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 21
"Hey, check out Mr. Feeling All Better And Stuff," Buffy said to Wesley that Monday when school started up again. "How do you feel?"
"Better," Wesley replied, going to work the combination on his locker. He still wore the bandage on his forehead. "Gunn and I missed you this weekend."
"I'm sorry I wasn't around," Buffy apologized. "Just cheer practice and all."
"I understand," Wesley nodded. "Did you see Angel?"
"Angel?" Buffy asked, pure innocence in her voice. "I don't know of this Angel of whom you speak."
"Please, Buffy, proper English is my domain. You know what I mean."
"No, I didn't get to see him, nosy pants." Buffy pouted as she said, "Wish I could, though."
"Hey." Wesley and Buffy both looked up to see none other than Spike heading their way.
"Is that Spike?" Wesley whispered to Buffy.
"No," Buffy replied sarcastically. "It's another British kid with platinum blonde hair." She turned to Spike. "Uh, hi?"
"Hi," Spike returned the greeting lightly, pretty much brushing the other blonde off. "It's Wesley, right?"
"Well, yes, right," Wesley stammered a little. "And this is my friend, Buffy Summers."
"Charmed," Buffy said dryly.
"Right back at you," said Spike, once again turning his attention back to Wesley. "Look, about on Friday, I didn't mean to, you know, split your brain cells."
"Um, well, apology accept," said Wesley then added softly, "I think."
"Hope I didn't make you lose that pent up knowledge you got," said Spike.
"Oh, no," Wesley assured him. "Still there. Not that I'm having a fat head about it. It's just that you shouldn't worry because the knowledge is there and sealed tightly."
"Gee, Wes, that defined smooth," Buffy said with an eye roll then walked off down the hall.
"You can keep up with the best of them," said Spike to Wesley. "Stop backing down to everything and people might take you more seriously."
"I've heard that my whole life," Wesley admitted. "Mainly from my father."
"My father died when I was fourteen. Just me and my mum now. Don't take dear old Dad for granted."
Wesley nodded and the two British boys started to head down the hall together. "Spike? How do you feel about iced tea?"
Buffy walked down the hall, deciding to be early for her first period class, for once. She spotted a water fountain right outside her class and stopped. The pretty blonde pulled her hair behind her ear then bent down for a drink. The moment she looked up again Buffy saw Angel standing right next to water fountain.
"Angel," Buffy nearly gasped, pressing down hard on the button of the fountain, causing water to squirt out. "Oh, oops."
"Hey, Buffy," Angel greeted, ignoring the girl's unease.
"Well, Angel, long time and not so much of the see."
"Listen, I wanted to run an idea by you."
Buffy shrugged. "Run away. Oh, wait, that didn't come out right."
Angel chuckled softly. "You pretty when you're awkward." Buffy felt her cheeks blush slightly, only causing more embarrassment to wash over her. "You know this Friday night? I just thought that if you weren't doing anything then maybe—"
"Is this guy bothering you, Buffy?" Lindsey asked, walking up out of nowhere, Gunn coming up behind him.
"You messing with my friend, man?" Gunn said to Angel, menacingly.
"He's not bothering me," Buffy said to them through clenched teeth.
"It's OK, Buffy," Angel said. "I'll just see you later."
"Oh, wait," Buffy called after him, her voice a whisper as he walked away.
"Some guys just think they can push up on whatever they want," Lindsey said, watching Angel leave and slipping an arm around Buffy's shoulders.
"Oh, hey, Buff, guess what," said Gunn, getting the girl's attention. "I got me a date for Friday night."
"Cool," Buffy smiled at him, actually forgetting her Angel anguish for the moment. "Who is she?"
"Dru," Gunn replied.
"Wait," Lindsey interjected. "Doesn't she go with that English kid? Um, Spike?"
"Yeah," Gunn said. "What a shame… for him."
Fred lay in her bedroom on top of the still made up bed, her long, brown hair draping across her like a blanket. Many thoughts floated through the young brunette's mind. Angel had seemed so simple up until last Friday; he was just a regular guy, who could chug down a milkshake. Fred thought that she should have known something was wrong with him to begin with. Why else would anyone in his or her right mind be nice to a pale, frail freshman like her? A sudden knock came at the door, startling Fred from her thoughts.
"Come in," Fred whispered.
Angel poked his head into the bedroom. "Hey."
"Angel," Fred recognized, sitting up. "Um, what are you doing here?"
"You weren't in school today." Angel entered the room completely, shutting the door behind him. "Your mother said you were sick. Sick of me, maybe?"
Fred glanced down, sort of ashamed. "I don't know," she said softly.
"Fred, you really have every right to avoid me," said Angel, pulling up a chair and taking a seat. "I wasn't honest with you about what I was. In fact, how could I be? I don't really know myself."
Fred glanced into Angel's chocolate eyes. "What are you really, Angel?"
"To sum it up, a human vampire freak. Teen freak if you will."
"Angel," Fred giggled gently.
Angel let off a smile himself. "Look, Fred, the thing is that I really enjoy talking and hanging out with you. I still want to be friends with you. With you around I… it reminds me of my little sister."
Fred looked at him seriously at that moment. "Really?" Angel nodded. "Well, I have always wanted a strapping older brother. The better to kick Charles Gunn's ass and all."
Angel chuckled lightly. "That's why I'm here for."
"Thanks, Angel," Fred said then climbed off the bed and bent down to give him a hug.
Angel, surprised by the sudden display of emotion, hugged her back, enjoying the tender moment.
A/N: What can I say? I crave fluff. Oh, and for those of you wondering if this is Fred/Angel… no way! Never, not in a million years, not in this lifetime, forget it, not happening, not ever! Was that clear? Fred being anything close to Angel's girlfriend is just too gross for me to bear. Just the thought is icky to me. Please review!