Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter fifty-five of "Not Here." I'm glad it took just six days to get out. Zack, Trini, and Kim finally make their first appearances. Ashley's grandparents and her aunt will appear in the next one. This chapter has some Andros/Ashley, TJ/Cassie, Jason/Emily, Zack/Trini, and Mike/Maya. Stay tuned for chapter fifty-six.
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Chapter 55: Getting Ready For the Christmas Party
The Surf Spot bristled with people preparing for its annual Christmas party at midmorning on the day before Christmas Eve. Andros, Ashley, TJ, and Cassie were sorting out branches from a big tree in the spot where the table below the bar was usually located. Zhane, Karone, Carlos, and Justin sorted out a string of lights nearby. So did Adelle, Rocky, Aisha, Adam, and Bulk with another one. Tommy, Kat, Jason, and Emily worked on hanging ribbons on the pool table. Leo and Kendrix attempted to untangle a string of tinsel close to them.
Andros mumbled inaudible words as he looked at a branch he was holding. He learned from Jerome that Johnny was to be arraigned on December 21 for felony weapon possession the night after the knife incident. Johnny's parents, Nelson and Carol, hired a lawyer named Zeke Merts to represent him. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Judge Barry Hu denied him bail because he was a danger to the public. Andros received word from Tommy that Zack, Trini, and Kim had arrived in town yesterday and told the others, including Leo and Kendrix. Zack was staying with his parents, Brad and Sara. So were Trini with her parents, Kenny and Diana, and Kim with her father, Robert.
Kendrix managed to get part of the tinsel untangled. She asked Carl if she could get contacts, so she wouldn't have to wear her glasses anymore when she came home from school the day of the knife incident. He said she could. He made an appointment with an eye doctor named Lydia Lyman for an examination on January 10. He told her he was going with her, and she didn't mind that.
Skull hummed as he placed a nail against the wall while standing on a ladder at its halfway point near the doorway. He heard joyful chatter and looked toward Silvy and her mother, Julie. Julie spoke inaudible words to her daughter and walked away. Skull turned back to the nail. He hammered it until it was halfway into the wall. He chuckled happily and climbed down to grab a wreath. He went back up to hang it on the nail. He smiled in satisfaction at his work.
"There. That wreath shouldn't fall off anytime soon," Skull said proudly.
Unfortunately, the nail came loose, sending it and the wreath to the floor. Skull let out a frustrated grunt and climbed down to get the nail. He got back on and set it up for hammering into the wall. He ended up hitting his thumb instead, which caused him to drop it. He yelped painfully, waving his hand about as he grimaced. Bulk approached him, raising his eyebrows.
"Did you hit your thumb with the hammer, Skull?" Bulk asked curiously.
"No, I hit the wall," Skull responded sarcastically. "Of course, I hit my thumb!"
"Okay! I was just asking!" Bulk retorted, holding up his hands. "There was no need for sarcasm."
"I'm sorry, Bulkie," Skull muttered regretfully. "I hate it when I hit my thumb with a hammer. It hurts." He winced in pain.
Bulk showed sympathy. "Hey, I do it all the time when I help my dad build things. It's never pleasant, but I hardly complain. I'll tell you what. You get some ice for your thumb, and I'll try to hang the wreath."
Skull nodded at him. "Okay."
Skull climbed down the ladder and handed Bulk the hammer and nail. Bulk picked up the wreath, examining it closely. He went up the ladder after putting it down. He licked his lips. He hammered the nail into the wall. Skull came up behind Adelle to tap her on the shoulder. The businesswoman turned around quickly.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Adelle, but I was wondering where the ice was," Skull said.
"The ice is in the back of the kitchen, Skull. Why, did you hit your thumb?" Adelle wondered.
"Unfortunately, yes," Skull mumbled in embarrassment.
"That's a drag. You should see me. I hit my thumb with a hammer all the time when I put nails in walls. It does hurt, but putting ice on it makes it feel better," Adelle said. "By the way, why don't you wait here while I get the ice for you?"
"All right. Thanks, Adelle," Skull whispered with a smile.
Adelle winked at the former bully and headed behind the bar. Skull placed his hands on his hips, chuckling to himself. Rocky, Aisha, Adam, and Tanya came up beside him.
"It's really nice of Adelle to get you some ice," Adam commented, running his fingers through his hair.
"No doubt about it," Skull replied, imitating a hyena's laugh. "I'm really lucky to have her as a friend."
"We feel pretty lucky too," Aisha added.
"Yep, yep, yep," Tanya said and laughed.
"We should get back to untangling the lights before they grow legs and crawl away," Rocky joked.
Aisha slapped Rocky on the arm. They, Adam, and Tanya got back to work, chatting to each other. Adelle arrived with a tied-up rag of ice. She handed it to Skull, who put it on his thumb. Skull sighed in relief as the pain faded away.
"That feels so much better," Skull whispered.
"Great. I better get back to work," Adelle said.
Skull winked at her. "Sure. Thanks again."
Adelle watched Skull walk away before going back to work. Bulk hung the wreath on the nail and climbed down the ladder. All of a sudden, Silvy rushed past him with Leo and Kendrix's tinsel. Bulk lost his balance, colliding with the ladder. He landed on his butt, and the ladder tipped over and hit the wreath. The wreath slipped off the nail, landing on the floor behind him. Leo and Kendrix chased after her, skidding to a halt.
"Silvy, get back here with that tinsel!" Leo shouted.
"We mean it!" Kendrix yelled.
Silvy looked over her shoulder and blew a raspberry at the duo. She raced out the exit. She managed to make it outside the building very quickly. Leo and Kendrix resumed chasing after her. They went outside and headed right, passing a trashcan. Silvy peered out from behind it and laughed heartily.
"That got rid of those two!" Silvy blurted out. Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind by the teens. She struggled against their grip to no avail.
"Give up, struggling. You're not going anywhere," Kendrix said bluntly.
"All right, you got me," Silvy muttered and looked up at the teens. "I can't believe you caught me!"
Leo took the tinsel from her. "Serves you right, you rascal!"
"It's no wonder your mother considers you such a handful," Kendrix said, narrowing her eyes at the young girl.
Silvy lowered her head in shame. "Sorry."
"But we care about you, anyway. Just don't take the tinsel again, okay?" Leo asked.
Silvy looked up and nodded at Leo. They and Kendrix started heading back toward the Surf Spot. They spotted Mike and Maya coming toward them. All of them stopped in front of the entrance.
"Mike, Maya, hi," Kendrix greeted.
"Let me guess. Silvy led you two on a wild chase," Mike said, crossing his arms.
"Yes, she did," Leo said, gazing down at Silvy, who turned to Mike and giggled mischievously.
Mike gave the young girl a mock angry expression. "Silvy, you little monster! How dare you make trouble for my brother and his friend!"
Silvy faked crying. "I'm sorry, Mike. Do you forgive me?"
"Of course, cutie pie," Mike replied and tickled her nose, making her giggle softly.
"Silvy, I want to you to meet Maya, Mike's girlfriend. She's the girl from Mirinoi I told you about. Maya, this is Silvy Larson. She's the girl who discovered Andros and Carlos were Power Rangers I told you about," Leo introduced.
Maya held out her hand. "Hi, Silvy. It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too, Maya," Silvy commented, shaking the young woman's hand. "You're cute."
"So are you," Maya said.
"All right, let's go inside," Leo said, patting the little girl's shoulder.
The entire group went through the entrance and headed back toward the main room. They entered it as Julie approached them with a box of gift bows.
"Mrs. Larson, Silvy—" Kendrix started.
"Don't tell me. Silvy led you and Leo on a wild chase when she took your tinsel, Kendrix," Julie interrupted swiftly.
"Unfortunately," Leo answered truthfully.
"Silvy, I swear that you are most mischievous girl I have ever known," Julie scolded, looking at her daughter. "You're always doing something when I leave you."
"I just can't help but do mischievous things," Silvy replied, putting her hands behind her back.
"I'll tell you what. We'll play with some tinsel later, okay?" Julie asked.
"Sure, Mom," Silvy said while nodding slowly. "That is unless I decide to be mischievous again." She giggled.
"You rascal," Julie said and turned to Maya. "You must be—"
"Yes, I'm Maya, Mike's girlfriend," Maya answered, holding out her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too, Maya. I'm Julie, Silvy's mother," Julie replied, shaking Maya's hand. "Leo has told me all about you. He's one of my students. Mike was too."
"Mike told me that once," Maya answered, gazing at Mike. "There's probably more I don't know about him." She chuckled.
"Isn't there?" Julie agreed with a laugh. "Come on, Silvy. Let's go work on these gift bows."
Julie and Silvy walked away. Just then, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, TJ, Cassie, Carlos, and Justin approached Leo, Kendrix, Mike, and Maya.
"Leo, Kendrix, is that—" Andros started.
Kendrix nodded at her friend. "Yes, Andros. This is Mike and Maya."
"Mike, Maya, I'd like you to meet Andros Parker, Ashley Hammond, Zhane Hardy, Karone Parker, TJ Johnson, Cassie Chan, Carlos Vallerte, and Justin Stewart," Leo said, motioning to each of his friends. "Guys, this is Mike and Maya."
"It's nice to finally meet you guys," Mike said, shaking each of the teens' hands. Maya followed suit.
"We've heard so much about you from Leo," Maya added. She glanced at Ashley. "Ashley, you are really glowing. Motherhood suits you."
Ashley chuckled in happiness as she touched her stomach. "Thanks, Maya."
"You're welcome," Maya answered. "If any idiots tell you and Andros you're too young to be parents, just ignore them. You'll do just fine."
"We hear that a lot from our friends and family," Andros said honestly.
"Come on, Mike, Maya," Leo said, walking toward Tommy, Kat, Jason, and Emily. "I want to introduce you to my other friends."
Mike and Maya followed Leo close behind. Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, TJ, Cassie, Carlos, and Justin returned to their tasks.
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Andros, Ashley TJ, and Carlos were more than halfway done with putting the tree together nearly an hour later. Cassie, Zhane, Karone, and Justin brought over boxes of ornaments. They set them on the floor. They, Andros, TJ, and Carlos watched Emily run past them with Jason on her tail. Jason had a string of tinsel in his hands.
"You can't catch me, Jason!" Emily squealed in delight.
"You want to bet?" Jason said and increased his pace. He managed to catch up to her in front of the pool table and grabbed her arm. He turned her around and put the tinsel around her neck. "I told you I'd get you, didn't I?"
"You did," Emily admitted. She took off the tinsel and put it around his neck. "Now, you can wear the tinsel." She winked at him.
"Maybe later," Jason said, removing it. "You want to get a smoothie to drink?"
"Sure," Emily answered.
Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, TJ, Cassie, Carlos, and Justin watched the couple go to the bar, where Adelle was talking with Leo, Kendrix, Mike, and Maya. Jason and Emily stopped there as the businesswoman looked at them. They told her what they wanted, and she nodded at them and went to the kitchen. Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, TJ, Cassie, Carlos, and Justin looked at each other.
"I wish we could do what Jason and Emily just did, Ash," Andros said.
"I do too. I'll probably be able to use my stomach as a table once I get into the later part of my pregnancy," Ashley responded.
Andros put his arm around her. "Perhaps."
Zhane smirked. "I've got an idea. Make Ashley wear a t-shirt that says, 'Wide load.' That will help people avoid her big belly." He snickered.
"How about we fatten you up and make you wear that t-shirt, Zhane?" TJ suggested, moving his eyebrows up and down.
"I think that it'd be better to fatten up Carlos and Justin and make them wear those t-shirts," Zhane commented.
"Hey!" Carlos and Justin yelled.
"Hey, it was just a thought," Zhane said with a shrug.
"A funny thought at that," a male voice said.
Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, TJ, Cassie, Carlos, and Justin recognized the voice. They looked toward Zack, Trini, and Kim, who stood in front of the entrance. They gasped in excitement.
"Zack, Trini, Kim!" Ashley exclaimed as she went over to her friends. The others were right behind her. She gave Zack, Trini, and Kim hugs. So did Cassie and Karone. "It's so good to see you three!"
"It's good to see you too, Ashley," Zack answered and let out a long whistle. "You look good for a woman carrying twins."
Andros rolled his eyes. "Hey, she's just two months along, Zack. It could be a long while before she starts showing."
"Of course, man," Zack said, giving Andros, Zhane, TJ, Carlos, and Justin high-fives. Trini and Kim gave the young men hugs.
"So, when did you three get up?" Carlos wondered.
Trini chuckled. "At nine o'clock. I felt like a sack of potatoes when I first woke up. Zack admitted that to Kim and me when they met with me at my house."
"He has always been a sack of potatoes," Kim commented and started snickering.
"Hey, I'm not always like a sack of potatoes," Zack retorted, giving Trini and Kim a mock glare.
"Accept the truth, Zacky-boy," Trini said, flicking his chin. "You can't deny it."
Zack slipped his arm around Trini, giving her a kiss to her temple. He started dating Angela in May 1994. After revealing to her he was chosen to attend the World Peace Conference in October, they decided to end their relationship. After the conference ended in April 1996, he and Trini decided to stay in New York City and finish high school there. They moved in with James and Ellie Lars, who were friends of her parents, and attended Rockroad High School.
Zack and Trini began attending New York University in August after graduation. He aimed for a degree in theater. She decided to get one in wildlife biology. They began dating in January 1998. On February 8, 1999, they were involved in a drunk driving crash while returning to campus from a date. The driver ran the red light and slammed into her red Mercedes as she was going through the green light at an intersection. They suffered only minor injuries. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence after her blood alcohol level was found to be one-and-a-half times the legal limit. She had her license restricted to driving to and from work for a year and was sentenced to two days in jail.
Trini waved her hand in front of her boyfriend's face. She raised it high before jerking it downward. Zack slapped his girlfriend on the cheek after letting go of her. He tweaked her nose and acted as if he were pulling her underwear over her head. She felt around as if she were blind. He pretended to put her underwear back in its place. Kim cleared her throat, and they looked at her.
"You two better stop goofing around. It's getting annoying," Kim growled playfully.
"Oh, go kiss a moving train, Kim," Trini replied and stuck her tongue out at her best friend.
Kim blew a raspberry at her. "You should go kiss that moving train, Trini."
Kim laughed gleefully. She met Tyler not long after arriving in Miami to train for the Pan Global Games in November 1995. As the months passed, she found herself falling for him. She made the difficult decision to end her relationship with Tommy via letter. She and Tyler participated in the Pan Global Games in May 1996. They won one silver medal each. They went on to the Atlanta Olympics, where they won two gold medals each. They started training for the 2000 Sydney Olympics soon after. They ended their relationship in December 1998.
Kim and Trini grabbed their ears and stuck out their tongues. They moved their heads from side to side. Funny noises came out of their mouths. Zack, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, TJ, Cassie, Carlos, and Justin laughed raucously. All of them became quiet when they heard a clearing throat. Kim and Trini became still and let go of their ears. They pulled their tongues back into their mouths and looked toward Tommy, Kat, Jason, Emily, Rocky, Aisha, Adam, Tanya, Bulk, and Skull standing a short distance away.
"It's a crime to make faces like that, ladies," Jason warned playfully.
"It's a crime we are willing to commit, Jason," Trini replied proudly.
Zack, Trini, and Kim went over to the group. Trini and Kim gave everyone hugs. Zack did the same with Kat, Emily, Aisha, and Tanya. He high-fived Tommy, Jason, Rocky, Adam, Bulk, and Skull.
"It's so great to see you three," Tommy said happily.
"It's great to see you too, Tommy," Kim responded sweetly. "Even better is the whole gang is together for Christmas with the exception of Billy."
Rocky chuckled. "Just don't shoot your eye out, Kimmy."
"I think you better not shoot your eye out, Ape-man," Adam said, crossing his eyes.
"The same goes for you, Frog Boy," Rocky retorted, gazing at his friend.
Adam mock-glared him. "Sure thing."
Rocky and Adam growled at each other in a playful manner. Just then, Leo, Kendrix, Mike, Maya, and Adelle walked up to everyone. Rocky and Adam looked at them.
"Zack, Trini, Kim, I'd like to you meet Leo Corbett, Kendrix Morgan, Mike Corbett, and Maya. Leo, Kendrix, Mike, Maya, this is Zack Taylor, Trini Kwan, and Kimberly Hart," Andros introduced, motioning to each of his friends. "Leo and Mike are brothers. Maya is Mike's girlfriend from Mirinoi on a planet exchange."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you all," Leo said, shaking the hands of Zack, Trini, and Kim. Kendrix, Mike, and Maya followed suit.
"Andros told us about you," Kendrix said in a warm voice. "Kim, you are so lucky to be training with Coach Schmidt. I've heard how great he is."
Kim laughed delightfully. "It's not every day a young person from the birthplace of the Power Rangers gets to be chosen for such an honor."
Trini smiled. "Moreover, we didn't expect to meet someone in the planet exchange program."
"I didn't expect to meet seventeen Power Rangers," Maya said gleefully.
"Neither did I," Mike admitted, ruffling Maya's hair.
"Nobody does," Adelle said with a chuckle. "By the way, it's nice to see you, Zack, Trini, Kim."
Zack nodded at her. "You too, Adelle. Now, let's get going on getting this place ready for the party."
The crowd departed. Zack, Trini, Kim, Zhane, and Cassie went to sort out the ornaments. Andros, Ashley, TJ, and Carlos returned to putting the tree together. Leo, Kendrix, Adam, and Tanya decided to help them. Jason and Emily went to the bar to finish their smoothies. Tommy, Kat, Rocky, and Aisha asked Adelle to make some for them. She nodded at them and headed to the kitchen. They went to the table in front of the bar to sit down.
Mike and Maya felt someone stick objects to their shoulders. They pulled them off to see gift bows. They turned around to face a giggling Silvy. They stuck the bows to her shoulders and started tickling her sides. She shrieked with laughter. The couple ceased their tickle attack before ruffling her hair. They went to help Julie, Bulk, and Skull with stapling tinsel along the bottom of the wall.
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Andros, Ashley, Leo, Kendrix, Mike, Maya, Bulk, and Skull were decorating the finished tree twenty minutes later. Zack, Trini, Kim, Zhane, and Karone sorted out more ornaments in three boxes near them. Tommy, Kat, Rocky, and Aisha finished their smoothies and stood up. They headed out the exit and went to the restrooms. Adelle grabbed their cups and took them to the kitchen.
TJ, Cassie, Carlos, and Justin sat at the bar in the first four stools, sipping smoothies. Jason hammered a nail into the middle of the wall next to the bar while Emily held a wreath. She handed the wreath to him once he was finished. He hung it on the wall, and he high-fived her. They shared a laugh. They saw Julie and Silvy walk past them with tinsel in their hands. Julie and Silvy went past the group standing at the tree. It stopped decorating to watch them.
"Talk about a fun-loving mother-daughter duo," Kendrix commented cheerfully as she and her friends turned back to the tree. She hung a rocking horse on a branch in the middle of it.
"They remind me a lot of when I was young. I always walked around with the tinsel when I helped my parents decorate our tree. I often hid it where they couldn't find it," Leo said.
"Where was that, Leo?" Kendrix asked curiously.
Leo shook his head. "I'm sorry, Kendrix. Magicians never reveal their tricks."
"He usually hid it in the trashcan outside," Mike whispered, eyeing Leo.
"Aw, Mike! You revealed the secret!" Leo shouted, a mock annoyed look crossing his face.
Mike laughed gleefully. "Hey, Kendrix wanted to know, bro!"
Leo went over to Mike. He tweaked his nose, getting a punch to the shoulder from him. He grabbed tinsel out of a large box and hit him in the face with it. Mike snatched it out of his brother's hand and wrapped it around his neck. He put some on top of his head.
"Now, you look like a little Christmas tree!" Mike said proudly.
Leo laughed in sarcasm. "Sure, I do."
Leo removed the tinsel and put it back in the box. He ruffled Mike's hair, and his brother gave him a noogie in retaliation. He returned to his spot next to Kendrix. Maya got a bear from the box and hung it on a branch near the top of the tree. Mike placed a bell close to it. He straightened the string after it got tangled up somewhat. She gave him a small smile.
"You picked a nice spot for that bear, Mike," Maya said sweetly.
"Thanks, Maya," Mike replied and smiled at his girlfriend.
Bulk hung a teardrop on a branch in the middle of a tree. "I never saw myself spending time helping get a place ready for Christmas. I would've laughed at the thought of it three years ago."
"Me too, Bulkie. Time really changes people, doesn't it?" Skull wondered.
"Yep," Ashley agreed. "I have to admit I will miss attending Angel Grove High." She sniffled. "It's been like a home to me."
Andros slipped his arm around his girlfriend. "It has to me too. We do have the birth of our children to look forward to."
"Oh, yeah," Ashley said lovingly.
Andros kissed his girlfriend tenderly. They rubbed noses before pressing their foreheads together. They resumed hanging ornaments on the tree. Mike placed a stocking near the bottom of the tree. So did Maya with a sleigh. She looked at the stocking.
"That's a cute stocking," Maya commented.
"No doubt about it, Maya. My favorite ornament has always been the stocking. My parents have several of them at home. We usually hang them at the bottom of the tree," Mike said.
"It's the best spot because they aren't heavy at all," Andros said honestly. "Could you imagine what might happen if you hung a really heavy ornament there?"
"Yes," Skull said as Andros glanced toward him. "You'd be yelling, 'Timber!'"
Skull imitated a falling tree by moving his arm downward and making a crashing sound. He made a goofy face and held up his hands, which caused the others to laugh.
"Remember, Skull. Watch out for that falling tree," Ashley said.
"Don't worry, Ash. I will," Skull said, standing tall and proud.
The rest of the group laughed. Suddenly, twenty-year-old Erica walked into the room, causing everyone to stop what he or she was doing and look toward her. An arrogant expression was on her face, almost as if she were expecting a parade for her arrival. She resembled Kendrix, except she wasn't wearing glasses and had brown eyes, short blond hair, and a muscular frame. She spotted Kendrix and approached her.
"Well, well, if it isn't my little sister helping to decorate the Surf Spot for its stupid Christmas party," Erica leered. "Shouldn't you be at Uncle Carl's reading in your room?"
"I'd rather be here with my friends than at home, Erica. It gets boring being in the same place day after day," Kendrix retorted.
Erica scoffed and laughed humorlessly. "You have friends? What a riot."
"She does have friends," Leo said, motioning to everyone in the room. "Most everyone in here is a friend of hers."
"It's all thanks to Cassie," Ashley said firmly, gesturing toward Cassie as she, TJ, Carlos, Justin, Jason, Emily, and Adelle joined Zack, Trini, Kim, Zhane, and Karone. "Cassie protected Kendrix from Tara not once but twice. Kendrix got to know all my friends. She just made some new ones today."
"I remember you and many other people here, Ashley," Erica said and turned toward Mike and Maya. "I remember Mike very well. He was such a handsome boy in high school. He is rather hot now. I learned he was dating an alien girl named Maya. I saw them talking to each other on campus once." She shot a disapproving look toward Maya.
Mike became angry. "Hey, don't call my girlfriend an alien girl."
"It's derogatory," Maya added seriously.
"Who the fuck cares? Alien girl describes you perfectly," Erica hissed.
"Watch your mouth, Erica!" Kendrix scolded fiercely.
"There are children present," Andros said, gesturing toward Julie and Silvy, who stood next to the pool table.
Ashley crossed her arms. "Andros is right. You're setting a bad example for them."
"I don't care. I'll curse as much as I want," Erica said maliciously as she looked at Andros and Ashley. "Word got out that you two are having twins. Ashley is such a slut."
"That's ironic coming from a true slut like you. You've cheated on every guy you have ever dated," Kendrix retorted firmly.
"A woman is only a slut when she gets pregnant out of wedlock," Erica sneered. "After that, no guy will ever want her. One of these days, Ashley will end up all alone with her little brats."
"At least Andros and Ashley didn't lose their virginities in a meaningless encounter like you did," Kendrix said.
Erica mouthed her sister's words in a mocking manner. Kendrix scoffed frustratingly and shook her head in disbelief. Tommy, Kat, Rocky, and Aisha came in.
"You just can't resist mouthing people's words, can you, Erica?" Kendrix growled.
"I will never stop. It's my specialty, especially when people deserve it," Erica said, pretending to spit in Kendrix's face.
"You know, I'm actually glad that our parents left everything to you. I never wanted their money to begin with. I just wanted their love, but they never showed it to me. They always showed it to you. Uncle Carl shows me love. He loves you but only as his niece. He doesn't love you as a person," Kendrix said bluntly as she stepped closer to her.
"I don't give a damn if Uncle Carl doesn't love me as a person. I'll find a guy to love," Erica said with confidence. "What guy would ever want you?" She turned her nose upward. "You're as ugly as hell."
"Not to my friends. They think I am very pretty. In fact, I'm getting rid of my glasses and wearing contacts. I will look even prettier," Kendrix commented.
"Ha! Only an ugly person wearing glasses would say that," Erica answered. "In fact, have a little of this."
Erica raised her hand and rushed it toward her sister. Kendrix blocked her by holding up her arm. She spun her around and shoved her toward the wall next to the entrance. Erica managed to halt herself. She turned around, hissing in anger. She raced toward Kendrix with her hands outstretched. She screamed like a maniac. Kendrix halted her by punching her in the face. Erica stumbled backward and fell on her side. Kendrix approached her, breathing heavily. Erica looked up at her, holding her right eye. She appeared very humiliated.
"You weren't expecting that, were you? Leo taught me a few things about defending myself when he came over to my house last weekend," Kendrix said confidently.
"I have a feeling you'll have a black eye from that punch Kendrix gave you," Leo said, coming to her side.
"That's karmic retribution for you," Kendrix commented. "You deserved it big time."
Erica hissed angrily and rose to her feet. She rushed out, mumbling inaudible words. Leo and Kendrix looked at Andros and Ashley as they came to her side.
"Way to go, Kendrix," Ashley complimented.
"You really showed that witch," Andros added.
The entire room broke into applause and cheering. Kendrix couldn't help but smile. Not once did she ever think she'd stand up to her sister, but she was glad that she did. She was looking forward to telling Carl about it. Everyone became quiet.
"Enough standing around, guys. We've got work to do. Whoever wants a smoothie to drink, let me know. I'll fix it for you," Adelle said.
The crowd departed. Those who had been working on previous tasks went back to them. Tommy and Kat went to Jason and Emily. TJ, Cassie, Carlos, and Justin headed to Zack, Trini, Kim, Zhane, and Karone.
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Cassie stood outside the entrance in the early afternoon. She focused her attention on the sky. Two blue jays flew around in a playful chase. Their wings flapped in almost perfect unison. Their gleeful chirps filled the air. They went higher into the sky. She heard footsteps approaching and looked over her shoulder to see TJ coming toward her.
"Hey, Teej. What brings you outside?" Cassie wondered and raised her eyebrows.
"I thought I'd come out here and get some fresh air," TJ answered as he came to her side. "Why?"
"I was just curious," Cassie responded with a shrug.
"Don't get too curious. Curiosity killed the cat," TJ joked.
"Curiosity can kill plenty of other animals. Don't leave them out," Cassie pointed out.
The duo laughed. They grew quiet and gazed up at the sky. The clouds seemed to move one at a time. A gentle breeze touched the skin of both teens, and they sighed in content.
"Beautiful day before Christmas Eve, huh?" he asked.
"You're telling me. The sky doesn't have too many clouds, and the sun is shining brightly. Unfortunately, there's no snow for a White Christmas," she said sadly.
TJ sighed heavily. "That's the biggest downside of living in a Mediterranean climate. It's too warm for snow."
"I'm thinking of asking my parents if we could take a trip to the Sierra Nevada next year. Then we could have a White Christmas," Cassie commented and licked her lips.
"That'd be cool," TJ said with a small smile.
"Oh, yeah. I'd love to do some snowboarding and skiing," Cassie commented.
"I've done snowboarding and skiing before," TJ said, moving his eyebrows up and down.
Cassie gazed at him in surprise. "Really?"
"Sure! It's such an adrenaline rush going down a mountain at high speed. It's like everything is a blur," TJ said, a hearty laugh coming out of his mouth.
"Maybe I could bring you along with us. You could teach me some tricks," Cassie squealed delightfully.
"I'll have to ask my parents about that. They may be a little uncertain about me teaching a girl snowboarding and skiing tricks," TJ commented in some uncertainty.
"I don't think that could be a problem. My dad is a great negotiator. He can convince children's parents to allow them to do anything with us," she said.
"Cool," he replied, winking at her.
Cassie pinched TJ's cheek. She repeated her action with his nose. He chuckled and pretended to punch her in the shoulder. He ruffled her hair and tickled her neck, which made her jump.
"The Sierra Nevada isn't the only place where you can experience White Christmases. The Northeast is famous for having them," TJ commented.
"I know! I've seen pictures of snow-covered places in the Northeast on Christmas Day. The landscapes are so beautiful!" Cassie exclaimed.
TJ looked very proud. "They're the most beautiful landscapes in North America on Christmas Day. Even if the snow lasts only for that day, they're still great to look at." He flicked her nose.
"I wonder if we could rent a glider and try to fly to the Northeast," Cassie joked, a snicker escaping her lips.
"You'd have to be prepared to take lots of rest steps because it's a long way there! It's on the other side of the country, not to mention you'd need good wind for it," TJ said.
Cassie giggled. "That's true. Then again, everyone knows where you can get the perfect winds." She imitated blowing wind.
"That's right! The Santa Ana winds would provide great lift for the glider!" TJ shouted excitedly.
"Look at me! I'm a bird!" Cassie yelled and flapped her arms like wings.
"Me too!" TJ said and mimicked her movements.
The duo ran in circles while chirping like birds. They laughed in delight, feeling the wind against their faces. They stopped after three minutes to pant heavily.
"Next time we start running, get me a stopwatch to see how long it takes for us to run out of breath," she whispered, swallowing hard.
"Sure," he responded. "By the way, you look cute when you're panting heavily."
Cassie blushed such a deep shade of red that she looked like a strawberry. She tried to hide her face behind her hands to no avail. TJ laughed and shook his head. They managed to catch their breaths.
"You look even cuter when you're red!" TJ shouted in much glee.
"Then don't say anything flattering about me again!" Cassie said as the redness faded from her face. "Sometimes, I turn red when that happens!"
He smirked. "I don't care! It brings out your cuteness!"
She blew a raspberry at him. "Go play on the roof!"
Cassie made faces at TJ, who only laughed. He looked at his watch and let a long whistle. He returned his attention to her.
"I'm sorry to say this, but Andros, Karone, and I have to get home. My grandfather will be in Angel Grove in less than an hour," TJ said dejectedly.
"Oh, that's okay. At least you got to experience some entertainment. It was fun watching Kendrix manhandle Erica," Cassie said happily.
TJ laughed. "Oh, yeah. That bitch deserved it big time. If only the rest of the people who make trouble for us would get what she got."
TJ and Cassie headed back inside and approached Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Carlos, Justin, Zack, Trini, and Kim standing near the fully decorated tree. Tommy, Kat, Jason, and Emily helped Adelle decorate the arcade area with tinsel. Leo, Kendrix, Mike, and Maya were setting up lights around the doorway. Adam, Tanya, Rocky, and Aisha were attaching ribbons to the bar.
"I see you two finally decided to return," Zhane said.
"I was beginning to think you two climbed up on the roof and jumped off," Carlos joked.
"I'd love to see that. They'd make great birds," Trini commented with a small giggle.
"You're not kidding, Trini," Zack said with a smile. "They have the perfect forms for flight." He put his arm around his girlfriend.
"I agree with Zack," Kim said.
"As do I. Their arms are so long that they could pass for wings," Andros said and snickered under his breath.
"Get out of town, Andros!" TJ blurted out.
"I will if you do, Teej," Andros replied.
"No, thank you," TJ said and exhaled sharply. "I hate to tell you this, buddy, but we have to go. It's getting close to the time of my grandfather's arrival at the house."
"My grandparents will be here soon too," Ashley said, gazing at her watch.
"I guess this is goodbye," Karone said and looked at Zack, Trini, and Kim. "It was good to see you three."
"It was good to see you too, Karone," Zack answered warmly. "We'll see you and your friends at the party tomorrow afternoon."
"Andros, Ashley, good luck telling the grandparents about the babies," Kim said hopefully.
"Thanks, Kim," Andros replied, taking Ashley's hand into his. "That means a lot to us."
Andros, Ashley, TJ, and Karone looked toward Tommy, Kat, Jason, Emily, Adelle, Rocky, Aisha, Adam, and Tanya. TJ whistled loudly, getting their attention. He gestured toward his watch and jerked his thumb in the direction of the exit. His friends gave waves. He, Andros, Ashley, and Karone waved back. They headed out the exit, waving to Leo, Kendrix, Mike, and Maya as they passed. Their friends waved back to them. Everyone returned to what he or she was doing.
