A/N: You guys have been really cool with the reviewing and all. I so owe all of you major hugs. Now sit back and relax with this chapter. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 18
"Buffy, pay attention," Wesley ordered, snapping his fingers rapidly in front of the blonde girl's face.
Buffy gasped lightly and looked at him. "W-what?" she stammered.
"I thought you wanted help for your history paper," Wesley reminded her. They sat in the library on opposite ends of a table, as they both had a free period.
"I know, I know." Buffy sighed deeply.
"You keep getting lost in that Liam O'Connor profile," Wesley said, seeing that Buffy's eyes refused to leave the file that was sitting in front of her.
"Angel," the sixteen-year-old whispered.
Wesley bent his eyebrows in confusion. "What?"
"Oh." Buffy flashed her hazel eyes into his blue ones. "Angel. He and Gunn had a thing earlier and Gunn was sort of poking at his name- or, well, nickname."
"You seem to be really into this boy, Buffy," Wesley noted.
"What? No," Buffy said quickly. She squirmed in her seat lightly. "Well, what if I was?"
"Well, from what you've seen in that profile he seems to have a very colorful record."
"Not exactly colorful. It's just a little. plaid. Plus, he seems like a pretty nice guy. He did stick up for Fred," Buffy reminded him.
"You're a Fred fan now?" Wesley asked, raising one eyebrow.
"That's not it," Buffy shook her head. "It's just that Gunn doesn't exactly have to treat her that way." The bell suddenly went off. "Well, and that call marks the beginning of math. Major boredom about to occur." She gathered her things and headed out. "Later, Wes."
"Later," Wesley called after her.
Buffy adjusted her book bag on her back as she headed down the crowded hall of the first floor. Why did some school days just seem to drag on forever and ever? Some things just weren't fair. As Buffy turned the corner of the hallway she immediately spotted someone, as if her eyes were set on him.
"Angel," she smiled to herself.
Continuing to smile, Buffy, keeping her distance, followed Angel as he went up the stairs, heading for his next class. When Buffy reached the second floor she glanced around to see no one. Practically every kid had gone to class and Angel was nowhere to be seen. Buffy sighed deeply then turned around and released a light shriek.
"Hello to you, too," Angel said.
"Oh, hi," Buffy returned the greeting, and then became immediately pissed at the squeak in her voice. "I'm-"
"Buffy," Angel cut in.
"Summers," Buffy added bashfully. "And you're."
"Thought you could have guessed by now." Without notice, Angel snatched the file Buffy had in her hand. "You know, you don't need to sneak around to get a story out of me."
"I wasn't sneaking. exactly." Buffy shifted from foot to foot, total embarrassment flushing over her, which was clear from the way her cheeks were reddening. "I was more like, you know, investigating."
"Wish all private eyes were as pretty as you," Angel smirked at her, only making the blonde blush more.
"Well, you're not the worse looking guy I've ever seen, either," said Buffy, calming a little.
"Good taste. except in friends."
Buffy sighed deeply. "Gunn, right?"
Angel nodded. "Why would you hang around with a guy like that?"
"Look, I know the way he treats Fred is pretty bogus, but-"
"Really? What tipped you off?" Sarcasm filled Angel's voice.
"I won't just stand here and debate my friend with you. Gunn and I have been friends since we were really little and I mean really."
"My friends aren't that great, either," Angel admitted. "Sometimes it's like a loyalty thing, you know?"
Buffy smiled softly and nodded. "Yeah. I think I know." The tardy bell sounded suddenly. "Great." Buffy turned to her book bag's left strap and adjusted. "Listen, maybe-" She looked up again to see Angel gone, as if in a flash. "Um, we could do this again."
"Buffy?" The blonde whipped her head around to see Lindsey McDonald. "Have you started talking to yourself now?"
"No. I-I was talking to Angel." He raised an eyebrow at her, staring at her strangely. "I mean not an angel. Angel the guy Angel." Lindsey just continued eyeing her. "I'll go now." Buffy headed upward towards the third floor.
Lindsey shook his head and muttered, "At least she's hot."
A/N: I know it took me a while to update but a reviewer who will remain anonymous finally "gently" persuaded me. Please review!