Chapter 11
Jasper, Nevada…
The students at Jasper high had gotten used to seeing a yellow muscle car, a big green SUV and a blue motorcycle dropping three kids off in the morning at the main entrance and then picking them up later in the day. As they made their way to the doors, they failed to hear or notice a large red and blue semi pull up around the corner next to the building. Optimus had offered to drive Alex to school that morning. He had been confused by Alex's request to drop him off out of sight, but Alex explained that a vehicle of Optimus's size would attract unnecessary attention from onlookers.
The previous night had been a long one. Ratchet had wasted no time in properly examining Alex. After several blood tests, full-body scans, and movement analyses, He had come up with absolutely nothing to account for Alex's ability. It figured, as because these particles did not technically exist in reality, it was impossible to actually find, isolate, analyze or destroy them. Alex did not take this conclusion well, but Ratchet had assured him that he would continue researching on a 'cure.' Somehow Alex wasn't hopeful.
"Thanks for the lift, Optimus." Alex said as he undid his seatbelt.
"You're welcome, Alex." Optimus replied. "I have already asked Bumblebee to transport you back to base after school along with Rafael. Your cover with the school should be set up. If anything occurs, contact us immediately."
"Sure thing." Alex said. "Any word from Miko?" he asked.
"No." said Optimus. "But I am confident that Wheeljack will keep her from harm."
Miko had failed to ask Agent Fowler for a lift home. Instead she had decided to a pull a revenge stunt with the former wrecker. Alex had to admire the girl, and was not at all worried about what would happen.
He took a deep breath. "See you later, Optimus." He said as he exited the cabin. A moment later Optimus began to roll down the street with a hiss of his breaks. Alex began to walk round the corner. As he walked, he looked across the road to the bench he had sat on when had first arrived in Jasper. It seemed such a long time ago now. As he approached the steps, Bumblebee gave a rev of his engine as he and Arcee pulled up next to him.
As Raf and Jack disembarked, he greeted them. "Hey, guys."
"Hi, Alex." Replied Raf. Jack just mumbled something and walked straight towards the doors. Raf turned back to his guardian. "Bye, 'Bee." Bumblebee beeped something back before starting his engine. As Raf and Alex turned around and began making their way into the school, Alex spared a glance at Arcee. For some reason he could not shake off the feeling that she was watching him.
As the two boys disappeared from view, the two Autobots pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the main road.
Suddenly Bumblebee chirped something at Arcee.
"I don't trust him, that's why." She replied. "Why do you? He used Raf, didn't he?"
More chirps and whirs.
"Yeah, I suppose he didn't put him in direct danger, but that doesn't change anything about what he did."
Bumblebee continued to chirp and whir his thoughts. Arcee turned back to concentrating on the road ahead.
"I'd be more concerned, 'Bee." She said. "He's dangerous. And I don't mean because he make lightning come from his hands…"
…..
First class of the day was History. Raf had been kind enough to point out the direction of the classroom to Alex since Jack was refusing to talk with him. As he walked in he noticed a familiar face at the back of the classroom. Vince. Alex decided to pay no attention to the school bully, as he didn't want to kick up a storm on his first day. Jack had found himself a desk next to the window, while Alex was forced to a vacant desk in the middle of the room ("Where everyone can see me," he thought. "Great."). As he sat down, he felt something small hit the back of his neck. Turning round he saw Vince looking at him, a smirk on his face and his rubber in his hand.
Ignoring him, Alex turned back round and started flipping through the textbook he had brought with him. The content of which was mostly about American history, with the exception of the world wars. Alex was not really familiar with America's history, as most of what he learnt back home was about the Apartheid era. Alex had been wondering if this world's South Africa had endured the same hardships as his had but before he could continue thinking about the subject, Jack's teacher entered the classroom.
"Settle down." He said as he walked towards his desk. "Right class, before we begin, I'd just like to take moment to welcome someone new to our class. He's an exchange student. Please welcome Alex Matthews." He gestured towards Alex.
Again, while he was used to performing to crowds, the feeling of all eyes turning towards Alex made him shift in his seat.
"Where are you from exactly, Alex?" Asked the teacher.
"Cape Town, South Africa." Answered Alex.
"Very interesting. Glad to have you with us."
"Yeah, I'm sure he can tell us a lot about the wild animals in his backyard." Remarked Vince out loud. To this the class lightly laughed, including Jack by the window.
"Thank you for the comment, Vince." The teacher stated. "I must ask Alex, what happened to your leg?" He had noticed the walking stick leaning against Alex's chair.
"Climbing accident. Should be fine in a couple of days." Alex quickly responded.
The teacher nodded before turning to the blackboard "Let's get on with today's lesson, shall we…"
Alex sighed. It was going to be a long day….
…..
Autobot base…
With Arcee and Bumblebee on patrol after returning from dropping the kids off at school, Ratchet spent his time attending to Bulkhead, who by that stage was stable but still critical. He was furious for Wheeljack allowing Miko to go with him to find the 'con that had hurt her guardian. He thought about continuing to work on researching void particles for Alex, but he decided that Bulkhead for the moment was more important.
"Ratchet," Optimus stated as he walked into the room. "How is Bulkhead?"
"Critical, but stable." Replied the medic. "I should be able to begin to operate soon, though I do not want to rush the recovery process."
"He is in good hands, old friend." Remarked the Prime. "Bulkhead is a strong warrior."
They were silent for a few moments. Finally Ratchet turned to Optimus.
"Optimus," he said. "While I am not one to question your judgment, do you think it wise to maintain such secrecy over Alex from our compatriots? Arcee appears to be growing more and more agitated by his presence. I fear she could possibly…"
Optimus considered this for a moment. "While I can understand Arcee's growing feelings towards Alex, the knowledge he carries could result in him becoming something which we would want to exploit to our advantage."
Ratchet was shocked by this explanation. "Are you saying that boy has information which could benefit team Prime, and you're preventing this?!"
"Benefit us, but also threaten us. I believe it is in our best interests to never gain that knowledge. Please understand this, Ratchet." Optimus said.
Ratchet was astounded. But while his anger over Optimus's silence over Alex, he could somewhat understand the logic behind it. And he knew that Optimus would only do this if it were in the best interests of the team.
"I…understand." He finally said.
"Thank you." Optimus said.
Ratchet turned back to Bulkhead, his mind in overdrive thinking. He now understood why Megatron sought to seize Alex, a miracle being that Alex had somehow managed to convince Megatron to leave him alone. Perhaps the boy had told him something that he didn't want to hear. Nevertheless, he would have to stay with the autobots until such time that his knowledge was revealed or rendered redundant. However Ratchet was more concerned over how the other autobots would react if they knew what he had just learned.
He just hoped that the children were not trying to get Alex to speak out over what he knew…
….
Jasper High…
Cafeteria food had never appealed to anyone, and it certainly didn't to Alex. He had managed to find an empty table in the far corner and was picking off edible pieces of what was apparently labeled a Sheppard's pie. He then looked up to find Raf sitting opposite him, unpacking a brown paper bag from his backpack.
"My mom makes my lunch." He said.
"That's cool." Alex replied. "Beats the food here that's for sure."
Raf gave a small grin. "So, you're really from South Africa?"
"Yep." Said Alex. "What do you want to know?"
"Where you're really from." Butted in Jack. He had come out of nowhere and had roughly sat down next to Raf. A frown on his face.
"Raf, Alex and I need to talk in private." He said with seriousness in his face. Raf looked up at Jack slightly fearful and turned to Alex.
Alex nodded. "It's okay, Raf. Just give a few moments, would you?" he said gently.
Raf nodded. He grabbed his backpack and headed down the aisle.
Alex turned to Jack. "Look Jack, I know you're not exactly thrilled by me being-"
He didn't finish the sentence. Jack now had a look of anger on his face. "Listen here. I don't know who you are, what you are or why you're here. All I know is that you are not telling us everything, even Optimus. But understand, I am going find out."
Alex saw that the teenager was being serious now. "Did Arcee put you up to this?"
Jack continued "And if you hurt anybody on team Prime, you answer to me. Understand?"
Now it was Alex's turn to get serious. He had learned that he could never go home and if he wanted to survive here, he would have to do more than fire orbs of energy. Looking Jack straight in the eye, he said "And if you care about what happens to Arcee or any other autobot, you won't ask those questions. You do care about them, don't you? I mean, you cared so much about Optimus that you went all the way to Cybertron to restore him."
This caught Jack off guard. Looking wide-eyed at Alex he started "How did you-"
"Like I said, I know things." Alex interjected.
Jack was ready to make a grab for Alex but before he could, a commotion at the cafeteria caught both their attention. Turning round they saw a crowd had circled some other students. Looking over their heads they could make out the tallest one. Vince.
Raf.
Jack and Alex grabbed their stuff and ran over to the crowd. Pushing their way through they found Vince standing Raf, who was on the floor feeling around for his glasses while trying to avoid slipping on spilt milk.
"Awww, is the wimp going to start crying? Probably won't since his eyes don't even work." Vince teased without warrant.
"Enough, Vince." Jack stepped in.
"Butt out, Darby. This doesn't concern you." Vince shot back.
Alex noticed a bruise on Rafael's left temple. Probably got there when Vince had knocked his glasses off. Alex was never one for tolerating bullies. Coincidently he had perfect leverage on this one.
"Careful, Vince. Darby might dare you to a race." He remarked.
Vince looked up at Alex. A surprised look on his face. Looking round, he saw that the some of the students had begun to snicker and giggle, reminded of how Jack Darby's motorcycle had wiped the floor with his beloved hotrod.
Turning slightly red, he mumbled something about the wimp not being worth it and pushed his way through the crowd out of the cafeteria.
The crowd begun to disperse. Alex knelt down, picked up Raf's glasses and handed them to the young boy. He took them thankfully and stood up.
"Thanks." Raf said.
"That bruise looks bad. You might want to get it checked out." Alex replied.
"Come on, Raf. Let's go see the nurse." Jack said as he took Raf by the shoulder and led him out the door, giving Alex a sour look before exiting.
Alex just stood there leaning on his walking stick. He sighed. Like he had thought earlier today; long day…
To be continued….
