Chapter 11
As soon as she could, she made her way out of the cafeteria and ran as fast as she could to the nearest bathrooms, locking herself in the stall furthest from the door. She sat on the covered toilet, waiting for the adrenaline in her system to reach acceptable levels. The confrontation in the cafeteria had been too much, but she had to admit she was pretty proud of her reaction to the dark haired couple. She felt her stomach flip-flop at the memory of Dru haughtily clinging to Angel, trying as best as possible to let her know that he was now *her* property.
“Arrogant little…” Buffy began between clenched teeth when she heard a light knock on the door.
Frowning, the petite blonde bent down to peep from under the door to find to a large combat boot tapping the tiled floor impatiently. In a flash, she opened the door. “What the hell are you-“
She was cut off as the Brit covered her mouth with his hand.
“Do you want to get me into trouble?” He asked, but before she could answer him she was being dragged by her hand out of the bathroom, down the hall and out the side door of the building to reach the back of the school.
“Why did you drag me here?” She snapped annoyed.
He ignored her and grinned wildly at her.
“Did you see Dru’s face? And the poof? God, I never thought it would work this fast. This is just bloody fantastic!” He exclaimed as he walked around in circles, rubbing his hands together.
Buffy scratched her head as she observed the bleached teen ramble on and on about how the plan was amazing and was working perfectly.
“Pretty soon Dru will be so jealous she won’t have a choice but to come back to me. God! I miss her so much!”
Something about the way he said it, the sincerity in his tone maybe, made her stomach turn and she had to fight back the urge to kick him.
“Did you drag me here to listen to your pathetic love struck ramblings, Romeo?” The petite blonde grumbled, crossing her hands over her chest and leaning on the wall.
“Listen, Betty.”
At that, Buffy made an attempt to protest, but he never gave her a chance:
“No matter what you say, or how nasty you are right now, you are *not* going to ruin my good mood. I guarantee you.” Spike promised, a goofy smile still plastered over his lips and an annoying sparkle brightening his blue eyes. “I saw what happened back there. She still loves me, I know it!”
“She practically glued herself to Angel!” Buffy retorted.
“Because she was jealous.”
“Men really like to fool themselves.” She sighed loudly.
“She loves me!”
“She doesn’t care about you! Get it through that thick skull of yours, you big oaf.” She insisted, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
“I know Dru.”
“Right. That’s why you knew she was boinking the star quarterback of the school.”
At that, the smile on his face crumbled, quickly being replaced by a strange empty look in his eyes. She watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed hard. Without a word he turned to leave, but her small hand gripped him by his arm.
“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-“
Before she could finish he was in her face, raw anger flashing in his eyes.
“You are a the most self-centred, heartless, stubborn little brat I’ve ever met in my entire life.” And without another word he stormed out of there, his long black duster swaying in the breeze as he left.
~+~
She sighed heavily, letting her fingers thread between her long blonde strands. She stared blindly ahead at no particular object or person. The feel of a light tap on her shoulder made her jump up to attention.
“Willow!” She greeted as the redhead took a seat next to her on the bleachers.
“Hey!”
The two sat in silence watching the empty football field, until the taller girl spoke:
“So…”
Buffy cut her off before she had a chance to speak any further:
“Willow, am I self-centred?”
She slowly rocked herself back and forth, hugging her denim-covered legs against her chest.
“Of course not. Why do you ask?” Willow frowned.
“Nothing.” Buffy shook her head and returned her gaze to the green field that spread before their eyes.
“What happened?” The redhead enquired.
Buffy rested her chin on her knees; her eyes never leaving the grass as she spoke:
“What about heartless and stubborn?”
“Where did you get that from?”
Finally, she turned to look at Willow.
“Be honest.”
“Well…” The redhead girl hesitated for a moment. “You can be a bit… harsh sometimes. Especially if you’ve been hurt.” Willow admitted.
Buffy closed her eyes for a few moments and then stood up.
“I gotta go. See you in Spanish, Will.”
~+~
She looked for him in the entire school; the only place left to search was the library. It was useless. He had left. Even so, she decided to give it a try. Her eyes widened as she entered the room and found the familiar black-clad teen sitting at a table scribbling in his notebook.
“Hey.” She whispered as she approached him.
He jumped up and immediately slammed the notebook shut.
“What do you want?” He grumbled.
Taking her time, she prepared to sit next to him, but the moment she bent down he was up and walking over to a wall covered with books. She sighed and walked after him.
“Ok, I deserved that.” She grumbled apologetically, but he wouldn’t hear of it as he moved along the corridor, apparently looking for a book. “Spike!” She called out a bit too loud and was immediately shushed by the resident librarian. “Sorry!” she whispered as she turned to walk after the bleached teen. “Spike!” she hissed pulling at his duster, but he continued to pretend she wasn’t even there, staring up at the shelves.
Having no choice, she moved between him and the bookcase. She held her breath as she realised that her simple motion had put her in a very precarious situation – her back pressed against the shelves and a thin 2-inch thick veil of air separated her from the boy standing in front of her.
“Will you please move?” He asked looking straight through her.
“Not until you talk to me.” She managed to say as she stared up at him.
She nearly gasped as he looked down at her, never moving away from her.
“What do you want?” He asked with a distant tone.
Buffy blinked wildly for a few seconds as she tried to get a hold of herself. ‘What the hell is happening to me?’ A voice asked in her head.
“I-I’m sorry.” She managed to stutter.
He eyed her suspiciously from under frown.
“I realise that I can be a pain sometimes.” She started.
“Just sometimes?” He questioned sarcastically, raising his scared eyebrow.
“Hey! I’m apologising here. Give me a break, ok?”
The blond teen nodded and waited for her to continue.
“And you just caught me in one of those… sometimes. So, I’m sorry for saying what I said, ok?”
She waited for an answer but he simply stared down at her. The closeness between them was becoming unbearable and she held her breath as her heart raced. Finally, having had enough of the brain splitting tension she spoke up:
“Ok. Could you just step back a little? My oxygen blood levels are becoming an issue here.” She meant to sound haughty and sarcastic, but it came out in an awkward and faltering voice.
Nodding slightly, he stepped back but remained silent.
“So…” she started, trying hard to break the nerve-racking stillness between them, but failing miserably at it. Eventually, she gave up and let out a loud sigh before asking: “Are you giving me the silent treatment? Cause it’s really starting to freak me out.”
“You talk too much, pet.” He said simply.
“Hey!” She protested as they started to move down the corridor.
Spike continued to search the shelves for a particular book.
“What are you doing here, anyway?” She finally asked after a few moments.
“You just can’t keep quiet, can you?”
“I don’t like silence. It makes me uncomfortable.”
At that, Spike frowned.
“What?” She asked defensively.
“Nothing.” He shook his head and continued his search.
It wasn’t long before she spoke once again:
“You never answered my question. What are you doing here?”
“Reading.” Spike stated the obvious, his eyes still wandering over the mountain of books displayed before them.
“You read?”
“Ever since I was six. Isn’t that just amazing?” He asked with sarcastic enthusiasm.
Buffy forced a plastic smile on her face which instantly crumbled. They continued slowly making their way down the corridor, until he reached for a book and started skimming through it. She simply leaned on the bookcase and waited for him to find what he was looking for when they heard two whispering voices coming from the corridor next to theirs.
“What do you mean you don’t believe it? Of course they’re together.”
“No, they’re not. I mean, one minute they hate each other and the next they’re walking down the halls holding hands, and sitting together at the cafeteria. Come on, it’s so fake. It’s like that episode in…”
“It’s Jonathan and Andrew.” Buffy mouthed at Spike, who had put down the book and was now listening in on the conversation.
“No way. They are so together. They’re like Princess Leia and Han Solo. The incessant sparring and banter? All a façade to conceal the undeniable animal attraction that pulls them together.” They heard Jonathan argue. “And now that they’ve realised it, they’re down major make-out lane.”
Buffy cringed at the statement, her facial muscles contorting in disgust.
“A-ha!” Andrew noted triumphantly. “There was no make-out. Ever. And that is my point. If what they have is the classic Princess Leia and Han Solo storyline then we should have witnessed some major smooching by now. But all we got was pathetic holding hands and sitting together at lunch.”
“Maybe Buffy wants to take it slow. You know, maybe she’s still hurt because of Angel.”
“Buffy? Taking it slow? Ha!” Andrew laughed. “I bet you she is just doing it to make Angel jealous. That girl’s completely head over heels for the beefy quarterback. She’d do anything to have him back. It’s pathetic.”
Buffy’s eyes widened and raw anger flashed in them.
“Why that little weasel!” She growled between clenched teeth.
She balled up her fists and began to storm down the corridor, when Spike’s strong hand caught a grip on her arm.
“Calm down.” He hissed, pulling her closer. “Beating the crap out of those whelps is not going to solve anything.”
“They think I’m… I’m… easy!” She retorted.
“Believe me when I say that you are *not* easy. There is nothing easy about you.”
Buffy stopped for a second trying to figure out if what he had said was a compliment or not.
“I told you no one would believe it. I mean, we didn’t even fool the chess club back there.” Spike titled his head towards the bookcase that separated them from the nerdy couple.
Buffy let out a deep sigh, pulling her arm out of his grip and massaging it as she pondered.
“What do you suggest we do?”
Spike paused for a moment, even though he already knew the answer to her question, he just hadn’t figure out the best way to inform her of it.
“We kiss. In front of the whole school.” He finally managed to say.
Buffy’s eyes widened.
“I can’t kiss you. If I kiss you I’ll…. I’ll probably throw up!” She replied in disgust.
“Thanks, luv.” His words dripping with sarcasm.
“But…” Her eyebrows came up her forehead in a painful frown and they remained in silence.
“She’s not dating Spike. It’s all a scam to get Angel back.” They heard Andrew insist on the other side of the bookcase. His voice was becoming clearer and it was obvious that he was rounding the corner to enter the same corridor she and Spike were in.
Without a word, Buffy grabbed Spike by the lapels of his duster and slammed him against the shelves before crushing his mouth with hers.
Spike gasped, suddenly out of breath. Her tiny hands traced erratic patterns on his chest as her lips viciously captured his, pulling and pushing in a demanding and urgent kiss. His brain went on complete overload at the feel of her small body pressing against his, her legs entwining with his as she now nibbled on his lower lip.
A high-toned squeak announced Jonathan and Andrew’s presence and Buffy pulled away to look at the dumbstruck duo. She ran the back of her hand over her moistened lips as she looked the two boys up and down. She smiled inwardly as she realised she had achieved her goal. She grabbed Spike’s hand and dragged the stunned teen out of there.
The moment she exited the library she jumped up and let out a satisfied yelp.
“Did you see their faces? Oh, God it was hilarious! Did you see it? Did you see it? Spike? Are you ok?” Buffy came down from her euphoria as she noticed the dazed Brit simply gawking. “Spike?”
“Huh? What? Oh! Yeah, yeah I saw it.” He managed to say as he shifted uncomfortably.
“It was just so cool!” Buffy returned to her celebration. “That’ll show them.”
She smiled wildly, but it crumbled as soon as the bell rang.
“Oh! Damn it! I’m late! See you later.” She yelled as she ran down the hall, leaving a bleached teen to gather himself.
~+~
Buffy dragged her tired feet across the floor as she entered the house. Plopping on the couch she picked up the remote and turned on the TV. It wasn’t long before she had dozed off in front of the flickering screen. She jumped up as she felt a soft hand run over her cheek.
“Mom!” She blinked wildly as she tried to figure out were she was. “I must have dozed off. What time is it?”
“It’s eight thirty.” Mrs. Summers informed her as she took her place next to her daughter. “How was your day?”
“Uh… a mess. I’m just so tired.” The blonde teen confessed as she leaned in to rest her head on her mother’s lap.
“How is William?”
“Who?” Buffy frowned at the name.
“William, that nice young man who was here the other day.”
“Oh, you mean Spike! He’s ok.”
“Good. I hope he hasn’t been having too much trouble in school.” Mrs. Summers wished, running her hands through her daughter’s thick hair.
“Why would you think that?”
“You know… Kids your age can be really hard on… different people.” The older woman stuttered.
“Yeah we can. But he’s not having any problems because of it.” The teen explained.
“Good.”
A moment of silence filtered between mother and daughter as they watched the screen still turned on in front of them.
“He only has problems with Angel.” Buffy spoke out of nowhere.
“Angel? You mean your boyfriend?” Mrs. Summers enquired.
“Ex-boyfriend mom. Emphasis on the ex part.” The blonde girl noted. “Yep. I never really understood why, but they never got along. They used to hang out together when Spike first moved to Sunnydale. But then, all of a sudden they started hating each other. Go figure.” Buffy shrugged as she finished speaking.
“Hum… Strange.” Mrs. Summers mumbled as her mind drifted over the various possible explanations for the occurrence.
She was snapped out of her thoughts by a sharp ringing sound.
“Hello?” Buffy greeted as she picked up the phone. “Wills! Hey!” Pause. “Next Friday? Sure! Ok then. It’s a date. Bye. Goodnight Wills.” Putting down the receiver she turned to face her mom. “That was Willow. She was inviting me to go out to the Bronze next Friday. Is it ok?”
“You’ve been going out too often young lady.” Mrs. Summers noted.
“Oh, mom… Please!” Buffy begged.
“Ok, fine. But be home by midnight.”
“Thanks mom, you’re the best.”
Giving her mother a quick peck on the cheek she prepared to go upstairs when she heard Mrs. Summers call her name.
“I’ll be going out tonight. You’re dinner is in the microwave.”
For the first time since she’d woken up she realise her mother was dressed up and… wearing make up?
“Mom! You’re going on a date?” The teen asked surprised.
“Yes, I am.” Mrs Summers answered simply, as she moved to put on her coat.
“With who?”
“With whom.” She corrected as a honk was heard. “That should be him. Goodnight, honey. And don’t stay up late.”
“Mom?” Buffy was left speaking to herself as she watched her mother waltz out of the house.
~+~
“Come on, pick up!” Buffy repeated over and over again into the receiver. “Damn it, Willow!” she cursed slamming the phone down.
She paced nervously around the living room. Her arms folded over her chest as she tapped her nails on her sweater.
“My mom. On a date?” Her mind was swirling. She knew it would eventually happen, and she always thought she would be ok with it, but apparently, she was wrong. Her stomach turned at the though of her mother and some stranger going out together, holding hands, kissing… Erg! “Not going there. That’s just… scary!”
She continued to walkabout the room. Occasionally picking up the phone and dialling either Willow’s or Xander’s number, but every time she had no answer.
“Where is everybody? It’s a school night for Christ sake.” She talked to herself as she looked at the living room clock. “It’s nine pm; they should be at home by now.” She protested to the walls when the phone rang. “Finally!” she breathed in relief as she picked up the receiver. “Where have you been? I have been calling you for hours. You won’t believe what happened!” she said in one breath.
Her face turned bright red when she heard from the other side of the line:
“Hey, pet. Didn’t know you wanted me that bad. That kiss in the library left you craving, huh?”
She felt her stomach flip-flop in disgust and the anger start to boil up in her veins.
“Spike!” She hissed between clenched teeth.
“The one and only, luv.”
She could actually hear him smirking. Grrrr.
“What do want?” She growled.
“I think the question is what do you want. You were the one telling me you were calling me for hours.” He answered cockily.
“I thought you were someone else.” She answered dryly.
“Who?” The question was out of his lips before he could suppress it.
“No one.” She barked.
“Come one now, luv. I thought you were supposed to tell me everything.” He replied smugly.
“Since when do I have to tell you anything?”
“Since you became my girl.” He answered directly.
“I’m *not* you’re girl, Spike.” She growled once more. He was really starting to get on her nerves.
“Of course you are.”
“What do you want?” She asked again.
“Just wanted to know how my goldilocks was doing.” He continued with a slurred tone.
“I’m fine!” She said slamming the receiver.
Seconds later the phone was ringing again.
“Hello?” She answered.
“Not nice to slam the phone in someone’s face, luv. Especially not your boyfriend.” He started.
“You are *not* my boyfriend, Spike.” She practically yelled into the receiver.
“No need to shout love.”
Buffy sighed audibly. The sound of his voice the next second caught her off guard. Gone was the cocky, slurred voice to be replaced by a serious and almost concerned tone.
“Are you ok, luv?”
“I’m fine.” She said exasperated.
“You don’t sound fine.”
“Spike. Just leave me alone. I’m not in the mood for another one of our sparring contests. You win ok?” She was almost begging him.
There was a moment of silence before he said:
“I’ll be there in a two minutes.”
“What? Spike? No!” Before she could say anything else she got the dead signal from the other side of the line. “Oh, God no…”