Chapter 12: Knight in Shining Armor
It was another normal day. I was picking up Ren at school and I was waiting for her for a long time yet again. It was a nice sunny day and the breeze rushed the trees I was parked under. I figured that she had gotten caught on her phone again in class and I was trying to wait patiently for her to come out. But soon, one by one, parent began leaving. Even the others left with their charges.
Something had to be up. I activate my holoform and I step out of the drivers side, walking around the front of my alt mode and into the grass. I made my way up the steps and I opened the door.
So this is the human's school? It was cramped, smelly, and dirty. I made my way down the hall lined with lockers, following my gut about where Ren was. She had to be around here somewhere. It wasn't as if she disappeared in a puff of smoke.
I was passing a class when I heard furniture scraping against the floor. I stopped and I crack the door open curious. It was a good thing too.
I bust through the door, finding Ren and the teacher in a very compromising position. Ren's cheeks were tearstained and her hands were desperately trying to push the man, her teacher, away. I move forward, pulling her away from him and to my chest.
"The administrator will be hearing about this. Come on Ren." I say, my arm wrapped around her shoulders. I snatch her phone off of his desk and we walk out, Ren crying softly into my chest.
Slagger. Instructors are supposed to care and guide their students. Not make them afraid and violate them.
On the way out, she was clinging to me desperately. She tangled our fingers together and held onto my arm as we make our way to my alt. She was hiccuping and her brown eyes were widened with shock and fear. I put her on the passenger side before I got in the driver's side. I grasp her head in my hands and I turn her neck to face me.
Her eyes were red and puffy. Her cheeks were tearstained and you could see the fear on her features. Her hands trembled in her lap and she was desperate to cover herself.
"Ren, you're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you. I'm your guardian." I tell her comfortingly.
"He-he tried to..." She couldn't even finish her sentence. I pulled her onto the center console and into a tight hug. She wrapped her arms around my neck, holding me as if I were a lifeline. I held her waist and petted her soft hair.
I found her pressed against his desk, him cornering Ren. He had himself flush against her and I felt rage flow through my veins. How dare he touch Ren?
Humans are vile creatures. How could one do that to their own kind? It was disgusting. Poor Ren got to see something so horrible first-hand and I felt guilt sink into my spark that I hadn't been there sooner.
"You're safe now." I kept telling her.
"I-if it weren't for you, he probably w-would have raped me." She sobbed into my neck, hiccuping. "Thank you Smokes-screen." She cried.
"You're welcome partner." I say softly into her ear.
I could hardly sleep that night, dreading the next day of school. I hugged my pillows, pretending that they were Smokescreen. How could I possibly thank him? He saved my innocence.
Smokescreen was my savior, my guardian, my partner, and my best friend. I needed to do something for him. I know that we hadn't know each other that long, so it'd be difficult for me to figure out something he'd want or want to do or see. Him being the gentleman, he always wanted to talk about me. Don't get me wrong, he loved the sound of his own voice, but he was always wanting to know more.
I sat up in bed, knowing that I got all the sleep I was going to get tonight. I glanced over at Matt who's gaming device was hanging in his limp hand. I thought about going to grab it and play it, but I didn't want to risk waking him. I needed some alone time. Or Smokescreen. Or Miko.
I didn't even tell Miko what happened! I wanted to call her. I needed to, but I didn't want to wake her up. I just needed something to distract myself. I grabbed a book out of my backpack and I started reading it. I could hardly focus on it, because I was getting drowsy and because I couldn't stop thinking about Smokescreen.
I wanted to call him. I wanted him to lull me to sleep with his soft voice and I wanted him to hold me. I had a crush on my guardian. Especially after he saved me from the math teacher.
Smokescreen could always make me laugh. That's the first thing that attracted me. Then, it was his eyes. The color and depth were enchanting. He was also protective. It made me feel wanted and important. Then, when I saw his holoform, it made it seem possible.
But, he was also an alien. He was fighting a war and he had his duties. I needed to set boundaries with him. I couldn't let myself get too attached because he could be killed in battle or they would win the war and go back to Cybertron.
But, nonetheless, I was going to have to do something for my knight in shining armor in return.