The following morning Bulma was determined to smooth things over with Goku. She caught him on his way to the mess hall in the morning, so she jogged up to him.
"Goku, can we talk?" Bulma asked ask as she grabbed her best friend by the arm.
"Sure, what's up?" Goku smiled. He didn't really seem upset, but she knew she had to apologize anyway. She thought about it all last night, and came up with the most logical reason why Goku would hide his relationship with Chi Chi from her. Bulma looked down and the ground and sighed before she began.
"I'm really sorry I've been a bad friend lately. I totally understand why you wouldn't tell me about Chi Chi, when I said some not so nice things about her at the beginning of camp. But I've gotten to know her better, and I really like her. So I guess what I'm trying to say is I totally approve and you don't have to hide it from me anymore," she rambled. She looked up at Goku who smiled back at her, with a hint of guilt.
"I appreciate you saying all the Bulma, but I wasn't trying to hide anything from you," he began as he scratched the back of his head with a laugh. "I just sorta forget to mention it." He avoided her stare after his admission. Bulma closed her eyes, pursed her lips, and huffed a big breath out her nose.
She laid awake in her bed for hours, pondering the reasons her best friend would keep this secret from her, then determined the most probable scenario, only to be reminded that nothing was ever that complex with Goku.
"So we're cool?" Bulma confirmed.
"Always," Goku said before he captured her in a big hug. Bulma smiled in relief. He left his arm around Bulma's shoulders as the friends strolled over to the mess hall together.
Bulma ate a muffin and some fruit for breakfast, Goku ate the same but in a much larger quantity. She wanted her best friend to dish about everything that had transpired between him and Chi Chi, but she was sitting at their table too. Once everyone was seated and eating, Bulma raised her voice and addressed the group in an announcement.
"Now that everyone is finished with their prep work, we can enjoy some time to ourselves before the campers arrive. This morning we will be going to the obstacle course together, then we get a free afternoon. Tomorrow, you'll have a free morning, then we'll go swimming and canoeing together that afternoon," Bulma explained. "Use this time as you'd like because once the campers arrive we'll be staying pretty busy!"
After Bulma finished everyone began eating and chatting again.
"What is everyone going to do with their free time?" Chi Chi asked the group. Krillin and Goku gave each other a mischievous look, but before Bulma could ask what it was all about. Eighteen chimed in to answer Chi Chi's question.
"Probably lay out by the lake," the blonde shrugged, "I'm trying to get a tan."
"Ooh, I might have to join you!" Chi Chi replied excitedly.
"I'm trying to get some alone time with a certain blue haired camp director," Yamcha said flirtatiously as he looked directly at Bulma. She blushed at the very forward comment made in front of an audience. He obviously did not interpret her avoidance of his kiss as a rejection.
"I want to hangout with you too, Bulma!" Goku added. Bulma laughed unsure if he was trying to save her from the awkward situation or if he was just naive to the innuendo in Yamcha's comment. Vegeta seemed very amused by the interaction as he continued munching on a slice of toast.
After everyone finished their breakfast, the group walked over to Goku and Krillin's station together. Each counselor took their turn running the course while being timed.
Goku went first to demonstrate, but instead of explaining the obstacles as he went, he rushed through like his life depended on it. It didn't take long for Bulma to realize he was showing off for Chi Chi. The raven haired girl jumped around and applauded with much more enthusiasm than anyone else.
When Goku returned to the group he gave her a sweet smile and asked if she wanted to try. Chi Chi nodded and got onto the starting line. Krillin started the timer and she took off. Bulma was surprised how gracefully Chi Chi navigated the course, Goku seemed to be very proud.
After Seventeen and Eighteen ran the course, Bulma concluded she was probably the least athletic out of the entire group. She decided it didn't matter if her time wasn't very fast as long as she didn't fall. One fall is an accident, two falls and you're labeled as a klutz.
Krillin ran the course as expertly as Goku, but just a touch slower. Next up after him was Yamcha.
"This one's for you," he said with a wink and a finger gun at Bulma. She gave him an awkward smile, as Vegeta rolled his eyes and Eighteen snorted a laugh. Apparently it was obvious to everyone but Yamcha, that she wasn't interested.
Yamcha's time was on par with the other boys, but looked clumsy compared to Vegeta's run. Bulma knew Vegeta was an athlete, but the way he moved through the course with such power and grace was truly impressive.
Vegeta was the only person who could come close to Goku's time, but he didn't seem to care enough to run it again. Bulma wondered if his objective was more to be better than Yamcha than be the best overall. She couldn't help but think her attention had something to do with it.
Bulma ran the course last, and was able to not trip on anything. Even though her time was dreadfully slow, everyone still clapped and patted her on the back.
Next they made their way over to the zip line. On the ground, Krillin secured everyone in the harnesses and helmets. Goku stood atop a platform and waited to hook the next person to the line that extended about sixty feet. The two boys seemed to be getting along much better and their collaborative efforts proved efficient. Bulma climbed up the ladder and Goku hooked her up to the line.
"All you have to do is run and jump off the platform!" Goku explained, "once you get to the bottom just unhook yourself and you're good to go."
Holding on to the rope that connected her to the line, Bulma excitedly leapt from the platform. The line dipped from her weight as she zipped past the trees. The breeze rushing past her face was exhilarating.
Feeling fancy, Bulma leaned back until she hung upside down and kicked her legs out wide. The other counselors laughed and clapped at her silly display. It was obvious that this would become a contest of who could ride the zip line in the most creative way.
As she neared the end, she righted herself to prepare to stop. Bulma swung up as she hit the stopper before catching her feet onto the lower platform. She reached up, unhooked her rope from the line, and carried it with her as she backed away. Before she could step down from the platform, Yamcha was barreling down the line and attempting all sorts of crazy moves.
He wasn't as proactive about ending right side up, so when he hit the stopper and swung up, he flailed almost hitting Bulma. In an attempt to dodge Yamcha's feet, the blue haired girl jumped back.
Bulma lost her footing, slipped off the edge of the platform, and fell backwards a few feet before hitting the ground. The impact of her back slamming into ground knocked the wind out of her. Her head bounced off the dirt before she scrunched her eyes closed and winced in pain.
When Bulma opened her eyes, her vision was slightly blurred but she could make out the half dozen figures that stood over her. They were all whispering. All Bulma could think was, 'maybe I am a klutz.'
"Back up, would ya! Give her some air!" she heard Vegeta's voice saying. The figures did as they were told and one bent down closer to her. Bulma blinked and the flame haired figure came into better focus. Vegeta snapped his fingers in front of her face.
"Bulma... can you hear me?" he asked softly.
"That hurt," she groaned in reply. Vegeta sighed, relieved that she was likely more shaken up than injured.
"Are you good to sit up?" he said as he began helping her to sit. Vegeta undid the helmet's clasp under her chin and removed it for her. Bulma looked around at the concerned faces of her fellow counselors as she felt the where he head hit the ground. She surely would have had a huge lump hand it not been for her helmet.
Bulma was startled when Vegeta grabbed the sides of her face and leaned in close. His dark eyes searched hers so deeply that Bulma felt the breath leave her lungs again.
"Tell me something, Bulma," he began, his firm hands rested on her cheeks. She hummed her acknowledgment. His proximity and intense eye contact put her in some kind of trance, it was like they were the only two people out in this entire forest. She couldn't help her stare falling to his lips and wonder what they might feel like against hers.
"Are you really that clumsy or do you just hurt yourself as an excuse to talk to me," he smirked. And with that the spell was broken. Bulma let out a irritated groan and shoved him away. Vegeta released her face and laughed.
"You're pupils look even, so I doubt you have a concussion," Vegeta announced as he got up and dusted off his shorts. Bulma scowled at Vegeta, then Goku reached his hand out to help Bulma up. She accepted but continued glaring at Vegeta. He was so infuriating, she couldn't even believe she wanted to kiss that jerk.