At the Magic Box, Anya stands behind the cash register counting the money from the previous purchase. Xander comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her on the cheek. Giles is in the corner dusting off some crystals for a customer. I walk over to where they stand and smile at my friends.
"Hey guys, Willow here?" Xander looks over to me with one of his big goofy smiles.
"Hey, there's my favorite Wiccan girl, well besides Will of course, whom I haven't seen." Anya puts the money back into the register.
"I think she went out with that rocker werewolf guy, ohh what is his name?" Anya says matter-of-factly while thinking of his name. My heart shatters into millions of pieces.
"Oz?" I pray it isn't him. Anya looks up and smiles.
"Yes that is his name. He is a nice guy, I really like-" Xander interrupts Anya's ramblings.
"She and Oz went for coffee, she didn't tell you?" Xander asks confused looking from me to Anya and back. I look around the room to see if maybe they are playing a trick on me. Maybe Willow will jump out from behind a bookshelf and all will be good, but she never did. Xander smiles, "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, Tara. He is probably here to talk about some… uh…Scooby stuff." I try to understand but all the scenarios that keep playing in my head keep me freaked out.
"Yeah, I-I'm sure they are j-just talking. I-I have to go." I turn around quickly to leave when I see Willow. I start to smile, until I see Oz walk in beside her, holding her hand and joking around. My smile fades quickly.
"I can't believe this is happening so quickly! Just yesterday I was all in love with… Tara? W-what are you doing here?" My eyes are stinging with tears as I muster the words to speak to them.
"W-Willow, I-I have been looking everywhere for you. What happened?" She seems guilty of something, but what?
"Oh, Oh! Oz was in the neighborhood, so we went out and talked. I must have lost track of time. I would have told you but you were asleep and I didn't want to wake you." Oz looks over to me and smiles while slightly raising his arm to wave hello.
"Hi" Oz's monotonous voice seems to sound more nervous than normal. It could be because the last time we saw each other he tried to kill me or it could be that he is trying to take Willow away from me. Either way, it's not good. I try to smile and act civil but I can't.
"I have to go, n-nice seeing you." I turn to leave the store quickly.
"Tara! Wait!" Willow starts to come after me but Oz stops her.
"She just needs time." He says soothingly. Xander walks around the counter to Willow and Oz to greet them.
"Oz man, I have missed you! Nice to have you back! So how long ya staying?" Oz looks over to Willow, drawing her attention back to him while pulling her hand to his lips to kiss it.
"I think I might be sticking around this time." Xander has a look of surprise on his face.
"Oh really, what's the occasion?" Anya walks over and stands next to Xander and smiles at her friends. Willow smiles to Oz and nods. Oz returns the smile.
"Well, Willow has just agreed to marry me!" Everyone looks so happy and excited, and then Anya stops smiling and clears her throat noticeably. Xander looks past the happy couple to see me still standing there. A warm tear trickles down my face; my throat was tight from trying not to cry, my heart felt like someone had gripped it so tightly and yanked it from my chest. Willow turns around, the look of pain and fear on her face. She starts toward me, her eyes filling with tears.
"Tara… Tara let me explain…" I look to the ground.
"Stop… s-stop!" She tries to explain, but I cut her off again, "Just d-don't." I turn and run.