Finally
April wide eyed the four story school, her jaw dropped slightly, astonished at how big it was than the pamphlet led on. She scratched her head a bit. "Oh my god."
"Its huge!" Donnie exclaimed, "This must be one of those all grade schools."
Mikey tugged on Donnie's scarf, "So whats that mean?"
Donnie was about to answer when the dark green turtle spoke out, "It means that we will be stuck together till our school lives are over." Raph folded his arms, annoyed. "I cant believe your gonna just take Yoshi's word and send us to a school that you dont even know about." He grunted when his older brother smacked him in the back of the head. Leo gave him a warning look.
"I have no choice Raphael. You kids cant go without education. And for your information, I do my homework before I send you kids anywhere." April said, opening the schedule the school had sent her early Sunday morning. "Lets see who your teacher is." She mumbled mainly to herself.
"Who cares." Raph growled.
April looked over at him, frowning. "Raph, please." She begged, hoping he'd behave. "I already told you my reason. And you never know, you may even make friends-"
Raph scoffed, "Make friends? In case you hadnt noticed, we are green mutated freaks. We aint human, just monsters." He irate. "You cant make us into something like you." He added. April watched her second oldest kid stalk off. She never knew he thought of themselves like that before. She was a bit puzzled, he normally would keep to himself, or just puts on an act. She wondered what had gotten into her hot head. Her spirits lifted a bit when she caught sight of Miwa.
"Miwa!" She called out, the girl stilled. She groaned softly to herself. She slowly turned to the calling of her name, She closed the space between them.
"Hey Ms. O'neil."
"Would you do me, how you kids say it these days? A solid?" Confusion drawn on her face when she heard her three boys snickering. She rose her brow.
"Um." Miwa played with her fingers a bit, "I- I guess."
"Could you help out my boys. Being their first day and all."
"Im not taking orders from a girl." Leo blurted sounding offended. "Im the leader of this group if you didnt notice."
Miwa smirked at him. "Jee so is that why you still sleep with mister ducky?"
Leo wide eyed, his cheeks grew hot when his two brother's started laughing, pulling his hat down, feeling humiliated once again. Man he hated her, why couldnt they have gone to a different school? Stupid girls.
"Thats what I thought leader boy. I wasnt going to, but hey why not." She nodded to April. "They will be just fine on my watch."
April smiled. "Thats a relief." She checked her watch, "I gotta jet, give me some last minute lovings."
Mikey jumped in her arms, kissing her cheek multiple times. Once she got out of his wrath, she and Donnie exchanged a hug along with two kisses. When she went to Leo he pulled back, already embarrassed. "Dont you gotta go?" His voice cracked. April rose a brow, "I do, but since I cant get anything from Raph, your it." She grabbed his face and kissed his cheek.
He heard laughing from those who passed by, it didnt help when Miwa made kissy faces. His face got even hotter. He pulled back quick, he then grabbed Donnie "Gotta go!" He said as he raced off, Donnie gasped at the sudden movement, he then quickly grabbed Mikey's hand, trying to keep up. He looked oved his shell, seeing the hurt on April's face, though it in a split second masked. She waved them off before heading over to the van they came in.
Leo made it to the steps and stopped, panting from the severe marathon he felt he did. Donnie pulled back, getting his hand free. "What was that?"
"What?" Leo said, lifting his hat up to see his brothers, in the corner of his eye he noticed Miwa coming to them.
"You didnt see her face?" Donnie frowned. "She just wanted a kiss and a hug."
"You dont get it Donnie. You didnt get laughed at." Leo frowned.
Donnie felt a little anger boil, he couldnt get why Raph and Leo were being cruel to the woman who has bent over backwards many times for them. "You two deserve each other. Both morons with no sympathy to the woman who raised us." Donnie then grabbed Mikey's hand. "Come on Mikey." He said sternly. Leo watched the two walk up the steps, confused, and surprised, but mainly confused at his brothers sudden anger outburst.
Miwa came to a stop at Leo's side. "Oh man, that dork didnt sound to happy."
Leo gave her a gloomy look. She smirked. "Hey not my issue that you hurt your mommy's feelings lameo." She pushed his hat down over his eyes and shoved him a bit as she made her way up the stairs. Leo lifted his hat after catching his balance, he looked up at her. "I didnt hurt her." He whined.
"You didnt see her face. You were to busy worrying what people saw. Your lucky Leo. Even my mother doesnt give me that affection in public." She confessed, monotone. Leo kept his eyes on her, he threw his hands up. "Well it didnt help that you made kissy faces at me!" He snapped. Taking notice in others stares he wasted no time to put his arms down, looking at his feet, he felt his cheeks suddenly burn as he felt the other kids stares bore into his shell. He frowned as guilt suddenly overcame him, turning back to the car pool area where his mother had been seconds ago. He sighed. "This day already sucks."
April stared at the big wooden room, the dojo smelled pine fresh, well after cleaning the thing it should be smelling better. She opened the sliding door, letting the air in. She closed her eyes, feeling the Autumn wind surround her. She sucked in the air. Remembering the earlier mornings, where her boys were still young. Her mind flooded back to the incident, Her eyes opened, looking down. Watching Leo take off like that, did something to her, she thought she would have a couple more years of hugs and kisses before he started acting like that. She took out her phone, pulling up some old photos. A smile spread across her face when her eyes set on a very old picture shes managed to keep saved with her for about five years now. They were so tiny. She chuckled to herself. She closed her phone and shoved it in her back pocket. She went for the broom and started sweeping the area outside.
"It looks great April." Yoshi entered the dojo, carrying two boxes in his arms. She peered up at him.
"Took me forever." She blew a strand of her hair out of her face, holding the broom. She set it down, making her way to her friend. "Whats in the boxes?"
He set the boxes down, side by side. He looked up at her. "Weapons."
She knelt down, picking up a wooden sai. "For smaller kids?"
"Well no. We cant have actual weapons here. To many kids either poked their eye out, or someone elses." He explained.
She laughed a bit. "That makes sense." She watched him prepare the stuff for the afternoon lessons, she looked down at the boxes, memories flooded back to her where Raph was engaged in stuff like this, she set the sai down and went for a small bo staff, Leo was wanting her to teach him so much about baseball, though lately he hasnt said a word about it, though she could remember how excited he was to be on a team at their old school. Raph was finally getting used to being in an art club, after a few persuasions, A lump in her throat suddenly made itself known, she unknowingly started biting her nails.
"You okay?" Yoshi asked her, her eyes looked up at him, she then nodded forcing a smile.
"Fantastic." She made effort to hide her feelings, she cleared her throat and stood up. "Im gonna get lunch for us what do you want?"
Yoshi pondered on that for a moment. "Pizza." He frowned. "Might wanna be careful though, its brutal out there, snow is coming our way."
"I will." She ruffled his hair like she used to when they were in college. He grabbed a towel, twirling it up, April knew what that meant, she laughed as he started swatting at her, she then ran out of the dojo as he started chasing her, She screamed and started calling surrender as they got to the van. He stopped, but they both didnt stop laughing. For once real laughter. Yoshi had always brought this into her life. No matter what mood she was in, he always made the effort to make sure she was happy. She moved a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well I'll be going then."
"You know what I like right?" He asked, opening the door for her. She gave him a thinking look before nodding. She climbed in and let him close the door. "You want me to go with you just in case?" He asked.
She shook her head. "I know how to order"
He handed her a twenty, she reluctantly took it. "Recite it." He said.
She gave him a 'are you serious' look.
"Its pizza woman, you never mess pizza up." He frowned.
"So are you the reason why my youngest says that when it comes to me ordering pizza." She rose a brow.
He smirked. "No, not at all."
She rolled her eyes, "Get lost and let me order our pizza dork."
"Thats not how you talk to your boss."
"It is when your my boss." She smiled, poking his nose. "Now seriously go before I get frostbite just by sitting here." She started up the van. He pushed back off the van, giving her a wave as she pulled away.
"Be careful April..." He frowned.
Once the pizza was bought, she proceeded to put it in the front seat, she climbed in the van, with a turn, the car purred to life. She pulled away from the curb slowly and stopped in the traffic. She looked out the windshield watching the snow lightly fall. She sighed, seeing her breath. "When did it become so cold." She asked herself. Green light showed itself after what felt like an eternity of waiting for her. She pressed the gas and moved forward a bit, She made a turn when it was her go, carefully. But of course every city have to have idiots driving. She noticed a car was coming right for her when she was in the process of turning. She looked out her passenger window, widening her eyes. "Oh crap." When she went to go faster the van sudden jerked a bit, making it harder to move. "What the hell?" She growled annoyed. The world went short, slow, April held on tight as the vehicle started spinning, her body jerked in different was as the vehicle hit other vehicles in the process, She closed her eyes tight, praying to her god, to anyone to make this ride stop. Swiftly the terrifying moment came to an end when she jerked to the side of the drivers window, feeling a hard slam against her head meeting with the window. Without warning the darkness grabbed her. And it kept her. Her body went limp. The last thing she heard was a car alarm sounding off.
Donnie stood in the lunch line with Raph and Mikey. He saw his eldest brother coming for them. Leo smiled. "Hey guys. Hows your first day going?"
"Amazing Leo! Our teacher is soooo nice!" Mikey boasted. Leo listened, happy that his baby brother is having fun. As Mikey kept rambling, he noticed Donnie glowering at him and Raph.
"Whats wrong with you nerd?" Raph asked Donnie interrupting Mikey. Noticing his younger brother's daggers.
Mikey turned his attention on Donnie.
"Yeah Donnie, you didnt even get excited over science!" Mikey mentioned.
Donnie eyed his two older brothers, then smiled at his little brother. "Mikey, why not find a seat for us, I'll get your lunch for you."
"Okay!" Mikey saluted, oblivious to the obvious diversion that Donnie had done, the young turtle set off into the war zone of a bunch of fifth graders. Leo frowned. "Your not still mad at us about this morning are you?"
"Of course I am. You both were total jerks." Donnie frowned.
"I thought I was the only one." Raph rose his brow.
"No after you left, our older brother here made a scene when mom tried to kiss him."
Leo rolled his eyes. "Its easy for you Donnie, you dont care about people staring."
"Actually I do, but when it comes to April, I chose not to. Thats more than what you would do." Donnie snapped, before shoving through Raph, he grabbed two trays and headed down the line. Raph watched, folding his arms. "When did Donnie get so mouthy."
"When it comes to April, he's always been like that." He frowned.
"Leonardo!" A voice behind him made him flinched, he turned to see his own teacher.
"Hey Mrs. P." Leo nervously greeted.
"What did I say about that hat?" She growled.
"Um not to wear it in the classroom?" He said, smiling a bit.
"Not to wear it indoors. I warned you four times now." She gave him the stink eye. Leo looked a bit worried.
"Are you gonna take my hat?" He put his hands over it, just in case.
"Im afraid so." She held out her hand. Leo shook his head. "Leonardo, Im not playing this game, either you give it up or be sent to the office."
Raph jumped in, standing in front of Leo. "Mrs. P right? I know how it is when rebels dont listen, but you see, Leo here has a rare-" He stopped for a moment to think, "Skin problem, mainly on his head."
The woman rose her brow. "Raphael, huh. I heard about you, even noticed youve been suspended a few times. Your the trouble maker of the group arent ya."
"Pfft. Now would I be standing here, telling you about my brothers horrible skin issue if I was like that?" Ignoring the urge to satisfy his angry streak he always had with teachers, he wasnt suspended, he just had detention alot. Stupid teacher. His inner self growled.
"Yes, you troublemakers would say anything to get your way. Now take the hat off or its mine." She snarled. She waited till Leo obeyed.
Leo took off his hat and stuffed it into his plastron a bit, enough to take it out when needed. He waited for her to leave when he placed it back on his head. Raph gave him a look. "If she takes that, I aint helping you idiot." He went to get his food. Leo followed him.
"She only hates it cause its mine, and she hates me cause im not much of a listener." Leo confessed as he walked down the aisle with his brother.
"You, the perfect plus A student, not listening?" Raph gasped, pretending to be shocked.
"I dont listen cause I think its stupid that I cant wear my hat, but when I see other kids do it, they dont get nothing." He frowned, watching Raph join their two little brothers. Leo took off his hat, looking at the faded L spread on the front. "Its something really special to me."
"I cant believe April bought you an L to wear on your forehead." Raph teased. "No wonder we named you Loser."
Leo sat down next to Raph frowning at his brothers comment. "Ill have you know, she bought it for me in japan cause we saw the Lions there. They were cool." He placed his hat back on his head. Raph scoffed. "But noone hear knows that team, so you just look like a kid with an L on his forhead."
Leo gave Raph a hard look before sticking his tongue out at his younger brother. Laying his eyes on Donnie, who was stabbing his salad with no mercy, Leo frowned as he said. "I know your upset with us Don, but no need to take it out on the food here."
That earned Leo a dirty look. The oldest sighed. "So any of you made any friends?"
"I did!" Mikey rose his hand and smiled. "His name is LH!"
"LH?" Donnie asked, "Is it that buff guy who looks older than any fifth grader here?"
"Yeah! He was great lifting me up on the monkey bars." Mikey exclaimed.
"What about you Donnie?" Raph asked. With that question out there a small girl showed up, she was in glasses and her hair was short. She was wearing a frilly blouse, along with a long purple sleeved sweater, she wore a knee length pladed skirt with big clunky boots. She smiled.
"Hey Donnie, um, wanna, uh do some homework at my house today?" The girl asked nervously.
Donnie look up at her, he smiled, his face turned a bit pink to red, the brothers noticed. Well except Mikey. He was to busy gawking as well. "Ill ask my mom to drive me." He told her. The girl nodded happily then shoved her glasses up, her face was a little red, just like Donnies, After another small smile she retreated to her table where she sat alone.
"Oh Donnie you dog." Raph teased.
"Shut up." Donnie said before stuffing his face.
"So her place huh?" Leo said, "Whats the matter with our place?"
"To crowded and you two will be there." Donnie muffled, his food still in his mouth.
"So whats the lucky female's name?" Raph asked.
"Irma Lingenstien." Mikey said, though wasnt to sure sounding on the last name. "Shes in our class. Shes really pretty too."
"Looks like Donnie's got competition Leo." Raph chuckled, earning himself a hard glare from Donnie, whos cheeks were turning deep red now. Leo shook his head. He stood up, "Well im gonna go to the-"
"Leo!" A voice cried, catching his attention, Miwa was rushing up to him, panting. He rose a brow when she grabbed onto his plastron. "Leo. Its bad. Really bad." She said breathlessly.
Raph stood up. "Whats bad princess?"
Normally the two would get into a fight due to him calling her princess, but she didnt even acknowledge it, which put Leo on high alert. He took her arms. "Breathe Miwa. In and out." He coached. She soon composed herself, she looked at Leo her eyes filled with emotions that wasnt like her, Leo watched her as she took her time with the news.
"I just got a call from my father. Your mother's been in a terrible accident." She announced, when those words left her mouth, Leo's world just got a lot smaller. He couldnt make out what else she was saying, all he could here was the last part she had blurted. "My dad is coming to get you guys as soon as school lets out." Leo took her hands off of him as he took a step back. "No. Shes... Shes always careful..." He started mumbling, trying to convince him that nothing happened to their mother, he recalled the way he acted earlier, emotions gripped on his chest, feeling it tighten.
Raph only seen Leo like this once, and it was when he saw a cat get ran over, brutally. "Leo? Shes okay bro." He laid a hand on his brother's shell. He lured the turtle to sit. A whimper broke out, making all their eyes, even Leo's turn to the smallest turtle.
"Mama aint coming to pick us up?" Mikey whined.
Donnie put a hand on his brother's shell, "April has other plans, Yoshi is gonna come and get us."
Miwa frowned, sitting next to Leo. She rubbed his shell a bit. Leo gazed at her, raising a brow.
"Save it Lameo, Im not evil enough to hurt you when your already wounded." She said.
Leo took that as something good and sighed as he stared back to his feet, "I need some air." He told the others before heading off to the cafe doors. It was as if all the strength had left him, leaving the turtle feeling emotions that he usually controls. He went to a bench, he made himself sit, As time slowly went, he noticed out of the corner of his eye someone had came to him and has been standing there in silent. He didnt dare look though, thanking god his hat was hiding half of his face as he had his head hung down. The person finally made themselves known once they took the spot next to him, slender arms went around his neck. Before he knew it his face was buried into the arms of who he thought was his sworn bully.
"Its gonna be okay Leo." Miwa spoke in a gentle voice.
Leo didnt say anything, he couldnt, he was to frozen to even grasp words. He felt his arms move, wrapping them around her, he felt his hat fall when he hid his face more against the crook of her neck. He bit his lip hard to keep himself in check, not wanting to show how vulnerable he really was.
Miwa grabbed his hat before it fell onto the ground and stuffed it in her back pocket, she kept her hold on him, letting him wrap his arms around her. She stroked his bare head, softly. Not caring if people were staring, not caring about anything but her friend's shattered heart.
"Its..." She started, she licked her lips and perused them together, "Its okay to cry Leo." She finally made the words come out of her mouth. It took a few moments before she felt the turtle's shoulders jerking up and down. She stayed silent as she heard soft sobbing from him.
"Its gonna be alright Leo." She reassured him as she kept stroking his head. At least I hope everything is okay. She said to herself.
What a great first day back to school...
Beep. Beep. Beep. Something was beeping. It was so annoying. She never liked the alarm clocks that went beep, the ones that woke you up with good music on, now those are the ones she loved. Her head was killing her, her eyelids peeled open, revealing a bright light. She saw two, no three figures above her. Voices were disoriented, "Dad?" she called out, swearing she could make out her dads voice. Her eyes adjusted to the light and slowly the features made themselves clear on the figures. It was Shen and a lady who she guessed was a nurse. Whats a nurse doing in my house? Her mind suddenly took note to her surroundings. She flew up, surprising the two ladies. "Where, where am i!? What time is it!?" She asked. With no warning a rush of dizziness sprung through her. She held her head, feeling a bandage that wrapped around.
"Miss O'neil sweetie your in the hospital." The nurse spoke. April looked at her, eyes wide. She gasped.
"No I cant be in the hospital! My kids-"
"Are fine April. Yoshi is picking them up right now. They will be here soon. You need to take it easy." Shen said, gently coaxing her back down.
"What-What happened?" April asked, confused, fog clouding up her memory.
"You were in a car accident. Suffered a bad hit to your left side of your head. " Shen explained.
April frowned, "How could I be so reckless." She shrieked, rubbing her head.
Shen sat next to her on the bed. "Dont blame yourself April. Its New York. your not in that small town anymore."
"But I do." April made out in a soft voice. She looked up at her friend. "My kids shouldnt see me like this." Once the words were out, it was to late to attempt to escape, even when she really wanted to. The door opened and her kids filed in, Yoshi coming in with Miwa behind the four. Donnie was the first one to her. The turtle proceeded to climb on the bed beside her. He helped Mikey up when the smaller turtle whined. Donnie sat Mikey beside her.
"Mommy!" Mikey cried out, wrapping his arms around her neck, nuzzling his face against hers.
April cracked a small laugh as she wrapped him in her arms, tightly but gently too. She kissed his head, "Im so glad you kids are okay."
"Us? Your the one looking wounded." Raph set his arm against the railing, raising his brow. "What the hell were you thinking driving in this crazy city. Your lucky I dont beat you up myself." He growled, masking his worry as usual. April rolled her eyes at her hot head, she took his hand making his eyes shift towards her. He rolled his eyes and looked away poking his bottom lip out. She knew he was pouting once more, though to her it always looked adorable. Donnie crawled towards her, setting himself next to Mikey, who still had a hold of her. "How are you feeling Apri?"
The red headed beauty smiled, the feeling of her kids made her smile naturally no matter how bad of state she's in. "Im better, now that my boys are here." Though she only saw three. A small pang of worry dosed her, leading her to sit up a bit. "Wheres your brother?"
Raph looked back at the door, frowning. "Thats weird. He was right behind me."
"It is weird. He was in front of me when he came in." Yoshi spoke.
April frowned, looking down a bit. "I guess he's still upset.." She sighed, why did she have to kiss him in front of his classmates, she knew how that felt. She humiliated him on his first day to. Raph noticed April in distraught with grumbles he stalked to the door, he swung it opened and closed it hard. With a loud slam the turtle jerked a bit in surprise. He gave cold glares to the door, "Damn hospital doors."
He looked down the hall seeing his older brother near the end, staring at a vending machine. He shook his head then headed for his brother. Closing the space he stopped beside his brother. "April is wanting to see you." He said.
Leo looked down, "I dont think I can face her."
Raph frowned at his brother, his eyes diverted from his brother to the machine, "So what? You just gonna stare at this vending machine all your life?" Out of the corner of his eye he saw Leo hang his head down and bobbing his head up and down. Raph shifted his eyes in multiple directions. "Well if we're gonna stare at it, may as well get some food from it." He took out his wallet and took out a dollar in quarters. "What do you want?" He asked
"Nothing." Leo said in a gloomy voice, Raph took a glance back at him, before punching the number of Leo's favorite. "I cant believe they actually have rice cracker balls in New York. I thought that was just a Japanese ol' deal." Raph went to Leo and held out the cracker ball, "Leo you can sulk and be a little sad boy, but if you dont eat I will gladly shove this down your throat. You havent ate all day so cut the whole I already ate story, I never bought it before, and never will. Now take it." The hot head ordered.
The blue eyes of his older brother were revealed after he snapped his head up. His face had disbelief all over it, though he didnt argue. Leo took the cracker ball and started unwrapping it. Raph kept his eyes on him. Once he knew his brother was eating he turned to the machine and got himself a moon pie. He smiled at his treat. "They still have these? Thats crazy." Raph went on, trying to avoid silence between them.
"Leo!" A voice called out. Raph snapped his head in the direction of where his little brother was.
"Donnie what are you doing?" Raph asked, getting in front of Leo. Just in case purposes.
"Im getting my idiot brother, now move." Donnie put his hands on his hips, making his usual sassy pose.
"No, I know your pissed off Donnie but Leo feels guilty enough, he doesnt need you to add onto it."
Raph's words puzzled the brainiac. He rose his brow. "Adding onto it? I wasnt going to do that."
"Oh yeah? well then what is it? He will see April when hes ready but right now Im handling it."
"Your not handling it, your just having him avoid the situation he needs to face." The brown eyed turtle shook his head. His eyes boring at Leo. "Leo, I know its hard for you now. But our mother really wants to see you. Plus I dont think abusing yourself is the right thing to do right now. You are our oldest brother after all. Why cant you for once act like it." The sudden movement from Raph started the olive skinned turtle.
"Go away already Donnie." Raph ordered in a louder voice then he was going for. Donnie though did his best to keep himself composed. His eyes glared at Raph.
"Why dont you get lost meathead!" He snapped.
Raph snarled. "Im about to make you go away-" the hot head was close to raising his hand that already had formed into a fist, squishing his moon pie that he had just bought. When Leo stepped in, he grabbed Raph's hand before turning on Donnie.
"Donatello knock it off." Leo scolded.
"Why should I?" Donnie folded his arms, "Your not my boss, heck you cant even get the balls to talk with our mother, so really Leo, dont bother trying to boss me around."
Leo used his shell to keep Raph from attacking his other brother. He frowned eyeing Donnie, confused. Why is Donnie being this way? No matter how mad he got he never was this so bold with his words, unless.
Leo narrowed his eyes and straightened up, he shoved Raph back. "Raphael we are in a hospital, cut the crap." He snapped puzzling the green eyed turtle. Leo turned to Donnie, giving him his look he usually gives his younger brothers, He grabbed Donnie by his bicep and smacked him on the back of the head making him yelp. "How dare you speak to your older brother in that way, if we werent in a hospital your butt would've been the first to hit. Now I suggest you get back to April before I let Raph have had it with you, also tell April ill be in a bit." He let his little brother go. "Now go on with your self." He ordered. Donnie looked up at Leo, a smile set on the turtles face till he noticed Raph glaring as he stood behind Leo. Donnie held up his hands in surrender. With no other word the turtle took leave. Leo watched for a good minute till Raph cleared his throat. Cutting the silence.
"What the hell just happened?"
Leo felt his lips curve into a small smile. "That little dweeb was helping me."
"How?"
"Well firstly getting a rise out of you, then out of me. He basically in his own way got me to snap out of it."
"I could of done that without that twerp."
Leo rolled his eyes, "Can you behave for once?" He turned to see Raph snacking on his own snack. "Raph!"
"What, you werent eating it! and I squeezed my moon pie."
Leo groaned, putting his hand to his head. "And this is why my meditation sessions after school are important." He sighed.
Raph followed his older brother as he started for the room. In advance of going in he laid his hand on Leo's shoulder stopping in their tracks. "Leo, are you sure your okay now?"
Leo stayed mute for a long moment, which made the second oldest think he wouldnt answer, but just as Raph was thinking that Leo began. "Im not. Im scared, Raph. I hurt her, and I almost lost her."
"So dont do this if your not ready-" Raph stopped when Leo's blue eyes laid on him.
"I have to Raph. As the oldest, I cant think of myself. You guys are my priority. And I need to remember that." He supplied. but that answer wasnt want Raph wanted. Leo couldnt open the door because Raph's hand was blocking it. He frowned. "Raph!"
"Dont do that whole priority crap. Who gives two shits what Donnie says." Raph then grabbed Leo by the shoulders, making his older brother turn to look at him. "When you need to focus on yourself, then you do so, I may not be level headed, or perfect like you, but Ill be one hell of a stand in. Leo you dont need to do this alone-"
Leo rose a brow. "Raph, its not an issue. Im alright."
"Bullshit."
The blue eyed turtle rolled his eyes. Pulling away he proceeded to the door. He took the handle in his hand, looking over his shoulder. "Thanks Raph." He said before going into the room to see the red headed beauty. Raph sighed in frustration, taking a moment to compose himself.
"He never listens I swear." He grumbled, rubbing his head he pulled back the door, entering the room. He noticed when he first came in Leo was at his mother's side, Donnie was in the corner chair, reading his book. Mikey was at the small table drawing on a paper with his new crayons. Raph made his way over to the empty chair next to Mikey. He sat there watching the tv that was above them. It was some kind of fishing channel he guessed. His mind took a turn when the doctor presented himself along with a nurse. Raph stood up and went to stand next to Leo, next to his mother.
"Miss O'neil, we heard you had an accident." The doctor said as if he was just now hearing about it.
"No shes just here cause she likes the bed." Raph blurted.
April gave him a warning look, that he shrugged off, she rolled her eyes. "Excuse my son."
The doctor took notice in the boys and looked pretty nervous, and a bit terrified but he put on a front. He smiled at April. "Well I see you have a thing for reptiles." He teased.
Raph's lip curled up. "Hey doc ya aint funny, now tell us whats the news before I show you a thing for a turtle beat down."
Leo rubbed his head again and elbowed Raph in the gut. April held back the urge to laugh at Raph's sarcasm. Its hard being a good mom with a son like him. So to keep herself on track she focused on the Doctor. "So whats the news?"
"The news?" He asked sounding a bit nervous. He cleared his throat. "Well it seems your lucky and you may go home tonight. Do you have someone to watch over you?"
"What are we? Chop liver?" Raph spat, obviously offended.
"Wouldnt we be chopped turtles?" Donnie corrected.
"Oh I got one!" Mikey boasted. "Chopped shells!" He then chuckled at his joke that others didnt quite get. Donnie put his palm to his face.
Raph growled, he turned to his two other brothers. "Zip it thing 1 and 2."
"I wonder which is which." Mikey asked, then smirked. "I call dibs on 1."
"You cant call dibs on 1, im older than you."
"And how do you know that?" Mikey asked, his smirk growing.
"Donatello and Michelangelo, hush." Leo scolded in a stern voice making the two grow mute.
"Im so sorry about my kids-" April started apologizing.
"Dont. Um so Ill send the lady with the discharge papers and the bill." He said as he headed out as fast as he could.
April sat up slowly, "Great. Thats exactly what a homeless mother needs." He sighed.
"Its okay April, dont fret on that." Yoshi said to her. "Now lets hurry up, Im starving."
"Pizza!" Mikey bellowed and jumped on the table. "Pizza!"
April watched her youngest, frowning. She shook her head, "Why do I even bother."
"Because you just cannot bother mom." Leo said as he came to her side, helping her up to her feet.
She looked at him, then rubbed his bare head. "So true." She chuckled.
Leo stood at his mother's door, wanting to knock, but felt uneasy with how late it was. He would of went back to bed, if he had went to sleep in the first place but he couldnt get the situation from this morning out of his mind. He would be playing with his hat to cope with his nervousness, but in the midst of things he misplaced it. He rubbed his arm. "I gotta talk to her sometime." He whispered to himself. He wanted to talk with her at the hospital, but never got the time. He needed to talk with her, tell her he was a brat, he carefully opened the door, pushing it to where the door slowly opened. He quietly entered the dark room, only light shining through was the bathroom light across the hall. He was in the process to go to her bedside when his eyes caught some pill bottles on her dresser. He picked one up. He squinted his eyes to read the prescription. He frowned and set it back down. He looked at the four other pill bottles, seeing the large names and the sizes of the bottles. "What the..."
A sudden shift and creaking of the bed startled the curious turtle, he quickly turned on the bed to see April had switched sides, her back towards the door. He stared at her with his stiffened body for a long moment till he saw no sign of her waking up anytime soon. He sighed in relief. He attended back to the pills he never saw before. Picking up another one, he read the name of the medicine. He rose a brow, maybe Donnie could make out what it was. He quickly retreated to the door and closed it gently making sure it clicked. Leo rushed to Donnie and Mikey's room when he stopped short as a figure stood ahead of him. As the figure came into the light more and more, relief set in once he saw it was Miwa. He growled. "Why do you always have to be creepy?"
"Im not creepy lameo. Your just to scared." She noticed the bottle. "Whats that?" She asked pointing to the bottle.
He hid it behind his back, glaring at her. "None of your business."
Miwa laid her hands on her hips. "Why do you gotta be such a boy?" She asked, obviously annoyed. She took out something blue from her pocket and threw it at him. "Heres your stupid hat." She turned. "Dont even know why I bother being nice to you idiot."
Leo frowned, looking at the hat as he caught it. He looked up at Miwa feeling a little bad about snapping on her. He set the hat on his head and rushed after her. "Thanks..." He said to her. Miwa stopped. She set her eyes on him. She folded her arms. "Yeah, whatever reptile."
The blue eyed turtle was about to make a comment back when the light revealed something on the girls forearm. It looked like a bruise of some sort. Miwa must of seen him take notice since she pulled down her sleeve to hide the mark. Leo gave her a concerned look, "Whats that?"
"None of your business." She mimicked the same way he had said it.
Leo shook his head and stood in her way to keep her at bay. "Miwa, it is my business if theres markings on you-"
She snarled prior to kneeing him in the gut and throwing the turtle onto the carpet. She then sat on him, holding his head in place. Half of his face into the carpet. The turtle grunted. "Hey get off of me!" He growled. He stopped struggling when he felt something sharp to his neck. Okay now he was a bit scared. "M-Miwa!" He knew she was a bully but not psycho.
"I told you reptile its none of your business."
"But, you helped me-"
"And I never wanted your payback or pity, got it? So I suggest you keep this talk between us, or next time, the knife will go into your neck." She threatened, her voice cold but deadly. She took the knife away but not without grazing his cheek, to make her point, making the oldest turtle bleed. Once she was off Leo hurried to his feet. Expecting Miwa to still be standing there. He was surprised when he noticed she was gone. With wide eyes he kept staring where the girl once stood, his hand went to his cheek in reflex when he heard a door open.
"Leo?" April called out, groggily. She went up to him, laying a hand on his shell. "What are you doing up this early? And what are you doing with those!?" She asked aware of her pills in his hand, she quickly retrieved them. Leo turned to face her, putting his hand down revealing his blood streaked cheek. April's annoyance soon vanished once she noticed him bleeding. She widened her eyes and took his face in her hands. "Why are you bleeding?!" She asked in panic, mother mode obviously activated.
He tried pulling away, but she had a good grip. "Oh no you dont, you can pull away from me at school but not here Leonardo. And especially when your hurt." She let go of him to take his hand. "Come on lets get you patched up." She said pulling him with her to the bathroom. Reluctantly Leo followed and closed the door behind him. He watched her get an aid kit, normally he would fuss about being taken care of in such away but at this moment, his mind was in a whole other place. He thought he knew his bully, and his friend, but it was clear that he was far from knowing the girl. April set the aid kit on the sink opening it. "Leo sit on the toilet for me please." She asked. She took notice of how he was suddenly so obedient during a situation like this, normally he would of argued with her and told her he was old enough to not need aid, hes been like that since five.
She settled in front of her oldest and went for an alcohol swab. The silence lingered for a while, with a little fussing from Leo about the stinging. But other than that, he stayed silent. It was worrisome. "So, wanna tell me what happened?"
Leo snapped his attention on her, and frowned. Avoiding eye contact her he said. "I fell."
"On what?" April asked.
Leo stayed silent, April could tell he was trying to think of another lie, her oldest was always the worst at lying, she could see it in how he avoided his eyes. "Leonardo?" She rose her brow as she stripped the band aid.
"I went into the kitchen and I broke a glass, I fell and I guess scratched my face."
"Wouldnt have I heard the glass shatter."
Leo's expression grew annoyed, "I dunno!" He growled.
"Now theres no need to get upset Leo." April placed the bandage on her sons face. She kept her hand on his cheek. "I just wanna know what really happened."
In anger he smacked her hand away, "That is what happened, if you dont believe me thats your problem." He snapped and took his chance to escape.
April watched her son stalk off, a bit surprised by his sudden out burst. She sighed feeling suddenly older, looking away from the opened door and at the aid kit. She slowly got to her feet and put everything away before grabbing her night pills and flipping off the light. She looked over to see her sons room door was open. She silently padded to it, peeking into the room, seeing her hot head passed out completely. She looked over to Leo's bed to see her son in his bed already, the covers spread out. His shell was to her. She slowly went to her oldest. She got down on her knees and leaned on the side of his bed. She fixed his blanket to cover him up more.
The red head sighed again in a soft manner. "Leo, I didnt mean to upset you." She said, not really knowing if he was awake or not but she did have to talk with him, even if he was asleep already. "Im sorry if I dont understand what your going through right now, Im-Im doing my best. Sometimes its hard." She confessed, looking at her pill bottle. "Sometimes I have restless nights. And I take sleeping medicine just to get to bed." She looked at the back of his head. "You dont have to tell me the real reason for the cut, but just know, Im always here for you. Just like with your brothers." She looked up at the bright moon, shining through the window, lighting up the two. She felt her emotions building, she kept a stead front though. She got to her feet and bent down to kiss his head. She pulled back, looking at her sons sleeping face. She softly brushed her hand against his cheek, being gentle as she can. She sniffled a bit, "You boys will always be my world. And I will always love you, even if you dont want to show it in public." She forced a smile on her face, trying to keep her emotions in check. With one more kiss she proceeded to leave the room.
As April was leaving Leo turned over to watch. Anger had vanished at the moment those confessions left her mouth. When the door clicked shut Leo proceeded to sit up from his bed. He hugged his legs. He sighed, annoyed at himself. "Man im a jerk." He muttered softly to himself.
Leo's eyes shifted up to the bright full moon, his eyes diverted onto a picture frame he had beside his bed. He picked it up, looking at it. It was his brothers, him, Yoshi, Shen, Miwa and his mom. They were gathered as a group. He was around seven at the time. He had two missing teeth. April was behind him, Donnie, Raph, and Miwa. Mikey was on her shoulders. Shen and Yoshi was on both sides of April. Miwa was right next to Leo, She had her tongue out, with one hand on her hip, and the other on his shoulder. Leo smiled at the picture, tracing his mother and Miwa with his index finger. This was when they just moved to April's old farm house her dad had left her. And right after her father passed away. Leo frowned at that thought and set the picture down in its place. He slid back under the covers, laying on his shell. He stared up at the ceiling until sleep eventually overtook him.
Finally.
