The remaining holdiay season passed with little incident. On Chirstmas morning, Bardock successfully surprised Bulma with her own presents to unwrap, ensuring that she needn't feel guilty for the gifts. She was overjoyed with her family's thoughtfulness that she completely forgot any previous training and allowed her happiness to flow freely throughout her features. Not only had she received presents, but the others seemed to have a couple gifts as well, mainly provided by Goku or Turles.
New Years Eve was spent partying like there was no tomorrow. Bardock had managed to unthaw the door, allowing everyone to go to their respectful homes, meeting up a few days later at Bulma's for the festive party. They drunk and danced til the early hours of the morning, each enjoying themselves more than the other. Over the course of the night, Bulma even managed to get Vegeta to loosen up and enjoy the company of others, for her benefit if no one else's.
It had been a few months since Bulma had woken from her coma. She went back to school to finish the spring semester of her senior year, quickly catching up with her classmates in her work. Quickly assimilating to everyday life, she was back into the swing of teenage life once more as graduation rolled around. Not one for dresses and fancy dates, Bulma had decided to skip prom and allow the other couples to have their fun.
"Come on Bulma!" ChiChi whined as she and her two best friends stood in a dress shop, casually skimming through the prom gowns.
Bulma shook her head adamently as she eyed a particular navy blue floor length dress.
"I told you Chi, i'm not going. I have no date, I hate people, and I hate dances, why would I go to an event that includes all three of these things?" she asked with a raised brow.
18 rolled her eyes as she held a pale blue knee-length gown to her body. Deciding it wasn't for her, she hung it back on the rack before she commented on her friend's words.
"What about Vegeta? You two seem pretty close lately?"
Without even looking, Bulma could see the smirk plastered on her face.
"Yeah, it's nothing serious. Sex every now and then, but I don't plan on making a commitment any time soon." she shrugged as she continued to look mindlessly through dresses, ignoring the looks her friends gave her.
Both ChiChi and 18 were staring at her with gaping mouths and stunned eyes. ChiChi was the first to recouperate.
"Bulma Son! I cannot believe you!" she sqealed.
Bulma looked at her blankly.
"What?" she questioned as she noticed their prolonged glares.
"You're going aroung having 'casual sex' with Vegeta, that's what!" ChiChi huffed as they moved on to the next rack.
"If i'm correct, aren't you and Kakarott having 'casual sex' as well?" Bulma pointed out as she handed a short red ballerina dress to ChiChi. A red flush spread across the raven haired girl's face.
"That's different, we're dating!" she defended as she moved into the dressing room to try on the previously suggested dress.
"She has a point." 18 pointed out calmly. She had her own purple gown in her hands, entering her own room as she talked.
Bulma shook her head as she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. She knew this arguement was fruitless. They've had the same one three times, each ending the same way, though the Vegeta topic was new. They just didn't understand her dislike for these events. In her time with Frieza, he had demanded her presence as such events, increasing her loathing for them.
"Oh Bulma! You're brilliant! I love it!" ChiChi exclaimed as she walked out of her cubicle, twirling so Bulma could see her figure.
She eyed it for a minute before she agreed.
"Looks great. Kakarott will be drooling over you until you get to the hotel room." She smirked when another blush spread across Chi's face.
"Bulma! That's-wait, how do you know he's taking me to a hotel?" she asked suspiciously after she got over her embarrassment. Bulma merely shrugged.
"I heard him call and make the reservations. Wow 18, planning on giving Baldy a heartattack?" she commented when 18 walked out of the dressing room, twirling in her own gloriousness. 18 nodded vainly.
"Plan on it. I think this is the one. What about you?" she asked ChiChi when she saw the other inspecting her butt in the full-length mirror. When she nodded enthusiastically, she turned to her blue haired friend.
"Last chance B, are you sure?"
A positive nod was the only reply she got. Both sighed and went to change. Neither noticed Bulma leave and casually carry the navy dress she spotted earlier to the register and mumble a few words the cashier and camly walk back to the dressing area before they exited, dresses in hand. They payed for the dresses, along with matching shoes and accessories and headed out of the store into the hustle of the crowded mall. A loud grumble interuppted their silent walk.
"Uh, hungry Bulma?" 18 asked with a skeptical look. Said teen smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Heh, guess so."
Both 18 and ChiChi errupted into laughter at her gesture. Bulma looked to them confused as they tried to regain composure.
"You-looked just-like-Goku!" ChiChi said between laughs. 18 nodded her head as she burst out laughing once more.
Bulma growled lowly, her eyes narrowing.
"I look nothing like that bafoon." She sniffed and raised her nose in the air, turning her head to the side as she crossed her arms.
The duo's laughter increased, resulting in them leaning on each other for support.
"Now you-look-just like-Vegeta!" 18 exclaimed as her laughing once more increased.
After giving them a dark glare, Bulma stormed off to the food court, intent on appeasing her growling tummy.
"Humph, I don't look like Vegeta or Kakarott. Fucking idiotic assholes-" Her ranting was cut short by a deep voice.
"Talking to yourself now? I knew you were going crazy."
Her sharp azure eyes snapped to meet deep obsidian. They narrowed dangerously, her mood darkening noticeably.
"Shut up Kakarott. I don't need your input."
He raised his hands defensively, a smile playing on his face.
"Woah, B. I was just kidding. What's got your panties in a wad?"
Another humored voice butted into their conversation.
"When are her panties not in a wad?" That's when Bulma noticed the other people behind her brother. Vegeta had his arms crossed, a haughty smirk on his lips, while Tien, Piccolo, Krillen, and Yamucha were trying not to laugh. Turles, not one for modesty, was outright laughing his ass off. After giving Vegeta an angry glare, she turned to the others.
"What are you guys doing here?"
Krillen shrugged.
"Prom stuff."
Bulma nodded her head in understanding. She knew how the girls would be if they found out their dates hadn't organized things yet. That's when she noticed something.
"Tien, where's Launch? Chi said she didn't pick up the phone when she called."
"She's with her grandma in the hospital. She got her dress a couple weeks ago, but I don't know if she'll be going now." he admitted as his brows wrinkled.
"Oh." was all she replied. By then, 18 and ChiChi had caught up with her and were talking to their boyfriends. Simultaniously, three stomachs growled. Three nervous laughs were heard.
"Whoops." Goku said as he rubbed the back of his head. Bulma rolled her eyes as she made her way to the food court. The others followed as she stopped at a McDonald's, each stocking up on the Dollar Menu. Once everyone had their food, the group found a table in the center of the court, enjoying their hearty meals. Turles was the first to break the silence.
"So, Bulma. Why aren't you going to prom?" he asked as he finished off his third Big Mac.
She rolled her eyes for what felt like the tenth time that day.
"I've said it a million times. I have no date, I hate people, and I hate dances. I'M NOT GOING TO FUCKING PROM." she seethed at her cousin. He laughed at her expression.
"What about you and Vegeta? I thought you had something going on?"
Both looked to each other and shrugged.
"Casual sex." they said at the same time. Goku spit out the Coke he had been drinking, thanking Kami he had missed ChiChi. By the time he regained himself, all eyes were on the two.
"Casual sex? Really guys?" he asked. Bulma looked to him with raised brows.
"Don't even start, Kakarott. You and ChiChi do the exact same thing, and besides, it's not always causal, it gets pretty heated sometimes." she finished with a smirk. ChiChi, happy the attention was drawn away from her, giggled at Bulma's exclamation.
"Is that why I see Vegeta leaving early in the mornings before school when I pass by?" Turles questioned with a crooked grin.
Vegeta's face went bright red and he growled at the other teen.
"Shut it, pretty boy. At least I get some."
A chorus of 'oohs' were heard around the table as Vegeta smirked at Turles.
"That's not true. I got a prom date, and she's hott." he replied, giving Vegeta his own smirk.
Another wave of 'aahs' were heard.
"I don't need a prom date. I could get any woman I wanted to go with me." Vegeta refused to be shown up.
A mischevious look errupted in Turles' eyes.
"Wanna bet on it?"
Vegeta narrowed his eyes. He didn't trust what the kid was about to say, but his famous pride wouldn't let him turn down the offer.
"Wages?"
An arrogant look crossed Turles' face as he thought for a minute. His eyes lit up.
"$500. If you bring a date to prom. Not just any date, mind you. She's gotta be a dime piece. If you don't bring one, I win. You do, I loose."
Vegeta smirked at this. It was going to be one of the easiest things he's ever done. He held his hand out and grinned when his tight grip was returned.
"Deal."