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I know Xander's idea of us watching TV together was supposed to help distract me, but I couldn't relax. Something was making me uneasy and I had no idea why. I was feeling better and Angel was coming soon, so what was there to be worried about? Could it be that I was still worried about the Evolver? Or was I worried by the fact that I was helpless to all my friends?
We heard a door slam.
"Buffy!"
"In here, Willow!" Xander called. Willow scurried in with a white bag in her hands. "What are those, Willow?" Willow sat down beside me on the couch and pulled out a white cloth. She put her hand on my forehead and frowned.
"Oh, Buffy, you're burning up." She put the cloth on my forehead and I felt cold water calm my hot head. "That should help you."
"What's in the bag, Willow?" Xander asked again.
"Charms for the Evolver, and medicines for Buffy."
"Yeah, because the ones my mom gave me helped me so much." I muttered sarcastically. Willow chuckled as did Xander.
"These are hospital grade medicines. They should help a little bit, but Buffy . . ."
"What?" I asked. She bit her lip, fearfully.
"I'm afraid that I'm going to have to inject them into you,"
"Ooh! Buffy's getting a shot!" Xander teased. I hated shots. I just couldn't stand it. I guess in a way, I was normal.
"Go ahead, Willow." I urged, "I want to—"
There was a crash.
"Here Slayer, slayer!" We all froze.
"No," I mumbled. "He's here." I was getting up, but Xander pushed me down.
"Willow, watch her." Xander ordered.
"Xander, no!" I whispered fiercely. "You'll be—"
"Fine." He answered. "Stay here." He picked up a baseball bat that was leftover from the PE teachers and disappeared down the hall.
"Willow, we have to—"
"Stay here." Willow replied. "Buffy, let us protect you for once." She smiled at me and I tried to calm myself down, but I felt so useless! Xander could be hurt or killed and what was I doing here?!
"Crud!" I said fiercely, punching the couch. Willow grabbed my hand and I knew she was trying to be strong.
We waited anxiously. I shut my eyes. There were a couple of loud thumps and crashes until finally, there was only silence. We waited for Xander to return. Willow stood up.
"I'm going out."
"Let me come with you!" I pleaded. She knew she wouldn't win the argument and so she helped me up. I was still able to walk on my own, which was good news. We both left the room and headed out to the library. I wondered if school had ended yet. I looked up at a clock and saw that school was still in session, but no one was in here. Then, I remembered. All classes had to go to an assembly about bullying. I was glad that no one was here to see what was happening. They could all live in their bubbles for a little while longer.
We saw that the door to the library was opened. No noise could be heard inside. I feared for the worst. We stepped in and I saw that Xander was standing up with the charm.
"Xander, you're alright?" Willow asked.
"Fine, now that he showed up." He pointed behind me and I looked around.
"Angel," I breathed, collapsing into his arms.
"Guess I made it just in time for the party, didn't I?" He chuckled, but I just hugged him tighter.
"I'm glad you're here." I mumbled into his shirt. He rubbed my back soothingly.
"Buffy," He said, concernedly. "You're hot."
"Isn't that one of the reasons you love me?" He smiled, but instantly became serious again.
"Come on," He said, picking me up into his arms. "Let's get you to the Nurse's office." He turned to Xander. "You're actually a decent fighter." Xander grinned.
"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself." Angel turned and walked me to the Nurse's office.
"How'd you get here in the daylight?"
"Cordelia gave me a charm that protects me from the Sun's effects."
Cordelia. I had completely forgotten her.
"Where is she?"
"Probably looking through her spell books." Angel answered. "She's a witch." Normally, I would've been surprised, but not today. In fact, I felt really strange.
"Angel, I feel . . . dizzy." The room was spinning out of control. I tried to focus on Angel's face, but that hurt my eyes even more. "Something's wrong. Put me down." He did reluctantly and I immediately collapsed to the floor. I put my fingers to my temples and started to rub them. My breath was starting to come in fits.
"Buffy, what's wrong?" Angel was looking over me for some source of where the pain was coming from, but I had no idea. He placed a hand on my cheek and pulled it back quickly. "Your fever . . . it's hotter than I've ever seen. Buffy, come on. I need to lay you down." I shut my eyes and he picked me up swiftly and next thing I knew, I was lying on a soft bed. I opened my eyes and grabbed Angel's hand as he was trying to leave.
"Don't go," I whispered. "Don't leave me." He came back and kneeled by my bedside and kissed my hand.
"I'm not leaving you," He was smiling, but I could see the fear in his eyes. "Cordelia!" He shouted. "Willow! Xander!"
"Angel, I—I," I began to cough and when I pulled my hand away from my mouth, I saw that spots of blood were on it.
"Shh, Buffy, you're going to be ok." He kissed my forehead and smiled. "You're gonna be fine."
"I love you." I whispered.
"I know, Buffy. I know." He glanced at the door. "Cordelia! Anyone!"
"You called?"
"Cordelia," Angel sighed, relieved. Cordelia was a relatively tall woman, taller than me. She was wearing a navy blue knee-length dress and her short brown hair and pinned into a bun. Her hazel eyes glared at me.
"This is the Slayer. She's younger than I thought."
"Hi to you too." I mumbled.
"Can you help her?" Angel asked desperately. Cordelia walked over to me and placed her hand on my forehead.
"She's burning up." She stated. "Someone's casted a spell on her. I need to go to my spell books." She turned and walked away without even saying goodbye.
"Nice girl." I commented.
"Buffy," Angel chided. He placed his hand on my head and smiled weakly. "You should sleep."
"And miss all the excitement?" I asked. "No thank you." Angel laughed.
"Will you sleep for me, Buffy?"
"Maybe." I replied.
"Buffy—,"
"Fine, but will you stay with me? I'm afraid if I close my eyes, you'll disappear." Angel smiled and kissed me on the lips. After a few seconds, he pulled away.
"I'll stay right here." I closed my eyes and waited for peace to come.
Something still felt wrong. My instincts were telling me that I was in immediate danger from someone. The Evolver? Or someone else? Whoever it was, if I was even right that is, would have to wait. I needed to rest. Perhaps, when I awoke, I would be able to figure out what was freaking me out.
But then again, maybe I wouldn't.
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