Wow, I am loving all of the reviews. They really make me feel better about my writing. I wanted to personally thank Anon. Your review was very touching and I appreciate it. I'm glad you're liking the story. Hope everyone likes this chapter. Don't worry, I will have a good Spuffy ending. I have to deal with some drama first of course, but it will all be worth it. I'm happy because I'm going to see Harry Potter today and I wanted to get this chapter in before I left. Just felt like saying that. Now on with the story=)

Chapter 12

Buffy was walking to her locker the next day so she could put the books that she was carrying away when someone bumped into her causing her to drop all the books." Sorry, didn't see you there." Buffy saw Clara standing in front of her with her hands on her hips. "Here, let me help you with that." She bent down like she was going to pick up the books when she kicked them further away from Buffy instead. "Oops, sorry again." Buffy didn't say anything as she picked up the books herself; she made her way past Clara and opened her locker putting the books inside. She then closed her locker and saw that Clara was staring at her with a scowl on her face.

"Is there something that you wanted?" Buffy asked her trying to be polite. Clara walked closer to her so that their noses were almost touching.

"I want you to stay the hell away from Spike. You got that, blondie?" Buffy stepped back a little.

"I didn't realize that he belonged to you. I don't remember seeing your name engraved on his forehead or something." Clara glared at the other girl.

"He will always belong to me, bitch. You think you actually mean something to him? He feels sorry for you which is the only reason he's hanging out with you in the first place, like he could really be interested in such a loser. He still loves me and he always will, the poor guy can't seem to get over me. He's probably only using you to make me jealous, like that could even happen. Get that through your thick skull and if I see you anywhere near him again you will be sorry." With that said she turned and walked away. Buffy stared after her wondering if there was any truth in her words, she just shook it off and headed to lunch. Buffy was quiet all during lunch and Willow was starting to wonder if she decided to stop talking again.

"Buffy, are you okay?" She decided to ask her friend and Buffy looked up at her and gave her a faint smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Willow accepted her answer and decided to let it go for now. She then looked and saw Spike walk over to them and Willow was surprised. He smiled at them and Xander turned away from Cordelia to glare at him.

"Hello all, how's it going?" Spike asked as he sat down next to Buffy. She moved away from him a little and he didn't seem to notice.

"We're just fine. What do you want, bleached boy?" Xander said and Spike had a hurt look on his face at the name, but Xander didn't seem to care. Willow elbowed him.

"Xander, be nice." Xander then turned his glare on her.

"Why should I, Will? He thinks he can just hang out with us again after ditching us for the popular crowd. It doesn't work that way." He said as he stood up. "You coming, Cordy?" He asked his girlfriend and she looked at the faces around her and then shrugged as she followed Xander out of the cafeteria. Willow then looked back at Spike.

"I'm sorry about that. It's still hard for him." Spike nodded and smiled at her.

"Don't worry about it, Red. He had every right to act like that. I don't know if it means anything now, but I'm really sorry about everything." Willow smiled at him and didn't say anything. Oz being his usual quiet self placed his hand over Willow's and gave it a squeeze. Spike then looked at Buffy and noticed that she hasn't said anything since he sat down and she seemed to be avoiding his gaze. "You okay, love? Not going mute on us again, are you?" Spike said trying to make a joke, but she didn't laugh or even smile. She just looked at Willow, anywhere but at him.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go." She said as she grabbed her stuff and walked out of the cafeteria without even looking back. Spike looked back at Willow.

"Is something wrong with her?" Willow shrugged.

"I don't know, she has been kinda quiet since we sat down. I asked her if she was okay, but she wouldn't tell me anything." Spike nodded.

"I'll see you guys later." He said as he got up to go after Buffy. He headed for her locker and he stopped when he saw her in front of the locker talking with Ben. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he noticed that the boy was standing a little too close to her and she seemed to be laughing at whatever he said. Spike was about to break it up when he saw Ben lean closer to her until he was kissing her on the lips. Spike cringed and looked away from them. He decided that he couldn't handle it right now and turned and walked away.