Sunstreaker still looked like shit. The only thing he had changed was his outfit and different perfume. I could tell he still had a nasty fever. 'You promised,' was all he said as he saw me looking. He gestured for me to follow. 'Maybe we should leave the base.' He glanced at me. 'Why?' I shrugged. 'Oh...' he stopped. 'You don't want to be seen with me, huh?' He snapped. That was the real reason, but I started feeling guilty now that he said it out loud. 'N-no... you wanted to go out for a drink, and the cafeteria is not a good place,' I snapped back. He eyed me. 'I can't afford anything else.' I raised a brow. 'But I can.' I turned around, but he grabbed me. 'That's not the point. Can you just listen for once!' He hissed. I raised my hands at peace. I think it's an ego thing. He's the man; he wants to pay.

I obliged his request, and we sat down at a table. 'Do you drink alcohol?' I shook my head. 'No, I don't; perhaps I should,' I muttered. 'I used to drink high grade doesn't work.' He walked off. I raised a brow. This time he sounded genuine, defeated even. He returned a few minutes later and handed me my drink. 'Apple juice?' He shrugged. 'Looks like beer.' I snorted and looked out of the window. I doubted the beer he was about to consume would stay in, but not my business.

I turned my attention back to him and caught him staring at me. 'Spill the beans... what is the real reason you asked me for this... drink?' I asked, pointing at us. Sunstreaker fiddled with the bottle on the table. 'You showed me a little bit of kindness, so...' he shrugged. I raised a brow and eyed him closely. I wanted to believe he was genuine, but I somehow didn't believe him. 'Ratchet told me to play nice... I'm not in a killing mood. The only reason you're sitting here is because of my state.' I ohh'ed and slumped back. 'I'm not always a monster,' he added. I bit my lip. 'It's just tough for people to believe.' 

I took a sip of my apple juice under his watch. 'Yeah, you're right about that one,' I muttered and took another sip. Sunstreaker placed his beer bottle on the table and didn't seem to have much appetite. 'What have you been doing?' He questioned after a long, tense, and awkward silence. 'Just some paperwork. I had to catch up on a few things,' I muttered. 'Ah, because of yesterday. Well, everyone is drooling over my alt-mode. I get a lot of attention.'
I bet. I thought sarcastically and met his gaze. 'I'm just saying that I'm grateful.' I somehow believed it was genuine. He had said it several times now, and that's nothing for Sunstreaker. 'You're welcome,' I replied stiffly.

'You still don't like me, do you?'

'Nope. I don't. The only reason I'm doing this is that you asked. We talk for a couple of months, and then I return home. Why can't we leave each other alone?' He shifted a little. 'I'm all in for that.' He snorted and looked outside. He suddenly jumped up and took a sprint towards the kitchen. I heard him vomiting. I heaved myself up and strode into the kitchen. He hovered over the sink. Some of the cooks watched with disgust at the scenery in front of them, and how could I blame them?

'Come on, Sunstreaker...' I grabbed his elbow and made him turn. 'You need to lay down and stop drinking beer,' I warned, taking him back to his room. He said nothing as we strolled through the endless corridors. Almost as if he was lost in a chain of thoughts. That's what his face showed, at least.

Back in the dorm, he brushed his teeth and refreshed himself while I looked around his room. It kept surprising me how organized and clean it was. He even had a few photos displayed on his desk. I picked one up. This must have been taken back on Cybertron or a piece of his memory. It showed a tall, silver mech with tires instead of regular feet. 'That's my twin brother, Sideswipe.' I turned around. 'We got separated back on Cybertron,' he explained and took the photo, staring at it for several seconds before placing it back. 'Twin?' He hummed. 'Don't worry; he's not a monster like me.'

I didn't reply and watched him sit down on his bed. 'I'm going to nap,' he sighed and crawled under the guilt. 'Alright...' I turned around and walked up to the door. I shut the lights behind me and left.
On my way out, Ratchet caught me. 'How's your arm?' He asked before I could make a sharp reply. 'It's fine. Healing perfectly, especially after the antibiotics you gave me.' He gave a slight nod. I crossed my arms. 'What is it?'

'Thank you... for what you did for Sunstreaker.' I snorted and shook my head. 'Yeah, whatever. Keep him on a leash.' I turned around. I heard him sigh. 'How's he doing? Weren't you having a drink with him?' I turned around. 'I don't know... you're the medic. Maybe you should talk to him yourself.' He crossed his arms. 'Drop the act.' I gritted my teeth and stepped closer. 'Look... I don't want to talk about it, okay? We stay away from each other now; problem solved, now if you excuse me... I'm leaving.'

I left and headed back to my uncle's place. I just kissed dinner but wasn't too bothered by that. After witnessing Sunstreaker vomit again, I lost my appetite. 'Sky! Darling.' Suzan walked up to me and laid her hand on my cheek. 'You're home.' I swallowed my remark and forced a smile on my face. 'Have you eaten? You must be hungry.' I shook my head. 'No, thank you. I'm good.' My eyes trailed into the living room. Kyle was watching Football, but there was no sign of my uncle.

'Why don't you take a shower?'

I nodded and headed upstairs. I grabbed comfy clothes and underwear from my closet before strolling into the bathroom. Thinking back, I'm sure Ratchet was behind it. He probably told Sunstreaker to have a drink with me. I doubt Sunstreaker would even consider asking me if it wasn't for Ratchet.

After my shower, I went to bed. It wasn't late, but today was busy and tired me out. I was more than happy to realize I have two days off tomorrow. I wasn't going to stay here and have Kyle boss me around and mock me, but I wasn't sure where I was going either.
The following morning, I got up at 9:30. In casual clothes, I groggily walked down to face Kyle sitting at the dining table. Both Matt and Suzan had already left for work. 'Look who's awake, sleeping beauty.' I didn't reply and opened the fridge. 'You know...' he got up and walked into the kitchen. 'You're my niece, but I never liked you.'

I turned around to face him. 'That's mutual.' He hummed and crossed his arms. Maybe an attempt to look intimidating. Kyle has always been a little on the chubby side and therefore bullied a lot in school. That's why I didn't go all berserk on him. He got bullied, so he bullies others to make himself feel better, I guess. Maybe in different circumstances, we would've been nice to each other. 'It surprised me that psychopath hasn't killed you yet.'

I rolled my eyes. 'Just shut up about Sunstreaker,' I scolded. Kyle followed me into the hall, where I grabbed my shoes and sat down on the stairs to put them on. 'I heard rumours that you spend quite some money on him...' he trailed off. 'So?' He shrugged. 'Where did you get the money from?' I snorted and got up, pulling on my jacket. 'None of your business, Kyle.'

I squealed my keys off the small shelf above the heater close to the door. I left before he could make another remark and headed for Starbucks for my breakfast. It was only a ten-minute walk. I strolled in and was welcomed by the sight of a fight happening in front of me. 'Your card has been declined! No money, no coffee! Now get the hell out!' The man behind the counter yelled. Why do I always stumble upon Sunstreaker?

I passed some people. 'It's okay, I'll pay for it,' I muttered and grabbed my credit card. 'You shouldn't be paying for this maniac!' The man hissed. 'You want your damn money or not?' I snapped back. Sunstreaker did a step before. I ordered for myself as well. We said nothing while waiting. It was until we sat down he spoke up. 'Thanks.'

'Why do you even come here knowing you're broke?'

'I'm not broke. I've money in my account, but they froze it. They're scared I'll start buying weapons and stuff,' he muttered. He took a sip. Sunstreaker looked better than the previous day. 'I just need coffee.' I hummed and took a sip of my iced coffee. 'Guess can I can finish having a drink with you.' I snorted and rolled my eyes. 'Guess you do.'