______________________________________________ YOUTH OF THE NATION _______________________
_____________________________________________________________________ Rhapsody~* _________
______________________________________CHAPTER FIVE: A New Perspective
Vejita was especially relieved that this was a weekend. He did not think that he could put up with any more of the school's bullshit without blowing up again. With a frustrated scowl, he set about making his way from his bed to the shower, where he contemplated just what he was going to do with himself all day. The option of hanging out at the mall was a definite no, considering recent events. Besides, he had in his possession all of the things he wanted from there, anyway, and he hadn't even had to pay for them. You just couldn't top that.
Unconsciously, his thoughts strayed to Bulma, the poor little girl who had been so easy to manipulate. Vejita was almost certain that he had her under complete control now. The incident with Chichi had really been a winner, and he was sure that the sight of her best friend going up in flames was one that would stick with her for a long time. The strange thing about all of that was the fact that Vejita wasn't sure whether he wanted her beaten in submission or not. Her attitude and unwillingness to participate in most of his schemes was something that he was beginning to see as attractive--even amusing. Though he would never admit it, Bulma was an excellent companion. They complimented each other perfectly.
After stepping out of the shower and reluctantly dressing himself, Vejita forced himself to put forward some effort and drive over to the gym, where he knew from experience that Goku would be working out, most likely to get his mind off of his poor little girlfriend. Vejita supressed the urge to smirk as he entered the familiar building and immediately saw Goku desperately running on the treadmill, sweat soaking through his clothing already.
"Had a long night?" he asked as he approached the machine.
Goku hardly looked over at him. "Of course I did! Poor Chichi, she had no idea what happened until I explained it to her. I think she was more scared than pissed off, for once."
"A nice change." Vejita pulled the plug on the treadmill and leaned back mildly as Goku tripped and nearly fell on his face.
"Hardly!" Goku exclaimed. "Its really starting to freak me out."
"Then you're a dumbass, because you're the only one who won't welcome the change."
"Hey, Vejita..." Goku started, a bit uncertainly. "You didn't do it, did you?"
Vejita half-smiled and crossed his arms. "You're accusing ME? Believe me, if I were the only one behind it, she would still be on fire."
"So you're saying that you DIDN'T do it?"
"No," Vejita allowed, enjoying this little game. "Are you saying that I am?"
Goku sighed and started up the treadmill again, watching Vejita out of the corner of his eyes. "Alright, Vejita. I'll back off. I just really, really hope that it wasn't you."
Vejita was curious in spite of himself. "Why?"
Goku considered his answer. "Because I didn't think that even you could be that cruel."
"Right." Vejita hid his frown and turned away. To cover up his discomfort, he scanned the gym impatiently. "Dammit, where's service when you need it around here?"
_______________ ~*~*~*~
Bulma went to see Chichi at the hospital that day. She wasn't sure why, because she felt as if the truth would come bursting out of her at any second, but what was left of her good conscience would not allow her to completely ignore her friend. To lessen the reality of the loss of so much of Chichi's beloved hair and for all of the charred skin, she wore her hair up in a tight chignon and kept the skin factor to a minimum in a ski jacket and blue jeans.
Chichi was silent as she entered the room. She watched Bulma with her accusing brown eyes for a few minutes before speaking. "I suppose you've come here to offer your condolences."
"Yes, I have," Bulma said, taking a seat next to the hospital bed. "I know you've probably heard this a million times by now, but I'm really sorry about...well, everything." She saw Chichi's butchered locks spread in a pathetic, tiny halo around her head and almost gave in to guilty tears. She could not even bring herself to imagine what her burns looked like. "Your beautiful hair, Chi...and...oh my God." She reached out a tentative hand to touch them, but it was slapped away indifferently.
"Remember how horrible it looks, Bulma," Chichi spat quietly. "I want it to make you feel that much worse about what you've gone and done to me."
Bulma was speechless. She stood and crossed her arms defensively. "I don't know what you're talking about! How dare you accuse me of doing such a thing! I'm your best friend, for God's sake!"
"You WERE my best friend," Chichi said. "I don't know about that anymore. The whole school will be laughing at me now, thanks to you and whoever you got to help you. That asshole Vejita, probably. But of course, none of that matters because you're Bulma Briefs, Pineridge's Princess."
"Oh come on, don't be silly--"
Chichi cut her off with a wave of her hand. "Leave! Right now. Seeing you here is making me sick." She turned her head away from Bulma, clearly dismissing her. Forever.
Bulma lifted her chin, shot her ex-friend one last venomous look, and strutted out of the hospital, now even more determined not to let anything hold her down. Vejita had been right. Look how fast Chichi had turned on her, her very own best friend! Not to mention the most popular girl in the entire school. They were a treacherous bunch, clearly.
"'Leave, Bulma, leave right now'!" Bulma mocked to herself as she slid into the drivers' seat of her car. "Sure, Chichi, I'll leave all right. You can forget any social advantages from here on out." Before she pulled out of her parking space (an illegally chosen Handicap parking space, to be exact), she childishly stuck out her tongue in the direction of Chichi's window. "I don't need anybody's support--especially not yours!"
_______________ ~*~*~*~
Not even three hours later, Bulma received a phone call from none other than Goku, the last person she had been expecting to hear from. It wasn't as if she were expecting a call from anybody, she reminded herself, especially not Vejita or anything. She froze with her hand on the phone for a moment. Vejita? Where had THAT come from? She shook her head and picked up the receiver, praying to God that it wasn't Chichi in a fit of anger. What it actually was turned out to be was much worse.
"You know Bulma," Goku started. "You aren't the ruler of the universe. You can't control everybody's lives all of the time, and not everybody has to worship you."
Bulma was taken aback. "Goku? Is that you? What the hell is THIS about?"
"This is about Chichi, and you know it!" Goku sounded genuinely upset. "She told me that you visited her today, and that you practically admitted to pulling that cheap trick last night."
"What?!" Bulma exclaimed incredulously. "Goku--how could you be saying these things? You know that I didn't do it! I'm surprised that you didn't accuse Vejita. Since when am I public enemy number one?!"
Goku's voice was solemn. "I did accuse Vejita, and he practically admitted it also. But he hinted that he had some kind of accomplice, and who else but you?"
"Me?" Bulma feigned surprise. "Why in the world would Vejita pick ME?"
Goku chuckled. "I seem to recall an escapade at the shopping mall and oh yes, the faulty drinking fountain! If you would just admit it, Bulma, then I could at least start trying to forgive you. Keyword being 'try'."
"Goku, we're practically best friends!" Bulma protested, tightening her grip on the phone. "How could you put this over MY head? Those were little pranks, and nobody was hurt in the process. You know that I wouldn't pull something like this after...Mariah and all that." She gritted her teeth at the unpleasant memory and prayed that Goku would believe the lie.
But she had no such luck. The dial tone that followed was far more stinging than any of Goku's comebacks could ever be. With shaky fingers, she returned the receiver to its cradle and sighed, massaging her temples in a slow, gentle rhythm.
"God help me," she muttered to herself. "Vejita was right."
_______________ ~*~*~*~
Whether it was coincidence or deliberate, somehow Vejita managed to show up at the local coffee shop not even five minutes after Bulma arrived. The small building was filled to the brim with lounging students and business people off for lunch--it was a real hotspot for local people. Vejita spotted Bulma almost immediately sipping a french vanilla latte at the window table. She was wearing a pair of slightly fitted sweatpants and a matching sweater--a surprisingly careless outfit, and completely uncharacteristic of the usually glamorous girl. Her expression was dark and serious, and she was gripping her large coffee like it was a lifeline. She, however, did not notice him until he slid into the chair across from her and proceeded to gaze out the window at all of the people passing by.
Bulma lifted her wide eyes in recognition and sighed a deep, heavy sigh. "You do know that I lost both Goku AND Chichi today, right? And I owe it all to you and your stupid ideas." Leaning back in her chair, she finished the last of her drink and slammed it back onto the table. "And even though I've gone through all of that, I'm starting to think that you were right about them. My friends, I mean."
"How so?" Vejita asked, satisfied with her new perspective on things. He couldn't have asked for a better reaction.
"They all turned on me at the drop of a hat," Bulma pouted. "They had absolutely no reason to believe that I would pull that sort of thing. Chichi's my BEST FRIEND and they still turned on me! I've never heard Goku be so...aggressive...before."
Vejita scowled. "Of course they turned on you. I told you that they would. Have you ever known me to be wrong?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Bulma left the question unanswered and leaned forward quizzically to study her partner. "If you had such a bad experience with a prank, then why do you still pull them?"
"What is this--twenty questions?" Vejita snapped. After a moment's thought, however, he reconsidered the question. "When a racecar driver gets in an accident, why doesn't he stop racing? Its the same thing. I stick with what I'm good at and what I enjoy doing, woman, and maybe you should start doing the same thing. Its obvious that you enjoy the planning that comes with pulling a stunt, but you clam up as soon as the smoke clears."
"And who wouldn't?" Bulma asked. "Only a psychopath could enjoy that kind of thing."
"Then lock me up and send me to the asylum, because I sure have one hell of a time," Vejita retorted, stretching his arms above his head lazily. "Believe me, it gets easier with experience."
Bulma snorted. "Well that's a comforting thought if I ever heard one."
"Look at it like this," Vejita started, leaning forward towards Bulma also. "If you go back to those fools now, they're gonna learn that all it takes to break you is a little intimidation. But, if you just ignore all of their bullshit and rise above it like nothing happened, then its THEM that will come crawling back to YOU with apologies."
Bulma watched him with amazement. "Is this how you've been living your life? Breaking and bending people to suit you?"
Vejita smirked. "Yeah, pretty much."
"I don't know if I could live like that," Bulma said doubtfully. "Its no wonder you are such a loner."
"Come on Bonnie," Vejita mock-begged. "Clyde can't do his thing without an accomplice."
Bulma grinned slowly, extending her hand. "How could I possibly refuse? I'm in."
Vejita shook her hand quickly and half-smiled in victory. "Now we can get started with the REAL fun."
___________________________________________________________________________________________
(A/N): I'm baaaccckkkk! And how I wish I wasn't! Its sooo nice down in Ft. Lauderdale right now, let me tell you. I could live there all year round, if I didn't love snow so damned much. Anyway sorry about the long wait! If it makes you feel any better, I wrote this chapter in two hours just so I could get it posted right away. See, I really am trying! Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews on the last chapter, I'm extremely grateful! And to Stef-chan: Thanks for finally completing "A Shoulder to Lean On III", I was rapturous when I found out it was done! And don't take any shit from all of those complainers out there--your story is YOUR story, and you have the right to end it just the way you want! And with all of that behind us, commence with the reviewing! All forms of compliments are gratefully accepted, LoL! But critism is alright, too, so feel free to bitch me out if you'd like, God knows I'VE done it enough in my lifetime. Ja ne! REVIEWS PLZ!
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________ Rhapsody~* _________
______________________________________CHAPTER FIVE: A New Perspective
Vejita was especially relieved that this was a weekend. He did not think that he could put up with any more of the school's bullshit without blowing up again. With a frustrated scowl, he set about making his way from his bed to the shower, where he contemplated just what he was going to do with himself all day. The option of hanging out at the mall was a definite no, considering recent events. Besides, he had in his possession all of the things he wanted from there, anyway, and he hadn't even had to pay for them. You just couldn't top that.
Unconsciously, his thoughts strayed to Bulma, the poor little girl who had been so easy to manipulate. Vejita was almost certain that he had her under complete control now. The incident with Chichi had really been a winner, and he was sure that the sight of her best friend going up in flames was one that would stick with her for a long time. The strange thing about all of that was the fact that Vejita wasn't sure whether he wanted her beaten in submission or not. Her attitude and unwillingness to participate in most of his schemes was something that he was beginning to see as attractive--even amusing. Though he would never admit it, Bulma was an excellent companion. They complimented each other perfectly.
After stepping out of the shower and reluctantly dressing himself, Vejita forced himself to put forward some effort and drive over to the gym, where he knew from experience that Goku would be working out, most likely to get his mind off of his poor little girlfriend. Vejita supressed the urge to smirk as he entered the familiar building and immediately saw Goku desperately running on the treadmill, sweat soaking through his clothing already.
"Had a long night?" he asked as he approached the machine.
Goku hardly looked over at him. "Of course I did! Poor Chichi, she had no idea what happened until I explained it to her. I think she was more scared than pissed off, for once."
"A nice change." Vejita pulled the plug on the treadmill and leaned back mildly as Goku tripped and nearly fell on his face.
"Hardly!" Goku exclaimed. "Its really starting to freak me out."
"Then you're a dumbass, because you're the only one who won't welcome the change."
"Hey, Vejita..." Goku started, a bit uncertainly. "You didn't do it, did you?"
Vejita half-smiled and crossed his arms. "You're accusing ME? Believe me, if I were the only one behind it, she would still be on fire."
"So you're saying that you DIDN'T do it?"
"No," Vejita allowed, enjoying this little game. "Are you saying that I am?"
Goku sighed and started up the treadmill again, watching Vejita out of the corner of his eyes. "Alright, Vejita. I'll back off. I just really, really hope that it wasn't you."
Vejita was curious in spite of himself. "Why?"
Goku considered his answer. "Because I didn't think that even you could be that cruel."
"Right." Vejita hid his frown and turned away. To cover up his discomfort, he scanned the gym impatiently. "Dammit, where's service when you need it around here?"
_______________ ~*~*~*~
Bulma went to see Chichi at the hospital that day. She wasn't sure why, because she felt as if the truth would come bursting out of her at any second, but what was left of her good conscience would not allow her to completely ignore her friend. To lessen the reality of the loss of so much of Chichi's beloved hair and for all of the charred skin, she wore her hair up in a tight chignon and kept the skin factor to a minimum in a ski jacket and blue jeans.
Chichi was silent as she entered the room. She watched Bulma with her accusing brown eyes for a few minutes before speaking. "I suppose you've come here to offer your condolences."
"Yes, I have," Bulma said, taking a seat next to the hospital bed. "I know you've probably heard this a million times by now, but I'm really sorry about...well, everything." She saw Chichi's butchered locks spread in a pathetic, tiny halo around her head and almost gave in to guilty tears. She could not even bring herself to imagine what her burns looked like. "Your beautiful hair, Chi...and...oh my God." She reached out a tentative hand to touch them, but it was slapped away indifferently.
"Remember how horrible it looks, Bulma," Chichi spat quietly. "I want it to make you feel that much worse about what you've gone and done to me."
Bulma was speechless. She stood and crossed her arms defensively. "I don't know what you're talking about! How dare you accuse me of doing such a thing! I'm your best friend, for God's sake!"
"You WERE my best friend," Chichi said. "I don't know about that anymore. The whole school will be laughing at me now, thanks to you and whoever you got to help you. That asshole Vejita, probably. But of course, none of that matters because you're Bulma Briefs, Pineridge's Princess."
"Oh come on, don't be silly--"
Chichi cut her off with a wave of her hand. "Leave! Right now. Seeing you here is making me sick." She turned her head away from Bulma, clearly dismissing her. Forever.
Bulma lifted her chin, shot her ex-friend one last venomous look, and strutted out of the hospital, now even more determined not to let anything hold her down. Vejita had been right. Look how fast Chichi had turned on her, her very own best friend! Not to mention the most popular girl in the entire school. They were a treacherous bunch, clearly.
"'Leave, Bulma, leave right now'!" Bulma mocked to herself as she slid into the drivers' seat of her car. "Sure, Chichi, I'll leave all right. You can forget any social advantages from here on out." Before she pulled out of her parking space (an illegally chosen Handicap parking space, to be exact), she childishly stuck out her tongue in the direction of Chichi's window. "I don't need anybody's support--especially not yours!"
_______________ ~*~*~*~
Not even three hours later, Bulma received a phone call from none other than Goku, the last person she had been expecting to hear from. It wasn't as if she were expecting a call from anybody, she reminded herself, especially not Vejita or anything. She froze with her hand on the phone for a moment. Vejita? Where had THAT come from? She shook her head and picked up the receiver, praying to God that it wasn't Chichi in a fit of anger. What it actually was turned out to be was much worse.
"You know Bulma," Goku started. "You aren't the ruler of the universe. You can't control everybody's lives all of the time, and not everybody has to worship you."
Bulma was taken aback. "Goku? Is that you? What the hell is THIS about?"
"This is about Chichi, and you know it!" Goku sounded genuinely upset. "She told me that you visited her today, and that you practically admitted to pulling that cheap trick last night."
"What?!" Bulma exclaimed incredulously. "Goku--how could you be saying these things? You know that I didn't do it! I'm surprised that you didn't accuse Vejita. Since when am I public enemy number one?!"
Goku's voice was solemn. "I did accuse Vejita, and he practically admitted it also. But he hinted that he had some kind of accomplice, and who else but you?"
"Me?" Bulma feigned surprise. "Why in the world would Vejita pick ME?"
Goku chuckled. "I seem to recall an escapade at the shopping mall and oh yes, the faulty drinking fountain! If you would just admit it, Bulma, then I could at least start trying to forgive you. Keyword being 'try'."
"Goku, we're practically best friends!" Bulma protested, tightening her grip on the phone. "How could you put this over MY head? Those were little pranks, and nobody was hurt in the process. You know that I wouldn't pull something like this after...Mariah and all that." She gritted her teeth at the unpleasant memory and prayed that Goku would believe the lie.
But she had no such luck. The dial tone that followed was far more stinging than any of Goku's comebacks could ever be. With shaky fingers, she returned the receiver to its cradle and sighed, massaging her temples in a slow, gentle rhythm.
"God help me," she muttered to herself. "Vejita was right."
_______________ ~*~*~*~
Whether it was coincidence or deliberate, somehow Vejita managed to show up at the local coffee shop not even five minutes after Bulma arrived. The small building was filled to the brim with lounging students and business people off for lunch--it was a real hotspot for local people. Vejita spotted Bulma almost immediately sipping a french vanilla latte at the window table. She was wearing a pair of slightly fitted sweatpants and a matching sweater--a surprisingly careless outfit, and completely uncharacteristic of the usually glamorous girl. Her expression was dark and serious, and she was gripping her large coffee like it was a lifeline. She, however, did not notice him until he slid into the chair across from her and proceeded to gaze out the window at all of the people passing by.
Bulma lifted her wide eyes in recognition and sighed a deep, heavy sigh. "You do know that I lost both Goku AND Chichi today, right? And I owe it all to you and your stupid ideas." Leaning back in her chair, she finished the last of her drink and slammed it back onto the table. "And even though I've gone through all of that, I'm starting to think that you were right about them. My friends, I mean."
"How so?" Vejita asked, satisfied with her new perspective on things. He couldn't have asked for a better reaction.
"They all turned on me at the drop of a hat," Bulma pouted. "They had absolutely no reason to believe that I would pull that sort of thing. Chichi's my BEST FRIEND and they still turned on me! I've never heard Goku be so...aggressive...before."
Vejita scowled. "Of course they turned on you. I told you that they would. Have you ever known me to be wrong?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Bulma left the question unanswered and leaned forward quizzically to study her partner. "If you had such a bad experience with a prank, then why do you still pull them?"
"What is this--twenty questions?" Vejita snapped. After a moment's thought, however, he reconsidered the question. "When a racecar driver gets in an accident, why doesn't he stop racing? Its the same thing. I stick with what I'm good at and what I enjoy doing, woman, and maybe you should start doing the same thing. Its obvious that you enjoy the planning that comes with pulling a stunt, but you clam up as soon as the smoke clears."
"And who wouldn't?" Bulma asked. "Only a psychopath could enjoy that kind of thing."
"Then lock me up and send me to the asylum, because I sure have one hell of a time," Vejita retorted, stretching his arms above his head lazily. "Believe me, it gets easier with experience."
Bulma snorted. "Well that's a comforting thought if I ever heard one."
"Look at it like this," Vejita started, leaning forward towards Bulma also. "If you go back to those fools now, they're gonna learn that all it takes to break you is a little intimidation. But, if you just ignore all of their bullshit and rise above it like nothing happened, then its THEM that will come crawling back to YOU with apologies."
Bulma watched him with amazement. "Is this how you've been living your life? Breaking and bending people to suit you?"
Vejita smirked. "Yeah, pretty much."
"I don't know if I could live like that," Bulma said doubtfully. "Its no wonder you are such a loner."
"Come on Bonnie," Vejita mock-begged. "Clyde can't do his thing without an accomplice."
Bulma grinned slowly, extending her hand. "How could I possibly refuse? I'm in."
Vejita shook her hand quickly and half-smiled in victory. "Now we can get started with the REAL fun."
___________________________________________________________________________________________
(A/N): I'm baaaccckkkk! And how I wish I wasn't! Its sooo nice down in Ft. Lauderdale right now, let me tell you. I could live there all year round, if I didn't love snow so damned much. Anyway sorry about the long wait! If it makes you feel any better, I wrote this chapter in two hours just so I could get it posted right away. See, I really am trying! Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews on the last chapter, I'm extremely grateful! And to Stef-chan: Thanks for finally completing "A Shoulder to Lean On III", I was rapturous when I found out it was done! And don't take any shit from all of those complainers out there--your story is YOUR story, and you have the right to end it just the way you want! And with all of that behind us, commence with the reviewing! All forms of compliments are gratefully accepted, LoL! But critism is alright, too, so feel free to bitch me out if you'd like, God knows I'VE done it enough in my lifetime. Ja ne! REVIEWS PLZ!
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