Chapter 26

Buffy walked out of her last class and headed to her locker. She stopped suddenly when she saw Riley in the distance. She felt scared for some reason and then turned and walked in the other direction. She knew she was probably just being paranoid, but she didn't want to take any chances. She went the long way to get to her locker and sighed when she finally reached it. She really wanted to go home. Buffy opened the locker and gulped when she saw another rose in there and this one was already dead. Her hands were shaking when she grabbed the note that was also inside. She took a deep breath before she read it and grew even more scared. It said: He will never love you like I do. Buffy didn't know what to think as she dropped it to the floor. She closed her locker and turned around, only to bump into someone. She noticed it was Riley and felt her hands shake again. "Are you okay?" He wondered and she tried to stay calm as she answered him.

"I…I'm fine. I need to get home now." She said as she walked around him and headed out of the school. She felt relieved when she made it outside, but the relief didn't last. Her arm was jerked suddenly and she was pulled behind the school, where it was pretty deserted. She was about to scream, until that same person placed a hand over her mouth.

"There's no need for that. I won't hurt you." Buffy didn't really recognize the voice, but it didn't sound friendly. "I'm going to remove my hand now and you have to promise not to scream. You understand?" She could only nod as the hand was taken off of her mouth. She then turned around carefully to see who her stalker was and she couldn't really believe it.

"Warren?" She said and a creepy smile lit up his face.

"Sorry if I scared you, I didn't know how else to get you alone." He told her and Buffy was really confused. Warren was one of the geekiest guys in school. He was great with Science and always got teased by the popular kids. She stood up for him once last year when a few of the jocks were tormenting him. He has hardly said anything to her since then. She finally spoke after being quiet for at least a minute.

"What are you doing? Are you the one that's been following me around?" She had to be sure, but he only ignored her question.

"Did you get my necklace? I see you're not wearing it." He told her and that was the answer she needed.

"Okay, this is crazy. You can't just get me an expensive gift like that. You don't even know me. I have a boyfriend and you're just making both of us uncomfortable." Warren's gaze darkened at that and Buffy was actually afraid.

"What, that Billy Idol wannabe? You think he could ever get you something like that? He's not good enough for you. We have something special, Buffy. I felt it when you rescued me from those jerks. You wouldn't have done that if you didn't care." Buffy felt like laughing if the situation wasn't so serious.

"That's what you're basing this on? I did it because I'm a nice person and I don't like to see anyone get teased like that. I would have probably done it for anyone. That was a year ago, okay? I'm sorry to hurt your feelings, but there's nothing between us. I don't even really know you. I think you just need to let it go and find someone else." She was about to walk away, when Warren grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall.

"I won't believe that. We're meant to be together. I can feel it and I know you can, too. I've seen you looking at me in class sometimes. What we have is real and I'm not about to let you get away." Buffy tried to push him away and wasn't having much luck. He was stronger than he looked.

"You're hurting my arm." He loosened his grip a little, but still wouldn't let her go. "You don't know what you're talking about. This is some sick obsession of yours. It could never be real. Let me go." She said in a surprisingly calm voice and Warren wouldn't listen.

"I love you, Buffy. I'll make you feel it." He then grabbed her tighter and pulled her closer to him, planting a hard kiss on her mouth. Buffy was beyond grossed out as she finally managed to shove him away from her. She wiped at her mouth and had to try not to gag.

"You really are a freak. I never believed what anyone said about you, but now I'm starting to see it. You have some serious issues. Stay the hell away from me." She spat as she started to walk away again, only to have him grab her by the hair and slam her back against the wall.

"I will have you, bitch!" He yelled this time and had pure anger on his face. Buffy didn't know what to do as he started to slip his hand under her shirt. She tried to get away from him.

"Don't touch me!" She retaliated and he slapped her hard across the face to shut her up. She touched her stinging cheek and looked into his cold eyes.

"I don't like to be told what to do." He stated as he continued to grope her and Buffy was too scared to do anything else, when Warren was suddenly pulled away from her.

"I don't believe the lady wanted you to touch her." Her rescuer said and Buffy has never been so relieved to see Riley. Warren glared at both of them.

"This isn't over." He told Buffy as he then took off running. Buffy sighed in relief when he was gone and then felt tears in her eyes. She wiped at her eyes before Riley could see.

"Are you okay?" He repeated his question from earlier and Buffy nodded. It was a good thing to hear right now.

"I just want to go home." She stated and couldn't stop the tears from falling now. Riley nodded and led her away from the school.

"Yeah, I'll take you." He told her and she didn't say anything else as she followed him to his car. He let her in on the passenger side and then got in on his side. He started the car and drove to her house; the only words Buffy spoke were the directions. She was too scared to say anything else. She really needed Spike.