Author's Notes: Sorry about the long delay. I wrote this chapter in between homework and studying. Hope you enjoy!
Reconsideration
"Hi, you must be Adam Park. Come on inside," Elizabeth invited the Green Turbo Ranger inside, smiling brightly.
Adam gawked in awe as he took in the new surroundings. The townhouse was spacious and decorated wonderfully. Not to mention, Adam couldn't help stare at Rocky's new roommate. She illuminated a charming exquisiteness that Tanya could never muster.
"Your place is lovely," he complimented as Elizabeth led him out of the foyer and into the sun-lit living room.
"Thank you," she smiled. "Would you like to have a cup of tea?"
"Yes, thank you," he replied, settling himself in one of the expensive leather sofas, while Elizabeth went to pour two cups of tea. The living room was about the size of his apartment, it seemed, accompanied with freshly painted floorboards, a mahogany apothecary table, a small bookcase, two matching end tables with the same set of antique lamps, a large-framed Monet painting of Water Lilies, and a large-screen television. Adam admired the photographs that hung around; Elizabeth's bright smile beaming down at him from each photograph, sometimes a friend or two convoying.
A particular photograph caught his eye as he examined the room. It was a small framed photo, centered on the mantle directly above the fireplace so that it attracted all the attention it desired. There, Elizabeth and Rocky were smiling, side-by-side, in a most recent photograph. Though there was no physical contact whatsoever, Adam could tell the subtle chemistry between the two, the way Rocky's hand was floating between his body and Elizabeth's hand, as though it was debating whether to hold her hand or not, and the way Elizabeth was casually leaning towards Rocky, her head tilt with a knowing smile. Adam felt a familiar pain in his chest as he recognized Rocky's devout happiness in that single photograph.
"Rocky, what am I doing?" He whispered to himself. He couldn't help thinking what a terrible person he was, barging in a stranger's home and trying to persuade that Rocky was not doing the right thing, just because he wasn't happy with the sudden change. It was obvious Rocky was happy here, with Elizabeth. It was obvious Rocky liked her just from the photograph alone. Who knew? Sooner or later, they might end up married. How could Adam spoil the happiness that his friend deserved?
"Want some tea?" Elizabeth's sweet voice interrupted his thoughts. He quickly turned away from the photograph and saw Elizabeth staring at him with the same knowing look Tanya always gave him when he had something on his mind. It was the same subtleness too; a request that hid behind concern and sympathy.
Eyes downcast, Adam settled himself back on the couch, listening attentively as Elizabeth poured two cups of tea. She handed him one, which he accepted and gulped down to cover the silence. Out of the corner of his hand, he watched as Elizabeth settled herself onto an ottoman, sipping her own cup.
After a few minutes of silence, Elizabeth coughed. "I saw you staring at that photograph of Rocky and me. Is something wrong?"
Adam sighed inwardly and looked up. Elizabeth smiled softly as he sighed again. "It's just that…well…"
"Yes?" Elizabeth inquired curiously.
"Rocky and I were roommates. We've been roommates for a couple of years now, since graduating from high school. But for the past year or so, I've been really busy and I guess I sort of pushed him away, you know. I didn't want to, but I couldn't help it. There was just too much for me to do, and there was never enough time to hangout with him. I suppose he had too much and decided to leave." Adam summarized, leaving out all the significant details of being Power Rangers.
Elizabeth nodded understandingly, "I see." She scratched her chin thoughtfully, and then turned back to Adam. "You two have been friends since kindergarten right?"
"Yes," Adam replied tiredly, "We've been best friends since we were five. He invited me to play with him and his friend, Aisha, one day, and since then, we've been inseparable, the three of us. We went to elementary school together, then middle school. We trained in martial arts, earning our black belts; we entered competitions, won and lost them, and even transferred high schools together. And when Aisha moved to Africa, Rocky was the only other person I could turn to for support because he was the only other person who understood losing Aisha. Rocky has always been there for me."
Elizabeth smiled knowingly, and looked away, staring out the door that led to the deck. "I grew up pretty much alone. My parents died when I was little and I was brought up by my godparents. They were nice and supportive, but they were very busy all the time, and never had time to play with me. Oftentimes, I would sit outside and play by myself, envying the other children who had all these little tight-knit groups of friends. When I was six, I met Sam. He had just moved into the neighborhood with his aunt and uncle. He and I had a lot of things in common; we were both orphans, we were both lonely, and we both needed a friend. Since then, I've never had a best friend like Sam. So, I understand what a big part Rocky plays in your life. But what I don't understand is why you haven't tried to get him back yet."
Adam looked up confusedly, his throat burning. "I…I can't."
Elizabeth's brow furrowed. "Why not?"
"Because I lost him," he whispered, swallowing past his tears.
Elizabeth set her cup down and moved over to Adam. Taking his hand, she whispered, "You will never lose him. You know why? It's because you two are best friends; and not just the sort of best friend that can disappear with one fight. It's the kind of friendship that lasts a lifetime, whether you want it to or not. It's the kind of friendship that's worth keeping, worth fighting for, and worth dying for."
Adam looked up into Elizabeth's cinnamon-swirl eyes. He felt warm fog drift past him and swallow him up in brilliant light. Without thinking, without worrying about the consequences, Adam leaned forward and kissed her.
Concluding Notes: Ooh, a cliffhanger! What will this mean for Rocky and Adam's relationship? Or Rocky and Elizabeth's relationship? Well, I'm not giving direct answers, but I will say that in the next chapter, I will most certainly analyze Rocky and Elizabeth together as a couple, and just for fun, we'll also take a look at Adam and Tanya's strained relationship.