Carly's POV;

I sat in Cliff's car. Looking out the window, staring at the ever-changing landscape. I would change from city, to forest, to mountainous cliffs.

"Hey, Cliff?" I asked suddenly, but he only glanced over at me, a curious look on his face.

"Yeah?"

"Why did Lyra call you 'Cliffjumper'?"

"Oh!" he sight flinching slightly, but he quickly recovered. "It's stupid really, I nicknamed my car jumper, and I've known Lyra for a while, so she was there when I first made the nickname, so she never stopped bugging me about it." he said laughing.

"Wow. You must have been so cool when you first bought your car." I smirked laughing with him.

"Hey! I would be offended, but you're actually smiling. So I'll forgive you for that." he said hitting my arm lightly.

"So, where are we going?"

"To the beach."

"Did you tell Lyra that was your plan?"

"No, why?"

"No reason." I mumbled shifting uncomfortably in my seat. Trying to convince myself that Lyra was just trying to keep me prepared for anything.

"Okay." he laughed. "Well, this place is a few miles away yet. But it's the best beach that I've ever been too. I think you'll really like it." he smirked when he saw me raise my eyebrows. "I know, I know, I don't know you that well yet, but I don't there is anyone who couldn't like the beach. Well, anyone except Skyrunner." He said trailing off.

"Uh, who?"

"Sky! Sorry, that was her nickname because she was the fastest on the track team!"

"O-o-okay."

I soon started to feel over come in fatigue, but we weren't even at the beach yet. I leaned my head on the back of the seat. Slowly closing my eyes and letting sleep over take me.

Cliffjumper's POV;

I couldn't help but stare as she slept. I know that may sound creepy, but it brought a smile to my face to see her so peaceful. Her hair framed her face perfectly, and she looked like a normal kid.

That was when I knew I would protect her, always. Nothing would ever hurt her. No man, or Con. She was under my protection.

I pulled the car into the parking lot and shut off the engine.

Her blue eyes fluttered open, and her cheeks turned bright red when she realized I was looking. She brushed her bangs out of her face, and help her hand there to cover her face for a few extra seconds.

"We're here!" I laughed.

"Yeah. It looks beautiful here."

"Not as beautiful as you."

I felt a satisfied grin spread across my face when the red on her cheeks deepened.

"Come on. Let's go get some food." I said stepping out of the car. I reached her door before she had a opportunity to open it, then held open for her.

"Thanks."

"So what would you like to eat?"

"Uh, I'm actually not really hungry at the moment."

"Okay, then let's go for a swim or something. What would you like to do?"

"A swim sounds nice." she admitted shrugging. She was either playing hard to get, or she was genuinely uncomfortable, I'm going to go with the first one.

Carly's POV;

I didn't like the way Cliff was watching me. I didn't like anyone looking at me for longer than a few moments. I was already out of my comfort zone thanks to Lyra…

"So did you bring a swim suit." Cliff asked bringing me back to reality. He had just pulled off his shirt reviling his six pack. His amazing six pack.

'Look at his face, not hit chest. LOOK AT HIS FACE CARLY!' And of course like an idiot, my head did not obey.

"See something you like down there?" Cliff said teasingly.

"I was not looking at your-oh screw it. I'm going to go change." I said walking towards the change room. When I realized, I would much rather go swimming in what a was wearing right now, instead of the bikini.

I stood there, a few feet away from Cliff for a few moments, taking in the scenery around me. The sunlight reflecting off the water like diamonds. It was so beautiful. So peaceful. I almost wished I could melt into the water, and be safe. Free from pain and hurt.

I closed my eyes just letting the wind blow my hair out of my face. I couldn't help but remember one of the few times I went to the beach with my dad.

We sat on a small towel watching the setting sun, listening to the gulls, and the waves, and just enjoying each other's company. No words, just comfortable silence. We didn't need to say anything. We just needed to be together.

"Hey." Cliff said, pulling me out of the memory. "Are you okay?"

"No."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"Distract me. Make me forget that I have no one waiting for me at home besides Lyra. Make me forget my dad's dead."

"I can try. But it's only going to work if you go along with me one hundred percent."

"I can do that."

"Okay, so go change."

"But I'm wearing a bikini."

"Is this really your hundred percent?"

"Fine. But you aren't allowed to judge me!" I said walking off to the change rooms again.

"One hundred percent!" he yelled after me. I turned my head and stuck my tongue out at him.

Cliffjumper's POV;

I had to do a double take when I saw Carly come out in a floral bikini. Don't get me wrong, it looked great, but I could tell how self-conscience she felt about it. So I decided to do the right thing, make her feel even more uncomfortable.

"Don't worry, Carly, everyone is starring at you."

"Thanks, thanks a lot." she said throwing a light punch at my arm. "So what now?"

"Now we get in the water!" I laughed scooping her up in my arms and running to the water.

"CIIFF!" she yelled grabbing my neck. "PUT ME DOWN!"

"Not until we're in deeper!"

I ran a few feet before completely flinging her ahead of me.

"CLIFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF " she screeched and she hit the water.

I swam over to where she was now sputtering and treading water.

"I'm going to end you!" she said pushing me away.

"What happened to the hundred percent."

"Screw that! Find me a water gun or something! You know what, I'll just do this." She said splashing water in my face.

"Did you really just splash me?" I asked, with a mock shocked face.

"Yes I did." she said splashing me again.

"Okay, you're asking for it!" I said grasping her wrist and pulling her close.

"No! You deserved it! I'm sorry!" she laughed. A read genuine laugh. It sounded amazing.

"Oh no! It's too late!" I laughed picked her up, and throwing her back in the water.

"CLIFF!" she snapped when she resurface, tackling me underwater.

It went like that for hours. Just playing in the water. Like we were sparklings. Or I think organics call it children. Or was it kids? Whatever.

I would splash her, she would splash me, I would through her, then we would wrestle. Repeat. I actually had a lot more fun than I had in a while. It was really nice. I missed this.

Carly's POV;

After a few hours of playing in the water under the summer sun, like a pair of idiots, I was finally starting to feel hungry. I tried to ignore it, but then my stomach started to rumble rather loudly.

"What was that?" Cliff laughed. "A boat engine?"

"Ha! Ha! Very funny, it was only my stomach."

"That was your stomach!"

"Yeah. I guess I am starting to get a little hungry."

"Then let's go eat. What do you want, a hot dog or burger."

"A burger would be nice."

"You don't like hot dogs?"

"Not so much."

"Then burgers it is! And you can't deny it's a date this time! I picked you up and everything!"

"Whatever you say, just as long as I get some food."

"Here, climb aboard, I'll give you a piggy back ride to shore."

"You won't fling me into the water?"

"Wasn't planning on it."

"Okay then!"

As soon as I climbed aboard, Cliff started walking leisurely to the shore. As though he had all the time in the world. I guess for at least today he could.

This was when I started to realize that I knew nothing about this boy.

"Hey Cliff?"

"Yeah?"

"What's your family like?"

"That's a good question. Optimus is like the father of the group. He keeps us all on task, makes sure none of us step out of line. He does a good job too. Everyone respects him. He's like the dad I never had. He never has time for me and everything!" he laughed. "Rach is like the mother of the group. But he's a dude." he paused for a moment, "Uh, if you ever meet him, promise you won't tell him I just told you that."

"I promise."

"Arcee is my partner in crime. We always hang out. She's my best friend. And if she makes an appearance tonight, just remember I tried to tell her to wait, and to meet you later. But she doesn't always listen to me."

"Should I be worried about meeting her?"

"Yes and no."

"That makes it so much clearer." I said sarcastically.

"Bulk is like the typical younger sibling. He's always trying to prove himself, but screwing up in the process. But he's got a heart of gold. And lastly there's Bee. The over achiever. The one who is always ready to bail you out of trouble. They are all amazing…people."

"Sounds like you all are close"

"We are, we really are. I can't wait for you to meet them all."

"Me too, sort of." I admitted.

"Sort of! Come one! Those guys are my best friends! Why are you hesitant?"

"Well, what if they don't like me?"

"Don't worry! They'll love you! Garneted."

"I'll hold you too that."

He set me down on the dry sand shore. I wriggled my toes in the sand, waiting for him to say more about his family. But he didn't seem to have anything else to say.

"So do you want a regular burger, or a cheeseburger?"

"Cheeseburger!"

"Why am I not surprised?" he smirked.

Sorry to end it here, but you'll all be able to see how the date ends next time!

I just want to say thank you to everyone for their continual support towards Superman!

~Haiden