Even Leaders Have Their Sick Days
Chapter 4: Surprise!
I woke up in my bed.
How did I-
"How did you get here?"
My eyes flew open to my brother's voice, and over at his cheeky grin.
"I can reeead your miiiiind…." Mikey wriggled his fingers in the air, as he's sitting on the edge of my bed.
"Oh be quiet Mikey…" I grumbled.
"Hee hee…"
Something suddenly hit me.
"Mikey…what are you doing in my room?"
"Dude. Don't look so creeped out. You see this?" He held up a wet cloth. "I've been making sure you're fever doesn't get too high."
"Oh great…am I really that bad?"
"Well maybe if you took some time off and did something fun for a change, you might get that balance you're always talking about."
"I-"
I came at a loss for words.
Huh. So Mikey does pay attention to what I say…At least when he feels like it…
"So! How ya feeling Leo?"
"Same as before…"
"Seriously dude? I thought rest was supposed to help some."
"Yeah well…it doesn't…"
"Hmmm…." He put his hand on his chin, looking up at the ceiling.
"Whatever you're thinking Mike, no."
"Aw, come on bro! I didn't even say anything yet."
"Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll just end up feeling worse."
"And here I thought some fresh air would do you good…" he trailed off.
"Fresh air?" I asked surprised by such a practical comment.
"Yup! And I don't mean Terry Gross either bro. As much as I know you like to listen in."
"I don't listen to Fresh Air!" I defended.
"Alright, alright. I get it's not something you want to tell your brother…"
"Mikey…." I warned.
"Chill Leo! Geez…when you're sick, you're really grouchy you know."
"Try being me for one day and not be grouchy."
"AHHHHHHH!
"Looks like ol' Raphy found my surprise." Mikey smiled mischievously.
MIKEYYYYY!" Raph yelled.
"Eep! Gotta go! Or better yet…move over bro!"
"What the-"
Mikey suddenly scooted over, going under my covers.
"Mikey, what the shell are you-"
"Shhh! Leo! Be quiet!"
A few seconds went by until-
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Raph slowly opened the door.
"Yo Leo. You awake?"
"I am now."
"Haha. Say uh, if Mike comes in here just come get me okay? I gotta…talk to him about something…"
"I'm stuck in bed Raph."
"Haha. True. Well! I gotta go find a brother to pound! See yah!"
He closed the door as I heard him begin to open and close other doors nearby.
"Phew!" Mikey spoke under the covers.
"Mikey…get-out."
"Dude! He might still be near. Be quiet!"
"I'll make sure he hears every word I say if you don't leave in 5 seconds." I warned. "1….2…."
Ahhh!….oh no..…the dizziness is coming again….
"Leo?...Alright, I'm going."
SLAM! The door next door closed.
"Or not!" Mikey quickly jumped on top of my bunk bed.
I sighed in irritation. Why must they ALL…well Mikey and Raph….seek to make me so stressed out right now...Probably getting angry didn't help my headache either…
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Raph stormed in.
"Leo, I know he's here." He snapped.
"Fine….just…don't get me involved…."
"No problem…" He cracked his knuckles, grinning evilly; then glanced up to the top of the bunk bed.
"I know you're up there Mikey!"
"Oh yeah?" Mikey called down.
"Well duh shell fer brains!"
"Well…." Mikey stuttered a bit. "I don't think Leo wants us to cause a ruckus in his room while he's recovering….don't you think?"
"Ruckus? Really Mike? What, you read one of Don's books hoping it had some pretty pictures?"
"You bet! In fact if you go get it I'll show you the page. It's right next to "rage-""
"Save it."
"GUYS….GET…OUT! I shouted. Ow! My throat….
"Leo…do you care if I jump onto the top bunk, take Mikey, and leave?" Raph tried to ask pleasantly, showing a very forced smile.
"I don't care….." I groaned, pulling the covers over me.
"What? Leo! You HAVE to care! Raph's gonna-ah!"
Raph jumped to the top of the bunk, as Mikey screamed, jumping down, and speeding out the door. Raph jumped down, following him.
"Ah! Ah! Ahhhh!" I could hear Mikey scream in the hall.
"Shut up Mikey! Leo's trying to sleep!" Raph called after him.
"Easy for you to say! You're not being chased by a maniac!"
"Grrrr…." He grumbled loudly.
In a few seconds I heard Master Splinter intervene.
"Raphael! Michelangelo! Sit! What is the cause of all this?"
"Well RAPH here-"
"Shhhh…lower your voice Michelangelo."
"Well Mr. Rage Machine here chased me out of Leo's room as I was trying to help him." Mikey whispered less than quietly.
"Probably more like annoy him…" Raph muttered.
"Michelangelo. Was not Donatello helping Leonardo?"
"Yeah, but he had to take a break so I took over."
"Raphael…what is your story?"
"My story, is this bonehead here must have got bored not being able to yell at his video games, or just being plain loud or obnoxious, so he decided to cover my motorcycle with ketchup!"
"Which you totally thought was blood…" Mikey teased.
"Urrrr….."
"Raphael!
Raph stayed silent.
"Michelangelo….Why did you do this?" Splinter demanded.
"Uhhh…cuz I can…."
There was a brief pause where Mikey realized that was the wrong answer.
"-And…he was all like, "I gotta go let off some steam", and left his motorcycle out in the open with the ketchup he didn't put away…"
"Ha! Like I'd ever leave my bike out, especially with you around Mikey…"
"Well you didn't close the door now did you?" Mikey retorted with a grin.
"Enough. The two of you recklessly disturbed your brother's sleep and made a mess."
"Mikey made the mess…" Raph mumbled.
"Raph's just being a big hothead…" Mikey commented back.
"And…as such, you two are grounded for two days-"
"WHAT?" They both said.
"What the shell did I do-" Raph started.
"And you will apologize to Leonardo."
"Aw shell!" Mikey complained.
" And Michelangelo." Master Splinter spoke firmly.
"Yes sensei?"
"You will clean Raphael's motorcycle. Is that clear?"
"Yes sensei," he answered drearily.
"Good. Now I hope the two of you have learned your lesson. I will be in my room and I do not want to hear any more disturbances."
I heard Splinter walk away as they whispered back and forth to each other with words I couldn't quite make out. But I didn't care.
For now…sleep was calling me…and peace and quiet…