Introspection

• 31:09 Reptile Boy
• Scene: Buffy and Cordelia chained up
• Next Scene with Speaker: Willow/Giles/Angel talking about the bracelet, Willow confesses about Buffy/Cordelia
• Prompt: Willow says: “and that was how I knew I liked girls”
• Impact: -3

“...and you gave her the brush off, that’s why she went to the party,” Willow accused Angel as he looked guilty and then she turned her attention to Giles. “And you’re killing her with the pressure. I know she’s the Chosen One, but she’s 18 going on 40. And you…” Willow said as she looked back at Angel, “you’re going to live forever and you don’t have time for a cup of coffee!”

Willow took a few deep breaths, “Okay, I don’t feel better now, and we got to help Cordelia.”

Willow pushed her way through the group as a thought raced through her head, “Wait, why did I say Cordelia?”

-

Angel was confused as Cordelia hugged him, but then quickly moved on, normally she clung on to him. It was for the best, he had something to do. He went straight up to Buffy, but he was already moving toward Buffy. “I’m sorry.”

“What?” Buffy said surprised.

“About everything. It’s been a long time since…no, no excuses, I screwed up. Buffy, I love you, and I’m sorry.”

Buffy responded by kissing him.

-

Cordelia was standing at the door as Willow and Xander came up carrying Callie between them. “Hey, um…” the Sunnydale Queen began uncertainly.

“I just…well, I…” Cordelia said as she stared at Willow. “Nevermind! I hate you losers! The strangest stuff always happens when you are around!”

“What was that all about?” Xander asked confusedly as she moved away.

Willow could only lower her head sadly. She had been insulted by Cordelia many times before, but this one really hurt.

-

“...and that was how I knew I liked girls,” Willow told Xander after they had walked Callie home.

“I mean, I thought we kinda knew that,” Xander said, confused about where this was going.

“No, I really like girls. Like, I’m not attracted to Angel at all.”

“Well, good.”

“That’s not what I mean. He’s objectively attractive. You said so yourself. I recognize that, but it does nothing. I’m attracted to Buffy. I’m attracted to Cordelia. Like I’ve even been having fantasies about Harmony. I think I’m a lesbian.”

“Oh,” was all Xander was able to say for a few seconds. “I thought you were enjoying the sex we had.”

“I was. Like, a lot. And that’s what’s confusing me. I just…I need some time.”

“Of course,” Xander said, but he couldn’t bear to look at her.

For a moment, Willow wanted to kiss him, but she couldn’t manage to do that. She turned and walked away.

Changes

• Willow wants time to explore her feelings for girls
• Cordelia is afraid to admit her feelings
• Buffy and Angel back together