Last time:
"And what do you think 18 wanted with you, Bulma?"
"I don't know," Bulma moaned. "But something tells me it isn't to my advantage."
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Bulma walked slowly through the aisles, scuffing the bottoms of her shoes on the floor as she went, her index finger touching each book as she passed. She'd gotten up early that morning and decided to go around town for a bit. Chi-Chi and Krillin were in a dead sleep, and she highly doubted that they'd want to get up that early anyway just to go perusing in some small town that happened to have a stadium and a few hotels. She'd considered Maris for a split second, though quickly shot that idea away. She barely knew the girl.
So far Bulma had been to the local grocery store, where she'd befriended the chipper old woman who owned the place and bought a sac of oranges; a gift shop, run by a rude young woman with furious gray hair and cold blue eyes, buying only a postcard to send her father; and finally, the small bookstore she was now in. She, of course, loved to read, being a genius and all, and found any excuse to be alone and dive into a classic. Her father had built her a library a few years back because her collection was so large and ever increasing in size.
She'd been in the bookstore for close to forty-five minutes now, and her arms were filled with random selections or books she'd heard about and wanted to buy. The shop was small, but carried everything from the very best classics, to new releases. The shop owner was a lonely old man that, when prompted by Bulma into mild conversation, mumbled something incoherent and shuffled into the backroom.
"What do I want?" she hummed to herself. She suddenly realized she was in the "Romance" section and frowned. Those books never interested her much, probably because she didn't believe in love, or at least that she would ever find it. She was about to pass by the entire shelf, when a red paperback caught her eye. Plain, nothing flashy or profound. She pulled out the book and read the title aloud, "The Love of a Heartless Man." Surprisingly she found herself slightly intrigued, then gasped when she came to the author's name. "Sen Miyahara! Holy Kami!"
"Please! No swearing!" the timid old man called.
"Sorry!" She turned the book over in her hands a few times, debating whether or not to buy it. On the one hand, she despised Romance Novels, but on the other, maybe it would tell her more about this Sen woman. She couldn't deny that the conversation they overheard last night had been startling and confusing. Something had happened with Sen Miyahara, and Green Dragon was desperate to keep it out of the headlines.
"Anything else?" the old man asked when Bulma brought her purchases to the checkout.
"Yeah, give me a dozen of those cookies," she said, pointing to the chocolate chip cookies under a glass lid. "They look delicious."
"Here you are ma'am, have a nice day."
"You too. And tell your granddaughter that I was right," she said around a mouthful of cookie as she went to leave. "Her cookies were amazing." The storeowner only stuttered in his bafflement. He hadn't remembered telling her that. Bulma only smiled, thinking back on the conversation she overheard with the old man and his granddaughter. She assumed that her parents were gone and he was caring for her and struggling for money.
Once out of the store, she tossed the bag of cookies and the half she had in her hand in the garbage. They tasted liked cement.
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"Hey Maris," Bulma said upon entering the hotel room. "What're you all doing up so early? It's only 10:00."
"We're not cats," Chi-Chi said, combing through her wet hair, and rummaging through her bag for her blow dryer.
"Maris came and woke you up, didn't she?"
"Yes," Maris laughed. "Hey, what'cha got there? Groceries?"
"Sort of." She set down the large brown bag and began pulling out its contents. "Oranges. A postcard. Books. I went wandering around town for a bit."
"Aww, really? You should have come and got me. I've already been shopping in Octagon Square. I just love Miss Aihara! I would have liked to see her again."
"Oh, I know!" Bulma all but squealed. "She's so cute. And that picture—"
"Of her son? Kami, tell me about it. I wouldn't mind bumping into him in a dark alley."
"What the hell are you two babbling about?" Krillin yawned, still curled tightly into his blankets.
"The woman who runs a little market in town. She's a riot. Hey, Bulma, next time you go, take me with you."
"Sure thing, Maris. I would have if I knew you wanted to," she half-lied. "But what makes you think I'm going back? I didn't need to go in the first place."
"Well, you bought a bunch of books. My guess is you went into the Eternal Dragon Book Shoppe and fell in love with their selections. You'll go back at least twice to pick up more books."
"You know," Bulma laughed. "For someone who doesn't know me, you sure as hell know a lot about me."
"Hey, I love books too. I've been to the Eternal Dragon twice. Got about two dozen books. I love reading."
"Damn," Chi-Chi scoffed. "You two should have met years ago. Would have saved me and Krill the trouble of hearing you blab about your books all the time."
"So, whose your favorite author?" Maris asked, ignoring Chi-Chi's negative attitude.
"Sayoko Wakai, who else? She's absolutely brilliant."
"Well, Arata Ando, for one. Wakai is too far-fetched with her views. Ando is much more practical."
"Ando lives in a fortified tree-house in the middle of nowhere, waiting for an imaginary impeding attack. He's insane."
"So what if he's a little nuts. Besides, that was after he wrote all his books. He's a brilliant man."
"Well, what about Anzai Anzai? He was the most outspoken writer of his time."
"I agree with that. I own all his books."
"Really? Me too."
"Really?" Chi-Chi chimed in. "Me too! I use them for firewood."
"Shut up, Chi," Bulma hissed playfully, then went back to her conversation with Maris, completely missing her best friend's angry glare. Krillin saw it however, and knew exactly what was amiss. Chi-Chi was jealous of Maris.
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Vegeta paced around backstage, his nerves pressured to explosion, ears sore from the hours of yelling they'd endured. First their manager/agent Miss Jun Tsuruga, aka "The Boss", had screamed his ear off about his irresponsible behavior concerning all the women he'd wined and dined in the past few months, and then it was Sen, his ever-present hangover from hell, calling up and barking at Jun and then at him. He almost didn't want to go on with the show tonight.
"One more time and that boy is done," he heard 'The Boss' snap at 18 as she walked her out the door. "I don't care who he is and how much his sniveling little fans love him. Once more, 18. Just once." She came in seconds later and threw an empty can of soda at him.
"You're a moron, you know that?" she sighed. "What possessed you to go out with three sisters on three different nights? Did you think they wouldn't figure it out? They're mother had Jun on the phone for five hours. She could barely calm the woman down."
"They were hot," he said matter-of-factly, as if that were justification enough. "Besides, they didn't protest when they came back to the hotel room. Damn bakas. When was that anyway?"
"Two months ago."
"Did you tell Jun what you plan on FORCING me to do?"
"Yes, and she thinks it's a great idea. She's going to call up Sen about it and tell us what she thinks in the morning, but we think it's in the bag." She walked over to Vegeta finally, and pulled him into a hug. He hesitated for a moment, then wrapped his arms around her as well. "It wouldn't hurt to pace yourself, you know? This could be really good for you. Just don't screw it up. Jun said she's about ready to give up on us. If she does, we're screwed." She kissed his cheek quickly before releasing him. "I love you man."
"I may just vomit," he scoffed, flopping down on the couch. "When are we on?"
She glanced at her watch. "Seven minutes. I wonder where those kids are." She looked around, then smiled as Krillin entered the room, his hands behind his back. The others weren't with him, though she hardly seemed to notice. "What'cha got there?"
"Only the greatest thing in the world," he said smoothly, then held out a rather large bag to 18. She arched an eyebrow at him, though took the bag and looked in.
"Hell yes!" she yelled, startling Vegeta for a second. He grunted at them then left the room. Where WAS everyone else? "I am so addicted to peanut butter cups! They're my only vice."
"Really? Mine too," he laughed. "It wasn't in your biography."
"Nope. It's my big secret. Damn you for tempting me before a show." She ran to a trunk on the other side of the room labeled "18's Shit. Back off.", dropped the bag in, then ran back. "After the show me and you are gonna have a peanut butter cup eating contest. And don't underestimate me. I maybe small, but I'll cream you!"
"You better stop," Krillin laughed, "or I just might fall in love with you."
"Well," she laughed with him. "Maybe that's my evil plan." She patted him on the back once before heading for the door, not noticing the furious blush on his cheeks. "Well, come on. The show's about to start."
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"I don't want to leave!" Bulma whined, pulling on 17's arm. "Come on. Come with us. You don't need a band."
"B," 17 sighed, already comfortable with calling her that. "We're touring for like three weeks, then coming back to Satan City. I already told you we'd visit you, didn't I?"
"You did?" Vegeta huffed. "Well that's news to me. I didn't want to see that harpy more than I had to. I'm already roped into a preposterous date."
"Shut up," Bulma snapped uncharacteristically. "You better not be such an ass on our lousy date."
"Lousy? You're going on a date with Vegeta Ouji. Nothing about it will be lousy."
"Uh huh," she laughed. "I bet. Well—" She glanced back at her car, then at her watch. "—we better hit the road. Damn school starts up tomorrow."
"Well have a safe drive!" Goku called, pulling Chi-Chi and Maris into a bear hug. He found Bulma seconds later, nearly crushing the air out of her lungs. "And don't forget about us!"
"That's not possible, Goku," Chi-Chi cooed, feeling a blush rise in her cheeks. They'd shared a kiss the day before. Afterward, once back in their hotel room, she'd announced she was never washing her face or mouth again. Until Krillin pointed out the fact of bad breath, which immediately sent her to the bathroom.
"We'll see you guys in a few. I got your number, B. I'll call you when we get into town."
"This is ridiculous," Vegeta mumbled, turning his back on the group and getting into their limo.
"He'll be on his best behavior on your date," 18 assured. "Otherwise we'll kill him."
It took close to another half an hour to finish their good-byes, but soon they were all packed into Bulma's car, Maris included. They waved and honked and finally made it out of the hotel parking lot, just in time for rush hour traffic.
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The famed group entered their senior year with the highest of hopes the following day, and a new addition to their team. Maris turned a few heads as she walked down the hall with Bulma Briefs, Chi-Chi Mau, and Krillin Roshi; it was widely known that they were such close friends that they didn't let anyone penetrate their group, even for a short time. She was Krillin's girlfriend in the rumor mill for the first half of the day—seeing as they knew he was no longer with Princess Bubble Gum Maron—until he cleared it up in between 5th and lunch, thus confusing the nosey students even more. Everyone seemed to wonder what Maris had that they all didn't.
Bulma was quite possibly the biggest shock, however, her illuminating smile catching everyone off guard. Even the teachers whispered about her in passing. She seemed to be back to herself, and completely over Yamcha, who she'd passed several times in the hall without so much as a glance. He was old to her now. She didn't even know she'd passed him until Chi-Chi pointed him out one time, so happy was she to finally be back to her old self.
By 7th period the news of their amazing weekend had filtered throughout the school, and for the rest of the day the group found no peace. They'd developed their pictures from the weekend and decided to have them printed up in the school paper to keep everyone off their backs. Chi-Chi, the co-editor since last year, promised an article to the staff, and promised not to say too much to her friends. She knew what they meant, and only planned to write about the concert, the backstage passes, and possibly Bulma's karaoke singing.
"What a day," Bulma sighed, shoving unnecessary books in her locker. "At least—" But she was cut off as a strong hand fell on her shoulder.
"Bulma," came Yamcha's voice. Inside she groaned. That's exactly who she'd been dreading. "Can we talk? I haven't seen you since the last day of Junior year."
"And I haven't been happier," she remarked sharply, hitching on her backpack and slamming her locker shut. "Where do you get off approaching me, anyway? You had your chance, and I've moved on. I thought you were with what's-her-face anyway. Leave me alone."
"I just wanted to apologize," he sighed. "We parted on such horrible terms, and we were such good friends before we dated. I want that back."
"And I wanted to trust you, but that's out the window. Look, just step away and never talk to me again, ok? It'll save us a headache."
"I can't though," he practically whined. "I still…I love you Bulma."
"Save it Yamcha. I told you, we're through. Just go."
"Can we just talk, civilly? Listen, I have to get home, but I want to talk. Can I call you sometime?"
"Fine. But you better say the best things I've ever heard, otherwise you're in deep shit."
"Fair enough."
"What was that all about?" Chi-Chi asked, having just come around the corner. "What did Prince Valliant want?"
"The impossible" she huffed, starring after him. "What an ape."
"Your favorite," she laughed, tossing her raven black hair. "Vegeta's just the same."
"No, Vegeta's ten times worse. Uh. I need to find a better type of guy."
"What about 17?"
"What about he's way out of my league?"
"You never know."
"Except that I do, and he is."
"Hey guys." Maris approached with her arm slung around Krillin, who she'd obviously been having quite a funny conversation with for he was to tears with laughter.
"Hey Mar'," Chi-Chi said, leaning against a row of lockers. She could see how the rumor of their dating had been started. They were so compatible. She decided to set them up on a blind date together that weekend, without their knowing, of course. "What's so funny? You almost have Krillin wetting himself."
"Just a joke. Hey B, you look depressed. What's up?"
"Yamcha just tried to talk to her."
"That asshole," Krillin grunted. "Hasn't he caused enough trouble? You're not his girlfriend anymore. Don't tell me he begged for forgiveness."
"Probably," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You would think that after my dad gave him a talking to he'd leave her alone. But no. He's back to his old games. What is it with guys like that?"
"Don't look at me. I never liked Yamcha." He turned to Bulma, who'd been starring off and not really listening to their conversation. "You were never good enough for him, B."
"Yeah," Chi-Chi agreed, then looked over at Maris as if she were confused, or seeing her for the first time. "Hey Mar', how come none of your friends have been around? Did you ditch them for us?" she laughed. Bulma and Krillin stiffened. They'd been avoiding that question all day.
"I…My best friend, Tobei, he…he was my only friend," Maris said in a low voice. "He died in a car accident just before the end of last year…I haven't been able to make friends since."
The group was silent for one long, awkward moment, and then Chi-Chi said, "Really?" as if no other thoughts were swimming through her mind.
Maris looked up at her new friends, her eyes glistening, and squeaked out, "No," then burst into a fit of laughter, startling them.
"You're sick, you know that?" Krillin grumbled, though couldn't hold back his own laughter.
Bulma and Chi-Chi laughed easily along with them, until Maris finally changed the subject.
"So," she sighed. "What d'you guys say we go to my house and watch a movie or something?"
"I have a better idea," Bulma said. She pushed off her locker and made to leave, her friends following suit. "Let's do the movie, add popcorn, and come to my house." She glanced back at Maris. "I have a mini-theatre at my house, and I can order any movie imaginable. Click, and it's there."
"Sounds like a plan," Maris said with a huge grin, snaking her arm around Bulma's and Chi-Chi's waists, being slightly shorter than them. "Why, in Kami's name, didn't we become friends sooner?"
By the time they reached Capsule Corp., it was nearly 3:30 and Mrs. Briefs was so wound up that she baked two cakes and three dozen cupcakes, dripping with sugary frosting. She offered her treats to Bulma and her guests; the only one who declined was Chi-Chi, who always did. They were about to call up the movie list and choose something, when Bulma's father came into the room, holding out the phone to her. She gave him a strange look, then grabbed the phone, and covered the mouthpiece.
"Who is it?" she asked, knowing that all those who would call her were sitting next to her.
"Some boy. Didn't say a name," her father said, then left the room, his smiling reaching his ears. New friends and a new boyfriend? He was beyond elated.
"Hello?"
"Yeah," came a gruff voice at the other end. Who was it? She didn't recognize the voice at all.
"Who is this?"
"Who do you think, woman?"
"Vegeta!" Chi-Chi, Krillin, and Maris all practically threw themselves towards Bulma, trying to hear through the earpiece at the same time as her. She swatted them away. "Why the hell are you calling me?"
"Well, that's a first," he grunted. "Usually groupies go wild when they get a call from me."
"Groupies? Green Dragon has groupies?"
"No. But I do." She rolled her eyes, knowing that he was smirking. "Anyway, 18's making me call you 'cause we're driving through Satan City tomorrow and staying in some hotel over night before heading north."
"And?"
"I'm getting to that. Kami, woman. You're an enigma."
"And you're a jackass. Out with it."
"My stupid manager thinks I should go on our date tomorrow night for some insane reason. I know where the High School is, I'll pick you up after school."
"What? I need to go home and change before we go out, Vegeta. And school ends at 3:00. What kind of date places are open at 3:00 in the afternoon?"
"We're going outside the city," he sighed. "And I have a dress for you. We're taking the tour bus, so you can change on the way."
"A dress?" She was completely dumbfounded. "How do you know I'll like it? And how the hell do you know my size?"
"You're a 2," he said offhandedly. "I usually date 2s. And it doesn't matter if you like the dress. I like the dress and you're wearing it."
"What! Excuse me, buddy! But I am NOT—" And then the phone went dead. "Asshole."
"What was that all about?" Chi-Chi asked.
"He says we're going on our date tomorrow night and he's picking me up at the school and has a dress for me and thinks I'm going to go along with it. Uh! Maris, you owe me big."
"S-Sorry," she laughed, dodging the pillow Bulma through at her. "But hey, you might have fun."
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---Chapter 5!!! Yeah, yeah, I know it's shorter and less eventful than previous chapters, but so what. I'm the write, muhahaha! :P I do hope you all liked it though.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Bulma completely forgets about her date with Vegeta by the end of the day and finds him roaming the halls of her High School searching for her.
"And what do you think 18 wanted with you, Bulma?"
"I don't know," Bulma moaned. "But something tells me it isn't to my advantage."
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Bulma walked slowly through the aisles, scuffing the bottoms of her shoes on the floor as she went, her index finger touching each book as she passed. She'd gotten up early that morning and decided to go around town for a bit. Chi-Chi and Krillin were in a dead sleep, and she highly doubted that they'd want to get up that early anyway just to go perusing in some small town that happened to have a stadium and a few hotels. She'd considered Maris for a split second, though quickly shot that idea away. She barely knew the girl.
So far Bulma had been to the local grocery store, where she'd befriended the chipper old woman who owned the place and bought a sac of oranges; a gift shop, run by a rude young woman with furious gray hair and cold blue eyes, buying only a postcard to send her father; and finally, the small bookstore she was now in. She, of course, loved to read, being a genius and all, and found any excuse to be alone and dive into a classic. Her father had built her a library a few years back because her collection was so large and ever increasing in size.
She'd been in the bookstore for close to forty-five minutes now, and her arms were filled with random selections or books she'd heard about and wanted to buy. The shop was small, but carried everything from the very best classics, to new releases. The shop owner was a lonely old man that, when prompted by Bulma into mild conversation, mumbled something incoherent and shuffled into the backroom.
"What do I want?" she hummed to herself. She suddenly realized she was in the "Romance" section and frowned. Those books never interested her much, probably because she didn't believe in love, or at least that she would ever find it. She was about to pass by the entire shelf, when a red paperback caught her eye. Plain, nothing flashy or profound. She pulled out the book and read the title aloud, "The Love of a Heartless Man." Surprisingly she found herself slightly intrigued, then gasped when she came to the author's name. "Sen Miyahara! Holy Kami!"
"Please! No swearing!" the timid old man called.
"Sorry!" She turned the book over in her hands a few times, debating whether or not to buy it. On the one hand, she despised Romance Novels, but on the other, maybe it would tell her more about this Sen woman. She couldn't deny that the conversation they overheard last night had been startling and confusing. Something had happened with Sen Miyahara, and Green Dragon was desperate to keep it out of the headlines.
"Anything else?" the old man asked when Bulma brought her purchases to the checkout.
"Yeah, give me a dozen of those cookies," she said, pointing to the chocolate chip cookies under a glass lid. "They look delicious."
"Here you are ma'am, have a nice day."
"You too. And tell your granddaughter that I was right," she said around a mouthful of cookie as she went to leave. "Her cookies were amazing." The storeowner only stuttered in his bafflement. He hadn't remembered telling her that. Bulma only smiled, thinking back on the conversation she overheard with the old man and his granddaughter. She assumed that her parents were gone and he was caring for her and struggling for money.
Once out of the store, she tossed the bag of cookies and the half she had in her hand in the garbage. They tasted liked cement.
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"Hey Maris," Bulma said upon entering the hotel room. "What're you all doing up so early? It's only 10:00."
"We're not cats," Chi-Chi said, combing through her wet hair, and rummaging through her bag for her blow dryer.
"Maris came and woke you up, didn't she?"
"Yes," Maris laughed. "Hey, what'cha got there? Groceries?"
"Sort of." She set down the large brown bag and began pulling out its contents. "Oranges. A postcard. Books. I went wandering around town for a bit."
"Aww, really? You should have come and got me. I've already been shopping in Octagon Square. I just love Miss Aihara! I would have liked to see her again."
"Oh, I know!" Bulma all but squealed. "She's so cute. And that picture—"
"Of her son? Kami, tell me about it. I wouldn't mind bumping into him in a dark alley."
"What the hell are you two babbling about?" Krillin yawned, still curled tightly into his blankets.
"The woman who runs a little market in town. She's a riot. Hey, Bulma, next time you go, take me with you."
"Sure thing, Maris. I would have if I knew you wanted to," she half-lied. "But what makes you think I'm going back? I didn't need to go in the first place."
"Well, you bought a bunch of books. My guess is you went into the Eternal Dragon Book Shoppe and fell in love with their selections. You'll go back at least twice to pick up more books."
"You know," Bulma laughed. "For someone who doesn't know me, you sure as hell know a lot about me."
"Hey, I love books too. I've been to the Eternal Dragon twice. Got about two dozen books. I love reading."
"Damn," Chi-Chi scoffed. "You two should have met years ago. Would have saved me and Krill the trouble of hearing you blab about your books all the time."
"So, whose your favorite author?" Maris asked, ignoring Chi-Chi's negative attitude.
"Sayoko Wakai, who else? She's absolutely brilliant."
"Well, Arata Ando, for one. Wakai is too far-fetched with her views. Ando is much more practical."
"Ando lives in a fortified tree-house in the middle of nowhere, waiting for an imaginary impeding attack. He's insane."
"So what if he's a little nuts. Besides, that was after he wrote all his books. He's a brilliant man."
"Well, what about Anzai Anzai? He was the most outspoken writer of his time."
"I agree with that. I own all his books."
"Really? Me too."
"Really?" Chi-Chi chimed in. "Me too! I use them for firewood."
"Shut up, Chi," Bulma hissed playfully, then went back to her conversation with Maris, completely missing her best friend's angry glare. Krillin saw it however, and knew exactly what was amiss. Chi-Chi was jealous of Maris.
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Vegeta paced around backstage, his nerves pressured to explosion, ears sore from the hours of yelling they'd endured. First their manager/agent Miss Jun Tsuruga, aka "The Boss", had screamed his ear off about his irresponsible behavior concerning all the women he'd wined and dined in the past few months, and then it was Sen, his ever-present hangover from hell, calling up and barking at Jun and then at him. He almost didn't want to go on with the show tonight.
"One more time and that boy is done," he heard 'The Boss' snap at 18 as she walked her out the door. "I don't care who he is and how much his sniveling little fans love him. Once more, 18. Just once." She came in seconds later and threw an empty can of soda at him.
"You're a moron, you know that?" she sighed. "What possessed you to go out with three sisters on three different nights? Did you think they wouldn't figure it out? They're mother had Jun on the phone for five hours. She could barely calm the woman down."
"They were hot," he said matter-of-factly, as if that were justification enough. "Besides, they didn't protest when they came back to the hotel room. Damn bakas. When was that anyway?"
"Two months ago."
"Did you tell Jun what you plan on FORCING me to do?"
"Yes, and she thinks it's a great idea. She's going to call up Sen about it and tell us what she thinks in the morning, but we think it's in the bag." She walked over to Vegeta finally, and pulled him into a hug. He hesitated for a moment, then wrapped his arms around her as well. "It wouldn't hurt to pace yourself, you know? This could be really good for you. Just don't screw it up. Jun said she's about ready to give up on us. If she does, we're screwed." She kissed his cheek quickly before releasing him. "I love you man."
"I may just vomit," he scoffed, flopping down on the couch. "When are we on?"
She glanced at her watch. "Seven minutes. I wonder where those kids are." She looked around, then smiled as Krillin entered the room, his hands behind his back. The others weren't with him, though she hardly seemed to notice. "What'cha got there?"
"Only the greatest thing in the world," he said smoothly, then held out a rather large bag to 18. She arched an eyebrow at him, though took the bag and looked in.
"Hell yes!" she yelled, startling Vegeta for a second. He grunted at them then left the room. Where WAS everyone else? "I am so addicted to peanut butter cups! They're my only vice."
"Really? Mine too," he laughed. "It wasn't in your biography."
"Nope. It's my big secret. Damn you for tempting me before a show." She ran to a trunk on the other side of the room labeled "18's Shit. Back off.", dropped the bag in, then ran back. "After the show me and you are gonna have a peanut butter cup eating contest. And don't underestimate me. I maybe small, but I'll cream you!"
"You better stop," Krillin laughed, "or I just might fall in love with you."
"Well," she laughed with him. "Maybe that's my evil plan." She patted him on the back once before heading for the door, not noticing the furious blush on his cheeks. "Well, come on. The show's about to start."
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"I don't want to leave!" Bulma whined, pulling on 17's arm. "Come on. Come with us. You don't need a band."
"B," 17 sighed, already comfortable with calling her that. "We're touring for like three weeks, then coming back to Satan City. I already told you we'd visit you, didn't I?"
"You did?" Vegeta huffed. "Well that's news to me. I didn't want to see that harpy more than I had to. I'm already roped into a preposterous date."
"Shut up," Bulma snapped uncharacteristically. "You better not be such an ass on our lousy date."
"Lousy? You're going on a date with Vegeta Ouji. Nothing about it will be lousy."
"Uh huh," she laughed. "I bet. Well—" She glanced back at her car, then at her watch. "—we better hit the road. Damn school starts up tomorrow."
"Well have a safe drive!" Goku called, pulling Chi-Chi and Maris into a bear hug. He found Bulma seconds later, nearly crushing the air out of her lungs. "And don't forget about us!"
"That's not possible, Goku," Chi-Chi cooed, feeling a blush rise in her cheeks. They'd shared a kiss the day before. Afterward, once back in their hotel room, she'd announced she was never washing her face or mouth again. Until Krillin pointed out the fact of bad breath, which immediately sent her to the bathroom.
"We'll see you guys in a few. I got your number, B. I'll call you when we get into town."
"This is ridiculous," Vegeta mumbled, turning his back on the group and getting into their limo.
"He'll be on his best behavior on your date," 18 assured. "Otherwise we'll kill him."
It took close to another half an hour to finish their good-byes, but soon they were all packed into Bulma's car, Maris included. They waved and honked and finally made it out of the hotel parking lot, just in time for rush hour traffic.
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The famed group entered their senior year with the highest of hopes the following day, and a new addition to their team. Maris turned a few heads as she walked down the hall with Bulma Briefs, Chi-Chi Mau, and Krillin Roshi; it was widely known that they were such close friends that they didn't let anyone penetrate their group, even for a short time. She was Krillin's girlfriend in the rumor mill for the first half of the day—seeing as they knew he was no longer with Princess Bubble Gum Maron—until he cleared it up in between 5th and lunch, thus confusing the nosey students even more. Everyone seemed to wonder what Maris had that they all didn't.
Bulma was quite possibly the biggest shock, however, her illuminating smile catching everyone off guard. Even the teachers whispered about her in passing. She seemed to be back to herself, and completely over Yamcha, who she'd passed several times in the hall without so much as a glance. He was old to her now. She didn't even know she'd passed him until Chi-Chi pointed him out one time, so happy was she to finally be back to her old self.
By 7th period the news of their amazing weekend had filtered throughout the school, and for the rest of the day the group found no peace. They'd developed their pictures from the weekend and decided to have them printed up in the school paper to keep everyone off their backs. Chi-Chi, the co-editor since last year, promised an article to the staff, and promised not to say too much to her friends. She knew what they meant, and only planned to write about the concert, the backstage passes, and possibly Bulma's karaoke singing.
"What a day," Bulma sighed, shoving unnecessary books in her locker. "At least—" But she was cut off as a strong hand fell on her shoulder.
"Bulma," came Yamcha's voice. Inside she groaned. That's exactly who she'd been dreading. "Can we talk? I haven't seen you since the last day of Junior year."
"And I haven't been happier," she remarked sharply, hitching on her backpack and slamming her locker shut. "Where do you get off approaching me, anyway? You had your chance, and I've moved on. I thought you were with what's-her-face anyway. Leave me alone."
"I just wanted to apologize," he sighed. "We parted on such horrible terms, and we were such good friends before we dated. I want that back."
"And I wanted to trust you, but that's out the window. Look, just step away and never talk to me again, ok? It'll save us a headache."
"I can't though," he practically whined. "I still…I love you Bulma."
"Save it Yamcha. I told you, we're through. Just go."
"Can we just talk, civilly? Listen, I have to get home, but I want to talk. Can I call you sometime?"
"Fine. But you better say the best things I've ever heard, otherwise you're in deep shit."
"Fair enough."
"What was that all about?" Chi-Chi asked, having just come around the corner. "What did Prince Valliant want?"
"The impossible" she huffed, starring after him. "What an ape."
"Your favorite," she laughed, tossing her raven black hair. "Vegeta's just the same."
"No, Vegeta's ten times worse. Uh. I need to find a better type of guy."
"What about 17?"
"What about he's way out of my league?"
"You never know."
"Except that I do, and he is."
"Hey guys." Maris approached with her arm slung around Krillin, who she'd obviously been having quite a funny conversation with for he was to tears with laughter.
"Hey Mar'," Chi-Chi said, leaning against a row of lockers. She could see how the rumor of their dating had been started. They were so compatible. She decided to set them up on a blind date together that weekend, without their knowing, of course. "What's so funny? You almost have Krillin wetting himself."
"Just a joke. Hey B, you look depressed. What's up?"
"Yamcha just tried to talk to her."
"That asshole," Krillin grunted. "Hasn't he caused enough trouble? You're not his girlfriend anymore. Don't tell me he begged for forgiveness."
"Probably," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You would think that after my dad gave him a talking to he'd leave her alone. But no. He's back to his old games. What is it with guys like that?"
"Don't look at me. I never liked Yamcha." He turned to Bulma, who'd been starring off and not really listening to their conversation. "You were never good enough for him, B."
"Yeah," Chi-Chi agreed, then looked over at Maris as if she were confused, or seeing her for the first time. "Hey Mar', how come none of your friends have been around? Did you ditch them for us?" she laughed. Bulma and Krillin stiffened. They'd been avoiding that question all day.
"I…My best friend, Tobei, he…he was my only friend," Maris said in a low voice. "He died in a car accident just before the end of last year…I haven't been able to make friends since."
The group was silent for one long, awkward moment, and then Chi-Chi said, "Really?" as if no other thoughts were swimming through her mind.
Maris looked up at her new friends, her eyes glistening, and squeaked out, "No," then burst into a fit of laughter, startling them.
"You're sick, you know that?" Krillin grumbled, though couldn't hold back his own laughter.
Bulma and Chi-Chi laughed easily along with them, until Maris finally changed the subject.
"So," she sighed. "What d'you guys say we go to my house and watch a movie or something?"
"I have a better idea," Bulma said. She pushed off her locker and made to leave, her friends following suit. "Let's do the movie, add popcorn, and come to my house." She glanced back at Maris. "I have a mini-theatre at my house, and I can order any movie imaginable. Click, and it's there."
"Sounds like a plan," Maris said with a huge grin, snaking her arm around Bulma's and Chi-Chi's waists, being slightly shorter than them. "Why, in Kami's name, didn't we become friends sooner?"
By the time they reached Capsule Corp., it was nearly 3:30 and Mrs. Briefs was so wound up that she baked two cakes and three dozen cupcakes, dripping with sugary frosting. She offered her treats to Bulma and her guests; the only one who declined was Chi-Chi, who always did. They were about to call up the movie list and choose something, when Bulma's father came into the room, holding out the phone to her. She gave him a strange look, then grabbed the phone, and covered the mouthpiece.
"Who is it?" she asked, knowing that all those who would call her were sitting next to her.
"Some boy. Didn't say a name," her father said, then left the room, his smiling reaching his ears. New friends and a new boyfriend? He was beyond elated.
"Hello?"
"Yeah," came a gruff voice at the other end. Who was it? She didn't recognize the voice at all.
"Who is this?"
"Who do you think, woman?"
"Vegeta!" Chi-Chi, Krillin, and Maris all practically threw themselves towards Bulma, trying to hear through the earpiece at the same time as her. She swatted them away. "Why the hell are you calling me?"
"Well, that's a first," he grunted. "Usually groupies go wild when they get a call from me."
"Groupies? Green Dragon has groupies?"
"No. But I do." She rolled her eyes, knowing that he was smirking. "Anyway, 18's making me call you 'cause we're driving through Satan City tomorrow and staying in some hotel over night before heading north."
"And?"
"I'm getting to that. Kami, woman. You're an enigma."
"And you're a jackass. Out with it."
"My stupid manager thinks I should go on our date tomorrow night for some insane reason. I know where the High School is, I'll pick you up after school."
"What? I need to go home and change before we go out, Vegeta. And school ends at 3:00. What kind of date places are open at 3:00 in the afternoon?"
"We're going outside the city," he sighed. "And I have a dress for you. We're taking the tour bus, so you can change on the way."
"A dress?" She was completely dumbfounded. "How do you know I'll like it? And how the hell do you know my size?"
"You're a 2," he said offhandedly. "I usually date 2s. And it doesn't matter if you like the dress. I like the dress and you're wearing it."
"What! Excuse me, buddy! But I am NOT—" And then the phone went dead. "Asshole."
"What was that all about?" Chi-Chi asked.
"He says we're going on our date tomorrow night and he's picking me up at the school and has a dress for me and thinks I'm going to go along with it. Uh! Maris, you owe me big."
"S-Sorry," she laughed, dodging the pillow Bulma through at her. "But hey, you might have fun."
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---Chapter 5!!! Yeah, yeah, I know it's shorter and less eventful than previous chapters, but so what. I'm the write, muhahaha! :P I do hope you all liked it though.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Bulma completely forgets about her date with Vegeta by the end of the day and finds him roaming the halls of her High School searching for her.