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a fan-fiction by 0.0 sigmakutie
Chapter 2- Experiment
SUMMERY: So… basically, Spike asks about Buffy's ring, you know, her claddagh ring, and angst ensues. Be aware! This is a very angsty chapter! Make sure you at least tolerate angst before you start reading this.
AUTHOUR'S NOTE: You know I never really understood why authors asked— no— begged for reviews… until now. We need help! PLEASE! Leave reviews! I'm asking— sorry— begging you as a fellow author!
"What's that?" Spike asked, pointing to the ring on my left ring finger. We were all sitting at the lunch table, chatting, and Spike just had to bring that up.
I looked down at my ring, "It's my claddagh ring. My-" I hesitated at the next word. Would it discourage Spike to know that I had a boyfriend? I glanced at Willow with pleading eyes. She nodded, urging me to say it, "—boyfriend, Angel, gave it to me."
"Oh," was all he said. I saw the hurt, then anger, then jealousy flash across his eyes. I knew it would discourage him. Stupid Willow. But when I looked back into Spike's eyes, I saw one last thing. Determination.
He was determined? About what?
"Tell us, Buffy. What is a claddagh ring?"Willow asked, sounding much like a bad reporter who was trying too hard.
I looked at her with curious eyes, she motioned towards Spike. When I looked at him, the determination was burning like a fire.
"Uh…," I hesitated, "Well the hands represent friendship," I pointed to the tiny hands on the silver ring, "The crown represents loyalty," I saw Spike swallow hard, his eyes turning a dark navy blue from the soft sky blue he usually wore, "And the heart… well…" I hesitated again, "It represents love."
Spike's jaw clenched tight with a snap. Darkness, cold and icy, filled his face. I instantly regretted it. I could hardly look at him; I avoided his eyes, looking at anything but him. For once, I was happy that lunch was over.
I walked hurriedly out of the cafeteria to the girl's locker room with Willow close behind. We reached the door to the locker rooms; I turned around and pulled Willow to the side.
"Why didn't you stop me?" I said to Willow, "Come on, you saw how hurt he was. I knew it would only bring badness." Willow had one of those cute goofy smiles plastered onto her face. I was so confused, "What are you smiling about?"
"It worked," She smiled wider
"What did?"
"He was hurt!"
"And that's good, how?"
"It means that he cares about you," I was taken aback. He cared?
"Really?" I asked. Willow smiled a bright victory smile and nodded vigorously.
"Buffy! He likes you," She grabbed my hands and looked like she was gonna jump around and squeal, "He wants you, Buffy. And I can so tell you want him to."
I smiled sheepishly I admitted to myself that I was in love with Spike. Wait! Love? No. I shook my head, "No. No, I can't be. I love Angel. Not Spike."
Willow sighed, "Buffy," Willow looked at me sympathetically, "Tell me, how does Angel make you feel?"
"He…," She just looked at me, "When we're together, the entire world just falls away," Willow blinked, "What?"
"I don't believe you. I'm sorry, but I don't. Let me ask you one more question," I listened, "How hard did you fight your mom? How badly did you not want to move because you didn't want to be away from Angel?"
I had to think about that, "I didn't. I didn't fight. Not at all. Angel even thought it was a good idea. He wanted me to go. He wanted it a little too much."
"You see," Willow said, "Even Angel isn't totally in love with you. Maybe you should see other people. People like Spike."
I don't want to do it over the phone. That's just low."
"I agree. Well, you're gonna see him this weekend, why not do it then?"
Yeah. Yeah, okay." I nodded, "Will you still help me with Spike?"
"Of course," Willow said in a pleasant voice and smiled.