A Twist of Fate

Chapter 1

The duvet on was heavy on me, almost suffocating but not quite that uncomfortable yet. My hood pulled up over my head and the drawstrings tied so the fabric was neat to my face. My left ear was in discomfort after being pressed into a pillow for so long without moving other than the occasional sniff.

A tear rolled from the corner of my eye and soaked into the fabric of my jumper, tinting it to a darker shade of grey. I sat as music played inconsiderately loud out of the speakers in my room. I could feel the puffiness in my face, my lips swollen. I released staggered breath through my parted lips.

The knock at the door went unheard, I lay there silently as tears fell until I sensed a presence in my room. I clenched the covers tighter to me, turning my head into the pillow in an attempt to rid my face of the dampness.

"Annabelle?" I remained still until the music was cut off.

"Scott?" My voice was muffled from being shoved against a pillow.

"The one and only." Releasing the covers I turned and saw his smile shift downwards, quickly he took a seat on the bed next to my hips. His hand reached out and rested on top of the covers against my arm. "An odd song to cry over, don't you think?" A short laugh escaped my lips.

"No, I think 'Boy toy named Troy used to live in Detroit' is really emotional, tugs my heartstrings everytime." Scott gently patted my arm as he laughed. He waited a beat before speaking up.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Definitely not."

"Ok, whatever you wish." He continued to pat my arm over the duvet before I moved to sit up.

"I need to get up. I stink and Tony wants me in training this afternoon."

Scott nodded, "Yeah, I didn't want to say anything but that's why I came in. I could smell you from the kitchen." I laughed loudly, standing up and stretching my arms above my head.

"No point showering if I'm about to train, Tony will have me sweating in no time." I smiled at Scott as I moved for the door.

"I think you are training with Bucky and Sam-" He followed me before I stopped abruptly. "- Steve and Tony are instructing."

"Shit, I better put some perfume on or something." I swiped the glass bottle off of my dresser, spraying it over myself a few times. "Do you have gum?" I looked up just in time to see Scott nodding, his hand digging into his dark blue jeans. I put the bottle I was holding back to its original place before taking a stick of gum from Scott.

"I wish you made the same effort with me as you did men that are technically fossils." He stated as I made my way out the door muttering a thanks. I turned and shoved him lightly, laughing at his comment.

"Gotta make an effort when I'm going to be in close proximity with my man." A gagging noise emitted from Scott. "Ew, gross. I could have gone on without the image of you and Bucky getting up close and personal."

"Now it's my turn to be grossed out. Stop envisioning me in your head, freak." We laughed as we made our way down the stairs together. After the silence settled I walked on with my head down, watching my feet. Scott nudged his shoulder against mine to get my attention and smiled. "I'm here for you." Rolling my eyes, I nodded. The hint of a smile tugging on my lips.

"Don't make it weird, man." His eyes widened as his arms raised in defence.

"I'm not!"

"And don't tell anyone." We stopped walking, the training door in front of us. Scott imitated zipping his lips shut and throwing the key away.