[AN: For those of you who didn't understand the reasons for the breakup, I hope this chapter helps clear things up a little. Remember, I'm not trying to advocate one side of this argument. You can agree with whoever you like.

Also, Re: DBZ5687 - I don't know if you've already seen it, but your questions are answered in the first chapter.]

"You should get back together."

Videl groaned. It only took one day for news to spread that she and Gohan had broken up. It wasn't like they were acting hostile to one another. That day at school, there was just a lot of…avoiding. She didn't want to talk to him, and he didn't want to talk to her. With the glances she'd seen of him that day, he didn't seem to be mad at her. He just didn't want to set her off again. But that just made it worse! It was really hard to be mad at someone if they didn't understand why you were mad at them. He was like a puppy…like Bee, or something.

"I can't," she replied to Erasa over the phone. As soon as school was over, her best friend had called her. She probably wanted to know what was going on. In Erasa's view, she and Gohan hadn't even been fighting. There was no reason for them to suddenly break up.

"Why not?" Erasa demanded. "You guys are, like, made for each other. And you've barely started dating!"

"You don't understand. I can't go back to what I was."

Erasa paused, puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

Videl sighed. She had to explain. Erasa could at least understand this. "Whenever I'm with Gohan, it makes me feel…incompetent. We've been fighting crime together, but watching him…it made me realise he doesn't need me at all. Yesterday, he took down, like, a dozen armed criminals without even trying!"

"But that's…" Erasa started to whisper, as if scared being overheard. "But that's because he's an alien."

Half-alien, Gohan would have corrected. She had finally told Erasa the truth a while after the Majin Buu business ended, after swearing her to secrecy. It was a secret that would have been eating her up from the inside if she kept it entirely to herself. And Erasa was the most trustworthy person she knew. If anyone could be trusted to keep a secret, it would be her.

"I know that," Videl said. "And I know it's not even his fault. But that just makes it worse. When I'm around him and his people, I'm completely useless. When Majin Buu was attacking, the world was in danger, and all I did was sit on the lookout and do nothing! I couldn't help, even if I tried!"

"Well, to be fair, it's not like anyone else could have done anything," said Erasa, trying to be the devil's advocate. "I couldn't help, either."

"But they could," Videl explained. "The…the Saiyans stopped him. If I didn't know about them, I would have thought we were all useless. And now it's like…what's the point of fighting crime, if Gohan can blow up planets! Even if I wanted to help, there'd be no point! I…I just wish I didn't know the truth. It makes me feel like crap."

"So that's why you broke up with him?"

Erasa was surprisingly perceptive.

"Yes. I have to pretend he doesn't exist if I want to be in control of my life again."

Erasa paused, as if mulling it over in her head. Eventually, she said, "I understand what you mean, but I still think you should get back together. Pretending he doesn't exist isn't going to work. I mean, he's in your class. And what happens if another crime happens?"

Videl had thought of that. "Well, Gohan doesn't have a communicator like I do, yet. So I'm just going to go solo again. The way things used to be."

Erasa sighed. "I'm not sure if that will work. Maybe you should just apologise."

"No way!" Videl started getting on the offensive. "I didn't do anything wrong! If anything, he has to apologise to me! He's been so…overprotective. When we were at that siege, Gohan took them all out before I could even try to help! He's treating me like…like an accessory. I'm just there to sit and look pretty, but when push comes to shove, all I can do is sit in the background and watch."

She started mimicking him. 'Oh, don't worry, Videl. Fighting is for the Saiyans! You can just sit back and marvel at how amazing I am! Or…go back to the kitchen, or something.'

Videl doubted Gohan would ever say something like that. But that was how she was feeling at the moment.

"If that's what you think," said Erasa. "But…but I thought you loved him."

"I-I do." Videl felt like she was going to start crying again. "And I miss him. But I can't just go back on my decision. When I decide to do something, I stick to it. That's the Videl way."

Erasa sounded frustrated. "Fine. Whatever. Do what you want. I just hope you two will make up soon. I don't want to sit through another lunch when you two are just glaring at each other. It was like Gohan's first day all over again."

Videl sighed. She didn't think about that. It was always difficult when your friends were in the midst of an argument. "We'll see."

"She's going cold turkey," explained Krillin.

"Cold turkey?" asked Gohan, confused.

"She's giving up on us. Obviously, she doesn't like feeling useless in comparison to you."

"But she's not useless!" exclaimed Gohan. "She's been fighting for a long time."

Krillin sighed. "That's true. And I think that's part of the problem. Remember, this is the daughter of Mr. Satan we're talking about. She's probably used to having the world at her feet. Finding out that there are people much, much stronger than her, and that there's no way she can catch up, no matter how hard she tries…"

His voice trailed off. Obviously, he was thinking about something.

Then, abruptly, he snapped back to reality. "Let's just say, it probably makes her feel inadequate. And, if she's fighting with you, that fact is shoved in her face all the time. No wonder she stopped."

"But…" Gohan was still a little confused. "It's not like I'm doing it on purpose. I never asked to be a Saiyan. Why would she be mad at me?"

"I don't think she's mad. But if she's deciding to try and forget about the existence of aliens, well…you're living proof of it. I'm assuming that's why she wants to distance herself from you."

Krillin's explanation…it made sense to Gohan. If Videl really thought there was no other option other than forgetting about him…that would explain why she was so quick to run away. She wanted to get over it as soon as possible.

But, at the same time, how was he supposed to get back together with her if she didn't want to acknowledge that he existed?

"So what should I do?" asked Gohan desperately.

"Exactly what she told you," answered Krillin. "Give her some space. Don't try to win her back. This sounds like something she has to deal with on her own. I'm sure she'll turn around eventually. She just needs to adjust."

"But how long will that take?"

Krillin scratched his head. "I'm not sure. But, let's put it this way: do you really love her if you're not willing to wait?"

That made Gohan think. "I do love her," he answered. It was the truth. That day without her was agony. Her presence always seemed to make everything better. "I just wish I could help her."

Krillin smiled. "Sometimes, the best thing to do is to do nothing."

I guess that makes sense. Gohan was still a little confused, but at least he knew Videl might not stay mad forever. All he had to do was wait.

"Thanks for the advice, Krillin. I guess Mum was right when she said you could help."

"Of course," said Krillin. "I know what it's like. I considered going cold turkey once, just after the Cell Games. But #18 brought me back."

"You did?" asked Gohan, surprised. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen that much of Krillin immediately after the Cell Games. But he had thought that he was running after #18. And, to be fair, he hadn't seen much of everyone immediately after the Cell Games. That was a tough time for him.

Krillin nodded. "But I realised I wouldn't give you guys up. You may make me feel like I need to put more money on my life insurance, but I wouldn't miss your adventures for anything."

"So, what's going on between you and Videl?" asked Sharpener, the next day at school. "Have you broken up?"

With him and Videl very clearly separated, their group of 4 had been fractured in half – Erasa was following Videl and Sharpener was following him. But it still didn't feel like a typical break-up from what Gohan had read. For one thing, Sharpener and Erasa were still talking eagerly to each other. It didn't seem like they were trying to get involved in the argument. They were just being extremely helpful when him and Videl were desperately trying not to sit next to one another in class.

"I don't know," Gohan admitted. "But, apparently, I'm supposed to give her some space."

Sharpener frowned. "What the hell does that mean?"

Gohan shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure. But I know it means I can't interfere with her affairs. Something like that."

Sharpener sighed. "I swear, if there was an 'I Don't Understand Girls' club, I'd be…like…the Vice-President or something. And two of my best friends are girls!"

"If that's a real club, then sign me up, too," said Gohan, gloomily.

Sharpener laughed. "Maybe I will, Son. Maybe I will."

Gohan was still confused with why Sharpener kept referring to him by his family name. Videl had said it was a sign of respect. It was just strange. No one had ever called him that before he started school.

As they walked past, Gohan noticed a group of boys from the year above them, their gazes following him as he moved. And, as they left, he could clearly hear them muttering.

Sharpener seemed to notice it, too. He rolled his eyes.

"God, I hate those guys. Such wusses."

"Wusses?" asked Gohan, confused. That was a way of saying 'coward', wasn't it?

"They're acting like little girls. It's so stupid."

Now Gohan was curious. "What do you mean, 'acting like girls?'"

Sharpener sighed, and started his explanation. "I mean, it's clear they're talking about you, right?"

"Right." Gohan had figured that much out. They had been watching him, and then they started talking as soon as he left. It was like he had done something wrong, but…all he had been doing was walking!

Humans were so difficult to understand sometimes.

They stopped at Sharpener's locker. As he opened it up to put his books away, he continued the explanation.

"What I hate is how they're whispering about it. Normally, if a guy has a problem with you, he tells it to your face. That's what's supposed to happen."

Gohan nodded along. Vegeta in particular had no problems with telling people exactly what he thought about them. But, then again, neither did Bulma.

"But these guys…they're too scared to confront you. They probably think you'll beat them up or something."

"I wouldn't do that!" Gohan exclaimed. "Even if they don't like me…I would never try and hurt them. Not on purpose."

"Yeah, but they don't realise that. So they only talk about you when you can't hear them."

That explanation made sense. Almost too much sense. "Is that why everyone's been avoiding me?"

Sharpener thought about it. "Probably," he decided, closing the door to his locker. "They're all scared of you."

"You're not scared of me."

But then Sharpener laughed. "Who said I wasn't? I just don't care as much."

What? Gohan froze. "You're scared of me?" he asked, incredulously. He started stammering. "Why? I'm not…I wouldn't…"

"Hey, hey!" Sharpener gave him a pat on the shoulder. "We're still friends, don't worry! But let's just say…" He lowered his voice. "If everyone knew the whole truth, things would be a lot worse."

The whole truth. No one knew he was a Saiyan. If they did…how many more people would be muttering? That wasn't such a pleasant thought to dwell on.

The sooner Videl dealt with her issues, the better. Although…was she scared of him, as well? What if she was, and she was just lying about it? What if that was a reason why she broke up with him? He just didn't understand.

Why would people act like that? Videl, Sharpener, everyone else…they seemed to all treat him differently because of how strong he was. But…it wasn't like he was ever trying to hurt others! Couldn't they have a little faith in him? If he really lost control of himself…it was likely the Earth would be destroyed. Surely the fact that it was still standing was proof enough that he wouldn't lose control!

Things were certainly a lot lonelier without Videl. During class, he kept looking at her, trying to communicate his feelings. I know why you're upset now, he thought, wishing Videl could hear him. But just because you're human…it doesn't mean you need to forget about me. I still want to go out with you.

But it was to no avail. Videl just kept trying to avoid him! And he knew it was on purpose. Whenever he tried to catch her gaze, she would immediately look away.

So, from what Krillin had told him, he couldn't just go and confront Videl and ask if they could make up. And Sharpener confirmed it. "If you do it now, she's just going to reject you again," he explained to Gohan, during class. "Just look at her!"

They glanced at Videl, who was staring out the window, seemingly determined to avoid everyone. She still looked a little unhinged, as if one small comment could easily set her off.

"Is she going to be like this forever?" asked Gohan.

Sharpener shrugged. "Dunno," he replied. "But she usually calms down eventually. I've gotten on her bad side before, and we're still friends."

That made him feel a little better.

But that didn't mean it wasn't annoying. And, with the weekend coming up, he'd have to wait a few more days before he could see her at school again. Unless he went to her house over the weekend, but…that wouldn't be giving her space, would it?

"I just don't get girls," he told Goten, once he had gotten home.

"First you think they like you, then they say they don't like you, but they might actually be lying when they say that. I don't understand why it's so hard to communicate."

"Girls do sound confusing," Goten commented, in his usual innocent manner.

"Do me a favour, and don't ever get a girlfriend."

"Don't you have to be a teenager to get a girlfriend?"

Gohan smiled. "It's just a joke, Goten. Don't worry."

And the two boys went back inside in time for dinner.

While he and his family were busy eating, Gohan was still mulling over the whole 'break-up' situation.

It wasn't just that he missed seeing Videl. It was that, without her, he only had one real friend who he could talk to at school, and that was Sharpener. And he didn't even like Sharpener that much! Perhaps he'd have to try and find some more friends. That is, if people actually wanted to be his friends, and stopped muttering every time he walked past.

If no one wanted to be friends with him…well, he wouldn't mind too much. He had already accepted he wasn't going to be 'popular'. That had been obvious to him from the very beginning, just by seeing how differently he acted to the other kids. But it would make things more fun if he had actual friends his age. That was part of the reason they had chosen a large high school like Orange Star in the first place.

Just then, the phone rang.

"It might be Videl!" he said, hopefully. In his eagerness, he rushed towards the phone before the others could even react.

"Hello?" he asked, picking the phone up.

"Gohan?" His excitement faded a little. It wasn't Videl. It was Bulma. Her tone was unexpectedly serious. "I might need your help for something tomorrow morning Do you have any prior arrangements?"

He thought about it. "Not particularly. What do you need me for?"

[AN: Don't worry, guys. Next chapter, the plot is going to start up for real! I apologise to everyone for the slow start, and I appreciate everyone who's stuck through the less interesting parts.

Although, just as a warning: the action, when it happens, isn't going to be as intense as DBZ is known for. This fanfic is a primarily character-driven story, and the action will probably reflect that.]