A/N: This is, plain and simple, AU. Instead of Angel turning into a vampire in Ireland in the 1700's, I wondered what it would be like if set in the modern day world. This is a story I posted in one of my Yahoo groups, and just thought you guys might like it as well.
CHAPTER 3
Kathy lay in her bed, her light brown hair messed and uncombed. Her face was stained with tears, as she had cried for like the millionth time that day. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore; not clothes, not school, nothing.
It had been nearly a week since Liam had gone missing. He had just completely vanished. How, though? Did he just run away? No, he would have said something to Kathy, even if it were just a hint. Was he kidnapped? Couldn't be. Liam was over six feet tall and as strong as they come. No one would be stupid enough to mess with him. Then what had happened? What in the name of God had happened?
There was no way any of it could be considered fair. Liam was gone and no one had a clue where he was. It just wasn't right. He was the only thing in Kathy's life that was dependable, no matter how reckless Liam could get. Now he was missing… why?
The thirteen-year-old finally got up from her bed to take a look at herself in her full-length mirror. Her hair was, of course, messed and her jeans and sweater were wrinkled. What was the point of looking decent? It didn't even matter; not anymore, anyway.
Kathy made her way downstairs, heading for the kitchen. Her looks might not matter but she couldn't exactly starve herself. Her stomach just would not allow it. Before she could make it into the kitchen her ears perked at the sound of her parents' voices.
"I think we should search his room again," Mrs. O'Connor said from where she stood next to her husband, doing the dishes.
"We've searched every corner," Mr. O'Connor reminded her. "There's nothing there that could point to where he is."
"I just think we should—"
"Listen," her husband cut her off with a snap. "That boy has been asking for trouble for a long time now. Now he's finally found it. And I refuse to worry."
Mrs. O'Connor sighed, not feeling like an argument.
Kathy's deep blue eyes glowed with a crimson red anger. What on earth was wrong with her parents? They were just selfish fools. Liam had been right. They would never understand anything. Kathy turned and headed for the living room. She grabbed her jacket as she left out the house.
Charles stood at the counter of the juice bar, which was inside the large arcade of the mall. Sounds of kids playing games and chatter going on surrounded him. Charles took hold of his chocolate milkshake and turned around on his bar stool to see Cordelia Chase standing behind him, looking stunning as ever.
"Oh, hey, Cordy," Charles greeted with an elated smile on his face. "What's up?"
"Nothing, ebony man," Cordelia returned his smile, using his nickname around the school. "Were you looking for me?"
"Hey, you know it." Charles got down from his stool and wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into a kiss.
Cordelia put a hand to the back of his head and held him before they released the kiss. "So, come on. Let's go to the movies."
Charles started, "Cordy—"
"Oh, and afterwards we're hitting the new Pizza Palace, but we'll have to wait a while because if we show up too early the geeks will still be there and I hear there is a serious loser virus going around."
"Cordy—"
"And I vote we go see Hit Jam at the movies. I hear it's killer."
"Cordy," Charles pointed out gently. "That movie perpetuates an African American stereotype."
"So?" Cordy beamed. "That means you can connect with it."
Charles gave her a blank stare before glancing behind her. "Oh, there's Buffy. Yo, Buffy!" He turned back to the cheerleader that stood before him. "I'm gonna go see Buffy. But I'll meet you at the movie… later." Charles dashed off in a hurry, only slowing down to grab his milkshake.
"OK," Cordy called after him.
Charles slipped into a seat at a small table Buffy sat at. The blonde girl had a smoothie in front of her. "What's wrong?" she asked, seeing the look on his face.
"I gotta break up with Cordelia. Girl got issues."
"What?" This caught Buffy off-guard. "But you've been together since sophomore year."
"Don't remind me," Charles sighed. "The girl is trippin' now."
"So what I'm hearing is that you have a problem with Cordelia but instead of talking to her about it like you should in a relationship, you're going to, what, just break up with her?"
"Yeah, that's right," Charles replied bluntly with a shrug.
"Cool," Buffy smiled gleefully.
Charles took a sip of his milkshake then glanced towards his left. "Oh, don't tell me Wes is trying to mach again."
"Yep." Buffy looked over at the little nerd, who stood at a table of girls, chatting with them. "I almost feel sorry for him. You know, if he wasn't born to be a total geek and all."
Wesley soon went over and joined them at the table. "Hi," he greeted.
"Hey, Wesley," Buffy waved lightly.
"Girls shot you down again?" Charles asked his friend directly.
"No," Wesley replied insulted. "They told me to go away, Wesley. Usually they say go away, nerd bomber. I believe I'm wearing them down."
"Of course," Buffy nodded.
"See, Wes, let me explain somethin' to you," Charles said. "Those who can't, teach. Well, I can and I invented."
Wesley looked bewildered. "Meaning…?"
"Meaning, my loyal British geek, I will teach you the art of the mach."
Buffy had to hide her laugh.
"Really?" Wesley asked all too excited. Charles nodded. "In that case, I'd love to." He practically jumped up from his seat. "I will be at your house bright and early Saturday morning. Ooh, I can bring the lemonade." Wesley turned and actually skipped out of the arcade.
Buffy turned back to Charles. "Sad."
Charles took hold of his milkshake and agreed, "This is true."
Kathy trudged up her block a couple of hours later that night, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her jacket. She released a large breath. It felt like such a long night. A part of her had been just wondering around and the other part had been searching for her brother.
As Kathy got closer to the house she noticed something. Was the door open? She glanced towards the family car, which was still firmly planted in front of the house. Mom and Dad hadn't left. They rarely leave without the house. Plus they wouldn't have just plain gone. Kathy immediately raced for her house. It could only mean one thing…
"Liam!"
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, guys. Oh, and one of you wanted to know what's the deal here. Yeah, I have to admit. It is confusing. This is what you call an Outrageous AU, which is something my group created. This is just an alternate universe with the same characters and general theme. It's in soap opera style so it may go on and on and on. Still confused? Let me know. But remember that this story is just for fun and some of it is just for laughs so enjoy. Please review!