TMNT: The Next Generation

Day 1

Paolo was soon enrolled into Stuyvesant High with Titian and Marcantonio after he had returned.

Of course, Paolo was amazed.

"So this is what school looks like on the inside?" he said, amazed. "Yup! And I'm so glad you're finally enrolled! So many people are gonna love you!" Spirit exclaimed. "Really?" Paolo asked. "Well, maybe. There are certain... people in this school that hate anything rainbow. Or they're completely racist," Spirit explained with a face. "Well that's stupid," Paolo said, crossing his arms. "Especially since the actual rainbow is made up of seven colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The rainbow flag is made of six colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple," Spirit said, agreeing with Paolo. "An obvious difference," Titian chimed in. "Not to some people..." Spirit said, annoyed.

The bell then rang, and Marcantonio said, "Well, we should get to class. See you guys," as he and Spirit walked off. "See ya!" Paolo said, waving.

"Oh we forgot to ask; where's your class at?" Titian asked. "No idea," Paolo said, pulling out his schedule. "Lemme see your schedule," Titian said, holding his hand out. "Sure," Paolo said, giving Titian his schedule. "Oh! Your class is right next to mine. Come on!" Titian said, giving Paolo his schedule back and leading the way.

Later on, all four of them were in the cafeteria together. "You sure you wanna be in here?" Spirit asked, turning to Marcantonio. "Yeah. I have the volume of my hearing aids turned down," Marcantonio said, pointing to his hearing aids. "Oh! Okay. I forgot about your hearing," Spirit said, almost laughing to themself. "That's okay. Even they forget sometimes," Marcantonio said, pointing to Titian and Paolo. "Well, it's cuz you're a very good listener," Paolo said, crossing his arms.

"Hey, I'm gonna use the bathroom real quick. Be right back," Titian said, standing up. "Alright!" Spirit said. Titian then left the crowded cafeteria and went to the bathroom.

"Since Halloween is coming up, and Titian doesn't know what he wants to dress up as, I wanna help," Paolo said. "Do you have an idea?" Spirit asked, turning to Paolo. "I dunno. But I know I can't go too overboard," Paolo said, turning to his food. "Levina probably has an idea. I mean, she has always wanted to experience Halloween, so she probably has an idea already," Marcantonio said. "That's true..." Paolo said, going back to thinking.

Then someone pulled on Paolo's scarf, causing him to fall backward. "Wuah!" Paolo exclaimed as he fell. "Ow... What was that for?!" Paolo said after he hit the floor. "Gay-ass," one of Spirit's ex-friends said. "Huh? I'm not- ohh, you're the ones Spirit was talking about," Paolo said, confused at first, then realized. "Oh, so you do miss us, huh, Eric?"* the second one said. Spirit ignored them and didn't say anything. The first ex-friend they met got pissed, then grabbed Spirit by the hair and pulled their head by their hair. "We're talking to you, Eric," he said, angry. At this point, Paolo was already starting to stand up.

Then Marcantonio spoke up. "L-Leave them alone..." he said, trying to sound at least somewhat intimidating. "And what're you gonna do if we don't, huh?" the second ex-friend said. Marcantonio fell silent. "That's what I thought," the first of them said.

Paolo resumed getting up, still in a little bit of pain from the fall. But the third of them grabbed Paolo's scarf and forced it off him. "Excuse me?" Paolo said, now beyond pissed. He was staying calm until that happened. "What? I'm just gonna do you a favor and throw it away," the ex-friend said, heading towards the trashcan. "What?!" Paolo said, getting up with such speed, he almost looked invisible. Paolo then punched the ex-friend in the face, causing him to fall and let go of Paolo's scarf. Paolo then grabbed his scarf before it hit the ground, and put it back on.

He honestly looked really badass in that moment.

"NOBODY. TOUCHES. MY. SCARF, OR MY FAMILY!" Paolo yelled, getting the attention of most of the cafeteria. He then turned to the ex-friend holding Spirit by the hair. "And you, you better let go of Spirit," he said, beyond angry. "His name isn't Spirit. It's Eric. Get it through your fucking head," the ex-friend said, tightening his grip on Spirit's hair, bringing tears to Spirit's eyes, since pulling your hair hurts. Paolo immediately took notice and grabbed the ex-friend's wrist. "I suggest you let go," he said, a fire raging in his eyes. "Or else what?" the ex-friend said, obviously not intimidated. Paolo then squeezed the ex-friend's hand. The ex-friend then let go and Paolo pushed him away and down.