Chapter 8
The Halloween Dance
Author's note: I am so very sorry, on Halloween weekend I got really sick, and then I had exams to worry about, but don't worry I passed them all :) Now, terribly terribly sorry about the lateness but, sit back, relax, enjoy, and reviewing would be nice.
Gohan dashed through the crowds back to his family and friends. He spent the rest of the evening with them and his Dad. Later that night his mom and Bulma tagged team to convince Goku into doing their plan.
"Look Goku, maybe back when Cell was around it would be safe if you stayed dead," Chi-Chi stated, "But now it doesn't matter anymore please just go to the lookout and make the wishes!"
"And Goku you have two kids now!," Bulma added, "You can't just leave Chi-Chi alone with two growing boys!"
"And they need a dad, Goku," Chi-Chi said, starting to tear up, "please Goku come home,"
"I guess you guys didn't noticed," Goku said, "But I've trying to say yes for twenty minutes now,"
"Oh you will?" Chi-Chi asked, hugging him tightly,
"Sure I will," Goku replied, "Let's go Gohan,"
"Alright dad, let's roll!" Gohan said trying slang for the first time in a while, when he saw his father's confused look he said, "Oh, I tried some high school slang, I guess it didn't work out to well did it?"
After that slightly awkward moment, they zoomed off towards the lookout. When they got there Dende was there to meet them. They started their plan, Dende had already collected the Dragon balls. Using a wish he contacted New Namek. And they made the wish for Goku to come back to life.
Goku watched as his halo disappeared, "Wow I'm alive again, what is that the third time?"
"Hmm... I think so, let's see, Raditz, Cell, and I guess technically the time you had a heart disease," Gohan replied in a mumble,
"Well let's hope that you don't have anymore health issues," Dende said with a smile,
"Yeah I'm running come-back-to-life cards," Goku laughed,
They flew back home after saying goodbye to Dende. The next day Goku, Gohan, and Goten spent the whole day together. But the next day Gohan had to go back to school, and Goku had to go straighten things out with King Kai. The day dragged on slowly at school for Gohan, when he was finally in fourth period he felt like the first three periods had taken years. Gohan guessed it was because he needed to talk to Erasa. Finally he was sitting at the round table in the back with Erasa.
"So you didn't ask her huh?" Erasa asked,
Gohan bowed his head in shame, "No, no I didn't,"
"All right, I need an extension then,"
"An extension of what?"
"Love doesn't come cheap, Gohan,"
he sighed, "How much?"
"My math homework for the next week," she replied,
"Is this actually an extension? Because all you have to do is ask me and I would do it for free, Erasa,"
"It's an extension," She said, winking at him,
"Right," he grumbled,
"Alright then, let's think here, let's try and figure out how you could ask her to the dance,"
"Why don't I just walk up and ask her?" He asked,
Erasa produced a roll of paper from her purse and started hitting the top of his head with each word, "No, no, no,"
"Why not?" he asked, rubbing his head, "And what's up with the paper?"
"Look Gohan, it's got to be memorable, people get the first kiss at dances Gohan, everything has got to be perfect," she replied, "and the paper is a new teaching tool, every time you are wrong I'll hit you with it,"
"Sounds kinda- ow!"
"No talking while I'm thinking,"
Normally that wouldn't have hurt, but she caught him off guard. Gohan buried his face into his folded arms, ah, what am I going to do? It's always so stressful, he thought to himself, First kiss? With Videl? His mind quickly shot to a picture of Videl in a dress, puckering her lips, and he could feel heat arriving on his face. This was all happening while Erasa was talking.
"So what do you think about that plan Gohan?"
"Huh? Wah?" Gohan murmured, "Ow!"
"No fantasizing while I'm talking,"
"I wasn't fantasi- ow!"
"No lying,"
"Oof... can we stop with the pap- ow!"
"No,"
"Okay, I'll be good," he sighed,
"Good, now since you weren't listening I'll tell you again, how about you take her to the beach around sunset,"
"I don't have a car, or a license,"
"Oh, that's right, hmm... how about taking her to Derecha's?"
"The most expensive place in town?" He asked, "I had a hard time paying for the meal at Ninja Pizza Parlor,"
"Hmm, I know!" She exclaimed, "Climb up her balcony and into her room, and ask her to go with you,"
"I don't know," he said, "If I surprise her, she will use her "kick-in-the-face first ask questions later" policy,"
"hmm, yeah," Erasa said, "man the others weren't this hard to plan,"
"Others?" Gohan asked, "Others of what?"
"The others seeing me for Videl,"
"There are others!"
"Well duh, I told you remember? And no screaming!" She swung the roll of paper, but this time Gohan caught it,
"You didn't say anything about others!"
"Yes I did Gohan! I'm sure you have probably noticed this by now, but Videl is freaking hot, Gohan,"
"Yeah but-"
"So don't you think others besides you would like to date her?"
"That's not the problem," he replied, "the problem is that you never told me,"
"Yes I did Gohan," she laughed, "I didn't think it mattered,"
"It does!"
"Look Gohan you are the one who has the most chance, I mean she is already obsessed with you,"
"Not with me, with exposing me, there's a difference!"
"Just calm down, before people hear, jeez Gohan,"
"Sorry- ow!" he apologized, getting nailed one more time with the roll,
"No problem," she said, "you know she's not the only one with people requesting her, you have fourteen girls requesting you,"
"Wha? Really?" he asked, now that he thought about it, a lot of girls had been hinting stuff about the dance, and some were trying to corner him lately, especially Keiko, "So uh... how many for Videl?"
"She's up to Twenty-seven now,"
Gohan chose the wrong time to take a drink from his bottle of water, he sprayed water everywhere, "Twenty-seven!"
"Mm-hmm numero veintesiete, senor," She said,
"Quit with the Spanish this is serious Erasa,"
"Lo siento senor,"
Gohan was about to say something but the bell rang,
"If I think of something I'll call you, you still got my phone right?"
"Yeah,"
"Okay, nos vemos despues de la escuela, Gohan,"
"Oh, brother..."
Gohan made his way to Language Arts, his fifth period, oh great now I have to deal with Sharpner now, he was making his way around the corner when he ran into a girl, literally.
"I'm so sorry," he apologized, while helping pick her stuff up,
"No problem Gohan," she said,
"err... Hana right?" He asked,
"No Gohan, Hina, that's six times now..." she replied
"Sorry, I'm not very good with names," he apologized nervously, rubbing the back of his neck,
"Yeah I noticed," she scoffed, "Hey uh, Gohan, I was wondering if you had a uh... date for-"
"Uh-oh I got to go Hina, I'm going to be late," without another word he took off for class, phew... That was close, I hope I don't run into anyone els-
"Hiya Gohan," Keiko said, she was standing in front of the doorway to go into class smiling, Gohan skidded to a stop, and almost slammed into her. His jaw dropped at what he saw; Keiko was wearing very short shorts, and a tank top that showed a lot of cleavage.
"What do you think?" Keiko asked, gesturing towards her clothing,
"Uh... I think those are shorter than school regulation," Was all he could say as he pointed to her shorts, he tried to slip through the door, brushing against the frame trying to get past Keiko. Almost in, just a little more-
"Hey Gohan," She said, grabbing onto his arm, crushing any hope of escaping, "Do you have a date to the dance?"
"I-I uh... you s-see i-it's like th-this,"
"Mr. Son, Ms. Miyagi, would you mind joining us?" the teacher asked,
Oh thank God! Gohan thought running up to his seat next to Sharpner.
"Sup nerd,"
"Nothing... Sharpy,"
"I'm warnin' you nerdboy one more time..."
"All right class today we will be reciting Romeo's speech outside Juliet's balcony-"
Gohan zoned out, while Sharpner was staring and drooling shamelessly at Keiko. Gohan continued to try and think of ways how to build up the courage, and the how to ask Videl to go to the dance. Now the only way he could think of, was to tell her his secret and then ask, how original, that always seemed to be the only way it would work; well, what had Erasa said, "No secrets in a successful relationship".
"Gohan it is your turn to recite the speech," The teacher called out, Gohan almost fell out of his seat from surprise, everybody laughed.
"Right sorry sir," Gohan apologized embarrassed as he recited the speech:
But, soft! What light from yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon,
who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou, her maid, art far more far than she.
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green,
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off
It is my lady, O, it is my Love!
O that she knew she were!
She speaks yet says nothing what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold; 'tis not to me she speaks.
Two of the fairset stars in all the heaven
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in those spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!
Gohan sat back down and continued to think; while Sharpner struggled with an excuse as to why he hadn't memorized the speech. Thinking back on the story of Romeo and Juliet Gohan really wished it would be that easy with Videl; just spew a few bits poetry at her and she'd be willing to go to the dance with him. If he actually tried that she'd probably laugh at him. While he was lost in thought the bell rang and he dashed out before he could get trapped by Keiko; he was more scared of girls than he was of Cell. He burst through the doors with the number two on it and flew up the stairs but stopped on the third floor. He looked through the window and saw a crowd gathering so he went to check it out.
"Wow he's got gut's,"
"hmph... good luck,"
"Oh my God how romantic!"
Was muttered throughout the crowd as Gohan pushed through it. Finally after pushing through the tightly strewn crowd he saw what all the "Awws" and "ughs" were all about. Riku Okamoto, he was what Gohan's class mates called a 'Jock'; was on his knee with flowers in his hand reciting the Romeo balcony speech to Videl. He just replaced "Juliet" with Videl; Gohan could hardly watch, he was skipping several lines and paused several times trying to remember some. When he was finished everything went quiet, suspense building: she started to laugh and waved her hand dismissively. Now the crowd was filled with:
"Oh man, ouch..."
"Not surprising,"
"Oh, poor guy,"
The crowd was dispersing slowly while Riku just sat there on his knee, in complete disbelief that anyone would reject him; Gohan had noticed he was a day-to-day girl-to-girl kind of guy.
"Hey Gohan," Videl said,
Her voice made him jump, "Oh hey Videl," He said nervously, he started rubbing the back of his head and shifting his eyes to between the green lockers, the tiled floor and the green walls and ceiling.
"So... who were the people in the group you left the convention with?" Videl asked, smirking,
"You followed me after I left?" He asked,
Her face went a bit pink, "No, No, I just saw you leaving,"
He knew she was lying but he couldn't help smile about how she was really cute when she did.
"Why are you smiling?"
He blushed, and looked away "Oh no reason,"
"So..."
"Hey Videl I was wondering if-"
"Hiya Gohan where'd you run off to?" Keiko called from down the hallway,
"Eep!"
"Wow she is getting desperate," Videl laughed, looking around Gohan at Keiko,
"Oh gee look at my wrist I gotta go," He said, accidentally looking at his opposite wrist of his watch hand,
"Run Gohan! Run!" Videl called after him, laughing,
"You again," Keiko scoffed as she reached Videl, "Look honey I know you like him but let's face it he's gonna be mine,"
"What?" Videl blushed, "I do not!"
"You sooo do, you stalk him everywhere and he is the only guy I see you talking to,"
Gohan stopped, barely around the first corner farther down the hall from Keiko and Videl; to listen in on their conversation.
"That's ridiculous I-I do not!" Videl exclaimed still blushing,
"Then why are you still blushing?" Keiko asked
"I-I grr... Keiko watch yourself" Videl said clenching her fist,
"What about how you went with him to the convention, bet you forced him to go with you, or on the beach when you said that he is your nerd?"
"Last warning Keiko!"
"Whatever madam tacky!"
Gohan heard something like a smack but he didn't stick around to find out he rushed to the love doctor's office on the fourth floor.
Videl walked away from a crying and warning-about-suing Keiko; all she did was slap her slightly. Videl walked through the doors with the number three on them and stopped. Do I like Gohan? No, no, no, you just want to find out all his secrets. Well yeah, but he is kinda- Come on this is Gohan we're talking about here! Jeez this is so confusing Did she really like him? Was the finding out his secrets thing just a facade, an excuse just to get closer to him? She wasn't sure, so she put it to the back of her mind and walked down the stairs. As she was walking down the stairs an idea popped up in her head what if she went and saw Erasa, she was the doctor of love after all she could help untangle her emotions. She decided that it would be way too embarrassing admitting that she liked someone, let alone to Erasa and instead went home. She didn't feel like following Gohan today.
Gohan opened the door to the Janitor's Closet stepped into the dark purple, pink Christmas lighted room. He took a number and sat down, Hina gave one last hopeful look before sighing in defeat and typing away on her computer again.
"Number 48, Gohan that's you,"
Gohan walked into the familiar white room with the bluish-pink carpeting. He closed the door and looked at the window.
"Hey Erasa,"
"Oh Gohan come on back," Erasa said in her mechanized voice,
"Okay," he said, he heard several clanks and clicks from behind the big metal door, it opened up and he walked inside. It was a very small room, Erasa was sitting in a chair next to the window typing away on a laptop. The room was painted white as well, there was no carpet just a tiled floor. There was a desk and board on the wall with different pictures of people on it; they were in twos, so Gohan guessed that they were couples. His guess was proven when he saw a picture of him next to a picture of Videl.
"Your the last we can leave," Erasa mumbled, she was really focused on what ever was on the laptop,
"How?" Gohan asked, "Erasa? Erasa you in there? Hello?"
"Sorry what?" She asked, "I was just reading a chat thing from Hina,"
"There are a lot of people in the waiting room how are we going to leave?"
"I just sent an IM to Hina telling her to close shop, besides we'll go out the back way,"
"Back way?"
"Yeah that small green door over there," She pointed at the corner, there was a small green door Gohan didn't notice before. "It's Hina's locker, I think you can slip through, so let's go,"
She got up, opened the small door, and they both slipped through, Gohan having a little more painful of a squeeze.
"Steamers?" She asked simply,
"Sure, when we get there I have to tell you about something I overheard in the hall on my way to your office,"
They left the school and walked to Steamer's Cafe, they found a seat in the back and started talking.
"So what did you hear?" Erasa asked, Gohan recapped on what happened in the conversation between Videl and Keiko, "Do you know what this means Gohan?"
"Keiko is a bitch?"
"No, well yes, but no this means that Videl may actually have feelings towards you that don't revolve around exposing you!" Erasa exclaimed, "And wow Gohan I don't think I have ever heard you say something like that!"
"Believe me it's the first time I have, but to be honest Keiko kinda is..."
"Anyway, this is perfect, now we don't have to plan anything special, if she really does like you then all you have to do is ask her!"
"Easy for you to say, I don't know if you noticed but I'm kinda very afraid of girls..."
"It's simple Gohan, just get her alone and ask her to the dance,"
"I'll try..."
"Look if you can't ask her I can force her to go with me as friends, and you can make your move then, but it will be a lot more memorable if you actually ask her,"
They couldn't talk anymore as the waiter came to take their order. Gohan ordered three of the Strong Stuff, he was getting stressed out because of all the speculation, did she actually like him? Or was she just embarrassed because being put on the spot by Keiko? He guessed he'd find out soon enough...
Over the whole week he failed to get her alone, it seemed as though she was avoiding him. Even after crushing criminals she didn't even jump at his helmet, in fact she didn't even stick around to talk to him or the police. Gohan found this really weird, was it something he did? No, he couldn't remember doing anything to make her angry. Gohan was starting to miss her hunting him down in a jet copter, at least that was some type communication...
Friday, the day of the dance, had come, people were gathering at Steamer's pre-dance jitters all around; except Gohan who was having pre-dance nervous fidgetting. He had already downed 5 Strong Stuff and had ordered more.
"You sure you want more kid?," The waiter asked, "You might die..."
"T-Trust me I n-need this," He said fidgeting,
"Hey Gohan over here!" He heard Erasa call, he turned around and what he saw made him drop his coffee, Erasa and Videl both stood at the door, but what made him drop his coffee was Videl's costume. She was a cat, she had white ears with pink of the inner ears, whiskers etched with marker on her cheeks and a long white tail. It was probably the cutest thing Gohan had ever seen.
They had spotted Gohan as soon as they walked in he was sipping on coffee, he was easy enough to spot in his orange gi. Videl knew his costume was of his dad, she was very nervous for some reason, she kept telling herself that it was because of being seen with the ridiculous costume Erasa made her wear on, but why is it that the nervousness only truly kicked in when she saw Gohan? Erasa called him over, and he sort of stared at her, that didn't help.
"Hey guys, uh, great costumes," Gohan said as he approached them, while rubbing the back of his neck nervously,
"Hey Gohan great costume dressed as your dad?" Erasa asked,
"Yeah, so... your a princess?"
"No, a vampire princess," Erasa replied pointing out her fangs,
"Oh sorry, and Videl your a cat, it's a very nice costume," He said, his face a little warm,
"Thanks Gohan," Her face heating a bit at this awkward moment,
"We should get going the dance is going to start soon," Erasa said, they walked to the school Erasa doing most of the talking,
When they walked into the High School gym Gohan was surprised at what he saw, the gym was plastered with Halloween streamers, fake bats and skeletons, and lights of different colors flashing all around them with loud music in the background.
"Hey Gohan I have to give during-dance advice in my office, so make your move!" Erasa whispered into his ear before leaving,
"Where'd Erasa go?" Videl asked when she finally noticed she was gone,
"Videl is that you?" Called a loud and unwelcome voice, "Didn't think you were coming to the dance,"
"Ugh, hey Sharpy," Videl answered,
Oh no...Gohan thought, Sharpner of all times you show up now...
"So Videl what do you say wanna dance?" Sharpner asked,
Before Gohan could hear Videl's response, a hand tugged the back of his shirt and pulled him away from Videl and Sharpner,
"Hiya Gohan, wanna dance?" it was Keiko,
"I uh, I was-" She didn't let him finish she pulled him in and they started slow dancing,
"I didn't think you were coming Gohan, it's like you've been avoiding me all week," Keiko said,
"Hey do want some punch, I could go for some punch, I'll bring us some," He said quickly, forcing his way out of her grasp and sifting through the crowds to escape her,
"There isn't even any punch at this dance Gohan!" he heard her call after him, he started to look around for Videl, he glanced behind him and saw Keiko following him, Oh man why me? Does it always have to be so difficult? He kept looking for Videl until he spotted her by the snack table talking to Sharpner, when he approached he heard the conversion between them,
"Uh... sorry Sharpner I can't dance with you... because I came here with-with... Gohan!" She exclaimed, "There you are I was wondering where you went," She latched onto his arm, causing him to blush severely,
"What you came here with the nerd-boy!"
"Gohan what are you doing?" Keiko had just appeared,
"Oh I was trying to tell you that I uh, came here with Videl, sorry..." He replied, still blushing intensely,
"Oh I like this song!" Videl exclaimed, pulling Gohan onto the dance floor and away from Keiko and Sharpner, "Come on Gohan let's go dance!"
"Phew... thanks for that," Gohan exhaled, as they started to dance, "Thought I'd never get away..."
"Yeah thank you too," Videl said, then realizing they were dancing and what she just said, she blushed, "For getting me away from Sharpner I mean..."
"Yeah no problem..." He said, blushing just as much, a slow dance song came on, so they started to slow dance, Videl wrapped her arms around his neck, and Gohan put his hands on her waist, making him blush more intensely,
"Keiko is still uh, watching," Videl said,
"Oh yeah..." Gohan said, "Videl there is-is something I've been wanting to tell you for a-a long tume now," He subliminally started to move his face closer to hers, he stole a glance at her lips,
"What is it Gohan?" She asked, she could feel her cheeks heating up as he got closer to her face,
"Videl I-I lo-"
"Videl! Nerd-boy! You guys up for a party after the dance!" Sharpner yelled, making them both jump, Videl stepped back from Gohan,
"I-I gotta go Gohan..." she said, and she walked away quickly,
"Wait Videl! I!" Gohan called after her, but she was gone,
"What? Did I interrupt something?" Sharpner asked as he approached,
"No, no you didn't..." Gohan sighed, and he started to walk towards the exit,
"Wait nerd-boy what about the party? You wanna go? Nerd-boy!" Sharpner called, "Ah whatever..."
Videl dashed up the stairs of the school until she reached the fourth floor, she stopped running and walked to the janitors closet. She took a deep breath and grabbed and turned the handle. She walked into the purple tinted room and was greeted by Hina.
"Grab a number and sit- Videl?" Hina exclaimed, "Why are you here?"
Videl didn't answer her, she walked to the back door, opened it, walked inside, and closed it.
"Are you here for advice on the dance or are you here for the first time?" A mechanized voice asked,
"Erasa I know it's you come out here!" Videl called,
"How do you know who I- Videl? Videl is that you?"
Videl heard some shuffling and a bunch of locks clicking and the door opened, Erasa dashed out,
"Your here! Well wait, are here for what's here or for me or-"
"I'm here for counseling from the "Love Doctor" "
"For who?" Erasa asked, but she had a feeling she knew who...
"Gohan,"
Whoa! Who'd a thought the Videl would go to the Love Doctor! Well your probably angry at me for all these anti-climatic ends, (and not updating for SIX months, so sorry) but I think this made up for it. I'd like to say you can expect the next chapter this weekend but you've heard that before :( but I'll try! School schedule is demanding that's why it's hard to update. The next chapter title is "Hello Kitty?" and you'll see why soon :) well please review I love to know how I'm doing, flames accepted but not necessary, and again I am very sorry about not updating on Halloween,
-Zahchi