AN: I'm still writing on this story, but I'm beginning to wonder if it's
worth it. I write because of the reviews, so it would be nice to get some
feedback. Anywho, let's get on with the story, where a second awkward
meeting between William and Buffy took place.
Chapter 13
Buffy ran home in the afternoon. She wanted to go home and cry. In her room, on her bed, closed off to the world. Or maybe she'd burn all the things she ever got from Angel, that would do her good. She ignored everyone who crossed her path, until she felt a hand on her arm.
"Just leave me alone!"
"Sorry luv, just wanted to make sure you're alright."
She turned around to see William there, hands in his pockets, somewhat unsure of himself.
"Alright! Of course I'm not okay! God, didn't you hear what they said about me at school. They all think I'm a cheap whore." She burst into tears although she had promised herself she wouldn't cry in front of other people.
"It's all your fault."
"Oh sure, just blame it on the foreign bloke. Why can't you admit that your Angel is not who he appears to be. You don't have to keep up his shiny reputation."
"Who will believe me, William? My own reputation is ruined."
"No, it's not. It will die down, I'm sure of it."
He produced a clean handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her. Then he laid an arm over her shoulders and walked her home. She didn't want him to, but it felt good that somebody still cared.
"Why aren't you with Dru?"
William quirked an eyebrow, he hadn't expected this kind of question. Hadn't she seen Dru running away, the little scene his now ex-girlfriend had made.
"I thought you knew, since you heard everything."
"A small argument, I thought you made up."
"No, not where you are concerned. . .or Angel."
"It always seems difficult when he's involved."
"Certainly with Dru. . . I think she still loves him, despite everything. How much I loved her doesn't matter if she can't let go."
They were silent for a moment, both thinking about the love that had been taken from their lives. Then William sighed and looked up.
"We're here."
"Oh yeah."
Buffy had completely missed the road sign or the turn and now they stood directly in front of her house.
"You still knew the way, huh?"
"It wasn't that difficult to remember."
"Right."
For some reason they were a little nervous. But then Buffy thought of her ex. He wouldn't spoil her for everyone. William was someone who cared, the way he handled Druscilla. Would he be interested? Would he even want her?
"Err. . . Would you like to come in?"
He hesitated.
"I'd better not."
"No, you're right." She sighed. "It's better if you're not seen with the town whore." She began to sniffle again.
"I don't want to hear you say that ever again. Your boyfriend is the jealous bastard who can't keep his hands to himself. Don't even blame yourself for his actions, luv."
He hugged her and she was glad for his support.
"Why do you help me? What did I do?"
"Even if you don't believe it yourself, you're a nice girl, Buffy. I happen to like you 's all."
"Even after everything that happened?"
"I think you learned your lesson." He smiled.
She stayed in his arms a little while longer, until she had no excuse anymore. Reluctantly she moved out of his embrace.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, luv."
In an impulse she gave him a quick kiss on the mouth and ran inside. It took William a few seconds to register what had happened and he walked away, very confused.
Chapter 13
Buffy ran home in the afternoon. She wanted to go home and cry. In her room, on her bed, closed off to the world. Or maybe she'd burn all the things she ever got from Angel, that would do her good. She ignored everyone who crossed her path, until she felt a hand on her arm.
"Just leave me alone!"
"Sorry luv, just wanted to make sure you're alright."
She turned around to see William there, hands in his pockets, somewhat unsure of himself.
"Alright! Of course I'm not okay! God, didn't you hear what they said about me at school. They all think I'm a cheap whore." She burst into tears although she had promised herself she wouldn't cry in front of other people.
"It's all your fault."
"Oh sure, just blame it on the foreign bloke. Why can't you admit that your Angel is not who he appears to be. You don't have to keep up his shiny reputation."
"Who will believe me, William? My own reputation is ruined."
"No, it's not. It will die down, I'm sure of it."
He produced a clean handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her. Then he laid an arm over her shoulders and walked her home. She didn't want him to, but it felt good that somebody still cared.
"Why aren't you with Dru?"
William quirked an eyebrow, he hadn't expected this kind of question. Hadn't she seen Dru running away, the little scene his now ex-girlfriend had made.
"I thought you knew, since you heard everything."
"A small argument, I thought you made up."
"No, not where you are concerned. . .or Angel."
"It always seems difficult when he's involved."
"Certainly with Dru. . . I think she still loves him, despite everything. How much I loved her doesn't matter if she can't let go."
They were silent for a moment, both thinking about the love that had been taken from their lives. Then William sighed and looked up.
"We're here."
"Oh yeah."
Buffy had completely missed the road sign or the turn and now they stood directly in front of her house.
"You still knew the way, huh?"
"It wasn't that difficult to remember."
"Right."
For some reason they were a little nervous. But then Buffy thought of her ex. He wouldn't spoil her for everyone. William was someone who cared, the way he handled Druscilla. Would he be interested? Would he even want her?
"Err. . . Would you like to come in?"
He hesitated.
"I'd better not."
"No, you're right." She sighed. "It's better if you're not seen with the town whore." She began to sniffle again.
"I don't want to hear you say that ever again. Your boyfriend is the jealous bastard who can't keep his hands to himself. Don't even blame yourself for his actions, luv."
He hugged her and she was glad for his support.
"Why do you help me? What did I do?"
"Even if you don't believe it yourself, you're a nice girl, Buffy. I happen to like you 's all."
"Even after everything that happened?"
"I think you learned your lesson." He smiled.
She stayed in his arms a little while longer, until she had no excuse anymore. Reluctantly she moved out of his embrace.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, luv."
In an impulse she gave him a quick kiss on the mouth and ran inside. It took William a few seconds to register what had happened and he walked away, very confused.