Saving Her - Michelangelo

9: Panicked - Mikey

I lay upside down on the couch, watching a rerun episode of Space Heroes with Leo. Although, while he sits up close to the tv, completely engrossed with the show, my mind is totally enthralled by Dawn. I've actually found recently that I can't even go, like, an hour without thinking about her! It's like the longer she stays here; the more time I spend with her, it only fills my heart with more affection for her.

I let out an ear-piercing shrill and release the grip on my head which I didn't even realize I had. Leo, startled, looks back at me. Donnie pokes his head out of his lab, "Mikey, is everything alright?" He asks, his voice full of concern.

Do I tell them? They'll probably make fun of me!

Donnie might understand because April, but still!

"Uh, uh..."

Raph walks out of his bedroom, stretching. "What's with all the noise? Spike and I were trying to take a nap."

All eyes focus on me, waiting for a response.

"Is there something you need to tell us, Mikey?" Leo asks.

"Just spit it out, bro! It can't be that bad." Raph adds, crossing his arms.

My gaze flickers between the three of them quickly. I rub my hand over the back of my neck and smile at them. Panicked, I just say the first thing that comes to mind.

"I just remembered I left my pizza in the tunnels! I'll be right back!" And before anyone can mutter a second word, I dash out of the lair, and losing myself in the tunnels.

How did this happen? I've never felt like this before. I know Donnie would understand and I'd be able to talk to him. Maybe Leo, but...

"UGH! Why is this happening?!" I scream out. My shell hits against the concrete wall and I allow myself to slide down, feeling the same cool concrete on my tail.

She's just so... So pretty, and she's so sweet. She laughs at my jokes and plays video games, and she loves pizza...

She's amazing.

And on top of all of that, she doesn't treat me like a child; she doesn't act like she has some superiority over me. She see's me for me.

I sigh and pull my knees up to my chest, leaning my forehead against them.

"What have you done to me, Dawn?"

With no one around to answer my questions of despair, I just let out a soft sigh. Listening to the slow drip of water echoing against the tunnel walls, and left completely, utterly alone with my thoughts, consumed by her and her alone.

"Ah, shell... I know I don't have a chance. How did this happen?" I whine, digging my forehead against my kneecaps.

Suddenly, it goes silent for a moment until my ninja ears catch the sound of light footsteps. My body instantly jerks up and I become fully aware of my surroundings.

If it's Dawn, I don't want her to see me like this.

If it's my brothers, well, they don't need to see me like this either.

If it's anyone else...

Well...

I ready my nunchucks and jump to my feet as I can hear the footsteps coming closer.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" I shout out, trying to sound confident and as ready as possible.

I see the shadow of a tall figure, hesitating to walk into the light. Before long, I recognize the tall figure to be Donnie.

I sigh and let my nunchucks fall to the floor before dropping down right beside them. Donnie walks to the curb of the floor. A small trench of water in the ground is the only thing separating us, but it's not like he couldn't walk across it if he wanted to.

"Hey..." He murmurs from across the way. his voice, echoing off the concrete walls. I solemnly nod before letting my head fall against my knees once again. The sound of his feet walking through the murky water resonates before I hear him plop down beside me.

And for a long while, neither of us say anything. It's completely silent between the two of us. The only sound is the consistent water drip, and the occasional car on topside.

"I think this is the longest you've ever gone without talking." Donnie chuckles, breaking the silence.

I shrug, he sighs.

"You wanna talk about it? It's not good for you to keep things bottled up, Mikey." Donnie tells me.

Another shrug.

"It might help?" He offers, his voice sounding slightly higher; slightly hopeful.

I swallow and take a deep breath, hoping he'll understand. "I've been having these... These weird feelings lately..." I start, my eyes never moving from my feet. "Like... I think they're good feelings, but they just confuse me."

Donnie nods, urging me on to continue.

"Along with these feelings, I've been having..." I smirk, "I wouldn't say weird thoughts, but..."

"But what?"

Silence.

"I haven't been able to get Dawn off my mind. Like... God, she's so pretty, and her laugh is adorable. Her presence makes me so happy, too. She doesn't see me as some goofy kid. She treats me the way I want to be treated, and..."

I go on for what must feel like hours about Dawn and how she makes me feel. All the while, Donnie holds an adoring smile on his face, and giving me a small laugh every once in awhile.

"She's just so..."

"Amazing?"

"Yeah..."

"And beautiful?"

"Oh, shell yeah!"

Donnie chuckles at my small outburst, "You like her, Mikey."

"Well of course I like her!" I exclaim, throwing my hands in the air, "she's my best friend!"

"No," Donnie replies, shaking his head, "I mean that you like like her; you've developed feelings for her." He explains.

My pupils seem to dilate as I slap my hands against my cheeks. "Like her?!" I yell, "I can't like like her! Dude! I've seen what liking April has done to you, man! I don't wanna go down that road!"

Donnie gives me one of his signature unamused looks and sighs. "It's only bad because it makes you question yourself... Makes you feel self conscious." He explains in a sad tone. "It's even worse when you have to see her spending time with another guy... A human guy who happens to be a punk." He scoffs.

I clench my fists up at the thought. I want Dawn to be happy, but...

I want to be the reason for her happiness.

Grunting, I set my hands against the ground and push myself up. "Whatever, I don't want to talk about this anymore... We should head back. The girls are probably out of class by now." I tell him.

Donnie nods and pushes himself up. "Mikey?"

"Yeah?"

He lightly pats my back, "I know it sucks right now, but you'll get over her over time." He says, giving me as smile. I try to smile back, but I can't hold eye contact for too long for fear that I might let my emotions show.

But that's the problem...

Maybe I don't want to get over her.