Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ and I haven't been to high school in...about three years, so I don't know how highschoolers act today but...this is kind of what my school was like.

Chapter Five: Parties, Booze, and Drugs...

Shifting uncomfortably, Kathi glared at Trunks when he held out another dress for her to try on. "I still don't see any reason for dressing up for this stupid party we're going to."

"Because I said so. Besides, I hear Ian is going to be there." Glancing at her from the corner of his eyes, he noted her blush and grinned. "Guys do like the girls that look feminine."

Sighing, she took the dress from his hands and went into the changing room. "Everyone will think I'm up to something."

"You will be."

"What?" She stopped pulling the dress down her body.

"You heard me."

"And what exactly is it that I'm going to be doing?"

"Impressing the guy you like."

Snorting rudely, she smoothed the dress then opened the door and came out. "So how do I look?"

"Perfect, now get changed back into your regular clothes so we can get out of here."

"I thought you'd never say that."

He laughed and shook his head. "You really hate shopping don't you?"

"You have no idea." Coming out of the dressing room, she held out the dress so he could take it. "Maybe I should try wearing girly clothes to school?"

"Hmm...now that's a thought."

"Uh oh, why do I not like the sound of that?"

"Because we're going to do some more shopping."

"But I don't have any money for more clothes."

"Don't worry, I've got it covered. Just consider it a very early birthday present."

Groaning good naturedly, she followed him through the store until he had picked out enough clothing to last her for a week. Standing beside him in the checkout line, she watched the cashier ring up their purchases then blinked when the total came out. "Trunks! You don't need to spend that much money on me."

"I know, but I want to."

"Boy, you have some serious issues. I'll bet you want me to get a makeover next."

He grinned.

"Hell no."

Ten minutes later she was in a hair boutique getting a facial and a haircut.

"I hope you know this is coming out of your hide Trunks."

"Whatever." Sitting in the seat beside hers, he watched the stylist flit around her, scissors gleaming brightly under the intense lights. "You'll look great."

"I doubt it."

"Uh huh."

Her eyes narrowed then crossed when the stylist started applying lipstick to her lips. Waiting for her to finish, she groaned and sat up before staring at herself in the mirror. "I look like a hooker."

"No you don't, you look like a girl."

"If you say so."

"I do, now come on, we've got a party to get ready for."

Grumbling choice obscenities under her breath, she gathered up her things while he paid for the makeover then followed him out of the salon. "What time is this party supposed to start anyway?"

Looking down at his watch, he shrugged. "Two hours."

"WHAT?"

"That's only if you want to show up fashionably late."

"But..."

"Of course, we could show up on time and rush ourselves to be there in an hour."

"How about an hour and a half?"

He laughed. "Fine, but you'll have to change in the car."

"Heck no, I'm going to a bathroom."

"Works for me."

"Good, take these." Shoving her bags into his hands, she pulled out her dress and hurried into the bathroom to change. Five minutes later she was out with her old clothes bundled up in her arms. "Ready when you are."

"I'm always ready." Wiggling his brows suggestively, he dodged her punch then looped his arm in hers. "I just don't know how I'm going to compete with all the attention though."

She wrinkled her nose and giggled. "You're a strange man Trunks, a very strange man."

"I know; that's why everyone likes me so much."

Rolling her eyes, she walked with him out to his truck then climbed in. "Do you even know where we're going?"

"Uh huh." Starting the engine, he backed out and drove away from the mall. "But I'm surprising you."

"Now why does that scare me?"

"Dunno."

She snorted. "As I've said before; you're a very strange man."

He grinned. "You have no idea."

Sitting in the same group as Joe, Caitlin, Stephanie, Meghan, Goku, and Chi-chi, Vegeta eyed the people around him then sighed. "Could this party suck any more?"

Goku smiled cheerfully and sipped his soda. "You're just angry because there isn't a live band."

"Maybe."

"Speaking of live, did you see the chick with Ian tonight?" Joe grinned wolfishly and set his soda on the table in front of him. "She's one heck of a looker."

"Only if you like peroxide blondes and too much makeup." Chi-chi studied her nails then looked towards the door anxiously. "And where the heck are Trunks and Kathi? They should be here by now."

"Probably held up in traffic." Pulling her hair back in a knot behind her head, Stephanie sighed and fluffed it after it was secured. "I heard him saying something about taking her to the mall for a girlie makeover."

Joe laughed. "I'm sure that one went over well. That girl hates makeup almost as much as she hates drugs."

"Of course, makeup and drugs are the anti-Christ. Not to mention that sunlight will melt all the skin off of your body if you're exposed to it long enough." Caitlin grinned cheerfully and leaned back in her chair. "But if you were to ask Kathi about it, I'm sure she'd say that..."

"Makeup is the root of all evils and I don't know how I talked Trunks into making me wear it."

Everyone looked up in surprise, jaws dropping.

Smiling, Kathi spun around in her dress then modeled herself against Trunks' shoulder. "So how do I look?"

"Good god woman, what has he done to you?" Looking his friend over in shock, Joe blinked several times then shook his head vigorously. "I'm seeing things."

She laughed. "He made me look like a girl, right Trunks?"

"Uh huh." Wrapping an arm around her waist, Trunks smirked and pinched her side, causing her to squeal and jump before she slugged him in the arm. "I'm thinking that with the right guy hanging on her arm, she could be part of the best looking couple."

Vegeta's eyes darted back and forth over them before narrowing. "And who would this right guy be?"

"Well, it can't be me, I'm too good looking." Joe laughed then yelped when the girls sitting closest to him whacked him.

Goku grinned his normal goofy grin and hugged his girlfriend before she could slap Joe as well. "I'm her cousin, and taken."

"I'd do it but I feel like I'm intruding on someone else's property." Trunks shrugged and released his hold on her waist.

"Now wait a second you guys, I'm not someone's property and for some reason I get the feeling that you're deciding it for me." Kathi took a step away from the lavender haired teen and crossed her arms over her chest. "And you know that doesn't bode well for your futures."

Chuckling, Vegeta stood up and set his drink on the table. "Well, I'm not hearing any offers for the first dance so I guess this means I'll have to do the honors."

She rolled her eyes. "No use in being noble Vegeta, I can see right through you to your beady little heart."

He grabbed his chest and made a pained face. "You wound me with your words."

"Hmm...well I guess I can let you have the first dance if you think it'll heal that ego of yours."

"Ah, you are so gracious."

Snorting, she took his hand and led him away from the group. "Don't get used to it."

Watching them walk away, Trunks nodded then took the seat that the shorter teen had abandoned. "So how's it been going?"

Glancing at the two making their way into the middle of the dancers, Joe shrugged then lit a cigarette. "That depends on what you're trying to find out."

"In other words, who do I need to avoid?"

"Ah, in that case." Joe let out a plume of smoke, away from the other teens. "Smokey is one person you need to avoid tonight. Word has it that he's bringing in the big guns to use on a few girls of his choosing. He and a few other guys are going to be hooking them up with a little X and some of the date-rape drug."

Whistling between his teeth, Trunks frowned and shook his head in disgust. "That's disgusting."

"No, disgusting is what they'll do to the girls once they get them alone."

"Any ideas on what girls they're targeting?"

Steph raised her hand. "I was on the list for awhile there but got off of it by hanging around Vegeta for awhile. They're wary of him because of his views on drugs and his mean right hook."

"I take it you've seen that right hook in action before?"

The entire group nodded.

"I was once on the receiving end." Rubbing his jaw in memory, Joe winced then shuddered. "I swore up and down that I would never be able to eat again."

"How'd you get there in the first place?"

"Long story but safe to say...it has a lot to do with the girl in his arms right now."

"Oh..." His eyes flicked back towards the two. "So is he protective of her or something?"

Caitlin laughed, nearly falling out of her chair in the process. "Protective is just another way of saying..."

"He wants her and he doesn't think we can see it." Chi-chi finished for the blonde when she doubled over. "He might talk tough but he's got one hell of a shy streak in him."

"I never would have guessed it." Trunks chuckled and looked away from the dance area. "I take it that all of you already know?"

Goku nodded. "I knew before he told me and all of us had a powwow about a week ago because of it."

"Ah, and I wasn't invited?"

"We didn't know you well enough to know if you would keep it a secret from her." Meghan looked up from her glass of water, her eyes wider than normal. "She doesn't know."

"How can she not know?"

"Now there's the kicker." Putting out his cigarette at last, Joe leaned back on the couch to get comfortable. "As we all know, she's interested in Ian and Vegeta can't stand it."

"I kind of picked up on her interest in Ian."

"Undoubtedly, but she nearly called it quits on our man out there when he got between her and her ex-boyfriend."

"What do you mean?"

"Jarrett was a jerk and cheated on her." Her eyes serious now, Caitlin picked up her soda to take another drink from it. "Vegeta tried to tell her but she wouldn't listen and one day..." She shrugged. "Let's just say that he got suspended for getting into a fight that she broke up."

"You're giving this story a sugar coating girl." Chi-chi looked over at Trunks, her eyes sad. "He caught Jarrett giving another girl lip and finger service in one of the hallways. The girl ran off before Kathi found them so she blamed the whole thing on him and his temper."

"So when did she forgive him?"

"Two days later. She found Jarrett with the same girl and got suspended herself."

"She did?"

"Oh yeah and it was so totally worth getting suspended for." Joe laughed and grabbed his drink from the floor. "I was there when it happened...of course, just about all of us were but dang...I never knew she had it in her to be that violent."

"What happened?" Curiosity piqued, Trunks leaned forward eagerly.

Taking a swallow from his soda, Joe cleared his throat then rested the can on his knee. "She marched right up to him and tapped him on his shoulder before giving him the sweetest smile you could imagine."

Meghan snorted. "I've never seen her smile like that. It was perfectly clueless and innocent."

"Oh yeah, and when she asked him what was going on, her head tilted in that cutesy valley-girl way." Steph laughed and imitated what she'd described. "You should have seen his face...he thought he was going to get away with it."

"He obviously didn't."

"Nope, she decked him so hard he fell flat on his back." Goku laughed loudly and smacked his hands together for emphasis. "He hit that floor and had a nice dazed expression on his face until she kicked him in the balls."

The guys shuddered.

"Anyway, she got suspended for kicking him while he was down and that's the whole story behind their one huge fight." Leaning against her boyfriend, Chi-chi sighed happily and curled her fingers around his arm. "I think the day she apologized was very romantic."

"Everything is romantic to you Chi-chi." Joe lit another cigarette. "Besides, all she did was show up at his house with a teddy bear and a piece of chocolate."

"His favorite chocolate Joe, and that's what was so romantic."

"Oh..." Hearing two guys arguing, Trunks looked towards the dance area again then groaned. "I don't believe it."

"What?" Everyone looked to see what he was talking about.

Glaring at Ian hatefully, Vegeta held Kathi behind him and ignored her very angry protests. "No way in hell."

"Oh come on Vegeta, it's obvious that she wants to spend some time with me." Ian smiled lazily and watched the smaller guy's eyes narrow. "Besides, we both know that I have better luck with women than you."

"More than enough reason for me to say no."

"Huh, so you're going to start making her decisions for her then?"

"If I have to."

"She doesn't belong to you."

"She might as well."

Growing tired of listening to them talk about her as if she wasn't there, Kathi pulled out of Vegeta's grip and glared at him when he turned around. "That is enough Vegeta. I'm more than old enough, and capable enough, to take care of myself. Ian's right, I don't belong to you and you don't make my decisions for me."

"See Vegeta, even she agrees with me."

His eyes narrowed even more. "Go to hell Ian."

"No thanks, I think I'd rather stay here and enjoy the company of a good looking woman."

"You wouldn't know a good looking woman if she bit you in the ass."

Kathi's eyes narrowed. "Vegeta, I would recommend leaving right about now."

Glancing at her, he frowned then nodded curtly. "Fine." He walked away, his entire body stiff with anger.

Sighing tiredly, she pinched the bridge of her nose then laughed under her breath. "He's so weird."

Lifting his eyebrows in surprise, Ian watched her control her laughter, wondering how she could be so blind to the other guy's attention. Shrugging nonchalantly, he draped his arm over her shoulders and led her further away from her group of friends.

Vegeta flopped into an empty seat with the others and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "This is insane and I don't know why it's bothering me."

Caitlin smiled a smug smile and lifted one eyebrow. "Why Vegeta, we didn't know you cared so much."

He glared at her.

"So Vegeta, are you going to tell us what happened out there?" Leaning against her boyfriend's shoulder, Chi-chi eyed him carefully.

"I pissed her off, like always."

"No shit, but how did you piss her off?" Joe lit another cigarette.

"Insulting her, how else would I piss her off?"

Everyone laughed.

Coughing slightly, Trunks smirked at the older teen when he looked at him. "Sounds to me like you have some serious issues to work out where she's concerned."

"If you're trying to say that I shouldn't insult her then you've got another thing coming."

"And why is that?"

"It's ritual for me to insult her."

"Ah, and she insults back?"

"Nope, she grins at him like he's lost his mind and ignores him completely." Flicking his ashes into an empty can of soda, Joe smiled and took another drag off of his cigarette. "It's very funny."

"Shut up Joe."

Ignoring his friend, Joe kept talking. "And it's even funnier when she gets him swearing a mile a minute. I've never seen anything quite like it in my life."

"Nor heard anything like it either." Meghan finally smiled shyly as she spoke up. "He could make a sailor blush."

"No I don't." Blushing as well, Vegeta looked down at his hands when the others laughed at him then sighed and lifted his gaze back towards the dance floor. "I really wish you guys would stop trying to hook us up."

The other teens went silent, all of their eyes turned towards his face to take in the depressed look that had stolen over his features.

Chi-chi sighed and shook her head. "We won't stop until you actually do something about it."

"She doesn't want me Chi-chi...she never will." A pained look came to his eyes and his brows furrowed slightly. "Besides, how can I compete with Ian?"

"You won't know until you try." Trunks' face softened apologetically. "Besides, she deserves better than Ian."

"I vote for her remaining asexual for as long as possible." Joe grinned, his cigarette coming perilously close to the couch cushions. "That way we can be sure that she'll never make another stupid mistake again...at least until we hook her up with someone who is worth all of the trouble there is when it comes to her."

"You're one to talk you little wanker. In fact, I still owe you a black eye." Sitting up straight, Vegeta leveled the other teen with a deadly glare that sent him crawling further away.

"Hey man, breaking my jaw was more than enough deterrent for me."

"Good."

"Wait a second Joe, you never said that Vegeta broke your jaw." Caitlin sat up straight and glared at the tattooed teen. "Exactly why did he break your jaw?"

"Well..."

A loud scream rang throughout the house, cutting off any words that might have come from the small group.

Leaping to his feet, Vegeta lunged over the couch and started running in the direction the scream had come from. Looking over his shoulder quickly, he nodded grimly at Trunks and Goku when they came up behind him. Pushing people out of the way, he ran out to the pool and slid to a stop in surprise when someone pointed to the roof. "Holy shit!"

Dangling from the gutter, Kathi tried to control her fear and squeezed her eyes tightly shut while listening to Ian push his date away from the window she'd been standing in front of.

"Hey Katherine, you're only eight feet from the ground. Just let go and drop."

Shaking her head wildly, she felt tears squeezing past her eyelids and fought the urge to whimper in fear. "I can't."

"Shit." Raking his fingers through his hair, Ian looked around at the people gathered below then locked eyes with the one teen who was glaring daggers at him. "Vegeta, grab her legs and help her down man."

Nodding, Vegeta loped forward, grabbing a lounge chair on his way. Positioning it below her body, he climbed up and wrapped his arms around her legs. "All right girl, just let go and keep calm. I'll slide you down until you're feet are on the chair. Do you trust me?"

Sniffing weakly, she nodded and opened her eyes for the spilt second it took her to let go of the gutter. Yelping with fear, she struggled for a moment then relaxed when his arms locked around her waist. Looking into his dark eyes, she felt her lower lip tremble.

"Don't cry Kathi, you're okay now." Hugging her against him, he rocked her back and forth while she sobbed on his shoulder, thoroughly wetting his shirt. He buried his fingers in her hair and stared up at his rival still looking out the window at them.

"Is she all right?"

He nodded.

Sighing heavily with relief, Ian stepped away from the window and ignored his date as he made his way down to the back yard.

"Vegeta, I want to go home." Staring, blindly, over his shoulder, Kathi sniffed and hugged him tighter when he dropped off of the chair.

"Okay girl, I'll take you home." Walking through the people who had been watching them, he slowly made his way into the house and stopped when Ian met them at the front door. Letting her go for a minute he turned towards his rival, a frown on his face. "What?"

Motioning for the shorter teen to move a few steps away, Ian looked down at his feet then back at the darker guy. "I didn't mean for that to happen at all. I just wanted to make you jealous man."

Vegeta's frown darkened even more. "Why?"

"Dammit Vegeta, everyone can see how much you like her and I wanted her too."

"Whatever." He started to turn away.

"Look, I'm sorry about all this. Just...take good care of her, I don't want to see her the way she was after Jarrett."

Glancing over his shoulder at the taller teen, Vegeta nodded. "I will."

"Good."