Transformers - Beyond What Meets The Eye - A 1215 FanFiction

37

For the first time in years, I had a dream that didn't scare me, a dream unlike even the ones that were more sad than horrific. I was happy. Smokescreen drove me to school and everyone called me by my real name, because no one needed to hide anymore. Jack was by my side the whole day, instead of just after school, and when I looked in the mirror that scar on my arm wasn't there. It gave me hope for something, confidence I didn't realize I needed.

Fowler took it upon himself to drop me off at school that morning, and I watched him drive off towards base before turning to follow the flow of kids into the school. In less than a year, Jack and I would be graduating, and it was slowly creeping up on time to apply for schools. Fowler and I hadn't talked about it, but everyone else in our grade was.

In first period, a few people were already writing essays. A few of the boys in the other corner who always talked sports, were still talking about sports, but playing in Ivy League. Everyone had aspirations for their future, even those who never put effort in school before. It was the same in gym class, and Aiden approached me for the first time since Jack waved him off.

"You got any plans for after graduation, Elaine?"

"Yes. Military." I replied simply, "You?"

"Wow." He smirked, "You really think you got what it takes?"

I eyed him, thinking about how I could say this without outing myself somehow. "Yes." Was all I could manage.

"Huh. I was thinking about military too, my parents can't afford college anyway. Maybe you could give me some rope climbing tips sometime, maybe it'll help me pass any physical tests."

"The physical tests come after admission." I corrected, "At least, the ones that require climbing ropes."

"How'd you know?" He asked, and then quickly continued, "Oh, your dad, right?"

I nodded, quickly moving to get a lap in before class started, "Good luck with whatever you decide, Aiden."

As I ran the track, Mr. Coats watching as always, I thought about Jack. I was always thinking about him now, more so than my father and more than the Cybertronian language and history that I was so desperate to learn. I was afraid to read my journal back because I felt like all I'd see in there is cringy lines about Jack. But, things were different now. He didn't hate me anymore, he seemed to be spending more time with me and the others. I never took myself to be dense, and if that was true, then the looks he'd been giving me yesterday certainly meant something, right?

"Alright, Elaine!" Mr. Coats yelled, "Time to head in!"

I stopped, looking back with a huff. I'd spaced out and didn't hear the whistle.

"Something on your mind?" He asked as I walked past him, "Worried about applications?"

"Yeah, sure."

That's a good excuse. I thought, I'll use that until the end of the year if anyone starts getting suspicious. It was getting more tiring by the minute to keep up this undercover act.

Raf and I ate lunch in the library again, and this time both Jack and Miko joined us.

"Don't have any tests to make up this time, Miko?" Raf asked, smiling brightly as she slumped down beside him.

"Nope!" She grinned, "Haha, those teachers wish they could keep me in the classroom, but I'm evolving."

"Evolving how?"

"Bigger muscles, tougher brain, better grades!" Miko raised her arms and flexed hard, and Jack whistled.

"Congratulations, Miko." He joked, "I never thought I'd see the day you got ahead on school work."