Katherine spent the final weeks of school trying to avoid Tommy as much as possible. She spent most of her time at school with Billy who had offered to help her adjust to her classes since she had arrived so close to the end of the semester. Other times she let Aisha and Kimberly drag her shopping which she was glad to do even if it meant sometimes dragging the guys along to carry all their bags. She tried not to make her discomfort around Tommy noticeable and only talked to him when it was absolutely necessary. Then the thing she dreaded most happened, it was time for summer break.
"Alright, school's out and summer has officially begun, time to party," Rocky said as the group of friends sat at their usual table in the juice bar.
"Didn't you learn your lesson last time?" Aisha asked him.
"What I didn't say I wanted to play video games," Rocky shot back.
"What do video games have to do with Rocky and parties?" Kat inquired not knowing the reason for Aisha's comment.
"Let's just say Rita and Zedd helped Rocky learn a lesson he'll never forget," Tommy answered her.
"I wish I had time to party, this schedule Coach Schmidt has me on is grueling and I haven't even told him my decision about Florida yet," Kim said with a slight frown on her face.
"When do you u have to give him your answer?" Adam asked her.
"In a couple of weeks, he wants me to visit Florida and check out the facility before I make the final decision," Kim told him.
"I think it'd be great if you went, you really deserve a shot at winning the gold, and I have no doubt that you'd win," said Billy speaking up.
"Yeah but going would mean leaving you guys one ranger short, and I could never forgive myself for letting you down," Kim replied.
"You wouldn't be letting us down Kim, you'd be fulfilling one of your dreams and I'm sure Zordon and Alpha would be able to find a replacement until you got back," Tommy told her and put his arm around her.
"And I think I know the perfect person to replace you if you decide to go," Aisha said looking straight at Katherine who started blushing.
"You can't seriously be talking about me?" questioned Katherine.
"Why not, I think you'd do a great job," Billy replied.
"I have to admit I was considering the possibility of leaving and your name was at the top of my list to suggest to Zordon," Kimberly agreed.
"I'm honored that you all feel that way but I don't deserve to take your place, so you really shouldn't count on me," Katherine said as she lowered her head.
"Kat, I know how you feel, I didn't think I deserved to be a ranger either after what I did for Rita but you can't let that stop you," Tommy told her.
"You have no idea the way that I feel," Katherine said angrily as she got up from the table and headed for the door.
Katherine knew she had overreacted and felt bad that she'd acted that way in front of her new friends but it was the only way she knew to keep them at arms length. She couldn't let any of them get close enough to her to figure out the truth of her feelings for Tommy.
She started walking to her car to return home, but stopped halfway there and decided to walk to the park instead. She had only been in the park for a few minutes when someone tapped her shoulder from behind causing her to nearly jump out of her skin.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," said a familiar voice and she turned around to see none other than Tommy.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I know you said I couldn't understand what you're feeling, but I can," Tommy said taking a seat on a nearby bench and motioning for Katherine to join him.
"I'm sorry I blew up at you back there but thinking about taking on the responsibility of a ranger was just too much," she told him only half explaining the truth.
"Believe me, I had the same doubts when I decided to use my ranger powers on the side of good, I kept thinking that Rita was going to find some way to turn me evil again," Tommy replied.
"I guess you do understand what I'm going through after all," Kat decided.
"It won't be easy but in time you'll come to trust yourself again," he told her.
"Trusting me is the problem," Kat muttered.
"What did you say?" Tommy asked.
"Nothing, it's not important, thanks for coming after me," she said and smiled.
"Hey, we ex-evil pawns have to stick together," Tommy said with a laugh. "I say we call this our first meeting."
"What so are we like a support group now?" Kat laughed.
"Why not, I mean it's not just for you, I could use someone to talk to also," he replied. "I mean don't get me wrong I've talked to Kim about it before but she just can't understand, not the way you can."
Kat tried not to take his words to heart but in spite of herself she started to feel good about having this one thing to share with Tommy.
"Its just going to take some time, that's all and as I said before whenever you need to talk I'm here," Tommy told her. "Now what do you say we head back and join the others?"
"I can't I have a dance class to attend soon and I need to go home and get ready," she said apologetically. "But I will walk back with you because I left my car in the parking lot."
Tommy walked with Katherine back to the youth center parking lot and they stopped when they arrived at her car.
"Tommy thanks again," Kat said with a smile.
"No problem but remember tonight was only the beginning, there will other meetings," he said with a wink.
"Please tell the others I'm sorry for running out like that and that I'll see them all soon," Kat replied.
"Will do, Kat," Tommy said giving her a hug before turning and walking back into the juice bar.
Kat nearly melted when she felt Tommy's arms around her but quickly came back to her senses. He only came after you as a friend, nothing more. He loves Kimberly and I won't do anything to get in the way.