She paced the floor to her bedroom one last time, checking over her list of things she knew she needed to bring with her to the lair. Part of her couldn't truly believe this was happening, the realization that her time in her cozy, normal teenage girl life was quickly coming to a close came at the small knock on the window to her room. Turning and seeing a welcoming sight although somewhat crushing at the same time. She crossed the floor, opening the window to allow the two mutant turtles into her space. Looking between the two of them with a sigh, gesturing to her two bags on the bed.
Leonardo: Is this all of it? We can give you a moment to finish collecting things if need be- Just not too long. Master Splinter wants us to be back before it gets to be too late..
Leonardo turned to look to his brother who was giving him a face of annoyance, turning to April with a jovial smile.
Michelangelo: Bro, not cool. But it's kind of sick you're movin in April! We get to hang out like 24/7!
April gave a slight smile and a nod, turning and collecting her bags, picking up her T-phone on the nightstand one last time, something she did every day before heading out to school, she wasn't sure the next time she would step foot in this apartment, if ever.
April: Yeah I think I have everything here. Just want to do one last sweep through to make sure I have everything I want to take with me. That's cool?
She looked to Leonardo who gave a quick nod before stepping to the side, allowing her to quickly run through the dark apartment, double-checking her list. Losing herself in the memory of the following weeks that brought her to this place, leaving the human world for an unknown amount of time until she could at least try to get her father back. April placed a hand on her heart, the ache of losing him for a second time strong but mixing for the first time with the loss of her mother. She walked to the couch in the living room, sitting down and looking around her home for the last time, taking in a deep breath. The smell of oak and vanilla permeated deep in her lungs as she cataloged this into her mind, refusing to forget it as she jumped to her feet, looking at Michelangelo in the doorway.
You're taking too long April, obviously they want to get back soon..
Michelangelo: Sorry dude, You know how Leo can be when it comes to curfews and rules..
April walked over, putting a friendly hand on the ninja's back and giving it a tap before heading to her room, Looking to Leonardo who was already outside on the fire escape. Climbing out the window to join him, taking her backpack from him.
April: alright alright I have it all, let's get going. And a reminder to you both; I am NOT eating pizza every night!
Leonardo laughed and started off toward the sewer manhole not too far from the window, Michelangelo letting out a playful groan, helping April down to the street.
Michelangelo: aww man! How about every other night!?
Donatello paced in the living room, the television on some old corny soap opera while Raphael just browed his magazine, peeking ever so often at Donatello pacing in the lair.
Raphael: Y'know Donnie, pacing like that is really really annoying. 'Sides it's going to be fine.
Donnatello looked up at Raphael with an annoyed look, releasing a sigh that he had been holding for far too long, turning and leaning over the side of the couch.
Donnatello: I know I know..I just. I am nervous! I can't lie about that..
Raphael: Why? Oh that's right The girl of your dreams is gonna be living at your house *snort* Get a grip Don!
Donatello turned, giving Raphael an annoyed face, about to turn off a lecture about the intricacies of everyone's living routines and how adding April into the mix can complicate things. Although he knew the truth behind his anxieties, being so close to her. It was no secret among the residents of the Hamato home that Donatello had an infectious crush on the red head girl. From the moment he saw her, his heart had belonged to her and it was only proven overtime with her intelligence, understanding and passion for things. Donatello let out a passionate sigh, only to be brought out from his thoughts of her to Master Splinter entering the room. Raphael stood up, nodding to his father and looking at Donatello.
Master Splinter: Have the preparations for Ms. O'Neil's room been made?
Donatello: We finished not too long ago making one of the rooms up for her, although I am sure if Michelangelo had stayed to do it, it would have been far more homely than Raph and myself..
Donatello was caught off by the sound of the turnstile, looking up to see Leonardo, Michelangelo and April walking in, holding her bags and a few boxes of pizza. Leonardo puttered ahead of April and Michelangelo who were in a bit of a heated discussion regarding the pizza and their toppings.
Leonardo: Sorry we are a bit late Sensei…but we did bring some dinner with us so we won't need to worry about that.
Master Splinter gave a nod to his son and gestured towards the couch to set the duffle bag down and join his brothers who were gathering in the kitchen. Donatello hesitantly walked over to stand on the other side of April, listening to the nonsensical conversation between them.
Michelangelo: All I am saying is technically anything can be a pizza topping! Why limit yourself to what they're trying to make you eat dude!
April: Mikey you can say that all you want until you're blue in the face, I am not eating pepperoni and banana pizza with buffalo sauce on the side.
Michelangelo made a face, looking at Donatello with a joyful smile and then back to April. She gave him a raised brow as she turned back to distribute the pizzas in a playfully grandiose way, passing the brothers their pizza of choice. Leonardo and Raphel were already tucking into the steaming boxes of Italian pie, as she opened the last box, displaying to Donatello in all its glory.
April: and of course I could never forget, an extra cheese with olives, ham and green peppers for Donatello!
She looked up to the mutant turtle's face and smiled at his infectiously adorable gap toothed smile. That was something April was definitely excited for regarding her relocation to the sub terrain of New York City. It has been something that had been burning in the back of her mind for awhile, something given the stress of her not so normal teen girl life, paired with her normal teen girl life she hasn't had much of a chance to process her feelings for the purple masked turtle. It was no secret to her that she was the closest to Donatello out of the brothers, often spending a majority of her free time with him in his lab if not texting him on the T-phone he deliberately made for her. She picked up a slice of pizza, taking a bite while watching the brothers converse about something they had encountered on patrol the other day. Her eyes flickered between the group of them and specifically watching Donatello, watching the way he smiled and nodded along with his brothers, ever so often chiming in to the conversation.
April held her gaze only to look away when Donatello peeked at her, his face growing slightly dark at the thought she may have been looking at him. His heart was already beating a little faster than normal, having to set up her room and process her living with him. That thought rang louder than all the others: her living with him. He knew logically it was actually her living with him and his family but the details didn't matter. Donatello peeked down in April again, before looking at the clock on the stove top.
Sheesh already after midnight? No wonder she is so quiet at the moment, she must be tired..
Donatello turned, about to say something to April when Leonardo cleared his throat, Donnie turned to shoot Leo a look, but he ignored him, continuing on.
Leonardo: Well with dinner now finished and out of the way we really should do a short patrol for the evening. Better safe than sorry afterall.
Raphael and Michelangelo were already closing up their pizza boxes and getting their stuff together to head out. Donnatello looked a little annoyed but let out a sigh anyway, closing up the box and going to join his brothers.
Leonardo: Actually, Donnie, you should stay here. Why don't you help April set up her things in the room you and Raph set up for her?
Donatello felt his cheeks get hot as Michelangelo and Raphael were already giving each other little snickers and laughs by the turnstiles, Leonardo giving him a quick nod as if he had planned this with the other two before running out of the lair with the rowdy pair. Michelangelo whooped off down the tunnel before leaving the two alone in the lair.