Here's the second chapter.
The next morning at school, Billy was uncharacteristically distracted in class. He had been replaying the events in the park repeatedly in his head. Trini had kissed his cheek and told him she thought he was cute. His mind vacillated on whether that meant that she possibly had feelings for him. The logical part of his brain said that they were too different for her to be interested in him and she probably already liked someone. The emotional part of his brain said that Trini's actions suggested that she felt something other than friendship for him. Billy, of course, went with the logical conclusion, though he wanted to believe the emotion driven one.
"Billy?"
He looked up, finally hearing Ms. Applebee calling his name.
"Billy, can you tell me what subject we're studying right now?" she asked.
Billy felt himself sweating. He knew he hadn't been paying attention. "Uh, Advanced Calculus?"
He heard students laughing at his obviously incorrect answer.
"No. It's the history of the American Revolutionary War. Please pay attention, Mr. Cranston."
"Yes ma'am."
His friends glanced at him, some worried, some surprised.
When the bell rang, Billy went to his locker and the other rangers followed him.
"Yo Billy, what happened back there?" Jason asked.
"Yeah man, you were totally zoned out," Tommy added.
"Certain things have been preoccupying my thought process."
"That means he has a lot on his mind," Trini said quickly.
"Oh. Well Billy, what's bothering you?" Kimberly asked.
"It isn't something that you need be concerned about. What occurred in class was an isolated incident and I will take steps to ensure that it is not repeated."
"Okay, I got the first part, but not the second," Zack said.
"He said that what happened was a one-time thing and he won't let it happen again," Trini said.
"Oh. Okay, but if you ever need to talk, we're here to listen," Kimberly said.
"I know. Thanks Kimberly."
His friends went to their respective lockers. Once he got everything he needed for the next class, Billy closed his locker and was about to leave when a girl he'd never seen before walked up to him. She had wavy auburn hair, blue eyes and was about an inch shorter than him. She was wearing a red, long-sleeved shirt over a blue blouse. She was carrying a textbook in her arms.
"Hello, are you Billy Cranston?"
"Yes."
"My name is Christine Moore. I just transferred here from Alabama. I was talking to another student and they informed me that you were the president of the science club. Is that true?"
"Yes, it is."
"I'd like to join. How do I go about completing that task?"
"Come to our next meeting tomorrow after school and I'll add you to the roster."
"Thank you very much. I'll see you then."
As she walked away, Billy found himself fascinated. It was his understanding that girls weren't interested in science.
Later that day, Billy met up with the others at the Youth Center.
"Hey Billy," Tommy greeted.
"Hello Tommy."
"Is your mind clearer as compared to this morning?" Trini asked.
"Yes. Something interesting happened today. A new girl came up to me and said that she wished to join the science club."
"Really? What's her name?" Kimberly asked.
"Christine Moore. I must confess that I was rather staggered when she intimated her intentions to me."
"You were what when she did what now?" Zack asked.
"He said he was surprised when she told him what she wanted," Trini said.
"Why were you surprised?" Tommy asked.
"Because from my observation of the females in the school, I had come to the conclusion that science is not an interest that is typical of the gender."
"I think what you're saying is that you thought girls didn't like science," Jason said.
"Precisely."
"I think it's good that you found a girl with interests like your own," Kimberly said before giggling. "She'd make a perfect girlfriend."
"Kim, he just met her. It's a little early to be talking about romance," Tommy said.
"Come on Tommy, don't you think she'd be a good match for him?"
"Maybe, but he should get to know her first."
"She's coming to our next meeting, so I should be able to make a preliminary assessment of her predominant personality traits."
"Okay, I have no idea what that means," Jason said.
"He means he should be able to get a feel for the kind of person she is," Trini said.
"Yes," Billy confirmed.
"Well, tell us how the meeting goes," Kimberly said.
"Okay."
The next day after school, Billy went to where the Science Club meeting was being held. His three other members were already there. One had spiky black hair sticking straight up, one had curly brown hair and one had blond hair in a bowl cut. All were wearing lab coats.
"Hello everyone. We have a new member to the club that's going to be here soon."
Just as he finished, Christine came in.
"Hi, everyone," she said shyly.
"This is Christine. She'll be joining us. Introduce yourselves."
"I'm Gerard," the one with the spiky hair said.
"I'm Eric," said the boy with the curly hair.
"I'm Donovan," the blond said.
"This is a surprise. I thought girls weren't interested in science," Gerard said.
"Most girls aren't, but I've always been somewhat of an oddball."
"So, tell us what particular field of science is of interest to you," Donovan said.
"Right now, my focus is on geothermal energy."
"Really? Why geothermal energy?" Billy asked.
"Well, what I really want to do is open up a therapy clinic and spa. Since there are no hot springs in Angel Grove, I'm trying to create an artificial one."
"That's quite the undertaking," Eric said.
"Yes, and so far, I've had no luck."
"Perhaps I could assist you," Billy said.
"Really? That would be most fortuitous," Christine said with a smile.
After the meeting was over and Billy was about to leave, Christine walked up to him.
"Billy, I understand that we've only made each other's acquaintance very recently, but as a show of gratitude for offering your services to the furthering of my project, would you be receptive to the proposal of going to the aquarium with me this weekend?"
Billy was taken aback by her request and didn't answer right away. He recalled Kimberly's words that she would be a good match for him due to their similarities. And she seemed to be a good person.
Perhaps this outing will help me to measure her potential as a romantic partner. And it would be rude to refuse since she only wants to thank me.
"Yes, I believe I would enjoy that activity."
Christine smiled at him before leaving the room.
Billy went to the Youth Center to see if any of the rangers were still there. He saw Kimberly and Tommy and went over to them.
"Hi Billy," Kimberly said.
"What's up?" Tommy asked.
"I was simply checking to see if any of the other rangers were here."
Billy noticed that Kimberly was wearing different clothes than when he saw her in the morning. She had on a white tank top with a pink vest over it that was buttoned up and a white blouse that went down to her knees.
"Kimberly, you're dressed in a more formal manner than usual. Is there a particular reason why?" he asked.
"Tommy and I are going out after we leave here" she said with a smile.
"Where to?"
"We're going on a picnic down by the lake," she answered. "Oh by the way, how did Science Club go?"
"It went very well. Christine gets along easily with the other members. On that subject, Christine and I are going to the aquarium this weekend."
Kimberly squealed and beamed at Billy. "I knew you two would be perfect for each other! One day and you're already going out on a date!"
"It's not a date Kimberly. She simply wants to take me somewhere as a show of gratitude for offering to help her with a project."
Kimberly's expression deflated slightly, but she perked back up quickly. "Well, it's still nice. Who knows, maybe this will lead to something more. I still say she's a good match for you."
"Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow."