Chapter 3:

Confusion


Goku waited for Serena at the entrance of the school. He walked her to her home a lot recently. Becoming a routine for him in the morning and at night, and to be honest, it helped him to discover another thing about her. She wasn't a morning person like him, and that gave him another reason to go to her house so she couldn't arrive late.

And to his surprise, it didn't bother him doing that at all.

Goku was getting used to seeing her more often, which made him smile more since Serena was such an intriguing person.

Who could have thought that acting like a couple would help to know each other more? He finally met the famous Serena and could see why his friends were so protective of her. She also was a blast to be with. These past few days were the most fun he had in a while with someone who wasn't in his team or his dojo.

His activities with her were simple. They switched their comics at lunchtime at school. He also saw how passionately she talked about the stuff she liked, and how she hated the unnecessary drama in one of her favorite series. Then after school, they went out to play in the arcades, becoming a competitive and unstoppable duo that left a high score in most of the games they played.

His relationship, while fake, was already better than what he had with Milk. He never felt pressured with Serena or confused, and even if he didn't know what to do in some parts, Serena always stopped and smiled shyly at him, telling him that she also wasn't sure what to do.

Serena wasn't as oblivious as him in romance, but she was a close second.

However, she never remarked why he didn't know more than her when he had at least dated someone before. She just smiled and told him that it is ok to be ignorant in some parts.

And you don't need to worry! We will learn about this together.

For some reason, his heart beat faster after she said that.

It was strange.

"Here you are!" Serena's voice startled him. She was on his side and looking at him with curiosity. "What were you thinking about?"

"About the strategies for the next match." Goku's response surprised him. Why did he hide his thoughts?

"Such a responsible teammate." She giggled, and that caught Goku's attention more. Was it him, or was she acting cuter than usual?

"Well, we're a team. We have to help support each other to win our matches." Goku and Serena began to walk. As they did, Serena acted all bubbly at his side and-

She held his hand as if it was the most natural thing. Her sudden warm touch surprised him, noticing for the first time how small her hand was, compared to his.

"That is how it should be!" Serena was full of smiles. She was happy for some reason. "It's like a relationship! A perfect one that needs love and understanding!"

"Ok, did you read something romantic in your literature classes or-?"

"How did you know?!"

"I had a feeling." Goku could feel his hand holding hers firmly, but she didn't seem to notice that.

"It was super cute! The main protagonist had a girlfriend, and they acted all dovey-dovey! They talked a lot about each other in such an adorable way, and they held hands most of the time. A couple holding hands is the cutest thing! I love it so much! You have no idea-"

"Holding hands, like we are doing right now?"

Serena stopped and looked at him in confusion. She then looked down at their hands together. She blushed brightly, and he noticed too late his mistake.

"Hey, it's okay!" Goku said, feeling a bit nervous after seeing her reaction. "But, it did surprise me when you held it without telling me first-"

"I WAS THE ONE WHO HELD YOUR HAND WITHOUT ASKING?! I AM SO SORRY!" She began with a tone of panic in her voice as her face became full red, breaking the hand holding. "I think I got so caught up about the reading, and I-"

Goku held both of her hands and gazed at her.

"It's okay, just breathe." He said slowly, and Serena followed his advice, still blushing.

She began to calm down, and he smiled.

"I am sorry," She began without tearing her eyes off him, "I didn't think. I was so lost in my excitement that I didn't notice when I held hands with you."

"Why are you sorry?" Goku grinned. "I am not mad. Just surprised."

"Really?" She was unsure, and he just smiled.

"Yes, and to be honest, I didn't know holding hands was such an important thing to you." He let go of one of her hands, but the other one didn't break their hold, and he even intertwined his fingers with hers, making her blush come back full force. "I should know about what you like. Since I am not an expert in these themes."

It doesn't feel like that at all! Serena's heart was beating fast, and she was sure that her face just gained a new shade of red.

"You know? Your face reminds me why I love the color red so much." He said with a grin before separating from her slowly but not breaking their hand-holding. "It's such an intense color."

He is..!

Goku was just messing with her, and the worst thing was that it was working!

He is having too much fun making fun of me! Well then, two can play at this game!

Serena broke their hand-holding, and with her two arms now free, she held his arm, bringing him closer to her.

She searched for his face to see a reaction from her sudden move and Goku evaded her stare by looking at the other side, but she managed to see his now red ear.

Success!

"You're right. Red is my new favorite color." She smiled while making fun of him.


Serena was surprised by how naturally she blended with Goku. Their moments together as the days passed were a lot different than the normal things couples did in her comics and movies. Although, to her amusement, she didn't mind that at all. Heck, she even finds it more alluring than those fictional scenes.

One example was her cooking classes with Gine that were amazing, and how Goku always liked to interrupt their classes to steal a bit of the food they were preparing. Serena found herself laughing loudly at the final part when the strategies he used towards his mom always failed.

Their dates were also full of going to restaurants, seeing movies, and playing games at the arcade. If Serena had known how cool and funny Goku was before this, he could have become her best friend since the beginning of her time in high school.

They both were ignorant about love, and it was so funny to mess with each other by playing 'who can ambush the other one faster?' at school.

Goku and Serena tied most of the time, but the challenge was there. They used some moves from their favorite shows and even lame action one-liners that made everyone in the class laugh.

Goku always made her laugh when she felt frustrated by her assignments, and she did the same when he was struggling with his homework, making him take a breather to feel better after it.

They even went to karaoke together. Serena wasn't a singer, and Goku told her he was the same, but that didn't stop them from singing the songs of their childhood with all of their passion. She began with the Warrior of the Moon opening song, and he followed with the Fighters of the Universe opening song. The final part was them singing the Pocket Monsters opening as a duet. They exaggerated and made-up a choreography, it looked probably lame and they both knew it. However, that didn't stop them since it was too enjoyable for both of them.

Serena found in Goku someone she could rely on, and that made her laugh. It wasn't fair how quickly he was beginning to predict her actions or her thoughts. Because of this, Serena started to be more observant of him to pay him with the same coin. She took note of how he reacted with certain things, and what he didn't like, wanting to know how to get his attention towards hers so he can evade certain things that weren't to his liking.

Those little details she had with him were making Goku more intrigued about her. Not one of his female friends understood him better than Serena, and he only has known her for a few weeks.

Serena tried to understand him more. It felt like fresh air to be with someone that didn't want to shape him in a different way. She was a person who listened and tried her best.

Serena was his best female friend, and he wasn't uncomfortable with her in any way. Did she surprise him by holding his arm because of the game they played? Yes, but he never felt weird about her touching him.

It was normal for them.

And it wasn't fair that his heart began to wish for something he didn't know.

How can he ask for something that he does not know? What was that thing that makes him confused?

He wanted to ask her what this feeling was, but he didn't have the will to ask it. As if it was taboo.

Why? Why did something he didn't even know about it feel wrong?


Goku had an idea of what it was later on. However, it couldn't be. It was him, after all. The probability of being interested in someone for real was alien to him.

But here he was, looking at Serena while people of the drama club were asking something from her. He has been looking at Serena too much lately, and he wasn't sure why.

She is blushing again, but her hands are moving weirdly….

He recognized her nervous state; maybe he should intervene.

One of the boys from the drama club held her hand as a plea, and she acted awkwardly. Something inside him began to burn after seeing that, and it made him go towards her.

"Please, Serena! Be our princess for this Friday!" The boy who held her hand said. "We know you are a friend of Mina, so you must act pretty well!"

"Don't you have another actress?" Serena said nervously.

"She is at the hospital, and we don't have anyone that can replace her. All the other female roles are taken by the rest of the actresses."

"I don't even know what the play is, and this is all so sudden!" Serena couldn't help feeling guilty about giving them excuses.

They looked desperate, but Friday was only five days away. How can she learn an entire play with so little time?!

She wasn't as good at memorizing as Mina!

"It's based on that romance book! The one that got super popular after they made a movie about it. The one called 'The Forbidden Romance of the Royal Palace''"

Serena stopped the arguments she had in her head to evade them the moment she heard that tittle. She knows the story of the book and knew the lines by heart. Maybe she could help?

"Is it based on the book, the lines?" She asked shyly.

"Of course! We are using the movie as a reference for this play. The movie is one of the few that were loyal to the book and managed to succeed in theathers!" The boy looked hopefully at her, and she almost gave in-

Until she remembered the kiss part.

"Who is the one that will play her lover?" Anxiety began to rise again in her. Nevertheless, she tried her best to hide it.

"Oh, it will be me! So you're in good hand-"

"I want the bodyguard role" Goku's serious voice took everyone in the room off guard as he walked towards Serena. He then held one of her shoulders softly and gave a not-so-friendly stare to the drama club boy. This made him let go of Serena's hand. "I don't want my girlfriend to kiss someone she doesn't feel comfortable with, even if it's just a play."

"Goku." Serena blushed as she gazed at him.

"Listen, I know that you're protective of her, but this is just a play, and I will not tolerate it getting laughed at just because a boyfriend doesn't want to let his girlfriend act!"

Damn, he had a point. Nevertheless, Serena didn't look comfortable with the idea of kissing someone she didn't know. Goku needed to think of something quick.

"Why do you have to fight to protect me? I don't want to see you hurt." Serena's expression was one of sadness.

Wait, those words sounded familiar.

Oh, right.

"I have to do what my duty says. For I am your most loyal servant." Goku softly said as he remembered the bodyguard lines and the scene of the movie in his head. "I can't let you get hurt. The pain of seeing you harmed would follow me even after my death. I would never forgive myself if I see these porcelain hands bruised."

As he finished those lines, he took one of her hands and guided it to his lips, kissing her palm softly.

A scream from someone in the drama club group broke the trance Goku and Serena unexpectedly fell into.

"Takemaki, you have to give your role to him!" One of the girls exclaimed.

"BUT!-"

"He is perfect for the role! Did you see how he acted?!" Another girl said. "It will also be for the better! We can have the passionate kiss we wanted since they are a couple, and it is normal for them to do it!"

The arguments of the drama club people were loud, but Serena couldn't think of anything else besides what just happened with Goku.

And the kiss part.

God, the kissing part was the one that distracted her more.


It was the next day. According to the weatherman's prediction at the beginning of the week, that day was going to be heavy rainfall

However, Serena came prepared with an umbrella. This time the rain couldn't surprise her, and she felt proud of herself for being more cautious.

The happiness of not being a careless person made her forget momentarily about her worries for most of her school day.

That was until she went to search for Goku. That day was one of the days, he trained more hours and Serena decided some days ago to wait for him outside the gym but the doors of the gym were open and she found him alone as he was lifting things in the gym, still wearing his red basketball clothes.

Serena tried to calm her heart. It wasn't the first time she saw him in those clothes. So why did he look so incredibly handsome to her today?

I can't believe I will give him my first kiss.

She wanted to die. How can the prospect of kissing Goku change her way of thinking of him?! Wait, no. She always knew that he was handsome, right?

Frick!

"Serena? When did you arrive?" His eyes caught her silhouette at the entrance.

"A few moments ago. I didn't know you were alone. I would have come sooner if I did." She left her hiding spot shyly, feeling ashamed of being caught.

"Don't worry." He smiled before adding, "Can you wait for me? I have to take a bath first since I kind of stink right now, and I still have to take the basketballs and equipment to the storage."

"Sure," she said as she watched him go. Now she had time for herself to think about him and her…

And the kiss.

Gosh, darn it.

They managed to evade the kiss in the rehearsals, but they knew that they had to actually kiss in the play during the real performance. Wait, it was better to wait for Goku so they could talk about that in more detail. It was time to concentrate on something else for now, like how the rehearsals were going more smoothly than Serena anticipated at first. It was probably because they were familiarized with the characters and knew their lines. Although they hadn't seen each other in their character costumes, they must look good in them.

She hoped for her to look at least good in that dress.

Why the sudden interest in looking pretty?

They were boyfriend and girlfriend! He shouldn't care about her looks if he loved her.

Can you love someone you're pretending to date?

Her mind reminded her of their actual status. They were in a fake relationship, so the love part wasn't true, and she entered into this act knowing that.

But why did her chest suddenly hurt when she thought of that?

Goku was her best friend now, and that can never change.

She should be happy to have him as a friend since she was only interested in Darien, right?

"I am back! Sorry for making you wait." Goku walked towards her with a smile.

He wore his uniform now, with his sweater vest and all. She had an attractive best friend.

"I didn't feel the time passing," she honestly said.

"Good to hear! Then I should begin getting this ready, so we can go."

"I will help you." Serena was at his side, leaving her schoolbag behind. "Two heads work faster than one."

"I am sure that wasn't how it is said normally, but I will take the offer," he chuckled.

They both spent time lifting the things in the gym for a few more minutes, transforming it to a challenge to see who can clean faster and other silly small challenges to make their work easier.

And they succeeded.

"That was the last one!" Goku exclaimed. They both managed to organize the basketball equipment in the gym storage room on record time. "Thanks for helping me, Serena."

"I am glad I was able to help." She said while looking at him. "I can't believe you stay after classes to practice."

"The school lets me do that if I get everything tied up before going." Goku winked at her. "For me, that is a good deal."

Serena giggled.

"So, ready to go, Serena?"

"Sure, but I left my poor school bag alone for a while. I should go for that first." Serena's smile was the last thing Goku saw before the lights went out and deep darkness took its place.

"G-Goku?" Serena was searching for him with her arms, being unable to see with the sudden darkness.

"I am here." His voice felt good to hear "Damn, the power went out?"

"I think so, but why? It isn't raining right no-"

The sound of thunder resonated the windows, shaking them.

"HYYAAAAA!" Serena was startled by the loud sound. She crashed towards the first thing that was in front of her searching for protection.

"WHOA!" Goku was suddenly tackled down hard to the ground.

"Goku, it's you!" Serena felt her hands on his chest, panicking.

"What was that for?" He said as he began to get up slowly.

"Sorry! It's just that-"

Another loud sound from the thunder shook the storage room, it was louder than the first one.

It made Serena scream in fear as she hugged Goku tightly.

"H-Hey!" Goku could feel himself getting warm. Serena was hugging him quite tightly. He could even feel her body shaking.

Wait, she was shaking?

"Serena? What's wrong?" Goku asked her while he responded to her hug, trying to calm down the trembling girl in his arms.

"I-I don't like thunders!" She said shakily.

"You're scared of it?"

"No! It is just loud and takes me by surpris-"

A clap of thunder was heard once again and Serena held on to him for dear life.

Goku felt their closeness and tried his best not to think about how she was on top of him.

Calming her was his priority.

"So, you want to wait until the thunder passes?" Goku soothed her back with one of his hands, trying to calm her down.

"Y-yes."

"Then we should talk about something!" Goku smiled, hoping she couldn't feel his beating heart. "What do you want to talk about?"

Goku usually didn't find it difficult to find a subject to talk to her about. However, their position was distracting him more than he planned.

Serena breathed slowly. She heard the thunder again, but now it was less loud.

"About the play?" She said shyly.

"What about it? I thought we were doing fine."

"Yeah, but I meant about.." She held him, now more relaxed she could smell the aroma of his cologne and it was distracting her.

"The kiss?" Crap, he was feeling warmer again.

"Yes."

"W-Well, we both had kissed before, so maybe we can go with that and then-"

Serena hid her face on his shoulder.

"I hadn't kissed anyone on the lips before," she said shyly. Serena couldn't hear the thunder anymore, only rain.

"What?! You're kidding me!"

"I wish I was. I had only seriously liked one boy before, and I decided to save my first kiss for him." Serena felt like an idiot now. Admitting that out loud felt like an excuse after knowing that most girls at her age had already had their first kiss.

Maybe Darien was right. I am still immature.

Goku didn't say anything. She just felt him holding her more firmly, making her get closer to him.

She felt her heart beat quite fast now. She probably was still nervous after the sound of thunder.

Nevertheless, the thunder was gone, and so was her excuse as she felt her face burning.

"I need a moment." Goku's voice sounded closer to her ear, and she decided to keep quiet. The silence mixed with the rain gave a calming atmosphere to the troubled girl's heart.

Goku didn't relax either. He couldn't help feeling bad after hearing that she liked someone else. Although, he felt sudden happiness in his heart when he heard that she hadn't kissed the boy she liked or no one ever.

Did that make him a bad person? Probably.

However, now he was sure that he was deeply interested in Serena and his feelings for her were definitely on the romantic side.


Serena was in the middle of her recess, passing through the pages of the magazine Bulma lent her yesterday. She wasn't paying attention to them because her mind was elsewhere. She didn't know how to feel. Tomorrow was the play, and they hadn't talked to each other since the thunderstorm day.

Did Goku evade her?

Well, if he was, he needed to tell her why. Although he didn't seem to be the one to begin a conversation these past few days, so she should be the one that starts it!

How though?

It was embarrassing enough to try to talk to him after she hadn't seen him after that day. Maybe she needed to be more assertive with a random theme? But how?

Serena sighed as she stopped her 'reading' and finally looked at the page she was on. She saw the perfect idea right in her face presented by an article in the magazine she had been ignoring.

Page 105: 'Kabe-don, a romantic approach with the form of a powerful hit on the wall or a show of possesiviness?'

She read the article fast, and after finishing it, she concluded this was definitely wrong to do to someone you don't have a friendship or a relationship with because it will look oppressive. Nevertheless, it seems that it worked with people who were comfortable with each other.

In addition, before this sudden distance, they were both comfortable with each other. Moreover, if it makes Goku uncomfortable, he will tell her, and she will stop. At least she will have his attention to speak with him!

It was perfect!

But when can she do that? His building was still far, and right now, he must be busy in his practice.

HIS PRACTICE!

Serena stood up from her seat and ran out of her classroom, feeling a new type of energy after forming a plan. She was so excited to finally have a reason and a strategy to talk to him.

The basketball courts came into her view. They weren't playing, so they must be taking a break. She searched for her objective quickly and found Goku drying off his sweat with a towel.

Perfect timing!

She went towards him, and before he even could manage to see what the heck was happening, she dragged him behind the basketball courts building and pushed him with a bit of strength to the wall.

"Serena, what the-?!"

Serena got herself on her tiptoes and stretched her arms enough so she could put them beside each side of Goku's head on the wall, leaving him no time to escape and a good reason to look at her.

"KISS ME!" She screamed with all the courage she could. Her cheeks were a bright red, but her expression was serious.

"W-What?" It was all he could say. He felt his cheeks getting suddenly warmer.

"We are going to kiss tomorrow at the play, so it's better to practice now!" Serena tried to sound definitive, but she was beginning to feel embarrassed by her position.

No! She needed to be firmer in this!

"Serena.."

However, she was beginning to feel the tip of her toes get a bit sore. Why was Goku so damn tall?! It was taking her a lot to keep their position, and only a few seconds passed. Maybe she should have brought something to make her height a bit taller.

Her plan wasn't looking that good now.

Goku just gazed at her. Why did he find this sudden action endearing? He should have felt threatened, but it got a different reaction out of him.

He suddenly wanted to follow her orders.

"Ahhh!" Serena's toes gave out.

Nevertheless, she fell towards him before he could even get closer to her. Goku's arm instinctively went around her back, and she was now on his chest, hugging him.

"Ok, that was actually cute," he chuckled.

"It wasn't supposed to be cute. It was a threatening tactic," she said with a sigh, defeated.

"Oh? And why the sudden need to threaten me?"

"You have avoided me the last few days, and you dare to ask that?" Serena glared at him while pouting.

Well, shoot, she had a point. However, in Goku's defense, he needed to sort himself out first and calm down before talking to her again.

"So you came here with this tactic? You should have told me normally."

"It would be embarrassing if I didn't act assertive and fast. I could get embarrassed by it and act all shy again." Her honesty touched him, and he just found her argument adorable.

Damn, he had it bad didn't he?

"So, you wanted to kiss then?" Goku began slowly as his throat suddenly felt dry.

Serena blushed brightly and evaded his gaze.

"I was trying to gain your attention in some way. Yet, the kiss does worry me." She was so shy now, and that wasn't fair for his heart.

"Are you comfortable with me doing it tomorrow?" Goku asked with caution. The last thing he wanted was her feeling bad about it.

"Y-yes. I am just nervous since it will be my first time and with people looking at us. I know we're supposed to be a couple but, I don't want to make a fool out of us and the drama club. If only I didn't say yes, I wouldn't have dragged you into this."

"Hey, at least you will do it with someone you feel ok with, right?" Goku gave her a tender smile. "I also don't know how because Milk was the one who kissed me first and it was too fast. So we can learn tomorrow, and if we both do it badly, well at least we won't feel alone about that."

Serena smiled as she hugged him back.

"Ok, just don't take it as a joke after it, ok? It's important to me after all." She looked so insecure, and the sudden urge to kiss her came back.

Nevertheless, he kept his feelings in check and managed to hold back. Goku didn't want to do something she didn't want to at the moment.

"I wouldn't dare."