"No! I'm not coming out and you can't make me. I look horrible and I know you're going to laugh, Xander. Geez, Buffy, no offense, but what were you thinking...?"
Buffy and Xander stiffled their laughter as best they could, but they were unsuccessful. The three friends were at the Sunnydale one and only bridal shop. After more than twenty wedding gowns, Buffy had finally found the perfect one. Xander only had to be measured and fitted. Now the two waited impatiently for Willow to come out in the maid of honor dress.
"Willow, just come out."
The grey fitting room door suddenly flung open, almost hitting them. There stood Willow in.....her jeans and blouse.
"WILLOW!!"
"What? You told me to come out and here I am! What do ya'll look so mad for?"
*************************************
After a quick lunch, Xander met up with Angel and Oz at Oz's studio, where he and his band were practicing. He waved good-bye to the girls and went on his merry way.
It was a beautiful summer day with clear blue skies as Buffy and Willow headed toward the park. They stopped at a small brook and laid on the grass. Neither one spoke as they listened to the quiet lapping of the water. Buffy finally broke the silence.
"So, how are you and Xander?"
"‘Me and Xander'? What about ‘me and Xander'?"
Buffy raised her eyebrow and snorted, "You know what I mean. Stop avoiding the question."
Willow sighed, "I wasn't avoiding it. I was merely pondering the question."
She sat up and threw a pebble in the brook and watched as the ripples spread, distorting her reflection. She took off her sandals and put her bare feet into the cool water.
"Well? Have you ‘pondered' enough?"
Willow wiggled her toes in the water and nodded. "Me and Xander are ‘me and xander.' Nothing has really changed, except maybe we're closer. Other than that, we're the same— just older, wiser, and more mature."
"The main question here is," Buffy paused and chose her words carefully, "do you still have feelings for him?"
The question surprised Willow. The funny thing was she knew it would come up eventually. She didn't know how to answer. Her brain told her that she was over him. It had been nine years. Of course, she had no more feelings toward her best friend. Right? But, alas, once again, her heart argued differently. It screamed that she still loved him. It shouted to her conscience that she would never get over him and her feelings would never change.
"All I can say is I would be lying if I told you I never gave
it a thought."