Please Friendzone Me!
Chapter 11
Night Owls and Early Birds
Erasa picked up the pace to catch up to Videl. A concerned line creased her forehead as she reached her friend's level. She was staring straight ahead, her eyes cold and narrowed, and her lips tightly pursed. Her hands were balled into fists, and her brisk strides weren't slowing down. Erasa found herself falling behind again, and this time she just sighed and let Videl get ahead.
Gohan could be so dense. It was pretty cute usually, but this time he really screwed up. It was unlikely that the boy even had any idea that his words hurt Videl's feelings, but how could they not when he basically said he didn't want Videl to be his first kiss? Any girl would be vexed at that. And if Erasa's hunch was correct and Gohan was indeed Videl's crush, she could only imagine how horrible Videl must be feeling after what he said.
Although, if Gohan really was the guy Videl liked, he kinda just put her in the friendzone, and wasn't that what she wanted? While Erasa disapproved of her friend's choice, it wasn't her call to make, and maybe this whole ordeal would help Videl in the long run. If Gohan was indeed Videl's crush, that is.
When Erasa walked into the hotel room, Videl was already in bed with the covers over her head. The young blonde slumped her shoulders as she trudged to the bathroom to wash up before turning in. Videl's reaction was sadly not a surprise; it was so like her to clamp up and shut everyone out when she was upset. That girl needed to learn how to deal with her issues in a healthier way. Keeping everything all bottled up was never a good idea.
After she was done getting ready for bed, Erasa stepped out of the bathroom and turned on the light. Videl didn't seem to flinch at the sudden brightness from inside her blanket; she hadn't moved an inch while Erasa had been in the bathroom, for that matter. Maybe she was already asleep. Or maybe she just wanted to be left alone. Knowing Videl, it was probably the latter, but in case it was the former, Erasa tried to be as quiet as possible as she moved to her bed.
She reached over to the wall between the beds and flicked off the light switch. Lying on her back, she hugged the covers and sighed. In the darkness, she observed the little spots of lights fade away little by little.
Videl still hadn't made a peep. Erasa chewed on her bottom lip.
"Videl? Are… Are you awake?"
Silence.
Erasa sighed again and turned on her side, her back to the other girl. If Videl would rather pretend to be sleeping, what else could she do? She wished they could talk about it. All she wanted was to comfort her friend, but how could she if Videl wouldn't let her?
She hugged the covers tighter. It was challenging being Videl's friend sometimes. That girl put up so many walls around her to keep people away, even those who cared deeply about her. Why was it so hard for her to show her vulnerable side even to her closest friends? Or at least to her one best friend? Surely it wasn't too much to ask. Couldn't she be the one exception after everything they had been through together, at the very least?
Erasa closed her eyes, trying to empty her mind and get some sleep. But the words Videl wouldn't give her a chance to express kept running around in her head.
Maybe she should just go ahead and speak her mind. If Videl was sleeping, then no harm would be done, and at least she would have said her piece. And if Videl wasn't sleeping, hopefully it could be of some comfort to her.
The blonde chewed on her lip. It wasn't going to make things worse, right? Should she just let Videl be?
She turned on her other side. From the faint light coming from the window behind her, Erasa could make out Videl's silhouette under her covers. She still hadn't moved an inch. Maybe she was sleeping after all. In that case, Erasa might as well just go for it… Right?
She lay on her back and looked up at the ceiling. Hopefully, she was making the right decision…
"You know, Gohan didn't mean it like that," she whispered. "I doubt this was even about you. Knowing him, it makes sense that he got super nervous since it would've been his first kiss. I wouldn't take it personally if I were you. My guess is that Gohan just didn't want his first kiss to happen on a dare. And he's really shy too, so of course he'd be uncomfortable doing that in front of the whole class. It's really not about you, Videl. Gohan's just really dense, and he didn't realize what he said sounded like, but I'm sure he didn't mean that he didn't want to have his first kiss with you, specifically. You don't have to feel bad."
She was met with silence once again. The blonde sighed and turned on her side, her back to Videl. Well, she said her piece, now the only thing she could do was try to get some sleep and hope for the best.
After a few moments, Erasa heard some shuffling behind her. And then:
"… Is that really what you think?" Videl whispered. "That it wasn't about me?"
Erasa turned around in the bed and couldn't help smiling when she was finally met with a human face instead of the lump of covers. The faint light from the window on her back glistened in Videl's insecure eyes.
"I'm sure of it!" she confirmed. "Gohan's not like the other guys. A first kiss would be a big deal to him, and doing it on a dare, that cheapens it, you know?"
"I… I guess that makes sense…" Videl sighed. "I feel stupid for letting him get to me so much."
"Don't feel bad. Any girl would be upset after what Gohan said. He's pretty tactless, isn't he?"
"Tell me about it," Videl grumbled. "He made me feel so unwanted. I mean, it's not like I wanted to kiss him or anything, but even I wouldn't say that right to his face."
"Oh, come on, be honest. You totally wanted to kiss him. And really, who wouldn't? He's such a cutie."
"Well, I… um…"
Erasa giggled while Videl failed to find her words.
"It's alright. Your secret's safe with me."
Videl lay on her back and groaned, raising her hands to her face. "I'm never playing truth or dare again. Because of that stupid Penny, now everyone knows I like someone."
"You were kinda harsh with her," Erasa said. "I mean, Gohan's the one who asked you the question. Nobody forced him to."
"And I've got a bone to pick with him too! I can't believe he would do that to me!"
"I kinda get it though…"
Videl turned her head swiftly and narrowed her eyes at her. Erasa offered her an awkward smile.
"I mean, you were so obviously against it, and it just made him more and more curious. I'm sure he feels awful about it though."
"As he should." Videl huffed. "I'm not forgiving him that easily."
Erasa gave her a knowing look. "I'm sure you two will make up in no time. It's obvious you care a lot about each other – and you were so cute earlier, snuggling on the terrace."
Videl turned her head away, and Erasa suspected that she was trying to hide a blush. She smirked, feeling compelled to tease her some more.
"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Gohan turned out to be your crush."
Videl sat up abruptly, her eyes wide open as she stared at her. "Wh-Wh-What?"
Erasa's lips parted. That reaction was unmistakable.
"Wha… So it's really him?"
"NO!"
"Oh, my gosh, it was really Gohan all along. I knew I wasn't seeing things!"
"I'm telling you, it's not him!" Videl protested furiously. "It's not! Gohan's not my type at all!"
Erasa quirked an eyebrow at her flustered friend. "Gohan's pretty much every girl's type. Unless you weren't into guys, I don't see how that could be true."
"I-I-I'm not! I like girls! I just said it was a guy to tip you off!"
Erasa giggled. "You would've been more convincing if you weren't drooling at Gohan's perfect body during his dare."
"I-I wasn't! I'm telling you, it's not Gohan!"
"Come on, Videl, what does it hurt to admit it to me? You know I won't tell anyone. Don't you trust me?"
Videl curled up on the mattress and pulled the covers over her head once more. "Let's just go to sleep," she mumbled, her voice coming out muffled.
"Aww, don't be like that… You really won't be honest with me? Your best friend in the whole world?"
Videl stayed quiet, and Erasa leaned into her pillow with a resigned smile. That girl just stayed true to herself, did she?
But then Videl mumbled something. With the covers muffling her words, however, Erasa wasn't able to catch it.
"What was that?"
Videl came out of hiding and sighed. She pressed her palms against her eyes. "I said… I don't want to say it out loud."
Erasa pushed herself onto her elbow, leaning closer. "Why not?"
"Because… if I say it, then I can't deny it anymore. It just makes it too real. And I wish it weren't real." She swallowed thickly. "I… I wish I never fell for Gohan."
Erasa felt her heart sink for her friend. A first crush was supposed to be a wonderful thing; it was supposed to feel new and exciting and maybe a little scary, but in a good way. And yet to Videl, it only brought grief and distress.
She sat up and pushed her covers aside. "How about we share your bed for the night? Like when we were little."
Videl removed her hands from her eyes and looked at her with a meek smile. "Yeah, okay."
Erasa went to the other bed and slid under the covers with Videl. She lay on her side and took her friend's hand, rubbing it softly with her thumb.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Erasa asked quietly.
Still lying on her back, Videl flicked her gaze to the ceiling and let out a sigh. "I do, actually. I didn't want you to figure out it was Gohan, so I was going to wait until we got back from the field trip to tell you what happened, but since the cat's out of the bag now…"
"Something happened? When?"
Videl fell silent for a few moments. Her voice was low and spiritless when she spoke.
"At the exposition. When Gohan got upset and I went after him. I did cheer him up, and we got to talking. I was actually trying to figure out how I was going to get him to friendzone me… and then he did it all on his own."
Erasa's eyebrows shot up. "He did? For real?"
Videl glanced her way and gave a dry smile. "Why do you sound so surprised? Girls hit on him all the time, you included, but Gohan's shown zero interest in anyone since we met him. Why would he feel any differently about me?"
"Well… I mean… He does seem to favor you more."
"As a friend," Videl specified. "And he did tell me I've become one of his favorite people. And then he basically said he hoped we'll be best friends forever."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
Her eyes glazing over, Erasa blinked at the darkness, still trying to wrap her head around what she just learned. So the way Gohan looked at Videl… That glint in his eyes, the tenderness in his smile… Was it really just platonic affection? It hadn't looked that way to her, especially when they were at the goodies shop, but she supposed she might have read too much into it. Still, it couldn't have been all in her head, could it?
Erasa refocused her attention on her friend and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Are you okay?"
"Honestly… I didn't expect it to hurt so much," Videl murmured. "I thought I'd be relieved. But I can't help wondering why he doesn't like me back."
"Oh, honey…"
Erasa scooted closer to her and wrapped her in a hug.
"I feel so stupid," Videl mumbled against her shoulder as she hugged her back. "I got what I wanted. It's the only way to get over him, and I want to get over him."
Erasa pulled back and offered her friend a sympathetic smile. She brushed her bangs out of her eyes and stroked her long raven hair.
"Maybe the sensible part of you does. But you like him, and even if you wish you didn't, you can't help how you feel. It's okay to be sad about it even if you did get what you wanted." Erasa put her hand over Videl's against the pillow and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It's gonna suck for a while, but it'll get better, and one day your first crush will become a distant memory."
Videl closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. "I hope so."
"I can't help but think it's a shame though," Erasa admitted with a wistful smile. "Gohan would've been the perfect boyfriend."
"He doesn't see me that way anyway," Videl said quietly. "Even if I wanted to do something about my feelings for him, you can't force a guy to like you."
"But you can seduce him. Not everybody falls as quickly as you did," Erasa teased with an amused grin.
Videl shot her a mock-glare, eyes narrowing. "Like you're one to talk." She chuckled slightly and shook her head. "But anyway, I'd rather keep him as a friend. Friendship is so much nicer anyway. It doesn't make me feel like a mess or like I'm turning into mush or whatever." Videl's expression softened. "And when we hug, it makes me forget about my worries, and it's just so nice."
Erasa raised her eyebrows. "Do you guys hug a lot? I feel like I missed an episode or something. When did that start?"
Videl gave a nervous chuckle. "Just today, really. After I gave him a hug to cheer him up, it kinda became natural for us, I guess."
"And it doesn't make you feel weak or helpless?"
Videl hummed in negation with a slight shake of her head. "It's the opposite, actually. Hugging Gohan, being close to him in that way, it's like… it fills me with strength. The same thing happened when he…" She trailed off and cleared her throat, lowering her gaze.
"When he…?" Erasa repeated, urging her friend to keep going.
"Well, um…" Videl stumbled. "You know, that whole thing at the beach? I got mad at him because he acted like I got worried over nothing and he wasn't in any danger."
"Wait, seriously? But when Gohan joined us, he said he was sorry and that he shouldn't have been so reckless."
"Then he lied," Videl said point-blank. "Because to me, he wouldn't recognize that he had been in any danger."
"Huh. I guess he just told us what we wanted to hear," Erasa mused. "So that's why you were cold to him at dinner. Did something happen when you guys made up? Is that why you brought this up?"
"Yeah… I was kind of a mess because he really scared me. He held me close and promised he'll never make me cry again." A small smile tugged on Videl's lips. Erasa wasn't sure because they were in the dark, but it felt like she was blushing. "And then he kissed me on the forehead to comfort me. And, I don't know, I felt so much better all of a sudden. It was so… soothing."
Erasa blinked, taking the time to digest the information. The more her friend told her about what had been happening between her and Gohan, the more it sounded to her like the spiky-haired boy did have feelings for Videl. The way he showed his affection to her didn't sound all that platonic. The fact that Videl was the only person Gohan couldn't lie to was also very telling.
"That's why I know this is for the best," Videl went on. "When it's just platonic between us, everything's nice and fun and easy, but my feelings for him just get in the way of that. I don't deny that Gohan is basically the ideal guy, but boyfriends come and go. Friends are for life."
Erasa kept her opinion to herself. She admitted that Videl had a point, but making a relationship work was also an option. It may not be common to find a keeper on the very first try, but it wasn't something unheard of either. And with a guy like Gohan, how could it not be the real deal?
Videl's issues were deeply rooted, however, and unless she was willing to work on them, she would never be able to let herself go and be with someone.
Perhaps it was too early for Videl to think about dating. She was only sixteen, and she wasn't boy-crazy like most teenage girls tended to be. She had time to get there, and from the sound of it, Gohan wasn't going anywhere. Maybe those two should take that time to grow together before thinking of having something more. Weren't the best relationships rooted in friendship?
Tossing and turning in his bed, Gohan couldn't stop replaying the same scene over and over in his head. Every time the boy recalled the moment just before he pulled back from Videl – when he was leaning in and touching her cheek and her warm breath brushed his lips – his heart would jump and skip and race and do all kinds of crazy things in his chest.
Gohan sighed and turned to lie on his back, placing his hand over his eyes. Should he have gone along with it? Should he have… kissed Videl? His throat tightened as images from his earlier dream swarmed him once more. Would it have felt as incredible as his subconscious made it out to be?
He turned on his stomach and buried his face in his pillow, wrapping his arms around it. Why couldn't he stop thinking about it? He knew he did the right thing. He didn't want his first kiss to be on a dare, to just "get it over with." Especially not his first kiss with Videl.
Gohan groaned into the pillow. He did not just think that. Goodness, he needed to get a grip. Videl wasn't going to be his first kiss, and he definitely wasn't going to be hers.
She already has someone she likes, you dolt, he reminded himself. Surely, Videl would rather save her first kiss for that person, whoever it was.
He turned his head to the side, to the window, and let out a dejected sigh as he gazed at the night sky through half-lidded eyes.
That tightness in his chest again. He didn't get it. Why was he so bummed out ever since Videl reluctantly admitted to liking someone? What was it to him if she had a crush? It wasn't any of his business, nor should it affect him in any way. If anything, he ought to be happy for her. Wasn't that what friends were for?
Gohan closed his eyes in a painful wince. Darn it, his chest hurt.
He ran a hand down his face. He was so tired of mulling this over. At this rate, he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight.
"Will you stop tossing and turning and sighing every two seconds, for God's sake?" Booker barked at him out of the blue.
Gohan flinched at the outburst. He turned around on the mattress to look at his roommate on the other bed. Booker had sat up and was glaring daggers at him. Gohan offered him a meek smile.
"Sorry. I thought you were already asleep."
"I'm a light sleeper. I can't fall asleep when there's noise." Booker massaged his temples and groaned. "Why did I forget to pack my damn earplugs…?"
"I'm really sorry, Booker. I didn't mean to keep you up. I'll be quiet now."
The other boy lay back down. "What's with you anyway? If you were gonna obsess over it all night, you should've just kissed Videl earlier."
Gohan widened his eyes and his face flared up. He tugged at his blanket and pulled it over his head.
"Am I that obvious?" he mumbled, his voice coming out muffled from inside his hiding spot.
"More or less. Wasn't that hard to put two and two together after the way the game ended tonight."
"Right…"
Gohan came out of hiding and glanced over at the second bed. Booker was still looking at him. Was he expecting him to say something? Perhaps getting a second opinion wouldn't be a bad idea; it might even be helpful. In any case, it seemed as though his roommate's curiosity over his inner turmoil had won over his usual hostility toward him. Or maybe he was warming up to him. That would be nice.
"Do you think… I should've ki… kissed Videl?" Saying it out loud was making him feel flushed.
"Why not? I mean, I get that it would've been your first kiss and all, but when would you ever get the opportunity to kiss a girl like Videl again?"
Gohan sighed. "I just… I don't like the idea of doing that on a dare. It felt… wrong."
Booker shrugged. "I got my first kiss while playing spin the bottle, and I don't regret it at all."
Gohan raised his eyebrows at him. "Really?"
The other boy shrugged. "Sure. It's really not that big a deal."
Gohan shifted his gaze to the ceiling, tugging at his blanket as his forehead creased. "I think it's a big deal. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but if I ever kiss a girl, I want it to mean something. Not do it because we were dared to."
"I guess that's fair." Booker crossed his hands under his head. "You should've explained it that way earlier, though. The way you said it, it sounded like you wouldn't do the dare because you didn't want Videl to be your first kiss. As in, Videl specifically."
Gohan sat up in a flash. "Wh… What?"
Booker raised an eyebrow at him. "Why do you think she left the way she did? Any girl would feel singled out and hurt if you say something like that."
"But I never meant it that way!" Gohan started pushing his blanket off him and already had one foot on the carpet. "I… I need to go talk to her."
"Dude, chill out. It's late, and she's probably sleeping. Even if she isn't, you can't just turn up in her room in the middle of the night."
"R… Right…"
Gohan flopped back on the mattress, raising his hands over his face. Why do I keep messing up with Videl…?
"Speaking of," Booker said with a yawn. "We should get some sleep too." He turned his back to Gohan and hit his pillow a few times before letting his head sink into it again. "If you're gonna be mulling this over all night, please try to do it quietly."
"I… I think I'll go get some air." Gohan started getting up again. "That way I won't disturb you. I can't sleep anyway."
"Works for me," Booker mumbled sleepily.
The sky was dim and grayish, still waiting for the sun to wake up. Quick steps and steady breaths echoed in the deserted streets. It hadn't been long since Videl started her morning run, but she had yet to come across any fellow early birds or night owls who would have been out partying all night.
There was something special about early mornings. The air, the quiet, the smell of the dew, the first songs of the birds. In those moments when everybody else was still asleep, it felt like the whole world belonged to her and her only; it was hers to rule and do as she pleased in all of its tranquil vastness.
When she reached the beach, Videl took a moment to admire the view. She breathed in the salty air, watching the waves crash on the shore and then retreat back into the ocean, again and again.
The sky was growing brighter with every passing minute: the sun should be rising soon.
Videl resumed her run along the sidewalk parallel to the sea. Going on her morning jog hadn't been possible since she twisted her ankle, and it felt good to do this again. She hadn't been able to go back to sleep anyway, and the girl didn't want to just lay there for hours until it was time to start the day. Moreover, with Erasa sleeping in the bed with her, she couldn't even toss and turn freely without risking to wake her. So Videl slipped out of bed and quietly got ready to go out.
Besides, she couldn't pass up on the opportunity to go for a run along the beach. It was such a pleasant way to start the day; it was a real shame that Satan City wasn't on a coast. Doing this every morning would've been pretty neat.
She spotted a silhouette from afar by the seaside – the very first person she came across this morning. From a distance, Videl vaguely recognized the motions of a tai chi routine. Maybe it was a martial artist. After all, this was Papaya Island, the capital of the martial arts world.
She shifted her attention ahead of her and focused on her breathing, picking up the pace. She felt no pain in her ankle despite the extra strain she was putting on it. The METH method had undoubtedly sped up the recovery process. It was a relief; Videl would finally be able to resume her usual training regimen.
She knew she owed it to Gohan, but that didn't change the fact that she was mad at him. The girl was resolved not to let Gohan sway her and make her forget he did anything wrong, not this time. Because of him, Videl had been forced to reveal to their whole class the one thing she never wanted anyone to know, ever. Yes, she was aware that her resentment wouldn't last and that she and Gohan would make up eventually, but she didn't plan to make it easy for him. Gohan had to understand that what he did wasn't okay, and that his actions had consequences.
She looked over to the sea, studying the horizon, but the sun was still nowhere to be found. With how bright the sky had gotten, Videl thought the sunrise might have begun. Well, it shouldn't be long now.
In the motion of her gaze to return ahead of her, the running girl caught sight of the faraway silhouette doing tai chi by the shore. She let her eyes linger on the fellow early bird; now that she got somewhat closer, she could make out the shape of a tall and fit man.
Her brow furrowed slightly as she sped up. She couldn't discern his features from a distance, but that hair was unmistakable. Was that Gohan? The familiar black spikes seemed to concur with that deduction. What was he doing out there at the break of dawn?
Watching him as she got closer, Videl started to feel something – a kind of breathlessness that had nothing to do with her running. The way he moved… There was so much grace and power in every shift of his body.
Yes, that was Gohan, alright. She could tell even before making out his face. Who else could catch her attention so completely?
She got the last confirmation when she got to his level from the sidewalk. Distractedly, she wondered why he seemed to be wearing his pajamas. Surely, his usual workout attire didn't consist of a tank top and sweat pants?
Standing there, the girl couldn't take her eyes off the skilled martial artist. The complex yet elegant motions he executed looked like second nature to him; the air about him gave off a sense of peace and tranquility, but also something powerful and radiant. Her lips parted; her face felt flushed.
Wow…
She just never stood a chance, did she? Everything about that boy seemed to be specifically tailored to suit her taste. It was like a ploy designated to make her fall harder for him.
But Gohan didn't see her that way. Reminding herself of that fact tightened her heart in a painful grip, but there was also a kind of resignation in her misery, which, somehow, made it a little easier; it sobered her up.
Erasa was right. Getting closure on her feelings for Gohan was the way to go. And, surely, things would get better in time; it was just going to suck for a while before that could happen.
The young prodigy continued his tai chi, almost dancing to the song of the waves and the seagulls. Meanwhile, the sun started peeking out of the horizon behind him. The first sun rays glittered on the drops of sweat gathering on his forehead and neck, glowing off his skin and the white of his tank top.
That feeling of breathlessness wasn't leaving Videl. Gohan was so… enchanting. She was completely under his spell.
He didn't seem to have noticed her. It was like he was in a world of his own, tuning out everything else as he let his energy guide him and focused solely on his inner peace. This was an incredibly high level of the meditative state – Videl had never seen anything like it.
She could watch him do tai chi for hours.
More than half of the sun was visible over the horizon when Gohan stood tall, blew a long breath, and slowly lowered his hands in front of him in a final movement. And then he turned to the ocean and bowed with his fist in his palm. Videl raised her eyebrows at the scene. He was paying his respect to nature itself. A slight tug curved the corner of her lips. He sure was a special guy, that Gohan.
Then he turned around and immediately sought her out. She saw him blink from a distance, then his expression softened into a serene smile as he waved at her.
Videl waved back without thinking, but as he started jogging on the sand toward her, she jolted herself out of her daze. How could she forget? She was supposed to be mad at him!
She forced herself to scowl and resumed her run, not waiting for Gohan to reach her on the sidewalk.
"Hey, Videl, wait up!" he called after her, but Videl wasn't willing to let him off the hook that easily. She picked up the pace.
"No, I'm mad at you!" she reminded him, in case it wasn't clear to him.
Videl noticed his quick steps drawing closer and closer, and this time she didn't need to force her scowl. Of course Gohan was faster than her. He was better than her in every possible way. She gritted her teeth as she pushed through her limits, not one to give up without a fight – but it was pointless.
Gohan caught her forearm and pulled at it just enough to make her stop. She squinted at him, her chest heaving – but of course, Gohan wasn't the slightest bit out of breath.
She shrugged him off and huffed, crossing her arms while looking out toward the sea.
"Hey, come on, Videl, don't be like that," he said, his voice soft and calm. His morning tai chi certainly did wonders to his spirits. He seemed at peace with himself, collected and level-headed. It was a far cry from how he was yesterday when he tried to explain his behavior at the beach to her.
What was with them lately anyway? Why did Gohan keep making her mad? Was it because they were spending more time together on this field trip?
"Look, Videl, I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings last night," he said, running a hand over the nape of his neck. "I didn't realize how I came off as – but it's really not what I meant."
Videl frowned. Did he really think that was why she was mad at him? Okay, yes, she got upset when he clearly rejected her, but if he didn't want to kiss her, that was his right, and it wasn't like he was to blame because he didn't share her feelings.
Gohan scratched his cheek, his lips curving into a half-hearted smile. "I couldn't bring myself to go through with it when you said, 'Let's get it over with.' Is that really how you would want your first kiss to go? Because I wouldn't."
Her chest felt lighter at his words. So Erasa was right again. It hadn't been about her. Gohan just didn't want his first kiss to feel cheap.
She remembered to frown. "That's not why I'm mad at you – though I appreciate you clearing that up."
Gohan tilted his head to the side. "Then why are you mad at me?"
Videl scowled, her anger rising again. "Do you seriously have no idea? The 'truth' you asked me! Why do you think I got mad at Penny for suggesting that damn question? Couldn't you tell I didn't want to answer that?"
His face crumbled. Lowering his head, he raised a hand over his eyes. "Ah, that…"
"Yes, that!" Videl ranted. "I didn't want anyone to know, ever – I meant to take that secret to the grave, and because of you, now the whole class knows! And you can be sure that the whole city will have heard about it by the time we get home. How could you do this to me?"
"I'm sorry, Videl," he murmured, still shielding his eyes with his hand. "I regretted it the moment I asked you that question. I'm really, really sorry. I didn't realize it was a secret… But I should've understood when you protested so much. I should've done what I initially planned and asked you an easy question to spare you the kind of embarrassment I had to go through for my dare…"
His words made her pause. "That's why you chose me for your turn?"
Gohan moved his hand to the back of his neck, but he still wouldn't meet her gaze, looking instead toward the ocean.
"Yeah… But I got curious." He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I'm truly sorry, Videl. I should've resisted the temptation. And really, I wish I didn't know that there's someone you like. It just bummed me out."
Videl blinked, taken aback. "Huh? Why would that…?" She trailed off as something occurred to her. "Oh! Are you worried we won't get to hang out as much if I get a boyfriend or something?"
Gohan frowned deeply, casting his gaze on the asphalt as he seemed to consider her assumption. "Maybe. I'm not sure."
She waved him off. "You really have nothing to worry about. For one thing, it's completely one-sided, and even if he did like me back, I don't want to be with anyone. Just because I caught some feelings doesn't mean I want something to happen."
Gohan looked at her, his eyebrows shooting up so high on his forehead that it formed a crease. "He doesn't like you back? Seriously? Is he an idiot?"
Videl couldn't help snorting out a laugh. Oh, the irony. "I guess he is." She shrugged. "But it's better this way anyway."
The light in his eyes was dim as he cracked a small smile. "If you say so." He paused. "Are we good, then?"
But Videl frowned and crossed her arms, turning her head away from him toward the sea. "No. I'm still mad at you."
"Are you really, or do you just want to make me work for it?"
She pinched her lips together to suppress a smile.
"…Yes."
Gohan let out a small laugh. "Which one is it?"
She gave him a pointed look. "Just, yes."
He chuckled some more. "What can I do to make it up to you, then?"
That effortlessly charming smile again. Damn him. He was making it harder and harder to pretend she was still mad.
She turned away from him. "I'll think about it. We better get back to the hotel – the others should be waking up soon."
Without waiting for his response, Videl took off running again, setting her course toward the hotel this time. Gohan wordlessly came up beside her and jogged along with her.
"Why are you still in your pj's anyway?" Videl asked before glancing down at his feet. "And where are your shoes? Did you leave them at the beach?"
"Booker's a light sleeper, so I didn't want to disturb him by looking for shoes."
"Wait, so you just left your room and went to the beach barefoot? What if you stepped on something sharp?" Videl sighed in aggravation. "Do you ever worry about getting hurt yourself, or is that just wishful thinking to you?"
Gohan chuckled, notes of amusement playing in his onyx eyes. "Come on, give me some credit. Honestly, I'm more comfortable like this. I grew up running around in the woods barefoot, so the soles of my feet are rough and hardened. I don't worry about that kind of thing because there's simply nothing to worry about."
She eyed him, unconvinced. "Don't come crying to me when you step on a screw or something and catch tetanus."
He cracked a grin. "Alright, if that happens, I promise I'll just suffer in silence."
Damn it, his smile was too infectious. Her lips were twitching, struggling against her, willing her to relax her facial muscles and just let go.
It was a losing battle. Videl found herself smiling back despite her best efforts.
"Do you do that often? Get up at the break of dawn to do your tai chi?"
"Hm, not really. Well, not so much anymore, at least." Gohan shifted his gaze ahead of him, his smile turning wistful. "Actually, I couldn't sleep last night, and I was disturbing Booker with all my tossing and turning, so I figured I'd try and clear my head with some tai chi. I guess the night got away from me."
Videl's lips parted. "…You stayed out all night? Doing tai chi? The whole night?"
He assented with a hum. "I trust my stamina, so I should be okay today even though I didn't get any sleep. I'll just turn in early. I'd rather not sneak out past curfew again anyway."
His dismissive attitude was off-putting. Gohan didn't even look the least bit tired despite having spent the entire night out doing tai chi. She supposed it made sense that his long session finally got him to break a sweat. Or maybe he just got hot from exercising for hours without a pause. Videl wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be the latter. That guy's stamina never ceased to amaze her. Was he even human?
She stopped running all of a sudden, causing Gohan to follow suit. He turned to her and tilted his head to the side, looking at her questioningly.
"I know how you can make it up to me," Videl stated. Gohan raised his eyebrows. "There's something I want to ask you, and I'd like you to answer me truthfully. It's only fair, after all."
The boy made a face. "Is there maybe anything else I could do for you?"
She squinted at him and put her hands on her hips. "Why? Can you not be honest with me?"
Letting out a sigh, Gohan ran a hand through his hair. "I told you, Videl, that there's something I want to tell you, but right now is too soon for that. There's a reason I chose dare last night…"
"You don't even know what my question is. Maybe hear me out before getting jittery about whatever it is you're keeping from me?"
He frowned in thought and chewed on his bottom lip. "Alright… What is it you want to know?"
Gohan shuffled his feet and massaged the back of his neck. Without her consent, Videl's eyes were drawn to the bulge of his flexed bicep, trailing on his broad shoulders, and then his V-shaped torso. Damn, he looked way too good in a tank top.
She felt herself flush and shifted her attention to his face instead. Now was not the time to get distracted. Gohan met her gaze with a worried smile.
"Just how much were you holding back against me during our spar?" she asked.
Gohan averted his eyes and sighed, and his voice lowered. "What makes you think I was holding back?"
Videl scoffed and crossed her arms. "Don't patronize me, Gohan. You obviously were. You were even adjusting your level to mine."
"Does it matter?" he murmured. "If you know that I'm stronger than you, does it matter by how much?"
"Yes, it matters. How can I work to catch up to you if I don't know where the finish line is?"
Gohan pursed his lips. "I'm basically retired from martial arts. What difference does it make where the finish line is? I don't plan to race you to it."
"How can you retire at sixteen years old?"
He met her eyes and gave an ironic smile. "I peaked early."
Videl frowned deeply. "You keep evading the question."
He sighed again, his shoulders slumping. "Look, Videl, I'll tell you everything you want to know about me when the time is right, but now isn't it. So, please, be patient."
Videl held his gaze. Her brain was starting to put two and two together, analyzing everything Gohan had told her since yesterday when she found him chilling out in the middle of the ocean.
Gohan may have a cocky side to him, one he didn't show very often either, but he had never been arrogant. And he was hurt when she called him out on it yesterday.
Her eyes shifted to the side. Did that mean, when he said he wasn't in any danger… was that the truth? Was Gohan so strong that even Mother Nature at her worst didn't worry him in the slightest? If that were true, it explained why he didn't like being called reckless – because to him, what he did was no more dangerous than taking a walk in the park.
"So it really was about how strong you are…" she murmured. "I thought it might be about that. And if you're that reluctant to answer my question…" She frowned at the implication. "Am I that far behind?"
Gohan swallowed. "I… I have an unfair advantage. It's something I… I took after my dad."
Videl fell silent. She looked up at him again. "Is that how your dad got so strong, too?"
"Yes. But that's all I can tell you for now."
She tried to figure out what Gohan could mean by that. What could he have inherited from his father that would give him this "unfair advantage"? Was Son Goku just that gifted, and he simply passed his immense talent down to his son? But how was that any different than her getting her love for martial arts from her own dad? It didn't explain how Gohan could be so far ahead of her when they were the same age.
Videl sighed in resignation and ran a hand over the nape of her neck. Even as hard as she thought about it, she didn't have enough clues to draw a proper conclusion.
"Alright. I'll wait for the rest of the answer, then," she conceded. Her expression relaxed as she gazed at her handsome friend, a slight tug curving the corner of her lips. "And I guess we're okay now – at least you were honest with me like I asked, even if you stayed vague."
Gohan's eyes twinkled as he cracked a smile. "You are too kind."
We are FINALLY on the second day of the field trip! Hooray! Lol. xD Can you believe the first day of the field trip started in chapter 3? I don't think I know how to write short stories anymore lol.
Well, I hope you liked the chapter! And if you did, I would really appreciate it if you took the time to leave me a review. I welcome constructive feedback, positive or negative. :)
April 27, 2022
