Author's Note: I'm actually enjoying revising all of this. It helps me brush up on my story since – ithasbeen awhile... But it's starting to give me ideas for my new stuff.

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z, Katy Perry or Landon Pigg

Chapter 3: Guitar Over Ballet

And I chose guitar over ballet

I sighed tapping my pencil staring up at the ceiling. Nothing made sense right now. We had finally gotten into our Junior year. Mark was leaning forward to the row below us talking up a blonde. Go figure. I sighed. My worst nightmare had come true. The moment that I started teaching Mark some fighting moves I became a teacher and he became a pupil and as predicted he lost interest in me. I inwardly groaned. How could I be so stupid as to think that he would be different than every other guy. I should have left my guard up. The bell rang signaling the end of school and I headed to my locker. I took the books I needed and then turned to see Erasa walking my way.

"Ready to go?" She asked. She looped her arm through mine and tugged me onward. "So…" She began. "What's it like training Mark? Any chemistry?"

I nodded ahead at him with his arm around the girl from class. "What's that say to you?"

Erasa gasped. "That pig! It's because he hangs out with Sharpner you know?" She huffed and turned her nose upward.

"You still mad at him?" I asked pushing through the crowd of kids.

"Furious." She glared ahead of her. "I can't believe men. They're such…UGH! I don't even know!" She groaned. "Ohmigosh! I almost forgot." We stopped mid hall as she rummaged through her purse. She pulled out bright pink flyers and handed me one. "Can you believe it? I'm going to be 17!" I chuckled. I turned 17 just a month before her. I smiled. "My parents will be gooone." She sang excitedly. She handed me half the stack. "Start handing them out." She demanded.

I laughed and began passing them around the crowd of students. "Party!" I kept calling out and could hear Erasa doing the same. Twenty minutes later when all the flyers were handed out and all the text messages sent we were heading out the door once again. "Did you give one to Sharpner?" I nudged her.

"I told Steven to give him his." She grinned mischievously and we continued out the door. "Gohan!" Erasa walked over to him. "Hey,"

He smiled back. "Hey!" He readjusted his back pack on his shoulder and looked down at me. "Hey Videl."

I nodded and forced a smile. He was so much taller than me... Erasa continued. "So, my birthday is this weekend. I don't have a flyer for you, but you're invited umm…" She pulled a pen out of her purse and took the binder out of Gohan's hand and scribbled down her address with the info. "There. You think you can come?" She asked.

"Of course." He answered. "I wouldn't miss a friend's birthday. I-" At that moment his phone rang. He glanced down at the name. "Excuse me. I have to take this. It was nice talking to you guys. I'll see you later." He quickly walked off sliding his finger across the screen to unlock it. "Hulllo?" He turned to walk around the side of the building.

I hesitated a moment before grasping Erasa's wrist. "C'mon."

"What are we doing?" I quieted her.

"I have to know who he's talking to!" I urged.

"Videl you're crazy!" She whispered back. I paused and blinked at her. "I said you were crazy not that I wasn't coming along. I'm going with too! I'm curious!" We leaned against the wall and slid to the very corner of it. I peered around and saw him leaning against the wall with his back turned to us. He must've been 5 feet away. I quickly retreated.

"Hey sweetheart…" He cooed. I looked at Erasa and her mouth dropped. He paused. "I-" He laughed. "I miss you too." He paused. "Your parents are leaving again?" He asked with disbelief. "Of course I'll be there-" He paused again. "Overnight?" He paused for a while. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" Erasa covered her mouth and gaped at me. "Sure. They're leaving Friday night?" Another pause. "Of course I won't tell her. She doesn't need to know." Erasa shook her head and I gripped her arm leading her away.

Once we were far out of his earshot she exploded. "Can you believe that? Gohan Son? I can't believe it!" She exclaimed. Once we were in the takeoff area I threw down my copter capsule. "He's a great guy. He doesn't seem like the cheating type!"

"Wait!" I stopped her rant. "What makes you think he's cheating?" I started up the copter.

"Well, don't you think he would have mentioned her to one of us if he was really in love with her?" she countered. "Plus he said he wouldn't tell her." She paused and covered her mouth. "That means he's hooking up with someone other than his girlfriend." She shook her head. "Videl you have to find out!"

"What?!" I shouted.

"You guys have history! Just ask him if you can go study with him! You have to ask him about it!" She demanded. "Please Videl!"

I groaned.

/

I sat nervously across from Gohan in a coffee shop. He took a sip of his coffee and stared across at me. "So we have to find a current love song and analyze it." I announced taking a bite out of a sugar cookie. "Do you know any good love songs playing on the radio right now?" I asked casually.

"Well I know there are quite a few." He answered and fiddled with his cup. "But those will probably be taken, and we don't want to have to compete with someone else." He looked hard at his cup.

I sighed. How was I supposed to bring up that phone call two days ago? "Yeah…love song…Yup…good old love…" My voice trailed off. I could feel him staring at me, but I quickly took a drink of my coffee.

"Umm…yeah…" He looked at me suspiciously.

"So…" I started up again. "Do you…like love songs?"

He shrugged. "They're just love songs. It's hard to find a good one these days. Most of them are about partying, making money and sex." I choked on my coffee. "Are you alright?" He set his down and slid his chair out slightly.

I coughed. "Yes I'm fine." He eased back down into his chair. I cleared my throat. He was definitely comfortable with sex... "So do you have any plans tonight? I mean it is a Friday night." I smiled. Perfect transition.

"Yeah I do have plans." He smiled. I waited for more, but instead he stared down at the laptop in front of him. I scrunched my eyebrows together. So if he really was going to that girl's house he'd be bragging about it. I glared at him. "Why are you glaring at me?" He looked up over the top of his glasses. Did those glasses give him super human vision?

I grunted. "I just hate this project."

After a few moments of silence he spoke up. "What are your plans for tonight?" He questioned while looking up some songs.

I grinned that the topic was back on tonight. "Oh…you know…just helping out Erasa with her party." I tried to contain my excitement. "What are you plans for tonight?" I questioned. "Are you seeing a little lady?" I grinned and lightly punched his shoulder.

"You could say that…" He looked up from the laptop. His eyes were hidden in the glare on his glasses from the screen.

"Oh?" Erasa was going to freak. "So you're going to see your girlfriend tonight?" He finished typing and looked up at me. He removed his glasses and I noticed that he was chuckling.

"I don't have a girlfriend." He stated bluntly.

I grunted. "You pig!" I stood up. People around the coffee shop turned and faced us.

"Videl…" Gohan stood up with me. "Sit down." He gripped my arm tightly and I was surprised at how solid it was. "What in Kami's name are you talking about?" He asked in a quieter voice. The noise of the coffee shop started up again and we sat down.

"We heard you on the phone a couple days ago." I confessed.

"Who's we? I still don't know what you're talking about." He never left my eyes. I tried not to falter. If he was lying to me he was pretty damn good at it.

"Me and Erasa." I replied irritably. "You were talking to a girl about how you were going over because her parents were gone, and you were staying overnight, and you asked if she was ready and…" I took a deep breath and stopped because at this point Gohan was laughing. "I don't think it's funny. If she's not your girlfriend I think you're being a disgusting-STOP LAUGHING!"

"I'm sorry Videl." He wiped his eyes. "I just…" He took deep breaths and regained himself. "Her name is Marron. She's my dad's best friend's daughter. She's three, Videl. It's her mother and father's anniversary and they want to leave for an overnight trip so Marron called and asked if I would stay with her. It would be her first over night with me instead of out her umm…grandpa. And I promised I wouldn't tell her mom that we were going to bake cookies after bed time. I've been babysitting her a lot lately. Krillin's been training for the World's Martial Arts Tournament and so has his wife."

I blinked at him. "I'm so…I'm sor…" I couldn't find the words. I felt my face grow hot.

"Apology accepted." He chuckled again and I felt my face grow even redder. "It's okay to be embarrassed."

I tried to protest. "I'm not embar-" His laughing over powered my voice. I started laughing and put my face in my hands. "I'm so embarrassed!" I admitted.

"It's alright. It shows that you're human. I think it's cute actually." He suddenly stopped laughing and my mouth dropped slightly. He stared at me.

I think that possibly
Maybe I'm falling for you
Yes, there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you

I stared at him. He was smiling excitedly. "Videl do you hear this song?" I listened.

I've seen the paths that your eyes wander down, I want to come too

I was slightly dazed. "Um, yeah." I answered absentmindedly. "It sounds like a love song, what about it?"

I think that possibly maybe I'm falling for you

"Videl have you heard this song a lot?" He asked looking eagerly at me.

"No I haven't heard it at all." I answered realizing what he was getting at. "Let's use this one for our project!"

No one understands me quite like you do through all of the shadowy corners of me

He began typing at the keys looking for the lyrics and no doubt analyzing it in his head. I let my mind wander. Shadowy corners…That's what it felt like with Gohan. Like he was seeing straight through me.

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

I looked around the coffee shop at all the different people. Gohan looked up from his work. We locked eyes and I sipped up the last of my coffee. A smile crept at his lips and I returned it. He continued typing.

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

I felt so comfortable. It felt so right to be here. "Anything you want to add?" Gohan pushed the laptop over towards me and removed his glasses putting them in his messenger bag.

"Yeah. There is." I answered and pushed my empty cup aside.

I think that possibly maybe I'm falling for you
Yes, there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you

My mind was racing with a thousand different emotions that this song seemed to bring inside me, but all that mattered was how happy I felt in that moment.

I've seen the waters that make your eyes shine, now I'm shining too

I saved our project and shut down Gohan's laptop. I pushed it back over to him and beamed at him. "A plus…" I muttered smiling. He smiled in return.

"Are you ready to go?" I nodded. We stood to our feet and headed out the shop.

Because, oh, because I've fallen quite hard over you

We paused at the entrance outside. The music was still streaming in an outside speaker. Spring rain was pouring down as we huddled under the umbrella in front of the window. "You need a ride home?" I shouted over the rain. He pulled out a capsule.

"I got my own thanks." He replied holding his binder above his head preparing for the rain.

If I didn't know you I'd rather not know
If I couldn't have you I'd rather be alone

"I'll see you tomorrow right?" I asked.

"Yeah of course. I'll be there." He smiled. "I wouldn't miss Erasa's party for the world!"

"Have fun tonight okay?" He chuckled and I shuffled my feet ashamed. "I'll clear it up with Erasa."

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

We stared at each other a few seconds longer. "I better go." He stated. I nodded and he turned and ran down the street.

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much
All of the while I never knew

I stared after him until he turned a corner. I pulled my jacket closer to me and looked up at the old beat up coffee shop sign. I smiled, turned my heel and left.

All of the while
All of the while it was you

/

Loud music was streaming through the house and people were heard shouting trying to talk to each other. "Erasa this party turned out great!" I shouted to her as we took gifts from incoming guests and put them on the table. Erasa's eyes were locked on Angie and Sharpner dancing in the crowd of people. "Erasa!" I got her attention and she looked at me. "There are plenty of guys here Erasa that would be all over you."

A smile came across her lips as she headed towards a tall brunette guy on the dance floor. I laughed and welcomed guests. I was preparing to light the candles on the birthday cake when I noticed Gohan walk through the door. He had on dark jeans and a black long sleeve shirt. Why was he always in long sleeves?

"Erasa!" I shouted. Her and her dance partner immediately stopped and I pointed to the door. Erasa squealed and ran forward. I glanced back to see Sharpner push Angie gently aside and try heading for the door. I shook my head this was going to be bad. I started pushing my way through people towards the door.

"Happy Birthday Erasa!" Gohan smiled broadly and she threw her arms around him. I froze. He threw his hands up in the air not quite sure what to do. His present bag balanced between his left fingers. He patted her back gently with his right hand. When she pulled away he handed her a present.

Sharpner shoved me and Erasa aside and gripped Gohan's shirt tightly. "Sharpner!" Erasa squealed. "Stop it!" The music died slightly and no one was talking. Everyone seemed to have gathered around us.

"You're getting a little friendly with my girl don't you think?" Sharpner threatened clenching an ominous fist.

Gohan shrugged. "I don't mean any harm. We're just friends."

Sharpner growled. "Let me make sure you know that you're just friends!" He swung his fist hitting Gohan square in the jaw. The crowd gasped. I looked between Gohan's clean face and Sharpner's bleeding knuckles. I looked closer but Gohan's hand flew up covering his face. "What the hell!" Sharpner screamed examining his bloody hand.

Gohan shook his head and grunted. He mumbled glancing nervously around. His eyes seemed teal and full of fire as they blazed themselves into Sharpner's. Gohan took a step forward. They never left Sharpner's eyes. Sharpner seemed frozen lost in Gohan's gaze.

"Sharpner! What were you thinking?" Erasa's blonde bob pushed her way in between them. Gohan kept a tight grip on his face. The trance was broken between them.

"I should go." Gohan's eyes never left Sharpner's. His voice was low and deep.

"Gohan don't go." Erasa pleaded trying to pry his hand away from his face. "Let me see your face." She urged. "Let me check on you." She reached up a hand.

"No it's fine Erasa." He answered gently. He gripped her hand gently with his free one. I was suddenly very aware of how close they were. They were staring at each other. Sharpner looked down. Something happened within that moment that seemed to change between them. Gohan left Erasa's eyes and found mine. He looked at me as though he were trying to tell me something. Then he looked back and Erasa and she nodded. "Happy birthday." He mumbled finally letting go of her hand and heading for the door. Everyone watched him go.

"You could have seriously hurt him!" Erasa screamed rounding on Sharpner as Gohan left the room. Everyone's attention turned back to Erasa.

Mark appeared a second later with a wet rag and some ice for Sharpner. "He left?" He set the ice on Sharpner's hand. "Right before I got a turn. That stupid little-,"

"Enough!" I shouted. "You three in the bedroom now. The rest of you just keep partying and eating. We'll have cake and presents after we deal with this." A chorus of disappointment was ushered from our crowd of friends. I turned back up the music.

When I reached the bedroom I shut the door behind us.

"Erasa I-" Sharpner took a step towards her.

"No Sharpner listen to me!" She shouted again. "You can't play games with me anymore, you got it? I'm tired of you telling me you like me and-and kissing me and then completely ignoring me the next day! Sharpner you need to decide what you want!" She was breathing heavily and she sighed. Her eyes dropped to his hand. "You ruin everything! I can't take it."

Suddenly I felt Mark grip my arm. "Let's wait outside." He whispered. We sat outside the door leaning up against it. He sat close to me and I cringed. Why did I listen? He was just as much of a player as Sharpner. I sighed. My inward struggle was really getting on my nerves. "Everything's going to be fine Videl. They're going to be fine. Sharpner's hand is okay." Mark put an arm around me. Like I cared about Sharpner's hand. I was more concerned about the look that Gohan gave me. "I'll talk to him and you can talk to Erasa We'll fix this. We make a good team." He was staring at me and suddenly I felt very uncomfortable. I put my head on his shoulder to keep from having to look at him.

Sharpner's voice was muffled through the door. "Erasa-"

"Get out." I could barely hear Erasa.

"Are you kidding-"

"Get out! I need time!" She screamed. At that second the door opened and Mark and I leapt up. Sharpner glared at us and headed towards the front door.

"I better get that. They're just dancing in circles around each other aren't they?" Mark clasped a hand on my shoulder, patted and then headed out.

"Yeah..." The smell of coffee filled my lungs. I fell back against the wall sliding back down to the floor. "...And I was never any good at dancing." I really wished I took ballet.

/

Tears were streaming down my face. "Mom, don't go." I could feel her arms tightly around me. Her soft skin, the smell of her strawberry shampoo. I could see her bright blue eyes staring into mine.

"Videl," She whispered. "You have to let go. Quit shutting other people out. Let them in Videl." She eased slightly.

"I can't mom. It hurts." I clutched tighter afraid that she was going to let go. "I'm afraid. What if they leave me like you did? I don't want to forget you." I held on tighter.

"Videl, you don't have to forget me. I'll always be here, but you have to let someone else take care of you. Kami knows your father won't, but someone else has to Videl. I have to know that you're safe."

"Mom…" I sobbed.

"Let go…" She whispered. I couldn't see her clearly. My vision was hazy. "Mom!" I screamed. I felt a rougher arm grab me. I was laying on the soft cushiony sand of the beach looking up at a face. "Videl it's going to be okay." It was my mother.

"Videl you'll always have me." This voice was slightly deeper. It was gentle. My focus came into view. A shiny green helmet was looking down at me. The figure scooped me up into its arms and held me tightly. "Videl…stop crying it's okay…"

We were in a dark place. I couldn't see a thing. There was nothing around us. I was laying in emptiness. "Saiyaman?" My voice broke and I was still crying. I sniffed.

"Shhh…I'm here Videl." He held me tightly to his chest and I cried. "It's okay…I'm here. Nothing can hurt you. I'll take care of you I promise." He rocked me back and forth until I stopped.

A moment later I opened my eyes and sat up staring around at my bedroom. A breeze was coming through my opened balcony door. My curtain was billowing. Was he here? It all felt so real. I touched my face. My eyes were dry, but I knew that I had been crying. I silently got up and shut my balcony door and locked it.

"Saiyaman…"

Author's Note: Read & Review