Chapter 3

Buffy knew something was wrong when she entered the girl’s locker room the next day. She heard someone crying, and a group of girls huddled around a figure. She stepped closer, gasping at the sight of Harmony on the floor, bits and pieces of hair in her hands, a bald spot on the top of her head where the hair looked to have fallen out. Her friends tried to offer her some comfort, but all Harmony did was scream, no one was able to get through to her.

Buffy had to get out of there, running until she reached her locker, trying to catch her breath. She looked up to see that Amy and Michael were leaving the school, following after them to get some answers. “I can’t believe you did that. We were just joking about making her bald; I didn’t think you guys would have actually gone through with it.”

Amy shrugged. “What can I say? I got bored.”

Buffy shook her head. “You’re messing with someone’s life here. How can you be okay with that? This is not what I signed on for.”

Michael rolled his eyes. “Don’t be such a buzz kill, it’s only temporary. She’ll be back to her perfect, vain self in a few days. You really need to lighten up, Summers.”

Buffy still didn’t agree with what they did, but now felt foolish for how she reacted. Even though Amy and Michael were outcasts who never really hung out with anyone else, Buffy should have known they wouldn’t really try to hurt someone. Besides, Harmony did have it coming, and it’s not like her sudden hair loss was permanent. “You’re right; I guess it was kind of funny.”

Amy grinned, putting her arm around Buffy’s shoulders. “That’s the spirit. We’re taking off now, you wanna come with?”

She nodded, following the siblings to their car and away from the school.


* * * * *


“What game are you playing at?”

Spike rolled his eyes, wishing he could get some sleep for once. He got out of bed and put his pants on, giving her a bored expression. “What are you on about now?”

Faith crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s your deal with Buffy? Are you just hanging with her to completely piss me off? I find it hard to believe that you could have much in common with a sixteen-year old.”

“You can think whatever you want. Bottom line is, I like being around your sister. It has nothing to do with you. She means a great deal to me.”

Faith didn’t know if it was the tone in his voice, or the look in his eyes, but she suddenly realized something that never occurred to her before. “No, that is so not happening. I will not let her make the same mistake I did.”

He grinned, moving closer to her. “That’s not really your call, is it? If we want to be together, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Faith sent him a scathing look. “Oh, I think there’s a lot I could do about it. I’m warning you one last time, Spike. Stay the fuck away from my sister, or I’ll kill you.” She headed to the door, stopping at his voice.

“If you kill me, Buffy would never forgive you.”

“She’d get over it,” Faith stated, not even bothering to look back as she left his crypt, slamming the door behind her.


* * * * *


Buffy found herself at the Bronze later that night, drinking a beer that Amy managed to get for her. It was surprisingly not as bad as she thought it would be.

“God, this music is so lame. I say we liven up this party a bit.” With a swipe of her hand, the music changed to some hard rock, stripper poles and cage dancers now in the middle of the room.

Buffy glanced around to see that everyone was oblivious to the changes. “That’s so cool.”

Amy grinned. “You practice enough, and you can be just as good as us.” She pulled Buffy up to dance, both girls driving the men crazy, but neither gave them the time of day.

Michael was busy chatting up a pretty waitress, leading her over to the restrooms for some privacy.

Buffy was having a blast as she let loose with Amy, a man tried to grope her from behind, but she kept pulling away from him. Apparently, he didn’t take the hint.

“Come on, baby, I can show you a real good time.”

“I’m really not interested,” she told him, but he chose to ignore it.

“I think I could change your mind,” he purred, invading her personal space.

Amy had enough. “Back off, loser, she said she’s not interested. Why don’t you just take a hike?”

He glared at her. “I don’t believe I was talking to you, bitch.”

Instead of being offended, Amy only smiled. “You really don’t want to piss me off.”

He laughed. “Yeah, and what are you gonna do about it?”

“You wanted to dance? Fine, let’s dance.”

Buffy watched as Amy flicked her wrist, the guy was now inside one of the empty cages, half naked and gyrating, like he couldn’t control himself.

“I did warn him,” she explained, pulling Buffy back over to their table, only to see that Michael was waiting for them.

“Are you two done yet? I’m ready to get out of here. That waitress turned out to be way too dull.”

Amy agreed. “I’m so ready. We have to get home and recharge. You should really come with us, Buffy. You have to meet our dad. He’s the most powerful sorcerer around, practically taught us everything we know. I told him all about you, and he’s really intrigued.”

Buffy was surprised, wondering why their father would be interested in her. She supposed there was no harm in going to their house for a little while, it’s not like she was all that eager to go home. “Sure, sounds like fun.”


* * * * *


Michael headed up to his room once they got to the house, but Amy took Buffy to see their dad, smiling along the way.

“This is Rack, my father.”

He was tall, sinister looking, and had a crooked grin on his face.

Buffy was a bit intimidated, having a feeling that wasn’t his real name, but she remembered her manners. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Summers.” He took her hand in his, pressing a kiss to the back of it. “My daughter has told me much about you.”

She shuddered at his touch, pulling her hand away, but gracing him with a smile.

“I told Buffy about your dark room, Dad. She really wants to see it.”

A slow grin formed on his face. “Is that a fact? Well, then, I guess we shouldn’t keep her waiting.”


* * * * *


Buffy was on top of the world, well, the ceiling. She was plastered up there, Amy to her side, while Rack remained on the floor as he shot energy through their bodies. She now understood what Amy meant about feeling high on life. For the first time ever, Buffy felt free, like nothing else mattered. She shut her eyes as the electricity surged through her, never feeling anything so amazing before. This was definitely where she belonged.