Chapter 7: Cruelty

The next day at school went the way everyday had gone this year. Angel ignored me, Cordelia glared at me, and I was sitting with Willow and Xander not really listening to the current conversation. The only difference was, Cordelia was glaring at me a lot more then usual, guessing it was because of the previous night.

I hadn't told Xander about the little meeting I had the night before, knowing it would cause to many questions that I didn't want to deal with. After the whole "popular" group was past my little trio, I watched Angel's retreating back, wandering if he was really that selfish in ninth grade. It was so non-Angel. I had walked the whole way home last night after the Bronze, not saying a word to anyone. Not even Willow.

The bell rang and our break half way to lunch was over. Damn. That meant I had math next. And we all know what that means! I get to see Angel, up close and personal! Oh shit, we have a test too, and I didn't study! I'm so totally screwed, and grounded for the rest of my school career. I stood from the bench and headed into the school building.

After a quick stop at my locker, I walked into math reluctantly and took my seat. I could feel Angel's eyes watching me as I sat down and moved my chair as far away as possible. I didn't dare looking over at him, knowing it would break any self control I had from talking to him. I heard him whisper my name. Instead of answering him, I just put my head in my hand, so it was blocking his face from my view. The teacher was walking around passing out tests, and when she set my on my desk I took one look at it and groaned. This was going to be a long quiz…..

20 minutes later…

I sat in my chair, staring down at my last 5 questions when the teacher announced pencils down. I knew I wasn't going to ace this test. I never aced a math test. Plain and simple as that. I took a quick glance over at Angel, and I noticed he had just finished checking his paper; I never even had time to check my paper! This is so unfair! Well, I guess it isn't really; I should pay attention more in class….. Like that's going to happen!

I handed my paper forward and the Ms. Steinberg collected them quickly. And now, we get to read from our math books while she corrects the papers! Oh joy! I'm so excited right now! Not. I sighed loudly and bent down grabbing my math book. When I set the book back on my desk, I saw a neatly folded piece of paper lying on my desk. I looked over at Angel, and he was all engrossed in his reading so I opened it up carefully.

Dear Buffy,

I'm sorry about Cordelia last night, and that our nice night

was ruined. I was really having fun, I wasn't the only

one was I? I really just want a chance to explain what

happened last year, I really miss being around you.

Just please, talk to me. Anytime, maybe after school at my

house? What do you say?

-Angel

I sighed loudly and picked up my paper again, not sure what I should write. I was still mad about this whole thing, and was really hoping I would be able to freeze him out forever. But was that possible? I decided to actually read the assignment in front of me so I didn't have to answer him.

Another 20 minutes later…

Ms. Steinberg was handing back the tests, and she was down to two, and me and Angel still hadn't been given our tests back. The bell rang and people started to file out, but before I could slip past and out the door, the teacher spoke. "Ms. Summers, I'd like to see your and Mr. O'Connor after class."

Me and Angel exchanged a look before walking to the teacher's desk to see what the problem was. She handed us both our tests, and sure enough a large red 'F' was written at the top of mine. "Ms. Summers, you were failing this class even before this test, and now it's even worse." State the obvious why don't you! I'm not that stupid…

"And Mr. O'Connor got yet another 'A+'. I strongly advise that you, Ms. Summers, get some help from Mr. O'Connor. Otherwise, you may have to take summer school, and I'm sure you wouldn't want that," she told us. I just looked at her with the 'Yeah right,' look, and she spoke again.

"You will either do it on your own time, OR I will arrange for the both of you to stay after school until you get the hand of the assignments. Think about it," she added and started scribbling on a piece of paper. Ripping off two pieces, she handed one to me and one to Angel, "Here are your passes, you may leave," she said a little too sweetly. Me and Angel walked out of the classroom heading for our lockers, which were unfortunately in the same hallway.

"Buffy," he said softly beside me trying to get my attention.

"What?" I snapped, still staring at the ground as I walked along beside him. The deserted hallways were quiet since everyone was in there next class by now. There were a few people walking around, the people that skipped class. If only I could do that without my mother finding out…

"Please, come over to my house tonight, we can study, and talk," he pleaded. I could feel his eyes on me, so I didn't look up.

"Since I have no way around studying, sure, but I don't want to talk. I just want to study and leave, we have nothing to talk about," I stated and looked up to see how far away from our hallway we were. Why does my locker have to be on the opposite side of the school as math?

"Sweetie, please, I just-" he started, but I cut him off.

"My names Buffy. Not Fluffy, or Bitchy, or Sweetie, its Buffy," I snapped looking up to give him a quick glare before retreating my eyes back to the ground.

"Buffy, I want to talk to you about what happened last night, and what happened last year and this year, please, just hear me out," he begged. I looked up and saw him run a hand through his already spikey hair nervously, the nervousness and desperation evident in his eyes.

Not able to say no, I took a deep breath and said, "Alright, if I feel like it tonight we can talk, but I'm not promising anything, I'm still pissed." Angel turned his head and he had a huge smile on his face.

He let out a breath he was unknowingly keeping, "Thank-you," he said as we reached our lockers. I just nodded and smiled before turning to my locker. I can't believe I just said I would talk to him, after what I now know! Oh well, its just one night right? Yeah right…

Lunch

I was sitting at our usual table, talking to Willow and Xander. I had actual purchased something today, it was a very rare occasion that I did. Of course all I got was a chocolate milk, but it was something!

"So Buffster, how's your day so far?" Xander asked.

"Oh its been just peachy. I have to get tutored in math. Guess who my tutor is," I replied thinking back to the earlier mornings events.

"I don't think there's anyone in this world that could make you understand math," Cordelia stated from behind me before anyone else could speak. I rolled my eyes and turned around in my chair.

"Isn't there any other conversations you could be having? Like something about facials, or oh! Nail polish, now that's a promising subject right there for the airheads of the world," I replied staring at her challengingly.

She just glared at me and then pointed to her shirt, "At least I don't have to deal with a ditz like you accidentally pouring strawberry milk on my white top today. I'm wearing pink, so it'll match."

I just grinned evilly, "Oh believe me, it wasn't an accident by any standards. And you might still want to stay out of my way, I've got chocolate milk today," I replied holding up the carton for her to see. She just gave an annoyed snort, roller her eyes, and turned around walking to her table.

I watched as she went to take her usual seat on Angel's lap, but Angel moved his chair and she fell on the floor with a little scream when she hit the floor. The whole room turned, shocked at what had just happened. Angel didn't pay any attention to it, just kept up his conversation with his friends from football. I was sitting there, staring at him with a grin; I can't believe he really did that.

When his eyes met mine, he gave me his half smile back and mouthed 'That was for you'. I giggled and my smile grew. Maybe Angel really hadn't changed all that much, he just needed a reminder. Cordelia got off the floor fuming.

"What the hell was that Angel?" she asked angrily. He just shrugged, not bothering to look at her. "Look at me Angel!" she yelled, placing her arms on her hips. Angel rolled his eyes and turned his head to look at her.

"Yes hunny?" he asked, his words laced with fake sweetness.

"What was that?" she demanded again.

"It was nothing, I just moved, sorry, next time I move I'll ask your permission, now can I move my head back?" he asked sarcastically, again with the fake sweetness. Cordelia gave another annoyed snort and moved to leave the cafeteria. Angel looked back to his group of friends and said, "Damn, I think she's mad!" The whole table burst out into laughter except for Darla and Harmony. They got up with the same kind of noise Cordelia made and left to follow Cordelia. Angel threw me another smile, and I turned around to look at Willow and Xander with a smile on my face. They were both looking at me with goofy grins on their faces.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," they both said in unison innocently.

TBC…

Hey guys! Unfortunately this may be the last chapter for about a week! I'm going on vacation in two days, and I have a lot of stuff to get done before school starts again! (We get back the night before the first day of school) So I hope this is good enough chapter, I will try my hardest to get one out tomorrow, but no promises! Thanks for all the reviews and please give me more! It's what keeps me going!