Timeframe and other notes: This story is set after Journey's End. In this version, there is no such thing as Lightspeed Rangers. This is also the beginning of my new series, Point of View. Each part of this series is based on a former ranger's first person point of view.
"Kim, go get more chalk. We have to work on that spin for the uneven bars routine," Coach Schmidt told me as I landed on the mat at the end of my routine.
It's been...8 years since I left Angel Grove and came to Florida to train for the Pan Global. I like the opportunity and everything, but I missed Angel Grove. That's where all my friends are. There's Aisha, Kat, Billy, Rocky, Adam, and most important of all: Tommy.
We went out before. I loved him. A lot. But I just can't stand long-distant relationships. We barely see each other. All we do is send each other letters once in a while, since long-distant calls are expensive. We only visit each other once two years. That was just not the kind of relationship I want.
I got more chalk from the chalk stand. "Coming!" I shouted to my coach, who was standing by the bars. I jumped on the springboard and got on to the high bar. I spun twice around the bar, then let go of one hand in order to switch direction.
"That's it, Kim! You're doing well! Keep that up and you'll get a 10!" I heard the coach said to me. A 10? Yeah right! The highest average I ever got on the uneven bars was 9.85, not even a 9.9. The one time that I actually got a perfect 10 was on the balance beam. Of course, the balance beam was always my best and favorite activity.
Just then I realized I let both of my hands go involuntarily. I fell to the ground. Thank god there're mats. Coach Schmidt ran over to me and got me up. Ok, so concentration is important.
"Are you okay?" coach asked me.
I nodded slowly. "Yeah… I'm fine," I replied. He looked at me while shaking his head.
"No. You're not fine. How would you like to have a break? I'll give you two weeks. You can go back to Angel Grove to visit or something. I don't know. I can tell you are thinking of something," he said, giving me the look. "It's Tommy, isn't it?"
I didn't answer right away. I looked away from him. "Yes," I simply admitted. "It is."
He was the only thing in my mind lately. Him and the letter were the only things I could think of. Speaking of the letter, there were only two reasons why I sent it. First, I didn't want either of us to suffer a long-distant relationship. I mean, we didn't know when, or if, we are going to live in the same town again. Besides, he made a great couple with Kat.
Number two, the relationship affected my concentration. I guess that's why athletes usually don't have long-distant relationships. I've already done minor injuries to my neck during a vault because I lost concentration while thinking about Tommy. Of course, none of my friends knew that.
There were only four people that knew about the letter. They were Coach Schmidt, Trini, Aisha, and I. Coach and I planned the whole letter together. I told him everything about Tommy and me, except the Ranger part of course. He, too, agreed that I am losing my concentration by thinking about Tommy too much. That's why we decided to send him that break up letter. He said that I shouldn't tell anyone about the real reason for why I sent it. But I told Trini and Aisha anyway. I trusted them not to tell the others. I see that they kept their promises.
"Alright, I'll take the break," I replied.
"And enjoy it. If you want more, just say the word. You've worked hard enough and both you and your body deserve a break. I never thought I would say this as a coach but, stay out of gymnastics for a while," coach explained. I nodded.
"Thanks," I whispered.
"My pleasure. Anything for an athlete to feel good and concentrated," he said, grinning. I smiled back.
I walked out of the gym and into the locker room. I took a short shower and changed into my baby blue spaghetti straps, denim capris, and black anorak. Then I put my gymnastics clothes into the duffel bag. As I walked out the locker room and out of the building, I noticed my friend Nicole Ericson. She was… crying, in a corner. What's more shocking was the fact that she's alone. Nikki was the most popular and best gymnast in the whole place. She's also one of the nicest and friendliest people around. She was the first person that I made friends with when I first came here. Most of the gymnasts here are Nikki's friends, if not all of them. Everywhere she goes, at least one of her friends would be by her side. But now, Nikki Ericson, all alone, in a corner, crying her heart out. I quickly ran over to her and kneel down.
"Nikki? What's wrong?" I asked, trying to restrain myself from overwhelming her with my questions.
"Kim!" she said, reaching over to hug me. I hugged her and patted her on the back.
"Don't worry, Nikki. Whatever happened, it's alright now," I assured her. She's still sobbing uncontrollably. Whatever is was, it's not good.
A few minutes later, she settled down and controlled herself a little bit better. She started telling me what happened. It turned out that her mother died three weeks ago. In order to get the pain and grief away, she went to the pub in the dorm with her friends. When she was walking back to her room, a drunk male student grabbed her from behind and pulled her into the shower room. Then, he ripped her clothes off and raped her.
"What?!" I exclaimed in disbelief. I could see red in her eyes.
"I didn't tell anyone, until now. I… I just… don't know what to do," she said shakily. I nodded knowingly.
"Well, first, you need to go see a doctor. Come on, I'll go with you. If you want me to, that is," I offered.
Both of us were silent for a moment. Then she nodded and agreed with me. As we were walking out of the locker room, we started a random conversation.
"So why were you leaving?" she asked me as we were walking out of the building.
"Coach Schmidt said I should take a break…," I started, but trailed off. As I was trying to decide whether or not to go on, my month opened automatically. "It's… my concentration. I'm losing it," I continued. Then, I told him about Angel Grove and Tommy.
"I sent him a break up letter and now, well, I'm regretting it…," I admitted. She nodded knowingly.
"Does he has a girlfriend now?" she asked. I nodded.
"Yes. Her name's Katherine Hillard. She's also my friend. That's why I don't know what I should do. I mean, I don't want to break them up or anything…" I trailed off. Tommy and Kat did made a cute couple. They were made for one another. It'll make me such a bad guy if I break them up.
"Well, if you ask me, I say you go for another guy," she told me as we reached her room.
"Thanks," I said as she entered her room. She looked at me.
"No, Kim. I am suppose to thank you. Thanks, for being there for me," she said sincerely.
My reply was nothing but a warm smile. "Hey, that's what friends are for," I simply whispered. "If you want me to go to the doctor with you, just give me a call. 'Kay?" I said. Surprisingly, she shook her head.
"Thanks but that's okay. I'll go to the doctor by myself. You are having a break, after all. I think you should go back to Angel Grove and get with your friends over there. But whatever you do, have fun and take care of yourself," she told me.
I nodded. "You know what? That was exactly what Coach's idea was. Go back to Angel Grove and catch up with some friends," I replied.
"Well, now that you have two people suggesting that to you, maybe you really should go back. Two weeks are better than nothing," she stated.
"Yeah, I suppose. Take care of yourself. I'll show you some pictures of my friends when I come back," I replied, grinning. She smiled back and we hugged each other again. "I guess that I will see you after I come back?" I said, making it into a half question, half statement.
"Take care of yourself too, Kim," she replied, nodding. With that, I started back to my own room, to pack my stuff.
I entered my own room and found out that my roommate wasn't there. I started packing my things. That's when I saw it. The picture that Jason and I took together when we were high school freshmen. Jason was my closest friend after Tommy. He's just so nice and sweet and caring.
"Oh my god," I whispered to myself. I… I think I'm… in love with him. Could this be a… sign? Of us, being together?
