Revised- 09-2017

Chapter 10: Win Me Back

It's been about three weeks since then, or nineteen days to be exact (but who's counting). I was back at work within that first week, catching up on the hours I missed. They say time is of the essence. Funny thing about that is during that first week after Goten's confession, I barely heard from him, even when I tried reaching out. It made no sense at all, like he was ignoring me. But what was more surprising was the fact that after being rejected, Trunks made the effort and reached out to me a couple days later. Time really was of the essence, wasn't it? He didn't bring up the conversation we had in his office that night, as did I, but he at least had the decency to check in and see if we were ok. Granted, it's usually unlikely of him to, but then again, he has been full of surprises lately.

Suddenly my phone beeped and I looked to see it was a message from Trunks saying he was nearby and wanted me to accompany him with something he didn't know much about... shopping. I didn't think much of it as I agreed and went to change out of my work clothes. Since that day, I didn't feel so anxious and nervous about meeting him anymore. I felt more at ease since he continued communication with me even after all that.

"Hey." He stood waiting by the passengers door in jeans and a white v-neck tshirt with red around the neck and sleeves. His muscles looking more prominent in the light shirt for some reason still managed to make me feel giddy inside. The man was beyond gorgeous, he always was. Yup, I was still crushing on him, that was still a fact.

"Hi." He smiled sweetly as he opened the car door for me.

"Hey," I said before giving him a hug and entering the car.

"So how was your day?" He asked once we started driving off.

"The usual. Yourself?"

"Same."

"So what are we shopping for?"

"I need you to help me pick something for my sister?"

"Oh her birthday is coming up isn't it?"

"Yeah, her 20th."

"Oh that's right! You know, she's really mature for her age."

"Yeah, I think it's my moms doing. My dad freaks out about that every time, although he'll never admit to it." We both laughed and I was glad things didn't feel awkward between us.

"So what are you getting her?"

"I was thinking an outfit, but her tastes go beyond mine, so..."

"So that's where I come in?"

"Something like that. You know her a lot better than I do. It was between that or maybe a new purse or phone? I haven't been back for her birthday since she was 15. And I'm sure her tastes have changed since then and so I just want to get her something good to celebrate her. What do you think?"

"Hmm, an outfit sounds nice. A purse would also be a nice touch to the outfit too... I'm just saying."

"Right..."

"So... how are you and Goten? Have you talked to him yet?" he asked hesitantly. The question itself surprised me.

"No."

"Really? Hn, neither have I."

"After last week, I don't think there's anything more to say to him."

"That's true." We left the conversation at that as there wasn't much else to add. I still didn't want to talk about it and I'm sure Trunks noticed.

We shopped for a little over an hour. Rummaging through a couple of Bra's favorite stores at the mall, but we still came out empty handed. The only issue seemed to be Trunks, who was just as picky as his sister. Every outfit was too short, too revealing, or some other excuse.

"You and Bra are one of a kind! So damn picky!" I was walking in front of him, making our way out of another clothing store with nothing to show for it. Trunks just laughed it off, nonchalantly placing his arm around my shoulders.

"It's called having taste Marron," he said as if it was a legit excuse.

"Ok, Trunks." I mocked.

"Alright, I promise, the next store I'll pick something." He squeezed my shoulder as I chuckled and shook my head.

"Sure you will!" I said sarcastically.

Suddenly the laughter stopped as I froze dead in my tracks. Just short of six feet from me were the familiar eyes of a dark hair saiyan that I haven't spoken to since he practically hit it and quit it. Goten was here, and he was not alone either. Standing beside him, with her arm linked around his, was the same brunette girl from before. I could feel my heart racing and my blood boiling.

"Oh hey guys!" He said feigning innocence. I felt Trunks squeeze my shoulder in empathy as a knot began to tighten in my stomach.

"Hey Goten. It's Paris, right?" Trunks answered then looked over to her.

"Yeah. It's nice to bump into you two again," she said with a bright smile, naive of the current situation.

"Goten, you didn't show up for our training session last week or the week before. I've been trying to get a hold of you. Where have you been?" Trunks asked, reverting the attention back to Goten.

"Oh, I was out training with my dad and had no service out there. Sorry." Like hell you were. Just then he turned his glance to me, giving me a pointed look.

"So are you guys shopping for anything in particular?" Paris asked, looking over at Trunks as Goten and I were practically staring each other down. I wanted to ask him all kinds of questions but this was not the time or place. I wasn't even sure if I had the right to. We never said we were exclusive, let alone have that discussion. Although, it didn't seem like we needed to. He was still dating her it seemed.

"My sister's birthday is coming up. So Marron is helping me find a present," Trunks said, squeezing my shoulder and pulling me closer to him, almost as if to make a point. "What about you two?"

"We were-"

"The same!" Goten interrupted, breaking his eye contact with me to look at Paris, "we have to get going though. I need to get home soon, I promised my dad I'd be back to help with some things a little after shopping."

Goten took a step forward, stopping next to Trunks.

"I'll come by tomorrow for a session. We can settle this then, sound good?" He said as if it were more of a statement than a question.

"I'll be waiting." I froze as his reply felt cold and flat. I could hear in both of their voices that tomorrow was probably not going to be a normal training session. Goten shot me another pointed look, I did the same and cocked my head. Both of us exchanging some sort of blame on the other person before he walked off.

The tension in my shoulders fell when I felt there was some distance between us and them. I looked over at Trunks, as he was still staring off in their direction, his eyes still glaring.

"Trunks?" I said, trying to pull his attention away.

"Let's go Marron, I'm not in a mood to shop all of a sudden." I studied his face. His jaw was squared and tense. There was an angered look in his eyes as he let go of me and began walking off, his steps heavier than usual.

On the drive home, the tension was heavy and unwarranted. We stayed silent and I could feel the anger emanating, more so from him than me. While I felt confused and angered about Paris being there, I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was also there with him as well.

"Did you want to come inside for a bit?" I asked him, feeling a little responsible about what happened earlier.

"I don't know Marron."

"Come on, we both need to cool off don't you think?" I suggested.

"Ok."

We got inside and headed over to the kitchen. He sat in one of the chairs at the table as I grabbed a couple of water bottles then passed one over to him when I took a seat across the table.

"Hey, I'm sorry about earlier," Trunks said, taking a sip of water.

"It's partially my fault too. Don't worry about it," I said, assuming he meant Goten.

"No, I mean, for taking such a long time to pick a present, only to come home empty handed."

"Oh, don't worry about that either. I couldn't really shopping after all that either."

We both sat in an awkward silence, thinking over what happened.

"Are you mad?" He finally asked, breaking the ice.

"What do you mean?" I wasn't sure if he was asking in regards to Goten or myself.

"That Goten was still with Paris."

I let out a frustrating sigh and thought before I answered, "yes, but no... I don't know anymore Trunks."

I began nervously ripping at the paper label of the water bottle. I didn't know what to make of it all.

"I don't understand. I thought you two were seeing each other?"

"I thought so too, until last week."

"The answer seems pretty clear to me Marron."

"I just don't understand why? What was the point in everything if he was still going to continue seeing her."

"That's just how he is. You know he's never taken any girl seriously."

He made a good point and it made me wonder if any of what he said that day was true or if it was all an act. Either way I felt used.

"Are you sure you even like him like that? Or was it because of what he said?"

"Yes... I think... or at least I thought I did," I stammered.

"You don't sound so sure. Do you or don't you?" He asked again.

"I like him Trunks, but it wasn't until recently that I started seeing him that way..."

"Hnn. So then I might not be too late after all."

"Too late? For what?"

"To win you back." The comment garnered a look of shock and confusion.

"Wait, what?"

"I mean, since you're so unsure about how you actually feel about him, then it might not be too late for us again."

"I..." Is this a dream? Was this really happening?

"Don't you think?"

"I don't know Trunks. But I don't want to choose between you two."

"Why not? Goten already has." I didn't know what else to say. He was right and I felt foolish.

"Marron..." Trunks placed both of his hands on mine. I looked up at him slowly. His eyes looking back at me in concern.

"I don't know, Trunks..." I said moving my hands from under his.

"Let me ask you, has it only been sex between you two?"

"No... I don't think so. I know it's more than that. I... I just need to talk to him Trunks."

"He lied to you Marron. I don't know what else you want from him. He used you and if he thinks you're just another one of-"

"Trunks!" I interrupted, placing my hands on his. I could tell he was getting more heated about the topic again and I didn't want him to say anything else about him that would make me sound more foolish if that was the case.

"Let's not talk about this anymore," I said with a forced grin, "thank you for being there for me, but I really just need to talk to him myself and figure it out ok?"

And with that, the night ended. Trunks gave me a kiss on the cheek as he said good night before he left. The rest of the night was spent over thinking everything about Goten... again.