Author's note: Okay people, you know the drill... Thankies once more! :D Also, I've been thinking about doing a possible AU-ish story with Cynthia and Blitzwing or a sequel after I'm finished with this fic. Tell me what you think! Anyways, R&R and enjoy!

Love is a Lake

(A 'TFA' fan fic romance)

Chapter 10 Just Friends

(Friday -10:00pm: Amanda)

"Okay, I'm done with my shift! I'm going home now!"

"Alright, Mandy! See you on Monday!"

"Bye, Mrs. Cole!"

Amanda's manager, a kindly middle-aged woman, waved to her coworker. Mandy smiled back at her boss and walked over to the glass sliding doors. It was only a five minute walk from the grocery store to the apartment. Streetlights and lamp posts kept her company and she always walked along at a rather brisk pace in order to dissuade any shady characters from confronting her. She couldn't wait to finally have enough money to purchase her own car.

"Mandy, wait up!"

Her blonde hair twirled around when she turned to find the source of the voice. She wasn't necessarily paying attention to anything else around her and she didn't notice whose voice it was.

A twenty year old boy jogged over to her side. He had brown hair with blonde streaks in them. His smile was dashing and he sported a pair of stone grey eyes. To the most of the ladies, he was the most handsome boy within ten miles. Sure he had looks, but he was rather short on manners.

"Damon," Amanda acknowledged in a tired tone, "what is it?"

"You want me to walk you home, cutie pie?" he grinned. "It is kind of scary in Detroit at night."

"No thanks."

She went through the sliding doors and walked along the route she normally used to go home. Before she could get very far, Damon ran up to her and got in front of her, blocking her path. Mandy nearly slammed right into him since he was so close and clearly invading her personal space. Ordinarily, she was very used to his presence and she dealt with him exceptionally well. But now, he was just pushing her limits. All she wanted was to go home.

"Can you please move, Damon?" she said waveringly. "I would like to go home."

"Come on, allow me to be a gentleman!" he asserted.

"I'm a big girl. I live five minutes away. I'll live. Now please let me pass."

She gently pushed past him, careful not to offend Damon. There were times when she flirted with him and now Mandy began to regret engaging in such games. Her fellow female coworkers were envious of her that the charmer had his eyes set on her. However, she didn't reciprocate the same way for him.

"How about we meet up at 'The Steel Star' tomorrow night at nine?" he called to her. "We can just hang out on the dance floor and chill. There's no harm in that, right? It's always nice to go to a rave every once in awhile."

"No, I think I'll pass," Mandy picked up the pace. "I might be hanging out with my sister tomorrow night."

"Ew, her? Cyndi's such a drab, awkward and weird girl."

Furious, Amanda spun around to avenge her elder sister's honor. Her pale green eyes lit up to a vibrant tone as her anger flowed through her. Hands clenched into fists and her eyes were narrowed into a menacing and grim glare. Despite her bubbly, friendly and compassionate nature, those who knew her agreed she looked terrifying when she was angry.

"That 'girl' is my only sibling and my best friend!" she hissed. "I grew up for her and she was always there for me! How dare you talk about her in that way while I can hear you! You can shove that pathetic excuse for a date up your ass and get some other girl, Damon! Go to 'The Steel Star' alone, scumbag…"

Turning away from him on her heels, Mandy continued her journey back to home.

(Five minutes later…)

"My goodness, you look so beautiful!"

Amanda almost gawked at her sister. She couldn't believe that she had undergone such a massive transformation since earlier in the day when she last saw Cynthia. What shocked her even more was that she had given herself the makeover entirely of her own free will and by herself.

"I just decided to try something a little different with the usual garb," Cyndi explained. "I replaced the dark blue skinny jeans with a white prairie skirt, swapped the black long sleeve shirt with a pink floral camisole and got rid of the black boots for a pair of white dress sandals. Not to mention, I put on a tiny bit of make-up: some lipstick and mascara ought to do the trick. The hair's fine as it is."

"I don't want to sound creepy when I say I always thought you were a pretty girl but you look simply gorgeous!" Mandy commented. "Are you trying a new look for your beau?"

"Why not? Besides, I might as well mix up the wardrobe a little bit. The same things that go on constantly do get a little tiresome after awhile."

"I guess this is stupid to say but I guess it's another date tonight?"

"Yes. And you're coming along."

The youngest Preston sister's jaw dropped. A strange hybridization of a laugh and scoff came from her agape mouth. She shook her head and folded her arms across her chest.

"No," she said firmly. "You know how I feel about being with him."

"I'm aware," Cynthia said, "and that's why I'm dragging you along. There's absolutely nothing to be afraid of. I promise you will come back alive and you will have a stronger liking to him."

"No!"

"We decided to meet in the park where we first met. We're pushing our luck when he comes to my window. And he'll be coming by a little earlier than midnight. Get out of those work clothes and put something else on. I'll give you a half an hour and nothing else. When time's up, you're going."

(10:45pm- the park)

"Cyndi, I can't do this! I'll go back to the car, drive home and then pick you back up here later on. I'm really getting nervous!"

"Don't be. He's a gentleman. He doesn't mind that you're going to be accompanying us tonight. In fact, he encouraged the idea."

"Sis, I don't think giant robots and I don't mix well."

Cynthia laughed. The sisters sat on a bench in the park. Woods surrounded them and it was completely deserted. While Cyndi looked stunning and semi-formal for her date, Amanda decided to go rather causal in her clothing. She wore jean capris and a green t-shirt with a rose design on it. To top it all off, Mandy wore a pair of white sneakers.

"Don't be a baby, Amanda. He wants to get to know you better, okay? Once you actually hang out with him, he's a total sweetheart."

"Uh-huh… What should I do?"

"You're the talkative one and you don't know what to do? If you're that freaked, let him talk to you first."

"You told him about me? What does he think?"

"Well, from what I can gather, Blitzy likes you but he'd have a more solid opinion if he knew you more."

Amanda laughed.

"Blitzy?" she repeated. "That's cute but a little demeaning for a giant robot, right? I swear you act like you're going to marry him, Cyndi. What am I going to be: the sister-in-law?"

"Nope," Cynthia said. "Our relationship is still fresh remember? We confessed our love two days ago. Why are you thinking like that?"

Amanda could just imagine what it would be like if Cynthia and Blitzwing did decide to take their relationship to the next level. Her mind drifted for a moment and she imagined being the maid of honor at the most unique wedding the universe had ever seen. It would be comical yet disturbing to see Blitzwing in a gigantic tuxedo. Mandy could further wonder how the best man, most likely Lugnut, would look. Her mother, Helen, would never approve of the union. And her father, Robert, would be turning in his grave. It wouldn't surprise her if he dug himself up out of the earth just to stop Cynthia's holy vows to a Decepticon.

"I'm not jumping to conclusions!" Amanda said defensively. "You're just pushing it on me like it is something significant!"

Cyndi rolled her eyes. She held her cellphone in her hands. Amanda was told of the tale of how she could actually call Blitzwing on the phone now. It blew her mind and it frightened to her a certain degree. Now she feared that he could possibly call the apartment's phone. Now she would be hesitant to answer it.

After spending a few minutes in silence, Cynthia and Amanda heard something approaching them. Their heads focused on the starry sky and saw a jet flying straight for them. Mandy's heart was in her throat and her first instinct was to bolt. Cyndi quickly looked over her outfit, making sure she was presentable enough to her love.

The jet took the form of a thirty foot tall Decepticon. Blitzwing floated down to the surface. Upon seeing Cynthia and Amanda, he knelt down to greet them. This time, Random got the chance to talk to them first.

"So zhou got her to tag along after all!" he said, noticing Mandy.

Mandy swallowed and put on her brave face. Her knees felt like water but she was determined to prove to both her sister and her boyfriend she wasn't weak. Besides, sooner or later, she needed to become conditioned to his presence.

"Yeah, I'm not a baby!" Amanda said defensively. "Not only that, I had nothing else to do tonight so I thought I might as well go."

"Yeah, okay, little sis," Cyndi rolled her eyes. "I almost had to physically drag you out of the apartment. I'm just glad you surrendered when you saw it was inevitable."

"Vell, I promise zhou, Amanda, no harm vill come to zhou," Icy swore. "I vould never harm my sveetheart's beloved sister."

Amanda still remained wrapped up in her little shell of fear and suspicion. However, she did decide to tear down some of her walls for Cynthia's sake. Her reports of how Blitzwing was such a wonderful bot sent from Heaven itself reinforced her to try to give him a chance.

"If you both insist all will be well, I might as well loosen up and try to enjoy the evening with you guys," Amanda said.

"You won't regret it," her sister said. "We're just going out to our secret spot by our old vacation home. Remember that place?"

Amanda knew exactly what she was talking about. How could she not recall? She remembered when she and Cynthia used to sneak out of the rental home in the middle of the night and trek to their secret place when their parents were asleep. They would sit at the edge of the cliff with their feet slung over as they stared down at the battering waters two hundred feet below. Amazingly, they never did slip and potentially fall into the brutal waves and sharp rocks at the base of the cliff.

"Definitely," Mandy grinned. "So that's where we're going? Cool. I've got no problems with it. Just as long as it's not some Decepticon base, I think it should be okay."

"Zhat is completely out of zhe question," Blitzwing said. "Zhou're zhe only soul zhat knows about my relationship vith Cynthia. Ve plan on keeping it zhat vay too."

"Your secret is safe with me."

"If it's alright vith zhe both of zhou, I zhink it is time to leave. But since I have two passengers, I vill have to fly zhere vithout my disguise. No matter."

Cynthia appeared ecstatic and thrilled by this. Amanda's vocal cords shriveled up and she mouth felt like cement had sealed it shut. She was afraid of how this was going to play out.

"So…" she said weakly. "Um, you'll hold us in your hand or something like that?"

"Zhere's nozhing to be afraid of, Mandy!" Hothead groaned in frustration. "I have everyzhing under control. I'm not unreliable."

"Then, I guess I can trust you…"

"Alright, zhen let's get moving!"

He lowered his hand to the ground so Amanda and Cynthia could climb on. Mandy stood close to her sister and she stepped up onto his hand a second after Cyndi did. Naturally, the eldest sister was at complete ease while the other Preston lady was trying to gain some degree of composure. Her eyes were not focused on Blitzwing and she resolved to keep it that way until he spoke to her.

"Okay, since ve have to fly zhis vay, zhou have to hold on tight!" Random said. "Don't vorry, I von't drop zhou."

"I trust you with my life," said Cyndi. "Besides, it'll be a blast."

Mandy smiled weakly and tried to force out a laugh, signaling that she agreed with her sister. It was a miserable failure. Cynthia wrapped her arms around one of his fingers. She placed her head against his finger and closed her eyes. As if she was being confronted with the challenge of hugging a cactus, Amanda shakily locked onto an available finger.

When she did this, Blitzwing rose up into the air. A second later, he sped off to the north where their secret spot was. Cynthia whooped and yelled in glee and excitement. Amanda just screamed like she was on the world's most terrifying roller coaster ride. The Decepticon held them close to his chest to make sure they wouldn't be swept away by the swift velocity they were maintaining.

"Faster!" Cynthia urged. "This is awesome!"

Mandy only held onto his finger tighter as if her life depended on it. All she knew was pure fear and she didn't know how the night could possibly turn out better. She couldn't wait until the night was done and over with.

(11:00pm- the peninsula)

Amanda was feeling better now. As soon as Blitzwing landed, she retreated into the woods with her hand over her mouth. She threw up in the bushes, emptying her stomach of its contents. Her strength was fleeting and very questionable. She hid her weakness from her sister and her love. But as long as she was left alone for awhile, Mandy made her recovery.

"It vasn't a rough ride!" Random Blitzwing said. "Zhou have to be better now, Amanda!"

"It doesn't matter now," Mandy said, cradling herself. Her stomach still felt a tad bit queasy. "As long as we're on solid ground, I think I'll live."

Cynthia sat on Blitzwing's shoulder once more. She whispered something to him. The Decepticon nodded his head and looked back at Amanda. Her back was facing them so she had no idea of what was brewing. Without warning, he scooped her up into his hand.

"Whoa!" the youngest girl yelled. "What're you doing? I'm happy on the ground!"

"Zhou look so lonely down zhere, Amanda!" the mech explained. "Vhy don't zhou join us up here?"

The triple changer placed her down on his right shoulder, right next to Cynthia. Mandy scooted closer over to her sister, however she seemed unreceptive to this.

"If you guys excuse me, I got to make a bathroom trip," Cyndi said. "I'm going to go back into the woods. Nobody wants to be exposed to that kind of stuff, right?"

There was an expression of pure agony and anguish on Mandy's face. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck all alone with Blitzwing. The mere prospect of it frightened her immensely. Because of this, it was very difficult to convey that she was actually alright.

Blitzwing held up a hand and Cynthia jumped into it. Amanda stared blankly at the star-studded horizon. Normally, she was very capable and confident in social situations but this was an exception. Her eyes envied what they saw as Cyndi was lowered to the ground.

"You two be nice, okay?" she winked at no one in particular. "Get along. I won't be along. Why don't you two enjoy some chit-chat?"

"Dear Lord God in Heaven!" Mandy thought. "I bet this whole thing was planned out! I'm going to murder her when we get home! I never set her up like this before and what gives her the right to do this to me? She knows I'm terrified of this guy!" She moaned internally. "Be positive, Amanda. This night will be over before you know it."

"Ve'll be alright," Random grinned at Mandy. "Take zhour time, Cynthia."

Cyndi walked into the dark woods behind the three of them. She trusted Blitzwing with her sister enough to leave them alone for a few minutes. Of course she didn't need to go to the bathroom: all she wanted was to have Amanda get used to him. At the same time, she also wanted a little revenge for previous social disasters wrought by Mandy's insistencies. Once Cynthia was about a hundred feet away from them, she knelt down amongst the brambles and foliage and began to spy on them.

Amanda crossed her legs and twirled a strand of hair around her thumb. Even though her gregarious temper was capable of breaking awkward silence, she found no courage to muster or any conversations to draw up. What could she talk about with a giant robot? It puzzled her how Blitzwing and Cynthia would talk for hours.

"So, Amanda," Icy said a few moments after Cyndi began her eavesdropping, "zhou vork at zhe grocery store?"

"Oh, yeah," Mandy breathed. "I'm a cashier. I've been working there since Cyndi and I arrived in Detroit last July. It's alright. It brings in the money to help pay some of the rent."

"Zhour sister said zhou decided to come along in order to get out of New York and start zhour life. Vas zhour mother driving zhou crazy?"

Amanda laughed.

"You read my mind!" she nodded. "Well, it was a hidden motive but that was another reason why I wanted to go. She wouldn't get off my back. But not only that, Cyndi and I used to come here to this exact spot to vacation with our parents before our father died. We both love this place and I thought it was a good idea to start fresh here. So, that's how I'm here with Cynthia."

Whenever she started talking to him, Amanda began to feel comfortable in his presence already. She didn't mind sitting on his shoulder. Now she was no longer intimidated when he looked at her. Her extroversion compelled her to keep the conversation going and the shell she was sealed up in quickly broke.

"But what about you, Blitzwing?" Mandy said. "Tell me a little about yourself."

"Ooh, I love to sing and dance!" Random spoke up. "And I love just making everyone so happy! But sometimes, zhey get very angry vhen I try to make zhem laugh…"

"Crushing zhe Autobot scum vas vhat I vas made for!" Hothead said. "And I'm pretty good at it too!"

The swapping personalities didn't startle her anymore either. Similar to Cynthia, she began to find all three quite humorous. While her sister loved all three equally, Mandy chose her favorite: the mischievous and seemingly innocent Random. But she did like Icy and Hothead the same.

"How do you get along stuck in the same body like that?" she asked.

"Zhey are bearable," said the angry disposition. "Ve get along vell. Amazingly."

"Ve've come to terms," said Icy. "It's not as bad as it seems."

"My sister is crazy for you, Blitzwing," Mandy said with a big grin. She shook her head. "I've never seen her so gaga for a guy before. Even her previous crush, Wes, didn't get as much love and attention directed to him as I see to you." Then she paused. "Can I ask a small favor from you?"

"Yes."

"Please treat her well. Cynthia is my best friend. I want the best for her and all I want is to see her happy and content with her life." Mandy felt a bit embarrassed with what she was going to say next. "You seem like a decent bot, Blitzwing. She told me you're quite the gentleman so I guess I can take her word as the truth and believe everything she says about how wonderful you are. I support your romance with her and I am so happy for her to see her so upbeat and not so sorrowful or depressed anymore. All I ask is that you'll be there for her and I'm sure she'll do the exact same for you. Scratch that: I know she will be there for you. I know this whole love may seem weird and it definitely is unique but I think it'll work out." Mandy laughed. "You're a cute couple and I think you ought to stay together. That's all I'm asking from you."

From the very beginning, Blitzwing could tell that Cynthia and Amanda had a very firm and unwavering sisterly bond. The accounts of Mandy his love told him about were only reinforced by the quaint yet touching request she had for him. At first, he had thought the youngest sister was a ditsy fool but now the Decepticon saw her in a more respected light. And because of that discovery he made about her, he started to like her. But as far as he was concerned, Cynthia was still his chosen sweetheart. With Amanda, he was just going to be friends with her.

Cyndi was still spying on Amanda and Blitzwing from the cover of her hiding spot. She was aware of the devotion she had for her but when she told it to him, she was reminded of just what kind of relationship she had with her four years younger sister. Mandy was always professing her concern and affection for her while Cynthia always was more reserved in telling her how she felt. She did love Amanda with all her heart though. Now, she became somewhat downcast over this.

"Of course, Mandy!" Random said. "Cynthia is my sveetheart! I vill not neglect her!"

"Are zhou accusing me of being a lousy lover?" Hothead said defensively. "I vill prove zhou wrong, Human!"

"I promise, Amanda," Icy nodded. "Zhou have my vord and devotion. Cynthia vill be cared for. Zhou vill not regret placing zhour trust in me."

"Okay then, I guess you are pretty decent after all," Mandy smiled. "I feel Cyndi's going to have a very happy life from now on."

At last, Cynthia retreated from her spot and walked out to rejoin her two closest friends. Happily and confidently, she emerged from the woods. Both Mandy and Blitzwing spotted her at the same time.

"Zhere zhou are, sveet zhing!" Random picked Cyndi up and set her next to Amanda. "Mandy and I are getting along famously."

"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" she asked Amanda. "You're alive."

"Guess so," Amanda agreed. "And might I say Cyndi, you definitely got what you deserved."

He switched to his blue face. Blitzwing smiled at Cynthia and she could only do the same back to him. She melted in love as long as she looked at him.

"Yes," Cyndi thought, "I have been rescued. He has invigorated my life. He loves me and I love him. And I will always make sure it will be that way…"