Please Friendzone Me!

Chapter 23

The Path to Overcoming

"What the…"

Videl stared at the locked door. Surely, this was a mistake. This was not happening. It couldn't be. Maybe she fell asleep in class and this was just a bad dream. Yeah, that seemed more likely. She was going to wake up any second now for sure and forget all about this absurd situation.

Any second now…

"What the… Why would she even…?"

The hair at the base of her neck stood on end at the sound of Gohan's low, hoarse voice, coming from right behind her. Videl tensed up and clenched her fists, repressing the shiver that tried to course through her spine.

This could not be happening. There was no way she was actually stuck in a locked storage room with Gohan. No friggin' way. Just… no.

Videl shut her eyes tightly and willed herself to wake up. She had to wake up.

Please, wake up. Wake up already. This is just a nightmare. I can't be here right now. Please just wake up…

She refused to let him affect her. Not now. Not again. Not ever again.

She was done with him, damn it. She didn't want to see him, or hear his voice, or even sense his presence. She didn't want to go through this all over again – to feel the blood rush to her head, the deafening thumping in her ears; to try and fail, over and over again, to get a hold of herself, feeling like her whole being was melting into a blob of nothing – just because of him.

And her heart – her goddamn heart. Always doing as it pleased, never asking for her permission, let alone for her opinion. Oh, sure, run a marathon, why don't you? Clench, skip a beat, dance, go nuts. Who cared how it made her feel, right? That damn thing just wanted Gohan, always Gohan – longed for him, yearned to be with him, wept when she thought he didn't… when she was so sure that he would never…

Damn it. Why did it have to go this way? Gohan had put her firmly in the friendzone. He had made it so clear, so irrevocable. It was a done deal.

And yet…

"I… I don't know what's going on Videl, I swear. I never… I would never… I don't know why Erasa would… I never asked her to do… this…"

Damn it, why did it feel like he was whispering in her ear? He wasn't even standing close to her!

"ERASA! Erasa, open the door!" Videl hammered her fist against the hard surface. This sealed exit needed to GO. "I'll break it down, I swear! Open it right now!"

"No! I don't know what's up with you two and I don't care – enough is enough! You talk it out, and you do it right now. And I am staying right where I am, behind the door, so if you wanna break it down go ahead! Take me down with it, I don't care!"

"ERASA!"

"I'll be listening to music with my earpieces in – I'm putting them on right now – so you two don't have to worry about me, I won't hear a thing! So just – talk it out already!"

Videl stood in stunned silence, staring at the locked door with wide eyes. She could not comprehend what was happening. Her brain would not compute.

Her fists were trembling at her sides. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly – in and out, in and out… Entering within herself, letting the world around roll off her, trickle down like morning dew on a leaf. Everything was fine. Yes. She was fine. She was over him. She had no reason to be upset. Her silly crush on Gohan was long dealt with – she was over him.

"I'm so, so sorry, Videl," Gohan croaked out hoarsely. "I can't believe Erasa… She's gone too far; this is not okay. I swear I never asked her to do this… I would never. I had nothing to do with this. You… You believe me, right?"

His low, hesitant voice brought an involuntary smile to her face. She turned to look at him, his hand raking his spiky hair, eyes darting around, anywhere but at her.

Videl felt a pinch in her chest. Damn. She'd really missed this big dork.

"I never thought you had anything to do with this crazy plan," she said softly, crossing her arms. "This has Erasa written all over…"

He met her gaze with relief – his eyes so genuine, so earnest – so true to his feelings.

Gohan's eyes had always been her weakness. They drew her in, swallowed her whole, enveloping her in a haze of the most gentle warmth.

"Oh, come on Vi, again?"

"Yes, Erasa, again. It's for the Tenkaichi Budokai, and I'm aiming for the championship belt. I'm not playing games here."

"I know that…"

Videl closed her locker and shouldered her backpack. Erasa sighed deeply, dragging her feet while the two friends made their way out of the school grounds.

"It's just…"

The sentence was left unfinished, hanging in the air, as Erasa clamped her mouth shut and pinched her lips together. Videl eyed her friend with a frown.

"What? What is it?"

"Nothing…"

"Come on, 'Rase, it's unlike you not to say what's on your mind, especially to me. What is it?"

"Well… It's just… You know… You've been…" Erasa slumped her back and heaved another sigh. "Well, you've been spending all your weekends with Gohan lately – alone, just the two of you. If I didn't know any better…"

"But you do know better – thank goodness. I'm so tired of having to explain to everyone that Gohan and I are just friends."

"Are you though…? Just friends?"

There was a pause. Videl squinted at Erasa.

"… What's with you? Of course we're just friends. He's just been training me for the past weeks – and you've seen what an incredible martial artist he is. I would've been stupid not to ask for his help."

Arms crossed, Erasa frowned at the hallways ahead, stomping her feet with each step. Videl rolled her eyes at the childish reaction.

"What? Just spit it out already, Erasa."

But the usually bubbly blonde stayed stubbornly quiet, refusing to even glance at the shorter girl. Videl growled in frustration, gripping the straps of her backpack, knuckles turning white.

"What the hell…" she muttered under her breath.

"Ugh. Never mind. Forget it."

Forget what? You haven't said anything, Videl wanted to snap back, but she just scowled at her friend instead, giving Erasa her best mean face.

What the hell was that about? This wasn't the Erasa she knew. Erasa had always been straight with her, and Videl loved her for it, and yet all of a sudden she couldn't say what was on her mind?

What was with her anyway? Did she really just question her friendship with Gohan? With everything she'd been through trying to get over her crush on him… Trying to get over her heartbreak, too, after Gohan had put her in the friendzone. Erasa knew all about that – she was the only one Videl trusted with the whole truth. How could she have any doubt as to her relationship with Gohan after everything she had confided in her?

"There's nothing between Gohan and me, you know," Videl affirmed as they stepped outside, leaving the building.

Erasa didn't answer, still stubbornly looking ahead of her. Glaring, more like.

"Is it because we've been going to my lake house every weekend? I told you already, we're just training together. It's not like he spends the night either. Gohan's a great trainer; he's taught me a lot."

Erasa huffed – yet, still, didn't utter a word. Videl grumbled.

"Are you really not gonna talk to me? Why are we even walking together then? Should I just get my jetcopter out and go on my way?"

"I'm frustrated," Erasa finally gritted out. "And I can't tell you what I think because it'll only make things worse and won't be of any help, so I'm not. And it sucks."

Videl eyed her, unsure. "O…kay…?"

Erasa let out a tired sigh that turned into a half-hearted chuckle. Shoulders slumping, she turned to Videl, meeting her skeptical gaze.

"How about we hang out at your place while you get ready to meet with Gohan later? When are you guys meeting up for that matter?"

Videl didn't answer, observing the other girl with a frown as a thought occurred to her.

"Did you want to go to the lake house with us? Is that what this is about?"

Erasa cracked a mild smile. "Not really, but kind of, I guess. I don't know. Anyway, let's just go."

Erasa couldn't be further from the truth. It was obvious that Gohan was just a friend. Okay, so they shared a strong bond and were super close, plus Gohan trusted her with his biggest secrets. And yes, they were spending a whole lot of time together, which Videl admitted may not be in her best interest considering that she was trying to get over her feelings for him. But it also helped in a way! It did. Since Videl was forced to accept that there could only ever be friendship between them, spending time with Gohan, as friends, couldn't be that bad for her, right?

Besides, he was only training her for the tournament! Yeah, sure, they took breaks from training and hung out too, but again, it was just as friends. Because Gohan was just a friend. One of her best friends, to be honest. She cared about him dearly, and she didn't want to lose him.

Surely, in these circumstances, it made sense that they would spend a lot of time together, right?

"Videl, this is a big one, so you might want to pay closer attention, hm?"

The pigtailed girl blinked out of her thoughts and was met with Gohan's effortlessly charming smile. Her cheeks warmed up as she smiled back, willing her brain to stop overthinking about Erasa's odd reaction earlier and instead focus on the new technique Gohan was teaching her today.

"Right. Sorry. I'm paying attention. Continue."

"I think the best way for you to learn is for me to show you first. And while I'm launching the attack, be sure to examine what I'm doing with my ki."

Videl nodded in understanding, focusing her sixth sense on the vibrations of Gohan's energy. He jumped back, putting some distance between them, and Videl's eyes squinted as she observed his movements while he gathered his ki in his hands.

"Ka… Me…"

He bent his knees and drew his hands by his hip while an orb of energy formed between his palms. Videl examined the way his ki skyrocketed and rushed in between his hands. The winds rose about the young warrior as he continued chanting the name of the deadly attack.

"Ha… Me…"

The winds blew harder, the leaves of the surrounding trees rustling and shaking in response. Violent waves disturbed the usually still water in the lake. Videl held her breath as she tried to make sense of the immense power in her presence.

And to think, this was barely a dent in Gohan's full strength.

The orb swelled in size and brightness, almost rivaling the sun; its rays clashed with their surroundings, casting dark shadows off the nearby trees.

"HAAAAAAAA!"

Pushing his arms forward, a blue wave of incredible energy shot out from his hands and up the sky, through the clouds, all the way into outer space. If anything had been in its path, it would have been instantly obliterated for sure.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Gohan said with a grin, standing tall with his hands on his hips.

But Videl had yet to wrap her mind around what she had just witnessed – and to pick up her jaw from the ground too.

Gohan chuckled playfully, shaking his head slightly, and walked over to her. He snapped his fingers in front of her face, effectively snapping her out of her daze. Videl blushed while his grin widened.

"So, what do you think? Ready to Kamehameha some butts?"

As the stunned daze faded away, Videl's usual excitement for learning rose forth and brought a broad smile to her face.

"You bet I am!" she exclaimed, pumping her fist into her palm. "That was so amazing! I mean, I get that I could never throw a Kamehameha as powerful as yours, but I bet I could do some real damage, right?"

"I have no doubt. Your ki has grown a lot in the past weeks, and it'll keep getting stronger. In time, you could definitely blow out a mountain."

"Blow out a mountain…? That sounds so… You really think I could become that strong?"

"Oh, yes, definitely. Especially when you master the Kamehameha. It's one of the deadliest attacks I know. I mean, that's what I used to kill Cell – I had to blow every last bit of his cells too or he could regenerate. Only the Kamehameha was powerful enough to accomplish that."

Videl paused, head tilting as she observed the taller boy. If he hadn't told her about his origins and his accomplishments, she would have kept thinking that this was just an incredibly talented boy with the biggest, purest heart she ever knew. But other than that, never could she have ever imagined who he really was, and what he was truly capable of.

"What? What is it?" Gohan asked, his easy smile ever so present.

"I was just thinking… How you fought Cell when you were just a kid. How you overpowered even your father at the mere age of nine and had to fight a battle to the death with a horrific monster who would have destroyed everything we know if not for you."

His smile toned down slightly, but the warmth in his eyes never wavered. "I get that it's a lot to digest. I was ten though, not nine."

"I thought you were sixteen like me? Then you must have been nine."

"I'm sixteen, officially, but I'm really seventeen. It's a bit complicated," he chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

"You're seventeen?"

"There's this special room, it's in another dimension, and time goes a lot slower when you're in there than here on Earth. Before the Cell Games, I spent about a year in that room training with my dad, but outside the room, only a day had passed. So basically, I aged a year in a day."

"Huh."

"It's some of my fondest memories, too, that year with my dad." Gohan's gaze grew more gentle as he looked up at the sky. "We had a lot of good times – and I had him all to myself for nearly a whole year. It was pretty awesome."

There was a moment of silence, and as Gohan gazed upon the sky as though it was playing the film of his cherished memories, Videl focused her attention on him, her mind reeling.

"Even though it led to the Cell Games and you having to face Cell?" she inquired.

Gohan looked at her and shrugged. "I guess I'd rather focus on the good times. Sure, facing Cell was no picnic, but I know I was the only one who could beat him, and so did my dad. And don't get me wrong, that battle was awful, and harsh, and just… awful. But, you know, there's no point fixating on it now. It's all in the past."

Videl frowned in thought, trying to find the answers she was looking for in Gohan's easy smile.

"How do you do it?" she then blurted out.

"Hm?"

"You seem so carefree and happy and, I don't know, grounded, like you have it all together. But you fought a literal monster when you were just a child. Yeah, you say it was awful, but you barely seem affected by the memory. After going through something like that, anyone would have to have some kind of after-effect, of PTSD even. But… you don't, do you? Or at least, it doesn't seem that way. Even now, we're talking about what must have been a traumatic event for you, but you're calmly looking at me and listening to me while I ramble on and on trying to make my point – and now you're even smiling that easy smile of yours you always do."

"Well, I can't help it. You're kind of adorable when you're rambling."

Videl let out a nervous chuckle, some tension lifting off her shoulders. Her eyes softened and she scratched her hair at the base of her neck.

"If I understand correctly," Gohan started, head tilted to the side "you want to know why I don't seem traumatized by my childhood."

"Yes! Thank you! That's what I was getting at!"

Gohan grinned, eyes sparkling, and Videl felt herself melting inside.

But she quickly got hold of herself. This. This was why she wanted – no, needed to know how Gohan did it. If she could brush off her feelings for him the same way he seemed to brush off his traumatic experiences, then she would no longer be so affected by his mere presence. She could finally fully enjoy being his friend and have no regrets.

Videl wasn't an idiot, nor was she blind. Of course she saw Erasa's point. Gohan had taken such a big place in her life, and in her heart, and she would be lying if she said she had moved on. Still, even though it had been weeks since Gohan had put her in the friendzone, even though she had been getting over him, they had also been spending a whole lot of time together. While it had been pretty awesome, and she had been learning so much from Gohan too, it was also hard to forget about her feelings for him when he was right there reminding her why she liked him so much every time they were together. Which was pretty much all the time.

"So… how do you do it?" she asked once more.

"Well, I guess what has helped me overcome those hard times is meditation. I'd told you about Piccolo, right? The one who taught me how to fight. He's also the one who was there for me after Dad died, and he helped me through my loss with meditation."

"Meditation, huh… Is it really that simple?"

"I know I didn't have the easiest of childhoods… I've been through a lot – but I also had a lot of great times, and a lot of amazing people who love me and care for me. That's what I focus on, and it's easier to do so when I meditate; it helps me filter out all the negative thoughts and find my inner peace."

"So, that's how you overcame your trauma?"

"Well…" Gohan's eyes dimmed, looking into the distance unseeingly. "I don't know if I can say I've overcome it all… I mean, thinking about Cell doesn't trigger anything. He was a monster, but I killed him – obliterated him. I overpowered him in every single way, so the thought of him doesn't frighten me, because I know I could do it again.

"But… what was most traumatizing about that day… it was me. The monster I had to become so I could have the power to kill Cell. I was so… hateful, and vengeful. And just evil. I wanted to see him suffer – I wanted to make him suffer. I had a chance to kill him off quickly, but I didn't, because I deemed it was too easy a death, and I wasn't done toying with him." He swallowed, head lowered, fists trembling at his sides. "If I had just killed him off then like Dad urged me to… If I had just ended it quickly… If I hadn't become such a disgusting monster… Dad wouldn't have had to sacrifice himself to make up for my stupid mistake. Dad… would still be alive."

Videl touched his clenched fist, the contact making Gohan look up at her. Her heart clenched painfully at the grief and sorrow in the boy's usually carefree eyes. She stroked the back of his hand, gently prying open his tightly bound fingers. He tried to smile, but it felt so foreign, so different than his usual easy smiles. So… heartwrenching.

"See, I've still got a long way to go…" he murmured hoarsely.

"I get it now…"

"You get it?"

"Everything. You. What you meant, that time at the bakery, when you were talking about your temper and how you learned to keep it in control. Why you would refuse to fight back against that bully even though he started it, and your reaction when you ended up losing your temper at him, how much it rattled you…"

He chuckled slightly, half-heartedly. "You remember all that?"

Videl intertwined their fingers, holding his hand firmly. If she remembered? How could she ever forget those moments? Those were the very first times Gohan had utterly captivated her, knocking down the walls around her heart one by one, slowly but surely making his way through.

The boy turned away, a blush forming on his face, and cleared his throat as he pulled his hand away and used it to rub the back of his neck. "So, um… yeah. Meditation. It helps a lot. If you want, we, um… we could take a moment for meditation in our training sessions from now on?"

"Sounds like a plan. I mean, I have meditated before, but I've never reached anywhere near your level of inner peace. Either I'm doing it wrong, or your method is just better."

He chuckled slightly, meeting her gaze while his shoulders relaxed. "Heh, could be. My mentor is kinda THE best in the universe at meditation – not exaggerating. I'll teach you how you can grow your ki through meditation too. Piccolo does it like no one else."

"Huh… That's… amazing. Can you really do that?"

"Yeah. You can do all kinds of neat stuff with meditation. You still have lots to learn."

Videl grinned, eyes sparkling with excitement. Learning just happened to be one of her favorite things – especially if Gohan was her teacher.

"Seriously? Nothing?" Booker caught the baseball in his glove, wincing slightly at the force with which his partner threw it.

"Sorry," Gohan apologized sheepishly, taking a mental note to lower his ki even more for his next throw. "But yeah, she's completely clueless." He caught the baseball in his glove in turn. "I even called her adorable and she barely reacted."

"Man, who knew Videl would be that clueless about these things," Booker said catching the baseball once more before throwing it again. "I mean, she's usually so sharp and observant."

"I know! I thought I was being pretty obvious too," Gohan shot back, pleased that Booker no longer winced from the force of his throws as the boys continued playing catch.

It was PE, and the teacher told the class to get in pairs and practice their throws and catches. Booker had come to him, giving him the look Gohan had learned to recognize as his friend wanting updates on his progress with Videl.

A short distance away on the baseball field, a rolling ball passed closer to the pair. Erasa jogged after it, coming into hearing range of the oblivious boys.

"But what else can I do? She just doesn't get that I'm flirting with her. Maybe it's hopeless… I guess Videl just doesn't see me that way…"

"Nah dude, she's totally into you. Trust me, I can tell. Just from the way she looks at you – it's a dead giveaway."

Gohan cracked a small smile. "I still have my doubts about that – but thanks. I really hope you're right."

"Maybe you need to be more obvious. Like, bolder. Do something that clearly states that you're flirting with her."

Gohan blushed. "Aw geez, I don't know, Booker… That doesn't really sound like me…"

"What have you got to lose? You want Videl to notice you, don't you?"

"Well… yeah. But what would I even do?"

Booker fell silent as his brow furrowed in thought. The boys passed the baseball around a few times as he tried to come up with something.

"I guess it'll depend on the situation," he finally said. "You could grab her and pull her to you or something… Look right into her eyes… Maybe tell her she's beautiful?"

Gohan pictured himself doing what Booker said and his face flared up. If not for his lightning reflexes, he would have missed catching the ball just then.

"That… is quite bold," he mumbled.

"At least it'll be clear that you're flirting with her once and for all," Booker reasoned. "I still can't believe how clueless Videl is… Pretty much everyone's noticed that you've been flirting with her."

Gohan gave an awkward laugh. "Rea… Really? I mean, I guess that was my point… for her to notice, that is…"

"And maybe you could imply wanting to be with her," Booker offered.

"… How would I do that?"

"Man, do I have to do all the work?" Booker complained jokingly. Gohan chuckled in amusement. He was grateful for Booker, who had been giving him advice about Videl since the field trip. Without Booker, Gohan wouldn't know how to even begin trying to get Videl's attention. For something other than training, that is.

A short distance away, still unnoticed by the pair, Erasa slithered away and back to her baseball partner.

"What took you so long?" Casey asked, tapping her foot.

Erasa shook her head to herself before throwing the baseball to Casey. "Nothing…"

Inwardly, however, the blonde could barely wrap her mind around what she just overheard. Not only did Gohan like Videl, but he was actually aware of his feelings and was even trying to get her to notice him in that way. Who knew?

Sure, Erasa hadn't missed the fact that Gohan had clearly been flirting with Videl, but she just figured he was doing it unconsciously because he liked her. She did come to the very obvious conclusion that Gohan indeed liked Videl after a few days of watching the way he had been acting with her, always showering her with marks of affection and being extra gentle with her.

And to think, all this time, he was doing it on purpose! And Booker was in on it too! Talk about seeing those guys in a new light… When did these two get so close anyway?

Bolder.

The single word kept running round and round in his head whenever he would think about Videl. Which was pretty much all the time. It would get worse any time his crush was nearby, and even worse whenever they were alone together.

Bolder. Bolder. I have to be bolder, the thought kept repeating as his gaze trailed over Videl's perfect profile.

Bolder…

They were at her lake house once again. Videl had been making tremendous progress with her ki control. By now she could fly easily, summon her ki for attacks, and she was close to mastering the Kamehameha. They were also making time for meditation every time they got together for training, and Videl was as quick a study as ever.

Videl was working on her Kamehameha, trying to summon all of her ki in her hands. Gohan tried to focus on helping her and giving her pointers, but all he could ever think about was what Booker and he had talked about the other day.

"… Me… Ha… Me…" the female fighter chanted, her ki gathering between her palms.

Gohan shook his head sharply, forcing himself to focus and help his student. Even distracted, he could tell that Videl still wasn't able to form a proper Kamehameha.

"Wait, Videl." He placed his hand on her wrist, bringing her attention to him while her ki faded away. "That's not quite it. You have to really push all of your ki out – that's what makes this attack so deadly."

She held his gaze, frowning in thought – and, once again, Gohan's mind went back to his conversation with his brown-haired friend.

Bolder. Be bolder.

His hand was still on her wrist – so, listening to Booker's advice, he pulled Videl to him, wrapping his arms around her.

Her eyes grew wide and, giving hope to the enamored boy, her face flushed completely. He smirked a little – he wanted to believe that he was making Videl nervous, that she was blushing because of him, not just because she was caught off guard.

He cupped her cheek, his eyes softening as he looked deep into hers.

"Gosh, you're so beautiful…"

The words slipped out on their own. Videl's flustered stammers were absolutely adorable – Gohan could feel his heart melting. He leaned in and brushed his nose along her temple, her cheek, her jawline, before burying his face in the crook of her neck.

Goodness, her scent was heavenly.

"G… Gohan…? Wha… What are you… doing…?"

Was she still clueless as to his intentions? Even now? Was he not being bold enough, still?

"I just… want to hold you," he whispered. She shivered against him, and then he heard her swallow loudly.

"A-Ah… O… Okay…"

He chuckled softly, played with her silky hair, twirled a lock of her pigtails around his fingers.

Can't you tell that I like you? Can you really not see that I want to be more than friends…?

He sighed softly and held her closer, his arms around her waist, letting the side of his head drop in the crook of her neck.

"Isn't it… um… a bit uncomfortable, though…?" she croaked out. "I mean… because of… how much taller you are than me and all…"

"Maybe a little… Shall we sit then?"

"Oh, um…" She swallowed thickly once more, and Gohan smiled to himself. He really was making her nervous, wasn't he?

Maybe… Maybe Videl's secret crush could possibly be… Maybe Booker was right… Maybe Videl did like him.

Could it really have been him all along?

He pulled her with him and they sat together on the grass. Gohan wasn't ready to let go of her just yet. He wasn't thinking about Booker's advice anymore, or about having to be bolder with Videl. He was just basking in her sweet fragrance, in her intoxicating presence, in her lovely embrace…

Perhaps his mind had wandered too far away, but at this point, he couldn't help himself. Letting his heart guide him, Gohan gently brought Videl closer and lay down on the grass, his arms tightening around her soft body. Pulling his head back slightly to look at her lovely face, he gazed upon her tenderly as he brushed her hair out of her face, leaving his hand against her cheek.

She was blushing so much – yet Gohan felt calm and at peace. He leaned closer and let his eyes slide shut, pressing his forehead against hers.

Can you see it now? Can you tell how much you mean to me? Can you feel my heart reaching out to yours?

As he held her close, little by little, Gohan felt Videl relax in his embrace. He basked in the moment, with this incredible girl, in his arms. She snuggled up to his chest, and Gohan let out a sigh of pure bliss.

It didn't matter anymore – the plan, the advice, the flirting… Nothing mattered anymore.

It was just him and her, alone in the world – right there, right then, in this perfect moment.

If only it could never end…

AND IT'S UUUUPPPPPPP!

Omg can you believe it? It's been almost a whole year since my last update – this hiatus sure has been dragging on huh? Well, it's over now, and I'm picking up the story – and my goal to finish it – where I left off. I'm hoping to complete it by the end of the year, so wish me luck!

In the meantime, I would love some feedback on this chapter! The plot is moving along, people, and we're getting closer and closer to the flash-forward timeline! I don't know about you but I CANNOT WAIITTTT!

Ahem. Anyway hehe… Hope you enjoyed, and please tell me what you thought! See you soon!

July 8, 2024-