"That was a little harsh of you Gohan." Chichi told him while shaking her head, having seen and heard the entire exchange between the two eighteen year olds. "Perhaps this could be a reconciliation for the two of you."

"I've told you time and time again mom, we are no longer friends, can't you get it through your head? You know why and I won't tell you again."

"You are being so petty. All because she went out with someone that you didn't approve of. You're just jealous of this Matthew character aren't you?"

"There you go again! That's another thing that I have told you over and over. I am not in love with Videl Satan." He informed her for what he hoped was the last time.

"If your father were here, he would be able to talk some sense into you. Even Goten knows what you should be doing, don't you honey?"

The dark haired nine year old chimed in with what he thought was the ideal solution. "You and Videl should get married and then she'd be like my big sister and you'd have lots of kids and you'd be happy and I'd be happy 'cause I'd be like their uncle and-"

"Shut up Goten." Gohan snapped, halting the younger saiyan in his tracks, before he ran out of breath completely from his non-stop sentence.

"You've just been expelled from school Gohan, and you're lucky I went easy on you. It's a good job that your university place is certain, or otherwise they might not accept you after this incident. Don't screw this up, you two were such good friends when you were kids, can't you at least do her this one favour? For me?" She was guilt tripping him now, using the fact that he got away from his expulsion without major punishment from his mother.

"Don't do this." He pleaded with her.

"You were never one to shy away from helping someone in need. Especially someone that you care about."

He looked his mother in the eye, and saw that this was something that she really appeared to care about. Was his friendship with Videl Satan really that important? He had been wary about resurrecting that relationship because he didn't want to go through the self inflicted pain that he brought about on himself when he lost her. It was his choice to end their time as friends.

He had always thought that as unsuitable as Matthew was for her, that she was actually happy and that she would always be happy. He didn't want to interfere within her life, to ruin any chance of romance that she might have. But maybe in order to protect her now, he would have to become close to her again. Pretty soon his head was going to explode.

Quickly weighing up his multitude of options, Gohan decided on the best course of action. He almost ripped the door off its hinges in his haste to reach the girl before she got back to her own abode, where she would most likely ignore him after that little incident.

Chichi had a broad smile on her face as she realised that the few words she had just uttered had changed his mind completely.

------------------

"Videl, wait!" He shouted to the retreating form of his former best friend. Defiantly she continued to walk home, undeterred from her current course of action. "Will you stop walking away from me!?" He asked her far from politely, having just caught up to her.

The girl turned her head from his face, inches from her own in a blatant show of anger at the boy who had just so cruelly dismissed her. Her chin jutted out in another defiant pose as she closed in on her front door.

Realising that words were having little or no effect on her, Gohan felt that it was time for actions and firmly grasped her upper arm, much like he had done when he saved her life on that occasion, rescuing her from that speeding vehicle.

He pulled on it hard, twirling her sharply around like a rather ungainly and untalented ballerina. She had been forced to look at him now, his body towering over her own, a look of sorrow in his eyes, at what he had just done. At least he was instantly rectifying the situation.

"What?!" She spat out, anger laced within her voice along with an undertone of sadness and resignation. She was pleased that his mind had been changed, most likely by his mother, but felt a slight unhappiness at the fact that it had taken the older woman to sway him. But at least he was here now.

"I'm sorry." He said, not out of breath even in the slightest. "I shouldn't have been like that, you came to me as a friend for help and I didn't even think it over properly."

She looked up at him, a playful smile on her lips. Currently, a number of things were circulating in her mind. That little bet with Bella, or whatever you wanted to call it was one of those things. Her friends had no clue as to how strong her emotions were towards this boy, they just thought that it would be a good laugh to toy with his feelings. In their opinion, she would not actually do anything with him.

If common consensus were true, he would panic and leave in a rush the second that she was within touching distance, and on Monday morning her and the rest of them would howl themselves to tears with their cruel laughter.

And in some ways she hoped that that scenario would be half true. She would realise how stupid this little 'crush' of hers was, maybe get so far as to kiss him, and then all in her life would be revealed. As expected of her, she would discover that she was destined to marry someone like Matthew, be an obedient housewife and give him a couple of kids. Of course she would not allow anyone to laugh at Gohan. Never Gohan. As if he needed her protection anyway.

Sure, his feelings would be hurt, but he would get over her soon enough, find someone for himself and live a wonderful life, one full of adventure and fulfilment, owing to his genius that would take him places that she could only dream of.