Radical Transformation
A.N Hey, I just wanna thank everyone, and to Danceingfae who commented on a pic in my side7 account, I'm thankful ;), heh.
Prida stared at the picture. Why was Tooks showing her these? Because he was worried for her? Didn't sound like the Tooks she had grown use to. But he WOULD do anything to get what he wanted, and he wanted Prida.
Realising that the photos had been folded into something, Prida separated the note from the photos, opened it out and began to read.
//
Raph frowned, and turned around. Where's Prida? She was behind him at the door to the canteen. He looked up to where Leo and Donnie were stood in the queue for food. Prida wasn't with them. Raph turned in his seat, next to Mikey and Tyson, and looked out of the door as it opened and someone entered. Through it he could see Prida standing just outside the entrance, back to the door. She appeared to be reading something. Raph shrugged and turned back to the table as Donnie arrived with a tray of food, most of which was for Mikey. Leo sat another tray on the table a second after him, a smaller amount of food on his, which were for the other three.
//
Prida folded up the note and the photos and stuffed them in her pocket. Realising the guys must have noticed she was missing, Prida quickly turned and entered the canteen. Her stomach growled as she inhaled the delicious smells of pizza and other canteen food. She noticed her friends on the largest table and jogged over to them, jostling people as she walked past tables.
Leo looked up as she came over wearing an expression he couldn't read.
"Hey, wondered where you were," Leo said as Prida took a seat next to Mikey and Donnie.
"Oh, sorry, someone wanted to tell me something about - er - homework," Prida said, smiling. But her face still remained pensive.
Leo pointed to a slice of pizza on the tray. "Got ya some grub," he said, trying to read her expression without making it look like he was staring at her too hard.
"Oh thanks! I'm starving," Prida said. She smiled, and it masked her expression, leaving Leo to wonder what kind of homework she had . . . if any.
"Yeah, Mikey was gunna eat it if you didn't get here sooner," Donnie smiled.
Prida glanced at Mikey, and the photo of the Rayman character popped into her head, with the name 'Michelangelo' signed at the bottom . . . Mikey . . . Michelangelo . . .
A few minutes later everyone was in discussion. A few more people added to their group, and soon Bonnie, Donnie and Tyson were arguing playfully about something on TV; Leo was taking to Roxanne about the gym, Mikey was discussing his favourite food mixes with Matt, who was practically drooling, and Prida was sitting very quietly, thoughts evident on her mind. Raph was listening to Mikey talk about all the different toppings on pizza he had tried himself, and the ones he would never try again in fear of seeing his stomach again.
Since everyone but herself and Raph were talking, Prida leaned slightly closer, intent on talking to him about this whole weapons and sewers thing. Though before she opened her mouth, a voice in her head argued with her. Just what was she going to say to him? Oh, er, Raph, don't mind me asking but are you a criminal? Because I've been putting a lot of clues together, and Tooks knows too. Prida slapped herself mentally. But while she had been thinking of what to say, Raph had noticed she had leaned forward and turned around, waiting for her to say something.
Knowing she would look stupid if she just stared, Prida opened her mouth, still wondering what she should start with.
"Raph," she said slowly, staring at the table, then at his face. " . . . er . . ."
Raph frowned. "What?"
"Er . . . I was wondering . . . " Prida tried again. It was no use, she couldn't just ask him, in a canteen. It just wasn't the detective way.
Raph waited, why did she look so uncomfortable?
Finally Prida shook away her urge to ask him, and instead pointed to his bottle of Fanta Fruit Twist, which was sat on the table.
"Can I have a bit of your drink?"
As soon as she said it she felt foolish. She was stuttering for those long seconds and at the end she came out with that? Well, that was all she could come up with.
Raph stared at her, frowned slightly and handed her the drink. She took it, avoiding his eyes. She knew he knew that she was going to ask something else, but hadn't worked up the nerve. He would be suspicious now.
Prida took a sip of his drink. She wasn't thirsty before she asked him, but now she was and swallowed more. She handed it back to him, saying thanks. He gave her a look.
()()()()
After they had eaten, Prida said she was going to the music room to see Mrs Smullwud. Leo, Roxanne, Raph, Mikey and Matt decided to come as well, while Donnie, Bonnie and Tyson said they were going to the ICT Room.
"Prida!" Mrs Smullwud said as they entered the Music Room.
"Hi Miss," Prida smiled back. She and the others settled themselves down on the tables against the walls. Mrs Smullwud allowed them to play some music, while she went about writing down notes on the blackboard.
"Hey, it's been a whole week since I was a few seconds away from my death," Prida said, smiling. Roxanne laughed at her for just bringing it up, while the others smiled.
"Yeah, and it's four days till the disco!" Mikey said excitedly. "D' ya have to go with someone if you go? A girl?"
"No Mikey, I'm gunna take ya," Raph joked.
"Well, it's traditional," Matt said, sighing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to follow that tradition." He grinned.
Mikey's grinned dropped slightly as well as his shoulders. "Oh, I don't have any girl . . . friends."
"Oy! I hope you were excluding me when you said that," Prida grinned.
Mikey grinned. "Yeah, okay then, Prida will you go with me to the disco?"
Prida went red slightly. "Mikey, I don't go to those discos, all the girls have to wear skirts or dresses"
"Oh, c'mon! Please?" Mikey said.
"Nope! There is no way you are getting me in a dress!"
Roxanne laughed. "Well I only went last year because my brother went with his girlfriend. That was the first year in ages I walked into a disco in a dress."
Mikey turned back to Prida, grinning. "I'm not gunna stop asking you until you say yes."
"Well then you better get ready for eternity then," Prida stuck her tongue out at him.
Then Mikey looked at her, frowning while still grinning. She frowned back, wondering what he was looking at.
"I know why you're refusing," he said, nodding.
"Why?" Everyone was waiting for him to explain.
"'Cause you're going with Raph, bet he's already asked you!"
Instantly Raph went red, and growled at his brother. Prida went red but she grinned.
"No, Mikey. I'm not going!" Prida turned to Roxanne to give her the attention. "Who are you going with this year?"
"Oh, er," Roxanne said, looking at her feet, shyly. "I dunno yet." She glanced at Leo then back at Prida, who shrugged and smiled.
Dinner finished fifteen minutes later, and Prida, Roxanne and Matt disappeared to their own form rooms while Leo and Raph and Mikey went to theirs. They met Donnie who was grinning happily about something and shaking his head to his own thoughts outside the form room.
"What's wrong with you?" Leo asks, smiling as they went into their room to get registered.
"Oh, nothing," Donnie said, blushing very slightly for some reason and grinning.
"Nothing? C'mon Don, we ain't that stupid," Mikey said.
Donnie grinned. "Oh, well - er - I might be going with . . . someone to this disco."
"Ooo, studley!" Mikey grinned as Donnie went red again. "Who? Who?"
"Well, I don't know - Tyson set it up - he said he would ask Amba Jasins, but I kinda panicked and nearly ran - then he embarrassed me even MORE by asking Bonnie Sukes for me!" Donnie grinned. "She said she would if Amba said no . . . then I legged it outta there."
His brothers were grinning at him, and he blushed and looked away, still grinning.
"Hey I don't get it," Mikey said, smiling as they came out of their form room for next classes. "How come Donnie, all shy and quiet, gets two girls already on the list - I ask Prida and she says no! I mean, I'm the dude who rules!"
Leo, Donnie and Raph groaned as their overlarge-ego brother grinned.
"I'm gunna have to ask more girls," he said, shaking his head.
"You had one girl come up to you last week asking what your name was," Donnie pointed out. "I bet if you asked anyone they'd say yes. I have noticed that most of the girls seem to stare at you."
"Well then they're staring at US," Mikey said. "We all look the same . . . to most people."
At the junction in the corridor, they all split up. Leo and Donnie had double Graphics, Mikey had double cooking and Raph had double Woodwork.
In his Cooking class, Mikey noticed that Tooks kept staring at him a lot. It was a stare that he didn't like, and he got the impression that Tooks knew something, or had done something to do with them. Mikey shook it off and continued his conversation with TJ, who Mikey was surprised and proud of: TJ seemed to have built up so much more confidence and courage now. He was no longer the really shy small boy, always at the back of the class and so quiet he could compete against a mouse. He laughed more freely and openly than he used to, and his whole body posture had changed; but he was still the same boy. The big give-away was definitely when Tooks had come up to him as they were walking into this class and insulted Mikey. TJ had told Tooks to shove it without even a waver in his voice.
"So, are you going to this disco?" TJ's voice made it through Mikey's thoughts.
"Uh, yeah, I am," Mikey responded.
"Cool, are you going with anyone?"
"Not yet," Mikey flashed a grin. TJ laughed. "Are you?"
TJ stopped laughing and his shoulders drooped a bit. "No, didn't go last year, or the year before, so there was no point in asking . . . and I don't know that many people who I could ask . . ."
"Hey, you'll find someone," Mikey smiled. "Good looking guy like you, no worries!" He put on an Australian accent when he said this. TJ laughed again.
"Well, if I don't have anyone to go with, at least you'll be there to cheer me up."
"Yeah, I'll save a dance for you." Mikey grinned, then decided he hadn't done anything all period and started to write from the textbook.
()()()()
At the end of school, Leo and Donnie waited for their brothers at the usual place: the lockers. A few minutes after they had arrived, Raph and Mikey came down the corridor, talking to Prida.
"Hey, ready to go home?" Leo asked, as Raph whipped something from his locker into Mikey's bag.
"Prida wants to say something," Mikey grinned. All eyes turned to her.
Prida looked slightly embarrassed. "Well, my sister - since this is her first day she managed to get off early from work - wondered if you wanted to come on over, so she could properly thank you, you know, for saving me - she's always like this, she has to thank everyone for everything - well, not that you shouldn't be thanked, but she always does special things so she said you could stop over for dinner she would make - and -"
"Prida, we'd love to come over," Leo smiled. He looked at his brothers, who all had the same face on and were all wondering should they leave Splinter at home. But maybe April might come home early.
Prida sighed, glad she had got that bit over. She had babbled, as she mostly does when she's asking something embarrassing. She smiled back.
"You don't have to come, you know," she went on.
"Hey, we want to," Raph smiled at her. This seemed to ease her nervousness and she smiled back, relaxed now.
"I'm afraid we have to walk," Prida said as they were walking out of school. Most kids had cleared off, so there were only the odd few around. "Mai won't be in straight away when we get back, she's pretty busy, but she was let off early from work."
They started to walk the opposite way from what they take to April's. Only Donnie and Raph had been to her house, and only Raph had been inside, so Leo and Mikey were glancing at the unfamiliar surroundings as they passed. It was amazingly dark for this time of the day, but there was a massive, and what looked like, a storm cloud above them. Little droplet of rains started to fall.
"We seem to be having a lot of rain lately," Donnie said, looking up at the dark sky.
"You have to walk along here on your own?" Leo asked Prida, as he stared at some old buildings, and some dark alleyways. This neighbour hood didn't look too friendly.
"Well, I could go around, but this is a shortcut," Prida said.
They were walking on the path, and there was a line of bushes separating them from whatever was on the other side. They were coming up to a wide and dark alleyway. Leo didn't have a good feeling about this.
"And it's not usually this dark," Prida said softly, looking at the sky as Donnie had. "I think I would have taken the longer path if -" But they didn't get to know what that 'if' was, because Prida was jerked from the path into the alleyway they had reached, by some very ugly, filthy dude with a knife to Prida's throat.
"Oh, I though she was all alone . . ." He drawled softly and eerily, rubbing his dirty cheek on Prida's hair. She was wide-eyed and was clutching the man's arm that held the knife to her throat.
The guys froze and stared. Leo stepped forward cautiously.
"Let her go," he said, dangerously.
"Why?" The punk asked, his voice was eerily soft, but menacing at the same time. He had green, spiky hair that stuck up on the top of his head and had piercing everywhere on his face. "I like 'er . . ."
"Let her go you sick weirdo!" Raph started to get angry, and aggressive, not to mention protective. Mikey nodded stiffly, behind him, hands bunched in anger.
"Oo, whatcha gunna do about it?" The punk asked, grinning evilly. Suddenly he jerked Prida sharply and she let out a quick gasp as the blade pressed painfully against her neck.
From behind the punk and Prida, others emerged slowly from the shadows, and joined their fellow freak, grinning manically. Prida's eyes were alight with fear.
"Knock 'em down, boys," the punk said, and the others rushed forward to start beating. But out of all seven of them, four were down within a few seconds, and the other three were not giving up. They were either incredibly stupid, or incredible mental to continue to attack when the odds were clear.
One of them had a baseball bat, and swung it at Donnie, who ducked and swung his legs round and into the guy, who fell hard with a groan. But he made attempts to stand back up. While he was trying, more of these weirdos had joined in, baseball bats swinging, and the four bros ducking.
One idiot swung a bat at Mikey, who blocked it expertly and twisted it out of the other's hands. He raised it threateningly to the guy, who chickened out and ran away. Mikey muttered a 'pathetic loser', before helping Leo, who appeared to have gathered the biggest bunch. He performed a handstand in front of one guy, kicking his with his feet.
From being trapped by the punk's arms and the knife, Prida watched as her friend despatched the whole bunch of punk kids, using an amazing form of fighting. They were so good at it. But it definitely angered the punk who was holding her, as he tightened his grip on the blade and pushed it further to her throat. Prida cried out in pain, but he jerked her and she was cut off, gasping for air.
While he had been busy jerking Prida, Mikey had managed to sneak around the punk, while Raph walked towards him from the front. Leo and Donnie finished the rest of the punk kids and followed behind Raph.
The punk who was holding Prida backed away, slowly towards Mikey, who, quick as a flash, seized the knife arm and pulled it from Prida's throat. Raph dashed forward and pulled her clear, while the punk tried to swipe at Mikey, who ducked and knocked the dude out. He was left holding the knife, which he aimed and threw into the bushes as far as he could.
"Prida you okay?" Leo asked, rushing forward to where she was clutching Raph, who was still gripping her arms from when he had pulled her to safety.
"Oh God, was that frightening," she breathed rapidly. Her eyes were still large, and she was purely shocked. "Thank you . . ." She threw her arms around Raph, and Mikey put his hand gently on her back. She turned and hugged him as well.
"Let's get you home," Leo said, glancing to the dark shadows of the alleyway behind them.
Prida was lead by Mikey, who was clasping her hands in- between his, and Leo, while Donnie and Raph walked behind, checking the alleyway again.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Mikey repeated Leo, looking worriedly at Prida. To them an attack like that was nothing; but to her it was.
Prida nodded shakily. "Y-yeah, I'm okay, just a little shocked. That hasn't happened to me before," she chuckled nervous like. "I hate to think what would have happened if you guys hadn't have been there, thank you. That's twice you've saved my skin."
As they walked back, Mikey holding Prida's hands all the way, she thought about that attack. They didn't seem bothered about themselves, as normal people would. Instead they focused on her and asked if she was alright, forgetting themselves. It seemed like they were almost used to all that. And they had fought so . . . expertly . . . like they were Master warriors or something. Prida didn't know what style it was, but she knew it was definitely Martial Arts. The way they had fought, though . . . it just replayed over in her mind. How Donnie had ducked under that bat, as if seeing the future - anticipating the attack. The same with Mikey, when he blocked that bat.
When they reached her house, she was no longer shaking, but her heartbeat was just a little faster than normal. She opened the gate for her friends and they walked through. Grabbing her keys from her bag, Prida unlocked the door and allowed the guys in first. Then she shut it behind her, and kicked her shoes off.
The guys stood awkwardly in the big hallway. She smiled.
"Hey, you can go in and sit down if you want," she said, motioning to the massive room to the left of the hallway. There were three couches, two single chairs and a coffee table.
Leo, Donnie and Raph took up one of the couches, while Mikey sat comfortably in an armchair, smiling.
"Nice place Pri," he said.
"Thanks Mikey," she said. She walked over to the TV, switched it on and threw the remote for Mikey to catch; and as she thought, he caught it with one hand as though it was attracted to him. "Have what you want on, I'm jus gunna make some hot chocolate. Who wants some?"
They all said yes as one, and Prida smiled. But she caught sight of herself in the mirror above the mantelpiece and fire. She walked towards it, hypnotised by the small red wound on her neck. She found herself, again, wondering what she would have done had her friend not been there.
The guys were watching her examine her scar, and Donnie got up and walked towards her.
"Hey, I'll get that cleaned for you," he said softly, smiling.
Prida turned away from the mirror, her trance broken. "Thanks," she said, and led him into the kitchen where she keeps her first aid kits. Leo, Raph and Mikey returned to the TV.
Donnie swabbed her wound with cotton wool, then dabbed on some antiseptic cream. She winced as it stung.
"I feel like I'm the victim of a vampire," she joked, holding her head back, exposing her neck for him.
Donnie laughed. "Yeah, I'm going to suck your blood," he said in Count Dracula's dead voice. She laughed.
When he finished, he threw the cotton wools away, and packed her first aid box away, while Prida sorted out the hot chocolates.
"Hey, I'm really thankful that you saved me," she said quietly to him as he put the box in a top draw. "I really don't know what he would have done if you hadn't been there."
"Hey, we'll always be here for you," Donnie said softly, looking into her sad purple eyes. They glinted back at him, and he smiled. Donnie only wished he could keep that promise forever; because he knew he wouldn't be able to if certain things happened.
Prida smiled, and wrapped her arms around Donnie's neck, hugging him. He hugged her back.
"Thank you," she whispered.
()()()()
Fifteen minutes later the front door was opened and in came Prida's sister, Mai, along with her boyfriend, Korey. The guys and Prida had been watching TV, while at the same time playing Twister. Mikey was in a low crab position, underneath Prida, who was laughing and was leaning on her left hand across Mikey, and her left foot stretched out. Raph was in a bridge position above them all, and Leo was stood with both feet on blue, sighing and smiling. He had got the easy ones. Donnie was doing the spinning.
Mai walked in with Korey behind her, and when she saw the tangle of bodies she laughed.
"What fun," she said, grinning.
"Hey Mai!" Prida managed to say, her back to her sister. "We're almost done, all I need is for Raph and Mikey to fall over, and then it's me and Leo!"
"You wish. I never lose Twister!" Mikey said.
Mai laughed again and took her coat into the hallway to hang it up along with Korey's, who was watching the Twister game, sat next to Donnie. It was nice to see Prida with friends. Prida had never really brought any friends round, although she did have a few good friends at school. But until these quadruplets came, they're mostly what she talks about. Mai was happy her sister had found such good friends, especially ones that saved her.
She heard a thud and a load of cheers and 'ooos!'.
"Ha Mikey you're out!" Prida said. Mikey grinned and started to tickle her. She couldn't help it; she laughed, and collapsed into fits, pulling Raph down too.
"That's cheating Mikey!" She said. He only grinned.
"Okay guys, I'm gunna get dinner ready!" Mai called in.
"Okay, thanks," Prida called back, quite happy now, that Mai had asked her to invite the guys round. "Another game?"
They all agreed, and even Korey joined in after shouting to Mai that he would help with dinner as soon as he's out of the game. He was the kind of guy who gets on well with everyone, a lot like Mikey. Prida relived Donnie from his spinning duty, and he joined his brothers around the edge, waiting to start.
"Who's starting?" She asked.
"Donnie," Mikey said, pointing to his brother next to him.
"Why me?" He asked.
"Because the beginning letter of you name is closest to the beginning in the alphabet."
Prida spun the spinner. "Right hand blue."
Donnie bent down and slapped his right hand on the blue circle.
Prida spun again and said, "Korey's next 'cause his letter comes next - left hand green!"
After that Leo's turn came, and his was "Right foot blue" again, while Mike's was "left hand red" and Raph's was "right hand blue". Leo was the only one standing again, and he was grinning about it.
"Dudette, are you just going soft on Leo?" Mikey asked after a few minutes, in which everyone had been moved into twisted positions except Leo, who was crouching with both feet on blue, and one hand on blue.
Prida laughed. "No, I'm just reading it off as it comes. Leo's got a lotta luck."
Leo grinned as all his brothers threw funny glares at him. Korey chuckled.
"Get going Pri, this position is killing my arms!" He said. "And I have to help your sister in the kitchen."
"I should think so," came her voice from the next room. The sounds of draws and cutlery could be heard, along with the copping of foods. Prida was glad her sister hadn't even noticed her scar on her neck.
At the moment Korey collapsed and laughed. The others all grinned with a few 'hahas'. Korey picked himself up and said he was going to help Mai now and for Prida to make it a bit harder on them. They groaned and Korey laughed, disappearing into the kitchen.
A few minutes later the smell of food cooking wafted into the room where Prida had joined in again and Mikey was spinning. He realised Prida was pretty good at this as she hadn't lost yet, and even Leo, Donnie and Raph were shaking, but that could be because they were in difficult positions and she was sat in a simple one.
Finally, after another minute of getting nowhere, Donnie decided to collapse. He fell out, grinning as his brothers and Prida continued.
"Prida, left foot red!" Mikey said.
!What!? Prida said, looking across the mat to the red spots. She turned and stretched her leg over to a red splodge, under Leo, who made a face.
"Prida, your feet stink!" He joked.
Prida laughed and attempted to hit him playfully, but she wobbled and fell, grinning but pouting.
"Ha, Prida lost!" Mikey shouted. She grabbed a pillow and hit him with it, kneeling on the floor. Donnie laughed. He was sat next to Mikey, and got caught by the pillow.
"Sorry Don," she said, smiling. She turned and sat, leaning against Mikey's legs to watch Leo and Raph now.
"Raph, blue foot left - I mean left foot blue!"
Everyone burst out laughing; even in the kitchen Mai and Korey chuckled. Raph stretched his leg out, but knocked Leo's arm, who went tumbling - but saved himself, knocking Raph, who went down. Donnie, Mikey and Prida clapped, as Raph sat, sprawled, on the floor. He pushed Leo over, who fell heavily, ginning.
"Hey, guys, I hope you all like this what I'm making," Mai called from the kitchen, appearing in the doorway, smiling at them all.
"I love anything!" Mikey said, twirling the spinner with his finger.
"Good!" Mai said.
"Hey, we appreciate you inviting us round for dinner," Leo said to her.
She smiled. "That's okay, I appreciate you saving my sister." She grinned and went back into the kitchen.
Mikey stood up to look at some framed pictures on the mantelpiece. He saw Prida and her sister, but with who was obviously their parents. Prida and Mai were younger, and Mikey wondered where her parents were. Prida watched him looking.
Half and hour later dinner was ready and set up on a massive table in another room through the big house. It turned out Mai was a great cook, and Mikey started spilling stories about how he became the cook of his brothers. He had them all laughing.
"I never met anyone like you lot before," Mai laughed, sat next to Korey and Prida on one side of the table. Next to Prida was Donnie, then on the side of the table was Mikey, then opposite Donnie on the other side was Raph then Leo.
"Well, everyone's unique," Mikey smiled and stuffed a roast potato in his mouth.
Mai nodded. "So, what's it like in LA?" She asked, spearing her own potato with her fork.
Mikey opened his mouth, pondering. "It's . . . er . . . nice. I guess it's cool, but we're used to everything there so nothing's too exciting." His brothers nodded quickly, hoping Mai won't ask anymore.
She nodded, then asked the guys and Prida how school was going. All the bros sighed slightly; glad they were off the topic of themselves.
Apart from that tense talk, the rest of the dinner was great. They had never been to an invited dinner before, and when Leo announced that they should go home, they all groaned, even Raph.
"Hey, well, I hope you can come again," Mai said, showing them to the door. They were getting their sneakers on. "This is the least I can do after you saved Prida."
"Hey, the pleasure was ours," Mikey said in a posh voice, and everyone laughed.
The phone rang at that minute. Mai once again said goodbye to them, and disappeared in to get it. Korey had gone to the toilet.
Prida opened the door for the guys. Leo walked to it and turned to her.
"You'll be okay?" He asked, smiling gently.
"Yeah sure, thanks Leo," she said, and let go of the door to hug him. Then he said goodbye and walked out into the dark, cold air, where he waited for his brothers.
"Prida!" Mikey held out his hand for a high-five, and she slapped it, laughing. Then he hugged her.
"Whoa, thanks Mikey, see ya tomorrow."
Mikey grinned and winked at her, then walked out after Leo. The cold air was blowing in through the door and Prida rubbed her bare arms.
"Sorry, we're letting in the cold," Donnie apologised. "C'mon Raph." Raph was just shoving his trainer laces into his trainers and slipping them on. Donnie turned back to Prida, and she hugged him.
"Thanks Donnie, for saying you'll be there for me," she whispered. Donnie winced again inside, but smiled on the outside.
"Sure Prida," he said, smiling. He shivered at the cold and walked out, joining Leo and Mikey, who were dancing around on their feet because of the cold.
Prida waved at them, and then turned to Raph, who was just standing up, still trying to shove his laces inside his trainer.
"Hey, Raph, see ya tomorra," Prida smiled. He stood up straight, and smiled back.
"Yeah, I'm not looking forward to Maths with Mr Reily again, though," he grinned.
Prida smiled, and slowly wrapped her arms around him. He hesitated that split second before hugging her back.
"I have to thank you and your brothers for saving me yet again," she whispered, closing her eyes, leaning her chin in his neck. He smiled.
"Hey, it's what we do best," he joked.
"Um . . . Raph?" Prida pulled away and looked in is face. "I saw the way you fought those punks . . . I was just wondering what was that fight technique you used?"
Knowing Ninjas were usually used for assaniations, Raph didn't want to say. But he felt a strong urge not to lie, so he said, "Ninjitsu." He turned and walked out the door.
Prida watched their dark figures disappear, and then she shut the door, thinking.
Phew, done! Okay, that was a bit longer than I intended, but oh well. Thanks for reviews, SFAM. Thanks to whoever nominated me, and good luck to the rest of you ;)
A.N Hey, I just wanna thank everyone, and to Danceingfae who commented on a pic in my side7 account, I'm thankful ;), heh.
Prida stared at the picture. Why was Tooks showing her these? Because he was worried for her? Didn't sound like the Tooks she had grown use to. But he WOULD do anything to get what he wanted, and he wanted Prida.
Realising that the photos had been folded into something, Prida separated the note from the photos, opened it out and began to read.
//
Raph frowned, and turned around. Where's Prida? She was behind him at the door to the canteen. He looked up to where Leo and Donnie were stood in the queue for food. Prida wasn't with them. Raph turned in his seat, next to Mikey and Tyson, and looked out of the door as it opened and someone entered. Through it he could see Prida standing just outside the entrance, back to the door. She appeared to be reading something. Raph shrugged and turned back to the table as Donnie arrived with a tray of food, most of which was for Mikey. Leo sat another tray on the table a second after him, a smaller amount of food on his, which were for the other three.
//
Prida folded up the note and the photos and stuffed them in her pocket. Realising the guys must have noticed she was missing, Prida quickly turned and entered the canteen. Her stomach growled as she inhaled the delicious smells of pizza and other canteen food. She noticed her friends on the largest table and jogged over to them, jostling people as she walked past tables.
Leo looked up as she came over wearing an expression he couldn't read.
"Hey, wondered where you were," Leo said as Prida took a seat next to Mikey and Donnie.
"Oh, sorry, someone wanted to tell me something about - er - homework," Prida said, smiling. But her face still remained pensive.
Leo pointed to a slice of pizza on the tray. "Got ya some grub," he said, trying to read her expression without making it look like he was staring at her too hard.
"Oh thanks! I'm starving," Prida said. She smiled, and it masked her expression, leaving Leo to wonder what kind of homework she had . . . if any.
"Yeah, Mikey was gunna eat it if you didn't get here sooner," Donnie smiled.
Prida glanced at Mikey, and the photo of the Rayman character popped into her head, with the name 'Michelangelo' signed at the bottom . . . Mikey . . . Michelangelo . . .
A few minutes later everyone was in discussion. A few more people added to their group, and soon Bonnie, Donnie and Tyson were arguing playfully about something on TV; Leo was taking to Roxanne about the gym, Mikey was discussing his favourite food mixes with Matt, who was practically drooling, and Prida was sitting very quietly, thoughts evident on her mind. Raph was listening to Mikey talk about all the different toppings on pizza he had tried himself, and the ones he would never try again in fear of seeing his stomach again.
Since everyone but herself and Raph were talking, Prida leaned slightly closer, intent on talking to him about this whole weapons and sewers thing. Though before she opened her mouth, a voice in her head argued with her. Just what was she going to say to him? Oh, er, Raph, don't mind me asking but are you a criminal? Because I've been putting a lot of clues together, and Tooks knows too. Prida slapped herself mentally. But while she had been thinking of what to say, Raph had noticed she had leaned forward and turned around, waiting for her to say something.
Knowing she would look stupid if she just stared, Prida opened her mouth, still wondering what she should start with.
"Raph," she said slowly, staring at the table, then at his face. " . . . er . . ."
Raph frowned. "What?"
"Er . . . I was wondering . . . " Prida tried again. It was no use, she couldn't just ask him, in a canteen. It just wasn't the detective way.
Raph waited, why did she look so uncomfortable?
Finally Prida shook away her urge to ask him, and instead pointed to his bottle of Fanta Fruit Twist, which was sat on the table.
"Can I have a bit of your drink?"
As soon as she said it she felt foolish. She was stuttering for those long seconds and at the end she came out with that? Well, that was all she could come up with.
Raph stared at her, frowned slightly and handed her the drink. She took it, avoiding his eyes. She knew he knew that she was going to ask something else, but hadn't worked up the nerve. He would be suspicious now.
Prida took a sip of his drink. She wasn't thirsty before she asked him, but now she was and swallowed more. She handed it back to him, saying thanks. He gave her a look.
()()()()
After they had eaten, Prida said she was going to the music room to see Mrs Smullwud. Leo, Roxanne, Raph, Mikey and Matt decided to come as well, while Donnie, Bonnie and Tyson said they were going to the ICT Room.
"Prida!" Mrs Smullwud said as they entered the Music Room.
"Hi Miss," Prida smiled back. She and the others settled themselves down on the tables against the walls. Mrs Smullwud allowed them to play some music, while she went about writing down notes on the blackboard.
"Hey, it's been a whole week since I was a few seconds away from my death," Prida said, smiling. Roxanne laughed at her for just bringing it up, while the others smiled.
"Yeah, and it's four days till the disco!" Mikey said excitedly. "D' ya have to go with someone if you go? A girl?"
"No Mikey, I'm gunna take ya," Raph joked.
"Well, it's traditional," Matt said, sighing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to follow that tradition." He grinned.
Mikey's grinned dropped slightly as well as his shoulders. "Oh, I don't have any girl . . . friends."
"Oy! I hope you were excluding me when you said that," Prida grinned.
Mikey grinned. "Yeah, okay then, Prida will you go with me to the disco?"
Prida went red slightly. "Mikey, I don't go to those discos, all the girls have to wear skirts or dresses"
"Oh, c'mon! Please?" Mikey said.
"Nope! There is no way you are getting me in a dress!"
Roxanne laughed. "Well I only went last year because my brother went with his girlfriend. That was the first year in ages I walked into a disco in a dress."
Mikey turned back to Prida, grinning. "I'm not gunna stop asking you until you say yes."
"Well then you better get ready for eternity then," Prida stuck her tongue out at him.
Then Mikey looked at her, frowning while still grinning. She frowned back, wondering what he was looking at.
"I know why you're refusing," he said, nodding.
"Why?" Everyone was waiting for him to explain.
"'Cause you're going with Raph, bet he's already asked you!"
Instantly Raph went red, and growled at his brother. Prida went red but she grinned.
"No, Mikey. I'm not going!" Prida turned to Roxanne to give her the attention. "Who are you going with this year?"
"Oh, er," Roxanne said, looking at her feet, shyly. "I dunno yet." She glanced at Leo then back at Prida, who shrugged and smiled.
Dinner finished fifteen minutes later, and Prida, Roxanne and Matt disappeared to their own form rooms while Leo and Raph and Mikey went to theirs. They met Donnie who was grinning happily about something and shaking his head to his own thoughts outside the form room.
"What's wrong with you?" Leo asks, smiling as they went into their room to get registered.
"Oh, nothing," Donnie said, blushing very slightly for some reason and grinning.
"Nothing? C'mon Don, we ain't that stupid," Mikey said.
Donnie grinned. "Oh, well - er - I might be going with . . . someone to this disco."
"Ooo, studley!" Mikey grinned as Donnie went red again. "Who? Who?"
"Well, I don't know - Tyson set it up - he said he would ask Amba Jasins, but I kinda panicked and nearly ran - then he embarrassed me even MORE by asking Bonnie Sukes for me!" Donnie grinned. "She said she would if Amba said no . . . then I legged it outta there."
His brothers were grinning at him, and he blushed and looked away, still grinning.
"Hey I don't get it," Mikey said, smiling as they came out of their form room for next classes. "How come Donnie, all shy and quiet, gets two girls already on the list - I ask Prida and she says no! I mean, I'm the dude who rules!"
Leo, Donnie and Raph groaned as their overlarge-ego brother grinned.
"I'm gunna have to ask more girls," he said, shaking his head.
"You had one girl come up to you last week asking what your name was," Donnie pointed out. "I bet if you asked anyone they'd say yes. I have noticed that most of the girls seem to stare at you."
"Well then they're staring at US," Mikey said. "We all look the same . . . to most people."
At the junction in the corridor, they all split up. Leo and Donnie had double Graphics, Mikey had double cooking and Raph had double Woodwork.
In his Cooking class, Mikey noticed that Tooks kept staring at him a lot. It was a stare that he didn't like, and he got the impression that Tooks knew something, or had done something to do with them. Mikey shook it off and continued his conversation with TJ, who Mikey was surprised and proud of: TJ seemed to have built up so much more confidence and courage now. He was no longer the really shy small boy, always at the back of the class and so quiet he could compete against a mouse. He laughed more freely and openly than he used to, and his whole body posture had changed; but he was still the same boy. The big give-away was definitely when Tooks had come up to him as they were walking into this class and insulted Mikey. TJ had told Tooks to shove it without even a waver in his voice.
"So, are you going to this disco?" TJ's voice made it through Mikey's thoughts.
"Uh, yeah, I am," Mikey responded.
"Cool, are you going with anyone?"
"Not yet," Mikey flashed a grin. TJ laughed. "Are you?"
TJ stopped laughing and his shoulders drooped a bit. "No, didn't go last year, or the year before, so there was no point in asking . . . and I don't know that many people who I could ask . . ."
"Hey, you'll find someone," Mikey smiled. "Good looking guy like you, no worries!" He put on an Australian accent when he said this. TJ laughed again.
"Well, if I don't have anyone to go with, at least you'll be there to cheer me up."
"Yeah, I'll save a dance for you." Mikey grinned, then decided he hadn't done anything all period and started to write from the textbook.
()()()()
At the end of school, Leo and Donnie waited for their brothers at the usual place: the lockers. A few minutes after they had arrived, Raph and Mikey came down the corridor, talking to Prida.
"Hey, ready to go home?" Leo asked, as Raph whipped something from his locker into Mikey's bag.
"Prida wants to say something," Mikey grinned. All eyes turned to her.
Prida looked slightly embarrassed. "Well, my sister - since this is her first day she managed to get off early from work - wondered if you wanted to come on over, so she could properly thank you, you know, for saving me - she's always like this, she has to thank everyone for everything - well, not that you shouldn't be thanked, but she always does special things so she said you could stop over for dinner she would make - and -"
"Prida, we'd love to come over," Leo smiled. He looked at his brothers, who all had the same face on and were all wondering should they leave Splinter at home. But maybe April might come home early.
Prida sighed, glad she had got that bit over. She had babbled, as she mostly does when she's asking something embarrassing. She smiled back.
"You don't have to come, you know," she went on.
"Hey, we want to," Raph smiled at her. This seemed to ease her nervousness and she smiled back, relaxed now.
"I'm afraid we have to walk," Prida said as they were walking out of school. Most kids had cleared off, so there were only the odd few around. "Mai won't be in straight away when we get back, she's pretty busy, but she was let off early from work."
They started to walk the opposite way from what they take to April's. Only Donnie and Raph had been to her house, and only Raph had been inside, so Leo and Mikey were glancing at the unfamiliar surroundings as they passed. It was amazingly dark for this time of the day, but there was a massive, and what looked like, a storm cloud above them. Little droplet of rains started to fall.
"We seem to be having a lot of rain lately," Donnie said, looking up at the dark sky.
"You have to walk along here on your own?" Leo asked Prida, as he stared at some old buildings, and some dark alleyways. This neighbour hood didn't look too friendly.
"Well, I could go around, but this is a shortcut," Prida said.
They were walking on the path, and there was a line of bushes separating them from whatever was on the other side. They were coming up to a wide and dark alleyway. Leo didn't have a good feeling about this.
"And it's not usually this dark," Prida said softly, looking at the sky as Donnie had. "I think I would have taken the longer path if -" But they didn't get to know what that 'if' was, because Prida was jerked from the path into the alleyway they had reached, by some very ugly, filthy dude with a knife to Prida's throat.
"Oh, I though she was all alone . . ." He drawled softly and eerily, rubbing his dirty cheek on Prida's hair. She was wide-eyed and was clutching the man's arm that held the knife to her throat.
The guys froze and stared. Leo stepped forward cautiously.
"Let her go," he said, dangerously.
"Why?" The punk asked, his voice was eerily soft, but menacing at the same time. He had green, spiky hair that stuck up on the top of his head and had piercing everywhere on his face. "I like 'er . . ."
"Let her go you sick weirdo!" Raph started to get angry, and aggressive, not to mention protective. Mikey nodded stiffly, behind him, hands bunched in anger.
"Oo, whatcha gunna do about it?" The punk asked, grinning evilly. Suddenly he jerked Prida sharply and she let out a quick gasp as the blade pressed painfully against her neck.
From behind the punk and Prida, others emerged slowly from the shadows, and joined their fellow freak, grinning manically. Prida's eyes were alight with fear.
"Knock 'em down, boys," the punk said, and the others rushed forward to start beating. But out of all seven of them, four were down within a few seconds, and the other three were not giving up. They were either incredibly stupid, or incredible mental to continue to attack when the odds were clear.
One of them had a baseball bat, and swung it at Donnie, who ducked and swung his legs round and into the guy, who fell hard with a groan. But he made attempts to stand back up. While he was trying, more of these weirdos had joined in, baseball bats swinging, and the four bros ducking.
One idiot swung a bat at Mikey, who blocked it expertly and twisted it out of the other's hands. He raised it threateningly to the guy, who chickened out and ran away. Mikey muttered a 'pathetic loser', before helping Leo, who appeared to have gathered the biggest bunch. He performed a handstand in front of one guy, kicking his with his feet.
From being trapped by the punk's arms and the knife, Prida watched as her friend despatched the whole bunch of punk kids, using an amazing form of fighting. They were so good at it. But it definitely angered the punk who was holding her, as he tightened his grip on the blade and pushed it further to her throat. Prida cried out in pain, but he jerked her and she was cut off, gasping for air.
While he had been busy jerking Prida, Mikey had managed to sneak around the punk, while Raph walked towards him from the front. Leo and Donnie finished the rest of the punk kids and followed behind Raph.
The punk who was holding Prida backed away, slowly towards Mikey, who, quick as a flash, seized the knife arm and pulled it from Prida's throat. Raph dashed forward and pulled her clear, while the punk tried to swipe at Mikey, who ducked and knocked the dude out. He was left holding the knife, which he aimed and threw into the bushes as far as he could.
"Prida you okay?" Leo asked, rushing forward to where she was clutching Raph, who was still gripping her arms from when he had pulled her to safety.
"Oh God, was that frightening," she breathed rapidly. Her eyes were still large, and she was purely shocked. "Thank you . . ." She threw her arms around Raph, and Mikey put his hand gently on her back. She turned and hugged him as well.
"Let's get you home," Leo said, glancing to the dark shadows of the alleyway behind them.
Prida was lead by Mikey, who was clasping her hands in- between his, and Leo, while Donnie and Raph walked behind, checking the alleyway again.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Mikey repeated Leo, looking worriedly at Prida. To them an attack like that was nothing; but to her it was.
Prida nodded shakily. "Y-yeah, I'm okay, just a little shocked. That hasn't happened to me before," she chuckled nervous like. "I hate to think what would have happened if you guys hadn't have been there, thank you. That's twice you've saved my skin."
As they walked back, Mikey holding Prida's hands all the way, she thought about that attack. They didn't seem bothered about themselves, as normal people would. Instead they focused on her and asked if she was alright, forgetting themselves. It seemed like they were almost used to all that. And they had fought so . . . expertly . . . like they were Master warriors or something. Prida didn't know what style it was, but she knew it was definitely Martial Arts. The way they had fought, though . . . it just replayed over in her mind. How Donnie had ducked under that bat, as if seeing the future - anticipating the attack. The same with Mikey, when he blocked that bat.
When they reached her house, she was no longer shaking, but her heartbeat was just a little faster than normal. She opened the gate for her friends and they walked through. Grabbing her keys from her bag, Prida unlocked the door and allowed the guys in first. Then she shut it behind her, and kicked her shoes off.
The guys stood awkwardly in the big hallway. She smiled.
"Hey, you can go in and sit down if you want," she said, motioning to the massive room to the left of the hallway. There were three couches, two single chairs and a coffee table.
Leo, Donnie and Raph took up one of the couches, while Mikey sat comfortably in an armchair, smiling.
"Nice place Pri," he said.
"Thanks Mikey," she said. She walked over to the TV, switched it on and threw the remote for Mikey to catch; and as she thought, he caught it with one hand as though it was attracted to him. "Have what you want on, I'm jus gunna make some hot chocolate. Who wants some?"
They all said yes as one, and Prida smiled. But she caught sight of herself in the mirror above the mantelpiece and fire. She walked towards it, hypnotised by the small red wound on her neck. She found herself, again, wondering what she would have done had her friend not been there.
The guys were watching her examine her scar, and Donnie got up and walked towards her.
"Hey, I'll get that cleaned for you," he said softly, smiling.
Prida turned away from the mirror, her trance broken. "Thanks," she said, and led him into the kitchen where she keeps her first aid kits. Leo, Raph and Mikey returned to the TV.
Donnie swabbed her wound with cotton wool, then dabbed on some antiseptic cream. She winced as it stung.
"I feel like I'm the victim of a vampire," she joked, holding her head back, exposing her neck for him.
Donnie laughed. "Yeah, I'm going to suck your blood," he said in Count Dracula's dead voice. She laughed.
When he finished, he threw the cotton wools away, and packed her first aid box away, while Prida sorted out the hot chocolates.
"Hey, I'm really thankful that you saved me," she said quietly to him as he put the box in a top draw. "I really don't know what he would have done if you hadn't been there."
"Hey, we'll always be here for you," Donnie said softly, looking into her sad purple eyes. They glinted back at him, and he smiled. Donnie only wished he could keep that promise forever; because he knew he wouldn't be able to if certain things happened.
Prida smiled, and wrapped her arms around Donnie's neck, hugging him. He hugged her back.
"Thank you," she whispered.
()()()()
Fifteen minutes later the front door was opened and in came Prida's sister, Mai, along with her boyfriend, Korey. The guys and Prida had been watching TV, while at the same time playing Twister. Mikey was in a low crab position, underneath Prida, who was laughing and was leaning on her left hand across Mikey, and her left foot stretched out. Raph was in a bridge position above them all, and Leo was stood with both feet on blue, sighing and smiling. He had got the easy ones. Donnie was doing the spinning.
Mai walked in with Korey behind her, and when she saw the tangle of bodies she laughed.
"What fun," she said, grinning.
"Hey Mai!" Prida managed to say, her back to her sister. "We're almost done, all I need is for Raph and Mikey to fall over, and then it's me and Leo!"
"You wish. I never lose Twister!" Mikey said.
Mai laughed again and took her coat into the hallway to hang it up along with Korey's, who was watching the Twister game, sat next to Donnie. It was nice to see Prida with friends. Prida had never really brought any friends round, although she did have a few good friends at school. But until these quadruplets came, they're mostly what she talks about. Mai was happy her sister had found such good friends, especially ones that saved her.
She heard a thud and a load of cheers and 'ooos!'.
"Ha Mikey you're out!" Prida said. Mikey grinned and started to tickle her. She couldn't help it; she laughed, and collapsed into fits, pulling Raph down too.
"That's cheating Mikey!" She said. He only grinned.
"Okay guys, I'm gunna get dinner ready!" Mai called in.
"Okay, thanks," Prida called back, quite happy now, that Mai had asked her to invite the guys round. "Another game?"
They all agreed, and even Korey joined in after shouting to Mai that he would help with dinner as soon as he's out of the game. He was the kind of guy who gets on well with everyone, a lot like Mikey. Prida relived Donnie from his spinning duty, and he joined his brothers around the edge, waiting to start.
"Who's starting?" She asked.
"Donnie," Mikey said, pointing to his brother next to him.
"Why me?" He asked.
"Because the beginning letter of you name is closest to the beginning in the alphabet."
Prida spun the spinner. "Right hand blue."
Donnie bent down and slapped his right hand on the blue circle.
Prida spun again and said, "Korey's next 'cause his letter comes next - left hand green!"
After that Leo's turn came, and his was "Right foot blue" again, while Mike's was "left hand red" and Raph's was "right hand blue". Leo was the only one standing again, and he was grinning about it.
"Dudette, are you just going soft on Leo?" Mikey asked after a few minutes, in which everyone had been moved into twisted positions except Leo, who was crouching with both feet on blue, and one hand on blue.
Prida laughed. "No, I'm just reading it off as it comes. Leo's got a lotta luck."
Leo grinned as all his brothers threw funny glares at him. Korey chuckled.
"Get going Pri, this position is killing my arms!" He said. "And I have to help your sister in the kitchen."
"I should think so," came her voice from the next room. The sounds of draws and cutlery could be heard, along with the copping of foods. Prida was glad her sister hadn't even noticed her scar on her neck.
At the moment Korey collapsed and laughed. The others all grinned with a few 'hahas'. Korey picked himself up and said he was going to help Mai now and for Prida to make it a bit harder on them. They groaned and Korey laughed, disappearing into the kitchen.
A few minutes later the smell of food cooking wafted into the room where Prida had joined in again and Mikey was spinning. He realised Prida was pretty good at this as she hadn't lost yet, and even Leo, Donnie and Raph were shaking, but that could be because they were in difficult positions and she was sat in a simple one.
Finally, after another minute of getting nowhere, Donnie decided to collapse. He fell out, grinning as his brothers and Prida continued.
"Prida, left foot red!" Mikey said.
!What!? Prida said, looking across the mat to the red spots. She turned and stretched her leg over to a red splodge, under Leo, who made a face.
"Prida, your feet stink!" He joked.
Prida laughed and attempted to hit him playfully, but she wobbled and fell, grinning but pouting.
"Ha, Prida lost!" Mikey shouted. She grabbed a pillow and hit him with it, kneeling on the floor. Donnie laughed. He was sat next to Mikey, and got caught by the pillow.
"Sorry Don," she said, smiling. She turned and sat, leaning against Mikey's legs to watch Leo and Raph now.
"Raph, blue foot left - I mean left foot blue!"
Everyone burst out laughing; even in the kitchen Mai and Korey chuckled. Raph stretched his leg out, but knocked Leo's arm, who went tumbling - but saved himself, knocking Raph, who went down. Donnie, Mikey and Prida clapped, as Raph sat, sprawled, on the floor. He pushed Leo over, who fell heavily, ginning.
"Hey, guys, I hope you all like this what I'm making," Mai called from the kitchen, appearing in the doorway, smiling at them all.
"I love anything!" Mikey said, twirling the spinner with his finger.
"Good!" Mai said.
"Hey, we appreciate you inviting us round for dinner," Leo said to her.
She smiled. "That's okay, I appreciate you saving my sister." She grinned and went back into the kitchen.
Mikey stood up to look at some framed pictures on the mantelpiece. He saw Prida and her sister, but with who was obviously their parents. Prida and Mai were younger, and Mikey wondered where her parents were. Prida watched him looking.
Half and hour later dinner was ready and set up on a massive table in another room through the big house. It turned out Mai was a great cook, and Mikey started spilling stories about how he became the cook of his brothers. He had them all laughing.
"I never met anyone like you lot before," Mai laughed, sat next to Korey and Prida on one side of the table. Next to Prida was Donnie, then on the side of the table was Mikey, then opposite Donnie on the other side was Raph then Leo.
"Well, everyone's unique," Mikey smiled and stuffed a roast potato in his mouth.
Mai nodded. "So, what's it like in LA?" She asked, spearing her own potato with her fork.
Mikey opened his mouth, pondering. "It's . . . er . . . nice. I guess it's cool, but we're used to everything there so nothing's too exciting." His brothers nodded quickly, hoping Mai won't ask anymore.
She nodded, then asked the guys and Prida how school was going. All the bros sighed slightly; glad they were off the topic of themselves.
Apart from that tense talk, the rest of the dinner was great. They had never been to an invited dinner before, and when Leo announced that they should go home, they all groaned, even Raph.
"Hey, well, I hope you can come again," Mai said, showing them to the door. They were getting their sneakers on. "This is the least I can do after you saved Prida."
"Hey, the pleasure was ours," Mikey said in a posh voice, and everyone laughed.
The phone rang at that minute. Mai once again said goodbye to them, and disappeared in to get it. Korey had gone to the toilet.
Prida opened the door for the guys. Leo walked to it and turned to her.
"You'll be okay?" He asked, smiling gently.
"Yeah sure, thanks Leo," she said, and let go of the door to hug him. Then he said goodbye and walked out into the dark, cold air, where he waited for his brothers.
"Prida!" Mikey held out his hand for a high-five, and she slapped it, laughing. Then he hugged her.
"Whoa, thanks Mikey, see ya tomorrow."
Mikey grinned and winked at her, then walked out after Leo. The cold air was blowing in through the door and Prida rubbed her bare arms.
"Sorry, we're letting in the cold," Donnie apologised. "C'mon Raph." Raph was just shoving his trainer laces into his trainers and slipping them on. Donnie turned back to Prida, and she hugged him.
"Thanks Donnie, for saying you'll be there for me," she whispered. Donnie winced again inside, but smiled on the outside.
"Sure Prida," he said, smiling. He shivered at the cold and walked out, joining Leo and Mikey, who were dancing around on their feet because of the cold.
Prida waved at them, and then turned to Raph, who was just standing up, still trying to shove his laces inside his trainer.
"Hey, Raph, see ya tomorra," Prida smiled. He stood up straight, and smiled back.
"Yeah, I'm not looking forward to Maths with Mr Reily again, though," he grinned.
Prida smiled, and slowly wrapped her arms around him. He hesitated that split second before hugging her back.
"I have to thank you and your brothers for saving me yet again," she whispered, closing her eyes, leaning her chin in his neck. He smiled.
"Hey, it's what we do best," he joked.
"Um . . . Raph?" Prida pulled away and looked in is face. "I saw the way you fought those punks . . . I was just wondering what was that fight technique you used?"
Knowing Ninjas were usually used for assaniations, Raph didn't want to say. But he felt a strong urge not to lie, so he said, "Ninjitsu." He turned and walked out the door.
Prida watched their dark figures disappear, and then she shut the door, thinking.
Phew, done! Okay, that was a bit longer than I intended, but oh well. Thanks for reviews, SFAM. Thanks to whoever nominated me, and good luck to the rest of you ;)