A/N: Happy Friday! I want to thank those who are reading, favoriting and following, and a SPECIAL thank to those leaving reviews! You are the wind beneath my wings. :*) This next chapter is longer than usual. The gangs all here. I just couldn't stop! (thanks for finding me, theblackbirdaska)
CHAPTER 12- Longest Day of the Year
…
"Helloooo, Miss Karai!" Mona sings into the phone.
"How did you get this number?" Karai sighs into her personal cell, attempting to do some work at her desk.
"I got it from April's cell when she was in the bathroom. I need to talk to you."
Karai rolls her eyes. "Make it quick. I have a meeting in five minutes."
"Oh, thank you so much for sparing a few moments of your precious time with me." Mona drips with sarcasm. "You've been by the Lair so much, I hope you're not getting sick of us."
"If this is about Sunday dinners, you can drop it. I've been busy with other things and I just got back in town from a business trip and… none of this is your concern."
"Oh, cut the crap!" Mona flips her legs off the arm of the chair and sits upright. "This is also about April's graduation party, and the movie nights, and the slumber parties you've conveniently missed. You missed Kala coming back to Earth. It was amazing! Mikey is super hard core! Just jumped into space and caught her."
Karai raises a brow. "What?" She had only been around the Neutrino a few times. She knows Kala to be reserved and quite fond of her Michelangelo. The two seem so different from one another. How do they make it work? "That all sounds like fun, Mona, but..."
"Stop with the buts! I know that the only reason you stopped coming around is because of Leo. I don't know exactly what's going on, cause he won't tell me."
"I wonder why." Karai exhales.
"I know that he's not angry anymore." Mona leans back into the chair. "He seems like he's over whatever you two where fighting about. So stop being a hermit! You don't need his permission to be around your family."
At that remark, Karai turns away from her computer and stares out of her large bay window. As much as she would like to drop by unannounced and ruffle his feathers, the last time she was with Leo struck a chord with her. She has been waiting for him to reach out, but he hasn't. "He requested distance. I am trying to respect that."
"Come on! That's not what either of you REALLY want. You really think he doesn't want you at his birthday party?"
"Birthday party..." Karai didn't forget that the Turtles' celebrate their 'mutation' day on the first day of summer. She had planned on sending them a gift, a new, large flat screen TV for the living area, nothing individually given.
"Yeah." Mona says. "They are having it at Casey and Irma's coffee shop, Kick Ass Koffee, on the summer solstice, after sunset of course. They and April planned it."
"Well... I wasn't invited." Karai said casually, glancing at her nails.
"Duh, that's why I'm calling." Mona laughs at her. "You need to be there and you need to look hot, so hot that Leo will forget whatever you two where arguing about... and you better get him a good present."
This time, Karai laughs. "You make it sound so simple."
"It is simple. Get Donnie, Raphie, and Mikey something cool, but make sure the gift you get Leo is special."
Karai sighs again. "OK, Let us pretend that I'm actually coming..."
"Which you are." Mona chimes in.
"We are talking about Leonardo. What on earth could he possibly want or need that he's not already willed himself to honorably live without?"
"Hmm." Mona swings her legs and tail up over the back of the big, comfy chair, her staring up at the high ceiling. "I don't know. Something practical, but shows that you care... something that he'd apprecia- OH! I got it! Bed sheets!"
Karai shakes her head at the phone in her hand. "Bed sheets?"
"Yeah. About a month ago I was walking passed his room and noticed that his mattress was bare. I offered to do his laundry if that's what was needed. He said no and that he had to throw his old sheets away. Must have accidentally cut them up with his swords or something. Anyway, just yesterday I went into his room looking for matches for the stove, cause you KNOW he has a ton of candles in his room, and he STILL didn't have any sheets on his bed. So yeah..."
Karai gets up from her chair and walks around her desk. The only reason why Leo would want to get rid of his sheets would be because of her. Her naked, fragrant body was all in his sheets. And the way he looked at her, as if she desecrated his place of peace... he really was trying to purge her from his life. So why should she even go to the party? "That sound like a good idea. But, I'm afraid I must decline the invitation. I would, of course, leave their gifts at the cafe prior and..."
"Damn it, Karai, get over yourself! If I didn't think you were Krazy before...!" Mona yells into the phone. "Your presence is more important than your presents, get it?"
"N-no, you just said the same..."
"I know what I said. Listen, I grew up with parents who thought that giving me stuff was enough to satisfy their absence in my life. Now that I know what true family love is, no material possession can top that. Gifts are nice. But, you AND a gift would be best. You and Leo have a tiny lover's quarrel and YOU skip out on ALL of us! Not cool."
"Lover's quarrel? Mona, you have no idea what you're talking..."
"I know one thing, your other brothers will be there, April and Kala and I will be there. Your DAD will be there!"
"That's more that one thing." Karai says smartly.
"If you don't show up to your brothers' birthday party so help me, I will sneak into your bedroom while you're asleep and take a razor down the middle of your thick head! And hide your platinum credit cards... And snap all the heels off your very expensive, very wonderful collection of shoes."
"You sound a little jealous," Karai grins.
"So very jealous." Mona whines. "It's been so long since I've worn amazing shoes. But, I can't run around the Amazon in six-inch stilettos."
"Well, you are better than I am in that regard. You did what I could not. Every moment I was that hideous and mindless snake I felt my humanity slip away. This did not happen to you through your mutation. I needed the retro mutagen, but you had a choice. You feel right at home as a reptile, don't you?"
"With my family beside me, I wouldn't want to be any other way."
Karai's lips form a thin line. Family is a concept she's been familiar with only a few years now. She's not used to it, told Leo she didn't care about it, but that was not true. She likes it... them, and would prefer to be closer, but Leo... maybe he won't mind her there, if she sets aside her selfish desires and focuses on her family.
With Karai silent on the other end of the line, Mona smiles widely. "So, see you at nine this Friday?"
Karai bows her head. "Yes."
...
Underneath the orange, setting sun, a mutant ninja turtle walks down the boulevard, safely hidden in his dark, blue hoodie, fitted cap, baggy jeans and fresh, blues and white high-tops, a gift from his red-headed friend. This turtle feels good, and why shouldn't he? It's a cool, June evening, his birthday if fact, and he's on his way to pay a visit to a certain, young lady.
However, just below the surface of Leonardo's happiness lies a layer of nervousness; he twiddles the cell phone hidden in his hoodie's front pouch with anxious hands. His brothers gave him the go ahead, saying that if he were ready, he could bring Toni to the party. It would be a comfortable introduction for her into his small crew. His brothers like her a lot. Leo is sure everyone else will. And, up until just s few hours ago, his brother's kept her a secret, of which he is thankful. He's sure April and Kala know, even Casey and Irma. If Raph had told Mona, Leo is sure he would have gotten an angry call or heated text about him keeping such a secret from her. He just didn't want the questions and the pressure… or Karai finding out from someone else He's definitely not expecting Karai to be there. He hadn't spoken to her since… he dropped in on her private party.
He sighs, chiding himself for still being so affected. Whatever. He will not ruin tonight by his incessant need to brood.
Leonardo turns the corner, ascends the few stone steps, rings the proper bell, and waits.
"Hello?" Her soft voice crackles through the speaker.
"Hey, Toni. It's me, Leo."
"Leo?" She buzzes him in.
A few flights later Leo is standing at her door and she pulls him inside.
"What were you doing out in the open? Isn't that dangerous?" She says.
He blushes, noticing the excitement on her face by his arrival. It never gets old, being able to know exactly what the other person is thinking. "I'm covered up, don't worry."
"Oh, I can feel that." She still has her hand around his arm. "I'm just surprised you didn't knock on my window. What's the occasion?"
"Well..." He walks her over to her couch and they sit. He glances at her coffee table and notices something new, a sculpture. "What is this, on your table here?"
"Can't you tell?" She smiles.
"I can but..." He peers at the formed and cured clay. It's a life-sized replica of a forearm and hand. Looking closer he sees the tiny raised bumps of skin, a small scar lining the inside of the arm, an upturned wrist, bandaged, three-fingered hand, the swirls of finger prints, and smooth nails with chipped edges. The fingers are positioned as if awaiting to take someone's hand, or caressing someone's face. It's painted with different shades of green. It sits on display, held a few inches in the air by two metal rods sprouting from a plain wooden plank. "Is this me?" Leo is in awe.
Toni slides off the couch and kneels by her coffee table. She runs her hand along her sculpture. "My instructor was very impressed with my imagination. She had no idea how I came up with such a thing. She helped me choose the colors and paint the spots I missed. She said that there are different shades of green, that the same color can look different in the light or in the dark, and I don't know what shade you are, so I picked multiple." She folds her hands over the clay. She smiles, seemingly satisfied with her first piece of art. "Do you like it, Leo?"
"I think it's great." He scoots closer to the edge of his seat and holds out his hand against the one Toni had made. "It's an amazing likeness." Even the lifelines and fat in the pad of his palm are identical. "You have an amazing tactical memory, Toni. You really do see me."
She breathes a small laugh of embarrassment as she slides her hand from the clay to his flesh. "Thanks. That's enough flattery for a whole week."
"You really are talented. Will you be making anymore?" Leo asks.
"I'm working on a few things. I don't want to make generic bowls and cups, so I've been making shapes and patterns. My instructor calls it... abstract?"
"You're trying to be real artist? I think you have what it takes."
"We'll see about that. For now, it's just fun." Toni isn't used to so much praise. She slips her hand away from his and sits back down on the couch. "Not that I mind, but what brings you here this evening?"
"Hmm." He smiles. He notices, her large t-shirt and sweatpants, a small blanket, and a thick book of Braille lying in her rocking chair. "You seem like you were turning in for the night. I was going to ask you if you wanted to go somewhere, but I don't want to disturb you."
"Go? Where?" She perks up.
"At the risk of sounding childish," Leo shifts in his seat. "Would you like to come to my birthday party tonight?"
She gasps. "Oh, Leo, I'd love to! What did you think? I'd rather sit alone and run my fingers over my book all night?" She grins.
"It's actually my brothers' birthday as well. We vary in age but we celebrate the day we were mutated. Our human fiends set it up for us. Two of them own a coffee shop. There will be food and music, and you'll finally get to meet the girls."
"Really? April and Mona, the girl changed into a lizard, and ... the alien one?" She squeaks.
"Yes." He loves to see that genuine glee on her face. "So, I guess you can throw something on and we'll be on our way."
"No!" She yells.
"What's wrong?"
"What time is the party?"
"It starts at nine. It's almost eight now. Everyone else should be there setting up now and..."
"That's no good! And hour is not enough time!" She jumps up and heads to her bedroom.
He follows a few steps behind. "Enough time for what?"
"I need to..." Her voice is muffled as she searches her walk-in closet for certain pieces. "I can't go like this. I need to at least LOOK like I care. This is your birthday party and it's the first time I'm meeting your other friends. And I can't come empty handed. I need to make something!" She runs out of her closet and sets a few articles of clothing on her bed, checking and double-checking her tags to make sure they match.
Leo stands at her door, watching her pin her hair up and shoulder a towel. She opens her top dresser drawer and pulls out a pair of lacy underwear. He averts his eyes to look out her window. "I don't think you have to make such big deal. My friends aren't the uppity type to judge your appearance. I mean, look at me."
She stops in her tracks and turns her blind eyes towards him and tilts her head. "Really?"
"Sorry. What I mean is they are my friends, my bothers, and my father. We are together because of who we are, not what..."
"Your DAD is going to be there?" Her voice rises. "Oh, no." She pushes past him and goes into her bathroom. "Just... just make yourself comfortable. I'll try not to take too long." She closes the door and turns on the shower.
Leo chuckles. He knocks on the bathroom door. "Can I help in anyway?"
"No...it's OK. Oops." Something clashes against the tub.
"Come on, Toni. I feel bad about not considering your... important rituals." He grins.
"If you insist, could you rinse off the fruit in the bottom drawer of the fridge and set them on the counter? Oh, and find the plastic wrap, if I have any, and for future reference, never give a girl less than an hour to get ready for anything!"
...
Donatello speed dials his brother for the third time. "Leo, where are you? We're almost ready to start." He says sharply into his speakerphone.
"Sorry, Donnie. We aren't much farther away. Give us five minutes." Leo says.
"Alright." Donnie hangs up and shares a knowing smile with April. The two go back to helping Kala at the food table.
Meanwhile, Mona starts jumping up and down, and giggling, grabbing Raphael's attention. "What are you doing? You gotta pee or somethin'?"
"Oh, come on! Didn't you hear him? Leo said 'WE', as in he and Karai are coming together! Yes! This is great! My plan worked! I am so happy for him!" She sings.
"What are you talkin' about? What plan?" Raph gives her a suspicious look.
Just then a firm knock is heard at the door and Casey looks through the peephole before opening. "Uh, hey, Karai."
"Hey yourself, Casey." She gives him a quick look over. "It has been a while... nice smile."
Casey smoothes his tongue over his shiny veneers. "Yeah, thanks. The caveman look was getting old, and Irma said it was bad for business."
"Of course... aren't you going to let me in?"
"Yeah, sure, sure, come on." Casey stands aside, allowing the dark-haired beauty into the exclusive party.
From the back of the room Raphael and Mona watch Karai greet everyone she comes to, also handing Donatello and Michelangelo small, purple and orange gift bags. Mona tugs at his arm, a bit confused. "Hey, where's Leo? I thought he said they were arriving together."
Raphael slides a hand over his face. "You numbskull."
"What?"
"Shh. Here she comes. Don't mention Leo..." Raph quickly plasters on a smile. "Hey, Sis! Didn't think you were gonna grace us with your presence tonight."
"Hello, Bro." Karai responds with equally ingenuine joy. "The pleasure is all mine. Besides, I was practically threatened with my good health if I didn't show up." She swings a cold smile at the lizard girl. "Greetings, Mona."
"Hi!" Mona flaps her hand at her.
Karai turns back to Raphael. "Here is a gift. Enjoy your birthday." She drops a small, black giftbag in his hands.
"Thanks. It means a lot. And thanks for stopping by."
"What do you mean? She just got here. And I see she has one more present to give away." Mona says as she points to the rectangular package wrapped in blue paper in the Japanese girl's hands. "What did you get him?"
"Speaking of him, where is he?"
"Karai!"
She turns to see Splinter sitting in a booth by himself, waving happily.
She smiles. "Excuse me." Karai walks away from Raph and Mona and goes to greet her father warmly and sit with him.
Another knock at the door causes Casey to jump and look around at the others. They shrug at him and he shrugs back. He opens the door. Leonardo and Toni walk in.
"Who's that girl?" Mona whispers.
"That's Leo 's new friend, Toni. Leo and Karai ain't really buddies anymore, so Leo thought it was cool to invite Toni to our party."
"Crap." Mona groans.
"Yeah, crap is right. You see what your meddling does?"
"Hey, I didn't know Leo had a new girlfriend!" She says in a sharp, hushed, and defensive tone. "This is all your fault, you know."
"How in Hades are you pinnin' this on me?"
"You knew about this Toni and didn't tell me. If you or Leo had told me, then I wouldn't have tried to get him and Karai back together. I called Karai and I said, 'Karai, I'd better see your keester here if you know what's good for you.'" Mona crosses her arms and blows a puff of air through her bang. "Yeesh, try to do something nice for someone."
"You're a real piece of work, McGuire. And for the record, Leo ain't datin' Toni. At least not yet."
"Now what's going to happen?" Mona pouts.
Raph gives her a dark grin. "Guess we'll just hafta sit back and watch the drama unfold."
"Ooo, you're so bad." She squeals.
"You like it."
"Happy Birthday, Leo!" Casey and Irma shout and blow on kazoos.
"Thanks guys... Toni, I want you to meet my good friends. This is Casey and his girlfriend, Irma."
Toni shakes their hands and they greet each other. "I live so close yet I've never been in you shop. It smells amazing."
"And you remember Donnie." Leo says to her.
"Yes! Happy Birthday, Donnie."
"Thanks, Toni." Donnie says. "Uh, and this here next to me is April. She's...um..."
April steps in. "It's nice to finally meet you, Toni. I'm April O'Neil, longtime friend of the Turtles and Donnie's girlfriend."
"Oh… then it is very nice to meet you, April." Toni shakes her hands cheerfully.
Donatello's heart is doing 'the running man' in his chest. April had never said those words before... Donnie's girlfriend, Donnie's... his. And she didn't even hesitate. She said it proudly. Being who he is, she won't get many chances to introduce herself like that. It seems like she took full advantage of the moment too.
The purple-banded, blushing turtle wraps an arm around his lady's shoulders. "Yeah, she's my girlfriend and that makes me her boyfriend. I am April's boyfriend."
Leo chuckles. "I think we get that." He turns Toni towards Mikey.
"Hey Toni! Glad you could make it! Welcome to the best party of the summer!"
"Happy birthday, Mikey and thanks!" She smiles.
Leo hands Mikey the cold tray. "Here, Toni made a fruit plate for us."
"Wow, you made this? It looks delicious!" Mikey admires the shape, design and variety of the dish. "You really made this for us?"
"I sure did." She says.
"Thanks Toni. Food presents are my fave. Hey, Kala, help me make room on the buffet table for this work of art here!" Mikey calls over his shoulder.
Toni tugs on Leo's arm. She leans up to whisper in his ear. "Kala, is she the one..."
"Yes, she is." Leo smiles. He sees Kala come from around the dessert table and stands beside her freckled beau.
"Toni, I'd like to introduce you to my galactic girlfriend, Miss Space Marshall Kala Dokulae Tinorue."
"H-hello, Kala." Toni says.
"Hello, Toni." Kala says.
"So, you are a real alien from another dimension?"
Kala blinks at her, amused at the young woman's fascination. "Yes, I am."
"That's outrageously cool... Can I touch you?"
Kala, understanding this is how Toni 'sees', humbly accepts. "Of course, my friend."
Kala allows Toni's hands to trace the contours of her face, reaching down and only blushing a little as she folds their hands together.
Once Toni is done, she can't seem to wipe the smile from her face. "Kala, you're so beautiful. Your features are so delicate and elegant. And your hair is so soft."
Kala is glowing now and Leo and Mikey chuckle. "Thank you, Toni. You are quite beautiful as well."
"For a human, you mean?" Toni asks.
"Not at all. I'd say you are universally lovely. Would you not agree, Leo?" Kala asks him.
"Y-yes." Leo answers honestly, even thought he was kind of forced to say it.
"And you're universally amazing, Kala." Mikey wraps his arms around his gal.
Leo sighs. "Come on, let me introduce you to...my Father." Leo sees those exotic, familiar eyes peer at him from the table. He wished Karai had not come. " See you guys in a bit." Leo says to Kala and Mikey.
"Ok. We'll start the music." Mikey says to him. As they watch Leo and Toni go to the other side of the café, Mikey whispers into Kala's ear. "So, how did it feel to have a girl hold your hands? I'm not jealous, I swear."
"Shut up, Mikey." Kala cuts her eyes at him, smirking slightly.
…
Karai smiles as she half-listens to Splinter's story. Just past her father's shoulder, she watches Leonardo and a young woman beside him enter the café. In the cool ambiance of mood-lighting, Karai doesn't get a good visual on her. She's not too tall, the top of her head coming to Leo's eye level. She's not scrawny but not at all as toned as Karai. And her dark, curly hair isn't styled at all, just a big, flirty mop on top of her head. That dress is so homely. And what is with all the lace? Does that chick even own a mirror?
Karai bites the inside of her cheek when she sees the girl lean in close and clutches Leo's arm. She whispers something to him and he smiles.
Karai has never heard of nor seen this girl before. How could they be so close so soon? When did this happen? Where did she come from? Karai quickly nods and smiles at her father. She then does a double-take when the girl puts her hands all over Kala's face.
"She's blind." Karai murmurs.
"What was that, Karai?" Splinter turns around and sees that Leonardo is coming near. Splinter waves.
Leonardo sees him… and Karai. He whispers to Toni and leads her to where his father sits. He keeps his eyes on Karai until he reaches the table.
"Happy Birthday, my son." Splinter says.
"Thank you, Father… I'd like you to meet my friend, Toni. Toni, this is Hamato Yoshi, my sensei and father."
"From everything Leo has told me, it's an honor to meet you, sir." Toni says.
"Please, call me Splinter." He takes the girl's hand in greeting. "Leonardo did nothing but praise you when he spoke of you; an excellent teacher, aspiring potter and much more."
"Oh, thank you." Toni responds meekly.
Splinter glances at Leo looking somberly at Karai who is studying Toni's distant face intently. "While everything is still being set up, why don't you tell me a little more about yourself while we get some punch?" Splinter gently guides her to the dink table.
"Sure." She says.
"I'll be close by if you need anything, Toni." Leo assures her.
"Ok." She smiles.
As Splinter politely entertains his young guest, Leo and Karai head into the small kitchen at the very back of the coffee shop. Leo takes a quick look around; it's dark back here. He notices a large sheet cake on the counter covered in colorful candles.
"I've already figured by how the rest were acting around me, no one expected me to come tonight, most of all you." Karai says.
Leo doesn't say a word.
"She's pretty. What's her name… Toni? Is that short for something?"
He continues to just look at her. Hearing Karai say Toni's name does not sit well with him.
"Tell me, how did you two meet? Let me guess, you rescued her from a crosswalk? Or did she just stumble into you one day and you hit it off?"
"You're really going to stoop that low and make fun of someone's blindness?"
"Not her blindness, no."
"Will you be performing your sad comedy all night, or have you finally run out of jokes?"
She stares at him. His usual patience with her banter is gone. She doesn't like it. "No, I'm finished." She shoves the blue package into his hands and bores her eyes into his. Then in an instant, she gives him a sly smile and kisses him on the cheek. "Happy Birthday, Leonardo. I hope you like your gift… Perhaps tonight you'll get to share it with your new friend."
Karai strides out of the room. Leonardo sees her touch Splinters hand and kiss him on the side of the face. She flees, not even giving him time to acknowledge her. She speeds through the cafe and out the door. Everyone, even Toni, notices her exit. Toni briefly hears clicking heals under the party music and feels the breeze of someone passing by, catching the faint scent of jasmine in the air.
Mikey, Donnie and Raph go back and meet Leo in the kitchen. They find him, standing in the dark alone, staring at the floor.
"Dude, she flew out of here! You OK?" Mikey asks Leo.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Leo says.
"Who told her about the party? After everything that happened, I'm surprised she showed up." Donnie says.
"Sorry, bro." Raph sighs. "It was Mona that called Karai. I didn't find out til Karai practically walk through the door. Don't be mad at her, Leo. Mona was just tryin' to play cupid… silly girl." Raph looks at his brothers who are looking at him stupidly. "What?!"
"Oh, nothing." Donnie smiles.
"Sticking up for your girlfriend, I see." Mikey teases.
"That's very gentlemanly of you, Raph." Leo grins.
"Shut your traps, unless you want this to be the LAST birthday you's celebrate with teeth!"
Mikey leans over to Donnie and snickers. "He didn't deny it."
They all laugh, except Raph.
Leo shakes his head and looks down at his gift.
"What did she get you?" Donnie asks.
Leo shrugs and rips the paper away revealing… a set of blue pinstriped bed sheets. How did she know?
"Bed sheets? LAME! She got me some top-of-the-line ear buds." Mikey gloats.
Instead of having his brother stare longingly at his 'meaningful' gift, Raphael attempts to get everyone back on track. "C'mon, Leo, you ready to party or what?" Raph growls.
"Yeah." Leo says. "Let's go."
The four brothers join in and get their party started, and what a party it is. They feast on pizza, taco dip, pot stickers, fruit salad, and of course a large, chocolate cake with quad-colored cheesecake icing. Mikey and Raph compete to see who can blow out more candles. Mikey, Mona and April have an epic dance off. Mikey prevails as the winner. They even play a 'boys vs. girls' game of twister. The girls win easily and Casey is calling cheats. It's hard to win at twisting when all your teammates have shells. Irma and April sing a karaoke duet of 'The Boy is Mine' by Brandy and Monica. Mona can't sing to save her life, so she just dances beside Raph as he and Donnie raps to 'Kick Push' by Lupe. Lastly, everyone encourages Toni to go. She reluctantly picks up the cordless mic and sings 'No Wonder I' by Lake.
The turtles and their friends sit back and wait as Mikey finds the song and the full drums and light-hearted bells and guitar come in. Her eyes gaze out into nothingness but the little smile on her face draws her audience in:
No wonder I
Feel a thousand petals
I'm waking by
Cherry blossoms in the sky
Feels exciting to be with him
No wonder I
Feel so tired of talking
There's so much to take in today
I'm humming like
Washing machines through the window
And feeling glad
That I saw you in your favorite jeans
Feels so friendly when you say hello
No wonder I
Want to wrap you up and take you home
I'm looking forward to the chance to meet again
But then again it all depends
Suddenly, I'm not so sure
And intentions can be pure
If I could just throw all my doubts into the wind
I think that they'd come back again
Every cloud has a silver lining
Every cloud has a silver lining
Every cloud has a silver lining
Every cloud has a silver lining
The muted electric guitar and bass drums and koto and horns bring the song to a cheerful close and everyone applauds and hoots.
Leo goes up to her and takes her hand, leading her back to her seat. "That was amazing. I didn't know you could sing."
"I didn't either. That was fun."
"Do you want to sing another?"
"No, no." She exhales. "One per party is enough for me."
Leo chuckles. "Would you like something more to drink?"
"I'll take some water, thanks."
Leonardo goes to the ice bucket and grabs a chilly bottle.
"Here you go, bro." Donatello comes from behind him and hands him a napkin.
"Thanks." Leo says.
"So… how are things going?" Donnie asks.
"What do you mean?" Leo asks apprehensively.
"You know… I thought inviting Toni to the party was your chance to see how she interacts with the rest of us. You can't deny she's a big hit."
"Just to make things clear, this wasn't meant to be a date. Because of her… blindness, she doesn't attract many friends. She's started becoming more outgoing lately, so I thought she'd have fun here instead of being alone tonight."
"Oh, so you were just being a good Samaritan by doing a civilian a favor?" Donnie twists his mouth.
"No! No… I was just trying to be a friend. Toni's my friend." He looks at Donatello seriously. "I'm not looking to fill any voids right now, Donnie. Seeing Karai tonight… made me realize that I'm not as far along as I hoped I was. And it wouldn't be fair to use Toni as a pacifier. She deserves better than that."
Donatello looks at him with saddened eyes. "You're still not over Karai, I get it. But don't ignore your own advice. If Toni is just your friend, that's fine. If someday you both decide to be more…" He shrugs. "I just want you to be happy, Leo." He smiles. "The night is still young. You can still make this into a date if you want."
Instead of brushing his brainy brother off he decides to bite. "What do you mean, if I want?"
"Well… I can't help but notice how much she likes you."
Leo scoffs. "Don't confuse all of her touching with affection. It's how she sees remember? She's been 'seeing' and touching everyone."
"Don't insult me." Donnie says coyly. "One of my hobbies is people reading. And Toni is very easy to read because she doesn't know when she's being watched."
"And what have you learned about her? How are you so sure she likes me the way you think?"
"She blinks twice as much when she is near you. And her lips seem to always fight a smile."
Leo is dumbfounded. His eyes go wide. "Really?"
Donnie nods. "And every time she's held onto you, her hands cling closer and closer to yours. I've been studying her all night." Donnie says with a genius flare.
"Studying who all night?" April seems to come out of nowhere, appearing behind the two turtles.
"Your boyfriend has been checking out my 'date' all night, analyzing her body language." Leo grins.
"Leo!" Donnie whines and turns to April. "It isn't as bad as he's making it sound. I analyze everyone's body language."
"Oh, really?" April looks around. "Can you analyze that?" April points to Mona, who is sitting on the edge of a table, her legs crossed, gazing into Raphael's eyes. Raphael says something and she laughs gaily by swinging her hair and giving a little bounce to her bosom. "Analyze Bubbly Lizard Barbie over there."
Donnie takes a quick look and brings his eyes right back to April. "Please don't make me do that."
Leo laughs out. "Be easy on him, April. It's his birthday."
April quits her tough guy act and smiles. "Sure, I'll go easy you."
"Ah, thank you." Donnie hugs April close.
She whispers in his ear. "And I'll save the rough stuff for later… birthday boy."
Donnie stops breathing all together and April breaks into a fit of giggles. She pats his face.
Leo looks across the room and sees Toni and Irma chatting. He's glad that everyone is treating Toni normally.
Because she is normal.
Leo goes back to Toni and gives her the drink.
It has just turned midnight. Splinter yawns and takes his leave and wishes his children a good night. As soon as the door shuts Mikey grabs the mic. "Alright dudes, dad is gone! Let's slow things down a bit with what I call 'DJ Mikey's Slow Jams'."
The orange-marked turtle hits the play button and deep, rhythmic bass and a groovy track fill the room. He takes Kala by the hand and sashay's her to the dance floor. Donnie, too, holds lovingly to his girlfriend's waist and they sway together blissfully in a dark corner. Casey and Irma don't really dance, but he escorts her to a booth where they snuggle and converse quietly.
Mona taps her tail to the music while Raphael leans against the wall beside her. "You are going to ask me to dance aren't you?" She says.
"I don't really dance." He says stiffly.
"C'mon, what about that dance on the rooftop when we were kids?" She reaches for his folded arms and he doesn't budge.
"Mona, please..."
"Why not?" She cries softly.
Raph's lips sag. He looks around at his brother's and friends. He meets Mona in the eyes. "Not... in front of my brothers... OK?"
Mona smiles, understanding that it may be a bit much for Raph to be affectionate in the open for others to tease. "OK. Later then." She winks at him and leans close beside him along the wall.
He feels the back of her hand bump his. He covertly reaches for it and links his fingers with hers.
"Happy Birthday, Raphie."
"Thanks, Mo."
Leonardo and Toni sit on stools at the bar, talking low and sharing a bowl of icecream.
"...So I'm almost finished writing the curriculum for the special needs higher education course. I've learned a lot teaching at my school and I think others would appreciate a college course on the matter. It could open up many more opportunities for people like me who just don't know what they are capable of." Toni says.
"That's very heroic of you. You're like a trailblazer." Leo says.
"No," She blushes at the compliment. "I just want people to be able to reach their full potential. Even if they can't see the mountain top, that shouldn't stop them from climbing." She purses her lips into a smile and her pale eyes flutter.
"You're absolutely right." Leo grins.
"Thank you." She places a hand on his wrist.
He then watches her handle the metal bowl between them. She scoops up the last mound of rocky road and eats it, humming her delight. He thought he would have had to cater to her more, but Toni was just fine mingling on her own. When she finally met Mona, she touched her from tip to tail. The two girls hit it off. Mona immediately recognized the designer dress Toni was wearing and talked about fashion for a good while. Her blindness didn't hold her back. And neither will his.
"Would you like to dance?" He asks her.
Toni's spoon fumbles and clanks onto the counter. "I've never done that."
"Really?" He's surprised. "I know you may not know the popular dance steps, but haven't you ever loved a song so much that you just had to move it?"
"Have you?" She asks.
"I mean... not where anyone can see me. I'm not very good."
"Oh." She says. "Well, then we'll just have to be horrible together." He reaches for her hand and she takes it. "How do we dance, Leo?"
He helps her off the stool and onto the 'dance floor'. He places her left hand on his shoulder and holds her right hand in his. He then casually places his left hand on her hip. "OK, now we just move from side to side along with the rhythm. I'll lead."
They get off to a bumpy start, but soon recover. Leo finds himself being very comfortable with a dance partner who can't see his unsure face. Leo moves them about in a simple circle. When he twirls her, she giggles, and at the end of the song he dips her and brings her back up slowly.
Sometime after the third song, Leo looks around and though Mikey's slow jam mix is still playing, the others are adrift in love with their significant others. Even Raph and Mona are tucked away in a booth. Now, he feels a tad uncomfortable. "I think the party's over. Let me walk you home."
"OK." Toni says.
They gather their things and Leo opens the door for her. He pulls his hoodie over his head and they leave.
…
Leonardo and Toni stroll arm in arm down the quiet street, minutes away from her apartment. Toni is grinning from ear to ear, holding a wrapped piece of birthday cake in her hands. "I truly have never had more fun than I did tonight." She says.
"I'm really glad you had a good time." Leo says.
"You had a good time too. I could tell."
"I did. It's not often the whole gang gets together like that."
"Hmm." She hums happily. They walk a few more moments in silence. Toni had considered not mentioning it, possibly because no one else had during the party, but her curiosity gets the better of her. "Leo, there was someone else there at the café, but she left early, right?"
Leo stops them in their tracks and looks over at her. "How did you know it was a she?"
Toni smiles. "I could hear her heels tap across the floor. She came past the table where Splinter and I sat… and a man should never smell as good as she did."
He sighs. "I should stop being surprised by you." He hugs her arm to him gently and they continue walking. "She is my father's biological daughter and she was just dropping off our presents before she had to go."
"Oh, is she not close to you and your brothers?"
This is a difficult question to answer. Should he tell her anything? Even a little would open up the whole box of hurt and heartache and he just doesn't want to do that right now. He doesn't want to obligate Toni to his private feelings so soon. "To be honest, she and I had a fight so things aren't the best between us right now."
"Oh." She thinks a moment. "I get it. Sibling rivalry can follow you into you twenties, huh? I guess that's one reason to be thankful that I am an only child." She giggles.
OK. Technically, Toni is right to assume the familial connection. He's not going to correct her though.
"What's her name?" She asks.
"Her birth name is Miwa. She goes by… Karai."
"Karai… That's a beautiful name."
"Yes, it is."
They stop and Leo becomes quiet.
"What's wrong, Leo?"
"N-nothing. We're here."
"Home already?" She reaches into her pocket and pulls out her keys. "I want to thank you again for inviting me." She fiddles with her keys in the lock, trying to find something else to say to stretch out the evening. She doesn't want him to go but it may seem inappropriate if she invited him up.
"Do you need help?" He asks.
She turns the key and her door opens. "No. I've got it." She turns back to him. "Well, good night, Leo."
Leo watches her stand there a moment too long. She's blinking like crazy and her lips are all wrinkled. Wow, Donnie may be right… again. Leo goes for it. He caresses her face with the back of his hand and leans down.
She gasps when she feels the warmth of his face close to hers. She puckers her lips… and feels him leave a light kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight Toni. I'll see you soon."
She purses her lips and slips her arm away from his. She goes inside and closes her door. She walks up each flight feeling more or less confused. She hadn't expected a kiss when she walked out the door wit him earlier. But the night went so well. And it felt kind of romantic. And she picked to sing that very song because it reminded her of him so much. She played and danced and sang all because of his kindness. But maybe he was just being kind. It was kind of him to invite a lonely, blind girl to his birthday party. It was kind of him to walk her home and was kind enough to make her feel special by giving her a consolation kiss.
Toni closes and locks her apartment door, hangs her things and steps out of her shoes. "No, he wouldn't do all that because he felt sorry for me." She says aloud to herself. "You're so stupid. You didn't even want to kiss him until…" Until April confessed that she was Donnie's girlfriend… until Mikey happily introduced Kala as his girlfriend. April is a human and Kala is from a different world. For all Toni knows, Leo's girlfriend could be beautiful mermaid or a fallen angel. That's the kind of girl he deserves. For all Toni knows, Leo's special someone couldn't make it to his 22nd birthday party so decided to bring the pitiful blind girl to fill in. "And what would a ninja want with a girl who can't see anyway?"
"Stop! Stop thinking like this, Antoinette! You are not going to ruin your night by feeling sorry for yourself!" She places her piece of cake in the fridge. She pokes under the foil and pops her frosted finger in her mouth. He kissed me. That should count for something.
She shuffles to her bedroom, stubs her toe, curses herself for not counting, undresses and slumps into bed. All she can think about is how much she wished he kissed her lips.
…
Leonardo comes home to a quiet lair. He's not sure if his brothers are still out or not. He'd send a text, but doesn't want to disturb them. He goes to his room and takes off his baggy jeans, cap and hoodie. He starts to fold them and put them away when he reaches into the hoodie's pocket and pulls out the package of bed sheets Karai and given to him. He opens the sheets then stops. He doesn't want to sleep on these. Not tonight. He puts his clothes away and places his gift in his dresser drawer, turns off his lamp and slumps into bed.
He shakes his head, a little disappointed in himself. He knows why he didn't go for it. He had stood in front of Toni, all lights on go. He read her and everything about how she waited for him told him to do it. But as he leaned forward, all he could think about was Karai. That is when he faked to the left and kissed Toni's cheek.
It wouldn't have been right for him to kiss one woman while thinking of another. He just needs some time. He will not ruin his friendship before it can become something more. "I'm an idiot. She WANTED me to kiss her and what do I do?" And the way she looked after I pecked her cheek. "She probably let me kiss her because I'm a mutant turtle and it was my birthday." Why would I think that? She's my friend. She wouldn't have pity on me.
He looks at his phone, wondering if she's asleep yet. He should text her to make sure she's all right, be friendly, let her know that there aren't any strange feelings between them. He scrolls through his contacts and, before he gets to 'T' and glances at 'K'… Maybe he should just wait, give him and Toni a few days to reflect on things and see if she still feels the same way. The party was fun but it did get a little romantic at the end. He'll visit her in a few days so that she can see him with new eyes and be a little more logical.
"New eyes…" Leo mumbles.
His phone buzzes as he sets it down.
It's Toni. He plays her audio message. "Hey Leo. I know it's 2am and a new day's begun but I forgot to wish you a happy birthday. So… Happy Birthday, Leo."
He responds. "Thank you, Toni. Is it OK if I drop by tomorrow?"
…
A/N: Whew! I think I've said enough. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed! Have a great weekend! ;)