Chapter 10

After everything calmed down, time seemed to fly by again. Soon they were nearing their winter break and looking forward to the time off of school. Erasa made sure her three friends knew that just because they weren't going to school for two weeks didn't mean she didn't want to see them every day during that time. She expected them all to spend as much time as they could with one another. Erasa wasn't alone in wanting to see certain classmates over the break though.

There were a growing number of students, mostly comprised of girls, that were becoming emboldened by the fact that Gohan hadn't shown any obvious romantic interest in either Videl or Erasa. Those girls were making their own plans for seeing their newest classmate during the winter break. As far as the socially conscious students were concerned, when Gohan had first joined the group, it was a foregone conclusion that he would end up with Erasa. When that didn't happen they assumed it was because Videl wanted him and told Erasa to back off.

As time passed, and it became obvious that Gohan and Videl weren't together, girls began to openly flirt with Gohan at every opportunity. Of course, when Videl did eventually show up by his side, they all scattered like birds fleeing from a cat. It seemed to them that, while Videl didn't want him, she didn't want anyone else to have him either. They felt it was a crime against nature to do to someone so perfect.

Of course, they didn't know anything about him other than the fact that they thought he was "dreamy" and that he was smart. Basically, they were just shallow teenagers who fell in and out of what they considered love on a daily basis.

"Do you mind? None of us will be able to eat with a dick infested man mattress around us!" Videl screamed at a particularly bold red headed girl, as she, Erasa and Sharpner approached their lunch spot. The girl had chosen her moment and waited for Gohan to head over to the spot under the tree, while the other three went to get their lunches. She was trying to flirt with Gohan in a subtle way, not realizing Gohan wouldn't understand.

Erasa always kept Videl informed of the latest school gossip, even if she didn't want to hear it. Videl had heard all about how this girl had slept with every guy she could find who would give her the time of day. It made her blood boil to see that girl flirt with Gohan. 'What makes her think she can go after Gohan like he's just another mindless lemming? That she can treat him like a travel toothbrush she can just use only to throw him away in a few days when she's done!'

The girl gave Videl a glare of intense hatred. She walked off with her back ridged but turned back and playfully added, "See you around Gohan. Call me if you want to get together sometime!"

Gohan looked back and forth between his friends and the girl who was walking away now. He still didn't understand teenage social interactions well and had no idea what had just happened.

As they sat down Erasa turned to Videl and slowly said, "Dick infested man mattress?"

Sharpner couldn't stop himself and started laughing so hard his eyes began to water. Videl ignored him. Even though her angry eyes were on Gohan, she responded to Erasa's question. "You know what she's like! You were the one who told me about it! I don't want to have my food around someone like that. Some disease will probably jump off of her and onto my food!"

Gohan's eyes went wide with concern and he crouched down low over his food as if to protect it. Erasa noticed out of the corner of her eye and started laughing at the concerned look on his face. Videl allowed herself a smile knowing he was afraid something would possibly infect any food, let alone his.

They had eaten lunch with him every school day. The first time they actually were able to get to him before he started eating, they were horrified, disgusted, alarmed, intrigued and even a little envious by the way he ate and the amount he ate. How could someone eat like that and stay so fit? By the middle of the second week, they had gotten used to it and just chalked it up to him being him.

There were a lot of things like that with Gohan. The more time they spent with him the more they had learned that Gohan was a very different kind of person from anyone they had ever met. He ate a ton and ate it so fast a normal person would choke. He was a prince. He knew, spent time with or was related to some of the most famous people on the planet including his grandfather the Ox King, the entire Briefs' family and Yamcha, the MLB MVP for three years running. Recently they had learned that he had some kind of a connection to the one and only Turtle Hermit himself: the great and powerful Master Roshi.

On top of the surface things they had learned about him, they began to learn more about his less discernible qualities. He was one of the kindest, sweetest, most honorable men any of them had ever met. Yet he was humble; not once did they ever see him lord anything about himself, no matter what it was, over another person. He was chivalrous, but not sexist or chauvinistic.

After the second day of school, when she saw how muscular he actually was, Videl had watched Gohan closer, expecting to see him move the way a meat headed body builder would; with clunky, jerky movements and steps. She quickly noticed that he was so graceful and smooth in his movements that it was a bit unsettling.

They learned that, because he didn't want any additional attention on himself, he down played his physical abilities as much as possible, especially in Gym class. It was never more obvious than after the incident with Jonathan's group. That day they also found out two more things about him. First, his muscles weren't just for show; he knew how to use them very well. And second, you never want to mess with the ones Gohan cares about. It also showed them that they were people he cared about.

Finally, they learned that while he was incredibly intelligent, because he had always been so sheltered, he was very naive. That was especially true when it came to women his own age.

"You do realize she was hitting on you right?" Videl said more annoyed than she should have been.

"What do you mean? She was just asking about classes and homework." He looked genuinely confused by Videl's allegation.

"Really Gohan, it's been almost three and a half months. How can you not have figured this out by now?" Erasa chided. She was slowly giving up hope that Gohan would ever see her in a romantic way because of his naiveté.

"Aw lay off of him girls. Maybe he knew what she was doing and he wanted it. She's not bad looking ya know?" Sharpner defended which instantly earned him an angry glare from both Videl and Erasa.

Gohan jumped back while still sitting with his legs crossed. He nervously threw his hands in front of him and said, "What are you talking about? I didn't want to be hit on by her. You're crazy Sharpner!"

Videl eyed him while he nervously rubbed the back of his head and neck. 'Why does he look so nervous? Did he want her flirting with him?' This thought made her even angrier for some reason.

Of course Erasa's need for gossip overpowered her annoyance that Gohan might be interested in the red head, whose name was Angela. "You seem awful nervous there, mister. Could it be that you did want to Angela hitting on you?"

"Why do you guys keep saying that? I didn't know she was hitting on me and I wouldn't want her to either. If I had known, I would have stopped her. I have no desire to lead her or anyone else on." Gohan was getting a little annoyed by their insistence that he was interested in that girl.

"OK fine. But I have a feeling she won't be the last girl to hit on you. If you really don't want them hitting on you, you need to let them know now." Erasa said in a helpful way.

"What do I tell them? Even though I'm not interested in them, I don't want to hurt their feelings." Gohan asked nervously.

"Tell them you are already with someone. Most of them will back off." Sharpner suggested.

"But I'm not dating anyone. I don't want to lie to them either."

"Just tell them you aren't interested in dating or being involved with anyone right now. Tell them you are just concentrating on studying or something. They'll believe you, cause let's face it, you're a nerd." Videl said with a smirk, knowing he wasn't as nerdy as he made himself out to be. She couldn't resist getting that shot in.

"Yeah. I guess that'll work. Thanks Videl!" An infectious smile spread across Gohan's face as he missed Videl's slight entirely. She nearly responded to his enthusiastic smile with one of her own but beat that back. "I'll be right back. I need to run to the bathroom."

As soon as he was out of ear shot, Erasa leaned over to her best friend and said, "So Videl..."

"What?"

"You know exactly what. Why do you care so much that girls are hitting on Gohan?" Erasa's voice was thick with implications.

"I don't! I didn't want to have to eat around her and he shouldn't be leading girls on unless he is interested."

Erasa gave her a smug, knowing look.

"Well maybe I do care a little bit. But only because he is a part of our group now and I wouldn't want that messed up because he has to go and date some floozy!"

"Sure Videl. Don't worry; your secret is safe with me."

"What secret?" She practically shouted. She was going to deny Erasa's implication until her last breath. "Besides I thought you liked him?"

"That doesn't mean you can't be interested in him too."

"Erasa we all know that Videl isn't interested in Gohan. Besides that, even if she was, Gohan would have to beat her dad. So don't get his hopes up. I like Gohan. He's a good guy. You shouldn't do that to him." Sharpner jumped in.

Videl didn't say anything, but for some reason she wanted to defend Gohan and tell Sharpner that it wasn't that far-fetched for her to like Gohan. But then she realized what that would sound like, so she just kept it to herself. This conversation was bothering her a lot.

Gohan came back and they sat around eating through their lunches and in their braver moments, grabbing something of Gohan's lunch. They knew they couldn't get away with stealing too much unless they wanted to lose a finger. But they also knew that no one cooked like Gohan's mom. In one of his more generous moments, Gohan had shared some of his lunch with them and they had been addicted ever since.

They sat together in a loose circle with Gohan against the tree and Erasa sitting very close by his side. After they were done with lunch they sat around talking together. Erasa wrapped her arms around Gohan's arm before asking, "So Gohan. What are you up to over winter break? Doing anything fun?"

"Not really. I suppose I'll do some training but other than that I don't have much going on. And I'm sure I'll see you guys too right?"

"Not me. My family and I are going skiing over vacation." Sharpner informed them.

"Sounds like fun. My dad is going to be out of town so I am going to be bored out of my mind. Unless of course Erasa comes over and rescues me." Videl said with a slight pout on her face.

"Of course! My parents won't care if I spend vacation over your house. Now we just need to figure out a way for us to see Gohan." Erasa said squeezing his arm tighter. Videl made a face as they all listened to Erasa prattle on, listing different methods they could get together until the lunch period ended.

The last week before winter break had finally arrived. Gohan noticed that since Videl had told off Angela during lunch, Videl seemed angry with him for some reason. She even seemed resentful of him. Not knowing what he might have done wrong, and not wanting to anger her further, Gohan walked on egg shells around her until she could get over whatever it was that was bothering her.

After P.E. ended on the last day of school the group said their goodbyes near their lockers. Sharpner gave Erasa a quick hug and, sensing Videl's hostility, gave Videl a gentle bump with his fist. He really would have preferred a hug, but even on a good day that would have resulted in her punching him.

Gohan was wrapped in a tight embrace from Erasa and she forced him to promise her that they would hang out over vacation while she held him tightly. Looking down at her bright blue eyes Gohan swore to her. "Just name the time and date and I will be there Erasa. There isn't anything that could stop me from seeing the both of you over vacation."

Erasa squealed and jumped back clapping her hands. "Thanks Gohan!"

"OK. Come on Erasa. Let's get back to my house. My dad wants to say goodbye to me before he leaves. Bye Sharpner." Videl said pulling her friend away and walking briskly.

"Bye Videl!" Gohan half shouted since they had already gotten so far.

Sharpner and Gohan watched the girls leave for a second before Sharpner said, "That was weird. What'd you do to Videl that she's so pissed off with you?"

"I have no clue. I wish she'd tell me. There really is no figuring her out is there?"

"Nope. I've been trying since we were kids and I still get hit on a regular basis."

"Well you do kind of bring that on yourself by hitting on her though right?" Gohan said with a chuckle.

"Just you wait. She'll come around to my side one of these days. Anyway, I gotta head home. Have a good vacation Nerdboy." Sharpner said giving Gohan a bro hug.

"Thanks. You too Sharpner. Have fun skiing." Even though it irked him in the beginning, he had grown fond of Sharpner's nickname for him. 'Now what should I do. I am a little hungry. I let everyone eat too much of my lunch today. Maybe I should stop and grab some food on my way home. Fast food places are used to gluttons, my order shouldn't be that abnormal for them.' And with that he headed off to the nearest fast food burger place.