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“Well,” the doctor started with a clipboard in his hands, “I’m afraid Donatello’s eyesight has decreased since his last physical. He’ll need to wear reading glasses indefinitely.”
Yoshi and Tang Shen gasped in shock but tried not to look too upset by this news.
“Doctor,” Tang Shen started, “are you sure he has to wear glasses? I mean, surely his eyesight can’t be that bad.”
The doctor sighed and slowly shook his head. “I’m afraid so. This will help prevent further strain and discomfort on his eyes when he’s reading, doing homework or doing something on the computer or a phone.”
While they wanted to do what was best for her son, neither of them ever imagined any of the boy's needing glasses. But they started noticing little changes in Donnie’s routine. He’s been squinting his eyes more often and moving his face closer when reading, doing homework or playing on the computer. And his grades started to suffer. It wasn’t a drastic change or anything, but some of his usual A’s on tests were changed to B’s, and then a C, which made everyone worry. It wasn’t until Yoshi caught him squinting at a big sign across the street did they realize that something bigger was going on with him, hence, why the three of them were currently at the eye doctor.
"I understand," she said, resigning to their situation. "Where can we find glasses for our son?"
"Well, now that I've examined his eyes and determined the kind of lenses he'll need, it should make finding glasses easier for him. I have many options right here for him to choose from, but I know a few other places you can look if you're not satisfied." With that, he handed them a small list of stores that sell glasses and their addresses. They then picked up Donnie, who was in a playroom nearby and took him to the section. They gently explained to him that he needed glasses for when he did certain activities to help his eyesight and showed him the different glasses he could pick. Donnie, while surprised at the news, tried putting on a brave face when finding two glasses he liked. Both of them were in different colors. One was black while the other was mostly black with some purple on the temples and rims. The lenses and frames were small and rectangular but still big enough for Donnie's eyes. Once they purchased both sets, they immediately got in the car and drove home.
Donnie was quiet for most of ride until they were close to home, when he called out in a little mousey-like voice. "Uh... mom? Dad?"
"Yes Donatello?" Tang Shen answered, looking at him from the mirror.
"I-I look cool in these glasses, right? Cause... I don't want the other kids thinking I look weird or that I'm an even bigger nerd than before."
"Oh honey," his mom responded sympathetically, "you look very sharp in your new glasses. Besides, you don't have to wear them all the time. It's only when you're reading or on the computer like that. It's going to help improve your eyesight."
"I know, I know. I just... don't wanna be picked on for wearing them. I mean, what'll my brothers say?"
Donnie remembered when Leo got his braces a few months back and Raph couldn't stop laughing at him. He called him 'metal mouth' for weeks. He didn't want that same treatment.
"Your father and I will speak to your brothers about your glasses and why you need them."
"And if any of them tease you for wearing them, speak to me about it and I will have a serious word with them about it," Hamato Yoshi added.
Donnie hummed, grateful that his parents were on his side. "Thanks dad."
Right at that moment, they pulled into the driveway and got out of the car. When they entered, Mikey and Raph were playing with Jack Kurtzman, an old friend of their dad's, in the living room while Leo watched an episode of Space Heroes.
When they saw Donnie and their parents, they all immediately ran up to them.
"What happened?"
"How was the doctor?"
"Did they fix your eyes?"
"Boys, boys, calm down," Tang Shen said. "Your brother is going to need reading glasses for a while, to help improve his eyesight. And I expect you all to be supportive of him and absolutely no name calling!" She narrowed her eyes at Raph as she said this, knowing how much he liked teasing his brothers. Raph just rolled his eyes and promised not to tease him about this, which his parents sort of believed but exchanged glances as they silently agreed to keep an eye on him.
"Can we see them?" Mikey asked innocently.
Donnie was a bit reluctant, but with his mom's encouragement, he carefully took out the black and purple glasses out of the case and slowly put them on before quickly taking them off. He expected to hear snickers from at least one of his brothers, but to his surprise, none of them looked like they were about to burst out laughing.
"You know, for a second, I thought you looked kinda cool. Like how a celebrity makes wearing glasses look cool," Leo said putting a supportive hand on Donnie's shoulder.
"Really?" Donnie asked shyly, still in disbelief.
"Yeah, you looked alright in 'em," Raph added.
"Oooooh, I like 'em too. Makes you look like a superhero with laser vision and you're hiding them with the glasses," Mikey said cheerfully. Everyone else chuckled around him. Donnie looked down, smiling gratefully at his baby brother and ruffled his hair a little, thanked his brothers and headed to his room.
He laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling motionlessly before deciding to see for himself how they looked on him. He went to the big mirror next to his door and slowly put the glasses on, only to see someone who was... sophisticated and classy. Almost like a real scientist. He knew that a scientist wearing glasses was a little stereotypical, but at that moment, he didn't care. He actually liked how they looked on him. It made him feel better about having to go to school tomorrow with those on.
---
The next day, everyone was up bright and early getting ready for school (some more willing/enthusiastic than others), and the three older brothers waited for their school busses, albeit in different locations, while Yoshi dropped 5-year-old Mikey off at kindergarten.
When Donnie went to the bus stop, some of the kids in his neighborhood were glancing at him before going back to talking to each other again. Don breathed a sigh of relief. So far, so good. He just might be able to make it today.
---
Tang Shen already picked up Mikey, finished bathing him, got him to take a nap and did some light cleaning in the kitchen when he heard the doorknob on the front door move, and then open.
"Boys. Is that you?" She called out from the kitchen.
"Yeah."
"Hey mom."
Raph and Leo just got home due to both of them being in middle school, while Donnie would get home a few minutes later, what with still being in elementary school and all.
"How was school?"
"It was boring. Like uzhe. The teachers couldn't stop talking like robots that were on low battery. I just want wrestling season to be back already," Raph complained as he hung his sweater on the coat rack. Leo just rolled his eyes. "My day was good mom," Leo said. "There was a pop quiz today, but I felt prepared."
"That's good. And I expect to see the grade of this quiz when you get it back."
"Will do mom," Leo responded with a thumbs up.
Now it was Raph's turn to roll his eyes.
Just when the boys were about to get settled in, they heard the doorknob move again and the door eventually opened.
Leo was the first one to notice Donnie coming in, and was also the first to greet him.
”Hey Don. How was school?”
But for some reason, he didn’t reply. In fact, he didn’t even look up. His shoulders were scrunched up, his head was down and the light hoodie he brought covered his head and most of his face. Almost as if he wanted to hide it. That made his brothers worry.
”Don? Don, what’s wrong?” Raph asked.
But Donnie still didn’t respond. He just hung up his hoodie and put his shoes away. Just when Leo was about to grab his shoulder and get his attention, he just runs to his room and slams the door shut, leaving everyone stunned and concerned.
Tang Shen, who had her hand over her mouth, stopped her other two sons from going to Donnie’s room.
”Why?” Raph asked, mildly annoyed.
“Because he needs some space before he can explain everything. Let’s just give him a few minutes, and I’ll come to check on your brother. You two just start on your homework.”
Both boys looked at each other before nodding to their mom and headed off to the dining room to do their homework, while Shen went to Mikey’s room to wake him up.
——
About half an hour later, Tang Shen decided to check on Donnie. She came up to his room and softly knocked on his door.
“Donatello? May I come in?”
She heard a soft moan on the other side, which to her, meant 'come in.' She slowly opened the door, revealing a young Donatello laying down on the bed face first. His breathing sounded weird, almost as if he'd been crying for a while.
"Is everything alright?"
Donnie just moaned and shook his head, not looking up at his mom.
"Do you wish to talk about it?"
"..."
She looked sadly at her son and began to lightly stroke the back of his hair with her fingers, making him move his head. It felt a little good and helped him feel a little better about his day. A minute later, he sat up slowly, revealing his red, puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Shen cupped one of those cheeks with her hand and used her thumb to wipe away the tears.
He sniffed before explaining. "Today was the worst day ever. As soon as I got on the bus, everyone stared at me for a few minutes. It was worse than when I got to the bus station. Then when I got in the classroom, one of my classmates Eric, kept snickering at me. Then at lunch, he called me four-eyes, laughed at me and said that no one will wanna hang out with me anymore! I'm sorry mom! I tried to stick it out and tell him that I needed them to help my eyesight, but he didn't care! He just kept calling me names and even got other kids to join in!" He cried as more tears began falling on his face.
"I had a feeling something like that happened today," Shen sighed as she gestured for him to come closer, which he did. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder, making him lean on her side.
"I'm sorry you had a bad day. That old saying about words not hurting is very true, is it?" Shen asked sadly as Donnie shook his head.
"Listen. You did not deserve that treatment dear. You are a very smart and kind young boy and one day, you will find people who appreciate everything about you, understand why you wear glasses and not make fun of your appearance."
"Bu-But what about Eric and the other kids laughing at me now?" Donnie asked fearfully, already imagining what tomorrow's day would look like.
"Your father and I will handle it. But for now, just do your best not to give them the satisfaction of letting them get to you. If they make fun of you again, try not to respond to them. Stand tall and look unbothered. Eventually, they'll get bored and leave you alone."
Donnie thought about it before nodding slowly. Shen seemed to notice so she continued. "And if you wish to say something, let them know that they are being immature and mean, and that their attitude is not the way to make friends," she said firmly.
"...Okay. Thanks mom."
"Anytime sweetheart." Shen wrapped Donnie in a hug, which he quickly reciprocated, and kissed him on the cheek to comfort him. It made Donnie feel safe and loved. That he could count on his mom (and dad) for anything.
“How about I make you your favorite dessert tonight?”
This perked up Donnie’s mood even more, if his widened eyes and gasp were any indication.
“Really?”
“Of course. You could use a nice treat after the day you’ve had to endure.”
“Oh thank you mom. I love you so much.”
“I love you too baby.”
Meanwhile, just outside his bedroom door, his brothers had overheard everything and were extremely pissed (although Mikey didn't really understand what was going on. Leo promised to explain everything to him in a few minutes). In the two elder brothers' heads, they already thought of five different ways to get back at this Eric kid.