The Call (a TMNT fanfiction)

Chapter 8: Advice & Snowball Fights

LEO'S POV:

Casey pulls me out of the room away from Lexi and Raph, and into the hallway. Lexi and I have just gotten back from our walk, previously from the tree pickup. It was a really nice walk...only it made my feelings stronger.

I inwardly groan in frustration. I'm the leader...I'm not supposed to be having these feelings. It'll just distract me from my family and what's really important. But then again...she is important. She has become important, even in this short amount of time.

That is what really eats at my curiosity. The fact that I have acquired feelings for her within such a short time. Sure, the feelings hadn't started really until a few days. It isn't like I can't think about anything but her. I can still focus.

I'm so caught up in my thoughts that I almost forget that Casey has pulled me into the hallway. I look up at him, creasing my forehead. He stands there, arms crossed, grinning the cheesiest grin.

"Can I help you?" I ask.

He nudges my chest with his elbow and continues to smile.

"Is the Fearless Old Leader getting closer to a certain blondie?" he teases, grinning.

I roll my eyes and cross my arms as well. "What do you mean?" My voice sounds tired and slightly annoyed.

"I mean," he begins, nudging me again, "you got feelings for Lexi, eh?"

"What? No." As soon as the words leave my mouth, I realize what a terrible liar I am. I sigh and uncross my arms. "What does it matter to you? Don't you have anything better to do with your time other than interrogating people?" I say, setting my jaw.

"It matters because you're Leo. You never have any other feelings besides, 'I'm so tough and serious.' You're like a robot, Leo! But then Lexi came into the picture...and BAM! You became fun. Well...as fun as Leonardo can get."

I raise my eye ridge. "Is that really how I show myself to be?"

Casey nods. "Look, I don't know what it is about her that you like, but whatever it is, it's a reason to ask her out," Casey says, but I'm already shaking my head.

"No, Casey. Not a chance. It isn't like that," I say, but Casey laughs and holds up his hands for more emphasis as he speaks.

"Yet! It's always yet! Do you think that I was immediately attracted to April when I met her?" Casey asks.

I give him an exasperated expression. "Yes. You were. I witnessed you meeting her for the first time. Your exact words were, and I quote, 'Whoa, who's that babe?' And you honestly want to consider that as not immediately attracted?" I exclaim, sighing and shaking my head. "I'm talking to a brick wall. I really am."

"Look," Casey says. "I'm just saying that you should act on your feelings or nothing's gonna happen."

"Thanks for the advice, Case. I just don't want to make any rash decisions. I don't want to do something I'm going to regret."

Casey sighs and shoves his hands into his pockets. "Gotcha. Look, how 'bout...talk to April about it. She knows things about love...the right things. Stuff you seem to be lookin' for."

"I don't know, Casey. I don't want to bring April into this if it isn't important..."

"But it is important. Look, just trust me here, man...I know that she and Lexa are close but I know my wife. If you tell her not to tell Lexa she will promise not to tell. And she ain't gonna break that promise. Just...think about it."