"What do you think?" Tony asks, projecting a holographic image of a suit in the air. From my perch on the lab counter, I glance up from my book to examine it.

"I'm not sure. Tony, it's a bit... much." He's created me a suit that would seem underdressed to him, but to me, it's completely flamboyant.

"What do you mean? I think it's perfect."

"Tony, let me translate. She doesn't want anything crazy!" Bruce calls from his own station.

"What if we get rid of these-" I swipe away some gauntlets, "-and take the color down a few shades?" There. There it is. I clap my hands together. It's much simpler now, a dark burgundy spandex suit with navy trim. "I still think you tried to make me match with Steve."

"Actually, that was a complete accident. I think you look good in red and blue." I pick my book back up. "What are you reading, anyway?"

"An advanced physics book," I say absentmindedly, flipping the page. "Have you ever heard of the Unified Field Theory? Einstein worked on it. And Hank Pym's opinions on quantum physics are inspired. It's all really fascinating."

"What?"

"The Unified Field Theory," I repeat. "And Pym Particles. Don't you have a degree in physics?"

"Among other things, yeah. I know the basics. How do you know anything about that?"

I give him a look that says 'duh.' "I've been reading this for the last hour while you rendered the suit."

"You don't just understand quantum physics in an hour!" He exclaims, exasperated.

"My body isn't the only thing that moves fast, Tony."

"Come again?"

I sigh and put down the book. "My mind. I can read and process things quicker than the average human. I've been reading all of your college textbooks. I bet I know more about physics than you do by now."

"I- I- I-"

"Tony, if you were unaware, that was the sound of you being burned," Bruce says. I give him a high five.

"Hey, America?" Steve pokes his head into the lab. "Sorry, am I interrupting something?"

"Only me roasting Tony. What's up?" I hop off the counter and walk over to him. He's magnetic, whether I like it or not.

"You want to get out of here for a bit? I mean, the last few days have been pretty dull around here, we've all been cooped up, and I thought you weren't busy, but you seem to be-"

"No, actually, that would be great. Let me quick go change. I'll be ready in five!" I've been dying to get out of here. I flash him a quick smile before zooming up to my room. I toss my sweatpants and shirt into the laundry pile and pull on a red tank top and white jeans. Then I run back. "You ready?"

"Yeah, come on."

Soon we're walking down the busy streets of New York. It almost feels like my old life, except I never would have had someone next to me. I sneak a glance at my companion. With his baseball cap and blue t-shirt, I have to admit... he looks pretty cute. Stop it. He'll only hurt you, just like everyone else.

"So, what do you wanna do?" I ask, ignoring the thoughts swirling around in my head.

"I actually have no idea," he admits. "I just wanted to get out for a bit. Do you have any ideas?" I perk up immediately when I realize where I want to go.

"Come on!" I urge, grabbing his hand.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see!" I could be there in two minutes, but we take a bit longer to make it there together. My eyes light up as I stare in awe like I always do.

"Broadway Street, huh?" Steve chuckles. "I never would have guessed you'd be into musical theater."

"Steve, imagine how many futures were made here. Imagine how many performers come to New York with nothing but a few dollars and a dream. And now they're on the biggest stage in the world!" I sigh with happiness as I take in all of the massive billboards: Phantom, Wicked, Les Miserables... The list goes on and on.

"That is pretty cool," he says. "So do you just come to stare at the signs?"

It's a joke, but I nod. "I could never afford to see an actual show. Have you?"

"Not in years, but I've seen a few." He winks at me. "What's your favorite?"

"Phantom of the Opera," I say instantly. "No question."

"Where else should we go? What's on America Evans' must-sees for New York City?"

"You'll be sorry you asked."

"I usually am."

Over the next few hours, I have more fun than I've had in years. We go to these little-known artsy haunts I've always loved, have dinner in Flushing Chinatown, and watch West Side Story on the lawn in Bryant Park. It's exactly what I needed. I forget about my reservations open up to him a bit. For once, I'm just me, and I don't hate myself.

After the movie, we duck into a coffee shop for drinks to go. Steve's leather jacket is draped around my shoulders because the night air is a bit chilly now. "I can't believe you hadn't eaten Chinese food before," I say, shaking my head in disappointment.

"That wasn't popular a long time ago. You know what we ate? Nothing but gruel and good morals!" He jokes, nudging my shoulder playfully.

"Very funny, Grandpa." We order and wait for our drinks. I see someone out of the corner of my eye, and I freeze. He makes eye contact with me.

"America? Doll, are you okay?"

"Um, yes. I'm just going to go grab some napkins." I dart over to them, hoping to go unnoticed. It doesn't work.

"America," he says, approaching me, just like I don't want him to do. "Hey."

"Hello, Hayden." I hold his gaze, giving him the coldest glare I can muster. "Did you need something?"

"Can't a person just see someone they know and come say hi?"

"Are you aware of the term 'ex'?" I snap. But below my anger, there's all this hurt and fear that I'm so terrified will come out at any second. Here he is. The only person I ever trusted for years. The only person who ever broke my heart. It all comes back to me now: late-night phone conversations, spontaneous dates at fast-food restaurants, and a face I kissed all over. How brightly I smiled. How hard I cried.

"Come on, babe, that was all a misunderstanding," Hayden replies, grinning easily. I used to love that smile. It's sickening to me now.

"Finding you and another girl kissing in your bedroom is not what I would call a misunderstanding!" Tears spring to my eyes, and I fight to keep them from pouring out. "How dare you even say that to me?"

"Go easy, will you? We're just talking!"

"America, here's your coffee." Thank God for Steve. He hands me the cup and turns to Hayden, who is much smaller than him. "Who's this?"

"I'm Hayden," he responds, "and you are?"

"Steve," he says shortly. Hayden laughs.

"What's this? You sure picked a winner out, Steve. Insufferable. Paranoid. Quite the psychopath."

"Leave me alone," I snap, subconsciously drifting closer to Steve. "He's not my boyfriend, and I'm not insufferable. You are."

"Keep telling yourself that. Nice to see you." He saunters off, out into the streets of New York.

"I could still get him, you know. I'm much faster." Steve's blue eyes are darker than usual as he stares at The exit. "No one would know."

"That's not really necessary," I say, then add bitterly, "I hope a taxi runs him over."

"America."

"I'm serious." I wipe a few tears off of my cheeks. "I hate him. I hate him so much."

"Who was he?"

I let out a long sigh. "My ex. We dated about two years ago. We broke up because he cheated on me." Multiple times.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I really thought for a while I was over it. But every once in a while, I see him, and it all comes back, you know? When I met him, I was finally getting better. I thought it might be safe to finally open up to someone. It had been years. But then he messed my heart up pretty bad, and that was it. I almost left New York, I was so depressed, but I decided that would be letting him win. And that wasn't about to happen." I give Steve a wry smile. "Were you wondering why I have trust issues?"

"A bit, yeah," he admits. "But you have valid reasons."

"I guess." My happiness has disappeared with the sinking sun. We leave the cafe and start walking home.

Steve senses this. "Listen, you underestimate yourself. You've been through a lot. I'd think you were crazy if you trusted easily. But I want you to know you can trust me. I'm your friend. You don't have to trust me now. Whenever you're ready, I'm here. I'm a pretty patient person."

"Thanks, Steve," I whisper. "That means a lot."

"Anytime."

New chapter!!! A lot happened, so leave your thoughts.

Fun fact: I picked the name Hayden because I hate it. It seemed fitting.