Can't Run Away Forever

[illdriveyoushoot]

She takes the bus now, more often than not.

She'd sold her old bike, dragged her dad off for a 'new start'; pretty much vanished off the grid for a while. Mikaela had done as much as she'd been allowed to do, to get away and keep from being found.

Keep from being found by her friends, at least.

A part of her - the bitter part - is sometimes upset that they never did. That they never tried, never suspected. But then again, the way she had broken up with Sam, real and so very angry...

That same bitter part, while upset, isn't surprised she'd been so easily forgotten.

And then Chicago had happened, freedom had come with a price for everyone, and...

Well. Being left alone was more understandable, after that.

So now Mikaela takes the bus, to and from her little backwoods, podunk gas station/convenience store/one-car garage quick-e-mart, the best she can get on just a highschool degree in this economy, expunged record or not. She does register and occasional garage work, and she has a good shot at making manager in the spring. Her dad has his own place, finally, moving in with a woman with little patience and no tolerance for his crap.

She's too good for him, and Mikaela is happy for them.

But being on her own leaves her with too much time to think, and despite no lack of offers, hints, and the same old innuendos, she's had no one since Sam. She's lonely, and alone in a world where no one remembers or cares who she is or what she's given up.

In short, it sucks, and playing at 'normal' isn't at all what it's cracked up to be.

Comments

[oneshallstand]

Usually, he is. Usually, he's not dealing with a stifled self repair given the opportunity to work.

He blinks slowly, the words taking longer to normal to process. When they do, he grimaces slightly; there's an irrational protest at the effort that remains unspoken, because she as absolutely right. He can't stay like this...

Exventing once, he makes a vague noise of assent, gesturing for her to give him some room before he starts to fold himself in to the dinged-up semitruck.

There, he transformed.

...and is remaining in place.

[illdriveyoushoot]

Stepping back, Mikaela was relieved enough that, when he finally transformed, she was able to mostly suppress her wince at how painful his transformation still looked and sounded.

Any praise died on her lips when he remained still and unmoving, even after keying the garage door to raise up in the back.

"...Optimus? Optimus?"

Oh, not again.

[oneshallstand]

To be fair, he's not quite back asleep, yet. Not for lack of want, mind, but there's a bleary flicker of his headlights to let her know that yes, he's listening, and what did she want again?