.
"Louisa will surely ground me," she piqued. He opened her car door once again and she settled inside. The ride back to her house was silent as she enjoyed the cooling air in the darkness. They were almost back when the sky started to light up and the sound of thunder reached their ears.
"Any chance that's just Thor and not some kind of diabolical rainstorm?" she joked. He shot her a glance, picking up the speed a bit before the sky opened up. Inevitably it did and by the time they were pulling into the garage they were soaked. He had shrugged off his jacket for her to hold over her head but it was no use. They were both drenched. He helped her wipe up the inside of the poor car before they both booked it to the front porch of the main house. Laughter from both drowned out by the violent raindrops.
"Ugh the powers out," she said pointing to the dark light overhead on the porch as they took shelter.
"That happen a lot here?"
"The wiring is older than you. I lose power all the time." she joked.
"Ouch jeez," he grabbed his heart.
"It's just too easy," she laughed before another moment of silence settled over them as they stood there. They looked at each other for a moment and she could see his eyes flicking over her face. She knew she probably looked an absolute mess, surely her mascara must've been running down her face. He reached up to one of the long pieces of her hair that had fallen over her shoulder and tucked it behind her ear. The warmth of his glove just barely grazed her face as he did. The tension rose for a moment and it was clear to her that maybe he did in fact like her the way she liked him, though neither one of them seemed to make any sort of move beyond the moment they shared. The door suddenly opened and Louisa held up a candlestick.
"Are you two quite all right? This storm is the worst I've seen in years!" she said, stepping out onto the porch.
"Uh yeah we're alright Louisa thank you." Charlie smiled awkwardly at the woman.
"Well come inside dear you'll catch your death," she said tugging Charlie's dress before turning to go inside. Charlie turned back to him, a small smile playing on her lips.
"I had a great day Bucky thank you for staying after with me," she said.
"Yeah you're uh- you're welcome," he said, holding his arm out for a hand shake. She had to admit she was slightly taken aback by the gesture. She grasped his hand and shook it before turning to go inside. As she closed the door she left him standing there on the porch all alone.
He turned looking at the rain pouring down on Sam's truck before running to get in. Dripping wet he felt as bad as he probably looked.
"You fucking idiot," he said laying his head onto the steering wheel and slapping the dash.
Charlotte watched him through the hall window as he ran to the truck. Did he actually shake her fucking hand? She let out a small chuckle, shaking her head before going upstairs to get ready for the following day. The room was dark, beside the one candle Louisa most likely lit for her. She pulled some clothes out of her closet and laid them on the bed.
"Good evening Charlotte-" She gasped at the sound of a man's voice behind her before the world went dark.
"You SHOOK her hand?!" Sam was dying of laughter. Bucky was slumped over on the counter groaning in frustration.
"I've never been so embarrassed." he grumbled from his spot.
"Were you always this bad with the ladies?" Sam asked.
"No. I had a different girl on my arm every weekend before the war. This is ridiculous." he said sitting up.
"You're out of practice." Sam waved him off.
"It's probably for the best anyway. She doesn't know me. I've got more baggage than an airline."
"So you're gonna punish yourself?" Sam asked.
"It's not punishing Sam, that girl is far too good for me and I can't give her what she wants. I mean jesus I've only known her two days." he said, rolling his eyes.
"How do you know what she wants if you've only known her for two days," Sam piqued an eyebrow.
"Don't try to be my shrink man. I'm not exactly boyfriend material when we're off fighting some dangerous villain every other week."
"The big three?" Sam snipped.
"Will you let that go?" Bucky rolled his eyes.
"Ok so you go home tomorrow right? Just text her while you're away and see how it goes. Maybe a good night call every now and then." Sam said. Bucky's eyes went wide in realization.
"You did get her number right?" Sam asked as Bucky collapsed onto the counter again.
The next morning Bucky was determined to get Charlie's number before he left for New York. He'd tried to coax it out of Sam who'd told him it was creepy to get it from someone else and to just go ask her at school. With a few hours before he was due at the airport he decided to do just that. He borrowed the truck again and took off for the elementary school, Sarah directing him where to go on the map. The swamp roads twisting and turning quietly, vegetation growing in a thick cover canopy over the road blocking the sky. A flash of purple caught his eye and he stopped the truck. Getting out he noticed the plant, some kind of violet growing in handfuls on the side of the road. Bucky did a quick glance around at the quiet road to make sure no one was around before picking a large bunch of the flowers and jogging back to the truck. The sight of the bushel on the passenger seat drawing a smile from him. This girl was getting to him. He could imagine the look on her face handing them to her after they had talked about flowers for no reason.
When he arrived the kids were in classes but the woman at the front desk had immediately recognized the man. In fact he was shocked she even let him in the school, but she gushed about being a fan before directing him down the hallway to room 17. The door was open and he could hear Charlie's voice echoing down the hall mixing with some of the other teachers. When he got to her room her back was turned to the door as she was pointing to the board going over what she was teaching. He noticed the long ankle length dress she wore in a soft yellow, her hair in a thick braid that cascaded down her back.
"Right, so how many states are there?" she asked the whole class placing a hand to cup her ear so they would speak up.
"Fifty!" they all chimed in unison.
"Right, great job guys!" she said. A small girl in the front of the class raised her hand.
"Yes Anna?"
"Miss Ward there's a man here," the little girl pointed. Charlie turned to see who it could possibly be and was surprised to see Bucky leaned against the door frame, a hand behind his back.
"Sergeant Barnes?" she said using a more professional name in front of the students. "Uh class this is Sergeant Barnes say hello please."
"Hello Sergeant Barnes," they all said in unison again, some fumbling over the sergeant.
"Hey guys," he said, waving to them with his free hand.
"What's behind your back Sergeant Barnes?" The girl earlier called Anna quipped. Bucky presented the flowers from behind his back and the whole class erupted in 'oooooooohhhhhhssssss" as to embarrass their teacher. Charlies cheeks immediately flushed at the sight of the bright violets.
"Well thank you Sergeant I didn't expect these," she said, placing them in the empty vase on her desk before dumping her water bottle in to quench their thirst. The bell suddenly rang and the children all rushed out of their seats to presumably lunch.
"Don't forget to finish your map coloring pages!" she called after them in a flurry.
"I swear they'll be the death of me," she giggled. "What brings you to Carter Elementary James?" she said leaning against her desk. He entered further into the room sitting on Anna's desk in front of her. No one ever called him James, he hated it. But from her? It sounded like liquid gold.
"I'm leaving tonight and I realized I never asked for your number." he said, fidgeting with his gloves.
"My number?" She raised a perfect brow.
"Yeah I don't know, I thought maybe we could be text pals." She snorted.
"Text pals huh?" she said, holding out a hand to him for his phone. He studied her for a second before reaching in his back pocket for the cell and placing it in her extended hand. He could see her eyes looked tired, dark bags she had covered with makeup still slightly visible and that when he noticed the hand wrapped around his phone.
"What happened to your hands?" he said standing up. She suddenly became very aware that the man towered over her 5' 4" self. In reality she actually had no clue what had happened to her hands. His level of concern clearly rising with every second she stayed silent. She finished typing in her contact before turning her hands over to show the bruised and bloody knuckles on both hands.
"I'm actually not sure. After I got home I got one of my migraines. They're really bad. Sometimes I completely black out. But I woke up with the worst headache and my hands like this. Louisa said I fell." she explained. His gloved hands were now examining hers.
"Are you okay? You didn't hit your head right?" he said, looking over her. She laughed and smiled at him.
"I don't think so but again; headache. No cuts or anything I must've just fallen on my hands and dragged myself to bed. They started after my parents passed away. That was 3 years ago."
"And you've talked to a doctor?" he asked. His concern made her laugh.
"I'm fine, Bucky. I'm a big girl."
"I know I know but trust me amnesia is no joke. I would know." he said, crossing his arms.
"If they get worse I promise I'll see someone. Scouts honor." she said, holding up two fingers.
"You're not a boy scout."
"It still stands." she laughed. Bucky's phone buzzed and he answered politely, excusing himself to turn away from her.
"Yes Sam?"
"Yeah."
"Okay I'm coming."
"Well I guess I'm out of here." Bucky said, turning back to her. She smiled a shit eating grin before extending her hand out to him to shake, a jab at last nights move he'd made.
"Til next time text pal." she laughed, and he did too.
