Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the Transformers universe. Darn.
Summary: The little clip of Sam returning to school prompted this. Sam goes back to school following the events of ROTF. And his face on the news...
The yellow Camaro stood out enough by itself. But now that Sam Witwicky's face and name had been plastered via broadcast on every television screen in the world practically, he knew that school was going to be hard. People were going to want to know what all that was about.
World governments had come together and to a consensus - the broadcast was the work of very talented hackers. The destruction in Egypt - a military training gone horribly wrong.
Which left Sam in a bind. How would he explain why the hackers had wanted him? Or known him?
Sighing, he rubbed his hand absently along Bumblebee's steering wheel. His left hand still hurt, but it was on the mend. Breaking his middle fingers and then saving the world afterward hadn't been kind to them. Thankfully he was right handed or taking notes would have been impossible.
"Time to go," blared over Bee's radio and Sam jerked out of his muddled thoughts. "Don't wanna be late."
Sam frowned. He didn't. It would draw even more attention to him.
"Right," he said, reaching over to the passenger seat where he had set his bookbag. His ribs ached at the movement and he grimaced. Getting blown up was hard on a human, he was still recovering.
Dragging the back over to him, he pushed open Bee's door and climbed out, avoiding any gaze that traveled his way. And travel his way they did, he was sure.
Bee didn't speak to him, out in the open like this, but Sam imagined he wanted to say something. Patting the door as he closed it, the young man turned and began to walk toward his first class — astronomy. The one where he had had his Cube knowledge breakdown.
This ought to be fun, he thought to himself.
It wasn't a long walk, but by the time he reached the room, he was already feeling bone-deep aches and fatigue. Maybe he should have taken a bit more time off?
As the class entered, he noticed there seemed to be more than a few eyes locked on him. He turned his eyes back down and focused on his textbook. But he quickly realized he wouldn't need it. He'd read it all, afterall. That speed-reading, super-knowledge he'd acquired from the Cube hadn't gone away.
"All right, settle down!" Came the call of Professor Colan. He started to say something else when his eyes settle on Sam. His eyes widen slightly as the young man takes his seat, then he smiles. "Welcome back, Professor Einstein."
Sam laughs lightly at the comment, unable to help himself since it was funny. "Thanks. I had to do a few things." He settled with his notebook and pulled out a pencil. As if he'd take notes...
As the lecture began, Sam tuned out the professor. In his mind the Cube screamed at him that this was all terribly outdated and some of it - flat out wrong. But this was earth and earth knowledge, so he knew he wouldn't be pleased with his test score if he did anymore weird alien formulizing.
One particular point did perk Sam's attention
"The three stars that make up Orion's belt have significance to Egyptians, and since part of that significance was recently destroyed, it is fitting that we spend a little time speaking about constellations and their meaning to the people of Earth."
He looked around the room. "Can anyone tell me the significance of the three stars in this constellation?"
Sam felt his hand slip up when no one else ventured to respond.
"Yes, Professor Einstein?"
There were chuckles and Sam flushed, but launched into a near-word-for-word account of the connection between the Egyptian pyramids and the three stars.
Colan was pleased and lightly applauded. "Well, at least that time off didn't put you too far behind, Mr. Witwicky. Glad to see it, glad to see it. Now ..."
And the class droned on.
When the class ended, Sam sat still waiting for most of the other students to leave. So far, no one had bothered him. That was interesting. He had expected to be bombarded with questions.
As the last group stepped out, casting him glances, he stood, only to turn and nearly knock into Professor Calan. The man was looking at him intently.
"So Witwicky," he said. "Why are you here?"
Sam cocked his head to the side. "Pardon?"
"It's a simple question," the man said. "You answered my questions with ease today. It's as if you have the whole book memorized." He blanched when Sam looked down sheepishly. "You DO?"
Gulping, Sam looked up. "A bit of a photographic memory. Books are easy. I just flip through them and presto, I know it. But ... that doesn't mean I don't need to take classes."
Calan frowned. "Perhaps, but it does mean that my usual curriculum will be putty in your hands. What would you say to working with me as an astrophysical sciences intern? You could get the closest glimpse of the worlds beyond our own that you will ever get."
Sam almost laughed. No really, but...
"It sounds intriguing," Sam said. "But can I take a few days to think about it? Astrophysical sciences weren't really my concentration, but I do find the issues fascinating."
Calan nodded. "Take time and think it over. But I think you'd be a valuable asset to our astrophysical sciences team." He patted Sam on the shoulder, which in turn made the boy yelp in pain. "Oh, I ... sorry."
Sam struggled to regulate his breathing. That burn from the explosion was still far too raw for comfort. Just his shirt hurt it, the pat was nearly enough to send him to his knees.
"Yeh...yeh, fine," he said. "Just a burn. Long story."
Calan looked at him curiously. "Hm. Maybe there was some truth to those broadcasts." He didn't miss Sam's widening eyes and pressed. "You intrigue me, Witwicky. There's something about you. Something hidden."
Sam shook his head. "No, really, I'm just a normal kid. Normal kid problems. I mean, come on, alien robots? Who want some snot-nosed kid? Totally crazy, right?"
He thought he had been convincing, but Calan didn't laugh. He just watched him. Sam shrank. "Right?" He said again.
Then Calan did laugh. "Right, Witwicky. Maybe."
He walked away and Sam didn't know to make of him.
Did he believe the cover stories or not?
Sighing, he shook his head. "Weird man."
Sam's anonymity disappeared when he reached his dorm building.
Leo's tech-head, conspiracy theory friends jumped him as soon as he entered the room. Leo was smirking from his bed, and Sam just knew that the other boy had broken his oath and told them everything.
"Leo!" he growled. "You didn't?"
"Witwicky, you are an alien robot ambassador. You freakin' drive around in one! You have got to hook us up, we have been all over these sightings for the last few years and this is the best chance ever," one of them began to spew.
Leo chuckled. "I had to, Sam, come on!"
Sam didn't agree. "No you didn't! You could have done as Major Lennox and the Secretary of Defense ordered and not told anyone the truth Egypt and Shang-hai."
The others in the room frowned at Sam's outburst.
"Come on!" One of them said. "This is huge. The world deserves to know."
Sam rounded on him. "Does it? Do you think the world as a whole is ready for this information? Ready to be told that gigantic alien robots that can hide in our parking lots and driveways, heck some even in our school dorms, are among us? That they have firepower most of us can't even imagine? That they can kill us like bugs?" Exasperated, he flung his book bag on the bed and walked back out the door toward the bathroom.
Leo, at least he was pretty sure it was Leo, followed. When the door closed behind them both, his roommate piped up. "Jeez Sam, you didn't have to get all pissed about it. They're my buds, my team. It's not like I told the world!"
Sam shook his head, leaning on the sink, his ribs and his hand smarting again. "No, you just told a group of techies who can easily tell the world. That's just as bad, Leo. And if it goes up on your website the government is going to bust us BOTH for it, I guarantee it."
Leo shook his head. "They won't!"
With a groan, Sam pushed himself back up and turned on the tap, letting cool water wash over his good hand before scooping up some and wetting his face.
"Are you sure of that," he said quietly.
Leo didn't reply.
"See, you're not," Sam said, turning to face Leo now. "I just wanted to come back here and be a normal student. But no, now I have to deal with all these people who want to know about the alien conspiracy. It's not fair."
The other boy frowned. "I'm sorry, Sam. I didn't think it would bother you too much to talk about it." He knew the other had been clinically dead for a few minutes in Egypt, but he had thought Sam had come to terms with it.
Sam shook his head. "It's not about dying, Leo, I have come to terms with that. I just want to be normal now. I don't want to get ... get ... transported around the planet to save the world anymore. I want to be a kid. Ever since High School, when Bee burst into my life, I have been anything but normal."
Leo thought about it a bit and frowned. "Ok, Sam. I'll do what I can to redirect the guys. And I'll try to field any and all questions for you. After all, I was on the news too and so maybe I can deflect things from you. I don't mind talking. I like to talk. Maybe a bit too much!"
Sam's eyes softened. "Leo, I'd be in your debt if you did that. Seriously man, I would really appreciate it." He stretched his neck a bit and it cracked. "Ugh. I feel like I'm 90 years old."
Leo chuckled. "Getting blown up and dying will do that to a man, Witwicky," he said. Sam took the comment in stride and smiled lightly. Leo continued. "All right, why don't you go for a ride in that Camaro of yours. I'll clean up the room and kick out the alien conspiracy-loving techies I call buds."
Sam nodded.
Leo was a good enough friend. They'd been through hell and back together.
Maybe he could do this afterall.
Maybe his life could be semi normal.
Got a bit bored at work and wrote this up. I have a few longer, more detailed, stories that I want to tackle. Ones that have to do with the battle in Egypt and perhaps some from Transformers 1. If you like this and my writing style, let me know and I'll try to do more stories sooner rather than later! I love reviews...really love them.