SPRING FLING (8/?)
 

Willow sighed as she rested her head against the couch, her mind still on her
earlier conversation with Cordelia and Buffy. Surely they hadn't been serious
about missing the dance if she didn't go. They both knew her views on dances.
They also knew she wasn't going to go to the Spring Fling. What were they
thinking, trying to blackmail her into going?
 

"Is something bothering you?" Angel asked, looking up from his book and
studying Willow. She had been quiet since arriving at his apartment shortly
after six. There were many nights that they had spent in a comfortable
silence, but usually after catching up about the day and such. This evening,
she had just smiled then sat down, her mind obviously elsewhere. Deciding not
to push, he had just continued reading. Now, though, he had heard several
sighs. Knowing from experience that sighing meant she wanted to talk about
something but didn't want to bring it up, he had asked his question.
 

"Buffy and Cordelia," Willow said, making a face. She looked at him and
explained, "We had decoration committee after school today. And, Buffy
finally asked Jonah to the dance. He said yes by the way."
 

"Good," he replied, wondering how that had upset Willow.
 

"Yeah, it's great," she said crossly. "Now, she and Cordy are saying that
they won't go to the dance unless I go. I thought they were just teasing, but
I honestly think that they might be serious. I can't stand them blaming me
for ruining the last big dance before prom AND ruining Buffy's first date
with her crush, but I don't want to go."
 

His lips twitched slightly as he closed his book, looking down at it to
prevent himself from laughing at her terror stricken face. He couldn't
believe her friends were using emotional blackmail to convince her to go to
the dance.
He'd have to thank them both later. "I'd say that it is your decision,
Willow. If they choose not to go, that's their decision."
 

"I can't be the reason they don't go," she said, leaning her head back and
sighing again. "I'm stuck."
 

"If I may ask, why don't you want to go the dance?" he asked the question
that had been bothering him for weeks.
 

"I told you, I hate dances. Plus, it's a Sadie Hawkins," she said, looking at
him with wide eyes. "That means I'd have to ask a guy."
 

He laughed, "I know what Sadie Hawkins is, Willow. Is that what scares you?
Asking a date?"
 

She shrugged, "I don't know how to talk to guys, much less ask them for a
date. I can't do it...."
 

"You talk to me," he pointed out softly, watching as she blushed.
 

"Well, yeah, but you're you," she said.
 

"It's pretty easy, actually," he said, putting the book to the side and
smiling slightly.
 

"What is?" she asked, moving her eyes from his body back to his face.
 

"Asking a guy out," he said.
 

"Easy for you to say," she muttered, figuring that he had never been lacking
in confidence.
 

"Here, try it," he said.
 

"I wouldn't know what to say," she said, making a face, thinking that this
was rather silly.
 

"Try this," he suggested, "I know you don't know me very well, but I was
wondering if you'd like to go to the dance with me."
 

"Just like that?" she said, giving him a skeptical look.
 

"Try it."
 

She sighed, moving onto the couch so that she faced him directly. Smiling a
bright smile, she said, "Hi. I know you don't know me very well, but would
you like to go to the dance with me?"
 

"I'd love to," he said simply, sincerity in his dark brown eyes.
 

She snorted, "Yeah, like any guy would actually say that."
 

"I would...I did," he pointed out quietly, his eyes watching her face as she
looked at him, her eyes widening slightly as she licked her lips.
 

"You did?" she whispered, seeing a look in his eyes that made her stomach
tighten. "You want to go to the dance with me?"
 

He smiled, a sensual smile that sent tremors all over her body, "I'd love to."
 

"This is just because you don't want me to feel guilty, right?" she asked,
hope in her eyes.
 

He shook his head, "Sorry, I could care less if Cordelia or Buffy went to the
dance. This is because I want to go with you, be seen with you, let everyone
know that you're with me."
 

"Serious?" she asked, surprised by the emotion she saw in his eyes.
 

"Afraid so," he admitted.
 

She smiled, not sure what to say or do. He wanted to be seen with her. Did
that mean that he wanted her as much as she wanted him? "Um, the dance is
tomorrow night."
 

"I know," he smiled.
 

"Are you really sure?" she asked again, still thinking that she might be
dreaming.
 

"I'm absolutely positive," he said, laughing a husky laugh at her obvious
excitement. "Do you need to get a dress?"
 

"Oh my god!" Willow nodded, "I don't have anything. I wonder if anything will
be left this late."
 

"Why don't you go buy something you like," he suggested, pulling out his
credit card and handing it to her. "I'd say buy something beautiful, but it
would pale in comparison to you."
 

She felt her cheeks blushing at his quite compliment, knowing she must be
caught up in a dream. Angel thought she was beautiful? She took the plastic
card, staring at it then she looked at the phone. "I'll call Cordelia and
Buffy. They'll know where to find the perfect dress."
 

"I'm sure they'll both be thrilled to learn you're going," he said, amused.
 

Willow called Cordelia who squealed when she heard Willow was going to the
dance. She didn't even need to ask who Willow's date was going to be,
confident that the redhead had asked the handsome vampire. Willow hung up
with Cordelia planning to phone Buffy and pick her up at the slayer's house.
She looked at Angel again, "Are you sure?"
 

Instead of responding, Angel caught her and brought her onto his lap. He
kissed her tenderly, his tongue easing into her mouth to claim it as she
whimpered and moved against him. Pulling back, he smiled softly, "Do you need
to ask again?"
 

She shook her head, her lips still tingling from having his against them. She
stood, not sure what to say. "I'm meeting the girls to go buy a dress. I'll
call you later."
 

"I'll be looking forward to it," he said softly, smiling as she walked
towards the door. He got to his feet, reaching for his coat, "Willow, I'll
walk you to Buffy's."
 

She smiled, shyly taking his hand as they left his apartment.

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