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"I don't know about this."
He gave his friend an uncomfortable look as he got ready for some club.
"Come on Hot Rod, it'll be fun."
"I'm just not sure if I'm up to it."
"Hot Rod... You've been moping around ever since the break-up. You need to get out there and find someone to hook up with. Have sex, party, go wild. We're young and in college!"
She grabbed a bottle of alcohol and poured some into a plastic cup.
"Come on pregame with me. Once you're drunk you'll have a lot of fun.
He took the cup and looked at it, debating if he was really doing this. Looking up he watched Arcee press their cups together.
"Cheers!"
She downed hers and he also drank his.
"I don't know why I have to come with you? Why isn't anyone else going? They'd probably be better company then I am."
"They are. I'm just meeting them at the club."
"Arcee..."
"What?"
"You said you didn't have anyone else to go with and that you didn't feel safe going alone."
She shrugged and gave him another drink.
"Enjoy the night Hot Rod. Forget about your stupid ex."
Just mentioning his ex boyfriend made him want to take a drink.
Looking down at the cup in his hand he drank it and poured himself another one.
"Now that's what I'm talking about."
Arcee cheered and he ignored her downing his drink and trying to forget.
"I'm going to get us some things to wear."
He was about to ask why. When he looked down at what he was wearing now and cringed. It was his old pajamas that had stains all over and holes. When Arcee invited him over, he was too tired to change into anything else. Assuming they were staying in for the night.
Arcee held up her outfit.
"Here's my outfit. What do you think? It's awesome I know, you don't have to say anything."
Her outfit was a pink shoulder less body suit with long sleeves. Sparkles all over and 70s tassels going from her hips down her legs. She then picked up her boots which were white shiny platforms.
"What am I wearing?"
"Glad you asked. I have a few options."
She began pulling things out and holding them up for him to see.
"It's like a two piece bikini except the bottom is a little bigger. It's magenta with black flames. It also has fingerless gloves, that go to your forearms and pink fish net stockings. With a garter belt and platform black shoes."
"I don't know about that one, although I do like the flames. I'm just not feeling the color. Maybe something with sparkles like yours?"
"Okay, I'm going to be honest with you. A lot of my recent club outfits have fringe. I've been really into it recently."
"Okay, that's fine."
Arcee dug around and then pulled something out.
"How about this one?"
It was a red skirt that went mid thigh. With hues of pinkish orange and sparkly. He could also see cute flame designs and it came with a matching collar that had a beaded fringe. It swooped around his arms and upper chest.
"I don't have a top for this."
Arcee looked at it and he shrugged.
"That's fine."
He put it on and Arcee helped with his makeup. She gave him sparkly reddish orange eye makeup. With golden gems around his face and in his hair.
She also gave him a golden sun crown and two thick golden bracelets. Along with golden platforms.
"You look like a sun god."
He admired himself in the mirror and had to admit. The eye makeup managed to make his blue eyes stand out and the crown made it look, as though his red hair was on fire.
"Do you need help?"
He turned to Arcee who shook her head.
"I'll be done soon."
He nodded and grabbed another shot.
"Where are we going anyway?"
"To the Decepticon club."
He scrunched his nose giving her a confused look.
"Why? Maccadams, Swerves and the Autobots are better. The people there are kind of weird and rude."
Arcee shrugged.
"Maybe... But Windblade is meeting a girl there and..."
He nodded understanding where she was going with this. It looks like they'll be going to the Decepticon club for a while then.
She glanced at him giving him a sly look, which made him weary.
"What?"
"I hear the DJ is cute."
"No. No. No."
He immediately waved his hands in front of his face and then took a drink.
"I'm not interested."
"Come on Hot Rod. He's just your type."
"I don't have a type."
She gave him a look, but didn't say anything further. Instead she took a shot and then another one.
He looked at the time on his phone and asked.
"When are we supposed to get there?"
"Whenever."
"Are we running behind schedule?"
"No..."
"Are we going to be late."
She hesitated for a moment.
"No..."
He didn't believe her and went to make sure they had everything. Arcee finished getting dressed and walked out of the bathroom holding two cups.
"Here, these are the last."
He nodded and clinked it together.
"Cheers!"
Finishing their drinks they left Arcee's apartment and waited for their uber to arrive. While waiting he watched a cop car go by with it's lights flashing.
"The Ubers here."
He was distracted by Arcee pulling his arm towards the car.
Sitting inside he let Arcee do all the talking and just looked out the window.
When they go to the club, music was pounding and there was a line to get in.
He got out and Arcee followed putting an arm around his shoulder.
"Isn't this great."
He looked at the line and sighed.
"Sure. I love standing in line."
"Come on Hot Rod don't be like that."
She steered him towards the line and they both waited to be let in. Behind him he could hear a siren and when he looked over he saw police cars.
He watched them go by and then pulled out his phone to distract himself. The line slowly moved forward and they were near the door, when he watched an ambulance go by and another cop car.
He frowned wondering what was going on. When he was distracted by Arcee nudging him. He lifted his ID and the bouncer looked at them both, before allowing them inside.
Immediately the pounding music hit him. Causing his bones to rattle as he adjusted to the flashing lights. He searched the crowd of people dancing looking for their friends.
"Come on Hot Rod let's dance."
Arcee pulled him towards the dance floor and he shouted over the noise.
"What about our friends?"
"We'll find them eventually."
She pulled him along and they started dancing. He looked around and found his eyes drawn to the DJ. He couldn't see much except for his mask and visor. However there was an alluring aura about him.
"Isn't he hot?"
"You can't see his face."
"Rumor has it he's hot and Windblades date thinks he'd be your type."
He didn't respond knowing she wouldn't listen and continued to dance. The music was good and he was having fun.
He didn't notice Arcee had been pushing him towards the stage, until he bumped into someone.
Apologizing he turned around expecting to find some angry clubber. For some reason the people who go to the Decepticon bar are always scowling or looking annoyed.
"Bee!?"
"Hot Rod you made it!"
He hugged his excited friend and asked.
"Where's Windblade and her date?"
He looked around noticing she wasn't there.
"Getting drinks."
Arcee frowned.
"You were supposed to pregame."
"We did, they just wanted water and some time to themselves."
Arcee grinned mischievously.
"Ooh. Interesting."
Bee bounced to the music and spun Arcee around. She laughed and all three of them bounced to the music dancing.
"Arcee!"
They all looked over to see Windblade approach with someone else. The moment Windblade noticed him she frowned.
"You came."
He shifted and gave her a confused look wondering what was wrong. She didn't look happy to see him. Arcee and Bee both noticed and asked.
"What's wrong?"
Arcee nodded looking between the two of them.
"I thought we were going to set Hot Rod up with the hot DJ."
"Hey! I told you I wasn't doing that."
Windblade glanced at him and hesitated, before finally telling him, something that made his heart drop.
"Getaway is here and he's with someone."
Everyone gave him a concerned look and he tried to brush it away and have fun.
"It's fine. He can do what he wants we're not together anymore."
"Hot Rod.... It's with the guy he cheat--"
He cut her off, not wanting to hear the rest. He should have known Getaway would immediately hook up with them. After all they'd been sleeping together for a year. Before he accidentally found out by walking in on them.
He could see his friends looking at each other trying to communicate silently about him. Arcee looked over and asked.
"Do you want to leave, there's other clubs?"
"No it's fine. We should all enjoy ourselves. I'm done with Getaway and everything is fine. No need to leave. I'm fine. Let's continue dancing."
His friends didn't believe him and Bee put a supportive hand on his shoulder.
"We're here if you need us."
"Yeah I know."
Looking at his friends he knew they were trying to help him. However it felt suffocating all of a sudden and he needed to get away. Taking a step back he quickly made an excuse.
"I'm going to get some water as well. It's hot in here."
Before they could respond he was already stumbling away. He ignored the crowd trying not to bump into them and ignoring their annoyed looks when he did.
He finally made it to the bar and sat down, feeling a pain in his chest and the need to cry. Everytime he thought about Getaways betrayal, he wanted to curl up in a little ball and cry. He was left wondering what he did wrong and why he'd been cheated on.
Distracted he didn't notice someone approach. Until they were right next to him and putting an arm around his shoulder. At first he thought it was Arcee, until he looked over and saw some guy grinning at him.
He tried to ignore him and the sleazy look he gave him.
"How about I buy you a drink?"
"I'm not interested."
"Come on baby don't be like that."
The man leaned in closer and he pushed him away.
"Leave me alone."
The man didn't like that and frowned.
"I'm just being nice you don't have to act like that."
"I told you to leave me alone."
"I just want to buy you a drink."
"I'm not interested."
Come on baby stop acting like this and order a drink. Maybe later we can go back to my place."
"I'm not your baby!"
The man wouldn't leave him alone. Even when he tried to walk away and go back to his friends.
The man grabbed his waist and turned him around.
"Don't walk away from me."
"I think he told you to leave him alone."
He looked over and hated himself when his heart began to pound. Getaway grinned at him and then turned to the man bothering him.
"He's made it very clear he's uninterested, so move along."
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"Yes he is and I don't like when people touch what's mine."
He made a noise of protest because he wasn't Getaways... Not anymore. Not after he broke his heart. Getaway of course ignored him like usual and focused on the man. It was obvious his ex was trying to act all tough.
He thought about making his escape, since both men were distracted and was about to do it. When the man lunged at him. Getaway punched him and they began fighting.
Some people were staring at them and he felt himself get embarrassed and also angry.
He was angry at the man for refusing to leave go alone, and angry at Getaway for causing a scene. He had no doubt Getaway would admonish him afterwards. Just like when they were together, it was always his fault.
Scanning the crowd he looked for Getaways boyfriend. Even though he didn't want to see him. Not after he found him in bed with his boyfriend at the time.
If he did leave Getaway, he wouldn't be surprised. His ex was a manipulative jerk and it took them breaking up for him to realize.
The fighting attracted the bouncers attention and he cursed them both. Because he was going to get kicked out of the club. Another thing Getaway ruined when they were dating. His fun and his nights out. Always accusing him of cheating and texting and calling multiple times. Demanding he come home early and policing what he wore.
"What's going on here?"
The man harassing him cursed at the bouncer and tried to continue attacking Getaway, who pretended to be innocent.
"This guy was harassing my boyfriend."
Getaway put a hand on his shoulder and the bouncer turned to look at him.
"Is that true?"
Getaways hand clenched around his shoulder and he nodded refusing to speak. He hated supporting Getaway and wanted to curse him out and tell the guards that Getaway was also bothering him. However he didn't want to deal with the drama that come with it. Getaway was charismatic and would twist the story in his favor.
Even though he cheated people blamed him instead. Saying that it was his fault. That he wasn't there for Getaway and that people can't be monogamous, and he just has to accept it, or he shouldn't get in the way of true love. The heart wants what it wants after all.
He hoped that by agreeing with Getaway and getting the bouncer to leave, he would be left alone. However that did not happen and Getaway started talking to him. As though they were friends and he didn't break his heart.
"We should get coffee sometime. Talk about the old times."
"No thanks."
Getaway grabbed his arm.
"Come on Hot Rod. I made a mistake. You've made plenty."
"I never cheated on you!"
Getaway raised a hand.
"No need to get defensive. We both made mistakes and I think we should get back together."
He snorted giving Getaway an angry look. He had a lot of nerve.
"Come on Hot Rod I don't love them. Not like I love you."
He reached a hand up to caress his cheek.
"The only reason I cheated was because you were always working and I was lonely. A guy has needs after all, and I heard that you're no longer working there. Which means you're not as busy. We've both grown as people and I think we've both learned more about ourselves. Which is why we should get back together again. You know, I'm the only one who will love you."
Getaway tried leaning in for a kiss and he shoved him away.
"Go back to your boyfriend and leave me alone."
"Come on Hot Rod he means nothing to me."
"I don't care. We are never getting back together."
He stormed off, before Getaway could say anything else. Feeling tears fall he wiped them away and went to the bathroom. Walking inside he found it trashed. There were needles on the floor and sink. It smelled horrible and the floors were strangely sticky. He could also hear a moaning sound coming from the bathroom.
He immediately walked out not wanting to deal with it and deciding to go home. He was emotionally exhausted and he wanted nothing more than to sleep. He decided to send a text to his friends telling them that he was leaving.
Looking down he could see his friends messaging him.
"What happened?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just tired."
He put his phone away and braced himself to move through the crowd and towards the exit. When he suddenly heard screams. Except instead of screams of joy. They were screams of fear and panic.
At first he thought it was a shooter, as everyone began running and panicking. Except there were no gunshots only screams. Maybe someone with a knife?
He didn't know and he found himself pressed against the wall, as the crowd ran around screaming and running for the exits. He'd been shoved so hard it left him disoriented and he struggled to move away from the wall, as people pressed against him panicking.
He felt a hand grab his and then begin pulling him. He looked up to see the DJ and over the crowd he shouted.
"My friends I can't leave them!"
"If they have any sense they'll leave."
He gave him a confused look and was continued to be pulled towards the exit. He looked behind him and what he saw made his blood freeze.
There was a girl laying on the ground and above her sat a man eating her. That was the last thing he saw before being pulled out of the club.
"Why was that person eating someone? Was some sort of crazed cannibal released from prison?"
Now that they were outside he could hear sirens coming from all over the place.
"I don't think so. Whatever those things are they aren't human."
"You mean there's more?"
"I saw them attack people and eat them. Then, whoever they attacked started changing and eating someone else."
"Like-- like a zombie?"
The DJ paused, but only for a second."
"Maybe..."
The DJ took him to his car and unlocked it.
"Get in."
"I can't leave my friends."
"We need to leave now. It won't be long before those things escape."
Just as he said that, a screaming guy ran out and was chased down by another guy who began eating him.
"Shit! Let's get out of here!"
The DJ easily picked him up. Which would have been hot if it was any other scenario and put him in his car.
He then climbed in as well and shut the door.
"Text your friends and see if they are alive. If so come up with a place to meet. Otherwise we are getting out of this town."
He nodded and the DJ drove off, leaving the club behind. He tried not to feel guilty about abandoning his friends and looked down at his phone, to see a message from Arcee.
"I'm sorry Hot Rod. We had to leave with out you, everything happened so fast and people were eating each other. If you get this message we are safe. Windblade was bitten by one of those guys and isn't feeling well. We are taking her to a hospital. I don't know if you are alive or not, but if you are. Get out. Don't wait for us. We'll find each other, I'm sure of it. Just get out and take care of yourself."
He read the message a few times and responded with.
"I'm alive and I made it out. I'm with the DJ and we're getting out of town. Stay safe."
"Are they alive?"
The DJ asked as he drove through the worsening streets.
"Yes. They told me to get out of town and stay alive."
"Smart friends."
He nodded and glanced at the DJ.
"I never got your name."
"It's Soundwave."
"My names Hot Rod."
"We'll Hot Rod, it's nice to meet you. Just wish it was under better circumstances."
"Likewise."
They drove down a highway and he felt himself smile despite everything that's happened. He didn't know why, but he had a good feeling about Soundwave. Like they were meant to meet or something. Maybe Arcee was right after all.
He didn't know and focused on the road ahead. Leaving behind the zombie infested city they'd come from.