All content relating to transformers franchise belongs to the respective creators, all content not in any way relating however belongs to me unless said otherwise.
I would like to thank those who followed, I really wasn't expecting anyone to do that or even comment for that matter. Seriously though it really means a lot to know anyone is interested in this :)
Anyways, welcome to chapter two, now with end comments!
-Shutter-
Let it never be said Jackie did not appreciate a good looking automobile, in fact a car can make a lovely photo model given the right lighting. But after spending three days trying to make a certain red vehicle disappear from the background of a particular picture, she never wanted to see anything with wheels again. Well maybe only brightly painted ones, couldn't very well just walk everywhere.
It looked so much smaller on the camera screen, she internally whined. Jaclyn could do many things with a photo, from small changes like getting rid of a pimple all the way to swapping faces. However, she always had difficulties with large objects on anything that wasn't a solid color, something would always go wrong be it minor or complete disaster. Photo manipulation problems aside, every other aspect of the photo was being much more compliant barely needing any attention at all. While a good thing in most cases, all it meant right now every bit of her attention was fixated on one thing.
"Still working on it?" an elbow bumped lightly onto the back of her head, taking with it the mounting frustration filling Jaclyn's head. She didn't need to turn around to know Alaina was holding something, most likely a box, in her hands. It was only a day before her older sister would be on a plane and far, far away.
Letting a faint huff pass her lips, Jaclyn leaned back into the chair causing squeaks and whines as it bent backwards, "If by working you mean looking online and trying to find tutorials, then yes, I am working." Sarcasm ran freely with her words, leftovers from subdued thoughts of vengeance. Alaina's presence always had the temporary effect of numbing any anger or mild irritation, sometimes by replacing it with new annoyance provided by Alaina herself. What were sisters for if not to get on each other's nerves on one occasion and make nice another?
"I see" came a quiet response resulting in a few passing moments of silence as Alaina undoubtedly studied the screen, "It looks great. Seriously you should print it, I know I want a copy" the last bit being added in with a slightly rougher elbowing to the head. "By the way, Dad says to get off the computer and help out with loading the van. So-" suddenly a large and heavy brown squared dropped into Jaclyn's lap causing her to squeak "-You'll need this. See you down stairs!" Jaclyn could hear Alaina quickly flee the room. With little effort she lifted the box and deposited on the desk allowing her to tend to the throbbing legs, this is why you don't lock older sisters outside when a storm is rolling in. There is never enough pay back.
Carefully she eased off the chair rubbing her poor abused limbs once more before grabbing hold of the box. Her room, just like the rest of the house, was small and completely unique to the rest of the building. For example, her room was the only one that had a neon green carpet, a choice she made at the age of five because green was her favorite color for the week. It wouldn't have been so awful looking if not for the fact it was paired with equally bright blue walls and black roof; little five year old Jaclyn wanted it to be like outside, the roof even had glow-in-the-dark stars on it just for realism. It looked horrid beyond reason, but Jaclyn never felt like changing it.
She sighed slowly shaking her head as she made her way out and to the stairs, the bright orange stairs. No one could ever claim the house lacked color, maybe coordination, but never color.
The living room was probably the only normal looking part of the house, well as normal as it could get with mismatched furniture. At least the walls were normal, white like lilies, curtesy of the last owners who had better decision making skills. Jaclyn stepped off the stairs walking towards the kitchen, which was right next to the hall that led outside making it very possible to use the kitchen to also get to the hall.
"Good morning" gravelly, just enough to sound deep but not enough to sound coarse. Sitting at the kitchen table was her father holding a cup, most likely filled with coffee seeing as it was… sometime after 7 am, and 7 am always equals coffee or tea time.
"Morning" her brows scrunched up as a thought came, "Why aren't you helping?"
He took a sip before responding, but Jaclyn could tell there was a smile hidden behind that mug he held. "Coffee break"
A hard forced laugh escaped ending with a flat look "I thought we were all helping"
"I have helped, now it's your turn" her dad was a very nice person, but he usually didn't elaborate on much, straight to the point was always his preferred way of communication. Jaclyn took a step forward figuring the conversation was over only a cough stopped her making her look back to the table. "After you're done I want you to spend some time outside instead of sulking in your room." He took another sip, a bit longer this time.
"I'm not sulking, I've just been working on this picture" Jaclyn frowned, more out of confusion then anger or even annoyance. Why does he think I'm sulking?
"Either way, get some fresh air" this time he turned locking his own deep near black eyes to her icy blue eyes, this was the end of the conversation. Jaclyn started back on her path to the front door confusion growing more and more.
Jaclyn once more cleaned off the lens of her precious camera for the seventh time, dodging the occasional passerby while doing so. Unlike most times she was alone, not by choice, her sister had to still had to double check everything and attend to other matters. Meaning Jaclyn was left with her thoughts which were only focused one two things. First the red car, which she had taken out a personal vendetta for all the frustration the past days. Second was her father's claim that she had been sulking, which she was not, mad yes, but certainly not sulking.
Why would she? Sure she loved Alaina, sure they had barely been apart since before she could remember, and though she didn't really have that many friends it wasn't the end of the world. Alaina would still be able to talk to her, video screens could be just as good as normal conversations. But it would mean they couldn't go out and walk around like before, Alaina would be on the other side of Canada…
No! Stop that, you're not sulking about this. She shook her head furiously trying to remove the thoughts. She hadn't been thinking about it before, but now that Dad mentioned it all the sudden she couldn't stop thinking about it. That was the truth, Jaclyn hadn't been thinking about her sister going off to college and how that would change things. Now the thought was spreading like a virus, and it wouldn't just leave.
"Oh sorry" she quickly apologized to a man who she had just bumped into, he didn't seem to pay much attention though and just continued on. Jaclyn sighed continuing on to her destination, hopefully she would be able to calm her thoughts there. She was going to one of her favorite places, the park. Even with the horrible weather the park offered all sorts of photo opportunities, and that is exactly what she needed right now, a distraction.
The park in question wasn't very large compared to most others, but what it lacked in size it made up for in beauty. There were so many flowers and trees and places that were perfect for just sitting down and relaxing while watching the birds jump from branch to branch. More importantly it never got large crowds making the place usually very serene, not that it had anything to do with the quality. This particular park had a very tiny parking lot only big enough for ten cars to fit, so generally no one ever used it.
Jaclyn didn't notice that she had already started walking into the lot, still furiously cleaning her camera to notice. Despite this her mind was subconsciously taking her though the steps for her, which entailed walking through some of the usually empty parking spots. However this time the small lot was not empty like so many times before, and that visitor just so happened to be right in the spot she usually crossed over. Not that Jaclyn noticed this.
Before she could even cross into the lot Jaclyn found herself hitting a solid object, and falling forward towards said object. The sea of non-stop thinking cut off by the sudden impact of head meeting metal.
The only thought that went through her head as she stared at a red surface holding the camera close to her chest was a blunt huh?
Slowly she raised her head trying to find out what exactly happened found herself staring at a windshield. This resulted in the second huh?
Jaclyn slowly got off of what she had identified as a car to get a better look, and perhaps get her brain working again. What she saw was a red car, bright red, and windows that were so dark it she could barely make out the inside. It struck her as extremely familiar.
It took exactly five seconds for her expression to change from a blank stare to one of fury. "It's you!" the venom in her voice could almost be felt. Jaclyn had found her distraction, just not in the form she had thought. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused me!?" Jaclyn was indeed aware what she looked like, ranting at an empty car, Jaclyn didn't care she already had the habit of talking to inanimate objects anyway. Jaclyn was not crazy, she just like to treat everything she used as a living thing, it helps to keep her mind on track.
"The only good photo I could get of my sister, ruined! Do you know how hard it is to get a photo of her? It's like trying to catch a ghost! Seriously!"
If Jaclyn had been paying closer attention she would have noticed that the focus of her frustrations was starting to back away, inch by inch.
"Now she's going away so there goes anymore chances of a decent photo!" the camera, still being held close to her chest, prevented any wild hand motions no matter how much the need grew.
"Then I had to spend hours reading stupid tutorials that didn't even work! It's so annoying to … have… huh" a falling leaf caught her attention, Jaclyn watched as it fell right onto the hood of the car landing perfectly in the middle. The cars slow retreat had stopped with the sudden silence, however it also did not move forward.
They were both at the edge of the parking lot, right next to the trees that bordered either side. Jaclyn found herself looking at those very trees and their low hanging branches, a veritable rainbow of reds oranges and deep browns stretching out over her and the car. She watched the leaves fall so gently, falling and flipping over in the slight breeze like dancers gliding across a ballroom floor. Only a few of the graceful leaves had landed on the smooth surface of the vehicle, most had just drifted carelessly down near the tires standing out from the gray floor. She looked on, and before even thinking about it held her camera firmly in both hands already making the necessary adjustments.
She halted. Wasn't I just mad at this thing?
She stared at the scene around her soaking in its quiet perfection. "Ok, I forgive you mister sports car" her face softened, a small smile forming on her face. "Now, what angle do you think would be the best? Low or high?" all the anger, every bit of annoyance she felt ebbed away with the prospect of getting a good set of photos. Looking down to her silent companion Jaclyn nodded, "I think both would be best, no sense in just sticking to just one right?" she waited for a few moments, looking into the passenger seat. "Glad you agree" she patted the hood, pausing for a moment when it stuck her just how warm it was, Jaclyn hadn't noticed it before since she was too stunned, but now. She shook her head, the engine was properly just warm whoever drove it must have just recently parked.
Back to business, she removed her hand and took a few steps back before turning back to her target. Before she actually started anything Jaclyn couldn't help, but notice a single small emblem on the very front of the hood, Lamborghini… well ok then, now I know what you are. Jaclyn shrugged, she had never heard of a Lamborghini, not that she was that knowledgeable about cars in the first place. Lifting the camera up to her face Jaclyn was grinning in anticipation.
She had positioned herself just slightly off to the side of the hood, after all cars always looked better at odd angles. Jaclyn belt the camera carefully in her hands trying her best to hold her excitement as she pressed down on the button hearing the click as the shutter lifted letting light hit the receiver.
"Yes! Let's see how you turned out" Jaclyn was grinning like a maniac while inspecting the outcome. Upon noticing a fleck of color, a leaf by the looks of it, smack dab in the middle Jaclyn turn the camera screen in the general direction of her current model "Looks like you blinked, but don't worry I'm a professional!" to demonstrate Jaclyn waved her hand closely imitating that of a person doing the flamingo. At this point Jaclyn did not care if she looked ridiculous or even insane, she wanted just to fool around for a while and take pictures. This was a much better option than ranting at non-living objects, probably better for her health too.
She repeated her earlier steps with the camera, this time crouching low to the ground instead of standing. Eagerly Jaclyn looked at the new image she smiled once again showing off her work to a silent audience "you're a fast learner, keep it up and you may just have a future in this business kid" she smiled, a goofy lopsided smile reserved for moments of pure fun and lunacy.
Jaclyn now started to move off to the side taking a few extra steps back, enough so that the trees would be just enough in the shot to act as a frame. She was really having fun, more so with the knowledge no one would ever know about it.
Once more she positioned herself and click went the camera as it started to process the new image, nothing could ruin this moment "Huh, miss calculated. Ah well just have to-OH GEEZ!" well nothing except for what had just appeared before her. Jaclyn had been turning around while simultaneously looking down preview screen deleting the failed attempt, however as soon as she looked up something was blocking her way.
You have got to be kidding.
Right there, sitting all innocent just two lots away from the red Lamborghini, was a disturbingly familiar looking vehicle. There was no mistaking it, obnoxiously bright yellow paint polished to the point that even with the lack of sun it still managed to shine. Since Jaclyn had yet to see another car with the same paint job she assumed it was the same that had scared her onto her into falling onto her rear.
How in the world did it sneak up on me? She had heard nothing, not a hum of an engine nor the opening of a door or the closing or one. It was off, no one was present, and a quick check of her surroundings proved that so who ever drove it couldn't have come recently.
At that moment Jaclyn groaned, shouting 'damn it' a few times. It wasn't impossible to sneak up on Jaclyn, if she was getting really involved with a photo shoot or just plain engrossed in the activity itself, it might as well be like stalking a deaf man. That meant someone had seen her, and now were probably talking all about it to their friends and pretty soon everyone will be talking about the crazy girl at the park. Still didn't make the appearance any less freaky, just more embarrassing.
"This would be perfect moment for 'the X-Files' music to play, just add fog" though she laughed, there was just a hint of nervousness to it. Jaclyn turned away from the newcomer and back to what had previously held her attention Jaclyn managed to smile this time much more forced.
Just a few more photos, then head back home. Embarrassed yes, but not deterred.
The bout of insanity now done and over with Jaclyn just moved through the motions for the last few shots, moving slightly every time. All the while she couldn't help but turn and check back to the yellow Lamborghini, and each time she checked an idea started to form in her head: perhaps she could get a few photos of it? Though the color may not work with the background like the other one, but it was worth a shot, right?
Finally satisfied with the amount of different photo's Jaclyn turned back to the other car. She stood thinking, taking a few steps back then forward again tilting her head back and forth each time. While the Lamborghini itself was not unappealing, something about the scene didn't feel right for it: perhaps the sky was to gray, maybe the little parking just a tad to dingy, or the car itself just too extravagant. Whatever was causing the problem, it wasn't something that could be fixed with the magic of Photoshop, in her opinion anyway.
Jaclyn frowned shaking her head, "You… you just don't work" she muttered and with that she walked away from the scene quietly. As she left a chill ran down her spine, almost as if something was staring at her, the feeling reminded her of the times she had looked into the tigers eyes at the zoo, very intense. Suddenly Jaclyn very much wanted to be in her house, as quickly as possible.
This is all just build up for the next chapter, where perspectives will change for awhile and get two see what the twins are thinking. Even if it may be a bit obvious for some parts...
Next chapter will stay about the same pace as this one since I am just trying to ease into the story. And by that I mean cause a few more near heart attacks for Jaclyn, curtsey of the Lamborghini twins.