Chapter 5

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I sighed, dropping the heavy books down on the table. Then I dropped myself into the chair, sighing.

No one else was in the class yet, which I was grateful for. It meant I had a moment to take everything in.

It was Monday, and Ithiell had decided on five hour shifts. I had done the first five, then Rtaia had taken over just before school started. It was both tiring, and kinda boring. I watched her sleep, eat, tried not to watch her shower... and then put on makeup and style her hair for over an hour.

It had been strange, watching over my friend like that. But I knew... well, I just had to know if she was really her, or...

"Hey"

I jumped about a mile in the air, looking to see none other than Serah sit down next to me. The guilt must have been all over my face, as she gave me a strange look.

"What's your problem?" She muttered, shifting her weight on the chair as she raised an eyebrow at me.

"Oh, uh... just... um..." I couldn't think of anything to say, feeling my face grow hot as I quickly grabbed one of the Science books, my fumbling fingers dropping it, and it hit the side of the table, before tumbling onto the floor.

"Klutz" She snickered, going and grabbing the book for me.

"No, I'll-" But it was too late, shed already reached down, then brought the book back up to my table. I nodded to her as I took the book, my face still probably flushed. She suddenly turned serious.

"Jade, are you okay?"

I rubbed the back of my head "Uh, yeah. Just...alot on my mind"

She frowned a little. I decided now was the time to ask.

"Are you okay? I haven't really heard from you lately"

She forced a smile "Oh, I'm fine. And I thought your friend...Rachel was it? Came for a visit, so I really didn't want to bother you"

I could have slapped my forehead. Of course! She thought-

A hand on my shoulder made me look over at her "Jade, I don't want you to worry about me. I just..."

She looked lost for words, like she couldn't figure out what to tell me, or how.

"Serah, if you need to talk to me, you can. I...I won't judge. I'm sure you know that by now" I took the hand that had been on my shoulder, placing it between mine. She looked up, tears brimming her eyes. She looked... afraid?

"I..."

"Oooh look, lesbian moment!" Came a voice from the doorway, and I let go of Serah, looking up at none other than Evan. His brown eyes were gleaming as he grinned at us.

"Shut up you idiot" Serah huffed at him, turning back in her seat and getting her things out. I sighed, knowing it was the end of our conversation. Just when I thought I was getting through to her...

"Oh girls, don't stop on my account"

"Do you ever think before you speak?" I glared up at him, and he was about to respond, before one of the other boys pushed him roughly out of the way, almost knocking him to the ground. Soon, we were forgotten, as there was male posturing going on at, thankfully, the opposite end of the room between the two.

(Human teenagers are strange indeed) I jolted when I heard Rtaia's voice, almost forgetting she would be here as well.

"Jade?" Serah looked at me strangely. I looked over at her, trying to smile.

"Cold shiver"

"Oh" She looked back down.

"Hey you two!" Another voice, and Kristina walked in. She her smile turned into a frown when she saw both our expressions.

"What? You both look like someone just died"

"Nope, all good" Serah's expression changed to her usually bubbly one "Just over... him"

She pointed to Evan, who had been taken down a notch by the other guy.

Kristiana laughed, sitting on the other side of us "Gosh, who isn't by now? Even Matt wants to hit him"

"Yeah, he needs to be kept back a year" I jumped in, hopefully sounding like my usual self. It didn't feel like it.

"Totally" Serah agreed, and her and Kristiana started talking about going shopping one afternoon. Kristiana wanted a new outfit for her date with Matt that weekend. Which obviously meant they were back together and had sorted whatever problems they had going on.

They agreed that all three of us would go on Thursday, after school. And they didn't even include me in their decision...

Thursday. I would know if Serah was Yeerked by then. And if she was...

How would I still act normal, knowing that?

Knowing my friend had a stupid grey slug in her ear, which moved her eyes and spoke in her voice...

"Jade?"

I looked up at Kristiana, finding her staring at me.

"Uh, hi?"

"Did you break up with your boyfriend or something? You look awful"

"Gee, thanks" I let out a dry laugh, then shook my head.

"A boyfriend we never see, and never met by the way" Serah added, and I couldn't help but sigh.

"He just doesn't get out much"

"Is he home schooled or something? You've never spoken about which school he goes to"

"You could say that" I muttered, starting to feel really uncomfortable now.

"Could you at least show us a photo of him?" Kristiana spoke up, and I kind of twiddled my thumbs.

"Well... I don't have any" That was the truth, at least.

"So... how do we know he exists then?" Serah was staring at me now, and I squirmed a little in my seat.

"Well he does. I just don't know what you guys would even think of him. He-"

"I think I know what you need" Kristiana chimed in, and I hoped this was her changing the subject.

"Uh, a million dollars?" I supplied, forcing a smile. I wanted to say an escape route, but I didn't know how Serah would take that.

"No, I'm going to a party Friday, you girls should come"

A party? Great.

"We're in" Serah suddenly grabbed my arm "And your hottie nerd needs to come too!"

And once again my fate had been decided for me.

"Serah-"

"He is coming even if I have to go to his house and drag him by the ear"

Oh, if only she knew where his 'house' was.

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I rubbed my tired eyes, entering the lair and dropping my bag as I sat on the familiar couch.

"All right guys, I have two hours before my next shift, what do we have tonight?"

"Oh, hi Jade" Leo walked past me, going to the kitchen area.

"Hey. So... anything?"

"We found a big hot spot, but... Jade, are you sure you're up for this" I heard Donnie's voice as I realised my head was now in my hands, my eyes closed. I was exhausted, but I couldn't not help them. Rtaia was now playing me at my house, so I could come here and help the turtles. Rachel was there as well, so as not to worry my family.

I felt a hand on my back, looking up to see Donnie's worried face. I saw Mikey not standing too far away, a big piece of pizza in his hands. He looked strangely worried too.

"I can't just... ugh" I wave of exhaustion hit me, and I leaned back on Donnie in spite of myself.

"Maybe Rachel can go to school for you?" Raphael supplied, and I realised he was now kneeling in front of me, handing me something. I took it, realising it was a cup of tea, sipping at it eagerly.

"Thanks Raph" I felt myself wake up a little. The tea itself was pretty good.

"Or even help us here" Leo now, sitting on the arm of the couch.

"No, Rachel has a two hour time limit, and I can't let her take that risk. Plus, morphing is tiring, and I can't-"

"Jade" Donnie sounded annoyed now "You can't possibly keep this up"

"At least not without help" Leo added. I sighed.

"I know, but..." I bit my lip, feeling like I wanted to cry "She's my friend, and you guys-"

"We can wait. It's not like the criminals are-"

"I know Donnie, but-" I stopped, knowing it was useless to argue with him. Donnie was usually a big sweetheart, but when he got annoyed, it was hard to move him on anything. Usually I'd dismiss it with humor, but tonight...

"Look, let me just do this for you guys tonight, please?"

"No" I looked at Raph, who was shaking his head "It can wait"

"Yeah, sleepy Jade is no good" Mikey said through a mouthful of cheese.

"Ganging up on me, no fair" I muttered, knowing it was useless.

"We'll get you something to eat, and you relax" Raph almost glared at me, and Leo and him went into the kitchen, Mikey vanishing somewhere too. Probably off with his brothers, to get more pizza...

I looked up at the last turtle, seeing the concern on his face, his arm loosely around my waist. I put my now empty cup on the ground beside me, turning myself to him.

"I just want to help"

He frowned again "I know you do, but... you can't help like this"

"I don't want to let you down, I know you guys need me, and with Serah-"

"Jade"

I stopped, letting him talk.

"Serah is your priority right now. And it's already been two days, hasn't it? One more and you will know"

I put on my best pout "I hate it when you're right"

He finally smiled, moving to kiss my forehead.

"Oh, and she keeps inviting you to parties"

He laughed a little at that "She is sure determined, isn't she?"

"Well, apparently this time she is going to find where you live, and drag you by the ear"

"Somehow, I don't think that's going to work" He shook his head a little. I took his head in my hands, gently pulling him down into a sweet kiss.

I knew he was right, it was just frustrating. I didn't like the thought of letting them down like this. And it was Tuesday, and so far nothing had happened. In fact, it had all been quite boring.

Which made me feel a little better, at least.

I felt his strong hands pull me onto his lap, kissing me even more deeply.

"Donnie" I managed to mutter, and he pulled away a little.

"Yeah?" His eyes seemed different, almost primal.

"I... um..." I couldn't think of the words, just kissing him again. I didn't know what had come over us, but I found I couldn't really stop myself.

His hand was once again on my back, just at the bottom of my shirt, playing with the hem before moving under it and up my back. It sent shivers down my spine. I pulled away a little, hearing sound of surprise come from him, before planting kisses all over the exposed parts of his neck, then his shoulder. I heard him hum a little.

I pulled back a little, my hands on his chest, looking into his eyes. He looked worried, and something else I couldn't place. His hand slowly trailed over my bra strap, and I smiled a little.

"A-hem" Someone clearing their throat made is bolt apart, sitting on opposite ends of the couch and blushing like mad.

I looked up to see Splinter there, feeling even more embarrassed. We'd been caught making out by Splinter, of all people...

"Uh... Splinter, sorry, I um.." I fiddled with the hem of my shirt.

He came into the room, and I looked up, seeing him almost smiling at me. Like he thought it was almost funny.

Didn't feel funny to me.

"How is your surveillance going, Jade" He finally said, and I looked up at him. I was afraid to even glance at Donnie at this point.

"I...uh...nothing yet"

"Good" He responded "Well, I am going to meditate now. I will see you later Jade"

He went into his meditation room, and I finally took the chance to look at Donnie. He probably looked the same as I felt.

"I...uh.. well, that was-"

"Just like any normal relationship?" I tried to smile at him, hoping my face would stop burning soon. A large grin appeared across his face, and he did that cute giggle he did, which ended in a snort. I couldn't help but laugh a little myself.

"Hey Jade, I uh..." He pushed his glasses up, slowly starting to move towards me again, like I was breakable.

"Yeah" I noticed he looked a little worried now.

"I think-"

"Who wants pizza!" Came the yell, and we both jumped about a mile in the air, turning and saying in unison,

"Mikey!"

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I hated bugs. And I hated being bugs.

Especially one that was stuck to the ceiling, trying to look like any normal fly. Not as bad as the cockroach, but still pretty disgusting.

I just hoped no one would see me and grab a newspaper.

Serah was once again in her room, humming a little. She was removing her makeup, her hair back in a ponytail. She seemed okay...

As soon as the makeup was gone though, she went over to her desk, sitting down on it, a blank look on her face.

I wanted to talk to her, to ask her what was wrong, but I knew she'd probably think she was even more crazy than she thought she was now. I did notice in my watches, that she would get like this. She'd be fine for a while, then she would get this blank look.

It was nearing the end of the third day, and I was now almost sure she wasn't Yeerked, which was a big relief for me. She had made no moves to go into a hidden pool, no Sharing meetings... just, nothing.

Well, besides this blank look. Which definitely scared me even more than the thought of her being Yeerked. I wondered how long it would be, before she told someone about what she'd seen. Or even, if she had already told someone. Well, someone besides me.

I watched as she pulled out a pencil and a blank sheet, doing something which I couldn't quite see. What was she writing?

(Hey Jade) My little fly body almost jumped, instead buzzing my wings a little and casually walking around on the ceiling. My compound eyes caught sight of what looked to be a spider, crawling in through the window.

(Rachel?) I wondered as she crept under the bed, and I lost sight of her.

(Yep, that's me. Thought I'd keep you company for the last stretch. Your family thinks we're out doing something girly)

(Oh, thanks Rach, for both. I could use someone to talk to)

(So, how is she?)

(Loosing her mind I think) I buzzed myself over to where she was still scribbling away, my compound eyes now seeing that she was drawing, not writing. I couldn't quite make out what it was...

"Serah, dinnner!" I heard her mum call from downstairs.

"Okay, I'll be down in a sec!" She put her pencil and paper down, almost admiring whatever she had been working on, seeming to decide to write or draw one more thing onto the paper, before getting up and starting to head downstairs.

I buzzed after her, watching as she headed downstairs and down to the table. I saw the rest of her family there, doing the usual, and my mind trailed back to my family. I wondered what they were having for dinner...

(Uh, Jade?) I heard Rachel call from upstairs (I think you need to have a look at this)

(But, I'm on-)

(I'm sure she'll still be there in thirty seconds. You need to see this)

I sighed, taking one last look at Serah as she pulled her chair in, reach over the table for something, before making my way back up into her room.

I noticed Rachel had managed to get up onto her table, and was looking down at the piece of paper. Her front legs were up in the air, like she was about to strike.

I buzzed over her, deciding that compound eyes weren't doing me any good, becoming a spider instead. Also in case Rachel decided to try and eat me.

(Jade, I-)

I froze. What Serah had drawn... was a very oddly sketched scene she must have seen that night. She had drawn Donnie, and not a half bad version, kissing me. Well, a very weird version of me. Donnie's features though...

(She might not be Yeerked, but I think she is loosing her mind) I muttered when I saw the bottom of the page.

She had written only a few words, but those words scared me.

What is real?

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Thought I'd try and focus on the turtles a bit more in this chapter. Hope you enjoyed!

Please read and review! Yummy reviews! :D