Bulma opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, smiling at the Iron Maiden poster above her. Bulma stretched and sat up, leaning against the headboard. With a slight grin, she peered over the bed to the ruffled duvet and pillow. Realizing it was empty, she pouted and threw back the covers, swinging her legs over the bed. Bulma giggled at the Linkin Park shirt she wore that was too big for her small frame. Bulma stood up with another stretch before looking toward the opening door. Vegeta stood in the doorway with a slight frown, already dressed. "Well well, sleeping beauty awakens."

Bulma smiled at him. "I didn't expect such a nice compliment from you this early in the morning."

Vegeta realized what he said and tried incredibly hard not to blush. "Firstly, that isn't what I meant, and secondly, it's almost eleven, lazyass."

Bulma gaped at him for a moment before huffing a laugh. "Guess it's a good thing we have free period today. Man, I slept like a rock."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know. I didn't expect such a loud racket to come from such a small person."

Bulma frowned with hands on her hips. "I don't snore!"

Vegeta laughed. "Oh, believe me, you do." Bulma huffed and folded her arms with a pout. "Eighteen said she has some clothes for you to wear, but don't expect them to be frilly and girly. You've seen our fashion style, but I'm sure you'll take them anyway because we all know that you hate wearing the same outfit twice in the space of a month. It's no wonder there's a room in your house dedicated to your clothes."

Bulma blinked in surprise. "You – you know that about me?"

Vegeta grunted and moved to pick up the duvet from the floor. "I know it's hard to believe, but I know a lot about you." Vegeta turned to her with a grin, intending to embarrass her. "The way you bite your lip when you concentrate. The way you always put your hands on your hips when you're mad. The clothes thing. Or the way you never eat lunch on Fridays because you hate feeling full before gym." The intention to embarrass her had failed because Vegeta didn't realize that he knew so much about Bulma, and it surprised him that he could continue.

Bulma smiled. "I've not had friends who paid so much attention to me before. I like it." Bulma wanted to kick herself. She wanted to say something else, but she and Yamcha had only broken up a week ago, and Bulma wasn't sure if she was ready to open her heart again yet; Vegeta probably only liked her as a friend anyway.

Vegeta grunted and looked away from her. "Whatever. Bathroom is down the hall, and Eighteen is ready when you are, and if Asaki and Lilith ask, you slept in Eighteen's room. Actually, go with that story regardless. We don't need our friends asking stupid questions." Bulma nodded; that was a fair point. She turned for the door. "You know that's my favourite shirt."

Bulma looked down and almost blushed. "Oh, right. I'll give it back when I change."

Vegeta pulled a face. "I don't want it back, it's all womany now."

Bulma rolled her eyes. "I can wash it if you're gonna be a baby about it."

Vegeta clicked his tongue. "Just keep it."

Bulma gave a small smile. "Okay, I will." Bulma left the bedroom, shutting the door because Vegeta hated leaving his door open.

Vegeta sighed and leaned his head against the door. It really didn't bother him that Bulma had worn his shirt; the truth was that her scent drove him crazy sometimes. How the hell could he keep the shirt after seeing her wear it? "It looked better on her anyway." Vegeta shook his head. "What the hell am I even saying. She practically just friend-zoned me. We're both better off without the awkward confessions. We're just friends, and that's it."

Goku and Chi Chi arrived at school first and sat on the curb, hand in hand, waiting for their friends. "What should we do this weekend?" Goku asked casually.

Chi Chi laid her head on his shoulder. "I don't know." She shuffled her foot across the gravel. "You know, we don't have to spend it with our friends…." Goku looked down at her when she craned her head. "My dad left this morning to visit my aunt and uncle for the weekend. He asked if I wanted to go, but I told him I wanted to spend it with my friends. Maybe we could spend the weekend together…. if you want to."

Goku smiled brightly. "I'd love to." Goku tilted Chi Chi's chin and kissed her softly.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

Goku and Chi Chi pulled away and blushed when they saw Krillin. Goku laughed nervously. "Sorry about that."

Krillin waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, it's cool. I'm just jealous is all. You guys are great together."

Chi Chi smiled. "You'll find someone, Krillin. I think Eighteen likes you, but you know how she is."

Krillin shook his head. "Thanks, but I think we're just friends."

A black car pulled up, and the trio walked over to greet the twins. "You're such a reckless driver, Seventeen," Eighteen commented, slamming the car door as Bulma got out of the backseat. "And who the hell wants to rush to school anyway."

Seventeen grinned and looked at their friends' questioning gazes. "Time of the month."

Chi Chi and Bulma faced palmed. No guy should ever say that.

"Ooooh," Goku replied, causing Chi Chi to frown at him. "What'd I say?"

Eighteen glared at her brother. "I oughta punch you in the face for that."

Seventeen shrugged and shut the door before locking it. "Chill out, Eighteen, or I'll make you walk home."

Eighteen scoffed and stormed toward Chi Chi. "Men are pigs," she said before storming into the building.

The group stared after her. Chi Chi looked back at Bulma. "I guess I know what we'll be talking about later." Bulma nodded a reply.

Seventeen rolled his eyes. Soon, a motorbike pulled up beside his car. Vegeta swung his leg over and bolted his bike to the bars. He reached up and pulled his helmet off to find his friends staring at him in utter shock. "What?" he growled at them.

Goku pointed at him. "Vegeta, you're – you have a helmet."

Vegeta glared at him. "Say one more word, Kakarott, and I'll throw it at you."

Goku smiled and gestured in a zip motion with his thumb and forefinger.

Seventeen grinned at their friends. "Bulma."

Bulma giggled as she looked at Vegeta. The teen growled at her and hooked the helmet under his arm before heading toward the school. "Women."

The group looked at Bulma. "How did you convince him to wear a helmet?" Goku asked.

Bulma smiled. "It's a long story. Let's just say he's realized how important he is to us."

Their friends were curious but didn't question it further; Bulma knew they'd all come to their own conclusions eventually.

Krillin tilted his head. "So, uh, Bulma, not to sound offensive or anything, but did your fashion style change over night?"

Bulma looked down at herself with a smile. She wore black knee-length shorts with black fishnet stockings and a fitted purple short-sleeved shirt with a black cross on the front. "Not really, but I spent the night with Eighteen on a whim, and she was kind enough to lend me some clothes for today. You know how I-"

"Hate wearing the same outfit twice in the space of a month," they all finished her sentence.

Bulma giggled. "Right."

It started to rain, and the group fled toward the building, back outside, and toward their Design Technology classroom, seeking shelter under the awning, where Eighteen was already waiting, dry as a bone. She mumbled an apology for her outburst, but they were already over it. "I like DT," Goku announced without hesitation.

Chi Chi agreed. "Me too. It's always the one class we get to do something fun."

"This is fun?" Seventeen replied bluntly.

Vegeta grinned. "Too manly for you?"

Seventeen glared at him and punched him on the arm. "Asshole."

Their teacher arrived to let them in, shaking his umbrella at the side before letting it down. "The room should be nice and warm, so would everyone get into pairs while I set up the lesson plan.

Vegeta sat down next to Seventeen when Eighteen grabbed Bulma's wrist to drag her to a table. Goku and Chi Chi found a table next to their friends, which left Krillin standing without a partner. Krillin slumped. With Yamcha gone, their group was uneven. Eighteen looked at him, feeling somewhat guilty; she didn't even give Bulma a chance to decide either. "Should I have asked Krillin?" Eighteen asked, surprising her friend.

Bulma smiled at her. "Eighteen, if you like Krillin, you don't have to hide it."

Eighteen raised an eyebrow. "You should take your own advice."

Bulma blinked. "I don't know what you're talking about." Bulma raised her hand. "Mr. Daisuke? Would it be okay if Krillin joined us? We're a friend short now, so it makes us an odd number."

Mr. Daisuke turned to them, looked at Krillin awkwardly standing nearby, and realized that the class were all in pairs. "Well, I suppose that's only fair since there isn't anyone left to pair with anyway, but I expect good results."

Krillin sat with his friends. "Thanks, Bulma." Eighteen still felt guilty for immediately picking Bulma over Krillin. Krillin wasn't who she would normally hang out with, but he had become a good friend and deserved more from them.

Each pair started the lesson plan, soldering into ready-prepped circuit boards. The teacher scouted the class to keep tabs on their work, observing it closely as he walked between the tables. "Keep it up," he commented to one pair. "Nice work, Chi Chi and Goku."

"Be careful," Goku said softly as Chi Chi held a metal surface over the circuit board. "I don't want you burning yourself."

Chi Chi stopped and smiled at her boyfriend. "Don't worry, silly. I'll be alright."

Vegeta glanced at Bulma's table; he'd been doing that a lot during the lesson. He looked at Seventeen with a sigh. "What exactly are we supposed to be making?"

Seventeen stopped to let the solder cool down. "Beats me. It's just practice I guess."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "It's boring."

Seventeen looked at his foster sibling with a grin. "Is that why I'm doing all the work while you stare at Bulma?"

Vegeta frowned. "Shut up. You're deluded."

Seventeen chuckled. "Right, right."

A sudden scream broke the silent classroom. Mr. Daisuke rushed to Bulma's table. "What happened!"

Bulma was holding her hand as she looked up at the teacher with a brave smile. "I burnt myself, but I don't think it's that bad."

"Let me see," the teacher replied and held his hand out. Bulma showed him the nasty burn forming on the back of her hand. "Better get yourself to the nurse, Bulma. That'll need dressing."

Bulma sighed. "Yeah, alright."

"Want me to go with you?" Eighteen asked.

Mr. Daisuke frowned and shook his head. "Nice try, Eighteen, but Bulma's a big girl. She can go by herself."

Bulma walked passed her other friends, letting them know she was okay, smiling at Vegeta before she left. Seventeen laughed. "Oh, yeah, there's nothing going on. You're right, I'm deluded." Vegeta punched him on the arm. "Grouchy."

When DT class finished, the group met up with Bulma outside the nurse's office. She smiled at them and held her now bandaged hand up. "It's not that bad, really. I've done worse helping my dad out in the lab. At least it's not the hand I write with."

…...

"Drama is for sissys," Seventeen commented as they stepped into their classroom.

"You fit right in," Vegeta grinned.

Seventeen turned to shove Vegeta, but he moved. "Bite me."

They had a female teacher for this class; she clapped her hands to gain her student's attention. "Okay, class, gather round. Today, we're going to do something different. We're going to get into some play scripts. I've chosen Romeo and Juliet. I think this is one of the most beautiful written plays, and it's perfect for you."

Goku pouted. "Shakespeare confuses me. The way they talk doesn't make sense."

Vegeta turned to him with a grin. "I'm amazed you even know who that is."

Goku smiled. "Thanks!"

Vegeta shook his head. "You're a moron."

Chi Chi smiled at Goku, clasping her hands together hopefully. "Wouldn't it be nice to get the parts of Romeo and Juliet, Goku?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Kill me now."

"The point of this exercise is improv. It's better to play parts that seem out of character," Miss. Reika told Chi Chi. "Everyone knows that you and Goku are dating."

Bulma and Eighteen giggled. Yeah, that was definitely no secret now since the couple were always seen holding hands.

Miss. Reika looked around the room, and they could tell that she had already decided who was playing what part. "Let's see." The class waited anxiously for their parts. Vegeta and Seventeen couldn't believe they were doing this. "Vegeta, Bulma, you will be Romeo and Juliet."

Vegeta gaped at her. "No way."

Bulma covered her face. "Me and Vegeta…. oh god," she mumbled.

Seventeen and Eighteen exchanged amused glances. Chi Chi was saddened that she and Goku couldn't play the tragic lovers, but it would be interesting to see how her two friends would react.

"Krillin, you will be the friar, the holy man who's friends with Romeo and Juliet. Kiria, you will play Benvolio, Romeo's cousin. Yakai, you will play Balthasar, Romeo's servant. Maron, you will be playing Lady Montague, Romeo's mother."

Vegeta sneered in disgust. She was half the reason that trouble started between their group to begin with. "I never met my mother, and I certainly wouldn't want to if she looks like her."

Maron glared at him. "Go suck a lemon, flame boy."

Vegeta grabbed his chest, feigning injury. "Ouch, how ever will I return such a horrible insult." Vegeta grinned. "Go suck Yamcha's-"

"Okay!" Miss. Reika shouted. "Moving on before I have to send some of you out. Chi Chi, you will play the nurse of Juliet, her trusting friend and carer."

Chi Chi smiled. "That's not much improv." Bulma laughed.

Goku raised his hand. "What about me?"

"Goku, you will be playing Romeo's father." Chi Chi cringed, knowing that put Goku as Maron's acting husband.

Eighteen placed a hand on Chi Chi's shoulder. "If she tries to get fresh with him, I'll punch her lights out."

Chi Chi smiled. What a friend.

Goku placed a hand on Vegeta's back. "Hi, son!" he laughed.

Vegeta yanked away. "Don't touch me, idiot."

"Eighteen, you will play Juliet's mother, and Itsushi will play Juliet's father."

Eighteen rolled her eyes. "Joy."

Bulma laughed and wrapped her arms around her friend. "Aww, hi, mom!" Eighteen sighed, trying not to laugh at Bulma's antics because she was annoyed that she had to do this.

"Seventeen, you will play Mercutio, Romeo's closest friend."

Vegeta suddenly laughed. "Hey, didn't Mercutio dress in drag in one of the movies?"

Seventeen looked horrified. "I'm not doing that!"

Vegeta patted Seventeen's head. "But you've already got the hair."

Seventeen growled and succeeded in shoving Vegeta off this time. "You're so looking for a blackeye."

Miss. Reika sighed in frustration. "Can we please get through this quickly? I'd like us to act some of this play in one lesson."

The class received all their assigned characters and prepared to dress appropriately from the box of costumes. Once dressed, the class received their copy of the script, and the acting began.

Miss. Reika was impressed with most of the class' keen attitude. She nodded her approval at their cooperation and began her narration. "Two households both alike in dignity in fair Verona, where we lay our scene. From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes. A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, whose mis-adventured piteous overthrows doth with their death, bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death marked love, and the continuance of their parents' rage, which but their children's end not could remove, is now the two hours traffic of our stage."

"O, where is Romeo? Saw you him today? Right glad I am he was not at this fray," Maron spoke with a surprisingly good accent.

"Madam, underneath a grove of sycamore so early walking did I see your son," Kiria replied.

Vegeta growled at his script. "This is ridiculous," he muttered.

Miss. Reika rolled her eyes. "Just read the script, Vegeta. Stay in character or it'll throw everyone off."

…

Bulma smiled as she waited by one of the prop columns. "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle sin is this. My lips, two blushingpilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."

Bulma tried not to giggle at Vegeta's embarrassment as they moved between the columns. "Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, which mannerly devotion shows in this. For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

Vegeta was almost mesmerized by her soft voice, guided by her accent. "Have not saint lips? And holy palmers too?"

"Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer."

"Well, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."

"Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake."

"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged."

"Then have my lips the sin that they have took."

"Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again."

Vegeta and Bulma drew closer to each other with each reading, and before they knew it, they were lost in the moment, and their lips touched. Vegeta's hand moved to pull Bulma closer as she reached up to grasp his shirt. The class stared at them in shock.

"They are not acting," Seventeen whispered to his sister.

Eighteen merely shook her head.

Krillin leaned closer to Goku and Chi Chi. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" All he received were nods in reply.

Miss. Reika coughed to gain back their attention. "Erm, you can stop now."

Vegeta realized what he was doing and pulled away quickly. Shit. "Sorry," he mumbled. Bulma touched her lips, her cheeks tinged pink. She wanted to tell him that it was okay and that none of that was part of the act, but with the way he pulled back, her feelings obviously weren't reciprocated.

Bulma gulped and continued the play. "You kiss by the book," she said, looking at him. Vegeta looked away.

….

"Young son," Krillin spoke, "it argues a distemper'd head so soon to bid good marrow to thy bed, or if not so so, then here I hit it right, our Romeo hath not seen his bed tonight."

Vegeta ignored what those words meant, knowing he was talking about Bulma, who was playing Juliet. "The last is true. The sweeter rest was mine."

Krillin gasped. "God pardon sin, was thou with Rosaline!"

"Rosaline? My ghostly father no, I have forgot that name, and that name's woe."

"That's my good son, but where hast thou been."

"I have been feasting with mine enemy, where on a sudden one hath wounded me, that's by me wounded, both our remedies within thy help and holy physic lies."

Vegeta glared at Krillin, who was obviously enjoying this. "Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift, riddling confession finds but riddling shrift."

"Then plainly know my hearts dear love is set on the fair daughter of rich Capulet. We met, we wooed, we made exchange of vow. I'll tell thee as we pass, but this I pray, that thou consent to marry us today." God, I hate this class.

"Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! Is Rosaline that thou didst love so dear so soon forsaken? Young men's love then lies not truly in their hearts but in their eyes."

Vegeta scoffed. "In other words, they think with their dick."

The class laughed, and the teacher scorned Vegeta before he continued. "Thou chid'st me oft for loving Rosaline."

….

"Where the devil should this Romeo be? Came he not home to-night?" Seventeen spoke his line, trying not to sound bored.

"Not to his father's. I spoke with his man," Kiria replied.

"Why that pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline, torments him so, that he will sure run mad."

"Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet, hath sent a letter to his father's house."

Seventeen snorted. "A challenge, on my life."

"Romeo will answer it?"

…..

"Art thou hurt?" Kiria asked, feigning concern as Seventeen acted his stabbing scene.

"Ay, ay. A scratch, a scratch."

Vegeta tried not to roll his eyes, even though he knew he'd seek revenge if anyone dared even try to stab him. "Courage man, the hurt cannot be much."

Seventeen spun around dramatically with his arms wide. "Twill serve. Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. A plague o' both your houses. They have made worms meat of me. A plague on both your houses! Why the devil did you come between us? I was hurt under your arm."

"I thought all for the best."

"A Plague o' both your houses."

...

"How doth my lady Juliet? For nothing can be ill if she be well," Vegeta gestured to Yakai, the one playing Balthasar.

Yakai pulled a grave expression. "If she is well then nothing can be ill. Her body rests in chapel's monument, and her immortal part with the angel's lives. I saw her laid low. Pardon me for bringing these ill news."

Vegeta turned and fell to his knees, slamming his fists on the ground, surprising everyone with his acting. "I defy you, stars! JULIET! JULIET! I will hence tonight."

Yakai reached for Vegeta. "Have patience!"

Vegeta yanked away, stumbling forward. "Leave me!"

Miss. Reika smiled to herself. Despite her students' distaste for this at the beginning, she was proud to see they were enjoying it, but she dared not say yet.

"Your looks are pale and wild and do import misadventure."

"Tush, thou art deceived. Hast thou no letters to me from the priest?"

Yakai shook his head.

"No matter. Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight. I will hence tonight."

...

Vegeta stepped onto the stage where Bulma lay waiting on a bed prop. "O my love, my wife, death that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath no power yet upon thy beauty, thou art not conquered. Beauty's ensign yet is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, and death's pale flag is not advanced there. Ah, dear Juliet, why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe that unsubstantial death is amorous and keeps thee here in the dark to be his paramour? For fear of that I still will stay thee. Here, oh, here will I set up my everlasting rest, and shake the yoke of inauspicious stars from this world-wearied flesh. Eyes look your last, arms take your last embrace, and lips, O you the doors to breath, seal with a righteous kiss. A dateless bargain, to engrossing death." Vegeta drank the small bottle, nothing but water, but he collapsed from the act.

Bulma stirred awake, snatching the small empty bottle. "Romeo. What's here? Poison. Drunk all and left no friendly drop to help me after. I will kiss thy lips, happily some poison yet doth hang on them. Thy lips are warm." Bulma hesitated after what happened last time.

Vegeta looked at her with a grin. "You know, I'm dying here. The least you can do is grant me a kiss."

Miss. Reika huffed. "That's not in the script, Vegeta."

Vegeta chuckled. "I was improvising." Bulma smiled and leaned down to capture Vegeta's lips. "Thus... with a kiss... I die."

Bulma retrieved the gun from beside the bed and held it to her head.

"See what a scourge is laid upon your hate," Nikkai, the one playing the police chief, commented. "That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love. And I, for winking at your discords too, have lost a brace of kinsman. All are Punished. ALL ARE PUNISHED!"

"A glooming peace this morning with it brings," Miss. Reika announced. "The sun, for sorrow will not show his head. Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things. Some shall be pardoned and some punished. For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet, and her Romeo." She clapped for her students. "Very well acted all of you... you all did very well."

"It was actually a lot of fun," Chi Chi replied, knowing her friends felt the same.

"I enjoyed it too," Goku said as they began packing the props away.

"I think Bulma and Vegeta really enjoyed it," Seventeen teased.

Vegeta frowned. "Piss off."

After lunch, the group split off into genders, ready for gym class. "Bye, Chi Chi!" Goku called. Chi Chi quickly ran back to Goku, kissed him, and then jogged to catch up with her friends.

"You make me sick, Kakarott."

Goku laughed and clapped a hand on Vegeta's back. "Kissing in front of people isn't that bad, don't you agree?"

Vegeta turned and started chasing Goku toward the changing rooms. "I'll kick your ass!"

…..

The girls were outside for their class today and had split into teams for their hockey match. Bulma was angry that she hadn't been excused from the lesson because of her bandaged hand. 'No note, no bail,' were her teacher's words. She was just happy that her friends were on her team. "Do you think I can hit Maron with this hockey stick without getting in trouble?" Eighteen asked.

The fact that Chi Chi thought about it amused Eighteen; she was a far cry from what she used to be when they met. "Probably not."

"I'm gonna try anyway." Eighteen clapped a hand on Bulma's shoulder. "It'll be for you, Bulma."

Bulma blinked and smiled nervously. "Oh, thanks."

The teacher blew the whistle, and the match began.

Forty minutes into the game, it was a tie 2-2. Maron had the ball, but Eighteen was right behind her and swung her stick around at Maron's ankles, succeeding in tripping her. Eighteen followed the ball and passed it across to Chi Chi, who passed it across to a new girl called Lucinda; she looked at the ball with slight confusion and began to panic. Everyone shouted commands at her for her to take a shot. Lucinda pulled back her stick and whacked it as hard as she could.

Krillin, Goku, Vegeta, and Seventeen heard the cheering from their side of the field. "Looks like someone scored a point," Goku mentioned with a smile. "I hope it's Chi Chi."

Seventeen scoffed. "If any of the girls were to score, it'd be my sister. Everyone knows she's the sporty one." Seventeen began to jog beside his friends when the teacher demanded laps.

After class, the group met up with each other like usual, except they noticed an extra girl tagging along. It was the new girl from their class. Her hair was long and raven; she wore a black netted knee-length dress with black boots.

"How was your class?" Goku asked as he immediately embraced Chi Chi.

Chi Chi smiled. "We won."

Goku kissed her forehead. "That's my girl."

Seventeen glanced at them. "Who's the newb?"

Bulma smiled and jolted a thumb toward the new girl. "Guys, this is Lucinda. We won because of her. She totally owned that match."

Seventeen shrugged. "Do we need another goth in the group?"

Lucinda looked at them awkwardly.

Eighteen punched her brother's arm. "Be nice."

"Whatever, welcome to our dysfunctional clique."

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "First of all, I'm not a goth, and second, I can't believe you just used the word clique."

Seventeen glared. "It was in the moment." He then turned to his sister. "And that hurt. Why is everyone punching me today?"

Vegeta chuckled. "Sissy."

Bulma smiled nervously and looked at Lucinda, who was staring somewhat bewildered at them all. "Yeah, so anyway, welcome to the group. You can hang out with us if you want." Maron and Sei soon walked passed them, giggling to themselves as they glanced their way. "Believe me, you're better off with us than with them."

Lucinda looked at the two girls. "Oh, yeah. They're from my middle school. They were sluts then too."

The group laughed. Eighteen wrapped an arm around Lucinda's shoulders. "You'll fit in just fine with us."

"So, if they're from your middle school, how come you're just starting here?" Bulma asked as they headed to the parking lot.

"I had to transfer because I got expelled." The group looked at her in surprise. Lucinda smiled and shook her head. "It's not as bad as you think. My mum died when I was born, and when I entered high school, eight months ago, my dad had a heart attack and passed away. I kinda shut myself off for a while, refusing to do any work, got into fights with some other students, then I clocked a teacher in the face accidentally when he tried to break us up."

Their eyes widened. "Holy shit," Bulma commented.

"You little psycho," Eighteen grinned. "I love you already."

Lucinda smiled sheepishly. "Listen, I wasn't always like this. Before my dad died, I was well-behaved, got high grades, and to be honest, this wasn't always my choice of fashion either, but the look sort of grew on me, and what with my changing attitude, it seemed to help idiots stay away."

Vegeta scoffed. "Not all the time, believe me." Vegeta looked at Goku.

"Hey, why'd you look at me when you said that?" Goku pouted.

Krillin almost giggled. "I think she was talking about people causing her trouble, Vegeta."

Vegeta glared at him and slapped him over the head. "I know that! I was being – argh, nevermind."

Krillin rubbed his head with a sulky frown. "No need to be so vicious."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Why don't you have Eighteen kiss it better for you." Vegeta grinned when Eighteen scowled at him while Krillin tried to hide away in his hoodie.

"You wanna say that again?"

"Anyway!" Bulma shouted, sick of their bantering for one day. She turned to Lucinda and smiled. "You don't have to worry. This group is all about bettering ourselves."

Seventeen raised an eyebrow. "It is?"

Bulma frowned at him. "Yes. You'll be just fine, Luce. Can we call you that?"

Lucinda smiled. "Sure."

Goku's smile widened. "Hey! That makes our group even again so that when we have to pair up, Krillin won't be alone anymore!" The group snickered because Goku meant well, but it was so not the way it came out.

Krillin sighed and pouted at Goku. "Way to pour salt in my wound, man."

Goku looked down at him. "Huh? But you're not hurt."

Chi Chi giggled. "Oh, Goku, sweetie, he's talking metaphorically."

Vegeta huffed. "Don't confuse him even more. His brain will explode."

The group laughed as they headed toward the school's entrance.

Seventeen looked at Eighteen stoically. "Are you driving or what?"

Eighteen shrugged before sliding into the passenger's seat. "Nah, I'm too tired to care."

Seventeen glanced at Vegeta. "See you at home," he said before getting into the car. He glanced to his right and spotted the new member of the group getting into a purple convertible; he had the window rolled down slightly and could hear the music blaring from her car. { Deceived by my eyes and all I was told I should see. Opinions not mine, the person they taught me to be.}

"Are you going or what?" Eighteen grumbled beside him, snapping out of it.

Seventeen huffed and started the engine. "Keep your pants on, geez."

Eighteen peered out of the window, saw Luce drive away, and grinned. "Now I get it."

Seventeen frowned at her. "What, what do you get?"

Eighteen leaned against him amusedly. "Something caught your eye there, bro? Or should I say, someone?"

Seventeen shoved his sister off and pulled out from the parking space. "Get real. What kind of lame moron falls for someone when they first meet."

Eighteen laughed. "Goku."

Seventeen grinned. "My point exactly." Eighteen looked out of the window with a sigh, catching her brother's attention as he stopped at the traffic lights. "Alright, out with it. What's with your face?" Eighteen frowned at him, thinking he was trying an insult. "You know what I mean."

Eighteen returned her attention to the window. "Nothing."

Seventeen rolled his eyes. "You expect me to believe that?"

Eighteen looked down at her lap. "Seventeen, are we still really the type of people who refuse to act on the way we feel about someone for fear of what each other thinks?"

Seventeen blinked in surprise, not expecting such a serious conversation. "I dunno. Things have changed a lot since we started high school. This is about baldy, isn't it?"

Eighteen tried not to blush and glanced away from her brother. "No."

Seventeen laughed. "Geez, if you like the dork that much, go for it. I don't care. Not to sound like a sentimental fool or anything, but Vegeta and I only want you happy, and if the dork makes you happy and will treat you right, then I guess there's not a problem."

Eighteen smiled at him. "You really mean that, don't you?"

Seventeen looked ahead when the traffic lights turned green. "Breathe a word, and half your clothes will get an unfortunate date with some scissors."

Eighteen looked out of the window, still smiling. "Thank you."

Seventeen smirked. "I still get to rip on you, though, right?"

Eighteen nodded with a short laugh. "So, what about you?"

Seventeen rolled his eyes. "I'm not gonna fall for someone just because she's new and is the only one available."

"She's totally your type though."

"Shut up," Seventeen sighed. "If anyone should confess anything, it's our hot-headed brother, what a case those two are."

Eighteen clasped her hands behind her head. "Tell me about it." She was happy. It had been a long time since she and Seventeen had such a meaningful conversation, and they probably owed that to their friends.

Vegeta and Bulma had stayed behind, trying to hide the awkward tension between them. Everyone had gone home, and the school was quiet. "This is the first time that I've ever been the last one to leave the school after hours," Vegeta commented casually, trying to break the ice.

Bulma smiled. "Me too. I won't tell if you don't." Vegeta grunted in reply. "I guess you got my text then."

Vegeta nodded. Bulma said she wanted to talk, and he knew exactly what it would be about. "Is there much to really say?"

Bulma glanced away, suddenly feeling nervous, but she couldn't leave it alone. Until recently, Bulma didn't know how deep her feelings for Vegeta were. It all made sense now. The bickering, the protectiveness when she had been with Yamcha, and what he did for her. "Vegeta, when we were reading scripts in Drama class, were you – were you just acting?"

Vegeta growled quietly, curling his hands into fists; damn, she just came right out and said it didn't she? How the hell could she expect him to just admit it so openly like that? He thought she knew him better than that. "Were you?" He couldn't say anything until he knew how she felt because at least if she didn't feel the same, he could deny everything, and neither of them would look foolish.

Bulma sighed and sat down on the curb. "I thought I was, but the truth is, I – you know, back when we were in your bedroom, when you said all that stuff you knew about me, I felt – I dunno, special. I was caught off guard, so I panicked and said crap about not having friends before who knew me that well, but I don't think even Eighteen and Chi Chi know me that well."

Vegeta shoved his hands in his pockets. "So?"

Bulma looked up at him. "I wasn't acting, Vegeta."

Vegeta swallowed dryly, not expecting that reply. Why couldn't she just tell him it was a fluke and that they should stay friends. Argh, now I can't hide away from this. Vegeta told himself that if she reciprocated his feelings toward her, he wouldn't deny her because she had already been hurt by one asshole. Vegeta joined Bulma on the curb, surprising her. "How long?"

Bulma tilted her head. "Why does that matter?"

Vegeta huffed. "Because we owe it to ourselves to ensure this isn't some stupid fleeting chemistry thing."

Bulma smiled. Who knew Vegeta was old-fashioned. "I felt something during gym class one day. I think it was when you texted me and told me not to break a nail."

Vegeta smirked. "Right." He reached for her hand. "It was a lame joke, considering you bite your nails."

Bulma giggled, feeling the warmth spread through her chest. It happened every time Vegeta pointed out something he knew about her. "Anyway, I was cursing you or something and accidentally blurted out to the girls that you were handsome even though nothing of the sort was mentioned."

Vegeta gaped at her and glanced away to hide his embarrassment. "Goddammit."

Bulma wrapped her arms around her legs for comfort. "Feelings started getting stronger during the little party we had on Halloween, but unlike a certain asshole we won't mention, I never let on because I was faithful." Vegeta growled at the mention of Yamcha. "What about you?"

Vegeta winced, knowing he had to confess now after what she just told him; it would be unfair to her. Vegeta sighed. "You were wearing a baby blue half cut jacket tied over a slightly longer white shirt, accompanied by denim blue knee-length shorts and black leather boots." Damn, there goes my pride.

Bulma's eyes widened, and she gasped. "Wait a minute, that's the day we first met!"

Vegeta nodded, avoiding her stare. "I know."

Bulma shook her head. "That can't be right."

Vegeta gritted his teeth. "Believe me, I'd rather it wasn't. I thought it was just some stupid chemistry thing for a while, but if I had just ignored my damn pride, you wouldn't have had to go through that whole shit with him."

Bulma couldn't believe it. "I had no idea." They had both been stupid. "You know, even if you had told me then, I doubt anything would have happened. I wouldn't have left Yamcha just because."

Vegeta nodded with a frown. "I know. That's why I didn't say anything."

Vegeta tensed when Bulma laid her head on his shoulder. "Maybe what happened, happened for this very reason."

Vegeta's heart thudded in his chest. This couldn't be happening, could it? "Maybe."

Bulma lifted her head and smirked mischievously because she could tell the conversation was making him uncomfortable, and she didn't want the reason for their feelings to change. "If I recall, you cut me off that day."

Vegeta grinned at her. "And you didn't hesitate to let me know it either." Bulma smiled at him, and Vegeta couldn't believe that smile was for him now. There was no doubt that he and the twins had changed since coming here, but even though he sometimes hated it, he couldn't change it now, even if he wanted to. Vegeta stood up and held his hand out. "Come with me." Bulma blinked in surprise but took his hand. When they reached his bike, he pulled the helmet from his bag and handed it to her. "Put this on." Bulma opened her mouth to protest, but he put a finger to her lips. "I only have one helmet, and your parents would kill me if I let you ride this thing without one. We're not going far. I'll drop you back here for your car later." Bulma smiled; who could argue with that logic?

"Guess I'll just have to get one of my own," she told him with a wink, causing him to fluster.

"Just get on!"

…

Vegeta cut the engine once they arrived, demounting his bike and helping Bulma off. She took her helmet off and hung it over the handle. "How's my hair?" she asked. Vegeta rolled his eyes and headed up the hill ahead of them. "Wait for me!" Bulma grumbled and huffed, mumbling about the cold air. "Vegeta, this is really not appropriate!"

Vegeta tried not to laugh as he continued walking ahead. "It's not my fault you stayed in your gym clothes."

Bulma frowned at his back, cursing him all the way to the top. "I'm freezing. I hope you're happy."

Vegeta glanced at her in annoyance. "Woman-"

Bulma had her hands on her hips. "If I catch a cold, I'm gonna-"

Vegeta huffed. "Woman, look!" Vegeta spun her around to face the beautiful city below. The sun was setting in the distance behind the hilltops.

Bulma gasped, completely forgetting about the cold. "Vegeta, it's – it's gorgeous. How do you know about this place?"

Vegeta stood beside her, slipping off his jacket and covering her shoulders. "I used to come here to think. It's quiet."

Bulma nodded, absolutely speechless. "It's amazing. I love it."

"Good."

Bulma turned to him. "Vegeta-"

"Bulma-"

They blinked at the unison, glancing away awkwardly. "You go," he told her.

Bulma shook her head. "You first."

Vegeta frowned. "I told you first."

Bulma huffed. "I said your name first."

"So what."

Bulma jabbed a finger on his chest. "You took me up here, so the least you could do is-" Bulma was cut off when Vegeta's lips met hers. She looked at him all flustered when he pulled away. "Oh." Bulma reached for his shirt when he wrapped an arm around her to pull her close, deepening the kiss.