A Bet Worth Losing (Chapter Two – An Accident On The Streets)

*

Videl stood patiently as she rang the doorbell, waiting for someone to answer it. She shrugged a few times before Chichi finally swung the door open, welcoming her in. Videl smiled gratefully and stepped in.

"Hi Videl, how are you doing?"

"Just fine, thanks, and you?"

"Fine. If you're looking for Gohan, he's upstairs, still sleeping."

Videl blinked. "He's still sleeping? Would you mind if I-"

"Of course not. Go right on ahead."

"Thanks. Oh, and before I go, can I please have a large cup of iced water?"

Chichi stared at Videl for a moment before complying with her request. "Jeez, Videl. Iced water in this kind of weather? Look at you – you're covered up in so many sweaters and jackets... oh! You look so cute with that little blue hat on. Are you sure you want this? How about a super large cup of hot chocolate?"

Videl shook her head, smiling. "No, it's fine, and thanks."

Chichi shrugged, handing her the cup of iced water. Videl thanked her once again before heading up the stairs.

Slowly creaking the door open, Videl peeked inside to see Gohan sprawled all over his bed. She grinned playfully and padded in softly, looking at the cup of water in her hands. This is going to be great... She bent down to his size, staring at his face for a moment, wondering why there was a smirk-like smile on his face. Her eyes roamed across his face, until they reached his lips.

Poke.

Videl whipped her head around and looked down, glaring at the small-sized playful semi-saiyan.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!" Goten greeted happily, grinning from head to toe.

Videl laughed a bit, ruffling his hair. "Calm down, Goten. You're going to wake your brother up."

"I was going to do that... but then I saw you in here. Um... why do you have that huge cup of water in your hand?"

"Oh, this? It's a surprise for your brother when he wakes up..."

"Wow! Cool!"

"...Yeah. Listen, I think I hear your mother calling you... go on now, Goten, she needs you."

"Okay." He nodded and dashed out the room.

Videl turned her attention back to Gohan, who was still dead asleep on his bed. She sat down beside his bed and pulled back a few of his bangs that fell over his eyes. She brushed her fingertips lightly across his cheek and then had the sudden urge to kiss him when she reached his lips.

He looks so peaceful... I wonder what he's dreaming about.

Unconsciously, her head bent down, and before she knew it, she found her lips brushing up against his'. Even though it was the barest touch, she began to blush furiously, and stood up from his bed, ready to leave.

Until something caught her wrist.

Her eyes widened as she found herself pinned against the wall, with both of her wrists up above her head.

Oh my god... h-he caught me... what am I supposed to do now?

"What are you doing here, Videl?" Gohan asked, staring at her skeptically.

She tried her best to remain calm. "I told you that I'd be here by 10... and well, here I am. Okay, can you let go now? I can't feel my arms anymore."

Gohan scratched his head, and gave her a goofy smile. "Oh yeah... that's right. Was that large cup of cold water that landed on my bed my surprise?"

"...Yeah."

"Thanks," he snorted. "At least I woke up in time... it's exactly 10."

She stared at him. "You didn't feel... um... you weren't awake when... uh... I-"

"Kissed me?" he finished for her, smirking. "Oh, yes, of course."

She glared at him. How could he say that as if it was nothing?! Her eyes clouded suddenly. Maybe it's because he doesn't feel the same way... it must be. She looked up at him. Or, the other part of her mind told her. Or maybe he's just being mean because he's lacking sleep. After all, he probably didn't get enough sleep today... he's always cranky when he doesn't get his rest... "I have to go."

"Woah," he said as he caught onto her wrist again, pulling her back to his bare chest. "I'm sorry I said that so rudely. How about we just put that aside and go for what we had planned today?"

Her face was so red now that she felt as if she was going to explode if he didn't release her at that moment. "O-okay."

He smiled down at her as he released her. "Okay, I'm going to change... you can go downstairs and wait for me. I won't take long."

*

"D-damn! It's s-so c-cold!"

"Well, Videl, it is Winter. I'm guessing it should be like this... except snow would be nice. We have about a week and a half until Christmas is here... come to think of it, I still haven't done any Christmas shopping, have you?"

"Nope."

"Gyah... it's getting cold."

She stared at him as if he was nuts. "It's GETTING cold?! It's BEEN cold! Look at my fingers, Gohan! They're practically icicles that are about to FALL off!"

"Here," he said considerately, grabbing her hands. "I'll warm them up for you." He laid both of his hands on top of hers and started to rub against them, causing friction to arise.

She stared at him, dumbfounded. "Thanks..."

"No problem."

"OH! GOHAN!"

Both turned their heads to the source of the ear-piercing voice, and found Angela waving to them from across the street. They both faked a smile and waved back.

"Oh, Gohan! Videl! It's nice seeing... ahem..." She stared at their linked hands, and quickly looked at the both of them curiously, raising an eyebrow in annoyance.

Videl was the first to notice and pulled away, blushing faintly. Gohan glanced at Videl once before getting the message.

"Anyway," Angela continued, smiling cutely up at Gohan. "You have to come shopping with me tomorrow! We have to find you a tux for the Winter dance! It's going to be the best!"

"Well, um, I'd like to, but-" Before he could finish, Angela was tearing up.

"Don't cry, Angela," Videl comforted, patting her on the back. "Don't worry, Gohan will be there with you tomorrow."

"I will?"

Videl eyed him. "Yes, you will."

"Really? Wow! Thanks, Videl! Gohan, pick me up at 11 tomorrow at my house! See you then! Love you!" And with that, she left.

Gohan turned to Videl, staring at her. "That was nice of you. So we're not doing anything tomorrow?"

"Doesn't look like it. Have fun finding a tux."

"I thought you didn't like Angela..."

She sighed. "I don't... but she really gets on my nerves when she starts to cry. And if I didn't agree for you, she would've followed us around all day long... we don't want that, now do we?"

"I suppose not."

"Thought so. But anyway, what should we do now?"

"Food," Gohan immediately answered. "I didn't have breakfast this morning, remember?"

"Oh, that's right. Okay, lets go eat."

*

"Hurry up, Gohan! Get out of there!"

"I'm trying, Videl. But I'm being bashed over the head by people with their fruits and vegetables!"

Videl shook her head, and grabbed his arm, yanking him out of there. We can't even go to the market in peace! Jeez!

"THANK YOU!" Gohan growled, brushing out all the bits and pieces in his hair.

"What'd you do to those poor people?"

"ME? I was the one who was bashed over the head!"

"Well you must've done something to cause that uproar..."

"I did NOTHING!"

Videl sighed, turning the other way. "Whatever you say."

"Hey," Gohan scowled as he stomped his way next to her. "I did nothing to those people. I mean, why the hell would I want to and what the hell could I even do?"

"Stop being so grumpy, Gohan. I was just kidding. Chill out."

"I smell like a fruitcake now."

Videl glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You know, I've never seen you so easily pissed off. So why are you getting all worked up over this?"

"I can't help it! I've just been bashed at in a market, and look at this damn sidewalk! We're being push off into the freaking streets!"

"You need to calm down. Come on, lets go s-"

"Videl, Gohan," a voice greeted from behind them. "It's nice to see you two... together again."

Gohan immediately let out a growl, and Videl turned around, giving the interrupter an awkward smile.

"Nice to see you again too, Sharpener," Videl replied as she scooted closer to Gohan. "We're sort of in a tight schedule, so we gotta ge-"

"DON'T touch me," Gohan suddenly sneered, glaring at Sharpener. Videl flinched away, and Gohan yanked her back, pulling her to his side. "I wasn't talking to you, Videl."

"I see someone's trying to act tough now," Sharpener laughed bitterly, pushing Gohan back. "If you wanna fight me, come on, lets go!"

Before Videl could blink, a brawl had already broke forth, and Videl jumped in, pulling Gohan back.

"Gohan, please stop. Lets go. Sharpener, stop. Gohan! You guys, STOP!"

Unfortunately, before she could say anymore, two hands had pushed her away into the streets.

And it was then that she saw nothing but darkness.

*

Onto chapter three. à