"Gohan? What are you doing here?" Trunks asked.

"Buying new clothes. I need new ones for your 'soiree'" Gohan joked.

"Well, I'm here with Goten so he can get some clothes since he doesn't have any, Gokai as well, and then he's gonna show me his studio"

"Really? I couldn't even get him to show me a sketch"

"Blame Gokai for that. He invited him without asking me first" I chimed in.

"Do you mind if I tag along? I am just curious if you really are as fantastic as Gokai says"

"I'm really not that good. But if you want to, I guess you can."

I then turned toward Trunks and told him that the current outfit I was wearing was the one I wanted. He just nodded his head and said something about the clothes fitting me well.

I went back to tue changing rooms but I thought I heard arguing from Gohan and Trunks after I left. What could the even be arguing over? Who was gonna get to drive Gokai home and who was stuck with me?

I changed back into my regular clothes and felt invisible again. I liked this feeling, it was familiar. I didn't like being stared at by people, it felt like they were judging me and I'd had enough of that already for a lifetime.

I had my outift, and I would be sure to hide it from my mother, knowing her, she would try to ruin it or destroy it in some way. She has done stuff like that in the past if I even came close to outshining Gokai in anyway. One time I was going to enter a painting into an art contest and the day of I had to withdraw because somehow my painting had this thick brown line running through the center of it. I had no doubt my mother did it, just so I could never outshine Gokai.

"Goten!" I heard ny name and it broke me from my thoughts

"Yeah? Sorry"

"I asked if you were hungry" Gohan repeated

"Oh I'm fine. I had something when I got home" I lied.

"No you didn't. Goten, tell the truth" Gokai said.

"Okay fine. I haven't had anything to eat aside from lunch, but I'm not hungry" I lied again.

My stomach grumbled, revealing that I had lied again. I inwardly growled at being caught in a lie. Usually I can handle not eating a whole lot for a day. I don't know why my stomach decided to voice it's hunger openly.

"Goten....."

"It's settled. We're getting dinner" Trunks insisted.

"But we don't have money. I'm not letting you pay for me either because I will never be able to pay you back anytime soon" I said trying to find a way out of this meal.

"I have enough money. I can cover you both" Gohan said sternly.

Gohan and I made eye contact and I sae a hint if worry in his eyes. Gokai must've noticed something was wrong now. I had never used to turn food away.

We got to the restaurant and Gohan helped my up into the bar stool with Trunks spotting. Gohan put his hands on my stomach to steady me and he kept looking at me. Gohan was informed about the incident the same way Trunks had been.

Once all of us were in our seats, idle chatter took over and we found ourselves talking like we had been friends for years. I learned so many things about Trunks amd Gohan amd they learned a lot about Gokai and I. Well, more Gokai than myself since he always amswered first and would fire back with questions of his own.

I distinctly remembered Gohan saying that his step dad was so nice and that I sort of reminded him of his step dad. I found this a little unusual, usually kids don't like their step parents, or at least that's how it's dramatized. I told them about how our parents separated and they said our mom needed to not be so closed minded.

If they only knew the whole story.

We ordered our food, Gohan choosing for me since I wanted to just get a salad. I didn't know what was going on with him. Or Trunks for that matter. Both seemed to be a little too interested in what I ate and how much I ate. It really doesn't concern them all that much, or at least, it shouldn't. Besides, Gokai is still their favorite, not like I expected anything less.

"Goten, are you sure you don't want more than that?"

"I'm sure. I told you guys I'm nit that hungry" I said calmly.

We ate what we ordered, Gohan taking what I refused to eat, and left. When we were in the parking lot, there was a debate between Trunks amd Gohan over who was riding with who.

"I get him"

"No, I do"

"Gokai, how about you go with Trunks. I'll go with Gohan since I'm better with directions" I suggested.

"Okay. Sounds good" Gokai said climbing into Trunks' car.

Trunks, since he knew the way, was in front of us, but there were a few times when a traffic light would separate us and I would tell Gohan where to go. He and I made decent conversation for not knowing each other for very long.

Once we arrived I saw Trunks and Gokai both leap out of his car. And slowly got out and Gohan mimicked me. We made it to the feont door when I heard my studio door open. I couldn't help but flinch a little. The squeaky hinge on the door was a dead giveaway that they were perusing through my studio.

"I guess since they're already there, we should go up" Gohan said as he ascended the stairs.

I followed behind, worried about the comments I would get. Nothing in that room was anywhwre near ready for the public to see it. I was also a mess, and I felt bad for not cleaning it.

I reached the doorway and saw Trunks looking at the center easle. It was a painting of my dad, though I can never get his smile right. Everytime I try to capture it, it doesn't fit his face.

"Goten, you did all of these?" Trunks asked incredulously.

"Yeah. I warned you though. I suck"

Gohan started laughing after I finished speaking. Trunks followed not soon after. I didn't know my art was laughable. I know it's bad, but it can't be that bad, can it?

"Is it really laughable?" I asked quietly.

"Huh?" Gohan asked trying to calm himself

"You guys are laughing. I mean, I know my art isn't good, but is it that bad?"

"That's now what we're laughing at" Trunks said now calm as well.

"Then what......."

"We're laughing at how wrong you are. Your work is great!" Trunks continued.

I couldn't believe what I just heard. They like my work? They really like my work? I can't believe that.

"You don't have to say things just to spare my feelings"

"I can say with all honesty that I am not lying when I say that your work is exquisite" Gohan said with a hand on my shoulder.

My stomach felt all weird as soon as his hand touched me. I felt my face start to heat up and I had to look at the ground in order to hide the fact that I was blushing.

"I'm not lying either Goten" Trunks added walking over to me.

"See, you are good Goten" Gokai said also drawing closer.

I wasn't good in small spaces. I started to freak out a little being surrounded by people. Yes, they were people I knew, but I still felt trapped. My breathing became erratic and I had soon found out I had no control over it. I looked up and Gokai was the first to notice my expression. He took a few steps back and went and opened a window. Gohan picked up quickly and dragged also backed up a little bit.

I started to lay on my back and closed my eyes. I tried to imagine a place like an open meadow. The air from the window added to the effect and I was able to eventually regain control of my breath. Once I was sure I was okay, I opened my eyes to see a concerned Trunks and Gohan.

"Sorry, I didn't mention it earlier, but I'm extremely claustrophobic" I admitted.

"Sorry Goten. I forgot about that. It has been a while" Gokai said looking at the ground.

"It's fine. I'm sorry for scaring you guys" I said now looking at the ground as well.

"Boys, I'm ho..... Oh hello. Who are yiu fine young gentlemen?"

I cringed as I heard the high pitched squeal in the doorway.

"I'm Gohan Satan and this is Trunks Briefs" Gohan stated politely.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Gokai's mom Chi Chi. Now Gokai, take your friends somewhere more enjoyable than this dump. Goten, I keep telling you to clean this place up"

"Actually, mom, they wanted to see Goten's studio" Gokai said.

"That's alright, just so long as they don't stay here to long. Won't want them getting sick by inhaling fumes from that paint your brother insists on buying"

I growled inwardly. This was an all time low, even for her. She was going so far as to mock me in front of my only possibility of friends. She acted as if Gokai was the only one who could manage to get friends. I can honestly say I hated this woman.

"Actually, we had better be leaving now. Thank you for inviting us over guys, maybe next time I can return the favor" Gohan said with a smile.

I knew what was going on, and I was embarrassed. My new friends were now going to think of me as a freak. My mother has single handedly ruined my forst real chance at friendship. Of course there was still 17 and 18 which Chi Chi hadn't met yet, but words gets around, even I know that.

"Let me walk you to the door then" I offered.

I exited the room and walked with them to the front door, an awkward silence settled over us and I hated it. Normally I love silence, it lets me think, but I hated it right now.

We got to the door and I decided to escort them to their car. Once we were I outside, I saw them relax a little.

"I'm sorry about that. She's never really been too fond of...... well.... me"

"I doubt that. She probably just had a stressful day at work or something" Gohan tried.

But she's like this all the time!!!!!! I wanted to shout. But I held my tongue and nodded my head.

"I understand if you guys don't wanna talk anymore. Trust me, you aren't the first ones to...."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I thought you left because of my mom"

"Kind of. But I got a text from my dad saying he needed me at home, so I really need to get going" Gohan explained.

"And I still have some homework to do. Trust me Goten, it's gonna take a lot more than your mom to scare us away" Trunks said with a reassuring smile.

I thanked them for everything they had done for me and I watched as my saving graces drove away from my house, leaving me to face my prison lead by the evil warden.

I walked back inside only to be met with a hand to the face. I just took the beating knowing that Gohan and Trunks are by my side. My mom uttered something about me being delusional and that I could never have any friends. I didn't pay any attention to her as her hands and feet continued to turn my body from a pale pigment to one consisting of blacks and blues.