Faith was done unpacking in a matter of minutes so she flopped down on her still unmade bed to watch Buffy run back and forth. Just when Faith had been ready to make a remark about Buffy pulling a plush piggy out of a bag while blushing heavily they heard a voice from the still open door.

"uh.. Hi guys."

"Oh hey Willow!" Buffy seemed happy with the distraction and sneakily hid the plush pig under her sheets. "What room are you in?"

"oh, I'm on the third floor... Are you guys roommates?"

"Yeah! Isn't it great?" Buffy continued to put clothes in her wardrobe while talking "I was so worried about the whole roommate thing but it turns out it's just Faith. I'm so relieved, I don't think I could handle living with a complete stranger."

Faith could tell that Willow wasn't happy with this outcome, but Buffy didn't seem to notice. She was way too relieved to notice the distress her friend was in. Willow looked like she was about to cry so Faith quickly interrupted Buffy's happy little rant in order to comfort her a little.

"Don't worry red, you can hang out here whenever you feel like it."

"Huh? I... I wasn't worried. I don't really care..."

Yeah right. "Well, I though I just let you know, my room is your room... or some crap like that. Besides I think it's good that me and Buffy don't have to bother any non-slayers. With the long hours and such. Also me and B aren't very studious, we would just annoy you."

"Speak for yourself F." Buffy glared at her jokingly.

Nevertheless Willow seemed to be feeling a little better now so Faith felt safe to ask her about her roommate.

"Her name is Tara. She's pretty quiet and shy but she seems nice enough."

"Well that doesn't sound too bad. When I'm done unpacking I'll go up and say hi."

"And when will that be? In a month?" Faith grinned and dodged the shoe Buffy threw at her.

...

"There. All done" Buffy said while stuffing her last pieces of clothing into her already overflowing wardrobe.

"Oh wow. It took you only..." Faith checked her watch, "three hours! I think we have a record on our hands!"

"Oh get of it. Not everyone can manage with just 3 pair of pants and 5 shirts."

"How very dare you. I'll have you know I have at least 1 more pair of pants" Faith said with mock indignation.

"Don't you own at least one nice dress or something?"

"Nope. Not even one. Cute and girly is your thing. Besides, I'm a slayer, I haven't got a use for one."

"I didn't say you'd have to go slaying in it. It would just look nice on you."

"Oh? But I look nice enough already don't I?" Faith wiggled her eyebrows and ran her hands up and down her body alluringly.

"I dunno. That big head of yours is sorta off putting." Buffy scoffed.

"Aw don't say that. You'll hurt my feelings."

They were playing their usual game again. Faith loved joking around with Buffy. Though there was an annoying little voice in the back of her brain that told her the playful flirting wasn't all just a joke. Not to her anyway.

Faith tried to ignore it but the little voice persisted: "Why don't you go for it? Angel has gone and fucked off and now you're even sharing a room together! This is your chance!"

But Faith pushed those thoughts to the back of her head again. She couldn't take the risk. She may have been dying to get into Buffy's pants but she didn't want to sacrifice her friendship for it.

Be that as it may, she was not going to stop ogling Buffy with every chance she got. Maybe she could even catch a glimpse of her naked if she got lucky.

"So... if you're done. Want to go up and meet Willow's roommate?" Faith had rolled on her side to better admire Buffy's ass while she was putting some leftover junk on top of her wardrobe.

"Sure. What room did she say they were in again?" Willow had gone up already to straighten her room out some more.

"320. Right at the end of the hall"

"Right let's go then." Buffy walked over to the door while Faith jumped off of the bed and followed her.

"I still can't believe I got you as a roommate" Buffy said cheerfully as they walked up the hall.

"You probably shouldn't rub that in Willow's face too much B. She seemed bummed out about it. I'm sure she would've preferred being your roommate."

"Yeah I know. But she's just shy around new people. She'll get over it."

"And what about you? Wouldn't you rather have Willow as a roommate?"

"Hm. I dunno." She looked up at the rather dirty ceiling in thought, "I guess I'm more used to having her around... but I think it'll be really fun sharing a room with you! And besides, you were right earlier, I would just be in her way with all the slaying duties."

Faith felt even more elated at Buffy's words. Buffy thought it would be fun sharing with her! And she didn't seem to mind that she didn't end up with Willow. Faith had no doubt that this would be a great year. She was going to have to thank Giles again for paying her college fees.