Hi everyone! As I promised, here is the next chapter. This chapter might be a little… unnecessary, but when you read the next chapter, hopefully you'll see the importance of the third chapter.

Oh yeah, and a little insider scoop into my personal life 'cause I have to tell someone: I love my English class! It's so fun, and you can debate about themes and you can discuss world issues and joke around (and it doesn't hurt that the student teacher is totally hot! ;) ) Ok, sorry, I had to say that.

To all those who reviewed: Thanks a billion!

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ!

Chapter Three

Working at the stables had its advantages, Videl admitted freely. For example, being near animals always calmed Videl's nerves. She loved how simple and controlled animals' lives were, unlike her own life. They didn't have to worry about being accepted or finding a friend. Videl shook her head as she entered the building next to the horses' stables.

':Stop thinking about that:' her conscience yelled at her, ':So what if they don't like you? Who needs 'em? If they can't accept you for who you are, then they're a bunch of airheads. You're better off without them:'

'But the problem is, Ididn't even try to show them who I really am,' Videl thought, trying to figure out exactly why she was so alone in life, 'I just ignored them and now… I don't have anyone…'

':So if you dug your own grave, as you claim, why are you complaining?;'

VIdel sighed and refused to think about the matter anymore. That was that. It's over. She's a senior, and there's no use trying to start anew. 'I'll meet plenty of people in college.'

':That's the spirit:'

She entered her boss's office without knocking, knowing it pissed him off. This fact was confirmed as she heard, "Videl, how many times do I have to tell you to knock? It's really not that hard!"

Kei Freddy got up from his seat at his desk and walked over to his open door, "Here, I'll show you." He stepped outside his office and closed the door. Videl heard her boss clear his throat and say in a high-pitched voice, which Videl guessed was supposed to hers, "Oh, Mr. Kei? It's me, Satan Videl. I am here for my duty as a guide. May I please come into your lovely office and write in the time I got here so you can pay me properly for my hours?" Then he knocked rather loudly and opened the door. He stepped into his office and looked sternly at his employee of two years, "See, it's not that hard," he repeated.

Videl had to suppress a grin. He was such a drama queen. She then noticed his disheveled brown hair and the bags under his grey, bloodshot eyes. His shirt was wrinkled and his tie was in no better shape. She suddenly felt bad. She felt as if being insubordinate pushed him over the edge. She looked at him with concern, "Are you ok, Freddy?"

Freddy sighed and walked around his desk to sit again, "I don't know, Videl. There are so many bills…" He cradled his head in his hands and Videl heard his muffled voice say, "If I can't find a way to pay for all of them, I might have to sell the stables."

Videl felt as if her heart was breaking. To see her boss and friend in such a state and the thought of never seeing the horses again just made her feel-

"-hopeless," Freddy was saying, "It's completely hopeless." (A/N: whoa, I think I used that phrasing in another one of my stories… hmmm… I'm not very original… oh well!)

"Don't worry, Freddy," Videl heard herself say as she placed a hand on her boss's shoulder, "You'll keep the stables. I'll make sure of that."

Freddy gave a crude snort. An eighteen-year-old? Saving his stables? Yeah, when pigs fly.

"Thanks, Videl," Freddy said softly, still not looking up. He waved a hand at her in dismissal, "Now go out there and do your duty as a guide."

Videl contained a laugh at his choice of words. Honestly, how corny was her boss?

She walked over to the sign-in sheet on the wall next to the door and wrote in the time she arrived at the stables. "Who do I have first?"

Freddy sighed and took away his hands from his face. He looked down at the paper in front of him and read, "You got a group of newbies. Twelve to be exact."

Videl groaned. 'Newbies' was a term used for people who have ridden once, twice, or never in their whole lifetime. "Freddy, why do I have to take them? Why not get a new employee, like Nick?" As much as she loved working at the stables, she definitely despised her boss.

"Because Nick still has to figure out how to work the register," Freddy responded quickly, obviously finding some enjoyment in tormenting his favorite employee. He noticed her death glare and said, "You'll be fine. Just a quick trip around the path and you'll be back in one piece in no time." He took hold of the girl's shoulders and led her outside of his office. Just before closing the door, he said, "And knock next time!"

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Working at the stables also had its disadvantages: Videl's boss, for one. And newbies, for two. Videl stepped outside and froze when she saw them. It was the popular group from OSH, including Gohan.

Videl groaned once again. After so many attempts to finally stop thinking about Gohan, there he was, joking around and smiling that cute smile.

':Geez, Vi, you're going soft. The guy's only been here for a month and you're already falling head over heels for him:'

'Shut up!'

"Can I get everyone's attention please?" Videl called out to the group of people she disliked the most (with the exception of Erasa, Sharpner, and yes, even Gohan.)

Everyone quieted immediately and looked at her. Videl heard someone mutter, "What's the Ice Queen doing here?"

Videl chose to ignore the comment and continued, "If you'd all line up in single file over here, we can get you on your horses. But first, some rules and safety tips, then we'll be on our way."

After Videl went over the guidelines, she put the popular group on their horses and told them to wait until she said it was ok to go. As Videl coaxed the horses to her, she thought they gave her looks of sympathy. When Sharpner got his horse, he smiled at her and she smiled back. Sharpner was a good guy, even if he was a little shallow. Then Erasa gave her a bone-crushing hug before she got on her horse.

Who needs to be accepted by a large group of airheads when you have two best friends?

Gohan was the last one to get a horse. He grinned as he stepped up to her, "We meet again," he said with a grin.

Videl rolled her eyes and called Geoffrey to her. He was a chestnut horse, and he was huge, which was big enough for Gohan to ride. Geoffrey was Videl's favorite because you didn't have to bribe him with treats to get him to come to you. All she had to do was call his name in a soothing voice, have open arms, and he would walk right into your hug.

She grinned as he trotted up to them, not even glancing at Gohan. Geoffrey butted Videl with his head, but she said, "No, no, not today. Gohan's riding you today. Maybe if you're extra nice, you'll get an apple." Geoffrey's ears pricked forward at the word 'apple,' seeming very interested. Videl continued in a soft voice, "He might bore or annoy you, but I promise he won't kick. Gohan, Geoffrey is my favorite horse, so don't kick him."

Gohan was surprised she directed this statement at him. He was so entranced by the way Videl handled the horses. He saw something in Videl's eyes that he had never seen before: joy. Pure joy.

"Weeeeellllllll," Gohan drawled out, patting the horse's neck affectionately, "If he's your favorite, Videl, I guess I can control myself." He smiled at Videl. That stupid cute smile.

"Alright, get on already!" Videl exclaimed, trying to unsuccessfully hold back a smile.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

As they rode, Gohan made sure of being near Videl. Not next to her exactly, but close enough to where he could hear her muttering praises in her horse's ear.

Suddenly, Geoffrey trotted up next to Videl's horse, Star. Geoffrey neighed impatiently, trying to get Videl's attention.

Videl grinned as she reached over and petted Geoffrey's mane, "You should be warned, Gohan," Videl teased, "Geoffrey loves attention, but I'm afraid he's a one-woman horse."

Gohan was taken aback and said very uncharacteristically, "And I thought I was actually winning him over. Darn." Gohan snapped his fingers in mock disappointment.

Videl looked at him, startled. Then, what seemed like several minutes, she smiled slowly, like sweet molasses dripping from a spoon (A/N: Woo-hoo! That's a simile! In your face, ninth grade English teacher! Ahem… sorry). Gohan felt his heart skip a beat. Now two beats. Now three. Ok, back to normal now. Son Gohan actually made the Ice Queen smile! And not only that, but Gohan found himself actually liking her smile.

Gohan got to thinking about how much Videl's mood had changed from being so stern at school to being so carefree with the horses. 'It's probably the horses,' he thought. Videl's love for animals was no needle in a haystack. You could see it clearly, although it's seen rarely.

"So, Gohan," Videl's sarcastic drawl broke his line of thoughts, "You live in the mountains. Must be exciting."

Gohan gave a small smile as he replied, "You have no idea."

They spent the remainder of the ride discussing wildlife and other various topics. Least to say, Gohan thought it went rather well.

So did Videl.

TBC!

LoL! There ya go! That's my attempt at being funny. cringes never again. Well, hoped ya liked it! Sorry it sucked. The next chapter should be longer. (Hint the keyword "should") Yeah, so sorry again if it wasn't that great. Look for the next chapter next week!

P.O.G.

TBC!