Reckless. [TMNT 2012]

Chapter 37; Casey

Song: Reckless and the Brave (Acoustic) - All Time Low

The airport is crowded. People rush back and forth, either arriving or leaving to reach their destination. Many of the people are dressed in nice suits and dresses, as if they're preparing for a job interview. Others are bundled up in several layers of clothes to protect themselves from the bitter New York winter.

   "Do you have your passport, Eve?" Evelyn's mother asks as she anxiously looks her daughter over. She has blue eyes and blonde hair just like Evelyn, but much more expressive. Even the way she holds herself gives off the same air as my friend.

   "Yes, mom," Evelyn sighs. She has been dealing with her mother's raptures for over ten minutes now. "Along with my carry-on, my money, and my driver's license."

   Her mother ruffles her daughter's hair gently. "I can't believe you're leaving. I'm so proud of you," she says affectionately.

   Evelyn turns red from embarrassment and seems eager to escape. She backs out of her mother's reach and says, "I'll call you as soon as I land."

   Her father steps forward. I don't miss the look he gives me as he pushes passed me. He is friendly, but he is clearly not someone you want to mess with.

   "Good luck, sweetheart," Evelyn's father says as he kisses her forehead. "Be safe. Your mother and I will come visit you in the summer."

   I'd expect a normal girl to be fighting back tears at this point, but Evelyn has never been normal. She appears very independent as she engulfs her parents into a hug. "I love you guys," she murmurs.

   "We love you too, Evie," her mother replies softly, while her father mumbles agreement.

   The group hug lasts for a while. Feeling awkward, I take a few steps back and let my mind wander the room. Several feet away, there is a giant television screen hanging on a wall. On the news channel, screenshots flicker by of the bombs found lying around town; the same ones that my friends and I disabled. They have apparently been retrieved by some authorities and taken in as evidence against a case.

   Good. At least they are out of Tiger Claw's reach.

   "Can I speak to Casey alone?" Evelyn's voice brings me back to the family in front of me. She is looking up at her parents with a pleading look in her eyes.

   "Sure, honey," her mother complies, literally having to tug her husband away. I don't miss the sharp look that he shoots me once again, and I have to suppress a shudder. He is highly protective of his daughter.

   Evelyn stands in front of me, her eyes full of emotion- more feeling than I've ever seen her express. "I'll try to contact you often," she promises. "I'll send you a text every moment I get the chance."

   I smile a bit, though it's painful. I can't believe she is actually leaving me. Why can't she just stay? Why does education have to be so important to her? Why does school even exist?

   I want to be more than just friends; I know that now. But I also know that isn't possible in this situation. Starting off a relationship with someone who is going overseas is a terrible idea. It would require a lot of trust that we just aren't ready to give each other.

   "Don't strain yourself," I tell her, my voice deep with emotion. "Do what you gotta do. I'll be ready to talk to you whenever you've got a free moment."

   Still no tears well up in her eyes, but her face mimics the same pain I feel. Trying to comfort her, I grasp both of her hands and tug her close to me. Our gazes never waver from each other's, and sadness never stops flowing from her beautiful eyes.

   I want to kiss her, to give her a proper goodbye. But I am ridged and unable to move out of fear. My mind is not my own, and my muscles are not obeying me.

   A call for the passengers on her plane comes over the intercom. At the mention of it, Evelyn attempts to unravel herself from my grip. "I have to go," she whispers, since the silence between us seems too precious to break.

   I grasp onto her tighter and gently pull her back. "One more minute," I beg softly. My heart feels like glass, and a sudden movement from her will shatter it.

   Evelyn looks as if she wants to stay, but her dreams won't allow it. "I'll see you again one day," she says, her voice cracking with emotion. Her gaze trails over my many wounds and she adds, "Get well, alright? No more being reckless."

   I smile a tiny bit. "No promises," I respond as I touch her cheek. Her skin is delicate and smooth, like a soft pillow. It only just hits me that I am losing her.

   To my surprise, Evelyn leans forward and plants a kiss on my cheek. She lets her lips linger there for a long heartbeat, then she finally escapes my hold. She slowly turns to her plane.

   Behind me, I hear her mother crying and her husband trying to comfort her. I block them out of my mind as a tear of my own rolls down my cheek. Embarrassed, I hastily wipe it away and look back up to watch Evelyn.

   Evelyn gives me one last glance over her shoulder, before she disappears into the plane.

   As her plane took off into the sky, I make a promise to myself: I'm not going to mope over her. She will come back one day, and then we can do this thing for real. And it's not like I won't get to talk to her anymore. It will just be different.

   As I catch another glimpse of the news, I spot a blurry picture of a mutant on the screen. It isn't clear enough to know for sure, but I have a gut feeling it's Tiger Claw.

   That mutant is still out there with his minions. He has claimed Shredder's henchmen for his own, which shows how powerful he is. He has become one of my most dangerous enemies.

   One day I am going to meet Tiger Claw again, but he isn't going to walk away. It's my job to keep New York City safe from his dirty paws, no matter the cost. Reckless? Pfft. Evelyn doesn't know what she's talking about.

   Long live the reckless and the brave.