Pt. 2

POV Faith

I sit staring at her face as the sun streams into the dimly lit library through the open windows. I watch as she brushes away a few stray locks, and looks across the worn table, bright, green eyes softly focusing on mine. She caught me staring... again.

She gives me a bubbly smile and I can feel the stupid expression on my face as it responds. Her smile broadens, exposing teeth, as I sit up in my chair. I have to stop myself from grinning back at her like an idiot. Luckily, Giles comes into the library, tea in hand, and asks if we found anything of importance. As usual, I haven't found anything.

I turn back around to face my dusty book, and notice that B is still looking at me. Her head is tilted slightly. I raise an eyebrow; she raises one in return. Neither of us speaks. I've had enough research for today and decide to leave. After a few good byes I'm gone.

Buffy's POV

It's been like this for days. She'll be nice to me for a little bit, sometimes staring at me for a while when she thinks I'm not paying attention, but I really am. Even though it's kind of weird, I like looking at her when she's staring at me. Unfortunately, whenever she does it, she always gets this constipated look on her face after a few minutes, and makes an excuse to leave. I really wish she'd stop. Or at least not make me think we're getting somewhere, and then decide she doesn't want to be my friend for a few days.

I've been trying to spend more time with her, well away from slaying. I like her, I do, but it's kind of hard with school, Angel, and the guys. I am trying though, especially now that I know her a little better.

From the few times we've hung out together, I've come to realize that she is so not the girl we thought she was. Ok, well maybe she is, in some ways, but she can be really sweet, too. Like when we went to the movies and this dopey kid totally bumped into me, spilling my popcorn; after she laughed at me for like five whole minutes, she offered to share hers so we wouldn't miss the trailers. She knows I love them. Oh, and since that pimply faced little guy spilled my soda too, and Faith had gotten Coke, she went out and bought me a new Diet Dr. Pepper.

"It's ok B, I've seen this one already," she said.

"Faith, it came out like today. How could you have possibly seen it?"

"Lots of free time, remember?"

Oh, and she even let me wear her denim jacket home, which I still have. It's nice, and warm, and it smells really good. But, I'm getting sidetracked. Besides, it wasn't so sweet when she gave it to me.

"Hey, B, you cold?" she asked with a really cute grin, the totally adorable dimpley one.

"No, I'm ok, Faith," I said.

"Really, that flimsy little sweater's keeping ya warm? 'Cause it don't look like it to me. You know, with the twins at attention and all?" Then she laughed at me, which was kind of mean, but after some severe blushing and maybe just a little bit of sulking, she took off her jacket and handed it to me.

"Thanks," I said, "but aren't you gonna be cold?"

"Nah, you got me plenty warm with your little two gun salute." Then she smiled and told me to put her jacket on. She's not such a tough guy, really... um, I mean tough girl.

I look up and down the corridor when I realize Faith is already at the end of the hall, so I call out to her.

Faith's POV

I'm about to reach the school's front doors when I hear B. I stop and turn as she walks over.

"Hey," she says.

"Hey."

We're both quiet for a minute. I don't really like the idea of standing here all afternoon and having Buffy watching me fidget, so I ask her if she needs something, so I can just take off. She just keeps looking at me then shakes her head.

"Um, no. I just thought that maybe you'd want some company. 'Cause sometimes people like company. And I can be company, good company even," she says with a nod.

"Oh," I say trying not to laugh. She's so weird. "Why?" I don't think she was expecting that 'cause her face is all scrunched up like she's thinking way too hard.

"I mean, well if you don't, I could just go back to the..." she trails off while pointing back to the library.

"No," I say.

"Oh," I hear her mumble as she turns around. I put my hand on her shoulder, which stops her.

"I meant I wouldn't mind the company."

She grins at me and we head out the door, and quietly walk to my motel.

We're sitting in my dingy little room watching TV. There's really nothing better for us to be doing now. She's supposed to be in school, and so am I for that matter. Well, if I hadn't dropped out. A few days ago, Buffy asked my why I left. I just shrugged. I don't really know. Seemed like the best option at the time. I mean slayers don't live that long, and I sure as hell didn't want to spend the time that I have left in some stuffy classroom. Especially not with some stuffy teacher telling me things that I just don't give a shit about, and probably won't use anyway.  I'm lucky if I make it past my eighteenth birthday.

We're side by side, leaning against the headboard. My left hand is lying flat on the bed next to hers. I'm trying really hard to concentrate on the movie, but it's difficult when you can barely make out... anything. The screen is all fuzzy and black and white, so it's kind of hard to figure out who's who, and even more difficult to decipher the plot.

"'Plot? What plot? I thought we were watching 'Little House on the Prairie,' Faith? See, isn't that little girl milking a cow there?'" Buffy points to the screen. "Unless that's an old man, or old woman, in which case I really don't want to know what that little girl is doing to her." She scrunches up her face.

"Huh?" She rolls her eyes at me like I'm crazy for not being able to follow. I mean she's the one talking about little girls milking old chicks, and I'm the crazy one?

"You just said," she pauses and clears her throat, "it's kind of hard to figure out who's who, and even more difficult to decipher the plot," in a lowered voice to match mine.

I really gotta work on that thinking out loud deal I've got going. I mean I've gotten into that habit of doing it since it's so quiet all the time in my lonely little motel room.

"Right," I say, and walk over to the set. I hit it once on the side; it clears up a bit. Wow, looks like she was right. It is a cow.

"See, told ya," she says with a grin.

I hit the set again and the picture is crystal, color even. Whoa. And, it wasn't a cow. Turns out we were watching infomercials the whole time. I smile when I see the look on Buffy's face.

"I think I liked the cow better," B says. She's so weird

I sit back down on the bed and flip through a few channels. I find a classic movie network and smile. The shit hole comes with basic cable. I feel Buffy shift on the bed, and look over just in time to see her take a sip of her Diet Dr. Pepper. She always closes her eyes when she takes a drink. I know it's pathetic, but I always make a note of the things she's does that I think are sweet, which pretty much includes everything.

She sits back on the bed and her hand casually lands on top of mine. It's cool, and a little damp. My eyes fall closed, and my stupid heart decides it wants to beat just a little bit faster. This is so lame. I'm fairly certain I've hit a new bottom. 'Oh, hey Faith; welcome to Loser Ville. Enjoy your stay.' I mean, dude. It's just her hand!

I try to relax, but I can't. Her palm is so soft that I want her to leave it there, but I kind of want her to move it, too. The worst part is, is that I almost want to cry at having her so close to me. My emotions are so jumbled that I actually feel my body tensing.

I slip my hand away from hers and get up. I walk to the television to flick it off, all the while trying to think of an excuse for us to get out of here. I feel like I'm locked up in here with her. And while on some level the thought of being locked up anywhere with only her is appealing, I can't really stand being here now.

"Sun'll be down soon. Wanna grab some food and patrol?"