After the intense situation with Natalie and Ryan, Jake went to sit down far away from everyone. He didn't want to see anyone at this point. Natalie had gone too far and he didn't care if his secret was revealed to the school. As long as he didn't have to deal with that anymore.

But the more Jake thought about it, the more he heard Ryan's pleads in his mind and how he handled it.

"You. . . you really hate me that much? You hate me so much that you'd be willing to put your own reputation on this line?!"

"Woah, don't put words in my mouth. I never once said I hated you. In fact, I'd say you're better off without me."

"That's not what you said last time I attempted this. You were rude! You might as well have told me that you hate me!"

"This is ridiculous."

"Uh, Ry. . . maybe it's time to let it go."

"No! You don't understand. . . I've come all this way! We've been planning for this moment to go right. . . you can't reject me."

Jake sighed as he didn't know what to do at this point. He hated having to be rude, but it was what he felt he had to do. But at the same time, he felt bad for what he said.

"Maybe. . . I was too harsh with her." Jale said to himself. "There were better ways I could've handled that. Maybe. . . maybe I should-"

"Jake?" A voice called out to him.

Jake jumped back a bit before seeing who had appeared next to him. It was none other than April.

"Oh, hey April." Jake said. "You startled me."

"Sorry." April said. "What's going on with you? I saw you running out of a classroom a bit ago."

"It's nothing." Jake said. "Just some issues with Natalie and Ryan."

"Oh right, you were with Natalie." April asked. "What happened?"

"Well. . . she brought me to Ryan." Jake asked. "And she tried to get me back with her again. It was just. . . it's so annoying!"

"Oh, you mean that girl with the orange hair?" April asked. "You know her?"

"Oh right. . . I never told you." Jake said. "Ryan. . . she's my ex-girlfriend."

"Really?" April said in shock. "That hot piece of work was your girlfriend?"

"Yeah, she may be pretty on the outside." Jake scoffed. "But on the inside, she's as rotten as a carcass."

"Wow. . . so she's the reason for your heartbreak." April said. "I'm so sorry. . ."

"Don't worry about it." Jake said. "That's just my life."

"How did. . . how did it all go wrong?" April asked.

"Oh, I wish I knew." Jake said. "I thought we were happy together. But that was just wishful thinking on my part."

April sat down next to him. "Well. . . I'd like to know." She said. "Could you maybe. . . tell me your guys' story? Cause now I'm curious."

Jake sighed as he knew he couldn't keep it in forever. So he began to tell their story.

"Well. . . we met in middle school." Jake said. "And we were really good friends back then. Everything from there. . . it seemed good."

At that moment, Jake looked off into the sky as he remembered all of the good times he had with Ryan. And music began to play as Jake began to sing:

Jake: "You hear it every day
Once upon a time they say
Once upon a time in this place
I looked and saw on your face
A smile that spoke to me
In oh so many ways
The Sunday morning bells
Rang out that all was well
Sunshine across the yard
We'd rest when we worked hard
We take a little time off
To appreciate the day

And love builds a garden
Grew it from the ground up
Each one of us knowing
Every inch of it was us
We pulled it all together
Hoping and believing
That love built this garden
For the two of us to dream in"

As he was singing, Jake was imagining the best moments he and Ryan shared before they became a couple. They hung out at the park a lot, made their own garden, and even camped out in one of their backyards. It was some good times.

Jake: "We'd get a little rain
Then the sun came out again
But a frost it's hard to fight
Once it takes hold flowers die
There's only so much you can do
To keep some things alive

And love builds a garden
Grew it from the ground up
Each one of us knowing
Every inch of it was us
We pulled it all together
Hoping and believing
That love built this garden
For the two of us to dream in

Sad to say, it's true
Without a lover who
Cares as much
Well I guess,
I guess it goes to prove"

Jake then went back to when Ryan broke up with him. And it was painful to remember.

"Okay, I'm just gonna cut to the chase. I want to break up with you."

"What? Why?"

"It's nothing personal, it's just that. . . well, I never really liked you. And this. . . this is all too much! You really thought a loser like you would ever be able to last with someone like me? You wish! Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if you took this as a joke! Well, newsflash. . . It's not!"

"I. . . I don't understand. I thought that-"

"You thought what, Jake? That I'd ever agree to be with someone as lame and stupid as you? Like I'd ever agree to be your girlfriend, let alone just a friend. I'm sorry, but. . . this is it. We're done. Don't ever come near me again!"

____________

Jake: "That love built a garden
Growed it from the ground up
Each one of you knowing
Every inch of it is trust
Pulled it all together
Hoping and believing
That love builds a garden
For the two of you to dream in"

When the song was over, Jake sniffed as he wiped his eyes with his sleeve. It was obvious he was upset about the whole thing.

"I'm sorry, Jake. . . I don't mean to keep bringing it up." April said. "I should've just kept my curiosity to myself."

"No. . . I'd have to tell you eventually." Jake said, still wiping away his tears. "Besides, it feels nice to have someone to talk to about it."

"Well, I hate seeing you so upset." April said, seriously. "And all because of a stupid girl! No man should feel this heartbroken!"

"Thanks, April." Jake said. "But I really don't want you to get involved with my problems."

"I'm not gonna get involved." April said. "I just want to help you feel better."

"Well, there's nothing you can do right now." Jake said. "It's only a matter of time before they release that video. My reputation is days from being completely ruined."

"Well, it could be worse?" April shrugged. "At least she's not throwing out assault allegations on you or anything like that."

"She's not an idiot." Jake said. "She knows that will come back to bite her."

"Anyway, you need to stop thinking about her so much." April said seriously. "The more you do, the more you'll feel upset about it. And the more upset you feel, the harder it will be to move on. It's not healthy."

Jake looked down at the ground and sighed. "You're right." He said. "Ryan may not be out of my life, but she's out of my love life. I need to switch my focus."

"Exactly." April said. "Focus on the people who actually care about you. Like your sister, or your guardian, or. . . even me."

"You. . . care about me?" Jake asked.

"Sure, we've only known each other for a few days at this point, but I'm still your friend." April said. "And I want to do everything that I can to help you. Please. . . just let me in."

"All right. . . I get it." Jake said with a smile. "What would I do without you, April?"

April blushed as she played with her hair a bit. "Oh, what are friends for?" She said.

"I feel like I may have come a long way after meeting you." Jake said. "But I know I still have ways to go. And I want you by my side as I heal. It's the only way I can think of."

April smiled. "Jake. . . that's sweet." She said.

"But. . . I don't know if I can face Ryan yet." Jake said. "Not after what happened."

"That's perfectly valid." April said. "Take all the time you need to heal your inner self. And I'll be here to support you all the way."

April then stopped for a moment, before clearing her throat. "Uh. . . this is gonna sound weird." She said, blushing. "But. . . can I. . . give you a hug?"

"Huh?" Jake asked.

"I mean. . . you look like you could use some extra comfort." April said. "But I understand if you don't-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Jake suddenly wrapped his arms around April and embraced her in a hug.

"Thanks, April." Jake said. "I really do need this."

April blushed as she gently returned the hug. "I. . . I'm glad I can help you, Jake." She said. "Go ahead and let go when you're ready."

Jake and April continued to embrace each other closely for a few minutes. Jake clearly needed this and wasn't gonna let her go for a while. But this was fine for both of them. It was showing how close they had become, despite not spending too much time together, due to Natalie's obsessive nature. But this was fine. This moment helped them feel closer than they ever have been. And it certainly made up for their lost time.

As they continued to hug, Jake felt his heart beat faster with each passing second. The feelings were growing inside of him at an alarming rate. But he was okay with it.

He was lucky to have April in his life. But as far as it goes for her being someone he could love. . . that had yet to be determined for himself, cause as much as he knew April cared for him and vise versa. . . could he really trust that she wouldn't break his heart as well?

To be continued. . .

Song is called "Love Builds A Garden" by Elton John from Gnomeo and Juliet

Jake Moon and Ryan belong to me

TMNT belongs to Nickelodeon

All rights reserved