Oh, My Soldier

2

I braided my blonde hair down my shoulder and finished off my simple makeup with ruby red lipstick. I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes, inspecting myself in the mirror. I wanted to look fabulous for today's date. I smiled with approval at myself and brushed off my long, flowing navy blue skirt before adjusting my white blouse I had tucked into the skirt.

Charlie had no idea I was leaving snd hopefully my mom wouldn't tell him either. Charlie had left early this morning for work but mom was still at home cleaning up around the house. I flicked off the lamp in the bathroom and strolled to my mother's room to seek her judgement on my look. My black flats tapped silently across the stained carpet floors and I placed my hands on my hips, standing in front of my mom with my head held high.

"What do you think?" I smiled excitedly. Her slow moving, chocolate eyes glanced over me and she frowned in disapproval. "What? What is wrong?" I asked sadly, my smile falling.

"Charlie will be angry." she shook her head slowly. The creases of her face deepened as she frowned again and sighed. I slouched my shoulders, all of my previous confidence exiting my body like an ocean wave leaves the shore.

"You won't tell him will you?" I swallowed slowly. Having Charlie find out is the last thing I wanted to happen. Only god knew what he would do.

She only waved her hand at me in dismissal and I sighed, heading to the door and snatching my coat off of it's hook. I slipped my arms inside and hugged it around my body as I slipped out of the house, quickly heading toward the convention center, which was only a ten minute walk from my home.

The place was crowded when I had arrived, but not completely packed full, and the music played loudly enough you could hear it from nearly every corner of the building. I wrapped my arms over my chest as I shyly made my way through the crowd of strangers, my hazel eyes darting around the room in search of a familiar face. I was usually a fairly shy person, so being alone in such big social settings made me nervous. Enough so that my face felt warm and my fingers dug into the flesh of my arms.

A small tap on my shoulder caused me to tense momentarily before whipping around in surprise, only to be greeted by Bucky's wonderful, smiling face. A thin, frail looking boy, slightly shorter than I, with blonde hair and scrawny features stood at his side and glanced around looking just as nervous as I did. "Hey there, Mags! This is my friend Steve I told you about!" Bucky welcomed, motioning to the thin boy who looked about my age.

"Hello. I-I'm Steve." the thin guy offered a bony hand to me. I carefully took it, afraid that I would break him and smiled.

"My name is Maggie." I stated loud enough for him to hear. Bucky smiled at the two of us and glanced around like he was looking for someone.

"Well, Steve. We found my date, now we just have to find yours." Bucky stated. Steve sighed and rolled his grayish-blue eyes. "Come on, man. She's nice, trust me. Her name is Joanna." Bucky insisted.

"I hate that you bring me to dances, Buck. You always set me up with a date that is more interested with you than anyone." Steve grumbled unhappily. I raised my brows, my curiosity peaking. Bucky glanced at me, then to Steve and shook his head.

"I have my own date." Bucky stated, to which I blushed.

"That doesn't keep every other girl from drooling over you." Steve scoffed, crossing his tiny arms. I could see Steve's point. Bucky was attractive and quite dashing and I wouldn't doubt that other girls were all over him. I bit at my lower lip and stared down at my feet, feeling awkward and shy as usual. "I'm sorry. That was unnecessary. But this is the last time I'm going to something like this with you." Steve warned Bucky, noticing how shy I acted. "You two go have fun. I am just going wait over here for Joanna." Steve said.