Chapter Eleven-Moving On
Author's note: A quick thank you to Kristinec and Shy for the reviews. I am glad you like the story! I think this chapter is lighter than the last. Please give me feedback! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Lisa Anne PS- there is some mild swearing in the middle of the story. Nothing big, just thought that I'd give a warning.
The freedom that all school kids know as summer vacation had come to a quick end for the students of Sunnydale High. Buffy found her self back in school along side her friends quickly after Angel's departure. Her friends thought she was moody and miserable in the beginning of the school year. Once her extra curricular activities began Buffy went back to being her old self. She was cheerful and content. She smiled a lot more. Most importantly by the end of September she was the happiest she had been in a while.
Homecoming weekend found the friends at the bon fire. Instead of dwelling and feeling bad for herself, Buffy was happy. She reflected briefly on past years and of course she thought about Angel but she was all right with how things were. She did wonder what would it be like if she and Angel hadn't broken up. That weekend was the one she was supposed to have spent in New York City with Angel. She quickly got over that thought. She was excited about the bon fire.
Once at the bon fire Cordelia introduced her to her friend Ford from the ravel high school. Ford was dark haired and cute. He liked to laugh and he seemed to really like Buffy. By the end of the night he worked up his courage to ask Buffy out on a date. To his surprise she accepted.
Buffy and Ford occasionally dated. Buffy looked at these dates as nothing more than just that, dates. She didn't want to be in a relationship again but it felt good to have someone hold her hand and tell her she looked nice.
Right before the winter formal Buffy received her driver's license. She debated on whether she wanted it or not. She thought about Stacy quickly and then realized that she couldn't stop living life because of an accident. Her driving instructor said she was one of the best teenage driver in a long time.
The winter formal fell on the weekend before winter break. Buffy and Ford went together along with Oz, Willow, Xander and Cordelia. The couples ate and danced and had a good time. Things went great until everyone left the dance. Willow and Oz remained a happy couple by night's end. Xander and Cordelia and Buffy and Ford had an alternative ending.
Cordelia broke Xander's heart that night. She broke up with him because she was tired of being in a relationship. She was tired of being referred to as a couple and not as individual people, at least that was the excuse she gave. The truth of the matter was that Cordelia didn't love Xander and she never would. She wanted a man with the good looks of Heath Ledger. Instead she had Xander. He may not have been the most gorgeous of all boys his age but he had a heart of gold. If there was one thing about Xander it was if he cared about you, you knew it. He never let his feelings for his friends go unnoticed. Cordelia was too wrapped up in physical appearances as well as her teenage hormones to realize that Xander loved her no matter what.
Buffy also broke a heart that night. She looked at her relationship with Ford as just having fun. She didn't think their relationship would lead anywhere. She was wrong. Ford began to fall in love with her after the month and a half they were together. Buffy felt bad that she led him on some how. She ended things the night of the formal. He presented her with a diamond pendent on a gold chain as a Christmas gift. She declined the gift. She told him he was a great person but she didn't want anything from him. Apologetically she explained she didn't want to be part of a serious relationship, she just wanted to have fun. Ford was speechless when they arrived to Buffy's house. They never exchanged looks or words as she looked at him. Ford couldn't bare to look at Buffy so he looked at the street light a few yards away. Buffy slowly got out of the car and walked towards her porch. She wanted to turn around and apologize for hurting Ford. After all, she knew what it felt like to have someone hurt you from out of the blue. Angel had done it to her that previous summer. Before she had the chance to turn around she heard Ford's car speed off.
"Buffy."
The greeting she received at the Harris household on Christmas Eve surprised Buffy. She had expected Xander to answer the door but it wasn't him.
"Angel, hi, how are you?"
Angel was pleased to see his former girlfriend. He had missed her. He had wished that she was there to see him but he knew she wasn't. He could tell from the expression on her face that she wasn't expecting to see him.
"Um, I'm doing well, why don't you come in?" He asked as he moved away from the door so she could come in. "Xander will be read in a few."
Buffy walked through the door and went right to the big black leather couch in the living room. She saw Angel follow her from the corner of her eye. "How's college life? The big city?"
Angel sat in the leather chair and smiled. "College has been good. It's something like high school but with shorter weeks and no study halls. I don't have classes on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays."
Buffy was kind of puzzled by this discovery. "But when are you in classes?"
"Tuesdays and Wednesdays, all day. I have classes on Tuesdays from eight fifteen in the morning to almost six at night, and that's just Tuesdays. Wednesdays are worse, I have a science lab until nine-forty-five at night. It stinks."
Buffy smiled. College sounded like such freedom, even from classes. "How is city life?"
"It is the greatest. There are so many great clubs and so many things to do. It's always none-stop. I'm going to be there for four years and I don't think I will get to experience everything the city has to offer." Angel paused for a moment before shifting the table. "How about you, how have you been? School and such?'
Before she had the chance to replay, Buffy was interrupted by a female voice. "Angel, I couldn't find the towels, I was going to take a shower."
Buffy turned around to find a fair skinned, blonde haired girl standing behind the couch. Buffy thought that the girl appeared to be a few years older than her.
"I told you they are in the bathroom closet, to the left. Wait a minute, I would like you to meet someone. Kate, this is Buffy. Buffy this is my girlfriend Kate. I met her at NYU." Angel said as he stood up.
"Angel has talked about you. He thinks highly of you. It's nice to meet you." Kate told Buffy, almost pouting.
Buffy smiled and nodded. She felt numb. She expected Angel to move, after all, she had moved on too. She didn't expect his new girlfriend to be spending the holidays with him.
"Buffy, are you ready?" Xander asked as he flew down the sitars. The pair were going shopping for last minute holiday gift.
"Yeah, I'm ready to go. Bye Angel. It was nice to meet you Kate."
Kate sighed. She was kind of annoyed that Buffy was interrupted her conversation with Angel. "Right, bye."
Angel walked away from Kate and walked his brother and his ex- girlfriend to the door. "Bye Buffy, see ya."
Gracefully, Buffy nodded. Looking at the door she simply replied, "Yeah, see ya."
"Can you even believe that? I'm too boring to be associated with her! She actually told me this to my face! I can't believe after all the time we invested into our relationship that she said I was boring! Why is she such a snot?" Xander exploded to Buffy as they walked through the mall. It was jammed pack with people. Holiday displays decorated the storefront windows.
"I think you were looking for bitch. Why is she such a bitch?" Buffy corrected Xander as they entered Bath and Body Works.
"Bitch? Don't you think you're being a little harsh? What exactly is a cucumber-melon?" He asked as he examined the blue-green lotion.
"Harsh? She broke up with you for being yourself and she did a week before Christmas! You didn't cheat on her, you just loved her. You were devoted to her and her self-righteous negative attitude and your asking me why I think she's a bitch? Do I need to explain any more?"
"Yes, please explain-"
Getting annoyed, Buffy continued to defend her friend's situation. "I don't know what else I can say. She never appreciated you and-"
"Buff, I didn't mean Cordelia, I meant this lotion. I don't understand all the names."
Buffy smiled. It was a forced smile. She felt badly for Xander and what he was experiencing. She also couldn't stop thinking about Angel and Kate. She had such a rotten attitude. Buffy could tell from the few seconds she had talked to her that she wasn't in love with Angel.
The duo weaved in and out of stores trying to find the perfect gifts for everyone on their lists. After two and a half- hours they went to the food court to grab a quick drink.
"I say we blow this place. I can't do any more shopping!" Xander suggested as he sipped his coke.
"We still have to find a gift for Wil."
"Tomorrow. We can do that tomorrow. I just have to get out of here." Xander commented again as he looked around. "Holiday shopping is just crazy."
Buffy finally agreed. "All right, all right. Let's go, but we have to go shopping tomorrow."
Buffy and Xander threw away their empty soda cups and walked to Buffy's car. They buckled up and turned on the radio. The new Dido song was on. Buffy quickly shut off the radio knowing that was the last song that Xander and Cordelia shared.
"Why does it hurt so much? Why?" Xander asked almost in tears as he looked out the window.
"I don't know, it just does. It's a horrible feeling. I'm sorry I can't do anything else. I wish there was more I could do for you. It's just going to take time. I wish it didn't have to take so long because I hate seeing you like this."
Xander shook his head. "There is nothing anyone can do. You're right, it takes time." He paused for a minute. "You know, I think you are the most selfless person I know."
Buffy couldn't help but laugh. She knew she wasn't perfect. She also knew that she was selfish at times. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you have put your feelings aside for me. I know it couldn't have been easy for you to see Kate and Angel together. It was hard for me to accept because I knew it would hurt you. I was so pissed for bring her home. You haven't brought this up once today."
"Xander, we're talking about you, not about me, that's why I didn't bring it up. You need me to be there right now so, I'll be there for you."
A smile took form on Xander's mouth. "Again with the your selfless."
"No," she said as she pulled into Xander's driveway. "I'm trying to do what you did for me. I'm trying to just be there and to support you, that's all."
The smile stayed on Xander's face. "You know, I've known Willow for, well, pretty much since birth. Our mother's were friends and, well, you know how things are in small towns like Sunnydale. I love Wil she's like a sister to me. I always thought she was my best friend until you moved here. Buffy, I love you."
Buffy smiled and hugged Xander. "I love you too." She rested her head on Xander's shoulders as they embraced in their hug.
Xander took comfort in knowing Buffy was there for him. She truly cared for him and he had a feeling she always would. He took a deep breath and inhaled her perfume. It was a soft sent unlike Cordelia's strong smell. Buffy fragrance suited her. As they broke from their bear hug, Xander couldn't help but notice Buffy's big green eyes staring at him. "Buff, you're a good friend. I hope-I hope this doesn't hurt our friendship." Puzzled, Buffy was about to ask Xander what he meant. She was confused. Before the words had a chance to leave lips, Xander kissed her. The kiss was soft and sweet. Xander and Buffy looked at each other for a moment before either one of them could say anything. "Um-" Buffy said in a complete state of confusion. "I second that um. I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. That was wrong and completely out of line." Xander said sounding disgusted with himself. "Xander, I don't meant to be rude or uncaring in your time of need but-" "You didn't feel anything in that kiss?" Buffy nodded. She didn't want to upset Xander, since he was already needy at that point. Laughter filled the car. "I have to say that kiss was, well, I felt like I was kissing my sister, you know, if I had a sister." Buffy joined in on Xander's laughter. "So your not upset?" "How could I be upset with that? It just wasn't meant to be." "I guess we're stuck as being just friends." Xander nodded. "Yep, we'll always be friends."
Author's note: A quick thank you to Kristinec and Shy for the reviews. I am glad you like the story! I think this chapter is lighter than the last. Please give me feedback! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Lisa Anne PS- there is some mild swearing in the middle of the story. Nothing big, just thought that I'd give a warning.
The freedom that all school kids know as summer vacation had come to a quick end for the students of Sunnydale High. Buffy found her self back in school along side her friends quickly after Angel's departure. Her friends thought she was moody and miserable in the beginning of the school year. Once her extra curricular activities began Buffy went back to being her old self. She was cheerful and content. She smiled a lot more. Most importantly by the end of September she was the happiest she had been in a while.
Homecoming weekend found the friends at the bon fire. Instead of dwelling and feeling bad for herself, Buffy was happy. She reflected briefly on past years and of course she thought about Angel but she was all right with how things were. She did wonder what would it be like if she and Angel hadn't broken up. That weekend was the one she was supposed to have spent in New York City with Angel. She quickly got over that thought. She was excited about the bon fire.
Once at the bon fire Cordelia introduced her to her friend Ford from the ravel high school. Ford was dark haired and cute. He liked to laugh and he seemed to really like Buffy. By the end of the night he worked up his courage to ask Buffy out on a date. To his surprise she accepted.
Buffy and Ford occasionally dated. Buffy looked at these dates as nothing more than just that, dates. She didn't want to be in a relationship again but it felt good to have someone hold her hand and tell her she looked nice.
Right before the winter formal Buffy received her driver's license. She debated on whether she wanted it or not. She thought about Stacy quickly and then realized that she couldn't stop living life because of an accident. Her driving instructor said she was one of the best teenage driver in a long time.
The winter formal fell on the weekend before winter break. Buffy and Ford went together along with Oz, Willow, Xander and Cordelia. The couples ate and danced and had a good time. Things went great until everyone left the dance. Willow and Oz remained a happy couple by night's end. Xander and Cordelia and Buffy and Ford had an alternative ending.
Cordelia broke Xander's heart that night. She broke up with him because she was tired of being in a relationship. She was tired of being referred to as a couple and not as individual people, at least that was the excuse she gave. The truth of the matter was that Cordelia didn't love Xander and she never would. She wanted a man with the good looks of Heath Ledger. Instead she had Xander. He may not have been the most gorgeous of all boys his age but he had a heart of gold. If there was one thing about Xander it was if he cared about you, you knew it. He never let his feelings for his friends go unnoticed. Cordelia was too wrapped up in physical appearances as well as her teenage hormones to realize that Xander loved her no matter what.
Buffy also broke a heart that night. She looked at her relationship with Ford as just having fun. She didn't think their relationship would lead anywhere. She was wrong. Ford began to fall in love with her after the month and a half they were together. Buffy felt bad that she led him on some how. She ended things the night of the formal. He presented her with a diamond pendent on a gold chain as a Christmas gift. She declined the gift. She told him he was a great person but she didn't want anything from him. Apologetically she explained she didn't want to be part of a serious relationship, she just wanted to have fun. Ford was speechless when they arrived to Buffy's house. They never exchanged looks or words as she looked at him. Ford couldn't bare to look at Buffy so he looked at the street light a few yards away. Buffy slowly got out of the car and walked towards her porch. She wanted to turn around and apologize for hurting Ford. After all, she knew what it felt like to have someone hurt you from out of the blue. Angel had done it to her that previous summer. Before she had the chance to turn around she heard Ford's car speed off.
"Buffy."
The greeting she received at the Harris household on Christmas Eve surprised Buffy. She had expected Xander to answer the door but it wasn't him.
"Angel, hi, how are you?"
Angel was pleased to see his former girlfriend. He had missed her. He had wished that she was there to see him but he knew she wasn't. He could tell from the expression on her face that she wasn't expecting to see him.
"Um, I'm doing well, why don't you come in?" He asked as he moved away from the door so she could come in. "Xander will be read in a few."
Buffy walked through the door and went right to the big black leather couch in the living room. She saw Angel follow her from the corner of her eye. "How's college life? The big city?"
Angel sat in the leather chair and smiled. "College has been good. It's something like high school but with shorter weeks and no study halls. I don't have classes on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays."
Buffy was kind of puzzled by this discovery. "But when are you in classes?"
"Tuesdays and Wednesdays, all day. I have classes on Tuesdays from eight fifteen in the morning to almost six at night, and that's just Tuesdays. Wednesdays are worse, I have a science lab until nine-forty-five at night. It stinks."
Buffy smiled. College sounded like such freedom, even from classes. "How is city life?"
"It is the greatest. There are so many great clubs and so many things to do. It's always none-stop. I'm going to be there for four years and I don't think I will get to experience everything the city has to offer." Angel paused for a moment before shifting the table. "How about you, how have you been? School and such?'
Before she had the chance to replay, Buffy was interrupted by a female voice. "Angel, I couldn't find the towels, I was going to take a shower."
Buffy turned around to find a fair skinned, blonde haired girl standing behind the couch. Buffy thought that the girl appeared to be a few years older than her.
"I told you they are in the bathroom closet, to the left. Wait a minute, I would like you to meet someone. Kate, this is Buffy. Buffy this is my girlfriend Kate. I met her at NYU." Angel said as he stood up.
"Angel has talked about you. He thinks highly of you. It's nice to meet you." Kate told Buffy, almost pouting.
Buffy smiled and nodded. She felt numb. She expected Angel to move, after all, she had moved on too. She didn't expect his new girlfriend to be spending the holidays with him.
"Buffy, are you ready?" Xander asked as he flew down the sitars. The pair were going shopping for last minute holiday gift.
"Yeah, I'm ready to go. Bye Angel. It was nice to meet you Kate."
Kate sighed. She was kind of annoyed that Buffy was interrupted her conversation with Angel. "Right, bye."
Angel walked away from Kate and walked his brother and his ex- girlfriend to the door. "Bye Buffy, see ya."
Gracefully, Buffy nodded. Looking at the door she simply replied, "Yeah, see ya."
"Can you even believe that? I'm too boring to be associated with her! She actually told me this to my face! I can't believe after all the time we invested into our relationship that she said I was boring! Why is she such a snot?" Xander exploded to Buffy as they walked through the mall. It was jammed pack with people. Holiday displays decorated the storefront windows.
"I think you were looking for bitch. Why is she such a bitch?" Buffy corrected Xander as they entered Bath and Body Works.
"Bitch? Don't you think you're being a little harsh? What exactly is a cucumber-melon?" He asked as he examined the blue-green lotion.
"Harsh? She broke up with you for being yourself and she did a week before Christmas! You didn't cheat on her, you just loved her. You were devoted to her and her self-righteous negative attitude and your asking me why I think she's a bitch? Do I need to explain any more?"
"Yes, please explain-"
Getting annoyed, Buffy continued to defend her friend's situation. "I don't know what else I can say. She never appreciated you and-"
"Buff, I didn't mean Cordelia, I meant this lotion. I don't understand all the names."
Buffy smiled. It was a forced smile. She felt badly for Xander and what he was experiencing. She also couldn't stop thinking about Angel and Kate. She had such a rotten attitude. Buffy could tell from the few seconds she had talked to her that she wasn't in love with Angel.
The duo weaved in and out of stores trying to find the perfect gifts for everyone on their lists. After two and a half- hours they went to the food court to grab a quick drink.
"I say we blow this place. I can't do any more shopping!" Xander suggested as he sipped his coke.
"We still have to find a gift for Wil."
"Tomorrow. We can do that tomorrow. I just have to get out of here." Xander commented again as he looked around. "Holiday shopping is just crazy."
Buffy finally agreed. "All right, all right. Let's go, but we have to go shopping tomorrow."
Buffy and Xander threw away their empty soda cups and walked to Buffy's car. They buckled up and turned on the radio. The new Dido song was on. Buffy quickly shut off the radio knowing that was the last song that Xander and Cordelia shared.
"Why does it hurt so much? Why?" Xander asked almost in tears as he looked out the window.
"I don't know, it just does. It's a horrible feeling. I'm sorry I can't do anything else. I wish there was more I could do for you. It's just going to take time. I wish it didn't have to take so long because I hate seeing you like this."
Xander shook his head. "There is nothing anyone can do. You're right, it takes time." He paused for a minute. "You know, I think you are the most selfless person I know."
Buffy couldn't help but laugh. She knew she wasn't perfect. She also knew that she was selfish at times. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you have put your feelings aside for me. I know it couldn't have been easy for you to see Kate and Angel together. It was hard for me to accept because I knew it would hurt you. I was so pissed for bring her home. You haven't brought this up once today."
"Xander, we're talking about you, not about me, that's why I didn't bring it up. You need me to be there right now so, I'll be there for you."
A smile took form on Xander's mouth. "Again with the your selfless."
"No," she said as she pulled into Xander's driveway. "I'm trying to do what you did for me. I'm trying to just be there and to support you, that's all."
The smile stayed on Xander's face. "You know, I've known Willow for, well, pretty much since birth. Our mother's were friends and, well, you know how things are in small towns like Sunnydale. I love Wil she's like a sister to me. I always thought she was my best friend until you moved here. Buffy, I love you."
Buffy smiled and hugged Xander. "I love you too." She rested her head on Xander's shoulders as they embraced in their hug.
Xander took comfort in knowing Buffy was there for him. She truly cared for him and he had a feeling she always would. He took a deep breath and inhaled her perfume. It was a soft sent unlike Cordelia's strong smell. Buffy fragrance suited her. As they broke from their bear hug, Xander couldn't help but notice Buffy's big green eyes staring at him. "Buff, you're a good friend. I hope-I hope this doesn't hurt our friendship." Puzzled, Buffy was about to ask Xander what he meant. She was confused. Before the words had a chance to leave lips, Xander kissed her. The kiss was soft and sweet. Xander and Buffy looked at each other for a moment before either one of them could say anything. "Um-" Buffy said in a complete state of confusion. "I second that um. I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. That was wrong and completely out of line." Xander said sounding disgusted with himself. "Xander, I don't meant to be rude or uncaring in your time of need but-" "You didn't feel anything in that kiss?" Buffy nodded. She didn't want to upset Xander, since he was already needy at that point. Laughter filled the car. "I have to say that kiss was, well, I felt like I was kissing my sister, you know, if I had a sister." Buffy joined in on Xander's laughter. "So your not upset?" "How could I be upset with that? It just wasn't meant to be." "I guess we're stuck as being just friends." Xander nodded. "Yep, we'll always be friends."