A/N: Good morning! Here is the latest one-shot. This was one of the ones I wanted to write for a while now and finally was able to. I hope you all enjoy! :)


The Way

Pretty sure I'm going to vomit.

It was the only thought going through my mind as I paced near the entrance of the high school. I couldn't blame it on being sick or something I had ate for lunch. I'm pretty sure I hadn't been bitten by a bug carrying some weird ass disease from Africa either. No, this was all because of my nervousness that was sitting like a lead balloon in my belly. I linked my fingers together as I paced back and forth, trying my best to not look like a wreck. People came in the door of the school, giving me smiles as they passed. None of them looked like they were going to keel over from being nervous. I was apparently the only one who was going through it.

"Hey, Tommy." Jason's voice called as he came through the front door. Zack and Billy were walking with him, all of them dressed in black dress pants and various color dress shirts. Zack's was a black, a purple tie around his neck. Billy was in blue, a white and blue striped tie accompanying it. Jason was in dark red, a plain black tie finishing the look. Reaching out, I shook their hands and gave them a pat on the back as well. "You look like you're waiting for Rita to attack any minute."

"I feel like it too." I replied, running a hand over my hair. "Shit!" I muttered, smoothing down the spot I had just touched to make sure it was not messed up. Zack chuckled.

"Tommy, you gotta relax, man. You did all the hard work already. Kimberly already said yes." He said, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"I know. I just didn't think of the fact I would have to actually be on the date with Kimberly." I replied, sighing.

"Zack's right. Kim is crazy about you. Trust us." Jason said.

"Everything will be alright." Billy said, smiling at me. "Kimberly reciprocates your emotions, Tommy. There's no question about it."

"Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. I hope she gets here soon." I glanced out the door towards the front walkway.

"Well, it still is Kimberly. I'm sure she had a last minute shopping trip before tonight. Her and Trini should be coming." Jason said. "C'mon. We can wait for them in the gym." I shook my head.

"I think I'll wait here for her." I replied. "You guys can go on without me."

"Alright. We'll save us a table, alright?" Jason asked. I nodded. The three of them had all decided to come stag, Angela turning Zack down four different times this week. I had to give him credit for taking rejection as well as he did. He said he wasn't going to give up yet seeing as she had flirted with him all math class yesterday. I think it was safe to say the Zack was braver than me when it came to girls. Kim wasn't just any girl though. I didn't know how else to describe it. There was something about her that made my heart stop beating for a few moments before it remembers how to function right. Her very smile is enough to weaken me at the knee. If there was a way to bottle it, Rita should look into it. She might stand a chance then.

"See ya." I said, waving as the three walked up the hallway. I went back to pacing, my nerves returning to the edge they were standing on. Maybe my friends were right. I had done the hard part. It wasn't easy asking Kimberly out. I had worried about it all week. And when I tried to do it, I was kidnapped and ended up losing my powers. Wasn't really a stellar week for me. But finally, I just manned up and did. After I kissed her, I mean. I was still up on cloud 9 a bit whenever I thought about that moment. I had to fight the smile that was trying to creep across my face now. Kissing Kim was something I had never experienced before. She was my first (unless you count a girl who had a crush on me in the third grade and had sneak attacked me after school) and it was much more than I had imagined it being. I'm not sure what made me do it but whatever it was, I was hoping I still had some of it left in me tonight. I wouldn't mind another kiss with her. Fingers crossed, tonight would end well enough that she would be willing to let me touch her again.

But what if it wasn't? My nerves spiked again and I shoved the doors open, needing the fresh air. The sun was beginning to set behind the school and there were more people crossing the parking lot from their cars and their parents dropping them off. I pulled at the green tie I was wearing, my white dress shirt feeling like it was closing in on me. I had a green shirt at home I had planned on wearing but it didn't feel right any more. I didn't have my powers so wearing green wasn't really my role for the time being. I shoved that thought from my mind. Let's try to focus on one nerve wracking situation at a time. I tucked my hands into my tan dress pants and leaned against a tree on the right of the school entrance. The wind was blowing slightly, my tie moving in the air with it.

The sound of girls giggling made me look up. My heart fell when I saw it wasn't Kim and Trini. I frowned. What if she had changed her mind and wasn't coming? A panic induced sweat formed in my palms. Had I just gotten so excited that she thought it was lame or desperate of me? Kim was so beautiful, she could have her pick of any guy in this school. Hell, everyone thought she was with Jason when I first moved here. A couple of the guys in my karate class had even asked me because they thought she was pretty and wanted to see if she was available. Someone with that many choices would be an idiot to settle for me. I was the new kid. The guy who hadn't even been able to keep his powers like everyone else. If that wasn't pathetic, I don't know what was. I should have brought flowers or chocolates with me. That's what people do on first dates, right? God, why was I such an idiot? No wonder she had decided to stand me up.


"Trini, I don't know about this dress." I said, looking down at the light pink satin gown I had on. It had a sweetheart neckline and a skirt that puffed out to my knees. It had been incredibly cute on the rack when I had bought. Now as I saw myself in it, I wasn't too sure how I felt about it on me.

"Kim, that's the eighth dress you've put on tonight. Ninth if you count the time you put it on first. You look beautiful. Tommy is going to think the same thing." She said, smiling at me as we walked through the park. We had decided to walk to the dance, needing the much needed fresh air and the distance for girl talk. She had been right. I had brought basically my whole wardrobe to her house this afternoon and had forced her to see me try them on. I had finally decided on this one once I realized we only had an hour to the dance and I still had to do my hair and makeup. We were edging towards being late, a pang of guilt in my chest.

"I just hope he doesn't look like a troll." I frowned. I had managed to get my makeup spot on but my hair was having a mind of its own tonight. It was frizzy at the ends and I had a piece that was refusing to curl the way I had wanted it to. I had finally opted to putting it in a pun with a couple curled pieces hanging down. If it was any sign of how tonight was going to go, I should just switch schools now.

"You don't! Now, relax. Remember, Tommy asked you to the dance for a reason." She said, taking my hand in hers. "Plus, you two already kissed. I'm sure there won't be anything to worry about. It's Tommy."

"I know." I replied, sighing. We came up to the cross walk that went through the main intersection of town and to the back parking lot of the school. Our school mates were lingering around cars, sneaking in last minute cigarettes before heading inside. I knew Mr. Caplan would lose a hair plug if he came out here right now. Trini hummed next to me, swinging her purse in her hand. There was a smile on her lips I couldn't help but notice. The flowy yellow dress she was wearing made her legs seem to stretch for miles and her slender figure look full in the right places. I felt like a dwarf next to her. "You seem happy." I said, eying her.

"I am! Tonight will be fun." She said, shrugging her shoulder.

"And it has nothing to do with a certain red ranger I know?" I asked in a hushed voice. A blush spread across her cheeks and she slapped my arm.

"I'm never telling you anything in confidence again." She muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, c'mon, Trini! I think the two of you would be adorable together. And you know Jason is crazy about you too. Just because he won't admit it. You know boys."

"I'll admit it as soon as he does." She replied.

"Well, that's a stalemate then." I said flatly. We rounded the corner of the school and I could see the front entrance. Standing by it, I spotted Tommy right away. He was leaning against the wall next to the door, a crisp and clean white dress shirt making him stand out. He wore a green tie that he was fighting to keep in place from the wind. He was looking the other way, lost in thought as we continued to wall.

"He sure looks handsome." Trini said, elbowing me in the arm.

"He does. I look like a hag." I frowned.

"Stop it. You know he is going to think you are the most beautiful person here tonight." She said reassuringly as she put a hand on my shoulder. We were about thirty feet away from Tommy now and he finally turned his head to face us. His hair was combed back out of his face and I could see the look of awe come over his features. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not but I smiled at him nonetheless.

"Hi, Tommy." Trini said as we came to a stop in front of him. Tommy stepped forward, stumbling slightly on a rock by his feet. Trini suppressed a giggle as she looked over at me.

"You came." He said, smiling at me.

"You did invite me, Tommy." I replied, clasping my hands in front of me. "Right?"

"Huh? Yeah! Of course! I'm just glad you're here. You look beautiful." He turned to Trini. "You look amazing too, Trini."

"Well, thank you. If you guys don't mind, I'll go track down the rest of the boys." She said, stepping towards the door. Tommy opened it for her.

"They're in there. They got us a table."

"Great! See you in there." She shot me a wink over her shoulder before disappearing inside. The door shut behind her, leaving Tommy and I standing in a bit of an awkward silence. We shot each other glances quick, mixed with nervous smiles. I took a deep breath.

"You look great." I said, nodding towards him. "I really like the tie." I gave him a wink and he let out a chuckle, adjusting it.

"Thanks. Wasn't quite sure if I was still worthy of the color, though."

"Tommy, you know you'll always be one of us. I think you should wear the color as much as you want. There's only one Green ranger and even if you're inactive, you still are the green ranger." I said, reaching out and squeezing his hand. He smiled, gazing down at me.

"Thanks, Kim. That means a lot to me."

"You're welcome. Now, how about we head inside? I don't think they will bring the party out to us if we stay here."

"Sure!" Tommy pulled the door open again. As he did, I heard a bird let out a loud screech. Glancing up, Tommy and I watched as a big crow flew over head. I heard something splatter and Tommy swore. Turning to him, I saw that the bird had gifted him a loving parting present of shit all the way down his left shoulder.

"Oh no!" I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand. Tommy gazed at his shoulder in disbelief.

"Well...that happened." He muttered, pulling at his shirt.

"Hold on." I said, opening my purse. I dug through it until I found a couple makeup removing wipes. "Here." I stepped closer to him and wiped away what I could. I did my best not to smear it into the white fabric. He rubbed the back of his head with his other hand as I worked. For the most part, it came out. There was a wet mark there with a little darkness but nothing a good washing wouldn't cure.

"Thanks." He said, taking the soiled wipes from me. "Let's get inside before it comes back to finish me off."


Really? I spend the last 12 hours making sure everything about tonight was going to be perfect and a bird decides to have diarrhea all over me? Sometimes, I wonder if all the luck I have to bad. I held the door open for Kim and we walked into the school. The mob that had been by the gym doors earlier as they waited to get in were gone, a few people trickling in. I put my hand on the small of Kim's back, hoping she couldn't feel how clammy they were through her dress. She looked gorgeous, a dress that was literally made for her. I had never seen her in a shade of pink I didn't like on her but this one was taking the cake for sure. It made her smile sparkle and I couldn't help but stare at her as we walked. The sound of music pumped from the gym, vibrating the floor slightly. Walking through the double doors, I saw the main lights of the gym were off and colored lights set up by the DJ were illuminating the area. Flashes of different colors passed by as we walked around the edge of the gym. Tables were set up on the outskirts of the dance floor which was directly in the middle of the gym. People were dancing now, doing moves that made me wonder why people act the way they do.

"Oh dear." Kim said, pointing at a couple of girls who were grinding against members of the football team. I shook my head, looking at her. I spotted Jason and the rest of the group sitting at a table in the back corner. Taking Kim's hand, I headed towards them. I couldn't help but notice that Trini was sitting next to Jason, the two of them much closer than Billy and Zack were sitting. I smirked at Jason who returned the motion, pointing at us. Trini looked over her shoulder in our direction and smiled.

"Hey guys." Trini said, shifting away from Jason a bit. I pulled the chair out next to her for Kim who sat down. I took the seat next to her, sitting with Billy on my other side.

"What are Jenna and Leeanne doing out there?" Kim asked, leaning forward towards Trini. She shook her head.

"Who knows. They've been doing it since I walked in. Some people just don't know how to use their words to get people to like them I suppose." She replied. Kim nodded, turning to face me. I gave her a small smile, the sound over the loudspeaker shifting into a slow song. I felt my mouth instantly go dry as everyone on the dance floor began to pair off. Zack stood up, adjusting his tie.

"If you excuse me, I have someone to find." He said, heading off into the crowd. Billy sighed, shaking his head.

"He'll never learn." Billy said. I nodded, panic filling my chest.

"Um..Kim?" I asked, tapping her arm. "Do you wanna dance?"

"Sure." She replied, smiling brightly at me. I stood up and pushed my chair in, holding my hand out to her. She took it, standing. Slowly, I led her out to the dance floor. I didn't venture too far deep into it, afraid of bumping into anyone. Stopping, I looked at her.

"I'm not very good at this." I admitted, feeling lame.

"It's easy." She replied, stepping closer to me. She grabbed my right hand and placed it on her waist line. I felt my heart jump into my throat. "And then this one goes here." She took my other hand and put it so it was symmetric with the other. I knew my heart was racing now. I could feel it knocking against my Adam's apple. She put her hands on my shoulders. "Now we sort of sway and shuffle out feet back and forth until the song is over."

"O-o-okay." I stammered out, leaning to one side. She let out a small giggle as it was more of a bend than a sway.

"Relax, Tommy. You're doing fine." She said, giving my shoulders a reassuring squeeze. I felt my nerves begin to calm as we fell into a gentle swaying motion. "Better?"

"Yeah. Thanks. I don't know why I'm so nervous. I just want tonight to go good, you know?"

"I get it." She said, smiling up at me. "I think you'll have more fun if you don't worry about everything, okay?"

"Okay." I felt myself smile as she stepped closer to me. She rested her head on my shoulder and I wrapped my arms tighter around her small frame. Over her head, I saw that Jason and Trini were dancing not far from us as well as Angela and Zack. Billy had even found someone to dance with, a girl from the math team I believe. They were dancing at the edge of the group, talking as they swayed together. I eyed Trini and Jason as they danced, both of them smiling at each other with sparkling eyes. I smiled.

"They're cute, aren't they?" Kim asked, glancing to look up at me. I nodded. "I sure hope they end up together. They deserve each other."

"They do. They're a good team too." I replied. The song came to a close and the couples slowly moved apart, heading back to tables or their groups to start dancing to the next song.

"Want to keep dancing?" She asked, standing on her tippy toes to talk in my ear.

"Only if you want some bruised toes tomorrow." I joked. She giggled, unwrapping her arms from me. I reluctantly let go and followed her as she headed back to the table. Trini was sitting again, Billy and his new friend standing near the table. Jason nodded at me.

"I'm going to get some punch. Wanna help?" He asked. I nodded. I pulled Kim's chair out and she sat down. Bending, I put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm going with Jase to get something to drink. Do you want something?" I asked. She nodded.

"Yes, please. Thank you." She smiled as I stood up. Tucking my hands into my pockets, I walked over to Jason who was waiting for me. Following the edge of the dance floor, we headed over to the refreshments table where Miss Appleby was handing out juice and cookies, making sure that no one was able to spike the punch.

"I told you that you had nothing to worry about, man." Jason said, grabbing two cups of juice in one hand. He grabbed a third in his other.

"I know. I can't help it though. It's Kim. I don't want to screw this up." I replied, following his lead.

"You're not going to. You guys are going to hang out, dance a bit, and then when you walk her home, seal the deal. That's all."

"What do you mean 'seal the deal'?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at him. "Like try to make a move on her?"

"What? No!" He exclaimed. "For one, Kim is like my little sister. Gross, dude. I mean kiss her. If you can manage to get a kiss out of her tonight, you're golden. Trust me."

"Yeah? Is that the plan you have going with Trini too?" He let out a scoffing noise.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Right. Sure, you don't." I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Just ask the girl out, man. She's totally into you."

"Trini isn't like that. She's different than other girls. I don't know how to describe it, honestly." His face fell. "She's way too smart to like a guy like me."

"Don't talk like that. Need I remind you that you're the leader of the Power Rangers?" I whispered loud enough for only him to hear. "Besides, the way she looks at you gives it all away. I wished Kim looked at me the way Trini looks at you."

"She does. You just aren't looking. Believe me, We've had to hear how hot you were since the moment you rolled into town." He said, taking a sip of juice. "But don't tell her I said that or she'll murder me."

"Really?" I asked, grinning like an idiot. "She thought I was hot?"

"Calm the ego." He replied, rolling his eyes. He headed back to the table, balancing the cups in his hands. We set them down in the middle of the table when we arrived, making sure there was enough for everyone. Zack was still missing from his spot, chasing after Angela more than likely. I handed Kim a glass and sat down.

"Thanks." She said, taking a sip of it. I did as well, nearly downing my drink in a couple gulps. She giggled, looking at me. "Thirsty?"

"A little." I breathed, setting the empty cup down on the table. "Now what?"

"We have fun." She replied.


Tommy stayed by my side for most of the night. He was nice enough to give me space when I needed it and made sure that he wasn't smothering me when I was talking to Trini. We danced to a number of slow songs and I did my best to help Zack teach him how to dance to faster songs. With as graceful he was at karate, it was shocking how horrible at dancing he was. We elected to stick with the slow songs, something I was enjoying. It felt natural to be in Tommy's arms and I was finding it hard to believe it was really happening. I could see him loosen up the more the night progressed, him taking the lead when we danced more than he had before. He was smiling more as well, the stress of nervousness seeming to melt away each time he looked at me. I was glad he was having a good time. I was as well, loving every moment we spent together.

"Ladies and gentlemen! It's time for the last song of the evening. Let's make it a slow one, shall we?" The DJ said, speaking into the microphone. The fast paced song he had been playing before ended and the bars turned into a sweet melody throughout the gym. Kids had started to file out before that, heading home or to the after party that the football team was throwing at someone's house. Tommy led me out to the dance floor again, this time wrapping his arms around me more easily that the first time. I wrapped my arms around his neck and gazed up at him.

"Did you have fun tonight?" He asked, looking down at me. I nodded.

"I did. The night's not over yet though. We still have a little time."

"Did you want to check out the party? I was invited."

"Nah. As much as I would love to hang out with the drunk Angel Grove football team, my mother would kill me if she knew I went to a party. Did you want to go?" Tommy shook his head.

"No. It's not really my thing either. The guy who invited me didn't even know my name. He called the the Karate Guy when he asked me to come. Pretty sure it was to get you there."

"I doubt it." I said, grinning at his flattery. "Those guys know that isn't my scene. I'm usually the only cheerleader that isn't at the parties."

"That's good, though. You're standing up for yourself. I think more people should do that. Most people think that high school is about seeing how drunk you can get before your parents find out. Of course, you guys have a bit more responsibility than the rest of us." I frowned, seeing the sadness in his eyes.

"I wish Zordon could have done something for you, Tommy." I said softly. "It wasn't fair what happened to you. You're a great ranger and deserve to be on the team with us."

"I liked being on the team but I know he tried everything he could. Who knows? Maybe someday I can help you guys fight Rita again. For now though, I think I'm going to focus on karate and my grades. My mom might kill me if my math grade sinks anymore."

"Tell me about it. I thought mine was going to strangle me with my history test last week. Rita needs to give us homework time or else I'm going to be grounded until I'm thirty."

"We can be grounded together." He said, smirking at me. "I mean, might be boring but we can wallow together."

"Sounds good to me." I replied. Tommy and I swayed to the music together, our arms wrapped around each other. I spotted Trini and Jason dancing together again and smiled. Those two were going to be the death of me if they don't realize how well they work together. Trini had told me in the bathroom earlier that she was enjoying her time dancing with him tonight but she was wishing he would just ask her out. I know Tommy had told Jason to do just that but he didn't. I didn't know what was going on in my best friend's head but he was going to get an ear full tomorrow when I see him.

The song came to an end and the crowd applauded. The lights of the gym turned on and the remaining students began to group up before filing out the door. Tommy and I met Billy, Trini, and Jason by the door. Zack had left already, leaving with Angela about an hour ago. I had a suspicion they had gone to the party. That was totally Zack's thing and loved going where the action was. I didn't see Angela as that type of person but she had left with him. I'll never figure those two out.

"You guys up for a late dinner?" Jason asked as we slowly walked across the parking lot. The front circle was filled with cars, waiting for kids to come out of the building. Trini shot me a look, telling me that I best turn down the invitation.

"Actually, Tommy is going to walk me home and teach me a couple of karate moves." I said, grabbing Tommy's arm. He gave me a confused look. I narrowed my eyes at him for a moment. It took a bit to click but he nodded, turning to Jase.

"Yeah. Sorry, man. But you and Trini could catch a bite. You both look hungry." He said, putting his hand on my back again. "We'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Bye!" Trini called, waving over her shoulder. I saw Jason shoot Tommy a look before he led Trinin through the parking lot.

"Subtle." I said, smirking at him. Tommy sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

"I was on the spot! I didn't know what else to say."

"I could tell. C'mon." I took his hand in mine and started walking towards Main Street and the park. "We can take the long way back to my house."

"Aren't you afraid of missing curfew?" He asked, trailing behind me as I walked. I shook my head.

"I haven't had a curfew since the divorce. Besides, my mom works late tonight. She won't be home until I'm asleep." I replied. I felt his hand grow clammy in mine and I surprised a giggle. It was incredibly easy to make Tommy nervous and it was amusing at this point. Seeing him like this was unusual. The well trained, typically cool in the face of danger, Tommy Oliver almost becomes a bumbling fool when he's around me. Maybe I should keep that in mind when we're on the battlefield. I would hate for it to happen when we're squaring off against Goldar or one of Rita's monsters. Of course, it didn't matter now, did it? He no longer had his powers. It made me sad to think about, knowing he had so much more to offer our team. I stroked the top of his hand with my thumb as we starting walking towards the park.

"It's a nice night." Tommy said, lifting his head to look up at the night sky. I did the same, seeing stars twinkling in the ink black span of night.

"Careful. Knowing our luck, it's going to rain." I replied, grinning at him. Tommy let out a chuckle, nodding.

"Ain't that the truth." He sighed.


My nerves were on edge as Kim and I walked through the park. It was quiet, the only sound coming from our low voices and our feet on the walkway. The sound of her laughter rang throughout the night and it sounded like music to my ears each time I heard it. If it was the only sound I could hear for the rest of my life, I would die a happy man. It was becoming increasingly more apparent just how perfect she was and how I was tempting fate just by holding her hand.

We left the park, heading towards Maple Street where I knew her house was. I've walked her home before but not like this. I kept picturing what would happen when we got there and the number of ways everything could go wrong. Jason's words came to mind, telling me that if she kissed me, I would be in for sure. Would she want to kiss me again? She hadn't made a motion to do so yet tonight. Did she not want to? Was I that bad of a kisser the first time that she didn't want to do it again? It wasn't my fault I was inexperienced. I blamed it on my parents constantly moving and girls not wanting to give me the time of day. Jesus, Oliver. You are a loser.

On the left side of the street, Kim's house appeared. It was a two story home that was painted white on the outside, red shutters on the windows. There was porch attached to the front of it, the light on. It seemed to be the only light on, the rest of the house dark. She had said her mother was not home yet. That thought made sweat form all over my body. I was getting ahead of myself there. I was freaking out about a possible kiss. Thinking it was going to be anything more than that possibility was insane. Besides, that would be rushing things and I didn't want to do that.

The stairs creaked as we walked up them, stopping outside of her door. Kim reached inside her purse of her key, pulling it out between her thumb and pointer finger. Letting her arms drop to her side, she smiled up at me with that smile that made my knees weak. My heart thundered in my chest.

"I had a great night tonight, Tommy. Thank you for asking me to go." She said.

"I did too. Thank you for coming. You looked beautiful by the way, if I didn't mention that before."

"You might have a time or two." She replied, smirking at me. "But a girl doesn't get tired of hearing it."

"I can tell you that every day." I said softly, taking her hands in mine. I felt her key now in both our palms. "Every time I see you, it's the first thing that crosses my mind." A blush spread across her cheeks as she averted her gaze down to our hands.

"I think you might need glasses." She joked, facing up towards me again. "But thank you."

"Anytime." I felt a dry lump form in the back of my throat as silence fell over us. This was it. It was now or never. "Kim, I really like spending time with you. I love our friendship and really hope that things between us don't change." I said. I watched, in horror, as her face fell.

"Oh. Right." She said, nodding. "Our friendship. You want to be friends." Shit. Shit. Shit. What the hell had I done? "You're right. I value our friendship too."

"No. That's not what I meant. I don't want to be friends." She looked at me confused, almost offended.

"You don't want to be my friend anymore?" Good God, get it together, Tommy!

"I am worse at this than dancing I guess. What I'm trying to say is that I don't want to be just friends. I would like to take you out again, if that would be okay." Her face lit up in a bright smile and she nodded.

"I'd like that. Are you free tomorrow night? I know we're hanging out with the guys in the afternoon but I'd love to go see a movie or something." I smiled, relief flooding through me.

"Sure! You pick the movie. It'll be my treat."

"Hope you like cheesy chick flicks." She teased. I laughed, shaking my head.

"Well, I guess if it means spending time with you, it'll be worth it." I released her hands and headed towards the stairs. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I said, stopping on the second step from the top. The possibilities of our date tomorrow ran through my head. Where would I take her for dinner? Should I bring extra money in case she wanted popcorn? What would I wear? What would she expect me to do during the movie?

"Tommy, aren't you forgetting something?" She asked. I looked at her, confused.

"What do you mean?" I asked. She sighed, shaking her head as she walked towards me. Due to her being two steps higher than me, we were at eye level for one. Placing her hands on my shoulders, she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine. My eyes widened in shock at first but I quickly recovered, putting my hands on her waist. It felt like fireworks were going off inside my head, all the stress and worry from the night now instantly gone. All that mattered right now was this moment right here.

"Good night, Tommy." Kim said when she pulled away. She gave me another quick kiss before heading towards her door. She unlocked it and glanced over her shoulder at me.

"Goodnight, Kim." I said. She shot me a wink before disappearing inside. Tucking my hands in my pockets, I jogged down her steps and started up the sidewalk towards my house. I could feel the bounce in each step now, the wide smile on my face.

What had I been worried about exactly?