Ryla jogged her way until she saw the sign for the Youth Centre in plain view. She slowed down enough so as not to look too anxious to get there. Slowly, Ryla pushed open the door and went inside. As she walked into the Centre, many familiar sites greeted her. She could see people sparring, some people working out, and a lot just sitting and talking at the tables. Ryla smiled and turned around when she heard a familiar voice, "You wanna order something?"
Ryla turned and saw Ernie standing behind the counter, just like she had seen a million times before.
Wow . . . this is . . . Morphinominal!
Ryla dug into her pocket and felt that her morpher was still there. She moved past it and was happy to pull out a few bills of money. She looked up at the price list and nodded, pushing a bill across the counter, "I'll have a grape smoothie."
Ernie smiled and nodded, "Coming right up."
In a few minutes, Ernie slid her change and her smoothie back to her. She thanked him and stuff the change in her pocket. Ryla picked her drink up and turned to find an empty table, when she collided into someone. Her smoothie went crashing to the floor spilling over. She shook her head and pulled back slightly with her eyes closed, hoping it wasn't Bulk or Skull again.
"I apologize profusely for the miscalculation in my stride."
Her breath caught in her throat as Ryla heard those words. As she pulled back more, she could see a blue muscle shirt, and distinct muscles. She looked up and came into contact with the eyes of one Billy Cranston. Ryla hid best she could her anxious gasp, and kept a level face to him, she suppressed her need to stutter and smiled, "No, that's all right. I wasn't exactly keeping a sharp eye either."
She looked down as she felt a touch of liquid at her feet, and for a fleeting moment it reminded her of the purple ooze. She looked back up at Billy, and could almost see that recognition as well. In one movement, he grabbed several napkins and bent down, "I'm so sorry . . . I didn't mean to-"
"No, it's all right, really. Here, let me help," Ryla grabbed some napkins from Ernie, and knelt down next to Billy.
She began mopping up her smoothie as quickly as she could She raised her head a moment to looked over, and locked eyes with Billy. She noticed something,
He's not wearing his glasses . . . Zedd must be here . . .
She saw him grin, and his eyebrows raised a bit, as he pushed up on his none existent frames. Ryla giggled a bit,
But Rita may not be back . . . he hasn't been without his glasses for very long
He looked over at her quizzically, but stuck his arm out, "My name is Billy."
Ryla resisted the urge to reply with I know and moved to shake his hand. She stopped though, and pressed a napkin to his fingers first, as she saw some smoothie on them, "I'm Ryla. It's good to meet you."
Billy laughed and wiped his hand clean before shaking hers. They both stood up and dumped the napkins into the trash. Billy turned to Ernie, "Ernie. Whatever it was that I spilled, please, get her another one, my treat. Oh, and a blueberry smoothie for me."
Billy passed a few bills over the counter and picked up the two smoothies. He guided Ryla over to a table where he set them down, "Here . . . sorry about your last one."
She grinned, before sitting down next to Billy, "I told you, it's fine."
Billy nodded and took a sip of his smoothie before asking her, "So, I haven't seen you around her before. Are a new occupant of Angel Grove?"
Ryla chuckled a bit, "I suppose you could say that. How long have you lived in Angel Grove?"
"All my life." Billy smiled and nodded.
Ryla took in information that she already knew and simply nodded, "That's cool."
Billy nodded as well and watched as she sipped her smoothie slowly, "So, what prompted your move to Angel Grove?"
Ryla opened her mouth, and slowly allowed half truths to spew, "Well . . . it was mostly just a quick decision. One minute I was where I used to live . . .the next, I was here. I suppose I just needed the change."
Billy seemed satisfied by her answer. He nodded again.
They both proceeded to talk. About school; how she needed to register herself soon, about hobbies; Billy found it intriguing that she enjoyed science as well, and that she knew some martial arts, and about other things that weren't really all that important to remember, for Ryla knew most everything about Billy already. She had finished her smoothie long ago, but didn't care, she enjoyed his company, but it ached not to be able to ask what it was like being a power ranger. Suddenly, she heard a familiar beeping. Ryla saw Billy clasp over his communicator and grinned a bit nervously. Ryla did her best not to giggle, but instead, to look confused, "What was that noise Billy?"
He looked at her, trying to think of something, "It . . .was my watch alarm. I cannot believe how quickly the time has past. I must go, I am late meeting my friends."
Billy jumped up from the table, and Ryla stood as well. Billy turned to leave, but then turned back to her, "I hope to see you again! Goodbye."
As Billy ran off, Ryla waved to him, "Goodbye Billy, I hope to see you too . . . I really need a friend right now."