Chapter 6: Realizations
Tanya regarded Adam with a cold expression that could have cut glass. Simply, she replied, "Adam, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Uh…sure," Adam agreed, swallowing past his nervousness. He stood up and followed an uncommunicative Tanya down to the lake.
He watched as she stopped beside the edge of the water, and picked up a stone. She examined it for a minute before flinging it as hard as she could into the water, watching the ripples swell. Sighing, he walked up beside her.
"Tanya, we were just talking." Adam said, defending him and Elizabeth. He knew his girlfriend was often jealous of the camaraderie between him and the Green Ranger, but he couldn't help that, and he was not ashamed or guilty about his friendship with Elizabeth.
"It didn't seem like a lot of talking to me," Tanya snapped, glaring at him.
"Tanya," Adam replied, as calmly as he could, "Elizabeth and I are best friends. I'm sure you can understand that. She's your best friend too."
"But I'm not hugging her like there's no tomorrow!" Tanya barked.
"She and I were reminiscing about old times. We got a little emotional, that's all. And I'm tired of defending myself when I've done nothing wrong. How could you accuse me of cheating on you when I'm been entirely faithful? I've never done anything behind your back and you know it!" Adam said, exasperated.
"Adam Park, we both know that you still hold a torch for your ex-girlfriend," Tanya shouted. "Maybe you were faithful to me in your body, but I know you were never faithful to me in your mind! I'm not stupid. I see how you look at her, when you're supposed to be looking at me!" Tears were flowing freely down the African girl's face, and she wiped at them angrily.
"I never looked at her in any way, Tanya. She's my best friend, and I love her as one. Alright, I admit I may have thought of her on some occasions, but I'm human! I make mistakes. And besides, I'm not the only one in this relationship who has wandering eyes!" Adam retorted, not the least bit sorry for his girlfriend.
"What does that mean?" Tanya shrieked.
"I saw the looks you gave to a certain Gold Ranger at one point." Adam sneered, his face flushed with anger.
Tanya immediately blushed, her heart pacing. She quickly masked the emotion though, replying- "I never gave any sort of look to Jason!"
Adam smirked, "Tanya, you're not very good at hiding your emotions. I saw you blush. You like Jason, admit it. Since he came back, you've liked him. I didn't want to say anything back then, because I tried to pretend it was an illusion, but now I know the truth. You've always had feelings for him, didn't you?"
"How dare you accuse me! You have no right to say that." Tanya shouted.
"I was right, wasn't I? You like Jason! And here you are, trying to accuse me of having feelings for Elizabeth." Adam scoffed.
"You do have feelings for her!" Tanya cried. "I know you do. You've never stopped loving her. Breaking up with her was the worst decision of your life, and if you could go back, you'd redo it all over again. Don't you think I know all that?"
"I broke up with her because I had feelings for you. What are you trying to say- that the feelings we share mean nothing?" Adam asked, his voice softening.
"They're not nothing, Adam," Tanya said, her voice dropping an octave as well. "But the truth of the matter is that—I don't—I don't think our feelings for each other were real. They were just false impressions, something that played with our minds. We don't really love each other like that."
Adam waited for his heart to shatter. But as her words replayed in his head, he knew that she was right. He thought he loved her, but it was all just a trick of his mind and heart. He had tried to force himself to love her because he had been too brokenhearted over losing Elizabeth. And she didn't love him in that sense at all, a thankful note on her part for not falling in love with him.
"Tanya," he took her hand in his, "I love you. That's the truth. I love you, but it's not in that romantic, head-over-heels way. I love you as a sister, as a teammate, and as a friend."
"Me too," Tanya admitted, looking down ashamedly. She took a deep breath and glanced back up at Adam's consoling dark eyes. "Adam, since I came to Angel Grove, you've been one of my best friends. You've helped me adjust to my new life here, and I really appreciate your friendship. And I've cherished our relationship as well, despite the lack of true love we hold for one another."
Adam nodded wordlessly. He knew what was coming up, but surprisingly, he wasn't worried about it. He knew it was the only right thing to do, considering their positions.
"Adam, I think that it's best if we…" Tanya stopped herself, wondering if she should say it. He was still her friend, and she didn't want to break his heart.
"Break up?" Adam suggested lightly. Tanya nodded feverishly.
Adam smiled slightly, "I think that's the best idea we've had in a long time." Tanya returned Adam's gracious smile, feeling a heavy weight lift off her shoulders. Adam embraced her, and she closed her eyes, knowing it was the last time they would hug as a couple. Adam broke apart first, smiled down at the beautiful Yellow Ranger, and kissed her forehead.
Tanya grinned, "Mutual breakup?"
Adam grinned back, "Mutual breakup."
Tanya nodded and began walking back towards the park. Adam stood by the lake, watching Tanya from the corner of his eye. Abruptly, she stopped and turned around. Adam glanced up curiously.
"Adam, one day or another, you're going to have to admit that you're in love with Elizabeth, to her and to yourself." She stated frankly. Then, she turned back around and walked away, ending another chapter in both of their lives.
Adam said nothing.
At the park…
"Where have you been?" Kat asked, squinting as the bright sun shone from overhead. Tanya kneeled down and pulled on her gloves.
"I was talking to Adam," Tanya replied matter-of-factly.
Kat knew something was up. She could tell from the way Tanya was planting the petunias that something had happened to her best friend, and she was intent on figuring the mystery out.
"And?" Kat pressed.
"We broke up," Tanya replied simply, not taking her eyes off her work.
Kat gasped, "You did! Tanya, I'm- I'm so sorry."
Tanya looked up, smiling slightly. "Don't worry, Kat. I was the one who suggested we break up, though we seemed to have to come to a unanimous decision that it was a mutual breakup. I think we've both more relieved than sad that we ended our relationship."
Keen on learning the details, Kat urged Tanya to continue.
"We both realized that we weren't in love with each other, and we probably never will. We're perfectly happy just being friends. It was a good, clean, solid breakup." Tanya answered honestly.
"So, you're not disappointed or angry?" Kat asked.
Tanya shook her head, "Not at all. I'm positively delighted, actually."
Kat grinned, "Only you would be happy at breaking up with Adam Park."
The Yellow Ranger shrugged, patting down the soil with her hands. "I'm just glad we've resolved everything between us. I noticed things were rocky between us for months. We haven't gone on an actual date since September."
Kat nodded sympathetically. "So your breakup had nothing to do with the fact that Adam loves Elizabeth?"
Tanya evaluated her friend's question for a brief minute before responding- "Honestly, no. I thought it would eventually turn out that way, but we both understand that our breakup was strictly because we are not compatible as boyfriend and girlfriend. I think Elizabeth was a divert factor that could have prevented us from breaking up cleanly, had I submitted to my prejudice. I have nothing against her; she's one of my best friends and I know she'd never do anything with Adam behind my back. I don't even know if she loves Adam back the way he loves her. This is not Elizabeth's fault, and she has nothing to do with our breakup, anymore than you do. This is plainly between me and Adam. As for what happens now between those two, I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
Kat nodded in acceptance, "I'm glad that you two had a clean breakup. Things could have been a lot worse."
"Tell me about it! At least, we're still friends, and I'm happy." Tanya declared cheerfully.
"That's good to hear," a familiar voice replied. The two girls looked up to see Rocky hovering over them, smiling faintly.
"Rocky!" The two girls stood up quickly, embracing their friend. Rocky grinned at the affection and attention he was receiving.
"How are you? Are you alright?" Kat asked, looking both worried and relieved. Rocky smiled at the Pink Ranger, urging the two girls to sit down. They obeyed willingly, squatting next to Rocky, their focus entirely on him.
"I'm perfectly alright. Alpha gave me a sedative that would help me sleep and heal my injuries. I'm up to par right now; I've still got a few mean bruises, but otherwise, I'm peachy and ready for action."
Tanya and Kat sighed with relief. The three of them continued to carry on their conversation, until Tommy noticed his teammate's reappearance. The Red Ranger sauntered over, dropping his gloves. Kat immediately made room for him beside her, and he fell down next to her.
"It's good to see you're alright, Rocky." Tommy grinned, slapping one hand on Rocky's shoulder.
The Blue Ranger smiled, "Thanks, man. It's good to be back," then his gaze fell around the circle, his brow furrowing at the absence of two Rangers. "Where are Adam and Elizabeth?"
"They took a break awhile ago." Kat responded.
"Oh, okay." Rocky nodded.
"They haven't been back in awhile. Think they're okay?" Tommy inquired, frowning at the prolonged absence of Adam and Elizabeth.
Tanya and Kat exchanged meaningful expressions, which Rocky picked up immediately. Growing up in a family full of brothers and sisters, he could instinctively tell when something was up, especially something dreadful.
"What's wrong?" Rocky demanded, staring at his female teammates.
"Um…." Kat stole a glance at Tanya, who was intently staring at her shoes.
"Come on, you two. Tell us what's up." Tommy urged, locking eyes with his girlfriend. Kat twisted a smile, and succumbed to her boyfriend's pleas.
"Alright, I suppose," she looked at Tanya, who was silent. "Well, you should know that Tanya and Adam…well, they…"
"We broke up." Tanya declared tightly, her gaze straightening and regarding each of her teammates with a cool smile.
"You did!" Rocky exclaimed, looking very much flabbergasted. Tommy was simply staring at Tanya with wide eyes, unable to form words.
"Yes. We thought it was best. We're not compatible and we have no romantic feelings for each other." Tanya replied calmly.
"I…I…this is a dream, right? Adam and you broke up? That's the last thing I would have expected to happen today, or any day." Rocky said, shaking off the effects of Tanya's statement.
"I didn't plan it either, Rocky," Tanya said, sympathetically regarding the Blue Ranger with a tilt of her head. "But love is like that. It's unpredictable. Love is pain. Life is pain; you can't protect anybody from it. It's always going to get you. But sometimes life could also be good. But you got to be open. You got to take chances. You got to let go."
Contemplating the Yellow Ranger's words, Rocky nodded slowly.
Tanya sighed, "Can we please change the subject? Let's not talk about me and Adam. Let's talk about…uh…the dance!"
Several smiles brightened. Rocky, Kat, and Tommy exchanged a resigned look, accepting Tanya's discourse and averting the sensitive topic.
"I can't wait. After all this construction and remodeling and moving, I'm ready for something that's laidback and relaxing." Tommy replied.
"Me too, I'm so glad Elizabeth came up with the idea." Kat approved wholeheartedly. She was very pleased that she was going to spend the whole night dancing in Tommy's protective arms. Nothing could falter her mood. The only problem was what to wear to the dance. Though Elizabeth claimed that the dance was strictly casual (as the survivors didn't have many clothes left with), Kat knew she had to wear something other than her usual worn and sod-ridden pink tank top and denim shorts. She wanted to dazzle Tommy with her elegance; though right now it proved quite difficult, seeing that she had few clothes to choose from.
"Who are you guys taking?" Rocky questioned, surveying his friends.
Kat and Tommy traded tender glances, blushing as their friends smirked. Rocky ribbed his leader, smiling broadly. "You might actually be the only one of us with a date, Tommy."
Tanya looked down, slightly crestfallen. She had forgotten that she and Adam had broken up just hours before the dance. Some part of her wished that she had postponed the breakup just so she wouldn't be so lonely at the dance, but she good-humoredly figured that at least she'd be with her friends. And maybe she and Adam could still dance together, just as friends.
"Sorry, Tanya," Rocky murmured, after seeing his friend's crestfallen face. He didn't want to cause her anymore pain than she already was experiencing.
Tanya smiled and touched Rocky's arm gently, assuring him. "It's okay, Rocko. I really don't care if I have a date or not. Besides, I'm going to have fun with my friends."
Rocky nodded, "That's true."
"Who are you taking, Rocky?" Kat asked, turning the focus onto the Blue Ranger. She and the other Rangers instantly noticed Rocky turn beet-red.
"Um…no one…" Rocky replied, looking down.
Tommy smirked, "Aw, come on man, who's on your mind today?"
"I'm sure any girl would love to dance with you, Rocky." Tanya said, smiling. She half-wondered whether the girl Rocky wanted to take to the dance was the one who she thought it was.
"No one, guys. I don't know anyone who'd go to the dance with me." Rocky said, his voice betraying hidden feelings of distress.
The other Rangers noted that Rocky was beginning to feel slightly hurt by their ribbing, so they simultaneously stopped. Kat sympathetically touched Rocky's shoulder and said- "Look, whoever you want to ask, just ask. You're a wonderful guy, Rocky, and I know a hundred girls at our school wishing that you would step up and ask them. And I'm sure that the one you want to ask is included in that hundred."
Rocky smiled faintly, turning to Kat with a return of gratitude. "Thanks, Kat. That's really sweet of you," there was a brief pause, and then Rocky asked- "Where's Elizabeth?"
A light bulb inside Tanya's head flashed brilliantly. She half-smiled and replied, "The last I saw her was over by the tree near the volunteer drink stand."
"Okay," Rocky nodded, and stood up quickly, heading over to the volunteer drink stand.