| ~~~Chapter three~~~ Willow awoke the next morning a smile on her lips as the last of her dream escaped her. She couldn't recall what she had dreamt about; the images and sounds erased seconds after her eyes fluttered open. But the feeling of being needed and loved stilled lingered. Taking a few minutes to lie in bed, Willow finally threw the covers off and struggled to a sitting position. At one time Willow Anne Rosenberg had been a morning person. She had loved the sound of the early birds chirping away. The way it felt to watch the sun greet a new day. But after meeting Buffy and her crash coarse to demons 101, Willow had instantly became a night owl. Stretching her arms over her head, Willow brought her right one down quickly as it began to throb painfully. Unwinding the ace bandage Willow groaned at the blackish blue bruise that was formed by one Buffy Summers. Buffy...Willow collapsed back against the bed. May Queen... It was all coming back to the little redhead. Someone had pulled a sick joke and had her nominated. So now she was going to have to go to school and have everyone laugh at her. Faith was demented to ever think that it could possibly be for real. Refusing to dwell, Willow rolled out of bed and started to the closet. But something on caught her eye though the crack of the windows on her French doors that led to the outside second story balcony. Her forehead scrunched in confusion as she peered out the door. There was a white rose, with a neatly wrapped jewelry box. Unlocking the door and opening it slowly, Willow looked side to side. Feeling slightly foolish for being so cautious during the daylight. Picking up the rose Willow was overwhelmed by its perfection. Lifting it to her nose she smiled as its fragrance wafted to her. Placing the rose back down on the railing she picked up the box. Taking off the white ribbon, Willow gasped at the object resting inside. It was a delicate looking silver necklace, with an intricate Celtic Knot pendent. Willow picked the necklace up, afraid that the chain would break at her touch. Never had she owned anything so beautiful. No one had ever really cared enough to give her anything like this. A tiny note was folded neatly inside of the box. Willow opened the note. There was only one word, but it meant the world to her. Congratulations. But after a moment she reread the word, studying the penmanship. Willow nearly dropped the box. She knew the handwriting. Angelus. Willow stepped quickly back into the house, forgetting the rose that was still sitting on the railing. He had been to her house, on her balcony without her even knowing it. At least this time his gift wasn't one of fish guts, little did that do to calm her nerves. Hurrying through her morning rituals, Willow rushed out the door to school. She needed to let the others know about the gift that Angelus had left. ~~~*~~~ The school was already filled with activity. Willow darted past students on her way to the library. Every once in awhile someone would call out her name in greeting, or congratulating her on her nomination. Willow smiled politely and hurried on. It was a little strange to get such a warm reception from the other students. Just feet away from the library, Willow was cut short by Cordelia. "Willow-." "I know I'm a mockery, there is no way I should've been nominated, blah blah blah. Yup got that." Willow tried to side step the brunette, but the other girl was quicker than she was. "Actually I was going to congratulate you. Who got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Cordelia looked down at Willow's guilty looking face and her expression softened slightly. "Listen, I know techniquely I'm losing cool points just standing this close to you. But I just wanted to tell you congrats." Willow studied the other girl's eyes, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "T-Thank you." "I mean it's not like your going to be any competition, but I'm still happy for you." Cordelia flashed her a smile and walked away. Willow watched her leave knowing that she should have expected that. Getting back to the task at hand Willow continued the last few feet to the library, rushing in hoping to find at lest one of the Scooby members. But to her disappointment the place was empty. Searching the main room, then the stacks Willow almost gave up until Giles walked through the swinging doors. "Giles!" Willow cried, startling the Watcher who spilled his piping hot tea down the front of his new tweed jacket. "Willow, don't you think it's a little early to be scaring the..." Giles took a deep breath calming his nerves. "What is it Willow?" Taking the box and letter from her jacket pocket she handed them to Giles who only stared back at her with puzzlement. "I found it on my balcony this morning." Giles opened the box carefully. "This is beautiful." Taking off his glasses Giles picked up the delicate chain. "The craftsmanship on the pendent is extraordinary." "Giles look at the note." Willow shoved the note at him, waiting impatiently for his reply. "Angelus." Giles rubbed his eyes and walked over to the table. There once friend was at it again. The last few weeks had been quiet, giving them all a false sense of security. "I can deal with the gifts that are blood and guts, but this? Why is he giving me... nice stuff?" Willow bit her lower lip. "I don't know." Giles stood handing Willow the box. "You did the un-invite spell correct?" "Yes." Willow shoved the box back into her pocket. "I wish I knew what to say Willow. This is an odd turn of events. Whatever it is I'm sure it's just another ploy Angelus is using to hurt Buffy." Willow silently agreed with the Watcher. Out of all the big bads they had to go up against Angelus was the worst by far. He had her friend's face, his memories. It was hard to keep reminding themselves that he was a danger to them all. Though Willow knew this was the hardest on Buffy, it wasn't a walk in the park for any of them. The first bell rang and Willow gave a jump. "I need to get going, Mrs. Ulmer is a real witch about tardies." Giles looked at her oddly. "Not witch as in evil wanting to kill us all witch." Giles nodded and stood. "Yes well I would like to be the one to tell Buffy of this." Giles looked years older, Willow nodded and walked to the library doors. Her hand going to her pocket to wrap around the necklace. ~~~~~~<---------->~~~~~~ "Willster, we looked all over for you before first period." Xander was waiting for her in front of her locker after first period. Buffy was coming from the other end of the hall. Stopping occasionally to talk to some of the students. "Had to go and talk to Giles before class." Shoving her books into the locker, Willow waited for Buffy to join them. "Hey!" Buffy bounced over, her face flushed with excitement. "You'll never believe who asked me out!" Willow and Xander stood staring at the blonde. "This is where you guess." "Oh umm Dave?" Xander shrugged. "Dave who?" Willow whispered. "Don't know, there's a lot of Daves that go here, thought I'd play it vague." Xander whispered back. "Steven Grant." Buffy rolled her eyes at her friend's antics. Willow couldn't help but feel a little annoyed with Buffy. She and Angel were supposed to have has this entire tragic love affair thingy, and not two months later she was jumping at the first guy who asked her out. "Yeah that's great Buffy." Buffy smiled. "So ready for gym?" "As ready as I'll ever be." Willow grumbled. She hated gym. "Oh I didn't get to tell you. We had a talk with Mrs. Veech, we told her you wanted to withdrawal from the nominations. She said you just need to go and tell her yourself." Willow felt her stomach muscles tighten in annoyance. What if she didn't want to withdrawal? Sure it was probably some huge sick joke, but what really hurt was the total lack of faith her friends had in her. "Actually I was thinking I'd stay in." Willow answered calmly, walking toward the gym. Xander and Buffy stood open mouthed. There was only so much negative a girl could take. |
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