Note: I'll try to hit this prompt challenge I made up harder now. I recently started up a TMNT RPG (hosted at The Lair, URL in profile) and have been busy keeping tabs on that as well as other challenges on that site I've been cooking up. But now that I have some free time…

DIMPLE

Title: Special

Summary: After Karai asking April what was so special about her, April is left to wonder…
Setting: 2k12, post 'Karai's Vendetta'.
Rated: PG
Dis: I don't own TMNT

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I stumble into the bathroom in my aunt's apartment, holding my arm to my side. It would be a while before I set foot in here again. After a long discussion which transitioned into me yelling and Splinter being stern-I relented to spending a lot more time in the lair until it was deemed safe for me to return to the surface. After my fight with Karai, I had to admit I was more than a little on edge and being in a top secret lair seemed a lot safer than in an apartment where Karai, the Kraag, or even Shredder himself could show up and take me.

Wincing, I pull off my shirt and stare up into the mirror. Karai's words come back to haunt me as I stare at my reflection. Just why WAS I special? I didn't look special. I looked… Ordinary. From my blue eyes to my red hair that I hate so much. My skin is pale, and I had freckles along with dimples. Dimples were deemed a defect, a deformity in the skin, so really: I didn't LOOK special.

As I said to Karai, I am failing at school: failing at life. I've lost both her parents, the hope of seeing my father again was growing dimmer each day. So why was it that when that acid spilled on me, that it had no effect? I could see it, the worry in all their eyes when it had no effect on me… Especially Donatello's.

Shaking these thoughts away I disrobe the rest of the way then slip on my new clothes I had taken from the drawer. Skipping my customary leggings I just slipped on a pair of jeans along with a different yellow top. I've always liked yellow, and tended to gravitate toward any article of clothing in that color. I brush the tangles out of my hair and pull it back up into a ponytail, wincing at the strain it put on my damaged arm. After tucking my headband back in place I look in the mirror and attempt a smile: then wince.

"Stupid dimples, stupid freckles, stupid Karai," I grumble before turning away.

I exit the bathroom. Sitting on my bed is Leonardo, whom had insisted on playing guard dog and following me home.

"Ready?" he asked after I stuff some items into my backpack.

"Yeah," I say.

He takes my bag and hauls it over his shoulder before coming up to me and giving me a one-armed hug. I stand still, shocked for a moment before returning the gentle hug with my one good arm. We stand like this for a while and I fight back the tears that wanted to come from the stress and sadness of the day.

"I like your freckles. AND your dimples." I blush furiously. He had HEARD me? Dang it. "They are a part of you. Embrace your differences. Besides, if anyone has a right to complain, it's me. This shell can be killer."

I pull back, my smile genuine. "Thanks, Leo."

"Sure," he said, opening the window before looking back at me. "Let's go home."

I smile again before taking his offered hand and disappearing into the night.

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END