Chapter 7: Letting Go
“So, what are you gonna do?” Cordelia asked.
“I can’t tell Xander.” Buffy sighed. “I’ll talk to Angel. This just--God, I love Xander. I want to be with Xander.”
“Buffy, look. Maybe--Have you ever considered that maybe Xander isn’t the right guy for you?” Cordelia inquired. “Go out on a date with Angel, see where things go. Then, if you’re still unhappy, you’ll know Xander’s the guy for you.”
“Xander’s gonna freak when he hears this.” Buffy told her as she washed her hands. “Can you not tell Xander. Give me a few days to break the news to him.”
“Of course.” Cordelia agreed. “This is for the best, Buffy.”
“I know. You’re right.” Buffy nodded. “It’s just hard. Xander’s been my first serious boyfriend since I moved here.”
“Hey.” Xander smiled as the girls walked out of the bathroom together. “Why so glum, sweetie?”
“Xander, we need to talk.” Buffy told him. “And it’s not a good kind of talk.”
“C’mon, Buff. You know you can tell me anything.” Xander encouraged her.
Buffy turned back towards Angel and Cordelia.
“Could you guys give us a minute?” Buffy asked them.
“Yeah.” Cordelia pushed Angel along. “Do you want me to wait for you?”
“Nah, I’ll catch a ride with Willow.” Buffy told her. “Xander, let’s sit down.”
“Okay.” Xander took a seat next to her. “Buffy, you’re freakin’ me out here.”
“I’ve been thinking about our future.” Buffy told him.
“Buff, we went over this earlier.” Xander protested.
“No, Xand. I want to break up.” Buffy blurted out.
“What?” Xander replied. “Is there someone else?”
“No. No.” Buffy shook her head. “I did some thinking and I just feel that we need a break.”
“But I love you.” Xander remarked.
“I don’t.” Buffy snapped back. “I’m sorry, Xander. Please, don’t make this any harder than it already is.”
“How long have you--” Xander started.
“I think, in my heart, I’ve always known.” Buffy sighed. “And I think you have too. If I led you on, Xander, I’m so sorry. You have to believe that.”
“I do.” Xander hugged her. “Goodbye Buffy.”
“Goodbye Xander Harris.” Buffy said as she exited the Bronze. “Goodbye.”