Hey, I'm glad you guys like my story. I guess that means I'm doing something right for once. :)
Just a few things I'd like to address before we get this show on the road:
Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been trying to study for finals and also balancing that out with lessons and the next chapter… anyway, hope you guys can forgive me.
First off, to Guest, thank you for your input. It's a really good idea and I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. Yes, Videl should see Gohan in action soon, but based on how slowly events are playing out so far I have a feeling that won't happen until a few more chapters are released. Stay in tune though! I'll be working on it.
Then, to Lord22, thanks for continuing to review on my story. It means a lot to me. I'm glad my writing has improved between the first and the second chapters, and I hope to improve it even more. As for Gohan's super saiyan form, yes, it definitely should still make a media sensation, and perhaps I'll add that in the next chapter (if I can fit it in, that is). If not though, I'm sure it'll show up sometime soon. I just couldn't fit it into this one because the chapter already felt too long when I was writing beforehand. I hope that's fine with you.
Okay, so now that the responses are done, back to the story!
Chapter 3 - Welcome to School, Gohan!
Once Gohan sees the school, he slows down to what is to him a slow jog. He enters the principal's office as the bell rings, hoping to find out which class he is supposed to go to. It's the middle of the semester at his new school, after all. The principal greets Gohan with a friendly smile as Gohan steps in, handing over his schedule. He offers to lead Gohan to his homeroom class.
When the two arrive at the entrance, everyone is inside already, talking with their friends. They see the professor about to walk in when she catches a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye. She turns to see a new student and the principal.
"Good morning Principal," the professor greets. She turns to Gohan, "and you must be my new student, Son Gohan."
"Yes ma'am."
"I'll leave him in your hands," the principal says to the professor. "Son Gohan, I welcome you to Orange Star High School and wish you luck on your first day of school." He turns around and heads back to his office.
"Thank you sir," Gohan calls after the principal. The principal raises in hand with his elbow bent, acknowledging that he heard Gohan. Once the principal rounds the corner, the professor turns to face Gohan.
"Son Gohan, wait here while I introduce you to the class. They may be wondering what is taking me so long." Gohan nods as she enters the classroom, leaving the door open behind her.
A few minutes pass. Then, "We have a new student with us today," Gohan hears the teacher say once she reaches the center of the room, "He has scored perfect scores on all his entrance exams. You all could learn a few things from him." Gohan laughs on the inside. She thinks so highly of me. I wonder how long this will last.
"Son Gohan?" The professor signals. Gohan comes out of his thoughts and slowly enters the classroom.
"Hi, I'm Son Gohan. It's nice to meet you all," he says, reaching the teacher and facing the class. Someone yells "nerd" in the back of the room and there's snickering. Gohan just smiles.
"Gohan, go ahead and find a seat," the professor states as she takes a textbook out of the bag lying on the desk.
Gohan looks around for a while until a bubbly blonde girl with short pixie cut hair stands up, offering a chair next to her.
"Oh, thank you," Gohan calls out to her as he climbs the stairs to the end seat near the back next to the blonde. As he reaches his seat, the professor starts the lesson: Open your textbooks to page…
"Hey," the blonde whispers to him, "I'm Erasa. Those two sitting behind me are my friends Videl and Sharpner."
Gohan looks past Erasa curiously and sees a boy with long, blond hair, wearing a purple tank to show his large, defined muscles, sitting three chairs away with his feet up on the desk and his arms crossed over his chest. Then Gohan's eyes wander to look at the girl Erasa mentioned, sitting two chairs away with two black pigtails and a loose white shirt. Gohan pales. That's the same girl I saw earlier with that police officer! The girl looks to Gohan at the sound if her name, not seeing his change in complexion, and smiles briefly before returning to face the professor.
"So what brings you to Golden City, other than its famous name of course, that and the world martial arts champion living here. Oh! Did you know Videl is his daughter?"
Gohan tries his best to look impressed. "Really? That's cool."
"You bet it is. So did your parents find jobs around here? I don't think I've seen you around before," Erasa continues.
"Oh, I don't live here. My mom takes care of me and my brother at our house in the 439 mountain area."
"The 439 mountain area?! That's like a 5-hour drive from here! How do you even get here in time?"
Gohan internally kicks himself. Man, I have to be careful with what I tell people. Now they're gonna think I'm crazy for going to school here. Gohan tries to think of an answer to Erasa's question so that he can seem at least a little sane.
"I fly. It takes up less time," Gohan finally replies, aware of his wording this time. That seems general enough to work. It's not like I told her how I fly.
Erasa nods, accepting the explanation. Gohan mentally breathes a sigh of relief. Then, the girl sitting two seats away, Videl, butts into the conversation, having heard the whole thing.
"Your family must be pretty loaded if they'll let you fly here and back every day just for school," she states, surprised and with a hint of question in her voice, as if asking how could you be so rich, living in the middle of nowhere?
Gohan laughs at the comment. "We don't use public airfare. That's too expensive. He just get our supplies from our connections in capsule corp," he comments, thinking of Bulma.
Videl's expression turns into one of shock. "You have connections in capsule corp? How? They must be pretty high up if they're able to just give your family a jet for free."
Gohan laughs again, finding it ridiculous that they're still talking about that plane he doesn't even own. "Yeah, I guess they are pretty high up." He says as he brings his left hand up to rub the back of his head like his father used to do.
"Son Gohan," the professor calls, mistaking the gesture for a raised hand. "Do you have a question?"
"Huh?" Gohan asks, turning to the professor, caught off guard by her comment.
"You had your hand up. Is there anything you would like to say?" the professor repeats with annoyance. Gohan can hear several giggles across the room.
"Uh, no, I was just scratching my head," Gohan replies, slowly dropping his hand back down to his lap.
The professor gives a look of disappointment. "Okay then. Oh, and Mr Son? I would appreciate it if you three don't talk while I'm teaching. I understand that you may already know this material, but the rest of the students may not. Respect other students' willingness to learn. There's always time inbetween teachers to socialize and make friends."
Gohan's face flushes red. "Okay, sorry ma'am."
The professor continues with her lesson while Gohan turns his head to look back at Erasa and Videl. Behind them, Sharpner is smirking at him. Gohan sighs. This is going to be a long day. He turns his head down to look at his empty notebook. He picks up his pencil and starts taking notes, while occasionally doodling in the margins like he used to do when he was a child. He couldn't wait to get out of school already.
Third chapter done! They just keep getting longer and longer, but I still really enjoy writing these. And I love that you guys are reading! Thanks to all of you out there! The fourth chapter is in progress, so it'll be a while until it's released. Also, don't forget to review, favorite, follow, whatever you want. I'll be checking my page every now and then if you guys have questions and/or suggestions.
Oh! And before I forget, I wanted to ask if you guys like that the chapters are getting longer, or if you prefer short-ish chapters. If short, it's likely I would update more often, but I personally find it more enjoyable when they're long. Anyway, I can try to place a poll up on my page if any of you guys have a preference. See you guys next chapter and Happy Holidays!