Chapter opening hearts 24

While next day after training everyone was returning as Zack spoke up"Hey, guys."

This caused everyone stop and look back,as Zack hesitated and said"Guys.Look, I'mma stay up here tonight.Make a fire, I got some food.If you guys wanna stay"

They all started setting down their gear near a high ledge. As the sun went down, they built a fire and dug into the bag of Zack's food. "Look at all this junk,"

Trini said. "What would Zordon say?"

Imitating Zordon, Zack cracked them all up. "If I wasn't in this wall, I would eat that junk food!" Billy seemed to know there was more to it than that. "What happened back there?" "Nothing. Don't worry about it."

After a pause, Jason asked them all a question. "What are you guys thinking about when we're trying to morph?" "I don't know," Billy replied.

They looked at Jason and realized what he was doing.

Kimberly did her own Zordon imitation and said "You must shed your masks to wear this armor."

Billy was next. "Think only of each other and the Morphin Grid will open for you!"

Zack with more sober tone said"Maybe we don't know each other,And that's why we can't morph."

The rest looked at him, surprised he was being so serious,a Zack spoke up"I'm serious. You don't know me." He laughed and stood up and added "Let's do this for real. I'm Zack and I'm a Power Ranger."

Everyone laughed and in unison said"Hi, Zack."

-

Zack with sad and worried tone spoke"True.I live in the Melody mobile home park.It's just me and my mum.And my mom? My mom is the best!But my Mom. she's sick.I do what I can...but I'm scared.Sometimes I get too scared to stay the night because I'm afraid she can't make it.And if she goes...When she goes...I got nobody else.Look.I think being with you guys is good for me."Zack sat down as Alex gave him pat on the back and said"Billy and I are talking with

Zordon and Alpha about technology,which could probably help heal your mother."

Zack was hopeful giving Alex and hug said"Thank you."

As Billy spoke up"Let's do that.Let's tell our secrets

it will help us.Okay, I got a secret."

Except of Kimberly and Alex, all waited as Billy said "I like country music. As a matter of fact, I love country music." Over the laughter that followed, he kept talking. "And I don't miss my dad. As much. Coming to the mine with him was all I had. But coming here with you guys is just as good."

Billy looking at Alex and Kimberly said"Alex and Kimberly used to be my childhood friends,Alex understood me better than everyone,he never h

judged me.For that I am thankful to god for providing me with such a good friend. "

Everyone felt that,as Jason asked"Bigger secret is why were you in detention?"

Billy shrugged and replied"I blew up my lunch box. Accident. It was an accident! My lunchbox was in my locker. Boom goes the dynamite, into detention goes Billy!"

Everyone laughed,while Billy pointed across the fire. "Let's not forget that Kimberly was in detention, too!"

They all looked at Kimberly,who looked down and said"No,Not tonight. Skip me."

Only Alex and Billy knew her mistakes,both of them still stuck by her and for that she was thankful.As Billy looking at Jason asked"What about you?Want to tell us who you really are?" "

Jason shook his head and replied" Everyone knows exactly who I am," brushing off the question.

Everyone shrugged as Zack turning to Trini asked

"What about the crazy girl?" Alex could tell Zack was trying to get a rise out of Trini.

Trini with a laugh said"I could tell you anything, and you'd never know was true or not," . Then she got serious added"Okay. I'm the new girl. Always. Three schools in three years. What's crazy is that I like it that way. It's just easier. Nobody ever has to get to know me, and my parents don't have to worry about my relationships."

Zack was slightly interested in Trini,hoped he was wrong asked"Boyfriend troubles?"

Trini with a sneer replied" "Yeah,Boyfriend troubles."

Zack gave her a quizzical look,Trini seeing this explained "My family is so normal. Too normal,They believe in labels. They'd like for me to dress differently, talk more, have the kind of friends they want me to have. I don't know how to tell them what's really going on with me."

Trini paused and looked at the rest of them, watching them watching her continued "I've never said any of this out loud."

Billy said."It's cool. You're with us now," He held out a fist but she left him hanging and asked"Am I? What does that mean? When this is all over . . . are we Power Rangers or are we friends?"

Alex with firm tone answered"Whatever happens,we stick together."

Causing everyone to smile,even Trini had small smile on her face.Now everyone looked at Alex for answers as he sighed and said" I went to Wind Ninja Academy is one of many ninja training schools around the globe."

The shocked everyone as Zack with awe said"You are really a ninja?"

Alex nodded seeing Kimberly's hurt look,so with apologetic smile said"I couldn't tell anyone about it,since it is top secret.I told this because we needed to come clean about our secrets."

Kimberly sighed and kissing Alex on the cheek whispered"I understand."

Alex nodded and"I was selected by my Uncle,who was member of the school and I knew about Rangers before this."

Once again shocking everyone as Jason slightly angry asked"You knew about Power rangers?"

Alex nodded and replied"It is a secret,the Wind Ninja academy has them at least the morpher,no one has been chosen to wield them till now.But I never thought about becoming one or an alien will give me one."

Billy whistled and muttered"That is kinda believable seeing,there could be other ranger out there."

Everyone nodded,while Kimberly gave a look saying"We are talking after this."While Trini feeling exposed decided to leave.