Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT. Just Autumn.

"Autumn! Lunch is ready!"

I sighed in annoyance as my brother called from the kitchen. My family has this stupid idea that we should eat as a family. The way I see it, though, is there's only so much family time a girl can have until she goes bonkers. I learned this four years ago. I'm fourteen now.

I would also like to point out that I'm adopted. Well, not legally, anyways. I was found in the sewers when my brothers went out on a forbidden walk. I was two years old then. They had been four.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. So let's rewind a little bit so I can clear a few things up.

My brothers are mutant turtles.

That's right, turtles. Crazy, right?

We live in the sewers with our father and sensei, Splinter. Master Splinter is a mutant rat. He's taught all five of us how to be ninjas.

Yep, a rat.

Me? Well, I'm an ordinary human. As far as ordinary goes, anyways. Don't get me wrong, I love my brothers, but I sometimes wish I could just be normal. With human parents and siblings. Friends who I can go to the mall with. A boyfriend.

My name's Autumn. My last name is unknown. I have dark brown hair that falls just behind my shoulders, and emerald green eyes. I am also known for my sarcastic attitude.

I climbed out of bed again and put down Twilight. Even though it's a chick-flick, I still love it. I just adore forbidden loves.

"Autumn!" My oldest brother, Leo, called again.

"I'm coming!" I screamed. God, sometimes, I got seriously pissed at Leo.

I walked into the kitchen. Great. Family time eating tacos and watching Space Heros. Not really my idea of a good time. I hate Mexican food, and the TV show was too cheesy. At least my second oldest brother, Raph, agreed with me. He was reading a comic.

I fixed myself a sandwich and sat down on the couch, away from my brothers. I saw them all send glances my way. The past few months, I guess I've been kind of… distant. I know they worry about me, but I didn't really care. I've had things on my mind.

"Autumn! You don't like my tacos?" Mikey demanded, his eyes wide. He was my favorite brother. He was fun and loving. The others called him names and teased him, but I saw what it really was. He used humor to cover up the fact that he's hurting. Mikey's not stupid; he's just living life. I just wish the others saw that.

"Mikey, you know I don't like Mexican stuff," I told him.

"Oh… sorry…" Mikey rubbed the back of his head. I just shrugged it off.

"No big deal," I replied.

"Can we go boarding later?" Mikey asked me.

I opened my mouth, but Leo beat me too it. "You can, but after patrol."

My eyes narrowed. I stood up and threw my half eaten sandwich in the trash.

"Besides, I don't want Autumn going out there. She could get hurt."

A flash of fury crossed my face. "Goddammit, Leo!"

"What?! I'm just trying to protect you! As your older brother, that's my job, whether you like it or not!"

"I don't need protection! And maybe you're not my brother!"

The room went silent. Hurt was plain on all of their faces, even Raph's, but I could care less. It was the truth.

"Autumn, just because you're a human doesn't mean you're not our sister," Donnie said quietly.

"Would you all just stop? Have you ever stopped to think that maybe I never wanted this life in the first place? What if I don't want to be a ninja?" I poured out everything I've been thinking the last few months.

"Autumn…" Leo started.

"Forget it, Leo. The fake sympathy's getting pretty old."

With that, I stormed out of the Lair. I was heading topside.

I was just tired of having to be what Leo and Master Splinter wanted me to be.

I wanted to be me.

Is that too much to ask?