Hello my friends! This chapter was fun to write, mostly because we see Alec and Axel again! Thank you for everything! Please R&R!

*I own nothing*

WARNING: Eating disorders will be played and mentioned out! Please do not read if that triggers or bothers you in any way!

TMNT

Everything in life is a sentiment. The way a child laughs, or a man that leaves his family for a less-valued life. There were both sides to the spectrum. Learning to appreciate these small sentiments that flew in beautiful ways.

But often enough, these split-second enjoyments are often ignored. A feeling is pushed aside for another. Related or not. Though when a person craves these small moments, it's the small burst of hope that often helps individuals get past roadblocks.

Any Hamoto boy could've related to this. Never had they been so happy to hear the heart machine beeping or the doctors having constant check-ups on their small brother. Because there was hope, a feeling of rest had been restored.

But that didn't fix everything.

Like a flower that waves beautifully in the wind, there was a moment where that flower died. This could've been likened to their situation. In many aspects, the boys had been experiencing new awakenings almost every day.

Though with every passing day, the doctors promise of Mikey waking up seemed to be slimer and slimer. Ever since that day, the young teen hadn't shown any more signs of awareness, no matter how much the boys prayed.

To make matters worse, ever since Leo talked to Oliver, his dad told the Hamoto boys about his downfall with his son. Leo had mentioned it could possibly be his fault, but nothing soothed the frantic dad, who only wanted to reestablish his connection with his son once again.

That phone call hadn't lasted very long.

TMNT

Donnie always enjoyed his studies, most of them ranging from different difficulties. He loved a challenge, when there was reason to put in more work for a sweeter reward. But he would've been a hypocrite to say that he enjoyed it.

Frankly, he mostly did it for his father, but once his father died, Donnie still strived for his affection beyond the grave. But ever since his little brother had fallen into his coma, Donnie's grades started to slip.

College started to seem less important, trying to please his brothers seemed less important. All that mattered was if his brother lived or not, which was confirmed that Mikey would live. But Mikey needed to wake up, he needed his brother to wake up to confirm his ever-dying fears.

To be honest, it had been a little while since he had attended school. Two weeks to be exact. And although the genius brother did care enough to put effort into his homework, Donnie did not want to attend the grueling hours of sitting down at a desk, but rather he could be spending that time at the hospital watching his little brother improve.

Leo hadn't pushed them to go back to school, even though Leo was trying to induce succus on its own. But his eldest brother understood the heartache all of them were going through at the moment, Mikey was their little Otouto. For that, Donnie couldn't have been more grateful for his older brothers' actions.

If anything, Leo knew that they all needed to heal in their own time. For Mikey would wake up, but on his own time.

Donnie hated and loved that sentiment.

Though he was a science guy, Donnie found himself praying to his father quite often. Maybe he believed that his father could bring Mikey's spirit back to him, or maybe he just needed an excuse to pray to someone who wasn't in physical form. But it helped, it kept him sane, and there was really no harm in trying to verbally speak to someone who was considered deceased.

But he did believe in miracles.

-0-

After a long three weeks, Donnie finally decided enough was enough. He woke up and without thinking too much, packed his bag for school. For he had done this so many times over the years, it had become a habit.

Walking downstairs, he reached for the keys and walked outside. He started the car and took off towards his local high school. On the way, Donnie looked over at the kids walking on the sidewalk.

That was once Mikey.

'Stop thinking about him for right now,' Donnie reminded himself. Thinking about his comatose brother only made matters worse, deciding to go to school was a mistake.

But if he really couldn't afford to miss any more school as if, he was already in the failing category. Going any lower meant no graduation.

Donnie needed to graduate.

It took him a good extra five minutes to find a parking spot. But once he did, reality hit him like a train. Mikey used to meet him here, and now… it would just be him. Getting out of the car just proved harder.

Grabbing his bag, Donnie opened the door and started to walk up the concrete stairs by the front doors. Kids surrounded him on all sides as he kept walking, but one ginger was different from the rest.

"Donnie!" The ginger cried out.

Donnie turned his head and smiled. "April! Long time no see!"

April came running up to him and gave him a small hug. She smiled but frowned once she saw her friend's strained smile. "Are you sure you're ready for this yet?"

"No," Donnie sighed, "But I'm in danger of not graduating, and…I really need a distraction from Mikey."

"I understand, but if you need to go home, we all understand."

"I know, but I just… I don't know what I want." The young teen shuffled his feet, in reality, he was not emotionally stable to be in such a controlled environment. He wasn't in the mindset to attain valuable knowledge.

He simply just existed.

Donnie shook his head. "I'm fine, let's just go."

His friend nodded and started to walk up the stairs. But for Donnie…he had a harder time. In reality, walking up the stairs should've been easy, but every step felt like agony.

Donnie wanted to be home, to be at the hospital, to be anywhere but where he was. Nobody understood, how could they? They all already pretended to be someone they never were, everything they could ever say wouldn't ever ease their deepest lie.

Screw April trying to comfort him.

Nobody understood. Maybe he did need to be comforted, but at the same time, he knew that he didn't want other people's pity. There were so many conflicting feelings that didn't make sense. Feelings that he didn't know could exist.

Donnie was in such deep thought that he hadn't watched where he was going. It wasn't long before he bumped into someone, that individual went crashing towards the floor.

"Sorry," Donnie said quickly, but once he looked up, the remorse went away immediately.

Standing in front of him were Mikey's former 'best friends' Alec and Axel.

"You," Donnie snarled.

Alec stood up with wide eyes. "Uh hi…your Mikey's brother, right?"

"Yeah...where is that little punk anyway?" Axel chuckled, "Binging again?" His best friend Alec gave an uneasy laugh. "Sorry Donnie, my friend Axel is only joking. If you know what I mean."

"Well, it's not funny," Donnie growled. His face twisted into a menacing stance. "I would get out of here if I were you."

Alec sighed as he rubbed his head. "Listen…we are really sor-"

"Why are you apologizing to him?!" Axel spat, "We are NOT sorry. Plus, words never hurt anyone."

"Axel…" Alec tried to hold his friend back, but Axel had already walked up to Donnie.

Axel pointed a finger at Donnie's chest. "Listen genius, your little puny brother had everything coming for him. You're lucky we stopped his suffering."

Donnie's anger started to rise; his hand twitched. Nobody talked about his little brother and got away with it. And even though he was never a fan of fights, he really wanted to punch the shorter teenager in front of him.

But if he got into a fight, there was definitely no way he would ever graduate. Plus, Donnie wasn't threatening to anyone in the slightest…but his older brothers were.

"Hey look, it's not me you should be scared of..." Donnie said calmly, "It's Rapheal you should be scared off. One call and he'll come get me. Now, do you want that?" He tried not to laugh as all the color drained from Axel's face.

"Now I-I um…I…"

Alec came rushing forward and grabbed his best friend. "We're sorry Donnie," he said softly, "We really didn't mean for any of this to happen."

Unlike last time, Axel didn't say anything. He just stayed silent but shook off his best friend and walked away.

But Alec stayed with his arms by his side. He looked up. "I'll just walk away now," he said softly. But not before Donnie called out to him.

"Hey Alec?"

"Yes?" The young boy turned around with fear and desperation in his pale green eyes.

"You're a good kid."

The young teen smiled and walked away. Though Donnie thought that bullies didn't change, he definitely saw how others influenced many people. Alec wasn't a true bully, but rather a follower of his best friend.

None of them meant to hurt Mikey that way in the slightest. And though Donnie didn't know that for sure, he saw that Alec had been truly sorry.

April tapped him on the shoulder. "Are you ok?"

Donnie turned around and gave his best friend a hug. "No, but I will be," he said softly.

-0-

It hadn't been until lunch time did Donnie receive a few texts from his brothers. Honestly, he was quite surprised that his brothers hadn't noticed his absence a few hours ago. But he couldn't quite blame them, all the attention was on Mikey right now.

And he didn't expect anything less.

He grabbed his phone as he took a bite of his sandwich. Which had gracefully been given to him by one of his friends. It hadn't been the first time he had forgotten his lunch.

Are you at school? – Leo

Yes – Donnie

….I'm proud of you bud – Leo

Donnie smiled, it felt good to be validated. Plus, he always loved when Leo used pet names, it helped him establish a special connection with his older brother.

How are you faring? – Leo

I'm okey, it's been hard tbh – Donnie

Well, me and Raph are at the hospital right now if you want to come over. – Leo

Thanks Ani – Donnie

Okey….don't forget that we are here for you. Things are hard, but they'll get better – Leo

I won't forget Leo, I pinky swear – Donnie

Good. I'm going to go check on Mikey, update you in a few – Leo

Donnie sighed and pocketed his phone. He was not going to lie when he said that he was scared of the update. Things were always worse, and the one time something good actually happened, he had been there in person.

Maybe he should leave. Sure, graduating seemed important, but his family always came first.

"Yo Donnie? You with us?"

Donnie lifted his head to see one of his friends, Renet, looking straight at him. He shrugged and went back to eating. Today just wasn't the day for talking, in his opinion.

Do you need to go somewhere to breathe? – April

The young teen held back a sob but nodded his head regardless. How he landed such an amazing best friend was beyond him. But never had he been so grateful.

He got up and followed April into the hallway. Once they sat down, Donnie started to let it all out. All the tears, fears, and anything that prohibited his happiness.

He was just so scared, helpless, and missed his brother.

April just held him as she rubbed her hand around his back.

"I c-can't d-d-do it Ap-p-ril," Donnie sobbed, "I n-need m-my brothersss."

"Today was to much Don, let's get you home."

"O-okey g-g-grab my p-phone p-please," Donnie hiccupped.

April reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Putting in the passcode, she looked for Leo's number.

But once she did, her heart dropped to the floor.

DONNIE GET TO THE HOSPITAL NOW! Something happened! – Leo

The young girl looked down at Donnie. "Donnie, we have to leave now."

TMNT

What's going to happen? Is it good or bad? We will never know *evil chuckle*. Just kidding, next chapter is a big one!