When my alarm goes off, I throw it at the wall. My eyes are shut so when I hear the crashing sound of the impact, I screech and tumble off my bed. After a few moments, I hear footsteps walk into my bedroom. I don't bother to even look up - I can tell by the sound of them that it's Rose.
"Lexi, did you just throw a cat at the wall?" Rose asks, stumbling in. I open my eyes. Her smooth, brown hair is messily lying at her shoulders and she's wearing pajama shorts and a purple t-shirt.
"That was my alarm clock."
"Your clock makes cat noises?"
Today is Friday: the day we finally get to see the new location of the Headquarters.
"I think I was the one making the cat noises," I groan, rubbing my head.
Rose runs her fingers through her hair to straighten out the tangles, and I laugh. If I had tried to do that to my own hair, I would've lost my fingers in the process.
"Doesn't Benj have a football game tonight?" Rose asks, placing her hand on my computer desk. I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion and sit on my bed, logging onto Instagram.
"I thought it was tomorrow night," I say.
She shrugs. "Maybe. Are we all going?"
"For sure. We'll be the crazy Kings. Seriously, we'll paint our faces and everything."
Rose has plopped herself onto my beanbag chair. "I don't think I'd go that far..."
"You're boring," I complain, jumping down from my bed and turning the front-camera on my phone. "Insta time!"
"Really? I look terrible!" Rose complains, shoving the camera away.
"You're joking, Rosalie. You look like Sleeping Beauty." We take a few pictures and then I kick her out of my room so I can get ready.
Once I've finally crawled out of my bedroom, it's almost seven in the morning. I head into the kitchen and find Benj and Casey watching TV. Benj is still in his sleeping jersey and basketball shorts and Casey is wearing sweats and a hoodie.
"Why are you in our home?" I ask Casey monotonously, looking at him deadpan.
"April's getting our TV fixed, so I came here," Casey says, yawning.
I get out a bowl and mix the pancake mix together. "Nice to know you only come here for entertainment..."
"Everyone who comes here only does it for entertainment," Benj says. "Even the mailman makes the extra trip to the door."
"GO GO GO!" Casey shouts, leaning forward towards the game.
"Ugh," I groan. "Why is there a football game on at seven in the morning?" I ask, trying to flip a pancake. It wasn't ready and gets stuck to the spatula, flying across the room and landing in a doughy mess on the table.
Benj snickers. "Why are you trying to make pancakes? We all know that's something you can't do."
"I'll have you know that I made the pancakes on New Years and they tasted heavenly." I groan. "I'm calling Mikey."
"Why?"
"He's good at cooking. And he makes me feel happy." I dial his number and wait. He picks up on the fourth ring.
"Huh?" Mikey's usually energetic voice is now toned down to a tired, low voice.
"Mikey, come to the apartment and make me some pancakes."
"What?" he asks and I can't tell if he's still asleep or if he just can't believe I'm calling him for this.
"Please? I'll take you to In-n-out this weekend," I promise.
"I do like that place..." Mikey considers.
"I can't tonight or tomorrow, but what about Sunday night?"
"Awesome, Dudette! So I guess I've got a date with you." Mikey's cheesy voice has finally turned back on. Promises of in-n-out can do that to a person, or in his case, a turtle.
"Sure, Mike. Whatever you wanna call it," I tease. I notice Mom is up and sitting at the table. "My mom says hi."
"Why do you volunteer people to say hi before they actually do it?" Benj asks.
I cover the earpiece. "It makes them feel good." I uncover it. "Bye, Mikey."
"Bye, babe."
I turn to the couch and see Mallory and her younger brother Parker are sitting on the couch.
"Where are you people coming from? You just show up!" I exclaim.
Mallory and her brother look very similar but not exactly the same. Mallory has long locks of curly red hair and these big bright green eyes. Parker is tall with curly brownish-red hair and hazel eyes.
"We don't have cable," Parker says. "Your house has it and we have you as entertainment."
I roll my eyes but then I freeze and look at Parker.
Crap. Mikey will be here any minute and Parker doesn't know about them.
"Mikey's coming over, Mal," I say to Mallory.
"He is? Sorry, I didn't know." She turns to her brother. "Parker, get out."
"What? Why?" He looks utterly confused, but Mallory doesn't waste any time. I head to the door and open it right up, dramatically motioning for him to leave. Mallory grabs her brother by the back and shoves him out the door.
"But what about cable?" he asks, looking lost.
"Get a job!" Mallory exclaims, waving and closing the door.
Not even ten seconds later, Mikey leaps through the window. He doesn't waste any time before he heads to the kitchen.
"So," he says with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Did Lexi tell you that she and I are going on a date this Sunday?"
I laugh and explain to them the deal I made with Mikey.
"Won't Leo be jealous?" Mom asks.
I nearly spit out my water.
Mallory looks like she's about to burst into laughter. "Did I miss something? Did something happen while you people were gone that I wasn't informed about?"
"What happens in the Farmhouse stays in the Farmhouse," I say, right as Benjamin says, "Lexi and Leo like each other."
"No we don't."
"Yes, they do, but they won't admit it to anyone," Casey says. "And they kissed."
"You people give me a headache," I mutter. "Now why would Leo be jealous?"
"It's obvious he likes you. He's gonna be jealous that you're going on a date with his younger brother," Rose says.
I laugh and shake my head. "You're all crazy," I say. "Leonardo Hamato doesn't get jealous."
Mikey laughs and shakes his head. He crosses his arms. "You obviously don't know Leo then. When Leo get's jealous, it's World War three."
"It looks amazing, Agent Serena." You would've never been able to tell that they had just recently been relocated. Everything pretty much looks the same. The only thing that has really changed is that we are now located right next to the Brooklyn Bridge and we now have a security system, complete with handprint scanning.
Agent Serena smiles-a rare sight-and nods, looking around at the students and warriors.
"Detective Rasmussen will lead you through the new emergency exits," she says, and the agent begins to lead our family. But Agent Serena touches my arm, holding me back.
"Alexandra, I want you to know how brave you were a few weeks ago. I don't know how we would've gotten out of there if you and your friends haven't have come. I look forward to meeting them properly today." I'm about to thank her, but she rushes off too quickly.
I sigh and look towards the other students. I watch them as they work.
There are many degrees in the Headquarters. Some you never reach and some you must. The first is a student. As a student, you learn the ways of fighting, defending and being a spy. There isn't a specific age you graduate this - it's just whenever you've accomplished all you must.
The next degree is a warrior. This is a stage not everyone has to get through. It's basically an army.
Another degree is the Agent degree. Agents basically do a lot of the spy work like calling in about reports or video tapes that are caught. It isn't too hard to become an agent.
Then there are Detectives. Being a detective was always my dream. You have full authority to arrest and order. It takes great responsibility but it's something I've always wanted to do.
I stroll over to some of the students and help them out. Thirteen year old Lucas McBride is being teased by Piper Andrews and Maria Glover.
Lucas is one of those kids who is really small for his age, probably 4'11 or 5'0. He gets nervous really easily. He lives with his grandparents because his parents had been the Foot's main target and were killed when he was ten.
"Andrews, Glover!" I shout. "Act your age." They mutter something but back off.
"Hey Luke. Where's your teacher?" I ask and he sheathes his katana. The katana doesn't go in the first time so he has to watch it the next time to make sure he doesn't stab himself in the process. He looks slightly embarrassed about this.
"Um, he just headed out for the day. I was just getting ready to end my training," he says. "Thanks for sticking up for me."
"I can show you a few things if you'd like. Your grandparents don't pick you up until five, right?"
"Five-fifteen," he corrects, as if it makes any difference. "Not today, though. I'm supposed to find a ride."
"I'm sure I could give you one," I offer. Luke's ears perk up.
"Are you sure? I thought that those friends of yours were coming to Headquarters today. I'm sure you'll want to spend time with them..." Of course the news of the turtles has spread throughout the Headquarters.
I'm already waving my hand in dismissal. "I see them all time. I'll be happy to give you a ride, if you'd like."
"Oh, okay, well thanks," Luke says.
Lucas and I train for a while, and after some time, he turns to me.
"Weren't your friends supposed to be here?" he asks.
I sigh. "Yeah. I'm kinda worried. I hope nothing-" I can't finish my sentence, before the large, automatic doors open up. In come the turtles and Master Splinter. Raph looks like he wants to explode, Donnie looks absolutely fascinated by the technology around him, Leo looks embarrassed and Mikey looks like he wants to get away from his brothers as quickly as possible.
"Where were you guys?" I ask, as I continue to spar with Lucas.
"Mikey was bein' an idiot again!" Raph exclaims, crossing his arms and glaring at his younger brother. "He just had to press the button!"
"Oh no..." I mutter. "Not the button."
Leo's eyes catch on what Lucas and I are doing.
"Are you sparring? Can I join?" he asks, excited.
I give Leo a silent look that says, "No." but he obviously doesn't see it.
"I've always wanted to spar with someone that wasn't one of my brothers. Please, I promise I won't break the katana," he pleads, and I close my eyes and put a hand on my head.
"Oh Leo...that's not what I'm afraid of you breaking..."
As much fun as Leo is, he can't train a student like Lucas. Luke is a beginner with this stuff. He needs someone who will challenge him but not be too hard on him. Leo would almost certainly be too hard on him. I can already picture Leo flipping Luke onto the ground and shouting, "You need to expect the unexpected! If you don't, you'll be killed!"
I cringe at the thought and shake my head at him.
"Oh please," Leo pleads.
"No."
"Please, Lexi."
"No, Leo..."
"Please, I promise, I won't-" Ugh! Normal people don't get this excited about things like this! I'm now right in front of him-far enough away from Lucas that he can't hear my conversation with the blue-clad turtle.
"Leo...you can't train kids..." I mutter.
"What was that?"
"I said, you can't train kids," I repeat, more firm now.
"I can too!" he defends. He truly looks offended and I hate to see that look on his face. But he was getting far more defensive than necessary. I'm only telling the truth.
"Leonardo," I say. "You can't. You'll be too hard on him. Just leave this alone now." But Leo doesn't drop it.
"Why don't you think I should be hard on him? You are training him to go against people like the Purple Dragons. The Foot Clan. The Shredder," Leo says.
I narrow my gaze at him. "Don't bring my father into this," I say sharply. My voice snapped so quickly and it catches a lot of heads. I'm glaring at him.
"Uh...Leo..." Don begins, trying to calm his eldest brother down.
"And why not?" Leo asks, ignoring Donnie. His eyes are daring me to respond.
"Leo...dude...just do what she says and rop it. The girl is always right," Mikey says, but Leo shakes his head, still watching me.
"Why not? Because he isn't a villain!" I defend, crossing my arms.
Leo scoffs and rolls his eyes. "Not a villain? Right; the guy who's been trying to kill us for years? Not a villain. Right. Just because he's biologically related to you, he's not a villain."
"Shut up, Leonardo!" I exclaim. "You can't take the truth, so you just get all defensive and bring up my weaknesses to make it seem like I'm in the wrong! You can't take the fact that you aren't perfect! You're full of mistakes and too prideful to admit them! Well guess what, Leo? I'll admit them for you. You're stupid, you're stubborn and full of pride. And I don't want to see your face again until you're willing to admit your flaws." With that, I snatch my bag and storm off.
I feel bad for leaving Lucas like that, but I can't go back there. I'm hurt that he would bring up my father. I don't care about his flaws and mistakes because those are what make him Leo. But I do care that he had the guts to bring up the fact that my father is a villain.
He is a villain. Maybe that's something I don't want to admit...but I know there's still good in him somewhere. There has to be.
I find myself beginning to walk home. But as I walk through the streets, I realize I don't want to go home. At home, my family will try to ask what happened. I don't want that. I don't need that. I can't go to Mallory, or she'll strangle Leo. Who do I really need?
My dad. I don't need Oroku Saki...I need Jaxon King.
I pass by a few shops and decide to get some ice cream. I look through all the flavors and decide to get cotton candy, Oreo and cake batter all in a large cup. I'm upset. An upset girl + freedom of transport = eating a large cup of ice cream.
I take a seat and begin eating just as Taylor Swift's song "Treacherous" comes through my earbuds.
"This slope is treacherous, this path is reckless. This slope is treacherous. I, I, I...like it."
I feel a tap on my shoulder. I look up and see Parker Kress and a younger looking boy, about Benj's age. I take my earphones out.
"Care if we join, Miss. King?" Parker asks, smiling. I roll my eyes and shrug, letting another lump of ice cream dissolve in my mouth.
"Knock yourselves out."
I hear Parker chuckle as I dig in some more to my ice cream.
"Wow...must be boy troubles," he says, motioning to my cup of ice cream. "You can see because not only is she listening to Taylor Swift, but it's three different flavors of ice cream in a..." He picks up my ice cream cup and checks the size. "In a large up." He turns to the boy in a matter-of-fact manner. "Definitely boy troubles."
I can't help but smile as I roll my eyes and slick some of the cake batter ice cream onto his shoulder, using the pink, plastic spoon as a catapult. He looks down and licks his shirt sleeve.
"Mm...chocolate?"
"Nope."
"Uh...rocky road?"
"Try again."
"Birthday cake..."
"Getting warmer..."
"Cake batter."
I smile and take another bite. "Bingo."
"That was a fun game," he decides, and I do the same with Oreo.
"Oreo."
"That was easy," I defend, flicking the cotton candy one onto him. He tastes it.
"Ugh...play-dough? Clay stick figures?" He gags. "Crayons?"
"Cotton candy," I correct, grinning.
Parker looks at his shirt, now stained with ice cream and groans. "See what you did? This was a new shirt too!" It's a bright yellow polo, now with brown, tan and bright blue stains.
I laugh. "Why did you buy such an ugly shirt?"
"I happen to think I look quite dashing. I was trying to look sophisticated."
"Sophisticated men don't wear bright yellow shirts," the younger boy claims, and Parker groans, wiping the stains from his shirt.
I turn to the boy. "You look really familiar."
"I'm Kylan Castronovo," he says. "I'm on your brother's football team."
"I'm Lexi," I say, smiling.
Parker rolls his eyes. "Okay, while you people are having a meet and greet, I'm over here running out of napkins!" He tosses the sticky napkins into the trash.
I sigh and check my wrist. "Well, I'd love to stay but it's getting late."
"Did you just check your invisible watch for the time?" Kylan asks.
"Wait!" Parker calls, standing up and embracing me in a hug. "You need a hug."
I smile. "I did need a hug. How did you know?"
He grins at me. "Magic."
On the walk home, I feel so much better. I'm glad I didn't drag my family or Casey and April into any of my anger. In fact, I'm not even really angry at Leo anymore. He was just offended, that's all.
I make my way up the stairs and find that all the lights are still off. I sigh and flip on the light switch. I find myself watching Spongebob, which always makes me smile. Halfway through the show, I hear a knock at the window. Leo.
I don't hesitate before jumping up and opening the window.
"Leo I'm-" I start, just as he says, "Lexi, I-"
He takes a deep breath. "Can I come in first?"
I let him in and he looks at me, eyes with regret. "Lexi, I shouldn't have brought up your dad. I knew he was a touchy subject, but I did it anyway. I'm sorry for getting defensive and offended when you wouldn't let me train that kid. I'm also sorry for-"
"Whoa, Leo! You didn't even say that much. I was the one who lashed out at you!" I say. "I'm sorry for everything I said. I shouldn't have pointed out all your flaws. The reason you're so cool is because of them." I catch myself before I say, 'the reason I love you'.
I embrace him and he hugs back. We stay like that for a few moments before we pull away.
I don't want to let go. He makes me feel happy. Why don't I just tell him? Am I really that scared or am I just waiting for the right time? After we'd pulled away, I feel a sudden lack of warmth. I miss him already, and he's still here. I want to hug him again or give him a kiss or something, but he's out of the apartment before I can. And somehow, I still think I wouldn't have had the guts to do it.
A/N: Okay, literally while writing out this chapter, I kept telling myself, "I'm just gonna start it today and I'll finish it tomorrow." It went from, "I'll just write the pancake scene" to "I'll just write the pancake and the fight scene" to "I'll just write the pancake scene then the fight scene then the ice cream scene" to "lol it's 1 AM oops guess i'll just write it all."
So Lexinardo had their first fight(': It happens to all couples. And you met Kylan, who is just the nicest guy(: I just love introducing new characters, especially when they're supporting characters because they contribute to the story a lot.
Wait.
Kylan and Parker. They're supporting characters and they were...
SUPPORTING Lexi during this hard time. *ba dum tss* *wailing in the distance* Even at 1 AM, I can at least appreciate a good pun. I'm sorry if there are typos or grammatical errors(': I'm not perfect so please forgive me. Anyway, thank you again for reading my story!