Chapter One: Can I get some advice
please!!
"Hey! Wait up Sayiman!" A voice hollered behind him. Everyone at school knew who and what he was. He groaned upon hearing that voice. His pace slowed, but not by much.
"Three- two- on-"He was cut off as she came up.
"Hey Gohan. Sup?" Videl asked.
"Nothing. Why?" He replied.
"Well, you can look for yourself." She answered pointing to the wall. He saw the sign and read:
Annual Orange Star High Karaoke Contest.
Winner gets to pick a date with their crush.
Contest is to be held during 3rd, lunch, and SRT periods.
Four hours of non-stop music.
Come enter the contest.
Limited space available.
SO HURRY!!
Gohan snorted in pure hatred. He didn't want to sign up for something like that. He hated singing, he hated school dances, and not to mention the fact that if he did win all the girls at school would be begging him to go with them.
"So I'm supposed to enter this contest to save you from happening to go with Sharpener if he wins?" He was bringing the reason out in the open. She looked up at him. The look on her face tore at his heart, but he couldn't. Not even for her.
"No. I'll make an ass of myself." She rolled her eyes.
"Nice to know you don't want to eat at the finest restaurant in town Gohan." She muttered looking at him to see his reaction. She knew he liked her, but he wouldn't show it. So maybe if she gave him a nudge into the land of jealousy she'd make it work. She really wanted to go out on a date with him. She was just to shy to ask. Gohan only shook his head.
"Hey Videl are you going to enter the contest?" Sharpener called from behind them. Videl nodded.
"Why are you?" She asked. Sharpener nodded.
"What will you sing?" he asked.
"Simple and Clean by Utada Hikaru. What about you?" She asked.
"I was thinking of either Unwell by Matchbox Twenty or Are You There by Oleander." He answered.
"I'd do Are You There. It Rocks."
"O.K." He put the song down and went on his way. As soon as he was gone Videl turned to Gohan.
"You know if he wins he'll choose me."
"Fine!" He said. She tried to hide her laughter as he signed up.
"What's wrong now?" He asked. She shook her head and patted him on the shoulder. He raised an eyebrow then saw her smile. "What?" He asked softer and gentler.
"It's just that you looked funny when you were pissed just now." She answered hiding the real reason. He nodded not at all sure she was telling the truth. He walked on to class with her in tow. She was hiding something form him, but he didn't know what.
"So. Why did you really want me to join that contest?" He asked her as they walked out of their math class.
"I didn't want to have to go with Sharpener if he won." She answered. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"That's the only reason right?" He asked. She nodded. He rolled his eyes knowing full well that it wasn't the only reason.
"Do you think they'll give us homework these next few weeks?" Videl asked Gohan threading her arm through his. They walked out onto the sidewalk and up the street.
"Don't know Videl. We sure got math homework. This totally sucks too. They can't give us a break can they?" He asked turning to the left. Videl being attached to him somewhat was pulled along.
"I know, but we do have finals Gohan. You know they suck too." Videl said. He stopped and looked at her.
"How would you like to come out to my place and train awhile? For the contest and sparing." Gohan asked. Videl nodded and they took flight in the air. They raced to his place. "Videl, you know you won't beat me there!" Gohan hollered over the wind.
"Oh yeah?" She replied pushing as much of her energy as she could to gain more speed. Gohan watched as she shot foreword. He chuckled to himself and put on even more speed. They were flying trough the air so fast that everything else was a blur and they could hear nothing, but the wind rushing past their ears. He gained a head over her. He was right she knew, but she had to put up a little fight. Gohan looked at his watch as they landed. She stumbled across the ground way out of breath. He was still trying to catch his own.
"Record....time...." He said plopping down beside her. Her breathing was ragged as she sucked air into her lungs. "Hey....are...you....ok?" He asked. She nodded.
"I'm........fine.....thank.....you." She answered. She shuddered as she breathed in. Gohan propped himself up on one elbow and leaned over her. Air rushed in and out of her lungs. He pressed his ear to her chest to hear her heart. It was beating faster than normal.
"Don't you ever try to race like that again Videl. You know what it's doing to you and the wind pressure on your ears. Videl it's going to hurt you next time if you do that again." Gohan said. She looked up at him and saw concern knitted in his brow. She frowned at what she saw. This person she'd become friends with, fought beside, and knew so well, was overly concerned for her. Much like her father. No. Not like father. He'd have beaten me severely about the head if I'd have done that near him. Gohan is different. Not at all like the man I have lived with for seventeen years. No Gohan would never be like Daddy. she thought.
"Gohan. Shut up." She teased shoving him onto his back. He propped himself up on his elbows as she sat up.
"I'm only concerned and you know it Videl." He answered. She smiled at him and stood up.
"I know Gohan. Thank you." She said softly.
"Videl. I wish you'd not do that." Gohan said standing up in front of her. She sighed.
"Let's just spar." Videl said taking off again at top speed.
"Videl I said not to do that!" Gohan hollered after her. He took off behind her.
"Got to catch me first!" Was her answer.
"I'll catch you alright and then I'll take you to your father and have him give you a spanking!" Gohan said angrily. He caught up to her easily. She squealed when he grabbed her around the middle.
"Gohan don't you dare!" She screamed when he turned her over his knee and spanked her. It didn't really hurt, it only stung a little.
"Next time don't disobey me." He said sitting her on his knee.
"You are evil you ass." She said punching him in the arm. He narrowed his eyes at her.
"I'm an ass. Well, how about this ass tickles you till you fall on your own ass?" He asked not giving her the chance to respond. He began tickling her on the sides, then on the backs of her legs, then her feet until she grabbed his face and kissed him. "What in hell's tar nation was that for?" Gohan asked once she'd let him go. He was breathing hard.
"I wanted you to stop tickling me and the only way I could do that was to kiss you. So there." She answered. He glared at her. "Don't look at me like that Gohan. You were the one tickling me." She said crossing her arms over her chest. He swallowed hard.
"But you don't just do that to someone and not expect the third degree Videl. There was another reason behind that kiss. I felt it." He said. She stared him straight in the eyes.
"There isn't another reason Gohan. Unless you want me to lie to you and say there was." She answered. Gohan could see the fear in her eyes. She knew there was another reason. She just didn't want him to know what it was.
"Whatever Videl. Let's just spar." He said using her words. She looked him up and down. "There's not going to be any funny business from this side of the party Videl. That's your territory not mine." He whispered harshly.
"You're cruel Gohan. So what if there was another reason behind my kiss. You don't have to make a big deal out of it. I just kissed you is all." She said bursting into tears.
"Videl I...I..." Gohan stumbled for the words he needed. He came up behind her and was about to put his arms around her when she turned away.
"Just leave me alone Gohan" She said.
"No. I screwed up. Now let me fix this. I'm sorry Videl. I didn't mean to hurt you. You have to believe me. I'm not that kind of guy and you know it. I don't just go up to someone and kiss them because I want to. I have to have a reason. For the record I've never even kissed anybody. I don't know why you kissed me the way you did, but if you want me to understand then you have to believe in me and not brush me off like I'm the devil." Gohan said trying his best to apologize to her.
"Gohan I don't know why I did what I did. Just believe me please. Just believe me." She said. He hesitantly pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
"I believe you. Really I do Videl, but what about believing me?" He asked softly.
"I believe you Gohan. Now lets just spare and not fight." She said turning away. So they fought. Gohan letting her win the whole time. After their sparing match he took her back to his place and they ate. Then he flew with her home. He stood there on his front porch looking out at the night sky. Stars twinkled and the moon shone bright. Why is she doing this to me? First she pouts till I sign up for a contest then she deliberately disobeys me, finally she kisses me and none of it makes any sense. Where does it all add up? Where and how and even why? Why did she kiss me? Was she tired of me tickling her, but she could have told me to stop? She could have told me to not do anything I did. The thoughts raced through his mind not giving him time to adjust to the idea of her hiding something.
"Damn it Videl. Do you have to be doing this to me? Confusing me? Hiding things from me? Being a total pain in the ass?" He said aloud.
"Gohan are you talking to yourself again?" Chi Chi said from the doorway.
"No mother." He said rolling his eyes. Of course he was talking to himself. What else would he be doing?
"Do you need to talk about anything?" She asked. At first Gohan was going to say yes, but then he thought about it. His mother would want to know all the details. She'd want to know if he liked Videl or not. Whether he even loved her. He didn't even know the answers to such questions let alone how to deal with them.
"No Mom. I'm fine" He lied. He sighed and leaned up against a pillar that held up the roof.
"Are you sure?" She prodded. No he wasn't sure, but he didn't want to talk to her, she'd confuse him even more. He needed his father. He really needed to talk to his father and not a female. Unless of course it was Videl he was talking to then it would be ok.
"Yes I'm sure. He answered going on inside before she could ask him any more questions. He went up to his room, shut the door, locked it, and plopped down on the bed. "Now what? Now what?" He asked himself. His gaze settled on the phone. His mother would probably pick up the other end. Maybe he could call Videl or maybe Vegeta. Yeah he'd call Vegeta, but then he looked at the clock. It was 9:30 at night. Vegeta would still be up. He picked up the phone and dialed their number.
"Hello." A tired sleepy male voice said.
"Vegeta. Sorry did I wake you?" Gohan asked.
"Does your mother need Bulma?"
"Uh. No actually I called to see if I could talk to you." Vegeta grunted to show he was listening.
"Well, I wondered if we could not talk about this over the phone. I mean I could wait till tomorrow and come see you after school, but I'm sure you'd be training."
"You can't talk to your mother about this?' A growl registered in his voice.
"Really Vegeta how could I talk to her. She'd ask too many questions. Plus you're a guy. You'd understand."
"Oh. Now I get it. Girl trouble eh?" Humor filled Vegeta's voice.
"Yeah actually. It's about that." Gohan answered annoyed. Vegeta chuckled.
"Why couldn't Kakarrot help his own monkey brats with their problems?" He muttered to himself.
"I could call you some other time."Gohan offered.
"No. No. Come on over." Vegeta said his voice muffled.
"Uh, thanks Vegeta. I appreciate this."
"Just get over here." Gohan heard the click on the other end and hung up his own phone. He grabbed a jacket and took flight outside. Vegeta was outside on the back porch when he got there. "So what do you need to talk about that is so deathly important that you had to wake me up out of the best dream I've had in years?"
"Well, Videl and I were racing home to my place today. She kind of pushed herself to hard and once we'd rested she took off again at the same speed she had when we were racing and I told her not to ever do that again or she'd hurt herself. Well, she didn't listen to me so I was teasing her and spanked her. Well, then she yelled at me a little, called me an ass, so I started tickling her. Well, that ended up in a kiss, but I was the one on the receiving end."
"So she kissed you. That's what this is about?" Vegeta asked just for confirmation. Gohan nodded. "Well, then why the hell do you need my advice?" Vegeta asked.
"She confused me. I asked her why she'd kissed me and she got all protective on me. I don't understand why she wouldn't tell me Vegeta. She and I have been friends for quite some time. She should trust me."
"But did you ever think she might have fallen for you?" Vegeta asked. Gohan blushed.
"Well, no not really. I mean I always thought I was the scape goat when it came to her trying to get away from Sharpener." Gohan replied.
"Gohan you can't see it can you? God you do need female advice not mine. Jeez. Look where I ended up." Vegeta said.
"You ended up in a happy loving marriage." Gohan said. Vegeta chuckled not confirming anything.
"Maybe you should talk to her about this Gohan and not me. Or maybe you should try and get a hold of your father. I have no clue how to help you. I don't even know why I'm helping you." Vegeta said looking a bit mad at himself.
"Knock it off Vegeta. Face it. Now that your married, have a son, and love a human you can't act all 'bad' anymore. You're hopeless if you think you can hide it that you love your family. I know that look. It's the look I saw on my parents faces a lot before dad died."
"Oh yeah, well, we'll have to remember that the next time you want some help on something." Vegeta chuckled a small smile playing at the edges of his mouth.
"Better try not to smile there Vegeta. Might crack your 'stern' gaze." Gohan muttered.
"Well, I need to get my 'beauty' sleep and I'm pretty sure Bulma's getting her's so you better go on and get your own sleep."
"Ha-Ha. Vegeta. Very funny." Gohan said trying his best not to laugh. Thinking of Vegeta getting beauty sleep was something new.
"Just get on home. It's almost twelve." Vegeta muttered yawning and heading into the house.
"Hey Vegeta." Gohan paused. Vegeta turned around. "Thanks for the advice." Vegeta rolled his eyes, but let Gohan see his smile.
"I guess your welcome." He replied turning back and going up the stairs to his room. Gohan headed on home. He walked to his room and sat down on the bed. Talk to Videl. Vegeta's words repeated in his mind. I guess I could talk to her, but what would she say to it? Gohan thought. Would she be mad and blow me off? Or would she talk to me? Gohan groaned and picked up the phone. He dialed her number not really caring that it was now 12:00 in the morning. Videl picked up.
"Hello?" She said cheerfully.
"Videl. Uh, hi." Gohan said blushing like he was calling some girl and asking her out. Which he didn't ever intend to do. Well, right at this second. He needed to talk to Videl. Bad. Or else he'd go out of his mind with worry. So that was why he called her. To try and make up for what he'd done. It didn't seem like it could help at all. Seeing as when she'd left she'd been seething mad and totally ready to kill him for hurting her feelings. He was rather glad he could kick her butt if the need ever arose.
"Hi Gohan. What are you doing still up?" she asked.
"I've been up the whole night thinking about what happened today. Questioning things. God even asking Vegeta advice." Gohan answered.
"You asked Vegeta advice. Are you crazy?" She started to laugh then cleared her throat. "About what?" She asked trying not to start laughing again.
"Us." He admitted.
"Us?" she asked shocked for a second. "There's an 'us' like how? In the dating sort of way or just friends?" Videl asked hoping it would be only one of them. Otherwise things would get rather complicated.
"Well, he explored both areas and freaked me out."
"Oh. Well, maybe we should talk about this tomorrow, because if my father catches me on this phone I'm dead. If he catches me up past eight I'm worse then dead. I get to go to hell." She said giggling.
"Goodnight Videl."
"Hey Gohan."
"Yeah"
"You know, if you got e-mail, I know what your e-mail address could be." She taunted.
"And that would be?" He asked not sure if he'd like it.
"SuperCrazySaiyan17" She said giggling. He burst into laughter on the other end.
"Oh goodness Videl. You know what yours could be?" He prompted.
"What?" She asked.
"CrazySexyTeenageSuperHero16" He said.
"Gohan you're crazy not me." She said softly.
"No you make me crazy." He growled tenderly. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Well, you make me crazy too Gohan." She replied.
"Well, it's goodnight then Videl."
"Goodnight Gohan." She paused. "Oh and I love you Gohan. I always will. No matter what." She said. He nearly stopped breathing.
"I've been wondering when you'd tell me that. You know it's not easy to be me Videl. A guy who is shyer than hell. I can't seem to talk to girls like I can talk to you. Thanks for being my friend Videl." He said.
"You're more than welcome Gohan." She answered.
"Well, I love you too Videl and this is goodnight. No matter what. I'll always love you." Gohan answered and hung up the phone. He stood to go outside. A tree was waiting with his name on it and he intended to sit there till the sun rose seeing as he wouldn't be able to get an ounce of sleep at all considering the fact that Videl was haunting every one of his thoughts. He couldn't believe he'd told her what he'd told her. How lame was he getting? He had to get her out of his thoughts, but sat the same time wanted her to stay there. He sighed and walked on outside to 'his' tree. It had almost been his. He remembered running into it as a kid when he was flying a little to low. He was going to show his mother a trick, but she'd distracted him. He was planning on carving his name into it, but thought better of it. He glanced back up at the house and saw a light go on in his room.
His first thought was of Goten, but then it went out and a light appeared in his room. He's having a nightmare It slammed into him like a speeding train. He flew up to the window and peeked in through the curtain. He let go of the breath he didn't know he had been holding. His mother had on the hall light and was checking up on him. He wasn't having a nightmare at all. Gohan went back to 'his' tree and sat in the branches. It was now 2:00 in the morning. He never knew his mother would be up at such a time. He always figured that once she put Goten up she'd be asleep in no time. Being a parent, a single one, must be hard on her.
He thought of his father and wondered what he'd been doing for six years. "Dad." Gohan sighed thinking of all the things they used to do together. The sparing matches and all that. How he and Vegeta used to fight all the time. He missed all the arguments between his father and mother. He missed EVERYTHING and he was sure his father did too. He must have angel wings and a halo. Wondered if he knew about Goten or not. Probably not knowing how much he'd train. Music played through his mind. Songs like White Flag by Dido, 100 Years, Superman (It's Not Easy) by Five For Fighting. Sweet Child of Mine by Guns 'N' Roses. He wanted things to be back to normal.
He wanted his father to know Goten, to know how he was doing in school, and for him to know Videl. Kami knew that there had to be something there to be proud of. Stars speed past for a few seconds before he realized he was seeing his first meteor shower. "Gods this is cool." He breathed knowing he might not see it again for the rest of his life. They were like fire balls racing through the sky. Hot burning gases he supposed. All streaking through the sky. He had something cool to tell Videl tomorrow. Maybe she was up right now seeing the same thing he was. Well, maybe not knowing her. Well, there was always the possibility that she was still up. Seeing as she had a 'crime fighting' job. She usually let him take night calls while she took the day calls.
She knew he would be able to help her in classes if the need ever came up. He'd make a good teacher someday. He missed Sunday breakfasts. Well, they were usually always through the week. Sunday was mother's day to rest. He wondered if she'd ever start those meals back up. He really missed jumbo sized breakfasts. He could really use the energy at school. Seeing as he did homework for two people and not just one. He had to think of ways to make each answer different and the handwriting too. He usually let Videl just copy, but once in awhile he had the extra time he could do both theirs. They were such great friends and he liked that. He sighed and waited for dawn to approach.
"Hey! Wait up Sayiman!" A voice hollered behind him. Everyone at school knew who and what he was. He groaned upon hearing that voice. His pace slowed, but not by much.
"Three- two- on-"He was cut off as she came up.
"Hey Gohan. Sup?" Videl asked.
"Nothing. Why?" He replied.
"Well, you can look for yourself." She answered pointing to the wall. He saw the sign and read:
Annual Orange Star High Karaoke Contest.
Winner gets to pick a date with their crush.
Contest is to be held during 3rd, lunch, and SRT periods.
Four hours of non-stop music.
Come enter the contest.
Limited space available.
SO HURRY!!
Gohan snorted in pure hatred. He didn't want to sign up for something like that. He hated singing, he hated school dances, and not to mention the fact that if he did win all the girls at school would be begging him to go with them.
"So I'm supposed to enter this contest to save you from happening to go with Sharpener if he wins?" He was bringing the reason out in the open. She looked up at him. The look on her face tore at his heart, but he couldn't. Not even for her.
"No. I'll make an ass of myself." She rolled her eyes.
"Nice to know you don't want to eat at the finest restaurant in town Gohan." She muttered looking at him to see his reaction. She knew he liked her, but he wouldn't show it. So maybe if she gave him a nudge into the land of jealousy she'd make it work. She really wanted to go out on a date with him. She was just to shy to ask. Gohan only shook his head.
"Hey Videl are you going to enter the contest?" Sharpener called from behind them. Videl nodded.
"Why are you?" She asked. Sharpener nodded.
"What will you sing?" he asked.
"Simple and Clean by Utada Hikaru. What about you?" She asked.
"I was thinking of either Unwell by Matchbox Twenty or Are You There by Oleander." He answered.
"I'd do Are You There. It Rocks."
"O.K." He put the song down and went on his way. As soon as he was gone Videl turned to Gohan.
"You know if he wins he'll choose me."
"Fine!" He said. She tried to hide her laughter as he signed up.
"What's wrong now?" He asked. She shook her head and patted him on the shoulder. He raised an eyebrow then saw her smile. "What?" He asked softer and gentler.
"It's just that you looked funny when you were pissed just now." She answered hiding the real reason. He nodded not at all sure she was telling the truth. He walked on to class with her in tow. She was hiding something form him, but he didn't know what.
"So. Why did you really want me to join that contest?" He asked her as they walked out of their math class.
"I didn't want to have to go with Sharpener if he won." She answered. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"That's the only reason right?" He asked. She nodded. He rolled his eyes knowing full well that it wasn't the only reason.
"Do you think they'll give us homework these next few weeks?" Videl asked Gohan threading her arm through his. They walked out onto the sidewalk and up the street.
"Don't know Videl. We sure got math homework. This totally sucks too. They can't give us a break can they?" He asked turning to the left. Videl being attached to him somewhat was pulled along.
"I know, but we do have finals Gohan. You know they suck too." Videl said. He stopped and looked at her.
"How would you like to come out to my place and train awhile? For the contest and sparing." Gohan asked. Videl nodded and they took flight in the air. They raced to his place. "Videl, you know you won't beat me there!" Gohan hollered over the wind.
"Oh yeah?" She replied pushing as much of her energy as she could to gain more speed. Gohan watched as she shot foreword. He chuckled to himself and put on even more speed. They were flying trough the air so fast that everything else was a blur and they could hear nothing, but the wind rushing past their ears. He gained a head over her. He was right she knew, but she had to put up a little fight. Gohan looked at his watch as they landed. She stumbled across the ground way out of breath. He was still trying to catch his own.
"Record....time...." He said plopping down beside her. Her breathing was ragged as she sucked air into her lungs. "Hey....are...you....ok?" He asked. She nodded.
"I'm........fine.....thank.....you." She answered. She shuddered as she breathed in. Gohan propped himself up on one elbow and leaned over her. Air rushed in and out of her lungs. He pressed his ear to her chest to hear her heart. It was beating faster than normal.
"Don't you ever try to race like that again Videl. You know what it's doing to you and the wind pressure on your ears. Videl it's going to hurt you next time if you do that again." Gohan said. She looked up at him and saw concern knitted in his brow. She frowned at what she saw. This person she'd become friends with, fought beside, and knew so well, was overly concerned for her. Much like her father. No. Not like father. He'd have beaten me severely about the head if I'd have done that near him. Gohan is different. Not at all like the man I have lived with for seventeen years. No Gohan would never be like Daddy. she thought.
"Gohan. Shut up." She teased shoving him onto his back. He propped himself up on his elbows as she sat up.
"I'm only concerned and you know it Videl." He answered. She smiled at him and stood up.
"I know Gohan. Thank you." She said softly.
"Videl. I wish you'd not do that." Gohan said standing up in front of her. She sighed.
"Let's just spar." Videl said taking off again at top speed.
"Videl I said not to do that!" Gohan hollered after her. He took off behind her.
"Got to catch me first!" Was her answer.
"I'll catch you alright and then I'll take you to your father and have him give you a spanking!" Gohan said angrily. He caught up to her easily. She squealed when he grabbed her around the middle.
"Gohan don't you dare!" She screamed when he turned her over his knee and spanked her. It didn't really hurt, it only stung a little.
"Next time don't disobey me." He said sitting her on his knee.
"You are evil you ass." She said punching him in the arm. He narrowed his eyes at her.
"I'm an ass. Well, how about this ass tickles you till you fall on your own ass?" He asked not giving her the chance to respond. He began tickling her on the sides, then on the backs of her legs, then her feet until she grabbed his face and kissed him. "What in hell's tar nation was that for?" Gohan asked once she'd let him go. He was breathing hard.
"I wanted you to stop tickling me and the only way I could do that was to kiss you. So there." She answered. He glared at her. "Don't look at me like that Gohan. You were the one tickling me." She said crossing her arms over her chest. He swallowed hard.
"But you don't just do that to someone and not expect the third degree Videl. There was another reason behind that kiss. I felt it." He said. She stared him straight in the eyes.
"There isn't another reason Gohan. Unless you want me to lie to you and say there was." She answered. Gohan could see the fear in her eyes. She knew there was another reason. She just didn't want him to know what it was.
"Whatever Videl. Let's just spar." He said using her words. She looked him up and down. "There's not going to be any funny business from this side of the party Videl. That's your territory not mine." He whispered harshly.
"You're cruel Gohan. So what if there was another reason behind my kiss. You don't have to make a big deal out of it. I just kissed you is all." She said bursting into tears.
"Videl I...I..." Gohan stumbled for the words he needed. He came up behind her and was about to put his arms around her when she turned away.
"Just leave me alone Gohan" She said.
"No. I screwed up. Now let me fix this. I'm sorry Videl. I didn't mean to hurt you. You have to believe me. I'm not that kind of guy and you know it. I don't just go up to someone and kiss them because I want to. I have to have a reason. For the record I've never even kissed anybody. I don't know why you kissed me the way you did, but if you want me to understand then you have to believe in me and not brush me off like I'm the devil." Gohan said trying his best to apologize to her.
"Gohan I don't know why I did what I did. Just believe me please. Just believe me." She said. He hesitantly pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
"I believe you. Really I do Videl, but what about believing me?" He asked softly.
"I believe you Gohan. Now lets just spare and not fight." She said turning away. So they fought. Gohan letting her win the whole time. After their sparing match he took her back to his place and they ate. Then he flew with her home. He stood there on his front porch looking out at the night sky. Stars twinkled and the moon shone bright. Why is she doing this to me? First she pouts till I sign up for a contest then she deliberately disobeys me, finally she kisses me and none of it makes any sense. Where does it all add up? Where and how and even why? Why did she kiss me? Was she tired of me tickling her, but she could have told me to stop? She could have told me to not do anything I did. The thoughts raced through his mind not giving him time to adjust to the idea of her hiding something.
"Damn it Videl. Do you have to be doing this to me? Confusing me? Hiding things from me? Being a total pain in the ass?" He said aloud.
"Gohan are you talking to yourself again?" Chi Chi said from the doorway.
"No mother." He said rolling his eyes. Of course he was talking to himself. What else would he be doing?
"Do you need to talk about anything?" She asked. At first Gohan was going to say yes, but then he thought about it. His mother would want to know all the details. She'd want to know if he liked Videl or not. Whether he even loved her. He didn't even know the answers to such questions let alone how to deal with them.
"No Mom. I'm fine" He lied. He sighed and leaned up against a pillar that held up the roof.
"Are you sure?" She prodded. No he wasn't sure, but he didn't want to talk to her, she'd confuse him even more. He needed his father. He really needed to talk to his father and not a female. Unless of course it was Videl he was talking to then it would be ok.
"Yes I'm sure. He answered going on inside before she could ask him any more questions. He went up to his room, shut the door, locked it, and plopped down on the bed. "Now what? Now what?" He asked himself. His gaze settled on the phone. His mother would probably pick up the other end. Maybe he could call Videl or maybe Vegeta. Yeah he'd call Vegeta, but then he looked at the clock. It was 9:30 at night. Vegeta would still be up. He picked up the phone and dialed their number.
"Hello." A tired sleepy male voice said.
"Vegeta. Sorry did I wake you?" Gohan asked.
"Does your mother need Bulma?"
"Uh. No actually I called to see if I could talk to you." Vegeta grunted to show he was listening.
"Well, I wondered if we could not talk about this over the phone. I mean I could wait till tomorrow and come see you after school, but I'm sure you'd be training."
"You can't talk to your mother about this?' A growl registered in his voice.
"Really Vegeta how could I talk to her. She'd ask too many questions. Plus you're a guy. You'd understand."
"Oh. Now I get it. Girl trouble eh?" Humor filled Vegeta's voice.
"Yeah actually. It's about that." Gohan answered annoyed. Vegeta chuckled.
"Why couldn't Kakarrot help his own monkey brats with their problems?" He muttered to himself.
"I could call you some other time."Gohan offered.
"No. No. Come on over." Vegeta said his voice muffled.
"Uh, thanks Vegeta. I appreciate this."
"Just get over here." Gohan heard the click on the other end and hung up his own phone. He grabbed a jacket and took flight outside. Vegeta was outside on the back porch when he got there. "So what do you need to talk about that is so deathly important that you had to wake me up out of the best dream I've had in years?"
"Well, Videl and I were racing home to my place today. She kind of pushed herself to hard and once we'd rested she took off again at the same speed she had when we were racing and I told her not to ever do that again or she'd hurt herself. Well, she didn't listen to me so I was teasing her and spanked her. Well, then she yelled at me a little, called me an ass, so I started tickling her. Well, that ended up in a kiss, but I was the one on the receiving end."
"So she kissed you. That's what this is about?" Vegeta asked just for confirmation. Gohan nodded. "Well, then why the hell do you need my advice?" Vegeta asked.
"She confused me. I asked her why she'd kissed me and she got all protective on me. I don't understand why she wouldn't tell me Vegeta. She and I have been friends for quite some time. She should trust me."
"But did you ever think she might have fallen for you?" Vegeta asked. Gohan blushed.
"Well, no not really. I mean I always thought I was the scape goat when it came to her trying to get away from Sharpener." Gohan replied.
"Gohan you can't see it can you? God you do need female advice not mine. Jeez. Look where I ended up." Vegeta said.
"You ended up in a happy loving marriage." Gohan said. Vegeta chuckled not confirming anything.
"Maybe you should talk to her about this Gohan and not me. Or maybe you should try and get a hold of your father. I have no clue how to help you. I don't even know why I'm helping you." Vegeta said looking a bit mad at himself.
"Knock it off Vegeta. Face it. Now that your married, have a son, and love a human you can't act all 'bad' anymore. You're hopeless if you think you can hide it that you love your family. I know that look. It's the look I saw on my parents faces a lot before dad died."
"Oh yeah, well, we'll have to remember that the next time you want some help on something." Vegeta chuckled a small smile playing at the edges of his mouth.
"Better try not to smile there Vegeta. Might crack your 'stern' gaze." Gohan muttered.
"Well, I need to get my 'beauty' sleep and I'm pretty sure Bulma's getting her's so you better go on and get your own sleep."
"Ha-Ha. Vegeta. Very funny." Gohan said trying his best not to laugh. Thinking of Vegeta getting beauty sleep was something new.
"Just get on home. It's almost twelve." Vegeta muttered yawning and heading into the house.
"Hey Vegeta." Gohan paused. Vegeta turned around. "Thanks for the advice." Vegeta rolled his eyes, but let Gohan see his smile.
"I guess your welcome." He replied turning back and going up the stairs to his room. Gohan headed on home. He walked to his room and sat down on the bed. Talk to Videl. Vegeta's words repeated in his mind. I guess I could talk to her, but what would she say to it? Gohan thought. Would she be mad and blow me off? Or would she talk to me? Gohan groaned and picked up the phone. He dialed her number not really caring that it was now 12:00 in the morning. Videl picked up.
"Hello?" She said cheerfully.
"Videl. Uh, hi." Gohan said blushing like he was calling some girl and asking her out. Which he didn't ever intend to do. Well, right at this second. He needed to talk to Videl. Bad. Or else he'd go out of his mind with worry. So that was why he called her. To try and make up for what he'd done. It didn't seem like it could help at all. Seeing as when she'd left she'd been seething mad and totally ready to kill him for hurting her feelings. He was rather glad he could kick her butt if the need ever arose.
"Hi Gohan. What are you doing still up?" she asked.
"I've been up the whole night thinking about what happened today. Questioning things. God even asking Vegeta advice." Gohan answered.
"You asked Vegeta advice. Are you crazy?" She started to laugh then cleared her throat. "About what?" She asked trying not to start laughing again.
"Us." He admitted.
"Us?" she asked shocked for a second. "There's an 'us' like how? In the dating sort of way or just friends?" Videl asked hoping it would be only one of them. Otherwise things would get rather complicated.
"Well, he explored both areas and freaked me out."
"Oh. Well, maybe we should talk about this tomorrow, because if my father catches me on this phone I'm dead. If he catches me up past eight I'm worse then dead. I get to go to hell." She said giggling.
"Goodnight Videl."
"Hey Gohan."
"Yeah"
"You know, if you got e-mail, I know what your e-mail address could be." She taunted.
"And that would be?" He asked not sure if he'd like it.
"SuperCrazySaiyan17" She said giggling. He burst into laughter on the other end.
"Oh goodness Videl. You know what yours could be?" He prompted.
"What?" She asked.
"CrazySexyTeenageSuperHero16" He said.
"Gohan you're crazy not me." She said softly.
"No you make me crazy." He growled tenderly. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Well, you make me crazy too Gohan." She replied.
"Well, it's goodnight then Videl."
"Goodnight Gohan." She paused. "Oh and I love you Gohan. I always will. No matter what." She said. He nearly stopped breathing.
"I've been wondering when you'd tell me that. You know it's not easy to be me Videl. A guy who is shyer than hell. I can't seem to talk to girls like I can talk to you. Thanks for being my friend Videl." He said.
"You're more than welcome Gohan." She answered.
"Well, I love you too Videl and this is goodnight. No matter what. I'll always love you." Gohan answered and hung up the phone. He stood to go outside. A tree was waiting with his name on it and he intended to sit there till the sun rose seeing as he wouldn't be able to get an ounce of sleep at all considering the fact that Videl was haunting every one of his thoughts. He couldn't believe he'd told her what he'd told her. How lame was he getting? He had to get her out of his thoughts, but sat the same time wanted her to stay there. He sighed and walked on outside to 'his' tree. It had almost been his. He remembered running into it as a kid when he was flying a little to low. He was going to show his mother a trick, but she'd distracted him. He was planning on carving his name into it, but thought better of it. He glanced back up at the house and saw a light go on in his room.
His first thought was of Goten, but then it went out and a light appeared in his room. He's having a nightmare It slammed into him like a speeding train. He flew up to the window and peeked in through the curtain. He let go of the breath he didn't know he had been holding. His mother had on the hall light and was checking up on him. He wasn't having a nightmare at all. Gohan went back to 'his' tree and sat in the branches. It was now 2:00 in the morning. He never knew his mother would be up at such a time. He always figured that once she put Goten up she'd be asleep in no time. Being a parent, a single one, must be hard on her.
He thought of his father and wondered what he'd been doing for six years. "Dad." Gohan sighed thinking of all the things they used to do together. The sparing matches and all that. How he and Vegeta used to fight all the time. He missed all the arguments between his father and mother. He missed EVERYTHING and he was sure his father did too. He must have angel wings and a halo. Wondered if he knew about Goten or not. Probably not knowing how much he'd train. Music played through his mind. Songs like White Flag by Dido, 100 Years, Superman (It's Not Easy) by Five For Fighting. Sweet Child of Mine by Guns 'N' Roses. He wanted things to be back to normal.
He wanted his father to know Goten, to know how he was doing in school, and for him to know Videl. Kami knew that there had to be something there to be proud of. Stars speed past for a few seconds before he realized he was seeing his first meteor shower. "Gods this is cool." He breathed knowing he might not see it again for the rest of his life. They were like fire balls racing through the sky. Hot burning gases he supposed. All streaking through the sky. He had something cool to tell Videl tomorrow. Maybe she was up right now seeing the same thing he was. Well, maybe not knowing her. Well, there was always the possibility that she was still up. Seeing as she had a 'crime fighting' job. She usually let him take night calls while she took the day calls.
She knew he would be able to help her in classes if the need ever came up. He'd make a good teacher someday. He missed Sunday breakfasts. Well, they were usually always through the week. Sunday was mother's day to rest. He wondered if she'd ever start those meals back up. He really missed jumbo sized breakfasts. He could really use the energy at school. Seeing as he did homework for two people and not just one. He had to think of ways to make each answer different and the handwriting too. He usually let Videl just copy, but once in awhile he had the extra time he could do both theirs. They were such great friends and he liked that. He sighed and waited for dawn to approach.