A/N: Thank you for the reviews & enjoy the next chapter.


Chapter 10

"A Gift & Confession"

"Irish was the first female in Factor Blue history to win a motorcross title." Blake goes on bragging about his current girlfriend as the others continue to listen with mere curiosity at the dinner table. Tori, on the other hand, seemed rather bored throughout the conversation as she tries to pull off an act in looking fascinated by the new couple's experience. "We uh first met at the starting line during a race about a year ago." Blake answers Dustin's question, as he turns to Irish with a engaging smile. "Yeah...and ever since we just couldn't stop seeing each other. Not to mention the fact that she beat me for the first time, and I just had to know more about her." The guys chuckled, amused with their interesting relationship.

"Well, you two seem very happy together. My bro can't stop talking about you on the phone."

"Thank you, Hunter." Irish smiles warmly as their fingers intertwined underneath the table. Blake winks as he gives her hand a tight squeeze in return. "We are truly happy."

Tori looked away and secretly rolled her eyes so she couldn't be seen. "Oh, I think I'm gonna be sick." She muttered as everyone turned her way.

"What was that?" Irish asks.

The blonde flashes her a fake smile from across the table. "Nothing. I uhh...was just observing how a great of a couple you two look, and Hunter is right. You two look real happy, nonetheless perfect for each other." The thought made Tori feel weak in the knees, although she was speaking nothing but the truth. The guys exchange looks as they watch her lower her eyes and stare down at her half empty plate, slowly drifting into another world.

"I'm surprised you're single, Tori." Irish mentions all of a sudden as her head jolted back up to meet her gaze. "Blake has told me plenty of great thinks about you, and believe me, you're much more beautiful in person than I've seen in your pictures."

Tori shrugged her shoulders, yet slightly flattered by her kind voice. "Well, not every guy sees that in me."

"Oh come on." Dustin scoffs due to her modest personality. "I bet most of us here have liked you at some point. Besides Blake, I know I did."

Shane sinks down on his chair. "Aww, man. Can we not go over this please?" He whines.

Hunter chuckled. "I didn't know you liked Tori." He gave him a playful nudge on the shoulder.

"Oh yeah." Dustin smirks. "Trust me, dude. He did."

"What about Hunter?" Irish questioned as all eyes turn to him. "Did you ever had a thing for Tori?"

He was now on the hot seat as he remains keeping a straight face without showing any sign of mercy. "No." Hunter managed to let it out from his system quite easily after a few moments of silence.

"Sure." Dustin coughed from nowhere. "Sure."

They laughed as Hunter shot him an evil glance. "What?"


It was a quiet ride to Hayley's Cyberspace Cafe as Kira remained silent on the passenger seat. Tomorrow was Valentine's Day, and the same day the Sweetheart dance will occur at Reefside High. Trent looks over at the musician, who hasn't said a word since they left the school. Anxiety has overcome him as he cleared his throat out and casually begins to speak to break the awkward silence. "You seem awfully quiet. Is there something wrong?" He asks worriedly.

She slowly turns to him with a sincere smile. "Yeah, I'm just worried about Ethan."

He furrowed his eyebrows while keeping his hands on the steering wheel. "Why is that?"

Kira pursed her lips and sighs. "I heard Joanna talking in the girl's locker room, and unfortunately, she's playing him for money." She looked down. "Man, I feel so bummed out about this."

"What?" Trent splutters out in disbelief. "You're kidding."

"Nope."

"Well, I'm not surprised." He slightly chuckled. "Joanna Bryant is known for breaking hearts these days."

Kira grunted. "Tell me about it. I mean...Ethan is gonna be crushed when he finds out. He sees her differently. Just like Cassidy."

Trent made a complete stop as he parked his father's car in front of a nearby building next to Cyberspace. The two got out and walked side by side towards the entrance. Once they were inside, Conner and Ethan turned around from their seats and watch as the two walk in.

"Well...here's your chance." The computer geek whispers silently to the jock upon their arrival.

Conner looks their way and sighs deeply. "Man, why does he have to be here?" He questioned agitatedly due to his appearance.

"Duh. He works here."

He scratches the top his head. "Oh yeah. I forgot." The conversation went to a complete stop once Kira and Trent approached their table.

"Hey, guys." The musician greeted them first as her golden locks fell over her eyes. Conner looks up and smiles. 'God, she's beautiful.' He thought dreamily.

"I should be getting to work." Trent faces Kira. "I'll talk to you later. Maybe we can go out some time during my break?"

"Sure." She smiles in agreement. "I would love to."

"Cool." He waves to the other guys. "See yah."

Conner narrows his eyes at him. He could feel his temper rising in anger at the sight of Trent. Not that he has anything against the artist, but the attraction they both share with Kira was getting the best of him, and jealousy was something he has a hard time overcoming. "Ugh, I can't stand that guy!"

He bangs his first against the table as Kira and Ethan shot him a glance. "Conner? What was that?"

"Nothing." He muffled casually, unaware with his surroundings. "I uhh...was j-just talking to myself." He leaned back against the chair with his hands resting on the back of his head. 'Man, I need to stop doing that.'

Kira arches her brow. "Right..." She turns to Ethan and shrugged. "Listen, I need to talk to you about something real important." Conner noticed the worry in her eyes.

"Can it wait?" Ethan remains focused on the laptop screen. "I'm almost through with the last level."

"No." She grunted irritably. "We have to talk...now." She grabbed his arm and dragged him across the room as Conner watches on in amusement.

"Dude!" Ethan rapidly pulls his arm away from her grip. "What is it?" He questioned out of annoyance.

Kira stares at him carefully, followed by a deep sigh. "Look, I didn't want you to hear this from me but there's no other way so you'll have to listen up."

He folds his arms. "Alright. I'm listening."

"It's about Joanna."

"She's great isn't she?" Ethan grins all of a sudden at the sound of her name. "I bought her a crosage and everything! Boy, am I excited about tomorrow."

Kira looks down in spite of guilt. "She's bad news, Ethan. You have to dump her before it's too late."

"And why would I do an idiotic thing like that?" He asks, puzzled with her odd behavior.

"Because!" Kira struggled to find the right words. "I heard her talk about you in the locker room...and I didn't want you to hear this from me, but-"

"What is it?" Ethan anxiously wanted her to get right to the point. "What, Kira?"

"She's playing you, Ethan!" The musician finally let out. "The only reason why she agreed to go to the dance with you is for some stupid bet she made with God knows who." Ethan lowered his eyes and begins nodding his head in dismay. "I'm sorry, Ethan. I didn't want you to find out this way."

"I don't believe it." His eyes were filled with upset and betrayal. "I should have known..."

Kira places her hand on his shoulder for comfort. "I'm so sorry, Ethan."

"No!" He snaps, as Kira stood back, startled. "I'm sick of the lack of respect I'm getting from you and Conner. You think she's too good for me. I get it."

"No, that's not what I'm trying to say. You're too good for her."

"You know what I think?" He chuckled as he eased up his temper. "You can't accept that fact that I'm going out with the most popular girl in school." Ethan stated in her defense.

"Uh yeah, don't forget the most stuck up, manipulating, self-centered brat!" Kira retorts. "Ethan, why would I make this up?"

"Because you feel sorry for me."

"No! Because I care about you, Ethan and I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

Conner watches on curiously from across the room without the slightest clue what was going on.

"Well, it's too late for that now." His glare intensified. "The thing that hurts the most is having my so-called friends backstab me in the back." Kira's lips parted due to his angered tone. "I thought you and Conner were my friends; friends that support each other through thick and thin." He pauses in mid sentence, followed by a deep sigh. "But I guess I was wrong."

"Ethan-"

"I got to go and pick up my suit. Later." He brushes past Kira and exit the cafe. Sighing deeply, she turned back around and headed towards Conner's table

"What was that all about?" He asks upon her approach.

Kira takes a seat across from him and frowns. "You don't want to know."


Meanwhile, Blake and Irish began to head on out as Tori, Dustin, Shane, and Hunter all followed them to the door. It was getting late and their manager, Roger Hannah, not too long ago by phone, told them that the Factor Blue tour bus will be leaving shortly. They were going to head on foot towards the station once they refused Hunter's offer for a ride. "Bro, don't worry about it." Blake reassures him. "It's not a long walk from here. Besides, we'll be sitting for hours and we could definitely use some walking." Tori fell behind the group as they all say their farewells to the couple.

"It was nice meeting you, Irish." Hunter gently shook her hand after sharing a one-arm hug with his brother.

"You too, Hunter." She winked. "Hopefully you'll find that perfect someone. That goes for you too, Tori."

The blonde weakly smiles in return. "Thanks..."

"Take it easy, dude." Dustin tells Blake as they did their little handshake. "She's definitely a keeper."

"Thanks, man. And uhh...good luck with Marah. She's definitely the lucky one."

The goofball blushed in awed. "Dude...stop."

They chuckled. "Maybe we can bring you all in and watch one of our races sometime." Irish suggested.

"That'd be awesome!"

"Yeah!" Shane exclaims quite enthusiastically on the idea.

"Anyway, we should get going." She noticed they were running late while glancing over her watch. "It was nice meeting you all."

"Bye." They waved off in unison as they watch them leave hurriedly. Dustin, then, shuts the door behind and faces the others.

"Dude..." he grins widely, "his girlfriend is hot."

Shane and Hunter nodded their heads in agreement. "I'm gonna tell Marah you said that." The dirty blonde threatened him in a joking matter.

"Hey, Marah is beautiful, but dude...Irish is hot."

Tori leaned back against the wall and rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"You think all the girls in Factor Blue are just as hot as her?" Shane wondered out of curiosity.

Hunter smirks. "Probably so."

"I'm surprised you turn down the offer." Dustin inquires all of a sudden. "You could've had girlfriend by now."

He shrugged rather pathetically. "I prefer finding one here, if it ever happens." Hunter looks up at Tori and noticed tears rolling down her cheeks. The others haven't noticed as she tried the best of her ability to hide it. This was the first time Hunter has seen her cry, and yet, watching her in complete sadness made his heart ache in shame.

"Be right back." Tori hid her face as she heads towards the kitchen to start cleaning up. Hunter could hear light trembling in her voice, which the others weren't able to comprehend in time. Shane and Dustin exchange bewildered look as they watch Hunter follow her down the narrow hallway.

"What is that all about?" The former yellow Wind Ranger questioned in curiosity once they disappeared into the other room.

He turns to Shane. "Let them be." He smirks.

Hunter made his way inside the kitchen, and upon his arrival, found Tori weeping on the counter. The door shut by itself as she turned around, startled by the unexpected company. "Argh." The blonde grunted reluctantly. "Go away, Hunter." Tori quickly wipes away her tears, embarrassed for being seen in a depressing state.

Hunter bit his lip, unsure whether or not he should discuss the issue with her. "You're still not over him, are you?"

Tori looks back sharply. "Of course I'm over him."

"Then what's the matter? You were dead quiet in the table."

"Nothing." She sniffs as she began placing dirty dishes into the sink. "Nothing at all."

He rolls his eyes. "Oh come on. Those tears obviously mean something." Tori stops as she slowly turns to him. "You're upset, I can see it. Just please..." Hunter begs of her. "Please tell me what's wrong."

She places the dishes down and crosses her arms as if she was ready to speak her mind. Meanwhile, Shane and Dustin continue to listen on the other side of the door. "You want to know the truth? Well, here it is. I felt like an idiot tonight." Tori's lips trembled as tears fill up her eyes. "God, none of you guys even told me Blake was coming."

"I was going to, Tori."

"But let me guess. You failed to tell me right?"

He looks down and sighs. "I didn't think it would be a big deal, since you supposedly moved on."

"I did move on, Hunter!" She cried out loud. "I just didn't want him to see me all alone and thinking I haven't moved on by now."

"Who cares what he thinks?"

"Well I do!" Hunter fell silent. He has never seen Tori so angry at him before, and he refuses to make matters even worst. "You know what, forget it. I feel such an idiot right now." Tori chuckled out of humiliation.

He sighs deeply. "You're not an idiot."

"I should just go."

"No, wait." Tori stops dead in her tracks. She turned back around and faced Hunter.

"What's happening?" Dustin whispers, eager to know more as the room fell silent once again.

"I don't know." Shane hisses back irritably. "Maybe if you stop talking, we may know what's happening afterall." He looks away and listens.

"Give me your hand."

"Excuse me?" She chuckles as Hunter steps forward.

He brings his hand out. "Seriously, give me your hand."

"You're not trying to propose to me, are you?" Her eyebrows furrowed in curiosity.

Hunter scoffs with a dirty look. "No way. Just trust me on this."

Tori looks down. "Whatever you say..." The two lock hands as he gradually brings her closer to him.

"Now close your eyes..."

She looks at him weirdly. "You're beginning to scare me, Hunter. This is sounding a lot like one of the Titanic scenes. What's next? You're gonna show me how to fly?"

He glares at her. "Do you want to see your Valentine's gift or not?"

"How am I supposed to see it with my eyes closed?" Tori pauses in mid sentence as she searches his eyes carefully. "Whoa. Whoa. What Valentine's gift?"

Hunter smiles. "Well...I was going to wait till tomorrow, but I see that you're feeling down at the moment and I thought I'd cheer you up a bit."

"You're kidding." She splutters out shockingly. "You didn't have to do this..."

"Don't worry. I got some help from my students." Tori weakly smiles as the feeling of guilt rushed in. "Come on. It's outside."

"Outside?"

"Yeah." Hunter takes her hand and pulls her along towards the backdoor. He led Tori to the garage as it begins to slowly open.

"Oh...my...goodness..." Her eyes fell open at the sight of a new light blue caravan with eight seats, automatic doors that opened on both sides, a sunroof, and a personalized license plate number with her name on it.

"You like it?"

"Like it!" Tori couldn't get over the big surprise as her mouth fell open. "Hunter, it's great and all." She stammered on her sentence. "But I can't accept this."

He frowned. "You have to. My students and I worked hard to raise the money."

She chuckled in disbelief. "Exactly."

"For you though, Tori. I did this for you."

She looks up at him. "But why? This is just too much."

"Because I care, and you're my friend."

Tori smiles as she turns her gaze over to the van. She couldn't get her way out of this one, not that she didn't want to. The van was a true beauty. It was the most outrageous thing anyone has ever done for her, needless to say, the best and most extravagant present she ever received for Valentine's Day. "You're too sweet, Hunter."

He grins at her comment, which must've been difficult for her to say. "Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting to hear those words from you?"

"A lifetime I supposed?"

"Oh yeah." Hunter joked around with her as he stuffs his hands into his jean pockets, digging for the set of keys. He knew right there and then that his goal was accomplished as he made her smile and laugh once again. "Want to take it for a ride down the block?" Hunter dangles the keys in front of her.

She smiles excitedly on the idea as her eyes open wide. "Sure!"

"Alright, but I'm driving." He runs to the driver's seat, taking full advantage with the keys in his hand.

Tori pouts and follows. "Hey!"


Silence cast over Conner and Kira as they drifted off to their own world. While the musician continue scribbling furiously in her notebook, Conner made it seem as if he was browsing through a Sports Illustrated magazine when all he was interested in was Kira. He would look up and steal a quick glance from her every second that passes by. However, the appearance of his crush made him feel ill at ease. "Ahem." He coughed with force to grab her attention, but received no answer in return. He tried again. "AHEM."

Kira looks up from her notebook. "Yes?"

"Oh. Nothing. I'm okay." She lifted her eyebrows and went back to work. "Just curious..." Conner started out. "Did you find out who sent you those flowers?" He casually asks.

"Nope. It slipped my mind."

"Do you even care?"

Kira pathetically shrugged her shoulders. "It's probably some sick joke. I'm thinking one of the football jocks pulled it off or whatever."

Conner bit his lip. "What if I tell you it was me?"

She takes her eyes away from the notebook and stares directly at him. "Well was it?"

"It's a what if question, Kira."

She smirks. "I wouldn't believe it."

"Guess what?" His resonating tone became deadly serious.

Kira looks up to meet his gaze. "What?"

"It was me."


A/N: Only two more or so chapters left. Don't forget to review on your way out. Cheers!