Shuffle
Summary: There are moments in life that shaped our entire being, events that mold our entire character. Some are tragic, some hysterical. Some are horrific and some are blissful.
AN: An AU T/K fic for y'all. Sorry I haven't updated Pulse and Beauty and the Beast in awhile. I'm having a bit of writer's block on those two stories. But I wanted to write something. Please review! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers.
Chapter One
In the last three months, Kimberly Ann Hart had traveled to Paris, seen more concerts than she had in her entire life, partied and laughed and danced until the sun came up, performed naked slip and slide, and even wrestled in a kiddy pool full of shaving cream.
It was a summer of complete abandon and debauchery, and she couldn't wait to repeat it again. She'd spent the better part of her wild summer days and nights with her boyfriend of three years, Jason Scott. They'd been friends since freshman year of high school and started dating soon after. They were inseparable; much to the chagrin of the rest of their friends. Not that anyone in their gang disapproved of the couple; just grew tired of watching the two snog each other constantly.
The "gang" as mentioned, consisted of nine other people; four other girls, five other guys.
Within the group lay an assortment of relationships, varying in duration and depth. Kat, Adam, Tanya, and Rocky; Kim had only known for a year. She'd taken various classes with each of them and had slowly introduced them to her other friends. Aisha, Zack and Billy she'd known as long as she'd known Jason, since freshman year. But the two people closest to Kim, the two she'd known since birth, were Trini Kwan and Tommy Oliver.
Some knew of each other before, having classes or after school clubs together. But regardless of how they'd come to be, they were most certainly a tight gaggle of friends.
Trini's house played host to the majority of their partying over the summer, where all eleven of the soon to be seniors engaged in their activities. It was there that the aforementioned naked slip and slide contest had occurred. As well as the kiddy pool filled with shaving cream wrestling match. It was all harmless really, except for the fact that the nudist slip and slide had prompted an awkward conversation between Jason and Kim. They'd left the subject of sex in the air when Jason left for Texas the final two weeks of the summer before school started.
Kim hadn't seen anyone for those last two weeks. Everyone parted ways once the summer died down, all in preparation for their final year. She was busting at the seams to see them all again.
Trini was the first one summoned by Kim's enthusiastic phone call this morning at six o'clock a.m. After Trini groggily agreed to pick Kim up, the two girls grabbed some breakfast and a coffee for Trini before racing to the atrium to greet the rest of the gang.
September 1st
First Day of School
8:00am
Kimberly's screams of joy were echoed by Aisha and Tanya as the three girls reunited.
Trini shook her head as Adam, Rocky, Jason and Billy approached them.
"Hey you," Jason said softly as Kim wrapped her arms around him.
"Hey yourself," she whispered back.
"Would you please tell your girlfriend to calm down?" Trini said playfully to Jason as Kim rolled her eyes.
"Where's everyone else?" Aisha wondered.
"Zack and Kat have dance practice in the mornings before school," Tanya explained.
"Already?" Rocky asked.
"They probably won't be able to meet us in the mornings ever," Tanya furthered.
"And Tommy's probably still asleep," Trini added with a smile.
"That lug," Kim cackled. "I tried to call him this morning."
"Hope he doesn't miss the first day," Adam said thoughtfully.
The gang shared knowing laughs for their forgetful friend before beginning to part ways.
"You ready?" Billy asked Aisha.
"We both have to see our counselor immediately, catch ya guys later."
"Bye!" the group called out.
"I need food," Rocky muttered, clapping Adam's shoulder, 'Let's go."
"See you guys later!" Adam waved as he and Rocky ventured off.
"Speaking of food, you wanna meet up after homeroom? Find out if we've got the same lunch?" Trini looked to Kim.
"Totally," the girl in pink agreed.
"Jason, you wanna walk with me to homeroom?" Tanya wondered.
"I'll meet you up there," he started before looking down at Kim.
Tanya simply nodded and waved good bye, leaving Jason, Kim and Trini.
"Could I talk to you for a second?" Jason whispered to Kim.
Kim blushed but nodded as they started to head for a more secluded corner.
Trini snickered and laughed, "Well, I guess I'll see you guys later."
"Oh, yeah. See ya Trini," Jason said.
"I'll catch ya after Homeroom," Kim added. "My locker's E15."
"Awesome!" Trini yelled out as she moved further away from the atrium, "Mine's F25!"
"Bye!"
"Say a prayer that Tommy makes it to homeroom!" Trini called out one final time before laughing and turning away toward the stairs.
Once Kimberly's laughter had subsided, she glanced back at Jason and bit her lip anxiously.
"Hey," she cooed softly.
Jason gave her a smile before clearing his throat, "Hey."
"Ya know, I though about what we talked about this summer," Kim started, smiling wryly as she played with Jason's shirt sleeve.
"You did?" Jason asked amazedly, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Yeah," Kim started again. "I think we should." She finished, needing not complete her thought.
"Really?" Jason asked, somewhat surprised before his brow furrowed into a scowl. "Oh….oh boy."
Kim's face now too turned into a look of concern. This was not the reaction she'd been expecting.
"What? What's wrong?"
"It's just…I just…." Jason started with a sigh. Kim was staring back at him concerned. Steering his resolve, the boy in red inhaled a deep breath and blurted out, "I think we should break up."
Kim's face dropped to the floor. She hadn't heard him right. She couldn't have possibly heard him right.
"What?"
Jason pulled away slightly from her grasp of his waist and ran a hand through his short, spiky hair. "I'm sorry. It's just…I realized this summer that…we're seniors, ya know? This is our last year before college. I just…I don't want…I just want to have fun this year."
Kim was frantic, gasping for breath. "But…I mean, didn't we…we had fun, right? I mean, we had fun this summer? We had fun together, right? We have fun together?"
Jason held his hands out defensively, "Yes! Yes, we do. We did. I just…I'm really sorry Kim."
Kim nodded, averting her gaze. It was just too painful to look at him right now.
The warning bell chimed, signaling the stampede of students to begin filing off toward class.
Jason scanned around for a moment before looking back at her. He reached for her chin and pulled her face toward his.
"I gotta go. I'm really sorry."
"Uh huh," she mumbled with a nod. He gave her a sad smile as he backed away and waved.
"Have a good senior year, Kim."
And with that, Jason spun away and marched down the hall, leaving Kim standing alone as the final bell began to ring.
September 1st
8:50am
"So the good news is, Tommy's not dead," Trini said with a laugh as she dialed her locker combination.
Kim gave her friend a half hearted chuckle and leaned against the wall.
"That's good," Kim mumbled.
Trini kicked the locker door shut with her foot as she turned to face her friend.
"What's wrong? You're really quiet."
Kim shrugged, "Guess I exhausted myself seeing everyone again this morning."
Trini laughed as she looped her arm through Kim's. "Tommy showed up for like, the last five minutes of homeroom. Mrs. Grayson was not pleased."
Kim snickered; half listening as she anxiously scanned the hallway they were walking in search of Jason. She wanted to tell Trini what had happened, but she just couldn't bring herself to rehash this morning's events. It was all still too surreal.
"I have B lunch, thanks a lot third period Chemistry," Trini continued, glancing at her schedule as she and Kim made their way up the stairs.
"Hmm?" Kim asked absently.
"B lunch, Kim," Trini repeated, implying an equal response from Kim.
"Oh, yeah…I have C lunch," Kim said with a sigh.
Trini stared at her friend carefully before nodding, "So, are you taking Drama like you said you wanted to?"
"Yeah. Fourth period," Kim said quietly.
The warning bell sounded. Kim looked up and stared at the chime on the ceiling. Stupid bell, she thought.
Trini relinquished her arm and gave Kim one final look of concern. "Our lunches overlap for like, five minutes. I'll see you then, okay?"
Kim nodded as she began heading for the door to her next classroom.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Kim again, nodded but said nothing. Trini sighed and nodded as well. With a wave and a smile, she headed further down the hall to her own class.
Kim inhaled sharply, fighting tears that threatened to fall as she reached for the handle of her second period English class. The low murmur of students talking and laughing echoed in the hall as Kimberly did her best to drown out their happiness while she felt she was dying inside.
"Oomph!" She cried out as some random boy's shoulder collided with hers. A mess of students were pushed against the locker wall as two more boys raced down the hall, laughing and screaming at one another.
"Watch it!"
"Oww!"
"Sorry!"
The group of mauled students plus Kim picked up their fallen folders and collected themselves before resuming their entrance inside their classrooms.
A loud thud was heard again, like a body slamming into a locker before Kim turned once more to witness the commotion.
Her face dropped slightly before realizing who it was.
"Hey man, watch it!" the taller boy admonished.
"Sorry dude," the scrawny one yelled out, racing down the hall.
The tall boy shook his head and laughed to himself as he brushed off his shirt and started for the door, stopping abruptly at the sight of Kim.
"Hey," he exhaled.
"Hey," she echoed.
Tommy Oliver had been one of Kimberly's closest friends since they were infants; both families having lived close to one another all their lives. Tommy had been smitten with Kimberly when he was growing up, and Kimberly him. Trini had known the pair all her life as well, but was never the companion to either that they were to each other. When Junior High had come around, Kim had naturally found a closer ally in Trini, needing the solace of another girl as adolescence began to take its toll. When the trio had entered high school, things shifted yet again. Kimberly met Jason, which initially disturbed Tommy. But the two men slowly became friends, eventually becoming best friends. It was a perfect world as far as Kim was concerned. Her best friend was best friends with her boyfriend; two handsome young men who would do anything for her.
But everything was different now, and Kimberly wondered if Tommy already knew about Jason's confession to her earlier this morning. Tommy didn't acknowledge her any different than he normally would have, she didn't think. And he was late for school that day…maybe he didn't know. She reminded herself to tell him after their class. And then she'd be able to tell Trini too.
Tommy gave Kim another quick smile as he motioned for them to filter inside the room, the final bell ringing as they took their seats. Kim waited until the teacher began introductions before leaning over and whispering to him.
"How are you? How was the rest of your summer?"
Tommy glanced at the front before whispering back, "Good, good. How was yours?"
Kim shrugged but smiled, she didn't want to let on anything before she told him herself.
"Your hair is wild!" She cooed quietly, reaching out an unabashed hand and stroked the ponytail. "It's as long as mine!"
Tommy reached up and caught her hand, playfully pushing it away. "Yeah, I know. It was already kind of getting there over the summer so I thought I'd just let it go. I'm trying it out."
Kim bit her lip and nodded, "You look hot," she razzed, giving him a wink.
Tommy snickered and shook his head in amusement before turning back to face the teacher.
September 1st
9:55am
"I'm so glad we have lunch together. I can't tell you…" Kim rambled as she and Tommy exited the class.
"Yeah, we can uh…catch up some more at lunch," He told her as they stopped by the stairwell.
"Totally," she chirped happily. She was eternally grateful for Tommy's presence at this moment. It made her completely forget about her troubles.
"You doing okay?" He asked suddenly.
Kim gave him a curious look and laughed, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
Tommy started before sighing and just smiled, "Nothing. Forget it. I'll see you at lunch, we'll talk then."
"Okay…"Kim sang, unnerved by Tommy's sudden cryptic humor.
"You look good, Kim," he said with a smile before waving and heading down the steps.
Kim rolled her eyes and laughed as she turned and headed off to her next class.
September 1st
11:34am
The Cafeteria. The bane of any high school student's existence. Sure it was lunch, a free period where food, gossip and other potentially incendiary events could occur. But it was also a breeding ground for socially awkward fiascos.
Kim was more fortunate than the sprinkling of underclassmen she stood in line with currently; all anxious and frightened about finding friends to sit with. Then there was the food issue. If you had the means or the gumption to afford the fast food offerings in the center kiosk, you were really no better off then slumming it along the back wall to be dished mystery platters with a complimentary juice or milk. School food was frightening, though Kim had always sought to purchase the healthiest, least threatening food she could find. Armed with a salad, half a sub sandwich and a bottle of water, she headed for the atrium wall. Tommy'd know where to find her.
Trini had exactly one minute before she'd be late returning to Chemistry, but the recent bomb of gossip she'd heard prompted her to tempt fate. When she'd seen Kim entering the cafeteria, she immediately bombarded her with consolations and grievances over why she hadn't been informed of the break up sooner.
Kim promised to tell Trini everything once she'd retrieved food and a place to sit. She'd need her strength and the stability of a bench if she was going to relive this godforsaken morning.
"So? You're sitting, dish," Trini demanded.
"We broke up," Kim said simply.
"Well, Adam said that Kat said that Jason told Tanya he told you this morning?"
Kim gave Trini a pitiful look before taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Don't you have class?"
"He told you this morning? This all happened today? When? After I left?"
Kim swallowed and took a swig of her water, "Yep. When we were alone."
"So, did he just say it? I mean, was there a speech? Did he give you a reason?"
Kim shrugged, "He just said that it was our senior year, he'd thought a lot about it and he just wants to have fun this year and that he's sorry."
Trini leaned back against the glass and snickered, "Unbelievable," she snorted.
"I know," Kim mumbled.
"What a dick!" Trini added. "So, have you talked to him since? Have you seen him?"
"No. I don't know what to say, Tri. I mean, he told me why…"
"Yeah but, do you think that's the whole story? Do you—"
"Hey ladies," Tommy's voice called out. Kim and Trini looked up to see their mutual friend standing over them, a burger and a soda in each hand.
The final bell rang; Trini cursed and stood up, sliding her bag over her shoulder.
"Shit…" she muttered, "I'm gonna be in so much trouble…."
"I'm sorry Tri,"
"Oh, whatever, it was worth it. You gonna be okay?"
Kim smiled and nodded, "Yeah. Thanks for talking to me. I'll see you after school."
"Yeah, if I don't have detention!" She snickered before turning to Tommy.
"Bye Trini," he said with a laugh.
"We hate Jason by the way, Kim'll explain. Bye," Trini said briskly before racing out the door.
Tommy turned back to Kim and gave her a curious look before sinking down beside her.
"So what's up?" He asked as he unwrapped his first burger from the foil.
"How can you eat that stuff?" Kim asked in disgust.
Tommy shrugged, "I'm hungry. It's food. Whatever," he smiled with a mouthful of burger.
Kim squealed and swatted him playfully. "Eww, Tommy, shut your mouth!"
Tommy laughed as he swallowed and snapped open his soda. "You're just pissed cause I never gain any weight from all this junk."
Kim narrowed her eyes at him and huffed, "I don't know…I think it's starting to catch up with ya," she teased, grabbing his side and pinching.
Tommy laughed as he squirmed under her attack, "Hey, hey, hey!"
"Oh, I think I pinched more than an inch!" She cackled.
"You could stand to gain a few!" He snapped back.
Kim scoffed, "I am the perfect weight for my size, I'll have you know!"
"Midget?"
"Shut up," she growled.
"I'm just kidding," he assured her. "You've got a great body."
Kim blushed slightly, though she wasn't sure why, and smiled. "Well…thank you," she said softly.
"Your boobs are kind of small though," he added with another bite to his burger.
"Tommy!" Kim jeered, shoving him hard.
Tommy laughed hysterically while attempting not to choke, "What? I'm still a guy!"
Kim grumbled and fumed but playfully as she stared him down, "Jerk."
"So, what's new?" Tommy asked after a moment.
At this Kim stopped, unsure how to proceed. Tommy noticed Kim's silence and turned to face her, finishing off his first soda before snapping open the second.
"Umm…Jason broke up with me," she said.
Tommy swallowed slowly before nodding. "I know," he confessed.
Kim looked up at him in awe, "Did he…did he talk to you?"
Tommy sighed and ran a hand through his now long, brown hair. "I….I uh….I may have….kind of….told him to."
And for the second time that day, Kim felt her jaw hit the floor. "What?"
Tommy clutched the soda can protectively with one hand, running his fingers along the rim with the other. He sighed before looking back to Kim, only to be met with her palm smacking against his face.
"Kim," Tommy started as she began gathering her stuff. "Kim, would you please wait?"
Students nearby watched in curiosity as Tommy yelled after the petite girl.
"Kim," He said again, reaching for her hand.
"Get away from me," she warned.
"I'm your best friend; don't I get a chance to explain?"
"You're nothing to me," Kim seethed, ripping her hand away and running up the stairs.
Billy, Zack and Adam were in the cafeteria, witnessing the altercation. Zack was the first to approach Tommy; followed by Adam and finally, Billy.
"Hey man, what's going on?" Zack wondered as he laid a hand on Tommy's shoulder.
"Is Kim okay?" Adam asked.
"Yeah," Tommy assured them. "It's….she and Jason broke up."
"Oh," Billy said quietly.
"Yeah," Tommy said again, his eyes still fixed on the stairs where Kimberly had left.
September 1st
3:25pm
"I'll get it," Trini said as she padded to the door to answer the knock. As she pulled the frame open, her eyes suddenly glistened.
"Oh, hey," Tommy said bashfully. "I should have known you'd be over here."
"Leave," Trini said curtly.
"Trini, I just need to talk to Kim for a second."
"Well, she doesn't want to talk to you, go home."
"Trini, who is it?" Kim called out, walking up behind the taller girl.
"Hey," Tommy said nervously.
"He's leaving Kim," Trini assured her, ushering Kim back up the steps to her room.
Tommy took the opportunity to enter the house as the door became unmanned.
"Oh no you don't!" Trini barked as she leapt back down the steps. "Get out, Tommy! She doesn't want to see you!"
"Ya know, you don't pull rank just because you're the girl, okay?"
"Yeah well, I'm not the one who told her boyfriend to dump her!"
"Oh great, now I suppose you're not gonna talk to me either?"
"If you don't get out here!" Trini warned.
"You know what? Fine! I'm leaving."
"Good."
"Whatever," Tommy mumbled as he shook his head and turned to leave, the front door slamming behind him.