So this is the second chapter and I am glad to finally get this story back up and going again!

Chapter Two: The Front Yard Incident

Cordelia started her day as usual, at Sunnydale High the center of all things evil, and that's not only the students. But she saw all the strange stares and glances that came her way, which was weird because she was the Queen C no one stared at her this way.

She then realized what was going on, the front yard incident, she remembered. Cordy should have known that someone living on her street would have heard her talking, and then told everyone they knew about it. Harmony and her friends tried to act normal, but who could after learning that Cordelia Chase was having 'family' problems. Cordy hated letting people into her family life, it made her feel so normal, like she was just like everyone else. When, in fact, she wasn't, she was captain of the cheerleading squad, and three time May queen. Mr. and Mrs. Chase were talked about when it involved money and shopping, never anything else. Even the teachers were acting nicer and more concerned about Cordelia. This was going to be the worst day of my life, she pitied herself as she walked to her locker to get her things after school.

"Cordy. Hey what's going on? Are you okay?" Buffy and Willow walked over to Cordelia's locker after school. Buffy looked genuinely concerned, so did Willow, but Cordy didn't care that much about how concerned they were. She didn't talk to them much since the 'Willow/Xander' thing.

"You know Buffy I was having a terrific day, then you had to come over here with the fake concern. I don't need you two to worry about me. Now, I am going to be late to cheerleading." Cordy looked at their faces. They were in full shock, which was surprising considering Cordy was always mean to them, but didn't want to talk about today or last night, she just wanted to get out of school.

Later that night she was planning on meeting some friends at the Bronze, but decided against it, and took a walk instead to clean her head. She was okay, she reassured herself, no one she knew would see her walking alone at night and if they did she would just ignore them, and play dumb tomorrow.

Then, like fate HE showed up, not the HE she was constantly arguing with, no the one with brooding brow and intense dark eyes, it made her sick, to think that a guy, dead or alive, would waste his time morning his 'love' Buffy, of all people.

"Hello Cordelia." Angel was never the most talkative person, she observed on occasion, but he knew when to be polite and keep it a simple greeting. She smiled at him for his effort to acknowledge her.

"Hi Angel. So what are you doing out here, looking for Buffy?" She asked stopping her walk when they had finally come to a comfortable distance, to stand and talk for a few moments. Her smiled grew larger when she noticed how uncomfortable he looked around her, then again he always looks uncomfortable, she reminded herself.

"No, I was just walking, thinking," was his simple answer. He looked down at the ground before looking at her again.

"Sure, don't you mean brooding?" She asked him nonchalantly. He graced her with a small laugh at her joke. "Don't worry I was doing the same thing. Do you want to walk and 'think' with me?" She was a little scared that he would say yes and then not talk the whole time, so she'd get very uncomfortable. Or he might kill her, but that was just her natural response around a vampire, and then he could say no, and that made her feel bad inside as well. It was almost as if he said no it means he didn't want to know her either, and that was like so many other people.

He noticed that she was waiting for his answer, so he turned to her with a small smile, the only one she's every seen. "Sure, I'd like the company, so how's school?" Her eyes lit up at his attempt at small talk.

"It's okay I guess. I have this examine in chemistry and it's going to take a lot of cramming to pass. I don't really pay that much attention in class. So I study a lot right before a big test." She laughed slightly at her own laziness. He nodded in understanding, he never really saw Cordelia focus on schoolwork, or any work for that matter.

They walked all over town talking about whatever came to mind at the time, then they made it back to Cordelia's house. She had actually enjoyed having Angel around to talk to, they seemed to have had a great time together. She was really surprised about how open he was with her, and how open she was with him. Cordy told him everything about what happened at school and at her house the day before, and he really listened. She liked talking to him, it made her feel wanted. He was a good listener, and a potentially good friend.

"Well thanks for walking me home, and listening to me. It must have been really boring for you." Cordy said as she moved onto her porch. She had noticed that when she stared telling him about how her mom had been nagging at her, he had taken her hand in a concerned nature. Surprising to both of them they walked the rest of the way holding hands. It was when she got up the steps that he had finally let go of her. It was a nice gesture that made her feel like he cared and was giving her the freedom to let everything out with no judgments.

"No, it was fun. If you ever want to talk again just come to the Mansion and we'll take another walk." He backed away form her porch a little. He felt like he had to tear himself away form her. "I'll see you soon, goodnight Cordelia." He turned and started down the street, again.

"'Night Angel." Cordelia whispered to herself, she felt like running after him, but held her place in front of her door. She supposed that small crush she had on him came back after tonight, but wouldn't let herself give into it. She turned and slowly opened the door to her family's home.