In this chapter, there is music Lea sings. I do not own any of it. Thank you.

On with the featured reading. Enjoy!

Lea's POV

He kissed me. Raphael kissed me. KISSED ME. What am I going to do now?

He kissed me. And I kissed him back. So did that mean I liked him? No, I can't like him. Not because he is a turtle, but because he is my best friend. The last time I went out with my best friend, it did not end well. Me and….. that guy(it ended so badly that I don't even remember his name) never spoke again. I don't want to loose Raph. Out of the four turtles, I feel that I can trust Raph no matter what. He knows everything about me. He knows that I and terrified of moths, that I used to be a dancer, and that I still sleep with my stuffed animals. He knows me better then anyone in this world. Not even my dad knows me.

Just then the front door opens. I hear the shuffle of feet. Great, Dads home.

I hear the fridge open; he is probably looking for a beer. Then I hear him going into the cabinets. Without eve looking, I know he is looking for the old tomato soup can were we kept our savings. Ever since Mom left him to go to Spain with her boyfriend, Dad's been using the savings for two things; beer and prostitutes. If I hadn't rescued $1,000 from the can and gotten a job, we would be living under a bridge. Leo has been begging me to go live with them in the lair. He has pulled me to 'talk' and to 'spar' ever since he saw me go out of my house with a black eye.

It had been on one of those days when he woke up to drunk to think. The strange woman in his bed had gotten up early and left, and Dad still thought she was still there. Instead of staying in my bed with a locked door like a sane person would, I got up and decided to make breakfast. I guess that making breakfast was a tradition from when Mom was still here. I heard shuffling feet down the hall and new that Dad was up. "Hey, how would you like your toast?" I asked out of habit. But instead of answering, I felt his hands on my waist.

"Women, if you wanted more money, all you had to do was ask," I heard him whisper in my ear. Before I could answer, he turned me around.

He looked and smelled disgusting. I couldn't believe this was my Dad. What he did next was more disgusting; he started touching me. "What the hell!" I shouted as I pushed him away. That made him mad, because the next thing he did was punch me in the face. He hit me so hard that I fell to the ground along with some pans.

"Stupid girl. Now you're going to have to do it for free."

That scared the shit out of me. As he leaned closer, I knocked him out with a near by pan and bolted out of the house.

"LEANA! Did you buy my beer?"

That took me out of my thoughts. I rolled my eyes. He was drunk. He was going to have sex with a stranger. Why do I even stay here? Because he is my Dad. And because I have no were else to go.

"It's in the fridge." I called back. I shouldn't even buy him more beer. But if I don't I'm afraid he might kill me. Or worse. I closed my eyes and started to sing the one song I felt sounded like my life;

"Because of you I never stray to far from the side walk

Because of you I learned to stay on the safe side so I don't get hurt

Because of you I find it hard to trust not only me but everyone around me

Because of you

I am afraid"

I heard the front door slam shut and knew he was gone. The only good thing about my life at this moment are the turtles. Especially Raph. I tell him everything. But if I ever told him about my Dad hitting me, and trying to rape me, he would kill him. Thats another reason why I can't like him. I can't let my Dad know about him. My Dad would think he is a freak and kill him. Well, at least attempt to.

And yet, I can't stop thinking about the kiss. It was so full of passion. It was the first kiss I've had in a while. But even if it wasn't, it was still good. He tasted like chocolate, my favorite food. His beak was softer then I would had guessed. And his big hands felt like they belonged on my back. Maybe even lower. But no, I can't think like this. My life is too messed up. I may end up hurting him, and thats the last thing I want. I would die without him in my life. I felt like he was the only thing that anchored me to this life at the moment .

I heard something fall from outside the window. Then I saw something move by the fire escape. Just the neighbors cat. He was an old man that needed company.

That'd be nice. To have some company. I walked over to my guitar. It was hidden behind the fireplace so my dad wouldn't sell it.

'Cause he'll be by my side whenever I fall

In the dead of night whenever I call

And I won't fight those hands that are holding me

His hands are holding me.

I knew he would. I knew he would be at my side. And so would I. Always. He would hold me when I'm weak, and visa versa. He would be….Everything to me. So who am I kidding? I like Raph. And whats more, I think I've always liked him but never really wanted to admit it. So what now?

"When I'm with you my hope grows

you have fed the love of my soul

and without thinking you took my breath away,

What will happen to me if you're not with me?

If you're not with me the air escapes me, empty heart ...

Being in your arms by your side I feel that I breathe ...

There is nothing to change, there is nothing to say ...

If you are not staying me, I freeze ...

Oh! As I love you, when I'm not with you I lose my senses ...

There is so much to invent, there is nothing to hide ... "I fell for you"

I fell for you …"

As I said those last words, I knew they were true. "I have fallen in love with Raph."

Raph's POV

She loves me. I'm not dreaming, right? SHE SAID SHE LOVES ME. I'm just in shock right now. I never thought that a human girl, never mind Lea, would fall for me.

ME. The most implosive, explosive guy she knew. I'm staring at her throw the fire escape window, listening to her song. It talked about so much love and passion I can't handle it. But, what do we do now?

Lea's POV

I've made up - What was that? I just heard something from the fire escape window. I stood up and garbed the sais Raph had given me for my 15th birthday. I walked towards the window. But before I could open it, a large rock like thing came through. It was Raphael. We locked eyes and just stared at each other for a few minutes. Green on gold. Just like a few hours ago. I wanted so bad to kiss him. To hold me. Take me. I took a deep breath. If we're going to do this, we have to do it right.

"Hey." I said, just to break the awkward silence.

"Hi." He walked towards me. I wanted to walk to him, but I was rooted to the floor. "Can we talk?"