Chapter 2: A Sudden Surprise

Charlie Wilson is one block away from her school, walking along the neighborhood sidewalk and enjoying the fresh, fall air. Her brown hair flowed behind her as the wind picked up a bit, making her blink her green eyes to keep the dirt from blinding her. In her hand she held a piece of paper that the office had sent to her home earlier, saying:

Ms. Wilson,

Due to your recent absence after losing a loved one, we ask when you come to class to visit the counseling office to discuss your situation. Remember to ask your teachers about your missed assignments and tests/quizzes. We welcome you back and hope you are doing well.

Charlie blinked her eyes so tears wouldn't appear and fall down her face, it was embarrassing to cry she always thought. Ever since her cousin, her one and only family, had passed after a strange confidential war Charlie had to learn to fend for herself. She would go to Dance Dance Revolution competitions and win thousands of dollars that help her pay for her food, her home, and her education. Although there are never that many competitions close by, Charlie did her best to live and deal with it.

She made it to the school and waved to a few of her friends as she walked into the building. The hallways were packed with students gossiping and laughing, just having a great time. Lucky for them their summer didn't crash and burn like Charlie's, but she can deal with that. Just as she was about to head upstairs, one of her girlfriends and grabbed her arm and pulled Charlie into a tight hug. "Charlie!"

Charlie gasped for breath, "Hi Rana! You're killing me again!"

Charlie's best friend Rana had been by her side through thick and thin, just like her bright orange wavy hair. The last time Charlie had seen her was at her cousin's funeral which was a month ago, but they would call and chat to keep in touch and to keep Charlie's sanity intact. Rana lets go of Charlie and smiled brightly, "How're you holding up?"

"A lot better, I've learned a lot from my cousin about keeping my composure," Charlie said to her friend.

Rana shook her head then wrapped an arm around her dear friend, "Come one! Lets go get our seats before others take the best ones!"

Charlie slipped from under her arm and started to head upstairs, "Sorry, Rana. I have to go the counseling office quick! I'll meet you there, 'kay?"

Rana shouted to Charlie before she left, "Hurry up then!"

Charlie just laughed and ran up the stairs, now in a much better mood than she came to school with.

At the front of the school, Sam and Mikaela hung out together before their classes start. They talk about what they should plan to do this week and try to not bring up "D-Day" as Sam had called it. Just as Mikaela left, Sam heard a familiar sound coming down the street.

He looked to the street and saw the blue and red semi-truck driving by and parking. Sam looked around to see if any students were paying attention then walked over to Optimus Prime. Sam cursed under his breath, thinking Optimus lost his gears, "What the hell is he doing here in public?" Sam walked up to the truck and hissed out, "Optimus, what are you doing here?"

Just as he said that the driver's door opened and out came a man with midnight blue hair combed back and dark red violet eyes hidden behind what looks like reading glasses, wearing some sort of business suit.

Sam stood there dumbfounded as his face went red in embarrassment, "oh, um, I'm so sorry! I-I thought you were a-a friend of mine. I should get going now-"

"Sam, it is I, Optimus," The gentleman said to Sam, casually, in the same kind of deep voice Optimus had as an Autobot without the technical sound waves.

Sam froze in his place and looked at the guy like he is crazy, "Excuse me?" Optimus continued as if it was nothing, "The military units had created a program for us to disguise ourselves as humans so the Decepticons wouldn't suspect if we lurk around searching for them and other secret information."

Sam still stood there not really taking it in, instead he laughed, "Okay, did Lennox put you up to this, 'cause that was really good."

"This is serious Sam!" Optimus said, getting into his face which freaked Sam out.

"Okay! Okay!" Sam looked around again to see if they were making a scene. He then looked at the human Optimus in shock, "So…you guys are now…human? How's that possible?"

Optimus sighed and shook his head, "Again, the military created a program called A.H.D. a.k.a. Artificial Human Disguises. It's for the Autobots to go undercover in case a Decepticon is around, then we wouldn't have to worry about revealing our positions."

Sam finally took in the information seriously and laughed a bit in disbelief, "Wow, this…this is awesome! Does this actually work?"

Optimus shrugged, "We are technically testing it right now. Bumblebee was the first to try it out. Speaking of which, I hope he's doing alright in there." As he said this, Optimus nodded his head to the school.

Sam's eyes went wide, looking to the school and back to the leader of the Autobots, "Whoa, wait! Bee is in there?"

"He's you're guardian after all. Plus he thought it would make his job easier to be in school with you," Optimus says nonchalantly.

Sam suddenly goes berserk and starts running towards the school, shouting back to Optimus, "Are you insane?"

Optimus watched Sam run off, hearing the school bell ring in the background. He simply shrugged and walked back over to the semi-truck, stepping inside and sitting down. There his A.H.D. disintegrated as the truck drives off.