*Chapter Three: Friday*

Classes seemed to drag on Friday, it could have been down to the fact that we were all so excited about the trip or the more likely reason, the two hour itinerary meeting that we all had with Giles that bored us all to tears! I still couldn't bring myself to talk to Spike and spent the best part on the day avoiding him. I couldn't bear the thought of him teasing me about my date last night and even worse, I knew everything he'd say would be true. Spike knew me better than anyone, he could see me for who I was and see straight through any barrier I threw up to protect myself. This is why it hurts more than anyone realises when he teases me. I just don't understand why he does it, Is it out of spite or shall I listen to Faith and Willow when they say it's jealously? Part of me wants to believe the latter but surely, by now, he would have admitted his feelings to me, wouldn't he? Then again, do I go with my first instinct and believe that he just wants to be friends because he feels nothing for me?

When we had finally finished for the day Faith and I made our way over to my dorm room to start the monstrous task of packing for Paris.

"What's this B?" Faith said holding the velvet box that contained my necklace from Angel. Before I could stop her she had opened the box and had lifted out the gold chain. I silently cursed myself that I hadn't hid the offending object better, but it was only a matter of time before she found it, as Faith had taken it upon herself to turf out my draws.

"Not really my thing is it?" I said turning back to fold my favourite pink hoody and placing it atop my already full suitcase.

"Well no, even I could have told him that! I know you hate gold jewellery." Faith sniggered and stuffed the necklace back into the depths of my draw.

"Thank you!" I said throwing my hands up into the air dramatically "I don't understand why he would choose something like that for me, as all I ever wear is costume jewellery. If I were to choose a necklace as delicate as that, it would have to be white gold or at very least silver!"

"Sounds more like something Spike would buy a girl." Faith said and I shot her my most evil glare and threw a wad of balled up socks at her.

"Come on B I know your totally sweet on him." She laughed from behind her hands as she tried to protect herself from the flying socks.

"I am not." I said quietly ceasing my attack.

"Come on Buffy your totally obsessed with the guy. I also don't believe in all this being friends rubbish either, even I can see that you're drawn together."

"Yea whatever… Well what about you Faithy, thinking something could happen for you in the city of lovers?" I said turning back to my suitcase.

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, I know your still in love with Xander."

"Ah well I may have that sorted, I have a plan."

"Oh really?" I said turning back to give her an inquisitive look.

"Really." She said giving me a smug smile and nod.

"Hmm okay then… I guess I'll just have to wait and find out." I said smiling at her staring off into space.

Faith and I were still trying to fit all our clothes in our suitcases at midnight, despite the fact that we had to get up at three thirty for our lift to the coach. Faith had brought over at least two caseloads with her and I had just as much, it was just limiting it down that was causing the problem.

"Come on B you need to pack more than black tank tops and jeans!"

"Well they're comfortable!" I said defensively "At least I haven't packed an entire case load of leather and short skirts." We just ended up smirking at each other; we knew each other too well.

In the end we decided that it would be fun to pack for each other, with the rule that we each had to wear what the other had packed for us with no switching. When Faith was done I ended up with a few pairs of jeans, a variety of different coloured tops, a couple of dresses, a couple of skirts and a pair of leather trousers. I apparently also had a few other items which were a surprise, knowing Faith this worried me slightly!

When we had finally finished squeezing our cases closed we collapsed on to my bed and laid back, both of us feeling absolutely exhausted. I looked over at my bedside table; my alarm clock showed that it was one thirty in the morning. Thinking maybe that it was about time we got some sleep, we both changed into our pyjamas and got into bed.

"I'm really glad I came to England." I said staring at ceiling.

"I'm glad you did too B. What would I do without you now, were best buds aren't we?"

"Yea of course, it was a lot easier making friends than I thought it would be. Bringing a few with me helped as well obviously."

"Once you stopped staring daggers at me you mean." Faith said, lightly punching me in the arm.

"Oi!"

I could feel myself drifting off to sleep when I realised I'd forgotten to pack any shoes to go with my outfits or the ones Faith had picked for me. Jumping straight out of bed, I stuffed a few pairs of shoes into my suitcase, now beyond caring what I packed as I just wanted to get some sleep. Faith was already half-asleep and hogging the bed as usual. Lucky for me I had a double bed so I just turned out the light, pushed her over and slid in next to her and closed my eyes.

"B?"

"Yea?"

"Do you think Xander still wants me?"

"Umm maybe, I'm not really sure; don't get much time to talk to him anymore with Drusilla around." A few minutes past and Faith said nothing.

"B?"

"Yea?"

"You like Spike don't you?"

"Go to sleep Faith" I sighed and rolled over.

Again a few minutes past "Faith?"

"Yea B?"

"Do you think Spike fancies me?"

"Are you blind? Go to sleep."

"Night Faithy."

"Night B."