A/N: Hey everyone! What's up? Well, this story's a brand new project I've been working on for about half an hour now… Anyway, it's my most ambitious project ever and you must know that it's mostly from Videl's Point Of View so don't be too perplexed. Almost everyone's out of character here so please don't whine. Oh yeah- and I disclaim the damn show. Also, I don't own the song, which I based this story on, FRAGILE TOUGH GIRL, which is written and sung by Jo Davidson.

Fragile Tough Girl

When times are the worst

You see whom you've got

You know what is real

And you find out what is not

You know, it was this type of thing that made me start questioning my sanity. Really. I mean, I was supposed to be miles away, sleeping in math class or something, and here I was putting the 'pedal to the medal', so to speak, chasing some super-human-type hottie through the air in my neon yellow jet copter. Daddy would be so proud.

I squinted to see my prey, which looked like a golden comet, zooming up ahead. Since my copter was already going at full speed and since he was way too far ahead, I groaned and gave up, something, which until recently, had been unacceptable and unforgivable. That was, until I met this 'Gold Fighter' character. It sort of angered me that he was so strong, and yet my usually elephantine amounts of pride had failed me. I'd ended up with more of a fascination with the man. Or obsession, as Eraza had said countless times. I didn't know why I felt that way towards him. His cocky attitude was almost infuriating and it was obvious he wasn't going to break down and tell me some sap story about his life anytime soon. But hey, I deserved some points for trying, right?

Anyway, I spun my jet into the direction of my city and flew back to Orange Star at a relatively mild pace. After all, it was only math and I could easily copy Gohan's work or something. That was probably the only cool thing about that guy. Didn't give a damn.

~

Miles ahead, Gohan slowed down and smirked. Good. She's finally off my back. He transformed back into his normal state and landed in the middle of a desolate highway. Without a second thought, he stripped off his navy-blue gi and threw it into the bag he carried on his back. Out of the same sack, he pulled out a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt and quickly put them on. He put his index and middle finger up to his forehead and vanished, only to reappear miles away in the boy's washroom at Orange Star High School. Gohan smiled as he spiked his energy to signal to his counterpart to come join him in the facilities.

~

"Uh, would I be able to go to the washroom?" Son Gohan, the school loner mumbled almost inaudibly in the direction of our mathematics professor. When the elder man nodded, the teenaged boy stood up and dragged his feet out of the large classroom. I stared in the direction of the handsome young man, who's jaded eyes gazed blankly down the hallway. Shaking my head, I looked back down at his notes, which he had allowed me to use wordlessly. I resumed copying and rolled my eyes as Sharpener attempted once again to get me to go out with him.

Later on, when the bell had finally rung, I watched as Gohan trudged towards the door, and almost found myself feeling sorry for the guy. But I shook my head, refusing myself to feel that way. I had tried to become his friend, as had Eraza and even Sharpener. But after he literally told us to screw off, we gave up. That was months before. Six months, in fact. He had arrived in early November and it was currently only days into May. As I walked towards my own locker, I heard two boys discussing the outcome of the World Martial Arts competition. Of course, my father had won and I wasn't able to compete because I was still only fifteen. The junior championships were simply too easy for me so I just sat back and watched. My mind flashed back to one of the rare conversations I'd had with the Gold Fighter. When I suggested he compete, the guy had simply snorted at me.

Once I had replaced all my textbooks into my locker, I ignored the capsule in my pocket containing my copter and decided to walk home. It was a beautiful day, after all. I tightened my shoelaces and set off on the 9-kilometre walk to my house. As I walked across the field, I noticed that Gohan seemed to have the same idea, so I decided it was time for one more try to see what was up with the guy. I jogged over to him and stopped right beside the tall boy. "Hey Gohan."

He looked at me pensively, as if trying to decide if I was worth talking to. Finally, he mumbled, "Hi."

Trying to ignore the overwhelming urge to deck the guy and tell him to stop being such an ass, I foraged on. "So what's up?"

"Nothing."

Grrr… "Walking home?"

"No."

I clenched my fist. "Then how are you getting there? Car?" I asked sweetly, aiming for more than a one-word reply.

"No."

Damn. Damn it all to hell. The sweet attitude I had forced was blasted into a faraway galaxy and I reverted to my normal, slightly pushier self. "Jeez Gohan!" I said loudly, despite my clenched teeth. "You don't have to be rude about it! I was only trying to make conversation! Who peed in your cornflakes?"

He stopped walking and looked directly into my eyes, for the first time in the half-year I'd known him. It was kind of weird and it felt as though his coal-black eyes were burning holes in my head. Gohan opened his mouth slightly and then closed it, as if deciding to not say anything. I raised my eyebrow and crossed my arms, almost challenging him not to speak. "What the hell do you want?"

Hmmm… Rude, but it consisted of six whole words. Monosyllabic words, maybe, but six still the same. "I just wanted to get to know you, but it seems I already do- Jerk!" Hey, it may be the insult of an angry five year-old, but who's counting?

"Fine," he smiled, but it was more like a smirk crossed with glaring eyes, and turned on his heel and strode off around a nearby building, totally raining on my parade and spoiling my guilt-trip.

~

About half an hour later, I arrived home to find my dad deep in conversation with yet another woman. When dad noticed me, he smiled and then rose to his feet and pulled the girl along with him. She was quite tall -about 5'10''- and was wearing a long black skirt with a floral shirt, which alone contained ten times the amount of fabric that my father's 'friends' usually wore. Her brown hair was pulled back into a long ponytail and metal-framed glasses aided her green eyes. Her pretty face pulled into a smile as she looked at me. She had more of a kindergarten teacher look, rather than the usual 'woman of the night' style. My father's smile grew and he said, in a happy voice, "Good afternoon, honey. How was your day?"

"Fine."

"Anything exciting happen?"

"Nope." It occurred to me that I was sounding like Gohan, but I paid no attention to my own behaviour. I was too busy trying to figure out what was going on in my dad's brain.

I guess he noticed this, because he motioned towards the other woman, who looked to be about 30 or so. "I'd like you to meet Julia."

"Mmph." I forced, sounding like a strangled bird, as I reached over to shake the lady's hand. Deciding it would just be easier to be (semi) polite, I smiled and asked, "So how to you know my dad?"

She looked at father, who nodded and then said in an almost sickeningly sweet voice (which went along very well with the whole ECS image), "I met him through my older brother, who trains in your father's gym. We've been dating for about three months now."

Ahhhh… That explains the lack of peroxide blondes invading my household. I knew it had been quiet lately. But why isn't he dating multiple silicone models instead?"

I guess it's dad's who are the ones who can read your mind, because my good old pop spoke up, "We've fallen in love, Videl. We're getting married." My world came to a mind blowing and skid marking halt. Married? But… All thought died instantly in my head and my vision began to cloud over. I blinked a few times to regain my sight and when I did, I saw my dad's strong arm wrapped lovingly around Julia's waist. Not being able to take it, I backed away towards the staircase, dashed up to the second floor and down the hallway and into my room, where I slammed and locked the door behind me, tears already falling from my eyes.

A/N: Confused? Join the club!!! Heh heh. Don't worry. I'm having Gohan act this way for a reason. A very good reason. But as for everything else, what do you think? It's my first real attempt at being serious, but I'm not trying to make it too dry. What do ya think?

Review!