Universe: Bayverse
Characters: Annabelle Lennox, Ironhide, William Lennox, Sarah Lennox, and others.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Cursing and drinking
Plot: Annabelle gets stood up at prom

11

"Oh, Honey you look so lovely," Sarah gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. Young Annabelle blushed once she reached the final step of the Lennox house. William sat up and leaned on his knees as he looked over to see his daughter.

"Absolutely stunning," He smiled. Annabelle tucked a piece of strawberry blonde behind her ear.

"Thanks, guys," She smiled brightly although her embarrassment was clearly written across her face. Sarah rose from the couch and made her way over.

"I just knew as soon as I saw that dress, green was your color," Sarah said and examined her recently curled hair.

"She looks nice in every color," Will chuckled as he stood as well.

"Will, go get my phone I want a picture with my kid," Sarah told him placing a hand on her hip.

"Mom, it's getting late. He's going to be here any minute," Annabelle rose an eyebrow as she laughed.

"I know, I know but you've just grown so much! You look beautiful sweetheart and I want to remember this," Sarah insisted.

"You'll say that next year...its only junior prom." Annabelle snorted under her breath. William returned with the phone and gestured for Sarah to get closer. Sarah wrapped an arm around her daughter and they smiled. William took the photo and Sarah rushed over.

"Now you! Oh, wait! One on the porch! The sun setting will be so pretty!" Sarah urged as she ran out the door. Annabelle and William laughed as they trailed behind her. William wrapped an arm around Annabelle's shoulders and brought her close in a tight hug.

"You're going to blow away all the other girls. I know it," He teased. Annabelle snorted.

"You're just saying that cause you're my dad," She rolled her eyes and looked upward at him. He laughed and shook his head.

"Nope, not this time." They exited outside and Sarah was gesturing them to hurry as she backed up.

"Alright, sweetie just put your hand on the rail!" Sarah yelled as she was a good distance away as she took a photo. Ironhide grunted from the side of Sarah from the yell. He didn't dare complain as he was then woken from his stasis. Annabelle huffed.

"Mom!!" She whined. Sarah chuckled and they smiled. Sarah took the photo. Ironhide transformed and looked forward to the Lennox family curiously. Annabelle looked up at him and made her way to him as her parents looked at the photo. Ironhide blinked his blue optics at her in slight confusion. She rested her hand on his leg as he crouched to her.

"According to the human internet, you're dressed more formal than usual. Why?" He asked. Annabelle stifled a laugh.

"I'm going to party at my school. It's important to high school students to attend this party." Annabelle explained. Ironhide nodded his helm slowly.

"When will you return?"

"Lucas will most likely drop me off at 9." Annabelle shrugged. Ironhide rose an optic ridge.

"Lucas? Who is this human?" Ironhide narrowed his optics in suspicion.

"Well...it's also very traditional for a boy to ask a girl to this party and for them to pick them up and drop them off," Annabelle bit her lip. Ironhide paused in surprise.

"I have not met this Lucas. I wish to meet him before you run off with him." Ironhide spoke firmly in determination. Annabelle groaned.

"You can't 'Hide! Your cover, remember?" She placed her hands on her hips as he began muttering Cybertronian curses under his breath.

"What Prime doesn't know won't hurt him." Ironhide finally shrugged. Annabelle rolled her eyes.

"Hey Ironhide can you take our photo real quick?!" Sarah shouted. Will facepalmed beside her.

"Sarah you can't just..." He groaned. Ironhide rose an optic ridge as Sarah crossed her arms and began bickering with her husband.

"It'll be fine Ironhide. Don't worry it's nothing more than just a pickup and drop off," Annabelle reassured. Ironhide grunted as she began walking back to her parents. Sarah ran up to Ironhide ignoring Will's protests.

"Shut up Will, he's too scared of me to say no!" She snapped making him quiet. Ironhide gently took the phone from Sarah blinking his optics not sure how he would take a picture with his giant digits. Ironhide heaved a sigh as Will began laughing. Ironhide released his holoform and took the phone from the bipedal form. He lifted his arms and the three smiled. He took the picture and Sarah ran over as soon as he lowered his hands.

...

Annabelle sat on the porch, the sun well set. Her eyes kept searching the dirt road by them in hope. Although every minute she felt the hope demolish and deflate like a popped balloon. Ironhide's alt form waited off to the side. Annabelle fiddled with her bag as she waited. The screen door behind her opened. Light poured upon her and a sigh was heard behind her. Boots slapped against the wooden porch as her father approached. Will sat next to her and looked at her. Annabelle's eyes still searched the road ahead, trying to see through the darkness.

"You want anything? Dinners being put away." He offered softly. That was all it needed for the young girl to break through her wall of hope. Her eyes lowered and she shook her head. All hope was gone in the youngest Lennox now.

"No, I'm okay." She muttered.

"You need to eat, it's really late."

"What time is it?" She asked looking to him. Will paused for a moment.

"It's just about 9:20." He answered. Annabelle cursed under her breath and slid her face into her hands. "I'm sorry honey, we can still-."

"No! We can't! It's over! It ended 20 minutes ago!" Annabelle stood and threw her bag down as hot tears began to stream down her face. Will stood as well and pulled her into a hug.

"Hey, Belle..." He shushed as she cried into his chest.

"I don't get it!" She angerly spoke into his embrace. Will rested his chin on her head as the door opened to the house again. Sarah leaned against the doorway worriedly. Will looked at her and shook his head. Sarah frowned and stepped outside. Annabelle pulled away and wiped her face. "This was just a waste of time...I'm going to go take a shower and head to bed." She muttered. Sarah pushed back her hair in exasperation watching her daughter leave. Will gripped the rail and felt his jaw tighten.

"That jackass of a kid," He growled angerly.

"William don't start that. That isn't what she needs." Sarah told him sternly. Will grabbed the bag she threw and shook his head as he went to Ironhide's driver side. "William!" She called again.

"What's the kid's name, Sarah?" William asked with furious eyes. Sarah crossed her arms and paused then gave up.

"Lucas. Lucas Kinley." She told him. "Don't put the boy in a hospital, William." She warned before traveling up the stairs. Will hopped into the seat and shut the door.

"Start going to her school, I need to give the boy a piece of my mind," William commanded. Ironhide let a loud rumble of his engine roar before he took off down the dirt road, kicking up dust. Sarah watched them leave with a shaking head before going to check on Annabelle.

...

"He hurt Annabelle. He better have a good excuse of why he didn't pick her for prom." Ironhide growled under his breath.

"As much I want you to, we can't blow him to bits," William told him firmly.

"Why? Take him out back and I'll make it quick." Ironhide grunted.

"No Ironhide, we're just going to 'talk' to him," William spoke lowly. Ironhide grunted.

"I knew it was a bad idea to have an immature boy drive Annabelle to this ridiculous human party," Ironhide began muttering under his breath. Will turned Ironhides steering wheel, indicating for him to pull over in at the school. William half expected the rascal to still be here even if it was after hours. There was still a couple of cars flowing through the front car line to pick up their kids. Will scratched his chin, the light beard that was beginning to grow.

"No he's not here. Go around back." He told him. Ironhide moved back into the lane. Irritation at the car line he honked his horn.

"Ironhide! You can't-." Will almost snorted. "Nevermind. Just turn right where the student parking is."

"Why? You claimed the boy wouldn't be here." Ironhide grunted.

"Oh not in the front," Will smirked. "But I know how teenage boys are." Ironhide pulled off into the student parking lot and began driving down. Will looked around and saw a couple of boys sitting off to the side on the curb. A glass bottle in a few of their hands. Will groaned inwardly. "Alright that's it, come on Ironhide." He swung open the drivers door and jumped down. His military boots scuffled against the roads pebbles as he approached the boys. Ironhide followed in his holoform. The boys didn't seem to notice their presence until they loomed over them. The red haired boy looked up first.

"Can we help you?" He asked laying back on his hands.

"Which one of you is Lucas Kinley?" William spoke first. The red haired jerked his head behind him.

"Back there. Throwing up like a wuss." He laughed. The blonde next to him threw his head back. Will looked to Ironhide who grabbed the bottles from them and smashed them into the roads pavement.

"You are underage. I suggest you head home." Ironhide growled.

"Hey! Man you don't get to boss us around!" The blonde stood and swayed slightly. Ironhide took a step closer and Will would have stopped him had he not seen the small scan go through his blue holoforms eyes.

"Bradley Cole Jackson, I apologize for giving the impression that I cared. But before I wreck you I think you should think twice and get into your filthy vechile and leave." Ironhide snarled. The boys eyes widened.

"H-how do you know my name?" He questioned with slight fear. Will placed a hand on Ironhide before he could get near him enough.

"You." He pointed to the boys. "Get your asses home." He glared. They groaned and some of them muttered under their breaths. Said Bradley tripped over the curb as he was leaving and scrambled to his feet before getting into his car. Will looked to Ironhide as they started to the back. "Think it's wise to let them drive after they've been drinking?"

"Don't care. Shouldn't have drank then." Ironhide grunted. They rounded a bush and saw another kid, Lucas Kinley laying on the ground groaning. Ironhide knelt to him and grabbed his collar, shoving him up. Will crossed his arms as Lucas looked at them and broke into a grin.

"Heyyy how long have we been out here, bro?" He laughed. "We've gotten old!" Ironhide felt his lip curl into a sneer.

"This is the male that would court Annabelle to the dance?" Ironhide spoke harshly. Lennox ignored him.

"Oh yeah her? That Annabelle girl? She was hot, but yo' her family? Not so much." Lucas shook his head. "Man, they kept hovering and asking questions!" He shouted before slumping back in Ironhides grip.

"Stand him up. I've got a few more for him." Lennox growled.

...

Annabelle woke the next morning with a groan. Her eyes were crusted from old tears. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up. She threw her comforter off her and swung her feet to the floor. She stood and furrowed her eyebrows as her phone on the table side was vibrating. She grabbed it and saw she had many text messages. Annabelle read them through, sitting back on her bed. Her face blinked in confusion. She got up quickly and rushed out into the hall. "Mom!" She called.

"In the kitchen!" Her mother responded. Annabelle scampered down the steps and slid into the kitchen.

"Mom, Lucas texted me. Why is he in the middle of nowhere with a bloody nose and a black eye?"