Chapter 10

We drove to Starbucks in an awkward silence, well it was awkward for me but I think Angel liked the silence. He didn't even look at me but the thing that hurt the most was that he wasn't even bothered. Anyone would have thought he liked the silence that was choking the car. I wanted to sigh loudly as if to remind him that I was still here but he knew I was here. The car came to a stop as Angel pulled up right outside the coffee shop. A car from behind beeped its horn at Angel's sudden stop but he just ignored it.

"I don't think you're allowed to park here" I told him making my presence known. I might as well have spoken to the car, probably get more of a response out of it because Angel just ignored me.

With two honks from the horn Willow came rushing out with a coffee in one hand and her phone in the other. Angel got out from the car to let her in the backseat although I could tell she expected me to move but I wasn't moving for anyone especially not her.

Bitter? Yeah, I was. Here I was with my world sinking in front of me and I couldn't get away from it, I couldn't get onto the life boat, it was there but it was floating away. And then there was Willow, she had everything she ever wanted and everything I've ever wanted.

Jealous? Understatement. I was beyond jealous. I felt like I was drowning in envy and the only person who could save me was him, my best friend's fiancé. It was funny, well it would have been if it wasn't happening to me.

"Hey Buffy, how'd it go with the social worker?" Willow asked while sipping her starbucks take away coffee

There it was again, that awful question. Why did people keep asking me that? Couldn't they mind their own business. Didn't they think that maybe, just maybe it didn't go well and I didn't want it to go well either. I know that's an awful thing to say but on some level it was true.

"Fine" I mumbled starring out of the window.

We were now on our way to Los Angeles to find perfect Willow the perfect wedding dress. On the outside I was all smiles and calmness but on the inside I was anything but calm. My heart was telling me to turn and kiss Angel while Willow was in the backseat and my head, well that was telling me to drag Willow out by the hair and take everything out on her. I really don't know how I was managing to act so sane.

"I'm so exited!" Willow exclaimed lifting her shoulders. Lucky her, what did I have to be excited about? Being bridesmaid at their wedding, yeah 'cause that was going to be so great wasn't it. "Angel, when we get there you're going to have to go with the guys because I really don't want you seeing any dresses, not even the ones I try on and don't like"

"Yeah, of course baby" Angel said distractedly as he concentrated on the road ahead of him

"But then I want you to have a matching tie to my dress so how is that going to work. Oh no, your going to have to see my dress aren't you! Oh my god this is going so wrong"

I raised a eye brow at Willow who was about to hyperventilate, she sure was the stupidest smart person I've ever met. Angel pulled over on the side of the road, took his seat belt off and turned in the chair to face Willow.

"Baby, you're dress is going to be white, that I know so I'll get a white tie and we'll be matching so just calm down and breath"

Willow took the advice that was given to her and took a few deep breaths then smile and leaned over to kiss Angel

"mmh you smell nice" She purred after she finished her assault. I sat in the passenger seat quite, trying to ignore the disgusting slurping sounds. If my friend had looked at me then she would have seen my thunderous face and she would be able to tell that I was close to striking.

After what felt like ten hours in the small confined car we finally arrived to a day of pure boredom, fun, fun. I slowly got out of the car and lifted the leaver on the seat to let Willow out too.

"We're off then, I shall see you later ok. Just remember to get a nice suite and tell the guys not to get theirs until I ring because I still haven't decided what colour I want the bridesmaid, I do know though I want Buffy in a different colour and I want your best man in the same colour as Buffy, okay"

Angel nodded his head but I could tell he didn't get any of what she had said. Guy's didn't do the whole wedding colour scheme.

"Let's go then maid of honour" Willow beamed at me and took me by the arm. I gave one last glance to Angel who was walking away too meet the rest of the guys that had followed in a different car.

We stopped outside a white decorated bridal shop with gowns and tux's modelled in the window. I wiped some sweat from my forehead from the heat and wished I didn't wrap up so warm since it was like 30 degrees. Willow entered the shop first and the wind chimes sang as the air hit them.

We both walked pleasantly into the posh shop, careful not to touch anything just in case we did some damage to the luxurious gowns. Both sides of the chop were covered in shelves with accessories on them. I examined the expensive tiaras; the most expensive ones were made with real diamonds, ruby's and sapphires, the less expensive ones with rhinestones. At the back of the shop was a little arch made in the wall and through there must have been where all the gowns were kept even though some of theme were out in the middle of the room on the models.

Anya, Tara and Faith were already sitting on the black leather sofa so I slumped down next to them

"Rough day?" Faith asked. I smiled, at least she didn't ask how the social worker's visit went. That's why I loved Faith so much, she knew when I wanted to talk about something and when I didn't, she knew when to step in and when not too

"Well I could do with a few drinks" I replied making her smile

"Couldn't we all, I'm surprised you're not feeling queasy driving up with them two erghh. Their almost as bad as Xander and Anya" Faith joked

"Hey! You're one to talk, besides me and Xander are open to public display of affection" Anya argued

"That's not all their open too" Faith giggled, so did I, even Tara managed to crack a smile. This was the first time I had met Tara, she was a friend of Willow's from college, apparently the two and become very close, Faith had even hinted that the two had a sexual relationship but I didn't believe her. Tara was nice girl, quite though.

Anya frowned at Faith biting her tongue to keep her from saying something she would regret, Faith had no shame so here was no point saying anything back and of course Faith always had the best insults so there really was no point.

Willow came over with a shop assistant dressed in a white shirt and waist high pencil skirt

"So are these your bridesmaid's?" She asked looking us over

"Well these three are, this is my maid of honour, I want her in a different dress and maybe a different colour, I'm not sure yet" Willow replied looking at me

"Could you all stand up so I could look at you all please?"

We all did as we were told without any fuss, well expect for Faith. She grumbled as she got up and when it was her turn for the shop assistants observation she didn't like it at all.

"What's this?" She asked pointing at Faiths tribal tattoo around the top of her arm. Faith just looked at the plump woman as if to say what does it look like "This just wont do! People should think twice about having tattoo's I mean it looks so tacky on the wedding day"

I thanked god that my tattoo was out of sight, I'm really not good with abuse. I don't know how Faith just stood there and took it, normally she would have bit back. I looked over and Willow and could see that she was just happy that Faith hadn't said anything back

"The bridesmaids will have to wear shawl's or something then, because we can not have that thing ruining the dresses"

She was talking as if Faith had put a stain on one of her dresses or something but then I guess if you come to a shop that sells diamond tiaras then they were aloud to give you abuse.

The shop assistant clapped her hands twice before wobbling into the back followed by Willow who was trying to keep up with the woman

"Fucking bitch" Faith muttered. I nodded my head annoyed that Willow hadn't said anything. Tara flinched at Faith's harsh words, it was sweet and then I realised that we were similar in a way, we were both shy and quite, we both avoided people in college and we were both still hurting, from what she was hurting I didn't know, it was none of my business but when ever she was ready to talk I would be there for her.

"Lady's, I have found you the perfect dresses" Willow smiled calling us over. I tried to hide my frown but Faith caught it and rolled her eyes telling me that what ever I was feeling she was feeling the same, I doubted it very much.

Willow held up a emerald green silk fish tail gown with a tie up neck. Anya only had too look at it once before deciding she was not going to wear it

"Ohh no, you are not getting me in that"

Willow folded her arms and sighed. I felt a bit sorry for her, I mean it was her wedding so if she wanted her bridesmaid's in a dress like that then she should have them in it

"And why not?"

"Because it's silk and you have to have like a surfboard stomach for silk, I mean Buffy and Faith will be fine but what about me and Tara?" Anya quickly turned Tara and apologised, well in her own way "No offence or anything Tara but your curvy, nothing wrong with that"

Tara only nodded and I couldn't help but laugh, Anya really didn't know when to shut up

"Buffy's not even going to be wearing this dress so Faith's the only one who's going to look good in it unless that's your plan, have all your bridesmaids looking ugly to make you look good?"

"Hey, I don't look good in green so I won't be looking good" Faith pointed out still smiling

I gazed around the room bored, I wanted to go, I wanted to be anywhere but here. All the dress talk and arguing was making my head explode.

"Buffy? Will you do me a favour, while we try and sort this out will you make sure Angel's actually suite shopping and not in a bar?" Willow asked. I smiled not believing how lucky I was

"Sure"

"Ring him off my phone if you want too, don't be too long though because you'll have to try on your dress"

"I'll ring him off my own phone and yeah course, just ring me when you need me" I grinned at Faith who showed me her middle finger, I knew she was jealous and wanted to go with me.

Walking out of the shop was like walking into a room full of air, everything felt right, even if it was boiling hot but I didn't mind, I only wanted a quick drink before going to see Angel. I walked down the clean street and finally found a small bar. It was only one o clock in the afternoon but that didn't bother me

"Vodka straight" I said to the man the other side of the bar. He nodded and smiled at me with no judgement on his face. I paid the man then threw the sour liquid into my mouth before thanking him and leave. Taking out my phone I looked for the number I needed and then waited for an answer

"Angel? Yeah hey, its Buffy. Willow asked me to check up on you guys so where are you? Oh, yeah okay I'll be there in a few. Bye" I hung up and made my way to the suite shop that was only round the corner from the bar I had just been too.

It looked just as fancy as the bridal shop I was just in except it was for men and instead of tiaras they had ties and cufflinks. I couldn't miss Angel who was standing in the middle of the room in a dashing black suite with all the women assistants around him measuring his arms and thighs

"Alright pet? How's it going on the other side?" Spike asked adjusting his blue tie

"Oh don't ask, their all making a fuss about some green dress, I don't know. I was just glad to be out of there really"

Angel turned around to look at me and I swear my heart skipped a beat. Images of him in the very same black suite and ivory tie in a church were flashing through my head.

"Hey" I said dumbly. The assistant turned and rushed me closer to him

"So this must be your dashing bride then" She beamed. Before anyone could say anything she carried on "Well I'll just leave you and Angel to discuss which suite is better, they are all in the changing room so your welcome to go and have a browse, just call me if you need anything"

"Im not..."

"It might help to have a female opinion" Xander butted in so the next thing I knew I was being pushed into a small box with Angel.

[A/n: I am in shock, I've actually updated. I've been working on this chapter for months, just hope it was worth it haha. Well enjoy, tell me what you think and hopefully you wont have to wait this long for another update, happy easter]