Disclaimer: I don't own this, but you already knew that by now.
A/N: You guys overwhelm me with reviews! I don't even know what to say. Thank you so much, I feel so special. Well, here it is, the next chapter. Oh, and just incase you haven't figured it out: -Text- = thoughts. And "Text" =dialogue. Cause if you didn't know that -these are thoughts- this chapter might be a tad bit confusing….Oh, and please don't hate me for the way this ends. -crosses fingers- I would have updated this yesterday but, finals, you know? ;) anyway, here you go:
Simple mistakes and Goodbyes
"Oh, come on Trunks, don't tell me you're modest now." Pan teased, holding the phone closer to her ear. She had been talking to Trunks and the subject of relationships popped up. He wanted to hear about the creeps she'd gone out with but she changed the subject on him. Narissa had been on her mind since he admitted he'd had a serious girlfriend.
"I'm not modest, I just don't like to talk about it." He protested. Pan pouted, even though he couldn't see her.
"You won't even tell me about it? Me?" She whined.
"Especially not you." He nearly whispered it but she heard him anyway.
"What?" She asked, taken back, her playful mood suddenly darkened.
"I mean, you just...seem to be the only one who still sees me as someone with at least a little common sense. I would hate to spoil that image by telling you about it." He stammered but recovered quickly. He didn't want her to know how stupid he'd been in that relationship. Not Pan, especially not Pan.
"It was that bad?" She lifted her eyebrows. "Now you have to tell me. Did she hurt you? Cause that's what it sounds like." Trunks could hear the protective tone in Pan's voice, he thought it was sweet. He laughed softly.
"Dating her was a mistake, that's all." He tried to make it clear that he didn't want to talk about the subject anymore, but she wasn't giving up.
"There's more to it than that." Pan prodded, not believing him.
"It was just a simple mistake." He shrugged his shoulders, but she wasn't aware of it through the phone.
"So what. Did she leave you, did you leave her? What am I asking, of course you left her. Who would be crazy enough to leave you?" She blushed almost immediately after the words tumbled from her mouth. She hopped he wouldn't take that to mean...well what it had meant. She would be too embarrassed if he brought it up.
"Yeah, I left her. But I wouldn't have if she'd really cared for me."
"You mean you actually found someone that wasn't interested in you, Trunks? I don't believe you." Pan was shaking her head and he could almost see her doing it from the tone of voice she was taking with him.
"It's true though. I was...well, I thought I was in love with her. But," He paused as Pan's heart sunk into her stomach. She took a deep breath of air and swallowed hard, she hadn't been prepared for him to tell her that. Why should she care so much? -The way I feel for him...It is only a crush.- She told herself silently, in an attempt to calm her nerves, as he continued on.
"She wasn't really...well she didn't feel the same way. See it happened like this, Narissa knew I was rich and she used me. She became whatever I wanted her to be, and she was good at it too. So I thought that I loved her, when really I was in love with this image she'd created for me to love. And if it hadn't been for her little mistakes I would have never figured it out."
"What kind of 'little mistakes' are you talking about?" Pan questioned.
"Oh, like forgetting what side of the bed I liked. What kind of breakfast I ate. What T.V. shows I wouldn't watch. You know, the little things like that. The things that let someone notice you care." Pan frowned, he'd slept with Narissa? Sometimes Trunks made her feel like a little girl, and suddenly she was very inexperienced.
"And how you take your coffee." Pan filled in, more to herself than Trunks. She was recovering and thinking back on the conversation with Bra. That's what they had been talking about.
"Exactly." He smiled to himself and nodded his head. -It should have been you, Pan. Then this never would have happened.-
She sat on the other end, speechless, stunned for a second. Had she heard right? Certainly not. He couldn't have said what she thought he said...-I'm losing my mind- she thought. Surely he didn't wish she were his girlfriend.
"What should have been me?" She asked, finally, after the long pause of silence.
"What?" Trunks asked, startled.
"What you just said. What did you mean, 'it should have been me'?" Trunks coughed nervously. He hadn't said that out loud...
"I didn't say anything, Panny. But since you want to bring yourself into the mix, it is your turn. Tell me about those guys you dated." He laughed, nervously trying to change the subject. He hadn't said that aloud, he resolved. There was no way.
"I'm sure you said-" Pan stopped. She must have imagined it, but she was sure she hadn't. She heard it plain and clear, she was sure because her heart had even paused in beat. He'd said: 'It should have been you, Pan. Then this never would have happened." She'd heard it. He just didn't want to admit it. "Never mind. I don't want to talk about them. There were four and nearly each one of them were jerks. One used me to get to Bra. One went out with me because of a bet...that was the excuse it took to get him to ask me out. Coward. The other two....well one was a pig, let's leave it at that. And the other was just a really good friend in the end. Harrison. He was the sweetest, and my first-" She stopped, not wanting to admit that part, it was too ridiculous.
Trunks' heart skipped a beat. She wasn't going to leave it at 'first' was she? He'd kill this guy, first. Surely Pan had never...but hadn't Bra said that they should be asking Pan if she were a virgin, not her? No, she was pure. She was going to be pure until he...he cut his thoughts off. Why did he care if she were or not? It was none of his business. She was just his friend. Nearly a little sister to him. Nothing more. Nothing else would ever become of it. But even as he tried to convince himself of that his fists were clenching.
"Your first what, Pan?" He asked through clamped teeth. He told himself it was nearly brotherly affection.
"Oh, sorry I think my mom is calling me. Dinner, you know?" She hung up the phone quickly and ran downstairs.
"Mom," She yelled. "If Trunks calls, I'm eating. And then I'm sparring. And if Bra calls same thing. And Goten." She thought he might use them just until she picked up the phone so he could ask her that question again. "Okay, if anyone calls, that's what I'm doing." She didn't want Trunks to know that Harrison had been the first and only person to kiss her, besides him. That she'd gone through three other boyfriends and never once had any of them tried to put a move on her. And even when Harrison had kissed her it didn't feel right, like they were meant to be friends. But he'd said he loved her. She sighed, remembering that's when she broke up with him. Here she was, eighteen and had only been kissed by two boys. One was a twelve year old Trunks and the other felt like he should have been her brother not her boyfriend. How strange, it should have been the other way around; Trunks should have been the brother figure. That didn't change the fact that later on that night she was staring at the wall thinking about him.
It was hard for her to believe it was time for Trunks to go already. It seemed he'd only been there for a few minutes instead of weeks. Pan hardly thought she'd be upset when he left. She assumed she'd be relieved; finally she'd have her true appetite back. Finally, she wouldn't toss in her sleep and wonder stupid things like if he would ever notice her. Finally she would be free of him.
But the thought only brought more heartache and pain into her life. She didn't want to think about him getting on that plane but the fact remained, in two days he was heading off. She would be seeing him for the last time until March. It was a hard thing to grasp. She didn't want to loose him again, especially since the last time he went away he seemed to forget all about her. Out of sight, out of mind. But she didn't want to mean nothing to him again. It was too hard for Pan. She'd been avoiding the Brief's residence for the past three days because she didn't want to see him, but tonight she had to.
Christmas was over, but they hadn't opened the gifts she'd brought over yet. They didn't want to do it without her. Bulma still had up all the decorations and everything, they were going to pretend it was still the 25th of December. Still a while before Trunks had to leave. She was going to open all the presents they had for her and in return they would open what she had left after their last movie night. But the thought of seeing Trunks again made her stomach drop, she couldn't eat at all. She was nervous about him leaving, and something else....heartbroken. They had just gotten along so well the past few weeks, it was hard to imagine her life without him.
It was almost as if he was her completion. She could tell him nearly everything, everything but her true feelings towards him, and he could in return share with her. He'd told her all about Narissa, his evil ex and since then they'd spent hours on the phone talking about her past 'relationships'. He was so thoughtful with her, considerate. He was everything she'd always wanted and never knew she had. It was going to be so hard to say goodbye. She sighed and stood up, resolved that she'd better leave. Videl and Gohan were waiting downstairs.
"It's about time, Pan." Her mother commented with a wry smile. Pan sighed.
"Sorry, I was just making sure everyone's gift was at the Briefs' house. I would hate to get there and be missing something. So I checked my list to make sure I took it all there last time." Okay, so maybe her lie was little too elaborate. Her face was pale and her mother could tell something was wrong.
"Oh, honey, are you feeling alright?" Videl asked, worriedly stepping up to her daughter. She placed a hand on Pan's forehead but there was no fever. She looked Pan up and down. "You seem fine, but I don't think you are. What's wrong?" Videl asked as Pan shook her head.
"It's nothing. Maybe the start of a cold." Pan shrugged. "Do you think I should stay home?" She asked, a hopeful glint in her eyes.
"No, you don't seem that sick. And if you stay you'll miss Trunks, you know he's leaving soon."
"I'll miss him whether I stay or not." Pan mumbled as she and her parents walked out the door.
"Huh?" Her mother asked, having not heard her.
"Nothing mom." She shook her head, but Gohan gave her a curious look.
By the time they arrived, Goten and Chi-Chi were already there, so was Marron, Krillin, and Eighteen. They were the last ones left. Pan sighed and resolved to get this over with. It was the last time that she and Trunks would ever be in the same room and be friends, she felt it inside her. He wasn't coming back. And if he did, he wasn't coming back alone. There would be another Narissa, and this one wouldn't make those 'little mistakes', she would be everything for him. Maybe, she was even standing in this room. Pan's eyes traveled over to Marron, the girl was too beautiful not to hate. How could she compete with that? She swallowed hard, wondering what it would be like if Marron and Trunks got married. What would their kids look like? Would they have kids? Why wasn't she as pretty as Marron? She sighed and took a seat on the couch.
She didn't notice that Goten was staring at her oddly. He walked over to her and took a seat, not bothering to speak for a long while.
"Okay, Pan. I know something's wrong. Care to tell me what it is?" He asked quietly. Pan only shook her head, she didn't turn to face him. He sighed and got a little more comfortable, it was his way of saying he wasn't leaving until she talked.
"Fine. I'm just...I don't know. I'm tired, I guess." She shrugged, not being able to will the words 'distraught because Trunks doesn't love me' out of her mouth. He would laugh at her. She couldn't even tell him she was depressed that Trunks was leaving. He would know that she had a crush on him then. Everyone else was fine with him leaving, because he was coming back. Well, not Marron, but it was common knowledge that she was crazy for him. She was pouting like a baby and smothering his every move.
"Yeah." Goten said slowly and it was clear he didn't believe her. "Well, do you want some food? It'll give you some energy." He perked, but Pan shook her head. She looked at him as his smile dropped from his face. "Are you sick, Pan? You're not hungry?" Pan cracked a small smile.
"Maybe I'll have a bite." She shrugged and stood up. Anything to get his prying eyes away. "It might give me some energy." She tried to liven her smile, he accepted that and walked away, first making sure she headed to the kitchen. Going in there was a mistake.
The only other person in there was the one she didn't want to see. Trunks was drinking some egg nogg and smiled as she walked into the room.
"You want some?" For some reason, his whole face seemed brighter. She had no idea, but it had been just as dull as hers until he saw her step into the room. He wasn't even aware of the change his mood had taken, or the cause.
She wondered why he was so cheery as she accepted the glass in his hands. When she sipped the drink her questions were answered. She coughed and gave it back to him.
"What's in this, alcohol?" She frowned as he nodded, breaking into a wild grin.
"Trunks, you shouldn't be drinking at this party." He laughed at her.
"It only has a little alcohol in it, Pan. It's not like I could get drunk from it. Besides, this was Vegita's. I didn't know it had alcohol in it." He was still laughing as he finished the sentence. She punched his shoulder lightly, not enjoying being the object of his joke. That's what had made him so happy. She resolved, angry that he thought messing with her was hysterical. He was only laughing harder.
"Shut up, Trunks." She warned him. He 'awwed' at her anger and stifled his laughs. Her innocence was adorable.
"So you didn't like it?" He asked, sipping the drink again. She wrinkled her brow and scowled at him.
"You like it?" She asked him skeptically. He nodded, but she knew he was teasing. She rolled her eyes and walked over to the stove. She picked up the tea pot and poured water in it, setting it back on the stove. "Well, you have your alcoholic egg nogg. I'll take the virgin hot chocolate." Speaking of 'virgin' his eyes traveled over her curiously. He was still wondering about the conversation they'd had earlier that week, she hadn't confirmed what Harrison had been her first of.
"What?" She asked with a smile. "Oh, I know, you'd rather have my hot chocolate, huh?" She smiled as the tea kettle whistled. "So, how'd you get rid of Marron?" She changed the subject as she walked over to the counter with the tea pot.
"She's not obsessed with me, just upset that I have to leave. It's kind of cute." He smiled. Pan swore, having burned her arm on the tea pot, not expecting Trunks to say anything about Marron being 'cute'. She knew he'd show interest eventually, but she hadn't really wanted to admit it to herself.
"Are you okay, Panny?" He asked as he walked over to her. He took her arm in his hand, softly, placing it under the faucet and turning it on. Cold water streamed over the cut as she nodded.
"I'm fine, thanks Trunks." She looked at him, their bodies were too close for comfort. His breathing was falling on her lips and she wanted to kiss him. She pulled her hand from under the water and wiped off the excess. A red welt was forming on her skin. He ran his finger over it softly as if touching it could heal the wound. It was okay, she knew it wouldn't be there in two days, she was saiyan. But that didn't change the attention he was paying her arm. She smiled.
"I'm okay." She said it again and pulled her arm away from him. He smiled as well and patted her shoulder.
"Be more careful." She grumbled, wanting to tell him that if he hadn't mentioned Marron being cute it wouldn't have happened. But that would be admitting jealousy. He seemed to be amused by her anger, as if he knew the cause. -Maybe he did, maybe he thought it was 'cute'.- She thought spitefully. His hands found hers and he held them, looking into her eyes.
"Seriously. Be more careful." He warned, giving her hands a squeeze. She nodded and fixed her face, not wanting him to take her scowl the wrong way. It was cute that he was concerned, she just didn't want to think of him with Marron. Ever. He smiled again and his head lowered slightly. For a second she thought he was going to kiss her lips, she was holding her breath. But his lips never pressed against hers, they met with her cheek and pecked it softly, quickly. She was shocked and disappointed at the same time. He squeezed her hands again before letting go.
"I'd hate for something to happen to you." She nodded as he walked over to the refrigerator. He pulled out the milk and gulped the last bit while she made her hot chocolate. It was gone before Trunks even had the chance to put the milk carton in the trash. She put her glass in the sink and they walked out of the kitchen together.
"We're about to open the presents, Pan." Bra informed her as she stepped into the living room. "What were you and Trunks doing?" She looked from one to the other of them as they looked at each other. Before Pan could respond Bulma interjected.
"Hey, hey. Look who's standing under the mistletoe. You know the deal, you have to kiss her."
Trunks shrugged his shoulders and turned to face Pan. She had a horrified look plastered on her face as she looked up at the green leaf above her head. Sure enough, there was mistletoe. And standing right beside her was Trunks, they were under it. Bulma was referring to them. They would have to kiss....Her heart was pounding as she wondered if he was really going to kiss her. Her throat went dry and there weren't words to describe how she felt at that moment.
Marron's mouth was half opened as Trunks leaned his head down, slowly his lips met hers. They pressed sweetly, softly at first as hers trembled beneath him. He really was kissing her. Almost suddenly, his lips pressed harder against hers and it sent warm shivers throughout her body. His lips parted hers and his tongue slid slightly inside her mouth. She held in the gasp as they parted. He didn't have to do that. A slight peck would have been sufficient.
Her face was flushed as she backed away from him. Everyone stared, Bulma with a smile and Gohan and Marron with scowls, but no one said anything. Pan felt the uneasiness and giggled nervously (anime style of course). She cleared her throat.
"Let's open the gifts, huh?" She blushed and lifted her shoulders up to her chin.
"Right." Bra chimed in and hopped off her chair. Bulma's smile was already spread all the way across her face as everyone sat down around the tree and pulled up a gift with their name on it.
"Wait, Trunks, open mine first." Marron smiled at him, but it was obviously forced. She still hadn't recovered from the shock of watching Trunks kiss Pan. It was supposed to be her. She handed him a package that was blue and wrapped in a silver bow.
"I know blue is your favorite color." She smiled as Bra snickered under her breath. Pan tried to keep the smile from overtaking her face, knowing Marron would take it the wrong way but Marron didn't notice either way; she was concentrating on Trunks.
"Thanks, Marron." He smiled uneasily and pulled the ribbon off the present. He lifted the lid and pulled out the platinum necklace. He forced another smile on his face as he examined the necklace, it was really nice. He knew it was expensive, but it was too much. -I would have rather gotten a tie or shirt or something- He thought.
"That's what I got you." Pan smiled happily and looked at him. Trunks tilted his head, unsure of what she was talking about.
"You got me this necklace, too?" Pan laughed.
"No, a tie. You just said that you'd..." she stopped, hadn't he said it? Every one was looking at her curiously. "He said?..."
Bra waited for her to finish the sentence but when she didn't, Bra jumped in. "He didn't say anything except 'thank you.'" Everyone gave her odd glances.
"I'm sorry, I thought I heard..." She stammered off and handed him the gift, not noticing the way Vegita's eyebrows perked up. "Any way, here's the tie." She handed him the box, it was wrapped in white and green paper. He pulled out the lavender tie, it was a perfect match to his hair. She wanted to say 'because I know lavender is your favorite color', but she fought the urge. He smiled.
"How did you find this?" He asked as he examined the silk tie.
"It wasn't easy." She shrugged. "But it was nothing." She looked away, not wanting him to think she'd put too much effort into it.
"It's just a tie." Marron frowned, not understanding what was so great about it. It wasn't just a tie, it was perfect. It was like someone had studied his hair for years and made a tie that exact color. It was the rarest article, considering his exact shade of hair was hardly ever seen by people. He knew she hadn't gotten it easily.
"Thank you." He smiled as everyone else exchanged more gifts.
Pan sat up in bed, looking at the leather encased binder. It was so professional. Trunks had given it to her, she couldn't believe he still remembered. She walked over to it and ran her hands over the smooth outside of it. She opened it and flipped through the blank pages, admiring the high quality of it all. She was eager to get to work, filling the pages. How did he know she still loved to draw? Her eyes were dreamy, but she didn't know it. She'd seemingly been walking on air since Trunks planted that kiss on her before they opened the presents. His gift to her was only the icing on the cake.
Now it wasn't so hard for her to imagine what it was like to be wrapped in his arms, enraptured by his kiss, to be loved by him. But that was a dangerous thing, he didn't love her. He never would. He was only amusing her with that kiss. He must have known about her crush. It would be like Trunks to amuse her that way, just to fulfill her wish, just this once. Was she stretching? Would he really do that for her? Well he had.
She only hoped he didn't really know about her crush, that would be so embarrassing. But what other excuse would there be for that kiss? Perhaps it was just a joke. Her mind was reeling. There was so many things she wanted answers to, starting with why she was hearing things that she thought he'd said.
But now was not the time. She put the book back down and headed for her bed. It was time for her to go to sleep. She pulled the covers back and climbed in bed, closing her eyes. Already, the dream she'd been having about Trunks since she was twelve came flowing back into her head. This time, the feelings weren't so made up and she had to wonder if she was dreaming.
It was time for Trunks to go back to America. Pan stood awkwardly in the Briefs' hallway waiting for him to come barreling down the stairs with his capsules. Bulma had called, insisting she come. "After all, you're like family. And I know Trunks would want to say goodbye." Her voice had come coercing over the phone line. Pan had agreed after a few more pleads. She really didn't want to be here. She didn't trust herself not to cry.
Bra was standing beside her, soon Bulma would been in the entryway and then Trunks. They would be on their way. Bulma had tried to talk Vegita into coming but he refused, saying his time would be better spent sparring in the G.R. He had nothing to fight. Bulma had even pointed this out to him, but it didn't matter. Fighting was in his blood and if it were a choice between saying goodbye to a boy who would be back in a few months or fighting, he would choose to fight. Always. Pan smiled to herself, she wished she were Vegita right about now; he had the right idea.
She played with her fingers and looked down at her feet as she waited. Bra sensed how uncomfortable she was and giggled slightly.
"Sad to see him go?" She smiled at her friend and raised an eyebrow. To her surprise, Pan nodded. Bra didn't question any farther, she knew she wouldn't get anymore out of Pan.
"All right, you guys. Is everyone ready?" Bulma asked, walking into the room with a smile. She looked at Bra and Pan. "Oh, you're still waiting for Trunks to come down." They nodded and Bulma walked up to them, waiting as well. It was about that time that Trunks came down the stairs, running a hand through his hair. He was wearing a white sweater his mother had given him and some khaki pants. He looked nice, as usual. Pan wasn't aware of the smile that crept onto her face when she saw him but Bulma was.
"Well, then. Let's go." She smiled and walked over to the door.
"Really, mom, you don't have to see me to the airport. I can just fly there."
"I know you can fly, Trunks. But you don't want to alarm the people at the airport, besides, I want to take you." She smiled at her son and walked out the door. He shrugged as they followed her and went along as well. They climbed into a Capsule Corp. plane and prepared for their ride to the airport.
By the time they got there the airport was packed with people, bustling around. Trunks knew he'd be in the line for hours, he'd have to pop his capsules open and let them check his baggage. It was such a bothersome feat, but still he chose this rather than simply flying to the United States. Somehow it was preferable. He was humming to himself as he got into the first line. His mother, Pan, and his sister were still standing by his side. He wanted to tell them they could go, but he knew his mother would insist on staying.
His baggage was finally checked and he was in the waiting area. His plane was thirty minutes late. The weather was pretty bad and he expected the delay to be even longer than that. He was leaning back and forth on his feet, a nervous gesture, and looking about his surroundings. Pan was sitting on a chair tapping her fingers repeatedly. She seemed bored. Bra had headphones on, she was dead to the world. And his mother had gone to one of the food shops and ordered them more food. She wouldn't be back for a while, judging by the lines.
He had planned on saying something to Pan, anything to reassure her that this time he wouldn't disappear from her life, but he couldn't find the words now. And he knew if he were going to say anything this would have to be the time. He took the seat next to hers and thought about it for a moment. He didn't want to say anything to make himself look stupid, it was bad enough he'd spent the last few days of his time here pestering her about her old boyfriends. Then the other day, when he kissed her...He didn't know how she felt about it, but he knew where he stood. He wished he could do more of it. It was a shame she thought of him as a friend, she was more of his completion than anything else. That was where the problem was; when had he began to feel that way about his 'friend'?
But maybe he could salvage whatever relationship they had left by removing the uncomfortable in which he knew she was feeling right now. She wouldn't make eye contact with him at all. He sighed, knowing now that kissing her had been a mistake. At least, that was the way she must feel. He could tell because of the way she was acting now...she didn't think of him that way and never would. He had to rectify the situation.
"Pan," He paused as she turned to face him. He didn't really know what to say. "I'm sorry about...well the other day. Anyway, I'm coming back in a few months and I just hope things could stay the same between us. I'd hate to come back and find out that one of my best friends hates me again." She nodded but her whole face looked sad. The light in it was gone. Trunks felt like a complete jerk. Why had he kissed her? The mistake would never happen again, he'd never cross that friend boundary again.
"I could never hate you Trunks." She spoke, finally. She'd become aware that her face was frowning, she didn't want him to see she was disappointed that he thought their kiss was a mistake. That he thought things should 'stay the same' between them. Then he might read into her true feelings. If he thought it was a mistake then who was she to argue? It just hurt, hurt that he'd never think of her as anything but a little girl. When her entire heart was his and he didn't even care. Why did he have to apologize? For a whole day she'd been walking on air and didn't realize it until now, now that her feet had been replanted, firmly on the ground.
Bulma came back with her arms filled with food. She had a smile on her face, but her eyes were distant as if she were daydreaming about something. She handed three bags to Pan, four to Trunks, and two to Bra. They began eating immediately, as Bulma noticed the uneasy atmosphere between Pan and Trunks. Something was wrong. One of them had said something to the other in her absence that messed things up somehow. She frowned at this, wanting to pry and ask what it was that made them distant from each other. But she knew she couldn't, if they were to find each other it had to be without her help. If it was true love, whatever was wrong now wouldn't be wrong for long. Somehow they'd have to work it out. It was probably just the fact that Trunks was leaving. Maybe that was all it was. Pan's heart was broken. She looked heart broken. So did Trunks. Bulma settled that as the answer as she bit into her sandwich. The saiyans were already done with their food.
"Boarding flight 23, boarding call for flight 23." Trunks stood up and kissed his mothers cheek. That was his flight. Bra took off her headphones and gave her brother a hug.
"I'll see you in about three months? Promise? You're really coming home for good?" He laughed and patted her head lovingly.
"Yes, B-chan. I'll be back in March. I promise." He smiled widely and kissed her cheek. He walked over to Pan and gave her a hug, everyone could see she didn't want to touch him. Bra wondered why. What had she missed while listening to her music?
"Have a nice life, Trunks-kun." Pan smiled, giving him that distant look; the same look she'd given him when he first got home. A frown pressed the corner of his lips.
"I'll be back before you miss me." He tried to reassure her that she wasn't going to drop right out of his life. She didn't believe him, he could tell.
-If only you knew how untrue that statement was- She thought. Trunks gave her the oddest glance. He'd been looking right at her, she hadn't said anything. He was certain her lips hadn't moved. Was he hearing things now, like Pan had heard....Pan had heard his thoughts. He knew why, but he'd convinced himself that it had been a coincidence. That she just knew him well enough to know what he'd be thinking. But at their 'Christmas re-enactment', she'd read his mind perfectly. It was bond talk...his father had told him about it. But that couldn't be, he shouldn't be able to hear her thoughts. She wasn't interested in him. Why she heard his thoughts, he was aware. It was because he was in love with her. Somehow he'd fallen for her, but his plan was to change that during these three months away. Because he knew how uncomfortable she was around him when he cared for her so deeply, more deeply than she could feel for him.
But he'd heard her thoughts, that meant she cared for him...didn't it? If she did, he'd just made a huge mistake. He'd told her he only wanted to be friends. But if she cared for him enough that he heard her thoughts....he had been so wrong. But what could he do now? He had to fix it, but he had to leave.
"Why are you staring at me like that, Trunks?" Pan spoke, annoyance in her voice. He shrugged, hugged her again, kissed her forehead and walked away. Pan closed her eyes, as if she were experiencing some kind of physical pain, and drew in a deep breath. Bulma and Bra's eyes were on her, she knew, but she'd rather do this than break down into the tears that were threatening to fall. It was far less embarrassing. She knew that once he walked on that plane, he'd be lost to her forever. All dreams, all hopes of ever being with him ended when his face disappeared into the crowd. Her little girl crush was over and her dreams of him would be gone. But she couldn't cry. If only he hadn't said she were a mistake. She could keep on living in ignorance, even if he felt she were a mistake. But it didn't matter, he had said it, and even if he took it back there would be no difference. Her heart was already closing, shutting out the world. She would never put herself in the position to be hurt again. She wouldn't be vulnerable around him again.
Trunks looked back on her, his heart pounding for he knew now what was happening. He was stupid. Unbelievably stupid. Her eyes were closed and she looked as if she were about to loose her balance. He wanted to run to her and tell her he was sorry. But he knew Pan. She wouldn't care. He'd said it and now he would have to live with it. But that didn't mean he was giving up. If only he'd known she loved him before those crucial seconds when he degraded his feelings for her. But that didn't matter now, he couldn't take it back. He was going to give her this time, time to cool off and possibly move on, no matter how much he hated the thought of her with someone else.
But when he came back he would make things right. Whether she wanted him to or not. They were meant for each other, now that he knew she felt it too, he would stop at nothing to have her in his arms. Now that he knew she was just as in love with him as he was with her, he would make things right. No matter what resistance she put up. He was coming back for her and he couldn't wait. He turned around and headed for his plane.
Bulma placed a hand on Pan's shoulder as the girl slowly opened her eyes. She looked at Bulma, who seemed to completely understand what was happening. But there was no way she could know, Pan hadn't known how much she cared for him. Not until he broke her heart. She'd been telling herself it was just a crush. Why had she fallen in love with her best friend? Bulma gave her a soft smile and turned to face the exit.
"I think it's time we go home." She said softly. Pan nodded when Bra gave her a concerned glance and they walked towards the exit. Pan knew what she was leaving in that airport, all her childhood dreams that would never come true. Not just about Trunks, but everything. It was time for her to face the music. Time for her to move on and grow up. She had to say goodbye to them just as she said goodbye to Trunks.
When she got back home she would send in her applications to the colleges in America. So far she'd only sent in one application to college, it was at the only school she'd ever wanted to attend. But she knew that could never happen, and now she was ready to accept that. She would also have to tell Bra that they'd never be roommates during college. It was ridiculous to think that they'd go through all of high school together and then spend all of college together too. A childhood dream.
She was going to America. A single, disobedient tear escaped her eye and she batted it away. There was no point in crying, tears wouldn't get her what she wanted. They only showed weakness.
When Pan got home she headed straight for her room. She picked up the leather drawing book Trunks had given her and touched it dreamily. She didn't want to give up. But she knew there was nothing left to do. She sighed and wrapped tissue paper around the book, then she placed it on the top shelf of her closet. There was no point in drawing, especially on something so fancy. Her future was in business, numbers, the only thing she could make real money at. She picked up the applications that had been sitting at her computer desk for weeks and began to fill them out.
A/N: Poor Pan. She's heartbroken. Well thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned for the next chapter. And, as promised, here's thanks to all those who have reviewed since the last time I gave thanks: KinkySaiyan, =), alex, noy, aoao, Kutie_Pan, DBPrincess116, Panchan, DBZChicky501, Princess M-chan, pan86, Malik, MarsMoonStar, Animechick, t/ptears, qui, AMY, Raili, animegurlie45, black diamonds, Newbie GK, hanamaru285, :o), animegurlie45, azn_animeluver, Flame Stardattir, Megan, jess, Andrea Meiouh, lysine3000, and Raven Hino. (wow, that list is getting long). Thank all of you soo much! I really appreciate it.
Oh, and alex, I would update until chapter 7, but as I read you guys' reviews I make changes (small ones but changes) and edit slightly. Then, if I updated until chapter 7, you'd have to wait like two weeks for every chapter following that. You wouldn't want that, would you?