I don't own DBZ
What's Betrayal Between Friends?
Chapter 4 – Help Wanted
"Heya, Paris."
Trunks said with as much nutrality as he could, then pushed Paris away, not too gently.
"What's the matter, Trunksie-poo?"
He glared at her.
"Don't call me that. Don't you have a friend to to meet with?"
The girl thought, then shook her head.
"Maybe. Are you my friend?"
He didn't even bother to reply. He felt sick just looking at her.
"Where're you going?!"
Trunks half waved and walked on without a workd.
"ooo, tough guy, eh? Sure, go away, I know the truth!"
Paris's voice began to tahnkfully melt out of hear-sight, when Trunks heared her high heels clatter against the pavement.
"Where're your manners? Didn't your mama ever tell you it's impolite to walk out on a lady?"
"She did, and if I'd have seen one, I'd have apologized."
Paris grabbed Trunks's arm, causing him to stop. He looked at her, indifference on his features. She pouted, then smiled.
"Come on, I know how you feel about me."
"Then you have the hardest case of taking a hint I've ever seen."
Paris laughed and Trunks frowned at the looks people were giving them.
'They have to be stupid to believe we're together!'
"Oh, come on! Tell me all those glances you sent me at the restaurant mean nothing!"
"They meant nothing."
The brunette tilted her head and sang childishly:
"I don't belieeeeeeeve you!"
"Then don't."
Trunks started to walk away again, and she followed.
"You know, Trunks, I'm sorry."
Glancing at her from the corner of her eyes, the young man wondered what his unwanted comapnion was going to say.
"I can't be with you."
The half Saiyan felt like laughing out loud. So he did.
"I'm with Goten."
Glaring at Paris with evident mockingness, Trunks almost felt like slapping her. Almost.
"And as long as he's happy with you, I have nothing against you."
A rather surprised look came to the girl's face.
"He… he's happy with me?"
The surprise in her voice made Trunks snap.
"Well, maybe you'd have noticed if you paid Goten more attention instead of looking at every other male in the room!"
Paris stared at him, wide eyed. If she was acting, Trunks concluded, she deserved and Oscar.
"Bye."
"You know I was just kidding earlier, right? About pinning you to the wall… right?!"
He glared at her before disappearing in the crowd.
"You're home already?"
Trunks looked up to meet his mother's confused face. He cursed under his breath.
"Sorry, mom. Didn't notice where I was going… too deep in thought."
"Well, I was on my way to take over for you, but considering you seem upset, I can afford to be late to the company which I own."
He tried to protest.
"Trunks, I'm your mother. In case you missed it, that wasn't a suggestion."
Sometimes, Trunks was more afraid of his mother than his father.
"So tell me."
15 minutes later and the two were seated in their kitchen, cups of hot cocoa in front of them. Bulma knew that even the 29 year old in front of her had a soft spot for hot cocoa. (A/N: aww, isn't he adorable? ^_^)
"Come on. What's on your mind?"
Trunks thought for a while, trying to find a way to tell without actually involving Goten.
"Well, it's nothing really."
"Then why're you so upset about nothing?"
He sighed.
"An… employee is having a hard time and I feel bad about scolding him."
Bulma nodded.
"What's his story?"
Sipping his cocoa (A/N: awww ^_^ Pan: *glares* me: ^^;;; ) Trunks began.
"Well, he recently found out his friend's girlfriend was cheating on the friend but he doesn't want to hurt his friend by telling.
"I see."
Bulma was quiet for a while, obviously waiting for Trunks to continue.
"I didn't know what to tell him."
"Well, how much does he care about his friend?"
"A lot."
"Then he shouldn't rush into it without making sure."
But I did make sure, Trunks groaned inwardly. He saw it first hand.
"Well, I better get going. And don't stress yourself too much over it. I mean, it's not like he's your best friend."
Trunks stared at Bulma's disappearing form as she left. For a genious, his mother could be rather dense sometimes.
"Well… when the mind's troubled… You raid the fridge."
Said a true Saiya-jin.
Goten returned home after another hour of wondering about. Upon return he saw Pan sitting next to the TV with a bowl of popcorn. She seemed slightly depressed.
"Heya, Panny! What's up?!"
The girl threw him half a smile, then returned to the TV.
"Not that well, huh?"
Sitting next to her, Goten hogged the popcorn bowl.
"Sure, help yourself."
"Don't mind if I do!"
Frowning, Pan crossed her arms.
"For my uncle, you act like my kid brother instead of my father's."
"Reminds you of my dad, doesn't it?"
She had to chuckle.
"Yep."
They watched the TV for a while longer.
"Hey, Goten?"
"hm?"
"Think Trunks would ask me out to that Capsule Corp party?"
Goten has never before chocked on popcorn. Until then, that is.
"wha, wha, what?!"
"Well, you know… for a date?"
Goten blinked a few times, then smiled a bit apologetically.
"I donno, Pan. Marron seemed pretty sure he was going to ask her out."
"Yeah, well… one can only hope, right? And I'm sure you'll ask Paris-chan out!"
Goten grinned.
"Hai! I'm sure she'll love it."
"I hope so. You two make the cutest couple!"
"Thanks."
The two returned to the telli in silence.
"Hello?... Hello?"
Trunks breathed deeply as Paris tried to get a reply on the other end of the line. Why did he call her, anyways?
"Hey, Paris."
Her voice's cheerfulness faded.
"Trunks."
"Look, I wanted to apologize about earlier. It really didn't come out the way I planned it."
'oh, he planned it?'
Paris thought as she grinned to herself; of course Trunks couldn't see it over the phone.
"Can we please meet for coffee tomorrow or something so we can talk?"
after a hesitant pause, Paris talked, sounding as cheerful as always.
"Sure! Starbucks, 10 am, if it's ok with your schedule?"
"Be there. Bye, Paris."
Hanging the phone, Trunks felt both relieved and stressed. When he went to leave the room, and slap came in contact with his cheek. Trunks took a step backwards, in surprise more than in pain.
"You backstabbing, male bitch."
Ah, sisters can be so loving of their brothers.
A/N: hope no one mind the T/P, or should I say P/T in this chapter (well, it IS from Pan to Trunks, so…) R&R! ^-^
