Fun fact: This month (June) is Pride month!
WARNING: Slight molestation
Word count: 3,369
Chapter 8
"In The End"
The spirit next to Ree was staring up at the layer of clouds, they were darkening by the hour. But Ree found it nice. It was dark, calming, a refreshing breeze was blowing on her back.
The sun was also beginning to set, making the sky, more of the clouds, varieties of blues.
Jazz was a very friendly figure to Ree, and she realized that everything she had said in her journals was correct.
The Decepticons were truly gone from her sight, for now. It was dangerous around them. She never felt secure.
This time, however, Ree felt safe. It was an odd feeling, seeing that everywhere she went, there was one of the Decepticons. Jazz kept them away for her, even though she now knows they are watching and hearing her thoughts. They all do and use it to their advantage.
Not Jazz. He's friendly, she trusts her past selves, hoping they are true to their word.
"Tha' they are," he turned his head, flashing a toothy grin. Ree eyed him, her lips pulling at the sight of that contagious smile. His grin twitched, becoming wider. Ree subconsciously followed suit, a giggle slipping past her parted lips before gradually becoming a laugh. An actual laugh. Jazz quietly chuckled, no doubt trying to hear the girl's laughter, as was she. It sounded foreign to her, she doesn't recall what her laugh sounded like.
Ree doesn't know if she likes it or not. It was so unusual.
Realizing that people thought she was emotionless hit her hard. Those days of school written in her journals describe no one wanting to be near her, which she assumed was okay, seeing that she didn't particularly like socializing.
But a tidal wave of emotions swarmed in her, hiding that weakness from the outside world.
Those days of Trent mocking her, others joining in, having a hard time with the rest of her day.
It happened, but never seemed to happen... in her memory, she could barely even recall faces, the medicine now wearing off, and the words from her journals that's she's read too many times to count.
The park remained silent, a light drizzle fell onto the ground, becoming heavier by the minute. Ree still liked it. The sound of rain, the smell it rose, the sight, the small droplets of water hitting her skin and drenching her clothes and hair. She stuck her tongue out, catching a drop.
Jazz scrunched his nose, smiling, "Tha's nasty."
The girl shrugged in response.
"Hey," he grabbed her attention, gazing at the sky, "Isn't curfew six?
"Yeah?"
He paused, "Isn't it pas' six?"
It was getting dark, a little early for summer. It was most likely the clouds darkening the sky. Ree looked at him, "Well, what time is it?"
"'ow am I s'pposed t' know?"
She didn't reply, figuring it was a rhetorical question. Continuing to stare at the figure, the girl began thinking.
Was this really what Jazz looked like? How had she let herself forget him? Wasn't exactly her fault, seeing that she has memory loss, and he disappeared for... For...?
"Th' pills ya took pushed me 'way," he finished, a smile, more like a grimace, was plastered on his face.
Time passed on, Ree stared at a puddle as it grew in size. The drops of rain sent it splashing and rippling. A couple of times, the weather became lighter, then heavier. Pounding rain beat down on her and she ended up sitting in the slide, it was completely dry besides a couple stray drops running down the tube. Jazz lounged behind her, watching and poking a droplet of water that sat under him, unmoving.
"Ya sure ya find this 'calmin'?'"
A chuckle slipped past her parted lips, bowing her head so it sat on her knees. Yep.
She loved it.
"-ee?"
"Ree!"
"You hear that?" she peeked out from the slide, finding nothing. She could imagine Jazz nodding, cautiously scanning the area from over her shoulder.
"Ree?"
Furrowing her eyebrows, the girl poked her head into the rain, continuing to look around for the source, "What is that?"
Multiple distant, but loud, voices called out her name, there appeared to be three males trying to find her. The spirit behind her shrugged when she glanced at him, "Prolly pas' six."
"Ree!"
Finally deciding to reply, she shouted out, "Yeah?"
A long period of silence passed before she saw three figures appear from the sidewalk at the end of the park. As she assumed, there were three men. Two she didn't recognize, but the brunet was her cousin.
The latter ran across the park, panting when he stopped in front of her, "We've been looking all over for you!" he looked her up and down, "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did you get trapped here in the rain? C'mon, let's go."
Sam left her confused, unable to answer his questions, as he dragged her towards the police car that pulled up, one of the men apparently had the vehicle parked nearby if he got here so quickly when she just saw him.
Deciding not to question it, Ree obediently sat in the passenger seat of the police cruiser, stiffly sitting in the seat. She was soaked by the rain, and most likely, ruined the upholstery in the NSX.
It was a smooth and quiet drive back, the pitter-patter of the rain on the hood and the hum of the engine being the only noise. Ree glanced at the clock that sat upon the dash, it was half past seven.
The officer glanced at her from his peripheral vision, "What were you doing?"
"Hm?"
"What were you doing in the park?" he repeated, momentarily meeting her eyes before locking on the road.
The girl looked down at her lap, "Thinking."
No response was given besides a hum in acknowledgement.
She continued watching the rain fall onto the windshield, only to be swept away by the windshield wipers. The road was covered in water, puddles dotted here and there. Streams ran down the sides of the curbs, heading into a nearby storm sewage.
"You have school tomorrow," the man said after a turn from a stoplight, "Do you need anything?"
Ree thought for a moment, not really knowing any work she had to do... except... "You good at math?"
He nodded, "You need help?"
This time, she nodded, not sure if he saw it or not. Letting a breathy laugh, she added, "I suck at it."
"It's Prowl, by the way," he said after a second of silence, the man eyed her, "I know you have memory loss."
Pursing her lips, Ree nodded.
When they arrived at the Witwicky house, Prowl stepped out as soon as he parked the police cruiser at the curb. He opened the door for Ree and offered his jacket as they hurriedly walked inside, out of the rain.
The girl was tackled by her bawling Aunt the second she walked in, and the woman began blubbering, "I was so worried!"
"Aunt Judy," Ree said, exasperated. She awkwardly patted the red head's back. A moment passed, and she was still trapped in the tight embrace, "...you- you can let go now, Judy."
Why is she so concerned? The girl watched as she walked out of the room, still babbling on about how she could have been kidnapped or injured. I was just relaxing?
Shrugging it off, Ree made her way upstairs, set on showering and going to bed early.
...
~ o Castle of Shards o ~
...
"Ree, wake up," Sam rattled his fingers on her closed door as he walked past her room. She woke slowly, trudging out of bed and getting ready for school. It would be extremely unfamiliar to her, unfortunately. After listening to her message, she glanced at her shelf full of journals, I could read about it?
Grabbing a red leather book, she looked at the date. It was written before school. Shaking her head, Ree placed it back on the shelf. Where's the most recent? Turning, her eyes scanned the room, landing on her bag, in there?
The girl dug through her school backpack, finding a Baron Fig journal, quickly checking the date. This is it, she made a mental note to read it during breakfast and on the way to school as she placed it on her dresser.
Ree slipped on a navy blue turtleneck with white jeans, wearing her Vans once again. She grabbed her journal, tucked it under her arm and brought it with her out the bedroom door.
Heading to the bathroom, Ree noticed Jazz tailing her. He set himself just outside the door, leaning against the wall. It was the most he could do for privacy.
Ree stood, pulling up her pants and stopping to look at herself in the mirror as she washed her hands.
High cheekbones from the American-Indian parts of her family, American eyes. Most of her traits came from her father's side, who had a variety of genes from many areas.
In certain light, the central heterochromia in her eyes was visible. A ring of brown, hazel, then green.
Sighing, she looked away from the mirror. Once she was done with her business, the girl headed downstairs.
Ree sat at the table, breakfast in one hand and her journal in the other. Her eyes were glued onto the words, letting them sink in every time she turned to take a bite of her bagel. Her family eyed her, not used to this sudden change in behavior. Ever since she began taking the pills, her appetite was continuously lost and she was usually solitary. Now, after her walk to the park, she appeared more... content. Her face wasn't sallow anymore.
The girl glanced to Jazz, who offered a wide smile. She blinked and returned to her book. The Witwickys' eyes followed hers, but saw nothing. Finally noticing their reaction, Ree moved her journal down, "What?"
"Nuttin'," Sam shook his head, ducking to take another bite of his own breakfast, filling his already full mouth even more.
Ree's eyes found the journal again, skimming over the words and remembering each one. School seemed like hell, the way it was described by her past selves. There were many downsides to Tranquility High, including being around many people and being around a... bully? A jock? Trent DeMarco? Who was this guy? Ree furrowed her eyebrows, why had I let myself get bullied?
"What's up, Ree?" Uncle Ron grabbed her attention, looking at her over his morning newspaper.
The girl shook her head, "Just something confusing I wrote," she nibbled at her bagel, "I'll figure it out."
"Anything we can clear up?" Ree shook her head. She looked back down, eyes pasted on the words but not reading, feeling Ron's gaze still on her, "Alright, well, just ask us if you need it."
Understanding, the girl nodded, finishing up her breakfast and going upstairs to get ready for school, which she was already dreading.
Jazz followed her, as usual, and settled at the window, set on watching whatever was outside. Ree stared at him as she stripped herself of her baggy shirt, it was pointless to try and hide herself from a spirit that knows every thought of hers. Attempting to distract herself from that, she tried for a conversation, "You going to help me with school?"
"O' course, baby girl," he chirped, head turned away still as an attempt to give privacy, "I c'n help ya."
She nodded, slipping on a green shirt after discarding the previous one. Then stepped out of her sweatpants and tugged up a pair of dark jeans. Grabbing a belt, she wrapped it around her waist and set it on the second tightest setting, being relatively slim; minimal curves.
"Ya left ya journal at th' table," he reminded, watching as she slipped on her Vans and grabbed her backpack.
Only to stop when a flashing light lit up her room, returning to the blue tone it once was.
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, four Mississip-
A deep rumbling shook the house.
The harsh pitter-patter of rain picked up, beating against the roof, wind rattled the window. Ree smiled, her pearly white teeth peeking out from her lips, it was still raining from yesterday.
"Whoa!" Jazz exclaimed, his smile wider, "I didn' know ya coul' smile tha' big!"
The girl ducked her head, still grinning like an idiot.
The spirit stepped forward, his finger ghosting under her chin to lift it, "Ya should smile more oft'n, baby girl."
Shaking her head, Ree adjusted the strap on her shoulder, bag suddenly heavy, "No, no, no. I-I don't..."
Words couldn't form as Jazz stepped forward and placed a hand on her cheek. Stifling a flinch, remembering Megatron's molestations, she leaned into the "touch." His thumb caressed her skin, "Yeah, ya do."
Fortunately, he knew what she wanted to say. Words didn't need to be said.
Another flash of lightning and the rumble of thunder rolled by.
She loves the thunder because it is the only thing that blocks out all the voices in her head.
...Wait.
Voices?
Come to think of it, there was something, or someone, whispering in her head. Multiple voices that brought a ringing when silenced, besides the thunder.
Furrowing her eyebrows, she looked to Jazz for an explanation. He gave no response, at all. The spirit was sitting by the window once again, watching the water droplets run down, and occasionally moving backwards as a flinch in response to lightning.
He knew that she knew that he knew what she knew about the voices.
Ree blinked, that was very confusing.
Picking up the other strap on her backpack, the girl walked out her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
She ran downstairs and walked past the kitchen table, grabbing her Baron Fig journal and hugging it to her chest inside her jacket.
Sam held out a large red umbrella for her, which she took gratefully and set it on her shoulder, making sure it covered her bag.
It was a relatively long drive to school, seeing that the rain slowed them down. Traffic surrounded the school, Ree offered from the backseat to step out where they were and walk to save Uncle Ron the trouble. He denied and continued to wait, the car's engine idling as traffic ceased to move.
The pounding rain lessened by the time they reached the front of the school, the sky was still darkened by the thick layer of clouds
Ree frowned at the rain and the crowd of teens rushing to get inside the high school. Sam eyed her out of his peripheral vision, then opened the car door and stepped out, quickly opening his umbrella and turning back to the car to move the seat forward so the girl could get out.
Immediately, she opened her umbrella as well and chased after Sam, who took off to the school once she closed the car door.
The pounding rain was muffled when they entered the building, faint rumbles of thunder just barely audible over the chatter of students who roamed the halls before class. Ree glanced over her shoulder at Jazz, who smiled and avoided being bumped into. ...Not that anyone could really touch him. They can push him all they want.
The spirit playfully scowled at the girl's thoughts, "Tha' ain't nice."
Ree scoffed in return, gaining an odd look from another student, it's true and you know it.
After making her way through the overly crowded hallways, Ree was given directions to her first class with the guidance of Jazz.
During that class, the girl found herself uncontrollably zoning out, pondering on questions unanswered.
Who was Jazz?
Was he just some figment of her imagination, or was he an actual person? Dead to the world? Was he real? How long had he been dead?
And why was he here? In her mind, where no one else can see him. Deeming her crazy because of her ability to see the unseen.
Was Ree really the only one who could see these spirits?
Jazz didn't answer any of her questions.
Instead, he lingered behind her. A hidden scowl on his visage, face remaining passive as he covered his true thoughts. No response was given to her when she glanced at him, besides a momentary flick to her with his vibrant blue eyes.
He was quiet for the rest of the morning.
Ree sat at a table by herself, farthest picnic bench outside, hidden under the cool shade of a tree. It was closest to the parking lot, where Sam's Camaro sat parke-
Wait, how did his Camaro get here? Ron carpooled them to school. Maybe... a friend drove it here? A face immediately flashed in her mind; a boy with blond hair, blue eyes. Yellow and black clothing, that matched the Camaro's paintjob. Much to her disappointment, no name was attached.
Speaking of the Chevy, it sent off an odd aura, despite being on the far side of the parking lot. It felt like it was staring; watching Ree as she sat at the table, reading and writing in her journal.
The girl was in such deep thought, she didn't realize someone else had sat down next to her. A little too close for her comfort levels. The proximity immediately told her it wasn't Sam or anyone she knew. A different smell greeted her; cologne. His shoulder brushed against hers, making Ree stiffen with unease settling in her stomach.
Uncomfortable, she shifted away from this person. Not bothering to look to know who it was. Not that she'd know...
An arm was slung over her shoulders, and her mind snapped into defense, screaming at her; danger, danger, danger!
"Hey," Choosing to look, Ree found some man she didn't know. A senior jock, by the looks of it. Wait... she's heard that term used before by her past selves. Her eyes widened in alarm, this was Trent DeMarco. He flashed a smile, "What do you say you and I hop into the backseat of my Hummer, and I'll bring you places?"
Disgusted by the suggestion, Ree shook his arm off and turned back to her journal, calmly keeping her composure and showing clear distaste, "Not interested."
"Aw, come on, babe," he pressed. Leaning closer to her, his smile widened, "I just wanna have some fun!"
Irritation burning through her, the girl slowly placed her hand right on his face and pushed it away from her, "No thanks."
He seemed to be getting impatient too, standing and slamming his hand down on the wooden picnic table, "When I say I want something..." he moved closer to her face, trying to appear intimidating, "...I get it. So, why don't you just lie down on your back for me and spread those pretty little legs."
At the mention of them, Ree moved her legs together. She closed her journal now that her attention was set on the cocky jock, "And why would I do that?"
"Because, every girl here wants a chance with me. Don't you?" he leaned forward, making her move back. Trent's smile widened, continuing to inch closer until Ree was leaning way back. He slammed his hands down onto her shoulders, effectively slamming her down onto the bench and pinning her there.
Ree gasped in panic, trying to get out of his grip. Her mind traveled to one of the spirits... Megatron. He always did this. He always did this to her.
But only he did. Only he can.
The Decepticon was just a spirit. Trent was a living human.
"No!" She cried out when Trent had climbed over her. Ree had tried to end this calmly, but she was losing quickly, "Stop!"
The whispering voices in her head grew louder, her breathing became heavier, heart pounded. Her throat was constricting, tears springing up in her eyes.
Jazz growled behind her.
