A/N: Well, hello everyone. This is pretty much just a little drabble that popped into my head as I was working on a chapter of the soon-to-be-released fic "Resolutions." As many of you know, sometimes those plot bunnies just won't leave you alone until you get them down on paper or a computer. Hopefully you will enjoy this!
Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT (though my parents did get me a TMNT puzzle as a gag gift for Christmas)
I think sometimes everyone forgets that I am still only sixteen years old—or at least sixteen years of being a mutant ninja turtle. Before that, no one really knows. My brothers and I could be in our mid thirties for all we know. But mentally, I am still only sixteen.
At sixteen, I am looked up to. I am expected to be able to come up with a plan to solve every solution. I usually do, but it's the concept that gets to me sometimes.
Most sixteen year old human boys are all acting like one of my brothers, especially Mikey. I mean, seriously, hand a boy a video game controller and the latest game and what's a normal boy expected to do?
There are some serious disadvantages to not being 'normal.'
Other boys are like Raphael. They are allowed to be moody whenever they want and are most focused on their newly acquired legal driving status. Or to be more specific, focused on their 'wheels.' I've rarely seen a motorcycle babied as much as his Shell Cycle.
Every now and again, a boy like Don comes along and is simply brilliant. He would move up through every grade three times as fast as everyone else and probably graduate college at the ripe old age of fifteen. Of course, my bias says that there would never be any as brilliant as my bro. But as I said, I'm biased.
I, on the other hand, am supposed to be the adult. I'm the one who watches over and protects; the 'older brother' or 'role model.' I'm the one who everyone looks to when some trial comes along. And I am expected to lead them. Sometimes I really think they have a very distorted idea of me.
Almost every day I worry about whether or not I can do enough for them or if I'll be able to protect them from whatever comes our way. Every day I wonder if I'll be able to live up to my Master's expectations.
I really don't hold it against him—that he chose me as the leader, that is. He knows full well who I am and has chosen me nonetheless. I really don't mind taking responsibility for my brothers or being the one who's always having to be standing guard while the others are having fun. Even when I can join them, I'm still on the alert. But no, I don't mind at all.
I think what really bothers me is that I'm expected to always act like an adult. Truth be told, I enjoy video games and even some of Mikey's comics. I enjoy taking time to work on my Shell Cycle, usually with Raph or Donnie right there with me. I enjoy turning up my music in my room really loud when I have the opportunity. And yes, New Age can have a beat. So there!
Sometimes I just want to take a day off and be a teenager without any ninja-ing or leading. Just me hanging with my bros like back when we were little and I could afford to relax. Unfortunately, I know that will probably never happen. My life is a full time job.
I guess it's just that sixteen is an odd age to have to be a grown up.
Please leave me a review! It will make me very happy! Flames will be used to warm my fingers!
