Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Okay, we’re ready, April! Come on out!”

April O’Neil, journalism major, stood in her room, staring at herself in the full length mirror. She looked great if she did say so herself. Her coily hair was perfectly (read: miraculously) tamed and piled at the top front of her head so that it all framed her face like bangs. She did her makeup for the day, and her red cat-eye glasses added the perfect touch of professionalism to the whole look. 

Of course, her black cap and gown were the spotlights of the ensemble, with her school of liberal arts stole and dean’s list cords ( somehow she was able to make the dean’s list most semesters despite running around with mutants every week). Her gown was currently unzipped to show off the knee-length dress she wore in a fit and flare style - white of course, but with a slight pink undertone that perfectly accented her dark skin. The thin sleeves tied at the shoulder with long pieces draping down, and she stood in three inch plain white heels in an attempt to pile some height on her short stature.

Feeling deeply proud and regal, she strode out of her room to meet her parents in the living room.

“Oh honey, you look gorgeous! My little girl is all grown up and graduating from college!” Mrs O’Neil gushed over her daughter trying to hold back tears, while Mr O’Neil gave April a light hug to not mess up the hard work that went into her outfit.

“We’re so proud of you,” he whispered.

April did her best to hold back tears.

They took some photos around their apartment and in the park across the street before they went back inside waiting for April’s friends to pick her up to get to the school early with the other graduates.

“They’re here now, I’ll see you in a couple hours!” April announced to her parents.

“Stay safe, we’ll see you soon!”

April carefully made her way downstairs to meet her friends, although not to go straight to school. Rather, these friends were planning on more photos and drives around New York before the ceremony.

“Let us know when you’re downstairs, April, we can’t wait to see you!” Donnie’s voice rang out of her phone.

April raced as quickly and carefully as she could across the apartment lobby before replying to Donnie, “I’m at the door. Y’all ready?”

“Ready!” She heard multiple voices scream over the speaker before the connection was cut. She put her phone in her pocket and very dramatically opened the double doors of her apartment to show off for the rest of her family she knew would be standing right on the sidewalk to greet her.

Lo and behold she was right, as she opened the doors to cheers and gasps and cries of ohmigosh and sweet Galileo .

She’s never felt more full than she did right then, standing in front of her dingy apartment complex in her cap and gown with a huge grin splitting her face, soaking up the sun and the praise from her second family.

“April, you look AMAZING!”

“I love what you did with your hair!”

“Where’d you get that dress?”

“I’m so excited for you!”

While they all praised her looks and achievements, she couldn’t help but look over everyone present and notice that everyone was there all dressed for the occasion. Raph, Leo, Donnie, and Mikey all dressed in suits they had previously mentioned were inspired from Hypno’s montage from the Magic Town House. Cass was in a nice long skirt and blazer with maroon accents while Casey matched with a suit. Even Draxum was there in a traditional Japanese kimono in honor of the celebration.

“My dear April,” she heard from her knees. She looked down to see Splinter also in a kimono with the Hamato Clan symbol on the chest. “You have supported my family in ways I never could have expected and have fought countless battles with my boys. While those battles took a mostly physical toll, they were short lived and none of them needed the amount and longevity of grit and determination you showed over the last four years of your schooling. I am immensely proud of you, April, and am honored to have a member of the Hamato Clan full of such spirit. Congratulations on your graduation.”

“Splints, stop, you’re gonna make me ruin my makeup,” she sniffled as she looked at the sky to keep the tears from falling. Gathering herself, she grinned at her brothers in all but blood. “Well let’s get rolling then!”

They strode forward as Donnie opened the door of the turtle tank with a flourish. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”

“Why thank you, kind sir,” she replied as she accepted his hand to help her into the tank.

She took off her cap and gown for the surprisingly smooth ride to the park. I guess even Donnie understands the importance of looking kept together today , she thought to herself with a smile. The chatter during the ride there was calm yet excited, all talking about the ceremony and other events the school will be hosting during the day. 

They arrived at the park before they knew it, and made their way to some of the best photo spots. Mikey pulled out his camera, the artist very obviously being designated photographer of the day. They started with individual shots of April, then partner shots, then family shots with the camera being passed around as needed. 

The hour was fun and nostalgic and a little emotional, yet wholly fulfilling. And before they knew it, the time was approaching 12:30 and so it was time to head to school if April wanted to check in on time.

“It is time to get you to school, April,” Splinter called out. 

“Time to graduate, baby!” Mikey enthused from where he started packing away his camera.

Leo held out his arm for April, so the young woman gladly slid her hand into the crook of his elbow to allow him to lead her back to the car.

Once again, the trip to school was smooth and they broke only a few traffic laws along the way.

When they arrived on campus, they walked into the main building together before going their separate ways, her family to the arena stands and her to the commons to line up with her peers.

Walking through the commons, April readjusted the cap behind her hair as she greeted her friends and staff.

She took her place in line, between a Someone-Or-Other Olson and Tyler Pattinson, who she thinks she shared a couple of classes with. She chatted a bit with them, making some small talk about summer and post-graduation plans, which of their family members are here in person vs watching the live-stream, and which grad caps were the best decorated.

After another half-hour, the staff finally got everyone settled down and announced that they would be processing into the arena soon. They went over instructions one final time, made sure everyone was in their proper spot in line, and then marched onward.

And then the feelings started. Marching single-file into the arena with a thousand other graduates, being watched by four times that many people, she felt excited and stressed at the same time. The butterflies in her stomach bounced off the walls in a way that was oddly comforting, not making her feel like she was going to hurl, but making her remember how she deserved this moment.

April O’Neil, soon-to-be graduate, stood tall and grinned wide. She followed Olson into their row, sat in her seat, and listened to all the speeches. 

Her grin had settled into a softer smile as time went on, but then it was time for the graduates to walk. Ushers motioned for each row to stand when it was their turn, the announcer shouted out names, and the president shook hands for photos.

And then it was her turn. Time seemed to slow down as everything happened so quickly. It was a pleasing sort of discontinuity.

April’s smile split once more into a euphoric grin as she ascended the steps up stage. 

She paused at the top waiting for her name to be called.

She took a deep breath.

“April O’Neil!” Came the shout through the speakers.

April reminded herself to breathe, straightened her back, and in mustered up all her good luck for the next week to graceful and flawlessly walk across the stage, shake hands, pause just long enough for the official photo, gently take her diploma cover, and walk down the other side of the stage with a glance into the stands where her family was clapping for her achievement.

As she sat back in her seat waiting for the rest of the alphabet to finish, time blurred as she stared at the folder in her hands. She couldn’t wait for her diploma to arrive, for the moment she could see the paper with her name and the official school seal and frame it for all to see.

As the last of her peers walked, she grounded herself in the moment, clearing her fuzzy head, and focused back on the sounds and happenings of her graduation ceremony. 

It was another minute until she heard the words she'd been waiting for for years.

“Will the graduating seniors please stand.” The speaker paused as they waited for them to do so. 

April stood with the rest of her class.

“Now is the time to turn your tassel as a symbol of the completion of our respective degrees. Please take this moment to celebrate all of your well-earned achievements. Please join me in turning your tassel from right to left, and make the most of this moment.”

April reached up and felt the thin ropes of her tassel, grinning as she moved it across her vision to the left side of her cap, watching the rest of her peers doing the same.

“Congratulations on your graduation, Class of 2024.”

The crowd cheered as the new graduates hugged and congratulated each other.

The ushers led them out of the arena in a double-filed line as the guests in the stands made their way outside to meet the no-longer students.

April O’Neil, official college graduate, found her entire family waiting for her under a shaded tree. She ran to her parents, being scooped up in a huge bear hug, as her brothers in all but blood complained about not getting first hug dibs.

She laughed as her father spun her around and teared up as everyone told her how proud they were.

Mikey had his camera back out taking candid shots of the whole affair, never missing an opportunity to document his family’s best moments. This turned into another photoshoot, but this time with the entire family, all around campus and with her diploma cover on display. 

They celebrated with the other graduates, with her friends and classmates, and with her professors and advisors. There was food and activities for everyone to enjoy while they mingled, before everyone headed home for more private celebrations.

April had never felt anything like this. She couldn’t stop smiling, couldn’t think about anything other than this moment. She felt as though she was glowing from the inside, as if she could act as a human glow stick if they put her in a dark room. Nothing could ruin this moment; nothing would dare try. This was her day, what she had fought tooth and nail for over the past four years. 

The universe understood this. How could she not with everything she had thrown the young woman’s way through the years? And in a rare show of apology, a congratulations in her own way, the universe blessed this day.

April O’Neil was on top of the world.

Nothing could bring her down.