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

Chapter 8

Buffy's House

Buffy's POV

"Hmmm… Hi, Angel! It's Buffy. I'm sorry, this is like the fourth message I've left, but I was wondering why you weren't at school. Well, call me back or I'll just see you at school tomorrow! Bye!" I said into the phone.

Fourth time, more like the tenth. I know I'm acting weird, but I'm weird about him. Yes, I actually care about him. That realization hit me after the third message. I don't how, or when I let Angel into my heart, but I did. And I'm terrified he is going to break my heart.

I sat for ten minutes staring out my window. I restrained myself from calling Angel again. I'm sure he'll get my message and call me back,

unless he's ignoring me. I frowned at that thought.

I decided I needed to go see Dawn. I got off my bed and grabbed my jacket.

I was half way down the stairs, when I heard my mom call to me.

"Where are you going?" She asked me as I hit the bottom step.

"To visit Dawn." I mumbled and didn't look at her.

"It's past visiting hours." She yelled to me, as I opened the front door.

"I know." I said looking back at her and then shut the door.

The hospital was a few miles away, but I didn't care.

Once I reached the hospital, I hadn't even felt like I had walked miles. My mind was elsewhere.

I walked into the quiet hospital, checking each corner to make sure no one saw me.

As I passed an open door something caught my eye. I took a second look and saw Angel.

He was sleeping on a chair next to a hospital bed. There was a woman, who I guessed was Angel's mom, laying in the bed. She looked pale and tubes were sticking out of her.

I walked over to Angel, trying not to wake him or his mother up. I pulled his blanket up, which had fallen to his knees. Then I kissed his forehead and left the room. No wonder Angel hadn't come to school. His mother must be really sick.

I quietly walked through the halls of the hospital, towards Dawn's room.

I sighed happily once I got to her room. I pulled up a chair next to her bed and put my hand over hers. She didn't look any better than she did a week ago, but I tried to put that in the back of my mind.

"How are you little sis?" I asked, pretending she could answer.

"Have they been treating you well?" I asked and put a piece of her hair behind her ear, which had come loose.

"Mom and I are fighting over you again." I sighed and knew she always hated when we fought.

"I know you don't like us fighting." I mumbled and put my chin on the bed and stared at my lifeless sister. Two hours passed and I decided it was best for me to go.

"Bye Dawnie." I said and kissed her forehead. I took one more look at her before I left the room.

Next Day At School

"Hey Buffy!" I heard Angel yell to me once I got to school. I smiled when I say him. He looked tried, but he was still there. I was starting to realize how much Angel meant to me. After seeing him at the hospital last night he was all I could think of. Though lately he is all I EVER think of. Though I really didn't want to believe I cared about him. I only had a couple more month left in this hellhole.

"Hi, Angel." I greeted him.

"Sorry, I didn't call you back last night. I didn't get home until late." He explained as we walked up the steps of Sunnydale High.

"That's okay. How's your mother?" I asked and regretted once it came out of my mouth. He frowned.

"She's fine." He said and then put on a fake smile. I knew he was lying. I just smiled back at him and didn't question anymore.

End Of The School Day

Angel was walking me to cheerleading practice, when one of the jocks came up from behind us. Great, it was Parker. That guy is such a jerk. Once I saw his mouth open, I knew it wasn't going to be good.

"Hey, Buffy! What do you say about ditching this pussy ass and let's find an empty class room?" Parker said and I fought the urge to hit him.

"Go to hell, Parker." I told him.

"Oh, come on Buff. You know you like it rough." Parker grinned and Angel exploded.

"Shut the fuck up!" He yelled at Parker and shoved him away from me. That was what Parker was waiting for and he sent his fist towards Angel's face. He ducked and slammed his fist into Parkers stomach.

"Angel!" I yelled as watched Angel punch Parker in the face. He looked like he was going to kill Parker. I grabbed Angel's arm before he could do anymore damage.

"Let me go Buffy." He told me and tried to get me off his arm without being too forceful.

"Why don't you go home and cry to your mommy?" Parker shouted finally recovering from Angel's blows. Right then I was seriously thinking about turning Angel free.

"I have to kick that bastard's ass." Angel told me still trying to get me off him, but I wouldn't let go. He wasn't thinking straight.

"Angel let it go. He is just a jerk. He isn't worth you time." I told him, seeing hatred in Angel's eyes. It scared me, but I didn't let go of his arm.

"Fine." He said and pushed me away. Then he ran out to his car. I followed behind him.

When I got to the car he was hitting his head against the steering wheel and crying.

"Angel! What's wrong?" I shouted worried he was going to hurt himself. I opened his car door and wrapped my arms around him. He cried on my shoulder

"My mom's dying. The doctors say she has a month to live." He cried.

TBC.