Hey everyone, this is my first fic so apologies in advance if it's not very good or I get anything wrong, I appreciate feedback and comments, and I hope despite my terrible writing you'll enjoy this fic. I am completely open to ideas and whatnot, so if you have any ideas or anything you might like me to write about or include, it would be great. Fair warning, a lot of these chapters were written a while ago – somewhere around a year or two ago –, so if my writing seems to change or differ, you'll know the reason.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers or any of its characters, all rights belong to Hasbro and its corresponding partners, I only own my OC's and the story itself.
Chapter 1
Catherine's POV
There was a faint melodic sound in the wind. The sound resonating through the tall buildings.
Resounding thumps as firm wood struck the tightly bound surface of a baritone drum, the distant clash of brass cymbals, reverberating against the concrete hull of the narrow valley formed by the soaring apartment blocks, echoing distantly.
Blinking drowsily, I began to wake. Rubbing my eyes sleepily, not quite realising the significance of the sound, before my eyes snapped open and I darted to the window, jumping out of bed.
Pressing my face against the bars, I gazed out down between the tall buildings into the large courtyard below and strained my eyes to see the market place not too far from it.
A huge grin made its way across my face as I began to tap my bare foot and do a little internal dance.
Tossing on a light grey shirt and a pair of black shorts, I hurried out the door and into the kitchen area and lounge room, checking to see who else was up.
I was greeted by the smiling face of my aunt who was in behind the counter in the kitchen (making breakfast), and my mother on the couch in the lounge.
"Morning Mama! Morning Jiu Mu!" I chirped briskly. "新年快樂! 恭禧發財! (Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Fa Cai!)"
Barely looking up from the newspaper she held in her hands, my mother replied. "Morning Princess."
"Morning Catrin!" my aunt beamed at me, looking up briefly from her cooking to shoot me a warm smile, thus far being a pleasant start to my morning.
Gliding over, I plopped down on one of the benches that was situated around the modest glass table, patiently waiting for breakfast to be served, hooking one foot in behind the other. Stuffing around on my phone as I waited for breakfast to be served, breathing in the mouth-watering smell of my aunts' famous duck and pickled vegetable soup.
Hearing the sound of a door slide open, my head shot up, forgetting temporarily about whatever I was previously doing on my phone.
Gazing over I settled upon my cousin, Alicia, a curt smile whittled its way onto my face, dissipating as I greeted her. "Morning Licia."
"Morning Catrin!" She smiled at me, her voice virtually singing. As usual, she remained her pristine self, beautiful face, just like Jiu Mu, slim, toned, ideal body as envious as ever. She really was beautiful and she had a personality to match. She never stopped smiling and her kindness and compassion seemed endless, a bit of a highflier too I might add. As always my idolization of her still persisted, though I don't think she knew I held such an opinion of her, humble as she was.
Lowering my head to go back to my phone, I concentrated somewhat on my game of candy crush. It wasn't a game I was particularly addicted to or interested in, but both my cousins and aunt had this way that whenever I came over, they somehow managed to get me back into it. A bit like a lingering curse, which only activated when I was around them… trippy.
I sat there for a good fifteen minutes or so, before I heard my name being called from behind me, swivelling around I answered my aunt.
"Catrin? Can you wake up Alena, please?" she inquired buoyantly.
"Sure."
Getting up from my seat I strolled back down the short hallway to the only door on the left, pausing in front I knocked on the door, checking to see if she was up or not (just in case she happened to be changing), waiting for a reply but receiving none.
Tentatively, I slid the door open, carefully poking my head inside.
She was laying on her mattress, eyes closed and unmoving, blanket tucked nicely beneath her abdomen, covering a section of her backside. Wrapping her, what appeared to be comfortably, in a silken lithe blanket, vaguely resembling a sectorial cocoon.
Skulking over, I carefully laid down next to her on the mattress beside hers, staring at her as she continued to either sleep or shun me. Frankly, logic pointed to the former.
After staring at her for about a minute, I slowly reached out my hand, bringing it down gingerly, stroking her hair light-handedly.
Her thick ebony locks, ever so slightly coarse against the underside of my palm, the occasional knots in her hair making for a mildly uneven surface.
Adjusting my approach, I opted for something a little more direct.
Curling my fingers around extending my index finger, I cautiously progressed forward, poking her lightly on the nose.
Slowly her eyes opened, blinking blankly at me.
"Morning." I greeted, smirking brazenly.
"Morning." She replied vacuously.
"Time to get up." My smirk fading into a simple curl of my lips.
"Okay." The word slipped out of her mouth rather tiredly as she still gazed at me, and I back.
We shared a lithesome stare for a few seconds longer, eyes locked with each other's.
Lightly brushing one final strand from her face, placing it delicately with the rest of her hair, displaying a subtle softness in my eyes, as I retracted my hand. Before shuffling off the bed and slowly standing, pausing momentarily before slithering out the door, sliding the door closed behind me as I departed.
As I spun around I spotted my uncle still strewn chaotically over his bed, top half clearly bare, a deep snore audible as his chest rose and fell.
Dismissing it, continuing on down the hallway, I thought no more of it, the thought of rousing him not even crossing my mind. He would get up in his own time, no one was really willing to brave the potential minefield that was his bedroom.
Situating myself back down on the hard varnished bench, crossing one leg over the other, my knee jutting out the side, taking a moment to observe the progress of the others in my absence, before once again, extracting my phone from my pocket, displaying it before my face, holding it securely between my fingers.
The rattle of a sliding door cut through the relative silence in the air, alerting everyone of a new presence.
Moments later, feeling a soft thump beside me, a light nudge assuring me as another knee clicked against my own.
A few more minutes passed in silence, before a ceramic clank sounded as a bowl was set in front of us. The glazed bowl had an appealing finish, its pale blue surface glinting softly in the entering light, illuminating the transparent liquid held in it.
And so began our first traditional meal to celebrate Chinese New Year, 'Long Life Noodles.'
A culmination of complimenting slurps filled the air, as the inextricably long noodles were virtually inhaled, minute droplets of soup flicking up with the tails of the noodles.
Speckling my upper cheek, making me flinch a little with shock before I could fully stifle it.
The same thing happened to Alena at almost the exact moment it had to me, both of us looking a little funny, as if we had just been zapped.
Jiu Mu saw, a sudden giggle rising in her throat, as she marvelled at the pair of us, nearly choking on her noodles, as she herself tried, and seemingly failed to suppress a laugh. Her shoulders convulsing as she nearly spat out her noodles at her initial shock.
The other two definitely noticed that time, if they hadn't already.
Smiles crossed their faces and creased their eyes as they themselves started to become overwhelmed at the hilarity of our combined antics.
Hearing Jiu Jiu groan we all tried to quiet down in fear of waking him, shooting each other a combination of warning and playful looks.
Grasping each other's hands desperately, as if that might stop the building laughter.
Until Alena couldn't hold it anymore, the smothered laugh breaking free and erupting in a choked out and almost coughing laugh, hand clasped tightly over her mouth in an attempt to hide and stifle it, shoulders quaking uncontrollably.
In turn, setting off a chain reaction, unintentionally slamming our heads onto the table, thumping our fists against the glass trying desperately to regain our composure. Sucking in as many deep breaths as we could manage.
(Time skip – about 15 minutes)
As those around me finished off the contents of their bowls, I had already moved to the interior of the kitchen, setting my bowl on the bench by the sink, I moved off, proceeding to complete my daily routine.
Gathering what little things I needed, I slid into bathroom, setting down all my items neatly, vaguely rechecking I had everything. Taking up temporary residence in the compact and yet unexpectedly attractive room, the speckled white and turquoise tiles shining attractively in the morning sunlight. Their subtle cut off point blending in skilfully with the smooth clouded cream of the upper walls.
Rather cutely, a petite little micky mouse towel lay strewn over a section of the floor as a substitute floor mat, ragged and dull from wear.
Taking the lathered brush to my teeth, I proceeded to scrub away, carefully polishing each tooth as best I could bearing in mind to be brief. After a few minutes of minty cleaning, I spat out the resulting foam, rinsing thoroughly with the assistance of the cup that had been previously been set aside. Flicking off the brush, I set it down in its assigned area, meticulously straightening it perfectly, something twinging inside me at leaving it as it was.
Satisfied with my work I swiftly exited the room, leaving everything in their respective places, not to be borne a second thought.
Well there you go, first chapter done, now onto the next.