Pt 3

Faith's POV

I hate I hate I hate myself. No, I really do. I hate myself. I hate this town. I hate everything. It's been raining for days. The cemeteries are muddy, making it difficult to chase vamps. My favorite leather pants are practically ruined; they're caked in mud and soaked. I think I may be getting sick, and this room is freezing. Plus, I haven't spoken to Buffy in days. She called and invited me to the Bronze, but I said I couldn't make it. Mostly, I've been avoiding her since the day we spent in my motel room watching TV. I don't know why. It's not her fault that I like her.

The rain has let up and I need to get out of here, so I put on a jacket and decide to go for a walk. As I step out into the damp air, I find that it's actually warmer outside than in my motel room. That's pretty fucked.

I shake it off and walk onto the street. I tool around for a while, not really having anywhere to go, and eventually end up at the docks. It's quiet except for the sound of the lapping water and the occasional boat. I sink onto one of the crates and knock my boots against its edge, just thinking.

After my ass becomes so numb I can no longer feel the splinters digging into it, I get bored and leave. I know exactly where I'm going, and although I try to convince myself that I don't need to go there, I don't stop. Pretty sad really.

I know she isn't home, but I walk down her block anyway. It makes me feel better. I lean against her tree and sigh as I try to warm myself up. Not sure what I'm even doing here.

Once I've had my fill of my little stalker moment, I finally turn to leave, but when I look up, I see her standing a few feet in front of me.

Buffy's POV

Stupid soup, stupid rain, stupid vampires, stupid person standing on my lawn behind my tree. Stupid…

"Faith?"

"Uh, hey B."

"What are you doing here?" I ask. Not a difficult question, but her brow furrows slightly.

"Uh, I was out patrolling. What are you doing here?"

"I live here," I say.

"Um, no, I mean… weren't you going to The Bronze?"

"Yeah, I mean no. You said you were sick, remember? I made you soup." I say lifting up a container.

"Oh," she says.

"I'm actually glad you're here. I got worried when I stopped by your place and you weren't in."

"You stopped by?" She asks.

"Yeah, last time I got sick, I wound up in the hospital."

I really am happy she's here. Not only because she's not passed out getting eaten by some vamp, but because she actually does look a little under the weather. Not that I'm happy she's sick. Well, I am a little, but only because she's not out and healthy with someone else, and only said she was sick because she doesn't want me. Well not 'want me,' want me, but you know like she doesn't want to hang out with me, so she has to lie to spare my feelings just so she can hang with someone else that's not me. 'Cause I have noticed that she's been avoiding me. And I don't want her to avoid me. I want Faith to want me… to hang out with.

"So do you wanna come in?"

"Uh, no. I'm just gonna go," she replies.

"Faith, it's already starting to rain again. Why don't you come inside? Plus, you aren't looking so hot."

"No, I really should get home before the rain really picks up."

"Come on," I say as I drag her inside.

Faith's POV

The sun streaming in through the windows wakes me up. I'm still kind of tired, but I sit up on the couch anyway. I look at my watch; it's eight in the morning. I shouldn't be up this early on a Saturday. I stand and get a good stretch. I start to fold the sheets when I hear someone coming down the stairs. It's Joyce.

"Good morning, Faith."

"Morning, Mrs. S."

"Are you feeling better?"

"Huh?"

"Buffy mentioned you were feeling ill," she says.

"Oh, right. No, I feel better, thanks," I say.

"Morning." Buffy says from the stairs with a cute smile on her face.

"Morning, " Mrs. S and I say. Buffy's still in her pajamas, but so am I. She lent me a pair last night. She said I couldn't sleep in my street clothes, because they were soaked.

"Oh, Faith, I put some extra towels in the bathroom so you can grab a shower. I put a toothbrush out for you too, and I'm sure your clothes are dry by now. Mom can we have waffles?"

"Sure honey. Why don't you help me make them while Faith is in the shower?"

"Okay," B says as they walk into the kitchen. I head up the stairs and into the bathroom.

Buffy's POV

What's taking her so long? I've been sitting here waiting for her to get out of the shower while mom makes us breakfast. Maybe I should go down and help her, but I don't really want to. I want to wait for Faith. Besides, mom gets mad when I burn things.

I walk out into the hall when I hear the bathroom door open. Faith looks apprehensive… shy even. She is too adorable in that towel. Whoa. She looks adorable in that towel?

"Faith, your clothes are laid out on my bed. Here." I reach for the pajamas she slept in.

"I'll put these in my hamper."

"Thanks." She says.

"No problem. Mom should have breakfast ready soon, so come down when you're ready."

I put my pajamas in my hamper and walk downstairs and into the kitchen.

Faith walks into the kitchen a few minutes after I do. Mom and I are already sitting at the breakfast table when Faith joins us. She is so cute when she looks shy, and when she eats fruit.

Oh God. What's up with me today? Can't seem to keep my eyes to myself. Well, obviously I can keep them to myself, they are in my head, and therefore attached to me, but they keep sneaking back to Faith. She's so cute. She looks up and catches me staring. She raises an eyebrow and gives me a little grin. I blush and try to stare at my plate rather than Faith. I think mom caught me staring, too. We finish up breakfast pretty quickly and head into the living room.

"So," I say.

"So," Faith says. "I'm gonna go. Uh, thanks for letting me stay here, and for breakfast and stuff. And, um, for the soup too, I guess." She gives me a dimpled grin then heads toward the door.

"Faith," I call out before she's fully outside.

"Yeah?"

"Did… did you want to hang out later?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure."

"Cool. So, I'll call you in a while then?"

"Yeah. Later B."

"Bye."

Faith closes the door quietly behind her. I turn and walk up the stairs. I need a shower.

Faith's POV

It's hard to believe that there was a storm last night. It's really warm today. Super sunny. The warmth makes me want to take my time walking back to my motel room.

I can't believe I slept at B's house yesterday. It was nice. So was breakfast this morning. It was really, really nice. Too nice.

I shake my head while smiling just a little bit. I know we're gonna hang out later today, but I know I shouldn't get used to this. I shouldn't get too attached to having B's attention, because I know that sooner rather than later, her focus will be right back on dead boy or the Scoobs.

Still a nice day though.

Buffy just called. She's gonna be here in a bit. I'm kind of happy and I'm kind of not. What are we gonna do, or talk about if not slaying? I'm beginning to wish that I hadn't dropped out of school. And that I was funnier, or charming even. Maybe she'd want to hang out with me more if she thought I was smarter.

I doubt it would help though. Don't really think it would make much difference when she's got tall, dark, and broody. Sucks.

I hear Buffy knock and grab my jacket. I open the door and there she is, smiling.

"Hey." She says.

"Hey."

"Is something wrong? Are you all right, Faith?"

"Right as rain. Ready to motor, B?"