Mustang07- It'll die very soon. I promise. Thanks so much for reviewing!
DBZ-fan-JESS- Yeah, I know, but you have to think about it this way. Bulma doesn't have the slightest clue that Yamcha's cheated on her, and she is still in love with him. Otherwise she wouldn't feel guilty about the feelings she has for Vegeta. I don't know! Anyhow. I'm glad you reviewed. Don't worry. Bulma and Yamcha won't last much longer, and you'll like how it ends. At least, I hope so. Thanks!
Pink Panther- Thanks so much! I love that you love my story! Hehe. I hope I don't disappoint anyone, but it'll all end they way people want it to, I think.
SilverWing145- I didn't think I'd trick so many people with that last chapter. I'm better than I thought, I guess. Hahaha. Anyhow! I'm glad you reviewed. Thanks! Yamcha's a chicken!
Elvewin Darkdragon- I'm sure you've been waiting for this. Sorry 'bout that! I hope you like this new chapter. Thanks!
PrettyStupid Gurl- She'll find out soon. Thanks for the review! Enjoy!
Kataan- Oh no! Don't cry! (hands out tissues) Don't worry. They'll end up together. I promise! Thanks for reviewing! (hugs)
Sweetjex- Glad you got back into the story so easily! Thanks for your review! Vegeta may run into them. Who knows! ;-)
Vegeta's First Fan- Thanks! I caught a lot of people off guard. I'm kind of proud of myself. Mu hahahaha because I'm evil!
TheWarriorFormerlyKnownAsPrince- Hiya! Thanks for the review! Sorry about the little wait. Wait until the end of this chapter! Mu ahahahahahahahahahaha (falls off chair) ouch!
Beeswax- Hey! Thanks for the review! Enjoy the new chapter.
Garowyn- As far as I know, there is going to be two parts to this story, but you never know with me! Hahaha. Thanks for the review!
Yup-123456789101112- I wish I could date a movie star, too, but there's so many cute ones to pick from. Thanks for reviewing. Enjoy the next chapter!
Red Dragon- Yamcha didn't cheat on Bulma back in High School. He changed a lot during college, which a lot of people do, and hell, some people just suddenly change after time. It happens unfortunately. Thanks for reviewing the story! I hope you like the next chapter!
Kiersten- Thanks! Glad you liked.
Fujutsu- Thank you very much for the review! I hope everyone likes how this will end.
Tsume-Hiei luver- Akira won't be coming in until the second part of the story as a main character. I still haven't decided on how I want to do the second part yet. I know what I want to happen, though. Thanks for the review!
Dark Hope Assassin- Hiya! Thanks for the lovely review! I really hope you like this chapter. I think everyone will. Thanks again.
Shades of Crimson- (hugs) Yo! Firstly, this has nothing to do with my story, but… Did you see the scenes for the next episode of Gilmore Girls! Ahh! It looks like it's going to be sooo good. I'm loving this new season.. Yeah. So anyway. I think you'll like this new chapter. At least I hope so. Don't worry about not reviewing. I haven't had the chance to review yours yet either. Sorry! I will! I'm surprised I found time to post this chapter, I've been so busy. My brother's getting married in 8 weeks! Very spur of the moment, and I've been trying to help them out with the planning. It's killing me though… Thanks for reviewing!
Gothic Bulma- Thanks for the review! Enjoy!
KarineD- Sorry I made ya wait so long! I think it's worth it though! Thanks!
Lenk- Aw! Thanks. I hope you had a good Easter too! Thanks for the review!
Chapter 14: Everywhere I Go
(2 Weeks later)
"Finals suck," Bulma groaned, clapping her Calculus textbook shut and tossed it to the foot of her bed.
Yamcha laughed and shook his head. "Why don't we go out for dinner? It's almost six, and the cafeterias close in thirty minutes anyhow," he reasoned.
She jumped up and smiled. "Sounds good to me! Where do you want to go?"
"Hmm, I don't know. Friday's?"
"Ooh! It's been such a long time since we went there."
Her boyfriend kissed her on the cheek and grabbed his keys off her desk. "Let's go then."
Bulma smiled. "Okay. I'm just going to leave a note for June. I don't want her to think I'm skipping out on her. I'm supposed to help her study for her History final tonight."
"Where is she, anyway?" He asked as they stepped out into the hall.
"Having dinner with Vegeta probably," Bulma answered. "They've been hanging out a lot the past couple weeks."
"That's good," Yamcha added. "Hey, maybe they'll get together."
Bulma burst into a fit of laughter. "Those two together!" She laughed uncontrollably. "Oh, please! They'd kill each other."
"It could happen, you know?"
She just shook her head. "No. It really couldn't."
(Change scene)
"Aren't you going to eat anything?" She asked.
"No," he answered.
"Then, why'd you come to the cafeteria with me?"
Vegeta glanced up from his book and glared at her. "Because I had nothing better to do."
June glared back. "I thought you had a date tonight. Shouldn't you be up in your room getting pretty?"
"What are you trying to say? I'm not pretty," he demanded motioning to his typical black rock band t-shirt and baggy canvas cargo pants.
"Ass," she said, laughing at him. "At least you seem like you're in a good mood tonight."
"I finally got my prescription filled, what can I say?" He joked with a smirk.
June grinned back. "Well, it's about damn time!" She slid her tray to the side. It was good to see him back to his old self, especially after seeing him acting so angry and depressed about Bulma. "What time are we leaving tomorrow?"
Vegeta frowned thoughtfully. "Around noon. That cool?"
"Completely," she responded. "I'm looking forward to it."
"I don't know why," he started. "It's going to be hectic. Mara and my mother are going to have you running around like a headless chicken."
"As long as I look good doing it, that's all I care about." She took a quick sip of her soda. "It's a good thing I'm the same dress size as Bulma, huh?" She immediately regretted bring up the other girl's name, and she flinched, waiting for him to explode.
It didn't happen fortunately enough. "Yeah. Mara has enough to freak out about without having to worry about ordering another bridesmaid dress for you," he commented.
June wanted to let out a relieved sigh, but she held it in. She'd gotten luck just now. She didn't want to chance it! "So, what time are you picking up your hotdate?"
He glanced at his watch. "I'm meeting her in fifteen minutes."
(Change scene, Lily Lake)
Chichi cleared the dirty plates off the table and placed them in the sink. "I still can't believe she took him back after the way he's treated her the past couple months."
Standing next to her at the sink, her husband washed his hands and reached for a dry dishtowel. "I can't believe she's not friends with Vegeta anymore. I thought he was a decent guy."
"Yeah. They looked good together," she agreed quietly, running some hot water and adding soap. "Yamcha's just going to mess up again. Why can't she see that?"
"She's young yet, Chi. You've got to let her make her own mistakes."
Chichi glanced at her husband for a moment. "That's what mom and dad said."
He grinned. "Well, you should listen to them. They're smart."
She smiled back and laughed. "Come here, you," she said, pulling him into her arms and kissing him.
(Change scene)
Bulma and Yamcha followed the hostess to their table arm in arm through the evening crowd. It was packed because it was a Friday night. Bulma took her seat quickly and smiled as the young woman handed her a menu.
"What canI bring you to drink?"
"Two cokes, please," Yamcha spoke up from his side of the table.
Bulma hid her irritation at him ordering for her. For some reason it just made her mad as hell. 'It shouldn't make me mad,' she told herself. 'I should be happy that he knows what I like. How many girls can say that?' She told herself that she was being ridiculous and flipped open the menu.
" I think I'm going to get the steak," Yamcha said.
"I don't know what I want yet," she replied. Everything sounded good at the moment. 'That's what you get for skipping breakfast and lunch,' she reprimanded herself. Thankfully by the time the waitress came with their cokes, she had decided on the grilled chicken.
"So, what was it that Hunter wanted?" Bulma decided to ask. Hunter had called Yamcha's cell while they were on their way to the restaurant.
Yamcha shrugged. "He invited me to go with him and the guys skiing in Colorado right after Christmas."
Bulma smiled. He'd been so good to her lately. "Well, are you going?"
He glanced up at with a confused look. "I thought you wanted to spend Christmas break together?"
She smiled. "Yeah, but I know you'll be miserable. You love to ski," she reminded him. "And you haven't hung out with Hunter at all the last two weeks. I love that you're spending all this time with me again, but I don't want you to loose all your new friends. You should go."
"Wow," he said. "You really don't mind if I go?"
"No, of course not."
Yamcha smiled over at her. "I'll call him later and let him know the good news."
(Change scene, NYC)
The chauffer opened the door of the stretched limo, signaling the paparazzi to start snapping away with their cameras. Arthos stepped out, straightening the jacket of his tailor made, black Armani suit with one hand and reached into the limo to offer his hand to his date. He grinned at the photographers and fans around him screaming his name and yelling for him to turn around or sign an autograph. The last movie he was working on, 'A Better Life', was finally being premiered.
He finally felt her delicate fingers slide across his palm, and he couldn't help but stare as she stepped out of the car slowly. It was the perfect entrance for her. The flashing of the cameras were like strobe lights. They were frantic to catch a picture of her, and he couldn't blame them. She looked absolutely exquisite. Her long silver hair was left down in huge curls, and the dress she wore was amazing. The top was sheer, but ruffled in the right places so as not to show what was beneath, and the skirt draped low on her hips and swept the ground.
Akira stood up straight and linked her arm in his. She smiled at him. "You've got a lot of fans."
"Not anymore," he whispered in her ear. "I think they're all yours now."
She blushed lightly and bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling at his words. He was a charmer, but she'd have him no other way. "Oh my god," she whispered back. "It's the reporter from Style magazine."
Arthos kissed her softly on the cheek. "You're beautiful, and you look like a goddess," he told her. "You've got nothing to be worried about."
"Mr. Ries," the reported called out. "Ms. Teagan!"
The couple met with the bubbly redhead near the red velvet ropes that were meant to hold back screaming fans. Akira tried not to wince visibly. The people were screaming really loud, mostly girls, and they were reaching out for Arthos to shake their hands or sign a slip of paper. Arthos smiled and shook a few hands, making girls swoon and jump up and down ecstatically with their friends.
"I have to know," the reporter started, moving closer to Akira. "Who designed your dress?"
Akira looked down and smiled. "Alberta Ferretti," she answered.
"You look simply wonderful. How did you meet up with Arthos Ries?"
'Wow, she doesn't pull any punches," Akira thought. "It's a long story." She didn't feel her private life was anyone's business. She kept her smile bright, though.
Arthos pulled her close to his side. "Oh come on now," he joked. "You just don't want to admit it was love at first sight."
She nudged him playfully. "In your case maybe," she teased back.
"How do you feel about this movie, Arthos?" The reporter cut in.
He smiled. "Great. The writing was incredible, and it was so well cast. There's some major talent on the screen tonight."
"What kind of role does your character play?"
He laughed. "He's just a normal, real guy trying to figure out his life and how it went wrong," he answered.
(Change scene)
Vegeta parked his car outside the restaurant and unbuckled his seatbelt. A very pretty girl with black hair and purple highlights sat next to him. She smiled out the window.
"I love this place," she told him.
"It's not too bad," Vegeta replied as they got out. He locked his doors with the press of a button, and the couple walked into the crowded restaurant. He frowned, noticing the line. "This is a bit ridiculous," he whispered to his date.
She nodded. "Yeah, maybe we should go somewhere else," she agreed.
They were about to walk out, when someone accidentally bumped into them. Vegeta reached out andcaught onto his date's arm before she fell down. He turned with a scowl on his face.
"Why don't you watch where you're going?" He growled out.
The other man slowly stood up, dusting himself off. "I'm really sorry," the man stated, finally lifting his head.
"Yamcha?" Vegeta narrowed his eyes at his roommate.
"Vegeta! I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to run into you two," he apologized.
"You two know each other?" Vegeta's date spoke up.
Vegeta turned away from the other man. "He's my roommate. Let's get going."
"Yamcha, who are you talking to?" Bulma called out from behind them all.
"It's Vegeta," he replied.
Bulma stared at her ex-friend with wide eyes. "Vegeta? What are you doing here?"
"None of your business," he grumbled angrily. "Let's go, Kaya," he said to his date.
"We can stay and talk to your friends, Vegeta," she responded kindly. "I don't mind."
Vegeta glared hard at Bulma in particular as he gruffly cut off his companion. "They're not my friends. Let's go." He stormed off toward his car without another word.
Kaya smiled weakly back at Bulma and Yamcha. "Sorry."
Bulma watched the pretty young woman walk toward Vegeta's car and slide into the passenger's seat. Inside, she was strangely conflicted. She wanted to run over and pull open the door and tear her eyes out, but another part of her was horrified that she wanted to do that. She was with Yamcha, and she had no right to be mean to Kaya. 'Oh my god,' she inwardly gasped. 'I'm jealous!' She decided to lead the way to Yamcha's car so he couldn't see the emotional battle she was having with herself. 'I shouldn't be upset because he's moving on. That girl seemed really sweet, and Vegeta deserves to be with someone like that after all he's been through.'
"You okay, B?"
She flinched slightly. "Huh? Oh, yeah," she laughed nervously. "I'm okay. I just wasn't expecting to run into Vegeta here. I thought he hated this place," she lied. She knew he loved Friday's just as much as she did, maybe more.
Yamcha openedthe door for her. "Yeah, I was surprised myself. I've never seen him go out on a date before. Maybe he'll be in a better mood from now on," he commented.
He shut her door carefully and walked around the backside of his car. Bulma stared out her window with a frown. She missed hanging out with Vegeta. Why couldn't they just be friends again? Faintly, she heard Yamcha's start the car and the scenery outside started to zip past her. Bulma sighed, running her fingers through her long, curly hair. She couldn't wait to go home and get away from San Callisto for a whole month. She'd miss June, and god knew she'd miss Vegeta even more.
(Change scene)
June flipped through the magazine that was setting in front of her while Bulma randomly threw questions at her from her History textbook. She was probably learning more about pop culture than ancient Chinese dynasties.
"18!"
The blond rolled her eyes and looked up. "What? I'm listening," she replied.
Bulma glared back. "Really?" She reached over and snatched the magazine away from her friend.
"Hey!"
"Oh my god!" Bulma looked down at the pictures scattered all over the two-page spread. "There goes my dream of marrying Arthos Ries and living in his huge mansion in Maine. Look at that chick! She's gorgeous." Bulma tossed it back on the bed with a disgusted look. "There's no way he's going to run around on that one. She's to pretty."
June rolled her eyes. "Her name is Akira Teagan. She's a model."
"You pay way too much attention to that stuff," Bulma countered. "You can probably rattle off the top of your head who designed the dress she's wearing."
"Alberta Ferretti."
"See."
"I'm studying to be a fashion designer, B. Of course, I need to know these things. She's gained a lot of popularity over the last year, and her mother was a stylist for just about anyone lucky enough to catch a gig in Paris or London."
"She's probably a complete moron."
June shook her head. "What's got you so hostile?"
Bulma turned back to the History book on her desk. "I ran into Vegeta at Fridays," she admitted. "He was with some girl, and Yamcha accidentally ran into them. Vegeta acted like an ass, too. I couldn't believe it."
"So you met Kaya?"
"You've met her?" Bulma demanded.
The blond sat up Indian style and sighed. "Why are you upset about this? You chose to stay with Yamcha," she reminded her.
"Because I love him," she insisted vehemently.
"Right, so it shouldn't matter that Vegeta's dating. Kaya is a sweetheart. You should be happy for him," June continued sternly.
Bulma leaned back in her chair. "I hate how things ended between us," she admitted. "He was a good friend to me, and I miss him, 18. I miss him a lot."
"Leave him alone for a while, B. He just started to act like he use to, and it might ruin this new relationship of his."
"Yamcha would get mad at me if I started hanging out with him again anyway. It's better like this," she stated sadly. "And if this girl is really good for him like you say, then I don't want to get in the way of that."
June smiled. "Good girl." She jumped up and walked toward the door. "Let's go downtown and get some ice cream. We can finish talking as we walk."
"Sure, why not? I could use some chocolate."
(Change scene)
June and Bulma walked into the ice cream shop and were surprised at how quiet it was. Sure, it was going forten O'clock at night, but this place was always super busy. They shrugged at each other and went straight for the counter. A short girl with bleached blond hair took their orders and bounced off to the back of the shop to make their sundaes. Bulma yawned a little, covering her mouth with her hand and turning around to rest her back against the counter. Her eyes immediately went wide and she dropped her hand.
June glanced over and noticed the look on her friend's face. "What is it, B?"
The sound of laughter, more specifically a guy and a girl, drifted in through the entrance. June looked back to Bulma with a sad look on her face. "Lets get our stuff to go."
Standing just outside the door were Vegeta and Kaya. Bulma watched them laugh together at something Vegeta had said. The sight cut her in half. She remembered laughing like that with him. He could always come up with something to make her smile. She didn't even hear June next to her, telling her they should go. Then it happened. She saw Vegeta lean in and kiss Kaya right on the lips. How many times had she imagined secretly that he would do that to her?
"B, snap out of it," June urged frantically. "They're coming in here. You can't do this," she whispered.
Bulma glanced around the room quickly and noticed a side exit. "I have to get out of here."
June watched her practically run over to the side door just as the couple outside came in and shook her head. "God, this is such a mess," she said aloud.
Vegeta caught her eye and gave her a confused look. "What are you doing here?" He looked over to where Bulma had just run out. "What's going on?"
"I'm getting ice cream for me and Bulma."
Kaya looked concerned. "Why'd she run out like that? Is she okay?"
Vegeta just rolled his eyes. "Don't worry about her. She's a freakin' spaz," he replied.
June shot him a dirty look. "Can it, Veg-head! You've got no idea what she's going through." Taking a deep breath, she turned back to Kaya. "It was nice seeing you again. Have a great night."
The waitress appeared with Bulma and June's sundaes, and June snatched them from her hand and stormed out the door. Vegeta was acting like an insensitive prick. Kaya frowned at him.
"Maybe you should go talk them," she told him. "That Bulma girl looked really upset, and I'm getting the feeling you're the reason why."
Vegeta clenched his fists tightly. "I'm through with her shit."
"Then why are you getting so mad?" She went on bravely. "I like you, Vegeta, but you've obviously got some issues to work out with this girl first." She turned back toward the door. "Call me if you ever do."
Vegeta stared dumbly at the door as his date walked across the parking lot toward the bus pick-up. 'What the fuck have I done to deserve this?' he asked himself, walking back out side after a moment. This was just great. June was mad at him now, which meant that she probably wasn't going to do his brother's wedding with him, and Kaya was never going to speak to him again. He looked in the direction of San Callisto and spotted June and Bulma sitting on a bench. The blond girl was hugging her blue haired friend tightly as she cried against her shoulder.
He scowled. 'She wanted it this way,' he told himself angrily. 'She has no room to be so damn upset!' Pulling out his keys, he went over to his car and fired it up. He was pissed beyond belief, and he was going to let everyone know it! Revving the engine, he put it in drive and squealed out of the lot and down the street toward the expressway on-ramp. Nearby on the bench, June and Bulma watched him speed past.
(End chapter)
Hmm, interesting? I'll let ya'll be the judges of that. I hope everyone enjoyed this new chapter. Sorry it took so long. No excuse you want to hear about. Trust me on that.
So! What's going to happen next?
Finals week. We'll learn how Vegeta's weekend went. We'll drop in on Krillin since it's been a while. Everyone will get ready to go back home for Christmas break. I guess I should drop in on Jayson, too, huh?
Please don't forget to let me know what you think.
PANDORA ;-)