Chapter Six-Spring
Author's note: Sorry for the very long delay. I worked a lot this month and I had to move back to school early for some intense RA training. My other story, Remorse should be updated before my classes start next week. Thanks for hanging in there!! Hopefully this will be updated soon!
WARNING: The end of this chapter contains semi-graphic details (I don't think they are too bad but you can be the judge for yourself if you choose to read that far). Two characters get seriously injured. There, I gave far warning.
Disclaimer: I still don't own any of the characters, except for Stacy, I thought of her all on my own. Also, the idea for the gift Angel gives Buffy towards the end of the story was inspired by an episode in season two of BtVS. All other thoughts are original and were made up by me. Hope you all enjoy the story! Lisa Anne!
"Before we begin class, I wanted you to know that the office informed me this morning that we will have a transfer student coming in during our math period," Ms. Swift began to tell her algebra class. She continued talking but Buffy and Willow ignored her as they continued with their own conversation.
"So Angel made you a picnic lunch yesterday? That is so sweet!" Willow squealed softly.
Buffy and Angel had been dating for a four months. Every month on the eighth they would do something special for their anniversary. Angel surprised her by packing her favorite sandwich, creamy peanut butter and thinly sliced bananas on wheat bread. They picnicked at their spot, along the water where they spend so many nights and days just hanging out. It was their little place to be alone.
"It was very romantic but look at this," Buffy said as she showed Willow her a thin golden chain around her neck with a tiny heart pendent hanging from the end. "The back says my name, he had it engraved."
"That is awesome Buffy, it is. What are you guys doing-", Willow was interrupted by the door opening and a new student walking in. This boy is really cute she thought.
"Oh my goodness!" Buffy said very surprised.
"Yeah, he is cute, isn't he?" Willow smiled as the boy walked towards an empty chair in the front of the room.
"I don't believe this," Buffy said as the bell rang. She stood up and walked towards the new student, almost forgetting that Willow was with her. She lightly tapped the boy's bag.
"Hey, there you are," the red haired boy said. "I knew you'd be around here somewhere, what's up?"
"Nothing. You're the new student everyone has been buzzing about?"
"I didn't realize I was buzz worthy," he smiled.
Shyly, Willow approached Buffy about going to their next class. "Hey Buffy-"
"My goodness, where is my brain? Willow this is my friend I was telling you about from LA. Wil, this is Dan who I had no idea was moving to Sunnydale!"
"Oz, please, only my parents use my first name. It's nice to meet you Willow. I've heard a lot about you."
Willow smiled. "I have heard lots about you too. She talks about you a lot. We have to get going to out next class. Do you want us to walk you to your next class?"
"Nah, that's all right, I'll find it. When do you guys have lunch?"
"I have first lunch today at eleven and Willow has third lunch at 12:30, when do you have lunch, Oz?" Buffy asked as she sarcastically called her life long friend his nickname.
"I also have third lunch."
"Oh, I could meet you by the library and we could eat together?" Willow said not really knowing if she was asking or offering to have lunch with him.
"Cool. I'll see you at the library. Buffy, we will talk later, right?"
"Of course. We have to run now." Buffy said as she hugged him. "We shall talk, Wil, let's go."
"Bye Oz," Willow said, now with a little confidence.
"Later Willow," Oz calmly said to her as we wondered around the school.
"You have known for three months you were moving here and you didn't say anything to me?" Buffy asked Oz at the end of the day.
"I wanted it to be a surprise. Your mom and Rupert knew but I wanted to surprise you."
"It's a nice surprise. I'm glad you're closer now." Buffy said as she closed her locker and looked at one of her best friends. "It's nice to have a piece of my old home here."
"So that red head, that's Willow, right?" Oz asked as they walked towards the door. School was over and Buffy was walking home because Angel had baseball practice.
"Yes, that is Willow. She's nice, isn't she?"
"Yes, she is very nice. You just never told me she was that cute before. She is very cute."
Buffy smiled. "She is probably one of my best friends here. She and Xander."
"Xander is the one that went with you to LA that time, right?" Xander did go with Buffy and her family to visit friends a few months ago in LA. Xander and Oz got along really well. "Yep, that was Xander. He is awesome. I wish you could meet Angel now but he's-" "At practice. You've mentioned that a few times already." Buffy gave Oz an embarrassed smile. "So I've mentioned that a few times?" "No worries, you have only said it about fifteen hundred times today, that's all," Oz said very nonchalantly. Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sorry. Angel is great and I want you to meet him." "Well, I will. I'm not going anywhere, remember?" "That's right." Buffy said as she and Oz began walking through the front door of Sunnydale High School. The sky was grey and looked like it was going to down pour. "Where are you living? What street?" Buffy asked. "On Williams Ave." Buffy jumped up and down. "That's a few streets over from me!"
"I also knew that. Your mother told my mother the streets were near each other."
"Oz, I am so happy you are here. Too bad Stacy couldn't just pick up and move too. That would be so cool."
"She isn't moving here but I do know for a fact that two weeks from Sunday she is visiting for the weekend. You know, for your birthday."
Buffy was shocked. "She didn't say anything to me last night."
"Did she say anything to you about me moving here?"
"Well, no."
"See, Stace is good at keeping secrets. I wish I didn't say anything. Just act surprised, okay Buffy?"
"Surprised about what?" She asked pretending she had no idea what her friend was talking about.
"Excellent."
Buffy's fifteen birthday fell on a Friday. She woke up to a sun flower arrangement next to her bed on the oak night stand. It was from her mother and Rupert. The card read:
Buffy,
Good morning! Happy 15th baby. We just wanted to wish you very happy birthday! May all of your wishes come true!
Love always,
Mom and Dad
Buffy smiled as she read the card. She made her way towards her vanity to brush her hair when she spotted a single orange rose, puffy but not in full bloom. There was a homemade card with that one. It read:
I love you sis, happy birthday. I love you a lot. I like having you as my sister! Love Dawn
Buffy smiled again as she read her baby sister's card. She loved Dawn more than anyone else in the world, possibly even more than her own mother. She was very touched by Dawn's thoughtfulness.
Buffy grabbed her pink robe and made her way downstairs to the kitchen table where everyone was having breakfast.
"Good morning everyone," she greeted them as she sat down between Dawn and her step father. "Thank all of you guys for the beautiful flowers. They were a nice surprise to wake up to on my birthday."
"Your welcome honey, happy birthday," Joyce said as she hugged her daughter. "Dawn picked out both her rose and the bouquet of flowers. She paid for her rose with her own allowance money."
Buffy smiled. She was touched that Dawn would spend her allowance money on her instead the junk she bought. Dawn was always saving to buy either candy or the new hot toy. Often times she would just get whatever it was from either Joyce or Rupert but nonetheless, she was still touched.
"Thanks kiddo and thank you too," she said as she looked at her step father. She didn't really call Rupert anything. She still just addressed him in general terms never really showing any like or disliked. She did however treat him the same amount of respect as she had for her mother.
"You're welcome Buffy. Now, what was it you asked for your birthday?"
"A day off from school would be nice to start off with," she said, trying to get out of school. Rupert, who worked as a teacher just gave her a look. "Okay, I get the drift. I wanted that necklace we saw at the mall a few weeks ago. Remember the one I pointed out to you?"
Rupert just shook his head as Joyce looked on cooking Buffy's favorite breakfast. "No, the other thing. You asked for and your mother and I told you absolutely not."
Buffy nodded and looked on the floor. "Oh that. I wanted to go see Dave Matthews at Memorial Auditorium tomorrow night. You and mom both told me that I am too young to go to a concert by myself and both you and mom don't care for his music so you don't want to go. By chance Dave is coming over her to serenade me on my fifteenth?"
Rupert laughed. "Afraid not. We did however get four tickets to the show."
"Four ticket, for who?" Buffy asked disbelief. She was shocked.
"Well, one for you, of course, and we thought you'd like to bring Angel and maybe Oz and maybe Stacey."
"Stacy? I'll have to call her and ask her, it's kind of short notice." Buffy stated.
"That's been taken care of," Joyce said as she finished making the eggs. "She is coming over tonight and spending the entire weekend."
Buffy hopped out of her chair. She remembered her conversation with Oz a few weeks earlier when he first came to Sunnydale. He had mentioned that Stacy was coming to Sunnydale for her birthday. Buffy hugged her mother and then Rupert. "Thank you both. You guys are awesome."
Both Joyce and Rupert smiled at each other and then smiled at Buffy. "Buffy, there is one more thing." Rupert said.
"You were kidding? Tell me you guys weren't kidding. Please tell me you weren't kidding."
Joyce sat down at the circular table between her husband and Dawn. "We weren't kidding. There is one more special gift for you"
Rupert put down his fork and grabbed a small bag from under the table. "I bought this for you."
The expression on Buffy's face was blank. She was very surprised that Rupert bought her a special gift. After all, she didn't recognize him as her father figure or anything. Buffy smiled as she took the small bag. Hiding in the white tissue paper was a small light teal box with a white fabric ribbon around the box that read. The box read, Tiffany & Co. She carefully removed the ribbon and opened the box. Inside sat a white gold bracelet with a tiny heart on the end of it. The heart read B.E.S, her initials. She was chocked up.
"Thank you," was all she managed to say.
Rupert sipped his coffee and placed it back on the table. He put his arm around his step daughter who he thought of his own. He pulled his arm back and put the bracelet on Buffy's wrist. "You are most certainly welcome Buffy. Every girl needs a Tiffany's bracelet."
The family continued to eat breakfast before each of them had to get ready for work or school. Buffy did her morning routine and was ready by the time Angel came to pick her up. He was a little late.
"Happy birthday Buffy," Angel said as he kissed her.
"Thank you. So we are going to see Dave Matthews tomorrow night?'
"Yes, I am very excited. I actually have to give you your gift. Do you want it now or wait until after school?" Angel asked after Buffy was buckled up and he proceeded to drive to school. Before she had a chance to answer he began to talk. "Actually, you are going to have to wait to get it. I forgot it and if I go home we will be late for school."
"That's okay. You really didn't have to get me anything. Our anniversary was a few weeks ago and you bought me the necklace."
"But it's your birthday Buf, of course I had to buy you something,
don't be silly!"
"Hey, where are Xander and Willow?"
"They had to get to school early for a project. You'll see them at lunch today, right?" Angel said pulling his Saab into a parking space at school.
"Yea, we all have lunch together. I'll see them then." Buffy said as she stepped out of Angel's car. She was disappointed that Xander and Willow weren't around. As they walked into school, they were greeted by other friends and made small chit chat with them. Angel and Buffy mad their way towards Buffy's locker. As they approached, she saw three big light purple latex balloons taped to the top of her locker. In the middle was a foil butterfly. Xander, Willow and Oz appeared and hugged her.
"Happy birthday Buffy!" The three yelled all at once.
"Thanks you guys! I love the balloon." She said as she hugged each one of her friends before leaning against Angel.
"You get gifts too, at lunch," Willow said cheery. She was very happy. She and Oz went out together rand picked out Buffy's gift a few days before. Willow liked Oz so much but didn't know how to deal with her feelings, especially since she was attracted to her best friend's friend.
"Oh, gifts, exciting." Buffy said as the bell rang. "Yuck, the bell. I guess we should all be getting to class now hu?"
"Yea, I guess that's what we do in school, go to classes," Oz stated.
"Classes? Whose brilliant idea was that? This is evil," Xander said as he walked away with Willow and Oz, pondering the meaning of school.
"Some times I can't believe that we are related." Angel said laughing, watching his little brother run to class. "You know you don't have to hurry. That was only the first bell. You still have ten minutes before your first class, which, as you know, is right over there."
"That was only the first bell? Then where did they go?"
"They went away."
"Why?"
"So we could be alone for just a few more minutes."
Buffy smiled. "I like alone time with you," she told him as she kissed his lips.
"Alone time is good. This is good too," Angel said pulling away from the kiss. "But we can't do this because I need to give you your gift."
Buffy pulled away. "You said you forgot it."
Angel smiled and began to laugh. "I said I forgot it because I missed up. I knew if I told you I forgot it, you'd say go get it. I wanted to avoid that whole thing so I could surprise you with your locker. They worked hard on it."
"And I love it!"
"Good. So open your locker. Your gift is inside"
Buffy opened her locker door and found a card and a small box. She opened the card and read the sweet, romantic card Angel had given her. She then opened the small box. Inside was a Claddagh ring. One a recent outing to a bunch of downtown shops, Buffy had pointed out that she liked the style of the rings but didn't know what it meant. She smiled as she realized he remembered.
"It's a sign of love, loyalty and friendship. If you wear it this way it means that you belong to someone," Angel explained to Buffy as he slipped it on her finger. She gave him a quick kiss as the second bell rang.
"Thank you, I love it."
"Good, because I love you," Angel said looking right into her green eyes. He was completely focused on her.
Buffy felt as if her heart was going to stop. This was the first time Angel had said those three words to Buffy. He had always written them in notes he wrote to her during the day but he never said those words to her.
"I love you too," she said lost in the moment.
"Come on," he said grabbing her hand. "Let's get to class."
By seven o'clock that night everything was set up for Buffy's party. Joyce decorated the house with streamers and part decorations for Buffy's birthday gathering. Rupert was outside preparing to use his brand new grill. He was getting frustrated with the grill because it wasn't working. Joyce was convinced he put it together wrong but he insisted that it was all the grill's fault.
Buffy was in the living room with all her close friends. Well, not all of them. They were waiting for Stacy who was running late. She was a year and a half older than Buffy and had her driver's license. Joyce worried that she was stranded or something horrible like that. Buffy knew that she probably left late and was on her way. Oz was also running late. He had some family visiting that he had to spend time with before the big movie night at the Giles' household.
At seven-thirty, the grill problem was solved. Rupert realized that he did not have gas for the grill and that indeed everything was put together correctly. Joyce just laughed silently to herself as her husband cussed under his breath and left to buy the gas.
Stacy had also arrived. She did get stuck in traffic and that was the reason she was late. Oz was still stranded at his family's house. He was ready to leave; there was too much family togetherness for him at the moment. He was all set to walk over to join Buffy's bash but his mother didn't want him to walk over by himself and told him to wait until she could give him a ride. He explained all this to Buffy over the phone. She relayed the information back to everyone in the living room.
"Well, I could go get him if someone comes with me to show me where he lives." Stacy suggested ashes pushed her shoulder length curly brown hair behind her shoulders.
"I'll go with Stacy and we'll be back in five, at the most. Let me call Oz and let him know."
Buffy called Oz and told him the new plan. He was thankful and said he would wait outside for them to arrive.
Buffy and Stacy ran out to Stacy's car as Rupert pulled into the driveway.
"Hi, we'll be right back." Buffy told him. "We're going to get Oz."
Rupert, who wasn't even out of his car yet suggested that he could pick up Oz.
"That's okay, you have to start the grill. We'll be back in about five minutes. He's waiting for us outside of his house. We'll be back really soon." Buffy explained as she skipped top the car with her oldest friend. She got into the car and buckled up then began to give directions to Oz's house.
On the ride over they began to reminisce about their childhood.
"I really miss you Buf," Stacy began to tell Buffy as they turned the corner of Oz's street. "We have so much fun when we are together. I-" Stacy was interrupted. She slammed on her breaks but it was too late. Before anyone could another word, a Range Rover sped and hit Stacy's car head first.
Oz was sitting on the big farmer's porch waiting for his friends to pick him up. He saw everything that happened and ran over to the car that had two of his friends in it. Stacy, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, had gone through the front window of her Ford Escort and laid on the hood covered in blood. She was bleeding badly. He looked in the passenger seat and saw Buffy. The airbag was not set off. Her head rested on the dashboard with blood dripping onto her lap. Somehow the passenger side window had broken and had managed to cut Buffy's neck, or it was from the windshield, he wasn't sure. He was just scared as we saw both girls laid unconscious and rested in each other's blood.
"Oh my gosh," Oz said silently before screaming for help. Tears poured from his eyes. He didn't know how the driver of the big SUV was and he didn't care. His best friends were in front of him hurt and in pain and there was nothing he could do for with one of them.
Author's note part 2: Sorry to end with such a big cliff hanger but it's 2:43am and I have a long day of fun tomorrow at school. Yes, I realize tomorrow is Sunday but people are moving back into school and then we have all these freshmen things we have to go to. The joys of being a RA. Oh well, please send feedback, reviews, whatever you want to call it and I will write ASAP! Thanks for reading!
Author's note: Sorry for the very long delay. I worked a lot this month and I had to move back to school early for some intense RA training. My other story, Remorse should be updated before my classes start next week. Thanks for hanging in there!! Hopefully this will be updated soon!
WARNING: The end of this chapter contains semi-graphic details (I don't think they are too bad but you can be the judge for yourself if you choose to read that far). Two characters get seriously injured. There, I gave far warning.
Disclaimer: I still don't own any of the characters, except for Stacy, I thought of her all on my own. Also, the idea for the gift Angel gives Buffy towards the end of the story was inspired by an episode in season two of BtVS. All other thoughts are original and were made up by me. Hope you all enjoy the story! Lisa Anne!
"Before we begin class, I wanted you to know that the office informed me this morning that we will have a transfer student coming in during our math period," Ms. Swift began to tell her algebra class. She continued talking but Buffy and Willow ignored her as they continued with their own conversation.
"So Angel made you a picnic lunch yesterday? That is so sweet!" Willow squealed softly.
Buffy and Angel had been dating for a four months. Every month on the eighth they would do something special for their anniversary. Angel surprised her by packing her favorite sandwich, creamy peanut butter and thinly sliced bananas on wheat bread. They picnicked at their spot, along the water where they spend so many nights and days just hanging out. It was their little place to be alone.
"It was very romantic but look at this," Buffy said as she showed Willow her a thin golden chain around her neck with a tiny heart pendent hanging from the end. "The back says my name, he had it engraved."
"That is awesome Buffy, it is. What are you guys doing-", Willow was interrupted by the door opening and a new student walking in. This boy is really cute she thought.
"Oh my goodness!" Buffy said very surprised.
"Yeah, he is cute, isn't he?" Willow smiled as the boy walked towards an empty chair in the front of the room.
"I don't believe this," Buffy said as the bell rang. She stood up and walked towards the new student, almost forgetting that Willow was with her. She lightly tapped the boy's bag.
"Hey, there you are," the red haired boy said. "I knew you'd be around here somewhere, what's up?"
"Nothing. You're the new student everyone has been buzzing about?"
"I didn't realize I was buzz worthy," he smiled.
Shyly, Willow approached Buffy about going to their next class. "Hey Buffy-"
"My goodness, where is my brain? Willow this is my friend I was telling you about from LA. Wil, this is Dan who I had no idea was moving to Sunnydale!"
"Oz, please, only my parents use my first name. It's nice to meet you Willow. I've heard a lot about you."
Willow smiled. "I have heard lots about you too. She talks about you a lot. We have to get going to out next class. Do you want us to walk you to your next class?"
"Nah, that's all right, I'll find it. When do you guys have lunch?"
"I have first lunch today at eleven and Willow has third lunch at 12:30, when do you have lunch, Oz?" Buffy asked as she sarcastically called her life long friend his nickname.
"I also have third lunch."
"Oh, I could meet you by the library and we could eat together?" Willow said not really knowing if she was asking or offering to have lunch with him.
"Cool. I'll see you at the library. Buffy, we will talk later, right?"
"Of course. We have to run now." Buffy said as she hugged him. "We shall talk, Wil, let's go."
"Bye Oz," Willow said, now with a little confidence.
"Later Willow," Oz calmly said to her as we wondered around the school.
"You have known for three months you were moving here and you didn't say anything to me?" Buffy asked Oz at the end of the day.
"I wanted it to be a surprise. Your mom and Rupert knew but I wanted to surprise you."
"It's a nice surprise. I'm glad you're closer now." Buffy said as she closed her locker and looked at one of her best friends. "It's nice to have a piece of my old home here."
"So that red head, that's Willow, right?" Oz asked as they walked towards the door. School was over and Buffy was walking home because Angel had baseball practice.
"Yes, that is Willow. She's nice, isn't she?"
"Yes, she is very nice. You just never told me she was that cute before. She is very cute."
Buffy smiled. "She is probably one of my best friends here. She and Xander."
"Xander is the one that went with you to LA that time, right?" Xander did go with Buffy and her family to visit friends a few months ago in LA. Xander and Oz got along really well. "Yep, that was Xander. He is awesome. I wish you could meet Angel now but he's-" "At practice. You've mentioned that a few times already." Buffy gave Oz an embarrassed smile. "So I've mentioned that a few times?" "No worries, you have only said it about fifteen hundred times today, that's all," Oz said very nonchalantly. Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sorry. Angel is great and I want you to meet him." "Well, I will. I'm not going anywhere, remember?" "That's right." Buffy said as she and Oz began walking through the front door of Sunnydale High School. The sky was grey and looked like it was going to down pour. "Where are you living? What street?" Buffy asked. "On Williams Ave." Buffy jumped up and down. "That's a few streets over from me!"
"I also knew that. Your mother told my mother the streets were near each other."
"Oz, I am so happy you are here. Too bad Stacy couldn't just pick up and move too. That would be so cool."
"She isn't moving here but I do know for a fact that two weeks from Sunday she is visiting for the weekend. You know, for your birthday."
Buffy was shocked. "She didn't say anything to me last night."
"Did she say anything to you about me moving here?"
"Well, no."
"See, Stace is good at keeping secrets. I wish I didn't say anything. Just act surprised, okay Buffy?"
"Surprised about what?" She asked pretending she had no idea what her friend was talking about.
"Excellent."
Buffy's fifteen birthday fell on a Friday. She woke up to a sun flower arrangement next to her bed on the oak night stand. It was from her mother and Rupert. The card read:
Buffy,
Good morning! Happy 15th baby. We just wanted to wish you very happy birthday! May all of your wishes come true!
Love always,
Mom and Dad
Buffy smiled as she read the card. She made her way towards her vanity to brush her hair when she spotted a single orange rose, puffy but not in full bloom. There was a homemade card with that one. It read:
I love you sis, happy birthday. I love you a lot. I like having you as my sister! Love Dawn
Buffy smiled again as she read her baby sister's card. She loved Dawn more than anyone else in the world, possibly even more than her own mother. She was very touched by Dawn's thoughtfulness.
Buffy grabbed her pink robe and made her way downstairs to the kitchen table where everyone was having breakfast.
"Good morning everyone," she greeted them as she sat down between Dawn and her step father. "Thank all of you guys for the beautiful flowers. They were a nice surprise to wake up to on my birthday."
"Your welcome honey, happy birthday," Joyce said as she hugged her daughter. "Dawn picked out both her rose and the bouquet of flowers. She paid for her rose with her own allowance money."
Buffy smiled. She was touched that Dawn would spend her allowance money on her instead the junk she bought. Dawn was always saving to buy either candy or the new hot toy. Often times she would just get whatever it was from either Joyce or Rupert but nonetheless, she was still touched.
"Thanks kiddo and thank you too," she said as she looked at her step father. She didn't really call Rupert anything. She still just addressed him in general terms never really showing any like or disliked. She did however treat him the same amount of respect as she had for her mother.
"You're welcome Buffy. Now, what was it you asked for your birthday?"
"A day off from school would be nice to start off with," she said, trying to get out of school. Rupert, who worked as a teacher just gave her a look. "Okay, I get the drift. I wanted that necklace we saw at the mall a few weeks ago. Remember the one I pointed out to you?"
Rupert just shook his head as Joyce looked on cooking Buffy's favorite breakfast. "No, the other thing. You asked for and your mother and I told you absolutely not."
Buffy nodded and looked on the floor. "Oh that. I wanted to go see Dave Matthews at Memorial Auditorium tomorrow night. You and mom both told me that I am too young to go to a concert by myself and both you and mom don't care for his music so you don't want to go. By chance Dave is coming over her to serenade me on my fifteenth?"
Rupert laughed. "Afraid not. We did however get four tickets to the show."
"Four ticket, for who?" Buffy asked disbelief. She was shocked.
"Well, one for you, of course, and we thought you'd like to bring Angel and maybe Oz and maybe Stacey."
"Stacy? I'll have to call her and ask her, it's kind of short notice." Buffy stated.
"That's been taken care of," Joyce said as she finished making the eggs. "She is coming over tonight and spending the entire weekend."
Buffy hopped out of her chair. She remembered her conversation with Oz a few weeks earlier when he first came to Sunnydale. He had mentioned that Stacy was coming to Sunnydale for her birthday. Buffy hugged her mother and then Rupert. "Thank you both. You guys are awesome."
Both Joyce and Rupert smiled at each other and then smiled at Buffy. "Buffy, there is one more thing." Rupert said.
"You were kidding? Tell me you guys weren't kidding. Please tell me you weren't kidding."
Joyce sat down at the circular table between her husband and Dawn. "We weren't kidding. There is one more special gift for you"
Rupert put down his fork and grabbed a small bag from under the table. "I bought this for you."
The expression on Buffy's face was blank. She was very surprised that Rupert bought her a special gift. After all, she didn't recognize him as her father figure or anything. Buffy smiled as she took the small bag. Hiding in the white tissue paper was a small light teal box with a white fabric ribbon around the box that read. The box read, Tiffany & Co. She carefully removed the ribbon and opened the box. Inside sat a white gold bracelet with a tiny heart on the end of it. The heart read B.E.S, her initials. She was chocked up.
"Thank you," was all she managed to say.
Rupert sipped his coffee and placed it back on the table. He put his arm around his step daughter who he thought of his own. He pulled his arm back and put the bracelet on Buffy's wrist. "You are most certainly welcome Buffy. Every girl needs a Tiffany's bracelet."
The family continued to eat breakfast before each of them had to get ready for work or school. Buffy did her morning routine and was ready by the time Angel came to pick her up. He was a little late.
"Happy birthday Buffy," Angel said as he kissed her.
"Thank you. So we are going to see Dave Matthews tomorrow night?'
"Yes, I am very excited. I actually have to give you your gift. Do you want it now or wait until after school?" Angel asked after Buffy was buckled up and he proceeded to drive to school. Before she had a chance to answer he began to talk. "Actually, you are going to have to wait to get it. I forgot it and if I go home we will be late for school."
"That's okay. You really didn't have to get me anything. Our anniversary was a few weeks ago and you bought me the necklace."
"But it's your birthday Buf, of course I had to buy you something,
don't be silly!"
"Hey, where are Xander and Willow?"
"They had to get to school early for a project. You'll see them at lunch today, right?" Angel said pulling his Saab into a parking space at school.
"Yea, we all have lunch together. I'll see them then." Buffy said as she stepped out of Angel's car. She was disappointed that Xander and Willow weren't around. As they walked into school, they were greeted by other friends and made small chit chat with them. Angel and Buffy mad their way towards Buffy's locker. As they approached, she saw three big light purple latex balloons taped to the top of her locker. In the middle was a foil butterfly. Xander, Willow and Oz appeared and hugged her.
"Happy birthday Buffy!" The three yelled all at once.
"Thanks you guys! I love the balloon." She said as she hugged each one of her friends before leaning against Angel.
"You get gifts too, at lunch," Willow said cheery. She was very happy. She and Oz went out together rand picked out Buffy's gift a few days before. Willow liked Oz so much but didn't know how to deal with her feelings, especially since she was attracted to her best friend's friend.
"Oh, gifts, exciting." Buffy said as the bell rang. "Yuck, the bell. I guess we should all be getting to class now hu?"
"Yea, I guess that's what we do in school, go to classes," Oz stated.
"Classes? Whose brilliant idea was that? This is evil," Xander said as he walked away with Willow and Oz, pondering the meaning of school.
"Some times I can't believe that we are related." Angel said laughing, watching his little brother run to class. "You know you don't have to hurry. That was only the first bell. You still have ten minutes before your first class, which, as you know, is right over there."
"That was only the first bell? Then where did they go?"
"They went away."
"Why?"
"So we could be alone for just a few more minutes."
Buffy smiled. "I like alone time with you," she told him as she kissed his lips.
"Alone time is good. This is good too," Angel said pulling away from the kiss. "But we can't do this because I need to give you your gift."
Buffy pulled away. "You said you forgot it."
Angel smiled and began to laugh. "I said I forgot it because I missed up. I knew if I told you I forgot it, you'd say go get it. I wanted to avoid that whole thing so I could surprise you with your locker. They worked hard on it."
"And I love it!"
"Good. So open your locker. Your gift is inside"
Buffy opened her locker door and found a card and a small box. She opened the card and read the sweet, romantic card Angel had given her. She then opened the small box. Inside was a Claddagh ring. One a recent outing to a bunch of downtown shops, Buffy had pointed out that she liked the style of the rings but didn't know what it meant. She smiled as she realized he remembered.
"It's a sign of love, loyalty and friendship. If you wear it this way it means that you belong to someone," Angel explained to Buffy as he slipped it on her finger. She gave him a quick kiss as the second bell rang.
"Thank you, I love it."
"Good, because I love you," Angel said looking right into her green eyes. He was completely focused on her.
Buffy felt as if her heart was going to stop. This was the first time Angel had said those three words to Buffy. He had always written them in notes he wrote to her during the day but he never said those words to her.
"I love you too," she said lost in the moment.
"Come on," he said grabbing her hand. "Let's get to class."
By seven o'clock that night everything was set up for Buffy's party. Joyce decorated the house with streamers and part decorations for Buffy's birthday gathering. Rupert was outside preparing to use his brand new grill. He was getting frustrated with the grill because it wasn't working. Joyce was convinced he put it together wrong but he insisted that it was all the grill's fault.
Buffy was in the living room with all her close friends. Well, not all of them. They were waiting for Stacy who was running late. She was a year and a half older than Buffy and had her driver's license. Joyce worried that she was stranded or something horrible like that. Buffy knew that she probably left late and was on her way. Oz was also running late. He had some family visiting that he had to spend time with before the big movie night at the Giles' household.
At seven-thirty, the grill problem was solved. Rupert realized that he did not have gas for the grill and that indeed everything was put together correctly. Joyce just laughed silently to herself as her husband cussed under his breath and left to buy the gas.
Stacy had also arrived. She did get stuck in traffic and that was the reason she was late. Oz was still stranded at his family's house. He was ready to leave; there was too much family togetherness for him at the moment. He was all set to walk over to join Buffy's bash but his mother didn't want him to walk over by himself and told him to wait until she could give him a ride. He explained all this to Buffy over the phone. She relayed the information back to everyone in the living room.
"Well, I could go get him if someone comes with me to show me where he lives." Stacy suggested ashes pushed her shoulder length curly brown hair behind her shoulders.
"I'll go with Stacy and we'll be back in five, at the most. Let me call Oz and let him know."
Buffy called Oz and told him the new plan. He was thankful and said he would wait outside for them to arrive.
Buffy and Stacy ran out to Stacy's car as Rupert pulled into the driveway.
"Hi, we'll be right back." Buffy told him. "We're going to get Oz."
Rupert, who wasn't even out of his car yet suggested that he could pick up Oz.
"That's okay, you have to start the grill. We'll be back in about five minutes. He's waiting for us outside of his house. We'll be back really soon." Buffy explained as she skipped top the car with her oldest friend. She got into the car and buckled up then began to give directions to Oz's house.
On the ride over they began to reminisce about their childhood.
"I really miss you Buf," Stacy began to tell Buffy as they turned the corner of Oz's street. "We have so much fun when we are together. I-" Stacy was interrupted. She slammed on her breaks but it was too late. Before anyone could another word, a Range Rover sped and hit Stacy's car head first.
Oz was sitting on the big farmer's porch waiting for his friends to pick him up. He saw everything that happened and ran over to the car that had two of his friends in it. Stacy, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, had gone through the front window of her Ford Escort and laid on the hood covered in blood. She was bleeding badly. He looked in the passenger seat and saw Buffy. The airbag was not set off. Her head rested on the dashboard with blood dripping onto her lap. Somehow the passenger side window had broken and had managed to cut Buffy's neck, or it was from the windshield, he wasn't sure. He was just scared as we saw both girls laid unconscious and rested in each other's blood.
"Oh my gosh," Oz said silently before screaming for help. Tears poured from his eyes. He didn't know how the driver of the big SUV was and he didn't care. His best friends were in front of him hurt and in pain and there was nothing he could do for with one of them.
Author's note part 2: Sorry to end with such a big cliff hanger but it's 2:43am and I have a long day of fun tomorrow at school. Yes, I realize tomorrow is Sunday but people are moving back into school and then we have all these freshmen things we have to go to. The joys of being a RA. Oh well, please send feedback, reviews, whatever you want to call it and I will write ASAP! Thanks for reading!