The Captain's Grand Gesture by, Mushfika

I’ve known Steve Rogers ever since he bumped into my lemonade stand with his rusty old bike. Even though having the “cooties” was so last year he still gave me chills. He was weird. He had a slight hunchback and never spoke to anyone. If he did it was to be excused from class. Middle school went by and I can’t give you a clear description of him because I barely noticed him. I just remember that one time I gave him the death stare for running into my lemonade stand. His name never came up throughout high school. I don’t even remember if he went to my high school. However I was always reminded when I looked at my year book and saw his scrawny face with dainty eyes under the “R” section. Summer was just about to end and I was going to become a college student at Princeton. The holy grail of colleges, at least for my best friend Elena and I. It was going to be the best four years. What could be better? Moving into a dorm, spending free periods on the beautiful campus. Oh the campus. It was like Hogwarts, but places with MacBook’s and Starbucks instead of wands and slytherins. 

 Ok here we go the first day of school. You would expect college to be different. People showing up in oversized sweaters, Nikes, and messy ponytails. Well it was still the first day and the tradition of looking your best stuck. Just like that I was in a brand new jeans, ripped up at the knees. Simple navy blue blouse, and yes I did buy ripped jeans. It was the trend in 2014. We were young. Ignorant? Maybe a little.  Stylish? Most definitely.

The ambiance of the campus screamed “preppy frat boys”, “kindergarten part 2 for some” and or “discovery”. Nonetheless it was all very exciting. Walking up the stairs to my first class I run into a quite decent looking guy. He looked like he woke up at six just to fix his hair and outfit. I wasn’t complaining. He looked good. When I got passed his perfectly gelled hair I realized it was my lemonade stand wreaker. Steve Rogers.

 

Before I could say anything he says “ oh hey! How have you ben its been awhile”

What? How could he be so casual? Is it really Steve? I thought to myself.

I finally got rid of that crazed look off my face and said “uhm Hi, did we go to high school together?”

Yeah, middle school too. I’m Steve Rogers. We had chemistry together in the 10^th grade”

“Oh hey! It has been awhile”. More than awhile actually. How was your summer? I asked. Trying not to bring up the fact that I had no clue we had a class together.

From there on out we had conversations about our past, our interest and favorite restaurants. Before I knew it we became Facebook official, “Sophia is dating Steve”. I guess we really did have chemistry. The status remained constant for about a year and three months. We did have a few fights here and there, but what couple doesn’t. We were both very serious students. We got our worked done just in time to have some time to ourselves. Whether it was to have a movie night or go to a frat party.

Three years later we moved out of the dorms and moved in together. Elena tagged along as well. We only had one more year left of university. For Thanksgiving we had a few friends come over to our new house. Everyone went home after Thanksgiving and Elena went to her parents for leftovers. That when things got heated. Not like that. Things got heated as in we had the worst argument ever. After moving into together it felt as if I was cleaning 24/7. Steve never cleaned up after himself and I could understand. School, work, and bills, it was a lot. As the days went on Steve was barely home. Leaving me to do all the work, plus my schoolwork. I was pissed. I snapped. Yelling at the top of my lungs I confronted him of all his mistakes. It wasn’t an argument because he just stood there looking confused. He didn’t say a word, which angered me even more. How could he just ignore this? Why is he being to unresponsive?

No facial expression.

No empathy.

Where was the guy that brought home flowers for no reason.

My mascara was running down my cheeks and streaks of natural skin showing through my foundation. I stormed out of the apartment, a little more force and I could’ve broken the front door.

I walked about 6 blocks and my legs couldn’t take it. It was freezing. I wanted to turn around and go home, my pride and ego wouldn’t allow that. I needed to show him that I was really angry. All of a sudden a strong gust of wind blows my hair into my eyes, I was about to fall face front. Thankfully someone grabbed my arm and saved me from falling on concrete decorated in gum.

Thank yo- omg! What the hell? Who are you?

*Takes off mask *

“What is going on? Is this a joke? I ask trying to still be mad.

“This is why I’ve been so confused and weird”

“What do you mean, you’ve been dressing in a costume everyday? I don’t get I say bluntly.

“I didn’t want to tell you, I don’t know how you would feel about. Thinking about what you would say or do scared me” he murmured.

“I’m captain America” he said with his hands on my shoulders.

My boyfriend was Captain America. The comic book character Captain America. He is Captain America and I’m his girlfriend.

“Lets go home, ill explain everything” Steve said with a apologetic tone.

We were walking home and we didn’t say a word. I didn’t know what to think. I was thinking all the times when he had to stay late for work and always finding an excuse to go out and It all made sense. I just never imagined it would be because of this.

“Do you have the keys?” I asked hoping he didn’t lock us out.

“Oh right” Steve shook his head.

I knew he was thinking about how he was going to explain this whole “superhero” thing to me. To be honest I was looking forward to it. Even though I was confused it was so bazaar that all I wanted to do was laugh.

He sat down on the couch and I sat on the chair near the TV.

“I was a junior in high school when I went to donate blood for charity. During the process a few scientist were testing out some weird DNA combination to change human muscle development. Somehow my blood was mixed with the DNA they experimented on. I didn’t realize until that summer when I started looking more buff.”

 He didn’t make eye contact with me the entire time.

“Where did you get the suit from” I asked.

He hesitates at first.

“Well that’s another thing, I met other people like me that was either tested on or effected by the substance. I know it completely weird and insane, but I have no other way to explain it.”

“Other people? And how exactly did you fine them.”

He tilted his head and bit his lip. “ I broke into this research lab and found files on the people they tested on or got effected by it. I took pictures of the file and went to look for them. Once I found the first guy he knew others. One thing led to another.”

I begin laughing at this point. I wasn’t mad he hid this from me; I was overwhelmed with all the information. He broke into a lab? He went to talk a superhero. What was going on? But it was comical because it was a complete 360 from who Steve is. He’s a layed back guy, cautious of everything he does, and not to mention a total disbeliever of all mystical creatures or heroes. He wouldn’t even go watch “Twilight” with me because he claimed was annoyed I believed in vampires. In my head he was jealous that I loved Edward.

  I go over and sit next to him on the couch. Putting my arms around him I say, “I admit that I am unsure of the whole Captain America thing, but ill always be here. If you think it that easy to get rid of me you need to try a lot harder.”

He gave me a half smile.

I told him I want to be with him throughout his crazy superhero life.

He gave me a hug that lasted forever. I forgot why I stormed out of the house. I remembered why I loved him. His hugs were undeniable. His kiss lets you know that he wouldn’t want to be with anyone else. He makes you heart pound when he caresses your face and looks into your eyes. In that moment you forget what he looks like and you just want to sit next to him for eternity. He is truly my hero.

There was a knock at the door. Neither of us knew it could be. Steve walked to the door and looked through the peephole. He looked back at me with blank face.

“What’s wrong now” I asked.

“Ding-dong, ding-dong”

“Open the door Steve!”

He opens the door and all there were a bunch of people hugging Steve. Once again I was confused.

“Sophia this is Tony, Chris, Bruce, Natasha, Clint, and Nick. Also known as Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, Hulk, and Hawkeye.”

“Oh wow! Hi its so nice to meet all of you guys” I said smiling ear to ear. I was kind of star struck. Even though I didn’t know Steve was Captain America I have read all the comic books. To me they were all fictional characters. I was a over ecstatic fan-girl. We ordered take out since our leftovers went enough for everyone. Steve convinced everyone to stay over. It was the first time I was meeting everyone and I wanted to get to know them. Its always more fun when the house is full, especially on holidays.

 Next morning we all talked for hours. How they met Steve and how they learned to use to their powers. It was reassuring knowing that Steve had made so many good friends to support him. Ones that can relate to what he went through. Steve told me that they were going to stay for a week. I was a bit confused of why, but I didn’t mind. I guessed they had to finish some work or something.

That Monday Elena and I went to work and she was acting weird. She was never expressed her emotions. I tried to get it out of her, but she didn’t budge. I was sure when it was time she would tell me. I told her Steve had some friends over and she should come over for dinner. She refused and said she had plans. After work I bought some crepes for everyone and drove home.

I called out, “guys! I brought crepes”. No one answered

I go upstairs and no sign of superheroes. They probably all went out with Steve I thought to myself.

7:30

Keeping up with the Kardashians was about to start. I was hoping I could finish the episode before they all come home since Steve hates the show. I turn on the TV and sit down with my second crepe.

“Ding-dong”, just when I thought I could watch KUWTK.

As soon as they come through the door they all stop talking.

“I thought you were at work” Steve said quickly.

“No, I left early today. Had some school work.”

“Oh, ok did you eat yet?” he asked.

“No, I was waiting for you guys. You wanna order take out? Or go out? I asked.

“I made reservations at Permani downtown. We can go there. I was going to pick you up from work, but since your home it saves time”

“Ok ill go get ready. Ill be down in 20” I said while running upstairs.

I wanted to wear something fancy since Permani was a very formal restaurant. Brushed my hair, fixed my make-up and put on a black dress with gray stone statement necklace. Simple yet formal.

Tony was waiting for me downstairs “Hey where Steve?” I asked him.

“He took everyone to the place. He told me to bring you”.

“Ok let’s go. I hope I didn’t take too long” I told him

“No, no you’re fine. He didn’t want everyone to be crammed in one car.”

We listened to some Taylor swift, and took some selfies. Right when “blank Space” begun we were at the restaurant. It was beautiful. Right next to the pier, lights hanging from the trees, hundreds of candles lit all around. It smelled like vanilla cupcakes and had a perfect breeze. Just enough so the candles wouldn’t blow out. When Tony and I walk inside Steve is dressed very nicely. White linen shirt with gray dress paints and hair perfectly gelled. Just like how I met him three years ago. I was impressed once again. Strangely no one else was in Permani except our group. “Did he rent out the place Tony?”

“Yeah he wanted to celebrate with just us  I guess” Tony replied.

Before I could say anything Steve comes up to me and puts his arm around me, guiding me outside.

“What’s going on?” I said to him laughing.

“Was having dinner” he said trying to ignore the question.

“I mean I know, but why are we walking outside to the water?”

I look at the restaurant and everyone is watching us through the glass window. I shake my head trying to understand what was going on. I thought today was to celebrate Steve and his friends. I was confused once again.

“Well now you know about the Captain America thing and that one the one that stopped me from being completely honest with you. Maybe ill lie about doing the laundry or not having that one beer on a guy’s night. One thing that I can never lie about even if I tried is that I love you Sophia.”

“At this point I was about fifty percent sure of what was going on and I couldn’t believe it.

I couldn’t help feeling the adrenaline of my heart when he first took my hand in the moonlight. I felt so protective and secure in his presents that I hadn’t taken much notice of where he was leading me. The scenery was so exquisite, that it left me breathless to the shimmering of the water, left with the moonlight ray as it painted a precise picture of the perfect scene. The sound of my heart pounding inside my chest, to hide the fact that I was falling head over heals for this guy. He looked into my eyes. From the pressure of his hands, I could tell he was as nervous.

“ I could go on about how much I love you, how you make me fall in love with you everyday. How I catch myself asking myself how I managed to find someone so perfect for my stupid self.”

Omg, he was going to do it. What is going on?

He gets down on one knee and my heart dropped to my stomach.

“Will you marry me Sophia”

I was crying my eyes out. I was speechless. Yes! Yes.

He took a deep breath. As if he was holding his breathe for hours. He kissed me and it started raining rose petals. Literally. No one was dropping them. It was raining flower petals.

Steve smiled and pointed to Thor. “Best part of having friends with powers is that they can make flower petals rain from the galaxies.”

 I looked back at the window and my friends and family were standing there. He planned al this for me.

All I could say was “I love you”

“Alright Mrs. Rogers we have a wedding to plan”

“Lets eat dinner first” I said giving him another kiss.