Reckless. [TMNT 2012]

28. The Big Snow Out; Casey

Song: White Christmas – Taylor Swift

"Glad you're here, Casey."

   I glance at April as she plops down on the couch beside me. Her yellow shirt is partially covered with a green and red puffy cardigan. A tiny piece of holly has her bangs clipped out of her face, and her sky-blue eyes have a steady glow about them. A happy expression dances among her thin, apricot lips.

   She had talked me into coming over to Lucy's place to spend time with her and the turtles. I had readily agreed when she called me, and she didn't seem convinced that I'd show up. But I did, and I'm reaping the benefits of proving her assumptions wrong.

   I return the joyful look. "Me too," I respond. Unable to resist I add, "Don't know what I'd do without free food," while I smash my face into a double chocolate chip cookie.

   April smirks. "Take it easy, Jones, or you're gonna have a stomachache."

   I swallow the treat in one bite and reach for another cookie off the plate in front of me. "Fat chance!" I fire back as I inhale yet another.

   April rolls her eyes.

   The tiny Christmas tree in the corner of the room twinkles with bulky, rainbow lights. The strands flash with holiday cheer, and it covers every inch of the atmosphere. The golden star on top is a little scratched up, but it gets the point across. Tiny, round ornaments spot the green tree branches to hide how bare the pine needles are. Clearly, it wasn't easy finding a real tree on such short notice.

   About that time, Michelangelo bursts into the room screaming at the top of his lungs. "DUDES, IT'S SNOWING!"

   "Really?" Lucy is the next to react positively. She glows with excitement, her light eyes glittering happily. "I can't remember the last time I saw snow! Let me go get my coat!" And she's racing off to her room before anyone can respond.

   Raphael glares at me with a muted frown. "Big deal," he mutters. "We see snow more than a turtle can handle."

   Just then, Lucy appears snuggled inside a warm, pink coat and grabs Raphael's hand. "Come on!" she exclaims as she tugs him towards the front door.

   Raphael's mood changes in a split-second. His gruff expression softens and the tension in his shoulders begins to fade. He even betrays a small grin as he allows himself to be dragged out into the frozen winter air.

   "Wait for me!" Michelangelo scrambles after the pair with his orange bandana tails flapping after him.

   April shakes her head and stifles a smile. "I'm going to go check on the turkey in the oven," she announces as she rises from her seat.

   "I will help you," Lucy's mother speaks up. For the past few days, Ms. Hollick has seemed drawn to my red-headed friend. She talks to April the same way she interacts with her own daughter. She expresses a deep, caring interest in April, though she would never admit that to any of us. I try to keep an eye on Ms. Hollick in case things get suspicious, but my gut tells me that's not the case. Ms. Hollick is just sharing her motherly instincts- yet I can't help feeling slightly jealous about their closeness.

   "Snow..." Karai murmurs as her brilliant gaze stares out the window. White, powdery flakes float gracefully onto the glass and melt right before her long snout. She blinks frantically as if she can't believe her eyes.

   I rise and pace over to the serpent. It's leery how she isn't human, but she's my height. Her shoulders square to mine and her chest puffs out to meet mine. She doesn't seem aware of my presence next to her until I speak.