Buffy decided she'd talk to Xander the next morning. It was Friday, the final day of the school week, so she figured if it went badly she could at least avoid him during the weekend.

She saw him wandering down the hall so she went up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Willow, I've been looking..." he turned around, "...oh, hi Buffy."

"I think we need to talk"

Xander nodded and they headed to the library.

"Giles" Buffy called out. There was no response, so the two of them went and sat at the table.

"I just..."

"Buffy, I need..." They both started talking at the same time.

"No, you first" Buffy said.

"Buffy, I need to know, why did you run? I mean, I apologised. I truly didn't mean for that to happen."

"I know Xander, but I was just confused by the whole thing...I had so many thoughts going through my head and I just had to escape."

"Oh, Angel"

"Well, yes...Angel...and, well, you're one of my best friends. I've never thought of you in that way." *Until now* she added silently to herself, and was surprised by this revelation.

"Buffy, I realise you love Angel. I don't expect anything to come of this, it was a mistake...let's move on, ok".

"Why do you keep doing that?"

"Doing what?"

"Taking the blame. I came here to apologise to you."

"Oh, well first in best dressed, I guess," he grinned at her.

"But I was partly to blame."

"Ok, Buffy...it was a joint effort. Let's just leave it at that."

"I guess."

Xander put his arm around her shoulder. "So are we good now?"

"Yes, you are still my Xander-shaped friend."

"Good, because you're a great friend, Buffy, I'd hate to lose that." he gave her shoulder a squeeze in a sideways hug.

She smiled at him. He was starting to have an effect on her. *I don't think friends should feel this way* she thought.

He finally took his arm away and she was both glad and disappointed. Glad because his touch was stirring up feelings she didn't know existed, let alone how to deal with them, and disappointed because it made her crave for more.

*More? Xander? Oh my gosh, what the hell is going on. He's just my friend, for god's sake* Buffy reprimanded herself. She knew she had to stay at a safe distance.

"I've got to get to class" she said. "Snyder still has it in for me...I swear that man hides in the walls, he just seems to pop out in front of me all the time."

Xander smiled. "You're right, we'd better go. I'll see you at lunch right?"

"There with bells on....not literally, of course."

"See you"

"Yeah, bye." She watched him walk down the hall. When he was out of sight she pressed her forehead to the cool wall. *Damn, why is he getting to me like that?*

"Miss Summers, do you think classes wait for you?"

"Principal Snyder...I was just"

"...I assure you they don't."

"I'm heading there now."

"I'm watching you Summers." he almost snarled.

*God, he's unattractive,* she thought as she made her way to class, *and what is with those ears?*