Reckless. [TMNT 2012]

11. Of Pain and Loss; Casey

Later that night, I find myself at my house watching television. I am not alone, however. April sits a few inches away from me. The only thing separating us is a humungous bowl of popcorn, which is only half full by now. Or half empty, I can never tell.

  I sink down into the fluffy couch cushions as two actors on the television kiss. It's not something that I am in the mood to see, so I start booing. I throw a few popcorn kernels at the screen to get my point across more effectively.

  April bursts into laughter. Her feet connect with my legs and she shoves me so hard that I fall straight into the floor. She looks surprised for a minute as she gazes down at me, then we both break out into laughter.

  Climbing back onto my knees, I take a huge fistful of popcorn and start hurtling pieces at her. I stick my tongue out as she tries to bat the snacks away.

  "Casey! Stop!" The redhead giggles and grabs a throw pillow from beside her. She blindly whacks me with it as I continue tossing popcorn at her.

  "Booooo!" I shout as popcorn keeps flying through the air and landing on her. "Wicked aim you got there!" I add sarcastically as she misses me.

  "Quit it, Jones!" Even with the pillow in hand, April only manages to block about half of the popcorn kernels. She shrinks down into the corner of the couch to hide as best as she can, but I can still hit her.

  Finally, my handful of popcorn disappears and the laughter dies down. I return to my seat as April scrapes all the popcorn off the couch and onto the floor.

  "Guess I could say that I buttered you up, huh Red?" I joke with a huge grin on my face as I slip an arm around her.

  April pulls out of my reach and turns the corners of her mouth into a smile. "In your dreams," she retorts with light teasing.

  We fall into a peaceful silence as we focus on the television. The two random people that had made out before are dating now. I find myself rolling my eyes at the storyline. What idiot would randomly date someone that they don't even know? It's way too unrealistic.  But it was April's pick, so I can live with it.

  I pay attention as best as I can, even though I have to force myself to stay awake. Normally, I can stay up until the A.M.; but with it getting dark outside at only four o'clock, I yearn to sleep earlier. Time change sucks.

  The moment that the movie goes to commercial, April turns herself towards me. Her bright blue eyes are serious and her eyebrows are propped up like she has something important to say. "I'm going to ask you something and I want you to keep an open mind about it, alright?"

  That isn't a good way to start a conversation. I narrow my eyes and refuse to agree. "What is it?" I ask suspiciously.

  April takes a deep breath and avoids looking me in the eyes. "See, I visited the turtles yesterday. While I was there, Leo mentioned that you seem a little distant.  He said that you are a lot more irrational than usual, too."

  I snort.  "Leo thinks he knows everything," I point out with a shake of my head.

  "Raph agreed with him," April adds.

  I pause.  It's one thing for Leonardo to assume things, because he doesn't know me that well.  But if Raphael suspects that I'm acting strangely, then there is no doubt that he's right.  And deep down, I know exactly what he means.  After Charlotte's death, I haven't been able to keep my mind stable.  I have been all over the place as I try to fan out the fire of revenge in my heart.  And with the sudden appearance of Tiger Claw and his gang, things have only gotten harder to cope with.