Background info: Allison is a real character used in the manga version, frequently compared to Faye by Spike for her trouble making and unruliness...Lyrics credited to Taking Back Sunday - Bonus Mosh pt. II
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Chapter 2 : Rivalry, Greed, and Something Infinite
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so scream louder now, I'm bound to come about
but can't you, can't you feel it rolling of your lips?
tensing up your shoulders...
c'mon, say it is.
well it's love.
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My morning classes were over and I was free until three in the afternoon for my last elective, this optional gun safety class. That sounded fun. I snickered to myself. Really fun. Electra wasn't in any of my other classes so far, and neither was Spiegel. Thank God.
As I walked out of the 2nd building after communication, my stomach growled and I realized it was time for lunch. I didn't have any money with me so I knew I'd have to pull a few tricks up my sleeve and find a guy to take me out and pay for the bill. I scanned the campus, seeing a few people sitting down by the fountain, girls giggling by the buildings, frustrated people trying to get the vending machines to work, couples behind the trees...
I saw one particular man that caught my attention. He was blonde haired and blue-eyed and seemed to be attracting a lot of women. I watched him for a while, noticing the way he smiled and how often he did so. Which was quite a lot. He seemed reasonable, so I approached.
"Hi there." I said sweetly, giving my most innocent smile.
He looked up, hearing the sound of my voice and pushed the other women aside as they squealed in objection and fell to the floor.
"Hello there beautiful, my name is Jones. Andy Jones. I will now take you out for lunch at Trista Aria's, down the street."
I cocked my eyebrow. Wow, that was...fast. "Why, thank you, Mr. Jones, I'd be glad to."
"No, no, no, do call me Andy." He took my arm in his and began to march toward the exit gates.
Wasn't he going to ask me my name? "I'm, uh, Faye Valentine..."
"Oh? That's almost as sexy as mi—" He was interrupted with a punch to the face. I felt him loosen his grip on my arm and watched him fall to the floor.
"You asshole, what did I tell you about monopolizing all the women in the damn university?!"
Spiegel? What was he doing here? Nevertheless, this was quite amusing...
Andy slowly got up and was about to brush off his blazer before he was punched again.
"And what did I tell you about being an arrogant bastard?"
I could only see Spiegel from the back and Andy sprawled out on the floor. I looked to my side as another guy slowly walked up to him and called out his name.
"Spike. What are you doing now?"
Spiegel didn't turn his head to answer. "I'm teaching this dumbass a lesson."
The man turned to look at me and smiled very slightly. Then he turned back to Spiegel. "Well I think you need to calm down. You do understand, you two have a lot in common. For one thing, you're both hotheaded. Even Miss Valentine can see that."
How did he know my name?
"Of course they are, anyone can see that." He continued.
By this time, Andy had already gotten up and was face to face with Spike. "Not now, Spiegel. Not in front of the women." He grinned and fluffed up his curly blonde hair, and then looked at his watch. "I'm going to be late for my next class. See you...next time." He saluted Spiegel and turned around swiftly, heading for the path for the 4th building.
"HELL NO YOU DON'T! You can't just run from a challenge, you fucking coward! And it's not like you pay any attention in school!" Spike called out, preparing to run after Andy and tackle him down. But the anonymous guy stepped forward and held him back. "Why don't we just take Miss Valentine out for lunch?"
Spiegel gradually released his tensed shoulders and finally agreed. "Yes, Vicious. That'd be alright."
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"I don't think you two have been properly introduced, so Spike, go ahead and do so." the Vicious guy urged Spiegel.
He stopped from his walk ahead of us and looked back, tilting his head as he inspected me. I tilted my own head back in mockery. He smiled and quickly stuck out his hand in front of me. "I'm Spike Spiegel. You can address me by 'Spike.' I know we've already met, earlier this morning, right?"
I took his hand in mine and shook it. It felt awkward and professional. "Yeah, we did. I'm Faye."
"And hello, Faye, I'm Vicious. Spike and I have known each other since first year middle school."
"Yeah." Spike agreed in faked annoyance.
"And who was that other guy, Mr. Jones?" I asked.
"Oh? Andy?"
I nodded.
"That fucking bastard..." Spike muttered.
Vicious ignored him and said, "We met him around second year high school and ever since their first encounter, Spike and Andy have been sworn enemies. I have no idea why, they have so much alike."
I laughed ; from what I've seen, it was true.
Spike suddenly changed the subject. "Where are we eating again?"
"Let's go to Trista Aria's, I don't think I've ever been there. That's where I was supposed to go." I offered.
"Then Trista Aria it is." Vicious finalized.
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The restaurant was extremely elegant and expensive-looking. I gasped upon entering the front doors. Spike and Vicious seemed to be frequent customers because we were automatically greeted by a waitress. "Hello! The usual area, I presume?" Spike nodded at her.
I followed them up to the second floor and out onto a balcony where a table was waiting for us under a shaded tree. Spike pulled out a chair for me and I smiled in thanks as I sat down.
"This place is amazing. You both come here often?" I asked, looking all around me.
"Well..." Spike began.
"Yes, we come here often." Vicious finished. "Do you like it?"
I wasn't stupid. I knew they both probably brought dozens of women here many times before. I was nothing different. "It's beautiful. I'm sure the food is, too." I said expectantly.
"It is." Spike assured me.
"The menus are here." Vicious announced as the waitress handed them to us. I stared at my menu and chuckled to myself. I got the right men to take me out to lunch.
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Halfway through our meal, I heard the distinct clicking of stilettos coming our way. I looked up to see a woman with piercing blue eyes walking carefully in our direction. But she had raven-black hair. If not for the hair, I would've thought....
"Spike." The woman said, very softly. What a beautiful voice- probably a wonderful vocalist. It was another dagger in my heart that I was not much of a singer. I didn't have much to admire, after all. I shook my head and turned my attention to Spike. He knew her?
Spike looked up from his plate of food, his hand still gripping his cold glass of alcoholic drink. I saw him focus on her, his expression as if remembering. "Allison.." He suddenly got up. "I didn't know you came here."
Allison smiled. "You act like you don't want to see me." She paused and continued more seriously. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Spike walked over to her and Vicious and I watched the two of them descend the staircase silently.
"So...is that his...girlfriend?" I asked quietly.
Vicious smirked. "No. Just another one of his infinite ex's."
I merely shrugged it off. It's not like I was interested in him. I barely knew him. I picked up my fork and continued eating my delicious cake.
Sometimes it pays off to be a little selfish, I thought.