Chapter Nine

I Can't Keep Doing This to You

Rhythmic, coordinated hits resounded in the empty gym. The punching bag rocked back and forth in synchronization with her powerful blows, and the chain attaching it to the ceiling rattled loudly in protest. Videl focused all of her attention on her target as she delivered impact upon impact, unconcerned about her heavy pants and aching muscles, forcing her mind not to think of anything but the sequence of her attacks.

Punch, punch, punch. Kick; knee. Kick, kick, kick, kick – and then a roundhouse kick. The punching bag, however, gave out by the force of her assaults and the sand fell out, gathering in a pile just under the dangling chain that no longer held anything but the empty carcass of torn leather.

Crouching over with her hands on her knees, Videl was breathing hard. A cough or two mixed with her sharp gasps for air, and she wiped her forehead with the back of her wrist. Straightening up somewhat and blowing out a tired sigh, she looked about the place filled with training equipment. This was her home's personal gym, which apart from her and her father, only a few, selected 'elite' students of his were allowed in. And right now, three piles of sand had replaced the punching bags she'd previously used. Well, it wasn't her fault the equipment wasn't solid enough to handle a few hits, and it wasn't like her dad couldn't afford to replace them. It wasn't like she cared, either.

She walked over to the bench where she'd left her towel and sat down, wiping the sweat on her face and neck. She felt sticky and dirty, and cringed slightly when she caught sight of her reflection in one of the many mirrors hanging on the walls. She was not a pretty sight.

Maybe if Gohan saw her like this, it would make him stop going after her.

A frustrated groan escaped her lips and she leaned back against the cool cement wall behind her, letting her tired eyes slide shut. She just couldn't stop thinking about him, could she? No matter what she did to distract her mind, no matter how hard she'd been working out, Gohan was the only thing she could think about. She was such a hopeless cause.

Looking about for the clock hanging on a tall wall, her eyebrows raised in surprise as Videl saw how late it already was. It was almost eleven o'clock in the evening, meaning she'd been at it for almost five hours. She had homework to finish for tomorrow, too. Well, she was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to get much sleep tonight anyway; might as well put her time to her unfinished school work.

First things first, however, she needed a shower.

She went back to her room and walked inside the connected bathroom, quickly discarding the sweaty training outfit and getting in the hot spray of water. Standing there, her mind went over everything that had happened to her since the festival, while forcing herself not to dwell on what happened earlier, in the corner of the library, backed up against the bookcase.

Okay, she thought, so Gohan is Saiyaman, and his father is an alien. Which he didn't know until Gohan was four, was it? She let out a sigh, trying to process the strange information. Gohan is half alien, and has the ability to somehow change his appearance. I wonder how that actually works… Is there a switch on and off or something?

She massaged her sore neck tiredly, letting the hot water relax her worn muscles, and a soft sigh slipped out of her lips.

So I'm in love with a guy that's not even fully human. Sweet.

She paused at that particular thought, blinking slightly as she realized that for the first time, she had actually admitted her feelings for Gohan. Well, she couldn't and wouldn't ever admit it to anyone but herself, of course, but after what happened between them earlier she really couldn't deny how she felt anymore.

She was in love with the same guy as her best friend, a guy who also happened to be a part-alien superhero. Sweet, indeed.

Her fingertips grated her skull energetically to help the running water clean the shampoo off of her hair. Her eyes tightly shut during the process, she focused her thoughts on her movements and nothing else, willing her mind not to go back to this afternoon after class. She absolutely had to distract herself from thinking about it – his kisses, his burning touch, his hot breath mingling with hers or brushing her neck.

NO, she screamed inwardly, berating herself. Her face scrunched into a painful wince as images of this particular memory crept into her head against her will. She wanted to forget it ever happened, damn it! She didn't want to remember how good it felt. She wished she could just erase it all from her memory; erase all the delightful sensations he'd made her feel, erase the fireworks, erase the enchanting taste of him. The feel of him, pressed up all against her as he lifted her up and boldly groped her. His lips, his tongue, his heavy breathing…

Stop thinking about it goddammit!

She turned off the faucet and stepped out of the shower, heaving out a deep, dejected sigh. It was useless. She just couldn't stop thinking about Gohan. She was in too deep; there was no stopping the process. She was in love and it was making her feel like crap.

As she finished getting ready for bed, the girl began to feel the exhaustion of her long workout session. Not to mention, she'd spent more than an hour at the boxing club today after class too. Simply put, her body was completely drained. Her brain, however, just wouldn't turn off, so Videl tiredly dragged herself to bed and picked up her backpack, looking for the stuff she'd need to work with. Her cell phone, which had been forgotten inside the bag, was blinking as a sign of low battery so Videl proceeded to plug it. The screen turned on as she did, notifying her of two unread texts.

She remembered the one Gohan had sent her just as she walked inside the library, which he'd stopped her from reading. And indeed, the first unread text was from him. She noticed that the second was from Erasa.

Hello, Videl, his text read. How are you? … Right, you're still mad at me aren't you? I'm so, so sorry, Videl. I hate myself so much for ever lying to you. I really am sorry. I want to explain everything to you, and you must have a lot of questions for me, too, right? I'll be waiting for you in the library. It's our sanctuary, right? Please come, I have to see you.

Lying on her bed, a longing smile formed on her lips as she read the text again – and again. She could almost hear his voice in her head as she read the perfectly-spelled text. It was such a rare sight, too, with how little effort teenagers put in spelling when texting these days. Seeing Gohan's text, however, Videl decided it was much nicer to read when it was well-written, so she decided to make an effort from now on when she texted.

I have to see you, he'd said. His words felt so powerful, so urging. Videl swallowed, remembering the avid way he'd kissed her. His feelings for her, such intense feelings, had shown through each kiss, each touch, each piercing stare. It was so intense, so… overwhelming. His need of her felt so – endless. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him.

But she would never betray Erasa like this.

Speaking of, Videl opened the second text she'd missed today and read.

hey gurl! guess what? some1 askd me bout u~ tell u more 2morrow. PS: hes a gr8 guy, giv him a chance k?

Videl was perplexed. Who could she be talking about? Well it obviously couldn't be Gohan, since Erasa wouldn't be so cheerful if she knew he liked her. In any case, she was in no mood to put up with some guy she probably didn't even know and who most likely only wanted to get to her dad through her. If he wanted to meet the "great" Mr. Satan, then sure, why not, but she didn't want to date anyone.

And then she paused, tilting her head.

Although… Maybe she should put some more thoughts into this. After all, if Gohan saw her with someone else, surely he'd give up on her, right? And besides, what better way to try and forget about a guy than getting to know another? Erasa obviously approved of this one, and Videl knew her; she wouldn't have done so if she wasn't sure the guy was worth it. Maybe… Maybe she should give him a chance, or at least, not wave him away right off the bat.

She let out a sigh and rolled on her back, resting her arm over her eyes while her other hand was still holding her cell phone. She was exhausted, and it was getting pretty late, too. Maybe she should just go to sleep and finish her homework tomorrow before leaving for school. It wasn't the best conditions to work in but it wouldn't be the first time it happened, either.

Just as she moved over and turned off her bedside lamp, her phone vibrated in her other hand. Wondering who could be texting her at such a late hour, her heart picked up when she saw the name displayed on her screen. Gohan.

Taking a shaky breath, she opened the text and read.

I can't sleep. I can't stop thinking about you, and I don't understand why you keep running away from me. I know you have feelings for me, otherwise you wouldn't have let me kiss you earlier. You would've punched me in the face instead. I want to be with you, Videl, and I'm so lost, because you keep saying you can't but you didn't push me away either. If you really don't want to be with me, then meet me at the library tomorrow morning before class, and tell me, face to face, that you don't like me and want me to give up on you. If you do, then I'll leave you alone. If you don't want me because of what I really am, I'll understand. But if you can't say it to me and reject me properly, then I won't give up on you, Videl, and I will keep trying to win you over. Because I think we could be truly happy together… and I want to make you happy.

Her heart was pounding erratically as his words resounded in her head. Her mouth was dry and Videl tried to swallow the lump in her throat. She could just see him, frustrated that he couldn't fall asleep, thinking about her… ending up sending her this text…

Should she text him back…? She wasn't sure whether she should meet up with him at the library tomorrow morning – what if he kissed her again? What if she ended up doing the opposite and instead of rejecting him, she gave in to him? How could she trust herself after her terrible lack of self-control this afternoon?

Would he kiss her again…? Videl swallowed again. Damn it, she was completely hopeless – she actually wished he would kiss her again. What a terrible friend she was.

ooOoo

In the darkness of the bedroom, Gohan stared at his phone, waiting for a reply. Out of frustration that Videl had left like that earlier and that he hadn't caught up to her in time, he'd poured his feelings into the text he just sent her. He'd been this close to typing how he was so hopelessly in love with her, but had decided against it. He wanted to look at her when he told her. He wanted to see her reaction to his confession, and he wanted to kiss her right after the words came out, no matter what her answer may be.

Minutes ticked by, and still no reply. Maybe she was already sleeping. Maybe she was still trying to figure out what to text him back. Maybe she didn't want to reply.

Well, nonetheless, tomorrow morning he would wait for her at the library until class started. And if she wasn't going to come, then he'd go look for her in her classroom if need be. He'd said it and he'd meant it – he wasn't going to give up on Videl, and unless she told him she didn't want him to, he would keep trying to be with her as much as he must until she gave in, or at least until she told him why she kept rejecting him.

Placing his phone next to his pillow, Gohan closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep. His throat tightened as, instead of finding sleep, the young man found himself thinking back of this afternoon at the library. He distractedly licked his lips as he remembered how hers tasted; how it felt to touch her and have her soft body pressed up all against his. How she'd moaned his name breathlessly, driving him insane with lust and need. How her eyes, her gorgeous blue eyes, glazed over as she stared at him intently, whenever they paused to catch their breath. How her skin felt against his fingers, tasted against his mouth… How he wished he never had to stop kissing her, touching her, grinding against her.

Well, this was not helping him sleep at all.

ooOoo

"Dammit, dammit. Fuck."

He wasn't one to cuss easily, but geez. Every damn morning – what the hell was wrong with this city? How could there be a crime occurring at least once a day, starting from early morning until late at night sometimes? Why now, of all times? Why couldn't it be peaceful for once, why couldn't he get to school without having to stop on the way because of some goddamn random crime happening in the city? For god's sake – why now? He was supposed to get to school early today and wait for Videl in the library, but how was he supposed to when the fucking bank was getting robbed every five minutes?

Cursing under his breath repeatedly, Gohan found a secluded spot by the bank to turn Super Saiyan and then rushed inside to take care of the robbery. He must have set a new record, really, as not a moment later he was already out and high up in the sky, racing to get to school.

His stop at the bank still cost him some precious minutes. Gohan landed on the rooftop, turned out of the Super Saiyan transformation and didn't pause before getting inside the staircase. He glanced at his watch and saw that he had less than ten minutes before the bell rang, and cursed under his breath again, quickly going to the library. Hopefully, Videl was already there and waiting for him.

What if she didn't come at all?

Shaking the gloomy thought out of his head, the tall boy stopped in his tracks in front of the familiar double doors and took a deep breath. He pushed the wooden doors open, his eyes quickly scanning the library for a head of shiny, raven hair.

His heart sank – she didn't come.

He collapsed on a chair and crossed his arms on top of the desk, burying his head into them. She didn't even come. Was it all over, then? Was she going to keep avoiding him? Was it really not meant to be? To think he'd finally kissed her, finally tasted what it was like to feel her against him, to touch her, to breathe her in… To think he'd been so happy – ecstatic – when she finally, finally dropped her defenses and let him in. She'd kissed him back, and more than that – she didn't even try to resist; she wholeheartedly leaned into him, responded to any of his kisses, any touch, any look. For the first time, she had belonged to him as much as he had belonged to her, and it had been the most amazing experience Gohan ever had.

But then she just left, and in a hurry on top of that, like she couldn't get away from him fast enough. She was still resisting, running away from him. Didn't she realize how much she was hurting him every time she rejected him? Couldn't she see how desperately in love he was? Why couldn't she fully give in, why was she still fleeing from his grasp, each and every time he managed to get the slightest bit closer to her?

Why couldn't she be with him? Goddammit, he couldn't stand it anymore. He loved her, he was utterly, madly in love with her – why couldn't they be together? He knew she at least liked him; he'd seen it in her lingering gaze and he'd felt it when they kissed. He just knew it. Yet for some incomprehensible reason, she wouldn't be with him.

Was his heart ever going to mend? With the way it was currently shattered into pieces, it didn't look at all possible. He was hurting so much… Gohan felt like it was the end of the world – and he certainly knew how that felt.

x

Sometimes, Videl wondered why the police bothered to call her at all – everything was, yet again, already taken care of when she got to the bank. She knew it was Gohan who stopped the robbery. The detour she had to do because of the police call had been a real waste of time, and because of it all, she might not be able to meet up with Gohan at the library before class.

Cursing under her breath, she rushed to get to school and then ran up the stairs towards the library. Glancing at her watch, Videl saw she still had a few minutes left before the first bell, so she sprinted as fast as she could until she reached the wooden double doors.

She paused, short of breath, in front of the doors. She hesitated, still unsure whether it was a good idea to meet up with Gohan, fearing that she might let him kiss her again when she'd already made up her mind not to let him get to her ever again.

She looked at her watch again. Barely over two minutes were left. Videl chewed on her lower lip as the seconds ticked by. In the end, she held one door slightly open, and peered discreetly inside.

The sight that met her eyes felt like a stab in her heart. Gohan was there, sitting at the desk, his head deeply buried into his crossed arms. He looked so… miserable. Completely hopeless. Guilt churned her insides, and Videl swallowed, before cautiously stepping inside the library.

She touched his shoulder gently and Gohan's head shot up at once. His pitch black eyes stared at her with a kind of desperate relief – and next thing she knew she was completely enveloped in his strong arms as Gohan held her tightly against him.

"I thought… I didn't think you…"

His raspy, helpless voice was heart-wrenching. "I'm sorry, the police called me but you already took care of everything."

He pulled back slightly, cupping her cheek as he gazed down at her with shiny, relieved eyes. "I'm so glad you came. I was losing all hope."

Videl gulped, knowing what was on his mind. She didn't come here to let him kiss her again, let alone out in the open like this. She'd actually decided to tell him to give up on her and forget about her – even though she was well aware that she, herself, would never be able to really get over Gohan.

One never forgot their first love.

His face was inching closer and Videl's heart picked up in anticipation in spite of her earlier decision. She was such a hopeless cause… But how was she supposed to resist when she was craving for him so much, when she was absolutely dying for his kisses and touch; when it was killing her inside that she couldn't be with him?

His lips had only brushed hers when the bell rang. Yet, instead of pulling back and heading for class, Gohan only pressed his lips deeper, his tongue easily getting access into her mouth.

And it was an explosion of fireworks all over again.

But – no. She couldn't let him again. No matter how… how breathtaking it felt when Gohan kissed her, no matter how badly she wanted him. She couldn't let him. She had to stop him. She had to push him away and tell him, once and for all, that they couldn't be together; that they never would be.

His large hand moved to the small of her back, pressing her closer against his rock-hard torso. He kissed her hard; he kissed her avidly, fervently. His passion and love were all but transparent as their breaths mingled, and try as she might, Videl was just unable to fight it. She couldn't deny it anymore: she loved Gohan, and as much as she wanted to be loyal to Erasa, she couldn't fight her own feelings when he was making her feel like this.

The second bell sounded off, and Videl focused on the shrill ringing to bring herself out of this oh so wonderful daze. She forced her hands onto his chest, and pushed as hard as she could.

Surprisingly enough, he didn't even budge, but the message she sent was clear. Gohan pulled back, and stared down at her with worried, dreadful eyes.

She immediately averted her gaze, looking down at her boots intently. "We should get to class," she whispered, turning away to start towards the exit.

"Wait," he said, grabbing her wrist. She still wouldn't look at him, though.

"We're already late, Gohan. Let's go."

"I don't care. I'm always late anyway."

She bit down on her lip, nervously shooting a glance around them while carefully avoiding him.

"Look at me," he said, his tone despairing, yet commanding.

She shook her head, shutting her eyes. "Let's just go, Gohan. We'll talk another time."

"Look at me when you're talking to me, Videl. Look at me," he demanded hoarsely, pulling on her wrist until she faced him.

But Videl was stubbornly keeping her eyes tightly shut. "I can't. You're going to draw me in again, and I just can't allow it, Gohan. I can't."

"But why?"

His voice had gotten softer, with an edge of dejection. Videl didn't open her eyes, and her breath hitched when she felt Gohan's hand on her cheek, stroking it with such gentleness it was melting and breaking her heart all at the same time. She could feel her eyes watering under her lids; hot, burning tears threatened to spill out any second.

This situation was impossible. They had mutual feelings for one another. They loved each other. Why couldn't it be easy? Why couldn't they be together?

"Because if I accepted your feelings, I would be betraying my best friend."

x

Her words only got him more confused. What did she mean by that? Her best friend…? Did she mean –

"Erasa?" he whispered, completely lost as to how the bubbly blonde had anything to do with them. "What do you mean?"

Videl shook her head and pulled away from him, and Gohan felt his throat tighten painfully as a tear slid down her cheek. She quickly turned away from him and brushed it away, but it was too late. He felt sick in the stomach. Gohan felt unbelievably selfish and self-centered, at that moment. Yes, so he was crazy in love with Videl, but he knew something was going on, that something was stopping her from accepting his feelings, most likely despite herself, yet he kept pushing and pushing, unconcerned by the inner turmoil Videl was obviously going through. To think, he went so far as to make her cry again… when he'd sworn to himself that such a thing would never happen again, not after what happened at the Victory Festival.

"I already said too much," she replied, her voice shaky. "I just… I can't betray her like that…"

"I'm sorry," he breathed out, his chest tight and heavy as the girl he loved refused to meet his eye. "I'm sorry, Videl. I don't know what's wrong with me." He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. "You said you couldn't be with me, and I just…" His breath hitched. "My feelings for you are so strong, and I just…" He swallowed. He wanted to tell her he loved her. He wanted to tell her how deep his love for her ran. He wanted to tell her everything.

He wanted to hold her in his arms and never let go.

"No, I get it…" she whispered. At last, she met his gaze, and a sad, wistful smile formed on her beautiful lips. "I get it."

You really do, don't you? He wanted to say, but Gohan didn't want to make things harder for Videl. He decided to stop being selfish and respect Videl's wishes. He couldn't keep pushing like that when she was visibly struggling with something.

Something that apparently had to do with Erasa, somehow… But he'd be damned if he knew how. Knowing how much Videl cared about her best friend, however, Gohan knew he had to back down.

He felt so lost and hurt. His heart ached at the thought of giving up, but Gohan knew it was the right thing to do. He couldn't keep making Videl cry. All he ever wanted was to make her happy, and he knew, deep down, that if she would just let him, they would've been blissfully happy together.

But there was no use in wondering of what could have been now…

There was no use in anything.

There was just no use.

"Can I get… a kiss goodbye?" he asked, unable to refuse his heart this one wish.

Her breath hitched. She looked at the double doors and bit her lip, maybe wondering when Mrs. Hutson would be coming in today.

"I… I don't think…" she started to say, but then she turned to him and their eyes locked; her voice was caught in her throat, making her unable to finish her sentence.

Feeling his heart race a marathon in his chest, Gohan grabbed her hand and pulled her away from plain view, bringing her between the many rows of bookcases, away from prying eyes.

"Here is better, right?" he murmured, leaning closer to her. He cupped her cheek. "Can I kiss you… for the last time?"

Her lips trembled, her eyes welled up, and a few tears rolled down her cheeks. With a lump in his chest, Gohan brushed them away with a light touch of his fingers.

"I'm sorry, I made you cry again…"

She shook her head, her eyes tightly shut, and the next moment her arms were around his neck and she was hugging him tightly. It took him a second to gather his bearings from her unexpected embrace, but Gohan quickly got it together and wrapped his arms around Videl, burying his nose in the crook of her neck and breathing her in deeply.

Gosh, this was so hard.

He felt his eyes water and couldn't fight the tears coming in. I'll always love you, he thought with all of his might, wishing he could tell her.

But that would be selfish, and Gohan refused to be like that anymore.

Videl started to pull away, and the enamored boy felt a painful pang in his chest as he abided and let go of her. Their eyes met, both pairs filled with tears, and they shared wistful smiles.

She put her hand on his cheek, her thumb brushing away a stray tear. "I'm sorry, Gohan," she said softly, her whisper heavy with untold feelings. "I truly am… I really wish… things could be different."

"Yeah…" he agreed, letting his forehead rest onto hers, his eyes falling shut.

Her hand was still stroking his cheek. Gohan wrapped his arms around her again, figuring he might as well make the most of this moment. Ah, this felt so nice… Why, oh why did it have to be the last time?

And then her lips were on his, and Gohan decided to forget that this would be for the last time. He kissed her back desperately, passionately, pulling her closer against him, holding her tightly in his arms. She had both hands on either side of his face now, as though to keep his head there, to prevent him from moving.

As if he would want to be anywhere else but here, kissing her, holding her…

She loved him. He felt it. He knew it. She was as hopelessly in love with him as he was with her. Her love was so strong, so intense, so overwhelming, that Gohan felt a few more tears escape from his closed lids from the emotion.

She loved him. Damn it. Damn it. She actually loved him. God friggin' damn it. Why couldn't they be together? What was stopping her? Why couldn't she tell him?

No, he reminded himself as he deepened the kiss. He held her tighter and let all these unpleasant thoughts slip away from his mind, focusing on all the unbelievably blissful sensations Videl was making him feel.

And so they kissed, and kept kissing, savoring every second of their very last kiss, letting it bathe them in the most delightful glow.

After what felt like an eternity yet the blink of an eye at the same time, Gohan and Videl finally broke the kiss. Unwilling to pull away, Gohan tightened his arms around her as their short breaths mingled.

"I'll never forget you," he whispered breathlessly, feeling the urge to voice at least some of his feelings.

"I'll never forget you either," she murmured back, her voice cracking. "Never…"

He felt a small smile tug at the corner of his lips and couldn't help the thought, I love you too.

"I'm sorry I hurt you so much," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder, her arms wrapping around his back. "You don't deserve what I put you through."

He swallowed. Ah… Didn't she realize that she was just making things that much harder for them by saying that, by holding him like that…? Damn it, he felt like crying again…

"I just…" His breath hitched and Gohan started again. "I wish you'd just tell me why…"

"I can't. I'm sorry…"

He sighed softly. Ah, well. Gohan contented himself with holding her in his arms and buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her hair. Ah, her scent was so beautiful…

"Okay…"

For the time being, this last embrace with the girl he loved was all that mattered. He didn't want to think of anything else. He didn't want to acknowledge that anything outside of their little bubble existed.

He wished he never had to let go.

"Thank you… for indulging me."

He heard her swallow loudly. Her hands trembled against his chest. "I'm so sorry, Gohan…" She closed them into fists.

Videl pulled back slightly and looked up at him. He cupped her cheek and smiled at her. "Yeah, I'm sorry too."

Her lips trembled, her eyes welled up again… and then she reached up and kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Well, apparently, Videl wasn't done saying goodbye to him… Which suited him just fine. He wasn't ready to let go just yet, either.

ooOoo

"Where have you been? You missed first period," whispered Erasa, as Videl sat down next to her in class. Luckily, being who she was and given her extra-curricular activities, Videl never got scolded for being late or missing class. "Did you get held up by the police after another robbery or something?"

"Yeah… Something like that," Videl whispered back vaguely, getting her stuff out of her backpack.

The discussion seemed over. But then, after a few minutes, Erasa looked like she was about to burst for some reason, and Videl looked at her skeptically.

"Well, aren't you going to ask me who it is?"

It took Videl a moment to understand what her friend was referring to. Her head was still with Gohan, in that corner of the library, sharing the most amazing yet heartbreaking moments with him…

"Oh, right. So, uh, a guy likes me, right?" she asked, remembering Erasa's text from last night.

"I really think you should give him a chance," Erasa whispered excitedly. "Heck, if he'd been interested in me, I would've been more than willing."

This took her off guard. "What about Gohan?"

A frown etched across Erasa's usually cheerful features, but she quickly discarded whatever she'd been thinking about. "Anyways, it's Reece Blann from the basketball team."

"Oh… him."

Videl did know who Reece Blann was. She wasn't in any designed club, per se, seeing as she was busy with crime fighting, but since joining a club was mandatory, the teachers had come up with a compromise. Therefore, instead of joining a club like everybody else, Videl acted as a substitute whenever a club was short of members, though usually, she stuck with the sport activities. She took part in the basketball club quite a few times and since it was a sport she very much enjoyed, sometimes she went there even when she wasn't particularly needed. But considering she was quite good, not to mention she was Videl Satan, the members were pretty pleased whenever she showed up.

Reece was a nice guy, and a really talented basketball player, too. He was tall, and she guessed he was good-looking. He was pretty easy to get along with.

Videl felt a painful pang in her chest. She didn't want this guy. Damn it, she wanted Gohan. Maybe, if she just told Erasa… Surely her best friend wouldn't want her to be miserable for her own sake, right?

But… Looking at Erasa's hopeful eyes right now, Videl couldn't bring herself to utter a word about how she actually felt.

She heaved out a sigh.

So Reece Blann was interested in her, huh? Well, at the very least, Videl supposed she ought to give him a chance.

And maybe, just maybe, Reece might be able to help her move on and get over her feelings for Gohan.

Yeah, right…

January 14, 2021