4: Kimberly: False
She's known for her honesty. For her positive attitude and bright outlook on life, on everything. Nothing is ever too terrible.
Lying is a new thing, but it's become increasingly easy as she's tested the waters.
First, with the team: Tommy is good. He'll help us. He'll be as good as we are.
All wrong, all lies. She knew something was off about him. When they found him, beaten and drained and nearly out of his mind after Rita's hold on him failed, she knew he wasn't stable enough to join the Power Rangers.
But the guilt, seeing his struggle and his pain, had made her want to pretend. He'd wanted it so badly, and she'd just been trying to help.
Jason knew better, though. He was the realist, after all. He didn't see butterflies and rainbows and happy endings. He saw things as they were, and as they would, or could, be. He'd wanted to give Tommy time, see how he adjusted to Angel Grove, see if his mind would recover from everything Rita did to him.
Those little white lies have compounded, and led to others.
More than the team, but to her friends: He's doing great. Everything is fine. Of course I'm alright.
Looking back, she wishes she would have listened to Jason. He'd warned her not to get too close, to keep an objective opinion. He'd warned her of the dangers this Green Ranger could bring.
In her room, books scattered over her bed, homework and study guides and pencils squished between them; an awkward air, something unsaid, something Tommy wants to get out.
She'd offered to help him with his classes. He's having a lot of trouble. But that's not why he's here.
"I really care about you," he's saying, though her eyes never left her book. "You know that. Don't you?"
His hand is on her thigh, and the discomfort is paralyzing.
"Kim?"
Hot breath brushes across her cheek, a wisp of hair falls into her eye. His lips press to her temple, and then to her nose, and then the corner of her mouth.
Her phone rings. It's Trini. She smiles politely, if not apologetically. He takes the hint, gathers his books and waves a silent goodbye before closing her bedroom door.
She tries to control her breathing when Trini asks what's wrong, and she relays all the things that have been bothering her since Tommy fell into their lives.