Here's chapter two, still a little sooner than I expected, but... whatever... it's been weeks!
Disclaimer; I don't own Power Rangers at all. If I did, these to would be canon.
Please enjoy.
Alyssa
It was the next day and I was nervous as I walked out of my Algebra class.
I hate when I don't know for sure that I passed… and this was one of those times where I don't know.
I sighed softly as I walked out of the school and felt my Growl Phone buzzing.
I answered it after I saw it was Cole, "Hey Cole."
"Hey, Alyssa… how'd you do?" He asked.
I sighed, "I just got done with the test… I won't know for a while."
"Well, I'm sure you passed easily." I could hear the ever-present smile in his voice.
"I'm not so sure…" I relented slowly.
"Well, I'm sure. That's good enough… right?" He asked.
I smiled, "Yeah… I guess… listen, I'll talk to you when I get back…"
"Alright… see you later." He assured.
"Yeah… bye." I hung up.
I sighed when I did and put my phone away.
There was another test I needed to study for… it wasn't as important… but it was close enough to be if I wanted to be a teacher like I did…
So, the only place I could think about going…
Was Willie's Roadhouse.
20 minutes later…
I held my books close to my chest as I walked into the inn… it was pretty empty, so I sat in my usual spot in the back, close to the pool table.
I opened my book and pulled out a clean notebook to start writing things down.
As I did, I heard Willie coming out and I glanced up to see Merrick coming out from the back rooms.
He and I locked eyes before I quickly went to my books again.
3 hours later…
I was looking over my notes to make sure I had enough before Willie put down a milkshake for me.
I looked up before I quickly grabbed for my wallet.
"Don't worry…" He held up a hand, "It's already been paid for."
I frowned before I nodded and took a sip from it, nearly moaning at the great taste.
"Thank you." I smiled lightly.
He smiled back before he got back behind the counter and I went back to my notes.
"I thought your test was done?" He questioned.
I shrugged, "It is… but there's another coming up I also need to study for if I wanna become a teacher."
"Become a teacher?" Willie blinked.
I nodded, "I love helping others, so I wanna become a teacher to put it to good use."
Willie smiled, "I think you'd be great."
I smiled softly, "I hope so…"
1 hour later…
It was closing time for the Roadhouse.
I packed up my things and grabbed a rag from the bar before I started wiping down the tables.
"You don't have to do that…" Merrick looked at me from where he was sweeping the floor.
I shrugged, "It's the least I could do to pay you back for the milkshake…"
Merrick frowned, "What milkshake?"
I raised a brow, "The one Willie said….?"
He shook his head, "I didn't pay for any milkshake."
I frowned, "Huh…"
"I'm sure you'll figure it out." Merrick assured.
I smiled, "Thanks."
He finished sweeping and I finished wiping the tables.
"Welcome…" He informed me, "And… thanks for staying back."
I nodded, "Pleasure… we are teammates after all."
He nodded back, "Yeah…"
I headed for the door when he called back.
"I'm guessing I'll see you tomorrow… right?"
I nodded, "Probably…"
I continued on out… but I swear I saw a small smile on his face as I left.
That night…
I heard the WolfZord howling… which kept me awake since I wasn't used to it.
I can withstand the LionZord's growling and roaring… but the WolfZord's howling left something to be desired in me.
When it howled for the third time, I couldn't take it.
I got out of my bed and walked out to the main part of the Animarium.
I sighed softly when I didn't see Princess Shayla and grabbed one of my books.
Might as well study if I can't sleep.
8 hours later…
I must've fallen asleep, cause I felt Taylor pushing my arm softly, causing me to jolt a bit.
"What? I'm up." I groaned softly as I stretched my arms.
"Alyssa… are you okay?" She frowned.
I nodded, "Yeah… I'm just… not used to the WolfZord's howling is all…"
Taylor nodded, "Well… the boys are still asleep… wanna talk about where you were yesterday?"
I bit my lip, "Why do you ask?"
"Cause I looked for you everywhere and couldn't find you." She replied.
I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Good… so they know I wouldn't go to the Roadhouse.
"So… where were you?" She frowned.
I shrugged. "In the woods… just outside of town." It hurt that I had to lie to my best friend… but I couldn't let even her know where I was going.
She raised a brow, "I checked there too."
"In a cave."
"There's not a single cave in that woods."
"I found one."
"That easily?"
"Yes."
She frowned then shrugged, "Alright…"
I bit my lip to keep from sighing with relief. Good, she bought it.
I heard the boys getting up and I looked to see Danny and Max in their training gear.
"You two ready for your sparring match?" I smiled lightly.
They nodded, looking at each other nervously.
7 hours later…
I was coming out of the last class for school.
As I was… I swear I saw something out of the corner of my eye that looked like a silver jacket.
I looked around before I walked over to it…
When I did, I blinked when I saw Merrick leaning against the wall outside the school with his arms folded.
"Merrick?" I frowned.
His eyes snapped to mine quickly, a mixture of surprise and… boredom in his own.
"Just came to see if you were coming by the Roadhouse again today." He raised a brow expectantly.
I nodded, "Probably… now I've got a history test to worry about on top of my other studies."
He frowned, "Don't you think you're doing too much?"
I shook my head, "No… I need to learn as much as I can if I wanna get the job I've always dreamed of."
Merrick raised a brow again, "What job?"
I bit my lip. I forgot no one knew… well, except Willie…
"Ask Willie." I decided was my best bet out of this talk before I headed off for the Animarium.
Half an hour later…
I was looking up recipes to make for tomorrow's breakfast while I heard Max and Danny messing around.
"How was your class?" Taylor got beside me.
"Good." My voice squeaked a bit as I recalled who I'd seen right after.
That didn't go unnoticed by her.
"See anyone?" She figured.
I shook my head, "No… just… thinking… you know? Cause I've got a history test to look forward to…"
"Really? Can't you drop a few classes?"
I inwardly moaned. "What is it with you guys and wanting me to drop classes? I need to have as many credits as I can!"
"Who else have you told?"
Oops…
"Uh… just… some classmates." I lied easily.
She raised a brow before my watch went off.
"Well… I… uh… better get to studying…" I quickly got up, grabbing my books, and hurried out of the Animarium as quickly as I could.
Taylor
I frowned as I watched Alyssa leave.
She was my best friend… why would she be dodging my questions like that?
Getting up, I decided to follow after her to find out what she was up to.
Half an hour later…
I looked around a corner and saw Alyssa walking into a place called 'Willie's Roadhouse'… and I frowned.
Why would she go there? It doesn't seem like her…
Unless…
Well, the boys have been really annoying lately…
But why a Roadhouse?
More importantly… why this one in particular?
I moved closer and got inside, keeping low and in the shadows.
I saw Alyssa get over to a table close to a Pool Table and raised a brow when she looked at something I couldn't see from my position.
As much as I wanted to look, my Air Force training kept me still.
Sure enough… a familiar looking jacket caught my eye as a familiar looking man walked out from where she'd been looking.
"So, you did make it." It was Merrick! And was he… did it sound like he was…?
Was he smiling?
Alyssa nodded, "Yep… like I said; history test."
She… she told him?!
"You sure-"
"I'm not gonna drop any classes unless I absolutely have to." She insisted.
"And this doesn't get in the way of you being a ranger?"
She shook her head, "Nope… well… it hasn't yet."
Seriously? That was the best lie she had?
If it were me, I would've told him to mind his own business.
Then again, Alyssa wasn't me.
"Alyssa… right?" I heard an older man's voice and nearly hit my head on whatever I was hiding under.
"Right, Willie." Alyssa nodded, smiling at him before going to her work and groaning, "Of all the subjects this had to be on though… why Greek?"
I bit my lip to keep from scuffing. That was the easiest subject when I was in school.
"What kind of test is it?"
"Just facts… any kind of fact, language… tactics they used… mythology… that sort of thing." She replied.
"Merrick can help you."
"He can?"
"I can?"
My eyes were just as wide as theirs.
"Yeah… didn't you just get a book about Ancient battle tactics?" This Willie guy went on.
I've never seen anyone go white as a sheet as fast as Merrick just did.
"Well… yes…" He let out.
"Surely there's something in there about Greek." Willie reasoned before I heard his footsteps going into the back of the building.
I looked back at the other two as Alyssa shook her head.
"You don't have to if you don't want to." She assured.
"It's okay… I actually just got the book in case you needed it." He shrugged.
"Really?"
"I figured you were coming today anyway… so, yes." He nodded, and I nearly hit my forehead.
Well, he went from sweet to being a jerk really quick.
"Oh…" Alyssa nodded softly.
"I'll go get it for you-"
He was about to walk out when my Growl Phone rang.
They checked theirs and I quickly turned mine off.
"Smooth move!" I hissed to myself.
"Yours?"
"No…" Merrick frowned, "Yours?"
"No." She denied, and I cringed.
They looked over at where I was, "Alright… who's there?"
I slowly got up from where I was and smiled sheepishly at them. "Sorry?"
"Taylor!" Alyssa gaped.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was worried, so I came after Alyssa." I replied, "I'm sorry for hiding, but you were the one that'd lied."
"I know…" She sighed, "Please don't tell the others."
"For once… I agree. I'd like to keep some peace here." Merrick put in.
I held up my hands, "Hey… secret's safe with me."
They both gave me unconvinced looks.
"I promise." I sighed.
They still looked unconvinced, but at least they nodded.
I headed for the door, sighing as I stepped out.
Least I know why Alyssa chose here…
But, does she know?
Merrick
I watched Alyssa go back to her studying after Taylor left and I decided to play some Pool.
"You okay?"
"Hmm?" I looked up at her.
"About Taylor knowing? I know you don't like the others knowing you work here…" She let out.
I shrugged, "I'm fine with it."
She nodded, "Okay…"
I nodded back before I started to play.
4 hours later…
It was closing time.
I was sweeping the floor as Alyssa collected her books.
When she headed for the door, I looked up at her just in time to see her smiling at me.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Merrick." She assured before walking out.
I took a deep breath, trying not to break the broom handle, and continued sweeping, trying to ignore anything else around me.
"Merrick?"
"What?!" I snapped a little too angrily, "Uh… sorry… Willie…" I blinked.
He smiled, "It's okay… you hungry?" He held out a plate of food and my stomach growled at the sight.
"Uh… yeah…." I nodded and walked over to eat, putting the broom down.
"You know… I've been working for nearly 30 years… and I've seen a lot of people come through those doors." He informed me as I ate.
"Really?" I looked up at him.
"Yep… and I've seen many a person in love-"
I nearly choked on the bite I was swallowing.
"What?!" I stared at him.
"You and Alyssa." He shrugged, as if knowing my reaction, "You two look like you're good…"
"Acquaintances." I informed him, "We're just Acquaintances. We're not even friends. We are definitely not in love."
He nodded, "Keep telling yourself that."
I sighed and stabbed the steak he'd made before taking a bite of it, no longer hungry, but didn't wanna hurt his feeling or anything.
"We're not even friends… how could we be in love?" I questioned softly.
"You tell me." Willie shrugged, "I've seen the way you look at her… it seems obvious to me… but is it to you?"
I just stared at my plate in silence.
-Here it is, the second chapter...
Before I forget, this starts a little before Secrets and Lies, and it won't be in the episodes per say, but the aftermath, or (In Unfinished Business' case a little OC in the episode)
Just thought you guys should know.
I hope you like this story so far.
If you did, please Favorite, Follow, and Review!
Till next time!