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Chapter 10: The Rebel in Me

Buffy was in such a good mood that she didn't want to ruin it by attending her afternoon classes. Even though Biology and her other lessons were ok, but that did not mean she wanted to sit still for at least two hours listening to the teachers blabbing on about things she would never need in the future. Besides she had plenty of experience of skipping classes before. So instead of heading straight to the cafeteria where Xander and Willow were probably waiting for her, she walked towards the entrance. Buffy didn't even attempt to hide her intentions. A few students in the corridor were watching gobsmacked as Buffy strolled past them and out of the school.

Buffy breathed in the air when she outside. She reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. With her sunglasses blocking the harsh sunlight she continued her journey down the steps. Unsure which way to go, she opted for the eenie meenie approach. Her finger pointed to the right when she was finished with the rhyme. Right it is then, she thought.

The further she walked, the further apart the houses were until there were none at all. She lifted her sunglasses off of her face when her eyes clasped onto an old, abandoned house on the outskirts of town. Curiosity fuelling her to investigate she stepped closer to the building.

It looked dreary from the outside. Black scorch marks staining the walls with broken windows. It looked dead. Buffy tilted her head in fascination and marched towards the small gap in the doorway that was mainly covered by a board. She crouched slightly and pulled her stomach in as she squeezed through the tight space. Grunting she finally pulled herself free and tripped over a piece of burnt wood.

She sighed in relief and steadied herself. After regaining her balance she wandered deep into the room. Buffy assumed she was the room that she was in used to be the utility room. The washing machine against the wall was falling to pieces before her very eyes, rusting by age and decay. A lone iron board leaning against the wall were all the telltale signs of what the room was. Her foot accidently knocked the ironing board over causing it to clash to the floor. Buffy grimaced at the loud noise and hoped that no one heard the noise.

Buffy tip-toed towards the door, gently she pushed the door wide open. She cringed as the hinges groaned in protest. Buffy held her breath and gave it one last push opening the door fully. It banged against the wall alerting, if there was anyone here, her presence.

What she didn't realise was that this house was actually occupied. She turned around the corner and saw the end of a gun barrel. Buffy raised her eyes in remote surprise. She lifted her eyes to see a guy over towering her holding the gun.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

Buffy raised one eye-brow slightly as the hand that was currently holding the gun. It was trembling. Quickly, she grabbed the gun and disarmed him. She turned the gun onto the man and he stepped back in fear.

"First of all, hold your gun correctly then you wouldn't be in this shit," Buffy advised him. "Secondly, if your hand shakes it gives the person who you're aiming at the knowledge that you're nervous and may not actually shoot them. And thirdly, I guess you could call me a wanderer."

The man blinked in surprise. Buffy grinned, she didn't give him exactly what he wanted but she did kind of answer him. Oh she did love to be difficult.

"That's very interesting," another voice interrupted. "But, I believe that isn't the answer he wanted."

Buffy focused her attention on the newcomer. She was, safe to say, amazed that it was a female being surrounded by broad males. It was obvious that she was in charge here, Buffy was actually impressed. From experience she knew males didn't like to be dominated by women, made them feel less manly. Either these guys didn't care that she was female or she was more dangerous than them put together.

"All I did was answer truthfully. Anyway forgive me," Buffy apologized in a mocking sincere tone. "My mother didn't teach me manners very well. I'm Buffy and you are?"

"The name's Sunday," Sunday answered.

Buffy snorted. "And I thought my name was bad," she mumbled to herself. "So, let me guess you're the one in charge here aren't you?"

Sunday gave her the onceover. "Yeah, now what do you want?"

Buffy gave her a cheeky smile. "Well I want your word that when I give this guy back his gun, your boy won't aim it at me again..."

The man stared at Sunday and she gave him a subtle nod. Buffy loosened her grip on the gun as he snatched it away and placed it back in its holder. His hand lingered there for reassurance.

"Ah, that makes me feel less tense," Buffy breathed out.

She sauntered past them and noticed that she was ow in the living room. The room actually looked lived in with rubbish speckled across the floor. There were a few bean bags in the room. Buffy plonked herself of the furthest one away from the door and faced them.

"Now I'll answer your question, I just wanted to explore this place. Looked kinda homey," Buffy said.

"Yeah right," Sunday scoffed. "This place is a dump."

"Your words not mine," Buffy announced. "You know you and me, we're the same. Just a couple of screw ups looking for a bit of fun in world of destruction. With no place to call home, we basically linger in the shadows of the so called 'good life' that the people here seem to have."

Sunday sank down on the bean bag opposite Buffy. She crossed her leg over the other, studying Buffy with mild interest. "There's more to you than meets the eye."

"Yeah, there is," Buffy admitted. "So are you going to introduce your goons?"

Sunday smirked. "The guy who you just insulted his masculinity is Eddie, Tom, Jack and Todd."

"Now that the introductions are over, what do you guys do for fun around here?"

Buffy lost track of time as the hours ticked away. She was actually enjoying herself with Sunday and her gang. They were just like her. Buffy lost count of how many beers she had, she blew out the smoke she inhaled from her cigarette that she was sharing with Sunday. She gave it back to Sunday who took a drag on it.

Currently, they were walking down a deserted street. Sunday and her gang were on their way to meet other friends and invited Buffy to tag along. She couldn't refuse the offer so Buffy just followed not caring where they were going. Buffy giggled as she tripped up and bumped into Eddie. He was still sore from his humiliation earlier.

"Oops," Buffy slurred and brushed past him.

"Here we are," Sunday declared.

Buffy gazed at the metal door. She scrunched her face in confusion. Sunday reached towards the door and banged on it several times. The peephole slid back to reveal a pair of eyes that clearly belonged to a man.

"Password," the man asked.

"Night," Sunday answered.

The door opened to reveal the man behind it and Buffy snickered at the sight. "Wow, this is all very top secret with just a lame password. Why not ebony or I know slender man."

Sunday and her gang ignored the retort as the stepped inside. Buffy trailed after them, her eyes widened as they took in everything. Everyone was dressed up in Goth attire, wannabe vampires Buffy knew. She had heard of this sort of club back in Boston, she even went to one. Not that she would ever admit it, now she was in yet another one. Sunnydale was definitely full of surprises.

Buffy climbed down the stairs. On the second to last step she lost her balance and fortunately someone halted her descent to the fall. She lifted her head up to see her rescuer. He was pretty cute Buffy finally decided. He had a gold hoop in one ear and pulled off the dark, mysterious attire. So did another guy she knew, but she wouldn't go into that. Those thoughts were off limits.

"Easy there," he said.

Buffy gave him a lopsided grin. "Cheers."

She stumbled a little bit when she walked away. Buffy ended up at the bar, due to the fact that she lost sight of her companions in the crowd, and many males there bought her more drinks. She was well and truly drunk. Her body slumped on the bar, her half-full glass left abandoned on the side.

"Not had any more falls," a voice whispered in her ear. She shivered as his hot breath hit her neck causing goose bumps to rise.

She peeked over her shoulder and groaned. "It's you, haven't you got anything better to do."

"Maybe, maybe I enjoy your company," he replied, hotly.

Buffy snorted. "Yeah, yeah many males do."

The stranger sat down on the free bar stool next to hers. "You got a name?"

"Well yeah, you?"

He laughed. "I'm Ford."

"Buffy."

"Well Buffy fancy a dance?"

Buffy shifted her eyes onto the dance floor where many people were grinding. She shrugged her shoulders and allowed Ford to take her onto the floor. They were directly in the middle. Buffy felt his hands wander all over her body. She didn't care getting lost in the sensations; it had been a while for her since she had any fun like this.

"Let's take this somewhere private," Ford murmured in her ear.

Buffy nodded her head and let Ford lead her off the dance floor. They bumped into one of his friends on the way out.

"Hey Diego," Ford greeted.

"Hi, who's this?" Diego asked.

"Buffy, Buffy this is Diego," Ford introduced.

Buffy lifted her hand and let it fall clumsily. Ford chuckled at the gesture. "We're going to get going, if you know what I mean."

Diego nodded. "Have fun."

The trip to Ford's flat wasn't long. Buffy was propped up against Ford as he unlocked the door. They staggered inside clumsily.

"Home sweet home," he muttered.

Buffy observed the flat. It was similar to the flat she used to live in back in Boston with her mom: cluttered in beer cans, bottles and other things. Her gaze landed on the mattress in the middle of the room.

In an instance she forcefully pushed Ford onto his bed and immediately climbed on top of him. She kissed him harshly losing all sense of control for that one night...