Ch. 4
A Pretty Cool Robot

It took us about thirty minutes for us to get back home. Aside from the radio blasting pop music, the car was relatively silent- me driving calmly, and Sam sitting quietly in the passenger seat, twiddling his thumbs. Neither of us really knew what to say or if we should even say anything. He'd already apologized and I accepted it. And, I guess I kind of… sort of… maybe… overreacted. There, I said it. Happy? But, whatever. Water under the bridge now.

Once we got home I parked in front of the house instead of the garage. We sat there in silence for a few moments. Sam shifted in his seat, looking a little uncomfortable. I sighed. I knew what he was thinking, because I was thinking the same thing.

"So… we cool?" he asked quietly.

I looked over at him, and nodded. "Yeah. We cool."

He nodded, and we both turned to face forward again. Neither of us said or did anything for a moment. Then I sighed again.

"Oh, hell… C'mon, bring it in."

Sam turned his head back to me in time to see me open my arms up and out to him. He blinked at me, apparently confused.

"Don't just sit there," I snapped, but I could feel myself smiling. "Give your big ol' sister a big ol' hug."

Sam finally smiled at me before leaning forward and wrapping his arms around me. I hugged him tightly, trying to put all my unsaid feelings into the gesture. I guess it worked because Sam hugged me tighter as well. After what felt like a few minutes we finally separated. He smiled at me, then looked in front of him.

"You know, I really love this car."

I chuckled. "Yeah, me too."

"You coming in?"

"Nah, you go on. I'll catch up."

Sam nodded, then unbuckled himself, opened the door, and got out. I watched him through the windshield as he walked to the front door and walked inside. Once he disappeared I reached for the keys and turned the ignition off. My hand slid from the keys to the stirring wheel and I slid my hand against it. I took a deep breath, and said something I had been meaning to say since I was at the lake.

"You're not a normal car, are you?"

Silence. Really long silence.

"C'mon, bae. You're clearly not normal, you might not even be a car. With the way you've been acting since we got you, you're obviously not. I mean, c'mon… just fess up!"

Still silent. Then the dial turned and the radio turned on. At first there was nothing but static. But after a few turns…

"…Knew you'd find out- You medaling kids!"

I gave a soft gasp, staring at the radio in surprise. I half-expected nothing to happen, but at the same time I did. I gulped, trying to calm myself. I didn't want to freak out if I didn't have a reason to.

"Okay…" I breathed. "I didn't think you were normal… So, what are you then?"

The dial turned again. "…It could get scary, kid- You wouldn't understand…"

I blinked, feeling my head tilt slightly to the side. Why wouldn't I understand? I mean, yeah, I didn't understand right now, but that's because nothing has been explain to me yet. Slightly hesitant, I reached up and placed it on the stirring wheel. I thought I felt the object shiver slightly.

"Then help me understand."

Silence again. Longer this time, and more intense. I wasn't sure what to say or do besides sitting there with my mouth shut. But that's what I did, and I waited for the car to respond in any way. After what felt like forever I saw the key turn and the car came alive. The engine rumbled and the seatbelt seemed to tighten around me. Having a feeling of where this was going, I reached into my pocket and took out my phone. I dialed Sam's number and waited for him to answer.

"Emma?"

"Sam, I'm gonna go out for a drive. If mom and dad ask, just tell them I'm going to the nearest gas station to get milk or something."

"What? But why-"

"I just need to clear my head, okay? Just- just buy me some time, okay? I'll only be half an hour, I promise! Please?"

Sam sighed on the other line. "Okay…fine. I'll tell them you're getting milk. But be back soon, okay?"

"Yes, mom."

Before he could respond I hung up. It wasn't until I put my phone back in my pocket that I realized the car had driven up the driveway and stopped just in front of the road.

"…Seatbelts, kids."

I quickly put my seatbelt on as the car slowly went onto the road, then quickly started driving quickly. Out of pure nervousness I clenched and unclenched my fists. What was going to happen, I had no idea. But I was in too deep now, and I had to find out what was going on with my car. If it even was a car. Jesus, Emma, what have yah gotten yourself into now?

Really? An abandoned cliff where kids go to screw is were you wanted to go?

It was true. This strange-ass car had just spent the past 20 minutes driving through and out of town just to stop at some cliff. The only thing there was a tall tree and a bush. It was a few miles away from any house, so- like I said before- it's a perfect place for any couple to do a little screwing.

The car slowly drove up to the tree and parked it there. I drummed my hands against my thighs, waiting for something.

"So…what now?"

The car remained still for a moment. There was a loud click as the seatbelt unbuckled itself and slung off of me. The door unlocked as it slowly swung open, allowing me to exit. I slowly stepped out of the car and walked into the outside world. As I turned the car door shut on its own, and then locked itself. I put my hands in my pockets and tapped my foot on the ground, waiting for something.

"…Close yah eyes, kid."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes a little at that. Nonetheless, I closed my eyes and even turned around, just to show that I wouldn't peek. I even covered my ears, feeling that I would hear whatever was about to happen. I stood there, blind and deaf, for about thirty seconds, but it felt like a few minutes instead. I was about to just open my eyes and turn around when I felt something warm grab both of my wrists. Hands…

The hands pried my own from my ears as I opened my eyes. I gasped.

"Benny?"

He grinned sheepishly. "Heh, told you I'd see you later, didn't I?"

I couldn't believe it. It was Benny! He was just as I remembered him from the game. Caramel locks, baby-blue eyes, and that same, tight black shirt with yellow stripes. Now that I think about it, that shirt is pretty tight on his muscles… No! Bad Emma! Focus!

"Dude, where'd you come from?" I asked.

Still holding my wrists, he shrugged. "From the car."

"What do you-"

"Look, Emma, I'm not here to… What's that saying? 'Beat around the bush?'" he asked, and I nodded. "Yeah, well, I'm not gonna do that, so I'm just gonna come out with it. Is that okay?"

I shrugged. "I'm not one to beat around the bush either. Just…take your time, I guess."

Benny nodded, and finally let go of my wrists. Surprisingly, they felt a little less warm with out them being held. Benny ran his fingers through his hair, looking a little nervous and uncomfortable.

"Well, um…" he sighed. "Oh man, how do I say this? Well…do you see…this?"

He gestured his hands all over himself. I blinked, and stared at him confusingly.

"You mean…yourself?"

"Yes!" he said happily. "You see, the thing is, this… erm… isn't me."

"What do you mean it's not you?"

"I mean… it's not my real body, so to speak."

I closed my eyes for a second then opened them again, my eyebrows arcing far up my forehead. Now, last I checked, Benny wasn't this weird when I met him at the game. Now he shows up acting all strange and crap. What's his deal?'

"Dude, you ain't making any sense."

Benny sighed. "Turn around."

I was beginning to get irritated by now, and I let out a loud groan as I whipped around. Then gasped. There, standing behind me, was a 20 ft, big as hell, giant robot. No, seriously, it was a robot! Made out of metal and wires and what looked like yellow and black armor. I stumbled back a few feet, staring up at the thing. I turned to look at Benny.

"Benny, what's going on?" I asked.

But then, like it was out of some weird science-fiction movie, Benny disappeared like hologram. I gasped again and looked up at the giant robot again. The second Benny disappeared two light bulb-like things on it's face lit up, suddenly glowing bright blue. The robot blinked a few times, shaking its head slightly and looked down at me. The second it made eye contact with me I froze up, my breath caught in my throat. Easy Emma, I told myself. You said you wanted answers, and now your getting them. Just…don't freak out.

I took a deep breath to calm myself, and it worked, surprisingly. The robot took a step towards me, slowly going down onto one knee and leaning in closer towards me. For a second I thought about backing away, but I didn't. I didn't feel I had a reason to anymore. Once I got over the shock I realized that this thing didn't look so bad. It even looked…nice. Cute, even. In fact, as the creature leaned its head towards me more, I took two steps towards it. We both stopped at the same time, and stared into each others faces. I stared at its bright eyes. The light was a bright, baby blue…

"…Benny?"

The robot nodded, and I inhaled.

"Holy shit…" my eyes widened. "Holy shit!"

I took one step back, my hands going to my mouth. This was actually happening. This was really happening! My car was a robot!

"Oh my God!" I stepped back up as Benny leaned back so he was kneeling up right. "Dude, you're a robot?"

Strange, strangled wiring noises that sounded like chuckling sounded from Benny's mouth, and he nodded.

"Man… you could've said something, Benny."

The robot laughed again, and shook his head, waving his hand around. Then from the radio the song "That's Not My Name," blared loudly for a second.

"That's not my name… That's not my name…"

The song cut off.

"Huh…" I looked up at the robot. "Well, what's your name then, big guy?"

"… Sweet little bumblebee-"

The song cut off before I had a chance to know what it was. I snorted slightly, but kept my cool.

"So, is your name… Bumblebee?" I guessed.

Loud cheers and claps issued from the radio, and Bumblebee clapped his hands, nodding. I clapped my hands as well.

"Yay! I got something right!"

Bumblebee chuckled again. I looked up at him, a grin growing on my face.

"Yo Bee," I gestured down with my hand. "C'mere."

Bee wasted no time in leaning back down and closing in on me. I took a few steps towards him, getting closer and closer to his face. Finally, I was about a foot away from his metal face. I could almost see my reflection in the metal on his face. Slowly, I lifted my hand up and reached out for his face. Bee flinched back only slightly. I continued reaching forward until finally, my hand touched his face. The metal was soft, smooth, and surprisingly warm. I smiled up at the giant metal face.

"Hey, Bee?"

A screeching, wiring noise that sounded like "yes?" came from the place that looked like his mouth.

"Can we go to the gas station now? If I don't come home with milk my folks with get suspicious."

Bee made a noise that sounded like a chuckle, and nodded. I lowered my hand as he pulled back and stood up on his feet. A few moments later, Bee had molded back into his car form. The transformation was weird and kind of cool to watch. I stared at his other form for a few seconds. When I didn't move the car door on the drivers side slowly opened.

"…Aren't you coming?"

I smiled. "Yeah."

I strode over to the car, completely confident. I mean, I had no reason to be afraid, right? I've been driving Bee for over a week now. Why should I be nervous about driving him now? That was a trick question. I shouldn't be nervous, and I'm not.

I got into the drivers seat and fastened my seatbelt as Bee closed the drivers door. I was about to reach for the key in the ignition when I paused.

"Hey, Bee, you can drive pretty well, right?"

"…Hell yeah!" the radio sounded happily.

"Right. Well, I was just thinking…" I smirked. "Why don't you show me what you can really do?"

A chuckle rang from the radio, and the engine roared back to life. My smirk widened. This is gonna be awesome.

"…Hold on tight!"

I was starting to feel excited as I gripped the edge of my seat. Bee started up and I saw the stirring wheel move. The car suddenly swerved to the right, tilting ever so slightly. I gripped my seat tighter as I let out a joyful laugh. I was already getting more excited.

…Okay, so I'm easily impressed. So what?

The engine roared as the gas was pushed down, and suddenly the car shot off. I gasped as I was pushed back against the seat.

Bee drove off. And boy, did he drive! Bee was driving so fast on the road, and yet he was going so smooth at the same time. I'd never been in a car with someone who could drive so well. Maybe it was an alien thing? When we were on the road I rolled the window down and stuck my head out. The wind felt awesome against my face and in my hair.

"I LOVE CUPCAKES!" I shouted out into the night sky.

Laughter and cheers echoed from the radio from inside the car. I laughed as I stuck my head back inside and sat down. Bee rolled the window back up, and the dial on the radio turned again. It went through several stations before stopping on one. The song was "Shut Up and Drive" by Rihanna.

"Best drive to the gas station ever!" I shouted.

Guys, I just wanna say that I'm sorry that this chapter was so short, and I'm sorry that it took so long, and I'm sorry that this probably wasn't as good as it should've been. I wanted to make this longer, but I also felt that this chapter had been put off long enough. So, I hope you liked it, and I hope you'll send a review. It really helps me when you do.