Chapter 2

The bell rang throughout the entire school, signalling the end of the period. I let out a breath of relief. Honestly, Math was not my best subject, and it wasn't like Ms Higginbottom helped with her snarky attitude towards her students. I grumbled at the boring day and began gathering up my books. "Miss Darlington." Her shrill voice called out for me. I cringed. "Come see me please." She said.

I walked over nervously to Ms Higginbottom. Truthfully, she freaked me out. Sometimes her lips would purse to the point where I had to wonder if she had sour lemons for lunch. And it's not like the way her beady eyes narrowed at me from behind her glasses helped either. Her curly seventies hair was admittedly well kept, but her bright red lipstick colour clashed unevenly with her skin tone. By the time I got to her desk, most of the students had filed out to their last period. There were only several students who remained, waiting for me to finish up so they can ask her questions.

"Miss Darlington," she began. "I assume you realise why I have called you up here today."

I rubbed my neck nervously. "Uh… I'm sorry I fell asleep today…"

"No, it's not that." She said. "Well, a little, but you have to realise that you're failing my class!"

Well no duh. Math is just about the most ridiculously hard class out there. Of course I'm failing. "…Sorry...?" I said. It would've been redundant if I had said "yes".

If it was possible, her eyes narrowed even further. "Sorry? Is that all you have to say?"

"I guess so…"

Ms Higginbottom sighed irritably. "I don't know what has happened to you. I remember back when you were a freshman, you were getting the highest mark in my class!" Yeah, that was when the Math was easy… "I really want you to succeed in my class." I refrained from flinching. It was such a…'teacher' thing to say. "So…" she said. "I have decided to assign Samuel here to tutor you for extra credit." She gestured to someone behind me. "Do you know him?"

I turned around to face an oddly lanky looking boy. Ah, Sam Witwickity… or something like that. His hair was short and mousy, and I could begin to point out a few stray hairs on his chin. In all honesty, he didn't look particularly bright at all. In fact, he didn't seem much smarter than I was. But then again, he is the infamous Sam Witwickity… or something. He was the golden boy who went from being a dork, to becoming the school's most wanted boy (from the girl perspective – not that I keep track) just because Mikaela Banes, the 'hottest' girl in school dumped her jock boyfriend for him. The only thing I can think of commenting was: Why? Sam Witwickity… or something, was definitely not the type of boy Mikaela Banes would seem to want. I had expected her to choose someone more… ab possessing, and muscular. Albeit, her previous boyfriend, Trent, didn't seem too kind himself when they were dating. Then again, I suppose Mikaela wasn't the only factor in Sam's sudden rise in popularity. He also recently came in possession of a 76' Chevy Camaro a few months ago. Being a car junkie, I had to admit… it was hot. The car I mean… ew, not Sam.

But that didn't mean I knew him personally. Hell no. Dork or popular, never had I actually spoken to him. He seemed unusually awkward with his way with words. "Uhm, no not particularly." I told Ms Higginbottom.

"Samuel, Julia, Julia, Samuel." She said almost boredly. "Are we done here?"

I gave her an annoyed look. Well, I could've done that myself. Don't get me wrong, it would be nice to have a tutor. Math was important if you're going to college, but did it really have to be Sam. I'm sure he would much rather be swapping spit with Mikaela than sit around to teach me what one plus one equals.

"Uh, yeah sure. Thanks again Ms Higginbottom." Sam said.

"Yeah, yeah." She said absentmindedly.

"Yeah, thanks." I said unintentionally sarcastically. Hey, I couldn't help it. I picked up my books to walk out of the classroom when I noticed Sam tailing close behind me.

"Hey." He said, walking in stride with me.

"Oh, hi." I said.

"Just call me Sam." He said randomly.

"Uh, sorry?"

"I mean, ah." He laughed at his own lack of eloquence. "Call me Sam, not Samuel."

Realisation hit me. "Oh! Yeah." I said. I already knew that, but whatever. "Call me Julie then. Julia makes me sound older."

Sam cracked a smile. "Yeah, sure. So I was kinda thinking…" he rubbed his neck at this. "I really need this extra credit to get an A, so do you think we can start meeting up as soon as possible?" I opened my mouth to reply but he started talking again. "You know what? You know what?" he said, putting his hands out to emphasize his idea. "I'll even try my best to teach you all that I know. I promise." He said. Did he think I was really going to bail on him like that? Whatever he has heard or thought about me, I wasn't that mean. Or maybe he was just an overly nervous type of person… or awkward… I tried to reply again only to be cut off once more. "Hey wait, how about I…"

"Sam." I said, cutting him off. "Really, it's okay. I need this too." His mouth shut as he suddenly looked a little relieved. "How about tomorrow after school?" I asked. "At the auto shop classroom."

"Y-yeah." He said. "Sure, thanks." He smiled. I'll see you tomorrow then." He waved and darted off to last period. Yeah… definitely awkward.

I walked in a little late for auto class but Mr Kasanj never really cared. Okay, well he cared a little, but not if you're doing good in his class… which I'm happy to say that I am. In fact, I'm proud to say that I'm at the top of my class… for once. Jack owns an auto shop where he forces me to work. He says by working there, I'm repaying what I owe him for all that he's done for me (which is essentially nothing). But in a way, I didn't mind so much. Working at an auto shop actually opened up my mind more about cars. Like I said before, I'm a car junkie. I can't get enough of 'em. You have no more use for those car parts? Hand them over! I'll take good care of them!

Anyways, at the shop, Jack doesn't work there, mostly because he doesn't know enough about cars to fix them, so he hired Paul to take care of things there. Paul was… decent. I don't think he knows that his big boss, Jack, is my legal guardian. I think he thinks that I'm just this kid Jack hired for kicks. But Paul taught me most of everything I know. He's not much of a talker (but neither am I), and he's really strict, but gives praise when it's necessary. In a way, he's like a mentor. A really good one actually.

So anyways, I went out and took the mini engine I was working on. Really, I was actually done, but I knew I could make it work a lot better if I spent just a little more time on it. I took out a rag to wipe away some oil on the gears when I felt a familiar sensation run across my lower back. "Hey hot stuff." A male voice said.

I rolled my eyes and swatted away the hand. "Jake." I acknowledged him. Jake was this ugly guy in the class who always seemed to have a problem with his engine. Most of the time, he goes and bothers Mikaela (who's grade is following closely behind mine), but when it comes to his work, he comes to me. She was just hotter. Jake really wasn't a bad guy. He was funny, and nice (most of the time)… but he just enjoyed groping girls in the wrong places and cracking out perverse jokes… No biggie. I couldn't say the same about Mikaela though.

Granted, I've never really talked to her, but I knew she had it easy. She had a completely perfect life. She was beautiful, popular, and had so many people going for her. In a sense, I suppose you can say I'm jealous of her… I suppose I am. Just a little. I'm not jealous of her boyfriend, or the little knowledge of cars she has (compared to me), but I'm jealous how easy she has it. She has nothing to bother her, nothing to deter her from going to college, and nothing standing in her way of becoming the most popular girl in school. She was no queen bee, but she was far from being a dork either. Very far.

Anyways, Jake isn't that bad. Honestly, most people don't have a problem with him. Some girls tend to freak out with his closeness, but they just didn't realise that the more you freak out, the more satisfaction Jake obtains. It is always best just to keep your cool with him. I turned my attention to him. "So what do you need help with now?" I asked sarcastically.

He grinned.

Yesterday went on like usual. After school, I took the bus to get to work, did some homework at the desk, got a ride home from Paul, ate, showered, and slept. Thankfully, Jack had not been home yet, but I did hear him get in late in the middle of the night, with some squeals from a mystery woman. Another whore no doubt. He's been bringing some in more and more frequently, but as long as I didn't have to see or clean up after them, it was fine I suppose.

I woke up the next morning with the bright sun shining on my face. I groaned. Normally I enjoyed the sun on my face when I woke up, but today it was just annoying. It hurt my eyes. I groggily rose from my bed. I heard Jack shuffling downstairs. Great. Usually he would be off early in the morning to god knows where, but today he wasn't. I'm positive that it was a bad omen. But if I didn't have to deal with him last night, it probably meant that I would have to do it in the morning.

Sighing, I freshened up in the bathroom, then pulled on a random pair of jeans and t-shirt for the day. It was already mid December, but the weather in Nevada never ceased to amaze me. It was so random. It was a lot different than where I grew up, but then again, maybe I was just getting older. I got to my bathroom and looked at my reflection. My hair was an absolute mess, but I didn't find school a big enough of an occasion for me to run a brush through it. It just wasn't worth it.

I went downstairs and mentally slapped myself for leaving my school bag in the kitchen. I was really planning on just leaving the house, slipping by Jack unnoticed, but this just made it impossible. I slowly stuck my head through the door, peaking into the kitchen. Too bad Jack heard me coming down the stairs and was waiting for me. "Brat," he said. Over the years, that name just stuck with me. It was a habit for Jack now. "What did I say about leaving your things all over the house? You have to clean up after yourself. I'm not your slave." Hah, like the beer bottles on the floor isn't your mess.

But I couldn't talk back to him. I just couldn't. I was scared really. My fear of him never really subsided, and because of my fear, he had never had the excuse to really hurt me. The one time where I had back talked him, had actually earned me a hit. But that was the only time I could remember where he had physically hurt me. He just enjoyed bashing me whenever he could, which really wasn't a lot. I didn't see him too much. "Sorry." I said. But ever since he had hit me, every time I would talk to him, I would evaluate his features, to calculate his emotions. It was a precaution. Today he looked weary. If he had a one night stand last night, it was no wonder he was so tired. He didn't look like the type to be good in bed. I'm just being honest. He had large bags under his eyes, and his hair was all messy, making him seem more like the previous alcoholic he was. He's been better with the drinking for the past three months, but I knew he wouldn't last very long. For him, alcohol was like heaven and sex put together. Very promising.

I quietly picked up my bag and stuffed a sandwich I had made last night in it before walking towards the door. Skipping breakfast was a good trade in for not having to deal with Jack… especially in the morning. He was not a morning person. Yep, definitely worth it.

Unfortunately for me however, breakfast was not enough of a trade this morning. Jack kept talking about me. "I got a call from Ms Higginbitch today." He said. "She sounds like a real pain to me, but the interesting thing though is that she told me you were failing her Math class." He sneered. "Who fails Math? It's so easy." I held back my snort, scared of what he would do. The image of him beating my mom never left me. And I somehow doubted that he had passed Math either. Despite of how he may look, he was an actual idiot. Worse than Jake even. And instead of submitting to his comment, I held my face firmly towards the door, waiting for him to finish. I have learned that walking away from Jack never did any good. It only made it worse. "Well? Are you going to explain yourself?"

"I-I'm beginning my sessions with a tutor."

"A tutor? Only idiots need a tutor. Who's paying for you anyways?"

I looked down, eager to avoid his gaze. "I don't need to pay. The guy is doing it for extra credit." I replied.

He scoffed. "As to be expected. Who would want to put up with you? You're just as annoying and useless as your mother." I didn't get offended by his insult at Mom though. In actual reality, Mom really was ignorant. She was stupid enough to leave her only daughter (I think) with her evil, evil ex-husband. Real smart Mom. "Hey, didn't that useless whore ever teach you any manners? Look at me when I'm speaking brat." I refused to. I knew that if I did, I would start to cry.

I normally never cried. Not even when I watch a really heartbreaking movie in class, where all the girls, and most of the guys would begin bawling their eyes out, nor when Jack accidently killed the kitten I had brought home one day, and not even when my alien robot left me (if that did indeed happen)! No, Jack was the only thing that could make me tear up anymore. Every time I look at him, I would think back of all I have lost and suffered because of him. He was the reason why I had such a troubled childhood. He is the reason why I am so troubled now. It was all his fault. All of it.

"Are you even listening brat? Or are you going to cry?" he taunted. "God, you really are an idiot. Come here!" He grabbed my arm and pulled me up the stairs. I gave a quiet yelp, trying to stop myself from tripping up the stairs. I felt the strength of his fingers beginning to bruise my arm. His fingers wrapped around it so easily, it seemed that if he tried hard enough, he would really be able to break my bones. Jack was big. I sometimes absentmindedly wonder how often he really goes to work out. He nearly knocked my door off its hinges as he stormed into my room and threw me on the floor. "Did I not tell you before that you had to respect me?"

Yes, you did, but eye contact was never part of the deal until now.

"Huh?" he yelled, picking me up from the floor again, pushing me against the wall. It was then I smelt his breath, rotten with alcohol. Oh god, really! It was eight in the morning and already he was buzzed. As I had expected, Alcoholic Jack was back, and whether or not he was here to stay, I did not know. My mind flashed back into the memory of Jack when he was doing this to Mom. I couldn't help but note the irony of it all. I was in the exact same position Mom was in all those years ago. This would be the second time he was violent with me. It was frightening. What if these encounters became more frequent? I had tried my best to avoid it for all these years, but perhaps it was just inevitable. "Are you listening?" He yelled again, slamming me into the wall once more. His fingernails dug into my shoulders, drawing blood.

"Yeah! Yes!" I cried out in pain. The quicker I replied, the sooner this would all over over, and the sooner I would be able to get to school, away from him.

"Yes what? What did I do that you answered 'yes' to?" he growled.

"You told me that I had to show you respect."

"And did you?" I didn't answer. I closed my eyes, shuddering away from him. "Well?"

"N-no. I'm sorry."

Growling, he threw me on the floor once more. "You had better be sorry. And don't let it ever happen again!" He roared, pointing and incriminating finger at me. "Idiot brat scum!" he muttered, walking away. He punched my door against the wall as he walked out, creating a loud 'bang'. I cringed at it. Hopefully that won't be my new nickname. 'Idiot brat scum' wasn't very catchy if you asked me.

I winced at the pain in my shoulders, and my now sore arms. I tiptoed into the bathroom and examined myself. Oh, they really weren't that bad. I sighed in relief. Though my shoulders hurt the most from his fingernails, the medium sized purplyness of the bruise on my arms looked more serious. I quickly cleaned up as fast as I could and grabbed my cousin George's old sweater. The only reason why I kept it was because he was dead. He was stationed at Qatar and was killed a year ago. His sweater was a good memento and I always felt better when I was wearing it. It was a quite large on me, but it was the first thing I had grabbed from my room before rushing out the door. I was late.

Cousin George and Aunt Clara were on Mom's side of the family, and I no longer know where they live, since Jack keeps us apart, but Aunt Clara had my bank account number... if you catch my drift. Sometimes I would check my account balance and gawk at the sudden increase of zeros. As for her relationship with Mom, they were never close, and when Mom had run off, she had never contacted Aunt Clara about it. Despite their lack of closeness as sisters, Aunt Clara had once said to me (when I was four) that she saw good in me, and that I should ignore my parents' constant bickering as best I can, and they will work it out. I did, but she was wrong.

Speed walking, I dashed out of my driveway, mumbling a 'Good morning' to Mrs Torres next door. Mrs Torres was a really nice old lady who looked, and seemed to be a little lonely. She lived all by herself after her husband passed away a few years ago, but every time I saw her, she would always have a smile on her face. I couldn't say the same for myself.

I never really said much to her though. I barely knew her! I only say hi when I see her, which is really not much considering that I usually leave early and come home around dinner time.

"Oh good morning dear- Oh!" She did a small gasp at the sad features on my face. I probably looked terrible. I can already imagine my face, blotchy with tears, and my eyes all swollen. "Are you okay sweetie?"

"Yes, thanks for worrying Mrs Torres. I have to go now. I'm late." I ran off without saying anything. She was a sweet old lady, but like most of them, she was too curious for her own good.

When I got to school, I figured that since I was already late, it didn't really matter if I stopped by the washroom for a final face check for any signs of tears or crying. I found myself almost thinking of the term 'leaking', but that was only because of my rabid dreams of robots.

Conspicuously, as I walked across the courtyard, I missed a silver Corvette Stingray and a gold edition of a Gemballa Mirage GT zoom by. Boy was that my loss… not that I noticed whatsoever...

Okay, again no autobots really in this chapter, but I think the ending makes it pretty clear that there is a Sideswipe running around… and when there's a Sideswipe, there will always be a Sunstreaker around… somewhere ;)

Chapter 1 and 2 are basically talking about Julie's life right now. I know it's a little boring, but cut me some slack please (: Since her life is just about done, you know that the real story will start soon! I'll hopefully get it posted soon but again, I don't make any promises.

I actually have a question: How do you feel about my paragraph spacing? Way back when, I didn't know how to space my paragraphs properly according to quoting... so if you read my other stories, there is quite a bit of over-spacing (though the quoting rule is correct). In this story, I am trying to make longer paragraphs that make sense. Right now, I don't know if I'm screwing myself over or not. I like it when I am reading decent sized paragraphs, but the thing is that I'm wondering if it looks cluttered and is it easier to read if it is more spaced. Please give me some feedback on this. I would love to know your opinion. The only con side of this is that my chapters don't look as long anymore... which is sad ):

Anyhow, a big thanks to all my alert-ers and favourite-rs because I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of them in Chapter 1. There wasn't really anything in Chapter 1 to begin with! So thank you for those!

And A BIGGER THANKS to my total of TWO reviewers for Chapter 1! Oh my gosh, I didn't think I would receive two, mostly because Chapter 1 was decent, but not really a central part of the main story. So a big thanks to: lunahermionemalfoyy and xxIronhideForeverxx! Couldn't have done this without you!

The more I receive, the more motivated I get and to write! I'm quite excited now.

For any of you who are interested, I actually intended for the title to be My Alien Robot(s)…. But since brackets, nor slashes seem to show up for titles, we're all stuck with My Alien Robot. Shame… It would've made so much more sense if the brackets were there…. Oh well. Can't do anything about it. Anyways…

Feedback and reviews are greatly appreciated.