Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. The only thing I own is the twisted little world I've thrown them in to because let's face it. We all have to have something.

What's Going On: I just finished editing another one of my 17 & Bulma stories. I'll most likely be posting it here pretty soon. Eventually I'll get to doing the rest of this one and the others.

Chapter Four

Close Encounter

Page 56

Encounter with Asshole

The first couple of weeks of school went in a similar fashion the first day. Her mom would drop her off and she would rendezvous with Chi Chi at Goku's locker. Always there was Vegeta to rain on her parade. Goku continued to drop subtile hints that he was interested in her which only added fuel to Vegeta's ever colorful array of polite things to say. He was such an asshole. She couldn't think of one conversation that didn't end with them fighting or her wanting to turn around and cry. Chi Chi constantly had to remind her that he would only get under her skin as long as she let him.

Eventually she and Chi ran for Student Government and were elected as President and Vice. She was glad she hadn't won presidency Chi Chi was far more organized than she was and she didn't really like reporting to a group of people. Something that she knew she would eventually have to get over. They had the Back to School Carnival coming up here pretty soon and so far Chi was doing a great job of organizing it all. Her job was to simple make sure all the clubs were chartered and signed up for what ever booth they were going to do. Chi Chi made all the necessary phone calls and paper work while she did any person to person conferences. They made a great team. Not to mention with her contacts and Chi Chi's negotiating skills they got a great deal on everything.

The bell rang and she gathered her things quickly. She checked everything twice and then got up. Almost all the way to the door she realized she forgot her little jacket. Turning around and swearing under her breath she ran back to her desk and grabbed it from the back of her chair. Running out of the class room she ran smack into a wall losing her bag and balance in the process. Expecting to hit the hard tiles she closed her eyes and braced herself. After a moment or two she felt herself being slowing pulled up until she was sitting firmly on her feet. Her eyes snapped open and found themselves locked with a set of chocolate brown ones. It was then she felt the arm holding her securely around her waist.

She had never been this close to him and it was surprisingly intoxicating. From chest to knees there was barely any breath space yet oddly enough she did not feel repulsed. She had never been this close to him and she never thought she would feel at all comfortable with it. Her eyes trailed down his nose to his mouth and then down to the collar of his black band T-shirt. Timidly, she looked back up at him and felt his arm tighten slightly around her. She couldn't take her eyes away from his now and just as she felt herself being drawn in the late bell rang. His arm fell slack around her waist and she pulled away. Kneeling down she gathered her stuff. "Than…k you Vegeta." He was already gone, she smiled to herself for a minute and then continued collecting her stuff. He was already gone sadly she sighed as she headed off to her next class. She had hoped that with time he would warm up to her. A smile, a compliment, a sentence without insult would be appreciated but no, it was always the same arrogant asshole.

Present Day

Putting the book down for a moment she closed her eyes and thought back to that day. She had felt so secure in his arms. Had the late bell not rang when it did she probable would have kissed him and then who knows what would have happened. There went that 'what if' in her head again. How many times did she have to beat it out before it just stayed gone? There was a knock on her door and she slid the book under her pillow.

"Come in." She called pretending to just be relaxing.

"Bulma, honey do you want to go to the store with me. Goku's birthday is today I thought you might want to try to find something nice to wear." Bunny asked as she came and sat on the side of her daughter's bed.

"No thanks mom. I'm not getting all fancy just to go over there. It's actually nice to not have to worry about the cameras." Bulma answered watching as her mother rose from the bed and headed back towards the door.

"Okay Hun. Well don't wait up. Your father is working late and I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. This cruise is going to be great. The Bahamas were always nice this time of year."

Bulma shook her head at her air headed mother as she shut the door. Pulling her diary back out she leaned back against the head board and opened it back up. This book had become her whole world the past week. Every chance she got she stole away with it. She didn't know why she tried to hide her mother from seeing it when she came in.

Page 57

At lunch she met up with Chi Chi under 'their' tree. Not really knowing if it was a smart idea to tell Chi Chi about earlier she just decided to keep it to herself. Chi Chi would have a field day if she ever found out about it. Goku sat down next to her without making a sound nearly giving her a heart attack when she realized he was there. "Where's Vegeta?" She pretended to not really care but she felt a little uneasy without him around. Chi Chi watched as Goku tensed and then looked out towards the football field. It must have stung that the first thing she said to him was in reference to his friend. Turning towards the football field she slipped her little black glasses on and tried to see. That black flame could only be one person. As if sensing he was being watched he turned around and looked directly at her. Not knowing what else to do she flipped him off. He scowled and then headed into the huddle with his team.

"Bulma your shorts are blinking." Goku was looking at her shorts confused.

"Why are you looking at her shorts!" Chi Chi accused sounding more angry than necessary.

Putting his hands up to shield himself less she decide to attack him he peeked our through his arms and replied innocently, "The flashing light caught my eye." Bulma was very attractive in her little white halter and light denim shorts. Could they really blame him for looking, and it wasn't like he was lying the flashing light did catch his eye.

"It's just an instant message….from Krillen Oh my god." Flipping her phone open she squealed in excitement.

"Who's that?" Goku demanded and Chi Chi looked at him amused by the jealous look on his face. Goku glared at her letting her know he was not to be teased about this right now.

"Someone I used to go to school with in North City…and he's moving here after Christmas break! This is so awesome."

"Is he the little cute one?" Chi Chi added insult to injury with a knowing smile to Goku. The lunch bell rang and Bulma stood up stretching. Goku made a fist at Chi Chi and swore he was going to get her. Giggling she stood as well and whispered something into Bulma's ear. Bulma whispered something back before Chi looked over her shoulder at Goku and then headed off.

"I'll walk you to class Bulma." Goku offered as he picked up her book bag. Slipping her arm through his she smiled and they started into the crowd of swarming teenagers. Just outside of auto he handed her bag back and then kissed her on the cheek. For a moment she watched as he walked away. /That was very awkward./

"Disgusting." Vegeta sneered as he passed her and headed into the class. At first she had been angry for his rude comment but then she was overcome by embarrassment. Had he really just seen his friend kiss her? Following him into class she took her desk behind him.

"No one asked for your opinion." She hissed as she opened up her note book to take notes on their lecture.

"It's complimentary." He smirked before ignoring her completely.

After class she met Chi Chi at their crazy history teacher's. She was this scrawny, nerdy young teacher in charge of Girl's Club. The whole meeting was a bunch of girls brainstorming what their booth would be at the carnival. The senior girls had managed to persuade the younger girls to vote with them on a Kissing Booth. Bulma was not thrilled about the idea of kissing complete strangers. Thankfully there were more than enough girls to rotate through the schedule and she didn't have to sign up for a slot.

"Oh come on Bulma it doesn't sound so bad." Chi Chi teased.

"I didn't see you rushing up to sign your name either." Bulma snapped not wanting to be bothered about why didn't want to be put on display. They stood outside waiting for their ride. Bulma's driver was taking her to Chi Chi's she was spending the night for the first time to help her figure out what they were going to do for the Homecoming Assemble and Spirit Week.

"Get your filthy paws off of me Kakarot."

"Oh come on Vegeta, You know that was a good play and that we're going to have an awesome team this year. Lighten up." Goku laughed as he nudged his friend. Vegeta dropped his bag down and rolled his shoulders slowly. Rolling his head from side to side he looked at her and she quickly diverted her eyes back to Chi Chi.

"So Chi…like where are we going to start."

"Hey hold on I heard Goku. He must be out of practice. Oh. There he is. Come on." Chi Chi grabbed her arm and practically dragged her to where they were standing waiting for Goku's grandpa. "Hey guys, how was practice." Chi Chi asked as Goku slung his arm around her shoulders.

"It went okay. It looks like we are going to have a really good team this year. Our first game is next weekend are you going to come?" he asked looking at Bulma who was looking at some rock on the floor as if it had done something to offend her. "Bulma?"

"huh, yeah. I'm sure I could probable get my daddy to let me go. And then Chi and I can just use my driver." Bulma shrugged as she slipped her little black glasses back on. Looking up at Goku she smiled but just past him she could see Vegeta still looking at her. "What are you looking at?"

He didn't answer her, which she didn't really expect him to. Putting her hands on her hips she tapped her foot in annoyance. " Don't mind him. He's just been in a bad mood since he got sacked at practice."

"Shut your mouth Kakarot. I did not get sacked."

"Well whatever you call it you got hit pretty hard by Nappa. You know that him and Zarbon are gunning for you already. He thinks coach will bump you up to the JV team if they don't get things together." Kakarot explained watching his two friends. They never got along not even for a few minutes.

"Hm… Well I'd be mad if I had to wake up and see that mug everyday too. I wonder where they hid an ugly stick that big." Bulma crossed her arms glaring at him behind her glasses.

"You're a fine one to talk woman. It's no wonder you wear so much make up." he snickered as she bit her lip and her eyebrows drew together.

"My name is Bulma. Not Woman." She stuck her finger in his face threateningly.

"Should we break this up before it get out of hand." Chi Chi asked looking up at Goku.

"Nah let them have at it. Maybe if they get it out of their system they'll behave." It made sense but somehow she didn't see it going that way.

"Remove your finger from my face woman."

"So he's deft, dumb, and blind. Well what a package." Rolling her eyes she turned her back on him and started walking away. "You're such an asshole."

"You didn't seem to mind this morning." he shrugged stopping her cold in her tracks. The next thing he knew he was on the floor fending her off.

"See Goku." Chi Chi started forward only to find that he had her securely around the waist. "Goku let go. She doesn't stand a chance against him."

"You don't actually think that he would hurt her? Do you?" he asked looking down at her with surprised brown eyes. "Vegeta would never hurt a girl."

"Then she'll kill him." Chi Chi told him as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Goku just laughed and shook his head.

"As soon as he flips her over ..it's done. She wont have anywhere to go and he will have the upper hand."

" I'll wrip your face off." She snarled as she tried to get past his arms. Quickly he reached up grabbed her wrists and then rolled hard to his left taking her with him. Setting his knees on either side of her hips he pinned her arms down by her head.

Smirking down at her he watched as she tried to squirm free. It was no use the fight was over. Glaring bloody murder at him she turned her head to the side and bit into his wrist. "The wench bites!" He yipped before yanking his hand away and the fight resumed.

"You know…I think if we locked those two in the wrestling room we'd have a death match on our hands." Chi Chi mumbled as she watched Bulma fight. Somehow she had made it all they way to her feet again. Flipping her long hair back she eyed him intently. It was just then that a honk interrupted.

"Bulma it's your driver." Chi Chi announced as she went and grabbed their bags from where they had been left.

"This isn't over Vegeta." Bulma told him as she slid her glasses back on and headed towards her car.

"Not by a long shot… Bulma." Looking over her shoulder she saw him smirk and then she slipped into the car.

"What was all that about?" Chi Chi gasped looking at her friend appalled at what had just happened. "Did you really just attack Vegeta? I thought you were working on making him your friend. Somehow I don't think attacking him is the best way to do that. And what was he talking about this morning?"

"I almost kissed Vegeta before 2nd period."

"You WHAT! What were you thinking!" Chi Chi put her hand to her forehead. "Are you out of your mind?"

"It was an accident. I was in a hurry. I came running out of my class and smacked right into him."

"And almost kissed him. Well no wonder you guys are at each others throats." Chi teased. "Oh my god. You like him."

"It's not like that Chi. It was an accident." Bulma spent the next half hour trying to explain to her friend that it wasn't what she thought. Typical Chi Chi hadn't believed a word of it.

Just A Note: Typical friends, the poke and prod until they get the information they want and then they twist it to suit their own assumptions.