Title: Lipgloss And Letdown

Author: Charisma Brendon

Disclaimer: [Enter something witty here.]

Dedication: This chapter is for all of you reviewers but mainly Biscuit for her (right?) ever constant motivation to get my ass moving and write. ;p

Chapter Music: Pretty much the same as the last...only this time, lots of Sugarcult (Back to California = sad) And the acoustic version of "Letters To You" by Finch. [Hah! The Starting Line's cover of "I'm Real" is awesome.]

Feedback: Feedback is awesome! If you don't feel like going through ff.net, then my email is southernaquariushotmail.com

Lyric of the Chapter: Who can tell me what song (and/or who sings it )is from - "You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get."

This chapter's partially beta'd. If anyone's interested in helping me out for a while, please e-mail me at southernaquariushotmail.com and let me know. Ooh, and if you actually want to talk about it and find out what all it would mean, then check my profile, I added my messenger names.

- Chapter Seven -

Monday morning came sooner than Buffy expected. Despite the awkwardness of Sunday - following Joyce's blurted reminder that Buffy's father was invisible to her - the idea of school was not a welcomed relief.

At least I won't be alone.

The hall was decidedly empty when Buffy walked through the doors to the school. She glanced idly at her fingernails as she walked and picked off flecks of blue nail polish. I really need to buy some remover.

She jumped slightly as something crossed into her line of vision, accompanied by a small clapping noise. Someone's book had fallen directly - out of nowhere - in front of her. She frowned and bent down to pick it up.

"Stupid bag."

She looked up quickly and smiled, "Hey. This yours?" She held up the hardcover book.

Angelus smiled back, "Yeah. I've had it for ages but just got around to rereading it."

She handed it back to him, silently noting the shiny cover, but let the lie go, "I've read it several times. I never pictured you as much of a reader."

He glanced slyly at her, "What did you picture?"

She blushed slightly, "You know what I meant."

Angelus laughed, "Yeah, I did. You're just fun to tease."

A thoughtful look came on Buffy's face, "And you're fun to mock...behind your back of course." She thought a second before shrugging, "I suppose it's wrong to call you a Valmont wannabe but, it's really all Xander has."

For a moment, he just stood there looking dumbfounded before he remembered where he'd seen the name. He unconsciously stood a little straighter in indignation and opened his mouth to answer before rethinking it.

She studied him for a few nanoseconds before laughing, "I was just kidding! You're a little over-sensitive there."

It was his turn to shrug, "I'm just not a fan of Xander."

"Because of Spicu-," she coughed before covering her tracks, "Spike?"

"Nah. I don't like Spike much either, to be honest. But, hey, is there really a rule that you have to like your friends?"

"I always thought it was a general idea but, okay."

He instantly turned around and began to walk when she moved, "To each their own, I suppose." He paused before speaking again, "You're very lucky to have friends like them."

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled, "I guess so. If I had friends like yours, I would have moved away a long time ago. No offense."

"None taken. What are you doing here so early anyway? School doesn't start for another half-hour."

"The same thing you were doing... I was planning on going into all the bathrooms and stopping the toilets and sinks up with toilet paper but you ruined it by distracting me."

"Damn, to think we could've worked together and gotten through sooner. Another day," he said with a noticeable glance in her direction.

If she heard the insinuation in his voice, she didn't show it. "Yeah, maybe," she looked up, in his direction but to the side. "But secretly of course," she continued.

"Least someone find out our plan?"

She stared at him with a grave expression, "Nope, I don't want people to know I was with a loser like you."

He laughed before making his voice as serious as hers had been, "It could damage your reputation."

An almost uncomfortable silence descended over them.

Out of desperation, Buffy finally spoke, "Hey, um, we also call him 'Spekie, The Platinum Boy Wonder' but, that one we keep to ourselves."

His laugh echoed off the empty walls. "Well, now that our plan has been ruined, what do you usually do?"

She stopped walking and looked around, "Normally I would hang around the library until Faith came."

"Well then, I guess we have a plan," he smiled at her.

She bit her lip and thought of Faith's reaction before smiling back, "Guess so."

.:.:.:.

"I know! She's horrible," Buffy agreed and balanced her chair on its back two legs despite the librarian's glare.

Angelus glanced between the two, "Should you really be doing that?"

Buffy laughed, "Giles doesn't care. It's only a problem if other people do it as well."

She unzipped her backpack and pulled out a clear plastic baggy, "Cookie?" She offered him the now open bag.

He shrugged and took one, "Now I know we shouldn't be doing this."

Buffy just shrugged and bit into one.

They both looked up as Giles approached. He glared disapprovingly at Angelus before turning to Buffy, "Miss Summers, I'm sure you know the rules about eating on campus."

She held the bag up to him, "Cookie?"

"Bribery, Miss Summers? That's - Is that - Is that chocolate chip?"

"Uh huh," she grinned at Angelus.

"Well, maybe just one," he carefully reached into the bag and removed one, "Um, carry on."

They watched him walk away before laughing.

"How did you do that?" Angelus stared at her in semi-amazement.

"Spending every morning, free period and occasional lunch in here really gave us time to bond. Y'know, terrorizing him."

"Maybe one day we can terrorize him together," Angelus watched her carefully.

She stared down at the crumbs on the table, "Yeah, maybe."

"Hey guys," Faith announced her presence with a confused smile.

Angelus, with a slightly miffed look on his face, responded with, "Hey Faith."

Sensing Buffy's unease, Faith looked them over, "So, what are you guys doing here?"

"Just chat-tering." Buffy turned her eyes away from the table toward Faith.

Angelus stood, "I should be going. I'll see ya."

As soon as he was out of earshot, Faith sat in his vacated seat, "So, what was really going on?"

Buffy shrugged, "I'm not sure. He just sort of appeared and we got to talkin'. Why? Do you know something I don't?"

"Nah. Of course not. Hey, Xand and Will are probably waiting."

.:.:.:.

Hey look, a whole chapter of pretty much nothing but B/A interaction! Whoo? ;p

Thank you list:

Jane - Awesome! Thank you and you've obviously got a great taste in music. ;p And I know I mention a lot of music but hey, at least I've kept myself from using lyrics. ;p

Biscuit - You'll find out! ;p Probably in about two chapters from now. (Hey, there's a banner offering to let me "punch out an evil kangaroo. - Heh.)

Mrs. Rhett Butler - Hey! I know you! ;p But thank you!

Elizabeth - Ooh! I had that one but it broke :s - I bought Leaving Through A Window though - That's weird though! I would've run around screaming after I fell. Oh, and thank you! ;p

Shannalee - Ooh - BA Fluff? Yay! It took me a while to post on the groups actually, I was afraid :$. But I'm glad you've found this here!

KeC - Hey you! We'll see ;p...Here though! ;p

Bkly - Here ya go!

Creampuff - Great! I was afraid you'd be the first one to say "dude, you suck." ;p I'm actually kinda looking forward to it.

Snoopy! - Good, good, and triple good! But, thank you and nope! You aren't the only one. :]

Snoopy! Again! ;p - Ha! Like, totally!

Tariq - Good point! Thank ya!

Rain - Yes it is! If by "weird" you mean "sucky" ;p. Thank you so much! That's awesome.

miss-ange - Heh. Awesome. But yeah, I know what you mean.

Sarah - ( -Beaming smile- ) Thank you so much! I was seriously thinking about how it should be but that particular part hasn't happened in real life yet. How'd I do? ;o (And I'm really glad you said "realmbafantasy" - Otherwise I really wouldn't have know because there are other posters called 'Sarah')

Cayden - Hey you! And...uh...yeah, sure, that's exactly what it was intended to be ;p I know! I'm sorry! But sure and okay ;p

Ooh, that reminds me - I'm bringing in someone's ;)suggestion into play soon... I hope nothing bad happens. -bites my nails- -