Hey guys! This is a love story between April and Donnie, who meet at age 13 in the sewers! This is my first story, so please no flames! If I get enough good reviews I will write a sequel! Enjoy!

Chapter one: Meeting

April O'Neil ran down the ally, not wanting to be seen. She slid back the manhole cover and jumped down into the hole. April, age 13, wondered, Why didn't I think about playing in the sewers before? She had discovered it hiding from her father, Kirby, in a game of hide-and-seek. She had found the wet, smelly, slimy world fascinating, and she skipped 7th grade just to be down there, being sure to get home just when she was expected. But today, she sensed something different about the sewers. She heard splashing footsteps as a figure about her size came running down the tunnel. She collided with the figure, both falling backwards into the smelly water. The figure seemed startled by her, but also entranced. It turned to run, but she shouted, "Wait!" The figure paused, examining her.

"What's your name, whoever-you-are?" she asked, cocking her head.

The figure's hoarse but high pitched whisper was almost inaudible.

"Donatello." The figure then disappeared down the tunnel. She ran after him, but it was too late. He was gone. She felt something odd about him, but she ignored it.

It's nothing. she thought as she headed home.

The next day, she slipped into the sewers, and immediately sought out the mysterious Donatello. It turned he was hiding around a corner near a sewer grate. This time, he wasn't hesitant. Now that she looked at him up close, she could see that he was wearing a purple hoodie with the hood pulled up, leather gloves, and oversized tennis shoes.

"Hello again." April said softly, not wanting to startle him again.

"Hi." Donatello said in an almost regular voice.

"If you want me to leave, I will." April said. She turned to leave. She started away, but he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Wait." he said. "What's your name?"

"My name's April." she said.

"Well, April," Donatello said, "There's something I want to show you. He raced down the dimly lit tunnel, turned back, and saw how April was trying but failing to keep up, and slowed his pace. As he jogged beside her, she got an even better look at him. His hoodie was a royal purple, and under the hood, rich mahogany eyes gleamed as he met her gaze. He was so busy looking at her that he slammed into a wall and fell butt first into sewage.

"Ouch!" he yelped as he gingerly touched his forehead. April giggled, and bent down to help him up. "Not funny!" he whined, but her grin was contagious, and he too cracked a smile. He accepted her hand and pushed himself up, and they continued on their way. They soon came out into something that made April gasp. There was a moss patch, with rocks and a tree, sitting next to a stream of fresh water under an artificial growth lamp.

"I wanted to show you this place. I salvaged the lamp and grew this garden. Being here helps me think."

"Well," April said, clearing her throat. "Donatello, this place is amazing!" she exclaimed.

"I'm glad you like it," he said. "But, call me Donnie."

"Okay, Donnie. Anyway, as I said before, I'm April. I'm thirteen. How old are you?"

"Thirteen and a half." Donnie said sheepishly. April glanced at her watch, and saw that school was almost over.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go. I'll be late getting home." April explained. "Meet me at the tunnel entrance same time tomorrow?"

"Sure," Donnie said. "But let me walk you there now. Don't want you getting lost down here."

As they arrived at the tunnel entrance, April grabbed Donnie's hand for a shake.

"Can we be friends? I won't tell anyone about you."

Donnie hesitated, then said, "Let me have some time to think about it."

"Okay," April said disappointedly. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah." Donnie said. April climbed up the ladder, and pushed back the manhole cover, then sprinted for home. "See you tomorrow." he called after her.

I really hope you guys liked this chapter! Don't fret, though! More chapters are on the way, and I hope to update daily! And as I said before, if I get enough good reviews, I WILL write a sequel, I promise! So get reviewing! And until next time, Apritello rules!