School.
Home.
Eat.
Sleep.
That has been her schedule ever since she quit her job at Albearto's but now that her bills were getting close to their due date part of her began to regret it.
Sitting at her table while going over what cash she has plus savings; she wasn't going to last another month. She bit her lip while tapping her pen against her forehead going over her math one more time, for the twelvth time, but it was the same results as before; she wouldn't have anything left for food or other necessities. Her eyes trailed over to the drawer where she kept her mom's money and she just stared for who knows how long while nibbling on her lip. She slowly stood to her feet and walked over to it, opening it up to see the wads of cash. Her stubborness and independance was keeping her from taking any but her rational mind knew she needed the help.
Ever so slowly, her hand reached in the drawer and pulled out a single wad. "I deserve a small break, don't I?" Thinking of not only the jobs she would work but buying everything in her apartment, or dumpster diving, didn't stop her body from shaking; thinking her mother would burst through the door and berate her for finally accepting her help. With a sigh she clenched the wad and grabbed another one, going back to the table to count it out and add it to her money. Another sigh and sagged shoulders she was/felt safe til she could find another job but now that she was getting comfortable she wasn't in such a hurry for job applications. In fact, she pulled a couple bills out from the wad and grabbed her things to head out for the day; she needed to get groceries.
Afterwards, she made a quick stop to what was left of Albearto's where Stacy was waiting for her with the goods.
"Do I even wanna know what happened here?" Stacy asked with a raised brow.
"Building wasn't up to code, I guess." Kara said with disinterest and a light shoulder shrug. "Now, like you promised." She extended her hand with a wide smile making Stacy roll her eyes and produce the package containing her prized cinnamon rolls and an envelope with the museum tickets. "Ah, I can smell them already." Kara closed her eyes to savor the sweet heat emitting from the freshly baked goods and nodded to Stacy before walking past her to leave only to stop and hesitate for a moment. "Listen, now that Albearto's is gone..why not find a job at a bakery or coffee shop? Somewhere you'd shine and, I dunno, possibly grow to love, huh? Better than making pizzas for kids, am I right?" She didn't wait for her response, already leaving.
Heading home with groceries in hand she passed through Plaza Square where there was a variety of musicians and mascots alike all there to make a quick buck from the ever growing tourist population. A smile came to her face while her eyes wander the scene around her at all the costumes and tourist only to bump into a large, grey, somewhat fuzzy wall but before she could lose her footing or fall backwards hands matching the wall caught her.
"Woah, you ok?" It asked while she blinked dumbfounded at the sudden movement.
"Yeah, sorry about that, wasn't looking where I was...hey, fancy meeting you here." A bright smile unknowingly came to her face when she saw the familiar red bandana-ed green guy. "Guess you couldn't get your deposit back, huh?" She took a step back to look him over realizing he was dressed as the turtlepotamus meme and yet that meme only surfaced not that long ago. Strange.
Raph smiled back, remembering her only to look confused at her statement when she pointed at her head. "Your costume, remember? You were using the same one when we met at Albearto's."
"Remember, Raph, she still thinks we're using costumes." Leo said to him through the earpiece not hearing the gasp behind him when he was suddenly pushed away from the microphone by Mikey. "It's her! Tell her I said, "Hi!"
Donnie glanced up use to his brother's fighting only to do a double take when he saw that girl again, moving closer to the screen noticing she had fixed up her hair, now short on the left side to where it fit snug behind her ear and long enough on the right side to where her bangs covered the right side of her face and the ends curled under her chin, almost shaping it. His mouth was slightly agape at how pretty she looked til he noticed her look of confusion with a slight hint of awkwardness. "Uh, Raph, you've been quiet too long; say something!"
"Yes! You're right! No deposit for me!" Sweat was sliding down his face watching her do nothing but blink only for her to let out a laugh causing all four of them to blush. "I'm sorry, I feel bad for laughing but that was just so sudden. I guess I'm distracting you, aren't I? You're pretty popular, by the looks of it." She glanced behind him to see a line forming to take a photo with him and lowered her gaze thinking this is how he was faring after losing the Albearto gig and began to feel bad. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar bill. "Here, for your time." She gave him a small smile while looking around for his hat or whatever only for him to shove his hands out in front of him, almost knocking her off her feet.
"I can't take that; it's too much! Plus, after helping my brother's and I at Albearto's..it wouldn't feel right." Seeing the sincerity in his eyes made her lift her brows and smile with a sigh. "Ok, then how about..a picture? That way you earn it? Seems fair, no?" She raised her brow, now grinning, while waving the bill around.
It took a moment for Raph to register that thinking but when he finally got it she could of sworn she heard the ding of a bell. "Works for me."
He got down to one knee so he could be leveled with her while she set her groceries down and got out her phone. Putting the camera on she moved close to him and positioned the camera to where both of them were visible and smiled. Flash went the camera then she moved aside to look at the photo but when she did she heard his stomach growl, the noise making her look at him.
"Uh, hehe, sorry, got a whiff of something that smells good." He rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"Oh, you mean these? You want one?" She opened the bag with the cinnabuns, pulling one out. "Here, they're really good." She held it out for him to take but soon hesistated when she realized not only were his hands too large to grab it cause of the suit but it would get dirty. With a shrug she held it to his mouth. "Say 'ahhh'."
Raph nodded, doing as he was told before she fed him the bun, taking the whole treat in his mouth which made her chuckle at not only that but his reaction to the delicious treat. "See? Tolda ya." She said before taking a bite of one herself.
Hearing her chuckle through their brother's headset they soon began to feel jealousy at the attention of their older brother.
"I can't believe it! I'm so jealous of Raph! Those buns look so good!" Mikey whined, pulling at the ends of his mask while his other two brothers were focused more on the act itself instead of the treat, Donnie furrowing his brows when he saw the two smiling together.
Raph stood to his full height, beaming happiness at her for the snack when his attention went back to the mission at hand. "Listen, I have to finish up here but maybe afterwards...we..can.."
"Sure, we can hang out but before we do, and sorry I forgot to ask this, but what is your name?" She gave him an apologetic smile while scratching her cheek, never having the time to ask his or his brother's name.
"It's Raphael but my brothers and friends call me Raph."
"Oooh, I like it. Sounds masculine yet elegant." She grinned sheepishly while giving him a thumbs up. Before she could tell him her name again though the crowd started getting ansty, shouting that it was their turn or how long they've been waiting. Feeling the crowd was getting tense she hunched her shoulders some while sucking in air. "Oof, I better go. Hope to see you soon, Raphael." She grabbed her things and ran off, waving bye to him.
Before he could call out to ask her name he was already surrounded.
Kara happened to pass by the turtle tank and whistled out loud at just the size of the vehicle while looking it over. She peeked into one of the windows as best she could unaware she was making eye contact with Donnie, smiling wide in awe.
Despite knowing she couldn't see him a part of him imagined that smile was just for him. He reached his hand out to where she was, touching the glass only for her to adjust her bags and walk away.
This movement didn't go unnoticed by either brother who both chose to remain silent, giving each other a sideway glance.
That night the boys were hanging out at April's while her mom was at work.
"-Turns out they were actually mutant roaches!" Mikey exclaimed while waving his arms in the air.
"That's just gross." April lifted her lip in disgust before looking down at Mayhem, her yellow and blue dog like creature. "Bet you'd eat them up, huh?" Mayhem let out a soft churtle while shaking his head.
"We also bumped into your friend before it all went down." Raph added in.
"Friend?" April raised a brow at him curiously.
"Yeah, she worked at Albearto's with you; black hair, blue eyes. Think her name was Kar-en?" Leo joined the conversation, plopping down next to April. "She helped us fight the animatronics too."
"Ohhhh, you mean Kara."
Donnie was sitting next to the couch typing on his phone when he glanced up, the conversation becoming interesting to him. "That her name?" He asked nonchalantly showing little interest as possible.
"Yeah, she actually gave me her phone number and address if we ever wanted to hang out with her. Probably gonna have to explain the whole mutant thing first." April ran to her room and rummaged through her belongings til she found the slip of paper with Kara's info.
"Well, what are we waiting for?! Operation: New Best Friend is a go!" Mikey somehow simultaneously grabbed both the slip and April's phone typing her number into the contacts, "Hey, Kara~~ My friends and I thought you were really cool at Albearto's and want to hang out." He said aloud while typing before pressing his finger on the send button.
"I sound nothing like that!" April snatched her phone back from him.
"Now that I think about it it is pretty late, I don't think she's gonna reply." Raph rubbed the back of his head only to hear April's phone go off. "I stand corrected."
April shook her head and opened her phone, reading the message. "Huh, she agreed. She's inviting us over to her place and..asked what your favorite dish is?"
"Psh, as if you have to ask." Mikey rolled his head along with his eyes.
"Already typing." April nodded, immediately typing in pizza while asking if they should bring anything. "Well, she said in two days to come over and we just gotta bring ourselves."
"I don't know about you guys but I'm getting excited." Mikey bounced in his seat.
"If she's treating us to pizza I can't complain." Leo leaned back folding his arms behind his head.
"What do you think, Donnie? You've been uncharacteristically quiet." April smiled his way, getting the attention of his brother's too.
Donnie raised a brow at them all. "What? We didn't exactly have time to chit chat with, you know, fighting for our lives and all but I guess I can join in: Oh boy, I can't wait to meet someone I've already seen. Woo-hoo." His voice oozed with sarcasm while raising his arm in a mock celebratory way before going back to his phone.
"Aw, don't be sad that we got to talk and chill with her while you were with April." Mikey fell beside him, putting his arm around him in a brotherly hug. "That's why we're doing this now; so we can all become friends!"
Donnie's only response was rolling his eyes but he couldn't deny that deep inside he was excited to see her too.
"Lights?" Plugging two cords together the outdoor lights turned on giving the make shift pavilion a warm, welcoming, ambianic glow making her smile. "Check. Comfort?" Kara floofed the pillows on the long couch and tucked the soft sheet in behind the cushions while straightening it out then made sure there were plenty of seats for everyone, nodding to herself. "Check. Food?" She turned her attention to the table that was half piled high with pizza boxes, the other half with a bowl of ice and refreshments as well as two pans of the cinnamon rolls, she keeping one for herself. "Check. They should be here momentarily." She looked at the time on her phone before plopping down on the couch and took a deep breath, slowly lowering herself deeper into the comforting, warm sofa before sitting up and pulling out an acoustic guitar from it's hiding spot. She sat back her fingertips plucking the strings hesitantly, almost as if she was reminiscing before automatically playing a song.
Her shoulders soon relaxed to the music and she decided to change the song to something she could sing along with. She opened her mouth to take in a breath when she decided to glance to her right only to let out a yell when she saw the orange turtle sitting cross-legged with his elbows on his thighs and head in his hands staring at her with stars in his eyes. "Woah, gotta give a girl a warning next time you pop up like that. Phoo." She placed her hand to her heart, letting out a breath.
"Sorry, about that. He heard music and ran off ahead of us." Raphael came into view with an apologetic look on his face, his two other brothers beside him along with April.
She let out a sigh before standing up while setting her guitar to the side. "It's just a hobby. Anyways, glad you all could make it." She held out her arms in a welcome with a wide smile til she noticed they were still wearing their costumes. She slowly lowered her arms moving them to cross in front of her chest. "What's going on?"
"Eh-heh before we get to that I want to introduce you to my friends." April stepped up. "Of course you already know Raph so we're gonna skip him. Over here is-"
"Hi! I'm Michelangelo but you can call me Mikey! What can you tell me about my name? Like with Raph's?" Mikey swooped her up in a hug, causing her to blink as she was suddenly lifted off her feet. She laughed awkwardly never interacting with someone this hyperactive but couldn't do much for her arms were stuck at her sides. When she was finally let down she smiled at him. "Michelangelo, huh? That's an interesting name." She smoothed out her shirt while pondering for a moment, their names sounding familiar, when the blue one walked up to her in two, long strides.
"I go by many names; Neon Leon, The Big Deal, Master Swordsman, Leonardo but you can call me Leo." He posed with each nickname til he said Leo and bent his upper body to be at her level giving her a wink with a grin while taking her hand, making her giggle.
April smacked her forehead thinking their first impressions weren't doing so good. Raph noticed her and placed his hand on her shoulder, giving her a small, encouraging smile.
Donnie shoved Leo out of the way, taking her hand as well but gave it a gentle kiss. "Bonjour, Mademoiselle. My name is Donatello but any name you call me would be like nectar from your lips."
Kara blushed at his line unsure of how to react and she wasn't the only one.
"Uhhh bro? What was that about?" Leo asked, already on his feet, dusting himself off.
"Was that...flirting?" April raised a brow looking between Kara and Donnie for a moment before a slow smile came to her lips.
"Didn't you use that line in the bathroom after rewatching Jupiter Jim movie starring Atomic Lass?" Mikey pondered out loud making Donnie's face heat up from embarrassment with a hint of anger. "Why thank you for sharing that bit of unecessary information, dearest brother."
Kara took a step back watching the interaction between the brothers and a small smile came to her face before she covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. "It's fine that was actually kinda cute." Her smile widened making the three of them freeze, Donnie dropping Mikey from a headlock his face feeling like it was on fire.
She walked past them and opened a box of pizza going to each of them and offering a slice. "Now, before this party really starts, what exactly are you guys?" She stuffed a slice in her mouth and plopped down, patting the seats inviting them to sit. Donnie immediately sat down beside her, Mikey on her other side, Leo, Raph, and April joining too.
"Weeellll...how do we explain this.." April scratched her cheek.
Kara was quiet listening and observing their behavior and movements as each of them had a piece to add to their story. Despite how farfetched and crazy it sounded but seeing them not only in person but them fighting at Albearto's it was clear they weren't lying. Her eyes trailed over each of them once April had finished before taking a sip of her soda. "So, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, huh?"
"Ooh, that's a much better way to say it." Mikey whispered to Leo who had to nod in agreement.
"Well, this isn't something you can easily forget so count me in. I think this can grow into an eventful friendship." She gave them all a sheepish grin making Leo and Mikey holler in excitement and bringing her into a group hug, Donnie beaming in happiness before turning away with a shrug, acting nonchalant, and April and Raph sighing in relief but giving each other a thumbs up. "Now this party can really start!" Mikey shouted.
Music, pizza, and good company that was hard to come by these days and who knew it would be with mutant turtles? She watched the video of them having a dance off with mutant roaches in Plaza Sqaure. "I can't believe I missed that! I didn't know you all liked to dance."
"Ah, yes, I've been known to shake my booty on the occassion." Donnie held his chin, smirking at his dance moves on the video, making Kara chuckle.
"Well, if you guys like to dance then try this song on for size." Kara handed Michelangelo his phone back as her favorite, no skip song came on and stood up while closing her eyes and let herself get taken over. Everyone looked to another and joined in the dancing. Donnie was slowly dancing closer to her.
Kara spun around and opened her eyes to be face to face with Donnie who gave her a weak smile, sweating nervously. He held out his hand while bending his upper body in a bow making her giggle and curtsy before taking his hand as the chorus started. He brought her to him and spun around, letting her go, both of them walking backwards while doing a small spin and went back to each other's arms til Raph joined in, dancing with her, being passed around to each of the turtles and April til the song had finished.
Leo and Mikey were playing with the music selection, April, Donnie, and Kara were having a conversation while Raph stuffed his face with pizza.
Her eyes trailed over each of them then down at her soda cupped in her hands. They told her a huge secret and immediately welcomed her in their circle..would it be so bad-
"Hey, guys, I got a secret as well. " This made everyone stop and look at her.
"You know that famous family; The Sharpers?"
"You mean Rachel, Kevin, and Sara Sharper? Who doesn't?!" Mikey smiled brightly his cheeks turning bright and getting giddy.
"He has a crush on Sara." Leo muttered to her which made her chuckle. "Of course he would."
"I love Kevin's music. I heard he was the main band to use their music in the Lu Jitsu movies; his music along with Lu Jitsu's moves always brought tears to my eyes." Raph held a fist to his chest trying to hold back his tears. "Truly, an inspiration."
"And, of course, you can't forget the beautiful, elegant Mrs. Rachel Sharper. Not only are her looks to die for but her skills in measurements and design are absolutely breathtaking! She would be amongst the greats if she used her skills in mathematics."
With each praise from her family her smile would lower til it disappeared all together. She turned away while chewing on her lower lip immediately thinking this was a mistake. April noticed her change in mood and lifted her brows worriedly. "Why do you ask, Kara?"
Kara looked at them all and gave a weak smile before lifting her bangs up to reveal her purple, right eye. "I'm a Sharper too. Surprise.."
Gasps all around.
Mikey covered his ears, Donnie his mouth, and Raph his eyes at this discovery.
"Wait, hold up, how come this is the first time I'm hearing about this? I've worked with you for almost a year AND go to school with you. How were you able to keep it a secret?"
"Oh, well I used my aunt's last name. She was my legal guardian til..well..anyways, I trust you guys can keep this a secret as well? April?" She raised a brow with a grin to her.
"Oh, please, if there's one thing I'm good at it's keeping a secret. I mean, have you SEEN these fellas?"
"We're friends with a celebrity?! Can our lives get any more awesome?" Leo asked out loud.
"I wouldn't exactly call myself a celebrity; I'm not exactly known and I would prefer to keep it that way." She muttered the last part into her soda before taking a sip. "I hope this doesn't make it awkward between us. I'm just a normal person with a normal life."
"Well, that's about the change, my friend." Mikey put his arm around her shoulder smiling from ear to ear. "We attract weird and crazy."
"Not that you're weird or crazy, quite beautiful in fact, practically an angel in my eyes-did I say that out loud?" Donnie spoke way too fast for her to understand him but gave him a smile anyways.
"What my brother means to say is that our lives are anything but normal but we got the looks and the skills to take care of ourselves and protect you if anything happens." Leo twirled his sword in his hand while giving her a smirk.
"But we've seen you in action and it seems you can handle yourself." Raph added in with a smile making her smile in return.
"SPEAKING OF THAT." Donnie said a little too loud causing him to cough to calm down. "I noticed you fight with a staff, as do I, so maybe sometime I could give you a few pointers whenever you have the time?" He pulled out his own staff giving it a spin to demonstrate his skill with the weapon.
"Wow, really? I admit I've never had professional training and just go with what feels right but, yeah, yeah I would love that. Thank you, Donatello." She grinned happily his way making him tense up and let out a small squeak at how happy she looked for him.
When it was time for everyone to leave she waved bye as they jumped through the rooftops, impressing her, til they were out of sight. She turned around and went inside her home.
Showered and changed she hugged her pillow close yet despite the loneliness trying to creep into her mind she closed her eyes to remember the party she just had and a smile held back the loneliness. With a sigh she entered a dream state to where, for once, she had a good, peaceful night's sleep.