This is the third chapter. Hope you like it. Please read and review.
Trini was getting ready for bed when she heard the phone ring. She picked it up and saw Kimberly's name and number on the caller ID.
"Hi Kimberly. What's going on?"
"Trini, I've been calling all the other rangers telling them the news. Billy has a date! It's with the new girl, Christine."
Trini's eyes widened in surprise. Christine? But he just met her yesterday.
"Isn't it great? Our little Billy is growing up," Kimberly said.
"Uh, sure. I hope the date goes well."
"Oh me too. He's finally found someone that he's compatible with."
"Well, goodnight Kim. I'll see you tomorrow."
She hung up without waiting for Kimberly's response. She had a lot going on in her mind.
Billy's going out with a girl he barely knows. That just doesn't sound like him. Maybe Kim misunderstood. She does tend to exaggerate things when she gets excited.
For some reason, Trini found it more comforting to believe that Kim was mistaken than that Billy was really dating a girl that none of them knew.
If he really does like this girl, I should be happy for him. He said that he was looking for someone to be with. So why do I feel disappointed?
In her heart, she already knew the answer. She wanted that "someone" to be her and had tried to communicate that through her conversation with Billy.
I guess he didn't pick up on it.
She got into bed and lay down, eventually settling into an uneasy sleep.
On the day of their outing, after school, Christine went home and changed into a red short-sleeved shirt and a black blouse that went to just above her ankles before driving down to the aquarium. She and Billy had agreed to meet there at 4:30. Once she got there, she checked her watch. It read 4:20. She got out of her car and went inside.
Christine paid the admission fee for both of them. As she waited, she realized that she had partially lied to Billy. She did want to thank him for helping her out with her hot spring project, but she also fancied that this excursion was a date, in her mind at least. Something about Billy attracted her. His intelligence was certainly a draw, but Christine could tell that he was also a caring person. She wanted to get to know him better.
When Billy walked through the door, Christine checked her watch again. It read 4:25.
I expected him to come early. He's punctual. That's another thing we have in common.
"I've already paid for our admission so we can just go straight to the aquarium," she said.
"Oh. Thank you Christine. That's very generous of you. By the way, you look very nice."
Christine blushed. "Thank you."
They walked through the right double and saw a giant cylindrical dome that extended all the way down the hallway. Water surrounded them on both sides and above them. As they walked, they saw plankton, small to large fish of all kinds and occasionally dolphins.
"This is amazing," Billy said.
"Yes, it's remarkable that humans are able to create artificial ecosystems for these animals."
They continued down the hall and went into the next room. The sign near the door told them that they were in the semiaquatic exhibit. They went to the first pool, which housed tadpoles and frogs.
"I hope that the people here make sure the animals are treated well. I've heard that putting animals, especially large ones, in captivity for long periods of time, is detrimental to their mental health," Christine said.
"I'm sure the workers do their best to give the animals a comfortable existence here," Billy said.
They moved to the exhibit for the otters.
"I've always harbored an affection for animals and I hate to see them mistreated."
"Well, if I was ever made aware of any maltreatment, I would do my best to put a stop to it."
Christine gave him a look of surprise. "You would? Really?"
He smiled at her. "Yes. My friends and I care about animals as well and in fact, we do volunteer work at animal shelters."
Catherine smiled. I was right. He is a caring person.
As they moved to the beaver exhibit, Billy was evaluating what he'd learned about Christine so far.
She seems to be a compassionate individual and is certainly physically attractive. She's intelligent and forthcoming. Based on these factors, I believe that Kimberly's assessment of her as a compatible partner was correct.
They continued through the aquarium and came upon an exhibit that housed sharks and orcas.
"I do not envy whoever has the job of feeding those sharks. I would be too afraid to lose fingers or a hand," Christine said.
"Humans are not part of a shark's regular diet, and I doubt the workers would feed carnivores out of their hand," Billy said.
"Yes, you're most likely correct. I feel foolish for not realizing that myself."
"Don't feel badly. As humans, we all are conditioned to fear certain things. Sharks are just one of many. I myself have a fear of the water."
"Why?"
"It's more of a fear of drowning since I lack the ability to swim."
"I see."
After spending an hour there, Billy and Christine left the aquarium.
"Did you have a good time?" Christine asked as she walked to her car.
"Yes, I did. Thank you for inviting me."
"You're welcome."
When Billy got home, he went to his room and laid on his bed, contemplating his outing with Christine. While he did feel that she was a good "match" as Kimberly would say, when he was going over her qualities, a distinctly different voice in his head was offering counterpoints and they all involved Trini.
Christine was compassionate. "So is Trini." the voice would say.
Christine was pretty. "But Trini is prettier."
Christine was very intelligent. "And Trini's not? She's the only one who can understand your technobabble and put it into simpler language."
All those things were true (although the part about beauty was just his personal opinion), but he didn't understand why such thoughts popped into his mind. Trini and Christine were different people. One shouldn't have had anything to do with the other.
I suppose I shouldn't dwell on it. I'm sure I was only thinking of Trini because the topic of romance has been on my mind lately and I have a crush on her.
On Monday morning at school, Kimberly came up to Billy with a mischievous smile on her face.
"Good morning, Kimberly," he said.
"Morning Billy. So, how did your date with Christine go?" she asked.
"As I said before, it was not a date. As to whether or not the experience was pleasurable, I can answer in the affirmative."
"Good."
Tommy came over and tapped Kimberly's shoulder. "We need to get to class Kim."
"Alright Tommy. Are you coming Billy?"
"Yes," he said before following his friends down the hall.
Unbeknownst to any of them, someone was listening in on the exchange. Trini's locker was close to Kimberly's and she heard the short conversation. She was more than a little relieved when Billy confirmed her hope that the outing Kim told her about wasn't a date. She could rest easy, at least for now.
Later that day, the rangers sat together at lunch like always. Kimberly had told the others about Billy's excursion with Christine which Billy was quick to point out was not a date.
"Well Billy, you may not consider it a date, but she might have," Jason said.
"How do you propose I go about deciphering what her thought process was regarding the situation?" Billy asked.
"Did you ask her to go the aquarium or did she ask you?" Zack asked.
"She asked me."
"Did she dress up at all?" he asked.
"She did seem to have on clothing similar to what Kimberly usually wears when she goes out with Tommy," Billy answered.
"Well, it sounds like she thought it was a date," Tommy said. "Do you like her? She seems to like you."
"I did enjoy our time at the aquarium and she seems to be a good person so on that basis, I like her."
"I mean, do you like her in a romantic way?" Tommy said.
You mean the way I like Trini? Negative.
"Tommy, he doesn't really know her well, so you asking that question is probably pointless. He doesn't know how he feels about her yet," Trini said. "Besides, we don't know her either. Don't you think we should meet this girl?"
"I guess you're right. We should know any girl that Billy is going to be dating."
"We're not dating!" Billy said, his voice raised.
"Okay Billy, we get it," Kimberly said, surprised at the usually meek boy's outburst.
"I agree with Trini too. If she likes you, we should get to know her," Jason said.
"I suppose I could ask her to meet us at the Youth Center," Billy said.
"Good idea," Kimberly said.
Toward the end of the school day, Billy saw Christine in the hall and caught up with her.
"Christine, I would like you to meet my friends at the Youth Center after school today. Would you be interested?"
"Really? Yes, I'd like that very much," she said.
"Okay. Meet me there in about half an hour."
Billy arrived at the Youth Center and Christine was waiting for him. They walked in and found the rangers waiting at a table nearby.
"Hello everyone. This is Christine," Billy said. He pointed out each of the rangers by their names.
"Hi," Christine said, waving to everyone.
"So you're Christine. Well, Billy certainly has good taste," Zack said.
Trini shot him a glare. "Zack, that's rude."
"Oh, I don't mind," Christine said.
"So Christine, tell us about yourself," Tommy said.
"Well, as I'm sure Billy has told you, I have a great interest in science. I love animals, I just moved here from Alabama and my parents are both teachers, though their still looking for jobs here. I want to open a therapy clinic and spa when I get older."
"That's very admirable," Jason said.
"What do you think of our little genius Christine?" Kimberly asked playfully.
"Oh, he's very sweet. I can see why you all are friends. You seem to be good people. But enough about me. Tell me about you."
"Well, most of us are into martial arts," Jason said. "I study and teach Karate. Tommy does Karate too."
"I use a style called Hip-Hop Kido. It combines hip-hop dance moves with Karate techniques," Zack said.
"I study and use Kung Fu," Trini said.
"I see. I don't have the physical aptitude for martial arts," Christine said.
"I'm sure you could learn it if you stuck to it," Kimberly said. "I know a couple martial arts moves from watching Jason and Tommy."
"You don't study a martial art?" Christine asked.
"No, I'm a gymnast."
"Oh. I tried gymnastics at my old school, but could never get a sufficient level of mastery over it."
"I could try to teach you what I know."
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I wouldn't have enough time to devote to it. Most of my spare time is spent on a geothermal project I'm working on."
"What is it?" Zack asked.
"I'm trying to create an artificial hot springs for the spa I plan on opening up. Billy has agreed to assist me."
"Speaking of which, we should decide on a destination and time for us to work together," Billy said.
"We can discuss the matter outside."
"I guess we'll see you around then," Tommy said.
"I'm glad to have met you all."
Christine and Billy left and the other rangers huddled around each other.
"What do you think?" Jason asked.
"She seems to be a really sweet girl. Add to that the similarities she shares with Billy and I think they would be good for each other," Tommy said.
"I told you Tommy," Kimberly said.
"Plus, she's a looker and I think they're cute together," Zack said.
"What do you think Trini?" Jason asked.
"I see no reason why they wouldn't make a good couple," she said softly.
"So we're all agreed," Tommy said.
Suddenly, they heard Billy's voice. "What are you all doing?" he asked.
The group quickly got back into sitting positions and put on sheepish smiles.
"Billy! We thought you would've left with Christine," Kimberly said.
"No. She went home. We decided that we would meet at my house after school to work on her hot springs project."
"Well, we were just talking about Christine and we all like her a lot," Zack said.
Speak for yourself Trini thought.
"I'm glad," Billy said with a smile.
"And we all think she would make a good girlfriend for you," Kimberly said.
Trini shook her head at her best friend's statement but no one noticed.
"I'm not sure I should rush into a romantic relationship," Billy said.
"We're not telling you to rush but Christine seems to like you so we think you should give her a chance. Spend some more time with her and see where things go," Tommy said.
Billy was silent for a few seconds. Finally, he looked at his friends and gave a small smile. "Thank you for your advice. I will give the relationship some more time."
As Billy drove home, he thought about what his friends said and more importantly, what one of them didn't say.
Trini made no objection to my possibly pursuing a romantic relationship with Christine. If she harbored any feelings for me beyond friendship, it would be logical to expect that she would protest the idea of me being with anyone else in a romantic context.
He felt a sense of disappointment that Trini didn't say anything. It only further solidified his belief that she only thought of him as a friend. His thoughts turned to the day that he told Tommy and Kimberly that he was going to the aquarium with Christine. Kimberly had said that she and Tommy were going out and her face glowed with happiness.
That's the feeling I want to experience. I know I would if I were with Trini, but if I can't have her, being with Christine might be the most desirous alternative.