[#3]
[Freshmen Year—Known the Turtles for Six Months]
I think my brain is melting, was all she could think as she stared at the turtle in front of her. She had known the turtle's for about six months and had never seen them without their masks. By now, they were how she could tell them apart when they were all together—especially on the rare occasions where they weren't talking. For a while they all looked the same until she realized that they all were different shades of green. However, even though she knew they were different shades she found that she had a hard time telling them apart. Suddenly her system was broken and found herself spending the last two minutes in doorway of the kitchen—trying to figure out who she was staring at. Where the heck is his mask!?
"Um," She mumbled, catching his attention. Finally she could see his face—staring at his shell wasn't helping her at all. She stared quizzically at him. Lightest of the four…brown eyes. "Don?"
"Bingo!"
She let out a sigh of relief. "Oh thank the Lord." She then sent him a harsh glare. "Where the heck is your mask?"
"We had to throw them in the wash," He replied sheepishly. "I was wondering how long it would take you to figure out which one I was."
"You knew I was there? I was freaking out!"
Donatello laughed, turning back to the coffee maker. "You're smart. You'd figure it out eventually." He poured them both a cup—putting two creams and two sugars in her's. "I bet you can't tell the other's apart."
"Bet you five bucks I can on the first try."
"Oh this I have to see."
She took her mug and walked back into the main area—scanning for the other three. Two were on the couch and one was nowhere to be seen. Well, until he charged out of his room and plopped next to the other two. Things got trickier.
"Guys!" Don called. "Kay's going to try and tell you apart."
Kaylee cringed at his announcement and the eyes that were suddenly on her. She was hoping that she'd have a moment to observe them and tell them apart by mannerism. Obviously, Don must have known that and decided to foil her plans—typical. Then to make matters worse the three closed their eyes—sneaky little so-and-so's
"Well," Kaylee sighed, tugging on the hair tie around her wrists. She went with the easiest to identify. She walked forward and poked the turtle that was the darkest shade on the forehead—a growl rumbling in his throat. "This is Raph. I think the growl clearly gave him away." Raphael opened his eyes, swatting her hand away. Her gaze then fell on the other two—their eyes still closed and sitting perfectly still.
"Is Mikey even here?" She joked. "He's sitting too still." Neither of them moved an inch. "Wow, you guys are making this hard."
She stared harder—trying to remember which characteristics went to each turtle. The fact none of them had their weapons on them didn't help either. Leo has a crack in his shell, she remembered. Too bad I can't see his shell. She leaned over slightly, trying to get a look.
"Are you checking out my brother's butt?" Raph snorted.
Kaylee rolled her eyes. "Yeah, totally." She moved closer to see if she could find it. "Leo has a crack in his shell. I'm trying to find it without being awkward."
"Too late, you just made this situation more awkward."
"I do what I want," She huffed. When she finally found it she reach out to poke the turtle in the head. "Leo." She moved her hand to the third turtle. "Mikey."
Mikey grinned. "Only took you five minutes!"
"Hey you cheated!" Don argued. "You can't go around looking for scars!"
"It's not cheating! It's called context clues." She smirked. "Now, about my five bucks."
[Present]
Now that I think about it, I never got my five bucks. Kaylee mused, eyes following the movements of her unmasked friends. This time it was easier to tell them apart. They were each in their zones and paid no mind to her entrance. Raph was beating his punching bag into oblivion. Don was tinkering in his lab. Mikey was on the couch reading comic books and Leo was sitting next to him watching the news. All was in order.
"Hey Don," She greeted, stepping into the lab. "My professor got back to me with answers to your questions."
A smirked graced the turtle's face—catching her off guard. "Don?" that was not the genius' voice. "I'm Leo. Come on, didn't you see the scar?"
She stared at him blankly. From the angle she was standing she hadn't seen the scar at all. "You're kidding me right?" The smirk was still intact. "I have so much hate for you right now."
"A box of pizza says you can't tell the other three apart."
She turned on her heals, searching for the one she knew by sight the best. "Raph's on the couch reading the comic book!"
The turtle growled, throwing the comic on the coffee table. "How do you do that?"
"I'm magic, duh."