Author's Notes – Right two Tommy POVs in a row, but had to be done. Next one will be Conner's I promise, and it'll actually be a fairly intense one, with bits of the conversation between him and Tom from Episode 28.
What's with the no update notices from the site though huh? Usually there's notice about it on the main page, sigh.
Thanks – Thanks to all my reviewers so many nice reviews, especially from lil sweetie, you guys rock!
Summary – Tommy and Conner find out a little more about each other, much to Hayley's amusement and Tommy's embarrassment.
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Interests
Tommy
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(Monday, Hayley's CyberSpace)
"I hate him." Okay so maybe hate is a strong word. I greatly dislike him and his overbearing personality. Not to mention the way he was treating Conner. The kid looked ready to drop and he's telling him to get his butt back on the field and keep running. I mean yes I agree you have to push yourself, but not to the point of throwing up and passing out.
"You're being over dramatic again." Setting my smoothie down and dropping a straw in the cup, Hayley just doesn't get it.
"I am not. He's a jerk and I'd still like to know how Conner got that bruise." I've gone over the footage of the last battle, he wasn't struck before we morphed and even after he never took a blow to the head. So he either was hit with a soccer ball after all or he got into a fight of some kind on his own.
"He said he got hit with the ball." Yeah the only thing is he was lying about something and after being friends with Adam and seeing his soccer injuries that didn't look like the same type of bruise he used to get from getting hit with the ball.
"Yeah and I bet dear old dad was the one that threw it at him."
"Tommy." Tone warning, she's apparently not in the mood for my theories today. Fine, whatever, we'll just ignore the fact he's interfering with my training sessions, running my Red Ranger ragged, and insulting my teaching abilities.
"I'm just saying the guy doesn't exactly seem to think very highly of him, or me for that matter."
"You're twenty eight, a teacher, live alone in the woods, and you're hanging out with three high school kids in your off time. You don't think that looks a little odd? I mean I know why you do it, but other people don't. Say people like concerned parents of said kids." Details details. "As for Conner well some dad's are like that. I know you don't get that what with you being cuddled and babied by yours-"
"Oh whatever Hayley. He did not cuddle me." He just tucked me in and read me a story every night until I was eight, and then he got me puppy, and when I turned sixteen a jeep… "I still hate him."
"Hate who?" Sliding down onto the stool next to me Conner seems to be a bit more rested. He was awfully quiet in class today though.
"Um, Bush." Well in all fairness I do hate him with a passion.
Smiling and accepting the shake Hayley places in front of him before he can even order, he gives a casual smile. "Well who doesn't?" Probably your dad. "I'm really sorry about missing the training session on Saturday. It's just dad sort of insisted." Yeah I sort of got that.
"Kind of figured. It's alright though, soccer's important to you, I get that." It's good he has something else going for him besides Rangering. Kim had gymnastics. Kat ballet. Myself racing…well before that crash. So why shouldn't Conner have soccer. You need something to keep you from thinking constantly about your inevitable death at the hands of the latest evil conqueror.
Looking a little distant, he gives me a shrug. "It's sort of a family thing. Dad went to college on a soccer scholarship when he was eighteen. So did my uncle. And my brother, he's away at boarding school working on one."
Taking a drink of my smoothie, I quickly wrack my brain for any information he might have previously given on a brother. "I thought you said your brother went to the Wind Ninja Academy." Oh wait I think he also said he flunked out of it, or was it dropped out? Never really heard of someone doing either in that place.
Shifting uncomfortably, he seems a tad embarrassed now, not sure why though. "He did, but um, it was mostly a summer thing, dad sort of convinced him that there wasn't a future to be had there. So now he's in Europe at Belport Academy, it's got a great soccer program." You're family's all about soccer isn't it.
"So how come you're not there?" I'm really not normally this nosey, but it just seems a little odd with how good he is. And by Hayley's expression she thinks so too.
"I wasn't good enough. It's a competitive place to get into, he did better at the tryouts then me, which is kind of surprising seeing as how when I was a kid I think I learned how to kick a soccer ball across the floor before I could talk." Don't sound so excited about it. Starting to think soccer isn't his Zen activity after all.
Tilting her head and giving him a rather odd look, Hayley beats me to the next question clearly on both of our minds. "Do you like it? I mean I know you're good, but it doesn't seem like you really love it."
Squirming a bit more, he takes a drink of his shake, prolonging his answer. "No, I do…most of the time. I mean, it might have been fun to try other sports, but it's kind of late for that now." Yeah because lord knows at age seventeen you're done for. Give me a break.
"Says who? Conner you're still a kid." Holding up my hands when this earns me a glare, I guess I should have worded that better. "What I mean is you're still young, still figuring yourself out, and you still have plenty of time to try different things. If you're tired of soccer then try something else."
"I'm not good at anything else." You know I'd ask where he gets this garbage from, but I'm pretty sure I already know the answer.
"That's such a load of crap. Conner you're one of those people that can be good at just about anything you put your mind to. Take your grades for example, you started out with a D average in my class, but after applying yourself and wanting to do better you're now pulling a B. If you want to do something else do it. It's your life and you should make the choices in it that'll make you happy." Especially considering your life hangs in the balance on almost a daily basis.
Looking uncertain, he doesn't seem too taken with my view. We really have to work on his self esteem and confidence. Still though I guess I should maybe spare him on the lecture. After all the CyberSpace maybe pretty much empty today, but there are still some students sitting around the tables and TV. No, not the place for a big speech.
Deciding a subject change might be best, I give him a playful nudge. "Hey so is there any particular reason your dad doesn't like me?"
Actually snickering at this, it would seem there is in fact a reason after all. Moving closer so apparently any eavesdroppers won't hear, this must be good if he's having to keep it a secret. "He thinks you're gay."
"You're kidding right?" Getting a negative shake he takes a drink of his shake looking nearly as amused as Hayley who is now having trouble controlling her laughter on the other side of the bar. "Why do people keep thinking that?"
"Because you are?" Not helping here Hayley. How many girlfriends have I had in the past? Not even counting Kat and Kim, there was Kristy, Kelly…wow I really have some subconscious thing with K names don't I? Add in Kevin and Chris and I should probably go see a psychiatrist about this. But anyways that's besides the point thank you very much Hales.
"I am not."
Finally having reigned in her fit of laughter, the woman gives me a dismissive gesture before dropping her voice. "Fine, bi, gay, whatever." It's not the same thing and I think Kat would completely agree. Not to mention you, you hypocrite.
Leaning across the counter and forgetting about Conner for the moment, I fix her with a rather evil look. "There's a difference. Besides I wouldn't be talking miss 'one summer in band camp doesn't count'."
Jaw on the ground, I think she's about five seconds away from leaping over the counter and sticking my head in the blender. "Shh, shut up and it doesn't!" Uh huh, sure it doesn't, keep telling yourself that.
"Whatever you say, Hales."
Shaking his head and looking extremely amused, Conner just has to add his two cents. "Why don't you two just get married already?"
"Why don't you finish your homework?"
To be continued…….
