As Days Go By

Summary: After one tragic night, Buffy refuses to get close to anyone. Now the new guy in town, Angel tries to do the impossible by getting closer to Buffy. Which may prove to be an even bigger tragedy.

By: Sara

Disclaimer: Not mine

Buffy's POV

After leaving the house I wasn't sure where to go. My first thought was to go see Dawn again, though the bus shut down an hour ago. Besides I doubt they would like a visitor at the hospital this late. Then I thought about going to Willow or Xander's house. I knew they wouldn't understand what I'm feeling right now, so I decided to be by myself.

I stopped walking once I got the park down the road from my house. I sat on the swing and tookin the quiet.

I still had a hard time getting over what mom said. The words 'She isn't my daughter anymore', kept flashing in my head. Both mom and I went through a lot over the years. She still had no right to say Dawn wasn't her daughter. She was her own flesh and blood.

I felt tears roll down my cheek and I tried to stop thinking about Dawn and mom. I just needed out of this town.

"Hey," I heard a muscular voice from behind me. I wiped away my tears with the sleeve of my shirt and looked up to see Angel.

"Hi," I mumbled and looked away from him hoping he hadn't seen the tears in my eyes.

"It's a nice night." He stated and sat down on the swing next to me.

"Yup," I answered looking up into the sky. I could see millions of stars. That was one thing I remember about living in LA was that you could only see a few stars if any.

"You know you never told me why you were at the hospital." He whispered and took me by surprise. It seems like a century has passed since I ran into Angel at the hospital. Then I took a deep sigh and decided to tell Angel about Dawn.

"I was visiting my sister, she's in coma." I answered quietly still looking at the sky; I really didn't want to see his reaction. Not like I cared though, I don't even know him. I'm a terrible liar. I turned too look at him.

"You don't have to tell me." He said and I was grateful. I hated when people pressed me to tell then what happened the horrible night. I hate having to relive it. I gave Angel a sweet smile.

"Why were you there?" I wondered. I didn't expect him to tell me though. I'm still a little surprised I told him about Dawn.

"I was visiting my mom." He said and his eyes were to the ground.

"She's got cancer." He went on and then looked at me.

"Angel, I'm sorry." I mumbled. I didn't know what else to say. I hated to focus on the bad. The bad is my whole life. I remained quiet because I hated when people felt bad for me because of Dawn and act like they were SO sorry when they didn't even know her, so Idecided not to do that to Angel.

"It's okay, I've gotten over that fact that my mom's going to die. What about you?" He asked.

"I'm never going to get over that my sister is in coma." I mumbled. I'll never grasp the fact that Dawn will most likely never wake up. Even if she wakes up, she won't be my little sister anymore. That's what scares me more than having Dawn never wake up is that she won't remember mom or I when she wakes up. I know I'm being selfish when I would rather hold on to the thoughts of my sister than having her being conscious and not knowing who I am.

"I can understand that." He said shaking his head. It took him a while to get over the fact his mom has cancer. It would be a lie if he saidhe hadgotten fully over it, there are still days where he cries about it inside. Though his mom and him try to spend each day to the fullest. It was just recently that she had to be hospitalized. They had hoped moving to Sunnydale would help in someway, but that was an empty hope.

"Your not that much of a jerk." I smiled at him and he grinned.

"I'll take that as an compliment." Angel said happily. He was glad she was warming up to him. Buffy made him feel good when he was around her.

"How would you like to go to the movies?" He question. Buffy was silence for a few seconds. That's when Angel had thought he had blown it. He should have waited a few days before asking her out on a date. Everything was going so well that he wasn't thinking straight, he only saw Buffy.

"Are you asking me out?" I finally spoke. Angel let out a sigh of relief whenI smiled at him.

"Looks like I am." He grinned at me.

"Then, yes." I answered and Angel couldn't believe his luck.

School

"Hey, Buffy," Willow waved happily from the front of the school.

"Hi Willow," I smiled brightly at Willow.

"So what's up with you and Angel?" Willow questioned. I knew Willow was trying to get me with Angel since the time Xander and her left me with him at lunch.

"We aregoing to the movies." I told her and she smiled at me.

"That's great!" She said clapping her hands.

"I guess," I mumbled looking at the ground. I had some doubts about going out with Angel. I didn't need to get involved with someone, especially when I don't know them really well.

"You guess?" Willow asked concerned and I knew she heard the uncertainty in my voice. Willow was always good at picking up my feelings.

"It's just that Angel is such a great guy." I said and Willow looked confused by my statement.

"Well, that could be a total problem. Because you know how great guys are." Willow joked and I shrugged.

"Really Will. Where's his flaw? He seems so prefect, but mysterious. I mean what do we really know about Angel?" I asked her. Sure, I knew a few things about him, but I really didn't know him. That's when it hit me. Angel and I are a lot alike. We both don't open up to people very easily. Though both us of shared some deep memories last night about his mother and Dawn. I surprised myself last night by tellinghim about Dawn. I must trust him in some way, because I don't go around telling people that my sister is in coma. If I wanted pity I could find it an easier way.

"Give him a chance." Willow suggested and I nodded in agreement. Then we heard the bell ring.

"I'll see you later." I waved bye to Willow.

"Bye," She waved back. I started down the hallway to English. I walked into the class slowly not wanting class to start. Itook my normal seat in the back of the class and I realized Angel wasn't here yet. I got use to seeing him when I came to class.

I rest my head on thedesk and closed my eyes.

"Sleeping?" I heard Angel mutter to me. I looked up lazily and saw him sitting next to me. When did he get here?

" I was about to." I groaned and gave him a sour look. He didn't take the look seriously because he just beamed at me.

"Sorry, I can't let you do that. We may learn something that would be crucial to your life." He stated to me and I rolled my eyes.

"It's English. If you hadn't already realized I know that language, I'm speaking it to you." I told him.

"Good point," He nodded and it was my turn to smile at him.

"Well, I'm awake now." I mumbled sitting straight up in my seat. Class had already started and most people were facing the teacher at the front of the room.

"Where were you?" I question him.

"Football meeting." He answered and looked from me to the teacher.

"How interesting." I joked and he grinned. I felt fine talking to him now, but how would I feel once we were on our date?

"You haven't been having second thoughts about our date tonight have you?" Angel asked and I was shocked. How did he know that was what I was thinking? I must have it written all over my face. My face always shows my emotions. Which must be why I suck at poker.

"What a mind reader!" I said, probably I little too loud because I few people shot me dirty looks.

"No, the dates still on. Besides I need my popcorn fix." I tried to whisper, but failed miserably. This time I caught the attention of most the class along with the teacher, whom didn't look very happy.

"Miss Summers is their something you would like to share with the class?" She asked me and now the whole class was looking at me.

"Nope, nothing I can think of." I smiled sweetly.

Later

Cheerleading practice was finally over for the day and I couldn't have been happier. I don't know how long I can take Cordelia as Cheerleading Captain.

I grabbed my pom poms and ahead to the locker room to change. Onthe way Angel stopped me. He had just got finished with football practice and was already changed.

"Need I ride?" He questioned. I couldn't have been happier with his offer. Mom was working longer hours lately and I would have to walk home.

"Sure, I'll meet you out there." I said and he nodded.

"Wait, up Fluffy." I heard Cordelia yelled to me once Angel left. I didn't correct her about my name because she knew my name was Buffy not Fluffy. She just did it to piss me off. I didn't even turn around I just kept walking to the locker room. I hoped she would get the hint and leave me alone. Of course just my luck I was dealing with Cordy, she wouldn't just leave me alone. She finally caught up to me.

"Your flips were a little stale today." She said and I raised my eyebrow. How can a flip be stale?

"Is that it?" I questioned and knew more pointless remarks were yet to come.

"Well, you alsocould be louder, plus you could jump higher." She stated.

"Thank you." I sighed heavily and started to turn away.

"Let's cut the small talk." She said rudely and I gave her a confused look.

"Oh, that's what we were doing, talking? It seemed more like you were cutting me down." I told her.

"You could never take constructive criticism." She declared with a shrug.

"I told you Angel was mine. Your just jealous I got Cheerleading Captain." She finally announced after a second of silence. Somehow I knew this tied in to Angel somehow. Why I am I not surprised? Cordelia is use to getting what she wants. She doesn't mind stepping on people to get what she wants. Too bad I don't like getting stepped on.

"That's it, I'm jealous." I said mockingly and walked away from her and into the locker room.

AN: Sorry, if there were any mess-ups with the POV. I just wanted to get a little of Angel's thoughts in the first parts.

Thanks for everyone who reviewed the last chapter!

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