i'm with you, every step of the way

Chapter 5

"Don't worry, she just fell asleep. She must have knocked out pretty bad, I couldn't wake her up." Bucky said, a bit confused as well.

"Oh, that's usual for her. Come on, bring her in the back, your arms might be getting tired."

"It's okay, she's very light," Bucky laughed and laid Natasha down the backseat after her mom opened the door. He got in on the front seat and they drove away.

Before they reached Bucky's house, Natasha stirred. Bucky looked back at her and chuckled; she looks really confused.

"Hey Tasha, good nap?" He teased.

"Why are we here? What happened to the game?" She asked, sitting up and blinking.

"The game ended hun, Bucky carried you out." Her mom answered, sounding amused.

"Ugh, that is so embarrassing!!!" She protested and shot Bucky an accusatory look. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"I did. A lot of times. You didn't even budge." He looked out the window and noticed they were at his house. "Bye Nat, see you tomorrow at 5!" He said and jumped out, thanking her mom and waving at them.

Natasha stayed quiet throughout the rest of the way home. She looked at her mom and smiled, running up to her room and getting ready to sleep. Except she feels more awake because of her nap so she decided to just do some homework. She took her phone out and texted Bucky.

"Hey thanks for tonight :)"

"Anytime, Nat" he replied in less than a minute; he must still be up and on his phone then.

After finishing her math homework, she went to her closet to pick out a dress to wear for the Homecoming dance. She chose her simple black dress, that yes, she got to admit, shows a bit too much skin, but it wasn't too bad. It has spaghetti straps and its length was just above her knees, but she figured it would be okay, some girls wear way less. She opted to just wear flats because standing for a long time in heels is something she's not very fond of. After arranging them neatly, she went to sleep.

The following day was relatively calm for her. She got up and did her chores, homework, hung out with her mom, and by the time she was done with everything she needs to do, she have just enough time to prepare for the dance. It's a casual thing so Natasha didn't really worry about putting on too much makeup. She just applied some light foundation and eyeliner, and lipstick that matches her dress. At exactly 5pm, their doorbell rang and Natasha ran down the stairs to meet Bucky.

"Wow, Tasha, you look beautiful," he said, looking sincere and it made Natasha blush.

"You clean up well too," she told him. Bucky is wearing a dark blue button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up with his jacket was folded on his arms. His hair was also styled up neatly. He looked like he came right out of a fashion magazine.

Natasha's mom and dad fussed over the two of them and her mom got the camera, and took what felt like a million photos. After their mini photoshoot, Victoria drove the two to the Chipotle near their school, where they would meet and eat with their friends and just walk to school afterwards.

"Have fun kids!" Victoria waved at them after dropping them off, giggling and winking at Natasha, who just rolled her eyes and motioned for her to drive off.

When they met Pepper and Maria inside, there was someone with them who shocked Natasha. "Sam???" She asked when she approached them confusion written all over her face. She looked at her friends for answers and Maria blushed.

"I uh... - uh, Sam is with... uh with me.." she stammered, her face red and eyes not meeting Natasha's.

"Hey Natasha, I come in peace," Sam said, no doubt to lighten to mood. "Please, I'm not like the other guys, I just really want to hangout with Maria here. But I mean if you're uncomfortable, I could just meet up with her later...." he finished, looking at her. And he looks like he means it too. Come to think of it, Sam was the only player who never showed some kind of malice towards her. Also, she can tell that Maria is smitten at him, with the way she looks at him longingly and her eyes are pleading.