Kayla sat down in her seat next to Alana. It was the Monday morning after their sleepover and they were in their music class. Both of them loved music so they figured it was an easy credit. As the bell rang for class to start everyone was talking with their friends while their teacher was taking attendance.
After a few minutes Mr. Jensen clapped twice, signaling it was time for class to begin. Everyone grew quiet as they waited for him to talk.
"To start off today we're going to do something fun." he started, "I'm going to need a volunteer to do a performance up here."
"What kind of performance?" Jade asked from the second row.
"Any kind of musical performance you want to do. Any volunteers?"
There was dead silence and no one raised their hand.
Kayla leaned over toward Alana. "Does he honestly think very many people would volunteer for that?"
Alana whispered back, "Well, we all signed up for a music class. I guess we should have expected this." she shrugged.
Before Kayla could reply Mr. Jensen said, "Kayla." everyone turned and stared at her. "Would you like to perform something?"
Kayla's mouth dropped open and Alana scooted away from her slightly. "Um, well, I uh. I don't really-"
"Great. Now come on. No need to be shy." he motioned for her to join him up front. 'Wanna bet,' she thought to herself as she noticed some of the guys in the class whisper and laugh. She stood up and went to stand by him, looking at the floor.
"Can you do anything musical? Sing? Play an instrument?" he asked her.
"Well, I can play the guitar…and I like to sing-"
"Great. Now just pick any song you like and perform. But make sure it's school appropriate." a bunch of kids laughed and Kayla rolled her eyes as she sat on the stool and picked up his electric guitar. She thought for a moment before she started strumming the guitar slowly.
(My Immortal By: Evanescence)
"I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave, I wish that you would just leave
Your presence still lingers here, and it won't leave me alone
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just to real
There's just too much that time cannot erase"
Kayla closed her eyes as she sang, almost forgetting the eyes watching her.
"When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have…all of me"
As she strummed she glanced up into the crowd. Alana was watching her with a smile and Kayla smiled back.
"You used to captivate me by your resonating light
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away…all the sanity in me
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just to real
There's just too much that time cannot erase
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have…all of me
I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along"
Kayla strummed the guitar, the sound echoing off the walls of the music room.
"When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still had…all of me
Oh…"
As the last chord faded out the class erupted into applause. Kayla blushed as she set the guitar down and walked towards her seat. As she sat down the girl who sat in front of her turned around.
"You did really good." she whispered.
Kayla smiled. "Thanks."
Alana nudged her with her elbow. "You did amazing, as usual. Lighten up."
Before Kayla could say anything Mr. Jenson spoke from the front. "Kayla, that was an impressive performance. Could you come talk to me after class, please?" Kayla nodded nervously. She could hear some of the guys say, "Oooohh." and tried to ignore them.
A good forty minutes later the dismissal bell rang and the class jumped up and hurried out of the room.
"Good luck." Alana whispered as she got up to leave, "I'll wait for you down the hall." Kayla nodded and grabbed her stuff before going to talk to Mr. Jenson.
"Kayla, you did very well. You have an amazing voice." he complimented.
Kayla blushed slightly. "I'm not that good." she argued.
"I beg to differ." he argued back. "In fact, here's something I think you should look into." he handed her a piece of paper. "It's a city-wide contest for young teens to perform musical routines. It can be solo or in a group. The first place prize gets $500 dollars and a trophy." Kayla looked over the paper as he talked.
"Well, it sounds like fun and all, but I think I'll pass." she answered quietly, reaching to give the paper back to him.
"You keep it. Just think about it before making a final decision. If you want to audition you can sign up in the office in a week." Kayla looked back down at the paper thoughtfully as she turned and left the room.
Down the hall Alana and Katie were waiting for her. Katie had a class just down the hall from their music class so they usually walked together to their next classes.
"So, what did he want?" Alana asked excitedly. Kayla handed her the paper to look at. Katie looked at it, too.
"He thinks I should enter it, but it's city-wide. There's going to be hundreds and hundreds of people watching. What if I screw up? I get nervous enough just performing in front of the class."
"Come on Kayla. It would be fun. And Mr. Jenson clearly thinks you can do it if he's suggesting it."
"Plus, the first place prize is $500!" Katie added.
Kayla hugged her books to her chest nervously. "I just can't do it, alright. I'd probably forget what to sing or something."
They were quiet for a while as they walked.
"What if…someone was up there with you?" Katie asked. Alana and Kayla both looked over at her. Katie pointed to a spot on the paper. "It says you can enter alone, with a partner, or in a group. I could enter with you and play the keyboard." Kayla thought for a moment.
"Well, I would feel better if someone was up there with me." Kayla murmured thoughtfully. Katie and Alana looked at her expectantly. Kayla sighed, "Can I at least think about it tonight and give you my answer tomorrow?" she asked. Alana and Katie's eyes lit up and they both nodded.
Later that afternoon Kayla pulled the paper out of her bag and tossed her bag on the couch before going to sit at the kitchen table. Raph was sitting there drinking a soda. She sat across from him and looked at the paper thoughtfully, trying to figure the good and the bad in entering this contest.
"Whatchya got dere?" Raph asked, nodding toward the paper.
Kayla glanced up at him before looking back down at the paper. "It's an advertisement for this music contest coming up. My music teacher wants me to enter."
"So, are ya?" he asked.
Kayla blew her bangs out of her face. "I'm not sure. Katie and Alana think I should, and Katie said she'd play the keyboard so I wouldn't be alone up there."
"Up where?" Don walked in and sat at the table with a mug of coffee. Kayla handed the flyer to him and he looked it over. After awhile he handed it back to her. "You should enter. It sounds like fun and you have a good shot at winning."
"Pfft. Yeah right. Do you know how many people are probably going to enter this thing? Plus, we still have to try out. We may not even make it past the auditions."
"Way ta be positive." Raph said sarcastically.
Don shrugged. "Just try out. At least you can say you gave it your best shot. And who knows? If you do make it maybe that'll lead to you getting a scholarship or something."
Raph couched slightly as he choked on his pop. "Who said anything about scholarships?" he asked incredulously. "She's only a sophomore!"
Don sipped on his coffee. "Yeah, but before too long she'll be graduating from high school." he turned back to Kayla, "Have you thought about what you want to do after high school?"
Kayla thought for a moment and shrugged. "Well, kinda. I mean, what kid doesn't think about that? But I'm not sure what I want to be, much less what college I want to go to."
"Well, it's something you should think about, at least. But either way, I really do think you should enter. You and Katie would have a lot of fun."
Kayla looked back down at the paper. "Well, I guess there's no harm in trying." she smiled up at her brothers. "I'll do it." she said before standing up. "I'm gonna go write to Leo. I haven't responded to his letter from last night yet." Don smiled as she raced off to her bedroom. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Raph crush his pop can in his fist.
"What's up with you?" Don asked.
"Did ya have ta start talkin' about scholarships like 'dat? She's not even halfway through with high school an' you're already thinkin' 'bout college?"
Don shrugged. "She needs to start thinking about it sooner or later." he said before leaving Raph alone in the kitchen.
"She's only fifteen!" he shouted angrily, standing up from his seat. He turned and kicked his chair, making it crash into the fridge. His muscles tensed up and he ran his hands over the top of his head in a attempt to try and calm down.
After a moment Master Splinter walked out of his room. "My children. It is time for training." he called.
Kayla peaked out of her room before she headed toward the dojo with Don right behind her coming from his computers. Mikey and Raph followed close behind. When they all entered the dojo Master Splinter told them all to drop their weapons near the wall. They were going to practice without weapons today.
"Raphael. Kayla. You two shall face off first." Splinter announced.
Kayla smirked as she moved to the center of the dojo and faced Raph. "Don't go easy on me, bro." she joked. Raph just narrowed his eyes with a serious look on his face. They stood in a ready position, waiting for the signal.
"Begin!"
Raph lunged at Kayla and she rolled to the side. He landed where she'd been standing only a second before. She threw a punch to his arm before doing a back flip to dodge Raph's kick.
Raph growled in frustration. He front flipped high over her head and landed behind her, throwing a punch toward her face. Kayla ducked down before leaping into the air. She swung her leg around and managed to kick Raph in the face.
Raph stumbled back and shook his head to clear the dizziness. He heard Mikey taunting him from across the dojo.
"C'mon Raph! You're not gonna let a girl beat you, are ya?"
Raph growled before lunging back into the fight. He kept throwing punches left and right, hoping to get a hit in.
Kayla ducked and smirked. "Am I gettin' too fast for ya, bro?" she teased as she somersaulted away before jumping up and landing a blow to his leg.
Raph could tell she was getting stronger and faster compared to when she was little. Don's words started echoing in his mind.
Maybe that'll lead to you getting a scholarship…
Raph growled and threw a punch, nailing Kayla in the gut. Kayla winced but managed to roll out of the way, panting from the force.
Before too long she'll be graduating high school…
Raph ducked down and spun his leg around, knocking Kayla off her feet. She flipped herself off the ground and leapt away from Raph's punch. She looked at his face, expecting to see a smug grin on his face, but instead it was serious. Angry.
She needs to start thinking about it sooner or later…
Raph threw another punch and Kayla managed to dodge it. She knew something was up. She had to try and end this bout before someone got hurt. Thinking quickly Kayla leapt high into the air and spun her leg around, trying to kick Raph in the face like earlier. But instead Raph caught her foot in his hand.
Before she knew what was happening Raph swung her around by her foot and threw her across the room. Kayla slammed into one of the brick columns with her right shoulder taking most of the impact. She heard a weird click and cried out in pain.
Raph's vision seemed to clear and a chill shot up his spine at the sound of Kayla's cry. The pain in her voice made his blood go cold. He saw Master Splinter, Don, and Mikey all rush over to where she was sitting on the ground. Raph moved to join them but Mikey stood and held out his arm to stop him.
"I think you've done enough, bro." he said seriously. Raph looked past him at Kayla. Don was examining her shoulder.
"It's dislocated." he announced. Kayla rolled her eyes.
"Joy." she grumbled sarcastically. "Can we get this over with, please?" she pleaded with Don.
Don smirked at her. "Yeah…" Don looked behind him. His eyes fell on Raph for a moment before he turned to Michelangelo. "Hey, Mikey. Can you give me a hand?" Mikey nodded before gently picking Kayla up bridal style. Kayla winced and grabbed her right shoulder with her free hand. It was sticking forward and looked painfully weird.
Mikey followed Don into the kitchen and placed Kayla on the kitchen table. Don handed her two painkillers and a glass of water before she laid her head back on the table and tried to relax. She took them and waited.
Don turned to Mikey. "Hey, Mike. Can you hold Kayla's hand?" Mikey looked around. Normally when they did this it was Raph…or Leo…who held her hand. Mikey sighed and nodded, taking hold of Kayla's left hand.
Kayla smirked up at him. "Don't worry. I'll try not to break your hand." she joked.
"Haha. Very funny." Mikey joked back.
Don moved over to the other side of the table and handed her a towel.
She held it and said, "Kinda sad that we have a planned out routine for this, huh?" Don smirked with a small shrug as Kayla placed the towel in her mouth and bit down. This was probably the fourth time she'd dislocated her shoulder so she was pretty used to this. Don gripped her hand with one hand and gripped her dislocated shoulder with the other. Kayla closed her eyes.
"Alright. On the count of three." Don said. "One-"
Kayla screamed into the towel as her shoulder clicked back into place, and Mikey screamed as she almost crushed his hand. She spit the towel out as she panted.
"Just…once…it would be nice…if you'd actually…count to 3!" she shouted at Don, who just smirked as he handed her a bag of frozen peas. She sat up and held it to her shoulder.
Don put his hand on her back to help support her. "You gonna be okay now?" he asked gently. Kayla nodded. "Alright. I want you taking it easy for a few days. No gym tomorrow and no roughhousing. Got it?" Kayla rolled her eyes and nodded again with a small smirk.
"Well, since you are going to be alright, Kayla, I believe it is time for Donatello and Michelangelo to practice." Master Splinter announced, leading his two youngest sons back to the dojo.
Kayla watched them leave before realizing she hadn't seen Raph at all since their bout. She glanced around and heard the familiar grunts and pounding sounds of Raph beating his punching bag.
Kayla carefully hopped off the table and headed toward the punching bag. As she approached from the opposite side of the bag he was on she carefully rested her free hand on the bag as her left hand held the bag of peas on her shoulder. She kept her hand there to help keep the bag in place as best she could without harming her shoulder. Raph didn't even seem to notice she was there.
After a few minutes Raph stopped and rested his own hand on the bag to steady it. He didn't take his eyes off the bag. "Ya gonna be okay?" he asked quietly, his voice out of breath.
Kayla smirked. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's not like this is something new." Raph lowered his head and Kayla immediately regretted her words. Nearly every time she'd dislocated her shoulder in the past it was because Raph accidentally lost his temper with her. She knew how bad he always felt about it, but she never really blamed him. A lot of the times it was because she provoked him. She really more blamed herself.
"Raph, I'm really okay." she said calmly but firmly to try and get it in his head. He still wouldn't look at her. She thought for a moment. "Raph…what happened?"
She saw Raph's eye ridges furrow together, like he was confused. Though he continued to stare at the ground.
"You usually do this when you get mad. Did I say something to make you mad at me?" she asked to clarify what she meant.
Raph sighed, shaking his head. "No. It wasn't you, Kay."
"Was it Mikey? When he was teasing you during our bout?"
Raph shook his head again.
"Raph, please?" Kayla leaned around the punching bag, closer to Raph. "Please tell me."
Raph glanced up at her but quickly looked back at the ground. "It was…I was thinkin' about what Donnie was sayin' earlier." he looked back up at her. "Bout you goin' ta college and stuff."
Kayla looked confused. "What about it?" she asked.
"Look, jus' forget about it." Raph said quickly, turning his back to her and sitting on a small stool a few feet away. He hunched his back a little and Kayla didn't know what he meant. Kayla walked around the stool and knelt on the ground in front of him. He stared at the ground to avoid looking at her.
"Raph. Just tell me what's bothering you." she whispered gently.
Raph looked up at her. His golden brown eyes seeming to penetrate her own brown ones. He looked back at the ground with a sigh.
"I just…the thought of you…goin' ta college…leavin'…I don't know." Raph shrugged and looked away. Kayla furrowed her eyes brows thoughtfully, looking at the ground.
Raph looked back at her. "I just…If you tell anyone I said dis' you'll regret it." he pointed a finger at her seriously and she nodded. She knew he'd never really hurt her on purpose, but she didn't want to break his trust anyway. She wasn't going to tell even if he did threaten her. Raph dropped his hand again to his knee. "I…I already lost a brother…I can't lose a sister, too."
Kayla's eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly. She never even thought of that. She looked at her brother, who was staring at the ground again. He was avoiding eye contact because he felt he was showing weakness. Still holding the peas to her shoulder Kayla used her free hand to grab his shoulder and lean him back a bit. Her eyes looked into his seriously.
"Raph, you don't have to worry about that. I don't even really want to go to college. I know Don wants me to, but that's just because he wants me to have a good life when I'm older." Raph looked away but Kayla kept talking, "If I do decide to go to college it'll probably be a college here in New York. So then I won't have to leave, or I'll live in an apartment near here. But chances are I'll stay here with you guys, I don't think I could ever get to sleep without hearing the subway over my head every night." she joked. Raph chuckled a little and looked back up at her. She smirked a bit.
She saw a flash of light and they both looked around.
"What was dat'?" he asked. Kayla looked over and Raph followed her eyes.
Mikey stood there with a digital camera in his hands and a huge grin on his face. Raph and Kayla glanced at each other. Both had devious smiles on their faces. Raph stood up and cracked his neck muscles and his knuckles.
Mikey chuckled nervously. "Uh…hehe. Hi Raphie." then he turned and ran away with a girly scream, still holding the camera.
"You're a dead turtle, Mikey!" Raph yelled as he raced after his little brother. Kayla was about to race after them when a hand grabbed her good shoulder. She looked back to see Don giving her a look.
"What did I say about taking it easy?" he asked.
"But, Donnie." Kayla whined. She gave him a puppy pout face. After a moment Don sighed and rolled his eyes before holding out his hand. Kayla hugged him and placed the bag of peas in his hand before racing away after her other brothers.