Okay, here's the next chapter! I'm so sorry for the late update! I've been so busy with finals, I got sick, and everything was happening so fast that I couldn't keep up. This semester was like a blur. Anyway, don't forget to check out my YouTube channel! I've uploaded some pretty cool videos, including a music video for this story! ^^ My YouTube name is soulsight3.
Friday came by quicker than I had wanted to, much to my displeasure. Normally I would be jumping for joy for the upcoming weekend, but today I would be going back to school…under close supervision. No matter how much I pleaded with Ratchet and Optimus, their words were final. Shit. This means I have to continue with my detention. They had somehow managed to persuade Cravers to take it easy on me, so now I just have to pick up where I left off.
It was decided that while I was at school, I would have one of the Autobot's holoforms with me disguised as a student to keep an eye on me. I already told them that I would be fine, but Ratchet, Sunny, and Barricade had refused. This ended up in an argument between Sunny and Barricade as to who would be my 'student guardian'. Honestly, I didn't really care.
"She's my spark-mate, I'm going to watch her." Sunstreaker growled. I'm standing there with my back-pack, waiting with a bored expression for this to be resolved. Seriously, this has been going on for hours and I'm sick of it.
"Oh really, how do we know you just won't take off again? My alt mode is less noticeable than your gaudy sports car, so I will take her." Barricade snapped. I had to admit, they were both pretty determined.
"So is a cop following her around school all day!" Sunstreaker snapped.
"How about you both go?" I suggested, already fed up with this back and forth thing. Ratchet shook his head, obviously tired too.
"No, it'd be too obvious."
I crossed my arms, preparing to give up. "Well, can we hurry this up. I'm going to be late and Ratchet still won't give me my board back."
"I can take her." Bumblebee piped up.
"See? There we go, now come on." I said, heading out. Bumblebee was about to follow when Optimus stopped him.
"I'm sorry Sam, but Bumblebee has a scouting mission and will not be able to watch you."
"Aw man!" I shouted in defeat. I give up!
"Hey, I'll take her." Sideswipe volunteered.
"No way, I'm going to take her." Sunstreaker argued.
"Bro, calm down. You can check in anytime through our bond links. You know you can trust me." Sunstreaker still seemed unsure, but eventually back off and Sideswipe transformed.
We were about half way to school when I decided to break the silence.
"Man, I am so sick and tired of those two constantly fighting over this whole guardianship thing. It's giving me a headache."
Sideswipe chuckled through the radio. "I know what you mean, kid. Don't worry, it just means that they both really care about you. Besides, I think it's about time you and me got to spend a little quality time together."
I smiled. "Yeah, but I didn't think you'd want to do it at school." We both laughed. Before I knew it, we had arrived at school. I groaned when I saw Mr. Cravers standing at the entrance, ushering students inside. I looked over to Sides.
"Um, I'm not feeling very well. I think I have a fever, can't we just go home?"
"Nice try, Sam. My scans say you're as normal as humanly possible. Come on, I'll be right there suffering with you." he smiled. I punched him lightly in the shoulder.
"Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better." I growled. I climbed out and Sideswipe's holoform followed. We walked up to the building of death to the awaiting hell's gate keeper.
"Welcome back, Miss Cross. I assume you are well-rested and feeling much better. Your guardian informed me of the reason for your absence and I have allowed your temporary absence without it affecting your record."
I had to admit, I wasn't expecting this side of Cravers. I had expected him to sneer, saying that he looked forward to seeing me again next year.
"Cool, thanks. Oh, this is-" I was about to introduce Sideswipe when Cravers beat me to it.
"Sideswipe. Your guardian also informed me of his stay here. I have to say, your name is quite interesting. What kind of name is Sideswipe?" I felt beads of sweat drip down my face. Shit, we're caught now.
"It's a military codename. Releasing my real name could be a hazard to myself, Sam, and everyone here." Sideswipe replied with ease. I looked at him, amazed. Wow, he didn't even have to lie.
"I see, well, shouldn't be dilly-dallying all day. Get to class."
Oh well, at least with Sides here
/Back At Base/
"What the Pit, why'd you let Sideswipe take her?" Barricade snapped at Ratchet.
"You got a problem with my brother taking care of my spark-mate?" Sunstreaker challenged.
"Oh please, you weren't too thrilled about the idea either. And if he's anything like you, then of course I have a problem with it!"
"Enough." Optimus' calm, yet booming, voice brought silence among the feuding guardians. "All of this senseless arguing has to end."
"Optimus is right." Ratchet said. "There is no way Sam can be protected if her two guardians spend most of the time trying to kill each other."
They were both hesitant, but knew Ratchet had a point.
"Especially you, Sunstreaker." Ratchet glared at said mech, who looked away. "Primus knows how I feel about your spark-bonding with her. But I am putting those feelings aside for her sake. The girl can't take anymore pain in her life." he mumbled the last part to himself, then looked back to Sunny. "I thought you would have at least tried harder for her to get along with Barricade, especially since he saved her life. Are your grudges against him more important than her?" he snapped. Sunstreaker flinched. He knew Ratchet was right.
Ratchet, seeing he has gotten his point across to him, backed off. "That's what I thought. Barricade." Said mech looked to the medic. "You will be escorting Sideswipe and Sam back to base after her classes let out. She had detention today, so she'll be out later." Barricade nodded.
As much as Sunstreaker wanted to protest, he stayed quiet.
/At School/
"Sideswipe, will you please stop! You're going to get me in more trouble than I already am!" I whisper shouted to him. We were currently in the middle of class, my teacher was of in his own little world with a lecture, and was completely oblivious to the fact that Sideswipe was playing with the textbook. Already today he's gotten me yelled at by the teacher for being a classroom distraction (he sat behind me and tickled me, so I jumped up and squeaked), got me in trouble with the custodian for starting a food fight, and apparently didn't know the difference between the boy's bathroom and the girl's bathroom…yea, that one was fun explaining to Mr. Cravers…
"Oh come on Sam. It's not like they'll give you detention. You already have that. You can't get into more trouble."
"Yea, it's called suspension and expulsion. I'd rather have neither." I snapped lowly, occasionally looking up to make sure the teacher wasn't watching. When the coast was clear, I glared back at him.
"You should really loosen up, chica. And since when did you start caring about school anyways?" he raised an eyebrow.
"You think I enjoy being here? No, I just don't want Hatchet to have another excuse for the homeschool method! You ever try sitting through one of his lectures about math or biology? It's worse than here!" I shivered when I suddenly remembered Ratchet's Cybertronian teaching methods about Earth subjects. The math was far more complex than any superhuman brain can figure out, and I learned about giant robot anatomy in biology…
Yea, I'd rather get away with sleeping in class…
"True, so just make an excuse to go to the bathroom or something. I'll meet you out there."
"Are you kidding me? There's no way he'll fall for that!"
"Miss Cross, you wouldn't happen to know the answer now, would you?"
"Shit." I silently cursed. I looked over to my teacher and found him, as well as every eye in the classroom, focussed on me. I looked on the board where he had written a complicated factoring problem. Oh how I hate math.
"Um, actually, I really have to use the restroom." My face heated when a few people started to snicker. The teacher sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Fine," he reached into his desk and pulled out a hall pass, "but hurry up. You can't afford to miss this lesson."
"Yes sir," I grabbed the pass, "thanks!" and I bolted out the door. I walked down the hall to the bathroom. Might as well make the best of the situation. I entered, sighing in relief when there was no one there.
I walked up to the mirror and just stared at myself. Most of the bruising had gone away. There were still faint marks in my neck and sides, but not too noticeable. A tapping on the window made me jump and I cautiously went towards the bathroom window. I looked around but didn't see anyone. I opened the window to get a better view. Sideswipe suddenly popped out of the bushes under the window, scaring me and making me fall backwards.
"Ow, what the hell Sides?" I snapped.
"Sorry, sorry! My bad!" he apologized as he climbed through the window to help me up.
"Well, you got me out of class, so what did you want that was so important?" I glared at him, but grew nervous with the hardened look on his face.
"Starscream was just reported flying around the city. Some of the bots, including Sunny and Barricade are staying behind at the base waiting for us to return. They both wanted me to bring you back, but you'll be just as safe here as anywhere. If we start moving now, Starscream will track us and you'll be at risk."
That was not what I was expecting to hear from him. Why would Starscream come after me? Unless…
"Has Sideways been found yet?" I already knew the answer with the way Sides visibly tensed.
"No, we haven't found a single trace. I don't know how he managed to sneak out under the radar, considering his injuries, but we'll find him. Don't worry." I thought some more.
"Do you think there's a possibility that he may have gotten some help?"
"From Starscream?" he asked incredulously, then shook his head. "Doubt it. Starscream isn't one for helping others, and he and Sideways have quite a history of fighting for dominance."
That's right! I remember! Both Starscream and Sideways wanted to overthrow Megatron to become leaders of the Decepticons. But Starscream ratted Sideways out and he was exiled."
Sides nodded. "And even if there was the slight possibility of them tag-teaming, why would Starscream be after you? As far as he's concerned, you're no real threat. He doesn't see you the way Sideways does. It just wouldn't make sense."
"Unless there was something for him to benefit from." I pointed out.
Sides seemed to be deep in thought, considering any possibilities. "That may be, but what could he possibly benefit from that would possibly…" he stopped mid sentence, his eyes growing wide.
My eyes grew as well. I knew exactly what he was thinking. Why the hell didn't I see it before? It was so obvious!
"Barricade!" we both shouted.