Chapter 3: Gohan and Videl
"... And Tien Shinhan advances to the semifinals!" Gohan heard the reporter's announcement, while the widescreen TV screen briefly shows Tien's face.
The 13 years old was sitting in the backstage waiting area. Gohan's semi-finals advancement was the first one announced which is why he's been cooling his heels for a while now. Being used to simple furnishings of his house, the boy finds the room a bit uncomfortable. The air conditioned room is much too cold and the couch way too plush for his liking. Or maybe, Gohan thought, I'm not used to just sitting and doing nothing. Since he was four, everything in his life, everything he do, had a purpose, which are, most often than not, fighting some strong adversary. Even the downtime (the longest he had was the 10 days wait before the Cell Games) had the purpose of giving his body ample rest before the next bout of battles. Like a soldier who had been in the battlefield for far too long, Gohan got the hard-fought peace he longed for but isn't sure how to go on having a civilian life, much less becoming a normal kid, something he had never been.
"I'm probably just thirsty," he said to himself, shrugging. Leaving the waiting area to wander the corridors, he rounded a corner and saw a black-haired girl kicking a vending machine.
"Cough up my soda or give me back my money, you thief!" she yelled, giving the metal cabinet another vicious kick. Gohan saw the problem: a can of soda was tilting from its row, but hadn't dropped all the way down to the vending receptacle.
The girl raised her leg for another kick when Gohan said, "'Hey, wait. Let me see if I can budge it somehow."
The girl glanced around and saw a kid at the corner, who seems to be around her age. Nice hair, Videl thought randomly, looking at his wild spiky hair. She shrugged but moved out of the way. Gohan walked in front of the machine, positioning himself so that he'll block the girl's view.
''Hmm, let's see now..." Gohan placed a finger on the glass in front of the stuck soda can and released a minuscule ki wave. The can suddenly righted itself and finally dropped to the receptacle.
The girl's jaw dropped. "How did you-"
She saw him merely touch the glass, not shake the machine or anything, but somehow that's enough to move the soda can. Maybe he just tapped the glass and that was enough to shift the can which was about to drop anyway? She shrugged and took the drink.
"Thanks. Would you like something too? My treat," Videl added quickly.
Gohan grinned sheepishly, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. "Thank you! Um, maybe an energy drink?"
"Sure. That one okay?" pointing to a bottle. The boy nodded. Videl inserted a bill, punched a button, and handed Gohan his drink. He took a long swig of the cold beverage.
"Whew! I needed that. Thanks! By the way, I'm-"
"There you are, miss!"
A harried looking guy was barreling down the corridor towards the teenagers.
"Your dad has been looking for you! The next batch of interviews are about to begin in a few minutes. You're one of the panels right? Let's go!" He grabbed her wrist and dragged her unceremoniously away. Videl had no choice but to just wave and give a goodbye smile at the boy.
"See you around! Thanks again!"
"Bye!" Gohan said, raising his hand in a wave too. But the girl had already turned into the corner and disappeared from his sight.