Ch 3 Getting Even.
History class went by fast for Leo and he was happy to see he had at least one friend in every class so far. But his excitement was quickly dashed when he saw Fong and the other two Purple Dragons glaring at him as he entered the gym.
"You guys didn't tell me they were going to be here." He muttered as he along with the rest of his new friends walked over toward the bleachers.
"Don't worry Leo." Raph said as he placed a tender hand on Leo's shoulder. "If they try anything we'll take care of them."
"Yeah," Mikey whispered from behind him. "We'll dog-pile them if they get anywhere near you."
Leo couldn't help but blush. "Well," He said with a chuckle. "You don't have to go that far."
He looked around the large gymnasium and noted several other students walking into the room. Some nodded to him while others just stared or whispered while looking him over curiously.
"I'd say you made quite the impression this morning Leo." Casey commented as he sat down.
Leo nodded as he continued to survey the large room. His eyes landed on Fong who was scowling at him while the larger dragon behind him had his right fist grinding into his left hand and smirking at him. Leo turned away from them. "A new school and already I've made enemies." Leo sighed dejectedly. "That's not the way I wanted to start my last year of school."
"No," Donnie came sliding up to him. "But you got friends and ninety percent of this school will stand behind you if they try anything."
Raph put his arm around Leo and looked at him with a smirk. "Yeah Leo," He began. "We've got your back."
Leo felt the heat rise in his cheeks as he felt Raph's arms around him; he was about to say something when a loud whistle sounded behind them. He turned to see a large humanoid alligator coming toward the students. "Everyone start doing your stretches!" He yelled out.
"Coach Leatherhead?" Leo questioned to the others.
"Yes." Spike whispered as he began to follow the rest of the students to the middle of the gym. "But don't let his huge hulking figure intimidate you."
"Yeah," Slash chuckled. "Deep down he's a big overgrown pussycat."
"With massive jaws," Raph responded as the class started doing everything from push-ups to sit-ups and jogging around the gym.
Fifteen minutes later, the class was split into teams and Coach Leatherhead tossed a basketball to Leo. "Let's see what the new kid's got." He said as he once again blew the whistle. Everyone got in their spots and Leo tossed the ball back to him. He got on one side of the large alligator while Fong got on the other.
"You're going down turtle." Fong sneered as he readied himself to jump and hit the ball to his teammates.
"Bring it." Leo retorted as he too readied himself.
Leatherhead held the ball between the two players then tossed it into the air. Fong jumped up and smacked the ball before Leo could get it and the game was now in play. For several long minutes the game played out in a friendly manner until Fong saw the opening he was waiting for.
He watched as Spike ran the ball down the court and tossed the ball to Leo who was closest to the net. The turtle jumped to make a basket and as he did, Fong ran up to him and, as Leo landed, elbowed him hard in the stomach.
Leo fell to the ground, holding his stomach and moaning in pain. He looked up as Fong sneered down at him. "That's called payback." Fong told him. "No one humiliates the Purple Dragons and gets away with it so watch you're back turtle."
"LEO!" Mikey's voice cut through the whistle that sounded out to pause the game. "Are you okay bro?" He asked as he and Donnie helped him up.
Leo looked at Mikey, surprised to hear him call him 'bro.' "Ah, yeah Mikey." Leo said as he quickly adjusted his t-shirt to make sure his bruise was still covered. "I'm good." He took a deep breath and nodded to Leatherhead signaling that he was OK.
"You sure Leo?" Donnie asked in concern.
"Yeah thanks." Leo responded as he slowly made his way to the foul line to take his jump shots.
"Ya want us to dog-pile him for you after school Leo?" Mikey asked as he took his place on the side.
Leo smiled at him and shook his head. "That's okay Mikey." Leo responded in a whisper. His eyes landed on Fong who was at the front of the line closest to the basket and glaring evilly at him. 'I'll pay him back for that.' Leo thought to himself as he took the ball from Leatherhead.
Leo bounced the ball once then tossed the ball into the air and through the hoop making a basket. On either side, he saw Spike and Slash give him encouraging smiles as the ball was tossed back to him. He bounced the ball again then tossed the ball into the air and through the hoop. As the ball came down, he watched as Fong, along with the rest of the players, run toward the ball. He quickly took off after Fong and, as Fong went to grab the ball, Leo slammed into him with his shoulder smashing him hard against the wall.
Fong groaned as he slid down the wall in a daze. He turned and looked up to see Leo staring down at him with a scowl. "And that's called 'getting even'." Leo retorted. "I suggest you watch you're back scumbag."
The whistle sounded out once again and Leatherhead walked over to where Leo and Fong were. He watched as Fong slowly stood up while Leo moved away from him giving a wary look as he stepped back. "If I see any more rough housing during the game," Leatherhead stated, "Both of you will be sitting on the sideline for the rest of the class then doing clean up." He looked from one to the other. "Do I make myself clear?" He demanded.
Leo and Fong nodded then Fong went to the foul line to do his foul shots. After making one basket and missing the second, the game continued with the two teens glaring at each other the entire time. After class was over, Leatherhead made his way toward Leo. "After you shower, please come see me in my office Leonardo."
Leo nervously adjusted his shirt. He had not thought about the fact that he would have to take a shower before going onto class and the thought of anyone seeing his bruise was disconcerting to him. So after saying goodbye to his friends with a promise to meet Donnie and Raph in the library, he went to Leatherhead's office. "I'll take a shower afterward." He said when the large alligator looked up at in surprise. "Am I in trouble?"
No Leonardo." Leatherhead assured him. "I just wanted to let you know I thought you played extremely well and was wondering if you would consider joining our basketball team?"
Leo smiled proudly. "Wow! Thank you Coach Leatherhead." Leo said excitedly. "I would love to join."
Leatherhead handed Leo a piece of paper. "Have one of your parents fill out this permission slip allowing you to join our school's team."
Leo's smile slowly faded at the thought of having to ask his father for permission for anything. "I'll be turning eighteen in a couple of weeks coach." He told him. "Do I really need my father's permission?"
"It is school policy Leonardo." He responded.
Leo took the paper and nodded to the coach. "I'll talk to my father." He promised and left the office. He walked into the locker room and saw almost everyone had left. He hastily undressed and washed himself as quickly as possible keeping his eyes open for anyone coming in. He was done within a few minutes and after quickly drying and getting dressed, he made his way to the library for study hall.