Shards

I EDITED THIS BECAUSE IT WAS CONFUSING SO I APOLOGISE.

(I had planned to have her mom act nice to add a layer of abuse with gaslighting and that stuff but I changed my mind)

I stand outside Stark Tower, placing my bag in the back of my mom's car. "Can I go say bye?" I ask my mom, who is sitting in the driver's seat.

"Whatever," she sighs, waving me off. "Make it quick."

I go up to the door, where Tony is standing. "Make sure to text us," he says.

I nod, blinking back tears.

Tony opens his arms, "Come here, kid." 

I hug him, clinging on to the feeling of safety he provides me. "I don't wanna go... I don't wanna go, Mr. Stark..." I whisper.

"... I'm sorry I let you down, kiddo" 

***

I sit in the back seat, watching the window. "You're grounded, just so you know." Says mom.

"I know." I hold the envelope Tony had given me before I left. He told me not to open it in front of my mom.

"No going over to your friend's, and you need to do chores." She continues, eyes focused on the road.

I move my knees up to rest against the seat. I pull out the envelope from my pocket, hiding it from Mom's sight if she was to glance back. I lift up a part of the envelope, and I have to hold back a gasp. A stack of $100's lays in neatly in it. I count it with shaking hands. '3...6...9... 10' I count in my head. 10,000 dollars. I pale a little, shutting the envelope and tucking it in my bag.

"Did you hear me?" Mom says harshly.

"Yeah." I say quickly.

"What'd I say?" She challenges.

"No going over to a friend's house and I have to do chores." I answer.

She just huffs and keeps driving

***

Mom unlocks the door, swinging it open. "The school sent me your homework." She says, going in.

I follow, seeing the house is a mess. Garbage lays around, and it's clear very little chores have been done. 

"Go put your stuff away and come back." She shuts the door, hanging up her purse. 

I go to my room, my brain noticing an odd feeling. The house didn't feel like home anymore. It felt like faded memories and a dull sense deja vu. I felt out of place, like I was cut from the picture then glued back in. I set my stuff on the ground, the familar (color) walls bare. No posters, no pictures...

I grab the envelope, hideing it on the top self in my closet, pushing it back by the wall.

I go back to the kitchen, and my mom looks up at me. She studies my face and body, "You changed at bit." She notes, "Gained a few pounds?"

My anxiety twists my stomach uncomfortably, "Um... I might've? I didn't keep track..."

"Oh, lucky you! Not to worrying about your weight" she smiles sarcastically "I wish I was as carefree as you." She says as if I was a naive child. 

I riffle through my homework on the counter, "I should get started on this..."

"Have fun," she says dryly.

***

Bucky POV:

I walk into the training room, hearing the rythymatic sound of fists connecting with material. My gaze lands on Steve, who is punching the punching bag over and over. "Hey." I walk over, "You missed supper."

"Wasn't hungery" his hands still as he looks over his shoulder at me.

"I know you're stressed, we all are." I step closer "That doesn't mean you have to avoid everyone."

"I'm not avoiding anyone." He punches the bag.

"Steve! Will you look at me?" I grab his shoulder, making him face me. "Now tell me why you're acting like this."

He meets my eyes, "I'm overwhelmed, Buck! The team needs comfort, but I don't know what to do!"

Bucky's gaze softens, and he pulls his best friend into a tight hug. "She'll be ok... We've faced bigger problems than Harper's mom. It's not like HYDRA is after her or anything, right? "

_________

Fun fact:

I've been writing for about 3 years and this is my second longest story I have written