It was a normal day at a high-school in Mission City. Well, for most people anyways. 

"Come on, Will! Nothing to be scared of!" A young 17 year old boy named Robert Epps grinned. Behind him was a young boy, around to be 16, with chocolate brown eyes and brown hair.

"I don't know, Epps. I only came back to public school to make friends with you. I left because of bullies." Will stated.

"I have a big group of friends! You'll love all of them!" Epps chuckled. Will was unsure, but he didn't doubt Epps. They had been friends since Epps was 3, and since Will was 2. Epps took Will to a table outside where a bunch of kids were sitting.

"Epps!" A young, blonde boy grinned, hugging him.

"Hey, Bee!" Epps chuckled, hugging the 15 year old back.

"Who's your other friend?" A blue and red haired boy asked.

"Oh, this is my childhood best friend, Will! He's been home-schooled since the 3rd grade, hence why you haven't met him at all. Will, this is Jazz, Bee, Sam, Cade, Optimus, Bee, Ratchet, Wheeljack!" Epps introduced.

"Good to meet ya, Will! Epps has told us a lot about you!" Cade grinned.

"Nice to meet you all too." Will smiled.

"Where's Ironhide?" Epps asked.

"You know him. He only comes if he wants to." Sam replied.

"Ironhide? Did Epps give you all nicknames, or--" Will started.

"Yes, they're nicknames. Bee's real name is Bryan, Jazz's is Josh, Optimus's is Orion, Ratchet's is Adam, and Wheeljack's is Tim." Epps chuckled.

"And.. Ironhide's?" Will asked.

"Ryan." Epps replied. Will nodded and sat down, school was over with for the summer.

"So who is Ironhide?" Will asked.

"He's a friend, even if he won't admit it. He has a 'bad boy' personality, and he's a badass. He's not much of a talker, and he loves fighting. I believe he has good in him, but he doesn't show it." Bee replied, happily.

"Here he is!" Wheeljack grinned. Will turned and saw a GMC TopKick pull in, and that thing was a beast.

"Whoa..." Will muttered. When the truck pulled to a stop, a young 16 year old boy got out. He had raven black hair, several piercings, a visible tattoo, black leather jacket, fingerless black leather gloves, and black combat boots on. He was wearing a dog tag, and black jeans and a black shirt too. He was built too.

"The hell did you want, Epps?" The boy grumbled.

"I wanted you to meet a friend of mine! Ironhide, meet Will. Will, this is Ironhide." Epps grinned.

"Hi." Will stated, feeling a little intimidated. Ironhide's blue eyes looked at the young teen.

"Whatever." He snorted.

"That's his way of saying hi back." Sam chuckled.

"So, what'cha been up to lately, 'Hide?" Wheeljack asked.

"None of your fucking business." Ironhide huffed, lighting a cigarette.

"You smoke?" Will asked.

"What's it to you?" Ironhide asked.

"Nothing, but what kind? Mavericks, Sonoma's?" Will asked.

"Gross, no." Ironhide frowned. He handed Will his cigarette pack to let him look. Will handed it back not long after. Soon, it got pitch dark outside.

"Shit, I have curfew in twenty minutes!" Will yelped.

"You have curfew?" Jazz asked.

"Yeah. I don't know why, my dad asserted that rule since I was, like, twelve." Will replied.

"Get in." Ironhide stated.

"You'll take me home?" Will asked, surprised.

"Don't really have a choice. Epps has a party for his cousin tomorrow, Sam has to be home before 10:30, and I have nothin' better to do. So, unless you wanna walk home, get your ass in the truck." Ironhide snorted. Will got in the passenger seat, and soon, Ironhide pulled out of the parking lot.

"Do you even know where I live?" Will asked.

"Nope. That's why you'll tell me where to go." Ironhide replied. Will didn't feel as intimidated as he had earlier, but the boy was intimidating.

"Thanks for the ride home though." Will stated.

"Don't thank me, thank Epps. He told me that everyone else was too busy, as if I wasn't." Ironhide grumbled. When he reached Will's home, the Lennox farm, he pulled into the driveway. Will got out of the truck, and was silently thanking someone for his parents not being home. Once Will was inside, Ironhide pulled out of the driveway and drove away.