15 Minutes of Fame
Summary: Fantasy. Spike moves to New York City and becomes a semi-famous actor. What happens when he and Buffy become more than 'just friends'? Can she handle the paparazzi?
~Chapter 1~
"You're what?!"
"I'm moving to New York, luv."
"But…why?" Buffy couldn't believe what she was hearing. Two weeks to graduation and her best friend now decided that he was moving to the east coast.
"Well I go accepted to that big acting school over there an' thought I'd give it a try." Spike leaned his head back, face turned toward the heavens.
It was a beautiful day in southern California. The sky was a magnificent shade of blue and no clouds could be seen for miles. The air was warm, not overly hot like most days, and a slight breeze blew through occasionally. A slew of students sat outside, decorating the quad of Sunnydale High. Most sat at the numerous picnic tables eating their lunches, but a few just lazed about on the grass, enjoying the welcomed break from classes.
"I still don't understand why you have to go all the way to New York," Buffy whined. She plucked a piece of grass from the freshly cut lawn and tossed it at Spike. "I mean there are plenty of good acting schools in L.A."
"I know there are, but this school is the best. They're very selective in their admissions process. Just being accepted is an honor." Spike carelessly ripped out a handful of grass and hurled the clod at Buffy.
"Mature," she sneered, brushing the dirt off of her arm. "I thought you had decided to come to UCLA with me."
"I was plannin' on it luv," Spike smiled, "but that was before I got accepted in New York."
"I just can't believe you're doing this!"
"Doing what?"
Both Buffy and Spike looked behind them to see Riley Finn, Buffy's boyfriend, standing there.
"Spike's moving to New York City," Buffy explained as Riley took a place on the lawn next to her.
"Really? That's great. Congratulations," Riley said.
"Yeah," Spike mumbled. It was a well known fact that Spike and Riley didn't get along. Buffy believed that it was because Riley was a jock and part of the popular clique. He hung out with people like Cordelia, Harmony, Graham, and Forest. Spike had never gotten along well with the group, mostly because they avoided him like the black plague.
The real reason that Spike and Riley didn't get along was that they were both in love with the same person: Buffy. Although Buffy refused to see Spike as anything other than her best friend.
"You know what this means, don't you?" Buffy asked. Both Spike and Riley looked at her dumbfounded. "There's going to be no one going to UCLA with me. I'm gonna have to face the city alone."
"I thought Captain Cardboard here was joining you," Spike said gesturing to Riley. The latter sent Spike an icy glare. He knew that Riley hated the nickname, thus he used it at every possible opportunity.
"no," Buffy explained breaking into the mounting tension, "Riley's staying at UC Sunnydale. He's too big of a baby to move away from home."
"It's not like that," Riley interjected. He eyed Spike warily before continuing, "Mom wants me close to home. In case anything should happen to my aunt." Riley's aunt Mary lived with him and his family. She had been diagnosed with cancer a year ago and the doctors said the outlook wasn't good. So Riley's mother had volunteered to care for her sister. Buffy had met the lady once; she seemed nice enough.
"Well isn't that noble of you?" Spike jested. "Stayin' in good ol' Sunnydale while your honey is moving to L.A. All so you can help your poor mum."
Riley growled angrily before rising to his feet. With one final look at his girlfriend and the pathetic excuse for a human being she called her friend, he stormed away muttering something under his breathe.
"Why do you always do that?" Buffy asked, her voice thick with annoyance. "Can't you two get along for more than two minutes?"
"Hey I made an effort," Spike said in his own defense. "Not my fault the boy is such a damn whelp."
"Buffy sighed heavily and got to her feet. "I'll catch up with you later, Spike," she smiled before chasing after her boyfriend.
Graduation Day…
Buffy was awash in a sea of…well…maroon. Caps and gowns surrounded her; students populated the quad, being hugged by proud parents and grandparents. Buffy had just escaped the clutches of her mother and stepfather. They were all too proud that she had actually graduated high school.
Walking slowly through the vacant halls, the only sounds being the constant clicking of her heels against the floor and her own breathing, Buffy starred nostalgically at her surroundings. She stopped just outside the library doors and stared in through the porthole windows. The stacks stood in shadows, books tucked away for a long summer of rest. The study table sat as always, in the center of the room, several chairs spread around it neatly. Buffy sighed as she remembered all the good times and wonderful memories that the library held for her.
'My life is definitely not normal,' she sighed contently. 'I mean how many people are going to miss hanging out in their high school library.'
"Thought I'd find you here," came the all too familiar British voice.
"Spike," Buffy smiled without turning around.
"The one and only," he laughed. He came up behind her and peered over her shoulder into the library. "Sure had some good times in there."
Buffy laughed heartily, "Sure did." She could sense Spike's proximity and for some odd reason it made her tense. 'What's up with me today? It's just Spike.'
Inside Spike's mind, a private war ragged; conflicting ideas bouncing around. 'Just do it, bloody just do it.' Mentally preparing himself, Spike opened his mouth to speak but before her could utter a single syllable someone interrupted.
"Buffy?" Riley called. Spotting her near the end of the hallway, he strode toward her, his gown flaring out around him.
'Bloody hell,' Spike thought venomously. 'Whelp's always screwing things up.'
"Yeah?" Buffy answered feeling like a child that had been caught sneaking a look at the Christmas gifts. 'But I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm just talking to Spike. Why do I feel so embarrassed then?'
"You're parents are looking for you. They said something about stopping at the gallery before heading home."
"Great," Buffy sighed, "another thousand pictures to be taken and a bunch of hugs. I can't wait." She threw her arms around Spike and hugged him tightly, surprising both he and Riley. Just as suddenly as the hug had been initiated, it was over. Buffy backed away slowly and peered at Spike, he looked different somehow. 'What is wrong with me?' Snapping back to reality she turned to Riley and planted a long, soft kiss on his lips. Breaking the kiss, Buffy looked at both men and walked quickly down the hallway.
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