"And you really think that this is a good idea?"

A slight doubt is audible in Bucky's voice as he carries the few cartons with me upstairs. "I mean, I know that Steve would be lonely if you didn't do that, but I also know that you're still unemployed right now."

"Yes, I am fully convinced." I nod determined, holding the carton with Steve's stuff closer to me and remembering the night where I had found him bruised and lost. It was pretty awful to see him like that, although most of his injuries healed after a month. It's the best help that I can offer him. "We all see each other every day anyway and I'd have probably checked on Steve all the time. Moving in together won't change anything."

"I don't know..." He mutters, glancing at the ground. The pout makes him look damn cute, like a little puppy. While I really try not to get too much effected by that, I clearly fail and start getting nervous, sensing how a pretty warm feeling spreads over my whole body.

"Don't be jealous, I won't take Steve away from you." I laugh, trying to shake off the fast heartbeat and to light up the mood.

"You wouldn't be the one I'd be jealous of."

"Huh?" I raise a brow in the air in confusion and don't understand what he means with that. Then I suddenly stop in front of the apartment because of the familiar smell in the air, a smell that sort of burns in the nose. In fact, it does reek of burnt food. I remember how Steve failed to cook mashed potatoes a few days ago as my eyes widen. "Crap, no."

I storm into the apartment, followed by Bucky and drop the carton to the ground to run to the kitchen. At the stove is standing Steve, wagging away the little cloud of smoke with a towel and coughing a bit. I sigh and walk to the stove to remove the pot, seeing the burnt potatoes in it. At least they're not black this time, just a bit too brown. Bucky opens the window to let the fresh air in while Steve somehow is all smiles.

"Look, Eve!" He beams with pride and it's the first time for a long while that his blue eyes shine that bright. "The potatoes are not too burnt and they're not even black. I've made it."

"Sure, if you're okay with food poisoning- "

"This is great!" I interrupt Bucky by nudging him in his ribs, making him groan in pain and coil a bit up. "Bucky and I will bring the cartons to your room, you can cook the vegetables meanwhile."

"What room? He literally moves into the living room where we're standing right now because your kitchen is connected with- ugh!" He earns another nudge and I signalize him to shut up and just to follow me to the living room. He does as I say while Steve doesn't notice anything of it. "Why did you hit me?!"

"It's the first time that Steve looks happy!" I shout-whisper at him. "And don't cry about some nudges from a girl. You're about to break his heart, don't do this, okay? He seems to be so happy and proud of himself right now, not broken or sad."

"You really care about him, do you?" Bucky's voice lowers and for unknown reasons, he sounds disappointed.

"Of course, I do. He's my best friend." I weakly smile, thinking of how much he has suffered. "Someone has to take care of him. It's my duty."

"And who takes care of you?" His question freezes me and his eyes bore intensely into mine. "Don't forget the rent, you already have a lot problems on your own. Let me help you."

I let out a deep sigh and press my lips together, avoiding eye contact by looking at the ground. Why does he need to care so much? Why can't he just forget about my worries for once, why am I even his focus? It just makes me feel a lot more than necessary and the whole thing is still new for me. Can I really call it love? Do I even know what love is? The doubts and insecurity come back, although I could actually hold them back for a while. Since I met Bucky. He's changed me.

"Eve?" He waves his hand in front of my face, bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Huh? Sorry, I- I was distracted. But I don't think that you could pay my rent or find a new job for me. I know that you'd like to but we're just kids from Brooklyn, Buck. Ordinary. We can't do much."

"I reject that out of hand." He disagrees, smirking his cocky Bucky- smile. "But you're probably right. Even our rent rose and our neighbor became unemployed too. The Great Depression sucks. But we're not gonna give up yet, right? You just need to sing a bit and everything's gonna be okay after the world has listened to your amazing voice, canary."

"Your solution is singing?" I raise a brow in the air, trying not to react to his compliment about my voice. "We're here to study, remember? We're seniors and I can't really afford failing, school is damn expensive. Hey, Steve, come on, we need to start studying now!"

"Coming!" He brings us the pot with mashed potatoes and vegetables and three spoons, placing it on the table while we take out the books and sit down.

"I'm actually not really hungry."

"Yes, you are." I correct Bucky, faking a smile. "With which subject should we start?"

"Biology. I hate that subject." He groans annoyed and decides to try lunch. It's clear to be seen on his face that he regrets it, but he still swallows and forces a smile. "Tastes good, pal."

"Thanks."

I'm too distracted to pay attention to the taste of the food. We will graduate soon and I am hella afraid of the exams, because if I fail, I won't be able to graduate. And then I even have to worry more about the future. My glance lays on Bucky who's focused on the book, knitting his eyebrows in confusion at the content. It makes him look adorable, causing a faster heartbeat to me. His only problems are little complications like school. A girl like me would just drag him into more trouble and be a burden for him. And he deserves better than that.

***

"39 degrees." I sigh, staring at the thermometer. My hope that it wouldn't be that bad is gone and I cover Steve with another blanket, believing that this will make him freeze less. "I'm sorry that it's so cold here... but I- I couldn't pay for the gas yet and it doesn't work properly anymore."

"It's okay, Eve." He smiles bravely as he lets out a cough. Seeing him sick makes me feel helpless. "I'm not even freezing." Lie. He's shaking as hell. "Sorry that you have to take care of me. I know that we should be studying..."

"Hey, don't worry. I totally use your disease just as an excuse to avoid studying." I try to lighten up the mood and hand him a cup of hot tea, helping him to take a sip. "And you should stay in my bed tonight, I can sleep on the couch."

"I cannot accept that, it's your apartment- "

"Our apartment." I interrupt him, smiling. "You know, I used to hate this apartment. It was screaming loneliness. But since you moved in, it's okay. Take it as a Thank you. Otherwise I'll lock you in this room and force you to sleep in my bed."

"Okay, roommate." He chuckles slightly but the cough ceases his laughter. His eyes are closed and his breath unsteady as if he would try to mentally fight against the fever. It's not fair at all, he has just recovered from the alley fight and now he's become sick and suffers again. I need to get medicine as soon as possible, but the price has risen.

"I'd get Bucky for help but it would take too long." I bite on my lower lip. Leaving him alone is out of question, but what choice do I else have? "Alright, new plan. I'll try to hurry to the drugstore and get some medicine, okay? Just... just rest and don't worry about money or anything else. I'll be right back."

"Alright." Steve forces a smile, nodding slightly as he shuts his eyes. Before I leave, I put my hand on his sweaty forehead, feeling his high temperature. Sarah is gone, it's now my responsibility to take care of him when he's sick or suffers.

Luckily, it's not too far away, so the cold doesn't get under my skin while I walk to the drugstore. But the price of the necessary medicine hits me hard and shocks me, I seriously don't have that much money. Biting on my lower lip, I go to the apothecary to try bargaining lower price.

"Is it also possible to get this for a lower price?" I show him the packet against fever in my hand.

"This is already the lowest price, darling." He shakes his head as his voice remains strict, hinting at his bad mood. It's not hard to see that he's annoyed but I stay determined.

"Really? Because I really need it, it's an emergency and my best friend is sick and he-he really needs it." My voice lowers, trying not to break. "I'm begging you, please. I'm just worried about him and I don't know how this will end for him. Can't you grant an exemption for this one time?"

"No is no, ma'am. Look, just accept it, I just try to earn money. It's not my fault when your beloved friend is sick, 'cuz all poor people are." He scoffs with arrogance and takes away the packet. My heart cracks by the look of how Steve's cure gets taken away as the panic sets. I need this packet, I need Steve to be healthy again.

"No, no, please, I - "

"Eve?" Bucky's voice makes me turn around, seeing him in the gray scarf I had made for him and with a bewildered look in his blue eyes. He soon finds out about the whole situation by glancing between the angry man and me, sensing the emerging dispute. He then suddenly grabs my arm and drags me out of the drugstore.

"Wait, what are you doing? I need this packet!" I urge and am about to go back in but his grip forces me to stay.

"Hey, hey, calm down, okay?" He tries to quieten me down, staring at me with kindness. "What's wrong?"

"I-I need this medicine!" I panicky blurt out. "Steve's sick and I need this medicine to get him healthy and alright again! He's got a fever and I don't know what to do, I don't know how to take properly care of him, I don't know how to pay the rent, I don't know anything!"

"Eve, hey, don't worry about that, okay? I'll help you and I'm sure that you'll make it because you have always made it. You're the strongest person I've ever known." His attempt to calm me down slowly sets in as his hands lay on my upper arms. But my heart still races of concern and feelings and I can just think of all the problems I have.

"I just have no idea how to cope with this, I really don't know anything and I don't know how- "

"Eve, hey, Eve." He interrupts me and cups my face. "It's raining. Look up."

I frown and just now realize how the single drops meet his face and hit mine. I then look up and notice how the gray clouds start crying constantly. It's raining hard as we get immediately drenched in it. The clothes are soaked in the tears of the sky and stick to my skin. Bucky removes his scarf to save it from the wetness and I close my eyes to enjoy peacefully the sound of the raindrops hitting the ground. It plays a sad song.

When I open my eyes again, I catch Bucky's look and smile as he starts quoting me. "It's crying, Eve, we're standing under the crying sky."

"Now you're teasing." I laugh, shaking my head but the grin still remains. It's like all my problems are washed away.

"There it is, your smile is back."

I pause, speechless myself by his bright smile. He's managed to make me smile, not the rain. He's the only one who manages to make me feel better. And that's why, I love him. That's why, I even survive. He makes me feel alive.

"Something's wrong?" He notices my glance and I flinch, feeling like I have been caught.

"Nope." I shake my head and smile.

"Don't give up." He smirks and lets go of my face as he leaves a warmth of my cheeks. Suddenly, I'm more optimistic and stronger, like I could do anything I want.

"Pinky swear." I grin and nod.

***

I walk home and just smile brightly like an idiot, thinking of him. I had no idea how it was to be in love but it does feel amazing. I don't mind if he will never return my feelings, just being his friend is a privilege. It is sad though that I couldn't afford the medicine but I am sure that Steve will feel better soon, with tea and enough soup. I just need more money.

Arriving at the apartment, I take out my key but then I notice a brown envelope on the ground. Why isn't it in the mailbox? I pick it up and open it, an uncomfortable feeling settles down in my stomach, caused by the fear that it may be from the landlord.

But instead, it's money. A lot money, enough money to survive. Enough to pay the rent, school and buy food and clothes for Steve and I. It's more than I earned at the dressmaker shop. My eyes widen in surprise and there's no sender, just money. It can't be from Bucky because he and his family have problems themselves.

From who could it possibly be?