Just like magic

Chapter 2

"Faith, get your stake!"

We were on patrol...But it felt more like the Faith patrol. Xander was with Anya...somewhere and Oz was at the Bronze. Which just left me. Sat on the wall of the cemetery, watching as Buffy yelled at Faith who was consistently punching the demon, no stake in sight.

She was...arrogant. Definitely. I think Buffy felt threatened by it, though I'd never tell her I thought that. I was supposed to be her best friend. And I was, I was! I just...couldn't help feeling that all this patrolling with Faith would push me out...

Then my mind flashed back to the previous day. With Tara. She wouldn't push me out...no way. I mean, I knew I couldn't say that. I didn't even know her...but the energy I had felt...It was weird. It had felt right.

Did she actually practice magic like Xander had said? I'd never met a witch before...She felt...powerful. I had to see her again.

"Will?"

Buffy broke me out of daydreams; I hoped I wasn't smiling or blushing. "Huh?" Trying to form a coherent sentence wasn't easy right now.

"I said we're done. Want me to walk you home?"

Faith was already gone, and I nodded, though my brain was still slightly preoccupied.

I hopped off the wall, and we walked back to my house. Buffy rambled something Faith-related, probably how she was too cocky, but my thoughts weren't on her right now. This didn't make any sense...I didn't even think about Oz this much.

It was just something about her...Something different. Almost...enchanting. Like my mind longed to see her again...No. I had to stop this. She was cool, no doubt...but I had Oz.

We came to a stop in front of my house. "You agree though right?"

I assumed we were still talking about Faith. "Oh uh, yeah...Faith is one entitled Slayer."

She looked confused and slightly suspicious at my lack of attention. "What? I wasn't talking about her. I'm talking about the fact that Snyder is making us stay longer after school. Unfair."

How much had I zoned out? And Snyder...I don't...

"You don't remember? What's up with you? You never forget anything..."

"Oh, I'm fine. I just...need to sleep I think."

I quickly said goodbye to her then went inside. Mum was already asleep, so I went up to my room and led on the bed.

I didn't even want to do homework, which was weird. Buffy was right, what's up with me...

I'd never felt this way before...Never. I sighed as I felt myself falling asleep. I hadn't even gotten changed and didn't care. Just...slipping and slipping.

****

In the morning, I woke up to my alarm: 7:40. Mum had already gone by the time I had finished getting ready and exited my room. I quickly grabbed some bread, not bothering to toast it. Maybe if I got there early enough, I could see her. I shook my head. Stop Willow! God...

I ate the bread as I walked to school. Buffy would never be up at this time and Xander was driving with Anya, so I had to walk.

As I was walking, Oz joined up with me. There went my plans... I couldn't be annoyed though, so smiled.

He kissed my forehead. "Good morning. How was patrol last night?"

"Honestly...100% boring. Buffy spent the entire time yelling at Faith." I didn't tell him about my thoughts...I could never.

"Should've come seen us. Dingoes were a hit last night."

"You always are...Sorry I wasn't there."

He paused then smiled. "You were there. You're always there, even if you're not...physically."

He then kissed me gently, though it felt different than usual.

I didn't question it though as we reached the building. He opened the door for me and then we went in.

There she was. She looked up as I walked up to my locker but immediately looked away when our eyes met. Was that a slight blush?

I shook my head and Oz noticed.

"What's wrong?"

I quickly stuttered a little. "Oh uh...I just remembered that...I have Chemistry today."

"But you like Chem-"

"Not today." I quickly closed my locker and walked away, hoping there wasn't a visible blush.

"Will, wait!" He caught up and stood in front of me. Now I really hoped there wasn't a blush. "What is it? Whatever I said...or did...I'm sorry."

I shook my head, immediately feeling guilty that he felt bad. "Oz...it's not. It's fine...Sorry, I'm just...tired."

He looked as though he didn't buy it but nodded and reached up to stroke my cheek. "I get it...this whole thing with Faith...it's got me a little on edge...And I'm not even that affected. It would make me a little tired...and maybe more if my best friend started spending time with someone else."

He wasn't...completely wrong. The thing with Faith was hurting me a bit...I mean, what if Buffy didn't need me anymore? Now she had a new top Slayer...who was much cooler, hotter, better than me.

It was like he could read my thoughts. "I guess what I'm trying to say...You'll always be enough Willow. I might not know a lot but...I know that. If not for them, for me you will always be."

Now I felt even guiltier for having those thoughts last night. I had to tell him. "Oz..."

Then the bell saved me. "...I've got geometry. Already failing...I'll see you at lunch." He kissed my cheek then left before I could continue.

I sighed and leaned against the wall.

"You o-okay?"

Familiar voice, my stomach felt like it was doing somersaults suddenly. I looked up and she was there again. Tara.

I tried to hold back an excited smile and nodded. "Yeah...I'm okay."

"It-it's not my pl-place to say but y-you seem like you have a l-lot on your m-mind."

I sighed again. "I do. Just a little busy recently..." She looked like she didn't mind me explaining, and she looked patient...trusting...everything good... but...Giles would kill me if I told a random girl about the whole 'in every generation...' thing.

"It's kinda personal."

She looked sad but nodded. "I-I u-understand."

"Why do you keep talking to me if you don't need study help?" My tone came out sharper and she seemed stunned speechless.

I sighed again at my own behaviour, feeling immediately horrible. "I'm sorry...Like I said, I'm used to people only talking to me if they need something."

She looked confused. "W-well, you don't deserve that. N-no one deserves that."

"Yeah, well I'm used to it. Like I said. Besides you must feel the same. Everyone goes out of their way to purposely either avoid you or make your life miserable."

"M-mostly. But it's n-not like I'm doing anything to s-stop it." Her eyes glistened a little suddenly. "D-do you want to come with m-me somewhere...t-tonight?"

A secret meeting with her...At night? Then I remembered, feeling deflated. "I would but...I have to stay late at school. Till 6..." Stupid Snyder...

"But that's p-perfect! It's at half 6...t-the gymnasium."

I was intrigued now and nodded, feeling trust, despite not knowing this girl for long.

She seemed surprised as though she hadn't expected me to accept but then recovered with a grin, the first real time I'd seen that. "O-okay! I'll s-see you t-tonight."

She smiled again then left. I was late but for once I didn't care.