With Benefits
Chapter Five: An Eventful Weekend

The next morning, a few things did change, and they stayed altered throughout the week. Bulma and I began to talk less and less during the following week. It didn't really bother me as much as you would hope, but I was a little disheartened when she refused to even be near me at times. She would always fabricate an excuse, like having to see Yamcha. I knew it was a lie, because she always seemed to avoid me at the strangest times.

One thing that surprisingly didn't change was her relationship with the oaf. The day after our "incident," she didn't spend a lot of time around Yamcha, but they warmed back up to each other as the week progressed. And then it seemed like he was everywhere she was. How exciting that turned out to be.

Regardless of everything that happened (or didn't happen), everything that changed, life still went on. By Friday, I was too pumped up about our football game, that I started to dismiss everything that had happened only four days before. I even started to forget about Bulma, since she had been spending so much time away from me. I would see her around, but neither of us would acknowledge the other's presence. And, like I said, by Friday, I wasn't even bothered by it.

It was a crisp Friday night, and I don't remember much else. A lot of the games I played don't really register in my head after they've occurred. Some people think it's because I get hit too often. I just think it's an experience I'd like to forget; so I do.

Even though I don't remember much about the plays and the field action, I remember the in-between. I remember seeing Bulma in all her regality conducting the marching band in the stands. I remember watching the defense pound the other team's offense. I remember winning the game after four grueling quarters. It was fun. What I remember.

And I remember after the game, when everything came crashing back down, after the high that winning gave me.

"Vegeta, that was some amazing playing out there tonight," Kakarot said as the two of us were leaving the locker room. "Surely you've got some scouters trying to recruit you."

I scoffed. "It's not any of your business." We walked outside into the still crisp air, and I noticed that most of the people in the crowd had left. There were still some people hanging out around the field – some pot-heads, some band geeks, a few parents, and some of the other football players. No one I knew… or cared about.

"Well, we've got the play-offs next week. Are you excited?" Kakarot asked me.

I rolled my eyes. "Excitement is an emotion that I don't posses. It's for small children and engaged women. Not for me." He was such a child sometimes.

That's about the point when we were approached by the head cheerleader and the drum major. Both of them extremely peppy and I was just getting finished discussing my lack of the emotion needed to have a normal conversation with them.

"So you two know that you're coming over to my house tomorrow morning, right?" Bulma asked, paying more attention to Kakarot. I considered it conversation towards me anyway.

As the three of them prattled on, it dawned on me. I was going back to Bulma's house. And even though Kakarot and his woman would be there, I would still be in a room with Bulma. And I would be forced to sit through more awkward silence while ChiChi and Kakarot discussed "couple things" in cute little voices to each other. Not only did that make me sick, but it was about to make me nervous. And I hate to feel nervous.

"Vegeta, you're awfully quite about this? What do you think?" Kakarot asked me, probably thinking I had been listening the entire time.

"I, uh, yeah, sure. Sounds great." I stammered. I just wish I knew what I had just agreed to.

"Great! See you guys tomorrow morning!" Bulma said, and started to walk away.

"Bye Goku," ChiChi said, placing a small kiss on his cheek, making Kakarot blush. She too walked away, following Bulma.

"Public Displays of Affection always make me awkward," Kakarot admitted.

I ignored him for the most part, and the two of us walked to his car. We both threw our duffle bags in the trunk and got into the small car. By the time we actually were in the car and leaving, I noticed that it was almost midnight. Maybe for once, my parents would be home. Part of me thought about asking Kakarot if I could stay at his house for the night, but I thought that would sound desperate. So I just let him drop me off at my own house.

I told him thanks for the ride and waved him goodbye. The lights were off in the house. I was nowhere near surprised.

Vegeta-
Your father and I went out with some friends for some drinks. We'll be home later! We hope you did well with your match!

Love, Mom

Peachy.

After that I didn't do much else, and pretty much crashed until morning.

I woke up the following morning to Kakarot staring at me while he sat on the opposite edge of the bed. When my eyes popped open, he screamed like a girl and fell off the bed. I laughed at him from pure joy.

"I gave it a six. You should have been more graceful for a higher score." I started, still laughing a little.

"Very funny, Vegeta; but get up. We have to be at Bulma's house in 30 minutes." Kakarot responded, rubbing the back of his head.

Even though I was a little sore from the game and would have prefered to sleep in like a normal teenager, I did just as he told me. I padded to my dresser from some clean clothes, and Kakarot left the room, probably in search of food. I picked out some clothes out of habit, not really caring what they were. While they were still folded, I threw them on the bed and grabbed a towel from one of the other drawers on the dresser. I figured that a nice warm shower would make me feel a little less sore; plus, it would give me time to think about my options for the day.

When I got in the shower and turned on the water, I immediately felt better. There was almost nothing else in the world that made me feel this good. Almost. That's about the time when my thoughts shifted to exactly what I knew they would. Funny how your subconcious does that to you.

Today was going to be an awkward day. I wasn't quite sure what we would be doing, but I knew that Bulma and I would be be there together. We would actually have to make conversation for the first time in a week. For one of the first times in my life, I was scared of a situation. And I hated myself for it. Most kids get scared when they visit a doctor or a dentist. Silly me. I get scared when I have to talk to a girl. Granted, this girl is extremely attractive and I would love to get her alone and do countless things to her. I shook my head after that thought. It was a stupid one. Everyone including me knew that that day would never happen.

I turned off the water and shivered a little. Stepping out of the shower, I grabbed the towel and dryed myself. After feeling relatively dry, I wrapped the towel around my waist and headed back into my room to get dressed. I put on my clothes automatically like a drone and then walked downstairs to see Kakarot eating a bowl of cereal. How did I know?

"I'm ready to go," I said just as he was finishing the cereal. Kakarot nodded to me and washed his bowl in the sink. At least he was clean about it. I suppose that why I let him eat here in the first place. I picked up my Spanish script from the kitchen table and found yet another note from my parents. Even on a Saturday they can't be home.

The two of us walked out the door and to his car. The same monotony as every morning: we both got into the car and he put in some pansy music. Today it was Dave Matthews Band. In no time at all, we arrived at Bulma's house exactly thirty minutes from when I woke up.

When we walked into her house, four mannequins set up with outfits on each one, two male and two female. That's when I realized what I had agreed too the previous night. We were going to start filming our project for Spanish. Now I was going to have to dress up like an idiot and speak like babbling idiot.

"Hey guys!" Bulma said when we were fully inside her house. "ChiChi and I did the first takes of the sketches that we have together last night. That means that there's only a few more and then we can review all the pieces before putting it together." She walked over to the camcorder and made sure it was on. "Okay, so the next scene I want to do is with ChiChi and Goku, so review everything and then we can start." When the two of them gave Bulma the okay, she handed out more instructions. "Okay, guys. This is just the run-through to see if it's all do-able. So... No costumes, even though I got them finished." She set up some small props and told the happy couple where to stand. When she got back to her camera, she made one last check to see if it was on. "Aaaaaaaaand... Action!"

We worked for two or three hours videotaping and working on our project. Bulma and I still hadn't said much to me, except when she was giving me orders. I felt awkward just as planned. But I ignored it most of the time, knowing that it was probably right that she was ignoring me.

But something unplanned happened.

"Goku," I heard ChiChi whisper softly, "I have a really bad headache." She clinched her eyes shut and Kakarot wrapped his arms around her tightly. She looked like she was in severe pain, but nothing a good nap wouldn't fix.

Kakarot looked up at Bulma and I. "I think I should take ChiChi home."

After he said that, Bulma nodded. "It's okay. There's only a few more scenes and they're all with Vegeta and I. I think the two of us can manage. If needed, I get Yamcha to come and help. Thanks for coming over and working though. I hope ChiChi feels better." She smiled at the two of them. "Oh! And don't worry about your stuff, ChiChi. I'll bring it by your house later."

After a few goodbyes, the couple left, and I realized that I had just been left alone with Bulma.

It was quiet for a long time in that large house. We both stood in the same places we had been standing, and I refused to look at her. But I soon found the courage to take the initiative and speak.

"You know... You're going to have to say something to me eventually," I started, looking directly at her. Unfortunately, she avoided my gaze with all the power that she could and stared intently at the ground. I sighed. "Woman, you can't stand there and avoid me for the rest of the day. We have work to do."

It was her turn to sigh. She walked a few steps and shut off the camera, then sat down on her soft couch. "Come sit with me; I want to talk."

I followed her instructions and sat next to her, but not too close. She wouldn't really look at me, but I could tell she had every intention of making eye contact. We sat there for what seemed like hours, even though it was only a few minutes. She didn't speak immediately and I wondered if she even knew what to say. Because I sure didn't. I was actually surprised when she spoke.

"So here we are again," she started and looked straight at me. Her eyes were strange. I couldn't tell what she was thinking. "You and I need to stop being alone like this. Or at least..." she got a little closer to me, "I'd like it if we would." As if to beckon me, she put her head on my shoulder.

I thought she was either intentionally lying to me or not concious of what she was saying. "Are you sure?" I asked honestly.

She looked at me as if I had spoken in some alien language. "Why do you do this to me?" She asked breathlessly. I had no words to respond with immediately and simply let my feelings take control. Probably not the best idea.

"It was never my intention..." I trailed off. I stared into her beautiful blue eyes and unconsciously took her head in my hand. Her eyes slid closed and I moved in for the second mistake of my senior year.

Her lips were soft and sweet, and I had no idea what I was doing as she forced the kiss deeper, deeper than the simple kiss I had given her before. My eyes closed also, but not for long. Bulma's small hands pushed against my chest, breaking our kiss.

Her eyes were filled with horror.

"Oh, God, Vegeta." she mumbled, "What do we keep doing?" she asked rhetorically.

I had no idea either.

Post-Chapter Author's Note: And the plot thickens. Wonder what will happen to our happy anti-couple. Well, I know, but that's just cause I'm the writer. lol. And wow. Long chapter. I mean... that's pretty long. Pretty eventful too I guess. I hope you enjoy this one.

Thanks for the reviews. I guess this extra long chapter is due to the fact that I broke 20 reviews. That's a plus for me. And over 1300 hits. I'm impressed.

OH! And before I forget... I'm trying to decide on whether to keep some of my other unfinished fics. I hate doing plugs, but if you have some down time and are looking for something to read, I would like it if you could give me some feedback on my "dead" fics. Keep or get rid of mostly. Maybe I can get myself back into writing. I'm really really trying...