Rock your world 4

Raph woke up early the next day. He had a meeting with the university's counselor to talk about his credits and performance while abroad. As much as Raph wasn't a morning person, he was a very punctual turtle. He arrived fifteen minutes early to his scheduled time. 

"Hello, Raphael... Welcome back. Please, come in my office..." John Bishop was the counselor for Brooklyn University, and Raph had always had to deal with him in regards of his college career. At first he hadn't gotten along with Bishop, but with time they had become close. 

"Hey Mr. Bishop. Long time no see!" Raph walked in the office, taking a seat at the big cedar desk. 

"So nice to see you back." The counselor was a tall, sharp dressed man, wearing a black suit, black tie. "So, I received your grades... I am impressed. I even received a recommendation letter from your coach back in Japan. Looks like you left quite the impression."

"Nah, it was nothing, sir..." Raph blushed slightly. 

"They're offering a second year scholarship, Raphael." Raph's face went blank when he heard those words. 

"A-another year...?" Bishop smiled, feeling proud of his student. 

"I have to say I was surprised when Donatello pulled out last minute, and I didn't think you would complete the year at the lack of your brother, but you proved me wrong... So, ball's in your court, son. Just let me know by the end of the month what you want to do." The counselor sat on his big desk. "By the way, have you talked with Donatello yet? I see him around campus, and I know his GPS has him well positioned in the honor list... But he doesn't speak to me anymore..." Raph nodded with a gentle smile. "While I was surprised by his decision, I have to admit I understood him..." Raph's eyes lowered. "Academics have always been his forte... But it was obvious that something was lacking... A real drive, perhaps... Something that ignited his desire... I was glad to see those boys still continued their studies, though."

"Ahem... So... Then I'll have my answer by the end of the month..." Raph interrupted him. He wasn't angry at Don anymore, but it still ticked him off when people tried to psychoanalyze them. He had yet to talk to Donnie about the matter and thus make his own conclusions, and until then he didn't really want to hear any of it from anyone else. 

Bishop smiled, not offended by the interruption. "Yes, Raphael. In the meantime do report from time to time with the athletics division so you don't loose any stamina this summer." He walked to the door, holding it open for the student, who respectfully bid his farewell as he stepped out. 

Raph took a deep breath, looking around at his campus grounds. One year, but every thing looked the same. It was comforting. He glanced at his wrist watch, noticing that he still had a couple of hours to kill before he was meeting Don for lunch, he decided to stroll by the cafeteria and grab something to distract his stomach in the meantime. A hungry Raph was an even more short-tempered Raph, and he would do his best to have a calm conversation with Donnie, so that included not going with a completely empty stomach. 

When he reached the cafeteria, he was glad to see the lunch lady's familiar face. Rosie was an older gal, and she was sweet as pie. She knew Raph from being one of the very hungry members of the relay team. She greeted him with a huge smile. "Oh, my dear boy! So nice to see you!" 

"Hey, miss Rosie! Looking beautiful as always!" Raph approached her as he reached for a plastic tray. He was so focused on her that again he failed to notice a pair of eyes following him. 

As soon as the red-blushed turtle reached the line he engaged Rosie in conversation, asking her for a fresh sandwich, and a fruit punch. Suddenly he felt something brush against his leg; he recognized that touch, his body tensed, smile faded, and slowly turned to face this so annoying person. "Hey, Raphie..." There stood cheeky Leonardo, greeting him with a charming smile. "If I didn't know any better I would think you were following me." 

Raphael felt the heat rise in his body. "Funny, I thought the same thing." A trio of females chuckled from behind Leo, obviously groupies. 

"Who's the hottie, Leo?" A slim leopard humanoid spoke, directing her question to Raphael. 

"Girls... This is my good friend Raphael. He is Donatello's brother." Leonardo was so charming it gave Raph a toothache, who just grunted in response. 

"Really? Donnie is your little brother? How sweet!" A little salamander wearing pig tails spoke in a soft voice. 

"He's my older brother, actually," growled  Raphael. 

"Really!?" all three girls spoke in unison, giggling right after in amusement. Raph was beyond annoyed and if he could dig a hole and escape through it he would had started digging long time ago. 

"Ok, well I'm kinda in a hurry here, so if ya don't mind I'll be scadadaling." Raphael waved his goodbye to Rosie and started to squeeze himself out of the line. 

"Raphael, sweetheart, your sandwich!" Rosie called out to him, but in his rush he didn't hear her. 

"It's ok, Rosie... I'll bring it to the ditz. Here, let me pay for it." Leonardo reached into his pocket only to have the girls race to his aid, each one holding out money towards Rosie in a frenzy to be the one who paid for Leo's sandwich. The corner of his mouth curved, he shrugged his shoulder at the old lunch lady and scurried away from the scene after Raph, leaving the posse behind. Once he caught up with the hot-head, Leo matched his pace and positioned himself besides him. "Hey... You forgot your sandwich." 

Raphael growled and snatched the sandwich out of Leo's hand. "Who da fack asked for yer help!?" Raphael's golden eyes were glistening with anger. "What is it with you!? It's like you're at every corner I turn into!" Leonardo's eyes focused on the floor, a timid smile painted on his face. He looked so... Fragile. Raph couldn't help but lower his guard once more. 

"I'm sorry your meal was interrupted. I swear it was a mere coincidence that I was there... And well the girls... They just linger... I apologize for the inconvenience. Please, enjoy your sandwich. I'll see you later today for that practice session you owe me..." And with that and a smile, the band leader walked off. Raphael was left even more confused as of the intentions of the blue-blushed turtle. 

"Yeah, whatever, bro..." Raph watched as Leo's slim figure walked off. He took a look at his sandwich, and with a grunt decided he would give it to the first homeless person he found. He had lost his appetite. He would just have to hold off till lunch with Donnie.  

As Leo was walking off, his cellphone began to ring. "Mochi mochi..."

"Leonardo, you are late."

"Gomen, Oroku-San... I got a bit... Sidetracked..." Leonardo's face was tense, slightly pale, as he spoke to the band's manager Oroku Saki... Also known as The Shredder for his reputation for promoting music bands with such success he was shredding the industry with his name. 

"Have you any new information on this Raphael you have spoken of?" Shredder's voice was coarse and heavy. 

"Yes, sir. He will be coming in for practice today... He's not very pleased with it, but he is a turtle of his word. He will show." Leo tried to be confident, but the fear in his tone was palpable.

"Very well. If he is as you say, I will lessen your debt accordingly... I'm sure your beloved father would be pleased." Shredder ended with a loud laugh before he hung up the phone. 

Leonardo clenched his teeth, tightening the grip on his phone so much his knuckles turned white. "Damn you to hell..."