Meant to Bee

Chapter 6: Movie Night

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the quiet streets of Brighton Falls, California, a familiar figure returned to the neighborhood. Hivemus Prime, the Autobot with a heart of gold, parked his sleek yellow and black sports car disguise near the familiar houses, his concern for his human friend, Charlie Watson, weighing heavily on his mechanical mind.

With a sense of urgency, Hivemus dialed Charlie's number, hoping for a quick response. But as the phone rang on, unanswered, worry gnawed at him. Determined to ensure Charlie's safety, he made his way to her house, where he found her emerging, her expression clouded with anger and sorrow.

"Charlie? Is that you?" Hivemus ventured, his voice gentle yet filled with concern.

Charlie's eyes widened in recognition as she saw the familiar form of her Autobot friend. "Hivemus? What are you doing here?"

With a subtle shift of his robotic features, Hivemus responded in his disguised vehicle form. "Just checking in, Charlie. You seem upset. Is everything okay?"

Charlie sighed, her shoulders slumping with weariness. "It's my stepfather. I just... I can't deal with him sometimes. Things were so much better when my dad was around."

Hivemus's sensors tingled with empathy as he listened to Charlie's troubles. "I'm sorry you're going through a tough time, Charlie. Would you like to get away for a bit? Clear your head?"

Charlie hesitated, her gaze searching Hivemus's reassuring visage before she finally nodded. "Yeah, okay. Let's go for a drive."

With a subtle transformation, Charlie entered Hivemus's spacious interior, her favorite music filling the air as they glided away from the troubles of her home. Together, they navigated the streets until they reached the fairgrounds, where Charlie worked at a hot dog stand.

"Thanks, Hivemus," Charlie said gratefully as she stepped out of the Autobot's embrace. "I'll let you know when I'm ready to head back."

Hivemus watched her go, a silent guardian amidst the bustling fair. As dusk settled over the town, he decided to treat himself to a rare indulgence—a trip to the drive-in theater. With the classic movie "Back to the Future" playing on the screen, Hivemus settled in, his thoughts drifting to the bond he shared with his human friend and the adventures that lay ahead.

As the credits rolled on the screen, signaling the end of "Back to the Future," Hivemus Prime transformed back into his sleek sports car form and made his way back to the fairgrounds. There, he found Charlie waiting for him, her expression even more downcast than before.

"Charlie, what happened?" Hivemus inquired, his concern evident as he saw the distress etched on her features.

Charlie sighed heavily, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's Tina Lark and her friends. They were teasing me again at work. I just... I can't escape it, Hivemus. It feels like they're always there, ready to bring me down."

Hivemus's circuits buzzed with indignation, but he knew that words alone couldn't soothe Charlie's wounds. Instead, he resolved to lift her spirits in the best way he knew how.

"Charlie, I have an idea," Hivemus said, his voice filled with determination. "How about we go see another movie? Something to take your mind off things."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Charlie's lips as she nodded in agreement. "That sounds nice, Hivemus. Thank you."

Charlie settled into Hivemus's interior once more as they made their way to a nearby burger drive-thru. There, they encountered Charlie's neighbor and old high school teacher and friend, Mike Barrett, who now worked behind the counter.