Disclaimer: To keep it short, I do not own anything Buffy.

Chpt 5: Fist Sized Bruises

Buffy ran into class with her head down and waited for class to start. Willow walked in and sat next to Buffy.

"Hey where were you last night? We were looking for you." Willow said putting her book bag down. Buffy lifted her head and gave her a weak smile.

"Sorry Wills, I fell asleep."

"And when you fall asleep, you wake up with bruises? Did your mom see it?"

"Yea but I told her I dropped some stuff yesterday. I can't tell her what happened Will. Do you know what could happen to me?" Buffy put her head down a little so her best friend wouldn't see her eyes welling up with tears.

"You can't let him keep hitting you Buff. It's not fair to you."

"When is life fair?"

"Never really I guess but still you need to tell someone."

"Tell someone what?" A voice asked on the other side of Buffy. The two girls saw Spike sitting down giving Buffy a warm smile.

"Um…why I was late yesterday."

"And I thought it had to do with your eye." He tipped Buffy's head up a little to see it and she pulled back.

"Nothing happened. I just fell that's all."

"Buffy, I know when bruises are caused by fists and that certainly looks like one."

"Why is it your business?" She snapped trying to hide her fear. How could he know! Her mind was racing.

"I guess not love. Just a concerned person. If you ever need someone to talk to you can come to me." He sat back in her seat and sighed. Before Buffy could apologize class started.

At lunch everyone just sat by the oak tree in the school yard. During second period she told Xander the same excuse she told her mom. Seeing Spike she excused herself from her friends.

"Spike!" She called to him and he slowed down.

"What is it love?" He asked when she finally reached him.

"I um…just wanted to apologize for snapping at you this morning. I just don't like when people tell me things like that. Sorry I overreacted."

"It's fine love. It is from a fist isn't it?" He asked tipping her head again to see it. This time she didn't pull away.

"Uh…" What am I going to say?

"Don't worry pet I won't tell anyone. Who was it step dad?" Buffy slowly nodded her head keeping her head down and blinking back tears.

"You should consider saying something to someone. I won't say anything for now but if I see another bruise I will ok? I'll be with you if you need someone." He pulled her into a hug and she stood not knowing what to do so she slowly wrapped her arms around him. Bloody hell, I can't believe I'm doing this. I shouldn't be getting close or involved in anything like this.

"Hey Buffy!" Buffy pulled away from Spike to see Billy jogging over with a smile plastered on.

"Hey Billy." Buffy let go of Spike and accepted the kiss on the cheek from Billy.

"Hey I didn't see you at the Bronze last night. You ok?"

"Oh yea I uh… fell asleep. Sorry about that."

"That's ok are we still on for tonight?"

"Yea definitely." She said enthusiastically.

"Great I'll pick you up at eight. Bye!" Billy jogged back to the direction her came from. Buffy looked over to where Spike was and saw him stalking off away from where she stood. She sighed and started walking off to the place Willow and Xander were waiting for her.

"What was that all about?" Willow asked as they walked back to class.

"He knows."

"Knows about bruises and step dad? You told him?"

"No he figured it out. He knew right away, remember in first period?"

"Yeah I remember that. Don't forget today we have to find you an outfit for the party tonight."

"Right I completely forgot. Willow you are such a great friend. Your coming to it right?"

"Yea Oz wanted to take me before I even told him about it."

"Great, so right after school we'll go to the mall. I can't wait for tonight. Nothing can go wrong."

Sorry for not writing for a few days. I've been busy with school and soon I have MCAS so things will be even more slow. I apologize to anyone that's been waiting. Hopefully I can get another chapter up soon.