"I still can't believe it. Those two seemed so in love with each other…"
I stood near the dresser venerating myself in front of the large square mirror as Pan babbled on and on about how surprised she was that Trunks and his fiancée had broken up.
"…I mean your brother is such a nice guy…"
I wondered if she was paying any attention to the words that were escaping from her lips, words that revealed more than just concern but a lingering tone of relief, almost as if she sought comfort in the fact that he was no longer attached. It was an emotion that somehow shocked me quite a bit. I was surprised. I had never seen it before, that hidden attraction Pan secretly contained for my brother, a little humorous as I thought about it. It would be a bit weird: me falling for Goten and then her falling for Trunks, a bit scary as I linger on the nagging possibility.
"Bra, are you even listening to me?" Pan interrupted. "You seem to be lost in your own little world."
"Sorry about that. But I am listening to you, more than you think actually." I positioned myself sideways sneaking a peek at my frame in the mirror. I bundled up my hair clumsily pulling it together through a small band. "Should I pull my hair up today or should I leave it down?" I twitched and turned in front of the mirror trying to gain some satisfaction from the way I looked. I wasn't contented however.
"Leave it down," Pan finally commented in the background.
"Yeah I agree," I replied letting my hair relax once again against my face.
"You know I'm really glad you invited me over to spend the night. We haven't been able to hang out like this for the past few days."
"Yeah, I know." I trailed over to my bedside reaching for the outfit, which was laid out in front of me. My mind was tortured with relentless curiosity, speculating if my observations were somehow inaccurate. "Pan, can I ask you something?"
"Uhh, sure. Why not?" She turned to me inquisitively propping one hand up against her face.
"Do you like my…?"
"Hold on for a moment Bra," she suddenly interrupted. "Sorry, but I think I hear someone knocking."
"Hey ladies, are you ready to leave yet?"
Pan's face lit up from the sound of the voice behind the door. She seemed like a little kid for a split second, her smile affecting everything and everyone around her. I wondered if that's how I looked every time Goten appeared in front of me. I blushed at the thought for a few seconds.
"Give us two minutes Trunks," I chimed in response. I fumbled hastily to put on my clothes while Pan hurried klutzily towards the door.
"I'll wait for you outside Bra," Pan whispered keenly, failing miserably to hide the infatuated longing on her face. "Oh, I almost forgot," she turned around apologetically. "What were you going to ask me?"
"Ahh, it's nothing. Forget about it."
"Oh, okay then. Meet you downstairs."
"Meet you downstairs."
**********
"Thanks for the ride Trunks."
I stood to the side with impatience, listening to Pan bid farewell to my brother. Her reluctance was overwhelming. It was almost too much to bear.
"Hurry up Pan, class starts in ten minutes."
A feeling of resentment consumed me for a few minutes. I never expected to feel such emotions. I think I was actually jealous that Pan was getting so much attention. They've grown so close in the space of one week and somehow it's already been too much for me to tolerate. For the first time I actually realized how Trunks must have felt when Goten was growing closer to me. They don't even seem to recognize it, how much happier they appear when they're around each other. It's the first time in a very long time that I've ever witnessed my brother brimming of such joy and comfort.
"What am I thinking?" I whimpered sadly. I chastised myself silently, for brewing the slightest disapproval towards them.
"Bra, are you okay?" I hadn't even noticed that Pan was standing beside me. She stared at me with concern as my brother's car sped away. "It's nothing," I lied. "Let's go to class shall we."
"Sure,' she replied hesitantly.
**********
Second period had finally arrived and I found myself drowning in boredom from
Mr. Watanabe's class. I was always a
lover of science but somehow his classes seemed quite uneventful. He always seemed very lazy and ripped out
all the fun that came with teaching.
"Hey Bra, it's been a while."
I looked up from the textbook I was reading to see Jason sitting in a tablet to the right of me. I hadn't noticed it before, but he had such beautiful eyes. They had an emerald glow that seemed to pierce right through me. His copper-red hair was loose on his shoulders today. It looked a bit feathered and covered a portion of his face. He was sporting a simple red Sean Jean t-shirt, loose jeans and a pair of sandals. He looked rather refreshing.
"How have you been?" he asked turning towards me, relaxing his elbow against the table. He pulled his fingers through his hair gently gazing pleasantly into my eyes.
"I've been okay," I replied uncomfortably. To my surprise, I felt a bit shy in his company.
"You look beautiful today," he complimented. He leaned forward slightly brushing a few loose strands away from my face.
"Mr. Takashi, please pay attention!" Mr. Watanabe demanded.
All the students snickered as the teacher threatened to put Jason out of the class.
Jason refocused his attention to his textbook reluctantly sneaking glances at me playfully at the corner of his eye. He seemed determined to gain my full attention for some reason. The expression in his eyes appeared so demanding.
"Psst, Bra."
"Mr. Takashi!"
"Yes sir!" Jason arose from his desk abruptly sneaking a folded piece of paper unto my desk.
"You seem to be having difficulty paying attention in my class," the professor commented irately.
"Sorry sir."
"I would like you to read the first chapter aloud on page fifty-five."
"Yes sir."
"And everyone else, please pay attention."
Jason brushed his hair away from his face reflexively, searching wearily for the paragraph the teacher spoke of.
"Here, use my textbook," I willingly offered. "I found the page already."
"Thanks Bra," he whispered gratefully.
"Some living things are Asexual…"
I stared at Jason adoringly as he commenced reading the first chapter. My eyes also strayed to my classmates who seemed to be fixated on his form as well. I guess he really was a popular guy. He's tall, great looking and the captain of the football team. I would be foolish to ignore the advances from a cool guy like him.
"That'll be all Takashi," Mr. Watanabe concluded.
Soon after the school bell chimed signaling the end of second period. I was so relieved to be dismissed.
"Bra wait." A large hand encircled my wrist possessively as I headed eagerly towards the exit. It was Jason tugging at me gently, eventually puling me into a warm embrace. My cheeks flushed red with embarrassment as the remaining students stared at us astonishingly while exiting the classroom.
"What's the matter?" I inquired sheepishly.
"I just missed you. That's all," he replied. He leaned over slightly, brushing his lips tenderly against my forehead. The vanilla scent of his hair surrounded me as a few strands rubbed against my cheek. I couldn't help but pull my fingers through them.
"I'll talk to you later," he stated finally pulling away. "Read that note I gave you he reminded me tapping his fingers upon my shirt pocket. He winked at me before exiting through the door. I was left in bewilderment.
"He's quite a charmer isn't he?"
"What?" I turned around swiftly, startled by the voice inquiring from behind me. "Uhh… Pan, when did you slip in here?" I questioned.
"I walked in while you had your hands all over Jason Takashi," she remarked. "I guess you were too busy to notice what else was going on around you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
She cruised over to one of the tablets sitting herself comfortably on top of the table. "Are you two a couple or something?" she asked abruptly.
"No, we're just friends. Why?"
"That's not the impression everyone else is getting. I didn't believe it either until I saw you two together with my own eyes. It's blatantly obvious that Jason really likes you and for some reason you're reveling in it."
"No you're reading things wrongly Pan… you're confused…"
"I'm confused?" Pan exclaimed in astonishment. "The only person confused here is you Bra. You claim to like my uncle but here you are flirting with the high school jock. I can't believe you!"
"Pan wait… you're wrong, it's not like that."
"Then what is it like then?" She asked doubtfully. "Can you honestly tell me you don't have feelings for Jason Takashi?"
Silence surrounded both of us as Pan sat there tearfully awaiting a reply.
"Thanks for proving me right," she hissed before getting up and exiting the classroom.
~*~*~*~
I know. I know. It's been a while. I've been busy with a lot of other things.
Anyways… in this chapter I decided to add a bit of conflict, conflict with feelings and conflict among friends. It's gonna be a tough decision for me to make with regards to who Bra should end up with. Also, those mixed feelings will be made even more chaotic when I bring more drama into the next few chapters to come. I'm also contemplating on whether or not I should elaborate on Trunks/Pan as well. Look out for the next chappie. :P