Disclaimer: Willow and Angel don't belong to me, they belong to Joss and his kind. No copyright infringement intended, and all that stuff.
It had been one of those nights. He didn't know what he had done or said to make her mad, but something had ticked her off. She was angry, and when Buffy was angry, she was cruel. She had screamed at him to get out of her room and leave. She had also added, "Don't you need to feed or something?" < Ouch, that hurt. He had tried to apologize, but she didn't listen. And he really wasn't sorry. How could you be sorry when you didn't know what you did wrong?
Everything had been going so well. After a tough start, she finally had relaxed around him, forgot about the vampire thing, and he had opened up to her. Things were great, long walks, romantic dinners, but that was all in the past. The last few months had been turbulent to say the least. It had all started one night when things got a little carried away; Buffy wanted to go further, and he had told her no. She looked shocked,upset, and hurt. He never meant to hurt her, but he didn't feel ready. He didn't think that they were ready.
But, things had never been the same. She just seemed to get colder and farther away. She never smiled or joked, and he kept away from the Bronze. They had tried to work things out, but tonight was it. It just wasn't going to work.
"What does she want?" he yelled, slamming the door. The walk hadn't helped clear his head; he was still confused and angry. Flopping on the bed, he thought, "How can I get into her head?" He wanted to get her back, but he didn't know how. Angel picked up the phone, "I have to talk to someone." But who was there? He couldn't talk to Giles, he was having his own dating problems. Besides, he seemed so out of touch with today's dating scene. Xander? That guy still hadn't given up on Buffy, he wouldn't be any help. Willow? That's it! She was Buffy's best friend; she helped him before, why not now?
Angel looked at the clock; he had just a few hours till sunrise. Hopefully, Willow wouldn't mind an early wakeup call.
It was nearly three a.m. when the dark figure appeared outside Willow's window. Angel hadn't called because he didn't want to wake up Willow's parents so late at night. He was hoping she wasn't mad at him like Buffy was. Buffy…. They had so many good times together. They would go places that he didn't go alone. She took him to the movies. She had even forced him to go to a carnival. He won her one of those huge teddy bears and had to carry it the rest of the night.
But, she wasn’t so easy to please anymore, or maybe he wasn't trying so hard. All that mattered was that she wasn't with him and that he missed her terribly.
She laid in bed sleeping, but he could tell she was lonely. How could these boys miss a treasure as great as Will? Guys this age are oblivious to someone as special as Willow, but she really had it rough. Xander still doesn't know she's alive. Someday, she's going to make some lucky boy very happy. She was such a great friend to everyone; she also never thought twice about helping her friends.
Hopefully, tonight wouldn't be any different.
Angel gently knocked on the balcony door. Will didn't move. < Ok, I'll try again. He knocked louder. < I'm going to wake up the entire house. Then, he gently turned the knob and walked in. He looked over her as she slept. "Willow," he whispered. She gently turned her head toward him. Her eyes fluttered open.
She jumped out of bed and through on her robe. "Angel, w-w-what are you doing in my room?" She looked shocked at finding the vampire standing over her. "Is something wrong?" Angel smiled. "Yes," Angel said, "Buffy broke up with me." Willow nodded, she knew all about it. She had spent most of the night on the phone with Buffy, but she could see how troubled Angel was. "Have a seat."
Angel sat down at the desk, and proceeded to tell Willow the events of the night. Willow quietly listened, nodding occasionally. She knew he was hurting, much worse than Buffy appeared to be. < He's still talking; it's been nearly an hour. Angel looked at Willow and said, "I need your help. You know Buffy better than anyone, so you’ll know how to help me get her back."
Willow didn’t know what to say. "What do you want to know?" she asked. Angel replied, "Did I do or say something to upset her?" "No," Willow said, "she says she just doesn’t want to be tied down. She’s young, and she’s worried that she’ll miss out on ‘playing the field’." Angel thought for awhile, and then quietly asked, "Does she love me?" "Of course she loves you," Willow quickly said. "But Buffy thinks that you’ll be around forever, which you will. She says she wants to see what kinds of guys are out there before she gets too old."
Angel nodded, he knew that eventually Buffy would want to date other guys, human guys. "So should I just sit back and wait for her to date other guys until she decides to come back to me?" Willow stared at Angel silently. "Angel, I don't know what you should do. I'm sort of inexperienced in this department; isn't there anyone else you could ask?" Angel smiled, "Will,you know Buffy better than anyone, even me, don't you have any ideas?" "Well," she thought, "Buffy likes challenges, she doesn't like it when guys fall all over her." "Is that what I'm doing?" Angel asked.
"Well, you used to be mysterious and dangerous, that's what made Buffy fall for you in the first place." Angel looked at the young girl; she was exhausted. She could barely keep her eyes open, but she was helping him. "I got to get going." Willow asked, "Did I say something wrong?" "No, you gave me a lot to think about. Thank you, Will, for helping me." "Angel," Willow said, "anytime you need to talk, I'm a good listener." She walked him to the balcony door, and then he was gone. She glanced at the clock; it was almost morning.
Willow never really fell asleep after Angel's visit, so her morning was a blur. She hadn't seen Buffy before school, but, now she had to meet the gang for lunch.
Willow walked into the library. < I'm amazed that Giles lets us bring food in here. She carried her lunch in a plain paper bag.
Everyday she ate the same thing: PB & J, pretzels, and an apple."Willow, thank God you are here," Xander said. "Finally someone else can listen to Buffy complain."
"I'm not complaining," Buffy said. "I'm just explaining to Xander that guys aren't worth the trouble they cause. Besides, Will had to listen to this for hours last night." Willow nodded.Giles decided to join the group at the table. "Willow, I need you to look up…." She had started to fall asleep. "Willow, are you alright?"
"Huh, " she murmured. Buffy jumped in, "I didn't keep you up too long last night did I?"
"No, " Willow said. "I just didn't get much sleep last night." "What were you doing so late last night, secret meeting with your lover?" Xander joked.
"I was talking to An….drew, my friend Andrew. He needed help with his homework."
"Maybe you should get some rest tonight, " Xander said.
"Good idea, doesn't look like I'm going to make it to the Bronze tonight, " Willow added. Xander smiled at Buffy. "Looks like it's just you and me. No annoying dead guys dancing with you all night."
Willow flopped down on her bed. < Finally, I can get some sleep. Xander and Buffy had already left for the Bronze, so Willow was planning on ten hours of uninterrupted sleep. Meanwhile, Buffy and Xander were having fun at the Bronze,well at least Buffy was.
Xander had counted at least six different guys she had danced with, none of which were him. Xander decided that there was only one way to get Buffy's attention. He strutted over to the best looking girt at the Bronze (besides Buffy).
"Bambi," he asked, "Want to dance?" She just laughed at him. Depressed, he waked back to him empty table. Buffy walked over and sat down. "Why the sad face?"
"Well," Xander said, "unlike some people, I'm not the dancing machine tonight. I'm outta here."As Xander left, he saw Buffy dancing with guy number seven.
Morning came way too early for Willow. She got up and took a shower. Then, she noticed something different, unexpected. On her keyboard, there was a bouquet of flowers. She walked over and picked up the flowers. "Ooh, daises!" She looked inside and found a card.
thank you for all your help and support. You're a great friend. I hope these flowers will brighten your day. I didn't want to wake you because you looked so tired. I've decided to disappear for a while, but I promise to keep in touch. If there is an emergency, call me at 543-4882.
A week had passed since Willow got the flowers. She still hadn't heard from Angel. She was starting to worry about him. Buffy sure didn't seem worried though. She had two dates with guys she met at the Bronze. If Giles thought a slayer "dating" was difficult, Buffy "playing the field" was nearly impossible. She had skipped weapons training twice to go watch the basketball players practice.
With everyone busy with school, Angel wasn't really missed. Willow hadn't been to the Bronze because she had so many college applications to fill out. Xander was getting tutored to improve his SAT scores. And Buffy was enjoying her newfound freedom.
One day, about two weeks after "the fight," Buffy said, "I wonder how Angel is?" Willow nearly choked on her apple. "Why?"
"I don't know, I haven't seen him around and I want to make sure he's OK."
That night Buffy went to Angel's apartment. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer.
"I mean the place looked like he hadn't been there for days," Buffy said. "There was nothing in the fridge, bloodwise that is, and the bed wasn't made. His bed is always made, with military corners."
"Well maybe he was in a hurry." Buffy glared at Willow. Willow replied, "OK, probably not a hurry, but maybe he went on a trip."
"Willow, do you know anything that I don't?" Willow panicked, "No, how could I possibly know anything about Angel. He doesn’t talk to me; he's your boyfriend." "Ex-boyfriend," Buffy added. Willow nodded, "I know, but it's hard to quit calling him your boyfriend."
"Will, you need to deal with it; it's over," Buffy joked. "I mean, I want to date other people." Willow smiled. "I'm not that bad am I? Ok, maybe I am. I don't have a social life, so I have to live through yours."
Buffy added, "Have you heard much from Oz?" "Not much, he calls when he comes home on break, but it's basically over." "Then, tonight we are Bronzing," Buffy said. Willow agreed, besides what else did she have to do tonight.
Xander laughed, "You girls are pathetic, you are drooling over Jason." "We are not!" Buffy pleaded. Willow just blushed. < He's just so cute, the dark eyes and hair. "Since this kid moved in, every girl has lost touch with reality."
"You're just jealous because no one is drooling over you," Willow mocked. "Well thanks for that self-esteem booster." "Well I am going to ask him to dance," Buffy announced. She got up and walked over to him. Of course, he said yes.
"Well Xander, just you and ….." Willow started, but Xander was already up and dancing with some girls.
Willow sat by the phone.
Please send feedback!! How did you like the story??
The next part will be sent soon. E-mail me at [email protected].