Chapter 10

Well, I can't believe that it's in the afternoon once again, yes, yes. I am back in this coffee shop. It is the day after the awards ceremony, and very much the day after my agreement in learning martial arts with my new sensei, Vegeta. I was very weighed down in the 'spar' thanks to the cast- which was still encasing my leg at the time as it is now- and I received many bruises. I was very thankful that last night and this morning were quite chilly. Vegeta had his daughter, Bra, bring in a long sleeve shirt for me to wear. I had received numerous bruises and cuts on my arms, legs, and the middle parts of my body. My stomach is still tender from a giant bruise; Vegeta had 'lightly' punched me... at least that's what he called it. Turns out that only Bra and Vegeta knew of the injuries I received. There would be no way I would let my father know of these.

I am currently wearing a long sleeve shirt with jeans while sitting on the couch studying like a good lil girl. I have been kind of out of it for a while, and I really yearn for the day that school is released.

Wait a moment...

Doesn't school let out tomorrow?

Oh! HECK YEAH!

Happy days are here!

Now I am excited about the next two days!

To be honest, it is kind of late for me to be up... it's about 2 PM in the afternoon. I usually fall asleep close to 1 AM due to lack of sleep. Now I am very much awake. Strange it is I tell you! But it might be a good thing... because I feel very happy today! It's one of those days where everything seems to go in the right way. It's like this day couldn't be bad at all!

I hear the bell to the entrance of the coffee shop open.

I turn my head around, as did Leslie noticing the new customer come in.

And hi low! Alas came my stalker in all his glory!

I noticed Trunks walking in as casual as possible in very comfortable clothing; he looked at me smiling as he walked over to where I sat. "I see you're awake this time Pan."

I could feel the slightest annoyance rising in my system, but I soon brushed it off when I punched his shoulder. He winced as he rubbed his arm.

"That hurt," he commented.

I honestly didn't care at this time; it's completely obvious that he only comes to this coffee shop because of me. I have gotten all hints that Leslie has given to me while I slept. But other than that I was slightly glad to know that I seemed to have a friend who was rich, and famous, and strong, and handsome-

Wait a second...

HANDSOME? Where the heck did THAT come from?

I mentally cringe as I mentally slap myself silly. Bad thoughts! Bad thoughts!

I missed the part when my stalker decided to sit beside me on the couch; he watched me curiously for a moment before smirking; it was in a way very much as his father had done before. "So, what happened last night? I noticed you leave the room, and then it had been a long while till you returned."

I felt a bead of sweat forming to the side of my head.

Er...

"I got lost shortly after I left the room," I muttered; it was the first and absolutely lamest excuse I came up with. It's true; he was watching my every move. I can just feel it. But I don't know how I should feel about it though. Should I be confused? Should I be scared? Should I be comforted?

I noticed him scooting closer to me. "You could have asked me for help; I know you're injured." I noticed his beautiful blue eyes avert to my ugly cast. I'm glad that my new sensei didn't burn off the cast while he shot those glowing balls of light that exploded on contact against objects.

I scooted away from Trunks, just a bit, so I could be in a place where I found it to be more 'comfortable'. "I can handle myself just fine," I argue back as I turn my head away.

"Pan, you know there are some things you are incapable of at this moment," reasoned Trunks calmly as he scooted towards me.

Okay... he was only about a foot away from me, and I felt my personal space being violated. That's not a good sign.

And you know what else? He scooted closer to me!

My response? I 'leaped' back but not realizing that I didn't have any extra room to scoot to. So... I felt extremely stupid, for one, when I noticed my body would be slamming against the hard wooden floors of the coffee shop. I also realized that it would hurt a whole bunch.

Stupid me.

Strangely, I didn't feel my body collide with the cold hard ground; instead, I felt muscular arms and hands wrap around my small torso as it caught me. It was fortunate that I didn't get a few more bruises from this crazy display of getting away from my 'stalker'. It was unfortunate, however, when Trunks' hands grabbed tightly around my tender, bruised skin. It aggravated the skin greatly, and now I wince while hissing lightly.

It didn't go unnoticed.

I noticed Trunks quickly bring me to a sitting position on the couch, and he grabbed my bruised arms roughly. No one would have noticed them bruised thanks to the long sleeves... but the lack of knowledge them being there was shown when I winced. My arms were, after all, still very tender from last night.

And do you know what Trunks did?

He pulled my sleeves up trying to see what was making me 'wither' in pain.

Being I, I would usually love to see the reactions of the people when they noticed the injuries I received. Many times I enjoyed having the sympathy card played. Not this time however. I couldn't look at the reaction that Trunks gave when he examined my arms. All I knew was the air seemed to become just a bit more tense. I didn't like the feeling at all.

"Pan."

I shuttered at just my name being stated. I knew what was coming next...

I felt three bulky fingers grasp my chin.

That was actually something I wasn't expecting.

I couldn't help but let my eyelids flutter open; I still regret ever opening my eyes. My orbs were opened to gaze into the pupils of the man beside me. I still can't get over how beautiful they were! Yet, there was that concern which loomed over in his gaze. I felt even antsier than before.

"Why are your arms covered in bruises?"

I didn't want for him to know I was training. That would be the end of my life! I just knew this CEO would start to stalk me for 'safety purposes' if he found out that I was training with Vegeta. But I didn't understand it, why was it that I was worried about what one person would tell me? I know how to take care of myself!

But there is that option that my ever rich and hansom stalker would rat on me telling my father about my martial arts training...

Yet again...

A though entered my mind. Oh, how EVIL it was! I smirked as I looked up to the man before me. It would be absolutely perfect!

"I'll let you know the truth, but..."

Trunks raised an eyebrow at my crazy talk. Well... crazy talk is what he would call it. I was basically speaking nonsense. (Then again... maybe not) but other than that, I mentally crossed my fingers praying that my explanations and bribes would work.

"But...?" questioned Trunks as he eyed me suspiciously.

My smirk widened, "You can't let anyone else know of what I'm about to tell you."

I thought and hoped that my smirk would scare off this powerful president of Capsule Corps. My thinking was wrong; it just made him more curious.

"You're suggesting nonsense to someone who's old enough to be your father? What's next? Bribery?" he questioned as he scooted closer to me.

Actually... yeah... bribery it would have been... or something close to it. Can't think of a word for it this moment though.

"Well... if you do tell my dad I'll make sure to completely vanish from the city." Well... I guess that was the best I could do at this moment with threats. I shifted my eyes to his orbs once again, and I noticed the horror cross over them. Oh how wonderful it felt to know I had this power over him! How wonderful it was!

But the victory didn't last long...

Trunks just shook his head 'tsking', "Then I'll make sure to inform your father of that. I'm sure Gohan would keep a closer eye on you. I know your school is about to let out for summer."

I mentally snap my fingers.

Crap. How could he know?

Oh well...

"Do you seriously think my father can contain me in a stuff room for the remaining part of my life while he goes to work for hours on end?" I asked smartly.

I would LOVE to see what kind of excuse Trunks would come up with! I can already feel the sweet taste of victory!

A smirk graced the lips of the man as he shook his head in a knowing way. He knew something I didn't... and that made me angry to know.

"Don't try anything stupid," replied Trunks as he began putting my sleeves to my shirt back down over the numerous bruises, "Now that I know who you are, as do many of your father's friends, we can easily find you if you tend to run off."

I don't know how or why, but I felt my jaw drop from that crazy explanation. How can my father know where I run off? It's not like I have ever run away before! Or... is it something that Trunks isn't telling me? Does my father have some unknown radar that can track me down where ever I go? Do I have some kind of computer chip under my skin?

Oh gross! I'm not some pet needing an ID tag or a tracking chip!

I mentally snarled while a glare was placed on my eyes. "Fine!" I muttered angrily. I turn my eyes down before I speak, "I fell down the school stairs yesterday."

At a moment like this... that was the only thing that was able to come into my mind.

But he replied back, "You didn't have school yesterday."

And I mentally fall over anime style. Why did this guy have to be so SMART and SHARP? WHY? I just want to live my life the way I want it!

"Pan."

Now his voice was becoming stern. It was very much in a way, as my father would have stated it.

I don't dare look up.

"Pan. Look at me."

I keep my head away from him as to rebel against him.

"Pan."

Okay... either this guy is really stupid, or really ignorant.

I look down to my stuff on the table, and I begin reaching for it. The only thought that I have at this moment is leaving. I don't want to be around this person; he's really starting to become over protective. It reminds me too much of my father... as much as I hate to admit it.

As I shoved all my papers and folders in the bag, I reach out of the last textbook. I look down only to realize that it's gone.

I can feel the pupils of my irises grow larger as I look around for it.

Where is my book? I really need to turn it in tomorrow! I don't want to have to pay for this one hundred dollar book! I can feel panic rush into my system; how can it be here one second, then gone the next? HOW?

I averted my eyes to Trunks, and I notice a smirk on his lips as he holds up my schoolbook. Immediately my worry died to nothing... actually, it was replaced with anger. I really didn't think he should have been THAT mean! I need that book! I glare as I try and grab it.

It turns out that he thinks it's humorous to play 'keep away' with the book from me.

Oh... it's just making my blood boil. "Trunks. Give me my book."

Trunks glance over to the book before smirking while watching me with mischievous eyes. "I think I like this just fine. But if you really want the book..." His voice trailed off. I could read his mind. The only reason why he had that book was to keep me here so I would talk to him.

Hah!

Would his plan backfire on him tenfold!

Instead, I zipped up my bag and carefully placed it over my shoulders. Then in standing up I headed on my way over to the front door with out a word. I noticed the look of shock in Leslie, and happened to see Trunks' face when I reached the door of the shop. Oh how evil I was!

My smirk grew wider. "I'll just make sure to tell daddy that you stole my book."

And to take it a step further, I gave him a girly wave before running out the door at inhumanly speeds. I wanted to get as far away from this place as I could. I needed a place of refuge! I needed...

I looked up the road noticing Capsule Corps not far away. I smiled as I grasped the straps of my bag before speeding up my 'jog'.

The only thing I knew I needed at this moment was to get some training... and I knew my new sensei would help me get my mind off of this 'Trunks issue'.

At least... that is what I hoped.