Chapter 9
Conversations.
The drive back to the Giles’ had been made in silence. Neither had dared bring up the “almost kiss.” Once they had arrived home Buffy had stepped out the car and watched as Spike sped away; no good-bye, no “tell my folks I’ll be back later,” he had just taken off.
Sighing, she turned to head inside but was greeted by a bubbly Cordelia, who dragged her from the house down the street, heading for the closest mall they could find. After some much needed shopping they had sat down for a smoothie and Cordy had filled her in on the conversation with her parents.
“I couldn’t believe it Buffy; they were great about it all. No lecture about our age difference or the fact that Xander was William’s best friend. The only reason they were mad about at all was because we had been sneaking around,” Cordy laughed
“Mom actually blamed herself. She thought we were being secretive because she was unapproachable, but once we explained that we only kept it a secret because of Will they were totally understanding. They even agreed not to tell William about our relationship until we’re ready, but only on the condition that from now on we’re always honest with them about everything, and no more secret kissing or anything in the house because they don’t want Will walking in on us and finding out like that. If we want time alone mom said her and dad will find a way for us to go out together so William’s not suspicious.” Buffy smiled, happy for her friend.
Buffy had been so worried Jenny and Giles would be upset with Cordy and make a huge fuss, but she knew she should of known better; all they wanted was for Cordy to be happy.
“And they don’t mind keeping it a secret from Spike?” Buffy asked, surprised.
“Don’t get me wrong; they’re not thrilled. But they understand why we want it that way till I’m older. They know how over protective he can be… Oh, Buffy, things are starting to finally work out. I’m so glad my parents know the truth; I hated keeping it from them,” Cordy sighed happily.
While Buffy was happy for Xander and Cordy she couldn’t help but think about Spike and what had almost happened between them. He had left so abruptly and had almost seemed angry with her.
“Buffy, is something wrong?” Cordy asked, taking in her friend’s saddened expression.
“What? No, no nothing’s wrong.” Buffy answered far too quickly for Cordy’s liking; Buffy was clearly thinking about something.
“You know, I got the impression when I called you before that I was interrupting something.” Buffy sighed at Cordy’s observation.
“That’s probably ‘because you did,” she smiled sadly.
“Oh my god! Tell me everything,” Cordy demanded.
“Nothing to tell,” she replied, sighing. Cordy knew at that moment something was very wrong; it wasn’t like Buffy to be so down. Touching her best friend’s shoulder, she looked her in the eyes.
“Buffy what happened?” she asked, clearly concerned.
“It’s silly, really.”
“If it’s upsetting you then it couldn’t be silly,” Buffy smiled at this; Cordy always knew how to make her smile.
“I just meant to get him out of the house so you and your parents could talk, but then it was like we had known each other for years. We talked about everything: school, college, our families, he told me about Drusilla…” Buffy was cut short but a stunned Cordelia.
“Wait, what? He told you about Dru?”
“Well, he didn’t go into detail, but yeah, he told me they were together a few years, that he loved her and she had cheated on him, how it hurt him.”
“Wow! I mean it’s just my brother has NEVER talked to anyone about what happened between him and Dru, not even Xander. The only reason any of us found out was because Xander saw Dru in town with her “new” boyfriend just before she left for England and we all put two and two together… this is huge Buffy, I mean massive. I knew he liked you but this just proves how much.” Cordy couldn’t believe it. Her head was spinning; for William to open up to someone about Drusilla was a huge step and proved just what Cordy had thought.
William was in love with Buffy.
“I think you’re reading too much into it Cordy…. I told him about Angel.”
“What?”
“Yeah. It all just came pouring out. I told him about how I thought I loved him and how he had used me, about everything he said and did. It felt good to let it all out.” Cordy was stunned; Buffy had only ever told her about the ins and outs of her and Angel’s twisted relationship.
“He told me how sorry he was that I had to go through that, and that Angel was a git,” Buffy laughed, “for letting me go and for putting me through that, that I deserved better. He made me feel… special”
“Then why do you look so down?”
“Just before you called he was telling me that no matter what Angel said about me being bad in bed it was crap, and that I was amazing, He had tilted my chin to look at him and before I knew what was going on his lips where on mine and then the phone rang.”
“Oh my god! And the bad timing award goes to… I’m so sorry, Buffy.”
“It’s fine. After that he just acted like it hadn’t happened. We drove home in silence and then he dropped me off and sped off. It was almost like he was angry at me, like it was my fault he had kissed me,” Buffy explained, confused.
“My brother’s a jerk. He likes you and that’s his problem; he’s so scared of getting close to you because of what Dru did to him.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s better this way; better if we just keep our distance, better alone.” The last part came out in a whisper as she stood.
“Let’s go home,” she said, grabbing the shopping bags. “Over my dead body,” Cordy couldn’t help but think. “No more alone, they belong together.” She knew they did; she felt it, she just had to prove it to them, to her thick headed brother.
“Um… I just want to stop off at one more shop, okay?”
“Sure.” Buffy smiled as they headed through the mall. Cordy smiled as her plan began to form. She would get Buffy and William together if it was the very last thing she ever did.
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