Chapter Text
Steve Rogers wasn’t the most popular kid in school. That honor went to his best friend Bucky Barnes. They’ve been through everything together. Bucky stopped people from bullying Steve. And Steve helped Bucky with his homework. Now they’re beginning their sophomore year of college. What they couldn’t yet know is how their lives were about to drastically change.
“Come on Buck! It’s registration day! If you don’t get your butt in gear we’re going to be late!”
From behind the bedroom door, Bucky’s reply is muffled.
“Just five more minutes, Steve.”
Oh no, buddy! I tried all last year to get into this art history class. It’s the last prerequisite I need for my major. I’m not going to miss out on it this year because you’ve got a hangover.”
He pounds on the door one more time, but to no avail. When the snoring starts he has to give up and dash out the door. Ten minutes later, he’s running right for the opening door of the building, and collides with a girl making her exit. As her books go flying he is dumbfounded.
“Why don’t you watch where you’re going jerk!”
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you. I…”
He is attempting to help gather up her books, but the girl cuts him off mid-sentence.
“Yeah, obviously! Why don’t you give me my books so I can go get registered for the renaissance artists’ class. Don’t just stare at me like that, move it!”
She quickly grabs her books and turns on her heel to head for the fine arts building. After regaining his composure, Steve walks into the art history building and gets one of the last places in the class. When Bucky finally recovered from the previous nights’ festivities he made his way out to register for classes.
“So did you get into art history this year, Steve?”
“Yeah, but man I had an interesting encounter earlier today.”
“Oh yeah? Tell me about it.”
“I ran into this girl by accident at the art history building. You should have seen her. Her auburn hair, and her green eyes flashing with anger at me. She was definitely a pistol. I’ve never met a girl like her before.”
“So you’re saying she was hot, right?”
“Come on, Bucky. There’s more to a woman than just the question of how hot she is.”
“Yeah, whatever. What’s her name?”
“Didn’t get her name. I tried to apologize but she stormed off.”
“Then forget about her. What are the chances you’ll see her again? This is a big campus, with plenty of college women. Listen, I have to go. I need to find out when football try-outs are going to be. I’ll see you later, buddy.”
“Hey, hope you make the team this year.”
Bucky waves as he walks away. Looking down at his map, Steve now has to find the new literature building. Engrossed in the directions, he doesn’t notice that he’s about to bump into someone. When she turns around the same green eyes from before lock on his embarrassed blue eyes.
“Seriously, do you ever watch where you’re going?”
“Well I could, if they hadn’t built a new lit building since last year. Now, do you always get this angry when someone accidentally bumps into you?”
“Well that depends. How many times do plan on ‘accidentally’ bumping into me today?”
It’s not often that Steve’s anger gets the better of him, but for this girl to insinuate he’s doing this intentionally sets him off.
“If you wouldn’t stand in the middle of the sidewalk acting like the Campus Queen and expecting people to bow down before you, maybe people wouldn’t bump into you. While going about their own business, I might add.”
Her anger turns into amusement at being called out like this. No one has ever had the guts to stand up to her attitude before.
“You know, no guy has ever had the temerity to call me out like that. Who are you?”
Thinking he screwed up, he starts to walk away. The last thing he needs is a run-in with campus police. But the girl grabs his arm and pulls him back.
“Where do you think you’re going? I asked you a question.”
“I know how this works. If I tell you my name, you’ll call the campus police and report me. No thanks.”
This is the second time he has surprised her in less than five minutes. Amusement has turned into confusion at his now sheepish behavior.
“I’m not going to call the campus police. I just want to know your name.”
“It’s Steve, Steve Rogers.”
“I’m Natasha Romanoff. You say you’re looking for the new lit building? I can show you where that is.”
Before getting a chance to reply, Natasha grabs his hand and drags him down the sidewalk. Ten minutes later, he’s standing right where he needs to be.
“Here we are. I hope you get into the class you need. It was nice to meet you. I’ll see you around campus Steve, Steve Rogers.”
While walking away, she looks back and gives him a wink. After entering the lit building he lets out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.