A/N: I'm not getting very many reviews, so I can't tell whether people really like this or not. Let me know if you like where I'm taking this… or if you absolutely hate it.
Ow…
Maybe all those martinis at the club last night wasn't such a great idea… 'cause right now, my head feels like giant over-inflated balloon that's about to pop and there are hundreds of tiny construction workers in there running jackhammers. I get up and stagger into my bathroom. Lifting the lid on my toilet, I quickly empty the contents of my stomach into the porcelain basin.
"Mornin' twinkie," Faith smirks walking in, "you always look this good when you first wake up, baby?"
"Fuck you." My verbal skills are not at their finest right now and I certainly do not want to deal with her right now.
"Maybe later, honey," she says flatly. In a surprising act of kindness she opens my medicine cabinet and takes out a bottle of aspirin, drops two in my hand, then hands me a glass of water. I graciously take the pills and guzzle the water.
"Thanks," I murmur, getting into a standing position. She looks me up and down, then gives me a huge shit-eating grin. I know I look like shit, but I've seen her after one of her drinking binges too. "What Faith?"
"I hope you didn't forget our date tonight, babe. Your parents are expecting us at their housewarming party." Oh fuck.
"Since when do you care what my parents expect of us?"
"I don't," she replies tersely, "but you do, just thought that I'd remind you." She turns on her heels and walks out. I wonder what she's up to…
After taking a nice, long, hot shower, I'm getting ready to go shopping. I have to get a new dress for my parents' party. She's right, I do care about what my parents think – my therapist says I care too much, but fuck him, what does he know? All my life, I've tried so hard for their approval. But as soon as Faith walks in the picture, what do they do? They fawn all over her, like she can do no wrong. I couldn't even face them for the longest time after they – and the rest of the rich and social – heard about Faith's affair with Cordelia. Naturally, my parents blamed me for that, said I didn't do enough to keep her interested. Hmm, if they only knew… It takes me three hours to find the perfect dress, which is not bad, considering it usually takes me over twice that long. I found the little gem at a boutique on Lexington Avenue. It's a full-length dress, made of dark red silk, with a slit up the side that reaches mid-thigh and is almost completely backless. Not too slutty, but classy and definitely sexy. I love it, hopefully my parents will too…
…
We arrive at the party fashionably late – at Faith's insistence – and are greeted immediately by my baby sister, Dawn.
"You're late and mom is looking for you," the brat says to me dryly.
"Well, it's nice to see you too, Dawnie," I reply sarcastically.
Her tone changes as soon as she sees Faith walk up behind me, "Oh, hey Faith, welcome."
"Hey brat," Faith merely shrugs, taking my hand as we walk inside.
The first floor is crowded with socialites and the like. So it takes me a minute to spot my mother and father in the banquet room, near the fireplace.
"Mom," I greet, giving her a polite hug, "Daddy," and him a peck on the cheek.
"Buffy, Faith, how nice of you to join us," my father says obligingly.
"What took you so long?" my mother asks, sounding rather irritated.
"Well, mom, I—"
"Never mind," she turns to Faith who's been quiet thus far, "I know how long it can take her to get ready. So, Faith, you look wonderful and how are your parents?"
"They're fine," she replies casually, her eyes scanning the room. What the fuck is she looking for?
"Mom, is there anything you'd like to say to me?" About my dress perhaps? And how long it took to get my hair done today?
She surveys me slowly, then asks, "Honey, have you gained a few pounds?"
My jaw drops. That bitch! Faith puts on a fucking black pantsuit in fifteen minutes and she gets complimented as soon as she sets foot in here. I spend the whole day trying to make myself look incredible and I get 'have you gained a few pounds?'
"I—"
"C'mon baby, why don't we go get us a few drinks?" Faith interjects, still holding my hand and starting to pull me away.
"Faith, Buffy, we can—"
"No, its okay we'll get them," she quickly leads me away. She snatches a couple of champagne flutes from a passing waiter's tray and escorts me outside to the patio. I lean against the railing, taking a glass from her. Downing the bubbly in one swig, I throw the flute against an opposing wall, shattering the glass.
"How dare she—"
"Chill baby, you know how your mom is," she whispers, leaning into me. She tenderly lifts my chin with her index finger and gives me a soft kiss. I give her weak smile.
"Why don't you wait out here, I'll be right back with something a little stronger…"
"'Kay," as I watch her leave, my eyes settle on a picturesque brunette standing near the bar.
Cordelia Chase.
What in the fuck is she doing here?