Chapter 20
Billy glanced around the parking lot, scanning for the familiar red and black Jeep belonging to Rocky and Adam.
"There they are," he said, pointing Tommy towards the car parked near the middle of the lot. As they pulled in the spot next to the pair, they could see Adam sitting in the driver's seat with his eyes closed.
"I hope they're alright. Adam looks exhausted," Tommy said, turning off the engine to silence the hum of the Mustang.
As they both closed the doors to Tommy's car, Adam opened his eyes to look over at the two.
"Hey, what happened? Billy said it sounded urgent," Tommy asked as Adam and Rocky exited the Jeep.
Adam took an audible breath, but let it escape without words. Rocky huffed, visibly agitated. He reached back into the Jeep to grab his sandwich, partially unwrapping it and exposing it to Tommy and Billy.
"Ugh!" Tommy gagged.
Billy grimaced in repulsion, "Rocky, we've talked about not keeping food in your car that can spoil."
Rocky took a step backwards, ready to defend himself. "Billy, we just got these from Ralph's deli!"
Tommy's eyes widened, "You paid money for that?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Adam said, handing Billy his unopened bag of chips. "We watched them make these sandwiches fresh in the store. That was only about twenty minutes ago…unless something is happening with the time again. Try the chips."
Billy peered suspiciously at the bag and back to Adam, "Chips don't usually spoil. Besides, these aren't even out of date." He began to open the bag, then paused, "What exactly should I expect before opening this?"
"Well, mine were stale," Rocky said.
Billy opened the bag, taking a chip out and cautiously placing one in his mouth. "Yeah, so are these."
Tommy took the bag from him, peering at the date. "I still think you guys should get your money back."
"Look, this isn't why we initially called," Rocky said, watching as Tommy ate more of the stale chips. "Adam and I followed Kat's directions exactly from the freeway and once we got off, we kept ending up at Coyotes. So, we pulled into the parking lot thinking we'd call you for directions."
"Yeah, but once we got here, there weren't any pay phones," Adam said, pointing towards the store's entrance.
Tommy and Billy followed Adam and Rocky's gaze towards the entrance. Tommy frowned, his eyes creasing with his brow as if to gain a better look at the landscape. "Maybe they were moved?" he asked, seemingly to himself.
Adam looked to Rocky, then to Billy. "That's not all," he started, slowly, "while we were in the store, we saw…ourselves."
Billy raised an eyebrow as he reached for his belt loops, "I hope you mean in a mirror."
"No dude. More like our evil clones," Rocky said his face serious and stern.
Billy took a deep breath and held it before letting the breath escape his nose slowly. "Alright," he said, after some hesitation, "I want to check this out for myself."
"No way am I going back in there. It was weird enough the first time," Adam said.
Tommy looked back to Adam, "Hey, we'll all go together. And take those sandwiches with you."
Adam leaned back in the car, reaching for the bag with his sandwich and the receipt as Billy and Rocky began walking towards the store's entrance. Tommy began to follow them, then stopped, turning back to Adam.
"Listen, I should have asked you this earlier," he stated.
Adam paused and leaned against the car in curiosity at Tommy's determined expression. "Ask me what?"
Tommy, however, didn't answer Adam's question. He only met his eyes with an incredulous glare.
"Tommy, please. My head still hurts," Adam pleaded, waiting on Tommy's words.
"Adam," Tommy finally said, placing a hand on each of Adam's shoulders to face him "Do you still have feelings for Tanya?"
"No…and before you ask, I'm sure I don't," Adam said.
"What about all of that emotion earlier?"
"I honestly don't know where it came from," Adam said, noticing Tommy's look of unbelief. "You don't believe me, do you?"
Tommy stared into Adam's eyes, searching his face for a hint of a lie. He couldn't find one.
"Actually, the strange thing is I know you're telling the truth," Tommy sighed and released Adam's shoulders. He leaned back on the car door, thinking.
"So, why do I get the feeling you still have doubts about what I'm saying?" Adam asked.
"It's just the last time I saw that much anger from you we were under…" Tommy started.
"Hate Master's spell. Rocky and Aisha said the same thing. Aisha even pointed out the same headache pattern from when we were recovering from the spell's effects."
"But that's crazy. They're all dead, right? Even Zordon is…" Tommy couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
"I know, Tommy. But—"
"But what?"
Adam leaned back and let out a heavy sigh, "Rocky thinks he saw something last night at the frat house."
Tommy smiled as a thought crossed his mind. "What, a girl?"
"No," Adam hesitated for a moment, "a Cog."
Tommy turned to face Adam. His face suddenly etched with worry and fear. "A Cog? Like Mondo, Sprocket, Machina—their Cogs? Why didn't he mention this to the rest of us?"
"He just told Aisha and me this morning. Look, he came in smelling like alcohol and vomit and what Aisha thinks is dirt or manure. Maybe this story about Cogs isn't as credible as we think. He also said he isn't sure because they all looked human."
"Human?" Tommy let the words sink in. "But the Cogs never took on human form. The whole Machine Empire despised anything that resembled humans."
"That's why I think we shouldn't put too much weight on his theory. I'm still not sure he was sober last night."
Tommy rolled his lips, as if pressing the words to reconsider their expression. "Come on. Let's get your money back. And later…you can explain what were you and Aisha doing before Rocky got home."
Kimberly focused her eyes on the white Corolla ahead of her as she followed each lane change to the next exit.
"I didn't realize Kat moved so close to Tommy and Jason," she said as she flipped the handle for her turn signal.
Aisha thought for a moment on Kim's unspoken words, knowing the wheels were turning behind the hazel eyes and straight, brown tresses. She tried to frame her response to minimize the anxiety she knew her best friend and roommate was feeling. "Maybe it was the most affordable or available option for them. Besides, I don't think Kat picked the apartment without Tanya's input."
"I guess you're right. My mom asked about him earlier this week."
Aisha looked over to Kim, surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah, she wanted to know how I was handling seeing him so often again after running into him at the gym last month. I told her—"
"That you're still in love with him?" Aisha quipped.
Kim sighed, "Yeah…which she already knew. But, I'm not really sure what to do. I'm pretty sure he's single. But, then there's Kat. And how I ended things with him. We still haven't talked about any of it. It's like each time we run into each other or we're all hanging out, he avoids talking to me alone. And, like, I don't know how to bring it up. It feels like he is either still mad at me or we have this large gulf between us."
They both looked ahead as Kim stopped at the red light behind the Corolla. Aisha noted the quick reflection of Tanya's expression in the passenger mirror. She could tell that Katherine and Tanya were engrossed in a conversation of their own. She looked to the driver's side, noticing a reflection of Kat's blue eyes that seemed to be weary and yet still warm. She then turned her attention back to Kim, who seemed to be lost in thought, looking in the same direction.
"Kim," Aisha said, leaning her head against the head rest, "I really think you should at least find out where you two stand. Maybe just talk to him about things. At least don't let your insecurities simmer like this. Eventually, they may boil over and out at the wrong person."
Kim glanced to Aisha and followed her gaze back to Tanya in the car ahead. "Do you think that's what happened with Adam?" she asked, turning her attention back to the road ahead as they cleared the intersection.
"I'm not sure," Aisha said, watching as the scenery changed from store fronts to homes. "It's strange, though. He was fine last night," she hesitated before adding, "to be honest, last night was perfect."
"Aisha!" Kim shrieked, gripping the steering wheel, "Oh my gosh, you have to tell me what happened between you two!"
"Whoa, girl! Only if you promise to stay on the road!" Aisha said, bracing the dashboard as Kim swerved around a speed bump through the neighborhood, "And, promise not to tell Rocky or the guys just yet."
Kim playfully rolled her eyes, "Of course I promise. Now, spill it!"
"We kissed," Aisha said.
Kim sighed, with an air of frustration, "Is that all?"
"What do you mean, Is that all? What else do you think we did?"
"I mean, what led to the kiss? What did he say?"
Aisha looked back to the passenger window as Kim turned the car onto a cul-de-sac flanked with duplexes, "He told me he loves me. And, I admitted that I love him, too. It was surreal to finally say it out loud."
Kim stopped the car in front of one of the duplexes, just behind Katherine's car. She motioned to Tanya as she turned the car off. "Wow…Adam said the 'L' word? I guess our shy little frog did grow up."
Aisha watched Tanya and Kat unload some of their boxes from the car. She looked around and then as if not seeing something she had expected to, frowned. "Seriously, don't say anything to the others. Adam and I don't want Rocky to find out without talking to him first. Apparently, he may have feelings for me."
Kim pursed her lips. She allowed Aisha's words to hang in the still silence before finally speaking, "Well," she started, "I have a confession, too. Adam told me a little about Rocky's feelings and how he felt about you on Wednesday when he came over. So, since I kept that secret from you, don't you think I can keep this secret from the guys?"
Aisha looked to Kim, skeptical of her reasoning. "I guess so. But, what do you think about Rocky? Since when has he ever shown me any affection?"
Kim looked around the cul-de-sac, "Speaking of the guys, where are they? I don't see their cars and they left before us."
"Knowing Rocky and his stomach, they're probably somewhere near food," Aisha said, opening the car door.
Kim stepped out of the car and took another glance down the street. She looked over to one of the other duplexes. In front was a red and black motorcycle trimmed in gold. "I'm not really sure what to tell you about Rocky. But, I think we have all changed in the last few years. Maybe some of this is coming from when and how you left. He could also be looking at you differently now that we're adults. He could also be regretting something he didn't say before."
Aisha looked over to Kim across the car. She noticed the far away look and disconsolate expression on her face as she was staring at the duplex with the motorcycle. "Kim, I know I've said it a thousand times. But you really need to talk to Tommy one on one."
Kim sighed, not breaking her eye contact with the motorcycle and duplex. Her gaze taking her to a place and time only she knew in her mind. "I will. Eventually."