Raindrops

Chapter 12: Bad Idea

A/N: I've been listening to too much She Loves Me. This chapter is again Marron focused, I wish to introduce all the dilemmas with our trios before the real problems settle. Did I mention this was a long fic ;o

Marron sat wrapped in a cocoon on her bed staring dejectedly out her window at the downpour of rain cast over West City. Watching the gentle droplets race down the glass window pane. It's been a week since she had gone out to spend some time with Trunks in the most peculiar of ways, recreating a childhood memory, however, the blonde couldn't bring herself out of the slump she'd been sent to. Marron wasn't the type to wallow in her own sadness for too long, but the subject of her estranged boyfriend was a subject she rather not talk about. It was an event that must remain in the past, but since her recent reencounter with the man, the blonde couldn't help but feel her stomach flipping about in anxiety.

A sigh escaped her lips as she lay on the bed in a fetal position to comfort her saddened self. how could she allow one person to cause all of this? It wasn't fair to her and her wellbeing. She laid her feet outstretched on a bed with no bed sheets, pink swollen lids from incessant crying yet again. She heard a knock on her door and snatched her tissue box, and under her ginormous comforter dragged her soulless self to the door to find herself face-to-face with a smiling lavender-haired hybrid. A plastic bag in his hand. Marron stared disheartened at the bag and back up over to him.

Perfect timing, Marron thought, less than enthused, just what I needed.

"A girl named Valese called me," Trunks began, "she uh...told me to come up here and check on you."

Marron cursed her brunette friend, she could almost picture the many ways she'd slaughter her once she saw her again. "Mar," Trunks interrupted the blonde's train of thought. "Are you okay?"

She picked her head up and wrapped herself around her blanket tighter, forcing a grin on her puffy face. "Me? Doin' better than ever!" Marron lied with a faux-grin "Why are you asking?"

She seemed exhausted.

Trunks examined her trying to decipher the strange expression plastered all over her face, this is not the blissful Marron he knows. "You don't look it," Trunks stated, squeezing between her and the doorway. "Seriously, is there something I gotta do?"

Marron huffed, rubbing her eyes to adjust her own tear-blurred vision before slumping down on her couch. "Trunks, the best thing you can do for me right now is to just go," she insisted. "And Valese has to keep her nose out of people's business," Marron continued before turning her cheek to the Saiyan.

Trunks watched her as he set the plastic bag on the counter and walked over to the couch. Refusing to heed her orders, he sat beside her. "I can't do that, Mar," Trunks stated causing her to turn around, "I mean...I'm worried." He recovered, unsure of how to deal with the emotionally turbulent side of Marron. He had never been good at being compassionate nor empathetic, and this sorry attempt at helping a friend who has been there for him was difficult. Sure taking her out to relive some childhood memories would work in theory... but, the blonde had something far more serious than daily stresses on her mind. In truth, Valese had called Trunks through the intercom to tell him she wasn't able to come help Marron. Trunks took that as a cue to know his friend was unwell.

"Trunks..." Marron groaned sinking into the white sofa, "taking me to the reserve helped...but this...this is far bigger than a simple reliving of happy memories," Marron said woefully glancing into his worried pools of dark blue. She felt the heated rush of a blush creep on her cheeks and ears, embarrassed she'd been caught in such a vulnerable state, yet again. "It's too personal..."

The hybrid stood up from the sofa. Unsure if he wanted to embrace the blonde or leave her be. He chose the latter, giving her a sad smile. "Just remember," Trunks began backing up to the door, "you can always go up and talk to me if you need to." With his statement, the demi-Saiyan shut the door to her apartment with his heart thumping out of his chest. What was that? Trunks thought, panicking from the prospect of offering help to someone, when he doesn't know how to deal with his own emotional dilemmas, having been stifling them into his subconscious for years. Maybe she wouldn't come for advice...

He continued to ruminate on the idea of his own emotional stability, given how volatile his relationships with his friends and family have been in the past few weeks...it seems as though Trunks has been withering away every vital connection he has and slowly but surely destroying himself in the process. Losing Marron as a friend would surely spiral him into a fit of depression, but then...was he a good friend or simply selfish? The internal conflict raged on as he headed towards the penthouse.

Marron sat alone on the couch, with a thick, burdensome silence hanging over her as she dejectedly checked her cellphone - not a sound but own sniffles filling the air as she glared at the contact name: DO NOT ANSWER.

She knew perfectly well who it was. She knew clearly calling him was wrong.

Marron placed her phone down, shaking her head vigorously. It's a terrible idea to call him, after what a simple "hello" caused her to do. Marron glanced at the plastic bag Trunks left on the table and quickly peeked inside curiously only to find a pint of strawberry ice cream with a plastic spoon sitting inside. "Ice cream?" Marron asked incredulously, "he brought me ice cream?"

Marron sighed as she cracked open the pint, digging the plastic spoon into the cold dessert. Savoring every spoonful with a thankful growl from her stomach. She smiled, wishing she didn't push away the hybrid so quickly, but her own walls told her to do so, though now she truly wished she had someone to confess her secrets to. It's nice to have something akin to that for a change. Marron contemplated going to his apartment right there, it hadn't been a mere thirty minutes but she knew keeping this locked in her chest wasn't healthy.

As she was about to get up she received a text from DO NOT ANSWER. The peril in her cerulean eyes spoke for themselves as she read the text slowly.

'Hey Marron, I saw you at the mall...I just wanna talk.'

She could feel the anger rise from within the innards of her chest as she threw her phone against the couch in a most violent manner. All she wanted was the silence of her own self, and not be reminded of the man who has messed and violated her final teen years. Unbeknownst to Marron, her flare of anger also flared her ki causing Trunks to concerningly watch for any new ki signatures that were abnormally powerful. Marron took note of the second notification:

'Still hangin' around Kame House?'

"Why won't he leave me alone," Marron muttered silently, deciding to turn off her cellphone before losing any more of her own sanity.

Another call.

It was Trunks.

"Mar, please," Trunks began,, "please, can you just listen to me for a second?" He begged.

"Leave me alone," she attempted to croak out in response before abruptly hanging up on the Saiyan.

Trunks groaned frustratedly, realizing that his efforts to help the blonde were heading absolutely nowhere. There'd been many attempts made by the hybrid but how would he help when all she'd do was push him away? He glared at the empty kitchen and thinking of whether it was wise to question her family and friends. Would it be considered prying? Or even creepy? Trunks cared deeply about his rekindled friendship with Marron, but they have only been around each other for a month and a half, maybe this is more important.

'Perhaps,' he thought, 'it's time I pay Kame House a visit.'

Coming up with his own conclusion, Trunks unhinged the window and took off into the cloudy sky, spiraling through stormy clouds and traversing lightning bolts to arrive at the rickety pink house. It remained in the same state he remembered it, the same creaky white steps and overgrown grass with sand overtaking the majority of the sand bar. He landed gently to find Lazuli and Krillin sitting on the porch, sipping on some orange tropical juice. Trunks timidly walked up to the creaky staircase, clad in a now wet suit. "What brings you around these parts, Trunks?" Krillin greeted warmly as he got off his chair, his mustache barely covering his top lip as he grinned.

"Haven't been here in almost ten years, thought I was overdue for a visit," Trunks stated, leaning against the handrailing attempting to avoid Lazuli's intense gaze. She was suspicious of the hybrid, and she had every right to be. Trunks' unceasing teasing of his daughter led her to believe the boy was up to no good. Evidently, by his avoidant glances, she took it as her cue to believe he has done something.

"Well, if you're lookin' for Marron, she moved to West City," Krillin stated with pride laced in his voice, "that Marron sure is growin' fast...maybe you've seen her-"

Trunks quickly interrupted the shorter man. "She actually lives in the same building," Trunks stated sheepishly, "I see her all the time."

Krillin chuckled, leaning back on his seat. "Ah, jeez, well that's pretty relieving to hear," Krillin continued, "thought she was all alone over there."

The demi-Saiyan smiled awkwardly, unsure of how to bring up the subject he actually wanted to talk about. But somehow, Lazuli could analyze the apprehensive way Trunks seemingly carried himself. "Is it Marron?" Lazuli interjected before the hybrid could open his mouth, snatching the demi-Saiyan by the collar. "You didn't do anything to her right!"

Trunks stumbled on his own words attempting to relax the mother bear Lazuli has morphed into. "I didn't do anything to Marron I-I honestly don't know what's wrong with her..."

Krillin quirked a brow, not entirely sure what erupted the sudden tension. "Woah, Woah," Krillin coaxed the tense Lazuli, "Hon, don't jump to conclusions so quickly, what's gotten into you!"

Lazuli shot her icy daggers towards Trunks. "Oh please," she scoffed, "you mean to tell me he hasn't been bothering our daughter, yet again." Her tone was acerbic, Trunks understood the amnesty that stood between his father and Marron's mother still coursed with fervor...and perhaps he noticed the behavior around him and felt influenced to tease the young Marron...but he was eight! How would he know any better?

"Look," Trunks stated calmly, "Marron and I are friends-" Lazuli scoffed at his statement causing him to turn his attention to the defensive mother one more time. "She's seemed pretty upset this past week over some guy and I want to help or...at least understand?" Trunks offered, slumping down on the wooden pole. "I-I'm not good at this sorta thing, alright?"

Lazuli pinched the bridge of her nose. She knew all too well what occurred, and truly the woman wished this situation never reared its ugly head again. The upset expression plagued both parents and it spoke volumes to the hybrid "Cash...has been following Marron around for some time," she began, "part of the reason Marron moved away is to keep from him finding her again."

Trunks quirked a brow, glancing at both of the parents. "So? Then what, she has some stalker?" Trunks almost chuckled at the prospect, "Marron's pretty tough, I'm sure she can beat him up...no doubt about it," he stated confidently.

"Clearly, you don't know about the situation," Roshi interrupted. His entrance frightened the hybrid who didn't expect the old man to step out and join the conversation. He wobbled his cane as he adjusted himself on the steps of the home. "I suggest you sit down," Roshi stated garnering distasteful glances from Lazuli and Krillin.

Lazuli quickly butted in, holding a hand out to Trunks' face. "Now hold on just a second, we can't just tell him!" She exclaimed. "We don't know if Marron even wants this story out there!"

Krillin sighed calming his wife down and beckoning the hybrid to sit down. "Look you seem very concerned about her wellbeing, which is nice," Krillin began, "our daughter doesn't have many friends outside of you and Goten, from childhood that is," he continued. A chuckle escaped his lips, he never expected Trunks to ever give a crap about his daughter, but with the helpless way he seemed to carry himself...Krillin could only assume Vegeta's child has undergone some serious changes since he last remembered him...almost as if he became entirely new.

The blonde stood at the entrance of the same corner store Trunks had taken her nearly a month and a half ago, she watched the flickering lights bring to light the older man who came down the sidewalk. His taller stature and swept brown hair told her everything she needed to know. He came, and Marron had to swallow her fears and finally stand up to him. Her crystalline blue eyes glowed with intense hatred and fear at the sinister pair of emerald ones which glared before her.

In the biting fall wind, Marron could feel her cheeks grow numb, as she tried to keep her intimidating expression. Although she knew she outclassed him in strength, she understood she could never hurt anyone...including him. The blonde wrapped her body tighter in her black trench coat watching as the blue and green lights reflected off the sharp edges of the older gentlemen's feature.

"Ms. Chestnut, how lovely to see you again," the gentle voice rumbled, "have you missed me, darling?"

Marron scoffed, tightening her grip on her own waist. "Cut the crap, Cash."

He blinked, shocked from her vulgar word choice and folded his arms over his chest. Purposefully, he leaned over the blonde with a mischievous smirk. "Alright, someone's angry," he chuckled and leaned against the picture window of the corner store. "I gotta applaud you, running out that sand pit made you more confident."

Marron grit her teeth, attempting her best to not lash out at the man. "Why are you following me, wasn't it enough when I was in high school?" Marron bit out, she began to feel the seeping inkling of regret creep into her chest because of her foolish idea of calling him.

Cash stepped closer causing the blonde to take a defensive step back. He outstretched an arm, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with a gentle smile. "You were so sweet when you sat in class and just asked me questions, I don't understand."

Marron slapped the offending hand away, anger permeating through her expression as she stepped closer to the man. "You are sick," Marron sneered out. "I was sixteen," she continued, "just be grateful no young girl can have you preying upon them anymore."

Cash bit the inside of his cheek. "Listen here, bitch-"

Marron scoffed, "there it is, I was waiting for that!"

The man rolled his eyes, regaining his calm composure. "And here we go with the hysterics!" He exclaimed, "jeez, I didn't violate you," he stated defensively. Now, leaning closer to the angered blonde. "Your twenty, I'm thirty- this isn't like before."

Marron could practically feel the bile rising up her throat at the lecherous way the man stated his words. "You know...you're right," Marron began, pressing her nose against his sharp one, "things aren't like before." This is a bad idea, Marron thought. But before her thoughts could truly cement she felt her next statement fly out of her mouth...a bold-faced lie she pulled from thin air.

"My boyfriend is waiting for me," Marron sneered, "and he won't like some sleaze who lost his teaching license talking to me."

Feeling confident with her closing statement, the blonde whipped her head back and turned back to walk towards her apartment. "Oh, and Cash," Marron began, turning her head sweetly, "if you follow me home, I will not hesitate to call the police." She quickly ran from the scene leaving an angered Cash to stand stupefied at the fury of an enraged Marron. The short woman practically hyperventilating as she shot into the night sky. In part, to assure Cash wouldn't follow her home.

She has got to stop hanging around Trunks. It seems like her every social interaction is planned with some sort of escape involving her own powers. Marron is not the kind to soar about, but here she was feeling freer than she has in years...despite possibly jeopardizing herself under the fact that she has no boyfriend. She landed on the rooftop of her complex gently as she wore booted heels she truly didn't want to snap.

"Fuck!" Marron exclaimed now that she was out of Cash's sight. "What am I gonna do?" She moaned, pressing her palm to her forehead.

She could ask Trunks, but with the number of issues he seems to be going through, the blonde knew better than to ask either him or Goten. Maybe Cash would take her lie and actually believe it, she never remembered him being intelligent...she can't imagine in four years his disgusting attitude has changed. All she knew was she has placed herself in a bad situation.

A/N: I actually like this chapter a LOT more than the last chapter, I had it pre-written for some time since I did go on a writing spree over spring break ;p