Most of this chapter is a lot of nothing...kinda. I dunno. Hope you enjoy anyways.
The following day, Optimus limped up to Elita at her locker.
"What did you do?" He demanded.
"What?" Elita asked.
Optimus held up a crumpled picture of the damaged Nemesis.
"Why would you do that?" Optimus asked.
"Why do you think? Hey, they hurt you Oppie. We were just getting them back...are you mad?" Elita replied.
"A bit. I mean you did it for me, I get it, but you could've gotten caught. That was a dangerous stunt you guys pulled." Optimus spoke.
"So you're saying that we shouldn't fight for our faction because of the danger?" Elita challenged.
"No no of course not. It's just...vandalizing the Nemesis wasn't exactly what I had pictured when I said that we would get back at the Decepticons." Optimus replied.
Elita knit her eyebrows. "Now what does that mean."
Optimus looked like he was going to answer but seemed to stop himself.
"I...forget." Optimus spoke disappointedly.
The bell rang and Optimus limped away on his crutches.
"Optimus has been really depressed lately. Ever since he got outta the hospital. I hate seeing him like this." Elita told Chromia on the following Friday night after school. They were sitting together in the food court enjoying their fruit smoothies.
"Yeah, I know. What do you think is wrong? I mean, sure he was in the hospital for a while but you'd think that he'd feel better by now." Chromia replied.
"Hm, I dunno. Believe me, if I knew then I would've done something about it a long time ago." Elita spoke.
"Well you should try to at least cheer him up. Your his girlfriend that's your job. Besides, you need the practice especially if you guys end up moving in together at some point...maybe even getting married." Chromia advised.
Elita's face went as red as a tomato at her friend's words. "Moving in? Getting married? What? What? We haven't even finished high school yet! What're you talking about?"
Chromia chuckled. "Well, c'mon. It's obviously gonna happen. I could tell ever since you two kissed back in eighth grade."
Elita's jaw dropped. "Well, in that case when is Ironhide planning on proposing? Huh? Or you? Huh? Well? You got an answer?"
Chromia looked at her friend in shock. Then she too turned red and moved her straw around in her smoothie.
"Let's get back to the task at hand shall we? Optimus needs some serious cheering up. So, what cheers him up?" Chromia continued.
"Uh...nothing that I can get him. Or rather, nothing that I can specifically think of getting him." Elita replied.
The two girls sat there for a while longer in thought. Then Chromia's hand shot up.
"Food." She said.
"No thanks." Elita replied.
"No. Food. Doesn't Oppie love food?" Chromia continued.
"Oh, yeah. He does. What of it?" Elita said.
"We should cook for him!" Chromia exclaimed.
Elita stared at Chromia.
"And by we I mean me. I was using the royal we." Chromia added.
Elita nodded. It was no secret to anyone that Ellen Twon could not cook. At all. She had no talent in the art. Whatsoever. If she was put in front of a stove or oven, and told to make something using anything, someone would be spending all day in the bathroom,or rushed to hospital. Then there was time when she blew up the kitchen...
"So, what shall thou make thy lover?" Elita asked
"Breakfast. A big breakfast." Chromia replied.
"Hmm...okay. But when?" Elita asked.
"I say we go tomorrow. We go into his apartment real early and make the stuff." Chromia planned.
Elita nodded. "Okay. I'll meet you tomorrow morning then."
Elita and Chromia met just outside of Optimus' apartment door at 6 o'clock. Elita took out the key that Optimus had given her and opened the door.
Optimus lived alone so his apartment wasn't any larger than he needed it to be. The door led into the living room area where there was a couch facing the TV which was pushed back against the far wall which was a faded beige like the rest of the walls in the apartment. The living area led into the kitchen. It was a small space with a fridge, several cabinets, a sink,and a table that could seat four people.
Between the two other rooms was a door that led into Optimus' room and bathroom. Elita peeked in the bedroom to see Optimus still fast asleep.
"Okay, let's get to it." Chromia proclaimed quietly.
Elita looked at her with raised eyebrows.
"I'll. I said that I'll get to it." Chromia corrected.
Elita nodded. "So, what'll you be making?"
Chromia thought for a moment. "I'm gonna need three eggs, bacon, toast, and oatmeal mix."
Elita found what her friend needed and Chromia got to work. She scrambled the eggs and cooked the bacon. She mixed the French toast and warmed up the oatmeal. Optimus' kitchen was soon filled with the pleasant scents of cooking food.
When she was done Chromia put the food on plates and laid them out onto the table neatly. Elita put down an extra plate and utensils for Optimus along with syrup and ketchup.
That's when they heard sounds from the bathroom.
"He's awake!" Elita whispered.
"Yeah!" Chromia replied and they waited for Optimus to come out. When the doorknob turned and the door opened, Optimus came into the kitchen and saw the two girls along with his table covered with food.
"Surprise!" They exclaimed.
Optimus stared at them in shock.
"Girls. What're you doing here? And what's with all the food?" He demanded.
"We wanted to cheer you up! For some not in any way subtle reason I get the feeling that you haven't had a proper meal ever since you went into the hospital." Elita answered.
Optimus continued to stare at them. "You made this all for me?"
The two girls nodded.
Optimus sat down at the table. He dragged the eggs towards him and scooped some up with the fork, but he stopped himself before putting it in his mouth.
"Did you help Ellen?" Optimus asked carefully.
Elita smiled. "Nope."
Optimus nodded in relief and put the eggs in his mouth. Then he began stuffing his mouth with the food all around him.
"Hey hey hey. Slow down there Speedy Gonzales." Chromia warned.
Optimus nodded and swallowed. "You're right. I'm going about this all wrong."
Optimus reached towards the French toast and put two slices into the empty plate. Then he proceeded to cover them with the eggs, bacon, and even the oatmeal. He then reached for the ketchup and syrup. He squirted the ketchup on top of the other food items, placed the other slice on the top and poured the syrup all over the sandwich he had made.
He used his utensils to cut a piece. As he did so parts of the oatmeal and ketchup leaked out. Elita put her hand over her mouth as she gagged.
Optimus stuffed the piece in his mouth and ate it proudly.
Optimus sighed happily when the plates were clear.
"Better?" Elita asked as she sat down beside him.
Optimus smiled. "Much better thank you."
"Y'know, I think that's the first legitimate smile that I've seen on you ever since you got out of the hospital." Elita spoke. "You've been so depressed. Tell me why, I want to know."
"Yeah. Well...the Cons—Megatron, poisoned me. I could have died." Optimus replied.
"I know that. The entire school knows that. But why did you get like that? You had us all so worried and angry. We vandalized the Nemesis in retaliation for God's sake. Well, to be honest it was for you." Elita said.
"I know, and I appreciate the gesture really. It's just that, the war. It's getting way out of hand. It started out as a mere rivalry between the two factions. Then there were the arguments and then the fights and now...look at what we're doing now. We're committing crimes now. I can't take it. I don't—I don't..." Optimus put his head in his hands. "The Autobots rely on me to be this great and inspiring and awesome big leader person. I can't do it."
"Of course you can. You have been ever since this faction war started. We rely on you because you showed and proved that you are reliable. We're inspired by you because for all the scrap you've put up with, and the way you can keep a level head through it all. You're the best leader we Autobots could possibly have." Elita said sternly.
Optimus shook his head. "Megatron...poisoned me. I could have died...whatever happened to us?"
Elita sighed and looked over to Optimus' fridge. There were several things attached to the door. One of which was one of those long picture strips you get at photo booths. The five pictures showed two young ten year olds making faces at the camera. One had dark hair, the other had silver hair.
"I don't know Optimus. People change with the times. We have to change too or else we'll be left behind and alone." Elita spoke.
She put her hand on Optimus'.
"Orion...you're the Autobot leader. You're strong. You have the courage to fight and stand up against everything you believe is wrong." Elita continued. "We all love you for it."
The two leaned in close and they kissed. When they parted they both smiled widely.
"Thank you Ariel." Optimus spoke as he got on his crutches. "Now, remember what I said about how going after the Nemesis wasn't how I imagined getting back at the Cons?"
Elita nodded.
"Well, I was thinking that we'd have to hit them where it would hurt the most." Optimus explained. "Their dignity."
"...so every Con except Starscream?" Elita asked.
"Ha, but no. The main group, which includes Starscream." Optimus replied as he limped over to his room.
Elita tried to follow him but he stopped her.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"You'll see. Oh, you will see." He replied as he locked the door to his room.
Elita laughed and that's when she realized that she was alone.
"Where'd Carmen go?" Elita wondered,
She wandered around the apartment for a bit before opening the door to the hall outside. Chromia was leaning against the wall by the door with her arms crossed.
"Why'd you leave?" Elita asked.
"I know a sweet couple moment coming when I see one trust me." Chromia answered. "Is he feeling better?"
"Yup, although I don't know what he's doing." Elita replied. "He locked me out of his room."
Chromia shrugged. "Whatever it is it must be important if he locked you out. Don't worry, we'll find out eventually."
Elita looked back at the apartment with a smile before the two girls left.
So what is Optimus doing? Have any theories or ideas?
Let me know what you think! Comment and review!(84 reviews! C'mon everybody! With my writing and your thoughts, anything is possible!)