Chapter 7

Spike waited for Buffy by her locker after school like he did every day. He smiled when he finally saw her in the distance; his smile then faded when he noticed that Angel was with her. She was laughing at something he said when she finally got over to him. "Hey, Spike." She said still laughing and Spike put a fake smile on his face.

"What's so funny?" Buffy shook her head as she finally calmed down.

"Nothing, you had to be there." She told him.

"Yeah, it's a shame I couldn't then. You ready to go?" She nodded as she looked at Angel.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow." She said and he nodded also.

"That you will. Thanks again for helping me out today, Buffy. I really liked spending time with you." She gave him a smile.

"Sure, don't mention it." Spike rolled his eyes, but neither of them noticed.

"Well, I'll let you go now." He said as he moved closer to Buffy and placed a kiss on her cheek. "It was nice to meet you. Both of you." He said as he then looked at Spike like he just noticed he was there. Spike only nodded when Angel walked away.

"Bloody pillock." He mumbled and Buffy stared at him.

"He's a nice guy. You didn't wanna show him around, so I did you a favor. I figured you would be grateful." She said as they started to walk.

"Yeah, but that was when I thought it was some girl you would be showing around. I don't like him." Buffy rolled her eyes.

"You don't even know him and why should it matter that he's a guy? What, I'm not allowed to hang out with other guys besides you?" Spike shook his head.

"That's not what I meant. I just want you to be careful, you're still vulnerable." Buffy stopped to look at him.

"Are you kidding me? The whole thing with Parker was two years ago. I'm so over that. I'm older now and I know how to handle myself. You worry too much, Spike." She said as she started to walk again.

"Well, that's the best friend's job. I'm supposed to worry about you. I just know how much that wanker hurt you and I don't want you to go through that again." She stopped to look at him and saw how sincere he was. "You're an amazing person, Buffy. You deserve someone who will treat you like one. Someone that would worship the ground you walk on. Someone that knows what he has when he has you." He finished as he touched her cheek and then dropped his hand. "I guess what I'm saying is that you deserve to be happy." Buffy smiled at him and then wrapped her arms around him in a hug. He hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.

"I kinda love you, you know that?" Spike smiled and knew that she only meant as a friend, but it was better than nothing.

"I kinda love you, too." She would never know how true that was.