Chapter Nine: Feelings
"So what do you want to talk to me about?" asked Krista as she sat on her bed.
"It's about Fiona." said Kyle. "I wanted to know what you whispered to her before your spar with Whyatt."
"Oh, it was nothing really." replied Krista.
"Come on Krista, can you just tell me what you said." said Kyle.
"Fine then." replied Krista. "I was teasing her about you being her boyfriend."
"Didn't you tease her about that when we first met?" asked Kyle.
"Yeah, I did." replied Krista.
"Why exactly?" asked Kyle.
"Isn't it obvious." said Krista. "Fiona has a crush on you."
"What!" exclaimed Kyle. "She does, since when."
"Since 3rd grade." replied Krista.
"You would you know." protested Kyle. "You didn't go to our school in 3rd grade, and Fiona and I just became friends."
"Actually we did go to the same school." replied Krista. "Back then a lot of people didn't notice me."
"O.k then, since when in 3rd grade did she have a crush on me?" asked Kyle.
"Ever since you confronted Marcus, the boy who was bullying her." replied Krista.
"Oh yeah, now I remember." said Kyle with a look of realization on his face.
Six years ago in 3rd grade in the hall of Muriel Elementary
"Hey, give me back my stuff!" exclaimed a young Fiona.
"No way pipsqueak." replied Marcus, having in hand two of Fiona's textbooks. "If you want it back, you'll have to take them from me."
Then from behind him a voice spoke.
"Give Fiona her books back." said the voice as Marcus turned to see a young Kyle.
"You're in fifth grade Marcus, could you be a bit more mature." continued Kyle.
"Mind your own beeswax Carsly." replied Marcus angrily. "Unless you're willing to fight me for these."
"Don't do it Kyle." said Fiona. "I don't want you getting hurt because of me."
"I'll be fine Fiona." replied Kyle. "An adventurer must always be ready to face danger."
"O.k then, wanna play the hero, then take this." said Marcus as he punched Kyle in the stomach and he fell to the ground.
"Kyle!" screamed a teary Fiona as she neared him.
"No, stay back." croaked Kyle in pain, still on the ground.
Then Marcus hurried to where Kyle was and kicked him in the stomach.
"No, stay away from him!" yelled Fiona as she ran behind Marcus, pulling his arm to keep him away from Kyle.
"Shut up." replied Marcus as he turned around and pushed Fiona to the ground.
"FIona!" yelled Kyle in anger as he rose up and ran toward Marcus to attack, but he was interrupted.
"What's going on here?" said a voice as Kyle, Marcus, and Fiona saw a tall, familiar figure approached them.
"Mr. Gregory." said Kyle as he stood before the three of them.
"I'll ask again." said Mr. Gregory in a soft voice getting louder. "What's going on here?"
Then Kyle and Fiona explained the situation they had with Marcus.
"I'm disappointed with you Marcus." said Mr. Gregory angrily. "You're supposed to set an example for these kids, but you have to pull this off, this action deserves punishment, you're suspended for two weeks."
"What, no fair." replied Marcus. "I'll get you for this one Carsly."
"I doubt that will be happening any time soon." laughed Kyle.
Then Kyle walked over to where Fiona's stuff were, picked them up, and turned toward Fiona.
"Are you o.k Fiona?" asked Kyle.
"I'm fine." replied Fiona. "You're the one who we should be worrying about, are you o.k."
"If you take out the moments of pain and discomfort, I'm fine." said Kyle. Then he made his way out of the hall.
"Wait Kyle." said Fiona. "Why did you help me?"
"What are you talking about." replied Kyle. "You think I stand around and let someone bully my friend."
"No, not that." said Fiona. "While Marcus had my stuff, all the other kids just passed by, but not you, why."
"That's simple Fiona." replied Kyle as he turned to face her. "It's because I care about you."
"What, y-y-you care about me." said Fiona, not realizing she was blushing.
"Of course I do." replied Kyle. Then, once again he made his way out of the hall.
"Kyle." said Fiona.
"Yeah Fiona." answered Kyle.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it Fiona, I was glad to help." replied Kyle as he left the hall.
Back to present time
"So that's what happened." said Kyle. "And you saw all of this."
"Yeah, I hid behind the next hallway." replied Krista.
"Ever since that day, I've noticed her always stalking you, nothing creepy though."
"Wow, I didn't know she felt that way about me." said Kyle.
"So are you going to do anything about it?" asked Krista.
"Not sure yet." replied Kyle. "Well I gotta get some sleep now, thanks Krista."
"Any time." said Krista.
Then as Kyle exited the room, he was met by Whyatt.
"Need anything Whyatt?" asked Kyle.
"I heard everything Kyle." said Whyatt.
"So." said Kyle. "Should that be a problem."
"No, but Kyle, when you beat Fiona in your spar, you seemed worried when you thought she got hurt." said Whyatt.
"O.k." replied Kyle.
"Be honest with me Kyle." said Whyatt. "Are you in love with my sister?"
"What did you just say?" asked Kyle in surprise.
"Do you have a crush on Fiona?" asked Whyatt.
"I'm not really sure." said Kyle. "I admire her, but I don't think it's love."
"Well you better make up your mind soon." said Whyatt. "This is our last night before we face off with Zakar."
"Right." said Kyle. "Good night Whyatt."
"Good night man." said Whyatt as he headed toward his room.
But Kyle went over to where Fiona's room was and knocked on her door.
"Fiona, Fiona, are you still awake." said Kyle. Then in a few seconds, Fiona opened the door.
"What is it Kyle." said Fiona, not seeming the least bit tired.
"Can I talk to you about something?" asked Kyle.
"Sure, I guess so." said Fiona as she allowed Kyle to enter her room.
"Hey Fiona, do you remember what happened three years ago at Muriel?" asked Kyle. "You know with Marcus."
"Oh yeah." replied Fiona slowly, remembering the day. "What about it."
"I was talking to Krista about it earlier." said Kyle. "She kind of said you liked me."
"She did." said Fiona.
"So I wanted to know Fiona." said Kyle. "Do you like me?"
"Well I-I-I'm not…" muttered Fiona.
"It's o.k Fiona." said Kyle. "You can tell me."
"O.k then, I admit it." said Fiona slowly." Kyle Carsly, I like you."
"Thanks for telling me." said Kyle.
"So Kyle, do you... feel the same way about me?" asked Fiona.
"I don't really know." said Kyle.
"But I know I don't hate you." he added.
"O.k then, I guess that's not a bad start." said Fiona.
"Well I'd better be heading to sleep, good night Kyle." said Fiona as she kissed Kyle's cheek and lied on her bed.
"Good night Fiona." said Kyle as he left her room.
Then as Kyle made his way to his room, he stopped.
"Wow so much is going on, I became a ranger, I have to save the world, and now I'm a love interest." he whispered to himself as he entered his room and closed the door.