I do not own Transformers, only my OC's.
Sorry for such a long wait!I had planned to update on Wednesday (I had the chapter written out), but as they say, the best laid plans of mice and men. I was busy with one thing or another and I was always too tired to think about editing when I eventually got a chance to sit at my computer. So I thought delaying a while was better than putting up an unedited, first run chapter.
Oh my goodness, 112 reviews! Thank you so much, everyone! It's an honor!
Only other thing to mention is, another Autobot shows up in this chapter, his physical "human" form was based off the movie-verse comics (his design was actually based off his voice actor, a little fun fact).
Hope you enjoy the chapter!
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My feet pounded against the concrete sidewalk. The cold air nipped at my face and turned my breath into puffy white clouds. A burning sensation was erupting from my legs and a nasty stitch had formed in my side.
I was out of shape.
This morning's jog had turned out to be far more laborious than I would have thought, but I was not stopping before I reached home. Tryouts for winter track were coming up and I wanted to get back into my old routine.
Of course, if I did make the team I would have to severely chop my hours at the toy shop. I wasn't sure what the best route was. Track might just help bring a further sense of peace, but working gave me money for college. Likewise, track might give me a scholarship. Might being the key word.
One thing I knew for sure, even if I did not make the team I would run on my own. I had forgotten how invigorating it was, even in this chilly weather.
I half cringed as my cheek began to sting. The chilly air was nipping at my tender stitched, but not nearly as bad as yesterday. I mentally sighed at the thought of Ron. Between the incident and last night I think I had been granted enough apologies to sink the entire United States naval armada… three times.
Coming up on the driveway I slowed to a fast walk. Uncle's truck was sitting in its usual spot, the paper not far from its rear wheels. I scooped it up as I passed. The kitchen light alerted me to someone being up.
"Morning," uncle greeted as I stepped in. "Where have you been?"
"Jogging," I breathed, putting the paper on the table as I headed for the stairs. A nice shower was in order.
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"You're cheek alright?" Ron asked that afternoon on the way home from the toy shop.
"I've told it's alright at least a thousand times," I rolled my stinging eyes.
"Only twenty three."
I pulled a Ron and grunted. I was far too tired to actually come up with an adequate response. My insomnia was once again catching up with me. It did not help either that I had gone jogging this morning for the first time in months. The lack of sleep and sudden exercise seemed to have been a bit too much for my already strained system. Three cups of coffee had done little to wake me up throughout the school day and I was amazed I had been able to last this long. Now the comfortably warm truck, smooth road and the gently humming winds were doing wonders to lull me to sleep. It was an all out war to keep my eyes open.
"You can sleep," Ron half grinned at my stubbornness.
"No thank you." I yawned loudly, much to my embarrassment.
The last thing I wanted was to be was completely vulnerable. Not because I did not trust Ron, but I had already shown a great deal of weakness through my crying fit some weeks ago. I felt as if I needed to show him I was at least somewhat strong.
It was an unnecessary thing to do, part of me knew, but perhaps it was my stubborn sleepless side talking. As it were, I would be home in about ten minutes. A nap could wait until then.
Next thing I knew, there was an annoying noise sounding in my head.
Confused, I rolled over and stared at the offensively beeping alarm clock. It was blaring 5:30 at me. Where in the world am I?
Hitting the off button I sat up. One thing was for certain, it was definitely my room. But, how did I get here?
Climbing out of bed I changed into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. Aunt Sarah was already downstairs feeding Annabelle when I descended. She smiled, "Sleep well?"
"I guess," I worked my knotted hair into a ponytail.
"You were dead to the world," she placed more cheerios on Annabelle's highchair. "Ron had to carry you up to bed."
Well, that answered my question. Heat rose to my cheeks. Way to not be vulnerable.
As I jogged around the neighborhood I couldn't help but think about what Aunt Sarah had told me. I couldn't recall ever being hit by the chilly air, never mind having been lifted out of the truck. I must have seriously been out of it. Usually I was a fairly light sleeper, even when sleep deprived.
A flame decaled semi truck drove past as I headed up a hill. Startled, I turned and watch it disappear around the corner. I had seen plenty of trucks in my life, but none of them had ever been painted up like a hotrod.
Shrugging it off as a bizarre advertisement scheme I continued on my way. I had other things to think about, which suddenly reminded me I had a physics test this morning. I groaned. Just want I needed. I had originally planned to study the night away, but that plan backfired rather nicely.
Turning down the next road I headed for home. I would have to cut my jog short for the sake of my grades.
All around me the world was beginning to wake. Birds were beginning to sing and crickets were slowly silencing. Bat flew by, heading back to their dens and the squirrels were just starting to skitter out of theirs.
As my home came into view I slowed to a bewildered walk. That flame painted truck was parked at the curb. Three people stood in my doorway, two I recognized, the other I did not.
"Hey kid," Ron greeted as I came upon the porch.
"Hi," it was a lame response, but given the situation it worked.
"You must be Melry," the anonymous blue-eyed, middle-aged man said with a smile. The sun had not even risen yet, but he was wearing a good old fashioned cowboy hat. All he needed was the mustache and he could have fit the bill. "Pleasure to meet you."
He was a little bizarre, but seemed kind enough. I smiled faintly as I shook his outstretched hand.
"Mel, this is Optimus," my uncle introduced him.
"Ah," I suddenly got it. "The mysterious man has a face." Since Ron had mentioned him two days ago I had been wondering. "Did the twins make it out alive?"
Optimus sighed, "I do apologize for their actions. They have been properly disciplined, but yes, while miserable, they are very much alive."
I rolled my eyes, "people need to stop apologizing for things that couldn't have been helped."
"But-"
"Especially you," I cut Ron off. "You go from grouchy to over protective mother hen in half a nano second. Stop being so fussy. I'm fine. I'm not a porcelain doll."
Uncle Will snorted back a laugh. Optimus was trying to hide a grin behind his hand. Ron was rather bemused, "Mother hen?"
"Yes, all you need is the dress," I nodded approvingly.
He grabbed my hand and leaned in very closely. "Is that so?" His breath smelled like an odd mix of mint and oil.
"Yes," I said slowly and cautiously, leaning as far away from him as my captive arm would allow.
"Oh?" He closed the small gap I had made.
Ron could be a rather intimidating character when he wasn't trying and now that he actually was, I found myself rendered speechless. We just stared at one other. His face was contorted into a mocking grin, mine elongated into a frightful pout.
"Alright you two," Uncle took me by the shoulders and pulled me towards the door. Ron let go of my hand. "We have more important things to talk about, so you go get ready for school."
I ambled through the door. "Nice meeting you," I heard Optimus say. I could not respond before the door closed.
Shaking my head clear I rushed through a shower and sat down to banana milk shake and my physics notes. Despite the need to concentrate I found myself focusing on the image of Ron's face so close to mine rather than the required theorems.
Sighing, I half slammed the notebook shut. This was proving useless.
"Something the matter?" Aunt looked over from where she played with Annabelle.
"No," I shook my head, "I just have a test today."
She smiled, "you'll do fine. You always do."
Perhaps, but I usually did not have a certain man's face clouding my vision.
Putting my glass in the dishwasher I gathered all my books. Hopefully I would be able to get some good studying in before the test. If not, well, I could always pray I passed. I reached out and pulled the front door open.
"But Starscream-" Optimus stopped midsentence, momentarily stunned before smiling warmly. "Hello again."
"Am I interrupting something?" As in, when did stars start screaming, but I would not intrude that much unless given the opening.
"Not at all." Optimus held open the screen door for me.
I stepped out. "Thanks." He nodded.
I had been given a fairly good opening to ask my question, but the concentrated frown on my uncle's face made me think twice. It probably had something to do with their top secret job. No sense getting anyone in trouble. So instead I just said, "Can I have a lift to school?"
"Your legs broken?" Ron joked.
What was with this man this morning? I raised my textbook to swat him, "look you."
He moved out of rage before my book even began their decent. I chased after him until he ducked behind the truck.
"Coward!"
"Who you calling a coward?" Ron reappeared, arms crossed and glaring.
I glared back. "Look who's hiding behind the innocent truck. If I wasn't afraid of denting it instead of your head I'd throw this at you."
"I'd like to see you try," he came back around.
Was he serious? I had actually been joking. Why would I want to hit someone with a twenty pound textbook? I'd probably kill them!
I dropped the book on the ground, hoping to make a truce. Instead it only made him run at me. I barely had time to drop my bag and take two steps before my feet left the ground. My back was pressed against him and his arms were tightly around me. The world spun in circles before coming to a sudden halt with him leaning heavily over me. "Who's the coward now?"
"You." My legs buckled as he leaned in on me more. If it weren't for his hold I would be on the ground.
"Really?" His warm breath tickled my skin.
"Yes."
"Why don't you just admit I am braver than you and spare yourself the humiliation?"
"Never!"
Optimus stepped off the porch, "Alright Iro-"
"Ron!" Uncle Will cut him off rather quickly and loudly. "Let her go."
I wasn't sure I could stand at the moment and Ron must have figured the same thing. He carefully lowered me onto the ground. Optimus was covering his face with his hat. Whatever it was he had intended to say seemed to be bothering him. But as I thought about it, it wasn't the first time I had heard someone falter on Ron's name.
"You alright?" Ron asked.
"hm," I nodded.
Ron untangled himself. I didn't realize just how warm he was until he was no longer pressed against me.
I shivered against the cold.
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Please Review
Aww, "Ron" starting to show another side. What does that mean?
Next chapter preview:
Ron looked away for a moment, then turned back. "There's far more to me than you think."
