"Mahal"
By: Lynn
DISCLAIMERS: Making it short...NOT MINE!
SUMMARY: AU; Just another story where everybody's human and Angel, Oz, and Xander are the new students in school.
DISTRIBUTION: Are you kidding me! I NEED someone to host my fics. Just e-mail me if you want them. Previous Parts found at: http/
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BETA READER: Ashley Russo (last parts un-beta¡¦ed)
Part 7
"Ew! Connor no!" Angel heard his little sister shriek from the kitchen as soon as he entered his home. He had just returned from a grueling day of football practice and all he wanted to do was take a steaming-hot shower and then welcome blissful sleep.
Exhaling a deep breath of exhaustion, he threw his keys down onto the small, antique bureau by the door, and dropped his bags and books at the end of the stairs, before
staggering off to the kitchen.
It was the tenth of November and the Roarkes had been in the little town of Sunnydale for almost two months; things were going great. With their charismatic personalities and connections with their quite popular cousin, Riley, the Roarke children had no problem fitting in.
Even after two months, Angel still had yet to ask Buffy out. He had tried five times after his initial attempt at the Bronze, but the question was always intercepted. Feeling defeated, for the time being at least, Angel decided to keep his feelings to himself and to settle for the flirting relationship that he and Buffy shared.
In other news, his brothers seemed to have more luck in the dating department than he did. Xander and Cordy started dating a month earlier and Willow and Oz had just recently started to date each other.
With the other people of the gang, Spike was still as single as they came, satisfied with just dating as many girls as humanly possible. Riley, being the sweet, shy guy that he was, was having trouble approaching the beautiful Samantha Thomas, who was a member of the drill team. Tara on the other hand, hadn't found anyone suitable to fit her needs yet, but she was happy just being with herself.
Dawn still harbored a crush on Connor, upset that he hit on almost every girl he met that wasn't her. Basically, Connor was thick-headed and oblivious to the fact that Dawn liked him, which was obvious to everybody else around him. Jessica caught the attention of any boy that she passed, causing her protective brothers to keep a close eye on her.
Angel joined the football team with Riley, and became Sunnydale High's all new starting running back. After joining, he became close to one of his teammates, Charles Gunn, or just Gunn. He and his girlfriend, Winifred "Fred" Burkle, were the new additions to the tight circle.
Angel rolled his shoulders and rubbed his aching muscles as he entered the kitchen.
"Please!" Connor pleaded with his sister as she grabbed a can of soda from the black refrigerator.
"No," Jessica firmly answered, sitting next to him at the kitchen table.
"Come on, I'm your brother," he persisted, "Please!"
"Hey guys," Angel made his presence known, taking a seat by his siblings.
"Hi Angel," the twins simultaneously greeted.
"Please," Connor continued with his begging.
"What does he want now?" Angel smirked, stealing a sip from Jessica's drink.
She rolled her eyes, "He wants me to hook him up with Juniper Fields."
Angel's nose scrunched up in obvious disgust. "That chick hangs out with Harmony's little sister," he asked. When his sister's nod confirmed his suspicion, he continued teasingly, laughing softly. "Aw man, why would you wanna go out with her?"
"She interests me. I like hanging out with her," Connor lied through his teeth.
"That's bull shit Connor," Angel exclaimed, "I've heard how easy she is. You just want a piece of ass don't you?"
He opened his mouth to come up with another excuse but then thought, 'Aw screw it!'
"So what if I do?" he threw back. Both Jessica and Angel scoffed and shook their dark haired heads, "And I don't see why you're talking so much shit about her, Jess. She's YOUR friend you know."
"Um, correction… She only WANTS to be my friend, and that's only because of how much money we have and to get close to my brothers," Jessica defended herself.
"All the more reason to hook me up with her," Connor concluded and Jessica rolled her eyes in response.
"Where's everybody?" Angel changed the subject, trying to keep the peace, not in the mood to hear the petty bickering.
"Xander's working, Mom got a call in, and Oz is at band practice," Connor answered, "It's just us for dinner tonight."
Xander had just started at his job at the music and entertainment store in the mall; he worked in the arcade section. Oz's new band, Dingoes Ate My Baby, was number one in Sunnydale, everybody wanted to book them. As for Isabella, she was being the busy little doctor she was and making a living for her children. The hospital staff loved her, as did her patients.
"Pizza?" he then suggested.
"Sure," Angel got up with a groan and started to make a journey to his room.
"What do you want on it?" Jessica asked as he walked away.
"The works," Angel called over his shoulder, slowly climbing the steps, leaving his stuff and deciding to bring it to his room later.
He was so glad that he didn't have to work today. He was dead tired, and not to mention achy. He didn't think he would be a very good employee if he fell asleep at the register, or took his time walking to a product that the customer couldn't find. He and Oz worked at an auto part and repair shop, most of the times they would work in the store, helping a customer or doing inventory, other times they would get down and dirty working on cars. They both loved it there, but like most normal people, he had to take a break.
He didn't even have to work tomorrow, neither did Oz or Xander. It was their birthday and their mom and friends wanted to do something special for the Roarke triplets. During the afternoon hours, Isabella was throwing a barbeque for close friends and family. Then later, the teenagers would take over and move the party to an abandoned warehouse Spike's connections found and have a bigger, wilder party with the whole school and whoever they would bring. Of course the grown ups didn't know of the big blow out. They thought it was just a private party that was going to be celebrated at the Bronze.
But, of course, what the parents didn't know wouldn't kill them…
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, there were no clouds in the sky and the California sun shone brightly.
In the Roarkes' backyard, groups of people laughed and talked joyously as they celebrated the eighteenth birthday of Angel, Oz, and Xander. Assortments of food and drinks were laid out on a long table, and music blared from a boom box that sat on the porch.
Among the people there were the Summers family, who Isabella formed a close bond with, the MacClay family, the Finn family, and Gunn and Fred. Some of Isabella's co-workers and their families and friends she made over the months were there as well.
The rapturous sound of merengue music came from the speakers of the boom box. Angel smiled as he felt the hand of his sister pull at his own, urging him to dance with her.
Buffy watched from her seat at the table as everybody paired off and started dancing to the lively music. She laughed when she saw her mom and dad, and her aunt and uncle join in and at Willow, Cordelia, Fred, and Dawn's awkward attempt to keep up with the dance. One of Isabella's co-workers' kids asked her if she would like to dance, she smiled softly and politely turned down the offer, content with just watching. The boy shrugged and moved to ask another girl that sat by him. As the couples danced, Buffy watched, impressed at how well Angel and his family danced.
She was entranced by the way Angel moved. He and Jessica smiled and laughed happily as they twisted and twirled while moving to the rhythm of the upbeat song.
Angel caught her eyes and waved her over to join in, Jessica mimicking her brother. Buffy slowly shook her head and mouthed "No way" to them, all the while smirking.
Angel, however, did not accept her refusal to dance. He whispered something in his sister's ear and the smile she wore widened and she nodded. Jessica danced over to Xander and Cordelia, who were just right next to them. Xander gladly took both girls on each hand and twirled them at the same time.
Angel strided towards Buffy and reached a hand out to her as soon as he stood in front of her.
"Come on," when she didn't take his hand, he scoffed, "Come on! It's my birthday so you have to dance with me," Angel insisted, pulling her up on her feet, dragging her to where everybody else was dancing.
"Angel, stop, no! I-I don't know how!"
"Well there's a first time for everything," he was determined for her to dance with him, "Just go with it and follow my lead. Okay?"
Buffy hesitantly nodded and did what Angel had instructed. In no time, the blonde had it down, and was dancing like she'd done it for years.
Angel twirled her in a fast spin and then pulled her to him when she was facing him again. They were both panting hard as they gazed in each other's eyes.
"S-so where'd you learn to dance like that?" Buffy broke the connection, making Angel back off a little and take her hand, leading her back to the table where their group ate.
"Well," Angel began while taking a sip of the drink he left behind, "It's just something we grew up with. My mom's dad was Puerto Rican and taught her how to dance, so she wanted to pass that down to us."
"You guys are good," she complimented him, tilting her head a bit and grinning.
"Thank you. You're really good for a beginner actually."
"What can I say? Some people just have a knack for getting things right really fast," she teased causing him to laugh and stare at her adoringly with his shimmering brown eyes.
Their passionate stare started up again and that was the moment Buffy finally realized she had actual feelings for Liam Roarke. She always felt attracted to him ever since the day they met, but now she knew that it was more than just a mere attraction.
Angel felt the need to seize the moment, so he started to leaning in to kiss her when his mom decided that, that was the time to bring out the cake and start up the happy birthday song. He got up, bringing Buffy with him to the table to stand in front of the cake with his brothers. After the three blew out the candles they looked up and saw a feminine figure with long brown hair standing in front of them.
"Did you make a wish?" the brown haired girl with dark make up asked. In response, Xander, Angel, Oz, Jessica, and Connor went around the table to attack the girl with hugs as Isabella smiled proudly. The crowd dispersed and went about their own business, leaving the regular group to observe the reunion.
Buffy, Willow, Cordelia, and Dawn couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy as the guys of their affections hugged the girl so tightly.
After introductions, the group finally learned that this girl was named Faith Jeffreys, a family friend of the Roarkes.
"What are you doing here?" Angel questioned their best friend from Orlando.
"You think I'd miss the eighteenth birthday of my favorite threesome do ya," she said, "Actually, your mom called my mom and convinced her to take a little vacation. So we hopped on a plane and flew all the way across the country to see you guys."
"How long are you here for," Connor asked while trying to get closer to her. He always had a crush on the free spirited girl.
"Just for a few days, then it's back to O-town I go."
"I'm glad you're here, Faith," Xander said and hugged his friend. He then whispered in her ear, "Oh and I'd appreciate it if you don't mention that you and I slept together. I don't think my girlfriend would like that too much."
Faith glanced in the direction where Cordelia was staring at them hotly. "Ooh. Got ya. She already looks like she wants to throw down so my lips are sealed. Now, let's cut the cake. I'm starved."
"Whoohoo!" a drunk adolescent cheered as the Dingoes rocked on later that night. He stood up on a table and dived into the cluster of people, attempting to crowd surf. That section split apart and he landed hard on his stomach with a thud; people around him pointed and laughed.
It was one in the morning and a mass of Sunnydale's youth, sixteen and up, were gathered in the abandoned warehouse.
Angel, Willow, and Faith were happily talking when Xander stumbled up to them, throwing an arm around his brother and Willow, clearly drunk.
"Now which one of you purty ladies would love to dance with the Xand-man?" he slurred, grinning goofily at all three of them.
"I bet you would," he said to Angel. In response he raised his eyebrow and then backed his face up away from Xander who got a little too close to him for his liking, his breath smelling foul from the liquor he consumed, "You, lady, are HOT!"
Faith and Willow giggled madly at the scene as Xander laughed drunkenly. "Xander, how much did you have to drink," Angel asked calmly.
Xander started to count his fingers and then looked up confused, "You know what? I really don't know. I'm thinking more than two less than twenty."
Angel rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Angel...Liam... you are my brother, my BLOOD, and I just wanted to tell you... Hey Jerk-off! Hands off my sister!"
A few yards away, Jessica glared at her drunk brother angrily, clinching her jaw and her fists tightly as the cute teenaged boy she was talking to left her side.
She infuriatingly shook her dark head and stormed off in the opposite direction. Angel, Willow, and Faith winced at the youngest Roarke's expression.
"You are going to regret that Bro," Angel commented, "That is not a happy Jessica," he
sympathetically patted Xander on the back and walked off taking a gulp of the beer he had in his hand.
"I can see why," Faith added, "kid was cute." Willow just nodded in agreement.
Angel went to find his upset sister to calm her down. He knew it wouldn't be much of a challenge, one of things he loved about his sister was that she was a happy, upbeat person. She wasn't capable of holding a grudge for a long time. But even though she was a sweet, optimistic girl, revenge was her forte.
Angel felt sorry for Xander, having to not only deal with the massive hangover he knew would have in the morning, but now he had to worry about whatever evil plot that was brewing in the sixteen-year-old's head.
As he made his way through the crowd, he'd smile and thank people that greeted him a happy birthday. When he came to the end of the crowd, what he found, wasn't what he was looking for.
The smile on his face faded at the sight before him. Buffy was flirting with a guy with light brown hair that looked to be around their age.
His confidence melted when the two stood close and pressed even closer when they danced. He watched as Buffy laughed out right at something the bastard had said, and then pushed him playfully.
His hand went through his hair and he sighed in defeat, deciding that giving up on his pursuit toward Buffy was the best solution. Fate was such a freaking bitch.
He turned and walked away, bumping into a smaller form in the process. Angel quickly apologized as did the blonde girl he had run into.
"No, it's okay," they both said at the same time, laughing right after.
"Um... I'm Nina. Nina Ash." The light blonde with shiny blue eyes introduced herself.
"Angel Roarke," he replied, shaking her hand.
"Oh! You're one of Tara's friends, one the birthday boys?" Angel smiled embarrassedly and nodded, "I'm her roommate. Happy birthday."
"Thank you."
"So did you get everything you asked for?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Angel inconspicuously glanced at the beauty that was his unreachable crush and then answered, "No, not really," then he gave his charming smile to the other pretty blonde in front of him, "but it's being quickly made up for."
Nina got the hint and blushed, grinning sweetly at him.
Unbeknownst to them, hazel-blue eyes were focused on the two sadly. Buffy liked Brian, but there was something missing. She suddenly found herself comparing the chemistry of her and Brian to the chemistry between her and Angel, which turned out, not as strong. But after watching him laugh and lightly touch Tara's roommate, she knew she missed her chance. A sigh escaped her lips, but then she plastered a fake smile on her face when Brian came back with the drink she asked for.
TBC…