Disclaimer: We don't own anything TMNT. Just our OC's.

Chapter 1

The Beginning

Alex walked into the cafeteria twenty minutes into her lunch period with her paper bagged lunch in hand, her backpack handing over her shoulder as she made her way to her usual lunch table with her friends. She dropped the bag down on the table, sat down and laid her head down with an exaggerated huff.

There were seven other people at their table, three boys and four girls. Phoebe, a foreign exchange student from England. Rudy, a german exchange student that had taken a liking to the English girl sitting next to him. Emily and Kiley, the twins that often finished each others sentences. Erik, who happened to be Kiley's boyfriend, thanks to an introduction by Alex herself.

Fred, who was Alex's childhood best friend growing up, who was slightly jealous of her new kindling best friendship with Kerry, who just so happened to be the oldest of the group, a Native American girl from Texas, often dubbed the freaky new kid in school. She was in Alex's art class and the two hit it off, despite the girls more, scary appearance, with her short hair and extra ear piercings. Not to mention her love of leather jackets.

"Is everything alright, Lex?" Phoebe asked, placing a hand on Alex's arm in concern from her seat across the table.

"Why did Mr. Scouton want to talk to you after class?" Fred asked. "It's not like you're failing, you have a B in his class, which is better than pretty much everybody."

"Da man's got it out fer redheads," Erik said, taking Alex's lunch and picking out the cookies she always packed in it for him.

"Psh. You don't mess with a redheads, Eric," Kerry scoffed, her accent slowly fading the longer she hung out with them. "Good way to end up in a cornfield."

"Or the sewers," Kiley said. "I hear he was engaged to a redhead once, she called it off. That's why he hates all redheads."

"That sounds stupid. I'm not saying he has nothing against Lexi but hair color, I think, would be the last thing he'd be focused on." Kerry shrugged.

"Maybe zat vas vat attracted him in zee first place," Rudy said.

"He may just hold a grudge," Emily said. "I had this boyfriend once that would always bite his lip, I can't take another guy that bites his lip since!"

"So a psychological trigger?" Kerry asked.

"Can we not talk about Mr. Scouton having a thing for redheads?" Alex asked, sitting up. She ran a hand through her hair, pushing it behind her ear so it wouldn't fall into her face. "It kind of creeps me out."

"I don't blame you," Kerry scoffed she bumped her with her elbow. "You sure he didn't do anything, darlin'?"

"I swear, Lexa, if he did anything I'll kill him," Fred said, shaking his head.

"Calm down, Freddy. He didn't do anything," Alex told him. "He asked me to tutor this home schooled kid. Said the dad called the school to see if he could get someone good. Apparently Scouton things I'm good enough to tutor the guy."

"Really? that doesn't sound too bad!" Kerry smirked. "'Sides, you're good with people Lexi."

"Yeah, but I already work two jobs," Alex said. "I work three nights a week at my parents dojo, and almost every day at Aunt April's antique store. Then there are martial arts competitions. Those in tutoring some guy and I'm never going to pass any of my classes!"

"We could help you," Kerry assured her. "I mean, I can ask your parents if I could take over your shifts at the dojo, I'm a high enough level to teach the youngins." Kerry said. She had joined the dojo soon after Alex had told her about it, having done martial arts back home. It was something else the girls just connected over.

"Or I could," Fred pressed. "I mean, I know your parents better and your brothers and I get along great.."

Alex rolled her eyes. Here we go again, she thought. Ever since Alex and Kerry had become friends that year, Fred had become rather possessive of Alex, feeling his relationship with the redhead was threatened. Not to mention his massive crush on the girl that knew nothing about his true feelings. Alex was extremely clueless when it came to things like that. Everybody knew he liked her, except for, well, her.

"Uh, yeah sure," Kerry shrugged. "And if he does that I can talk to your Auntie about covering those shifts for you, I got nothin' better to do." She shrugged, home life less than ideal. "And you can use my notes from last year for your classes."

"Like she'd be able to read them," Fred scoffed.

Alex turned to Fred, smacking him on the back of the head for being rude. "Freddy," Alex warned. "Play nice." She then turned to Kerry and said, "Like I could read your handwriting."

"I don't know what y'all are talkin' about!" Kerry grumbled her cheeks turning a bit red. "I can read it just fine," she said a pout in place that caused the Twin's to gush and poke more fun at her.

"That southern teaching, I guess," Emily said with a laugh, following all the stereotypes she's heard about the south. Kerry's face froze a bit but flawlessly morphed into a fake grin.

"I guess so." She shrugged a bit.

Alex rolled her eyes, trying to get everybody back on topic. "That would really help. Thanks, guys."

"Right, so I'll come by after school and talk it up with your Aunt," Kerry said with an nod, glad the change the subject.

"And I'll talk to your parents. And I'm sure your brothers wouldn't mind having me around," Fred said.

"Yeah, they love you," Alex stated.

"Great!"Kerry smirked. "Glad we got it settled...'sides your brother Marcus keeps looking at me weird. I don't think he likes me much."

"More like the other way around," Alex laughed.

"Huh?" Kerry asked in confusion causing everyone to laugh. "What?!"

"Yeah," Alex said. "He's got a thing for you. Isn't it obvious?"

"No!" Kerry said. "I thought he was just,you know, one of those guys that joke flirts or what ever to be nice,"

"Oh, he flirts way too much with everybody, but he thinks your hot," Alex said.

"How did we get on this topic?" Fred asked.

"Yeah, I'd rather not talk about what your brother finds hot, unless it's me," Emily said. "Because your brothers are fiiiiine."

"Ew," Alex said with a shiver.

"I have to agree, not my type." Kerry shook her head.

"Yeah, you're more into the smart guys," Alex said, nodding her head.

Fred scoffed. "Yeah, like they'd go for you."

"Freddy!" Alex yelled, smacking him on the back of the head again. "Be nice!"

"Yeah, I guess." Kerry shrugged her face blank again, no inflection in her tone. "I guess I'd be kinda scary to date," she said.

"I don't think so," Alex said, knowing very well that Kerry was taking it harder than she was letting on. "You just haven't found the guy yet. A lot of the smart guys here are stuck up."

"Lex, come on!" Emily laughed, not getting the heavy atmosphere. "She said it herself. No smart guy would go for a scary punk girl," Emily said.

"Emily," Kiley scolded. "Would you think I'd go out with Erik?" She turned her attention to Kerry, knowing very well how she must be feeling, seeing as Erik had been the same way. "Lex is right, Kerry. Just give it some time. Most guys in high school are jerks anyways. They're not mature enough for a serious relationship."

"Thanks, KK," Kerry said shooting the girl a crooked smile, always one to give people nicknames when they earned them. "I'm cool, though, on my own." she joked. "Easier to get into trouble that way." She winked.

"So, who's the guy you have to tutor?" Phoebe asked.

"Oh, uh, his name's Michelangelo, or something," Alex said. "Hamato, I think. I'm going over there after school today to introduce myself."

"You're going over there alone?" Fred asked. "You don't know anything about these people. They could be kidnappers or rapist or something."

Alex rolled her eyes. "You're too overprotective," she said. "I'm fine, Freddy. Really. I can take care of myself."

"Still, text us when you get there and when you leave." Kerry shrugged. "Or if you need an out. Gotta watch your six, you know?"

"Guys, I'll be fine," she insisted. "I need less protective friends."

"Hey, you can go wherevah da hell ya want," Erik said. "I's know fer soil ya can take care o' youself."

"Thank you, Erik!" Alex said. "You guys should be more like Erik!"

"Hey, I know you kick butt better than most." Kerry chuckled. "Doesn't mean I don't want to be there watching your back."

"My back is fine," Alex said. "I'd be more worried about the other guy."

"Fine," Kerry chuckled. "I want to be there to watch you beat him up."

"Well, I don't plan on beating anybody up as of right now, so I'll let you know the next time something comes up," Alex chuckled.

"Perfect," Kerry grinned flicking her forehead.

"Hey, don't touch her like that," Fred said, grabbing Kerry's wrist.

"Freddy, it's fine," Alex said. "She was just messing around."

"You shouldn't let people do things like that to you," he insisted. "You're too special to let that happen."

"Uh, dude, mind letting go?" Kerry said, eyes narrowing. She had no issue with him being protective but she did not like being touched.

"Uh, sorry," Fred muttered, letting go of.

"Yeah," Kerry grumbled pulling it away and going back to her food.

Okay then, Alex thought, shaking her head. "So, uh," she started, trying to get everybody on a different topic to get away from the awkward air surrounding their table, "does anybody know what we're doing in PE with Mr. Smith today?"

"Him, hopefully," Emily said.

"Ew!" Kerry muttered. "I know he's cute but still! He's twice our age!"

"Yeah, I don't care," Emily said. "I'd tap that no matter the age difference."

"You are the horniest girl I have ever met," Fred pointed out. "Yet, you're not the sluttiest."

Kerry couldn't help but laugh. "Who get's that award?"

"Amanda," everybody at the table stated.

"Okay..." Kerry drew out. "I assume she is not a friend and I should avoid her?"

"She used to hang out in our group," Alex said. "She was okay until we got to high school. I just feel so bad for Arthur though."

"He has no idea she's cheated on him with almost all of the football, basketball, and lacrosse team," Kiley said.

"Uh, shouldn't someone tell him then? I mean better than let him suffer later on right?" Kerry asked raising an eyebrow.

"We's tried," Erik said.

"Yeah, he didn't believe us," Phoebe said.

"Arzur still holds her too high een his books," Rudy said. "She cannot do anyzing vrong."

"She's a master manipulator," Alex said. "We told him, he didn't believe us and told Amanda what we said. She got angry and threatened and that's why they stopped hanging out with us."

"Is there nothin' we can do?" Kerry asked, her sense of justice raising up to the surface again.

"She's too sneaky about where she hooks up with people," Fred said. "We've tried to get someone to admit it to Arthur, but they're too afraid of Amanda to do it."

"Well there's got to be someone not afraid of her." Kerry scoffed. "What can she do? Ruin your life? Big deal it's High School." She scoffed.

"Us, but like we said," Alex stared to say. "She's sneaky and I honestly don't want to be the person to stalk her and get photographic evidence." She shivered at the end of that. "Amanda comes from money and she sure knows how to use it."

"Poor Fella," Kerry grumbled. "And money can only go so far. Down in Texas… nevermind," Kerry started but stopped herself, having enough of the stereotype game today from other people in school.

"Hey, did anybody get what chapters Mr. Parker said we had to read for homework?" Phoebe asked. "I forgot to write it in my planner."

"Now dat's a teacha I would bang," Erik said.

"Erik!" Kiley scolded, smacking him on the arm.

"Hey, and she's not twice our age," Fred said. "She's only twenty-one."

"What, you got your eyes on Mr. Parker now?" Emily teased. "Don't do this to me, Freddy. You and Lex are my OTP!"

"Emily!" Alex barked, choking on her water.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Fred denied, blushing even darker than Alex's hair.

Kerry on the other hand started laughing, holding her ribs a bit. "Oh Bless my Heart!" she laughed.

"W-we would make a terrible couple," Fred rambled, feeling incredibly embarrassed.

"R-Right, he's my best friend," Alex said, going along with it.

"I-It would be like kissing my sister! We'd want to kill each other," Fred added.

Kerry only seemed to laugh harder, head laying on the table.

"But you two are so cute together!" Emily stated. "You two are so close, the only thing left is for you to admit your feelings for one another!"

What feelings? He's like a brother! "I think you've been watching too many Hallmark movies, Em."

"Things ain't like in the movies, darlin'" Kerry chuckled. "Two people of opposite genders can be best friends and have no thoughts of romance at all."

Fred glanced at Kerry, slouching in his chair slightly at that. He slouched even more when Alex said, "Right, Freddy and I are perfect as best friends. That's all. Right Freddy?"

"Uh, yeah," he muttered, looking away. "Whatever you say, Lexa."

"But you two would be cute together," Phoebe stated. "I don't see how it couldn't work."

"Vell, zere has to be attraction for it to vork," Rudy said. "Fred, do you zink Alex is pretty?"

"Yeah," he said, glancing over at the girl with a smirk. "My girl's beautiful."

"Awww, see what I mean!" Emily said. "He's just too sweet!"

"Alex?" Rudy asked. "Do you zink Fred is attractive?"

"Well, yeah," Alex said. "But that do-"

"So why couldn't it work?" Emily butted in.

"Attraction is only part of it," Kerry said slowly. "I like to think that there's something inside of us that just knows when we met someone we're meant to love you, know? You just, click for some unknown reason." She murmured. "Love is inexplainable."

"That's one of the most romantic things I have ever heard," Kiley said.

Kerry seemed to blush a bit. "Y-yeah, whatever," she said in a scoff and looked away.

"See, Freddy has no romantic feelings for me, and I have no romantic feelings for him," Alex said, a smile on her face. "End of story."

"Oh, I think this story is long from over," Kiley muttered, looking at Fred.

"Alright guys," Kerry said peeking at him as well and wanting to give the guy a break. "Bell is about to ring," she said.

"We don't want to be late for PE," Alex said.

"Hell no!" Emily said, jumping up from her seat. "What are you guys waiting for! I have a hotty to go goggle at."

"I can't believe I'm related to her," Kiley muttered.

"I'll see ya'll after school." Kerry chuckled as she stood up and gathered up her things, she barely had any classes with them since she was an upperclassman.

"See you later, fruitcake," Alex said.

"See ya, dorkfish." Kerry laughed and went on her way to toss her trash and head out.

"Why do we hang out with her?" Fred asked Alex, putting his arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the lunch room. It was rather common for him to do that whenever they walked to class together. She wrapped the arm closer to him around his waist, thinking nothing of it.

"Because she adds a little excitement to our lives," Alex told him.

"Do we really need any more of that?" he asked.

"She's cool, Freddy," Alex said. "Plus, I like her and she needs some friends. She doesn't know that many people here yet."

"Maybe there's a reason she doesn't have any friends," Fred said. "I mean, she doesn't exactly present herself in a good manner."

"So she's a little rough around the edges," Alex said with a shrug. "Doesn't mean she's a bad person. She's really sweet when you get to know her like I have. People just need to give her a chance."

"She's more than a little rough," Fred scoffed. "She walks around all high and mighty all the time. I'm sure she'll just be another Amanda."

"That's an easy one to answer," Alex said. "She has self esteem problems. And no, she's not another Amanda. That's a horrible thing to say, Freddy."

"I'm just saying, Lexa," Fred said. "I don't trust her."

"You trust me, right?" Alex asked, having an ulterior motive to that question.

"With my life," Fred said automatically.

"Well, I trust Kerry," Alex said. "So if you trust me, I trust you, I trust Kerry and Kerry trusts me, then you should trust her."

"It doesn't work that way, Lexa and you know it," he said.

"Okay, how about this," Alex said. She took his hand and pulled him over to the side so they could talk. They have about three more minutes until the late bell rang so they had enough time. "Can you try and be nice to her, for me?"

Fred breathed through his nose, taking a moment to himself. "...For you." He said. "I won't like it but I'll try."

Alex smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug. "Thanks, Freddy." She pulled back and grabbed his hand, pulling him down the hallway. "Come on, we don't want to be late for class."

You are going to be the death of me, Alexandra O'Neil, Fred thought, shaking his head as she pulled him along.