She turned on her CD player and set it on shuffle. She didn’t know what CD
  was in, but she didn’t care. As long as it wasn’t happy and upbeat, she’d
  listen to it.

  Flopping onto her bed, she stretched out and stared at the ceiling as the
  first musical chords played. <Oh, good, a Celine Dion song.> She recognized

  the song. For the first time, she listened closely to the lyrics, and smiled
  sadly when the words spoke the truth of her life.

  /Take me, back into the arms I love.
  Need me, like you did before.
  Touch me once again, and remember when
  there was no one that you wanted more.

  Don’t go, you know you’ll break my heart.
  She won’t, love you like I will.
  I’m the only who’ll stay,
  when she walks away,
  and you know I’ll be standing here still.

  I’ll be waiting for you, here inside my heart
  I’m the one who wants to love you more.
  You will see I can give you, everything you need
  Let me be the one to love you more./

  As the song continued, Willow once again felt her throat close up and tears
  blur her vision. This time, however, she allowed the sobs to come and her
  body curled up on the bed as her sobs racked her painfully. A few minutes
  later she fell asleep.

  *****

  Waking up an hour or so later, Willow heard the sounds of ringing. Groaning,
  she realized it was the telephone. Reaching out to answer it, she knocked
  over her glass of water. "Dammit," she muttered, then picked up the receiver.
  "Hello?"

  "Willow? Hey, it’s me, Oz."

  "Oh, hi. What’s up?" she asked, yawning.

  "Did I wake you? I’m sorry."

  "No, no, it’s okay. I just took a little nap," Willow assured him.

  "Well, I called because I needed to talk to you."

  Willow smirked. "Yeah, that’s why people call other people," she teased..
  She heard Oz laugh. "So, um, what do you need to talk to me about?"

  "Oh, well, us, actually."

  "Us?"

  "Yeah…uh, I’ve been thinking lately about us, and I’ve come to a decision."

  "A decision? I—I don’t understand," Willow frowned.

  "I…I think we should break up," Oz told her.

  "What? But—why?" Willow asked, shocked.

  She couldn’t, *didn’t* hear the sound of Oz’s heart breaking. But still he
  went on. "Willow, I’m so sorry. I didn’t plan for this, but it’s for the
  best." He paused. "I know," he added softly.

  Willow couldn’t get her mouth to function. <Oh Oz, I’m so sorry.> Finally
  she found her voice. "Oz, I never meant for you to—" she began.

  "No, don’t explain. This is what I should do. Go to Xander without guilt,
  Willow. He needs you, I know he does. And you need him. Don’t worry about
  me."

  Willow felt a huge wave of affection wash over her. "Oz, I’m sorry. I do
  care for you. We can still be friends?" she asked hopefully.

  Oz was relieved to hear her ask. "Of course," he told her reassuringly.

  "Thank you, Oz," she whispered. She smiled widely. The first real smile she
  had all day.

  "You’re welcome," Oz said. "And good luck." Hanging up, he felt his heart
  thump in pain. Through his pain, however, he smiled. "What a life," he
  said to himself ruefully.

  On the other side of the line, Willow also hung up, silent tears rolling down
  her face. She smiled though, and her heart felt light, restored. She could
  love Xander now, without hurting Oz. But there was still a problem. Xander
  couldn’t love her. Willow decided to walk to Buffy’s house and talk to her.

  *********

  A while later she reached Buffy’s front door and knocked. Buffy answered.

  "Willow! Hey, I was just about to call you," she said as she let Willow
  inside. "What so important that you had to rush over and tell me?" she asked,

  observing Willow’s flushed face and heavy breathing.

  Willow started talking hurriedly. Buffy could only make out the words
  "Oz…broke up…Xander."

  "Whoa, Will. Take a deep breath and repeat that."

  Willow followed her advice and exhaled. "Oz called me and broke up with me.

  He said that he knew I loved Xander and he wanted me to go to him without
  feeling guilty."

  Buffy stared at her in shock. "He knew? And he let you go?" She immediately

  felt an admiration and respect for Oz’s unselfish actions.

  "Yeah…he was really sweet. We’re still going to be friends," Willow said.

  "Will, that’s great!" Buffy cried suddenly. "I mean, this works out perfectly
  now!" She beamed at Willow.

  "Huh?" Willow asked, confusion on her face. <She’s certainly perky.>

  "Don’t you see? You and Xander can be together now!"

  "No, Buffy. Cordelia, remember? He’s with her," she explained.

  "No, Willow! They broke up today, too."

  "What?" Disbelief shone clearly in her eyes.

  "Xander told her that he loved you, and he didn’t want to hurt her anymore by
  dating her. Cordy, I guess, knew it would happen sooner or later." Buffy
  grinned. "We all did."

  "Are you kidding me? Because if you are…"

  "No, Will, I swear. Xander loves you. He told me so himself. He thinks that
  you love Oz though. Talk about misunderstanding."

  Willow stood there quietly. Then, just as quietly, she asked, "What should I
  do?"

  "Go to him, of course. Tell him you love him, that you want to be with him.
  Everything will turn out great," Buffy said, smiling softly.

  Willow absorbed her words, then returned Buffy’s smile. Grabbing her in a
  hug, she told her, "Thanks, Buffy. You’re the best."

  Buffy hugged her back, then released her. "Go," she ordered, nodding her
  head towards the door.

  Willow grinned and turned for the door. "I’ll tell you everything tomorrow,"
  she said over her shoulder.

  "Of course, Willow." Buffy laughed and shook her head. "I want details."
  She watched as her auburn-haired friend practically flew out the door.
  Grinning to herself, she thought happily, < I knew everything would work out
  in the end. >