Chapter 6
By Panny
It was several days before Trunks returned to the house. For some reason flirting with Karie had felt wrong, like he was betraying someone's trust, and now the thought of going back felt awkward.
The first time he stepped foot in that building his intentions were far from pure, and he didn't have the slightest inkling of the effect following three simple girls would have on his life.
Well, two simple girls. He didn't know why, but something about Pan kept her in his mind. Thoughts of her would come to him at seemingly random times. He couldn't stand the feeling; that lack of control. What was it that made him go back time and again? That would force him back there now, despite his discomfort.
His thoughts and feelings, they were all foreign to him. And while it frightened him to not know what was to come, he was somehow eager for it's coming.
~~~~~
Bulma sat back, slowly drinking a cup of tea. From down the hall she heard a door open and close, telling her that her son had arrived at home.
"Trunks?" She called, tilting her head back.
"Yeah?"
"Come here a minute." She listened to his footsteps draw closer until he finally came into view. He smiled and sat down on a chair to her left.
"What is it?"
"Well, a while ago you promised to tell me what it was that changed you. I think it's high time you let your mother in on this little secret."
His body shook slightly with a small silent laugh. "I'd tell you if I could. Besides, it was only like a week ago that you asked."
Bulma scowled.
"Honestly Mom, there isn't anything I can tell you. None of the stuff I've been doing has been particularly joyful."
"But you're doing something."
"Huh?"
"Trunks, for so long you've sat around doing absolutely nothing. Now it seems like you've finally got some meaning to your life again."
Trunks nodded. "I suppose you're right. I've been helping out a group of women at the old Darwell house."
Bulma raised a brow. "The Darwell house? I wasn't born yesterday Trunks. Don't tell me you're so happy because you've been able to get off everyday."
"Mom! I can't believe you just said that!" His mother laughed lightly. "Anyway, that's not why I've been going there, and that's not what they're all about. They're really nice women just trying to get by so I've been helping them."
"I believe you. You'll have to forgive your poor mother for jumping to conclusions. I only know what I hear, and you haven't been telling me much of anything."
"Sorry if I've been leaving you in the dark. I'll try to keep you more up to date on your only sons life."
"You better." Bulma smiled. "We haven't talked like this since you were a kid."
"Yeah... I'm sorry it took so long for me to come back to you."
Bulma shook her head. "We all have our own demons, and some take longer to conquer than others. But that's enough of this serious talk. Go, do whatever you were going to do before I dragged you in here."
Trunks smiled gratefully."I wasn't going to do much of anything until now, so I guess I should be thankful that you 'dragged me in here.' To be honest I haven't been to see the girls in a few days, but I think I'll head over there now." He kissed the top of his mothers head and left to return to where he hoped he was still welcomed and needed.
~~~~~
It had been less than a week since Trunks had left, but already rumors were being spread amongst the girls about his latest disappearance. Gladice turned to Pan to find out the truth.
"I'm telling you. I don't know where he is. I hardly even talked to him while he was here." Pan sighed. "I was planning to talk to him when I got back, but he took off after I fell. You don't think he's mad at me, do you?"
Gladice shook her head with a smile. "I doubt it hon. Men are men, that's all I can say. We don't understand them... And they don't understand us." She added with a wink.
Pan nodded and walked back towards the room she shared with two other girls.
The room was small, holding a cot and bunk beds Each girl had a small dresser for holding their belongings and their clothes were hung together in the closet. Unlike many of the others, Pan didn't have many personal affects. There were no photos to refresh her fading memory, and her mother hadn't left her many things either. There were a few pieces of jewelry that Videl hadn't the heart to sell, including the ring Pan's father had left.
Pan sat on the bottom bunk that she had made that morning. "What was that all about." She mumbled aloud. "All that talk about men and women; it's not that kind of issue."
"Sure it is."
Pan jumped at the sound of Karie's voice. She looked towards the doorway where the dark-skinned woman stood, leaning on the frame. "What do you mean?"
"You like him. He likes you. It's a boy-girl thing."
"I do not like him." Pan replied in a huff."...But do you really think he likes me?"
"He sure does. I mean the other day when I was flirting with him he was into it of course, but I could tell he wasn't all there. I bet you he felt bad that it wasn't you with him." She straightened up to leave, but turned back. "And by the way, you wouldn't care if you didn't like him too."
Pan watched her leave, then leaned back to lay on her bed, her legs dangling from the side. Were Karie and the other girls right? Did she like Trunks? He was the one she thought of whenever she felt down or hurt. And lately she'd been imagining him being there when she worked alone, providing her company. She brushed it off as an infatuation with something new, but that feeling should have worn off long ago.
With a sigh she pulled herself all the way onto the bed and rolled onto her side. It was still early but with nothing better to do she figured sleep was her best option. She could vaguely hear the girls greeting someone as she drifted off.