(author's note to Digifan: I can't answer that.  Wouldn't want to ruin any future plot twists, now, would I?)

Dragonball FT, The Black Thorn Saga
Chapter 3: After-Shock

The final bell rang to end both Xavier's gym class and the school day. Xavier walked into the locker room to get changed. He was still trying to figure out what had happened just a few minutes prior. He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't even take notice of anyone around him. After silently getting changed, Xavier slowly walked down the halls to his locker, with his eyes trained on the ground. As he walked along the crowded hallway, towards his locker, he was repeatedly bumped and pushed out of the way by others, hurrying along for some reason or another. Ten minutes ago, those weights weighed nothing to me. I could've killed that son of a bitch with the slightest effort. Now, I'm getting pushed out of the way by underclassmen. Xavier thought. And what about that voice? I've never heard it before in my life, I'm sure of that, but there was no one else around. Am I going crazy? Do I need to be put on some sort of
medication?

These were the thoughts that filled Xavier head as he got his books from his locker and made his way to the principal's office where he clocked in and started work. The hour of cleaning classrooms passed Xavier by as he continued to wander through his thoughts. He still couldn't make sense of what had happened when he clocked out and left school to catch the bus home. As
he exited through the front doors, he noticed Jane sitting sideways on one of the bottom steps so that her legs were stretched out along the length of the stair, waiting for him to finish his janitorial work, just like she did every day. What was different today, however, was that she had company...it was Chris.

That goddamn son of a bitch! What the hell does he think he's doing? An hour ago, he was insulting her, and now he's standing there, chatting away with her like they're best of friends! Xavier thought after stopping dead in his tracks, just outside the door. He then descended the stairs and, stopping on the stair above the one that Jane was sitting on, extended his hand towards Jane and asked "Ready to go?"

She took his hand and he helped her to her feet. After she brushed the dirt off the back of her pants, the two teens began walking towards the bus stop, leaving Chris alone at the base of the stairs. The moment that he saw Xavier coming down the stairs, Chris seemed to have lost his voice. He still wasn't sure what had happened in the weight room and thus, didn't mention it to anyone. He knew no one would believe that Xavier could have done what he did, and Chris wasn't about to make himself look like a fool, claiming to have seen Xavier pick up those weights like he did.

When they were out of earshot, Jane, who was now tying her straight, shoulder-length black hair back in a ponytail, turned to Xavier and simply remarked: "I really hate that guy."

"Really? Then what were the two of you talking about?" Xavier asked.

"You," Jane replied, which caused Xavier to raise an eyebrow.

"What about me?" he asked in a lighthearted voice that was in stark contrast to his mental state. "I'm not much of a topic of conversation." Nothing major, he just asked me a few questions like: How long have I known you? and if you played any sports or went to a gym outside of school...come to think of it, that was pretty weird of him to just start asking questions about you."

Xavier made no response, which prompted Jane to ask her long-time friend: "So, you gonna tell what happened to you today?" What makes you think something happened?" He asked.

"Well, first, Chris is asking questions about your personal life, and now, you're quieter than normal. I know you too well to think that nothing's wrong." she replied.

"Trust me, nothings wrong," he lied while feigning a smile.

She returned the smile, but before she could respond, their bus pulled up and Xavier motioned for her to go first. Once they were seated, Xavier quickly turned the conversation to Jane's day. I hate to lie to her like this, but I don't know what happened today, and I sure as hell don't know how to explain it to her. he thought while he listened to Jane tell him about her day. Somehow, Xavier managed to keep changing the topic of discussion throughout the entire ride home. When he stepped off the bus and they parted ways, each heading towards their own street, Xavier realized that, for the first time since he had met Jane, he was glad to have left her presence. What the fuck am I thinking? I've never been happy to leave her. O well, I'll just have to add that to my list of things to think about tonight.

Upon entering his apartment complex, Xavier was reminded about the defective elevator. He then slowly began ascending the staircase, his mind still racing with different thoughts, only now he cursed the landlord every few steps. He reached his floor and walked down the hall towards his apartment. When he got there, he pulled out his key and moved to unlock the door. He wasn't thinking, however, and missed the keyhole. In his distracted mental state, he dropped the key.

This just isn't my day. He thought, as he bent down to pick up the key. When he stood up, he happened to glance down the hall and, for a brief moment, his gaze was frozen in that of two beautiful green eyes that disappeared as fast as they met Xavier's, leaving behind a fleeting trail of red hair as the unknown girl disappeared into an apartment.

Woah! Who was that? Xavier thought, until he remembered, She must've just moved in...Now I remember, mom mentioned that new neighbors were moving in two doors down.

His mind moving back to the task at hand of opening the door, Xavier unlocked it and entered the apartment. He noticed the light on the answering machine was flashing. He knew who the message was from and didn't want to listen to it, but he pressed the 'play' button anyway and listened.... "Hi, sweetie, it's mom." This much Xavier had already guessed, and he had a good idea of why she had called. "Don't worry about fixing anything for me or your sister for dinner, I'll be working late again and your sister is upstairs at your aunt Mary's...she's spending the entire evening there with your cousin Amanda, so you don't have to worry about her. Make yourself something to eat and make sure you get your homework done...Love you." Beeeeeeeeeeep.

The noise startled Xavier. He had barely listened to the message...all he needed to know was that he didn't have to watch his sister that night. Walking into the part of the room that served as a kitchen, Xavier found a pack of macaroni and cheese and threw it in the microwave. He still had dozens of questions that he couldn't answer, but he knew he wouldn't figure any of them out that night, so he decided that he would simply let his mind wander for the rest of the day in the wonderful world that is television and macaroni and cheese.