Art Lesson

"Free theme."

Cordelia drew a butterfly, big and colourful. Of course, Harmony and Aura stole her idea. When the time was up, the teacher glanced at the three butterflies, smiled indulgently and murmured "Good work."

It hadn't been that bad but then Mrs. Rino exclaimed "This is so beautiful!" about a labyrinth of colours which made Cordelia cringe. "You are a creative boy, Jesse," she continued, hanging the picture on the wall.

Cordelia noticed a black crayon and grabbed it determinedly. She glared at the red and yellow swirl. Oh, she'd show Mrs. Rino how creative Cordelia Chase could be.

Plan: Distraction.

In the darkness, the three girls crouched behind Buffy's sofa.

"He is already here," Cordelia said as she heard the steps outside.

"Damn!" Willow whispered. "We forgot the cake in the kitchen!" Meaning: How do we bring it without him noticing?

Buffy bit her lips. "Cordelia. Go, create a diversion."

She got up, opened the door and ran to Xander, hugging and kissing him.

"Whoa Cordelia," Xander exclaimed as the kiss ended, "Did you miss me that much?"

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Let's get inside, humble guy." But she smiled.

She manoeuvred so that the birthday guy entered first...

"SURPRISE!"

No Looking Back.

"I dictated fashion in Sunnydale, you know?"

Doyle sighed, third time in the hour she had said exactly that. "Cordelia, you aren't that girl anymore."

"Then who am I?"

"That's it." He tugged on her arm.

"Hey! What ar-?"

"You've moped enough. We'll go somewhere and we're gonna talk about that beautiful woman you can be."

Cordelia didn't know whether to be amused or outraged. Finally she shrugged. If he was so determined to create a new self for her, she could as well watch the process. "Okay."

"Huh?"

She smiled. "I'll bring my coat."

Doyle blinked in confusion. Women!

See Me In My Dreams

Cordelia Chase didn't sleep, and so her dreams could not be dreams.

They are no visions either, those she recognise.

But once a Seer, she must still See.

What if...

If only...

All these realities dance under her lids in a colourful swirl and she cannot stop them.

In the middle of her not-dreams she always creates new worlds that comfort and scare her at the same time. And she welcomes each one of them because sometimes, just sometimes, there is a world where she is exactly what she was always meant to be.

No angels.

No visions.

Only Herself.