Chapter Eight

You. Me. Fireworks

"Okay guys, that's all for today."

Erasa smiled to herself as she took the time to admire the perfect outfit she'd put together on the mannequin, while the other members of the fashion club were already putting away their stuff and getting ready to head off. She wasn't in any hurry to leave, herself. She loved fashion, and she loved being a member of this club. It was the highlight of her day.

Well, excluding the times she hung out with Gohan, of course.

Yet the thought of her crush didn't put a smile on her face like it used to. The blonde girl wasn't blind, and she was well aware that her feelings for Gohan were one-sided. He obviously didn't see her that way or he would've asked her out long ago, or at least shown some interest in dating her. She tried dropping hints at him or even flirt with him, but the guy was desperately oblivious to it all and still treated her like a friend, and only a friend. He was so clueless about how she felt about him, the girl was losing hope.

Letting out a sigh, Erasa took her time gathering her stuff and left the club room.

It didn't help that the only girl he ever did look at happened to be her best friend.

It was so obvious that he liked Videl; it was killing her. Of all people, her best friend was the only one he would notice, the only one he would look at with such a soft and gentle expression. Erasa just didn't know what to do. The very thought of them ever getting together broke her heart, and at this point it seemed like it was only a matter of time before it happened. Even Videl didn't look insensible to Gohan's boyish charm – of course she wasn't, this was Gohan she was talking about. It was inevitable. Her best friend and the boy she'd liked for months were bound to get together, sooner or later. The only thing that might slow down the process would be Videl's devotion to their friendship – but seriously, who could resist Son Gohan for long?

She'd hoped Videl's interest in 'Saiyaman' would keep her away from Gohan, but Videl's encounters with the mysterious superhero had become scarcer and scarcer as of late and, unfortunately, no one else seemed to catch her crime-fighting friend's interest.

Well, no one but Gohan, that is.

A heavy weight tightened her chest as she pictured Gohan and Videl becoming a couple with her as the third wheel. They would make a cute couple, she admitted in resignation. At least two people she cared very much about would be happy together, even though it'd be to her detriment.

If only Gohan would look at her the way he looked at Videl.

"Hey Erasa, you have a minute?"

Closing her locker door, the girl turned to the tall boy standing to her left with a raised eyebrow. She wasn't too familiar with the guy, but he was pretty popular at school. Reece Blann. A talented basketball player with good looks to top it off. His tanned skin went particularly well with his light brown hair and bright green eyes. And the best part? He was actually a pretty nice guy.

She didn't know how he knew her name but her sweet smile was glued on her face in a heartbeat. "Sure."

He flashed her a charming smile, and Erasa leaned back against the row of lockers, playing with her hair as she looked at him. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"Of course," she replied, perhaps a little too eagerly. "Anything for the team, right?"

ooOoo

Fireworks. They exploded in the sky in a beautiful mix of colors and figures, making the earth quake as the deafening ruckus boomed. It was breathtaking. It was overwhelming. It was impossible to really describe. It was the most beautiful feeling.

It didn't even compare to how it felt to be kissed by Gohan.

It felt like fireworks – yet it was so much grander than that. The touch of his lips was gentle, so gentle, yet firm, passionate, and it was making Videl feel things she had no idea one could feel. It was a simple kiss, but this one touch gave her such intense sensations – it wasn't making sense. How could it feel so… so…?

Ugh, it just felt so damn good. How could he make her feel like that? Why couldn't she push him back?

His lips started moving against hers, and before her brain could protest she mimicked his action. Her grip on the shelf behind her loosened as he cupped her face with both hands. A soft moan escaped her lips, and without her consent her arms moved up to grip his collar, pulling him closer. She didn't even realize when she'd granted his tongue access into her mouth, or when his right hand moved to her arched back, pressing her body all against his.

But, goodness, it felt just… heavenly. Oh, why must this be so deliciously addicting? How was she supposed to push Gohan away when he was making her feel this way? It was like she was floating in a cloud of the most delicious sensations.

When did her hands grab his face? When did her left leg wrap itself around his midsection? Or was it his right hand that took hold of her thigh first and moved it there? How did it happen?

When did she stop struggling? Or did she even try? It was all such a blur – nothing was making sense.

Except for the pleasure. It was the only thing she was currently capable of registering, how good kissing Gohan felt. Just how amazing his lips tasted, and how his hard, muscular body was pressed against her in such a perfect fit. How every single touch on her skin felt like fire against his fingertips. How she just couldn't get enough of these kisses, which, instead of satisfying her thirst, were only making her want more and more.

Dammit, dammit, dammit. What the hell was she doing?

But the protest of her mind was but a whisper that her desperate need of Gohan all but swatted away. She wanted more of him, she needed more of him; of his kisses, of his touch, of the feel of him. She wanted him, god she wanted him so badly. Her thirst for him just couldn't be quenched, no matter how many kisses they'd had. Every time they pulled back slightly to catch a breath, not a moment later their lips and tongues clashed with each other in a firework of the most pleasurable sensations.

"Videl…"

His hoarse whisper caused a shiver to run down her spine, while his half-lidded, pitch black eyes stared into hers with such intensity it was making her knees go weak. His left hand was on her neck, his thumb stroking her cheek lovingly as his heavy breath mixed with her own. His other hand easily hoisted her up against the bookcase, and instinctively her legs wrapped around his waist while he moved his hand to the small of her back.

His lips captured hers once again, but still it wasn't enough. Even while feeling him so close against her, even with his hands on her and his very obvious hard-on pressing against the inside of her thighs, she still needed more. What was happening to her? Why couldn't she control her needs? Why wasn't her body obeying her? Why was she still kissing Gohan?

His mouth left hers and she gasped for air, and then she bit down a moan as Gohan's lips trailed burning kisses down her jaw and along her throat. He moved to the crook of her neck, feasting on her skin while Videl tried as she might to control her voice.

This was bad. He was becoming bolder, took more initiatives, and she was loving it. While his lips were still busy on her neck, his hands slowly slid down her back and cupped her butt and – oh god, were they… grinding?

Where did her self-control go? Where was her pride, goddammit! She was actually grinding against him like some… some…

Ah, the hell with it. It just felt too good – she didn't have the strength to think or make sense of anything.

"Gohan…" she breathed out, panting as her arms encircled his large back and held him closer. His lips were back on hers in a heartbeat, kissing her avidly, hungrily, fervently, tasting her like she was the most delicious meal.

Gah… He was driving her insane.

Her mind had long given up protesting, her needs taking full control of her actions. She couldn't stop even if she wanted to – and right now, it was the last thing she wanted. She wished for this feeling to never stop.

x

He didn't know how things could've gotten this far – but frankly, Gohan couldn't care less at that moment. Finally, finally Videl was giving in to him, and he wasn't going to give up on all these indescribable, oh so wonderful sensations by starting to think. No, he couldn't stop now – wouldn't stop. Kissing Videl, feeling her soft body against him – grinding his arousal against her crotch. Why did it matter if they might be going too far? Who cared? It was the most incredible feeling he'd ever had – and he'd saved the world.

There were so many things he wanted to say to her. How much he loved her, how beautiful, wonderful she was, and how happy – no, ecstatic he was feeling right now. How delicious her lips were. His were kind of busy at the moment though, and Gohan didn't feel like stopping now. He'd just have to wait a little bit to tell her all of this and more.

Her hands somehow ended up under his shirt, having apparently untucked it out of his pants, running her fingers along his back. He shivered in delight, his breathing quickening, and kissed her deeper while grinding his hips harder against hers. His mind was too clouded to wonder if it was a good idea to mimic her and go under her tank top – he simply did it, craving to feel her skin. It was so soft, felt so hot. He was burning. Her waist was slim, her stomach flat and toned. She was so perfect. His hand inched higher, itching to explore more of her. He let go of her lips then and dipped down again, ravishing her neck, moving along to her shoulder, the strap of her tank top sliding off slightly.

"Gohan?" called an elderly voice. "Gohan, can you come here for a moment?"

Mrs. Huston's call for his assistance didn't make him pause, however. He lifted his head and kissed Videl again, the hand under her garment daringly cupping her right breast over her bra. Good thing he was kissing her, for she let out a light gasp which had luckily been muffled against his lips.

Oh, she was so very soft. God, how he loved touching her. He loved the feel of her, of her smooth skin, of her curves, of the heat building up between him and Videl; and most of all, Gohan loved the way she responded to his touch.

"Gohan? Where are you?"

Damn, he'd almost forgotten about the library lady. She was moving about now, looking for him. Man, he was going to have to stop kissing Videl now, wasn't he? Damn it Mrs. Huston, why now?

Videl whispered his name, attempting, albeit half-heartedly, to make him let go of her. But he just couldn't stop kissing her. It felt too good – he didn't ever want to stop kissing this girl.

x

The call from the library lady seemed to put some senses back into Videl, but try as she might, she couldn't stop responding to his kisses and burning touch, even with the risk of getting caught in such a compromising position looming over them.

Mrs. Huston was getting closer to them, however, and eventually they had to give up the fight and finally broke apart.

As she touched down again, Gohan hovered over her and stared intensely into her eyes, his heavy pants mingling with hers. He cupped the side of her face, his large, warm hand on her cheek, and gave her one last kiss, lingering as much as he could while the aging lady's steps were coming dangerously close.

One Last Kiss Before the Next (2014)

"Wait here, okay?" he murmured, his lips brushing her neck. "I'll be right back."

When he left, her knees gave out and she dropped to the floor on her butt, completely breathless. Her buzzing mind tried to make sense of what just happened, but she was too dizzy to comprehend anything. She noticed how her heart was pounding against her ribcage, and how hot her body was, not to mention… between her legs. My god… she thought, her face feeling like fire. So this was how it felt to be turned on.

And then the guilt almost crushed her with its weight. What had she done? How could she do this to her best friend? She wasn't supposed to let Gohan kiss her, let alone let him… Videl swallowed hard, remembering despite herself how good it'd felt to have his hands on her skin, groping her curves, and how she'd craved for more no matter how far they would go.

Wait here, he'd said. That he would be right back. And then what? Continue where they left off? As much as her craving for Gohan protested, Videl couldn't allow herself to give in to him again, or ever, for that matter. She forced her legs to hoist her up and, albeit a little shakily, went for the exit.

Videl almost glanced at him as she left in a hurry – but, no, she mustn't. Lest his enchanting onyx eyes draw her in again and make her have second thoughts about her decision. She couldn't risk it, couldn't allow it. She had to get away from Gohan, and fast.

x

"This one?" asked Gohan, reaching for a book on the highest shelf. His other hand was holding another book carefully, hiding a particular part of his anatomy that still hadn't cooled down.

"No, not this one," said the small, elderly lady. "It's Sartre I asked you for, Gohan. Aren't you paying attention?"

"Sorry," he mumbled, picking up the right book this time and handing it to Mrs. Huston.

"The French version, Gohan. You know I've always preferred reading it in French," she said.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Gohan looked over the shelf for the book the library lady asked of him, and then frowned. "It's not here."

"Oh, right, it should be in the Original Version section."

She strolled to the section in question, and Gohan let out another sigh as he followed after her. Really, Mrs. Huston? Did she really need to read this particular book now, of all times?

He froze as he heard rapid steps going towards the double doors, and caught sight of a fleeing Videl from the corner of his eye. His throat tightened, a lump forming in it while each of his heartbeats became painful. Why would she leave like that? Why was she in such a hurry to get away from him? Damn it. Damn it all. And here he'd thought… he'd thought he could finally be with her. That she was finally his.

"Ah, yes, this is the one," said Mrs. Huston, holding the leather-bound book with great care. "Thank you, Gohan, you're always a great help."

"Um, can I leave for the day?" he asked, trying not to sound too impatient. He was this close to just run after Videl without a look back.

"Oh, yes, look at the time," she said, arranging her thick, old-fashioned frames on her nose as she checked the hour on her wristwatch. "Have a safe trip home, Gohan."

"Yes, thanks," he said. "Bye, Mrs. Huston."

Trying not to show his haste, he picked up his satchel and went out the double doors – and then he started to run, really run, hoping Videl wasn't already on her way home.

ooOoo

Well, Reece's request came at quite a convenient time, to say the least. Sure, Erasa wouldn't have minded if he had been interested in her instead, but he was actually a pretty good match for Videl.

Reece had asked for her help to get Videl to go out with him, and the guy seemed to genuinely like her friend. And he actually had a chance with Videl, too, or at least she was pretty sure he did. He was nice, handsome, athletic, and really easy to like. He seemed perfect for Videl, and hopefully, he might distract her and get Gohan to give up on her. Yeah, Erasa knew it wasn't a commendable thing to do but at this point, she was getting desperate. She needed Videl away from Gohan and she needed Gohan to start noticing her. Damn it, she'd liked him for longer than he even knew Videl, it wasn't fair!

Calming down, the pretty blonde smiled at the current plan. Get Videl to start dating Reece, and then comfort Gohan as he mended his broken heart.

She wasn't proud of herself, not at all. But she liked Gohan too much to give up on him without a fight.

January 6, 2021