Disclaimer: I think it's a well known fact that I do not own Power Rangers. If allowed to control the storyline I wouldn't write fanfiction.

Jeremy Shane, Ghostwriter, Brankel1, Hellquin, and 0 Lumia 0, thank you for your reviews of the last chapter. I'm glad to see you enjoyed it and greatly appreciate your reviews.

Warnings: This chapter is kind of sad.

As for the beginning scene, my sister was a cheerleader for five years, so I had to be familiar with all the terms in order to keep up with her stories. Also, I'm pretty sure Kimberly mentioned it an episode (I think it was "Calamity Kim") that she was a cheerleader. If not, well she is in this story.

Seven girls performed three front handsprings. Another set of seven followed after the first ending with a round off. By that time they were all in place for the finale. Kimberly, the captain, ended the routine with a set of five handsprings. Upon the last she was hoisted up by two other teammates to which she performed a basket toss into the arms of three bases. All the while three on either side of the stunt group gave a herkie in the direction of which side they were on. The three in the front performed a frontwards pike. The bases tossed Kimberly back over the top in which she gave a twisting layout and landed in the center in a perfect split. All fifteen girls ended with their arms in a large V.

Upon completing the routine the broke formation and screamed, cheering each other on. Kimberly received pats on the back for pulling off that last stunt.

"Kimberly, you are the best captain ever," Ashley stated, clamping her hands together in front of her chest.

"That's right," Monique added as she slung an arm around Kimberly's shoulders.

"We're sure to win this time for sure!" Annie cried as she pumped a fist in the air.

"Well, I can't take all the credit," Kimberly stated. The other cheerleaders were now huddled around her. "We've all practiced hard. The victory belongs to all of us."

"But you're the one who directed this routine," Monique said while side-hugging Kimberly.

"And because of your brilliant leadership…" Stacey began, pausing for dramatic effect. "…Stone Canyon won't be taking home the first place trophy this year."

The girls all began hollering. They clapped each other's hands.

"Good work everybody!" Kimberly cried as the group pulled apart. "That will do it for tonight. Don't forget tomorrow we're practicing again. Let's have the same results."

The squad left with kind farewells. Kimberly picked up the discarded pom-poms. She tossed them into the bag and headed for the equipment closet.

As Kimberly neared the closet the gymnasium door opened. She smiled at the figures of two girls from the soccer team entering. Once the bright light from the outside was shut out by the door closing the outlines formed into the bodies of Rachel and Emily from Kimberly's first period class. Kimberly hurried to toss the bag inside. Rachel smirked upon seeing the girl standing a few feet away. While Kimberly was not on bad terms with Emily, for some reason Rachel disliked the lead cheerleader. Jason suggested it was due to jealousy since Rachel was not selected for the squad in junior high. Still no one knew for sure.

Kimberly hurried to shut the door and leave before any drama began.

"Perfect timing," Rachel whispered.

Emily rolled her eyes, "Rach, let's not."

Rachel responded by widening her smile and increasing her strides. She grabbed the edge of the door before Kimberly could close it.

"Look who it is, miss prissy cheer girl," Rachel said with a chuckle.

Kimberly merely smiled and swallowed the groan in her throat. "Nice to see you again, Rachel." She pointed at the door. "I'm actually late for a meeting, so I'll get going."

"I see how it is," Rachel said playing with the door handle. "You think you're too good to talk to people like us." She wagged her finger between herself and Emily.

"No, I don't think that at all," Kimberly replied. "I really am supposed to meet some friends at the youth center."

"Oh, where you practice your gymnastics," Rachel said with a nod.

"That's correct," Kimberly answered.

Emily's eyes widened as a memory struck her. She spoke, "Yeah, last week I saw her do this combination that I didn't think any normal human being could—" The glare from Rachel silenced her.

Kimberly smiled at the blonde, "Thanks, but really I based it off something I saw from last year's Olympics when—"

"Right, because you're going to be in the Olympics," Rachel said. She crossed her arms. "After all, perfect Kimberly never has any trouble with anything. Everything comes easy to her, her looks have no flaws, and all the guys are all over her." She narrowed her eyes and scowled. "Even after she turns them away hundreds of times they still try."

Kimberly sighed. She knew where this was heading.

"Why are you so interested in him now?" Rachel asked.

"Excuse me?" Kimberly asked.

Rachel rested her arm on the door. "He's tried to get you to go out with him for years. All of a sudden you say yes. Was Tommy not good enough for you?"

Kimberly remembered how Rachel used to have the hugest crush on Tommy. Unfortunately for her the green ranger was oblivious when it came to noticing when girls had a romantic interest in him. He was lucky that Kimberly housed mutual feelings for him.

"We broke up a month ago," Kimberly stated. "Though I don't see how it's any of your business."

"Trust me, everyone knows," Rachel said with a click of her tongue.

Emily nodded, "Yeah, we found out two days after. It was the talk of the halls."

Kimberly let out a frustrated sigh. She was tired of her relationship statuses going public. Fortunately no one other than those involved and her close friends were aware of what happened with Greg. Some rumors floated around after his expulsion from the school, but only a select few knew the truth.

"So now you decided to give Skull a chance," Rachel said with a laugh. "I guess that makes him the luckiest guy in the world. The great Kimberly Hart is interested in him." Rachel gave a mock bow before Kimberly. "We're not worthy to be in her presence."

"Rachel, please stop, you're embarrassing me," Emily said, shielding her face with her hands.

"Not that it's any of your business, but me and Skull are only friends," Kimberly stated, tapping her foot. "Though I don't know why you're so jealous." Rachel's mouth hung open. Kimberly did not allow the other girl a chance to build her defenses. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Rachel, but you never gave him the time of day before that discussion in class today." Kimberly stepped forward into Rachel's space. "So don't you condemn me for who I'm talking to and who I spend my time with."

Emily placed a hand over her mouth to hide the smile.

After recovering from that attack Rachel collected herself. She smirked which caught Kimberly off guard. "Good," said Rachel. She lifted her eyebrows. "After all you're too much of a queen bee here. You wouldn't want to be forced to leave."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Kimberly asked, not caring that her impatience was slipping through.

"You wouldn't want to end up like Melinda Stouffer," Rachel said with a hand on her hip.

Kimberly tilted her head to the side with a confused expression on her face. Rachel's smirk widened.

"That poor girl," Emily said.

"Who's she?" Kimberly asked, genuinely interested.

Rachel stepped forward and put her face close to Kim's. "Why don't you ask Skull," she said with a grin. "I'm sure he would love to relive what happened to her." With those words Rachel and Emily put the soccer equipment away and left the gym leaving a confused Kimberly behind.

Kimberly entered the youth center and scanned the room for any sign of her friends. Jason was the first to notice and waved her over. Zack looked up from his extra-large sundae and gave her a smile. Trini closed the book she was reading. Tommy threw the towel around his neck as he and Billy ceased their sparing to meet up with the rest of the group.

"Good, we're all here now," Jason said. Kimberly took a seat. He noticed the pained expression on her face. "Kim, what's wrong?"

The pink ranger shook her head. "I ran into Rachel in the gym."

Trini wrinkled her nose. "Her again. You'd think she'd get a life by now and just leave you alone."

"I think she was mad because Skull walked me to class instead of her," Kimberly revealed.

"Fascinating," Billy said as he stroked his chin. All eyes were on their resident genius. "Until this morning Rachel has neglected to display any sort of affection for the boy. Perhaps it was not only his response that aroused her interest, but also that he chose to aid Kimberly with her literary analysis. Then she witnessed him conversing with her nemesis and the jealousy spiked."

Trini nodded. "She behaved similarly when she found out Kim was dating Tommy."

Tommy was shocked at this news. "She liked me?" he asked. His eyes widened. "She never said anything."

Zack patted Tommy's arm and shook his head. "Man, you're clueless when it comes to women's feelings."

Tommy smiled at the boy's jests then returned with one of his own, "Really, and you are such a success each time you approach Angela."

"Hey, that doesn't count," Zack said holding up a hand. "She's not an average girl."

"And they have been on two dates," Jason added.

"Thanks," Zack said clapping hands with the red ranger. He turned to Kimberly and said, "Just blow her off. She's nothing."

"That's not all," Kimberly stated. The others gave her their undivided attention. She looked each of them in the face. "Do any of you know about a Melinda Stouffer?"

The other five exchanged glances.

"Doesn't ring a bell," Jason said.

Tommy shrugged, "I haven't been here long enough to know everyone."

"The name sounds familiar," Trini replied. "Maybe I had a class with her, or something, but nothing really stands out."

"Yes, affirmative, I remember her," Billy said with a snap of his fingers. He noticed everyone was staring at him. "She was in my advanced chemistry class last year. She was a bright girl." His face turned red as he said, "I've never seen anyone recite nomenclature that quickly." He realized he was blushing and pushed those thoughts away. "But last I heard she transferred to another school. Haven't heard from her since."

"Why?" Jason asked, genuinely curious.

Kimberly shrugged, "Something Rachel said." Kim looked at Billy, "She also said something about her leaving." She pulled at her memory for further details of the recent conversation, "Only she said Melinda's leaving was forced." Kimberly shook her head. Tommy was about to ask why it concerned her when Kimberly answered the question for him. "She said Skull had something to do with why she left."

"I can't recall her ever mentioning Skull in conversation," Billy said staring into his cup of juice.

"Well don't forget Skull wasn't always so nice," Jason stated. "Maybe she couldn't take the bullying."

"But Skull didn't really do the bullying," Trini countered. "I mean the most he ever did was tease. And only towards people he liked or was jealous of."

"Maybe he liked Melinda," Tommy suggested. "But I don't see what that has to do with you now." A thought struck him, "Unless she just wants you to get scared so she can steal him."

"There's nothing to steal," Kimberly retorted. "We're only friends. I told her that."

"Well Rachel's always trying to start drama," Trini said.

The conversation died when they noticed Bulk heading for their table. His usual companion, and subject of their previous conversation, was nowhere in sight.

"Hey, Bulk, what's shaking?" Jason asked when the mentioned stopped at their table.

"Have any of you seen Skull?" Bulk asked, surveying the area. "We were supposed to meet here after school."

"Maybe he got tied up with something," Tommy suggested.

Bulk sighed, "I don't know what's gotten into him lately." He stepped back to recheck the room.

Kimberly mused on the fact that Bulk and Skull were close friends for most of their lives. If Melinda was an important detail in Skull's life he was sure to know about it.

"Hey, Bulk, can I ask you something?" Kimberly asked. The worried teen nodded his permission. "Do you know about Melinda Stouffer?"

Bulk's eyes widened. "Why?" he asked, nervously. "Did Skull mention her?"

Kimberly was taken back by Bulk's reaction. "No, someone else did," she answered.

"Will those rumors ever stop?" Bulk asked, holding his forehead.

"What rumors?" Jason asked.

"Nothing, it's nothing," Bulk said stepping away. "Just forget about it." He hurriedly left.

"That was weird," Trini commented.

Kimberly narrowed her eyes and leapt up from her chair.

"Kim, don't," Trini pleaded. "He doesn't want to talk…" Trini trailed off when she realized that Kimberly was no longer in listening range. "…about it," Trini finished silently.

Bulk asked Ernie if he had seen Skull to which the bar manager shook his head.

"Don't worry, if I know Skull he'll be here surely," Ernie stated. He was near certain that those two boys alone could keep him in business."

"Bulk," Kimberly said sitting down on the barstool beside the mentioned. Bulk glared at her, already knowing what she wanted. "Bulk, please just tell me—"

"I said drop it," Bulk growled. He headed for the exit.

Kimberly rolled her eyes and followed after him. "Bulk please. I won't tell anyone I promise." She paused as Bulk gave her a look of disbelief. "I just don't want to ask Skull about this if it might upset him, but I feel I need to know."

"No, I don't want you to leave him because of a stupid rumor," Bulk begged. "Just leave it alone."

Kimberly was so interested in the truth she forgot to correct Bulk's assumption about their relationship. "Bulk," Kimberly reasoned. "Please, I haven't heard the details yet, just Melinda's name. Please, I'd rather hear it from a reliable source than a distorted tale."

Bulk sighed, "Well, since you and Skull are dating now…I guess you have a right to know." Kimberly winced at those words even if they did have some merit. They had been on two dates. "But you have to promise to keep this silent."

"It won't leave this circle, not even to Skull," Kimberly promised as she extended her pinky. Bulk linked his pinky with hers.

"Okay," Bulk said.

The two made their way back over to the bar. Kimberly bought them both a milkshake. Bulk thanked her as he nervously sipped. He hoped he was not betraying Skull's trust by revealing this information.

"I don't know where to start," Bulk said touching his face. He thought for a few seconds then spoke, "Okay, you remember that four month period last year when Skull stopped…bugging (as harassed was too strong a word) you?" Kimberly nodded. She thought it weird at the time, but was too elated with the fact that she could use her locker without being bombarded by Skull. "Well he fell in love with Melinda Stouffer."

Kimberly's eyes widened. Based on how Billy described her she did not seem like Skull's type. Sure Kimberly did not view herself as stupid, but she was not nearly as intelligent as Melinda.

"And after a few kind rejections she finally accepted," Bulk revealed. "It wasn't that she didn't like him or anything. She was just shy and had to convince her parents she was responsible enough to date. They did start dating and everything seemed to be going great."

The moment Kimberly feared was approaching—the but.

"But then people found out and started teasing her," Bulk stated. "She didn't deny it. She truly cared about him." Bulk stared Kimberly in the eyes. "He deserves a good woman." Kimberly nodded. In her opinion everyone deserved to find true love. Bulk contemplated telling her the next part. Sure he could end the story there, but figured Kimberly wanted to know the rest. "Then the rumors started."

"What rumors?" Kimberly asked.

Bulk sighed, "I don't know if I should." Kimberly was about to protest when Skull placed his hands against his temples. "If you didn't know then they maybe are starting to die." Kimberly pleaded with her eyes for him to continue. Bulk sighed, "Please don't tell Skull that I told you this."

"I told you it doesn't leave," Kimberly replied.

Bulk nodded. "Well, I don't know who started it, but word got around about Melinda's supposed pregnancy scare." Kimberly's eyes widened. "Everyone started calling her a whore and a slut and they teased Skull even worse." Bulk clenched his fists. He looked Kim in the eyes. "Skull told me that they were all lies. There was never a pregnancy scare. Someone started that rumor and before you know it that's what everyone believed. They tried to tell them otherwise, but they only wanted to believe the bad stuff. They said Skull was forcing her to lie to save his own reputation and vice versa."

"Oh my gosh," Kimberly said softly. The look in Bulk's eyes warned her that was not the worst of the story.

Bulk continued, "Then after a few months when she didn't show everyone accused her of having an abortion. They told her she was selfish and only cared about her own future. And they harassed Skull for forcing her to get the abortion that she never had. He even had death threats from boys and girls. Luckily I was able to scare them away." Bulk slouched, "It got so bad Melinda had to change schools. And Skull hasn't been able to find a girlfriend or even a date since."

"But it never happened?" Kimberly asked with teary eyes.

Bulk shook his head. "No. You can ask Melinda and Skull. Someone just thought it would be funny to start this rumor and it got out of hand. Once Melinda left Skull was finally allowed to breathe." Bulk looked away, "Now that you just heard about it makes me wonder if they'll ever stop." He squeezed the cup. "And worse, no girl wants to be with Skull because they're afraid it could happen to them too." Bulk pounded the table with the side of his fist. "Why do people have to say false crap like that in the first place?"

"I can't believe this," Kimberly said as she wiped away a falling tear.

The two sat in silence for a few moments. The other rangers wondered what they were talking about, though they already knew Kimberly could never tell them.

Skull walked up behind them.

"Hey, Bulk, sorry I'm late," Skull greeted. "I had to stay to make up my algebra test." He saw the pretty brunette smiling at him. "Hi, Kim, didn't expect to see you here."

Kimberly jumped up from her seat and engulfed Skull in an embrace. She squeezed so tightly that it impaired his breathing, but he was not one to complain of a good thing. A few tears trickled down Kimberly's cheeks. Skull wrapped his arms around her petite frame.

"I'll always care for you," Kimberly whispered into his shoulder.

Skull smiled and hugged her tighter.

There you have it. I hope you enjoyed.

Remember, rumors only hurt.

Until next time!