27

Ashlyn's pov:

----(time skip - the next day)---

Ash was walking down the sidewalk on the way to the cafe. She had received a text from Tyler telling her to meet him at the same cafe for lunch so here she was wearing heels that were extremely uncomfortable and a skirt that was too short. Ash had her hair down and curled. She was wearing minimal makeup including a bold lip color and a dark eyeshadow. Ash walked into the cafe and immediately spotted Tyler sitting in the corner. 

Ash sat down across from him and he smiled at her. Ash could tell the smile was fake and that he seemed rather bored but she didn't say anything. Tyler ordered a coffee and sandwich for himself and without asking what Ash wanted he ordered her a salad. Ash almost rolled her eyes at this but held it in. She knew that Tyler was looking for someone he could boss around and she was just going to have to deal with it

"So what do you like to do?" She finally asked him after being bored of the silence. Tyler rolled his eyes and Ash pretended not to notice

"I golf," He said simply

"That's cool," She said and almost cringed at herself. This was worse than that one time she had to pretend to be interested in a school principal for a mission. Seriously, if there's one thing that schools actually need to teach it's how to flirt because she almost barfed ten times during that conversation. Ash shook her head to rid it of the horrible memories and looked up to see Tyler typing away on his phone. Ash couldn't actually slap him so she imagined it, and boy did it feel good. What kind of date literally sits on their phone the whole time?! There was a ding in Tyler's phone and Ash looked at it curiously. Tyler seemed to have read the message because he sighed and looked up at her. Ash pretended to be interested in her nails so that it didn't look like she was watching him. "My boss is having a party tonight and I need a plus one. Wanna come with?" He put on the fake smile again and Ash tried her best not to scoff.

"I would love to," She said happily. "Where do you work?" She asked interestedly as if she didn't already know.

"Stark Tower," He said in a bored tone and put his attention back on his phone.

After the two had finished the food they stood up and walked toward the door. Ash was glad that at least Tyler had the decency to pay for the meal since she didn't even get a chance to order what she wanted.

"Where do you live?" he asked her. Ash gave him the address of a random apartment complex she had seen on the way here.

"I'll pick you up at eight. Wear something nice" He told her before getting in his car and driving off. Ash was finally able to roll her eyes. She was going to have to be fake interested in this guy? seriously?! Ash sighed and walked down the street. This was going to be harder than she thought.

---(time skip)----

Ash was waiting inside the apartment complex lobby for Tyler to text her that he was here. She was wearing a silky red dress and a matching pair of heels. Her hair was in a half up half down bun. She had a full face of makeup on and she had put in some silver hoop earrings. When she got the message that Tyler was outside she stood up. She took one last look at the mirror in the lobby and smiled. No matter how bad tonight was there was one good thing, she looked freakin amazing. Ash walked outside and noticed the shiny sports car waiting for her. She hopped into the passenger seat and he started driving. They stayed silent through most of the car ride until Ash decided to break the silence.

"So what's the party for?" She asked innocently.

"Just a work gathering," He said in a bored voice. Ash looked out the window and noticed the Avengers Tower coming closer and closer. She closed her eyes and thought of different ways to make herself feel more adult-like. If she was going to have to pretend to be Sarah in front of the Avengers she was gonna have to go full-on actress mode. The car finally parked and Tyler got out. Ash knew she shouldn't expect him to open the door for her so she got out herself. Tyler led her through the doors and into the elevator. Only when the elevator doors began to open did Tyler slide his arm around hers. 

Ash noticed his posture become more relaxed and he put on a fake smile. When the doors opened completely he led Ash out into a room that was already full of people. Ash had never been in this particular room in the tower but she recognized it from the blueprints. There was music playing and everyone was either on the dance floor or by the bar. Tyler led her to the bar and Ash frowned slightly to herself. She hated the taste of alcohol. Like how did people drink this stuff it tastes gross. Ash sat at one of the tall chairs and Tyler ordered two glasses of champagne. 

Ash took one of the drinks and thanked him. She brought the cup to her mouth but kept her lips tightly sealed. Ash could sense somebody behind her but she waited until they made themselves known to turn around. When the person greeted Tyler she turned and saw none other than Sam Wilson standing there in front of her, his own drink in his hand.

"And you must be his very special date," He said, shaking her hand.

"Sarah" She smiled at him and he smiled back.

"You should meet the rest of the team," Sam suggested. Tyler looked as though he was going to decline but before he could Ash nodded. Tyler gave her a pointed look but she pretended not to notice and kept her eyes on Sam. She was getting bored and talking to the Avengers was bound to be interesting. Sam led her and Tyler towards a few couches in the back that the Avengers were sitting on. They all turned to look at her when the three of them approached.

"Hey, Tyler! Glad you could make it" Said Tony who was looking straight at Ash.

"Yeah! Great party" complimented Tyler as he took Ash's hand in his and led her towards an empty couch. Tyler seemed to notice that the whole team was staring at Ash because he cleared his throat.

"This is Sarah, my date," He told them. Ash cringed at his words but kept a smile on her face.

"And how did you actually manage to get a girl?" Clint asked. Tyler chuckled but Ash could tell he wasn't actually amused.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Sarah" Said Steve. Ash sent him a smile but didn't look him in the eyes. She was worried that if she did he'd somehow be able to tell it was her. She knew he wouldn't be able to know but it made her uncomfortable especially when he knew exactly what her real eyes looked like.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Rogers," She said kindly

"Please, call me Steve," He told her and she nodded sending yet another smile in his direction. The Avengers went back to discussing whatever they were talking about before Ash had got there. Tony handed her another drink and she thanked him. She could feel a pair of eyes on her so she brought the drink to her lips and swallowed some. Ash tried to hide the look of disgust that threatened to appear on her face but she was unsuccessful. Natasha was the only one who seemed to notice however and she laughed lightly.

"I'm Natasha," She said, taking a sip of her own drink.

"It's nice to meet you, Natasha," Ash said in the sweetest voice she could manage.

The night went on and the group shared a few jokes and laughs. Ash was bored, Tyler was busy talking to a few coworkers and all Ash wanted to do was go home and watch the latest episode of whatever cooking show Maya had been forcing her to watch. But since Ash was trying to get Tyler to like her she sucked it up and let out a sigh. 

Ash rested her head on her elbow and leaned back. She hadn't slept at all in the past few days and Ash was very sleepy. Ash was so tired that she didn't even realize what she was doing when she brought a random cup up to her lips. When the strong taste of beer hit her throat she coughed. Ash heard a chuckle from nearby and looked around. Pietro was watching her with an amused grin on his lips.

"Not a fan of beer, ey?" He asked as he stood up from his chair and sat back down next to her. He took the cup she had just set back on the table and took a sip. He sighed and set the cup back on the table

"Yeah, me either. Vodka is much better don't you think?" To be honest, Ash had never had vodka so she had no idea how it tasted. But she didn't really feel like trying it out so she just shrugged.

"I'm not much of a drinker," She said casually and Pietro nodded. Pietro looked around the crowded room and Ash noticed that he too seemed bored.

"Not a party person?" She asked and he shook his head

"I like parties, just not these kinds" he motioned around the room then continued "Stark makes me attend." Ash nodded understandably. That seemed like something Tony Stark would do.

"Ah, here comes my sister." Ash looked around and saw Wanda approaching them. She sat down on the couch across from them and leaned back in the chair. Wanda then looked directly at Ash.

"Wanda Maximoff," she said with a smile and Ash smiled back but hesitated before answering. She hadn't thought of a last name for herself, to be honest, she didn't think she'd need one.

"Sarah Jacobs," Ash said with a convincing smile. Wanda seemed to notice her hesitation but let it slide.

Ash listened as Pietro told them about a new car he wanted and Wanda talked about a new bedroom design. Ash was about to comment on Wanda's idea of blue bedroom walls when another conversation caught her enhanced hearing.

"And Sarah seems nice."

Ash couldn't tell who the voice was coming from with all the noise going on but she guessed it was either Bucky or Steve. Ash told the twins something about getting water and stood up. She walked towards the bar, trying to focus her hearing on the conversation about her.

"She's amazing" Ash almost gagged as the voice of Tyler started praising her.

"How much do you actually know about her? I just want to make sure she isn't some secret assassin or something" Ash almost laughed as she heard the voice of Natasha expressing her worries.

"She isn't like that," Tyler said with a laugh. Ash held in her giggle and sat down at the bar. She ordered water and waited patiently. Ash noticed another man at the bar who was clearly drunk, eyeing her. Ash ignored it and sipped her water. She had lost focus on the conversation and the DJ seemed to have made the volume of the music even louder so she could barely hear herself think. The man that had been eyeing Ash suddenly stood up and walked over to her. She rolled her eyes but kept her focus on the water in front of her. Only when the man took the seat right next to her did she finally look up at him. The man had a grin on him as he took her drink and started drinking it himself.

"What's a pretty girl like you doin all by yourself?" He asked smugly

Ash just rolled her eyes and ignored him, he didn't seem to like that.

"You should show me some respect," He said, no, demanded.

Ash scoffed and looked around. When she was sure nobody was looking she put a hand on the man's cheek, he smiled, thinking he had finally got her to obey. Until she smashed his head into the bar. The man groaned and Ash smirked. She stood up proudly and walked over to where she saw Tyler talking to Bucky. When Tyler looked at her, she smiled at him. Ash was seriously ready to go home but she knew Tyler was going to be the one calling the shots.

"How's the party?" He asked her in a fake cheery voice

"It's great! Super great party" she responded happily. Tyler turned back to Bucky and the two continued the conversation they were having before she arrived. Ash held in the urge to roll her eyes again.

---(time skip)----

"Are you ready to go home?" Ash was very relieved to hear Tyler saying those words. It was currently three in the morning and Ash was exhausted. Ash nodded to Tyler and the pair said their goodbyes to the Avengers.

"It was nice meeting you Sarah" Steve called out

"You too Mr. Rogers"

Ash followed Tyler out into the car. Neither of them spoke as the car sped through the streets of New York.