For the Love of a Patriot || 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 ✔️ [#wattys 2018]

26 | Liberty

~Everything's Not Lost~
~Coldplay~

•••

"This world is not done with you yet", I had no clue what the hell that meant.

My life'd been one hell of a roller coaster. Youngest of five, grew up traveling the world, I was my mother's Liberty. I had problems, sure, but only because I made them problems half the time. That time I punched Joey Bradall because he said I was cute, that was uncalled for. And a little uncalled for since I thought he was condescending.

I felt so problematic at times. When I was younger, the thing that always used to get to me was being called dumb or stupid. I knew I wasn't, but it always frustrated me beyond belief and I really did feel stupid. So I pushed myself to learn faster and harder than them.

It's just... I thought it was me making a difference.

Not genetics making it for me.

I had no idea what life would've been like if I hadn't had my accelerated development or my omnilinguism. I probably wouldn't have gotten into Howard on a full ride, probably wouldn't have been top of my class. Hell, I knew I wouldn't have gotten my job working in the White House, not as young as I was.

So yeah I was grateful.

I was grateful to have things, people who could've dropped me at any time.

I was grateful to have my sisters, even though I hated them sometimes. Camille taught me how to use eyeliner, Genesis taught me how to prank people by putting water balloons in their pillowcases, they taught me how to be a woman.

I loved them so much.

I was grateful for my brothers. Christopher acted like he was insane all the time but he did teach me how to defend myself in the streets. He gave boxing lessons when I was in the tenth grade. He always wanted me safe. Devon, who lost his sight when he was seven, taught me to appreciate the gifts of art I was given. I used to hate playing the piano because I cried when I played the piano. He taught me it was okay to have feelings beyond the comprehension of your emotions, that was what it was for. He taught me how to secretly love art. He also taught me how to paint.

My dad was the one person in my life who I'd never been angry at. He did things in my best interest, always, despite if they made me feel good or not. I was upset that he separated from my mother while I was in college. They were falling apart, and I wish they could've stayed together, but they didn't. He was there in her last moments. He was there through all the surgeries and treatments and he told her that he still loved her.

Dad broke just as much as I did when mom died.

Steve. I was grateful to Steve and the team. Tony, Nat, Clint, and Bruce. Even a little to Thor who dropped in every once and a while. But Steve. I was grateful that I had Steve. He was there for me even when I thought I was alone, he was there, right behind me, hugging me as I cried. He kissed me and told me he loved me.