(A/N: WARNING: I'm sorry to disappoint you guys about the following Buffy's decision. But pls read anyway!)

Chapter 8: Decision

The cool air breezed through the empty hall. The silence was sickening to her. She never liked a quiet place, let alone standing inside with a person who waited in demand for an answer that she couldn't provide.

She looked back at him. His pleading eyes searched for an answer in hers. She knew she had to give him her choice, but her voice appeared to be gone.

She swallowed hard before she tried to find her voice again. "I'm sorry Angel. I can't-" She paused as she inhaled deeply. "I can't break my friendship with him just like that. I-I'm sorry..." She whispered her last two words.

Angel nodded meekly in understanding. He already expected this, he'd been prepared for this, but he couldn't keep his heart from breaking apart. He could feel the sting in his eyes, tears threatened to fall but he held them back.

"Well if that's what you decided, I can't do anything about it, now can I?" Angel forced a tight smile. "It's not like I'm gonna see you again in a month, so that won't be a problem right?" He continued, let out a hoarse laughter.

Buffy winced at his forced laughter, her heart broke for him. She really did like him, but she knew she had to let him go. She had two good reasons for that. One, which was clearly about Spike, and second was that she didn't think she could make this relationship go as far as she could after Angel went back to his country. Being separated by ocean and islands was too much for her to bear. She wasn't the type of girl who would wait for her boyfriend to call every week at the same time, or email him everyday whenever she could. Plus, computer and internet were not her things. She was a more face-to-face person.

"Well then, I guess this is goodbye."

"Yeah, I guess it is." Buffy nodded slightly in agreement. Her voice came as a whisper, almost couldn't be heard.

Angel took one last long look at his former girlfriend. "Goodbye, Buffy. I love you, you know that right?"

Buffy nodded again, tears began streaming down her cheeks. She bit her bottom lip to seize her cry. "Bye Angel."

With that Angel turned around and marched away from her. Buffy finally let out a loud sob she'd been holding onto as soon as his retreating form disappeared.


*****

Buffy gazed down at the sleeping bleached head for a while. Her eyes were swollen from the lament she did in the school's hall. She smiled tightly.

'At least I still have him on my side.' Buffy thought. She climbed over the bed and wrapped her arms around him, burying her head to his naked chest. She inhaled the scent of his cologne that still lingered on his body.

Spike stirred, feeling company on his bed, who wrapped herself around him. He looked down at the top of her head. He could feel the sadness taking over his non-existent little sister, judging by the way she held him in desperation.

"Buffy, luv. What's wrong?" he whispered.

"Angel and I...we broke up this afternoon," Buffy answered simply, still resting her forehead, refusing to look up to him.

"What?!? Did he cheat on you? I swear if he ever did that, I'll kill him..."

Spike was now sitting straight on the bed. Buffy lifted her upper body to sit up too. He looked at her swollen eyes and felt himself fuming. His experience of being cheated on suddenly came across his mind.

"No, he didn't cheat on me. We were just...never meant for each other, you know?" Buffy lied. She didn't want to tell him the real reason because it, it would make him feel real guilty and responsible-- and awkward. She knew that he felt a brotherly love to her. The question was, did she feel the same way to him?

Spike tilted his head to the side. "Buffy, are you sure?" He looked at her skeptically. Buffy only looked down to the bed sheet and nodded weakly, tears began flowing again.

His heart clutched for her. Nobody dared to break her heart with Spike always ready to lung them whenever he saw a hint of sadness on her façade.

"Oh baby, come here." Spike pulled her to him, smoothing her hair as he kissed the top of her head. She rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist as he leaned against the wall.

"Why can't I find a guy who can totally trust me?" Buffy whined as she choked on her sobs. The tears fell down Spike's chest, but he ignored them.

"Maybe because they can't handle such a beautiful bird like you, pet." Spike smiled down at her.

"Spike, stop it..." He chuckled when she swatted his chest playfully. A weak smile curled over her lips. He really did know how to make her smile and forget everything bad happened. They sat there in a comfortable silence, enjoying the companionship of each other. Buffy soon found herself dozing, still clutching on Spike's body as he leaned his head on top of hers drifting off to sleep.

(A/N: Oops! Sorry, I forgot to mention that the previous author's note only applies to B/A fans.Y'know I'm a spuffy, NOT a bangel and this is my story anyway. ;) Review please!!!! )

to be continued