Chapter 2

“Watch where you’re going, freak!”

Buffy moved out of the way as the head cheerleader pushed her aside. She rolled her eyes, picking up her fallen books. It was official, she was now a complete social outcast, and really couldn’t care less. Sure, she was no longer a cheerleader and lost all of her friends in the process, but they were obviously not very good friends to begin with and Buffy was better off.

She met up with Michael and Amy at their usual spot, smiling at the brunette siblings. “I’ll be happy when this year is over.”

“Harmony giving you trouble again? I swear, that bitch thinks she owns this school. I say we teach her a lesson,” Amy claimed, her brother nodding in agreement.

“What did you have in mind?” Buffy wondered.

The dark haired girl gave that some consideration, a grin forming on her face. “We should make her pretty blonde hair fall out; I bet she wouldn’t be so popular then.”

Buffy’s eyes widened. “Don’t you think that would be going too far? I was thinking more like hanging her bra from the flag pole or something.”

Michael rolled his eyes. “That’s amateur stuff, Buffy. Look, you’re hanging with us now; you wanted to know about magic, and this is what we do. This school is full of mindless sheep; they should be worshipping us, not the other way around. Since you’re one of us now, you’re gonna have to learn to have a little more fun.”

Amy placed her arm around Buffy. “Let’s go to the Bronze tomorrow tonight, let loose for a while. I know you hate being at your house.”

Buffy nodded, wondering just what she was getting herself into.


* * * * *


Spike was jerked out of slumber by a warm body suddenly in his bed, his arm immediately wrapping around her.

“Shouldn’t you be at school?”

She shook her head, snuggling up closer to his side. “I decided to skip out on my last two classes, it’s just wrong that we have to spend seven hours a day in that place.”

He chuckled, sitting up to get a better look at her. “Coming here after school is one thing, but your sister will be pissed if she finds out you left early. She already thinks I’m a bloody bad influence on you.”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “You should know by now that I don’t care what she thinks. Faith has her own life; it has nothing to do with mine. I can do whatever I want, she doesn’t own me.”

Spike ran his fingers through his hair. “She might have a point, though. You’re young; you should be out there having fun, hanging with your real friends. A crypt is no place for you.”

“Are you taking her side now? Newsflash, Spike, you are my friend. You’re the only real one I have. I’ve lost everyone since I quit the cheerleading squad, not that it’s a huge loss. Being free of Harmony Kendall is a dream come true, I must admit, but I like it here. I’m not going to stop visiting just because Faith doesn’t approve.”

He nodded, knowing there was no point arguing once she set her mind on something. “I take it you haven’t told her that you quit yet.”

“What would be the point? It’s not like Faith really cares about what’s going on in my life,” she told him.

Spike gave her a squeeze, remembering what else she said. “Harmony Kendall? That blonde Barbie with the big tits? She’s always hitting on me when I’m at the Bronze, bloody chit can’t take a hint that I’m not interested.”

Buffy laughed. “That would be the one. She’s always been kind of oblivious to everything around her, unless it’s shiny.” She sat up to look at him, dreading what she had to say, but needing to know the truth. “Why do you stay here? Yeah, Faith lets you help her on patrol, but she treats you horribly. You don’t deserve that, Spike. I don’t understand why you put up with her.”

“She’s not that bad, I’ve dealt with worse. I can’t blame Faith for being cautious about me.”

Buffy shook her head. “It’s more than that. She had a bad relationship with a vampire, and now she’s taking it out on you. You’re nothing like Angel; you would have never done the things he did, with or without a soul. It’s not fair that you should get treated badly just because Angel hurt her, but I know why you stick around.” She paused, taking in a deep breath before continuing. “It’s because you’re in love with her, isn’t it?”

Spike couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing. “You think I’m in love with Faith? Oh, pet, how wrong you are. I don’t love her; I can’t even bloody stand her half the time. I’m only helping her because she’s the Slayer; I figure it would make up for the ones I killed in the past. Your sister is the last woman in this world I would ever fall for, I promise you that.”

Buffy was confused, and partly relieved by this new information. “Okay, then I really don’t get it. Why are you always coming by the house? I know my mom isn’t that interesting. If not to see Faith, why do you bother?”

He thought of what to tell her, and figured some of the truth wouldn’t hurt. “I come by to see you. I like the time we spend together, you’re the only one who makes me feel like I’m actually worth something. I know we don’t talk all that often when I stop by, but I like watching you, making sure you’re safe. That’s why I’m always loitering outside your window, which I guess you’ve noticed. I couldn’t imagine not seeing you anymore, if Faith actually had you stop coming to my crypt. I would miss you too much.”

Buffy felt touched, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m glad to know that our visits mean a lot to you, too. You’re my best friend, Spike.”

He felt tears in his eyes, returning her embrace and kissing the top of her head. Spike liked that Buffy thought of him as a friend, but what he felt for her was so much more than that.


* * * * *


“Where the hell have you been?” Faith asked when Buffy came through the front door.

“God, are you the police now? Why should I tell you where I was? It’s not your business.”

The brunette Slayer grabbed her arm before she could walk away. “If it involves Spike, then it is my business. When are you going to realize that hanging with a vampire is dangerous? Do I need to remind you of what happened with Angel? He’s off limits.”

Buffy yanked her arm out of her sister’s grasp. “Angel was your problem, not mine. I’m tired of you blaming everything your ex did on Spike; he’s a completely different person.”

“He’s not a person at all, Buffy. I’m only looking out for you here.”

“No, you’re looking out for yourself; it has nothing to do with me. You’re just upset because Spike would rather be around me instead of you, and yeah, he told me as much. He has been nothing but helpful this last year, and yet you still treat him like a disease. Angel turned on you; Spike is not going to do the same thing. Despite how you treat him, he still cares about you, even though he would never admit it. What more does he have to do to prove himself?”

Faith crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re a kid, I don’t expect for you to understand. I know what’s best for you and Dawn.”

“So, you’re Mom now, too? Dawn is your responsibility, not me. Do us both a favor and just go back to ignoring me, you’re good at that.”

Faith let her go that time, knowing there was no use trying to get through to her stubborn sister.


* * * * *


The second Buffy reached her room; she grabbed her cell phone and dialed a familiar number.

“Hey, beautiful girl,” he said on the first ring.

Buffy smiled at the sound of Spike’s soothing voice, lying back in her bed. He always knew just how to make her feel better.