Complex Robotics

*updates again because of my guilt for dipping for like a year*

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Nadir

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(Charlie's POV)

"Are you sure you don't want to ride with us?" My mother asked.

I shook my head, "I'll be fine."

"Where's Santiago's ride anyway?" Colton spoke up, his eyes glancing around the parking lot.

"Um," I hesitated for a moment, knowing what was going to come next, "That yellow Lambo."

When Colton's eyes landed on it, they widened to the size of saucers, and a similar facial expression crossed my mother's face.

"Absolutely not !"

Colton ignored my mother's protest, "A Lamborghini?! A freaking Lamborghini!? That was your ride?! You didn't tell us your guy-friend was loaded!"

I sighed, "No, Colton. You can't ride with us."

All of his excitement quickly faded to disappointment, "What? Why not?"

I nervously ran my hand through my tangled hair, "He's just a bit...wary with meeting new people. He just needs time to adjust, that's all."

Colton's eyebrows scrunched together, and frowned, "Is it because I tried to take a swing at him?"

I snorted, "Well, that's part of it."

His dejected frown didn't let up, and I sighed, bringing up to squeeze his shoulder comfortingly. It took a lot of coaxing, but fifteen minutes later, I had both my mother and brother back in the 4Runner. I was walking back to the no doubt furious golden twin when a thought had struck me, something that I hadn't even noticed before.

Where's Dad?

He wasn't in the car...could he have been at the convenience store? The instantaneous urge to see him swelled in my chest, and my heart fluttered at the thought of being wrapped up in his arms again.

I turned around, about to make a bee-line for the convenience store, but the collar of my shirt was pulled harshly, and I staggered backwards, nearly tripping over my own feet. My back was slammed sternly into one of the gas station meters, and I hissed at the small burst of pain that raced up my spine.

"What the frag is wrong with you?!" Sunstreaker snarled, his usually cobalt blue eyes were so dark with fury that they looked purple. His hands were still in tight fists, and static laced the edges of his voice, "We don't have time to be taking all these slagging detours! "

I scowled, "They're not a 'detour', Sunstreaker. They're my family, and I haven't seen them in five months! You can handle one night."

"I can only barely tolerate you," He snarled, and the golden Lamborghini emitted a low, dangerous growl, "What makes you think I'll tolerate being around more of you?"

Okay, that one hurt.

It left a bitter feeling inside me, and my gazed switched to the ground. The reaction to his furious words had tears swelling up in my eyes, and they momentarily blurred my vision. But with a quick few blinks, and a harsh wipe, they were gone. I still refused to meet his burning gaze.

"Okay, fine. Go ahead and leave...but just know if you do, this would've been all for nothing." I said slowly, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Sunstreaker's eyes narrowed, "What are you talking abo-"