Red haired Devi Holland knew what had happened when she arrived at school the next morning. She paced nervously as she waited for Lace and Callie to arrive, unsure what to think. Why would a Decepticon go after Cal? It wasn't as if Callie was unimportant and ugly like Devi and Lace's friend thought but Callie really didn't have much to do with the Autobots. Like Devi she only saw them during the summer and it was her parent that worked with them closely. She recognized the yellow camaro the instant it pulled into the school parking lot and scrambled over to it. "Morning Bee," she chimed, chewing on her lip nervously as first Lace and then Callie climbed out.
"Good mornin', good morning," Bumblebee called back via the radio. Devi smiled at the old singing in the rain quote and looked over Callie for any signs of last night's trauma.
"I'm fine," Callie said, sounding tired, when she noticed her friend's concerned glances. Devi stepped forward and flung her arms around Callie's slim shoulders, hugging her as carefully as she would a china doll. "I'm not going to break," Callie insisted, pulling away from Devi.
"Our presence has been requested on Diego Garcia tonight," Lace added, handing over Callie's backpack. "See ya later Bee." The three girls watched as the Autobot pulled away, flashing his lights once in acknowledgement before vanishing around the corner.
"Any idea what the 'Con was after?" Devi asked her two friends in a low tone as they headed for their lockers, Callie's first because they were alphabetical order.
"Not a clue," Callie said.
"Something new the 'Bots are working on maybe," Lace suggested as Callie gathered her things for first period Chem.
"Next time they come they could at least do my Chem homework," Callie complained as they moved on to Devi's locker. All three managed to laugh weakly as other students began to file in. "They ended at Lace's locker before the ten minute bell rang and they had to split to go to their respective classes.
Devi sank down into her chair in art class and bowed her head in prayer. Father God please protect Callie. I know she hasn't believed or even bothered to believe in a while but she's still Your child. Also protect Lace and help me reach her some time. Thank You for Your intervention last night that kept Callie safe last night. In Your name Amen.
That finished she began working on a sketch following the description Callie and Lace had given her in passing last night. She started with the holoform because that was what Lace and Cal had seen the most of. Once that was finished she began on the alt mode, almost missing the bell because she was so absorbed in her work. She carefully slipped the two pictures in her bag, well hidden mixed in with her Algebra II work, and headed reluctantly for math, knowing she wouldn't be able to work well today.
Sure enough her day dragged back as she worried about Callie's sudden involvement in Autobot/Decepticon affairs. If Callie was targeted didn't that mean she and Lace would be soon as well? But last period Devi thought she had become seriously paranoid. She spent hours looking over her shoulder. She had never been so relieved to hear the final bell in her life.
Bumblebee was already waiting for the three girls when they exited the school with their things. "Ready?" he quoted from who knows what commercial.
"Yes," Lace replied, answering for all of them. "Let's find out what's going on and what they're going to do about it." As they all settled in for the ride Devi couldn't help wondering; why now?
Author's Note: So Devi is my spiritual girl of the group. Callie is a semi believer and Lace, well I'm not sure what to call her, but all will change with time and plot progression, which is finally starting to happen. Thanks to MissShelz (I'd freak out too and probably be not nearly as resourceful as Callie), Riptide2 (Yup. Not expected on my part but it happened), and Spirit01 (Not sure how that leaves the final tally but she did give him quite a scare) for reviewing the last chapter! Hope you enjoyed and I own nothing but my OCs
