Disclaimer: Power Rangers does not belong to me.
Chapter One: Date Dilemma
Madison Rocco had never been one to daydream… until Nick Russell came to Briarwood. She used to pride herself on staying sensible and keeping focused on school and her job. Instead now, Maddie constantly found herself fantasizing about what it would be like to share a kiss with Nick.
"My first kiss," thought Maddie giddily to herself as she shifted the heavy stack of flyers in her arms.
It's not like she was completely inexperienced in the romance department. Maddie was well aware she'd crushed before, most recently on a guy named Ben with whom she'd gone out on a few dates. But Nick was special, and Maddie wanted her first kiss feel that way as well.
So distracted daydreaming of Nick, Madison didn't notice the broom Xander had carelessly as usual left lying in the middle of the floor. Suddenly finding herself stumble, Maddie panicked as she saw flyers begin to fall out of her hands. The next moment, Maddie felt strong pair of hands steady her tumble and looked up into the most gorgeous pair of coffee-colored eyes she'd ever seen.
"Thanks so much, Nick," said Maddie flustered, praying she wasn't blushing too badly.
"No prob," grinned the red ranger, before setting her upright. "So what's with all these flyers you have here anyway?"
"Oh the flyers!" said Maddie, hurriedly busying herself with picking up the fallen leaflets so that Nick wouldn't notice see her embarrassed flush.
"Yeah, the ones that say Spring Fling Carnival on them," asked Nick again as he went to help her retrieve the flyers.
"Oh Spring Fling carnival is an annual fun fair type of event at the high school," said Maddie. "There's games and rides and cotton candy. It's just a real good time. And people usually go with…" her voice trailed off out of shyness.
"Go with…" pushed Nick.
"Go with a date," finished Maddie quickly. "And I really have to have one this year."
"How come?" asked Nick interested.
"'Cause I'm on the board of the Student Activities Committee now, so everyone expects me to set a good example," sighed Madison. "That's why I'm helping out with the flyers."
"How come you've never gone with a date in the past?" asked Nick, not letting the topic drop.
"Because I was too shy to ask anyone," groaned Maddie to herself. "Chip, Vida and I always just went in a big group," she offered lamely instead. "While Xander threw himself at whatever girls where nearby."
Nick chuckled at her last remark. "Sounds like Xander alright," he said. "But I guess this Student Activities Board position is a good thing for you; having to get a date now and all. Guess it's going to force you to come out of the shell of yours."
Madison whacked Nick with a leaflet in response, causing him to smile again. "So," he continued, growing serious. "Any idea who you're going to ask?"
"You, if I ever get up the courage," thought Maddie sulkily to herself. "Well, ummm," she hesitated.
"Nick!" they both heard Xander shout from across the room. "Get back on the register! Don't sit around chit chatting all day."
"Isn't that what you do?" muttered Nick under his breath, before turning back to Madison. "We're finishing this later. I definitely want the scoop on the lucky guy you're taking to the carnival."
Maddie smiled as Nick hustled back toward the register, admiring the rear view and his assertive walk. Confidence was high up there on the qualities she looked for in a guy, especially since she lacked it in spades. It was definitely Nick's take-charge attitude and endless energy that made her more attracted to him than any other guy she'd ever known.
"Did I just hear you talking to Nick about dates for carnival?" asked Vida coyly as Maddie walked over to hang some flyers on the DJ booth.
"Yes," replied Maddie, rolling her eyes at her sister. "What's the big deal?"
"Come on, Sis!" laughed Vida loudly. "Don't act like I know nothing about you!"
"Nick and I are just friends," said Maddie, failing horribly at trying to appear nonchalant.
"Just like Vida and I get along all the time," said Xander fakely as he walked over.
"Yeah, we're just the greatest bosom buddies," snorted Vida in sarcasm.
"Maddie, face it," said Xander, putting on his charming grin. "We've known you long enough to see when you're crushing on a guy. You just need to get over yourself…"
"Look who's talking!" laughed Vida as Xander shot her an annoyed glare.
"Get over yourself," continued Xander, turning back to Maddie and giving Vida his back. "And ask Nick out to Spring Fling."
"I don't know…" began Maddie.
"Don't you be telling my sister what she should be doing," said Vida, throwing her headphones down in disgust. "Maddie will ask Nick out when she's ready."
"Maddie should ask Nick out now!" yelled Xander annoyed at Vida. "Spring Fling is the perfect opportunity for them to go out on a date."
"Guys, Nick might hear you!" whispered Maddie nervously.
"Why are you always telling other people what to do?" cried Vida.
"Why are you always so argumentative?" shot Xander.
"Why are you always…." began Vida angrily, but Xander did not hear her as he ran off to hold the door open for a female costumer
"… always running off to talk to other girls," finished Vida glumly. "Especially ones as stupid as Leelee."
Madison put a hand supportively on her sister's shoulder as they saw the curly-haired blonde come into the shop. Ever since Xander had moved to the states, he and Vida had formed an especially close – and especially heated – friendship. Maddie knew though that Vida always felt like Xander took her for granted, talking to the younger Rocco sister whenever he had problems, but ditching her the moment he saw a girl he found attractive.
"Does Xander have to hit on every girl in front of my face?" asked Vida, clearly upset. "I mean, I understand he's a flirt, but Leelee too? What could he possibly see in her?"
"Well she does have nice fashion sense," offered Madison, never one to be purposely diss others.
"Hey look, Leelee's going over to talk to Nick," observed Vida.
"That slut," hissed Maddies, garnering an amused look from Vida. "Come on! Let's go hear what they're talking about."
The way Leelee was constantly flirting with Nick made Madison's blood boil. She never thought Nick was actually interested in Leelee, but that didn't stop the waves of jealousy when she saw the blonde stroke his arm or bump into him "accidentally." Maddie grabbed Vida's hand and pulled her sister hastily over to where Leelee was talking with their guy friends.
"… and so then you'll definitely take me to Spring Fling, right Nick?" cooed Leelee with disgusting sweetness as she hung on Nick's elbow.
"I'm afraid not, Leelee," said Nick, yanking his arm free.
"He's not going with Leelee?" thought Maddie to herself excitedly. "Maybe he wants to go with me!"
"Why?" whined Leelee. "Who are you going with then?"
"Uhh, probably just my friends here," said Nick, looking around at Madison and the others.
"Friends," sighed Maddie despairingly to herself. "Right. That's all Nick will ever think of me as – his friend."
"Fineeeeeeee," squealed Leelee like a sick goose. "Chip, you can take me."
"Uhhhh," said Chip as his eyes grew wide with horror. "I think I have my Dungeons and Dragons game that night."
"Oh weird," said Leelee in disgust as she went to leave the store.
"Now that's not nice," Vida shouted after Leelee. "Go ahead and leave, Leelee. Nobody wants a mean person like you around."
"Wait, Leelee!" cried Xander as he ran after. "Don't you want to go to the carnival with someone twice as cute and charming as Chip or Nick? Someone like me?"
"Stop acting so desperate all the time, Xander," said Vida under her breath. "Geez, I don't know why I even like you."
"Like you?" overheard Madison, raising an eyebrow playfully at her sister.
"You know what I mean," responded Vida, rolling her eyes before returning to her DJ booth.
"Man, there's way too much drama with this date stuff," remarked Nick, coming up beside Madison. "I can see why y'all always went just with friends in the past. Sounds like the best way to do it to me."
"But Nick," Madison began to protest.
"But what?" said Nick, turning around and grinning at her.
"But, but…" started Madison, his smile making her insides along with her brain melt. "But nothing."
Maddie watched glumly as Nick walked away. She wondered if she would ever have the courage to tell Nick how she felt. Not that it even mattered. He just wanted to be friends anyway.
"MOTHER!" screeched Leelee as she appeared through the spell circle in their underworld lair. "MOTHER, MOTHER, MOTHER!"
"Hush, my daughter," entered Necrolia. "What has got you screeching like a vampire this time?"
"Mom, you're a vamp.. oh whatever," whined Leelee. "Mom, no boys will take to the Spring Fling carnival. And I – the prettiest girl in Briarwood – like, can not go without a date!"
"You should be focusing your energy on helping me destroy those pesky Power Rangers," chided the vampire queen.
"BUT I WANT A DATE!" wailed Leelee. "I want a date! I want a date! I want a …"
"Ok, ok," gave in Necrolia, trying to sooth her daughter. "Just please stop that horrible racket! I think I may have a way."
"Like what type of way?" asked Leelee, perking up.
"A way for you to get a date," began Necrolia slyly. "And destroy the Power Rangers."
A/N: Much more to come! What do you think so far? Let me know what you think!