A/N: Happy New Year, everyone!
Chapter 5
"Feelings Go Unnoticed"
Sky Tate got up bright and early the following morning as he got in to his blue shorts and white shirt for an early jog. Once he reached outside, it was only 6 o'clock in the morning but the sun has already appeared in the early skies, brightening the dawn of day. He ran from the academy towards the park which was only a few miles away. After half an hour of jogging, the blazing sun begins to really heat up as Sky could feel sweat trickling from his head and down on his back. But that didn't seem to faze him due to years of hard work and training as he goes on without struggle.
On his way to the park, Sky bought a water bottle from a stand and from there continues on as he drinks the water in a few gulps and pours the rest over his head. Finally, he reached the park and begins running a few laps around it. Just when Sky was about to go for his fifth lap, he slows down his pace at the sight of Z sitting by herself on one of the benches wearing dark jeans and a yellow jacket. He didn't expect to see her until later on that day, but because she looked rather upset from afar due to her slouchy posture, he decides to walk over there and find out for himself.
"Hey, Z." She looks up and weakly smiles at his unexpected appearance.
"Oh hey, Sky." The female observed him for he was completely wet. "Going for an early jog I see."
"Yeah," he looks down at himself for a moment before sitting down on the opposite side of the bench from her. "What are you doing out so early?" He asks out of curiosity. It was only around 6:30 and there were barely people around—usually only businessmen and women heading for work. Z did not respond as she just shrugged her shoulders. "Is there something wrong?" Sky presumed for he observed earlier that she was upset.
"It's my friend Jack. We got into an argument last night."
Sky suddenly listens carefully with mere interest for this was the kind of information he needed. "Jack? Who's Jack?"
Z turns her gaze over to him. "He's my best friend, Sky. He's like a brother to me. We do a lot of things together." Sky nods his head. 'He has to be the other one Cruger is looking for.' He thought. "Anyway, I should get going."
"What?" Sky wrinkles his forehead as she slowly rises to her feet with her hands shoved inside the pockets of her yellow jacket. "But you just got here."
"I need to figure some things out. I'll catch you later."
"Okay. Later, Z." He watches her leave off and slowly a smile crept over his face. "Now all I need is to find out where they store the stolen goods."
That same morning, Bridge was making toast for breakfast when suddenly Syd enters the common room looking gloomier than ever in her pink pajamas with large curls on her hair she wore overnight. Bridge follows her gaze with interest as she took a seat across from him on one of the chairs and slouched. "Morning," he greeted the blonde to brighten the mood, but that didn't seem to help as Syd frowns, followed by a heavy yawn.
"Morning, Bridge."
"Want some toast?" He offered her some on a white platter, smiling generously and waiting for her to accept it.
Syd nods her head. "No thank you."
"You sure?" Bridge smirks. "It's--"
"Let me guess," she interrupts him with a hint of annoyance displayed on her face, "it's buttery." Syd assumed with the wiggling of the fingers.
Bridge furrowed his eyebrows. "Well…no, I was about to say jelly." She raises a strange eyebrow. "But if you want butter--"
His female companion deeply sighs. "No, it's okay. I don't want any."
He shrugged his shoulders and begins eating away. Silence filled the room, making it difficult for Bridge to enjoy his breakfast when he couldn't shake off the depressing look on Syd's face. He peered at her from the corner of his eyes, observing her state of disappointment. "So what did you do with the tickets?" He suddenly asked to make conversation for he knew that she was still upset when Sky passed the car show over an undercover mission.
"I gave them away."
Bridge pursed his lips. "I would have gone with you if you asked, but that doesn't matter anymore." He averts from her gaze. After that, Bridge regretted saying it for he didn't intend to make her feel guilty. It just saddens him that Syd didn't even bother to ask.
She looks at him rather sympathetically. "I'm sorry, I seriously thought you'd be working today."
Bridge just shrugged his shoulders. "No, I'm sorry." He deeply sighs. "I shouldn't even bring it up."
"But you're entitled to say anything that bothers you, Bridge. You have every right to say it. You're my friend and I care about you."
He looks at her and genuinely smiles. "Thanks, Syd. And I care about you too."
She smiles in return. There was another moment of awkward silence as the two drift into their separate worlds. Syd went back to her disappointment state as Bridge continued eating what's left of toast. "Is there something wrong with me?" The blonde questions worriedly. "Am I not pretty enough for him?" She stresses deeply on the thought as Bridge turns to her with a fixed glance.
"What are you talking about, Syd? You're the prettiest girl in this entire academy." He assures her truthfully. "And to be honest, you're the most beautiful girl I've met. Not only are you completely gorgeous, but you're funny and smart and that's what I like about you, Syd."
Syd smiles in awed. "That's so sweet, Bridge." Her smile suddenly faded and turned into a frown. "But too bad Sky doesn't see that in me."
He scoffs irritably due to her obsession with Sky, "why do you like him anyway?" Bridge thought disdainfully. Although he and Sky are very close friends, Bridge couldn't help but feel a bit envious of him for drawing attention to a lot of women, especially Syd which secretly bothered him. 'Perhaps that's why I'm the green ranger,' he thought, 'I'm green with envy.'
"Are you kidding me?" Syd grins as though she was surprise that Bridge didn't know by now. "Sky is the hottest guy in SPD. Even half of the girls in here seem to think so." Cadet Carson just shrugged his shoulder. He honestly didn't want to hear it for what seem to be the hundredth time from women in the academy who find Sky very attractive. "He is tall, has an incredible buff physique, the sexiest blue eyes." Syd couldn't help but bragabout him as she sighs in wonder. "He is the one, Bridge."
"You forgot that he is also a self-centered, pig-headed, and a stubborn senseless jerk."
"So what? His good looks outweigh all that. Sometimes you have to see the good in people and not the bad." She responds as Bridge looks away to give it some thought. "Anyway, I don't know what to do with this problem. I really want him to notice me."
"Look, you and I both know how dedicated Sky is with this job and he wouldn't do anything stupid to ruin that. If you want him to notice you then you're gonna have to tell him how you feel." Bridge explains to his female companion. "You can't keep giving Sky mixed signals and expect him to know what you're thinking."
"Tell him how I feel?" Syd becomes uneasy at the thought. "It's usually the guys that tell me how they feel!"
"Don't try so hard, Syd. Especially when they are guys out there who do notice you."
A smile crossed her face and suddenly she was beginning to feel better. "Bridge, you are the sweetest guy I ever met." Syd kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Thank you." He lightly blushed as he looks away so she wouldn't see. Syd told him that she will see him later as she exits the common room and greets the mechanical dog RIC as it enters on her way out. Bridge couldn't help but smile until RIC interrupted his train of thought with a nudge on the leg.
"Hey there buddy." He looks down at RIC and smiles as it makes weird, whining sounds. "What?" Bridge furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you want, boy?" He studies him carefully as though he understood everything it was saying. "I wish I could tell her how I feel." Bridge frowns as RIC whimpers. "Funny, I can't even follow by own advice." He chuckles at the thought, gently patting RIC on the head, and sighing. 'If only you knew, Syd. If only you knew…'
A/N: Don't forget to review! It gets better, trust me.
