Chapter 5 Schooldays
"Buf-fy, waky waky.", an annoyingly awake voice, singsonged, way to close to Buffy's ears. "Umf" and a pillow thrown far, far of Buffy's target was all Willow got for response, trying to wake a very hung over and very cranky Buffy.
"Now is that a way for anyone to treat their best friend?", Willow asked her voice even perkier. Willow was awarded with a slight lift of the head, a very bloodshot eye barely open to glare.
"Aww not feeling good? Maybe I should go get you some tequila?", Willow asked an evil grin showing in her face "Stop torturing the girl would you?", Tara said, taking pity on Buffy since she had gotten the same treatment minutes earlier.
"And why are you so chipper anyway? Can't you have a hang over like a normal person would?" Anya grumpily decided to chime inn, one hand placed at her throbbing head the other clasping a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
The smell of the brew reached Buffy's nose and calmed the urge to throw up she had at the mentioning of tequila. She carefully opened her eyes to once again curse electricity in form of light.
"Oh God! I kissed Angel last night!", Buffy shrieked as the memories of the past evening came flooding in.
"Yes, he looked ready to give you many orgasms", Anya replied in her classic, straightforward manner.
Buffy just sighed in frustration and Willow gave her a sympathetic look, while handing her a cup of coffee. When Xander came out of Anya's room he received a dagger look from Buffy.
" 's all your fault", Buffy accused Xander, referring to that he was the one that had tricked her into shotting the tequilas.
"Nah. Don't think so. You do have a will of your own, don't you Buffy? Besides is that a way to treat your bestest friend who's also giving you your ride home?", he grinned at her.
After saying her goodbyes, Buffy was given a lift home and went up the stairs and into her bedroom. She stopped only once in the kitchen, to give her family a look that said she would not wish their company this day and to grab a mug of water to take to her room.
She spent the rest of her day wallowing in self-pity beneath the covers of her bed, dreading the day after, as she knew she would have to face Angel, Dru and Spike on campus. They all shared the same class in philosophy and of course Drusilla would be there at diving practice to torture Buffy like she always did.
When Monday morning came, Spike and Angel agreed to take Spike's car to school. Spike agreed on Jenny's request to give Connor, Dawn and Buffy a ride as well. He noticed the dreamy look on Angel's face at the prospect of seeing Buffy again. Spike felt his heart ache at remembering Angel had told him they'd kissed
Buffy walked over to the Giles-Calendar driveway, met Spike and Angel, she said her 'hellos' and purposely avoided looking at either of them. She couldn't feel more uncomfortable. She then continued to do what no woman should ever even think of doing. Insult a man's pride
"That's our mode of transportation?", she cried disbelievingly, gesturing to the black DeSoto in front of her. "Is that old wreck even safe?", Buffy continued to mock Spike's car.
Spike's jaw first dropped in shock of Buffy's statement, then clenched in anger. "If the lady disapproves, why doesn't she place her pretty little arse and stuck up nose, in her own car and drive herself to school?", Spike spat angrily
"Oh I would, but Buffy and cars. not of the mixy. So I guess this will do", Buffy replied in a light tone, while getting in the backseat with Dawn and Connor.
"This will do", Spike huffed incredulously, repeating her words while getting in the driver's seat and starting up the car.
When Dawn and Connor got out of the car at Sunnydale High school, an awkward silence fell between the two of them.
"So.." ,Dawn tried a tension reliever.
"So..", Connor too failed at starting up a conversation. He just stared admiringly at Dawn
"So did Angel tell you anything about what went down on Saturday? My sister's been in a really crappy mood." Dawn asked.
"Spike's been pretty blue and Angel's been on cloud nine, so from that I guessed that Angel got a little bit luckier with Buffy than Spike, but no, he hasn't told me anything", Connor replied relieved that they had found a conversation topic.
"But that doesn't make any sense. If Angel made a move Buffy would have been thrilled. Maybe he made a pass at some other girl?", Dawn sounded confused
"Oh I don't think so. You didn't see the dreamy look he got, when Mom mentioned Buffy this morning", Connor objected, while loving the feel of Dawn's hand accidentally brushing his own, as they passed through the doors of the school.
"Oh.. Oh!", Realization hit Dawn as all the evidence gathered in her mind. Buffy's crappy mood, Buffy not coming to the phone when Angel called last night, Buffy's smart ass remarks to Spike, Buffy's disappointed look, when she had told her about Spike's habit of coming onto Angel's love interrests. Something had happened between Buffy and Angel all right. The problem was, she was into Spike. She was definitely going to speak to Buffy and Spike. Dawn got a smug all-knowing look in her face.
"What? You just got that look, like the cat that ate the canary", Connor chuckled at the rapid changing facial expressions Dawn were making.
"Umm. I'll tell you as soon as I've checked with my sources. Anyway here's the principal's office. Go in and you'll get your schedule and stuff. I'll wait here. I have to warn you though, principal Snyder is an evil, nazi gnome from hell, but you'll probably survive your first encounter", Dawn said and failed to notice the small man coming up from behind.
"Miss Summers! That remark just earned you a visit to detention this afternoon. And you must be Mr. Calendar, already choosing the wrong people to socialize with. Really, I'm disappointed", Principal Snyder sneered and gestured for Connor to follow him into his office.
"I see what you mean about the nazi part, he's freakin' Hitler." Connor whispered to Dawn. Dawn's eyes went wide, and she shook her head ferociously, trying to stop Connor from talking, knowing all to well that the principal could hear a pin drop anytime.
"And that statement earned you a date with Miss Summers and the detention monitor this afternoon", Snyder smiled evilly to them both.
After getting Connor's schedule they headed separate ways. They didn't share classes until fifth period. Dawn told him to meet her in the cafeteria at lunch. When they met up at lunch he was introduced to her friends, who were gathered at one of the cafeteria's best tables.
" Connor. This is Janice, Evan, Amy, RJ, Nicole, Brad, Cathy, Justin and Matt. Everybody, this is Connor Calendar" Dawn said while pointing at her friends as their names were mentioned.
The group all said their 'his' and the girl named Cathy decided to add; "Boy, you're so fine you can be on my calendar any day!" Connor's face flushed almost maroon. Dawn couldn't help but think he looked incredibly cute like that. 'Cute, nothing more' her conscious mind insisted to her uncooperative subconscious mind who insisted on portraying Connor Calendar in boxers on her very own calendar
" Forgot to tell you, Cathy is the comedian of the group, who's been listening to way too many Missy E albums", Dawn said
"Dawnie! We soo need to talk!", Janice squealed, while dragging off her friend to the ladies room, to discuss the handsome newcomer.
"She's got you good, hasn't she?", Evan asked Connor who was staring after the girls, his eyes full of desire.
"Huh?", Connor replied, brought back to reality.
"I'm talking about Dawn. She's got you all wound up like I was. Don't worry about it man. Sooner or later you come to terms with the fact that if you want to get into her date book, you have to be in college and preferably picked a major." Evan said to Connor, as Connor looked disappointed hearing this information.
Connor was disappointed, but not really disencouraged. Sure Dawn Summers might be a hard nut to crack, but he was eventually going to crack her. He had seen the way she had been stealing glances at him, when they got out of the car.
In the ladies room, Janice was going on and on about how gorgeous Connor looked, while Dawn rolled her eyes.
"Can I have him?", Janice begged like he was some new toy she wanted to play with.
"Um, Sure", Dawn skeptically replied, not really sure she liked the idea. Connor was kind of gorgeous, Janice had reminded her, but Dawn was into older guys, right? It was kind of unfair to hog him, if she really wasn't sure.
They came back to the table, in the cafeteria and Janice was on Connor in a flash. Flirting with him shamelessly. 'Disgusting much?', Dawn thought as Janice was laughing innocently at everything Connor said, pouted her lips and fluttered her eyelashes, like there was no tomorrow.
In fifth and sixth period, Janice and Connor were passing notes, while Dawn were watching with a tint of jealousy. Hadn't Spike said Connor was interested in her? When Connor and Dawn sat in the detention room and the monitor left to get some paper they could write their assignments on, Dawn decided to get some answers to what was going on.
"So you like Janice?", Dawn asked, failing to hide her little green-eyed monster.
"She's nice, yes, why? Jealous?", Connor couldn't help himself but chuckle.
"I didn't peg, you for the kind, that fell for her manipulating ways", Dawn answered coldly.
"I like my girls a little harder to get. She doesn't compare to this other girl I know", Connor said, while staring into Dawn's eyes. Letting her know exactly who this other girl was. Dawn blushed. The monitor came back and they were no longer allowed to talk, but that didn't keep them from flirting with their eyes.
******************************
At UC Sunnydale, things were going ok in Buffy's opinion. She had survived the classes sitting in-between Willow and Angel trying to pay attention, as the professor went on and on about the similarities and differences, in the philosophy of Aristotle and Augustin. She didn't really feel comfortable, but it helped that Angel hadn't mentioned Saturday's events.
Drusilla on the other hand was enjoying her self. Harmony had told her about Buffy confessing her crush on Spike, and Drusilla had new ammo in her purpose of making Buffy's life miserable. The reason why, this was on Dru's agenda, dated back to the high school prom.
Parker was a shoe in for prom king. Buffy was dating Parker and a candidate for prom queen. Drusilla decided she would not have any of that happening and broke up Parker and Buffy, by seducing him into sleeping with her. She succeeded, however her little trick didn't earn her any brownie points with the school crowd.
The prom queen title was voted a tie between Buffy and Cordelia, while Oz got the title of prom king. 'Oz! That little, band playing, green haired freak? Prom king?', Drusilla had thought. Oz hadn't liked the idea very much either. He didn't like popularity contests and hated the fact, that his buddies would probably tease him with this forever.
Presently, Drusilla was spending her time trying to make Buffy's life miserable by seducing Spike, in front of Buffy's face. She was constantly whispering little things in his ear, making him smile politely at her comments.
Spike was beginning to feel a bit fed up over the brunette's endless come ons. 'What? The bint didn't catch on when I didn't call her? Or when I slapped away her hand on my knee? How can she be so dense?' His mother had taught him manners, so he was smiling politely at whatever it was she was saying.
After class ended Buffy raced out with Willow, eager to get away from the tension Angel had brought on and meet up with the rest of the gang at one of the campus' cafeterias. Spike was trying to flee from Drusilla's attention. Both Buffy and Spike were stopped.
Angel grabbed a hold of Buffy's arm and she felt forced to turn around and face him. "What's the rush Buffy?", Angel asked her. "Umm. Nothing. Just want to get a good table at the cafeteria.", she lied.
"Buffy, I was wondering, if you might be interested in going on a date with me, this Friday?", he asked, his voice revealing he had no fear she could refuse. Buffy's eyes darted a few feet down the hall to see Spike caught up by Drusilla. 'I clearly don't have a chance there. I have no doubt she's already told him about my little Saturday bathroom rant. I'm sure they've had swell times laughing over it too. What the heck! One date couldn't possible hurt.', Buffy thought while cringing inside at the mental image of them
"Sure", she said. Her voice's sadness went unnoticed with Angel.
"Great, I can pick you up at 7. Sound good? Oh and wear something nice, I want you to look good", he answered smugly.
Willow, Buffy and Angel headed over to the cafeteria, to find the rest of their friends gathered at the usual table. Buffy caught sight of Riley seated with them, talking to Xander. Their eyes locked for a few moments before Riley noticed the broad shouldered, dark-haired man standing beside Buffy, who had just placed an arm around Buffy's waist. Riley's eyes flashed angrily before he stood up to greet the newcomer.
Buffy stood there shocked frozen, first at Angel's bold and bad timed move, then at the look Riley had gotten in his eyes. She had never seen such an angry look in Riley's eyes ever before and it scared her. Her mind drifted back to what the girls had told her the last Saturday, and she found herself wondering if she maybe had a reason to be scared.
Angel took the hand he was offered from Riley before introducing himself. "I'm Angel. I just transferred from LA. Live across the street from Buffy."
"I'm Riley, Buffy's ex.", the dark blonde answered pressuring Angel's hand for all he was worth. They both huffed their chests, their knuckles became white from the pressure they were adding and for a moment they looked like lions ready to pounce on each other. Buffy stared disbelievingly as the air became thick with testosterone.
Spike chose that moment to come up to the group. He snickered lightly at the scene the two poofters were portraying. "Oy Peaches, ready to blow the house down yet?", he quipped.
The referral to the 'three little pigs' tale had everyone but Buffy, Angel and Riley trying to hide their smile. Angel and Riley let go, before Angel sat down protectively at Buffy's side. Determined to rub Riley's wounds, Angel asked Buffy where she wanted to go for their date, with a slight emphasis on the word date.
At this Spike's heart sunk and he took on a truly heart broken look. Willow saw this and locked her eyes with him, slowly shaking her head to him. Spike drew his eyebrows quizzically at the redhead, wondering what she was implying. He never got a chance to ask her, as the group dispersed.
Buffy couldn't be more relieved over getting away from Angel and Riley. This lunch had proven exactly how much alike the two of them were. She cursed herself for agreeing to go out with Angel. He was beginning to get to her nerves, with his arrogant ways. 'I want you to look good' what was that all about?
Buffy was on her way to diving practice, where torture by Drusilla was imminent. Sure enough she found Drusilla, immediately upon entering, glaring at her, an evil smile tugged at her lips, while whispering to some of her friends.
After warming up with a couple of laps in the campus pool, Buffy did three perfect dives. Her concentration was cut short when she was about to do the most difficult one; a 720° back flip with a screw. She saw Spike coming in to the arena. She noticed he didn't carry himself with the same confidence she had seen him with before. In fact he looked sort of shy and sad.
When Spike had found himself a quiet spot to read and opened his bag, he had found Drusilla's appointment book. He saw she would be diving at this time. He groaned, decided she probably needed it and left to give it to her despite the little devil on his right shoulder telling him; 'Screw that!'
What he did not realize was that was Dru's very intention, when she 'accidentally' left it in his bag. She was very good at manipulating. When Spike came in to the arena, the first thing he noticed was Buffy in her bathing suit. If possible she looked even more beautiful than he ever imagined. Her beautiful, tanned, long legs, called attention to by the cut of her suit. He gasped as he saw her hard nipples' outlined in the thin fabric. He flinched when he heard an annoyingly familiar British voice call his name.
Buffy watched as Drusilla ran up to Spike and was handed something from him. Her anger feeding her determination, she dove off doing the perfect dive. When practice was over she went to shower and change and was forced to listen to Dru talk about Spike to her friends.
" Spike is so sweet. He came all the way here just to give me my appointment book. He has all these adorable little nicknames for me. Why Buffy? You live across the street from him, I'm sure you've sneaked a peak at his body and can confirm just how hot it is? I'll tell you though, it is even better up close.", Drusilla said, leading Buffy to believe she had actually been that close. Drusilla was enjoying the look on the blonde's face way too much.
Buffy didn't dignify Drusilla's comments with a response. She finished up and began her walk back home. It had turned dark outside and Buffy hurried not really enjoying herself, alone after dark. She had heard plenty of stories about men that stalked and raped students. Halfway home, she felt the hairs in the back of her neck rise, as she got the feeling she was being followed. For a second she thought she even heard steps. Buffy turned around tentatively only to see no one in the shadowy ally she was currently in.
"Hello!", she called out to the shadows, the only response she got was a cat jumping out of a garbage can. It made her jump and hiss; "Stupid cat!" She shrugged the feeling off and hurried her way back home.
"Buf-fy, waky waky.", an annoyingly awake voice, singsonged, way to close to Buffy's ears. "Umf" and a pillow thrown far, far of Buffy's target was all Willow got for response, trying to wake a very hung over and very cranky Buffy.
"Now is that a way for anyone to treat their best friend?", Willow asked her voice even perkier. Willow was awarded with a slight lift of the head, a very bloodshot eye barely open to glare.
"Aww not feeling good? Maybe I should go get you some tequila?", Willow asked an evil grin showing in her face "Stop torturing the girl would you?", Tara said, taking pity on Buffy since she had gotten the same treatment minutes earlier.
"And why are you so chipper anyway? Can't you have a hang over like a normal person would?" Anya grumpily decided to chime inn, one hand placed at her throbbing head the other clasping a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
The smell of the brew reached Buffy's nose and calmed the urge to throw up she had at the mentioning of tequila. She carefully opened her eyes to once again curse electricity in form of light.
"Oh God! I kissed Angel last night!", Buffy shrieked as the memories of the past evening came flooding in.
"Yes, he looked ready to give you many orgasms", Anya replied in her classic, straightforward manner.
Buffy just sighed in frustration and Willow gave her a sympathetic look, while handing her a cup of coffee. When Xander came out of Anya's room he received a dagger look from Buffy.
" 's all your fault", Buffy accused Xander, referring to that he was the one that had tricked her into shotting the tequilas.
"Nah. Don't think so. You do have a will of your own, don't you Buffy? Besides is that a way to treat your bestest friend who's also giving you your ride home?", he grinned at her.
After saying her goodbyes, Buffy was given a lift home and went up the stairs and into her bedroom. She stopped only once in the kitchen, to give her family a look that said she would not wish their company this day and to grab a mug of water to take to her room.
She spent the rest of her day wallowing in self-pity beneath the covers of her bed, dreading the day after, as she knew she would have to face Angel, Dru and Spike on campus. They all shared the same class in philosophy and of course Drusilla would be there at diving practice to torture Buffy like she always did.
When Monday morning came, Spike and Angel agreed to take Spike's car to school. Spike agreed on Jenny's request to give Connor, Dawn and Buffy a ride as well. He noticed the dreamy look on Angel's face at the prospect of seeing Buffy again. Spike felt his heart ache at remembering Angel had told him they'd kissed
Buffy walked over to the Giles-Calendar driveway, met Spike and Angel, she said her 'hellos' and purposely avoided looking at either of them. She couldn't feel more uncomfortable. She then continued to do what no woman should ever even think of doing. Insult a man's pride
"That's our mode of transportation?", she cried disbelievingly, gesturing to the black DeSoto in front of her. "Is that old wreck even safe?", Buffy continued to mock Spike's car.
Spike's jaw first dropped in shock of Buffy's statement, then clenched in anger. "If the lady disapproves, why doesn't she place her pretty little arse and stuck up nose, in her own car and drive herself to school?", Spike spat angrily
"Oh I would, but Buffy and cars. not of the mixy. So I guess this will do", Buffy replied in a light tone, while getting in the backseat with Dawn and Connor.
"This will do", Spike huffed incredulously, repeating her words while getting in the driver's seat and starting up the car.
When Dawn and Connor got out of the car at Sunnydale High school, an awkward silence fell between the two of them.
"So.." ,Dawn tried a tension reliever.
"So..", Connor too failed at starting up a conversation. He just stared admiringly at Dawn
"So did Angel tell you anything about what went down on Saturday? My sister's been in a really crappy mood." Dawn asked.
"Spike's been pretty blue and Angel's been on cloud nine, so from that I guessed that Angel got a little bit luckier with Buffy than Spike, but no, he hasn't told me anything", Connor replied relieved that they had found a conversation topic.
"But that doesn't make any sense. If Angel made a move Buffy would have been thrilled. Maybe he made a pass at some other girl?", Dawn sounded confused
"Oh I don't think so. You didn't see the dreamy look he got, when Mom mentioned Buffy this morning", Connor objected, while loving the feel of Dawn's hand accidentally brushing his own, as they passed through the doors of the school.
"Oh.. Oh!", Realization hit Dawn as all the evidence gathered in her mind. Buffy's crappy mood, Buffy not coming to the phone when Angel called last night, Buffy's smart ass remarks to Spike, Buffy's disappointed look, when she had told her about Spike's habit of coming onto Angel's love interrests. Something had happened between Buffy and Angel all right. The problem was, she was into Spike. She was definitely going to speak to Buffy and Spike. Dawn got a smug all-knowing look in her face.
"What? You just got that look, like the cat that ate the canary", Connor chuckled at the rapid changing facial expressions Dawn were making.
"Umm. I'll tell you as soon as I've checked with my sources. Anyway here's the principal's office. Go in and you'll get your schedule and stuff. I'll wait here. I have to warn you though, principal Snyder is an evil, nazi gnome from hell, but you'll probably survive your first encounter", Dawn said and failed to notice the small man coming up from behind.
"Miss Summers! That remark just earned you a visit to detention this afternoon. And you must be Mr. Calendar, already choosing the wrong people to socialize with. Really, I'm disappointed", Principal Snyder sneered and gestured for Connor to follow him into his office.
"I see what you mean about the nazi part, he's freakin' Hitler." Connor whispered to Dawn. Dawn's eyes went wide, and she shook her head ferociously, trying to stop Connor from talking, knowing all to well that the principal could hear a pin drop anytime.
"And that statement earned you a date with Miss Summers and the detention monitor this afternoon", Snyder smiled evilly to them both.
After getting Connor's schedule they headed separate ways. They didn't share classes until fifth period. Dawn told him to meet her in the cafeteria at lunch. When they met up at lunch he was introduced to her friends, who were gathered at one of the cafeteria's best tables.
" Connor. This is Janice, Evan, Amy, RJ, Nicole, Brad, Cathy, Justin and Matt. Everybody, this is Connor Calendar" Dawn said while pointing at her friends as their names were mentioned.
The group all said their 'his' and the girl named Cathy decided to add; "Boy, you're so fine you can be on my calendar any day!" Connor's face flushed almost maroon. Dawn couldn't help but think he looked incredibly cute like that. 'Cute, nothing more' her conscious mind insisted to her uncooperative subconscious mind who insisted on portraying Connor Calendar in boxers on her very own calendar
" Forgot to tell you, Cathy is the comedian of the group, who's been listening to way too many Missy E albums", Dawn said
"Dawnie! We soo need to talk!", Janice squealed, while dragging off her friend to the ladies room, to discuss the handsome newcomer.
"She's got you good, hasn't she?", Evan asked Connor who was staring after the girls, his eyes full of desire.
"Huh?", Connor replied, brought back to reality.
"I'm talking about Dawn. She's got you all wound up like I was. Don't worry about it man. Sooner or later you come to terms with the fact that if you want to get into her date book, you have to be in college and preferably picked a major." Evan said to Connor, as Connor looked disappointed hearing this information.
Connor was disappointed, but not really disencouraged. Sure Dawn Summers might be a hard nut to crack, but he was eventually going to crack her. He had seen the way she had been stealing glances at him, when they got out of the car.
In the ladies room, Janice was going on and on about how gorgeous Connor looked, while Dawn rolled her eyes.
"Can I have him?", Janice begged like he was some new toy she wanted to play with.
"Um, Sure", Dawn skeptically replied, not really sure she liked the idea. Connor was kind of gorgeous, Janice had reminded her, but Dawn was into older guys, right? It was kind of unfair to hog him, if she really wasn't sure.
They came back to the table, in the cafeteria and Janice was on Connor in a flash. Flirting with him shamelessly. 'Disgusting much?', Dawn thought as Janice was laughing innocently at everything Connor said, pouted her lips and fluttered her eyelashes, like there was no tomorrow.
In fifth and sixth period, Janice and Connor were passing notes, while Dawn were watching with a tint of jealousy. Hadn't Spike said Connor was interested in her? When Connor and Dawn sat in the detention room and the monitor left to get some paper they could write their assignments on, Dawn decided to get some answers to what was going on.
"So you like Janice?", Dawn asked, failing to hide her little green-eyed monster.
"She's nice, yes, why? Jealous?", Connor couldn't help himself but chuckle.
"I didn't peg, you for the kind, that fell for her manipulating ways", Dawn answered coldly.
"I like my girls a little harder to get. She doesn't compare to this other girl I know", Connor said, while staring into Dawn's eyes. Letting her know exactly who this other girl was. Dawn blushed. The monitor came back and they were no longer allowed to talk, but that didn't keep them from flirting with their eyes.
******************************
At UC Sunnydale, things were going ok in Buffy's opinion. She had survived the classes sitting in-between Willow and Angel trying to pay attention, as the professor went on and on about the similarities and differences, in the philosophy of Aristotle and Augustin. She didn't really feel comfortable, but it helped that Angel hadn't mentioned Saturday's events.
Drusilla on the other hand was enjoying her self. Harmony had told her about Buffy confessing her crush on Spike, and Drusilla had new ammo in her purpose of making Buffy's life miserable. The reason why, this was on Dru's agenda, dated back to the high school prom.
Parker was a shoe in for prom king. Buffy was dating Parker and a candidate for prom queen. Drusilla decided she would not have any of that happening and broke up Parker and Buffy, by seducing him into sleeping with her. She succeeded, however her little trick didn't earn her any brownie points with the school crowd.
The prom queen title was voted a tie between Buffy and Cordelia, while Oz got the title of prom king. 'Oz! That little, band playing, green haired freak? Prom king?', Drusilla had thought. Oz hadn't liked the idea very much either. He didn't like popularity contests and hated the fact, that his buddies would probably tease him with this forever.
Presently, Drusilla was spending her time trying to make Buffy's life miserable by seducing Spike, in front of Buffy's face. She was constantly whispering little things in his ear, making him smile politely at her comments.
Spike was beginning to feel a bit fed up over the brunette's endless come ons. 'What? The bint didn't catch on when I didn't call her? Or when I slapped away her hand on my knee? How can she be so dense?' His mother had taught him manners, so he was smiling politely at whatever it was she was saying.
After class ended Buffy raced out with Willow, eager to get away from the tension Angel had brought on and meet up with the rest of the gang at one of the campus' cafeterias. Spike was trying to flee from Drusilla's attention. Both Buffy and Spike were stopped.
Angel grabbed a hold of Buffy's arm and she felt forced to turn around and face him. "What's the rush Buffy?", Angel asked her. "Umm. Nothing. Just want to get a good table at the cafeteria.", she lied.
"Buffy, I was wondering, if you might be interested in going on a date with me, this Friday?", he asked, his voice revealing he had no fear she could refuse. Buffy's eyes darted a few feet down the hall to see Spike caught up by Drusilla. 'I clearly don't have a chance there. I have no doubt she's already told him about my little Saturday bathroom rant. I'm sure they've had swell times laughing over it too. What the heck! One date couldn't possible hurt.', Buffy thought while cringing inside at the mental image of them
"Sure", she said. Her voice's sadness went unnoticed with Angel.
"Great, I can pick you up at 7. Sound good? Oh and wear something nice, I want you to look good", he answered smugly.
Willow, Buffy and Angel headed over to the cafeteria, to find the rest of their friends gathered at the usual table. Buffy caught sight of Riley seated with them, talking to Xander. Their eyes locked for a few moments before Riley noticed the broad shouldered, dark-haired man standing beside Buffy, who had just placed an arm around Buffy's waist. Riley's eyes flashed angrily before he stood up to greet the newcomer.
Buffy stood there shocked frozen, first at Angel's bold and bad timed move, then at the look Riley had gotten in his eyes. She had never seen such an angry look in Riley's eyes ever before and it scared her. Her mind drifted back to what the girls had told her the last Saturday, and she found herself wondering if she maybe had a reason to be scared.
Angel took the hand he was offered from Riley before introducing himself. "I'm Angel. I just transferred from LA. Live across the street from Buffy."
"I'm Riley, Buffy's ex.", the dark blonde answered pressuring Angel's hand for all he was worth. They both huffed their chests, their knuckles became white from the pressure they were adding and for a moment they looked like lions ready to pounce on each other. Buffy stared disbelievingly as the air became thick with testosterone.
Spike chose that moment to come up to the group. He snickered lightly at the scene the two poofters were portraying. "Oy Peaches, ready to blow the house down yet?", he quipped.
The referral to the 'three little pigs' tale had everyone but Buffy, Angel and Riley trying to hide their smile. Angel and Riley let go, before Angel sat down protectively at Buffy's side. Determined to rub Riley's wounds, Angel asked Buffy where she wanted to go for their date, with a slight emphasis on the word date.
At this Spike's heart sunk and he took on a truly heart broken look. Willow saw this and locked her eyes with him, slowly shaking her head to him. Spike drew his eyebrows quizzically at the redhead, wondering what she was implying. He never got a chance to ask her, as the group dispersed.
Buffy couldn't be more relieved over getting away from Angel and Riley. This lunch had proven exactly how much alike the two of them were. She cursed herself for agreeing to go out with Angel. He was beginning to get to her nerves, with his arrogant ways. 'I want you to look good' what was that all about?
Buffy was on her way to diving practice, where torture by Drusilla was imminent. Sure enough she found Drusilla, immediately upon entering, glaring at her, an evil smile tugged at her lips, while whispering to some of her friends.
After warming up with a couple of laps in the campus pool, Buffy did three perfect dives. Her concentration was cut short when she was about to do the most difficult one; a 720° back flip with a screw. She saw Spike coming in to the arena. She noticed he didn't carry himself with the same confidence she had seen him with before. In fact he looked sort of shy and sad.
When Spike had found himself a quiet spot to read and opened his bag, he had found Drusilla's appointment book. He saw she would be diving at this time. He groaned, decided she probably needed it and left to give it to her despite the little devil on his right shoulder telling him; 'Screw that!'
What he did not realize was that was Dru's very intention, when she 'accidentally' left it in his bag. She was very good at manipulating. When Spike came in to the arena, the first thing he noticed was Buffy in her bathing suit. If possible she looked even more beautiful than he ever imagined. Her beautiful, tanned, long legs, called attention to by the cut of her suit. He gasped as he saw her hard nipples' outlined in the thin fabric. He flinched when he heard an annoyingly familiar British voice call his name.
Buffy watched as Drusilla ran up to Spike and was handed something from him. Her anger feeding her determination, she dove off doing the perfect dive. When practice was over she went to shower and change and was forced to listen to Dru talk about Spike to her friends.
" Spike is so sweet. He came all the way here just to give me my appointment book. He has all these adorable little nicknames for me. Why Buffy? You live across the street from him, I'm sure you've sneaked a peak at his body and can confirm just how hot it is? I'll tell you though, it is even better up close.", Drusilla said, leading Buffy to believe she had actually been that close. Drusilla was enjoying the look on the blonde's face way too much.
Buffy didn't dignify Drusilla's comments with a response. She finished up and began her walk back home. It had turned dark outside and Buffy hurried not really enjoying herself, alone after dark. She had heard plenty of stories about men that stalked and raped students. Halfway home, she felt the hairs in the back of her neck rise, as she got the feeling she was being followed. For a second she thought she even heard steps. Buffy turned around tentatively only to see no one in the shadowy ally she was currently in.
"Hello!", she called out to the shadows, the only response she got was a cat jumping out of a garbage can. It made her jump and hiss; "Stupid cat!" She shrugged the feeling off and hurried her way back home.