Chapter 6
Steve’s POV
~AN: You don’t really need to read this chpt if you’ve watched the movie unless u really want to.~
I know I shouldn’t continue trying to impress Mary after I see how nasty her and Vicky were to Carmen, but I would like for at least one other person to like me other than my friends, and of course, all of my attempts are useless. I’m thinking about leaving like Carmen did and going off to the recruiting station when Bucky lets me know that the Stark presentation is about to start, so I tentatively take my place. The demonstration is impressive, but I’m not into science like Bucky is. He may be a bit of a jock, but he’s a full-on nerd at heart.
I sneak away from the presentation without anyone noticing me and walk over to the gallery that they’ve set up in front of the recruiting station, but Bucky must have noticed I’m gone because he walks behind me and says,
“C’mon, you’re kinda missing the point of a double date. We’re taking the girls dancing.”
“You go ahead, I’ll catch up.” Bucky turns back around to face me. I can feel the disapproval in his glare.
“You’re really gonna do this again?” He asks me.
“Well, it’s a fair, I might as well try my luck, plus, there’s no use in me being here, my date hates me, and Carmen’s already left so I don’t even have anyone to talk to.”
“As who, Steve from Ohio? They’ll catch you, or worse they’ll actually take you.” I hate that he won’t let me go without a fight, but I do know that he’s right. I have tried and failed too many times, my luck is going to run out soon, but I know that what I’m doing is also right.
“Look I know you don’t think I can do this b-”
“This isn’t a back-alley Steve, this is war!” He interrupts.
“You think I don’t know it’s a war?!” I retaliate. All I’m trying is my part.
“Why are you so keen to fight? There are so many other important jobs.” His comment just makes my belief firmer.
“Bucky c’mon, there are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them. That’s what you don’t understand. This isn’t about me.” I say firmly and I can tell he can’t argue with me about that. Vicky calls for Bucky from a distance, something about that dance he talked about. Bucky replies in conformation and then looks back at me before saying as he walks away,
“Don’t do anything stupid until I get back.” and reply with,
“How can I? You’re taking all the stupid with you.” Bucky walks back towards me for one last embrace.
“You’re a punk.” He teases.
“Jerk.” I reply with. We hold tight to each other, both knowing that this could be the last time we ever see each other again, let alone hug each other.
“Be careful.” I tell him. I can’t believe I’m saying goodbye to him though. This doesn’t feel real, and I guess it’ll only sink in once he’s actually gone. I may never see him again. He’s my best friend and I even don’t know if I’ll ever see him again. I say one last thing to him,
“Don’t win the war ‘til I get there.” and he solutes in reply. I walk into the recruiting station looking glumly at my shoes trying to stop the pain in my throat that’s threatening tears.
Everything goes smoothly while I’m recruiting, up until the medical examination. I already knew it would be a struggle for me to pass this one, but when a nurse comes in whispering to the doctor before he’s even started, I know I’ve finally been caught, just as Bucky said. The doctor tells me to stay put and I anxiously sit in the room, looking around to see a sign directly behind me saying, ‘IT IS ILLEGAL TO LIE ON YOUR ENLISTMENT FORM’. My stomach feels like some kind of witch is brewing a revolting, bubbling potion in it. I start to gather my things together, so that maybe I can escape before they take me, but an older man walks in with perfectly normal looking clothes, not a uniform. While he’s not at all who I expected, I still hesitantly look at the door.
The man introduces himself as Dr. Abraham Erskine saying that he represents the Strategic Scientific Reserve with a strong, foreign accent that sounds almost…German.
“Where are you from?” I ask, confused why the Army would let someone who’s got any ties to Germany, in. The Dr. replies with,
“Queens. 73rd St. But before that, Germany.” I try to hide the surprise on my face and fail. “This troubles you? Now where are you from Mr. Rogers? Is it New Heaven? Or Paramos? 5 exams in 5 different cities-”
“That might not be the right file.” I interrupt, trying to cover up that fact that they all, are in fact, my exams.
“No, it’s not the exams I’m interested in, it’s the 5 tries.” I start contemplating what he’s saying but he speaks again before I can come to a sensible conclusion.
“So, you want to kill Nazis?” My palms start to sweat at the thought of how important my answer to this question could be, sensing that this is a test. I try to subtly puff out my chest to look a bit more impressive.
“I don’t like bullies; I don’t care where they’re from.” I say as confidently as possible. If I tell him what I truly think, I may have a much better chance than if I lie to him about something I don’t believe in.
Dr. Erskine surprises me yet again by saying,
“There are already so many big men fighting this war. Maybe what we need now is the little guy.” What he’s saying starts to sink and I realize that he’s giving me a chance to prove myself.
“I’ll take that chance!” I say passionately.
“So where is the little guy actually from?” He asks me in return.
“Brooklyn” I say before he stamps my paper in finality with the symbol ‘1A’.