Chapter Fourteen-A Time for Lasts
Author's Note: Enjoy! Lisa Anne!
"Can you believe that this is out last first day of school? At least our last first day of high school? We're seniors and we won't be here next year." Willow said as her friends gathered in the library before school. The first day had quickly came. Summer was over and now the four friends were entering the final stages of high school.
"I can't wait to get out of here," Oz said. "I mean, college will be so much better! Think about it, less classes and more time for other things."
Xander nodded his head. "Oz, man, once again you have summed everything up with your insightful wisdom."
"Come on, aren't you going to miss this? Buffy, are you?"
Buffy looked around and thought. She saw Cordelia walking down the hallway with her friends. Cordelia didn't even look at her, which made her happy. "Nah, I don't think I'll miss this place. I'm ready to move on."
"See, that's my girl," Xander said as he grabbed Buffy's hand. Just at that moment the bell rang. "Wills, I will tell you that that sound was one bell closer to graduation, and believe me, I am thankful for that."
Willow just shook her head as she took Oz's hand and began to walk to class with her friends. "You guys are the most unemotional people I know! I mean, it's over. Everything we knew and-and were comfortable with will be over. High school is over-"
"In another eight months!" Buffy interrupted. "Will, I think you need to come down and relax a little bit."
"And don't forget to have fun," Xander added.
"Yes, fun," Oz said as he looked into Willow's eyes. "Fun is good."
Willow moved closer to Oz. "Fun is really good. We'll see you two at lunch, right?"
"We'll be there." Buffy said.
"And Will, just think, it's one lunch closer to graduation," Xander joked.
Willow just gave him a mean face look.
"I'm sorry, I just date him. I can't actually control what comes out of his mouth. We'll see you guys at lunch," Buffy explained as she and Xander continued to their class.
"And this is Fisher Hall. This is one of the many freshmen dorms that UC Sunnydale has to offer. Trust me, the dorms get better as you get closer and closer to graduation. There is another dorm being constructed as we speak and should be ready by springtime, which means next year's freshmen would be the first to live there. From what I hear the dorms are beautiful." The male blonde tour guide explained as he showed his group the last spot on his tour. The group followed him back to the auditorium for a reception.
Buffy, Xander, Willow and Oz were all looking at the University of California at Sunnydale. The college rested on the town line and most of it in fact wasn't in Sunnydale.
"What do you think of the lovely campus here?" The blonde tour guide asked the four friends as he mad his way over to them.
"It's nice. A little too much education happening here though,' Xander commented. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go to college. He was still considering his options.
Everyone chuckled. "I like it a lot. I mean it isn't that big for a state school, it's far enough away from home that I can be on my own but I could still go home for a cooked meal." Buffy began to explain.
"And trust me, you'll need those trips back home. The food isn't great." The tour guide chimed in.
"What year are you in? How do you like it here?" Willow asked.
"I'm a sophomore here and I really like it. The professors are great and most of the kids are great."
"How's the social life around here?" Buffy asked.
A smile came on the tour guides face. "There are a lot of extra curriculum actives here. There are sports and different organizations. As for, um, 'non-educational activities', there are plenty of bars around here that sell to underage kids. There are also many great places to party on campus. I believe someone as beautiful as yourself would find no problems finding something to do on a Friday night."
Buffy blushed. Xander got a little annoyed. Is he really hitting on my girlfriend right in front of me, he thought to himself. Xander looked at the blonde college man and held onto Buffy's hand without saying a word.
The college student walked the four friends outside when they were ready to leave. "Thank you again for showing us around," Willow told him as she shook his hand.
"No problem. I hope to see all of you on campus next year." He said as he looked into Buffy's green eyes. Xander just walked into the car without saying a word. The blonde male stopped Buffy, as she was about to get into Oz's car. "And if you would like to sample college life I could give you my number, you could come anytime you wanted."
She politely smiled and declined his offer. "I don't think my boyfriend would like that too much. Thanks anyway though."
As Oz pulled out of the parking space and started home, the blonde boy just watched the most beautiful thing he had ever seen ride away out of his life. He hopped that she would be back, minus her boyfriend.
"Don't forget to ask if they want gift receipts," Faith told Buffy before they opened the store a few days before Christmas. "Thanks for coming in. Angela's mother got sick and she has to drive her family around."
"It's no problem, I told you if you needed me to work I would do my best to do work for you," Buffy told her boss. The truth was that Buffy only worked two days a week while she was in school, and most of those times she wasn't working with Faith. She had told Faith many times that if she needed her to work for her to just call and she would try to work. This was the first time that Faith actually took Buffy up on the offer.
"Great, I do appreciate it. Stay at the register at all times. Be prepared, today will be busy, there are only a few days left in the holiday season. This will probably be the busiest day that you have ever worked here." Faith told her as she grabbed her keys from the counter to unlock the door.
"Hey Faith."
"Yeah B."
"What are you and Connor doing for Christmas?"
"We're having dinner over Amy's mom's house. Why?"
"Well, I was wondering if you'd like to join my family for dinner. If you can't do dinner, what about dessert?"
Faith looked at Buffy with a smile. She was flattered. "That would be really nice, B, thanks." She told her as she opened the door.
Faith was so right about the store being busy. It wasn't very busy, it was just constant. People kept going over to the register at a good pace. There was even a line at one point.
By early evening things had calmed down a lot. Most people walked in and out of the store not buying anything. Buffy was fixing up the front counter and trying to make it look neat when she heard a voice behind her. "Miss, is your register open?"
"Yes, I' was just-" She stopped midway through her sentence. She was surprised to see who she saw when she turned around. "Hi." She said almost awkward. "How have you been?" She asked as she returned to behind the counter.
The man nodded. "I'm good. How are you?"
"I'm good too. How's school been?"
Angel nodded. "It's school, you know how that goes. Are you excited about graduation?"
"Yes, I am. I can't wait to be out of high school."
"Do you have big plans for the holidays?"
"Nah, you know, just the big family thing, you know, food, friends and the time to be merry. What about you?"
"Same here. We're going over to my Aunt Jamie's house. Xander is staying back. He said he is spending time with his girlfriend's family. I didn't know he was dating anyone. Do you know who he is dating? Would I know her?"
Buffy was speechless as she handed Angel his shopping bag with his purchase enclosed. She and Xander had been dating for over seven months and Angel didn't know about it? She was shocked. Buffy understood that he wouldn't rub it into Angel's face that they were dating but not to tell him? She was furious. "Actually, yeah, I know here and you'd know here too. It's me."
Angel smiled for a moment. He thought she was joking. "Really?"
She nodded. "Yep. We started dating a few days after the prom. He didn't tell you any of this?"
Angel's tone changed. He was now the one a little shocked. "No, this is the first I've heard of this." He said as he placed his bag on the counter. Angel looked hurt as he looked into Buffy's eyes. "My brother? You're dating my little brother? Why?"
Buffy sighed. "It's just how I-we feel. He felt it first, we tried putting it off but we couldn't. He's a great person."
Angel kept his stare into Buffy's eyes. "You're right, he is, but he's my baby brother, remember?" Buffy nodded. She couldn't say anything. Angel grabbed his bag off of the counter. "Happy holidays." He told her as he walked away with a pained look on his face.
"What time is dinner?" Xander asked over the phone. It was Christmas day. He had opened his gifts with his mother and Angel. As Angel said, he declined to go to his family to his aunt's house. Instead he wanted to spend the holidays with Buffy.
"It's at five but come by before then, my parents have a gift for you and I would like to speak to you about something."
Xander agreed and then hung up the phone. He was worried. Buffy talked sternly and quickly with him. He had no idea what was coming.
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Giles, merry Christmas," Xander greeted as Dawn lead him into the living room.
"Merry Christmas Xander. Buffy is upstairs, she'll be down soon." Joyce said as she knelt down and picked up a Christmas bag from under the tree. "Mr. Giles and I bought you a gift." She said handing him the bag.
Xander accepted the bag as he handed one to Joyce. He opened his bag to find a fifty-dollar gift certificate to his favorite store. She opened the one for her and Rupert to find a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant. "Thank you Xander." Joyce said as she hugged him.
"Your welcome. Dawnster, this one is for you," he told the youngest Giles' child. She opened her gift to find a dairy. "Buffy helped me pick it out."
"Cool. Thank you Xander." Dawn said as she opened her journal and looked at all of the pages.
Buffy started down the stairs. She watched Xander and her family for a few minutes before coming down the stairs.
"There she is," Joyce said as Buffy made her way into the family room. Buffy smiled as she walked over to Xander.
"Merry Christmas. Here is your gift." She said handing him a wrapped box. He gave her a much smaller bag. "You open yours first." Xander said.
She carefully unwrapped the beautiful paper and opened the box. Inside laid lovely gold bracelet. "Xander, it's gorgeous, thank you," she said as she kissed his cheek.
Next, Xander opened his gift from Buffy. She had bought him a DVD he wanted as well as a novelty tee shirt. She also gave him a framed picture of them taken that summer on the beach. "Thank you Buff," He said as he hugged her.
"Mom, when is dinner going to be ready?"
"In about a hour."
"Xander and I are going for a walk, we'll be back before dinner," Buffy told her mother as she placed her and Xander's gifts under the tree. She grabbed Xander's hand before heading out the door.
"Buff, what's going on?" He asked as she closed the front door and let go of his hand.
"Why didn't you say anything to Angel about us?" She questioned.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Angel came into work a few days ago and had no idea that we were dating."
"Maybe he was just playing stupid."
"Xander, he asked me if I knew your girlfriend. I'm really angry with you. Why would you do this?"
Xander was silent. He had kept his relationship with Buffy secret from Angel on purpose. Buffy was about to find out why.
"You really want to know why? After he and Kate broke up he would call, we would talk on the phone or email. He would randomly ask about you. He told me he still cared about you and thought he still loved you."
Buffy was surprised. Her eyes widened as Xander continued.
"He actually told me that he regretted staying in New York last summer. He said if he had come back home then perhaps you and him would have had a chance to get back together." Xander paused and looked deep into Buffy's sparkling emerald eyes. Tears began to go to his eyes. "I didn't want to loose you. I didn't want to tell you what he was thinking because I was afraid that you would want to get back together with him and I couldn't handle loosing you. I didn't say anything to him because, well, he's my brother and I didn't want to make him feel bad. I felt like if I told you I would have to compete with you against him and that wouldn't have been fair to anyone."
Buffy stopped walking. She unfolded her hands and began to wipe the tears from Xander's face. She then held his head in her hands. "Shhh, it's all right. I understand. I understand. I still wish you had told me. It was kind of weird running into him. And he looked so hurt." She paused for a minute as she touched Xander's chin. She lifted his face so he was able to look at her. "I wish you would have also realized that I love you Xander and I just don't feel like that about Angel any more. That was a long time ago. That's over and will never be revisited again. I'm with you because I love you."
Xander reached out and touched Buffy's chin before he kissed her. He was overjoyed to hear what she had said. He had known that she cared about him but to hear the words made him feel even better.
The two held hands as they walked back to the Giles' house for Christmas dinner.
Faith, Connor and Amy showed up soon after dinner for dessert. Joyce was thrilled to have them because she loved entertaining people, especially around the holidays. Rupert was excited to finally meet his daughter's boss whom she talked about. Dawn enjoyed playing with Conner. She was just thrilled that she wasn't the youngest child there. Once Buffy told Joyce that Faith and her family would be stopping by, Joyce went out and bought gifts for all of them. She bought gift certificates to go out to a restaurant for Faith and Amy and she had bought a gift certificate to a toy store for Connor. Faith and Amy were surprised. They were happy that Buffy had invited them over for dessert but they were shocked with Joyce's generosity. It was a wonderful holiday for all involved.
"This is the last time we'll stand on the high school football field," Willow said after graduation.
"Mom, hurry up and take the picture before Will has a nervous break down because she realizes high school is completely over," Buffy said, poking fun at her friend's nostalgia.
"Very funny Buffy, thanks for the support!" Willow joked back.
Joyce took several pictures of the four friends after the ceremony. Both Buffy and Xander had flashbacks to Angel's graduation two years before. This day seemed so far away to the both of them. It seemed like it would never arrive. Now, the friends were leaving high school. They were about to embark on college. Everyone except Xander. Xander didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. Since he hated school he didn't want to waste any more of his time in school. He had convinced his mother to let him travel through Europe for a few months. Willow had chosen to attend Emerson College in Boston. She had gone and visited the school in the beginning of the year and had fallen in love with Boston. It was such a little city but it offered big opportunities. The journalism program was one of the best in the country. Both Buffy and Oz had chose to attend the UC Sunnydale. Buffy was afraid she would get homesick and didn't want to be hours away. She was a half- hour, maybe forty minutes at the most away from the comfort of Revello Drive if she felt she needed to be at home. Oz had decided to improve his grade a little. Then he hoped to join Willow in the east and attend Boston University.
The parents and family members of her daughter's friends joined Joyce. They all took more time to take more pictures. Finally, when the picture taken frenzy had ended, The friends began to walk away.
"Willow, take it all in. This is it. This is our last time leaving the football field." Buffy said as she put her arm around her friend's shoulders. Buffy was starting to feel a little sadness.
Willow was teary-eyed. "Things are going to be different now, aren't they?"
Buffy nodded. Things would be different. Every one in that core group of friends was leaving the comfort of their home and about to begin their own adventures. The high school chapter of their lives was ending. For better or for worse the first chapter of their adult lives was about to begin.
Willow and Oz left for their own parties hosted by their parents. Buffy and Xander's families were taking them out to eat together to celebrate the occasion.
"Dinner was great," Buffy commented to Xander. They walked around downtown after dinner.
"Yes, it was nice. I'm glad I got to spend today with you."
"Me too." Buffy paused as she and Xander sat down on a bench. "When does your flight leave?"
"Tomorrow at seven am."
"Wow, so you're really going through with this, hu?"
Xander nodded not looking at Buffy. "Yeah. I have to. I have to do something."
Buffy changed the subject to address Xander's different personality. "Is there something bothering you?"
"No, no, why would you say that?"
"Because you haven't acted like yourself the entire day."
Xander stared at the ground for a few seconds. There was no easy way of telling Buffy this. Xander didn't want to hurt Buffy. He didn't want to hurt his girlfriend but most of all he didn't want to hurt his best friend. He felt that things had to be said.
"Buffy, we should talk." He paused as he stared into the lights of the movie theatre for a moment. "You know I don't know when I am coming back from-from where ever I am going."
Buffy knew where this conversation was going. "Xander, I heard this with Angel. You're going to be far away and you want to break up." She told him cutting to the chase.
Xander's eyes widened. Buffy knew him too well. He shook his head. "Yes. I've been thinking about it and honestly, I don't know when I am coming back and I know your starting a brand new aspect of your life too. It's not fair to either one of us."
Buffy looked into Xander's brown eyes. She could tell he thought about this for a while and that the final decision wasn't a easy one to make. "I know. I understand."
"You're not mad?"
Buffy smiled. "A little disappointed maybe, but not mad. I won't be mad as long as you promise to keep in touch with me during your trip and you still come back my best friend."
Xander nodded before he threw his arms around Buffy. "Always. You will always be my best friend."
"Honey, I'm sorry," Joyce told her daughter the night of her graduation. Buffy was in bed. After her walk with Xander she came home and cried. Even though she agreed with the decision he made, she was still sad. A safe part of her life was no more.
"Sorry about what?" Dawn asked as she came into Buffy's room.
"Xander and I broke up." Buffy said. "But it's all right. We're still going to be friends, best friends." She explained.
"Sweetheart, get a good nights sleep and you'll feel better in the morning." Joyce told her daughter as she stood up. Joyce kissed her daughter's forehead. "I love you very much Buffy and both your father and I are very proud of you."
"Thanks mom, good night."
"Dawn, honey, don't stay up too late. You still have school in the morning." Joyce told her youngest child.
"I won't Mom. I want to talk to Buffy for a little while before bed. Good night." Dawn said as she smiled. She watched her mother close the door. She listened to her mother's footsteps as she walked down the hall. When she could no longer hear them she looked at her sister straight in the yes. "You made him go away."
"Dawnie, it was a tough decision to make, but we made it together. He's still my best friend, which is more important to me than some silly boyfriend."
"You always make them go away." Dawn said with an attitude.
"What are you talking about?" Buffy inquired.
"What do I mean? First there was Angel and he broke up with you. I liked him, a lot. He was nice. Then you and Xander get together, and I was mad at first because, well, I had a little crush on him." Buffy smiled. She had known that her sister had a crush on Xander. "Buffy, it's not funny." Dawn said seriously.
"Your right Dawn, I'm sorry, please go on," she told her sister as she wiped the smile off her face.
"He has been around here since we first moved here and now he's gone. You made him go away," Dawn told her sister with tears in her eyes. "You probably made Dad go away too."
"Dawn, what are you talking about? Dad is downstairs grading papers." Dawn shrugged her shoulders as she crossed her arms. "No, not that dad, Hank. You were probably so obnoxious that you made him go away too." Before Buffy could chime in and say anything to her sister, Dawn continued. "And stay away from Dad! I don't want him to leave, especially because of YOU!" She shouted as she left Buffy's room and slammed the door. Buffy heard her stomping her feet and then her slamming her door.
Buffy was a little confused. Dawn was acting so strangely. Buffy was kind of hurt that she treated her that way. Most of all, she was confused. Buffy was awake most of the night tossing and turning. Thoughts of Xander ran through her head like a movie. She wondered if they had made the right decision. She then thought about the conversation she and her mother had before Dawn entered her room. Honey, you're only eighteen years old. If Xander wasn't the one, then he wasn't the one. Only time will tell if you were meant together. I am sure that no matter what you and Xander will be part of each other's lives for a long, long time. Sweetheart, don't try to plan your whole life out right now. You'll drive yourself crazy." She knew once again that her mother was right.
Then Buffy thought of Dawn's outburst in her room. She didn't understand where she was coming from or what it meant. She didn't even know how to try and fix it.
Author's Note: Enjoy! Lisa Anne!
"Can you believe that this is out last first day of school? At least our last first day of high school? We're seniors and we won't be here next year." Willow said as her friends gathered in the library before school. The first day had quickly came. Summer was over and now the four friends were entering the final stages of high school.
"I can't wait to get out of here," Oz said. "I mean, college will be so much better! Think about it, less classes and more time for other things."
Xander nodded his head. "Oz, man, once again you have summed everything up with your insightful wisdom."
"Come on, aren't you going to miss this? Buffy, are you?"
Buffy looked around and thought. She saw Cordelia walking down the hallway with her friends. Cordelia didn't even look at her, which made her happy. "Nah, I don't think I'll miss this place. I'm ready to move on."
"See, that's my girl," Xander said as he grabbed Buffy's hand. Just at that moment the bell rang. "Wills, I will tell you that that sound was one bell closer to graduation, and believe me, I am thankful for that."
Willow just shook her head as she took Oz's hand and began to walk to class with her friends. "You guys are the most unemotional people I know! I mean, it's over. Everything we knew and-and were comfortable with will be over. High school is over-"
"In another eight months!" Buffy interrupted. "Will, I think you need to come down and relax a little bit."
"And don't forget to have fun," Xander added.
"Yes, fun," Oz said as he looked into Willow's eyes. "Fun is good."
Willow moved closer to Oz. "Fun is really good. We'll see you two at lunch, right?"
"We'll be there." Buffy said.
"And Will, just think, it's one lunch closer to graduation," Xander joked.
Willow just gave him a mean face look.
"I'm sorry, I just date him. I can't actually control what comes out of his mouth. We'll see you guys at lunch," Buffy explained as she and Xander continued to their class.
"And this is Fisher Hall. This is one of the many freshmen dorms that UC Sunnydale has to offer. Trust me, the dorms get better as you get closer and closer to graduation. There is another dorm being constructed as we speak and should be ready by springtime, which means next year's freshmen would be the first to live there. From what I hear the dorms are beautiful." The male blonde tour guide explained as he showed his group the last spot on his tour. The group followed him back to the auditorium for a reception.
Buffy, Xander, Willow and Oz were all looking at the University of California at Sunnydale. The college rested on the town line and most of it in fact wasn't in Sunnydale.
"What do you think of the lovely campus here?" The blonde tour guide asked the four friends as he mad his way over to them.
"It's nice. A little too much education happening here though,' Xander commented. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go to college. He was still considering his options.
Everyone chuckled. "I like it a lot. I mean it isn't that big for a state school, it's far enough away from home that I can be on my own but I could still go home for a cooked meal." Buffy began to explain.
"And trust me, you'll need those trips back home. The food isn't great." The tour guide chimed in.
"What year are you in? How do you like it here?" Willow asked.
"I'm a sophomore here and I really like it. The professors are great and most of the kids are great."
"How's the social life around here?" Buffy asked.
A smile came on the tour guides face. "There are a lot of extra curriculum actives here. There are sports and different organizations. As for, um, 'non-educational activities', there are plenty of bars around here that sell to underage kids. There are also many great places to party on campus. I believe someone as beautiful as yourself would find no problems finding something to do on a Friday night."
Buffy blushed. Xander got a little annoyed. Is he really hitting on my girlfriend right in front of me, he thought to himself. Xander looked at the blonde college man and held onto Buffy's hand without saying a word.
The college student walked the four friends outside when they were ready to leave. "Thank you again for showing us around," Willow told him as she shook his hand.
"No problem. I hope to see all of you on campus next year." He said as he looked into Buffy's green eyes. Xander just walked into the car without saying a word. The blonde male stopped Buffy, as she was about to get into Oz's car. "And if you would like to sample college life I could give you my number, you could come anytime you wanted."
She politely smiled and declined his offer. "I don't think my boyfriend would like that too much. Thanks anyway though."
As Oz pulled out of the parking space and started home, the blonde boy just watched the most beautiful thing he had ever seen ride away out of his life. He hopped that she would be back, minus her boyfriend.
"Don't forget to ask if they want gift receipts," Faith told Buffy before they opened the store a few days before Christmas. "Thanks for coming in. Angela's mother got sick and she has to drive her family around."
"It's no problem, I told you if you needed me to work I would do my best to do work for you," Buffy told her boss. The truth was that Buffy only worked two days a week while she was in school, and most of those times she wasn't working with Faith. She had told Faith many times that if she needed her to work for her to just call and she would try to work. This was the first time that Faith actually took Buffy up on the offer.
"Great, I do appreciate it. Stay at the register at all times. Be prepared, today will be busy, there are only a few days left in the holiday season. This will probably be the busiest day that you have ever worked here." Faith told her as she grabbed her keys from the counter to unlock the door.
"Hey Faith."
"Yeah B."
"What are you and Connor doing for Christmas?"
"We're having dinner over Amy's mom's house. Why?"
"Well, I was wondering if you'd like to join my family for dinner. If you can't do dinner, what about dessert?"
Faith looked at Buffy with a smile. She was flattered. "That would be really nice, B, thanks." She told her as she opened the door.
Faith was so right about the store being busy. It wasn't very busy, it was just constant. People kept going over to the register at a good pace. There was even a line at one point.
By early evening things had calmed down a lot. Most people walked in and out of the store not buying anything. Buffy was fixing up the front counter and trying to make it look neat when she heard a voice behind her. "Miss, is your register open?"
"Yes, I' was just-" She stopped midway through her sentence. She was surprised to see who she saw when she turned around. "Hi." She said almost awkward. "How have you been?" She asked as she returned to behind the counter.
The man nodded. "I'm good. How are you?"
"I'm good too. How's school been?"
Angel nodded. "It's school, you know how that goes. Are you excited about graduation?"
"Yes, I am. I can't wait to be out of high school."
"Do you have big plans for the holidays?"
"Nah, you know, just the big family thing, you know, food, friends and the time to be merry. What about you?"
"Same here. We're going over to my Aunt Jamie's house. Xander is staying back. He said he is spending time with his girlfriend's family. I didn't know he was dating anyone. Do you know who he is dating? Would I know her?"
Buffy was speechless as she handed Angel his shopping bag with his purchase enclosed. She and Xander had been dating for over seven months and Angel didn't know about it? She was shocked. Buffy understood that he wouldn't rub it into Angel's face that they were dating but not to tell him? She was furious. "Actually, yeah, I know here and you'd know here too. It's me."
Angel smiled for a moment. He thought she was joking. "Really?"
She nodded. "Yep. We started dating a few days after the prom. He didn't tell you any of this?"
Angel's tone changed. He was now the one a little shocked. "No, this is the first I've heard of this." He said as he placed his bag on the counter. Angel looked hurt as he looked into Buffy's eyes. "My brother? You're dating my little brother? Why?"
Buffy sighed. "It's just how I-we feel. He felt it first, we tried putting it off but we couldn't. He's a great person."
Angel kept his stare into Buffy's eyes. "You're right, he is, but he's my baby brother, remember?" Buffy nodded. She couldn't say anything. Angel grabbed his bag off of the counter. "Happy holidays." He told her as he walked away with a pained look on his face.
"What time is dinner?" Xander asked over the phone. It was Christmas day. He had opened his gifts with his mother and Angel. As Angel said, he declined to go to his family to his aunt's house. Instead he wanted to spend the holidays with Buffy.
"It's at five but come by before then, my parents have a gift for you and I would like to speak to you about something."
Xander agreed and then hung up the phone. He was worried. Buffy talked sternly and quickly with him. He had no idea what was coming.
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Giles, merry Christmas," Xander greeted as Dawn lead him into the living room.
"Merry Christmas Xander. Buffy is upstairs, she'll be down soon." Joyce said as she knelt down and picked up a Christmas bag from under the tree. "Mr. Giles and I bought you a gift." She said handing him the bag.
Xander accepted the bag as he handed one to Joyce. He opened his bag to find a fifty-dollar gift certificate to his favorite store. She opened the one for her and Rupert to find a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant. "Thank you Xander." Joyce said as she hugged him.
"Your welcome. Dawnster, this one is for you," he told the youngest Giles' child. She opened her gift to find a dairy. "Buffy helped me pick it out."
"Cool. Thank you Xander." Dawn said as she opened her journal and looked at all of the pages.
Buffy started down the stairs. She watched Xander and her family for a few minutes before coming down the stairs.
"There she is," Joyce said as Buffy made her way into the family room. Buffy smiled as she walked over to Xander.
"Merry Christmas. Here is your gift." She said handing him a wrapped box. He gave her a much smaller bag. "You open yours first." Xander said.
She carefully unwrapped the beautiful paper and opened the box. Inside laid lovely gold bracelet. "Xander, it's gorgeous, thank you," she said as she kissed his cheek.
Next, Xander opened his gift from Buffy. She had bought him a DVD he wanted as well as a novelty tee shirt. She also gave him a framed picture of them taken that summer on the beach. "Thank you Buff," He said as he hugged her.
"Mom, when is dinner going to be ready?"
"In about a hour."
"Xander and I are going for a walk, we'll be back before dinner," Buffy told her mother as she placed her and Xander's gifts under the tree. She grabbed Xander's hand before heading out the door.
"Buff, what's going on?" He asked as she closed the front door and let go of his hand.
"Why didn't you say anything to Angel about us?" She questioned.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Angel came into work a few days ago and had no idea that we were dating."
"Maybe he was just playing stupid."
"Xander, he asked me if I knew your girlfriend. I'm really angry with you. Why would you do this?"
Xander was silent. He had kept his relationship with Buffy secret from Angel on purpose. Buffy was about to find out why.
"You really want to know why? After he and Kate broke up he would call, we would talk on the phone or email. He would randomly ask about you. He told me he still cared about you and thought he still loved you."
Buffy was surprised. Her eyes widened as Xander continued.
"He actually told me that he regretted staying in New York last summer. He said if he had come back home then perhaps you and him would have had a chance to get back together." Xander paused and looked deep into Buffy's sparkling emerald eyes. Tears began to go to his eyes. "I didn't want to loose you. I didn't want to tell you what he was thinking because I was afraid that you would want to get back together with him and I couldn't handle loosing you. I didn't say anything to him because, well, he's my brother and I didn't want to make him feel bad. I felt like if I told you I would have to compete with you against him and that wouldn't have been fair to anyone."
Buffy stopped walking. She unfolded her hands and began to wipe the tears from Xander's face. She then held his head in her hands. "Shhh, it's all right. I understand. I understand. I still wish you had told me. It was kind of weird running into him. And he looked so hurt." She paused for a minute as she touched Xander's chin. She lifted his face so he was able to look at her. "I wish you would have also realized that I love you Xander and I just don't feel like that about Angel any more. That was a long time ago. That's over and will never be revisited again. I'm with you because I love you."
Xander reached out and touched Buffy's chin before he kissed her. He was overjoyed to hear what she had said. He had known that she cared about him but to hear the words made him feel even better.
The two held hands as they walked back to the Giles' house for Christmas dinner.
Faith, Connor and Amy showed up soon after dinner for dessert. Joyce was thrilled to have them because she loved entertaining people, especially around the holidays. Rupert was excited to finally meet his daughter's boss whom she talked about. Dawn enjoyed playing with Conner. She was just thrilled that she wasn't the youngest child there. Once Buffy told Joyce that Faith and her family would be stopping by, Joyce went out and bought gifts for all of them. She bought gift certificates to go out to a restaurant for Faith and Amy and she had bought a gift certificate to a toy store for Connor. Faith and Amy were surprised. They were happy that Buffy had invited them over for dessert but they were shocked with Joyce's generosity. It was a wonderful holiday for all involved.
"This is the last time we'll stand on the high school football field," Willow said after graduation.
"Mom, hurry up and take the picture before Will has a nervous break down because she realizes high school is completely over," Buffy said, poking fun at her friend's nostalgia.
"Very funny Buffy, thanks for the support!" Willow joked back.
Joyce took several pictures of the four friends after the ceremony. Both Buffy and Xander had flashbacks to Angel's graduation two years before. This day seemed so far away to the both of them. It seemed like it would never arrive. Now, the friends were leaving high school. They were about to embark on college. Everyone except Xander. Xander didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. Since he hated school he didn't want to waste any more of his time in school. He had convinced his mother to let him travel through Europe for a few months. Willow had chosen to attend Emerson College in Boston. She had gone and visited the school in the beginning of the year and had fallen in love with Boston. It was such a little city but it offered big opportunities. The journalism program was one of the best in the country. Both Buffy and Oz had chose to attend the UC Sunnydale. Buffy was afraid she would get homesick and didn't want to be hours away. She was a half- hour, maybe forty minutes at the most away from the comfort of Revello Drive if she felt she needed to be at home. Oz had decided to improve his grade a little. Then he hoped to join Willow in the east and attend Boston University.
The parents and family members of her daughter's friends joined Joyce. They all took more time to take more pictures. Finally, when the picture taken frenzy had ended, The friends began to walk away.
"Willow, take it all in. This is it. This is our last time leaving the football field." Buffy said as she put her arm around her friend's shoulders. Buffy was starting to feel a little sadness.
Willow was teary-eyed. "Things are going to be different now, aren't they?"
Buffy nodded. Things would be different. Every one in that core group of friends was leaving the comfort of their home and about to begin their own adventures. The high school chapter of their lives was ending. For better or for worse the first chapter of their adult lives was about to begin.
Willow and Oz left for their own parties hosted by their parents. Buffy and Xander's families were taking them out to eat together to celebrate the occasion.
"Dinner was great," Buffy commented to Xander. They walked around downtown after dinner.
"Yes, it was nice. I'm glad I got to spend today with you."
"Me too." Buffy paused as she and Xander sat down on a bench. "When does your flight leave?"
"Tomorrow at seven am."
"Wow, so you're really going through with this, hu?"
Xander nodded not looking at Buffy. "Yeah. I have to. I have to do something."
Buffy changed the subject to address Xander's different personality. "Is there something bothering you?"
"No, no, why would you say that?"
"Because you haven't acted like yourself the entire day."
Xander stared at the ground for a few seconds. There was no easy way of telling Buffy this. Xander didn't want to hurt Buffy. He didn't want to hurt his girlfriend but most of all he didn't want to hurt his best friend. He felt that things had to be said.
"Buffy, we should talk." He paused as he stared into the lights of the movie theatre for a moment. "You know I don't know when I am coming back from-from where ever I am going."
Buffy knew where this conversation was going. "Xander, I heard this with Angel. You're going to be far away and you want to break up." She told him cutting to the chase.
Xander's eyes widened. Buffy knew him too well. He shook his head. "Yes. I've been thinking about it and honestly, I don't know when I am coming back and I know your starting a brand new aspect of your life too. It's not fair to either one of us."
Buffy looked into Xander's brown eyes. She could tell he thought about this for a while and that the final decision wasn't a easy one to make. "I know. I understand."
"You're not mad?"
Buffy smiled. "A little disappointed maybe, but not mad. I won't be mad as long as you promise to keep in touch with me during your trip and you still come back my best friend."
Xander nodded before he threw his arms around Buffy. "Always. You will always be my best friend."
"Honey, I'm sorry," Joyce told her daughter the night of her graduation. Buffy was in bed. After her walk with Xander she came home and cried. Even though she agreed with the decision he made, she was still sad. A safe part of her life was no more.
"Sorry about what?" Dawn asked as she came into Buffy's room.
"Xander and I broke up." Buffy said. "But it's all right. We're still going to be friends, best friends." She explained.
"Sweetheart, get a good nights sleep and you'll feel better in the morning." Joyce told her daughter as she stood up. Joyce kissed her daughter's forehead. "I love you very much Buffy and both your father and I are very proud of you."
"Thanks mom, good night."
"Dawn, honey, don't stay up too late. You still have school in the morning." Joyce told her youngest child.
"I won't Mom. I want to talk to Buffy for a little while before bed. Good night." Dawn said as she smiled. She watched her mother close the door. She listened to her mother's footsteps as she walked down the hall. When she could no longer hear them she looked at her sister straight in the yes. "You made him go away."
"Dawnie, it was a tough decision to make, but we made it together. He's still my best friend, which is more important to me than some silly boyfriend."
"You always make them go away." Dawn said with an attitude.
"What are you talking about?" Buffy inquired.
"What do I mean? First there was Angel and he broke up with you. I liked him, a lot. He was nice. Then you and Xander get together, and I was mad at first because, well, I had a little crush on him." Buffy smiled. She had known that her sister had a crush on Xander. "Buffy, it's not funny." Dawn said seriously.
"Your right Dawn, I'm sorry, please go on," she told her sister as she wiped the smile off her face.
"He has been around here since we first moved here and now he's gone. You made him go away," Dawn told her sister with tears in her eyes. "You probably made Dad go away too."
"Dawn, what are you talking about? Dad is downstairs grading papers." Dawn shrugged her shoulders as she crossed her arms. "No, not that dad, Hank. You were probably so obnoxious that you made him go away too." Before Buffy could chime in and say anything to her sister, Dawn continued. "And stay away from Dad! I don't want him to leave, especially because of YOU!" She shouted as she left Buffy's room and slammed the door. Buffy heard her stomping her feet and then her slamming her door.
Buffy was a little confused. Dawn was acting so strangely. Buffy was kind of hurt that she treated her that way. Most of all, she was confused. Buffy was awake most of the night tossing and turning. Thoughts of Xander ran through her head like a movie. She wondered if they had made the right decision. She then thought about the conversation she and her mother had before Dawn entered her room. Honey, you're only eighteen years old. If Xander wasn't the one, then he wasn't the one. Only time will tell if you were meant together. I am sure that no matter what you and Xander will be part of each other's lives for a long, long time. Sweetheart, don't try to plan your whole life out right now. You'll drive yourself crazy." She knew once again that her mother was right.
Then Buffy thought of Dawn's outburst in her room. She didn't understand where she was coming from or what it meant. She didn't even know how to try and fix it.