mrrrr the motivation to write is lacking and i don't think anyone is still here reading but i want to finish this series at least orz self-satisfaction it is

i didn't get to watch bumblebee ;v; but i saw clips of some of the redesigns and god they all look wonderful

friendly reminder the '-' in italics is bumblebee talking thru the "aPad", but quotations "-", espc when meixing is involved, is speaking in chinese!

Chapter Twelve

Sometimes a girl just gotta share her aesthetic.

Meixing purses her lips as Sam coughs violently at Mikaela's question. At first, he thinks that she'll deny the fact that Sideswipe could be remotely attractive, given how much he's teasing her and she just seems like the type to deny it while accepting it internally.

However, Meixing taps a finger on the table. "There is different types of cute. I put Sides on your level," motioning to Mikaela, "In terms of aesthetic. But the Bee boy, he is like small brother. That kind of cute you wish to protect."

"Oh, so you're that kind of person." Sam enthuses.

"Yeah, 'Bee's kinda like that, isn't he?" Mikaela agrees. "Meixing, you're pretty good at reading people."

"He represented innocence the moment he spoke," she replies.

"I like how you're not denying that you're pretty," Sam arches a brow at Mikaela. She simply shrugs.

"Is there anything wrong with liking how you look?"

"Well... no, I guess."

To make her point, Mikaela leans her head on Sam's shoulder. "I'm sure you didn't start liking me just because of my stellar personality."

"Hey, that was a factor in it too!" He retorts.

Meixing blinks. "People like each other because of their looks?"

The couple exchange a look. "Pretty much."

"Huh."

The tepid silence that follows shortly after causes the two to contemplate the implications.

"It's interesting," Meixing says, failing to sense the questioning atmosphere.

"You find people attractive, right?" Mikaela asks.

"I guess?" Is that the right word?

"So have you ever thought of dating them? Or even getting romantically involved with them?"

The Asian woman shifts in her seat awkwardly. This is definitely a conversation she did not expect to have with a stranger on the first meeting. Isn't there a line of privacy that shouldn't be crossed? However, Meixing didn't know how to express that. She could be straightforward as she usually is, asking Mikaela to stop, but... but they were Sideswipe's friends. It would be disrespectful. And on the other hand, Mikaela's questions are giving Meixing a cause for contemplation.

"Not really," she admits. "I like the way people look, can admire them, but have no desire to approach them differently. But marriage, dating, how you love someone without knowing them first? Besides, is dating and getting romantically involved... different?"

"America is a different kind of culture when it comes to relationships," Sam explains. "Well, we're definitely more... open-minded and exploratory. I'm guessing you're used to more reserved things? And as such, aren't really comfortable with talking about this kind of thing?" The last statement is said pointedly and he nudges Mikaela for emphasis.

The brunette blinks owlishly. Oh. "I am so sorry, Meixing, I-"

"It's fine." She holds her hands up, cheeks flushed red. More like, she judged Sam too harshly. She didn't think that he'd notice her discomfort, of all the people to be observant. "You the type to make friends easily, I think."

"That's 'Kaela for you. She was super popular in high school. I bet if she went to college, she'd be the star on campus."

"Now you're just being silly," she rolls her eyes, pinching his cheek playfully. "Being sociable and making friends are different."

"They're pretty much the same."

Meixing nervously wrings the wrist of her hands. Why did it feel so weird to be here? Sam and Mikaela, she knows they aren't bad people. Heck, she even owes Sam for scaring the life out of him for the first few days of classes. Perhaps it's their expressive familiarity that she's not used to. They are so... individualistic. Sideswipe too. They're the type of people to have their own identity, to be proud of it, and to get along with others as well.

But her... what did she have?

Oh boy. If she knew that her intended trip of getting supplies for a group project would turn into her jeans getting ruined and then having a mid-life crisis with two people she hardly knew, she would've just stayed inside today. Her group members still hadn't responded yet either. Everything sucks.

Suddenly, she slaps both her cheeks together, startling Sam and Mikaela.

Get it together, Wang Meixing. You're your parents' daughter. You are going to be a doctor. You are going to make a lot of money for them.

"Are you okay?"

"Fine," she sighs. "Just thinking about lot of things."

Mikaela offers a gentle smile. "If you want to talk about it, I don't mind lending an ear."

"Huh?"

"While I'm here, that means I would love to hang out with you sometime. Without any boys in earshot." She shoots a look towards Sam, who holds his hands up.

"Someone like me..."

What could it be? Did Mikaela have something she wanted too? And what could she gain from Mikaela? She did not speak her language, did not go to school-

Meixing catches herself. No, that is bad, she has to stop thinking like that. Making friends simply for the sake of making friends - there is nothing wrong with that.

"Sure," she nods.

"Here, my number."

There's something different about this exchange. Meixing has the LIME contact of her fellow international students, but the point of those friendships were to study together. In her contacts list, she can count on one hand the people's numbers she has. Meixing has never particularly minded this fact. She has never felt lonely and she herself is a reserved person.

However, after meeting that person, it seems her world is expanding just a little. Her original goal of coming to this country still remains, but perhaps - this is not a bad detour.

"I'm kinda jealous you've managed to win her heart so fast," Sam teases. Meixing jumps at that.

"Un?"

But he's nodding his head at Meixing. "You never opened up so fast to me or Leo."

"I'm pretty sure if you keep using you guys as the standard, anything would be abnormal."

"Point taken."

"Not even friends with you or Leo." Meixing points out.

"Ouch."

"It's okay, you can be friends with me." Mikaela sticks her tongue out at Sam and scoots over to Meixing, wrapping her arms around the petite girl in a friendly hug. The gesture is teasing, meant to show a monopolization and Sam playfully responds with a heartbroken gesture, but the Asian woman turns to stone.

Oh, here it is again, the open-mindedness of the people here. Therefore, she places a hand on Mikaela's arm and smiles weakly.

"Mikaela, I am not used to hugs."

"Ah-" She understands and lets go immediately. "I'm sorry, I-"

"Apology is not needed. Just-" She felt guilty, making these people apologize. If it is their culture, she must find a way to respect it. "Slowly. Do not mind, just... slowly."

"You know, if personal space is something you like... does that mean Sideswipe never listens to you?"

"How you mean?" She stares at Sam's thoughtfully look.

"Well, every time I've seen you with him, he's in your personal space, one way or another."

"Really?" Mikaela inquisitively looks towards Meixing. "Is he not respecting your wishes? That's weird, he isn't like that."

"Eh, it not like that." Meixing shrugs. "Don't think I've explicitly told him no. Not like he give me hugs anyway."

"Who doesn't give you hugs?"

Suddenly, Sideswipe is next to where she's seated and Meixing lets out a curse, scooting away immediately.

"Aw, now I'm hurt." He pouts.

"Sides', did you know Meixing isn't comfortable with hugs?" Sam speaks up before Meixing can say anything. And now she wishes she had never said anything.

"Hm?" He arches a brow. "What does that have to do with-"

"Well, you're always touchy-feely with her, and I think she doesn't like that."

"Sam," Mikaela starts.

"Really?" Sideswipe looks towards Meixing, whose expression is that of pure shock. "I... I suppose I get close to her a lot, and she acts grumpy, but I thought that was just how she was."

"Maybe she's just too nice?" Sam muses, oblivious to the peril of the person he's talking about.

"Xiao xing, have I been making you uncomfortable this whole time?" Sideswipe turns to her now. Thinking back to the time he had accidentally bruised her wrist, perhaps her fear at the same had been deeper than what he initially thought.

This is absolutely a scene from a Chinese drama. She's speechless, opening her mouth but words failing to come out.

Sideswipe frowns lightly, blue hues shining close to that of sadness. "Oh... I didn't know. I won't be so imposing next time then. I hope you can forgive me."

Sam nods. "Yeah, I know you both get along, but it'd be weird if she was holding it in for the sake of wanting to be friends, right?"

Abruptly, Meixing stands up. "I have to go." Her response is curt as she swipes up her backpack and turns on her heel steadfastly. Sideswipe stands up after her.

"I'll walk you ba-"

"No need."

The coldness in her voice stops him in his tracks and he watches, like a kicked puppy as she briskly walks away, accidentally bumping into Bumblebee walking over.

"Sorry," she mutters, but does not stop as she quickly disappears.

Mikaela sighs heavily. "Sam, you're an idiot."

"What?"

Sideswipe turns to her. "Mikaela, how badly did I screw up just now?"

The brunette can only shake her head. "I... don't know. Respecting someone's space is one thing, but if she's never told you anything, doesn't that mean she doesn't mind it?"

Bumblebee settles in-between Sam and Sideswipe, looking curiously around. 'How did this kind of topic come up anyway?'

"I gave her a hug and she said she wasn't uncomfortable with it," Mikaela says. "Which is fine, but then Mr. Big Mouth over here decided to try and put Sideswipe on the same level."

"Hey! I just thought it was weird she didn't want a hug from you when I've seen her being carried by Sideswipe! Or like, the friendly shoulder hugs!"

Sideswipe runs a hand through his hair. "I mean, Xia- Meixing sometimes pushes on my arm, but I thought it was because she was shy and - oh, I messed up."

"I mean, I don't think she has a problem with saying what she likes or not, as she did with me, so if she hasn't explicitly told you to stop... Sides, I wouldn't jump to conclusions, but you should probably talk it out with her. Especially if you're good friends." Mikaela suggests. "Though, give her some space. I think Sam Witwicky here horrified the poor girl."

"I truly do not know what's going on."

Mikaela rolls her eyes. "Anyway, what did you and 'Bee talk about?"

'Nothing really. We just established that since I'm back, I can go back to being Sam's guardian. Optimus said Sideswipe should watch over Meixing.' Bumblebee hums. 'He's thinking about bringing her in.'

"Isn't that a little premature?" Mikaela frowns.

"Barricade targeted her when I was there," Sideswipe sighs. He still couldn't shake the feeling that he should've gone after her, but Optimus' suggestions were also cause for concern. "I don't know if he only targeted her because I specifically was there, or if she's been on the Decepticon's radar for a while."

"She has nothing to contribute to the war." Sam points out. "You guys would've known if she was suddenly, like, the vessel of another Allspark or something."

"He's right," Mikaela says. "She's just a normal girl." The brunette wraps her arms around herself. If anything, having someone experience what she has, the terror of running for your life... even if there are things she did not regret, for someone who had led a normal life before, did they not deserve to keep it?

"You could argue though..." Sam suddenly looks more thoughtful. "If she's friends with us, that would be her contribution. Like, leverage or something. I mean, all remains of the Matrix and Allspark is all gone, but revenge is something I know the Decepticons love..."

"Are you suggesting it's my fault?" Sideswipe states sharply, eyes narrowing.

"N-No! You did what you had to do!" Sam says in defense. "I'm just saying, Optimus' suggestion isn't that bad now that I think about it. If she's looking for you, well, the robot you, she's well invested in this world already. Skirting around her like this isn't really helpful. Or will you wait until it's too late to help her?"

"That's - I don't know." He pauses. "You... you didn't tell Optimus anything, right?"

Sam straightens up, sensing an impeding threat. "No sir that I did not your secret is safe with me."

'Didn't tell Optimus what?' Bumblebee chimes in.

As far as Sideswipe knows, Bumblebee is only here because Sideswipe reported the Decepticon activity near a friend. Sideswipe hadn't reported Meixing's prior connections to him... and it should stay that way.

"Nothing yet, anyway."

"Sides..." Remembering when the Autobot had asked for her advice, Mikaela leans forward. "We're keeping things lowkey because I thought you would be able to report it yourself. But if there's something else you know and you're not telling, we may have to do it for you."

"I just... don't want to involve her." He says in defeat. "Is that so wrong?"

"No, it's not, and I'm glad you're thinking ahead for once." Mikaela shakes her head. "But... think about the risks. And you know the 'Cons' better than Sam or I ever could."

Sideswipe buries his face in his hands, heaving a long suffering sigh.

Meixing's face are buried in her hands, but for a different reason.

"Rachhiiiieee!"

The normally calm and stoic Meixing is currently agonizing on her bed.

"Yes yes, my dear, spill all your sorrows on me."

Rachie, sitting cross-legged across the room on her own bed, is nothing short of amused. Since Meixing has grown comfortable enough to express this kind of immature side, Rachie will lessen the teasing today.

"I've lost all face in the world," Meixing whines.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No! Yes! I don't know!" The Chinese woman sits up suddenly grabbing a pillow. "That Sam boy, I knew nothing good would come out of involving myself after all. He actually had the audacity to tell Sideswipe about my personal space preferences! And now Sideswipe thinks he did something wrong! And I don't have the face to tell him it's okay because that means admitting I enjoy his presence!"

Rachie hums. "I see."

"I don't understand!" Meixing flings a pillow at the ceiling. "Why could I not hug Mikaela, but I am fine with Sideswipe!"

"You just know Sides longer, is all. See, you're fine with my hugs too!"

"Begrudgingly."

"Well, anyway, you know Sides and I longer. I'm sure you'd be fine if you talked with Mikaela more." Rachie pauses. "Speaking of, is Mikaela that super pretty girl I showed you when I thought you had fans following you?"

"Un."

"Introduce me, will ya?" Rachie wiggles her brows.

"She and Sam are lovers."

"Damn."

"Did you have a chance anyway?"

"Hey, you never know!"

Meixing rolls her eyes but smiles anyway. A dumb girl, but endearing nonetheless. Leaning back against the wall, all of a sudden her phone chimes. Meixing picks it up and glances at the preview on her screen.

[ Sideswipe: Text received: hey are you ok to talk now? :( ]

Meixing screams and slams her phone on her pillow (one of many).

"That was fast," Rachie whistles. "Then again, I'd probably do the same."

"It... it is too soon!"

"I feel like you're just one of few who likes to run and avoid issues," her roommate points out. Meixing is inclined to agree. She may be direct and confrontational, but she needs time to register these things. It's only been an hour!

"Should I lie?"

"... Meimei..."

"I am just-" Meixing groans. "Wait, I got this."

[ Sideswipe: Text sent: Tomorrow. ]

"Brilliant."

Rachie spins over on her wheely chair and takes a peek.

"Right... I feel so bad for him right now."

"Feel bad for me too!"

Despite sending that, it seems sleep would not come so easily. Rachie's lightly snoring on the other side, but Meixing remains tossing and turning in bed. Her mind is ringing and her eyes feel itchy.

With a quiet sigh, she kicks the blankets over and sits up. Maybe going for a walk would help to clear her mind. Glancing towards the window with the blinds pulled to the side, the moon shines brightly tonight.

Then she pauses. Standing up, she approaches the window and peers out.

There's a mechanical being with red eyes out there.

Grabbing her phone, she hastily throws off her slippers and slides sandals on, stumbling out the door (closing it as gently as possible), and sprinting as fast as her legs would allow her to.

She recognizes that place where the robot is. The student center, close to the edge of the street. The red eyes are just like the ones in her hallucination with her mother. Meixing doesn't know what she could accomplish by going there, but perhaps it would be a clue to finding Heng Pao.

However, after ten minutes of sprinting, she slows down to find nothing in the area. That... clearly is not right.

She had seen it. Clear as day in her eyes. There's not even a mark in the pavement to indicate anything had been here. Meixing pinches the bridge of her nose, frowning. Had she been seeing things again? And did she just run all the way out here for nothing?

"My mind, playing tricks. Not funny."

And it's cold outside. In her pajamas, this certainly isn't the ideal setup to be warm. Scowling and cursing all the robots with red eyes that made her see things, she hugs herself and turns back in the direction of her dorm room.

But her eye catches a bright light.

"... Now now, Wang Meixing, we aren't doing this again." She lightly slaps her face. "Another hallucination."

However, the light is different. And the shape in the distance is oddly familiar.

"... Well, I can't sleep anyway." Against all the wise choices she could be making right now, she chooses to go in the direction of the odd shape.

"This is it. The reason people get murdered in dark alleys. Why college students die so easily." Tepid movements against the concrete, she notices that she's steadfastly approaching the area of the campus that virtually no one goes by. It also helps that it's three am, but this is a good place to murder someone, if you didn't want anyone to find the body...

Shaking those thoughts out of her mind, Meixing sighs and rounds the corner.

There though, she sees the last thing she would ever expect to see tonight. However, undeniable joy courses through her body and she starts to run. She can't help the excitement that vibrates in her voice as she calls out:

"Heng Pao!"