Before Finals.
Jesse had his eyes glued to his leaf.
Alexander couldn't concentrate. Chemistry was too difficult, why were they studying it?
The reason sat calmly between them, leafing through her Literature book. "Everything alright, Alex?"
"Xander," he corrected.
Willow sighed. Xander wasn't collaborating. She flipped the next leaf angrily.
"I got it!"
Xander looked at his best friend. Jesse grinned as he followed Willow's revision over her shoulder.
"Excellent, Jesse, you did it."
Jesse whooped and threw his fist in the air.
"And you, Al- Xander?"
Alexander looked at Willow's worried expression.
Then down at the doodles adorning his exercise paper.
Crush. (Crash and Burn)
Jesse heard Willow's soft sigh. He needn't look to know that Xander was joining them.
Another sigh.
Jesse looked at his redheaded friend and then at the dork who obviously was the centre of her attentions. He couldn't believe how oblivious Xander could be. Willow had her feelings on her sleeve and the fool didn't notice anything.
But then, Jesse thought as he looked across the classroom, Xander wasn't the only one.
Jesse didn't know about Will and Xander but he and Chase had chemistry between them. Willow may be slow but he was on the hunt.
And he'd succeed.
Unexpected.
"We have to find him," Willow whispered urgently, "Chemistry begins in two minutes."
"Come on, Xander's been late before."
"Mr. Bell threatened to suspend him, remember?"
Jesse's eyes widened. "The gym."
Willow wished she had never gone.
Xander was there. Lips locked with Amelia Lockhart's.
"Jesse!" Xander's voice. That meant he wasn't kissing Amelia anymore, didn't it? "Wills?"
"Go to class," she ordered her friends as she struggled not to cry. "Now!"
She run.
Later, as she washed her tears, fifteen-year-old Willow thought bitterly that not only didn't she have Xander's love.
She'd also failed to have his first kiss.