Hey guys, sorry for the huge delay, but real life (my degree) caught up with me. Now I have lots of time to update and get this thing on the road. So here is the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the clothes on my back and a few rocks.
Chapter 9 Friends and Excuses.
Conner looked up at the entrance to the high school with trepidation. It had been over a week since the Metallispore fight, and his mother had only just decided that he was fit enough to return. As a consequence he was royally behind on his work and had been fielding questions from Aled for the past week.
"Yo, dude! Where have you been?" Speak of the Devil… Aled was calling from the nearby bench where they habitually met first thing on the morning. Having been so preoccupied with thoughts of work, Conner had failed to notice his friends, who were all watching his reaction with some amusement.
Turning to meet his best friend, Conner plastered a laid back 'all is right with the world' look on his face. "Er, nowhere. My mom insisted that I have the time off so that she could make sure that I didn't get into anymore trouble." Inwardly he smiled at that, if only she knew how much trouble I get into on a regular basis.
"Yeah, we heard about your accident. Why where you there in the first place, its like, so uncool to be teacher's pet!" Aled asked, leading them over to the small group of people, a cheerleader, two more football jocks and another girl, Sara, who was Aled's girlfriend.
"Yeah, Conner. You turning into a geek?" this came from the cheerleader, who was idly twirling some of her hair between her fingers.
"No, Delta, I'm not turning into a geek," Conner replied, giving her a look as if to say that was the last thing on his mind. "I was helping out in order to get extra credit for Dr. Oliver's class."
"Dude, why do you even care? You can walk into any school with a Soccer scholarship and they won't care if you fail some of your courses!" Asked Carl, one of football jocks. Not being overly bright, but built like the side of a house, he had chosen football as his choice of career, and didn't much care for education.
"Because, first of all, my mom will be upset if I don't pass my graduation and because in order to get into college you need to have good grades. Besides, I can't play Soccer for the rest of my life, and I don't want to end up as a high school Soccer coach." Conner answered, feeling as though he was banging his head against a brick wall.
Further questioning was stopped by the ringing of the bell, heralding the beginning of class and the press of students walking past and into the building.
"Any way, we need to get going," Aled said, leaning over and giving his girlfriend a quick kiss. "We have Dr. Oliver's class. Yet more boredom and non relevant stuff to fill our heads with." Grabbing Conner's arm, he began to walk off, pulling the red ranger with him.
"You know, you really shouldn't care, it's only high school dude and not the rest of your life," Aled said, pulling him into the building.
Conner admitted that it was only High school and that it didn't count as much as getting a degree, but it still counted, and besides, his mother would also be really upset with him. Not to mention that his brother wouldn't ever let him live it down. Things were never easy. He was sat in Dr. Oliver's class just letting the information being given out wash over him, something about Trilobites.
He couldn't understand how his friends didn't understand how much his education meant to him, and it was harder trying to keep being a ranger a secret and not interfering with his life. He had already messed up a Soccer tryout so far this year, how many more times would he have to choose between his friends, being a ranger and his education.
His musings however were interrupted by Aled nudging him in the side with his elbow. "Dude, boredom is over, it's time to go. You've got soccer practice."
"Huh, already?" Conner looked around to see that everyone was packing up their stuff and preparing to leave. Even Kira and Ethan had packed up and were casting concerned glances in his direction. "Yeah, sure dude," he replied, gathering his stuff and shoving it in his bag.
Conner's lack of concentration had not gone unnoticed by Tommy. Throughout the entire lecture he had been distant, staring into space. He doubted that the young red ranger had even heard when he had told the class there would be a test in the next session. He had also noted the attitude of Aled. He knew full well that the boy would be a hindrance to Conner and his future, in education and Soccer. Still, the only person who needed to realise this was Conner.
Sighing, the black ranger began to write out the notes needed for the next class.
They were halfway through Soccer practice when his Bracelet dinged for attention. Faking a slight pull in his hamstring, Conner made his way over to the changing rooms. Making sure he was out of sight he raised the com link, "Go for Conner."
Hayley's voice filtered out from the small device, "We have another attack, down by the docks. The others are already on their way."
Closing his eyes in frustration, Conner replied, "I'm on my way." Turning towards the door he spotted his coach by the side of the field. Thinking quickly, he walked over and made the excuse of his ribs beginning to hurt and that perhaps he should go and see the school nurse. Excuses made, he set off for the docks.
His departure didn't go unnoticed, however. Aled watched as the young ranger jogged from the pitch and instead of heading for the school nurse, headed for the exit to the school.
Well, that's it for this one. The plot thickens and for you action junkie's the next few chapters will be entertaining!
Please review!
Fen.
