The One Left Behind.

Chapter One - Now or never?

Here we go again. Standard evening at the faire with my two best idiots.

First off we have James Buchanan Barnes, also known as Bucky, this guy thinks he is god's gift to women. I don't see what other women see in him personally but he's a great friend, very protective of everyone he cares about.

Then there's Steve Rogers, a small weedy guy but he has a pure heart of gold. I just wish I had that heart as my own... Truth is although he is like a brother to me, and we have been best friend most of our lives, part of me is deeply in love with him.

Oh! Where are my manners I never did introduce myself, my name is Mildred Mills but everyone calls me Millie, the usual fifth wheel on these trips to the faire as Bucky always seems to find two females to accompany him and Steve to go dancing. They're usually dim-witted and simple minded, today's victims are called Bonnie & Connie... surely that says it all.

Steve and myself are always the ones that arrive on time, whereas Bucky is always fashionably late. Steve stood in his usual dull dressed up self, for once I tried to make an effort in hope of catching his eye. My dark brown hair stuck up in pin curls with not a single hair out of place, a navy dress with dainty floral pattern all over it, with a skinny red belt cinching in my waist. For once I felt overdressed if I'm honest, it was very out of my comfort zone but all the girls seem to dress like this and get Steve's attention so it's definitely worth a try, right?

"Wake up, Millie. Hello?" I hear a distant voice drag me away from my own thoughts and glance over at Steve that is waving his hand near my face while holding a small red and white striped paper bag in the other, "Do you want one?" I peek into his little paper bag to see it full with a good few dozen bonbons. Chuckling to myself I oblige and take one, popping it into my mouth with a smile. "Thanks Steve, I don't know where my head was then, I must have just zoned out." Steve just shrugs in response, tucking his little paper bag away into his jacket pocket, "It's okay. I wonder what's taking Bucky so long." Just as Steve finishes his sentence Bucky appears, dressed in his uniform with a girl on each arm. "Good evening campers, Bonnie this is your chaperone for the evening, Mr Steve Rogers." The blonde bombshell on Bucky's arm is released and flocks over to Steve like a canary trying to escape from a mine. My heart sinks, with this new girl in all her beauty, tonight is clearly not my night.

Feeling a nudge against my arm I turn my head to see Bucky with a cocky smirk across his face, "Cheer up little fifth wheel, you'll have your own date one night. Now let's get this fun started!" Off the happy couples trot along, with me trailing in the back.

The faire seems exceptionally busy this evening, fighting our way through the crowds we start to get separated. The back of their heads getting further away from me, "Guys! Wait up!" getting nudged from side to side it now becomes clear why it's so busy this evening... The army tent. At least if I lose them, I know exactly where I'll find Steve. Since he was a little boy, Steve has always wanted to join the army. Every time he's tried to enlist he'd been rejected due to his weedy appearance, even though I'm happy he gets knocked back because I don't know what I'd do if I were to lose him, it's heart-breaking to see his face every time he isn't accepted.

I've been battling my way through the crowds for a solid 20 minutes now, the others are no longer in sight. I finally reach the army tent, straightening out my outfit I step inside. Filtering through all the displays they have spread all over the place, I come across a familiar face at the hero mirror. You know the type of mirror, you put your face where theirs should be and it shows you in the uniform. He did look very handsome, if only he was smiling, instead there is the usual devastated look smeared across his face.

"I knew I'd find you here." I speak out as I step over towards him placing my hand upon his shoulder. He lets out a long sign as he turns to face me, "I'm sorry we left you behind, you know what that big Bucky shaped lump is like when he thinks he's got a chance." As I nod as perch down on a bench opposite the mirror, "What happened to your date? Which one was it, Bonnie or Connie?" A smile starts to creep across Steve's face, as he tries to contain his slight chuckle "Bonnie, and last time I saw her she was strapped onto the other side of Buck. Just like the last one, and the one or two before that." Gently placing my hand on top of his which sits upon his knee, I lean my head onto his shoulder "You'll find the right girl Steve, and she'll be the luckiest girl in the world to have you."

After a few moments sat there in silence as if nothing was happening around us, I lift my head from his shoulder and look at him. "Did you mean what you said, that they'll be the luckiest girl in the world to have me? They would be more unlucky to have me," Steve bolts up from the bench, slightly irritated, striding back and forth as he continues, "I'm a weed Millie. With the personality of a damp sponge, built like a sheet of paper and as strong as a feather. No one wants to be with someone like me." I stand from where I'm sat and step in front of him, causing him to stop in his tracks. "Steve, you're none of those things, and even if you were, none of that matters," Taking his hands in mine I take in a deep breath, this is it, its now or never... "Steven Grant Rogers, you are the most caring, sweet, thoughtful guy I have ever met. You have the kindest smile, strong heart and beautiful crystal blue eyes..." Trailing off as I preach to this man I am so in love with, I feel us getting closer with every breath. We're so close now I can feel his breath upon my cheek, just before he leans his head on my shoulder wrapping his arms around me in a warm hugging embrace. "Thank you Millie, not only for knowing how to boost a guy's spirits but for being one of the best friends a guy could as for."

And there is it, that crushing blow. I feel my heart sink deep within my chest. What more can I do to show him, or is this it? I'll never get further with him.

Lifting his head back up from my shoulder, I see a smile creep across his face, "C'mon lets go dancing."