Chapter 17: Conversation with Other People…besides You

She paced around in circles, frustrated. Every once in a while, she came out of her room, wandering around the house as to take her mind off of the event of two days ago. She hadn't seen him since then. Joyce was a little worried about her only daughter, furrowing her delicate brows while she watched her coming and leaving the kitchen every fifteen minutes.

"Honey, is there something wrong? You keep toddling around the kitchen and please don't make me take my third aspirin today." Buffy stopped at her mother's comment. She heaved a sigh and decided to sit on one of the kitchen stools.

"I'm sorry, Mum. I just didn't get much sleep, is all," she lied effortlessly. But Joyce didn't buy it. She could see clearly something had been bothering the petite blond.

"Are you sure? You know you can always talk to me, sweetie. Or do you want to change your mind and have a party after all?" The older Summers coaxed her to open up.

Buffy had stated that she did not want to have a birthday party, considering all the incidents that had happened during her last three ones.

"I know…and no, I haven't changed my mind. I still don't wanna have a party at all," she offered her mother a half-hearted smile. "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back before dinner." Before Joyce could open her mouth, she had already fled the house.

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Buffy replayed the events from the midnight of her birthday while her feet dragged behind her, wandering around Main Street. Her fingers absently played with the pendant of the necklace Spike gave her. 'No, this is not happening. It was all just a mistake. Spike and I are best friends, and nothing can change that.' She assured herself desperately. Yeah, right. 'It was just an innocent kiss. No, wait…you can't even call that a kiss! That was lips accidentally brushing against lips. Yeah, that was it.' The more she tried to convince herself, the more she was in doubt. If it was whatever she called it, then what with the tingling sensations she had had every time she remembered it? 'Maybe that was a part of my birthday present.' She rationalized again. Hey, since when did they have a kiss routine for birthday presents?

Speaking of presents, Willow and Xander had come to her house the morning after Spike's and Buffy's little tradition. Willow gave her a red sexy dress that screamed "Hellooo sugar daddy, come to momma!" Buffy was wide-eyed when the dress was laid out. It had a very low neckline, which would display the entire valley of her breasts. The backside was only covered with a thin horizontal strap whose ends attached two vertical spaghetti straps that hung on both sides. The hem of the dress barely touched the knee and there were two slits on each side that reached the middle of the thigh. Willow only giggled at her best friend's expression. Buffy's jaw dropped to the floor as she eyed the dress intently. She was sure her mother wouldn't allow her, under any circumstances, to wear that dress. So she quickly hid it between stacks of her clothes in her closet as soon as Willow and Xander went home.

Xander, on the other hand, gave her an x-box game about vampire slayers. The ironic thing was Buffy didn't have the player. He knew that, but he could care less because she would play it at Spike's place. And as soon as it was left at his house, it would become a permanent possession there. Hence, Xander would be able to play it there as well. Smart ass.

And Joyce, she was too caught up with her work. So she gave Buffy a one-day shopping spree, allowing her daughter to shop till she dropped with her platinum credit card. Buffy was satisfied enough with her mother's decision though she hadn't decided when she would do it.

"This is not working," Buffy whined. The whole getting some fresh air to take her mind off of Spike was not working at all. She quickened her pace as if to erase Spike from her brain faster, without acknowledging a huge body was about to bump into her. "Sorry," she instinctively apologized as she looked up to the person in front of her.

"Whoa, what's the rush, baby? Running after the time, I see." A broad shouldered, dirty blond man was staring down at her. He had plastered an amused smile on his façade, twinkles in his blue eyes. Buffy stared at him, agape.

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Meanwhile…

"…you should see the features on the Star Wars II I just bought yesterday. They're really cool. They even have an interview with that hot chick Natalie Portman. And I can't wait for the next Star- Spike, are you listening to me?" Xander asked in annoyance at his friend who kept silence and looked around the street, trying to find something interesting other than Xander's praises to Star Wars movies.

"Yeah, I'm listening. You said about Star Wars, right?" Spike finally gave his full attention to the brunette.

"And??" Xander narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"And that interview with that hot bird Natalie Sportman."

"Portman," the brunette corrected. Spike rolled his eyes, then resumed his walking with Xander in tow. Xander spoke again, changing the subject. "So, did Buffy like the necklace you bought her?"

"What?!? Oh, that. Yeah, she liked it," Spike answered soberly. His mind drifted to their birthday routine two days ago. He hadn't seen her since then nor had he called her. He guessed he was still confused by the mixed feelings he had towards his best friend, his surrogate sister.

Xander frowned, unsatisfied with Spike's response. His eyes soon squinted when he caught a glimpse of Buffy and a guy inside the Expresso Pump. "Hey, isn't that Buffy? Who's that with her?"

Spike swung his head at Xander's pointed finger. He squinted his eyes as well to see a better look at the said guy. "Is that…"

"Riley," Spike completed his best friend's question, which was now more like a statement to him. He gritted his teeth at the laughing couple. The scene was disturbing him. So that lips-brushing thing never meant anything to her. Fine. As if it would bother him anyway. "Come on, we've got a soccer game to catch." He stomped his boots away.

"Wait, shouldn't we say-"

"I said let's go, Harris," Spike called more sternly over his shoulder.

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Buffy was laughing heartily at Riley's jokes. This guy was not only good looking, but a charmer as well. He knew how to make Buffy blush in four shades of red. She never noticed Spike and Xander walking by on the other side of the street, in front of the Expresso Pump.

"I still can't believe such a beautiful girl like you doesn't have a boyfriend in tow. I know choosing a guy would be difficult especially when you have so many candidates patiently lined up for you." Buffy blushed again for the umpteenth time. She lowered her head timidly at his intent stare. "If it's okay for me to jump the line, would you like to have dinner with me Saturday night?"

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"And what did you say?" Willow asked in enthusiasm. Buffy smiled at her, her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"I said I would like to." She broke into a huge grin, followed by Willow.

"Oh, wow! You have a date this Saturday! I'm so happy for you." Willow jumped to hug the blond. Buffy almost stumbled backwards but was saved by the lockers behind her.

"Did someone say something about a date?" Spike tilted his head to the side as he looked at the girls. Two heads turned to his voice immediately. Willow pulled away from Buffy while her best friend smiled awkwardly at Spike.

"Yes, indeed. Buffy, here, has a date this Saturday night." She swung her body from side to side in joy and nudged Buffy in the arm. Spike frowned in response.

"Who with?"

"You'll never believe who it is. It's Riley!" Willow chipped in, answering for the petite blond. "Oh crap. I'm supposed to meet Xander now. I'll see you guys next week. Bye." The redhead scurried down the hall, leaving the blond duo behind.

As soon as Willow was out of sight, Spike spoke up. "YOU have a date with Riley?!?" He spat Riley's name with repulsion.

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Is it that bad?"

"With the captain cardboard, yes I would say it IS that bad."

"Basketball."

"What?!?" Spike furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Basketball. He's the captain of basketball, not cardboard." Buffy corrected him, ignoring his sarcasm. It was Spike's turn to roll his eyes.

"I know who he is, Buffy. In fact I know everything about him. He's your regular nancy boy that doesn't give a shit about anything."

Buffy sighed. 'Here he goes again. Judging every guy I date.'

"Yeah yeah…whatever, Spike. Look, I gotta go. I'll talk to you later."

There, in the empty hall, Spike was left with frustration in his head. 

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The phone rang perkily in Spike's room. He tried to block the noise by putting a pillow over his head. But it didn't help. He had been attempting to get some sleep early this evening, catching up on some winks for the lack of the last two nights' sleep. Buffy's date was, of course, one of the reasons he couldn't doze off. The phone still rang continuously.

"Oh balls. Can't a bloke get a descent sleep for once?" Spike grumbled as he felt around for the wireless. "'Lo??" He muffled his greeting under his pillow. A sob was heard from the other line.

"Spike…" He immediately got up and sat straight on his bed.

"Buffy? What's wrong?" Full concern was evident in his voice. He hated to hear her crying. It tore his heart apart seeing her in despair. Another sob filled through his ears again.

"Spike, can you-" Another sob. "Can you pick me up please?" Her voice trembled in a plea.

"'Course. Where are you?" Spike flicked the table lamp on and grabbed a pen and paper as Buffy gave him an address, again in between sobs and sniffles. "Stay where you are, pet. I'll be right there."

to be continued

(A/N: I know I know, I messed the spuffy up but hey, there'll be no story without conflicts, right? Don't worry, I'll make it up to you guys on the next chappies which I'm currently working on. Hint: the spuffiness will be in the air, kiddies! LOL…

@MissKitty: **pouts** hey, don't you want to talk to me in the forum anymore?!?)