Enjoy!

6TH Period

The lunch bell rang and he headed to his sixth period class. His heart raced in excitement at the chance to prove himself worthy. Walking in his cool, laid back stride, a grin was posted on his face and everyone more or like it seemed to notice him.

"Hey Antonio, what's happenin'?" Cassie Taylor addressed, smiling sweetly.

"S'up?" He answered, checking her out.

She laughed once, throwing her dark hair back sexily. "When you're through messing around with middle aged old ladies, give me a call." Pressing her hand into his, she lifted it, her eyes never leaving his while she wrote down her number.

His grin got bigger as he held her gaze. "I'll do that," he responded walking away. Nodding his head pleased, he walked on.

Ethan and Conner looked on with their mouths hanging.

Ethan nudged Conner hard in his gut. Conner didn't respond, still in shock. "Dude, did you see that?"

Conner shook himself out of his stupor and shrugged. "Yeah, so what. That happens to me all the time."

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure."

Conner nodded before realizing Ethan's tone spoke disbelief. "Hey, I'm telling the truth."

Ethan rubbed his nose, following the crowd. "I didn't say you weren't."

Looking up, Conner laughed incredulously. "Yeah, but you implied it." He shifted his backpack on his shoulder and held his books to his chest with his other arm. Facing Ethan he contested his case once more, "Bro, I'm a babe magnet. Chicks dig me."

Ethan looked around the hall and then stopped, a smile forming on his face. "Okay, I dare you to hit on Torrance Howard."

The smug look he wore on his face died when he saw who Ethan was talking about. The girl was built and short. Her light auburn hair was in a bob and she wore a huge white t-shirt that passed her waist and faded grey high-water jeans. If her glasses were any thicker, she wouldn't need them, she'd be declared blind. Conner laughed nervously. Her style wasn't what scared him most, though. The thought of losing at a dare had always driven him insane. Ethan knew it and he had him out on the edge. His superiority complex would crumble due to a five foot dwarf. "What if I don't do it?"

"Bro, don't tell me you're chickening out? You're a babe magnet, remember?"

Gathering his wits about him, he walked over. "Torrance?"

The girl turned around and glared at him. "My book is full. There are no more open spots for tutoring. Go away."

He held his hands up, signaling he held no weapon. "Uh, I just wanted to say how lovely you look today."

She closed her eyes, dropping her books. Out of nowhere she whipped out a can of pepper spray and sprayed him.

"Ahh! What the bloody hell!"

"Stalker! Stalker!"

Essentially, the entire school crowded around to see. He squirmed against the locker, screaming and rubbing frantically at his eyes.

Ethan snorted, quickly hiding it and trying to mask his glee and altogether embarrassment for his friend by rushing over.

"Ahhh!" Conner kept trying to swipe at his eyes. "It burns! It burns!"

"Man, quit rubbing at it. You'll only make it worse," Ethan reproved.

"It burns," Conner muttered in a soft, defeated tone.

"You should listen to your friend," Ms. Kerens advised.

They were now sitting in the clinic and Connor was sitting on a cot, shirt off and red eyed.

"Man, the whole school's going to think I'm stalking Torrance Howard. It's not even funny-"

"Says you," Ethan quipped.

"I'm serious Ethan. This is going to harm my rep. The school's star soccer player and captain of the best high school soccer team in the whole district is pepper sprayed by a five foot, fashionless dwarf. I can see Cassidy printing the article now."

"Now, Conner it won't be so bad. Dr. Oliver will be there to assist you in the trauma. In fact I'll make sure of it."

Conner straightened up with a terrified look on his face, same as Ethan. "Please, don't!" Conner said, rather quickly. I can't bear anymore humiliation.

An evil smile formed on Ethan's face. "Yes, I'm sure that will help Conner out a lot in his dilemma. They are practically brothers you know."

Conner glared at him through his inflamed, blurry eyes, wanting to strangle him and do so much more to his friend turned traitor. "I'm going to-" Conner mouthed as Ethan grabbed his books and began backing out.

"Well, I'm already late enough for class as it is and Randall will soon be making her rounds- Not a pretty prospect for my future. I guess I'll be leaving."

He jumped out of Conner's grasp as the other boy began trying to grab him. He waved at him in a malicious, playful type manner on making his exit.

"That- That blue! He planned the whole thing!"

Ms. Kerens looked at him rather amused, especially in his choice of insult. "I doubt that he could manage to predict that Torrance would act in such a manner. Now tell me about you and Dr. Oliver being practically brothers."

His eyes widened in horror. "He was lying!"

"Now don't be silly, I know he's close with his students. I admire a man with that kind of faculty. You know I was once a model for Wilson's beach shop…"

No!!! Ethan I'll get you for this! You are so dead.

Antonio walked onto the field, his nervousness spiking. Coach Hardy looked up and smiled. "Antonio Myers-Hart, you bring that activity form?"

He nodded, not even able to really get anything out.

"You look scared."

"Nerves," Antonio responded, shaking himself mentally. He was finally going to do what he wanted to do since he could remember, and get his chance at his glory days like his siblings.

"Well, don't let them stop you. You look fit enough and your recommendation proved itself helpful in my allowing you to enter so late into the season."

Antonio nodded, giddy. I'm in!

"Well, see you at practice, tomorrow. You'll be a fine addition to our team." With that the coach walked off.

He stood there for a moment, dazed. A huge grin came on his face and he let it hit him fully. "I'm in! I'm in!" He jumped, pumping his fists. "I'm in! Whoo!" He began running all over the field, arms outstretched.

The coach looked back, shaking his head. At least I know he can run.

"Whoo! I'm in! I'm in! I'm on the team! Whoo!" He was jumping and shouting at random people, he then turned back to face the coach.

"Coach Hardy, I won't let you down! You will not regret the day you let me on the team!" He ran up to some girl on the track and screamed, "I'm in! I'm on the team!"

Dr. Oliver sighed and went to close his window. All the school clubs had decided to have a meeting during his class time, not like they were targeting him out specifically but he couldn't help feeling that way. He was annoyed. There were only four students left sitting in his classroom and he decided not to be cruel and not teach class.

Sitting back, reclined in his chair, he could only think of his new colleague: Kim. He smiled at the thought of being able to see her once more but that thought quickly subsided when he thought of Deryck. He grunted, causing one of the students to look up. She could not really think Deryck was the one for her. After all, the guy seemed full of himself and a real asshole. Sounds like someone you know, doesn't it. A dark voice called in his subconscious. He could picture the green fellow staring back at him. You know that guy is bad news. Think of the things they've done. Another voice entered the squall going on in his brain. Things you know nothing of. Kim, couldn't have honestly gotten over you so soon. She loves you. The more rational white knight called out. But she said that before, and then she left you broken hearted with a cold 'Dear John' letter in return.

He closed his eyes and a flash of red overwhelmed the black endlessness that should have been there. He understood the sensibility of the red ranger. It was perhaps the hardest and most independent part of his stint in ranger hood. Try trying to coax your ex-girlfriend out of an evil spell only to come up with no positive result and nearly get killed for being such an idiot.

The crimson hue was then replaced by the usual darkness. A reassuring and familiar vibe reentered his senses. Well, win her back.

It was almost as if he were reenergized. Suddenly things didn't look so hopeless or bleak or confusing for that matter. "I do love her. And I'm going to win her back!" He brought his clenched fist down hard against the desk, the remainder of his students jumping violently. He jumped up, snatching off his glasses with a glint in his eye. "Guys, you can dismiss yourselves. I have to go win- (suddenly informing his students of his going to win back his ex who happened to be their history teacher didn't sound so great) -I have to go somewhere."