I sigh nervously as I look around the ever growing amount of people. I was about to graduate and I could see my human parents as well as my Cybertronian father and brother sitting in the stands with my other Cybertronian and human friends. Looking around some more, I was surprised to see an unfamiliar human with my friends. He had white hair with a green and red-orange stripe through his hair. He also had several scars on his face. He wore mostly white, with green and red-orange stripes on his jacket and pants. His shirt was completely white. It was only when I looked at his eyes that I knew who it was. I gasped when I saw Wheeljack's bright blue eyes, staring right at me. He had a holoform now? When did he get it?

I shake my thoughts out of my head as I listen to the principal speaking.

"It's amazing how many people are here for these wonderful students. We have several good students who qualified for many scholarships, but none of them are as talented as our wonderful valedictorian. This student was bullied for many years, and she never knew her real parents. She was adopted by two kind people who love her dearly. I introduce to you, Alexis Japping."

I stand up with a deep breath. I walk forward to the microphone with my notecards in hand.

"Hello. My name is Alexis Japping. I am the valedictorian for this year. Like our wonderful principal said, I was adopted by Derek and Sally Japping. They became my parents and I am so thankful to have them in my life. I never would have survived high school without them. I am also thankful for my teachers who pushed me to my limits, who made my mind stronger than it was when I was a freshman. It amazes me to think back to when I was a freshman, and see how much I have grown. My parents and teachers helped so much. However, recently, I made several friends outside of high school. I have chosen to join the military instead of going to college and I have made many friends within the military who helped me make this decision. And it was becoming friends with people in the military that I met my real father. Even only just knowing him for about two weeks, he has helped me so much. He taught me what it is to feel loved and to love someone that you didn't know for most of your life. I can't believe that he is in my life today including all of my friends now. I specifically want to call out a junior, sophomore, and freshman. Jackson Darby, who helped me realize that just because something is cool, doesn't mean it's okay. Miko Nakadai, who taught me to laugh, and to have fun. And Raf Esquival, who taught me that you can move forward even when there are obstacles in the way. I just want to say to all of us seniors, that this is our last day as a senior. This is our last day on these school grounds. This is the day that we join the world with our thoughts, our opinions. And I just want to say that I am glad to have been able to go to school with every single one of you. Even the ones I don't know. I am extremely glad to have been a part of this amazing school. Thank you."

I sat down and every senior soon recieved our diplomas. We then went to the front of the school, gathered in a circle and tossed up our graduation hats. I smile as they come back down.

I quickly find all of my friends and family that had come to support me. Jack, Miko and Raf were the first ones to find me. They all gave me a hug. My parents then found me next and were crying softly.

"You're all grown up now", my mom sobs.

"I know", I say softly. "It's a weird thought now."

"We are proud of you though", Optimus says.

I smile at him and at all of my Cybertronian friends. They were all crowding around me, except for Wheeljack. He was hanging back. My smile disappears as I see him start to walk away. I frown before making my way past all of my friends.

"Jackie!" I call out his nickname. He ignores me so I catch up to him.

"Hey", I say as I grab his shoulder and turn him toward me.

He looks down at the ground before looking up at me.

"You're not gonna come with me, are you?"

Shock filled my system. "Why do you ask that?"

"You're just so happy to be around them, and you know them better than you know me", Wheeljack murmurs, as he looks down at the ground.

"Hey", I say softly, making him look up at me. "I didn't want to come with you because I know you. I wanted to come with you because no one should be alone. And... I want to get to know you better."

Wheeljack pulls me into a hug, surprising me. I smile before returning the hug gently.

"You still have to talk to Optimus about that, you know", Wheeljack says as he pulls away.

I sigh as my arms drop to my sides. "I know. I just... I don't know how to broach the subject with him."

"Ride with him back to base. Talk to him then", Wheeljack says. "You still have yet to show him you can transform into your real form too..."

"We're not going back to base after this. My parents invited everyone to come over to our house for a celebratory dinner", I mumble. Wheeljack chuckles before looking over my head.

"Miko is giving you this strange look", he murmurs.

I turn around to see Miko giving me lovey dovey eyes and pointing at me and Wheeljack. I stick my tongue out at her and she grins at me before going off to Bulkhead's vehicle form, with Bulkhead following her in his holoform.

I sigh before turning back to Wheeljack.

"What was that about?" Wheeljack asks.

"Nothing. Just Miko being Miko", I say as I blush. I silently scold myself. 'You barely know him! Why are you blushing?'

"Are you alright?" Wheeljack asks.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just... slightly embarrassed and confused..."

"Why?"

"I'll... uh... tell you later..." I mumble before walking back over to the group.

"Hey, Mom?" I say as I get closer to her. "Is it alright if I ride with Orion back to the house? There's something I need to talk to him about..."

"Sure, honey. We'll meet you there", she says as she and my dad walk off towards their car. I smile before turning to look at Optimus.

"Can we get going? I... I've been meaning to talk to you about something for a long time..."

Optimus nods and we walk over to his truck. I climb in and so does Optimus but as soon as the doors shut, his holoform fizzles out.

I was silent as I tried to figure out a way to tell him that I wanted to go with Wheeljack... I sighed before figuring the best way was to just blurt it out.

"So you know how Wheeljack is leaving tomorrow...?" I felt like such a small child doing this.

"Indeed", Optimus confirms.

"Well..."

"You wish to go with him", Optimus says.

"Huh? How did you know?"

"Our bond. You haven't been doing a very good job of hiding your thoughts", Optimus says.

"What else do you know...?"

"That you are unsure of your feelings towards Wheeljack." My face turns bright red. "However, I can tell that you are very fond of him, seeing as you have started to wear his colors more than you have worn mine."

I looked down at my clothes that I wore underneath my graduation gown. I was surprised to see that I wasn't wearing my usual blue, black and red. I was wearing green leggings with a long white shirt and a red-orange jacket.

"I hadn't noticed..."

"There is something else you have not told me, but it is something that you have been hiding very well in your mind", Optimus says.

"Yeah... I... Wheeljack... he... he helped me transform into my real form", I say. I felt Optimus almost swerve.

"You can transform into your Cybertronian form?"

I nod softly. Optimus was going to say something but before he could, we had pulled up in front of my house. I quickly escape the vehicle and rush into the house. I was happy to see that all of my friends had gotten there before me. Including Wheeljack. My face grew hot at seeing him and it confused me greatly. All of my friends and family smiled at me. I smiled at them and soon the celebratory dinner was started.

A few hours later, it was just me, my parents, Optimus, Wheeljack, and Bumblebee sitting in the living room. However, after a few moments, Optimus stands up.

"Brandon, Jackie, we must be returning to base", Optimus says.

"Aw, but I was just getting comfortable, Orion", Wheeljack says as he stretches his arms up and resting one of them behind me.

I blushed and quickly stood up. "Maybe you guys should get going. It is getting late."

Optimus sends some thanks to me through our bond and I smile softly.

Wheeljack sighs before standing up. I follow them outside where I turned to Optimus.

"Sire? Do you I have your permission to leave with Wheeljack tomorrow?"

Optimus looks at me before answering. "No. We may need you here."

I sigh. "Very well." I quickly hid my rebellious emotions before looking at Wheeljack.

Optimus and Bumblebee left, but Wheeljack stayed behind for a few more minutes.

"So... what time should I pick you up tomorrow?"

I grin happily. "I'd say about six in the morning? That way Optimus doesn't have a chance to stop me."

"Got it. I'll be here at about six to pick you. Be ready to go then and we'll be off to see the stars."

I smile before throwing my arms around Wheeljack. "Thank you so much for staying. I can't wait to see the stars with you."

I pull away and quickly kiss him on the cheek before rushing inside. I run up to my bedroom window and look out of it to see Wheeljack standing stock still before he looked up at my window, and grinned. He blew me a kiss before climbing into his vehicle mode.

I smile before going back downstairs where my parents were.

"Mom, Dad?" I say softly.

"What is it, sweetie?"

"So you know how I joined the military?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, boot camp training begins tomorrow. It's apparently very rigorous and there will be no time for calling family. I don't know how long it's going to take but I'll call you when I'm done with boot camp."

"What time are you leaving?"

"Six tomorrow morning", I say softly.

"Alright, well, you should probably get some rest then."

I nod and head up to my room, falling asleep quickly to the prospect of leaving with Wheeljack tomorrow.