A/N: I'd like to welcome you all to my latest story. The first chapter, if you hadn't guessed was just the introduction to the story. This, folks, may be disturbing in some places, more dark that Black Sunrise and The Leopards Shadow. I think this story was bound to happen.

Laced Kisses

Chapter One: New Students

She had been made to feel invisible, that thought drilled into her head ever since she was 6. She wasn't the perfect was, wouldn't ever be the perfect one. Instead, she got pushed off to the side, tossed away like some dirty rag.

And the only person that really seemed to care, was herself.

So, she went through elementary school wearing her sister's cast offs, nothing cute of course, and walking in her sister's shadow. Teachers didn't notice having always thought that there's one shy twin in the set. But they were amazed that the young girl, the younger of the set, had a mind on her.

Not only was she perfect at mathematical figures, her spelling was next to none, but it helped that she had an amazing imagination and an eagerness to get someone to accept her for who she was. Again, teachers didn't think anything of it.

Bulma was a joy to have in all classes, picking up on everything quickly, helping other students. That is, until they had hit junior high. No longer was she a child, but a developing teen. Much slower than her twin, and for her childhood teacher, Ms. Beverly, this was a hard process for her to watch. Bulma was forced deeper into the shadows, wearing nothing but old cast offs, having nothing for her own.

No one wanted to talk to her for the rest of the students wanted to bath in the beauty of her fiery red curly haired, dark eyed sister Sawyer. Compared to Sawyer, with her bubbly personality, Bulma was nothing special.

And it got worse from there. Bulma excelled in all of her classes, taking to sciences and languages with ease, while her sister struggled. It was because of her sister Bulma, that she was in the same grade.

But to Sawyer, school didn't matter. All that mattered was that she got her way with everything she did. And everyone gave it to her. Everything she had ever wanted, she was granted. When the girls were old enough to drive, Bulma was forced to take the bus while her sister, the cherished pet of the family was given a cute little black BMW.

The first of many cars that would later turn into scrap metal.

Out of the twins, Bulma had all the brains, and most people that looked at her could compare her beauty to that of her sisters. But no one dared act on it. And it seemed that Bulma was content to sit by herself during lunch hours under the shade of a large oak tree. Sawyer had always gone off with one or more of the various guys that followed her around, coming back at the end of classes and laughed at her sister as she boarded the crowded school bus.

But that was all about to change. For Bulma was beginning to realize that she was her own person, and she should be treated like one, not like a cast off.

Her mother no longer loved her, Jayden dotted on her which annoyed Rupert beyond all reason. To Jayden, there was no greater person in the world than his oldest younger sister Bulma. She helped him with his homework even before she did hers, way before she started Sawyers. Bulma took him outside to play catch while his father and mother were once more engaged in business meetings that would keep them holed up in the large office for hours. Jayden was an innocent, a pure soul that wouldn't have to taste the bitterness of life as he grew older. In short, Jayden was a simple person. And she loved him for it. Even if no one else did.

The bell rang, signaling the end of her lunch break.

Sighing, Bulma closed her book and eased it into her open backpack. Pushing herself up and away from the rough bark of the tree, she slowly brushed off the stray pieces of grass that clung to her baggy faded jeans and plucked the shapeless black t-shirt back into place. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she headed towards the side doors that were just around the corner from the gymnasium, not looking where she was going for this side of the school was always empty.

And ran into a body. Before she could stop herself, she went falling backwards and landed hard on her bottom.

"Oh!" She cried out, right hand in a small muddy puddle.

"I'm so sorry!" A girl muttered, dropping onto her haunches to look at Bulma. "Are you hurt?"

Pale blue eyes, flecked with green and gold looked into chocolate brown ones. "Um. No...at least I don't think so."

"Good. I don't want to hurt people. I don't like it." She stood back up and just as Bulma was going to push herself up once more, a pale slender hand was extended down to her. Not knowing any better, she took it and found herself face to face with a very pretty girl.

A curtain of black hair surrounded her shoulders only to stop millimeters from her hips. At once Bulma felt out of place, like she always had felt since she was 5. For the student was wearing a black halter top and a pair of black capris. And on her dainty feet were a pair of black heeled sandals that had laces wrapping up around her calves.

"No. I'm not hurt..."

"My name's Chi-Chi. I'm new here."

"I'm um. Bulma."

"Nice to meet you. Listen, I know I'm going to sound like a total idiot, but I love your hair color. It's just...amazing!"

Bulma lifted her left hand and touched her hair shyly. "Thanks." In fact, Bulma loved her hair color as well. She had seen no one with the powder blue locks that were constantly turning darker and darker every year she grew older. Only the right side of her bangs, almost three inches thick, had stayed the palest shade of blonde.

"Anyway, the bell rang, and I have to wheel my brother to his class. You done mind if I ask you for directions do you? That's why I came over here and..."

"Wheel?" Bulma was interested. There was something special about this girl Chi-Chi. Could it be that for once in her life, she'll make a new friend, someone that wasn't her younger brother?

"Yeah. He was being himself and broke his leg in three different places. Not able to walk just yet, though I don't think I'd be able to do so with a cast up to my well... you know."

"Oh my!"

"Don't worry. He's really a nice guy. For the most part. Want to meet him?"

"I uh, should be getting to class."

"He's just right over there. Don't worry. I heard you've got a 15 minutes to get to class when the bell rings."

"Um, sure."

"Great!"

Chi-Chi tugged Bulma along around the corner where, much to her surprise, was the most beautiful guy sitting in a wheelchair, left leg propped up on the leg rest to help take the discomfort off of the rest of his body. Like his sister, he had the dark hair that was spiked upwards and the same dark chocolate eyes.

"Who're you?" He muttered, crossing his arms at the frumpy looking student with the unique hair color.

"Now Vegeta, don't you be grumpy towards her. She's here to take us to your class, and in turn she'll give me directions to my class."

"What's your name?"

Bulma blinked, slightly startled at the forwardness of the guy confined to the wheelchair. "Bulma..." she whispered, eyes snapping downwards.

"What? I didn't catch that. Speak up girl!"

"I said my name's Bulma. And I'll kindly ask you not to raise your voice to me."

Vegeta looked at t he girl, her hand still slightly muddy, clothes not attractive at all, and her obviously heavy back pack hanging off her shoulder. She was timid, he knew that and he saw when he had the chance to look into her eyes for that quick moment, she was a broken spirit. It was too bad. She could have been a beautiful girl.

"She's right Vegeta. You don't have to be so rude. Now, what class did you say you have Veggie-head?"

"Chemistry. With Mr. Po...something."

"Polarious." Bulma finished for him. "I've got him next. I'll show you where to go. And...what about you Ch...i-Chi?"

"I've got art. But we should get going. I need to know where to go."

Bulma held the door open for the pair as Chi-Chi helped her brother wheel himself over the little lip that could have proven to be a biggest lip than was needed. "It's not that far really. If you just turn this corner you'll see the ramp. It's the second door on the right. You'll have fun. I took art last year and loved Mrs. Maddox."

"Great! Listen, I've got to fly and I don't think I could push my brother up there, only to have him turn around and try to run someone over...do you mind walking with him to his class?"

Bulma could feel her cheeks start to turn pink. "N...no. Not at all."

"Fantastic! Veggie-head, I'll see you at the end of class. Be nice to Bulma."

"Yeah. Sure. Whatever."

"Catch you kids later!" Chi-Chi called over her shoulder as she strode in the direction Bulma have told her that her class was in.

Bulma was rooted to the spot. She was going to enter the class with an extremely gorgeous new student. If only she didn't have to share the same class, her only shared class with her twin!

"You could hang your bag on the handle if you want too. It looks a bit heavy."

"Um...thanks."

"You're shy aren't you?"

"...um..."

Vegeta laughed and shook his head. "C'mon. I promise I won't bite. Hang your bag, and we'll go to class."

She did as she was told, even if she was a lot more than a little hesitant. People stopped what they were doing and watched as the pair of them as they moved passed. The girls gazing and making comments at Vegeta, then glaring and snickering at Bulma.

And she could hear each and every one of them. But what they said was nothing new. She was used to the rude comments and had since grown ignorant of them all. She stopped in front of the open door and made a motion for Vegeta to proceed before her but he shook his head.

"Ladies first."

She blushed again and ducked inside before he could see. But she waited for him on the other side of the door. "Well, thanks for taking my bag..."

"Hold it. I'm new here. I don't know the seating process."

"Find a seat, and take it. That's pretty much it."

"Great. Where do you sit?"

"Over there," she pointed to the front and center black table. "Why?"

"So I know where to drop off your books." He winked at her and wheeled himself over to the table that she had pointed out. By the looks of it, she sat alone. He was just about to place the heavy bag on the table when he heard a squeal of laughter entering the room followed by the unmistakable click of heels.

Turning his head, he looked as a large group of students walked into the class, led by a curvy red head. And then he watched Bulma who tried to sink into the teachers desk.

"Hey rag-tag! There's a sale on at Target. Thought you might like to know so you can go and buy some more of those hideous shirts!" Red laughed.

The others laughed as well. Bulma's face flushed scarlet and she turned towards her desk with tears in her eyes. Vegeta didn't understand. Why didn't she stand up for herself?

And idea popped into his head and he moved her bag farther down to the next table, separated by a small sink. He was going to sit with her. And he was going to make her laugh. The teacher walked in just as everyone was taking their seats and noticed the new male student and called the class to attention.

Introductions were made and it was a good thing that Vegeta had picked to sit at the end table so he could turn his wheelchair and face the rest of the class.

Bulma felt a tinge in her stomach, a flurry of fluttering butterflies. Why was Vegeta being so nice to her? She pulled out her textbook and opened it.

"Who was that?"

"Hmm? Who?" She tried to act as if that moment a few minutes ago hadn't phased her.

"The red head. Why don't you stand up to her?"

"What does it matter?"

"Who is it?"

Bulma turned her head slowly and looked at him. The pain that filled her light blue eyes caused him to mentally kick himself. "My twin sister."

With that she fell silent.