Cordelia heard Buffy call her name just as she was shutting her locker. \u201cI don\u2019t have time to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour new boyfriend can wait a few,\u201d Buffy instinctively positioned herself with her back to the exit as if guessing Cordelia would try to make a break for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay what you have to say,\u201d Cordelia huffed at the delay as she glanced down at her watch. She would have to haul butt to get there on time even without interruption.<\/p>\n
There was no avoiding whatever lecture was coming her way.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, I\u2019m telling you this as a friend,\u201d her words immediately alerted Cordelia\u2019s inner defenses to call for reinforcements. \u201cYou\u2019re not giving yourself enough time. Not with wanting to patrol and not with jumping into another relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWas Scott just a distraction for you? I seem to recall that you dropped him fast enough once Angel turned up again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy felt the impact of those words just as if Cordelia had thrust a stake into her chest. She opened her mouth as if to deny it, but had no time to respond.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrooling over Angel is not good for your health,\u201d Cordelia commented. \u201cThink of the tragedy. If I end up with a zit because of the stress, it is so your fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSay what?\u201d Buffy practically squeaked in reaction. \u201cAnd that\u2019s a tragedy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to look good at my funeral,\u201d Cordelia explained matter-of-factly. \u201cThat\u2019s what\u2019ll happen if Angelus shows up again, and I don\u2019t want people seeing a gigantic zit on my chin as they stare into my coffin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking all scowly-faced, Buffy finally blurted, \u201cWhatever.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust promise not to bone your boyfriend so I can relax a little. Sheesh! Neither one of you knows when to quit.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a scary moment when Buffy looked like she might launch an all-out attack, a soft admission sounded, \u201cI did quit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWha\u2014huh? You quit Angel? I definitely missed that memo,\u201d Cordelia quipped hardly believing it was true. Not for a second. Hell freezing over had more of a chance.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel was supposed to back off,\u201d Buffy revealed her frustration over the fact that he had not exactly followed along with her plan. \u201cYou\u2019re right. We can\u2019t keep seeing each other. It\u2019s too dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuh!\u201d<\/p>\n
Unshed tears sparkled in Buffy\u2019s eyes and Cordelia honestly tried to feel sorry for her, but she could not seem to manage it. Though it did shed a little light on why those two had not been quite as demonstrative as they used to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t trust myself when I\u2019m around him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho am I, Confession Girl?\u201d Cordelia really did not want to hear this. \u201cTell Angel. He\u2019s your problem, not mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia had enough problems of her own without worrying about Buffy\u2019s failed romance with Angel. Stepping around her while she was distracted, she paused only long enough to point out, \u201cYou need him around with this prophecy thing going on. Just find a way to deal.\u201d<\/p>\n