Disclaimer – I don't um, don't sue…..
Authors Note– This could be seen as the sequel to 'Playing Nice' doesn't have to be as its fine as a story all on it's own, but if you want to see it as the sequel it matches up detail wise.
Summary – Tommy invites Jason to go camping.
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Camping
Tommy
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(Oliver Residence)
"It'll be fun, Tommy." Why is it every time I hear those words I end up doing something I don't want to do? Come on Tommy help wash the Zords, it'll be fun. Hey Tom how about we go scare those raccoons out of the attic, come on it'll be fun. You know what's really fun, painting the house, what do you say? I say I have very manipulative friends and relatives.
Lowering my book, I give her a bit of a displeased look at her approach. "No, it won't Jen. It's just an excuse to get me out into the middle of nowhere so we can bond, or whatever you want to call it. Besides I don't know the first thing about camping." Why would anyone want to sleep on the ground anyways?
Sitting down beside me on the bed, she absently glances at the title of my book. "You don't need to know anything about it. The whole point of camping is to just sit back and relax." Yeah, see I was doing that already before you came bounding in here with talk of the wilderness and fish.
"I don't want to go."
"Tommy, it'll be good for you." I hate to tell you, but that's really not going to be your winning argument. Seeming to know this as well, she's quick to change her approach. "Alan's excited about it." Well good for him.
"Jen I'm not Alan, okay. I don't do things like this. Besides even if I did go, he'd probably just spend the weekend tormenting me, maybe even try to throw me in a lake or something." I know he's my cousin and all, but seriously I hate the guy.
"I honestly don't know why you two can't get along better. You go to the same school, you're both the same age. You even have the same friends." That doesn't mean we're friends. Last time I let myself be forced into a simple football game with him and Jason he beat the snot outta me, I nearly ended up with a broken neck. Probably would have too if Jason hadn't been there. I mean I know I sort of invaded his space with moving here and all, but give me a break okay, it wasn't my idea.
"That's beside the point." Turning the page and trying to get the message across I don't want to discuss this anymore, I doubt she'll go for it.
"I'd really like you to go." In other words I have to go. Great. What if I get bit by a snake? Or what if Alan shoots me instead of an animal, on 'accident' or course. Not to mention what if there's a monster attack and the others can't get hold of me.
Okay better change my game plan. Sitting up, I give her what I hope are very convincing and pleading eyes. "I'd really like to stay here. Look I'll watch the house and baby-sit Trish, that way you don't have to send her to one of your friend's houses to be looked after for the weekend." See everyone wins.
"What if we cut a deal?" A deal huh? Hm, No one's ever offered to make a deal before, this could be interesting. Unless she's going to be like mom was and just set me up for a dose or reality. That's probably the most likely scenario. Waiting patiently, I give her my full attention. "What if you bring a friend?"
"A friend?" What friend?
"Sure. That way you'll have someone to talk to and play with, and you'll still be joining the family." Play with, what am I five? Still though, that might be interesting. I mean it'd give me someone to hang out with while Alan hunted or fished or whatever it is he does, and Jen and Uncle John spent their time together.
"I don't know. Besides who would I even ask."
Apparently not having thought that far ahead, she mulls it over for a minute before seeming to hit on just the right answer. "What about Jason? I was just talking to his mother the other day at the grocery store, she was saying how fond he was of you." He said he was fond of me? Really? Naw…really?
"Well…" Relenting slightly, I guess it wouldn't hurt to maybe ask. I mean I'm sure he'll say no, but then if he does that'll give me an excuse not to go without making it look like I didn't at least try to be compliant. "I guess I could ask if he wants to go suffer with me, but if he says no then I think it's only fair I get to stay home. I really don't want to go out there by myself Jen, honestly. You and Uncle John will no doubt spend the time with each other and Alan will want to go kill things, which I don't want to do at all." Come on meet me halfway here.
"Alright, you've got a deal."
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(20 min. later, Angel Grove Park)
Watching Jason dribble the ball down the concrete court, I smile inwardly. He's been so nice to me and while the others still seem sort of uncertain about my stability, especially after the Evil Green Ranger thing, Jase, the one in particular I tried to slaughter, never even seems to give it a second thought. Strange.
Pushing my shades up on top of my head, I stand off to the side of the court waiting for him to notice my presence. I don't mind waiting, I don't want to interrupt his fun and besides I like watching him. Mind you I'm not much for sports, but just the way he moves, smooth and fluid motions, smooth and hard muscles…I really have to stop thinking like that. This isn't the city and he isn't gay, so letting my mind wander to such places isn't good.
"You gonna just stand there or you wanna join me?" Turning and panting a bit, he tosses me the ball. "Come on, feel like a game?" Not really.
"Not right now, gotta head back home soon and Jen pitches a fit if I come to the dinner table reeking and sweaty." Okay so that's a lie, Alan does it all the time, but I'm really not in the mood to chase a ball around the court in the eighty degrees weather. "Actually I just came to talk to you, er ask you something. I went to the Youth Center and Trini said you were here."
Smiling and holding his hands out for me to throw him the ball back, he catches it easily and moves closer to me. "What can I do for ya, bro?" Still gets to me how easily he can call me that. Also the hugs too, all of them hug each other, not to mention exchange small friendly peeks on the check now and then. Okay so that's normally just between the two girls and guys, but still. I knew my old friends in LA for six years and we never even shook hands.
"Um, well I was… Are you doing anything this weekend?" Lame. When he gives me a curious look, I elaborate quickly. "See cuz Jen wants to do this camping thing and I don't really wanna go, but she said that if I did I could bring along someone and I thought maybe you might like that outdoors thing and would want to go. Not that you have to or anything, and it is sort of short notice, which is fine because if you don't go then I don't have to, but I thought you maybe might want to." That came out a little fast.
Smiling, he saves my pitiful self from further incoherent rambling and embarrassment. "You want me to go with?"
"Um, yeah. I mean if you want to." Not that spending some time with you away from the others wouldn't be fun.
"Sure." Dribbling the ball again he makes another shot, getting nothing but net. "Of course you're going to have to come to the sports store with me for some stuff." Catching the ball, he gives me another charming smile. "So, mind if I ask you something now?"
Shrugging, I just hope it's something I can answer.
"Why did you ask me? You had your pick of people." Yeah right. What people? Everyone in Angel Grove High is content to simply keep me labeled as the new kid. The other Rangers don't seem too interested in hanging out with me outside Rangering and school, so aside from my imaginary friends, you're sorta it there, bro.
"I don't know who you're talking about, but I don't really have that many friends in case you didn't notice." Crap that makes it sound like I picked him by default doesn't it? "Not that I wouldn't have asked you if I did, I want you to go, I just, um, I mean, can I start over?"
Laughing and shaking his head, he heads over to his duffle bag grabbing a bottle of water. "You're too hard on yourself, I thought we were working on that. Besides, I don't really care what your reasons are, I wouldn't agree to go if I didn't want to spend time with you." You want to spend time with me? Really?
Taking a breath, I look around to avoid looking directly at him and having him realize I'm blushing like Kim on a good day. "Uh, well good. I mean, good. So I'll see you Saturday?"
"Nope." Huh? When I look back up suddenly worried I've misunderstood, he shakes his head. "You'll see me tomorrow, I told you you're coming to the sports store with me, I haven't been camping since I was ten, I need some stuff." Oh.
"Oh, okay." Don't particularly love sporting goods stores, but whatever; he's coming that's what matters. "See you tomorrow then."
"I'll be by to pick you up at noon, k?"
Nodding and bringing my shades back down, I wonder if I should have given this a little more thought. Oh well, too late now. "K."
To be continued …….