A/N: Quite a lot this chapter is written from Goten's POV because Marron is reading entries from his diary and diaries are written in first person. The following is mainly the stuff he wrote about Marron.
May 16th
Marron was at the bus stop today as she always is. Every time I see her, I can hardly believe how beautiful she is. It seems she grows more lovely with the passing of each day. Today, she wore her favorite red dress that made her perfect golden blonde hair stand out as it shimmered in the rising sun. I cannot wait for the day when I can tell her that I only catch the bus to watch her every morning and see the beauty in her face so that it can light up the rest of my day.
It's such a shame she hates me. Every night, I lie awake playing a game in my imagination. Pretending she loves me and not Trunks. In this imaginary world, I can show her all the wonders and beauty around my home and have her marvel at it as I do. Someday, I shall tell her I love her, whether she wants to hear it or not.
I broke away from the diary, remembering that day clearly. It was the day of the math test that resulted in me having to have a tutor. It was hard to picture Goten sitting at this desk, writing down these thoughts about me hurriedly. But he had and the evidence lay in front of me. Though I knew it was wrong, I couldn't resist reading on.
May 20th
Marron has a new tutor, my brother! I can hardly believe my luck! I'll see ten times more of her than I had ever hoped for. But I haven't revealed the best bit yet, I GET TO FLY HER TO AND FROM TUTORING!!!! Isn't that fantastic? Just me, Marron and the entire sky! Of course, dad could use I.T (Instant Transmission) to teleport her to and from, but I refused to let him. This special time I can share with her will be more than I could have ever wanted.
The next few entries weren't interesting. I skimmed the little book and found one that mentioned my name several times and stopped to read.
May 28th
I haven't written all weekend because I was camping with Bra and Trunks.....AND MARRON! I had to laugh at her when she turned up in fashionable clothes, black high heels and bearing a 'Tent in a Tube' which we left for a home for the animals in the forest. And Bra (I still praise her for this) dared me to kiss her hand!!!! We had some alone time, which didn't last long but long enough for me to enjoy her company. She is the most beautiful creature in the whole world and I love her more than I love myself.
June 6th
I finally found the courage to ask Marron to the movies. Somehow, we've managed to make friends. I'm not too sure on how it happened, but it did. Marron wore all pink and white when we met and was incredibly sweet. I told her so. I wasn't sure if it was a good comment, but she liked it.....I think. Sure we were thrown out only ten minutes in but I had the best time in the world.
June 9th
Marron and I are still sitting next to each other in every class. Today we had a staring competition and after she had stared into my eyes and mine had been granted the pleasure of staring into hers, she came away weak and wobbly, the way I was around her. Who knows? Maybe she's beginning to like me!
June 19th
Trunks' party yesterday. I danced with Marron for one song. She's a perfect dancer and the outfit she wore made her more beautiful than ever. Trunks danced with Marron for six songs. I thought he told me he wasn't interested in her. But I suppose things change and Marron loves Trunks enough to go out with him if he asked her to. But she can't be in love with him really can she? I didn't think love could be one-sided.
June 20th
Marron said she didn't want to sit next to me today. But that's only because of peer pressure. She doesn't want people getting the wrong idea but reassured me I was still her friend. Which, I guess, is pretty nice of her. I'm glad that peer pressure won't ruin our friendship. At least THAT can remain ok.
The next entries were about Uub and Bra. Another relationship I had failed to realize. I skipped it and moved on.
June 27th
Last night, Marron, Trunks, Bra and Uub kept me company while I babysat Pan. Trunks has really taken a shine to Pan and he told me he wants to become her regular babysitter when Gohan and Videl are busy. Pan adores him. She even wanted to have a pretend wedding with him! How cute!
While Trunks was busy with Pan, and Uub (as always) was latching onto Bra, Marron and I were left alone. I nearly gained up the courage to tell her how I feel and I was pretty much ready to speak the words when Trunks interrupted and I changed my mind. It doesn't matter. One way or another, she'll learn the truth.
July 1st
School dance is coming up. Marron asked me to hook her up with Trunks. At first I thought she was going to ask me to go with her, but then she asked if I could hook her up. I was heartbroken and my only comforting thought came from when she barged in on me and sat beside me on my bed. But even her presence didn't make me feel better. Nothing can take away the pain I am feeling. Nothing except the gift of her love.
My eyes were filling with tears and I put the diary back on the bench, closing it. All this time.....all these years and he had those same thoughts going on in the back of his mind.....and I had been treating him like dirt.
"Marron?"
I jumped at the sound of my name, wiped my eyes and turned around in my chair. Goten was sitting in the windowsill, his knees bent so he could fit in the full length of the window pane. He had one leg hanging out the window and the other, the one closest to me, resting on the window pane. I stood up and edged away from his diary, wondering how long he had been sitting there and watching me.
"Hey Goten. I was......" I trailed off, unsure of what to say. Slowly, I moved closer to him but with caution. Now I knew his true feelings, I didn't really know how to act around him. Sure, guys have liked me before, but not that much!
"Hey I just noticed you've stopped wearing makeup and perfume." Goten beamed. "You took my advice."
"Yeah. Makeup makes me look too old, I think. You were right. You know me better than I know myself." I paused, staring past him and out the window. I had to ask him the question. "Goten.....do you like me?"
Goten laughed so hard, he actually fell out of the window. I screamed and leaned over to see if he was ok just as he flew back up and stepped into the room. I couldn't believe I was stupid enough to forget he could fly for a minute.
"Jeez, lucky I can fly or I would have been a goner." Goten said, laughing hysterically. "Imagine breaking your leg laughing so much!"
"You haven't answered my question." I scowled. "I asked you if you like me."
"And that's why I was laughing so much! Of course I like you, Marron! Besides Trunks, you're probably my best friend!"
He was grinning in his usual Goten-like way and though it was good to see him happy again, I was becoming incredibly frustrated. Of course I knew he liked me. What I wanted to know was if he loved me.
"I don't mean it like that. What I meant to ask was......do you love me?"
His smile dropped and he became stony faced and serious again. He turned to stare out the window, his face rose pink indicating his embarrassment.
"Well.......yes. Marron, yes. I do."
I knew that he was going to say yes. But even so, it sounded strange to hear. I could feel my feet giving way beneath my body and I thought I wouldn't be able to stand up much longer. I dropped into his desk chair and sat, shivering and not knowing what I was meant to say.
"If you don't want me to fly you home, I understand." He mumbled, shuffling about the bedroom.
"Oh. Ok." I didn't know what to say. I felt so embarrassed and helpless as I stared from the door to Goten. I stood up, almost fell over again and quickly left the room hurrying downstairs.
"Goku." I said as I came darting downstairs. "Will you take me home?"
"Course, Marron." Goku stood up and took my hand. Then I felt my body lurch forward as he IT'ed me home.
"Hello Princess, how was tutoring?" Krillin asked when I came inside. I didn't reply but ran upstairs and collapsed onto my bed, tears streaming down my face. I could hear them talking downstairs.
"That bad huh?" Krillin asked.
18 sighed exhaustedly. "Let me talk to her." She said and marched upstairs, barging into my room. I quickly attempted to dry my eyes but it was no use. She sat on my bed and hugged me tightly.
"Tell me what's wrong, sweetheart." She whispered into my hair.
"Goten. He....he....loves me." I sobbed.
"That's not a shock to me." 18 said with a fond laugh. "I wondered how long it would take you to figure that out. But why so glum? Goten isn't THAT awful is he?"
"He's not awful at all. It's just that I've been so terrible to him. All this time when I've been such a bitch, he's taken my abuse with good nature. When I asked him to hook me up with Trunks, he did it with such kindness. I feel so bad. It's all my fault!"
I burst out crying yet again. 18 held me close and let me cry all over her new blood red jumper. When I finally stopped crying, she stroked my hair in a mother-like fashion and talked to me quietly.
"You told me Goten loves you. Do you love Goten?"
"No. I mean yes......I mean.......I don't know what I mean!" I wailed. It was the gospel truth. I didn't know if I was in love with Goten or not. I didn't know who I loved anymore.
"Poor thing. You're so confused!" 18 held me tight.
"Worst of it is that I'm going to the dance with Trunks and I'm not sure if I'll be able to enjoy myself if I know Goten is at home feeling depressed. And Trunks won't be feeling very good about it either. He only asked me because Goten told him to. He doesn't even WANT to go with me!"
"Marron, chill." She said incredibly sharply. "You must understand that neither your father or I can make this decision for you. I know this sounds corny but you have to listen to your heart and ask yourself if you really love Goten. Then it's up to you what you're going to do about the dance."
She bent over and kissed my forehead, then she left me alone in my room to think.
May 16th
Marron was at the bus stop today as she always is. Every time I see her, I can hardly believe how beautiful she is. It seems she grows more lovely with the passing of each day. Today, she wore her favorite red dress that made her perfect golden blonde hair stand out as it shimmered in the rising sun. I cannot wait for the day when I can tell her that I only catch the bus to watch her every morning and see the beauty in her face so that it can light up the rest of my day.
It's such a shame she hates me. Every night, I lie awake playing a game in my imagination. Pretending she loves me and not Trunks. In this imaginary world, I can show her all the wonders and beauty around my home and have her marvel at it as I do. Someday, I shall tell her I love her, whether she wants to hear it or not.
I broke away from the diary, remembering that day clearly. It was the day of the math test that resulted in me having to have a tutor. It was hard to picture Goten sitting at this desk, writing down these thoughts about me hurriedly. But he had and the evidence lay in front of me. Though I knew it was wrong, I couldn't resist reading on.
May 20th
Marron has a new tutor, my brother! I can hardly believe my luck! I'll see ten times more of her than I had ever hoped for. But I haven't revealed the best bit yet, I GET TO FLY HER TO AND FROM TUTORING!!!! Isn't that fantastic? Just me, Marron and the entire sky! Of course, dad could use I.T (Instant Transmission) to teleport her to and from, but I refused to let him. This special time I can share with her will be more than I could have ever wanted.
The next few entries weren't interesting. I skimmed the little book and found one that mentioned my name several times and stopped to read.
May 28th
I haven't written all weekend because I was camping with Bra and Trunks.....AND MARRON! I had to laugh at her when she turned up in fashionable clothes, black high heels and bearing a 'Tent in a Tube' which we left for a home for the animals in the forest. And Bra (I still praise her for this) dared me to kiss her hand!!!! We had some alone time, which didn't last long but long enough for me to enjoy her company. She is the most beautiful creature in the whole world and I love her more than I love myself.
June 6th
I finally found the courage to ask Marron to the movies. Somehow, we've managed to make friends. I'm not too sure on how it happened, but it did. Marron wore all pink and white when we met and was incredibly sweet. I told her so. I wasn't sure if it was a good comment, but she liked it.....I think. Sure we were thrown out only ten minutes in but I had the best time in the world.
June 9th
Marron and I are still sitting next to each other in every class. Today we had a staring competition and after she had stared into my eyes and mine had been granted the pleasure of staring into hers, she came away weak and wobbly, the way I was around her. Who knows? Maybe she's beginning to like me!
June 19th
Trunks' party yesterday. I danced with Marron for one song. She's a perfect dancer and the outfit she wore made her more beautiful than ever. Trunks danced with Marron for six songs. I thought he told me he wasn't interested in her. But I suppose things change and Marron loves Trunks enough to go out with him if he asked her to. But she can't be in love with him really can she? I didn't think love could be one-sided.
June 20th
Marron said she didn't want to sit next to me today. But that's only because of peer pressure. She doesn't want people getting the wrong idea but reassured me I was still her friend. Which, I guess, is pretty nice of her. I'm glad that peer pressure won't ruin our friendship. At least THAT can remain ok.
The next entries were about Uub and Bra. Another relationship I had failed to realize. I skipped it and moved on.
June 27th
Last night, Marron, Trunks, Bra and Uub kept me company while I babysat Pan. Trunks has really taken a shine to Pan and he told me he wants to become her regular babysitter when Gohan and Videl are busy. Pan adores him. She even wanted to have a pretend wedding with him! How cute!
While Trunks was busy with Pan, and Uub (as always) was latching onto Bra, Marron and I were left alone. I nearly gained up the courage to tell her how I feel and I was pretty much ready to speak the words when Trunks interrupted and I changed my mind. It doesn't matter. One way or another, she'll learn the truth.
July 1st
School dance is coming up. Marron asked me to hook her up with Trunks. At first I thought she was going to ask me to go with her, but then she asked if I could hook her up. I was heartbroken and my only comforting thought came from when she barged in on me and sat beside me on my bed. But even her presence didn't make me feel better. Nothing can take away the pain I am feeling. Nothing except the gift of her love.
My eyes were filling with tears and I put the diary back on the bench, closing it. All this time.....all these years and he had those same thoughts going on in the back of his mind.....and I had been treating him like dirt.
"Marron?"
I jumped at the sound of my name, wiped my eyes and turned around in my chair. Goten was sitting in the windowsill, his knees bent so he could fit in the full length of the window pane. He had one leg hanging out the window and the other, the one closest to me, resting on the window pane. I stood up and edged away from his diary, wondering how long he had been sitting there and watching me.
"Hey Goten. I was......" I trailed off, unsure of what to say. Slowly, I moved closer to him but with caution. Now I knew his true feelings, I didn't really know how to act around him. Sure, guys have liked me before, but not that much!
"Hey I just noticed you've stopped wearing makeup and perfume." Goten beamed. "You took my advice."
"Yeah. Makeup makes me look too old, I think. You were right. You know me better than I know myself." I paused, staring past him and out the window. I had to ask him the question. "Goten.....do you like me?"
Goten laughed so hard, he actually fell out of the window. I screamed and leaned over to see if he was ok just as he flew back up and stepped into the room. I couldn't believe I was stupid enough to forget he could fly for a minute.
"Jeez, lucky I can fly or I would have been a goner." Goten said, laughing hysterically. "Imagine breaking your leg laughing so much!"
"You haven't answered my question." I scowled. "I asked you if you like me."
"And that's why I was laughing so much! Of course I like you, Marron! Besides Trunks, you're probably my best friend!"
He was grinning in his usual Goten-like way and though it was good to see him happy again, I was becoming incredibly frustrated. Of course I knew he liked me. What I wanted to know was if he loved me.
"I don't mean it like that. What I meant to ask was......do you love me?"
His smile dropped and he became stony faced and serious again. He turned to stare out the window, his face rose pink indicating his embarrassment.
"Well.......yes. Marron, yes. I do."
I knew that he was going to say yes. But even so, it sounded strange to hear. I could feel my feet giving way beneath my body and I thought I wouldn't be able to stand up much longer. I dropped into his desk chair and sat, shivering and not knowing what I was meant to say.
"If you don't want me to fly you home, I understand." He mumbled, shuffling about the bedroom.
"Oh. Ok." I didn't know what to say. I felt so embarrassed and helpless as I stared from the door to Goten. I stood up, almost fell over again and quickly left the room hurrying downstairs.
"Goku." I said as I came darting downstairs. "Will you take me home?"
"Course, Marron." Goku stood up and took my hand. Then I felt my body lurch forward as he IT'ed me home.
"Hello Princess, how was tutoring?" Krillin asked when I came inside. I didn't reply but ran upstairs and collapsed onto my bed, tears streaming down my face. I could hear them talking downstairs.
"That bad huh?" Krillin asked.
18 sighed exhaustedly. "Let me talk to her." She said and marched upstairs, barging into my room. I quickly attempted to dry my eyes but it was no use. She sat on my bed and hugged me tightly.
"Tell me what's wrong, sweetheart." She whispered into my hair.
"Goten. He....he....loves me." I sobbed.
"That's not a shock to me." 18 said with a fond laugh. "I wondered how long it would take you to figure that out. But why so glum? Goten isn't THAT awful is he?"
"He's not awful at all. It's just that I've been so terrible to him. All this time when I've been such a bitch, he's taken my abuse with good nature. When I asked him to hook me up with Trunks, he did it with such kindness. I feel so bad. It's all my fault!"
I burst out crying yet again. 18 held me close and let me cry all over her new blood red jumper. When I finally stopped crying, she stroked my hair in a mother-like fashion and talked to me quietly.
"You told me Goten loves you. Do you love Goten?"
"No. I mean yes......I mean.......I don't know what I mean!" I wailed. It was the gospel truth. I didn't know if I was in love with Goten or not. I didn't know who I loved anymore.
"Poor thing. You're so confused!" 18 held me tight.
"Worst of it is that I'm going to the dance with Trunks and I'm not sure if I'll be able to enjoy myself if I know Goten is at home feeling depressed. And Trunks won't be feeling very good about it either. He only asked me because Goten told him to. He doesn't even WANT to go with me!"
"Marron, chill." She said incredibly sharply. "You must understand that neither your father or I can make this decision for you. I know this sounds corny but you have to listen to your heart and ask yourself if you really love Goten. Then it's up to you what you're going to do about the dance."
She bent over and kissed my forehead, then she left me alone in my room to think.