Chapter 2
Anderson’s POV
Being accepted into the engineering program at Belgrave University for this fall meant I got to move into my little two bedroom house close by during the summer, which is exactly what I was doing. I arrived a few days earlier to let the movers in, so majority of the bigger parts were already here, which mostly consisted of the furniture. I was unpacking my suitcases, folding and hanging clothes to organize in the closet on my king size bed when my phone started ringing. Reaching over to the bedside table, the screen lit up, flashing ‘Sam Wilson’. Clicking the green button, I answered the call and placed it on speaker, letting the phone drop to the comforter.
“Hey Sammy!” I cheered, continuing to fold a pile of jeans.
“Hey Andy, just calling to check up on you. You’re already moved in right?” Sam’s voice rang through the room.
“Mostly yeah, just have to put up my clothes and hang a few photos.”
“That was fast kid, don’t you start classes in a few months?” He laughed.
“I just wanted to make sure I have enough time to get adjusted and familiar with the town and campus.” I got up to place the now folded stack of jeans in the closet. “Have you heard from Bucky lately? He’s not answering any of my calls.” I raised my voice in the direction of my phone so he could hear me.
“He doesn’t respond to any of my messages either.” Sam sighed. “He’s been having a hard time with Steve being gone.”
“We all have Sam, but we’ll get through this, I just want him to let us be there for him.” I sighed, taking a seat back on the bed.
“He’ll come around, kid.”
There was a lull in conversation after Sam said that which usually means Sam’s mind is elsewhere, but I heard an engine and chatter in the background.
“What’s going on Sam?” I furrowed my eyebrows.
“I was calling you because I have a lead on this new group called the Flag Smashers, they’ve been stealing supplies from GRC warehouses.” He let out.
“Do you need backup?” I asked.
“At the moment no because we’re running on a hunch, but I just wanted to keep you updated and in the loop.” I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. “I’ll let you know if things get too bad.”
“I appreciate that Sam, you know how to reach me anytime you need me. And tell Torres I said hi.” Sam chuckled through the speaker, making a smile graze my face.
“Will do, take care of yourself kid.”
“You too birdy, call me when you can.”
“Bye Andy.”
“Bye Sam.”
The clicking sound that came from the phone indicated that Sam had hung up and disconnected the call. Looking around my new room, I had put away most of my clothes, only leaving a suitcase full on the ground. Deciding to deal with it a different time, I peek at my phone to see it’s about 10am, meaning it was around 12pm Sam’s time. I walked into the closet and pulled out a pair of nike leggings, a slightly oversized lilac hoodie, and white low top vans to change into. Leaving my hair down in its natural wavy state, I grabbed my phone, wallet, and keys as I headed to the door to leave my house. I locked the door behind me, pocketing all of my belongings, to go for a walk through the city and maybe stop by the campus; maybe I would find a place I could have lunch at while I’m out since I haven’t bought any groceries yet.
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After a few hours of walking around the city, I finally made my way closer towards campus, remembering there being a bar close by. Looking up to see the sign ‘Blade and Chalice’ I gave myself a mental pat on the back for remembering correctly. Walking through the wooden door, I do a quick once over of the room, taking note of the group on the far right of the room huddled close in a booth talking in hushed tones. The light blonde caught my eye, mostly because he wasn’t dressed as casually as the rest. He wore a light blue button up, a tan vest, and slacks. Their conversation ceased when the door shut behind me and I started walking towards the booth past theirs. I noticed their eyes following me from my peripherals, as I slid in the booth, my back towards theirs.
A waiter came over to my table, holding out a menu towards me. Looking up at her, I sent her a warm smile as I took the laminated card from her.
“Thanks Jenny.” I read off her nametag before letting my eyes scan the menu as I realized I wasn’t as hungry as I originally thought. “I’ll just take a side of fries and some water please.” I handed Jenny back the menu as she smiled down at me and wrote on her notepad.
As Jenny walked off, I realized the conversation in the booth behind me still hadn’t continued, almost as if they were waiting for something. Before I could think more on it, my attention was drawn towards one of the TVs in the center of the room, it was a news channel and it looked like they were in front of a government building. The volume wasn’t very high, so I strained my ears to listen. I felt my eyes flash green as I felt this immense anger within me as the Senator said the words ‘John Walker, your new Captain America’ before the imposter walked out from behind him in a knock off Captain America suit, carrying Steve’s shield, the shield he gave to Sam.
“Son of a bitch.” I growled as I pulled out my phone, quickly dialing Sam’s number. “Pick up you bastard.” I huffed, tensing in my seat as I heard the bodies in the booth behind me shift around. “You fucking asshole.” I sighed, being sent to voicemail. “I can’t believe this.” My voice cracked slightly. “Please tell me you didn’t give away Steve’s shield willingly. You didn’t even tell me when we spoke earlier, and now you won’t even answer the god damn phone. Call me back when you can.” I clicked the red button as I angrily pocketed my phone.
Jenny came back to the table with my fries and water in hand. She placed them on my table as we shared a smile towards one another. When she walked away, I let out a sigh, dropping my head into my hands and slouching into the booth as I felt my eyes start to burn. I heard whispers and shuffling in the booth behind me as well as feet shuffling towards the door. Assuming the group left, I dragged my hands down my face only to look up and see a man standing beside my table. Peering up at him, I recognized him as one of the guys from the group, the light blonde. He had icy blue eyes and was definitely dressed like a professor. He sent me a shy smile as our eyes met, making my stomach doing a flip, to which I sent him a bright and warm smile back as I straightened my posture. I gestured towards the booth across from me, my cheeks flushing slightly at the attractive company.
“Hey stranger, to what do I owe this pleasure?” I inquired as I reached towards the basket to grab a french fry to pop into my mouth.
He let out a chuckle that almost had me choking on my fry, it was like music to my ears.
“I don’t normally do this, but I’m Hamish.” He introduces as he takes a seat across from me, stretching his hand out towards me, the other cradling his glass of what I’m assuming is beer.
“I go by Andy.” I place my hands in his, shaking it firmly as a shock ran up my arm at the contact, causing me to immediately let go of his hand. “I just moved close to campus a little bit ago.” I speak after a beat of silence, assuming I was just imagining the shock.
“The explains why I’ve never seen you around before.” His eyes peering at me curiously.
“Yeah, I got in for my engineering master’s, I thought it was about time.” I popped another fry in my mouth.
“Never too late to follow your passions, right?”
“Absolutely. I take it you’re a professor here on campus?” I mused, leaning back to take in his posture. “Political Science?” I questioned, pursing my lips.
“Close. I’m a TA for philosophy.” He smirked, causing a chill to roll down my spine as he took a sip of his beer. “Are you taking any summer courses?”
“No, I wanted to wait for a full semester to start. Are you teaching any courses this summer?”
“Just one, but as the TA I’m mostly grading the papers.”
“That doesn’t sound too fun.” A smile pulling at my lips as I spoke.
“It’s manageable.” He laughed lowly, a fire lit low in my belly. “You’re here pretty early, classes don’t start for another 2 months.”
“I wanted to familiarize myself with the city, it’s been a while since I’ve been on my own so I wanted to do things right.” I shrug, trying to ignore the effect he was having on me. I’m a highly trained former agent, not some horny teen ready to jump an attractive guy who makes conversation with her. “How long have you been in the area?”
“About eight years now.” He admitted. “I could show you around the area, there are a few good spots for dinner.” I raised my eyebrows at him. “Or coffee if that’s preferable.”
“I’d like that.” I smile shyly at him before reaching to take a drink of my water.
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Hamish and I stayed at the bar for a little while just talking a bit more. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt like I’d known him my whole life. I didn’t feel like I had to put up a front or over analyze the situation, being in his company just felt right. There was only one other person who made me feel like this while in his company, but he was locked away with no chance of ever becoming anything more than companions who got to speak through the phone or separated by a thick panel of glass. I don’t know if it’s just because this feels like the most normal thing I’ve done my whole life, but I didn’t want it to end just yet. However, I spoke too soon as my phone began ringing. Pulling it from my pocket, ‘Sam Wilson’ flashed across the screen.
“I’m so sorry, I have to get going, but let’s do this again, yeah?” I smiled wide at Hamish as I frantically put a few bills on the table, sliding out of the booth.
Throwing one last smile Hamish’s way, I turned towards the door, clicking the green button and holding the phone up to my ear. Walking out the door, I let out a huff as I noticed it had gotten rather dark outside. With a quick glance at my phone screen, the time read 7pm, shit where did the time go.
“Wilson.” I began walking slowly towards the path that led to my house.
“Oh come on kid, I had to hear it from Buck all day, please not you too.” He sighed through the speaker.
“Bucky’s with you?” I stopped in the middle of the path, my lips pulling into a frown.
“Uh yeah, look Andy, don’t take it too personally. He’s been trying to work on himself.” Sam explained. “But there’s a reason for my call.”
“Is this about the shield?”
“Kind of.”
I continued to slowly walk down the path as Sam began to tell me the events that went down at the warehouse, and how they thought the Flag Smashers had a hostage. They all turned out to be super soldiers, Walker showed up with his partner Battlestar, and how he tried to get them to team up with him. I also couldn’t shake this feeling like someone was watching me.