Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - Heather Ray (great books for teens .txt) 📗

How can I say this enough? Thank you to everyone that has kept up with all my books! You all are awesome! When I started adapting my fanfiction to these books, I was just doing it in order to introduce the Power Rangers to a new generation and to also help reluctant young readers to find a new love for reading. But I have found out that with each new book there is resounding success! Thank you all so much!

Hey all. This fanfic takes place in February 1996, when Trini, Jason, and Zack are in Switzerland and Kim, Billy, Tommy, Aisha, Rocky, and Adam are the Power Rangers. I wanted to write a romantic story for Valentine's Day, so here it is. All the characters are Saban's, and the song "Music Box"

is Mariah Carey's, off her album of the same title. Yes, I'm a Mariah Carey fan.

Also, let me pay homage to Mandi Ohlin, the phenomenal author whose fabulous vignette "Don't Speak"

inspired me to try out writing stories to song lyrics. Thanks, Girl

!

Thursday, February 1, 1996

William James Mitchell, called Billy by both friends and family, just returns home after a harrowing day of school. He throws his bookbag down on his bed in frustration, and tightly holds a sheet of paper in his hand. He plops down on his bed and looks at the big red letter D atop the page. He sighes deeply, and rolls his sky-blue eyes.

"I can't believe I got a D!" he muttered to himself angrily, "I just can't believe it! Why did Mrs. Appleby have to give us a pop quiz on 'Portrait of the Artist' yesterday? I didn't even get to read the book, not with Zedd constantly attacking Angel Grove. Being a Power Ranger can really be a hinderance on my academic career."

Billy sighed again and put the paper on his bed. He knew that one pop quiz wouldn't hurt his phenomenal academic record to date, and surely wouldn't prevent him from getting into a good university, or even graduating early. Still, Billy hated failure. It was something he always feared -- even on so insignificant a level. It can be attributed to his low esteem, developed in his younger days, when everyone shunned him as a 'geek'. Even though he now had strong bonds of friendship with a number of students, as well as a job as the Blue Ranger, which gives his life greater meaning, he can't shake his low opinion of himself, and his fear of failure. Its why he never takes chances.

"I need a distraction," Billy decides out loud, pushing himself off his midnight blue bedspread. He took a seat at his computer, and logged onto the internet. Every time he feels low, he checks his e-mail, hoping for a letter from the one person who always was able to lift his spirits -- Trini Kwan. Trini was his closest friend for years, since she was the only one who could truly understand him. He is still friends with all the present and former Power Rangers, but Trini was so much like him, he felt he could confide anything in her. Accept one thing -- his deep, unrequited love for her.

Billy's stressed face instantly lit up when he saw that he had new mail from Trini. He excitedly clicked on the message, and read it intently.

Dear Billy,

How are you? I'm doing well. As usual, we're not accomplishing much here at the Peace Conference. Actually, now more than ever it seems like for all my efforts, nothing ever changes. I'm not making a difference...

Anyway, there's no need for me to dish my problems on you, Billy. I'm sure you're stressed enough with that 'job'

of yours. Must be tough juggling school and 'work'

.

Jason and Zack are doing well. Actually, Zack just met a really nice delegate from Tunisia. Her name is Siham, and she's energetic, pretty, and funny. She's perfect for him. He found someone to be with just in time for Valentine's Day.
Well, I'll e-mail you again later on. Take care!

-- Trini.

Billy glanced at his wall calender. Sure enough, it was exactly two weeks before Valentine's Day -- his least favorite day of the year. Its the day that always reminded him, year in and year out, that Trini wasn't his Valentine.

Maybe I can change all that,

he reasoned, I don't know what's holding me. She obviously doesn't have anyone else, and she seems so lonely. I haven't seen her in months! Maybe I can send her a card, just to cheer her up. I know I'm too shy to say anything to her face to face, but since she's thousands of miles away, it'll really cut down on the embarassment. And if she doesn't reciprocate my feelings, then we both have plenty of time to deal with the situation before we see each other again.

Billy sighed. He knew he couldn't do it. Every year, he contemplated giving Trini a Valentine, but always felt too intimidated. He didn't take risks.

What if she doesn't love me back?

he reasoned, It's entirely possible that she has her eyes on someone else. Besides, I don't want to lose my best friend. That would just kill me...

Billy shook his head in the negative, and turned off the computer. He didn't want to take the chance. He didn't want to proclaim his love.

"But," he said, his eyes lighting up again, "maybe I can send her a gift anyway! Just to make her feel better! After all, friends exchange gifts on Valentine's Day, right?"

Satisfied with his decision, he picked up his telephone and dialed a familiar number.

^Hello?^

said a perky girl's voice.

"Hi, Kim? It's me, Billy."

^What's up?^

"Are you going shopping today?"

^I go shopping everyday,^

Kim said with a slight giggle, ^Why? Do you want me to pick you up something?^

"Actually, I'd like to accompany you," he said, slightly embarrassed.

^Really? Great! Me, Aisha, and Tommy will swing by and pick you up at your door in fifteen minutes.^

"Thanks."

At the Angel Grove Plaza, Billy and his friends Tommy Oliver, Kimberly Hart, and Aisha Campbell stroll into the mall. The two girls walked in front, chatting to each other about which stores has which sales. Tommy and Billy lingered in the background. "So," said Tommy, "I know I'm here to carry bags. Why did you decide to go shopping?"

"I... I need to buy something," Billy said uncomfortably.

"Really?" Tommy asked, raising an eyebrow, "What?"

"A... a present," Billy whispered.

"For who? Trini?"

Billy looked at the White Ranger in surprise. "How did you know?"

"Well, Valentine's Day is around the corner, and its about time you sent her a little something to tell her you love her."

Billy blushed. He found it hard to believe how transparent his feelings for Trini were to his friends.

"So, what did you decide to get her?" Tommy pressed. Billy looked perplexed.

"I... I don't know," he admitted. He then glanced up at his friend, and a small grin crossed his face. "Tommy, you seem to understand women--"

Tommy interrupted Billy with a deep laugh. Billy frowned, and Kimberly and Aisha both turned around and stared at him strangely.

"What happened?" Kim asked, "Someone tickle you?"

"Uh, no," Tommy said, catching his breath, "Listen, Kim, can Billy and I meet you at the food court in... say fifteen minutes? He needs to look at some... computer programs."

"Oh," said Aisha, "Well, see you!"

The two girls skipped off, and Tommy guided Billy to an empty bench.

"Billy," he started, "I don't know a _thing_ about women."

"But, you and Kimberly have been dating for months!"

"Well, yeah," Tommy admitted, "but if you remember, she was the one who made the first move. Trust me, if she didn't come up to the lake that day, I never would have known she cared about me."

"Oh," Billy said, somewhat disheartened.

"But... I can probably still help you out. Are you gonna get her a card?"

"Certainly," Billy said, "but I want to give her more than just a card. I want to give her something that she would appreciate and cherish, that will remind her of how close we were, and what she means to me. She sent