Chapter I
Sofía Marquez was, predictably, an average teenager. She went to school and church, she hung out with friends, she did all the things kids her age did. She complained about teachers and school, she did her homework at the last possible second before it was due, and she sometimes studied for whatever exams her teachers gave. And thanks to her parents, Sofía received almost everything she's wanted growing up. Her Venezuelan parents, Rafael and Valeria, were hardworking and dedicated individuals. They took parenting very seriously, which was why they came to America after Valeria found out she was pregnant. They wanted Sofía to have a better life, and they decided to do something about it. The couple were also devout Catholics, which meant that Sofía was raised in the faith, as well. Unlike her parents, however, Sofía wasn't as dedicated to the religion as they were. She believed in it to an extent, but part of her had to wonder how much of it was true. Sofía was very familiar with the Bible, she knew which verses belonged to which parts, she knew the names of all the important people - but when it came to God Himself, she wasn't 100% sure. If there really was a God, how come no one ever saw Him? How come He only made Himself known to very specific people? That didn't really make much sense to Sofía.
In the end, however, Sofía Marquez knew better than to voice her doubts. Rafael and Valeria took the Catholic religion very seriously, so if they found out their only daughter was questioning their beliefs, it would end badly. Sofía understood the importance of when to voice something and when to keep her mouth shut.
When it came to school, there was honestly nothing to really talk about. Sofía wasn't the smartest kid in her class, but she wasn't the dumbest, either. She got steady, average grades. The lowest grade she ever got was probably a D+, but that was because she wasn't really trying. Rafael and Valeria always voiced how they wanted Sofía to do well in school, and how they wanted her to be successful in life. Sofía did take her education seriously, just not as seriously as her parents would've liked.
When it came to friends, Sofía had a few scattered here and there. She didn't have a whole lot, but she did have a fair amount. Sofía didn't need a whole lot of friends in her life, she was comfortable with the ones she had. With the few friends she had, they'd hang out after school if they didn't have a whole lot to do, or just go to each others' houses. Sofía's parents didn't mind some of the people she brought over, but they did voice their dissatisfaction with a few. So the Marquez household wasn't really occupied by many of Sofía's friends. It didn't matter, though. For Sofía, not having all of her friends over all the time wasn't the end of the world in her book.
Besides, hanging out at her friends' houses always seemed way more fun.
-A.T.-
"Did you get the homework done last night?" Sam Witwicky looked Sofía's way, his brows furrowed in worry and his mouth set in a thin line. Sofía and Sam knew each other since middle school, having been best friends ever since Sofía punched a bully in the face for shoving Sam. That had been the only instance where Sofía got in trouble at school. Since then, Sam and Sofía had been best friends, almost inseparable. Sadly, that meant people would get the wrong idea about their friendship. Countless people had started rumors assuming that Sam and Sofía were dating, considering that seemed to be the only acceptable outcome for a boy and a girl who seemed close. Since they knew there'd be no convincing the students who believed it otherwise, Sam and Sofía decided to just ignore the rumors. They weren't going to allow a bunch of stupid students to ruin the friendship they had.
"I got the first half of it done," Sofía whispered. It was the middle of first period, which meant that Sam and Sofía could discreetly try and get whatever homework they didn't finish done. "What about you?"
"Not much," he responded quietly. "What'd you get for. . . .?"
"Ms. Marquez, Mr. Witwicky, is there something you'd like to share with the class?" The teacher, Mrs. Williamson, looked between the friends with an arched brow and an annoyed look on her face. A couple snickers could be heard throughout the class.
"I just had a quick question about something," Sofía said. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
With a frustrated huff, Mrs. Williamson went back to her lesson. Sam and Sofía decided it'd be best to finish their homework in silence.
-A.T.-
After the bell rang for the end of first period, Sofía waited for Sam outside of class. He was talking to one of his other friends about something and she didn't want to intrude. Sam and Sofía tended to keep their other friends separate from each other, not out of any ill feelings they had with their other companions interacting, but because their other friends just didn't show any interest in getting to know one another. So whenever Sam was talking to another person he knew, Sofía would try and give them some space so they didn't think she was eavesdropping.
Right when Sofía was about ready to leave for her next class, Sam rushed out. "Sorry," he said. "Didn't think it'd take that long."
"It's fine," Sofía responded, giving a halfhearted shrug. "I was about ready to leave you, though." Sam only nodded in response. "You OK? You're acting weirder than usual."
With a sigh, a slight scowl came on Sam's face. "You know how I'm trying to raise money for my car funds?" he asked.
"Yeah?"
"Well my dad said that I need to start raising my grades, too." The scowl in Sam's face deepened.
"Sounds reasonable if you ask me." A frown can on Sofía's face. "What's the problem with that?"
"I have to get at least three A's in three classes before my dad even considers gettkng me a car," he exclaimed. "How am I supposed to do that?"
With a snort, Sofia shook her head. "Study, for one," she said.
"That's hilarious coming from you."
"Yet I still managed a good grade on the Spanish test," Sofía snarked.
"That's not fair and you know it," Sam replied, pointing an accusing finger at her.
"Not my fault I learned Spanish before English." A smirk came across Sofía's face. "Benefits of Venezuelan parents."
"There's German taught here, too," Sam muttered. "You could've taken that."
"I could've," Sofía teased, "but I wanted to see you struggle."
"We're way off topic," he sighed. "If I asked you to help me study for the Spanish midterm, would you?"
"What grade do you have in the class?" Sofía asked.
"A D."
A grimace came on Sofía's face. "You'll need Jesus to help raise that grade," she muttered. Sam scowled at her. "Fine, but you'll have to really step it up, OK?" When the bell rang, the two agreed on a time and place before hurrying to their classes. First period was the only class they shared together, but they'd sometimes see each other in the halls; which meant they'd be able to discuss the study plans further. Besides, it's not like they have anything better to do.
(A/N):
What do you guys think? Did I put in too much information or not enough? How can I improve? Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Nothing in the TRANSFORMERS universe belongs to me. All I own are my OCs and the subplots I put in.
If you've got ideas on how to improve my characters or my interpretation of the canon characters, don't hesitate to PM me or leave a review. If you've got ideas for subplots or OCs, PM me or leave a review! I'd be happy to add them in.
Thanks a bunch.
Bucky
