The Girl Next Door

Disclaimer - see previous chapters

The song title Anthem of Our Dying Day belongs to the band Story of the Year.

Rating - PG-13

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Chapter 8

( in principle Flootie's office )

Buffy sat, rather uncomfortably, in the leather chair that made noises every time she moved.

"Well Buffy, here is your schedule and welcome to Sunnydale High," Principle Flootie said, "I'll get an office aid to show you arround."

"Thanks," Buffy said trying to be as polite as possible to some one who was talking to her like she was five.

They are both standing now and walking into the main office where a small, red-head is waiting.

"Willow, this is Buffy, Buffy this is Willow," Principle Flootie said introducing them, "Willow will be showing you to your classes."

Flootie then goes back into his office leaving the two girls alone.

"Well, I guess we should start by showing you to your classes."

"Okay then, let's get started," Buffy said.

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( outside Buffy's first period )

Willow stopped in front of Buffy's first class.

"Well, that's the whole school," Willow said, "You can still catch the last twenty minutes of your first period."

"Thanks a lot Willow. I'll see you at lunch?" Buffy asked hopefully.

"You bet," Willow answered cheerfully.

Willow turned to go back to the office as Buffy opened the door to her first period.

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( in first period )

Angel stared out the window blocking out the science teachers voice with the Dingoes newest song Anthem of Our Dying Day playing in his head. The sound of the door opening snapped his attention back to what was going on in the room. Angel stared in awe at Buffy as she walked past him and up to the teacher handing her her schedule.

Turning to the class the teacher, Mrs. Reagan, says, "Well class, this is Buffy McNarny, and she will be in this class with us for the remainder of the year. I know you all will try and make her feel welcome. Buffy would you like to tell us all a little bit about your self?"

Buffy didn't actually want to, but she did anyway. "Well, my name is Buffy McNarny. I was born in Alabama, but I've lived all over the world. I moved here from Italy, but I had been summering in Peurto Rico. I'm seventeen, my birthday is in January, and I plan on going to Juliard next year to study in ballet and art. That's about it."

"Does anybody have any questions for Buffy?" Mrs. Reagan asked.

"Do you mean McNarny as in Hank McNarny, part owner of the Lakers and Dodgers?" a boy named Riley asked.

"That's the one," Buffy answered.

"You said you lived all over the world, where exactly?" asked Westley.

"I haven't lived in the United States since I was eleven, but I've lived in Germany, Italy, and Peurto Rico. I've visited Ireland, Russia, Australia, all of Europe, and the Bahamas. My dad likes to travel," Buffy answered.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" a boy named Parker asked.

At this point Mrs. Reagan butted in, "Now Parker, that's enough. Buffy it sounds as though you've lead an interesting life. I sure hope Sunnydale doesn't bore you to much. We sure wouldn't want you to leave to soon."

"We sure wouldn't," Parker commented.

"Buffy, you can find an open seat anywhere," Mrs. Reagan told her.

Buffy picked a seat in the back on the opposite side of the room from Angel. Angel was slightly dissapointed at this, but he made up his mind to talk to her after class. He even wanted to ask her to the Bronze tonight, but he had to admit that he was afraid she would say no. Angel was surprised he felt this way. He had never had to worry about a girl saying no to him. No one ever had before, but he felt like Buffy was different. She was better than all of the small town girls he had dated before. Getting Buffy to like him was going to be harder than he had originally thought.

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As soon as the bell rang ending first period, Buffy was out the door and Angel was right behind her. He stopped her on the way to her second period calculas class.

"Hey Buffy, wait up!" Angel called out to her.

Buffy stopped and turned around waiting for him to catch up.

"Hey. It's Angel right?" Buffy asked knowing fully well what his name was. She had thought he was gorgeus since she first saw him in Cordelia's car. She had also noticed him staring at her all through first period.

"Yeah," Angel answered, "I just wanted to apologize for Gunns and the rest of the groups behavior earlier. They're not always thta bad."

"Well, it's not me who deserves the apology, it's Fred. And Gunn should be the one to apologize," Buffy said.

"I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that one," Angel said.

"It is nice of you to apologize, but I've really got to get to second period. don't want to be late to all of my classes on the first day," Buffy said even though she'd rather stay and talk to him then to go to class any day.

"I was also wondering if you would join me for lunch? I promise th gang'll be on their best behavior," Angel said hoping she'd say yes.

I'd really like to, but I already told Willow and Fred I'd sit with them at," Buffy said wishing she hadn't told Willow and Fred that she'd sit with them, "but maybe some other time?" she asked hopefully.

"Yeah, sure," Angel said dissapointed.

Buffy walked away towards her second period dissapointed as well. She really did want to sit with Angel at luch, but she did already tell Willow and Fred she'd sit with them, and she already liked them both.

Angel too had walked away dissapointed, becuase he already really liked Buffy and wanted to spend time with her. He had wanted to ask her to the Bronze, but he didn't think he could stand being rejected twice in one day.

The two saw each other again during fourth period. Buffy smiled at him as he walked to his seat three rows away and he flashed her his sexiest half smile. That smile made Buffy's heart flip-flop and she had a thought of why. She could already tell she was starting to like him. but she had to convince her self that it wouldn't last. She had to keep her eyes on the objective, Julliard.

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( lunch )

Buffy found Fred at lunch and sat with her while she introduced everybody, then she went up to get her lunch. When she got back, they were all talking about the Bronze.

"Buffy you should really come to the Bronze with us tonight," Tara said.

Once Tara had said that, Buffy glanced over at Angel and he smiled at her. Tara, catching the glance mentioned this next.

"You know, Angel will probably be there tonight too," Tara whispered to Buffy.

"Really?" Buffy questioned.

"Yeah, he usually is," Tara answered.

"Does he go with someone?" Buffy asked.

"If you're asking if he has a girlfriend, he doesn't, as of right now anyway. It shouldn't take him to long to find one though," Tara said pointedly to Buffy trying to tell her that Angel would most likely ask her out, "He'll probably just be there wiht his friends."

"I'll think about going," Buffy said.

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But after seein Angel agian in gym during seventh period, Buffy knew that there was no way she couldn't go. She wanted to see him again.

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authors note - sorry it took me so long to update. the next two chapters are already written and they'll probably be up soon. I tryed to make this chapter as long as i could to make up for the amount of time it took me to get it posted.