united88: No, they're just friendly.
Jack woke up the next morning with a huge smile on his face. Day 2 at the academy. After the awesome first day he could only imagine what the second day will bring.
Jack dressed himself up in his grey shirt with blue jeans. He looked at himself proudly in the mirror. Although he had to admit that he was surprised that the academy had no official uniform. Not that he was complaining.
He opened the door to his room and went downstairs to the kitchen where his mom was waiting for him at the table with a breakfast of eggs and bacon.
His mom, June Darby had black hair similar to his, which was tied back and she was already wearing her blue nurse's outfit.
"Jack. There's my little prodigy." She spoke happily.
"Morning mom." Jack greeted.
"Sorry I wasn't here last night Jack. There was some trouble in the emergency room." She explained. "So how was your first day at the academy?"
Jack sat down next to his mom. "It was good. I think I'm gonna really like it there."
June smiled. "Jack. I heard that there are some really rough characters at that school. Something about a faction war?"
"Uh, yeah. Some of the kids there are a part of two factions at the school. They call it a war but it's nowhere near as bad as I bet you heard or are thinking." Jack replied.
June nodded. "Okay, I'll take your word for it dear. You're not taking part in that are you?"
Jack looked at her. "Why? Why do you ask?"
"Well the last thing you need is to be distracted from your studies more than you might already be because of this 'war'." She replied. "You don't need to get involved."
"...but what if I don't have a choice?" Jack said slowly.
"Oh, I'm sure you have a choice dear. You were just accepted into the school. Surely none of the students involved in this silly war can understand that." June continued.
"Silly?" Jack asked.
"Yes. It is silly don't you think? The way they pretend that they're in a war. Competing with each other the way they do. I've seen them..." June's voice faded off.
"What's wrong mom?" Jack wondered.
"Because I've seen some of those students end up in the hospital in the past few years." June answered. "They always say that it was because they were fighting for their faction or something along those lines. I don't think that I will ever understand what is so serious about that. What is so worth fighting so hard that your bones break?"
Jack didn't have an answer for his mom because in all honesty even he didn't know the full reason why the two factions even existed and were fighting. However, since he now attended the school, Jack couldn't help but feel obliged to take part. It just wouldn't sit well with him if he were to sit back and just watch the factions fight. And contrary to what his mom may think but not taking part might distract him from his studies more than it would if he was taking part.
"Jack. You're not going to take part in that faction war right?" June finished. "I don't know if I could even afford to have you hurt or expelled from the academy."
Jack looked down at his breakfast. "No mom. I won't."
Jack took his books out of his locker and put them into his bag. He was still thinking about what he had told his mom.
Now what was he gonna do? He had told his mom that he wouldn't join a faction but he was being considered for the Autobots as he was thinking those very thoughts.
He sighed in confusion as he closed his locker. That was when Miko came up beside him.
"What's up Jack?" Miko greeted.
"Nothing Miko." He replied.
Miko knit her eyebrows. "Really? 'Cause it sounds like something is up, and it is not your mood. So, tell me. What's up that's got you feeling down?"
"Well, my mom doesn't want me to join a faction. She doesn't want me to take part in the war at all." Jack answered.
"And? So, she doesn't want you to but you pretty much already did." Miko replied.
"I didn't tell her that. I told her that I wouldn't join a faction period. I told her that I would stay away from the war." Jack explained.
"Well what the heck did you tell her that for?" Miko exclaimed.
"I don't know! I just did! People have been sent to the hospital because of the war Miko! My mom is a nurse at said hospital! She has seen the injuries! Miko, I Don't even know if I want to join the Autobots anymore." Jack exclaimed.
Miko stared at him.
"You still have 28 more days to decide remember? It's totally your choice Jack." Arcee said from behind him. "None of the Autobots will hold it against you if decide not to join our faction."
Jack looked at the older girl. "Arcee...I don't know."
"Then think about it Jack. You have 28 days." Arcee said as she turned and walked away.
Jack sighed again in even more confusion than before.
It took every ounce of Jack's willpower to pay attention to Mr. Ception while he was talking. He was talking about the basics of an essay. Stuff Jack already knew but little details and a few concepts were new to him.
Elita was looking intently at the blackboard as she struggled to take down the notes Mr. Ception was writing.
"You okay?" Jack asked her quietly.
She merely nodded in response as she misspelled grammar.
"Elita. Look at the board. Grammar is spelled with an 'a' not an 'e'." Jack explained.
Elita looked at him and then back down at her paper before smiling and erasing her mistake.
"Thanks." She said gratefully.
Elita was groaning as she walked out of the classroom.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked.
"It's just that he teaches the same thing every year! And every year I fail his class!" Elita complained.
"Don't worry Elita, I'm sure you'll get it eventually." Jack assured her.
Elita smiled at him before waving good bye and heading off towards her next class.
When lunch came around, Jack went up to his locker. When he was putting away the books he no longer needed when he heard the ringing of an opening elevator in the distance. Jack looked over and saw Optimus walking out of the elevator with an apple in hand.
Optimus noticed Jack from afar and walked over to him.
"Hey Jack." Optimus greeted. "How's the second day going for you?"
Jack shrugged. "It's okay. Peaceful."
Optimus cocked his head to one side. "Then why are you so uneasy?"
"Uneasy? Who said anything about being uneasy? I'm not uneasy...huh." Jack stammered.
Optimus gave him a small smile. "What's wrong Jack?"
"It's just that I really want to join the Autobot faction." Jack began.
"But?" Optimus said.
"But my mom doesn't want me to get involved in the faction war. She doesn't want me to get 'distracted' from my school work...it's also because she works at the hospital. apparently she's seen the aftermath of some of the fights that happen here at the school. She doesn't want me to get hurt." Jack explained. "I get that but still, I wanna join in on the action I want to help."
Optimus listened to Jack respectfully as he aired himself out.
"Your mom is right you know." Optimus said.
Jack looked up at the taller boy in surprise.
"The students around here so get hurt when the factions clash and sometimes they do have to b sent to the hospital. The war is dangerous." Optimus continued.
Jack looked down at his feet in disappointment.
"However, that is the risk everyone in the factions knows of and accepts because they believe that they are fighting for something greater. The Decepticons, even as the phenomenal slaggers they are they believe that they can pave the way for a better high school experience here at the academy. Of course they're going about it all wrong but they're passionate about what they're doing I'll give them that. While we Autobots fight against their absurd goals and their extreme ways of achieving them." Optimus explained. "We fight for what we believe in and for the people here. It's dangerous because the factions don't obviously share opinions and we will butt heads, both literally and figuratively. But, this is still a school and the school work is just as if not more important than the faction war, and if you choose not to join the war then I will personally ensure that no one in my faction will hold it against you."
Jack looked back up at Optimus.
"Optimus...I-"
"You don't have to say anything. Just think about it." Optimus finished as he turned and walked away while putting his apple into his mouth.
I hope Optimus' little speech at the end was okay.
Let me know what you think! Comment and review!