A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I'm pleased to know there are other Simple Plan fans around here xD I'm a huge fangirl of them...seriously...Story Girl knows that ;D Obviously, that's what Difficult Plan is a parody of. Blue Day is a parody of Green Day, who I actually don't like xP Uh..I'll run away from all the Green Day fans now...

A month passed by very quickly and a new year had begun. For the group, January was a busy month filled with important meetings and rehearsals. The little spare time they had was spent getting packed for their first tour. One thing was certain; the year was looking to be a promising one for Shell Shock.

Before they knew it, they were on their bus heading for California. Everyone was excited, but the five turtles were extremely nervous. April volunteered to be their driver. According to her, she wouldn't feel safe with any of them driving, not even Casey.

"Are you sure you want to, April? You're going to have to drive almost non-stop until midnight, then be up again early to continue driving. It's a long way!" Cassi pointed out as she sat down beside Leo on a sofa in the bus.

"Yes, Cassi, I am completely sure. I don't want to repeat what happened five years ago," April said while adjusting the driver's seat.

"It's a long story," Cassi explained to Leo, Raph, Don, Mike, Casey and Master Splinter who were all giving her a funny look. Not knowing what was going on, Shadow looked at the turtle as well. "April, I was fourteen!"

"Somehow Cassi, I don't think you've changed that much," April said with a grin as she started the bus. Cassi sank back into the couch. Seven sets of eyes were still turned to her.

"It was nearly six years ago now, on a Halloween night. I was technically old enough to drive. Naturally, I asked April along since she was the only licensed adult I knew. Okay, she was also the only adult I knew with a car I could use…"

Fourteen-year-old Cassiopeia grinned wildly as she waited for her passenger to buckle up. The turtle drummed her fingers on the steering wheel as she tried to be patient. However, April seemed to be moving rather sluggishly.

"Come on April! How long does it take to put on a seatbelt?" Cassi asked, now very impatient.

"Huh? Oh, right, sorry Cassi," April apologized as she clipped on her seatbelt. "I was just thinking about the first time we met. I can't believe you're already fourteen."

"You better believe it!" Cassi said, starting the car. She shifted gears and skilfully pulled out of the parking space. Once on the main road, near the city limits, she floored it.

"CASSI!" April screamed in terror. Cassi slammed on the brakes.

"Right, what was I thinking? There are little kids out tonight!" The turtle looked up at a street sign. "Hmm, I think we should turn back. I need to pull a U-turn."

"What? No, Cas…" April was cut off by the car swerving around. After that, the ride was a little better.

Everyone laughed as Cassi finished. No one but April could believe that she had that. I can't either. Of course, I did have a friend with me who was cheering me on.

---

"I can't sleep," Mike announced around 2:00am. The bus was parked off to the side of the road while everyone tried to get some sleep. Cassi had installed a cloaking device that made it invisible. This way, no one could try to break in.

"Me either," Raph said back.

"Neither can I," Don joined in.

"Same," Leo said, but in more of a hushed voice. Soon after, the four could hear movements on the floor of the bus. (The bunks were just above the windows, but below the roof) It was too dark to see who it was moving around.

"Cassi? Is that you?" Don asked.

"Of course it is," Cassi said quietly back. They could hear her moving about the bus. There were two clicking noises, like a case being opened, then the sound of Cassi hopping back onto her bunk. A melody began to play softly.

"Cassi, is that my guitar?" Raph asked, knowing Cassi didn't bring hers along. She had gotten them their own personalized instruments for Christmas. Raph and Leo had both received acoustic guitars.

"No, it's Leo's," She answered, then she began to sing softly and gently,

"Life is short,

There's only one go 'round.

There's gonna be ups

And there's gonna be downs.

Just remember this,

I'll be with you til the end.

I'll always be with you

Because you're my friend."

Leo smiled. He already knew all the words to this. It was the first song he could play. Cassi continued the song.

"If one day

We're torn apart

This is what I say.

You'll be in my heart.

Til next we meet.

It won't be long.

I'll always be with you.

I'm not really gone."

Cassi stopped singing, but continued playing the melody. Mike, Raph and Don had all fallen fast asleep. Leo didn't want to fall asleep; he loved the song that Cassi was playing. It had almost become apart of both of them over the past two years. I don't know if I'll ever see you as just a friend, Cassi. As Cassi played the chords, Leo fell asleep as well.

I don't know either, Leo, Cassi thought as she finally put the guitar away. I don't know if I even want you to start seeing me as only a friend. I love Mikey, true, but I'm not sure how I love him. I may love him how I used to love you, or I may love him as family. Why does life have to be so confusing? Cassi laughed to herself as she got back into bed. I'd never really tell Leo any of what I just thought, even though I thought it as if I were saying it to him.