The Little Orphan Girl
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"You are a grown up kid. You shouldn't act this way," Bulma chided.
She had taken Bulla aside that night to have a talk with her. Bulma was not unaware of the tension between her daughters and she wanted to sort it out at any cost. She was trying to explain to Bulla that Susie had had a tough life. Bulla was tired of hearing the same thing again and again.
"Mom, she's so weird! She never answers properly, she has no respect for anyone and she is always trying to show her superiority! Why doesn't she just give up on the 'I'm-so-tough-I-don't-need-anyone-Get-lost' attitude?! Maybe it will help me like her more."
"She was an orphan, Bulla! It will take time to open up!"
"She's not even trying!"
"Are you trying to be friends with her?" Bulla asked.
"Yes, I am! I try not to get angry. I try so hard! And I really want to like her, be her friend! She is the one who pushes me away, not me! I'm beginning to hate her now. She's a brat!"
"Try to be a little patient."
"Why don't you say anything to her? She's your daughter too, right? Then why is it that I have to listen to your lecture and she gets all the attention and affection?!" Bulla snapped angrily.
"Shut up!" Bulma replied with the same fury, "You know it isn't true! We're just trying to help her open up!"
"She won't. She's too immature and stupid for that! Guess I'll have to make all the sacrifices."
"You, lady, aren't mature either! Were you a matured girl, we wouldn't be having this conversation! And Susie doesn't act as foolishly as you do. Maybe you can learn something from her!" Bulma almost yelled.
With that the blue haired woman left the room, slamming the door shut behind her.
Bulla stared at it for a long time. She needed to learn from Susie? From Susie?!
"AAARGGHH!" she cried out in frustration and kicked at the stool nearby.
She just needed some time alone.
The next morning Bulla was in a slightly better mood. The weather reflected it too; it was quite sunny. Perfect day to spend outdoors.
After she was done with dressing up and makeup, the girl made her way down to the breakfast table.
"Good morning people!" she greeted as she sat down.
"Good morning dear," Bulma greeted back as if nothing had happened the previous night.
"Mom," Bulla asked, "Can I spend the weekend at Pan's place? A sleepover?"
She hoped her mother would say yes. Bulla wanted some time alone. Well, not really alone, but far, far away from Susie. The said girl was looking at her as if she were the most interesting specimen on earth and she couldn't wait to know her secrets. Bulla shivered. Susie's gaze was so…unsettling.
"Perfect idea!" Bulma exclaimed, "Susie, I think you should go too."
Bulla's eyes widened at that. No, please no!
"Never mind," she muttered dejectedly and went back to sipping her juice.
"Why never mind?" Trunks asked. He had been so quiet all that while that Bulla had forgotten that he was there.
"I get it," he said softly, "You want to spend some time alone with your friend. That's why you don't want Susie to go with you. Perfectly understandable."
Bulla shot him a grateful look. Oh he was such a sweet brother!
"It's just that-" Bulla began, an excuse forming in her brain when she was interrupted by Susie.
"I don't have any problem spending time with Pan. I kind of like her company."
Bulla's eyebrows shot up so high, her forehead might as well have disappeared. That brat! She was doing it on purpose! To annoy Bulla! Oh, how much she hated her!
"Well, it's final then," Bulma said with a smile at Susie, "She will go with you."
Bulla's shoulders slumped. Just great!
"Mom, can you excuse me?" she asked.
"No. Finish your breakfast. After that you have to do the dishes."
"I'll do them. But I'm not hungry," Bulla said, standing up and pushing her plate away. With that she left the room.
There was an awkward silence after that. Finally Trunks broke it.
"That was- dramatic."
The sound of the clinking of dishes could be heard. Bulla was muttering curses under her breath. Bulma watched her from the doorway but then left after a sigh.
Vegeta had just returned from the training to have his breakfast. He looked up and saw Bulma's worried face.
"What is it?" he asked, "Baby-Mummy drama or sister-sister-brother drama?"
"How can you-? Sister-sister drama," Bulma replied.
Vegeta rolled his eyes and returned to his food.
"I'm worried Vegeta. The girls don't get along at all."
"Since the dawn of time girls have never got along," the Prince replied as he drowned his cup of tea.
"I'm not joking! Bulla really dislikes Susie. She didn't want to invite her for the sleepover."
"Well, doesn't really matter. The kid invited herself."
Bulma glared at her husband. He shrugged.
"Maybe because she feels threatened."
Bulma turned back to see her son walk into the room. He smiled at them.
"What do you mean?" Bulma asked.
"Bulla isn't able to accept that there is another girl in the house. She feels threatened. She is quite jealous too. We can't deny that we're giving Susie a lot of attention. Bulla isn't used to sharing her attention and love. That is making her jealous of the kid. She is afraid that we might start loving Susie more than her," Trunks elaborated.
If it was possible, Bulma felt even more distressed. Why, oh why did her kids have to go through all that?!
"If that is the case," Vegeta muttered, "Then they should go together. It's time they learn a few things."
"I'm torn between those two. I'm trying really hard to give them my equal attention but it's so…tough. I love Bulla and I want her to get along with Susie and be happy. I love Susie just as much and want her to be a permanent member of the family. But Bulla doesn't talk to me because she thinks I'm being partial towards Susie. And Susie doesn't open up at all and is always pushing me away. It's such a fix!"
"Well, if she has to be a part of our family she'll have to learn how to get along with us. She'll have to learn how to adjust and share and she will have to break her mental walls. Otherwise, there's just no hope," Bulma replied sharply.
Trunks frowned. His overprotective instinct took over. He had to defend her.
"You make it sound like a threat. I hope you don't really mean it."
Bulma looked perplexed for a second. It was Trunks' tone that sounded like a threat.
"I'm not making threats, dear. I'm just stating the fact. I'm trying really hard to understand her problem. They must be together for more time though. They need to learn how to adjust and how to trust each other. That is vital to keep a family together."
Vegeta got up from the table, having done with his breakfast. Both his son and wife were looking at him.
"What?" he asked.
"What do you think?" Bulma asked.
Vegeta sighed. This was getting really annoying now, all this girly conflict.
"Whatever you say," he replied and walked out of the house.
