Chosen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen: Almost a Lucky Break.

"And with the black banners raised. As the crooked smiles fade. Former heroes who quit too late." -Fall Out Boy: These Kids Aren't Alright

(I put this song up for this chapter. I highly recommend listening to it during or right after reading ths chapter!)

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 Alex and I walk out of the movie theatre. The chilly air meets us to send shivers through our bodies. I pull my jacket tighter around my body as we dash to Alex's car. Alex quickly unlocks the car and we jump in. He fumbles with his keys trying to ignite the engine to be able to heat up the car. We both sigh out of delight as the dry hot air begins blowing into the car.

 "What did you think of the movie?" Alex asks as he backs out of the parking space.

 "It was stupid, but stupidly funny," I hold my frigid hands to the vent.

 "I thought it was hilarious!" Alex glances over at me before he turns out of the parking lot.

 "Of course you did! It doesn't take much to make you laugh. You'd laugh your head off if I told you a knock-knock joke," I reply as Alex reaches for my hand, "But I love that about you. You have a wonderful laugh."

 "Mhmm," Alex smiles as he focuses on the road.

 We are silent as Alex drives through town. Our hands grasp one another in the space in-between our seats. Alex's thumb softly traces circles on the back of my hand. I gaze out the window watching sun just starts to lower and the town light up.

 It feels weird but lovely to be back in Oakley. My hometown reminds me of a time of peace and normality that seems so unfamiliar to me now. This is where I lived as an average person with no wars, no missions, no paparazzi. It is where everyone knew me just as Monica Potts and not as Tony Stark's daughter or Iron Defender. I was just another person who went to school, did my homework, hung out with friends, and did my chores. That all seems too foreign now. My past life appears boring and slow compared to my life now as an Avenger.

 I did not think of how much of my life I left here. My entire childhood and adolescent years is tied to Oakley. I never thought twice of all of the people I left behind on that fateful day where my dad landed in my backyard. I was reminded of that when Natasha and I ran into Sarah Hannick at the grocery store. I miss the time when I could walk out of the house and not have to worry about having my bracelet on in case of an emergency where I needed my suit. However, there is no adventure in routine. I could not have experiences by living in my comfort zone.

 "Whoa, where are you going?" I ask as Alex passes the road that leads to my grandparents' street.

 "The key to a perfect date is a few surprises," Alex hums.

 I cannot hide my smile. My night with Alex has already been perfect enough, but now he is really going all out. I feel like a teenage girl again who is completely head-over-heels for her boyfriend. I could not be more in awe of the guy driving me to a mysterious place.

 A short five minutes later, Alex is parking in front of a shopping strip in the older part of Oakley. A neon sign that simply reads Boston's Bakery illuminates overhead. Alex and I slide out of the car and head inside. He holds the door open for me like a gentleman. The two of us take a minute to look over the menu that is written on a chalkboard behind the front counter. We look at all of the tasty treats in the case and in the baskets behind. In the end, I end up getting an asiago cheese bagel and a mug of hot green tea and Alex gets a blueberry bagel and tea. Alex chivalrously pays for our snacks and we find a table.