The Rising (final book of The Call series) ~ TMNT Fanfiction

Chapter 5: Old Friend

Headquarters feels like an old place that I haven't visited for a long, long time.

Things have changed a bit. They are small details, but things that I notice. Daren Wright's desk has been moved to the right, and the main trash can by the bathrooms has been replaced with one that is slightly smaller. You notice those kinds of things when you work somewhere for six years.

My feet are heavy as I make my way carefully to my desk. I don't even sit down for a few minutes. I catch a few people staring at me and I bite back a snarky remark confronting them. That's one aspect of losing someone that I hate a lot: the pity-looks. I think that people think that since they're staring because they feel bad, it makes it any more acceptable to stare. But it doesn't. In fact, it almost feels like that makes it worse.

There are piles of papers on my desk. Some of my pens are missing, evidence that someone has been using my things. Irritation turns inside of my chest at this.

There is no doubt in my mind that Serena was the person to put the stacks of papers and forms on my desk. Most people would hear about what happened to Benj, and they'd avoid our desks altogether. Serena on the other hand, seems to have no problem giving me something to do. To be honest, I'm grateful for it. I would rather keep busy and have something keeping me from needing to talk to anyone. I am the best at busy work.

"Hey Lexi..." a quiet voice says from beside me. I glance up to find a teenage boy standing in front of my desk. It takes me a minute to recognize him. It's Lucas McBride.

He's gotten taller, but he's still very small. He has a look in his eyes that I can't quite name. I noticed myself doing that a lot: not being able to name the expression on a person's face. It's something that I used to be better at, but I've lost a lot of skills in the last little bit. I also lost any drive to gain them back.

"Hi Luke." My voice breaks at his name. "I haven't seen you in forever."

"How...how are you doing?" He keeps his voice at a quiet tone, as if I am going to lash out at him for bringing up my state of being. And a week ago, I probably would have. But ever since I realized how poorly I've been coping with things, I've been trying the best I can to contain my anger and refrain from getting upset. But just because I'm not going to lash out doesn't mean that I have to lie.

"I'm just still kind of experiencing the aftershock." I don't know if you can call it aftershock anymore, but I can't think of any other way to phrase it.

Luke's big hazel eyes are filled with emotion as he nods his head. That's when it hits me: the emotion that rests in his eyes is empathy.

Not sympathy; but empathy. He knows what I'm going through.

I feel even worse now when I remember that Lucas lost his parents at the age of ten. He basically had to go through his teenage years without parents. And not only are his parents dead, but they were brutally killed. They were killed by the Foot Clan.

My heart swells when I realize how similar we really are. Personality-wise, we are different by a lot. But he and I have experienced some of the same things. And my guilt continues to grow as I remember all the times I'd seen someone teasing Luke and I hadn't said anything because I was too busy to get involved.

Too busy. It sounded like a perfect reason then, but the stupidest reason now.

"I know that you probably don't think that I know what you're going through. But I do, Lexi. I really do. I mean, not exactly what you're going through. I don't have any siblings, and I know that the relationships that a person has with their siblings are usually really different than their relationships with the parents. But I want to just thank you for helping me get through my pain and I want you to know what I'm here to help you get through yours because that's what friends do."