Spinning the Wheel 01 - Judging Buffy

Buffy had barely attended college the last two weeks. She just couldn't motivate herself to go and study. The shock from the accident sat to deep, the pictures were burned into her skull. Although nothing severe had happened and nobody was seriously hurt she felt guilty as if she'd killed somebody.

And her mother? Well her mother had yanked the car keys out of her hand and Buffy knew that she would never drive again, at least not her mother's car. She had always been concerned when Buffy had asked for it, her daughter just had no talent for driving and now this. No, her mother hadn't been angry, she was glad that Buffy was well and alive, but she was disappointed and now the trial. Luck wasn't really on their side.

Now, Buffy sat on her chair, shifting from one site to the other. Her black skirt with the crisp white blouse felt uncomfortable like this whole situation.

This wasn't a real court trial cause she wasn't twenty-one yet but it was equally horrifying. The judge, an african-american woman in her forties was reading in folder and nodded once in a while.

The young man she'd crashed into, sat in his wheelchair behind the other table, a small young man beside him who was talking to him the whole time. His layer, presumably. He looked like business wasn't running that good and he was hungry for everything you threw into his way. His suit was cheap and didn't fit the way it should, his hair was combed back with too much hair gel. "Ladies and Gentlemen." The judge announced, taking of her glasses. "We are today to come to terms about the accident, is that right?" She addressed to the opposite party and the young man in the ill fitting suit stood.

"That's right, your honour. This woman has crashed ruthlessly into my client and."

"I know, Mr. Skinner." The judge interrupted. "I've read the file. And I still don't understand why you brought this to me."

"But, your honour." Skinner started again but she interrupted a second time.

"I know, now will you please sit down?" And so he did. "Miss Summers, are you aware of your situation?" She addressed to Buffy.

Buffy rose to her feet. "Yes, Ma'am, I know. And I. I can just say that I'm terrible sorry." She blushed.

"I know, Miss Summers. So here is my decision. Since Miss Summers isn't of age yet we can't put up with indemnification here. But since it hasn't been you're only incident I can't let you go, either. So I will put you on probation."

Buffy gasped and stared at the judge.

"Don't be afraid, Miss Summers. Your probation will be 20 hours in community services."

"What? You let that chit go like that? She's a danger for the public. She nearly killed me." Now it was the young man who exclaimed furiously.

"Mr Rayne, would you please watch your tongue? I don't appreciate that in my court room."

He raised his hands in defence and sunk back into his wheelchair.

The judge thought for moment, than a slow and thin smile spread over her lips. "And I just know how Miss Summers could spend her probation best." The judge's gaze drifted between the two parties.

"What?" Buffy blurted.

"Oh you've got to be joking." Rayne burst out.

"No, I am seriously not. It seems like a nice right idea to me and since you have that handicap, Miss Summers could lend you hand."

"Oh I don't need lended hands, thank you. I'm just fine on my own."

"Mr Rayne, this is my court room and what I say will be done, do you understand me ? Miss Summers will spend her 20 hours helping you out, no contradiction."

With that the judge rose and left the room through a small door in the back of the room.

Buffy stared at the door. She couldn't believe it, it just couldn't be true. She has to spend twenty hours in community service, that was just great. She could've dealt with working at a kindergarten or something like that but not that guy of all things. She felt guilty as hell as if she'd put him in that wheelchair herself and he hated her guts. That would end just fine. He would probably put her in a maid's dress and let her do the really ugly housework, he would treat her like a slave.

Her mom gave her a tight hug as Buffy went up to them. Joyce and Dawn Summers had been sitting in the back of the courtroom.

"Oh baby, I'm so glad that everything had turned out that way. It could have definitely be worse."

"Mom?" Buffy stared at her mother. "How could it possibly be worse?"

"Preaching to the choir, luv."

Buffy's head wiped around and she stared at the young man who was just passing by when she'd talked to her mother. He shot a very, very pissed off look and Buffy froze. She could just look at him as he continued his way, the lawyer at his side seemed pretty disappointed.

"And now you have to go up to his apartment or what?" Willow asked on the other end of the line.

"Yeah, so I was told. Everything else is up to him, whatever he wants me to do, I have to do."

"Oh. poor Buffy."

"Yeah, poor me." Buffy slumped down on her bed. "it It just isn't fair. Why him? Why can't I go and watch little kids or play Parcheesi with the old folks. No, it has to be him. I guess he'll come up with a whip or something. He hates me."

"Well." There was a pause on the other end. "I mean, you nearly killed him. Is he supposed to love you for that?"

"I didn't kill him. He just had a cut and a few bruises, nothing more. Not enough to hate my guts for that matter." The blond twirled a strand of her hair around her finger.

"He doesn't hate your guts." Willow assured. "You have pretty lovely guts. you know what I mean. I bet he doesn't hate you, he's just. angry. That's all. I guess when you go up to him everything will work out."

"Yeah, maybe you're right. We'll see. Oh. ehm. I have bad news, Will." Buffy slapped her forehead that she almost forgot to tell her friend.

"What?"

"I can't go to the party. Mom grounded me." She said pouting.

"She did what?" She could hear Willow gawking on the other end of the phone.

"Yeah, she grounded me for as long as my probation runs. Just that hour of community service fun and college for the next twenty days including the week-ends."

"Oh really poor Buffy. But don't worry, there'll be another party and there will be other chances to address you to the market."

"Oh you're so generous, Will."

"Hey, best friend here. I'm always here to your service."

"Talking about services, I need to get that paper done. Tomorrow I don't have time due to that service-thing I'm damned to do. Do we met before class?"

"Sure thing. Bye then."

"Bye."

The two women hung up and Buffy flopped down on her back. She sighed heavily. She didn't know what was worse. The thought of the paper she had to write or the hour she had to spend with that Rayne guy.

Well. definitely the latter. She knew even now that it was going to be horrible. She didn't know how to talk to him. Not only had she involved him in an accident but he was also sitting in a wheelchair and she always had problem with handicapped people. She just didn't know how to treat them. On the one hand they were normal people but on the other hand they had something that you stare at when you first see them.

Oh boy. this was going to be hell on earth.