Chapter Text
I was never one to be sentimental. It just wasn’t my thing.
I didn’t make friends. I was too busy pushing ahead, cultivating science where others had left it to rot.
I had tried my best to keep to myself. Never was one to let others drag me down.
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t because I hated the spotlight. No, I loved it. I’d do anything to be the star of the show, the attention grabber. And I deserved it. One day I’ll be the greatest scientist in Cybertronian history, make Cybertron greater than what any of the primes could dream of. The more looking my way the better.
Friends didn’t matter as long as I had those who respected me, who knew I was greater than their feeble, pathetic minds and their useless opinions.
All except him.
When I had got into the University of Cybertronian Science of Engineering, I wasn’t aware that they had changed up their program.
“Greatness doesn’t come from one mech alone, but from every mech around them. No one on Cybertron is alone, so none will work alone.” The headmaster had said during Orientation. In actuality, the pathetic excuse for a “scientist” was forcing everyone to get into “partnerships” for the rest of our time with the program. To say that I was…. Disappointed was an understatement. I tried multiple times throughout the week to plea on not having to partner up with some incompetent fool that bought their way into the program. But unfortunately for me, they refused and kept this rule with an iron fist. When I had refused to pick a partner, I was taken to the headmasters office.
Little did I know what was waiting for me there.
When I entered the office, my optics took in how bright and clean the place looked. A large rounded white table was in the middle of the room, its back facing a tinted blue floor to ceiling window that overlooked most of the campus. Everything looked bathed in light and blue hues. Far too cheery if you asked me. The headmaster sat down at his desk, his servos folded on the table and his optics inquisitive.
He wasn’t the only mech there.
A white, tall mech with red accent stripes. He stood awkwardly to the side in front of the headmaster, right next to me. His azure blue optics held my dark, dull toned ones tinted by my green optic glasses, but only for a moment. I looked back at the headmaster with a jerk of my head.
“Do you know why I have called you here, Starscream?”
I growled. Did he take me as a fool? I was well aware of the reason for my summoning. Folding my arms across my chest plate, I gave him a cold response.
“I suppose it is because I never submitted my partnership application. Am I correct?”
The headmaster nodded, resting his cheek on his fist as if he was bored of his conversation. He wasn’t the only one. This was so aggravating.
The headmaster waved his free servo at the large white mech.
“This is Jetfire. He will be your lab partner during your time here. Since both of you are in the same programs and both are Ariel mechs, it’s logical to pair you two together. You’re both dismissed. Jetfire will show you to your shared lab.”
I stifled a hiss and grit my teeth, twisting my displeasure into a sharp grin. I turned to leave the too-bright room, followed hastily by the white mech. Jetfire.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jetfire- though you already know that I suppose.”
The mech gave me an apologetic smile, taking large steps that easily made pace with my speed walk. How annoying. Now how was I supposed to get away from him?
“Yes yes. I am Starscream of Vos, as you know already. I never wanted a lab partner, so don’t expect me to be all polite and cheery with you. I don’t bother to fake my pleasure with the likes of you.”
Jetfire had pursed his lip plates but said nothing.
He took the lead and moments later he stopped abruptly in his tracks in front of a lab. Since I was busy thinking of all the ways I could get around having to put up with this new labmate I was unaware of his sudden stop that which resulted in me colliding with him.
I let out a yelp as I crashed and jumped backwards, tumbling as he quickly turned to help me right myself by holding onto my arm. Once I was stable again he released his grip on me. Scowling, I noticed that my optic glasses had fallen off. When I had tried to look for them on the ground, Jetfire had cleared his throat and presented me with my glasses with a grin. Snatching it out of his large hand and hissing, I entered the lab.