Chapter Fourteen

It Doesn't Sit Well With Me

Standing on the school's rooftop, Videl squinted at the sky, using her hands to shield her eyes from the sunrays. Gohan suggested they meet on the roof before class started, since he usually came from there anyway. So here she was, waiting for him, having come to school extra early, all for that pretty face of his.

Did he stop a robbery or some other crime on his way? Her watch hadn't gone off, then again sometimes the police didn't bother calling her when Gohan showed up since he usually took care of the situation in a matter of seconds.

She saw a golden streak growing bigger, and a grin appeared on her face as she recognized his transformation. Soon after, "Saiyaman" landed in front of her, a broad grin lighting up his face mirroring her own.

"Sorry, I had to stop a purse snatcher on the way," he apologized sheepishly. He immediately turned out of his transformation then, and Videl felt her heart pick up as his pitch black eyes stared back at her.

She liked him more like this, Videl realized. As much fun as she'd had with his transformed self, and as handsome as he looked with golden hair, teal eyes, and hardened features, Videl fell in love with his boyish charm first. She loved his awkwardness, his kindness, his cluelessness even. She loved his gentle smile, his onyx eyes, his black hair.

"What?" he inquired, noticing her staring.

She shook her head with a sheepish smile and a light blush on her face. "I was just thinking that I like you more like this. With black hair."

"Oh? You mean you're more into brunets?" he teased.

Videl rolled her eyes and hit his arm playfully. "Shut up."

"I mean, that's good to know I guess. If you liked me more as a blond I guess we could've made it work too. Good thing I can transform and all."

She grabbed his face and kissed him to shut him up. Videl could feel his grin against her lips and couldn't help smiling against his in amusement.

"You're so silly. You know that?"

He grinned wider, his eyes twinkling. "What do you mean? My plan worked perfectly." He then put his hands on her waist and pulled her to him, leaning closer as his voice lowered to a whisper. "I got exactly what I wanted."

Her face flared up. So, apparently Gohan didn't need to be transformed to act all sexy and confident.

He chuckled, probably at the look on her face. He stroked her cheek. "You're so cute."

Her breath hitched when he leaned in, closing the gap between them once more. His lips pressed on hers, and her heart soared.

Their perfect moment was interrupted by the chime of her phone. Gohan pulled back reluctantly, letting go of her to give her room to grab her phone. Videl let out a deep sigh, disappointed that they had to break apart so soon. She bent down to look for her phone in her bag and checked her new message.

It was from Erasa. Videl blanched when she read it.

"What's the matter?" asked Gohan.

She swallowed. "It's Erasa." The girl sighed, running a hand over the back of her neck. "Reece just asked her about me and she's asking me what she should do."

"Oh."

x

And so reality caught up to him. Gohan swallowed, a brick of guilt crushing his gut.

He hadn't wanted to think about it. About the people who would get hurt if they knew about him and Videl. Reece liked Videl, and he didn't seem like a bad guy either. Videl wouldn't have gone out on a date with him otherwise.

Gohan still felt his heart clench at the thought of that guy kissing Videl, but he had no say in what she did, and with whom, before they got together. He couldn't blame her, either. If Gohan had believed that kissing another girl might have helped him ease the pain a little and get over Videl when he thought they couldn't be together, he probably would've tried to forget about her like that, too.

It still didn't sit right with him. He should've been the only one to kiss Videl's lips.

And then there was Erasa. Who was apparently crazy about him, from what Videl told him. Gohan truly hoped that it wouldn't take too long for Erasa to get over him and move on with someone else. She was a great girl and deserved to be happy too. It didn't sit well with him, either, that his happiness was at the expense of one of his closest friends.

"What are you writing to her?" he asked, seeing Videl taping on her phone.

"'Don't say anything, I'll deal with it later,'" she read her reply, before hitting send. Her shoulders slumped. "I saw her Saturday. I told her I wasn't interested in him."

He nodded his head, his face serious as he watched his girlfriend carefully. Her mood had soured completely. It broke his heart to see Videl so dejected. She looked close to tears.

"I lied to her, you know. She figured out how I felt about you, and I lied to her face, saying I didn't see you like that, that I just liked you as a friend."

Gohan swallowed thickly. His fists clenched at his sides. His eyes burned. He hated seeing her like this.

"I'm sorry, Videl," he croaked out. He took a step towards her and grabbed her hand, staring deep into her eyes. "I'm so sorry. You wouldn't have had to lie if it weren't for me."

But Videl shook her head, her eyes tightly shut. "But I could've come clean to her. It was the perfect opportunity. She looked resigned, like she was ready to accept seeing us together, even if it did hurt. But I panicked, and my first instinct… My first instinct was to lie."

He wrapped an arm around her waist and cupped her cheek with his other hand, brushing her unshed tears off her long lashes with his thumb. "You're human, Videl. As sad as it sounds, lying is part of being human."

She gave him a dry smile. "Oh, but you don't know the best part yet. I'm fucking amazing at lying. I should've won a prize. Honestly, it was really something. I bet I could convince a giant to buy heels, or a blind person to buy eyeglasses."

Gohan didn't know how to respond to that. If only he could come up with the right words that would make her feel better. But nothing came to him. So, instead, Gohan brought her to him and held her close, burying his face in the crook of her neck, hoping his presence was soothing her a little, at least.

"I'm sorry," he said again.

"It's not your fault. It was in me all along." She sighed, leaning into his embrace. "With a father like mine, it's no wonder I can lie like second nature."

His heart stopped for a second.

What… What did she say?

"Your… dad?"

What did she mean? Could it be… Did Videl know that her father… Did she see through his lies to the world, just like she had seen through his lie about the bank robbery on their very first encounter?

"Don't pretend you don't know what I mean, Gohan," she murmured into his chest. "Out of all people, you should know what I'm talking about."

He tried to swallow the gigantic lump stuck in his throat. "When did you…?"

She shrugged, before snuggling closer to him. "I put two and two together soon after I met you as Saiyaman. You checked all the boxes."

"Why didn't you… Why haven't you asked me about it, the other day? When I told you about my origins."

"There was nothing to ask. My dad is a fraud and took your credit for beating Cell. I already know that."

Videl was too clever for her own good. It baffled him that she had known about Cell all along.

"How did you figure it out? About your dad lying?"

"I could always tell when he lied, ever since I was little." Her hands clutched his shirt on his back. "So when I heard him say he beat Cell on TV, I knew instantly. I lost all respect for him that day."

Gohan tightened his hold around Videl, almost crushing her in his arms. "I'm so, so sorry, Videl. If I had known it would damage your relationship with him… I wouldn't have let him take the credit."

She chuckled slightly, half-heartedly. "But you didn't even know me back then."

x

Gohan pulled back slightly, a deep frown etched across his usually relaxed features. "Even so. If I had known that his lie would affect his relationship with his daughter, regardless of who you were, I wouldn't have let him take the credit. I was just glad I didn't have to deal with the aftermath and I… I didn't think. I never thought about how his lie could affect the people close to him."

Videl cracked a small smile, reaching up to cup his cheek. What an adorable boy. "Thank you, Gohan."

He smiled dryly. "For what, ruining your relationship with your dad?"

"You didn't. He did. It was his choice to lie to the world. Nobody forced him."

"It was my choice to let him."

"But you would've hated the spotlight."

"I hate what this has done to you even more. And I like your dad, you know. He's a good man, despite his flaws. That's why I didn't mind letting him take the credit."

Videl pulled away from him, averting her gaze. She didn't want to hear that. Her father may have done good things with his fame, but that didn't change the fact that he made the whole world worship him under false pretenses. Nothing could ever make up for that. Nothing he could do would ever be good enough to make up for that.

"Let's get going," she muttered. "The bell's going to ring soon."

x

His heart sank. This was his fault. No matter what Videl could say – he had let this happen. He hadn't thought of the consequences his decision may have. He hadn't thought of what it meant for the family of the man who claimed to have saved the world, if he let him take the credit.

This was on him. He shouldn't have let it happen. He should have at least had a talk with Mr. Satan after what happened, make sure there was no collateral damage to his lie.

Videl's relationship with her father was strained, because of him.

It explained her visceral hatred for lies, come to think of it. No wonder she hated liars so vehemently – she had to share her DNA with one.

The bell rang. Videl was turning away, going for the door to the roof. Gohan caught her wrist before she touched the handle and twirled her around, pulling her to him and capturing her lips in a deep kiss.

He wanted to make her feel better, any way he could. Kissing her had done the trick the other night – hopefully it worked again this time.

She was smiling at him when he pulled back, and Gohan felt relief ease off the weight in his chest. He cupped her cheek.

"We're going to be late, Gohan," she reminded him, notes of amusement in her voice. "And we actually came to school extra early, too."

He chuckled and pulled away, giving her a wink. "Worth it."

ooOoo

The target was in sight. Gohan was alone, oblivious and adorable as always, a cute frown on his face. Erasa felt her heart race in her chest as she watched the tall, handsome boy push the cart full of books, before making a stop and putting one back on the shelf.

This was it. It was now or never. And it was about time she asked out the boy she liked.

Feeling nervous but determined, Erasa walked over to her crush, who was moving to the next spot to put away another book.

"Hey, Gohan."

He turned to her and a smile formed on his lips. Somehow, it looked different than his usual carefree smiles, but it still made her heart thump loudly in her chest.

"Hi, Erasa. How was your weekend?"

She leaned back against the row of shelves, her hands behind her back, and shrugged her shoulders. "The usual. Nothing worth mentioning."

She tucked her bangs behind her ear, her hand trembling slightly as she did. Gosh, she felt like a wreck. This wasn't like her – it wasn't her first time asking out a guy she liked.

It may be her first time asking out a guy she felt so strongly about, though.

"Do you have something planned after school?"

She looked at him anxiously as she went for it, and hoped for the best. Her chest tightened when she saw his hand freeze, still holding the book he had been about to put back on the shelf. Did the color drain from his face, or was it just her imagination?

"I… uh…" He cleared his throat and turned his gaze to her. "Wh… Why do you ask?"

"Well… I was thinking, maybe we could go grab something to eat together?"

She didn't mean to sound so hesitant, like she wasn't sure herself. Why did he have to make her so damn nervous?

"I… guess…"

x

Was Erasa asking him out? Well, technically, she did ask him to eat out, but, like, would they be going as friends, or would they be going on a date?

Was it really okay to say yes when he just got together with Videl? What would she think of this, for that matter?

Gohan felt a pang in his chest as Erasa's eyes lit up and she jumped to her feet. "Awesome! Let's meet up in the parking lot after school."

"Uh…"

He didn't agree properly to the meeting place, but apparently Erasa didn't need him to. She was already skipping her way out, humming happily to herself.

It would be a good thing for her, right? Maybe, if they went out, Erasa would understand that they didn't suit each other. Maybe that was what she needed to get over him and move on.

What if she confessed to him? Gohan tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He didn't want to have to do this. He didn't want to break her heart, even if there was no way around it.

It wasn't fair. Why did he have to hurt his friend to be happy with the girl he loved? Why did others have to get tangled into their relationship? Why couldn't they just be happy?

"Um… Hi."

Gohan turned to the newcomer, and his heart sank a little more as he recognized the basketball player.

Another collateral damage.

"Hi… You're Reece, right?"

The other boy raised his eyebrows. "Do I know you?"

"No, but I've seen you play," Gohan offered with a friendly smile. "You're pretty good."

His face lit up with a grin. "Thanks, I appreciate that."

"Did you need something? Are you looking for a book, maybe?"

He was stalling, of course. Gohan could guess why the guy had come to talk to him. Or maybe he was hoping that Reece wasn't really looking for Videl, that he was actually in the library to get himself something to read.

"Ah, no, I'm good, thanks. I'm actually looking for Videl. Videl Satan. I'm told she hangs around here a lot."

"She does," Gohan confirmed, busying himself with the books he had to put back in their places, pushing the cart further down the aisle of bookcases. "But she's not here right now."

Reece jogged after him. "Um… Do you, maybe, know where she could…?"

Gohan shrugged. "The courtyard, probably. She's usually under the same tree."

Reece tilted his head slightly. "You seem to know her well. You're a friend of hers?"

Gohan paused for a moment, pretending he was reading the cover of the book he was holding.

We're more than friends, was what he wanted to say, but he wasn't allowed to. He couldn't tell anyone. He had to lie, too – but unlike Videl, he was pretty terrible at it.

"Uhh, you could say that."

Which was why he usually tried to be as vague as possible.

Luckily, most people weren't as sharp as his girlfriend.

Reece cracked a grin. "She's awesome, isn't she? I still can't believe she agreed to go out with me." Gohan felt a dart shoot through his chest; he tried not to wince. "I've liked her for so long. I've known her since middle school, you know." And another dart. Dang, that hurt. "Well, we were never that close, not even friends, but I've always liked her. There's something about the air about her, you know? Something she gives off. It draws you in. Know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I get it." More than you know.

"Anyway, I'm gonna check the courtyard, see if I can find her. Thanks for the help!"

Gohan watched the oblivious boy hurry off with a painful pang in his chest. Reece was a genuinely nice guy, the kind Gohan could've easily become friends with. And now he was off to get his heart broken. Gohan could only hope that the guy hadn't fallen for Videl as hard as he did, so that it wouldn't hurt as much as it had when Videl repeatedly rejected him.

Unluckily for the other guy – or perhaps, luckily? – the bell rang shortly after he left the library, meaning the morning break was over and that students were supposed to go back to their classrooms. It also incidentally meant that Reece wouldn't have time to see Videl now.

Gohan put away the book cart back in the storage room, leaving the rest of his work for later. He waved at Mrs. Huston who distractedly waved back, and walked out of the library. He let out a sigh, and wondered why this situation with Videl couldn't be less complicated. He knew they couldn't help it but geez, why did other people have to get hurt so that he and Videl could be together? His shoulders slumped in dejection at the thought. Were the collateral damages really inevitable?

It just didn't sit well with him…

ooOoo

"Hey, Videl! Wait up!"

She had been about to push the familiar double doors open when Reece called her out, and she froze. Videl swallowed, hearing his fast steps as he rushed to her side. Well, there was no point in postponing the inevitable. She felt bad enough for leading him on when she always knew, deep down, that she couldn't like him the way he liked her.

She greeted him and still walked inside the library, and Reece followed after her. It wasn't such a smart move, she realized as she locked eyes with Gohan for the briefest moment, but she had hoped that if they were in the library, they at least wouldn't be making a scene.

She kept walking, Reece's steps following closely after her, and she picked up a random book on a random bookshelf, figuring that if she stared at the pages she wouldn't have to look at him when she broke his heart.

She was such a coward.

"Videl," Reece said softly, moving closer to her. "Is something wrong? I feel like you're avoiding me. You didn't answer my text this weekend…"

He sighed, and Videl fidgeted nervously, glancing up at him. Staying in between bookcases wasn't such a good idea, either. It reminded her too much of Gohan, and of the time he cornered her there and kissed her. She looked sideways to the tall young man in question, who wasn't very far from them, and Gohan sent her an encouraging smile.

"Is it because…? Because of what happened after our date? I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, Videl," said Reece. "Would you go out with me again? I can wait until you're ready. I'm sorry if you felt like I was rushing you, that wasn't my intention."

She fiddled with the book distractedly, finally looking up at him. She gave him a sad smile, and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Reece. You're a great guy and I do like you, but it's just…"

"What is it?" he asked, a frown creasing his forehead.

Videl sighed, and cringed slightly as she answered. "I just… I don't like you that way. I'm sorry."

It was the truth, but it was still a horrible thing to say to someone. Reece's brows furrowed deeper, his expression hardening while he obviously made sure to conceal how he really felt.

"Then why… Why did you agree to go out with me?" he asked, and Videl could see that he was forcing the words out.

"I guess… I owe you the truth…" she whispered anxiously. She swallowed. "I was trying to forget about this guy and move on… I'm so sorry, Reece, I know it's a really awful thing to do, but I really did hope it would work out between us."

"Only you don't like me that way," he stated blankly. He let out a sigh, running his hand through his hair. "So who's the other guy?"

Videl avoided his gaze again, focused on the book in her hands. "I'd rather not say."

"Are you with him, now?"

"I really don't want to talk about him, Reece," she said, before looking up at him again, smiling sadly. "I'd ask if we could stay friends but…"

"Yeah, that usually doesn't work," he agreed. He brushed her bangs softly, with the tip of his fingers, his eyes showing melancholy as he gazed at her. "I guess I understand better now, why you seemed somewhat distant with me," he said softly. "And why you didn't let me kiss you."

His words were immediately followed by the sound of books tumbling down on the floor. The pair looked towards the row of desks, where a flustered Gohan was apologizing profusely to the library lady for the noise, while picking up the books scattered around and under the desks.

Could he… Could he have heard us? From this far? Videl wondered in disbelief. There were still many things she didn't know about Gohan and his… alien powers. They hadn't really talked about it since he'd told her about his origins. Could he have super hearing, too?

Reece cleared his throat, and Videl turned back to him. He smiled slightly, and bent down to kiss her cheek.

"Thanks for being honest with me," he said, and Videl smiled back at him. "I'll see you in the basketball club, then?"

She nodded her head. "Sure. You know I love basketball."

Reece left, and Videl felt surprisingly lighter now. His understanding helped a lot, and Videl truly hoped that he find a girl who would make him happy. As much as Gohan was making her happy.

Speaking of which, Videl walked over to her boyfriend, who was seated at one of the desks and staring aimlessly ahead of him, his eyes wide open. He looked up when Videl sat down next to him.

"He didn't kiss you," he said in disbelief. Videl blinked. "I thought I saw… I was so sure he kissed you."

"What… are you talking about, Gohan?" she asked cautiously.

"Remember the night when…" He lowered his voice. "When I went to see you in your room. You had a date with him before that, and I was actually waiting for you to get home by your house so I could talk to you about us."

Videl tilted her head in confusion. "But we didn't kiss. Yeah, he tried to kiss me, and I tried to let him for that matter, but I pulled away at the last moment. How could you think you saw us kissing?"

Gohan blinked, and then a flash of realization crossed his eyes. "I turned away!" he whispered. "I didn't want to see it so I turned away. That must've been when you pulled away from him."

Videl chuckled. "Well, that's some timing."

He cracked a smile and let the side of his head rest into the fold of his arm on the desk, looking at her in relief. "I'm so glad. I felt so sick thinking another guy kissed you."

"Silly you," she said, giggling. She wished they weren't out in the open, so that she could show him her affection freely. Sure, there was only Mrs. Huston around, and the chances that the elderly lady and Erasa would have a chat was pretty unlikely, but it was still a risk she was not willing to take.

His other hand reached for hers under the desk, while he was still leaning on his arm. "I'm the only one who's allowed to kiss you," he declared in a low tone, smiling at her.

"And you're the only one who has," she added, giving his hand a squeeze.

"Good."

His eyes were gleaming in relief and playfulness, and Videl grinned. Then he suddenly stood and said in a low voice, giving her a wink, "Follow me in a moment."

As he passed behind her, his hand brushed her arm, the simple contact sending a pleasant chill down her spine. Videl didn't have the patience to wait more than a few seconds. She tried not to be too obvious as she soon got up as well and followed after Gohan's trail. He was waiting for her at the very deep end of the rows of bookcases, that cute smile of his on his lips.

But what seemed like a dead end at first turned out to be a door. It blended in so well that she'd actually never noticed it.

Gohan held it open to let her in, and followed after her, flicking on the light switch. Videl blinked, looking around her. More books were stored here, on high shelves fixated to the wall, as well as in various-sized cupboards, scattered around the rather large storage room.

"How come I never knew about this room?" she wondered out loud.

"You didn't?" Gohan chuckled.

"Nope. I had no idea the library even had a storage room," she said. "Though I guess I should've figured."

"It's pretty convenient for us to use, don't you think?" he said, closing the door behind them.

And then she barely had time to breathe when Gohan pushed her against the door and captured her lips in an urgent kiss.

Her body was quivering when he pulled back, now staring at her intensely. She could read his eyes easily: they were screaming that she was his, and only his.

She nodded her head, as if agreeing with his unspoken claim, and Gohan smiled, stroking her cheek. Videl closed her eyes, leaning to his gentle touch, and soon enough she felt his lips on hers again.

Ah… It felt so good. This was ecstasy. She couldn't help wanting more, always more – she just couldn't get enough of Gohan.

She was so addicted to his kisses.

June 5, 2021