The bell had rung again and Buffy stood by her locker, arranging books into stacks, checking for homework assignments that she wasn't sure she had done.
She took a tube of lip gloss from her purse and carefully smeared it over her bee-stung lips, staring into the mirror that was taped to the inside of the metal locker. She arranged a few wispy strands of hair around her face, and closed the door. Dropping the gloss back into her purse, she walked towards the cafeteria, books in hand. Glancing back down the hall, she saw Angel standing by his locker, talking to blond girl. She sighed.
* * * * * *
"Did I see you talking to Buffy Summers today in history class?" said Harmony, a questioning yet condescending tone to her voice.
"Yeah. I was just saying hi. She's nice," he returned, eyes focussed inside his locker.
"I told you, Angel. Some people in this school just aren't cool. Namely, Buffy Summers and her group of loser friends. Two words: Social Suicide," she explained. She tossed her hair and smiled at him.
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind," he said in an exasperated tone. He closed his locker and made his way to the cafeteria.
* * * * *
"Did you talk to Willow last night?" Buffy asked Xander over a piping hot plate of tuna surprise.
"No. She said she was tired, and just went home. I guess she crashed right after school," replied her friend, sipping a Coke from a bright red can. He had a yo-yo in his hand, and was letting it drop towards the floor and at the last minute, jerking it back up to his hand.
Oz joined them at the table, setting his books down, and planting himself in a chair.
"Hi." he said. He was a man of few words.
"Hey, Oz. Where's Will today? Is she sick?"asked Buffy.
"Doctor. She had an early appointment and said not to worry," he replied.
Buffy was about to ask more questions, wanting to know why her friend needed a doctor when someone standing behind her suddenly spoke.
"Hi, Buffy," the voice said. She looked up and met those brown eyes again. "Mind if I sit with you guys?"
"I...uh...sure," she said, moving her books to make room for his tray. He pulled up a chair and sat next to her.
"Hey man," Oz nodded to Angel as he sat in the bright orange plastic seat.
"Hey," Angel returned.
"You guys know each other?" Buffy asked, seemingly surprised.
"Yeah," Angel replied, "we met at the Bronze when The Dingoes were playing a gig."
"Ah," she said, preparing to speak again when the blond from the hallway walked by. Harmony looked at Angel and leaned down to speak to him.
"Social Suicide," she reminded him before glaring at Buffy and walking towards her group of perfectly groomed girls and jocks.
Buffy looked down at her tray and pushed the tuna around on her plate. She looked back up and caught Angel's eye. He smiled at her, and continued eating. A brunette walked to the table, pulling up a chair and sitting down next to Xander. Oz scooted his chair over, making room for her, and forcing Angel closer to Buffy.
"Hiya, Cor," Xander said, before planting a quick kiss on her lips.
"Hey," she said, then turning towards the rest of the group. "Angel?" she said, a bit of surprised showing through.
"Cordelia," he said, looking at her. He smiled.
"I think I'm going to go call Willow. Be right back," Buffy said, quickly getting up from the table. It was becoming a crowd.
* * * * * * *
Buffy left the table, leaving Angel to talk to her friends. He sat awkwardly a moment, busy eating the cafeteria food. Xander was looking to his girlfriend lovingly as Oz wrote some words on a sheet of notebook paper. Lyrics, Angel guessed.
"So. You got the big jones for Buffy, or what?" Xander suddenly said, breaking the silence.
"What?" Angel countered, almost on the defensive.
"Well, you talk to her this morning, and then you sit with us at lunch, call me a pessimist, but I'm sure you didn't sit at this table for our titillating conversation, besides, our friend Harmony said it best, and I know that you aren't willing to throw away whatever reputation seems so important just to be seen with us fine people," he observed outloud.
"I guess I do like her," Angel offered meekly."There is just something about her."
"Yeah, yeah. So ask her out. Life is short, pal."
Angel didn't say anything else, he just stared at the table.
* * * * * * * * *
Crossing the cafeteria, and making her way through the small spaces between chairs, ignoring the glances from her classmates, and from nerdy freshmen, who were staring at her like the was an unattainable goddess, she made her way to the phone and dropped a few quarters into the change slot. She dialed the number.
She put the receiver close to her ear, and put her hand over her other ear, trying to drown out the incessant chittering of a thousand loud-mouthed high school students. The phone rang twice before a voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Willow?" replied Buffy, hoping that she wouldn't have to side step any other people who might be answering Willow's home phone.
"Hey Buffy," her friend said from across the lines. " Sorry I wasn't in today, had a doctor's appointment."
"Yeah, Oz told me. You aren't sick are you?"
"Well, no, not really. Can you come over after school?"
"Yeah, sure. I will see you around 4:30 or so?"
"Okay. Thanks Buffy. See you then."
Both girls hung up their ends of the call. Buffy hurried back over to her table, where Angel was just finishing the last bite of his mystery lunch. She sat back down.
"Everything okay, Buff?" Xander asked her as she sat back down.
"Yeah, she said she was fine."
"Groovy," he said. "We gotta go, we have that thing....to do." He glanced at Cordelia and Oz, giving them their cue to leave the table.
"Yeah," Cordelia agreed. "That thing..."
"Very important," Oz joined in. They all got up and left, leaving Buffy and Angel alone at the table.
The awkward silence between them drowned out the noises of the cafeteria. She pushed the uneaten tray full of food away from her, and began fishing around in her purse for something, not even sure herself what she was looking for. She cut her eyes to Angel, and noticed him looking at her. She raised her head to look at him.
"What's wrong?" she said. "Oh no. I have something on my face don't I?" she fumbled awkwardly. He grinned at her.
"No, your face is perfect."
She didn't know what to say. Was that a compliment? I think it was. What do I say? She was left completely speechless.
"I..uh...I don't know if you would want to...and if you don't, it's cool...but....would you...um...like to go to the Bronze with me? Tonight, maybe?The Dingoes are playing a concert..and...you know..." He struggled sheepishly.
"Are you asking me out?" she asked him, just to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.
"Well, I was trying, but I seem to have forgotten how to make sentences."
"Yeah. Sure. I'd love to. But..Crap! I'm supposed to check on Willow after school today." She said, bringing her hand up to lightly slap her forehead.
"No problem. I can pick you up afterwards...or..you know...we could just forget it. If you don't want to," he stammered.
"No. After is fine. I will swing by there, and then go over to my place to change. Pick me up at 6:00?" she offered.
"Ok, I will be there," he said, a smile of relief washed over his face. He picked up his tray and left the table.
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