Looking down at her phone again from under the table, she felt both scared and exhilarated. She was breaking the no phones in class rule and rules were never to be messed with, but Buffy had read her text and still hadn't shown.

Willow slipped the phone back into her purse and frowned, not focussing on anything Professor Finn was saying. She stared blankly for a moment before shaking herself and trying to make presentable notes for both herself and Buffy.

Normally class was fun, engaging, and exciting, not today. Her notes were half assed due to the fact that there was all the upset over what had happened to her friend.

There were a few guys on campus that you knew to take what they said with a pinch of salt due to their ability to spew complete and utter bullshit. Most of the words were about how they were respectful and that you wouldn't meet another guy like them – that they were the best guy you would ever meet.

If you were none the wiser then you would buy their whispers as everything, they would become the sweetest guy you'd ever meet… until they got you back to bed and you were then tossed aside.

There had been many a girl that had fallen for their tricks, some took it on the chin and faced up to, but for the majority, well they struggled with the entire situation, and they eventually dropped out of college.

Of all the guys who tried these fancy little phrases, Willow prided herself on being able to spot the lies and call them out on it, especially in a public forum. With Angel, she was instantly weary with him looking the way he did and the things he said to Buffy when they had been alone.

Although she hadn't spent much time exclusively with him, their short interactions gave her food for thought. It seemed like there was nothing nefarious in his intention with Buffy and it made her happy that her friend was finding her Mr Right.

That's why she had implored her to think seriously if she wanted to take the next step with him, but Buffy was adamant that he was the one. Hearing that he had just been another campus Lothario was infuriating.

Closing over her book sharply when the bell chimed as class was over, Willow tossed the hardback into her purse and slipped out of her seat quickly. Normally she would mosey on out after a quick chat with the professors but there wasn't time for that, not today.

Power walking out of the building and heading back to Stevenson Hall, she paid no attention to anyone or anything around her. On the last leg of the journey, she was so worried that she hadn't noticed that she had been trailed all the way into the dorm and to their shared room.

Willow could hear the cries as she opened the door, looking over to Buffy's side of the room her heart lurched to see the tiny blonde curled painfully into a ball, her body shaking as she let the hurt flow out of her.

Without saying anything Willow stalked over to the small bed and curled herself around her friend and pulled her closer. She stroked her hair and hushed her gently, not knowing what else to do until Buffy would manage to calm down.

She hoped and prayed that Buffy would get through this, although she was hurting now, she wanted her to stay. The last thing she wanted was for Buffy to drop out, losing her chance at her education and she didn't want to lose her as a friend either.

After a long time, too long to even count how long it had actually been, Willow heard Buffy's breath even out. When she looked down, her friends' eyes stared blankly ahead… at least she wasn't crying.

Buffy blinked slowly, her eyes only focussing on the intricate woven pattern on Willows shirt "Is there something wrong with me?" Feeling her friend shift she continued "am I just an idiot or did I completely peg wrong about what Angel wanted from me?"

Her mind went back to when they first met, he was so charming and sweet and so goddamn funny that her cheeks had hurt for the remainder of the night from all the laughing. Had that all been an act? Was he really just a pig like the main contenders for heartbreakers that walked these halls?

It was a recurring theme, the guys that came into her life only did so for one of two things; to sleep with her and to break her heart. This time the blowback was double fold, her heart weakened and breaking harder than ever.

Willows fiery hair shook wildly as she spoke "Buffy, there's nothing wrong with you! You're just a trusting and loving girl, who would make anyone be proud that you're interested them… I just think…" she bit her lip in thought.

Buffy leaned back, finally bringing her eyes to meet her friends "you still think I shouldn't have slept with him, don't you?" Seeing the avoidance in answering she sighed, trying to put into words what she wanted to say.

"I, uh… he made me feel like I was the only girl in the world, he was so caring and sweet… I saw him today and he kissed me" as the gasp she continued, her voice beginning to break "it was so cold and harsh and he said it wasn't like he hadn't been there before, he called me easy… I don't understand…"

Willow remained silent, feeling like the I told you so speech would be highly inappropriate right now. She watched as another tear rolled down Buffy's cheek, so she used her thumb to wipe it away "I'm sorry and I'm SO mad at him! You deserve much, much better"

Using her sleeves to wipe at her face in a feeble attempt to clean herself up, Buffy forced a smile. Not wanting to sound stuck up but she did feel like she deserved better, why couldn't she find one, just one guy who wasn't a complete loser.

Standing up from the bed with shaky legs, Buffy was walked over to her dresser and looked into the mirror on top. With a grimace she poured some cleanser onto a cotton pad and began to wipe away the black streaks and smudges that her not-so waterproof mascara had left over her face.

"I'm meeting Oz tonight at The Bronze, why don't you come with? I don't think you should be alone right now" Willow smiled earnestly "I promise that tonight the three of us will have fun!" Seeing the decline coming from the reflection in the mirror, she quirked her eyebrow "and don't even think about saying no"

Oooooooooooooooo

After having a quick dinner and being pestered for over an hour, the decision to go out was firm. Although a night staying in to sulk over her sucky life was what she wanted, Buffy found herself dressed up in her killer little black dress and dancing in the middle of The Bronze.

Originally, her, Willow and Oz had been up dancing away to a few of the songs that the band were playing but when they changed to a DJ, her companions left in refuge of an empty booth. Feeling her worries get lost in the music and float away, Buffy remained on the dance floor.

A few of the guys from her classes had swarmed around her, not quite touching but close enough that she could feel the heat come off of them. Buffy closed her eyes as her hands ran up her neck and lifted her hair before allowing it to tumble over her shoulders again as she swayed her hips from side to side.

There was always something about dancing that she loved, whether it was choreography like her cheerleading days or just making silly moves to older songs, it always was therapeutic to her. Once the current song came to an end, she looked at the circle of admirers and wanted to cringe but she also felt a little good about being noticed as well.

Looking out over the sea of people dancing, Buffy tried to spy where Willow and Oz had run off too but so far, she couldn't see either of them. As she tried to shimmy around the crowd, she felt a pair of hands grip onto her hips and pull her back against a warm body "Where you going, lover?"

His warm breath tickled her ear but made her freeze on the spot. When she tried to move away, he pulled her back again and gave her a shallow thrust "Putting on quite a show there Buff, didn't know you were such a little tease"

Buffy tried to turn but he held her in place as he swayed behind her, rubbing her against his crotch. She hated feeling like this, wanting nothing more than to let this continue despite how twisted her emotions were because of him.

Feeling his hand slip under the hem of her dress and stop dangerously close to the thin fabric of her panties, Buffy used the last of her willpower to break free of his hold and hastily make her way towards the exit.

She got outside and got as far as the alley before his hands were on her, spinning her to face him and pushing her up against the wall, trapping her with his body. Taking a deep breath, she looked into his eyes with determination "I told you, I don't want to see you again"

A deep chuckle escaped his lips as he descended towards her neck, placing teasing kisses that were nothing short of electric and made her tingle all over "You don't really mean that" his tongue traced her ear "do you?"

Buffy's breath caught in her throat, that husky voice that whispered in her ear was such a turn on. Trying one last ditch attempt at sanity, she looked him in the eye and shook her head "I mean it"

She watched as she saw varying emotions swirl in the depths of his chocolate eyes and wondered when she missed those golden flecks that were sprinkled throughout. When she saw them harden, she started to panic "Leave me alone, please"

When she felt his grip on her hips tighten, she closed her eyes, not wanting to see what was going to happen to her. Instinctively she pulled her arms close to her body and flinched when she felt his hands move.

"Hey, asshole!"

When she reopened her eyes, she saw Angel lying on the ground cupping his face and his roommate standing over him. Her eyes shot to Lindsays then back down to the floor.

Although she had never formally met him, she felt like she knew him from the photos scattered across the apartment and from the stories that Angel had told her. From what she understood, they were like brothers.

"She said leave her alone" Lindsay glared down at the pain in the ass lying on the ground, who only smiled maliciously in return, not in the least bit phased by the assault.

Before he could say anything in return, Lindsay gently stroked Buffy's arm, he felt her flinch as his fingers touched her skin but she relaxed a little after a beat. Without any further questions she followed him towards the parking lot to the rear.

Once he started the engine to his car, he saw the tiny little blonde hunch towards the door in an attempt to keep space between the pair "Buffy?"

Buffy frowned, why did she follow some random man into a car and let him drive off? Her trust in others was already shot to shit, so why was it acceptable to go with Lindsay rather than go back inside to her friends.

"You okay?"

Her eyes filled up with tears as she shook her head, but she didn't dare look over at him "Why?" Her voice was uneven and came out just a touch above a whisper.

Lindsay frowned "Why what, darlin?"

Her jaw set in a straight line as she clenched her fists "Why is he being like this? What changed… its like he's not even the same person anymore"

The frown on his face deepened as he looked into her sad yet angry eyes when she turned just enough for him to see. Lindsay cleared his throat and looked back towards the road, it seemed like this subject hadn't been brought up between them "I know you and Angel have only known each other for a little while but does he strike you as the kind of person to flip 180 from well, Angel into an asshole?"

Buffy scoffed then looked out the window, what sort of idiot did this cowboy take her for. She didn't need to think about it, she was living and breathing this nightmare, feeling first hand how evil he could be "Of course you would stick up for him, no matter how much he hurts someone, you just nod and carry on, right?!"

She heard a ragged sigh escape from Lindsays lips but before he could reply she saw the familiar park and water fountain that caused panic to latch onto her "Why did you bring me here?!"As the car pulled up, she found herself outside their apartment.

When he reached for her hand, she jerked out of the way and let a whimper escape her lips. Immediately he raised his hands and sat back towards the door, letting her have as much extra space in the cab of his car "I'm not goin' to hurt you… please Buffy, come with me"

The soft drawl of his accent seemed to calm her frayed nerves a little and the fact that he looked sincere made the unease within her stomach become less and less. Taking a deep breath she pleaded "Please take me home"

Lindsay scratched his chin in thought, he probably should take her home, but he knew a heavy conversation was due to be had "I'll take ya home… after you come inside, I ain't tryin' to deceive you darlin', please"

Buffy saw the conflict in his eyes, she didn't know why but she felt that she could trust him, well, as much as she could at this moment "Five minutes…" with a nod of his head she followed him inside and up towards the living room.

Creeping up the stairs she felt her stomach knot as she heard the tv on low, the channels continually changing, breaking the conversations that were being had. Each step she took she felt the burn of bile in her throat, that she tried desperately to keep down.

Lindsay came to a stop and stood to the side to let her enter, she slowly looked from the ground up to his face where he gave her a small smile and tipped his head towards the sofa. Her breath caught in her throat as she locked eyes with Angel.

He looked so sad, so full of emotions, when he stood up, she backed up towards the door. He raised his hands as he came closer, she noticed that gone were the leather pants and dark shirt, he was in those grey joggers and ratty t-shirt that she loved him wearing.

"Angel?" When he got close to her, she saw the beginnings of a five o'clock shadow, something that he never kept, he was always clean shaven. Her eyes flicked between Angel and Lindsay, if he was here this full time, then who had been at The Bronze?

With a frown on her face, she wondered what in the hell was going on.