Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers, or the settings where they have taken place. They are owned by Saban. I don't wish to get sued.

Authors Note: This is a really long chapter, because I had a lot of stuff saved up from a while ago. I apologize for this not being updated in a few months.

A/N: Woo hoo! Let's get the T/K Back into action! Ok, well, not in this chapter but in the very near future it will be occurring. New relationships occur in this chapter, and an old ones ends, friends visit, old friends appear…

Tommy and Kimberly will be back and better than ever in the next couple of chapters!

PLEASE R/R I really enjoy feedback about what you want you like/what you want to see. Without reviews it makes it a bit hard to update! Please keep them coming! You all are amzing!

February 16, 1996

Kimberly was sitting in her bedroom trying to finish up her paper that would be due next week. She had practice all day, since they didn't have school. Her birthday came and went.

Dear Diary,

Tyler took me out for my birthday on Tuesday. It was really nice, we went to dinner and out to the movies. The movie wasn't the greatest, but I got to spend time with him which was nice. It seems all I do is work out and study. He is starting baseball again, which he loves, so we will not get together as much as we do now. That's alright though, I understand. It's nice to have a boyfriend in the same spot I am with a sport.

I was asked the other day if I would try for the Olympics, but I think that I may just do another Pan Globals, and then work on my college. I just don't know if I want the Olympics to ruin my college career, but I guess I'll just have to see.

Speaking of College, I think I am gonna go to the University of Florida. Coach Schmidt says they have an awesome gymnastics team, and I hear that they also have a great Education program, so who knows. I have a good deal going for them, they are giving me a scholarship, pretty much a full ride, for gymnastics. Renee is going. She tells me it's too good of an offer to give up, and I am beginning to think she is right.

Anyway, I gotta get back to this damn paper. Ugh.


Love,

Kimberly

Kim hides the diary and lays back down on her bed, a pen in hand and a notebook before her, open with a ton of notes scribbled on it. She hears a knock at their front door, and figures it's just Tyler coming to check up on her. She was right.

"Hey Kim."

"Hey." Kim smiles up at him as he walks through her open door.

He sits next to her on the bed kissing her cheek, "How's it going?"

"It's going." She smiles, "Practice go ok?"

"If you call it that." He sighs, "We didn't do much. We do have our first scrimmage in two weeks."

"What day?"

"Saturday."

"I can't, I got a competition." She sighs.

"Ah, that's alright, it's just a scrimmage."

"Can you come to the competition on Monday Ty?"

"I'll be there." He smiles at her.

"Awesome."

"What are you working on?"

"This damn paper for history. It's about World War II, and we have to compare and contrast it to World War I. It's not that difficult, but it's gotta be five pages and we need evidence. I spent this morning at the library, this afternoon at the gym, and this evening in my bed trying to figure this out."

"I have to do that, but I pulled out the Viet Nam war and World War II."

"That's different." Kim says shrugging.

"Yeah it is. I can't find a lot of similarities. I really hate Mr. Ryan for giving us these papers. I am sick of comparing World War II to every other war."

"Me too, but just think, we'll be in College next year." She smiles.

"Yeah." He says.

"Ugh!" Kim says, hearing the door, "Is Renee still out there?"

"Yeah."

"Good, people have been coming over all day."

"you haven't been here all day."

"Well all evening. Cooper, Shawn, Lindsey, you." She smiles.

"Yeah, but I'm a good person to come by." He says, pulling her into a hug.

"Yeah, cool your jets Romeo." Kim smiles, pushing him away.

"Hey Kimberly?" Renee calls.

"Yeah?"

"Someone's here to see ya."

"Ugh… who?"

Renee smiles, "Come on out and see."

"Renee, I don't have time…" She says, groaning, standing up off her bed. She walks out of her bedroom and into the living room. Her eyes go wide and she lets out an excited scream as she runs over to the visitor and hugs her tight, "Oh my gosh!"

The girl with braids and clad in yellow smiles, "I came for a visit. I was in Orlando visiting my family for two weeks, and this was my second stop." She squeals as she hugs Kim again. She laughs as she sees a guy standing completely confused at the events taking place, "You must be Tyler." She replies.

"Yes… and you are?"

"Aisha Campbell."

"Oh, I should have figured that." He smiles, "I've heard a lot about you."

"All good I hope." She smiles.

"All good." He agrees.

"So, when did you get in?" Kim asks, "Come sit down."

"I got in two days ago. I spend two with my family and told them I was gonna come down here and see you. I've missed you so much Kimberly!"

"I've missed you too." Kimberly says, "I wanna hear everything about Africa. How is it? What's it like? What do you do there?"

"Girl, slow down." Aisha smiles, "We got a few days."

"Why didn't you tell me you were gonna come! I would have planned for it. Are you staying here?"

"I didn't wanna tell you because I wanted to surprise you. I don't have to stay here, I can go back to my family…"

"You are totally staying here." Kim smiles brightly, "You just made my year."

"I got you a birthday gift. It's really cool, it's from Africa and I thought you would love it."

"You didn't have to."

"I did too." Aisha grins, "It's in my cousins car, which is parked outside."

"Let's go…"

Tyler smiles, "Let me get it for ya. Do you have bags?"

"Um, it's alright I can get it…" Aisha says.

"Don't worry about it. Do you have the keys? Which one is it?"

"It's parked next to Kim's car. It's the black Toyota."

"I'll bring it right back up."

"Thanks a lot." Aisha smiles, "So, you look like you're doing pretty good."

"I am doing great."

"Tell me about Tyler."

"He's great Aisha."

"I'm glad. Are you happy?" Aisha asks, frowning at the slight pause Kimberly had before answering.

"Yeah. I am. He's a great guy."

"Good." Aisha smiles.

Tyler comes back in with a suitcase, "Kim, where do you want this?"

"My room please." She smiles.

"I'm gonna go so you two can catch up. Don't forget your paper." He smiles, coming out of her bedroom.

"Shit."

"What paper?" Aisha asks.

"This comparing and contrasting paper for History that's due next week. I have practice a lot this weekend, so I won't have a ton of time to work on it."

"Don't let me keep you from doing it. I can come back after…"

"Don't you dare." Kim says, "I missed having you around. I'll just have to work on it while you are here."

"Not a problem."

"I'll see you tomorrow." Tyler says, kissing Kimberly on the forehead. "It was nice meeting you Aisha."

"You too Tyler. I'm sure I'll see you tomorrow as well." Aisha smiles.

"Bye Ty."

"Bye Kim."

When the door closes Aisha looks over, "What, no I Love You?"

"Yeah right, we've only been going out for like 4 months…"

Aisha gives her a glance, "And what were you and Tommy doing?"

"We went out for like…"

"Exactly…."

"Aisha… stop."

"Sorry." She says, shrugging her shoulders, "So, you still coming down to Africa this summer?"

"Hell yeah, I can't wait. What's it like?"

"Hot." Aisha smiles.

"No, really?" Kim says sarcastically, grinning.

"I love it Kim."

"Do you ever think of coming home?"

"Yeah, and I will, just not right now. I need to do more work with Animals before."

"I understand."

"What about you? Do you think of coming home?"

"Yeah, but I'm not sure if I will. Too many memories."

Aisha nods, "I understand Kim, but…"

"Please, I am over Tommy. He isn't the reason."

"I didn't say he was." Aisha muses.

Kim blushes a bit, "I just like it here. I got almost a full ride to University of Florida and I think I'm gonna take it."

"Cool. What time is practice tomorrow?"

"Ten." Kim replies.

"School?"

"Nah, we have off the next few days."

"Awesome." Aisha says, looking at her watch. "I'm kind of tired."

'Me too, should we call it a night?" Kim asks.

"Yeah. Where can I sleep?"

"my room or out here, it's up to you."

"I think I'll take the couch."

"Ok." Kim smiles, hugging her, "I am SO glad you are here."

"Me too. I'll see you tomorrow."

"You bet." Kim smiles, "I live here."

"Night." Aisha says, as Kim walks into her room.

The next morning, Aisha wakes up first at 10:00. She gets off the couch and goes into Kim's room, laying next to her. They use to do this when they lived together. Kimberly felt her presence and woke up immediately, "Aisha, what the hell, we haven't lived with each other in over a year and you are still crawling into bed with me." Kim smiles.

"Ya know, old habits die hard." Aisha smiles, yawning.

"What time is it?"

"10:00."

"I don't have to be up for another hour."

"I know, and I should have been up for the past six hours." She grins.

"Sucks for you." Kim says, keeping her eyes closed, groaning when she hears the phone ring, "Tyler, it's too early." She says picking up the phone, assuming it was him. He normally calls her an hour before she is suppose to wake up.

"Tyler?" Rocky says, smiling.

"Oh Rocky, hey. Sorry about that, I thought…"

"I was Tyler, it's alright. You are forgiven." He smiles, "Did I wake you?"

"No, someone else did."

"Who?" Rocky asks.

"Here. Talk to Rocky." Kim says, passing the phone to Aisha. Aisha and Rocky talk briefly before Kim gets the phone back.

"So the girls are back together."

"For now." Kim smiles.

"Well, that's good. I just wanted to say hi."

"What he hell are you doing up already? It's like 7:00 Rocky, on a Saturday!"

"Kat, Tommy, and I are heading out for a while. We got some ranger shit to do. I'll explain more later though ok?"

"Yeah." Kim smiles, "I'll talk to you later then. Tell everyone I said hi."

"Will do Kim, tell Aisha bye for me."

"I will." She smiles, hanging up the phone, with a final 'Bye'. "He says bye."

"Yeah, bye Rock. "Aisha says, "Come on get up, I'm hungry. Let's go out for breakfast."

"ugh… Aisha…"

"Let's go. I'm gonna jump in the shower first, and your butt better be up."

"Ok… take a while."

"NO!" She says, laughing, getting out of bed.

They quickly shower and get changed before heading out for breakfast.

"So, what time do you have practice today?" Aisha asks, taking a sip of her water.

"I have to be there by noon. I usually take about 30 minutes to warm up.

"Will I be allowed to watch your practice?"

"Yeah! You may be bored though…"

"I've watched a countless number of your practices and have never been bored."

"You are more than welcome to come."

"Cool." Aisha smiles.

They finish up breakfast and head back to the apartment so Kim could quickly change. Then the two walk down to the complex. Aisha sits in the stands and watches her best friend warm up. Kimberly goes through her normal routine, then the coach comes over to her. Aisha watches from afar as Kim smiles and heads over to the bars. Two hours later Tyler walks into the complex, and with a brief wave to Kimberly he heads to the stands and sits next to Aisha.

"Hey." He says.

"Hey." She smiles at him.

"How was your first night?"

"Great! I really missed Kimberly."

"How long have you known her?"

"Three years. She was the first person I met when I moved to Angel Grove."

"Cool."

"Yeah, and after I met her I met her other friends, Tommy, Billy, and then Jason, Zack and Trini. I'm sure you've heard of them."

"I have." He smiles, "Was it hard to move?"

"Nah. I had my two best friends moving at the same time, to the same place. Adam and Rocky."

"That's cool." Tyler smiles, "Now you're in Africa."

"Yeah, for now. I'm coming home in August to go to UCLA."

"Awesome, for what?"

"I wanna be a Vet." Aisha smiles, watching Kim on the vault."

"She's amazing isn't she?"

"Yeah." Aisha smiles, "And it's a rare occurrence to actually get to see her on the bars and the vault. She absolutely loves Beam, and Floor is a close second."

"I don't know why. She is amazing at all of them."

"Yeah, she is." Aisha agrees.

Kimberly smiles as she sees Tyler and Aisha talking. She was glad Aisha was accepting him. She works hard during the practice and then they go home.

February 17, 1996

Dear Diary,

Aisha and Tyler are getting along very well. I am somewhat surprised at this. I thought she would be nervous being with Tyler since she is good friends with Tommy. I thought she'd judge me too, but she's not. She is a true friend.

Tomorrow, I can't wait, because we are going to be heading to the beach. I don't have practice which is nice, so we'll probably do dinner after.

I am so glad she came!

Love,

Kimberly

Kimberly and Aisha bring beach blankets, a bottle of water, suntan lotion, and sandwiches to the beach. There was not a cloud in the sky as they bask in the sun.

"Are you happy in Africa?" Kim asks.

"Yeah, but I'm ready to come home. Are you happy in Miami? Or are you ready to come home?"

"I love it here." Kimberly says.

"You don't think about home?"

"Not much… I try not too."

"Why?"

"I don't know. It's just…"

"Easier to forget?" Aisha interrupts.

"Yeah… it is. If I start thinking about home, I'll start thinking about everything I left there."

"I guess that makes sense."

"no it doesn't, but that's why you are my best friend Aisha." Kimberly smiles, "You understand me even though I make NO sense what so ever."

"Girl, you couldn't get rid of me if you tried." Aisha smiles.

"Likewise." Kimberly grins.

"Come in the water with me." Aisha says.

"Ok." Kimberly smiles, and stands up. They walk down to the shore line and start up to their wastes.

"I saw Zack a few weeks ago." Aisha says.

"Oh! When!"

"In town. He was visiting Valencia's family."

"How is he?"

"He looks really great. He hung with me for a few hours. Valencia and he were fighting, so he needed to get out of there."

"Fighting? What were they fighting about?"

"Who knows. I ended up showing him around the area."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. We had fun."

"I'm glad." Kim smiles slyly.

"What?" Aisha says.

"Nothing." Kimberly says as her smile widens.

"What!" She demands.

"You like him."

"I do not."

"You do too. You liked him from the second you laid eyes on him." She giggles.

"He's with Valencia."

"Well he doesn't sound too happy with her right now."

"Who knows."

"He's going to college at UCLA."

"So is she."

"Don't worry about that." Kimberly grins.

"I'm not."

"I can't wait to go to college."

"Me neither."

"It's gonna be a blast." Kim says, smiling.

"You bet it is!"

"Is almost everyone going to UCLA?"

"Yeah, but Tommy is going to be racing for his uncle."

"Racing what?" Kimberly asks, giving her a weird look.

"Cars. His uncle needs a race car driver, so he opted to do it. He's still doing college, but he'll be racing as well. Billy is going to Harvard…"

"I know Trini's going to Yale." Kim smiles.

"Yeah, cool, I heard that."

"She wants to go into medicine. I think she'll do pediatrics."

"She'll be good at it. Adam was talking about going pre-med as well."

"He'll be good too."

"Yeah he would. Any clue what you're going for?"

Kim thinks for a second, "It's gonna be education. I either wanna teach Phys. Ed. or Elementary Education."

"Cool."

"Yeah, I'm leaning towards Elementary I think."

"You'll be good at it."

"I want to coach too, but I can do that on the side."

"You've done that since I've known you." Aisha laughs.

"What bout you Aisha? What are you going for?"

"A Vet. I really wanna help the animals."

Kim laughs, "I figured just as much."

"SO… have you heard from anyone recently?"

"Actually, I talked to Billy a few days ago. He told me how everyone was."

"Did you hear Kat's going to try out for this top notch ballet school?"

"Yeah. In England. I hope she makes it." Kim says, smiling.

"Me too." Aisha grins, "I am almost positive she will though. Tanya says she's been practicing non-stop for the past few months."

"I hear she's excellent."

"She is. I love watching her dance, and she really wants this bad. You know how Kat is when she wants something. She can be quite a determined blonde." Aisha says.

"When she wants something…. Quite a determined blonde." Kim thinks and gets the nerve to ask, "Are they happy?"

"Happy? Who?" Aisha says, knowing exactly who, but wants to stall time.

"Tommy and Katherine."

"They seem it… I don't know what will happen when she goes to England though."

"Why?"

"Well, you two didn't last. I'm sure he's pretty much expecting their relationship to fail. Have you talked to him at all?"

"Not since we were captured." Kimberly says sighing, "We barely talked then."

"You should."

"I can't."

"Because you still love him?"

"Because I can't Aisha. I broke up with him, he's with Katherine, end of story." Kimberly says, beginning to lose her patients with her best friend.

"Ok…" Aisha says, giving up the conversation by diving under a wave.

Kimberly groans and follows the girl clad in yellow, "So, what do you want for dinner tonight?"

"I don't know. What's around?" Aisha asks.

"We could go to the Rainforest Café."

"Is it any good?"

"It's not bad… I like it." Kim shrugs.

"Sounds like a plan then."

"What sounds like a plan?" Cooper asks, startling the two girls in the water as he comes up upon them.

"Where we're going for dinner." Kim smiles.

"Am I included in this, or is this a Cali. Girl function only?"

"You can come." Both girls say.

"Cool and where are we going?" Cooper asks.

"The Rainforest Café."

"Awesome."

"I thought you had practice Coop." Kim replies.

"Nawh. I was early today. Tomorrow I'm at 6:00pm."

"Ugh, me too." Kim says.

"I'm all for a night out. That way we can show Aisha how we party Floridian Style." Cooper laughs.

"I'm game for anything." Aisha laughs.

"My kind of gal." Cooper smiles, "So how long are you here with us?"

"A few days, then I have to spend the night at my families house before flying back to Africa."

"Cool. What's it like in Africa?"

"Hot and Dry." She smiles.

"Everyone's a critic." Cooper says laughing.

"I love it, but I'm ready to get home."

"I bet. I'd be homesick if I was that far away from home."

"I kind of am." Aisha shrugs, "But I can't leave till Kimberly comes out and sees the country, which is this summer."

"That will be fun." Cooper replies.

"Yeah. I need to spend a few weeks in Paris with my mom and Pierre, so I figured I'd hit Africa as well."

"Sounds good. You're getting around this summer girl. Don't forget to practice." Cooper laughs.

"I won't." Kim says, rolling her eyes.

"Have you seen your dad?"

"About three months ago. He brought Mackenzie down."

"Do you have a picture of her?"

"Yeah!" Kimberly says, pulling out her wallet.

"She has gotten SOOO big!" Aisha gushes.

"I know. Two years old now."

"Wow. I remember when she was first born."

"So do I."

"She looks just like Kim." Cooper smiles.

"Poor kid." Kim laughs at herself.

"I haven' seen her since she was one."

"She met Tyler."

"Oh? And what did your dad think of him?"

"He said he was nice. Mac wasn't too sure of him though."

"Wasn't sure!" Tyler says smiling, coming up behind Kim, he wraps his arms around her waste, "She clung to Kim like a second skin."

"She knows me more." Kimberly laughs.

"I would hope so, she's your sister."

"I wanna see her again." Aisha smiles.

"When you move home I'll take you to see her."

"Cool."

"You two doing anything tonight?" Tyler asks.

"We're going out to dinner tonight." Kim says to her boyfriend.

"Where at?"

"The Rainforest Café." Cooper responds.

"We all going?" Tyler asks.

"Can you go?" Kim says, looking up at him.

"What time?"

"6:00."

"Yeah. I'll be there beautiful." Tyler responds.

Aisha watches her face cloud over and sees her almost start to cry at the nickname.

"Good." Kim says, managing to quickly recover.

"It will be fun." Aisha says.

"Yeah." Kim replies.

"Are you having any more visitors coming down?" Aisha randomly asks.

"Actually, you remember me talking about my good friend Kaitlyn?"

"The one from Connecticut?"

"Yeah." Kim nods, continuing, "She's coming down in a month. Rocky says he'll be down also around the same time."

"What's he coming down for?"

"His cousin graduation from college."

"Oh yeah, Gabby. That's cool."

"So he's stretching his vacation long enough to spend a few days here."

"That's cool. I really miss the guys."

"I do too." Kim sighs. "Well guys, we better head back so we can get ready. See you at six?"

"Sure." Ty says, leaning down to give her a soft kiss on the lips, "We'll see you girls soon."

Kim jumps into the shower first, and Aisha calls her parents. When they switch, Kimberly takes the time to write in her diary.

February 18, 1996

Dear Diary,

Well, I heard a name that I haven't heard for some time. "Beautiful." Tyler called me it innocently, and I almost lost it. What is wrong with me! Tommy and I have been over for quite some time, but that name gets to me. I really don't know what to do. I don't want to start crying when Tyler calls me that, but it just brings back so many memories that I have been doing a damn good job of pushing to the back of my mind.

On a lighter note, I am so glad to have Aisha here. She has been an amazing friend through all of this, though when she brings up Kat, I try so hard to sound upbeat, but I can't. I am still hurt by everything. I love Tyler… I do… it's just I don't know…

Anyway, Aisha's out of the shower and we're heading to the rainforest café. I can't wait.

She's gone in two days, and I don't know what I'm going to do without her…

Love,

Kim

May 4, 1996

Dear Diary,

Kaitlyn and Rocky are both coming down today! I am picking up Rocky in about fifteen minutes, and Kaitlyn will be down tonight. I told her I'd pick her up, but she says she'll grab a cab. God, I can't wait to see Rocky and Kaitlyn!

I don't know what we are gonna be doing, but what ever it is, it will be a good time.

I gotta go!


Love,

Kimberly

Kimberly jumps up as the doors open and she spots Rocky. She runs up to him and he picks her up into a hug, spinning her around. "How are you?" He asks.

"I'm great." Kim smiles brightly, "How are you?"

"Great." He smiles, "You look good Kim." He says, noticing her hair which has grown another three inches, and her fit form., "You've always looked good, but…"

"You look good yourself Rocko."

"Thanks for picking me up."

"Any time. How was the graduation?"

"It was great." He says sarcastically, "I've never been so bored. I was really restless in getting here. It's gonna be an awesome three days."

"You bet it will."

"Let's go home." Rocky laughs.

"Right."

"So do I get to meet Tyler?"

"Of course." Kimberly smiles as they jump into her car."

"I won't like him."

"Aisha did."

"She's more tolerant."

"We'll double date."

"Me and who?"

"My best childhood friend Kaitlyn Ryan."

"What's she look like?"

"You'll just have to wait and see." Kim grins.

"I hate surprises."

"Tough." Kim laughs.

"I am so ready to meet some hot girls."

"Aww not enough action at home?"

"No. Adam's with Tanya, Jason's with Emily, Tommy's with Kat, Billy's with Trini, and I'm by myself."

Kim laughs, "Aww, poor Rocky."

"Damn right poor Rocky." He says smiling.

"So Adam and Tanya?"

"Yeah… I don't think it will last though."

"Why's that?"

"Because I know him. He's my best friend, I know him inside and out."

"He's not into her?"

"Oh no, he's into her for now."

"Do you like Tanya?"

"I do, but she's not Aisha. You probably felt the same way with both of the girls on the team change. Plus, you and Aisha moved over the country and over the ocean, so OUR original team is all split up."

"well, Aisha will be back soon."

"I know, but still…"

"I know." Kimberly sighs.

"So, did you hear Kat got into that dance school in England?"

"I knew she would."

"So she's flying out a week after graduation."

"Cool." Kim says, giving him a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.

Rocky knows she doesn't want to talk about Kat, so he changes the topic, "So, Kaitlyn huh?"

"Yeah. Kaitlyn. I think you'll like her. She's awesome."

"Where's she going to college?"

"American."

"Awesome."

"Yeah, it is."

That night, Kaitlyn comes over to the apartment. Renee was home for a few days, so she won't get a chance to meet Rocky and Kaitlyn. Kim hugs Kaitlyn as soon as she comes through the door.

"You have a nice place down here Kimberly!" She says, as Kim gives her the tour.

"It's so good to see you." Kim smiles.

"You too." Kaitlyn says.

"What have you been up too?"

"Not much, just trying to get things together for college. I'll be out in American University before I know it."

"Awesome."

"Did you choose?"

"Yeah, I'll be going to the University of Miami, along with the others on the team. We got scholarships if we go there and compete with them."

"Awesome."

"Yeah. We split the training time between the complex and the university."

"That's awesome." Kaitlyn replies again, before hearing the shower, "Who's in the shower? I though your roommate was home for the weekend."

"She is, that's my friend Rocky."

"Yeah? What's he doing here?"

"He's visiting too."

"Cool."

"Yeah. Come on, I'll give you the grand tour. You'll crash with me. I'm putting Rocky on the couch."

"Sounds good to me." Kaitlyn smiles.

"Kimberly!" Rocky calls from the bathroom.

"What?"

"Toss me in your gel."

"Um, ok, why?"

"I left mine at my aunts."

"Hang on." Kimberly says, walking to her hall closet, not seeing any she says, "Check under the sink."

"Oh, here it is, thanks."

"No problem. Hurry up! Kaitlyn's here."

"Give me a few minutes!" He calls.

The girls catch up and after another five minutes, Rocky emerges from the bathroom in a pair of blue jeans and a blue and white tank-top.

"Rocky, Kaitlyn, Kaitlyn, Rocky." Kim says.

"Hi. Nice to meet you." Kaitlyn says, smiling.

"Like wise." Rocky smiles, shaking her hand.

"So what's doing for today?" Kaitlyn questions.

"Tyler's coming over after his game and then the four of us will go to dinner."

"sounds good to me." Rocky grins, "I'm always up for food."

"No kidding." Kimberly laughs; Rocky has a good appetite, to say the least. You'll see it tonight."

"I don't think I want too." Kaitlyn kids.

""You know, I could go home and get picked on from people I know and have just met.

I'm on vacation!" He smiles.

"You're too easy Rocko." Kim laughs.

"I'll get over it." Rocky says, laughing as well.

"So, Kimberly, do you have practice tonight?"

"No, but tomorrow I do."

"Can I watch it?"

"Yeah, but you may be bored."

"I don't know about you Kaitlyn, but I have watched a number of your practices Kim and I have never been bored."

"It will be fun to watch you work out again."

"Well then you can come." Kim says.

"So, this new guy you're with, what's he like?"

"He's a good guy. You'll meet him in an hour." Kim replies smiling.

"What's his name?"

"Tyler Owen." Kim replies as Rocky starts to laugh, "What?"

"You can't stay away from the initials can you?"

"Shut up." Kim says, rolling her eyes, before a smile crosses her lips, You're an ass."

"I may be an ass, but I'm right."

"You keep telling yourself that."

"I will." He smiles.

They hang on the balcony waiting for Tyler. Kim hears the familiar, "Hello?"

"Out here Ty!" She calls back.

"Hey Kim." He says, bending down to give her a kiss.

"Hey Tyler. Tyler this is Kaitlyn and Rocky. Guys this is Tyler."

"Nice to meet you both." Tyler says shaking their hands.

"You too." Rocky says.

"I've heard a lot about you two."

"Yeah? She's a liar." Rocky smiles.

"I am not! Kim says in a defensive but playful tone.

"What are we doing tonight?" Tyler asks.

"Dinner." Kim replies simply as he pull her up a bit on the chair, sitting directly behind her. She sits in between his legs, pushed against his chest. He wraps his arms around his waist. Rocky smiles at the two, but he didn't see the same look in her eyes with Tyler as he did with Tommy, but she still looked happy.

"So, how did you two meet?" Tyler asks the girls.

"Gymnastics when we were about four years old." Kaitlyn smiles, "She stuck with it, and I quit when I was around 13."

"It just wasn't the same after me."

"No it wasn't, I actually had a chance to win gold a few times." Kaitlyn teases.

"As if. You were great!"

"Only second to you."

"Yup" Kim giggles in agreement, "Did you win today?" She asks Tyler.

"Yeah, by three."

"Awesome." She smiles as he kisses her on the forehead.

"So, Kimberly, how's your skill?" Rocky asks her.

"My skill?"

"Yeah, can you still spar?" He asks her with a sly grin.

"Of course I can, the question is, can you keep up with me?"

"You bet I can."

"Even with your back?" She asks with concern.

"Yeah."

"When did you start sparing?" Tyler asks her, shocked.

"A while ago." Kim grins."

"What happened to your back?" Kaitlyn asks.

"I was paring with my two friends, misjudged a spinning heal kick, and somehow ended up flying out of the ring and landing on my back."

"Ouch, that sounds painful." Kaitlyn says wincing.

"Believe me, it was. I'm still not sure exactly how I managed that."

"Talent." Kim says, smiling. "You know Rocky, it's a shame you didn't land on your head, " She giggles, "Minimal damage would have occurred.

"That's it, you and me on the mats." Rocky says, smirking at her. "Where's the nearest gym or youth center?"

"Right down the road."

"Go change."

Kim stands up and heads into her room, changing into a workout outfit. She walks out and hears Rocky talking to Tyler, "She's good. She's been taught by Jason and Tommy and critiqued by Adam and myself."

"I never knew she knew karate."

"Just wait till you see her." Rocky smiles, "She can nearly take me down half the time."

"You ready Rocky?" Kim says, tying her hair out of her face.

"You're on." He says and the four of them head out to the gym down the road. It reminded Rocky a lot of the Youth Center.

Kim and Rocky kick off their shoes and head to an empty matt. The gym was practically empty.

"It's been a while Rocko." She says, bowing to him.

"You'll be fine, just use your head and stay on your toes."

"Yeah, thanks." She says, blocking the first punch.

"Good."

"Thanks." She says as he goes easy on her for a bit, "Ok, let's go. I'm warmed up, bring it."

"Ok." Rocky says.

"He's gonna hurt her." Tyler says watching the guy twice his girlfriend's size try and relatively beat her up.

"She'll be fine. She's done this before." Kaitlyn says, finding it hard to keep her eyes off of the boy clad in blue.

Kimberly does a spinning heal kick into his chest, but was stopped and she was thrown to the ground, "Ouch." She says, groaning as she hits the mats harder than anticipated.

"Are you alright!" Rocky says, kneeling down next to her.

"Yeah, just give me a second." Kim says, groaning.

"What the hell man!" Tyler says, furious at him, pushing him away from his girlfriend,

"Are you alright!"

"I'm fine Tyler." She says, sitting up.

"What the hell is your problem! You shouldn't have been so rough with her!" Tyler says.

"She can handle it." Rocky says.

"What the hell do you mean she can handle it! Do you see her laying on the floor."

"Tyler I'm fine! Stop it." She says to her boyfriend.

"What if she was seriously hurt! You are twice her size."

Rocky looks at him, trying not to lose his cool, "Listen, you don't know what she can and can't handle. You don't know how we lived our lives. You don't know half the shit I know about her. Have you spared with her before?" He asks, looking at him in the eyes, "No, I didn't think so."

"That doesn't matter. You shouldn't go full force on a GIRL!" He says, looking Kim over.

"I'm fine Tyler, quit fussing over me. It's not Rocky's fault. I lost my concentration."

"It IS his fault…"

"IT"S NOT! If I say it's not IT'S NOT!" Kimberly growls, standing up, "I can handle him, I can take care of myself. We were having fun. This is what I always do with the guys when I'm home. It's alright. I promise."

"I'd never hurt her on purpose man." Rocky says, getting a look of death from the boyfriend.

"You shouldn't fight a girl."

"Come on Rocky, again." Kim says, looking at her friend,

"Kim!" Tyler says, "He just hurt you."

"No he didn't. He never has hurt me and he never will hurt me. Not like someone I know." She groans, before giving a horrified look to her boy in blue. "Where the hell did that comment come from!" She asks herself, silently pleading Rocky bail her out.

"Ok, let's go." Rocky says, trying to take her mind off of her comment. He bows to her and spars just as hard as he did before, partly because Kim threatened him that if he didn't she'd kill him.

"Come on Rocky, dammit! Spar with me!" She says, getting frustrated with him going easy on her.

"I don't wanna hurt you."

"You won't. Let's go."

"Ok." He says, "You asked for it."

Kimberly keeps up with him until they call it a drawl.

"Good job." Rocky says, hugging her.

"You too." Kim says back. Rocky drapes his arm around his friend and they head up to the two at the center table.

"You're good." Kaitlyn smiles at her friend.

"I'm rusty." Kim groans, "I wouldn't have been knocked down if I worked on my moves."

"Do you spar Kaitlyn?" Rocky asks.

"Me!" She says laughing a bit, "No. I don't know a thing about karate." She says before smiling, "But I'd like too."

"Come on down." Rocky says, leading her to the mats.

"Ok." She says, smiling at Kimberly who in return gives her a smile and a wink.

"Take off your shoes."

"Ok."

"Now, come over here, and stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Your dominate foot in front."

"Like this?" Kaitlyn asks.

Rocky adjusts her feet, before looking down at her, "Yeah." He says, smiling, "I'll teach you a simple kick."

"Ok." She says, smiling.

"Double kick…" Rocky says, "It's pretty self explanatory, bring your knee up and kick the opposite foot forward." He says, demonstrating. Kaitlyn attempts it and Rocky smiles brightly.

"That bad huh?" She laughs.

"Nah, you just need to practice. That was good for a first try."

"Not sparing with you anytime soon am I?"

"I'd say in about a week I could have you sparing with at least Katherine."

"Who's Katherine?" She asks, curious.

"Oh, my friend. She's in Angel Grove right now, but is moving to England. She's dating Tommy."

"Kim's ex?"

"Yeah." Rocky says.

"She seems to be doing well with this new guy."

"We all grow up sometime." He says shrugging, "I think it still bothers her deep down though, but I think she is over the breakup."

"She broke up with him."

"Yeah." Rocky says, "But I think it was just as hard on her to make the decision as it was for Tommy to take it."

"She never really talks about it. I never met Tommy, or any of you, but I felt like I know ya. She talked about you all so much."

"Well, now we know each other." Rocky smiles.

"That we do." Kaitlyn says smiling up at him.

Kimberly was watching Kaitlyn and Rocky and smiles, "Kim?" Tyler says, looking at her with a smile.

"Huh?" She asks, looking over at him.

"How's your back?"

"It's fine, really." She smiles.

"Just making sure."

"He didn't mean to knock me down." Kim says, "It's part of the sport."

"I know… I just don't want to see you hurt." He smiles, kissing her cheek.

"Don't worry about it. They would never hurt me." Kim replies, looking back at the two on the mats.

"Are you trying to be a matchmaker?"

"I wasn't planning on it, but Rocky and Kate are really hitting it off. It's cool." Kim says, "Hopefully I'll be able to get them together before the week is over." She plots. "They would make a cute couple."

Tyler laughs, "What is it with you girls and setting your friends up?"

"It's our nature." Kim grins.

"Well, I think you should let nature take it's course."

Kim rolls her eyes, playfully slapping him in the chest causing him to laugh.

That night, all through dinner, Rocky and Kaitlyn take the time to get to know each other. Kim was thrilled that the two hit it off so well. They all stayed up talking, until 10:00, when Tyler leaves. Around 11:00, Kaitlyn decides to head to bed leaving Rocky and Kimberly on the porch talking.

"What do you think about Kaitlyn?"

"She's great." Rocky smiles.

"She's single." Kim says bluntly."

Rocky laughs, "She's cute."

"Yeah." Kim grins.

"I think she'd be a possibility, IF we weren't so far away."

"You'd be a cute couple."

Rocky laughs, "Anyway, Tyler is nice, but a bit protective."

"I always end up with the protective guys."

"Yes, yes you do." He smiles, "You're friends included."

"That I do." She says, "But he is a really great guy. I lucked out with him."

"You really seem happy."

"I am."

"Good. We only want you to be happy Kimberly."

"I really am Rocky. Trust me." She says, the smile starting to reach as high as it use to on her cheeks.

"So, when are you coming home?"

"Um…"

"Come on Kim, you have to come home sooner or later."

"I don't MIND coming home, it's just I don't have the time. This summer I'm visiting Aisha, and my mom, and my dad…"

"Just say, Rocky, I'll try."

Kim smiles, "Rocky, I'll try."

"That's all we ask Kim. We miss you too."

"I miss you guys, I really do. It's just with practice and school, it's hard to get home, and it's not like I'm 2 hours away either… add about four to that, on a plane."

"I know, I flew here." He laughs, leaning over to hug her.

"Smart ass."

"You bring it out in me."

"I'm sure of it." Kim laughs, "So, Kaitlyn…"

"She's going to American."

"So? She could possibly transfer." Kim says slyly.

"Kim, it's probably not going to happen. Don't get your hope ups." He says.

"But you like her."

"I don't know her that well…"

"Yet."

"Yet." He says, before kissing her cheek, "I'm gonna head to bed. I'm beat."

"Yeah, me too. Night Rocko."

"Night Kimberly."

Kimberly heads quietly into her room, not to disturb Kaitlyn and lays down in bed. She falls quickly asleep and stays that way until her alarm rings at 6:00, "Ugh." She says, quickly turning off the clock.

"What time is it?" Kaitlyn asks, hearing the alarm.

"Early… 6:00."

"Ugh."

"Yeah. I have to get ready to hit the gym though."

"I guess I should probably get up then."

"Nah, I don't start until 7:30. I go through noon, so sleep in. The complex is right down the street."

"To the right or left?"

"Right." Kim smiles, walking to her dresser and opening her drawer. She pulls out a pink tank top with black shorts and a black sports bra. She closes the door behind her and heads to the bathroom for a quick shower and change.

She then continues her morning routine, grabbing a piece of fruit and a bowl of cereal. Rocky wakes up sometime during that time, "Kimberly, you're nuts."

"Why?" She asks, looking over at him on the sofa from her dining room table.

"Waking up before the sun…"

"I'm use to it. I slept in today." She smirks, "Usually, I'm up by 5:00."

""That doesn't change my status on you being crazy. Do I have to get up?"

Kim smiles, "No, Kaitlyn asked the same thing. I'm gonna go and warm up and all, but you feel free to sleep in as late as you want. I'll start practicing around 7:30… and I go till noon."

"I'll be there 11:59" He mumbles, smiling.

"Fine with me." She says smiling, finishing her food. She walks over to Rocky and hugs him, "I'll see you in a few hours."

"Yup." He says, hugging her, "Tyler would so be jealous." He says, getting slapped by Kim. He laughs at her, "Bye Kimmy."

"Bye Rocky." She says rolling her eyes.

She heads out the door and meets up with Lindsey, "Hey. You ready?"

"Yeah, let's go." Kim smiles.

"Do I get to meet your friends today?"

"Yeah. They'll be coming to the gym today."

"Awesome. I can't wait to meet them."

"Rocky's a character that's for sure. Kaitlyn is just a great friend. She's outgoing and peppy…"

"Just like you?" Lindsey laughs.

"Pretty much." Kim smiles.

"So, how did they like Tyler?"

"They liked him a lot. We double dated last night. It went really well."

"Kaitlyn and Rocky are dating?"

"Not yet." Kim smiles, slyly. "We'll see though, they really hit it off. I just need to talk to Kaitlyn alone and see what she thinks of Rocko."

"Sounds like a setup."

"It wasn't going to be until they hit it off so well." Kim smiles, "Come on, we better hurry up." And with that, they sprint down to the complex. They fly through the doors and into the locker room where they drop their things and head out onto the mats.

"You're late." Coach replies.

"Late?" The girls ask, looking at the clock, they realized they were a few minutes late.

"I wanted you to run today, and we are still going to do that, but it is going to cut a bit into our practice time." He replies.

Kim and Lindsey groan, "How far?" Lindsey asks.

"Down to the park, around the lake, and back up. It should take you a half an hour. No more, possibly less. Stretch out, and start running."

"Right." Kim and Lindsey says, stretching before heading out and down the sidewalk towards the lake. They talk the entire time, trying to make it back in twenty minutes so they could begin their routines. The gymnasts are use to running this path two to three times a week, so it was nothing new. They finished their run and arrived back at the center of the complex. The girls sat down, got a drink of water and stretched out some more, awaiting their coach's instructions.

"Kimberly, you and I are going to work on bars this morning." Coach Schmidt says, "Lindsey, you are going to work on your beam routine with Jessica. I'm going to be working with you two girls and Cooper today. After your routines on the first apparatuses, you will be switching."

"Sounds good." Kim says.

"Let's do it." Lindsey smiles, as they head over to their respectable places.

Kimberly looks over as she hears the door open around 9:30. She smiles as she sees Rocky and Kaitlyn walking in. They take a seat relatively close to each other and talk as they watch their friend work on her skills. Kimberly smiles brightly and waves to the pair as they wave back. She finishes her workout and grabs Kaitlyn, bringing her into the locker room as she packs up.

"So, what do you think about Rocky?" Kim asks, smiling.

"He's great. It's a shame we live so far away."

"That's what he said."

"You're lying." Kaitlyn says.

"No, I'm not. I think he really digs you. You two may have something special going on."

"Long distance relationships never work, especially when they are starting out."

"There's the phone, there's letters, there's visits. If you want it to work, you can make it work. I know that Ty and I will be able to handle it, at least I think we will. College is next year."

"I know… and I do like him…"

"So who knows what will happen. Give him your number, you get his, and see where it takes you. I can give you his right now if you'd like."

Kaitlyn rolls her eyes, "Why am I friends with you?"

"Because I have hot friends to set you up with."

Kaitlyn laughs, "Something like that."

Kim grins, "Come on, lets go grab some food, then go do something. We only have two more days together."

May 9, 1996

Dear Diary,

Kaitlyn and Rocky both left today. I was actually upset that they were leaving. I mean, it's so hard always saying goodbye, not knowing when I will see them again… when I see any of my home friends again. I think about this and actually get homesick. Weird huh? I am happy down here, I love my friends, my boyfriend, my life, but sometimes I wonder if we are all growing apart. I haven't seen Adam since the capture, or Zack, Trini, and Billy since I was home a while ago.

Kaitlyn and Rocky really hit it off though. I think they have taken a liking to each other. They exchanged numbers, and I guess I'll just have to see where to go from there. They are cute together, and Rocky for the most part is shy around her a bit. It's funny.

Anyway, I won't have much time to write over the next month or two, because school is coming to a close, then I'm heading out to Africa for a bit to visit Aisha, then to Paris to see Mom, and then to Boston to see Dad, and finally back here.. then college starts!

I'll write when I get a chance.

Love,

Kim

August 26, 1996

Dear Diary,


Well, I haven't had a chance to write to you AT ALL during the time I was away. It will be weird looking back and seeing that I have three empty months. I'll try and sum everything up with one entry.

I headed out to Africa with Aisha. She has done wonders for the animals out there and I think that they are totally cured thanks to her help. She will be an amazing vet! She showed me all around Africa, we took a river tour, and just hung out with her family and friends there. I felt a bit out of place, but being with Aisha made me feel like I was right at home. Tanya came out for a visit while I was there, and I got to get to know her a bit better. She and Adam tried dating a bit, but in the end they decided to be just friends. That's cool though. I couldn't see Adam and Tanya lasting for much longer. Word from Aisha is that Adam has a bit of a crush on her "fellow yellow" Trini. That would be a crazy couple, but I think it could work out. They are both too shy to ask either one out I bet. Oh, Rocky and Kaitlyn are official… long distance, but official. They ended up dating about a month after they met when she came to visit him and meet the group. She met Tommy, Jason, Zack, Billy, and Trini before, but never the new ones. I'm thrilled for them.

Anyway, after a week and a half in Africa, I hit Paris for a month. I just hung out with my mom and step-dad, relaxing around the area, and doing some site seeing. I met up with Trini for a bit while she was visiting Europe. We met up with some of their friends they met from other countries. It was a total blast. She hung with me in Paris for a week and then we went all over for another week.

Finally, I got back to the States, into Boston and saw my father, sister, and step mother. Mackenzie has gotten HUGE! I can't believe how old she is, 17 months, it's nuts. She's talking, and walking, and running, and into everything, she's a person! She and I had a few chances to bond during my stay there. I took her for a few nights so Larissa and Dad could go out. She is super cute. Dad says she looks a lot like me, and I can see it. She has a lot of my dad's features, and I look mostly like my father… but yeah, I hated leaving her. She cried when I left. I can't wait to have her old enough to go shopping with me. I gotta start her young!

Anyway, Tyler went to college yesterday, and it was really hard. I miss him already. He headed north to Lehigh. That's in Pennsylvania. I am going to go visit him on the way to visiting my Dad. There's always letters and phone calls. He called me once today already. It stinks, but I'll survive.

Renee and I decided to live in the dorms this year. The furniture and everything came with the apartment, so we weren't too attached. We needed the full college experience. We already became pretty good friends with the girls on the floors. All the girls on our team live in the same dorm, Cooper and Shawn do too, but they are the floor below us. So far, it's great. Classes start tomorrow, and I have a lot of interesting ones to help me with my education field. I decided on Elementary Education with a concentration in Physical Education. That way, I can coach if I ever feel like it.

Anyway, we're heading to dinner, so I'll write in you later.


Love,

Kim

December 2, 1996

Dear Diary,

Tyler came down to campus for our first anniversary. I can't believe it's been a year. He shocked the hell out of me. I was practicing and having a really rough time, and he just appeared out of no where. God, I was so tired…

"Again Kimberly! And we are going to keep doing this vault until you get it right!" Devon says to her. Devon was Kimberly's least favorite assistant coach. She knew how to put down every one of the team members as well as make them hate the sport. Kimberly rolls her neck and runs down the strip, hitting the center of the vault, and springing over the vault. What she thought was flawless wasn't good enough for Devon, "Your legs were bent coming off the vault. Do you think that will get you close to gold! If you do you have another thing coming to you."

"Devon, I've been working on this for the past two hours, I'm tired. I am not going to be perfect…"

"You WILL be perfect. Again."

She sighs knowing not to argue with her, because she will pay, she parks herself on the runway and begins her vault, "I'm done." Kim says, looking at the clock after her vault.

"You aren't done until I say you are done."

"Devon, I have an exam tomorrow, its 9:00, I was suppose to be done at 8:00, I'm done." She says, and with that she sits down on the mat and does a cool down stretch. When she stands up, she rubs her neck, feeling two new hands replacing her one, rubbing gently. She tenses up before hearing, "I thought you were supposed to be done at 8:00."

Kim smiles, and turns in his arms, "I had Devon."

"Ah." He says, smiling, "How are you?"

"Good, what about you?"

"I'm great honey."

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, you didn't think I could be away from my girl on our first anniversary did you?"

"I'm glad to see you." She says, pulling him down for a kiss.

"I'm glad to see you too Kim. I've missed you."

"You too."

"Are you hungry?"

"Are you?"

"Yeah, kind of." He smiles.

"I can eat. Let's go grab something." She says, as she picks up her bag, and slings it over her shoulder.

"Lead the way." He smiles. They head to the local diner and grab food before heading back to her room.

"How's Lehigh?"

"Great, when you coming up?"

"Next semester. You'll be home this break right?"

"Yeah. I'll be here until January 20."

"Awesome!"

"Will you be here Christmas?"

"No, I'm heading up to my father's house."

"Oh." He says. "Well then, how about New Years?"

"No, I'll still be at my fathers."

"Darn. When will you be back?"

"Not till January 8. But I'll see you after that… and then I'll be going up for Mackenzie's second birthday which is in February. I'll stop in and see you." He sighs, "What?" She asks.

"Nothing." He says, "Let's just hit the hay."

"Alright." She says, and turns off the light.

It was a nice anniversary, though we didn't do much. He and I went out, grabbed a bite to eat and then came home and went to bed. I think I disappointed him when I told him that I wasn't going to be around for Christmas. I mean, I know he wouldn't want to be away from his family, so I didn't even bother to ask him if he wanted to come along… nor did I ask him to Mac's birthday. He'd be bored. I know he would.

Anyway, It was a great few days with Tyler.

Love,

Kim

March 15, 1997

Dear Diary,

Things have changed between Tyler and Me. I don't know what, but it's different. Our relationship isn't as strong. I find myself bored when he calls and talks to me, and I find it a bit of an inconvenience. I don't know what is wrong with me! He's a great guy! I love him, but I don't know if I'm in love with him or not.

I love him, but… I just don't know. What is wrong with me? He would do anything for me, and I know he loves me. He and I have a relationship that nothing could ever break… or had. Maybe I'm just talking crazy, maybe I miss him. Maybe… I need some sleep.

Love,


Kim

Kim hears the phone ring and shudders. She silently prays that it isn't Tyler. She picks it up, "Hello?"

"Kim!" She hears, as she lets a silent breath go.

"Kaitlyn, Hi!"

"Hey, how are you?"

"Good what about you?"

"I'm good."

"I need to talk to you ."

"About?"

"Rocky…"

"Rocky? What about him?"

"He hasn't called me, I think that he is cheating on me… I mean, I saw him last week and everything was fine! We were great! Kim, what do I do!"
"First of all, you stop jumping to conclusions. I know Rocky well enough to say that he wouldn't cheat on you. He'd have the decency of breaking up first…"

"NOT HELPIG KIMBERLY!" Kaitlyn says, forceful.

"Sorry… do you want me to talk to him?"

"No, I want Him to talk to ME! How hard is it to pick up the phone and say, 'Hey Kaitlyn, everything's great here, how are you!' And talk to me for a few minutes! What the hell did I do wrong!"

"You're jumping the gun Kate, I swear. I'd be the first person to hear if there was a problem… well, Aisha would and then me. I haven't heard anything… You're overreacting."

"God, this long distance thing is so hard Kim."

"I know Kate… trust me, I know. Do you not trust Rocky?"

"I guess not… I mean, I do trust him, but my imagination gets the best of me… and I start thinking about him being all the way across the country and me here, and I don't know what's going on around here… Kim, hold on, I have another call." Kaitlyn says, clicking over. Kim waits patiently, studying her educational psychology text book, awaiting her return, after a few minutes she clicks over, "Kimberly?"

"I'm still here."

"It's Rocky… can I call you back."

Kim laughs, "Yeah, sure. I'm going to bed soon though ok?"

"Not a problem…"

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah, he had a lot of tests this week, and not a lot of phone time living with Adam. He's always talking to Trini."

"So I figured. Night Kaitlyn."

"Night Kimberly."

"Tell Rocky I said hello."

"Will do, bye."

"Bye." Kim says, and hangs up. No sooner than she returns the phone to the cradle, she hears the phone ringing again, "Ugh." She says, picking it up, "Hello?"

"Hey girl."

"Hey Aisha, what's up?"

"Not much, you?"

"Not much."

"Girl, I have news for you…"

"Oh?"

"Yeah. So, Zack and Valencia had it out, total flipping style. She was freaking on him because he looked at another girl wrong. He flipped right back at her telling her that she was being ridiculous and he can't take the relationship anymore… and they broke up. Anyway, he came over to my room pissed off, and basically screaming at how much he can't stand her and how much she pissed him off. We just talked it out for a while."

"And?"

"I feel like he and I can talk about anything. He's great Kimberly…."

"I knew that, but he just broke up with her…"

"I'm not saying that I'm gonna date him, but it's nice having him as a friend."

"He's one of the best."

"Anyway, I know it's late there, but I had to tell you the latest gossip."

"Thanks Aisha, I can always count on you."

"That's why we're sisters."

"That's right 'Sha, and don't you ever forget it."

"I won't! We miss you Kim!"

"I miss you too…" She sighs.

"What's up?"

"Nothing.."

"You don't sigh for nothing Kim, what's going on?"

"I don't know… it's Tyler and I."

"He hurting you?"

"No! I don't know what it is… I'm just not as happy as I was."

"Maybe it's a dry spell… a year and a half is a long time to date."

"I know… but."

"Hey, don't jump to any conclusions ok? I'm sure you'll be ok with him, but don't settle either. There are plenty of men out there."

"I know, and I'm not one to settle, maybe it is a dry spell."

"I gotta go though Kim, I'll talk to you later!"

"Bye Sha, thanks for talking."

"Anytime. Night."

"Night." Kim smiles, hanging up the phone, "Is that all it is? A dry spell? Why do I want to hide every time the phone rings?'

June 14, 1997

Dear Diary,

Ty sprung the "M" word on me today. He asked me about Marriage. I'm only 19! I'm not ready for Marriage! I must have turned three shades of colors, red, green, and white. I felt nauseous, and I've had enough boyfriends to know that I shouldn't feel sick when they ask me about marriage.
I clammed up and he immediately looked at me for an answer. He didn't have a ring, but he wanted me to say 'Ty, I can't wait to marry you' or something like that. I can't do it. I don't know what I'm doing anymore. He is asleep and I am wide awake at my desk writing. Renee is sleeping too. I should be, it's late, but I am not wanting to sleep in the same bed with him. He fell asleep on my bed. God, I'm ranting. I've gotta stop this.


I've gotta break up with him. I don't want to lose him as a friend though. How do I do it without losing a great friend? I'm not sure. Matt and I stayed friends, but we kind of had to, we were on the same team, and we didn't date that long. He was a rebound, Tyler wasn't. I loved him… I still do, but it's only as a friend… I can't settle, just like Aisha told me. We can be friends… I know we can.

Oh well, I better get to sleep.


Love,


Kimberly

"You never did answer me from my question yesterday Kim."

"Which question?" She asks, playing dumb.

"About you and I getting married in the future."

"Oh, that." She says, looking away from him.

"Kim? What is it?"

"Tyler…"

"What honey? You can tell me anything."

Kim looks at him, "I can't do this anymore…"

"Do what?"

"This… us… our relationship. I love you Tyler, I really do... but..."

"You're not in love with me." He says, finishing her sentence, sighing, "I kind of figured that."

"You did?"

"Yeah." He says, smiling at her, sadly, "When you didn't ask me to go with you for Christmas and when you didn't ask me to go home with you for your sisters birthday, I think is when it started."

"I didn't mean for this to happen…"

"No one does." He smiles, hugging her. To his surprise she was crying, "Kim, I'd rather have you as a friend if I can't have you as a girlfriend or a wife. We'll still be friends."

"It's never that easy." She sniffs against his shirt.

"It will be. We were friends before we started dating, and we can go back to it. I'm not losing you Kim, and I bet we'll be closer than ever." He smiles, but she can tell that she hurt him.

"I never meant to hurt you Tyler… please believe me. I do love you… I'm just not IN love with you."

"I'm not saying that it doesn't bother me, because it does, but I'll deal with it." He says, kissing her on the lips, "Nothing?"

Kim shakes her head no, "I'm sorry."

"There hasn't been anything for a while. We'll be ok Kim. I want you to be happy."

"I want us to stay friends, promise me you will."

"I promise."

Kim nods, and smiles. "Thanks."

"Anytime. Now, we are still going to Daytona right? This July?"

"Yeah, we are." She smiles, "I promised didn't I?"

He smiles and hugs his friend, "You can always keep your promises."

July 6, 1997

Dear Diary,

Today, Tyler and I went out to Daytona for a race, and you'll never believe who was racing here…

Next chapter: Tommy and Kim see each other for the first time in almost three years. My next chapters will also be more in-depth about the lives of Kim and Tommy, and things will be answered that were left unanswered. Just keep reading it! Forgive some of the mistakes, I had a bit of writers block and pretty much pegged the ending of this story out.

Well? What didcha think? I'm going to be taking it all throughout High School, college and adulthood, snip-its of the diary through out the entire story.

Please R&R! I'd really appreciate it. It helps me to know what you all want or don't want to see in the story. 

Don't forget about my other story "Are We Over!" Which will be updated in about a week!

Thanks!

LUNA