Chapter 8: Learning
“Hey Willow, are you ready to go?”
“Yep. Got my lucky pen for the first day of class, my highlighters, notebooks and colored tabs, so I can index as I go.”
Buffy concealed a slight eye roll. She loved Willow, but her best friend was a little bit obsessive when it came to school sometimes.
“Let’s go then. I think my first class is in the same building as yours – Olin Hall. Given that’s the math building, I think this is the first and last time we’ll both be having classes there.”
She supressed a slight shudder. Math had to be one of her least favorite subjects, but she needed to get this Business Calculus class out of the way for her degree. Willow bounced along happily beside her. Apparently she had bumped into Xander yesterday and they’d gone for a long walk and done some catching up. Buffy smiled, she was happy the pair seemed to be hitting it off so well. She really hoped it would work out. They reached Olin and separated as Buffy made her way to Room 254 for the dreaded class to begin. Not the best way to start a Monday.
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“Buffy, wait up.” She turned as she walked down the steps of the building, slightly shell-shocked from the first class.
“Spike, hey, how are you doing?” Buffy hoped she wasn’t visibly blushing. She hadn’t seen him since the other night and she didn’t want to act awkward around him about what happened.
“Pretty good. Do you have class in here now?”
“Just finished actually, Business Calc. I know it’s a wimpy class to math and science types but it’s so hard for me. I’m just clueless about it.”
“Yeah, I remember that Calculus could be a little tricky.”
“So you’ve had it already.”
“Yeah, well, not the business version, but I had it a couple of years ago. Just think of it as plugging in numbers.”
He continued to walk with her as she headed back towards the dorm.
“Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask you about something. Is there anything going on with Willow and Xander? He dropped by yesterday evening and it was Willow said this and Willow did that. I don’t think I’ve heard Xan talk about a girl that much in a very long time.”
“Really? Willow’s going to be so excited to hear that. I think there is definitely something brewing between the two of them. You know she’s always had a crush on him, even when we were back in junior high. I’m so glad he’s noticing her now. She was a little nervous about things, but it sounds like it might be working out.” Buffy replied.
Spike nodded his agreement, then moved to a less welcome topic, but one he desperately wanted to know.
“Yeah, speaking of that pet, did Angel walk you home like he promised?”
Buffy suddenly found the architecture of the foreign language building ahead very interesting. “Yes. He actually walked the group back.”
“So everything went all right, he treated you proper?” Spike prodded.
“He was very polite, Spike. In fact, he asked me out for Friday.” Buffy bristled a little at the tone in his voice. Here we go again, Mr. Overprotective.
“Oh really.” His voice grew quiet. “And did you accept?”
“Yes.” Why did she feel so bad telling him about her date with Angel? She used to could tell him anything at all.
“Well, I’m happy for you both, Goldilocks. Looks like you and Red both are getting to make good on those little crushes you’ve nursed for so long.” Spike realized there was more than a little bitterness in his tone. “You let me know if he ever gets out of line, all right? I’d better dash, don’t want to be late to my next class.”
And then suddenly, he was gone, leaving her feeling cold despite the warm sunlight.
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Buffy slammed the book shut.
“Willow, I don’t mean to be a total dunce here, but this stuff is like Greek to me. I knew I should have taken a math class last year. I haven’t so much as glanced at anything more complicated than balancing my checkbook since we finished high school, how on earth am I ever going to be able to do this stuff?”
“Oh, Buffy, it’ll come back. Here let me see if I can help you.”
Over an hour later, Willow finally gave up. “Buffy, I don’t think I’m going to be able to help. I don’t know any other way to explain it. You really have a block with this stuff. Why don’t you check with the math lab on campus? Maybe they can find somebody who’ll click with you. Or you could ask Spike. Didn’t he help you with your math homework in high school? He seemed to be able to get you through Algebra, maybe he could help with this?”
Buffy mulled that one over. She wasn’t entirely sure Spike would want to help her. He’d seemed pretty dismissive earlier today. Maybe she should just call the lab. She returned to her struggles.
<><><><>
Buffy felt near to tears by the time she exited Olin Hall on Wednesday. Stupid math. That’s what computers and accountants were for. She didn’t intend to solve strange problems involving bridges or apples or whatever stupid example they threw at her. She knew she was overreacting, but she had been mortified when the professor had called on her to solve the first and apparently easiest problem, and she had been unable to even get the setup anywhere close to right. She definitely was going to need a tutor.
“Buffy, wait up.”
Buffy turned at the sound of a familiar voice. “Xander, hey, buddy. Haven’t seen you in a few days. How are you doing?”
“Good Buffy. Listen do you have a minute, I need to talk with you about something.”
Buffy smiled as they found a empty bench along the quad and sat down. She was pretty sure she knew where this was headed.
“Buffy, does Willow ever mention me?”
This was just too cute. She felt like she needed to write a little Xander note:
Dear Willow,
Do you like me?
Check yes or no.
Xander
.. and pass it to Will, then return the note with the yes box checked, so they could just move on with things.
“Xander, I’m going to have to know a little about why you’re asking to be able to answer that.”
He colored slightly. “Well, I, I’d like to ask her out. On a date. Not just as friends. But like a real date. Where I pick her up and stuff.”
Buffy stopped him before he babbled his way through the entire evening.
“Xander, do you really like Willow? I’m mean are you serious about this? Because I don’t want her to get her feelings hurt.”
Xander looked at her. “Buffy, I am serious. I’m not saying I’m going to propose or anything, but I really want to go out with her. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt Willow, you know that.”
Buffy smiled. “Very well, I just needed to double check. In answer to your question, she talks about you all the time.”
Xander broke into a huge grin. “Really? That’s great. I mean, we had a lot of fun the other night, but I didn’t know if it was just me and then I ran into her Sunday and we talked for like hours.”
Buffy impulsively hugged him. “Oh Xander, I hope things will work out for you guys, you are two of my favoritest people on the planet. But remember, you hurt her and I’ll have to kill you – got it?”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
“Hey Harris, are you macking on my girl?”
Both Buffy and Xander turned to see Angel approaching. His girl? Buffy stared at Angel, a little put off at this general announcement, like he was claiming her or something. They hadn’t even officially gone out yet.
Angel walked up to the pair and threw his arm around Buffy. Xander looked from Buffy to Angel and then threw a mock punch at his friend. “You sly dog, you, when did the two of you hook up? Was it at the party? I thought I heard someone in your room getting a little action when I went up to grab something from my room.”
Angel stiffened slightly against Buffy. “Oh, that wasn’t me, Xander. Somebody else must have been using my room – since it has a working lock and everything. No, Buffy has just agreed to go out with me on Friday night.”
Xander looked at the two of them again. He was pretty sure he’d seen Darla coming out of Angel’s room and he’d definitely bragged about his little beach encounter with her the week before. But whatever. Angel was pretty easy come and easy go with women. He let it drop.
“Well, congratulations, you two. Buffy, you never said a word.”
Buffy continued to smile, but she couldn’t help but wonder about Xander’s comment. She glanced down at her watch.
“Thanks, Xander. Oh guys, I’ve got to dash or I’ll be late for my next class. Xander, good luck with Willow. Angel, call me and let me know what we’re doing on Friday, okay? Bye guys.” She shrugged out from under his arm and walked to her next class, a small seed of doubt taking root about this thing with Angel.
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Buffy waited outside the auditorium as Giles concluded his lecture and the students streamed out. He finished answering the questions of the students who had gathered near the front at the end and then moved over to where she was standing.
“Hey Giles, how was your class?”
“It was good, Buffy. The lectures are generally just that, very little discussion in a class this size, but they all seem quite attentive. I have a wonderful seminar group this semester as well. How were your first few days of classes? Jenny said you called the other night, I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk with you.”
“Oh that’s okay, it was just some girl talk. How are you two?”
Giles looked slightly embarrassed, but his tone was proud as he replied, “We’re doing quite well actually. I’m just wondering why I waited so long now. I’m so fortunate someone didn’t win her heart while I was gone.”
Buffy squeezed his arm. “I’m so glad you too are finally together for real. I always knew you were perfect for each other.”
They continued down the hallway and exited the building.
“Giles, did you guys have plans tonight? I was wondering if I could bum a ride with you. I forgot a few things I need and I thought we might could have dinner if you and Jenny aren’t busy.”
“No, that’d be wonderful Buffy. I think Jenny had said she wanted to eat in tonight, I know she’ll love for you to join us. I’ll drive you back to campus after dinner or bring you back in the morning, if you’d rather. I need to be on campus early.”
They made their way to Giles’ car and continued to fill each other in on the weekend and the first few days of school as they drove.
When they pulled into the drive, Buffy quickly ran up the stairs to the door. “Jenny? I’ve come for dinner.”
Jenny appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Buffy? How are you doing? You can stay for dinner?”
“If it’s not a problem?”
“No, I made plenty. I’m so glad to see you.” She pulled Buffy in for a quick hug before she settled in on one of the stools to nibble at the salad sitting on the table.
Giles followed Buffy into the kitchen and came around for a quick kiss from Jenny before leaving to change clothes and drop his books off in his study. Buffy drank in the sight of the two of them together, so clearly in love. She really hoped she could find what they had one day, preferably before she was their age. Jenny turned back to her as Giles left the room.
“Isn’t he a sweetie? So, how are classes? Everything going well?”
“They’re all good except for this stupendously hard math class. I’m just lost in there, Jenny. I have this huge mental block and I’m going to really have a problem, I think. Willow tried to tutor me, but it didn’t help.”
“Why don’t you ask William? He helped you in high school, didn’t he?”
“That’s what Willow said.” Buffy looked away. “I don’t want to bother him, Jenny. I mean, I know he’s really busy this semester.”
“Buffy, I know he’d love to help you. Why don’t you at least ask? How about I’ll call him after dinner and tell him you’ll drop by for just a minute to discuss it, okay?”
“You really think he wouldn’t mind? He really did help a lot in high school. It always made sense when he explained things. Maybe I can do his laundry for him or something?”
“See, I like that – bartering for service. You have an entrepreneurial spirit. I know I’m going to love having you work at the gallery. Now let’s talk about your hours and the kinds of things you’ll be doing.”
They continued to discuss the gallery and Buffy’s new job as they finished preparing dinner together.
After dinner, as Buffy put the last of the dishes away, she ran up to her room to grab a few items she’d forgotten when moving that she wanted to take back to campus. As she came back down the stairs, Giles appeared around the corner.
“Ready to head back to campus, dear? Jenny says you need to stop by and see William about him tutoring you in math?’
“I guess. She thinks he won’t mind helping me, so I probably should talk with him. Do you know where he lives?’
“Oh yes, it’s actually right on the edge of campus, you know that small neighborhood off of Country Club Road? He has a little loft over one of the houses. I can drop you off and I’m sure he won’t mind seeing you home. Jenny’s going to call him right now.”
Buffy found Jenny in the living room and gave her a quick hug before grabbing her bookbag and the satchel she’d packed.
Just as they reached the car, Buffy glanced across the street and saw Xander coming out of his house.
“Hey Xander? Are you going back towards campus?”
“Hey Buffy, Giles. How are you guys tonight? Yeah, I just had to drop something off for my mom and I’m driving back over now. You need a ride?”
“Would you mind? Then Giles won’t have to take me back over. Only I’m actually going to Spike’s to see if he can help me with my math class.”
“No problem, that’s even closer to the house. I can drop you off.”
Giles interrupted. “Are you sure you don’t mind, Xander? I can drop Buffy off if it’s an inconvenience.”
“Nope, it’s really on my way. Buffster, grab your bags and we’ll boogie.”
“Thanks, Xander. I’ll see you later, Giles. Thanks for dinner.” She grabbed him a quick hug and pecked his cheek, then ran across the street.
Giles watched as the pair climbed into Xander’s car and drove away, then quickly turned back to the house. Now, maybe he could surprise Jenny.
He quietly slid open the door and approached the living room stealthily. He saw Jenny with her back to him and slipped up behind her, sliding his arms around her and cupping her breasts as he nibbled at her neck. Jenny dropped the phone she’d been dialing and gave a short scream.
“Rupert?”
“Yes, my love?”
She turned quickly. “You nearly gave me a heart attack. Where’s Buffy?”
“Xander’s giving her a ride back to campus. I guess that gives us a little extra time to play tonight.” He grinned at her wickedly as his hands continued to roam over her. Jenny quickly began working the buttons of his shirt loose, thankful she had closed the blinds earlier. She knew the neighbors were gossiping about them, at least they wouldn’t give them the full show. Her phone call to Spike was forgotten as she slid Giles’ shirt from his shoulders.
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“So, I called Willow this afternoon and we’re going out on Friday. Listen, I was wondering, would you want to maybe make it a double date, since you’re going out with Angel then?”
“That would be cool.” Buffy was secretly relieved at the suggestion. Maybe things would be less awkward with the four of them together. She didn’t feel entirely comfortable with Angel, their phone conversations had been short and she was nervous at the prospect of a whole evening of stilted attempts at dialogue.
“Good. I’ll mention it to Angel tonight. I thought maybe dinner and then we could go see a movie or go bowling or something after.”
“Sounds good. I’m glad you guys worked things out.”
“Well, its cool about you and Angel, too. He’s a great guy, Buffy and he seems pretty taken with you. Looks like he may be done sowing his wild oats.”
Buffy gave him a strange look at the last comment, but replied, “Yeah, I know. I’m a lucky girl.”
Xander pulled his car into the small driveway beside Spike’s. “Well here we are. Just go up those stairs on the side to get to Spike’s place. Is he going to take you home?”
“I think so. Jenny was calling him when we left. Thanks for the ride, Xander. I’ll see you on Friday, if not before.”
Buffy exited the door and waved as he drove off, then grabbed her bags and mounted the stairs. She was a little nervous about asking the favor, but her curiosity about seeing Spike’s place overrode that.
She reached the top and knocked softly on the door. She waited a minute, then knocked harder. Suddenly, the door was opened to reveal Spike standing before her. “What do you want, oh. Buffy. Hey luv, I wasn’t expecting you. Come in.”
Buffy stared. Spike was shirtless, wearing only a pair of loose athletic shorts which rode low on his waist. His hair was tousled into soft curls and he was the most beautiful thing she thought she’d ever seen. She sincerely hoped she wasn’t drooling.
He suddenly realized that she was fixated on his bare chest and hadn’t moved since he’d opened the door, so he hastily grabbed a t-shirt that was laying across the back of the couch and slung it on as he turned back to her. He couldn’t help but feel a little pride at her obvious admiration of him, he was only human after all. But what on earth was she doing here?
Buffy shook herself out of her daze and moved into the room, closing the door behind her and taking in the surroundings. She admired the simplicity of the place and the neat groupings that divided the flow of the space into separate areas.
“Wow, Spike, your apartment’s very cool, can I get the grand tour?”
He was still confused as to why she was here, but he didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth. The more time with her the better.
“Sure pet. But you’re okay, aren’t you? I mean, everything’s all right?”
“Everything’s fine. Oh, did Jenny not call yet? I though she would have by now.”
He shook his head. “No, is something wrong with her?”
“No she’s fine, she was just going to call and tell you I was going to drop by. I had a favor I needed to ask.”
“Ask away.”
Buffy looked slightly embarrassed.
“I really hate to bother you with this. I know you are really busy with stuff this year and if you don’t have time, I totally understand. It’s just that math class, you know the one I was coming out of when I ran into you Monday? Spike, I’m so lost in there. I don’t even know where to start and I just don’t understand when Willow explains it to me. Jenny thought you might be able to help, you were so good at explaining math to me in high school. Please Spike? I’m willing to barter. Make a trade? What do you want in return?”
The question hung in the air and the many possible answers to the offer surfaced in both their minds. Spike had known as soon as she asked that he’d gladly find time to tutor her. But then she’d had to sweeten the pot. What did he want? Her. He couldn’t stifle the impulse to make the obvious reply in a slow, seductive drawl.
“I don’t know, luv, what are you offering?”
Buffy found herself coloring again as his words immediately conjured up images of her performing sexual favors for him. Where had that come from? She refused to meet his eyes and continued to look at the floor as he laughed softly.
“I’m just giving you a hard time. Of course I’ll be happy to help you.”
“Oh no, Spike, I won’t feel right if you don’t let me do something in return. I can do your laundry, or make you dinner on the nights you tutor me or something like that.”
“Why, Goldilocks, never pegged you for the domestic type. When did you take up cooking? I remember some fairly disastrous attempts in high school.”
“Hey, I thought you liked those biscuits I made.”
He laughed at the memory, diffusing some of the tension in the air. “Those were the hardest bread I’ve ever tried to eat. I just didn’t want to hurt your feelings when you’d worked so hard on them.”
She punched him lightly on the arm. “Thanks a lot. Well, when I say cook, I actually mean pick up the phone and order take-out, but I’m quite skilled at that. And I have gotten better with actual cooking, I’ll have you know.”
“Well sounds like a plan then. You can show me your culinary skills and I’ll tutor you once a week. Fair enough?”
“Wonderful. Spike, think you so much, you are truly a lifesaver. Now show me your place.”
She checked out his small living room, then he showed her the intricacies of his small kitchen. She complimented him on the coziness of the study area formed by low bookshelves. Then he led her around the screen to his “bedroom” and Buffy gaped at the large bed situated under the skylight.
“Spike, that is so cool. You can see the stars! That’s way better than those little glow in the dark things I use to have on my ceiling.”
She resisted the urge to comment on the size of the bed itself, with its decadent crimson satin comforter. She headed towards the only door to check out the bathroom.
He laughed as she stared at the tub. “Can I move in with you? I mean right now? This is the coolest bathroom. Spike, you have a tub. An honest to goodness tub that you could actually soak in. I am so jealous. I think I love bubble baths almost as much as chocolate and that tub just begs for Calgon.”
He smothered the images of Buffy frolicking naked in bubbles in said tub as he ushered her back to the main room.
“Well, pet, you ever want to make use of it, let me know and you can come over and soak. In point of fact, what don’t I just give you a key? That way you can study here whenever you want. It’s usually very quiet and you can get away from the dorm when you need to and let yourself in on our study night if I’m not here yet.”
“You sure you don’t mind?” Buffy frowned, worried that it would be too intrusive to just pop in whenever she wanted.
“No. I had all the locks changed a few years ago, had a little incident with too many people passing around my keys. Now the only people with keys are Xander and Angel, who have strict instructions not to loan them out. You’re welcome to one, pet. I don’t mind you using the place at all.”
“Are you sure it won’t,” she paused, unsure how to phrase this without being nosy, “cramp your style if I were to show up unexpectedly?”
He realized what she was fishing for. “No Buffy, there’s nothing you can walk in on that would embarrass you. No girlies running ’round, if that’s what you are getting at.”
Buffy smiled at his words, secretly pleased at the confirmation that Spike didn’t have a girlfriend.
“Thank you then. I think I will take that key. I’m sorry to drop in on you so unexpectedly tonight. I hate to ask you this, but it nearly 10:00PM. Would you mind walking me home?
“Sure. We’re actually really close to Stevenson, if we take this little shortcut, but don’t be doing this at night by yourself.”
He grabbed her bag and a flashlight and ushered her out the door, locking it behind him. He showed her the side street that paralleled the campus behind the dorms, and the small path though the woods that allowed them to cut across to the campus directly.
“I had no idea you were so close. That’s less than a ten minute walk. You better watch out, Spike, now that I know where you are, I’m going to be popping up all the time,” she teased.
“Fine by me pet. You know you are always welcome. When do you want to start working on your calc?”
“Could we tomorrow night? I have class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and I’d love to be prepared for the next class”
“Sounds good. Bout sixish? That should be before dark and I’ll walk you home afterwards.”
“Great. Thank you again, Spike, for everything.”
“Goodnight, Goldilocks.”
She watched him saunter away as she closed the door to the dorm. Despite a few awkward moments, that had gone well. She was excited, she’d see him again tomorrow night. It was almost like old times, when they would hang out with each other nearly every day after school. She mounted the stairs to tell Willow about her tutoring arrangements and the proposed double date for Friday.