Author's Note: Hello! I'm LilacSun and this is my first fic on here, as well as my first transformers fic. I hope everyone likes it. Please don't be shy to tell me what you think. I'll be updating on the regular. Maybe about 3 or 4 times a week. My PM is also open for any comments or questions. Hope you have a wonderful day!

The Beating Sun

Chapter 1. Aortic Infarction

I wiped my hands on my jeans trying to rid myself of some of the dirt and grime I had on them. The sun was high in the sky and beating down furiously against my skin. Sighing, I reached up and wiped the sweat off my brow. Just one more bale, I thought as I grabbed the hay and threw it up in the back of the truck. My arms were incredibly sore and I ached all over, but the job was done for now. Checking my watch I noticed it was just past noon and I promised Tessa I'd come over around 2. "I've got enough time." I murmured to myself. I hopped into my 93' Chevy Silverado and started the engine. It sputtered slightly but started with no other issues. "Old Rusty." He has never let me down before. Shifting the gear I began driving back to the barn, I'll have to get Lucas to unload these for me later. All I could think about was getting into the shower and ridding myself of this dirt.

One hour and a shower later I was fresh, happy, and clean. Sliding on some jeans and a simple blue t-shirt I grabbed my riding boots and headed back to the barn. There my trusty stead was waiting for me. A roan colored quarter horse named Xaviar, my birthday present from my late grandmother a few years back. I heard him nicker as I walked in and grabbed his saddle pad. "Hey boy, ready to go to the Yeagers?" I asked him. Opening up his stall he rubbed his face against me. I laughed "I take that as a yes." After putting all his tack on I jumped up on his back and clicked my tongue once, ready to go.

As I was rounding the corner to the Yeagers, I saw Tessa arriving home from school. Once she saw me she gave me a wave and hopped out of the jeep. I was tying Xaviar up to a post when I heard Tessa say something about getting wasted after school was over. I sighed with a smile on my face. Man she is going to be trouble. Tessa came toward me with mail and a wagon of more things for Cade to fix.

"Hey Grace!" She exclaimed. She looked happy, glowing in the sun.

"So when's the party?" I asked her. She looked confused at my statement and I laughed at the inside. "The party, where you're going to get wasted at?" I smirked. Her eyes got big.

"Please don't tell my dad. I wasn't being serious. Honest." She stammered. I giggled at her.

"You know what I say Tess. If you're ever in trouble just call me and I'll come get you right away. As long as you're safe, that's all that matters." Tessa was like a little sister to me, we came up with this rule because I knew she would end up going behind Cade's back to do wild and crazy teenage things, just like every teenager does. So I was her safe ride, whenever, wherever. As long as she was safe. She smiled at me as we headed inside.

This place was almost like a second home to me I've spent so much time here. The fading light was shining through the windows giving it a homey feeling. I saw Tessa linger near the stairs looking at me, shuffling her feet. I knew what was up immediately. "Skype call with the boo?" I asked her coyly. She nods slightly, a smile forming on her face. I wave her off as I set off to the kitchen to see what I could help make for supper. The fridge was lacking so much it was sad. Beer, some leftover chicken, and condiments. Wow Cade, just wow. I gave up and decided to go into the barn to see what new contraption he's been working on.

On my way out I saw my brother Lucas's little car, and a tow truck with a very beat up old semi. I thought my truck looked like shit. I shook my head realizing Cade had bought it. Man, Tessa is not going to be happy. Speaking of the devil, she came barreling down the stairs to stare at the mess of a truck. Cade got out of the mini cooper and began to help the tow truck driver back up to drop the truck off. Tessa, a determination in her step, set off after her Dad.

"A truck? Dad, please tell me you didn't spend out money on this!" She said.

"Oh, no, don't worry, he didn't. He spent my money, a hundred and fifty bucks of it." Lucas spoke up.

"Oh come on Luke!" I said stepping down the stairs of the house. "You really have to stick up for yourself. Assert dominance. Stop giving him money for his crazy ass ideas." I said stepping up to them.

"Hey, my ideas are not crazy. And it's an advance on his regular paycheck."

"What regular paycheck?" Luke said, throwing his hands up.

Cade kinda stopped to think for a moment. "Which you will get back." He tried to make himself busy by unhooking the truck so he wouldn't have to answer anymore questions about money.

"When?" Lucas asked.

"Never, we're broke." I heard Tessa's voice turn melancholy at this sentence, and it hurt me. Everyone around here hasn't been doing so well. Including me and Luke. I rolled my eyes as Cade and Luke began arguing so I stalked over to this truck to take a closer look at it. It was different to say the least. Old, dusty, and rusty. My fingers grazed over the massive holes on the body. What the hell happened to you? This truck looked like it went through a warzone. I was ripped away from my thoughts by Cade.

"Hey, could you guys just get off my case? You know what the engine on this runs for? I can break it down and strip it for parts. And sweetheart, your shorts are shrinking by the second, okay? Cold water, air dry, please." Cade and Luke walked over to the truck where I was standing. Tessa kind of looked put out by her dads statement, I gave a smile and helped Cade and Luke get the truck in the barn.

Once the truck was inside I just sat by it. Something about it intrigued me. Maybe it was because it was so old. I had a thing for antique stuff, and this was definitely old enough to qualify. I sat in the background while I watched Tessa and Cade argue about money and his inventions for the billionth time. Luke was trying to summon the beer machine thing Cade made.

"What's the estimated time of arrival, usually? Average? Wait. So it just brings the beer near you? That's the trick?" Luke whined from his recliner.

"How about you get off your lazy ass and get it yourself?" I joked toward him.

"Why don't YOU get it for me?"

"Psh, you're hilarious. That was a great joke." I said stalking toward the fridge and grabbing a beer. I stood in front of Luke and cracked it open in front of him, handing it out to him. As he went to reach for it I snatched it back and chugged it. "Ha!"

"Oh that's just mean." He said.

Cade got up suddenly. "Purple people eater is back, and she looks hungry."

Oh great. This woman has always got under my skin. So I tried to just sit this one out. Last time I came face to face with this woman I almost socked her in the face. She looked kind of terrified. I listened to the altercation for a little bit before I decided to step out of the barn and walk toward Cade. He had a bat in his hand and was ready to swing. I came up behind him and grabbed it from him, looking the lady in the face.

"Is there a problem here?" I asked her.

"And I'll bring the police when I come, too! My brother ain't no joke!" She said suddenly as she shoved herself into her car. She tore out of there like a bat out of hell, and speaking of bats, I threw the one I had at her car.

"Grace, relax! You're going to have an aortic infarction." Luke said.

"Luke, do you even know what that is?" My hands placed on my hips.

"Uh, I think it's a brain heart attack." He questioned himself.

I laugh and pat his shoulder as I walk past him back toward the barn.