The sun crept over the horizon, and the birds were chipper and chirping. It was the crack of dawn, which meant Mikey had to get up, but that was only to cook his brothers breakfast. Today, however, he didn't feel like cooking anyone breakfast, not even for himself, so he didn't need to be bothered by chores. Or awoken at some ungodly hour in the morning, for that matter.

...

"Mikey.."

"Hmm?"

"Mikey."

"Five more minutes."

"Mikey!"

"What?!" He woke up from his trance, shifting bleary eyes toward his red-haired brother.

"Mikey we're going to be late for school! Not to mention the fact that Leo can't cook, so we'll have to stop to grab something on the way there."

"It's fine. 'M not hungry."

Raphael only rolled his eyes. "When are you not hungry? That's impossible. Now come on, up! Up!"

Mikey tried getting out of bed but ended up rolling off it because he was coddled in his blankets like a burrito.

...

The trip in the car was a nightmare. Everyone could feel the anger and sadness rolling off of Mikey, and could clearly see his pout and defensive posture. They were planning on apologizing to their brother /perhaps with a pizza bribe/ but decided on letting him cool off first.

Leo pulled into the McDonald's drive-thru, encouraging his brothers to look at the menu.

"Leo," Raph started, "we've been over this. It's McDonald's. There are Coffee and Sandwiches, sandwiches and coffee. Just pick something!"

"Alright, fine. I just want-"

"-to try and create a sense of variety to make up for the fact that we're poor and can't afford much?"

They all stared in complete disbelief at their youngest family member. Donnie and Raph looked concerned, but Leo, being the head of the house and responsible for his brothers' health and well-being, on top of the one in charge of bringing some sort of income into their family, was absolutely furious.

"Michelangelo, what has come over you?! You do not get to talk to us like that, not when we, when I, am trying so hard to give you all that's best for you. When I am doing all I can to support us financially in not only your post-secondary education but your everyday life as well."

Mikey felt ashamed of himself. He didn't know what had come over him. What he had stated was clearly thought by the three other parties in the vehicle, it was just something that always went unspoken.

"I'm sorry Leo, I just- I'm just really irritated and I know that's not an excuse, and I know you're doing your best, I just-"

"It's fine, and for what it's worth, I'm sorry too. I don't know why I got so angry..."

"Alright," Raph cut in, "why don't we concentrate on getting to school, yeah?"

"Oh sh- shucks, we're going to be late, aren't we."

Mikey hid his laugh behind his hand. Leo almost never swore in front of them, so it was funny seeing him slip up.

...

"Mikey!"

Heading to the cafeteria, Michelangelo turned around to see a familiar face. "Renet! What's going on?"

"The cast sheet is out! It's out!" She grabbed his sleeve and frantically pulled him towards the auditorium.

When they finally arrived at their destination, they were surrounded by chatter. There was an exciting, eager buzz in the air, and yet a veil of jealousy surrounding the area as well. What a bittersweet feeling...

"Scuse me, sorry, coming through!" They had to push through some people to get to the actual list.

They took a second to read it and Mikey's face flushed.

"She didn't.."

"She did!"

"Oh no, I'm doomed."

Renet had gotten the part of Juliet's nurse, and Mikey would be playing the role of Juliet!

He looked around to see some girls staring at him jealously, and he couldn't help but feel happy. These people who were always hurting others were being hurt by their own lack of acceptance.

"You know what this means, right?"

"No?"

"You're going to have to kiss Romeo. Another guy."

"Oh shi-"

"Oh my goodness, Romeo is played by the one and only Leather-head."

"Renet please stop, you're making me even more nervous.."

"Sorry, sorry. Do you even know who he is though?"

"Not really, although I've heard he has temper problems. However, I don't want to judge his character based on silly rumors."

"Good, because some would say he's a real lady killer. That's probably another reason why most of the girls are jealous of you."

"Pf, I'm sure I'll be fine. Trust me, I live with three older brothers-"

"Look, he's coming!"

Mikey looked where his friend was pointing, and he almost did a double turn.

"Oh no, he's hot!"