A/N: Hey guys. umm.. chapter 4...

Disclaimer: (Sigh) Don't wanna be sued coz I'm broke so again… I don't own dragonball… blah blah blah.

~** Smile Like Crazy **~

Everyone congratulated Trunks and Marron. Pan walked over to them, knees shaking. Bulma didn't know how grateful she was for the little show. At least it helped her get her act together. She had loved Trunks her whole life, but that also meant a whole life of hiding her feelings, not only to Trunks but to everyone. Only Bra knew, and she knew Bra also loved her uncle. Yes, she was good at hiding her feelings, who wouldn't? She had had a lot of practice every time he introduced a new girlfriend, or go on dates. But this was different. He was getting married, and he would be gone forever. She smiled blindly. She didn't care who she was smiling to, it was like when you're in a fight and you know there's no chance of winning, but you just keep on wildly kicking and punching, not knowing or caring if you hit the enemy or not, just fight like crazy.

She smiled like crazy. Pan had reached the couple and gave them each a hug. Marron was her friend too. They weren't as close as she and Bra, but they had known each other all their lives. She had known Marron had always had a crush for Trunks. Marron wasn't that good at hiding her feelings as Pan. They had only started going out 6 months ago. Pan had always known that Marron would have a better chance at Trunks since she was closer to his age, pretty, sophisticated, and everything else. And where does that leave her? A 21 year old good for nothing self proclaimed spoiled brat whom everybody thinks can't do anything else other than blackmail and lead people around.

"Wow, congratulations Trunks!" she said cheerfully. She didn't even recognize her own voice. It was like somebody else had said it. Was she that good at acting? She smiled desperately, maybe she was good at something after all.

Bra watched as her friend said her congratulations to her brother and his fiancé. She knew Pan was hurting. She looked over to Goten. He had his arm around Paris' shoulders, his hands slowly moving up and down her arm. She looked away. Would he be the next one to go? She didn't dare ponder that question more, she's already known the answer.

She stood up and walked over to Pan. She would be there for Pan, for she knew that Pan would be there for her too when it was Goten's turn.

"Pan, do you remember you promised Wilson you would call him today? Come on, lets call him!" she said, dragging Pan away.

Bra could see the look of understanding and gratefulness in Pan's eyes. Only a few people could read Pan's eyes. They were dark mysterious pools that could hide all her emotions but could be as expressive if she would allow people to see it.

"Wilson?" Trunks asked, slightly frowning.

Bra tossed back her hair.

"Oh, just some guy Pan is dating."

"Pan is dating someone?" His frown got a little deeper.

"It's nothing serious. Just 'little' girls having some fun. Right Pan?"

Pan nodded as Bra dragged her indoors. Bra then veered off towards the kitchen and Pan just followed her meekly, she didn't ask why, she didn't feel like talking at all. Bra scooped up food from the fridge as much as she could in one haul.

"We need to get food. I don't think we're going to go out of my room for the rest of the night" she explained although Pan didn't seem to be listening. She had a distant look in her eyes.

Pan nodded and they headed towards the stairs. They had only taken two steps when they heard voices. It was Trunks and Marron's voice. Pan turned around like a mechanical doll, recognizing the voice of the man she had loved all her life. Bra grabbed Pan's arm, dropping down all kinds of food all over the stairs and into the floor. She was really worried about her friend. It was like Pan was beyond the point of crying. She tried to pull Pan up the stairs but there was no need. The voices had become louder, and the couple were fighting.

"Why does it always have to be like this, huh, Trunks?!" they heard Marron yelling.

"I told you I didn't have a choice!"

"Yes you did! You just do whatever she says! You just have to wear that stupid attire to our engagement party just because she says so! Engagement party!"

"Marron, Pan didn't know what this party is for" Trunks explained sternly.

"Go on! Defend her! It's not just this damn party! How many dates do we have to cancel just because Pan needed help on her homework? How many times did you forget to call me just because you are hanging out with her?!"

"Marron, Pan is my friend. The kid has helped me out a lot…"

Pan didn't hear the rest of what Trunks was saying. The kid? Yes, she's 21 but she will be a kid on Trunks' eyes forever. The tear that she had held back for so long fell and she walked slowly up the stairs. She didn't want Trunks or Marron to notice her.

As soon as they entered Bra's room, Pan hugged her friend.

"Thanks Bra." She whispered in a small voice. Her tears raced down her cheeks and she broke into uncontrollable sobs. She cried until she could feel there were no more tears to come. She cried because many times she had allowed her self to hope, but it was all gone now. Bra held her for what felt like eternity, until even her sobs died along with her heart.

Bra drew a shuddering breath and stood up. She walked towards the window and looked up at the darkening sky.

"Pan, we can't stay like this forever. My brother is getting married, and I know Goten will go next. We don't deserve to hurt like this!" She balled her hands into tight fists.

Pan looked up at the ceiling. She let out a loud sigh.

"You are right Bra. I think its time to forget about our girlhood fantasies. That's all it is, isn't it? Girlhood fantasies?"

Bra turned around and faced her. A small sad smile crept across her lips.

"Yes, that's all it is Pan. Now, we just have to forget them no matter what it costs!"

Pan just had to smile. Bra was so much like Bulma sometimes.

"Good, now then lets get started" Bra walked to her dresser and yanked a drawer open, pulling out various make up. She then walked over to her closet.

Pan was confused for a while.

"Bra, what are you doing?"

"Well, first, we're gonna start by getting boyfriends. Actually, I think I'm gonna keep my present boyfriend. He's decent enough. We'll just have to find one for you."

Pan smiled. Boyfriends to Bra, are just like clothes... easy to put on, and easy to discard. But Pan knew her friend. Bra is not the flighty spoiled girl everyone thought, just like she was not the selfish spoiled brat everyone thought she is.

"Then we're going to go out. We're gonna do all sorts of things. We have wasted enough of our lives for those two bakas!"

Bra whirled around and tossed a small plastic vial to Pan. Pan caught it and started dropping the clear liquid on her eyes. Almost instantly, the redness and the puffiness from her crying were gone.

She stood up and handed the vial back to Bra.

"Alright Bra, let's do it."

And the brats grew up that night.

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a/n: ok, i gotta go do some SERIOUS homework. yeah, i already got this fic completed, but like i've said before, i've got some major editing to do, and i can't post the final chapter before i can get the other chapters out, ne?

nyway, it won't take me long though... at least i hope so.

be right back!

ja!

~~spawnie-chan