Disclaimer: See Chapter One

A/N: I decided to make a couple slight modifications to this chapter, because I was working on chapter five, so I had to add a part in here that would help chapter five make more sense.

Chapter Three

Adam awoke on Christmas Eve morning to the sound of running water, telling him his aunt was in the shower. Images of what he did last night with Aisha were floating in his head. It was something nobody would have ever thought he would do.

He used Aisha just so he could end the pain he was feeling over his parents' death.

Is that really what it was for me? A pain reliever of some sort? Or did I do it because I love her? Adam asked himself. Of course I love her. I've loved her since we were kids. But that wasn't what last night was about. I didn't have sex with her because I love her. Or did I? No, I didn't. It was all a huge mistake. I just needed something to take the pain away. Yeah, that's exactly it. Is it?

Sighing, Adam rolled out of bed and got dressed. Last night had lessened the amount of pain he was in, to some degree, but he was surprised at himself. He had just taken advantage of one of his best friends, the girl he had loved for years. He knew he had to tell her about it. But how can I? he thought.

Adam ran a hand through his curly hair as he walked into the kitchen. Monica was sitting at the table, in her bath robe with a towel wrapped around her head. She smiled, clearly in a brighter mood than she had been in for the past couple days. "Good morning, Adam. How was the party last night?"

"It was fun. It really helped take my mind off of things," he lied. More like made things ten times worse than they already are, he corrected himself mentally.

"That's good. Do you want some cereal? Or I could make you eggs."

Adam shook his head. "No, thanks. I'm not hungry."

Monica shrugged. "Okay." She studied him for a moment. "Hey, you know I'll always be here for you. If you ever need to talk, you can talk to me.

Adam smiled. "Thanks. Uh, I'll be in my room, if you need me."

Up in his room, Adam lay on his bed. He let a tear roll down his cheek and onto his pillow. He felt like such a horrible person because of what he did. And on top of that horribleness he felt for himself, he still had to deal with some amount of pain over his parents' death.

He remembered what Aisha had told him the night before. She was right; he couldn't be sad and feel sorry for himself forever. He did have his friends and Monica, plus Zordon and Alpha. And it was Christmas, a time to be happy. Even though he'd gotten upset when Aisha had told him those words, he knew it was true. His parents wouldn't have wanted him to lay around sulking and mourning during the holiday season.

But was it really the death of his parents that upset him so much? Of course he was upset that his parents' had died. But maybe it was the reason for his actions the night before that upset him so much.

I knew it was wrong, so why didn't I stop myself? he asked himself. How could I have used Aisha like that? What the hell is wrong with me?

Confused and still sad, Adam continued to lay in his room and cry for the rest of the morning.

* * * * * * *

Aisha slowly opened her eyes on Christmas Eve morning as the sun shone through her window onto her bed. She remembered the night before and sighed happily, a dreamy expression crossing her face.

Flashback

After Aisha and Adam made love, he walked her home in silence. It was awkward for both of them, but she figured he just didn't know what to say. She snuck in through the back door and tiptoed up to the room she shared with Kim, where Kim was laying in bed, reading.

"Where were you?" Kim hissed.

Aisha ignored her question. "Do my parents suspect anything?"

"No. They were in the kitchen when I came back. I told them you were tired and went to bed early."

"Thanks, Kim."

"So are you going to tell me where you were tonight or not?"

Aisha shook her head. She was dying to tell Kim what happened, but she also wanted to go to bed and dream about Adam all night. "First thing in the morning, I promise."

Kim set her book down and leaned over to turn the light off. "Whatever. Good night, Ish."

"'Night, Kim."

Aisha quietly changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed. A huge smile graced her lips as she dozed off to sleep.

End Flashback

"Okay. Spill your guts."

Aisha was shaken out of her reverie when she heard the sound of Kim's voice. She rolled over in bed and saw Kim sitting up, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Come on, talk," Kim ordered.

Aisha smiled as she sat up. "All right, all right. Last night, when I found Adam, he was crying…almost hysterically. Kim, I felt terrible. He looked so sad, so lonely."

"So what happened?"

"We talked for a few minutes. Then he kissed me," Aisha said softly.

Kim's eyes widened. "He kissed you?" she shrieked.

"Shh!" Aisha hissed.

"Sorry. But that's so sweet."

"I'm not finished yet."

Kim arched an eyebrow. "There's more?"

Aisha told Kim about what she and Adam did the night before.

Kim's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "Our shy little froggie made love to you?"

Aisha beamed and nodded.

"What was it like?" Kim asked with a smile. Her brown eyes were sparkling.

"Oh, it was wonderful," Aisha breathed. "It was so romantic. We were under the stars…it was just wonderful."

"So, do you think it's love?"

"Yes!" Aisha squealed. "Before last night, I had doubts that he even liked me. I mean, as a girlfriend. But now I know for sure that he does."

Kim's smile brightened when she realized how happy Aisha was. Kim had always known that Aisha liked Adam, and she had always had a hunch that he liked her too, though Aisha had always denied it. It was great for Aisha to finally see that he liked her, too. "Are you going to talk to him?"

"I guess I have to. But it'll have to wait until after the funeral."

Kim nodded in agreement. "This is so exciting!" she sighed.

"You're excited? Think about how I feel!" Aisha exclaimed with a giggle.

"Ish, I'm so happy for you! Adam's perfect for you. You two would make such a cute couple."

Aisha smiled and sighed contentedly as she flopped back against her pillows. She could still picture every exact detail of what had happened last night in her mind. Being with Adam intimately had been amazing, and she was glad that he had been her first.

Suddenly Aisha was hit by something from the side. She snapped back to reality and realized Kim had just pelted her with a stuffed animal.

"Didn't you hear your parents call you?" Kim asked incredulously. "Breakfast is ready."

Aisha smiled sheepishly and rolled out of bed. She followed Kim down to the kitchen in a daze.