Disclaimer: Righty O then...U must all know this by now.
AN: SORRY!!! I so wish wasn't making the wait so long. Small case of writers block but I dealt and moved on :P
Ch 6
Giles entered the classroom with a little apprehension. Angel had said something about True Confessions and Giles was a little nervous about what questions the class might ask each other.
When he entered the room, he found twenty one eyes turn toward him.
Deep breath old man, It may not be as bad as you think.
Giles gave a wary smile and addressed the class.
"I'm terribly sorry I'm late. Angel is unable to come in today and has asked me to take the class. Yes Buffy?"
"Where is he?"
"He has had to go to LA, I'm not sure for how long. He told me to tell you not to worry and he'll call you tonight."
"Is he okay?"
"He sounded fine. A little rushed but fine. Now, he told me that you were all playing true confessions yesterday and that your homework was to think of some questions to ask people. I think we'll just go around the class so that everyone can have a turn. Jade isn't it? Can you begin?"
One by one, everyone stood up and asked a question. They were more general questions that the whole class could answer and in those instances, the entire class did answer. But on the odd occasion the questions were more direct. One such question came from Harmony. Giles groaned inwardly as the blond stood up.
"Okay, my question is for Buffy." Buffy rolled her eyes and raised an eyebrow, "Why is it that this town got weird when you arrived. I mean you're a freak so it makes sense that freakiness followed you here but nothing bizarre ever happened till you got here."
"I very much doubt that." Giles mumbled.
"Freaky things always happened here harmony, it's only when I arrived that something was actually done about it."
"Nothing has been done about it. Sunnydale gets worse everyday with God only knows what kind of things. It's not getting any safer." Harmony's voice had risen so she was almost shouting at Buffy, "How are we meant to live normal lives when every morning we dread coming to school incase we get the news a friend of ours has died or gone missing."
"I know what you're feeling Harmony. Trust me, I feel it every day of my life. We all do."
"I know." She whispered and sat down. The class remained silent for a few moments, eventually Giles spoke up.
"Well, Jonathan, you're next."
The questions continued until eventually it came to the Scooby Gang. Cordelia went first.
"I don't really have any questions so I guess I'll break this up, one of you can ask me anything you want."
Cordelia looked around and saw some of her former friends whispering to each other. She caught Xander's eye and gave him a nervous smile. Finally Aura got up with a smug expression plastered to her face.
"Okay, what I want to know is what you see in the freaks you hang out with."
"What you want to know or what Harmony wants to know?"
Aura looked a little uncertain but continued to look at Cordelia. She sighed and glanced at each of the Scooby gang.
"Because they know who they are. They don't pretend to be someone that they aren't. I have been mean to them all at one point or another yet they are still there for me if and when I need them. They care, something none of you actually did...at least not about stuff that matters. Even now, I am currently going through something major in my life, and if any of you knew, you would look down on me. Instead I have a perfectly wonderful set of friends who have held my hand and who are helping me face my worst fears."
Although only Xander knew exactly what she was talking about, the rest of the gang just smiled in pretense so as not to put the brunette down.
"They have helped me see what's important in my life, and for that I am more thankful then they will ever know."
"You're still going to hang with them even after what that loser and geek did to you?" Aura was amazed. Cordelia only smiled and turned to the gang.
"Yes I am hanging out with them again because I now believe that what happened was a one off thing and I have forgiven both him and Willow."
Willow smiled at the May Queen, got up and gave her a hug.
"Fine then, go ahead and be a freak. You'll soon see what you're missing out on."
"I have seen. It's better to be a freak with friends then being popular and alone. And I'll have you know I am not a freak. I'm still the most fashionable girl in this school. I mean someone needs to teach this lot some fashion sense."
The class laughed including the gang and Cordelia sat down feeling more relieved then she had felt in a good long while.
Xander stood up next and looked around. His eyes landed on Anya.
"Oh no, if anything I should be asking you a question. I mean what is it with this game? People thinking they can ask anything and get away with it? Stupid mortals. No if it's your turn I'm asking the question."
Xander nodded his consent and smirked as he heard a muttered "Good Lord" from Giles. Anya glared turned her attention back to Xander.
"Who are you..."
At that second the bell rang. Xander sighed in relief and Anya gave him the worlds best glare. As everyone left, Giles motioned for them to stay behind.
"I think we may have a small problem, over the weekend, there was an attack on a local store."
"Vampire?" Buffy asked.
"No for a change. More like big dog." Angel told her.
"Well it can't be a werewolf. No moon." Willow spoke up
"Exactly, I believe it was a Hellhound." Giles motioned out the door and everyone headed for the library.
"Why didn't you tell us this morning?" Sydney queried.
"We have only just managed to obtain the security footage. Wesley is setting up the video now. Maybe we can see who or what is controlling this monster."
"What store?" Oz asked
"April Fools." Cordelia muttered. On everyone's looks she shrugged, "I was there."
"Oh poor Cordy. Are you alright?" Willow asked
"We're fine." Xander assured them whilst taking Cordy's hand.
"We're?" Willow frowned at the pair.
"I was there, suit buying. Gotta look good for whoever I go with."
"I still can't believe you haven't got someone." Sydney laughed.
"Me neither." Xander groaned as they entered the library.
"What about Cordy?"
"I still don't know if I want to go. I mean I do but...It's complicated. I've told Xander I want him to go with someone else.
Wesley looked up from the computer as they entered."
"I have the tape ready. I've watched it but I can't figure much out except that it is most defiantly a hellhound."
"Well let's take a look."
Xander took the remote and for the next half hour, the gang studied it. After watching it twice, Buffy left the table and wandered aimlessly to the stairs. She sat down and flipped through a book, not really taking much interest in it or the world around her.
"Buffy, are you alright?" Giles asked quietly as he came over.
"Hmm? Oh sure I'm fine."
"Yes and the fact that the book is upside down and in Hebrew shows that."
"Oh." Buffy sighed, "I'm okay...just thinking."
"About?"
"Everything. I mean, I'm immortal. We're immortal. Angel wants to stay with me. Prom is in two days. I graduate in a week. The mayor is going to go all grr and Faith, being the bitch from hell is on his side. It's all kinda head-spinny."
"Yes I imagine it is."
"And on top of that we have a guy raising hell-hounds for who knows what."
"Buffy, I know that your brain is on overload but I'm sure that everything is going to be okay."
"I wish I had your optimism. I wish life could for once be okay. I wish I could have one perfect high school moment. I wish Angel was here."
With that Buffy broke into uncontrollable sobs. Giles looked down at his Slayer and not for the first time made a wish of his own, That Buffy for a single moment could be a normal girl and be happy. Willow came over the second Buffy began to cry and she took the broken Slayer out of the library.
Buffy and Willow didn't show for the rest of the day but the Scooby's continued to research. Oz, Xander, Cordelia and Wesley on the Hell-hound problem while Sydney and Giles continued on the Ascension.
Willow led Buffy to the bathrooms and let the blond poor her eyes and heart out. Willow just held her and after quite a while the sobs subsided.
"Thanks Will."
"It's what I'm here for."
"I kind of feel like taking in a class, what have we got?"
"Gym."
"Come with?"
"Of course Buffy. Do you want to stop in via the library?"
"I have to. I left my clothes there. Maybe some of the other will want to come."
The two girls went back to the library and picked up Xander, the others opted to stay, and they headed for their afternoon class.
Reviews
Thanx again guys. U lot make my day :)
darkest-secret: Y thankyou hun :) always fun to hear :)
melluvben: I could do it to them. I kinda liked Joyce...up till Prom anyway.
Reviews for 'The Angel'
Rayne StarDust: oh thankyou so much :) as it was my first non BA fic...Very encouraging. Neva enough sweetness :)