Distractions

The rhythmic hum of the Youth Centre was a familiar sound, a comforting backdrop of laughter, clanging weights, and chatter. Kimberly Hart sat on one of the low benches near the gymnastics mats, idly twirling a strand of her hair as her eyes drifted over the room. It was a typical afternoon, bustling with activity, but Kimberly's thoughts were far from the scene before her.

Her life had been anything but typical lately.

She let out a quiet sigh, her gaze falling to her neatly polished nails. Being a Power Ranger had shaken up everything. Not that her life had been completely perfect before, but it had felt more… manageable. Cheerleading practice, gymnastics competitions, hanging out at the mall—those were the things that had defined her days. She used to be the girl who had everything figured out: good grades, a strong social circle, and enough charm to coast through the tougher moments.

But then her parents had split.

The divorce had come out of nowhere, or at least, that's how it had felt. One day, they were a family, and the next, her dad had packed his bags and moved across the city. Her mom had tried to put on a brave face, but the cracks were impossible to ignore. And then there was "Uncle" Steve—a man her mom insisted was just a friend but who had become a far-too-regular presence in their home. Kimberly didn't dislike him, exactly, but every time he came around, it was like another reminder that things weren't the same anymore.

She felt her stomach twist as she thought about the changes the divorce had brought. It wasn't just her home life. Everything else had started to unravel too. Her grades had slipped, and her teachers were starting to notice. Miss Appleby had called her out last week for handing in another late assignment, the kind of public embarrassment Kimberly normally avoided like the plague. Her excuses had sounded hollow even to her own ears.

Her commitments at the Youth Centre weren't faring much better. She'd skipped cheerleading practice twice this month and missed a gymnastics meet entirely. Her teammates had been polite about it, but she could tell they were annoyed. It wasn't like her to flake, but with the demands of being a Ranger on top of everything else, she was stretched thin.

Kimberly leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand as she watched a group of kids practising cartwheels on the mats. One of them stumbled and fell, but instead of crying, she laughed and got back up to try again. Kimberly couldn't help but smile. That was part of why she kept coming back to the Youth Centre, even when everything else felt like too much. She liked being part of something bigger than herself, giving back to the community.

Volunteering with the kids, organising charity events, mentoring younger gymnasts—it all gave her a sense of purpose. It was an escape, a way to push aside her own problems for a little while and focus on something good. And lately, she'd been trying to do more. She'd made an effort to be more approachable, more open. It wasn't always easy, especially on the bad days, but it felt worth it.

Being a Ranger had changed her perspective in ways she hadn't expected. Before, she'd stuck to her bubble, hanging out with people who were just like her—cheerleaders, gymnasts, the popular kids. But now? Now she had four friends she never would have imagined herself hanging out with.

Jason, with his natural leadership and unwavering sense of right and wrong. Zack, who could turn even the toughest moment into something fun. Billy, whose intelligence and determination amazed her every day. And Trini, who was quieter but no less fierce, someone Kimberly had come to admire deeply. They were so different from the people she used to surround herself with, but they had become her rock. Together, they'd faced things no one else could understand, and that bond was something she wouldn't trade for anything.

Her gaze drifted to the far end of the Youth Centre, where a boy her age was talking with a small group of friends. She recognised him instantly—Matt, a fellow gymnast from school. He was leaning casually against a table, his blond hair catching the light just so. He laughed at something one of his friends said, his grin warm and effortless. Kimberly felt her heart do a little flip.

She'd always thought Matt was cute, but she'd never really done anything about it. With everything going on in her life, she hadn't exactly had time to focus on boys. Still, as she watched him now, she couldn't help but feel a spark of interest. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, so relaxed and confident, or maybe it was just the fact that he seemed… normal.

Normal sounded nice.

Kimberly shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. She stood and adjusted her ponytail, smoothing down her pink top as she started toward the table where Matt stood. Her problems could wait for a little while longer.

"Speaking of distractions," she murmured to herself with a grin.

End