A little backstory. This story is actually kind of inspired by the manga/anime Kimi ni Todoke, and at one point in the manga I got really, REALLY frustrated with Shouta (the male protagonist), so, naturally, I had to do the same to you all with Gohan, hehe.

When I first started writing Innocent Feelings, I got stuck at some point in the first chapter, and since I didn't know how to continue I left it like that for a while. Then, after I watched and read Kimi ni Todoke, I was inspired again and was able to continue writing. I wanted to give off a similar, "innocent" and fluffy atmosphere in my story, and adapted some scenes for Gohan and Videl.

Now, onto the story!

Innocent Feelings

11

Bumps

Don't think about it. Just keep walking. Don't let it show. Just keep going.

Videl repeated these thoughts over and over again in her head, keeping her feelings bottled down as she swiftly passed the other students and hurried to class.

She couldn't let them see that she was hurt and confused. She had to keep a blank face. She had to stay strong. She had to keep it all inside, at least while she was still at school.

Now was really not the time to break down.

She bite back the tears threatening to come out. Now was not the time to dwell on it! She was Videl Satan, dammit! She was stronger than that!

But what the hell was that all about? What did Gohan mean, "we can't"? Why would he say that? And just when she mustered the courage to make the first move, too… Everything had been going so well between them, why wouldn't Gohan kiss her? Didn't he want to as much as she did? Didn't he try to kiss her only yesterday? Why not now?

He actually rejected her… Why?

The knot in her stomach tightened more than ever, rising up to her throat and clouding her sight. And then Videl abruptly changed course, hurrying to the girls' bathroom.

As soon as she got there, she rushed inside one of the cubicles and slammed the door behind her. She couldn't hold it in anymore. She put her hand against her mouth, muffling the sound of her sobs.

Stupid, stupid Gohan. She knew getting involved with a boy would end up with her getting hurt. But… it was Gohan. Sweet, adorable, kind and caring Gohan. With him, she should've been safe. With Gohan… He wasn't supposed to make her cry. He wasn't supposed to make her feel stupid and undesirable.

She sniffed and wiped her eyes, feeling stupid and pitiful for crying over something like that.

"Ugh, I hate this…" she muttered, as the tears just kept coming.

The second bell rang, signaling that next period started. Videl sighed heavily, wishing she had been able to hold it in and go to class. People were bound to start talking now, if Gohan showed up without her. Not to mention those who saw her running to the bathroom.

She was such a girl… Hiding in there to cry, and because of a boy no less. What ever happened to the tough, confident and fearless tomboy she used to be? Her life was a lot less complicated when she wasn't interested in boys, which, for that matter, had been precisely why she'd turned down each and every boy who ever asked her out. She never wanted to be caught in this love drama like all the other girls. A waste of time, she used to think.

And then Gohan asked her out…

Well, nothing she could do about it now. It was really a stupid thing to cry over, anyway. Yeah, so Gohan stopped them from kissing, and yeah it didn't make any sense, but he probably had his reasons, whatever it could be. It wasn't that big of a deal anyway…

"Gohan, you idiot," she muttered to herself, tearing off some toilet paper to blow her nose and wipe her face.

Ugh… she felt like crap.

ooOoo

As everyone was gathering their things to get going, Erasa frowned at Videl's empty chair for what seemed like the umpteenth time in the past few hours. She then turned her head to her other side, as a frowning Gohan slowly packed his stuff.

He wouldn't give a straight answer when she tried asking him what happened with Videl at lunch, pretending to be listening to the teacher's lecture even though he was obviously thinking and brooding about whatever had happened between him and Videl.

Well, whatever it was, it did not look good.

"So what did you do, Brains," Sharpner asked casually, shouldering his backpack. "Didn't want to share your food with Videl?"

Erasa stifled a laugh and snorted at that. Trust Sharpner to lighten the mood with a silly joke in an awkward situation.

But Gohan didn't laugh, didn't even crack a smile. His brow furrowed more than ever and he simply shook his head, as he finished packing up and shouldered his satchel. Then he said he had better get going and started towards the door.

"Hey, wait, Gohan," called Sharpner, jogging after the other boy.

Erasa blinked; Gohan actually stopped and looked at Sharpner over his shoulder, eyebrows raised and blinking twice. Even the few of their classmates who were staying behind paused to look at the pair of boys, seeming unsure as to whether they had actually heard Sharpner call Gohan by his name. The former rolled his eyes.

"What?" he said, annoyed with the surprised stares he was getting. "There's nothing to see for you guys, get movin'."

That seemed to do the trick. Although curious and gossipy whispers rose here and there, the other kids turned away from them to mind their own business, or at least to pretend to.

Sharpner walked up to Gohan, put his hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"C'mon," he said. "Let's go for a snack before you go home."

"Yeah," added Erasa, joining them, then walking alongside them through the door. "You look like you could use some sweets."

At last, a small, awkward, but grateful smile relaxed Gohan's features, as he started rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks guys, I appreciate it, but I think I better get going."

"Aww don't be like that," said Erasa, moving to walk backward as she faced the boys, hands joined behind her back. "Surely you can give us a bit of your time, hm? You never stay to hang out after school."

"Erasa, don't do that, it's dangerous," said Gohan, seeming more concerned about her getting hurt while walking backward than the topic at hand.

"Bah, I do it all the time," she replied, waving him off.

"And you should stop that bad habit of yours," said Sharpner, agreeing with Gohan.

Erasa rolled her eyes, though she was smiling. "Fine." She moved to stand on Gohan's other side, looking up at him sweetly. "So, you coming with us? I stopped walking backward, see?"

He sighed in defeat and nodded, scratching his hair. "All right. I guess a snack won't hurt."

"Awesome!" Erasa said excitedly, sharing a triumphant grin with Sharpner. "I know just the place to go!"

ooOoo

The restaurant was filled with a low chatter from the people scattered amongst the tables. The afternoon sun filled the area, reflecting off of the red wood of the tables and stools. A young couple was sharing a scoop of ice cream in the wrap-around booth next to hers, and Videl made sure to ignore them completely, keeping her stare fixated on her lemon pie.

"Say 'aahhh'," cooed the girl, no doubt spoon-feeding her boyfriend.

"Come on Jen, that's embarrassing," he said after swallowing the spoonful.

"Aww, but you know you love it."

Videl rolled her eyes at their antics. Could they get any more mushy? There were in a public place for Pete's sake, couldn't they tone down the lovey-dovey atmosphere?

Surely she and Gohan weren't that bad, right?

Her mood soured even more at that thought. Videl sighed heavily, playing with her fork. The lemon pie in this restaurant usually made her feel better when she felt down, but this time it didn't seem to work. She didn't really felt like eating, to be honest.

The girly giggle made her glance over at the other booth, but Videl quickly looked away and her face heated up; they were kissing now. Just what she needed…

She looked left and right – carefully avoiding the make-out session on her left – and waved a waitress over to ask for the check. Slumping back on her seat, she stared out through the bay window and let out another sigh, hoping the waitress would hurry.

Her eyes widened then, as she caught sight of a head of spiky black hair walking along with two blondes, all headed to that very restaurant. Acting on impulse, she quickly got under the table to hide, just as the chime of the door opening went off and three pairs of shoes walked in.

In her head she cursed her bad luck over and over again, and then she cursed Erasa, who was obviously the one who told the guys about this place; she and Erasa often hung out in this place together. Why did she have to bring Gohan here now, of all times? She wasn't ready to face him!

Nervously, she followed Gohan's black dress shoes as they paused by one of the ottomans of another table. Great. Just great. How was she going to leave that place with him seated such a short distance away?

And then she held her breath: he suddenly changed his course and was walking straight in her direction. But, no, he couldn't know she was hiding here, he shouldn't be able to see her… And yet, he stopped when he reached her booth and without any hesitation, crouched down to look under the table.

She was completely speechless, and Gohan gave a mild smile.

"Are you hiding from me now?" he said, his voice soft, black eyes looking at her with a hint of sadness.

"N-No!" she instinctively protested, her face turning red. "I'm not hiding, I dropped something!"

In her haste to slide back onto her seat, Videl bumped her head against the wood and yelped, massaging the sore spot on her skull as she sat down. Gohan was sitting right next to her not a millisecond later.

"Are you OK? Let me check your head," he said worriedly, reaching up to her face.

"I'm fine!" she said hastily, and slid off the booth before his hand could make contact. She looked around; what was taking the waitress so long?

"Oh, hey Videl!"

"'Sup."

Videl sighed, turning to her two blonde friends who were heading towards them carrying three milkshakes and a plate of chocolate muffins.

"Hey guys. Sorry, I can't stay, I've got to pay my check," she said quickly, while they sat down.

"Oh, that's too bad," said Erasa, her usual smile dimming down.

"Yeah, sorry."

Finally, the waitress came with her check and Videl paid quickly. She apologized again, and immediately regretted glimpsing at Gohan when he stood up – he looked so helpless.

"Are you sure you can't stay?" he asked, and Videl forced herself to look away from his pleading eyes.

"Yeah, shouldn't you work things out or whatever?" said Sharpner bluntly. "Erasa and I can go sit somewhere else – ouch! What was that for?" he complained to Erasa, who had kicked his leg under the table. "I'm just tryin' to help 'em!"

"Can't you be more subtle about it? Geez," sighed Erasa, before turning to Gohan and her again. "But he's right. We can go if you guys want to be alone."

"It's fine, and I gotta go," said Videl, getting annoyed at her friends. Sure, they were just trying to help, but she'd rather they mind their own business. She certainly didn't want to be alone with Gohan right now. "Well then."

She turned to leave, but Gohan grabbed her forearm to hold her back. She looked at him over her shoulder.

"Wait. Stay," he pleaded. "Please."

She was completely frozen. Her mind only registered the gentle touch on her bare arm, and his sad, puppy eyes, begging her not to go. Her heartbeats picked up, her face flushed dark red, her lips parted slightly.

It didn't help that he was so absurdly handsome.

"Well, um, me and Sharpner will leave you alone then," Erasa muttered uneasily, motioning to the other side of the restaurant to the other blonde.

Videl snapped out of it. "I said it's fine!" she said suddenly, tearing her gaze from Gohan to frown at her two friends. "I already ate and I want to go home, OK?"

"But…" Gohan started, but Videl cut him off before he could insist any more, shaking her forearm free of his hold.

"And I don't need to sit just to watch you stuff your face, either!"

And with that she stormed off, leaving Gohan feeling utterly miserable as he stared after her. Sharpner and Erasa exchanged a wince.

"That was harsh…" Erasa said slowly.

"I don't know what you did Brains, but man, you really screwed up."

Gohan didn't say anything in reply, didn't even acknowledge what they said. He just stood there and stared at the same spot, even though Videl was already gone. After a while, he simply picked up his school bag and shouldered it.

"Sorry guys, I don't really feel like eating right now. I'll see you tomorrow."

He didn't even glance at them as he walked out, ignoring Erasa's feeble attempt at holding him back. And he just kept walking, aimlessly, his hands in his pockets and looking at his feet. He felt completely discouraged and empty.

How could he mess up so bad?

His chest felt so tight and knotted; every heartbeat throbbed painfully as his mind replayed Videl's hurting expression before she left, over and over. Although her words stung, Gohan knew she didn't mean it, that she only said that because she was mad at him.

He swallowed hard. Was he… going to lose her…?

The very thought tightened his heart so painfully that Gohan had to stop walking, and clutched his chest. No, he couldn't lose Videl. What would he do without her? He wouldn't be able to handle it. Losing her… He didn't even want to think of the possibility; it hurt too much.

Letting out a sigh, the young man looked at up the afternoon sky. What should he have done? Would it have been better if he just kissed her when they were on the roof? His throat dried at the thought. God, they'd been so close, and he'd craved her so badly… It was a wonder he'd even managed to stop her… Gohan sighed again, running his hand through his hair. Even though he had good reasons not to kiss Videl yet, he had never imagined the situation would get so out of hand.

He looked wistfully in the direction of her house. He wanted to go see her… and he wanted to tell her everything, once and for all. Not just the Saiyaman thing – everything. He wanted her to know him, the real him. He wanted to show his true self to her – and only to her.

His heart beat frantically as he thought of doing just that, right there, right now. Swallowing hard, wiping his sweaty hands on his pants, Gohan took a step forward, finally making up his mind.

And then his cell phone rang. He almost tripped on his own two feet at the abrupt interruption, and quickly opened his satchel and picked up the ringing device. It was his mom.

"He-Hey Mom!" he answered nervously.

"Gohan, didn't I specifically ask you to let me know if you're going to be late?" his mother reminded him accusingly, sounding particularly irritated at the last part. "I understand that you want to spend time with your girlfriend after school, but you have to tell me or you know I'll worry! What's the point of getting you a mobile phone if you're not going to use it?"

"S-Sorry, Mom. I'm coming home right away," he said hastily, hoping it would ease her. And then he almost slapped himself: he was supposed to go see Videl! Darn it!

"OK, good," she said firmly. "Hurry."

She hung up, and Gohan hung his head in defeat. Dumbly, he found a secluded street and took off to the sky while pressing the red button on his watch to change into the Great Saiyaman.

He sighed heavily. Was he ever going to tell Videl at this rate? Not to mention, every time he tried his voice would stop working and nothing would ever come out. What was he to do? The situation with her had gotten so bad… He had to fix it, and fast. He couldn't risk to let the distance between them grow any further; it was already unbearable to him now as it was.

He was almost home now, and Gohan let out another sigh as he flew over the mountains. Out of habit, he wanted to scratch his hair, but his orange helmet got in the way.

And then it clicked. Of course! He thought suddenly. My helmet!

It would be so easy if he just took it off; how come he didn't think of that sooner? He wouldn't need to tell her he was Saiyaman, he'd just let Saiyaman show her who he was!

He sped up to get home faster, his heart jolting in nervous excitement. His mind was set: there was no going back now, whether he liked it or not. As soon as he was done with the family dinner he was flying back to Satan City, and more specifically, he was going to see Videl.

Tonight, Gohan thought resolutely. I'm doing it tonight.

January 8, 2021