It had been a week. Eli and I's assignment was due in four days. We had barely said three words to each other inside of class and outside. And it was official. Eli and Clare were back together. I had seen them in the halls talking, joking even once or twice. Most of the times though they had both looked pretty serious. Once I even saw Clare on the verge of tears. That was the time I had stopped looking. I sighed to myself as Fiona walked over, she was wearing a guarded, sympathetic expression that her and Holly J had took to wearing around me these days, I rolled my eyes at her as she approached me,

"Fiona, you can stop with the look of mourning, I'm fine!" I said in sing-song voice to her. She laughed slightly and stood next to me as I started to open my locker now, she took a sip of her coffee and made a face,

"The Dot's coffee is slowly going more and more downhill," she commented, still looking disgustedly at her coffee. I shot her a small smile as I opened my locker now and started to rifle through my things, I heard Fiona still beside me as I looked through my locker distractedly and froze, closing my eyes slightly now, please don't be Eli, I prayed to myself. I turned around to face Fiona; standing beside her was...Wesley. I let out a relieved sigh and Wesley smiled at me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Fiona giving Wesley a look up and down repeatedly, she had her nose wrinkled in disgust at the sneakers he was wearing with his jeans,

"You don't actually think that looks go-"Fiona started to him, pointing a finger at his sneakers. I quickly cut across,

"Wesley, hey how you been?" I asked him, overlapping the end of Fiona's sentence now and shooting Fiona a warning look. She rolled her eyes at me, faked a smile and kissed me on both cheeks once before starting to walk off,

"Well, the drama room awaits," She said to me lightly, giving Wesley another small confused look as if it genuinely confused her why he would wear that clothing, before walking away. Wesley stared after her, stunned then smiled to me, smoothing over his collar with one hand and putting this small expression on his face as if he was some big stud,

"She seems nic-"Wesley started after her,

"Gay," I replied quickly, watching Wesley's face fall slightly before he shook his head and recovered,

"Right...well um, Anya yeah I was wondering if you still needed help with that assignment?" He asked me, a hopeful note in his voice as if he was hoping I'd say no. I frowned slightly and looked down, getting ready to shake my head before hesitating. Why should I get a zero for Eli's laziness? I smiled to myself and looked Wesley right in the eye,

"Today, after school," I replied offering him a smile. He smiled back nervously and I mentally high fived myself for my quick thinking. It was such short notice Eli was bound to already have plans by now for this afternoon and wouldn't be able to make it. Then I'd just give a small lie and say that this was the only day Wesley could do and not to worry. I started to grin, Anya you're a genius, I reminded myself. Now I just crossed my fingers hoping Wesley wouldn't be busy either. Luckily he shook his head at me,

"Yeah I mean...no...That uh, that sounds fine!" he said with forced enthusiasm, I raised my eyebrows at him and shrugged,

"Yeah, looks like it'll be just you and me," I said, still smiling. Wesley now raised his eyebrows, speaking slowly as if not understanding,

"Oh, I thought the assignment was with Eli?" He asked me. I smiled and shook my head again,

"Nope, he won't be able to make it," I answered gleefully. A relieved expression broke across Wesley's face and he smiled genuinely now,

"Oh, awesome! I mean, uh...what a shame," he quickly covered up. I laughed brightly and gave Wesley a quick hug,

"Now I gotta jet," I said to him just as the bell rang over our heads, "English class awaits me."

I entered English class now, as usual Eli was in his seat at the back, for the first time I frowned at this, weird that he wasn't sitting in the front near to Clare wasn't it? I shook my head, what do you care? I asked myself, sitting down in my seat, as usual Ms. Dawes was late, or waiting until the last second before slipping into class and beginning. I looked over my shoulder, my eyes connected with Eli's and we both looked away quickly. I bit my lip, thinking, I should probably go over to Eli now and tell him the 'bad news' I thought to myself, a wicked grin spreading on my lips again. I cleared my throat and steeled myself, standing up from my seat and breezily walking over to Eli's. He pretended not to notice me. Yeah smooth, get back together with your girlfriend then ignore me, I fumed to myself. I cleared my throat pointedly and he slowly looked up at me, a small smirk appearing on his lips,

"Eli, after school today Wesley's coming over to help with the uh, assignment," I said as smoothly as I could. Eli opened his mouth then closed it, waiting for me to finish, "Can you make it?" I asked him, not bothering to hide the hopeful tone in my voice. Eli raised his eyebrows at me then slowly shook his head,

"No, uh, sorry Anya, can't got plans with Clare," He answered pointedly, setting his jaw. I set my jaw as well and gave him one of the coldest looks I could muster,

"What a shame," I said sarcastically, before flipping my hair over my shoulders and walking back to my chair as Ms. Dawes entered finally, out of breath,

"Today class-" She began.

I stood over Wesley's shoulder, fidgeting nervously, we were at my house and I had just ordered the pizza, even though Wesley said it wouldn't take that long- it was only about 4 after school right now, it was my thankyou present to him I had pointed out and he had smiled at me before clicking away at my keyboard on my home computer. Finally he stood up, stretching; I raised my eyebrows at him, prompting him.

"And it's done," he said, nodding his head and grinning at me. I clapped my hands together and let out a small squeal,

"Yes thankyou Wesley, you are amazing!" I nearly screamed, thank god nobody was home right now. As if on cue the doorbell rang, I grinned right back at him, "And your thankyou present is here," I joked to him, walking away from the computer now in the main room and opening the door, still putting a thumbs up to Wesley. I looked at who was there and froze.

"Eli," I said in a tight voice. He smirked at me and without invitation waltzed in. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Wesley's jaw drop open in shock and he quickly busied himself, looking nervous now slightly. "Yeah sure, come on in," I said sarcastically, shutting the door now. I turned to face Eli as he threw himself onto my white, leather couch, I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him wordlessly, his smirk got wider and he raised his eyebrows,

"Don't we have an assignment to do?" He asked me coolly.