You're My Xander-Shaped Boyfriend

Chapter One

It was second period science and Buffy was bored out of her mind. Mr. Mann's gruff voice droned on and on about volcanoes as he moved his arms mechanically to point at different slides portraying across the white screen.

While he went on about the different degrees lava can accumulate to a note landed on her scratched desk near the back of the classroom; already class got so much better. Buffy opened the easy fold and read the message upon the creased paper. Buffy turned to Willow, who looked rather nervous, and nodded with a secretive smile etched onto her mouth. She couldn't believe it – Willow finally wanted to ask out Xander! Now all they had to do was figure out how.

As soon as the bell chimed through the sound system Buffy was at Willow's side.

"So how are you going to ask him?" Buffy asked as they left the room.

"I-I don't know. 'Will you go out with me?' Would that be good enough?" Willow asked, unsure.

"Sure, you just have to approach him with confidence. Your body must have the look-at-me factor when you ask him. So straighten up and smile," Buffy giggled as Willow did what she was told. It looked like someone shoved an ice cube down her back, it was so erect, and the smile made her look like a clown, it was so wide; the red hair certainly didn't help, either. "Okay, maybe not so much."

Willow relaxed and Buffy cracked a smile, her two best friends would possibly get together – who wouldn't be excited? Well, she wasn't too thrilled about being the third wheel, but it gave her something positive to think about instead of Angel. He hasn't exactly been making any appearances for a few months and it was beginning to look even more suspicious as the days went by.

Willow stopped breathing as they spotted Xander talking to a very attractive girl. She soon flounced away, bouncing locks in tow, and Xander looked admirably at her backside before heading off to his next class.

Willow groaned beside Buffy. "How am I supposed to compete with that? She has the kind of body Sir-Mix-a-Lot couldn't resist."

"Just because she may have a big ass doesn't mean he likes her, besides the obviously... sexual way. But I still think you should talk to him; let him know how you feel and stuff. He'll really appreciate it whether it's now or in five years," Buffy shrugged as they walked to Mr. Keller's English class.

"I couldn't stand to see his face if it takes ten years," Willow said in her slight depressing tone. Then she perked up as a new idea came to her. "You should ask him for me! You have a much better way with words."

Boy was that the truth.

"If you're sure. I don't want to intrude." Willow gave her a look. "Okay, maybe I do, but only a little."

The girls giggled as they entered the classroom full of tittering students. Willow took her seat by the front of the room while Buffy sat more towards the back, near a dust-covered window. She often got caught in a daydream when looking out the window. Especially while watching the mutated squirrel run about.

It was a cute thing, the squirrel. Even though it only had one eye and half of its tail. It scampered about just like the rest of them, but was sometimes kicked out by his neighbors. When this happened, Buffy often looked away because it reminded her so much of herself in the school's social pool. She was different and more times than not people excluded her for it. Being a slayer comes with a sacrifice, and Buffy knew it all too well...

-x-

As soon as the bell rang Buffy went on a mad dash for Xander. She sprinted towards his last class only to bump into Owen, whom she excused and then ran on. It took her a moment before she almost ran smack into him.

"Whoa! Where's the fire?" Xander laughed, steadying her by her shoulders. She smiled back, relieved to find him with plenty of time before lunch.

"Uhm... no fire. Sorry to disappoint you, but there's something I need to tell or...ask you actually," Buffy said nervously. She didn't know if it was for Willow or for her.

"Yeah?" Xander asked, perking up at the notion Buffy could possibly ask him to jump her bones.

"Well, you see there's this girl... and she may or may not happen to be your best friend, but she has the crush on you and–"

"Who is 'this girl'?" Xander asked, fully paying attention.

"Her name is a type of tree, but that's beside the point," Buffy said as Xander mulled this news over. Buffy wasn't a type of tree and his only other best female friend is...

"Willow," Xander whispered in astonishment. Not Willow, she couldn't like him. She was like a little sister... or a brother for that matter with her lack of curves and dirt-covered overalls. Willow can't just like him like that it was uncalled for, it was unjust, it was just plain wrong.

"Yes, but as I was saying–"

"Willow?!" Xander asked, panic-stricken. This couldn't be happening to him. It would be like hypothetical incest, he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he actually did something with her; even if it was a measly date. He just couldn't do that.

"Yes, don't sound so shocked. Now, if you'll let me finish..." Buffy was getting rather irritated at his constant outbursts. She began to babble about Willow and Xander and movies, but Xander wasn't paying the least bit of attention. His mind was racing and he couldn't help but add in how hot Buffy was looking in her gripping sweater and short skirt. His eyes bored into her as she went on about courting and the modern world.

When Buffy asked him a question Xander didn't respond, but merely stared at her with the dirtiest look on his face.

"What do you think?" Buffy asked again hoping for an answer. Xander ignored her again by giving her the same smoldering look as before.

"What do you think about that?!" Buffy asked harshly, getting in his face before stepping back down. He only blinked before looking down at her.

"You really want to know what I think?" Xander asked as his rich, dark-brown eyes gazed into her green ones. Buffy let out a shiver as he stepped closer and trailed a hand along her upper arm, working its way down as he spoke. "I think Willow needs someone who doesn't know what she was like in kindergarten, or how her tooth buzzes on Wednesdays, but a mysterious guy who needs a slap from the real world. I also think you are the most beautiful girl in this hallway. Hell- in this school. Buffy, you make me all tingly and I'm not just talking about the adrenaline rush from killing vamps because that's pretty sweet." He found her hand and laced the fingers as he continued, "And I think I want to kiss you." He dipped down towards her cautiously, to avoid being slapped at all cost – he's felt the back side of a hand before, and it does not feel good.

Buffy looked up at him with wide eyes. She glanced over his strong, sturdy body and wide shoulders. She could smell his Axe cologne faintly (a first for the male species everywhere). His hair was a beautiful dark brown that could be mistaken for raven black any day of the week. It had a slight wave and his bangs sometimes fell into his face, covering his soulful and teasing eyes that were now filled with conflict and uncertainty as his lips slowly edged closer towards hers.

Buffy smiled at the thoughts that raced through her head when all of a sudden two things came to mind:

One, she really liked Xander's kisses.

And two, how will Willow react?