The Call (a TMNT fanfiction)

Chapter 18: Dates & Dumped

"I'm the worst sister ever." I groan and shut my laptop. "I can't find anything for Benj."

Parker takes a sip of his hot chocolate. "By the way, you guys have any luck finding dates for Valentine's Day?"

"Don't remind me," I say, finishing up the rest of my peppermint hot chocolate. 

"There might be a few guys from work who will ask you. And even if you don't get a date, it's not the end of the world." Mallory's eyes widen as she takes a sip of her drink. "Maybe Leo will ask!"

Kylan and Parker laugh. They are all too familiar with Mal and I arguing over the fact that Leo doesn't like me like that. Of course, they don't know that Leo is a katana-wielding ninja turtle. Small detail; it's unimportant.

"How many times do we have to have this conversation?" I complain, getting up toss my cup away.

"Until he admits it."

"What does he have to admit?" I ask.

The guys have been super protective over our family after the incident on the freeway. We are always with one of them when going somewhere. It took me an hour and a half convince Leo that I would be fine going to the coffee shop today.

"Nevermind," I say. Knowing my best friend, she could go on for hours arguing with someone. Future lawyer, anybody? "Anyway, back to my crisis: what are you guys getting Benj for his birthday?"

Kylan snickers when Parker glances at him knowingly. Mallory and I share a look.

"Are you guys sharing secrets without us?" I ask.

Mallory shakes her head. "Boys don't have secrets."

"We do too!" Parker defends.

Mallory snickers and leans in to whisper to me, "Reverse psychology. Works every time."

"So then what's the big secret you two were giggling about?" I ask.

Kylan smiles. "Okay, so you know Jonah Lansford?"

"Of course." Jonah has been Benjamin's best friend since they were eleven. Jonah had a small crush on me for about a year, and then he realized that I was way too old for him. Not to mention, the feelings were one sided.

It seems like a common phenomenon that I've seen: having a crush on your best friend's sibling. Trust me, I went through that phase too. Yes, Parker. As in Mallory's younger brother. My excuse at the time had been that he was only a year younger. Of course, that crush faded away eventually and now I can't even believe I liked him.

"Okay, so Jonah and I decided that we were going to set Benj up on a date with the girl he's liked for two years." Parker has now turned his head towards us, listening even though he already knows the story.

"Wait, hold up," I start, slamming both hands onto the table dramatically. "Benj has had a crush for two years? And he never told me?"

"He doesn't have to tell you everything!" Parker exclaims.

"We're going to tell him we're meeting him there, but he'll show up and see her there."

"Aww..." I coo. "When is it happening?"

"The day before his birthday. So Valentine's Day," Parker informs.

I smile. "That's perfect." I sigh. "Well I don't think I'll set him up a love-life for his birthday, but I think I have a few ideas." I begin packing up my things when I see that it's seven at night. I promised Leo that I'd meet him outside, so he could escort me home safely.