CHAPTER 2: 

THE NEW KID

Vegeta's mind whirled.

Probably going to start asking me dumb questions, he thought frantically.

Unconsciously, he braced himself, warily watching the approaching teens. It was apparent that Goku seemed to be the leader of this motley crew. He radiated power and leadership without effort, it seemed.

Probably has his gang. Vegeta snorted.

"Hey there!" chirped Goku in a cheerful voice. "My name's Goku. This," pointing to a longhaired boy, "is Yamcha."

"Hey," replied Yamcha, nodding his head.

"This," continued Goku, pointing to the big guy, "is Piccolo."

Piccolo mumbled out something that sounded eerily like a hello.

"And these lovely ladies," Goku drawled, earning jabs and snickers from the girls, "are Bulma," pointing the blue-haired girl, "and Chi-Chi." pointing to the dark haired one.

"Why hellloooo cutie.." Bulma crooned. Vegeta cringed at the endearment as the others chuckled.

"Don't mind her," began Chi-Chi. "She says that to everyone. So what's your name, stranger?"

"Vegeta," he replied, surprised at how calm he sounded.

"Well Vegeta, welcome to the neighborhood!" Goku enthused, slapping a hand across his back and nearly toppling the poor boy across the sidewalk.

Damn! He's strong, was the only thought that crossed Vegeta's mind as he tried to balance himself and ignore the tingling he still felt from Goku's hands.

"Oops," began Goku sheepishly, "Sorry, didn't mean to hit you that hard."

"You should learn how to control your strength, Goku," Piccolo warned. "We are gonna need it for the upcoming football game."

"I know, I know," Goku mumbled in reply.

An awkward silence stretched out for a few minutes as they all wondered on what they would say next when suddenly Bulma broke it with a loud yelp.

"AIIEE!" she screamed "Get that smelly dog away from me! These are a hundred dollar boots you know!"

"Sheeshhh Bulma. It's just a little dog…" began Yamcha.

"Weeelll, I don't want any dogs sniffing or smelling and drooling all over me! EWW! AS IF! I need to go home and get clean now! Yamcha, YOU are taking us home! Come on Chi-Chi! See ya around Goku and nice meeting you, Vegeta!!"

Bulma whisked away a startled Chi-Chi and a grumbling Yamcha to her convertible.

"See ya Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta," he managed to say before being dragged off.

Vegeta watched in amazement as the convertible nearly crashed into two lampposts, a mailbox and another dog, before screeching off the street.

Man! What a psycho.

He realized that Goku and Piccolo were still staring at him. Shifting awkwardly on his feet, he stared up at them with a scowl on his face. Damn my height.

Piccolo finally placed a hand on Goku's shoulder and told him that he too was leaving.

"Alright then, see you in practice tomorrow," replied Goku.

"Will do." And with a brief nod in Vegeta's direction, he went into his own car and sped off.

Goku sighed and ran well-manicured hands through his dark locks.

"Phew! Thank God that's over."

"Don't you like them?" Vegeta asked puzzled, at his remark.

"Oh, I like them alright. It's just that.. sometimes...you know...you need your space every once in a while. You do understand right?" Goku asked suddenly staring intensely into the smaller boy’s obsidian depths. Deep, dark eyes begging…

begging?

…to be understood.

"Umm… sure," Vegeta mumbled, feeling a bit shaken and unsettled by the gaze. He felt weird, suddenly realizing how close to Goku he was. Shifting back quickly, he saw his mother approaching them.

"Ah! Vegeta Sweetie," crooned Serena. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friend? Hmm?"

Behind the smile, Vegeta knew his mother was appraising Goku, looking for signs of bad influences. Apparently finding none in the handsome visage, she relaxed a bit more. Hn, my son will not grow up to be a thug, she reminded herself.

Goku gave a winning smile and shook hands introducing himself.

"I live about four houses down the street, ma'am."

"Oh really? And your parents..."

"My dad isn't back from work yet, and my mom died a long time ago. So it’s just me and my little sisters. OH NO!" Goku screamed suddenly, causing Serena and Vegeta to recoil back in alarm. "Oh man! I forgot! I have to go pick up my sisters from their school!" Smiling apologetically, he waved goodbye quickly. "See you around ma'am, you too Vegeta!"  And off he went running like a maniac down the street to his home.

"Well...that was ...interesting," admonished Serena. At least I have made friends with the Jurai's next door and such a beautiful daughter too. She would make a wonderful girlfriend for my Veggie-chan. She nudged her son, who was still staring after the disappearing Goku.

"Hello! Your father needs our help. He can't even open the fucking door!" screamed Serena.

Vegeta winced hoping that his parents wouldn't start another brawl on the street. Fortunately, that didn't happen. The door finally gave way and a relieved Vegeta Sr. hustled his flustered family into their new home.