IV
"Vegeta! Vegeta!"
Vegeta opened his locker and turned to see Turles running up to him.
"You wouldn't believe what happened yesterday!" Turles exclaimed, shaking Vegeta's shoulder ecstatically.
Vegeta pushed Turles off of him, annoyed. "Spit it out!"
"Okay," Turles took a breath, " Yesterday, after the end of the school bell rang, I asked Cauline if I could walk her out of school, for you know to ask her a few questions. She said yeah. Then we decided to go use the restroom." Turles paused and looked at Vegeta's naughty face. "Ew, no. Not like that Vegeta! We both had to go."
Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, just tell me what's so important."
"Well after I pushed her against the wall to-"
"You dirty bastard," Vegeta smirked.
"Will you let me talk! It wasn't like that. After the restroom break, I pushed her to the wall because a cart full of books came towards us. I blocked myself, but Cauline used a force field to stop it from hitting me. And-"
"Wait, what?" Vegeta said, confused. "Force field?"
"Yes. To conclude what I was saying, I showed her my tail. She showed me hers. Cauline's a Saiyan!" Turles whispered, staring into Vegeta's puzzled eyes.
"So what you're telling me," Vegeta started, closing his locker, "is that you tried to get into this girl's pants in the restroom by slamming her against the wall, then she used her powers to create a force field against you, but her force field was no match for your cart of books, and then you went as far enough with her to reveal each other's tails?"
Turles furrowed his eyebrows. "What the fuck? No! Were you even listening to me!" Turles said, irritated.
"Yeah, I was just playing with you. Calm down." Vegeta laughed, "You gotta stop talking so fast, too."
Turles crossed his arms then realized something, "I'm not a perv."
Vegeta began to laugh more, but controlled himself, "Haa, hanging around Raditz doesn't help much. So anyways, she's one of us."
"Who's one of us?" Goku joined in, startling Turles and Vegeta.
"Stop doing that!" Turles and Vegeta yelled simultaneously.
"Sorry," Goku said, getting his feelings hurt.
Raditz walked by to see Goku upset. "You guys know not to yell at Kakarott like that. He gets so upset."
"Be quiet, " Goku said, smiling at Raditz, "Softy."
"Shut the hell up!" Raditz exclaimed, smacking Goku on the head. "Besides, you guys made me feel bad."
Suddenly, Vegeta and Turles realized what Raditz was talking about. Turles placed his hand on Raditz's shoulder and said while smiling, "Apology accepted. And I'm sorry for smashing the bread on your face. You know I'm still working on my anger issues."
Raditz was astonished for a second, then smacked Goku on the head again. "You told them!"
"Yeah, so um, guys who's one of us, again?" Goku nervously laughed, trying to change the subject quickly.
"Oh!" Turles exclaimed, remembering his conversation with Vegeta. "Well, I found out that Cauline is a Saiyan, too."
"What?" Goku and Raditz exclaimed.
"Yup," Vegeta said, using his imagination, "Turles told me that after school in the girls' restroom stall he seductively ran his hands along Cauline's legs up her skirt, pressing her against the wall while demanding her to say, 'Oh Turles, have mercy!' , in which he discovered her tail."
Goku stared at Turles in disgust as Raditz stared in space
"That's not what happened." Turles twitched, angrily annoyed.
"And when Cauline didn't say it," Vegeta happily teased, "He grabbed her tail and-AH!"
Turles began slamming Vegeta's head against somebody's locker behind him. "How about that! I'll show you no mercy! I don't like her like that, and you think I'm the perv!" Turles shouted. He then released Vegeta from his grip. Vegeta smirked because it had no affect on him at all, but Turles, at school, couldn't do worst. But it did on the locker beside Vegeta's.
"Ha! Look what you did to Cauline's locker," Vegeta mocked.
"What? Oh, crap," Turles panicked.
"Come on you guys!" Goku cheered, "Let's go to class before we're late. Maybe she won't notice."
As the Saiyans walked down the hallway, they talked about how they were going to get to know Cauline more, and Turles told his side of the story of how he found out that Cauline was a Saiyan.
In mathematics, Cauline quickly stepped in right before the tardy bell rang. She let out a sigh of relief as Mr. Maeko walked up to Cauline, smiling. "Ah yes. I'm glad you're placed in my class. It's Cauline, right?"
"Yes, sir," Cauline softly said, catching her breath.
"Alright then, go take your seat, and I'll shortly begin." Mr. Maeko said in a nice tone of voice.
Cauline nodded and began walking through the aisle of desks when she caught sight of Turles. He smiled and waved, but Cauline looked away quickly as she took her seat in the back. Turles glanced at Cauline as his smiled faded. Cauline noticed this and sat up, placing her elbow on the desk, and used her forearm to cover the side of her face. Turles looked at Vegeta next to him who was watching and mouthed, "What did I do?"
Vegeta looked at Turles and shrugged. Then Vegeta raised his eyebrow, grinning and ran his fingers along his own leg, mocking Turles. Turles opened his mouth, disgusted, and punched Vegeta's shoulder. Vegeta began to chuckle silently.
"Okay class," Mr. Maeko stated, "Since today is Friday before Spring Break, we're going to do something fun."
"So no math!" Raditz cheered.
"No, Raditz. It's still math related. Anyways, this is just to review your math skills before the upcoming test.
Raditz groaned.
"Alright then, there is another option. Actually...," Mr. Maeko thoughtfully smiled, writing out a difficult problem, filling up the whole erase- board. "Because of Raditz, if one of you solve this problem before class is over, the remaining time will be a free class. By free, I mean sit wherever you want and chat. But if only if this problem is solved."
"Uh, you know what, maybe we could go back to the fun math game," Raditz pleaded.
"Too late and your clock is ticking," Mr. Maeko mocked, taking a seat on his chair, "And never a student of mine has solved it before."
The whole class groaned and threw paper balls at Raditz.
...
Twenty minutes had passed, and nobody but Chi-Chi has come up with an answer.
"Oh, and by the way," Mr. Maeko added, " everybody has to turn in a paper for a participation grade whether it's right or wrong."
The whole class stood up with a piece of paper in hand walking up to his desk with a random answer. Cauline was still sitting down, writing and scratching on her paper, thinking.
Five minutes had passed, and Cauline timidly stood up and walked to his desk, and left the paper on the pile face down.
"Okay class, I'm going to start checking your work, so stay put."
A few minutes passed, and Mr. Maeko put the stack of papers down. "Wow. Um, this is unbelievable. Somebody actually solved the problem and showed their work."
"Yeah! Free time!" Raditz cheered, pumping up his fist in the air.
Mr. Maeko nodded his head and said, "Go ahead and enjoy it. I'll call out their name out in a few minutes."
Cauline sat in her desk leaning against the wall's corner and stared at her hands on her lap. Turles and Vegeta decided to sit by Cauline, and Goku and Raditz followed. Turles sat in the desk backward in front Cauline's desk, laying his chin on his crossed arms. Vegeta turned his desk next to Cauline's to face her and sat in the same position as Turles. Raditz and Goku did the same, but pushed their desks closer to them, closing in.
"Hey Cauline!"
Cauline flinched when she saw Turles' head rested on the edge of her desk. Cauline began to blush heavily when she noticed all them staring at her, contently. She quickly looked down, trying to hide her face.
"Um, hi you guys. Not to be rude or anything, but um, why did all of you come over here?" Cauline commented quietly.
"Well you see," Goku said, smiling, "Since Turles told us you're also a, you know, then we would like to get to know you more. Saiyans need to stick together!" Goku exclaimed, whispering 'Saiyans'.
Turles nodded his head in agreement as for the rest of them. Cauline wasn't so sure about it. Not only was Cauline the only female Saiyan, hanging around with them would make her feel uncomfortable. The thought of making friends sounded nice but she did not want to get too attached or at all.
"Okay. Should I explain myself to you? I mean there's not much to know, so.." Cauline suggested, lifting up her head.
"We know your favorite color is midnight blue," Turles said, sitting up.
"And you're a girl," Raditz added.
"Naw, Captain Obvious!" Vegeta commented, smacking Raditz's forehead.
"What? I'm just saying."
Vegeta rolled his eyes while Raditz examined Cauline. "How old are you?" Raditz asked.
"Oh, fourteen-years-old," Cauline said, nervously watching herself shuffle her feet from under her desk. "I took a test to see what school grade I should be placed in, and they told me the 10th grade. H-How old are you all?"
"Sixteen," Vegeta, Goku, and Turles said simultaneously. They all stared at Raditz until he confessed.
"Oh alright, I'm...eighteen." Raditz said, ashamed, "But I started school late, and I might've failed a grade or two."
She was surprised. They were all older than her by at least two years. She began to grow more uncomfortable.
"Cauline come here," Mr. Maeko called.
Cauline looked over to see Mr. Maeko pointing for her to come to him. Cauline then stood up fixing her skirt, "Um, excuse me," Cauline said, shyly having her hands held together in front of her. Goku noticed he was in her way and moved his desk for her to walk through. They watched her walk to Mr. Maeko.
"So, what more questions do you want to ask her?" Goku asked, playing with his fingers.
"Maybe it's best if we find out ourselves by hanging out with her instead of asking questions." Turles suggested.
Mr. Maeko, stood up from his chair as Cauline approached. "Wow Cauline. I didn't think that anyone would figure out the problem. Show me how you did it on the board. I've never seen anybody use this method."
Cauline toddled behind his desk to the board and began explaining to him how she solved it. Mr. Maeko stood there with interest following her example.
Riing!
"Wait, class. Before you leave, give thanks to Cauline, because she's the one that solved the problem." Mr. Maeko said, congratulating Cauline by his desk.
"Woo!" the class cheered.
Chi-Chi raised her hand, and spoke, "But I was close, right?"
"A little, but almost is still wrong," Mr. Maeko replied, "Vegeta, I need to see you."
The class was leaving when Turles walked up to Cauline giving her bag and books to her. "Congrats and thanks!"
"You're welcome and thank you. You're too kind." Cauline softly said as they walked out of the classroom, meeting up with the rest of the guys.
"So what do you have next?" Goku asked.
"I have Art class."
"Huh, that's not far from biology," Raditz commented.
"It's okay you guys," Cauline said smiling at the ground, "I think I could go to class without your assistance, but thanks."
"Well, alright then," Vegeta said, walking out of Mr. Maeko's class. "Have fun in art," and walked with the guys in the opposite direction to Biology.
Turles and Goku waved goodbye to Cauline as they began walking away. Cauline waved back while walking down the hallway to her locker, smiling.
Cauline walked up to her locker, stunned. A huge dent was imprinted in on it. She sighed, as she tried opening it. In her locker contained her textbooks, a few utensils, and loose paper. Cauline thought about the guys. They're really respectful and kind. This gives her hope that not all Saiyan men are like her father. Well, not any kind of men. She then closed her locker to see Krillin by his, too.
"Hey, Cauline!" Krillin awkwardly smiled, "Ooh, what happened?" Krillin asked, pointing to her locker.
Cauline shrugged, "H-How's your morning so far?"
"It's been fine," Krillin said, closing his locker. "Hey, how come were those jerks, well except for Goku, surrounding you this morning in Mr. Maeko's class?"
Cauline looked at him confused. How could they be jerks? Well Raditz, but Turles and Vegeta were nice to her. "Um, I'm sorry to ask, but how are they 'jerks'?"
Krillin couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I guess towards girls they're nice, but when it comes to me and others, they're nothing but trouble."
Cauline, baffled, answered Krillin's question, "Um, they were asking me questions to get to know me better."
Krillin nodded his head. "Seems a bit suspicious. I got to go. Bye!"
Cauline waved and began walking to Art class, thinking about what Krillin said. She then started to grow second thoughts. Could it be true what Krillin said? Well, Saiyans are supposed to be ruthless and powerful, but that doesn't mean to be rude towards certain people. Unless there's a reason. Cauline pushed those thoughts away when she arrived. She then introduced herself to the teacher.
When class was over, Cauline had a portfolio to decorate, and an art assignment due by next week. She couldn't wait to get started on it. Cauline also met a boy in class. His name was Piccolo. The teacher had them pair up as partners since now the class had an even amount of students. For some reason, he looked familiar to her, but that could be just a coincidence. He didn't talk much and was serious most of the time, but Cauline didn't mind that. It's better that way, so she doesn't have to talk, either.
...
At lunch, Vegeta, Turles, and Goku were walking to their lunch table. Raditz was already there, and so was Bulma and Chi-Chi.
"Have you guys seen Cauline?" Vegeta asked, taking out a piece of paper out of his pocket.
"Nope," Bulma nodded.
"Well I did see her walking with that one green guy in the lunch line," Chi-Chi said, taking a bite of her apple.
"Piccolo," Goku said with contempt, eating his lunch bitterly.
"So why do you need to know where she is," Bulma asked, changing the subject.
"It's because stupid Maeko says I'm failing. He wants Cauline to tutor me, but I have to ask her first, then make my father sign this slip."
"All man," Goku whined, "That means you can't spar with us much over the break."
"That's where you're wrong," Vegeta slyly said. "I have a plan."
Turles looked at Vegeta. "What is it?"
"You'll see."
...
Cauline and Piccolo were sitting outside eating lunch on the picnic tables. They sat there silently not exchanging looks. Piccolo found it weird for Cauline to be interested in him. Nobody ever sits by him or acknowledges him. Only if they needed something. Others feared him while others found him odd by his features.
"Um, Piccolo?" Cauline quietly mumbled.
Piccolo grunted, "Hm."
"May I ask you a question?"
He nodded.
"I heard rumors about Vegeta, Turles, and Raditz being mean and cruel to people. I wanted to hear your opinion just to be sure if they're all right to hang around with."
Piccolo, stared at Cauline shocked. Nobody has ever asked for his opinion on things and actually listen. Especially if they were about who to hang around with. He grunted then spoke in a low tone of voice, "They have caused trouble with a few people, but nothing I would say cruel. They just like to mess with people then laugh about it. Kind of like bullies."
Cauline shook her head. "That's not right, though. Nobody should be tortured for fun."
Piccolo looked away feeling guilty. He remembered he used to do that. It made him feel powerful and strong. "I have to be honest. I, myself, used to do that. I have a temper issue, so I try to distance myself with others."
"But you realized it and stopped." Cauline tried to comfort Piccolo.
"Not really. It wasn't until I started to get into drawing. I started to express myself through art. A form of meditation I guess."
Cauline smiled. "That's nice."
Piccolo smiled on the inside. It was nice to talk to someone, but something bugged him.
"Something has been on my mind," Piccolo confessed. "How come you didn't beg the teacher to be partners with somebody else or try to avoid me? I mean you sat next to me in Literature and now. "
The Spring wind rustled through Cauline's bangs as she sat there baffled, "Well, I actually do not know? I mean, should I? And besides, I like your presence."
Piccolo cheeks slightly turned pink. There was an awkward silence. "It's because that's how most people react to me."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Cauline replied, furrowing her eyebrows, "I hope I'm not being annoying to you though. That's one thing that's kind of bothering me," she sheepishly mumbled before taking a bite from her sandwich.
"Nah, you're cool. You don't talk much, either, so," Piccolo shrugged, "You're not bothering me one bit."
Cauline nodded her head in response while chewing her food. They both sat there in their silence, continuing to enjoy their lunch in peace.
...
"Hey there's Cauline throwing her lunch away," Raditz said pointing.
Vegeta looked over. "She's with that Piccolo." He got up to the trash can along with Goku.
"Hey. Cauline."
Cauline turned around to see Vegeta and Goku. Goku and Piccolo stared into each other's eyes with hostility.
"Yes?" Cauline mumbled.
"Maeko wants you to be my tutor, and he wants us to start during Spring Break."
Worry started to grow over Cauline's face, "Tutor?"
"Yes, what else?"
Cauline nodded her head understanding but anxiety started to build up inside her. "Shall I come over to your house or to the library or...?" The mere thought of having to have more contact with them other than school and the possibility of them coming to her house worried her so much.
"My house. On Monday." Vegeta handed her a piece of paper nonchalantly. Here's my address."
Cauline took it gently. He's so demanding.
"Come on Kakarott." Vegeta glared at Piccolo for a second then turned to Goku to walk with him.
Cauline looked at Piccolo noticing the stares Goku and Vegeta shared, curious as to what happened. It was none of her business, so she threw it out of her mind.
...
Cauline heard a loud ring signaling school ended. At her locker, she took out her textbooks and art portfolio. She tried to grab everything in a comfortable position, but she fidgeted around causing her to panic.
"Let me help you with that," Turles said grabbing her textbooks.
"Thank you," Cauline mumbled. She placed the portfolio under her armpit and grabbed her textbooks from Turles.
"Wow, you're a busy person."
Cauline timidly nodded her head not knowing what else to say. "Um, could you close my locker if you don't mind."
Turles pushed the locker to close revealing the dent. Images of slamming Vegeta's head against it flashed before his eyes. He sheepishly smiled at Cauline. "I'm so sorry about your locker. It was my fault."
"It's okay, as long as nobody got hurt."
"Yeaah. Um Cauline, I was wondering if I could walk you home? The other day I noticed you walked the opposite direction without taking the bus or somebody picking you up. B-but I wasn't trying to stalk you or anything," Turles panicked not wanting to come off as a creep. He just wanted to get to know someone new. Someone who probably does not have any friends just like him before he met the other Saiyans.
"I would love that, but you can't."
Turles made a face of confusion.
"It's not you," she said quietly. Afraid that maybe her father might be there early. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I hope you have a nice week. Bye," Cauline sheepishly replied with quick steps behind her walk.
Turles looked at her with concerned eyes and watched her leave. "Hope you have a nice week, too," he mumbled to himself. He fixed his bag on his shoulder and leaned against her locker, sighing.
"That still won't cover it up."
Turles turned his head to see Vegeta at his locker.
"What's with the long face?" Vegeta asked taking out a few things and closing his locker.
"Nothing." Turles said, shrugging it off.
...
The trees were rustling from the evening wind as Cauline walked through the forest. She reached her house but walked around it. Behind her house stood a tree house. Cauline placed her stuff on the ground to have the ability to push open the door from above. After putting her portfolio in a certain area, she walked over to sit on the small cot across the room. The tree house contained her precious valuables.
"Father won't come in a few hours, and there are leftovers in the fridge. I shall spruce the place a little bit." Cauline told herself as she walked to her room to change clothes. After cleaning up the place, she prepared for a bath in the river. Cauline had her hair hang loose and wet when she returned with a huge round tank filled with water and placed it on a circle of rocks by their house. Underneath it contained wood.
"Alright, in about an hour I should start heating up the water."
Cauline sat on the couch reading a book wearing a blue nightgown with her black hair down when she heard the front door slam close.
"CAULINE!"
Cauline jumped in fear. She quickly walked over to the kitchen. "Yes, father?"
He removed his jacket and tossed it on the table. "Did you get the water ready?"
Cauline nodded. "Yes, father."
"How about dinner?"
"Yes, sir."
"And it seems like you cleaned the place." Cauline's father commented.
Cauline was surprised. He didn't reek of alcohol.
He grunted. "I guess you could go to bed. I'll serve myself dinner."
Cauline felt like she was in a dream. He hasn't been this nice in a long time. With fear still growing inside her she bowed at a 90-degree angle with gratitude, "Thank you, Father."
Her father watched her leave and ruffled his black, short shaggy hair while yawning. He slowly walked to the pot and served himself. As he ate in silence, he remembered.
Edit" 5/24/2017