MENDED

Chapter Three

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." —Optimus Prime

{3}

Later that day, Elimpitha’s hollowform, Novalee, and Miko were at the young punksters house—her host parents house really. They planned to change Novalee’s appearance a bit. Miko had a large collection of hair dyes, permanent and temporary.

“We’re going to go for a permanent dye, a natural hair color too” Elimpitha said.

“How about these?” Miko held out a few dyes, black, dark brown, medium brown, blonde, a ginger color, and an almost white blonde. Novalee took the ginger color and looked at it.

“Could we do the ginger color?” Novalee asked.

“Of course, i’m going to trim your hair and bleach it so we can dye it, you brown hair is a bit too dark” Elimptha’s hollowform said. They got to work and had everything done in a short time—mostly done by Elimpitha. Novalee’s hair was now shoulder length and looked like a light blonde.

“We’ll wait for about forty-five minutes for the bleach to dry out” Miko said. To pass the times they watched tv or told stories of their time of serving with the Autobots or when they tagged along on missions.

“—so you guys are just like us, but metal?” Novalee stated.

“Hmm. Also a bit bigger, but I’ve seen smaller ‘bots and ‘cons then Arcee. Maybe about your height Novalee” Elimpitha said. She looked at the clock Miko had in her room and clicked her tongue.

“We can dye your hair now” they got ready again, after washing out the bleach. Since Novalee’s hair was thicker, it take around an hour and a half to let the dye set in. Miko showed her to where the shower was and told her how to manage everything, giving her the shampoo and conditioner for newly dyed hair. Once she was done with the shower she wrapped her bare body with one towel, another one for her hair. Miko had left a spare pair of clothes for her so once she was dried up, she got changed and went back to Miko’s room. Elimpitha was busy cleaning up still, scrubbing any stray hair dye from the desk.

“Your hair will take a few moments to dry, once that’s done we can go back to the base” Miko said, coming back into the room.

“I’m guessing Fowler is getting a place set up for me back at the base?” Novalee said. Elimpitha nodded, “—and I’m your source of transport, Stormbreaker notified me the team went out on a mission.”

“Let’s go then!” Novalee grinned. They all went outside where Elimpitha’s vehical mode was waiting. It was a mercedes brand, a purple paint coat with goldish racing stripes. Miko and Novalee got into the back while the hollowform got into the driver seat. The vehicle ‘turned on’ and pulled out of the driveway, speeding off to the base. When the exited the tunnel, Novalee could only see Ratchet at his workstation.

“Hia doc-bot!” Miko said.

“Don’t call me that!” Ratchet grumbled. Novalee followed Miko up the flight of stairs to their human area. Jack and Rafael were at the tv playing a racing game. Right now Ratchet was her interest. Novalee made her way to the human area that was near where he worked.

“Why do they say your cold most of the time?” Novalee asked. The question made Ratchet look up at her as he thought how he’d answer her.

“I have been a bit.. Distant, from wanting to learn about humans. All to be honest one of us could hurt one of you” Ratchet said.

“I trust that you’d never hurt any of us” Novalee smiled. Ratchet gave her a slight smile back and went back to what he was doing at his workstation. Novalee walked back to where she had left her stuff. Her backpack was bulgy from all the stuff she stuffed in it. Unzipping the farthest zipper, she pulled out an old sketchbook. The cover still had her grandmothers signature on it.

“You like to draw too?” Miko suddenly asked, making Novalee jump as she clutched the sketchbook to her chest. She sighed and relaxed, letting Miko see the old cover.

“It was my grandma’s before she went to heaven, a few drawings are hers” Novalee said. She flipped open the book to show a drawing of a toddler by a pond, the girl wearing a dress that twirled in the wind.

“Cool!” Miko said. They sat in the corner while going through the sketchbook, exchanging tips with each other. Ratchet had been thankful to have a quiet area to work. Novalee passed out after a couple hours in the corner. Her head leant on Miko’s shoulder—who looked like she’d pass out.

“It’s time for da lil’ guys ta head hom’” Jazz said with a smirk. Bulkhead, Arcee, and Bumblebee gathered their charges and left. Ratchet looked over at Novalee and a ghost smile appeared on his metallic face. He reached over to her and went over and placed her on the couch, gently placing her on the old couch.

“She likes you, Ratch” Stormbreaker smirked, his arms crossed as he stood beside his mate. Elimpitha smiled at them, “I got Nova’ enrolled in school, and she starts tomorrow.”

“We’ll get everything prepared for her tonight” Stormbreaker said. Optimus watched them and went to stand beside his medic, softly gazing down at him.

“It seems Novalee has made an impact on Team Prime” Optimus stated.

“Yes, yes she has” Ratchet admitted.