"How was your first day of school?" Spike asked the slayer. He was lounging on the lazy boy chair in Buffy's den while watching TV. Buffy lay on the floor, kicking her feet behind her as she worked on her homework.
"It was okay I guess. I mean I still can't believe we got homework. It's the first day of school for goodness sake!" Buffy said.
"Well, you're a sophomore now, things are bound to be more difficult," Spike said.
"I'm a junior now," Buffy corrected.
"But you're only sixteen, and last year you were a freshmen. You told me last year you were graduating in 1999," Spike insisted.
"Calm down, calm down," Buffy said with an eye roll and a shake of her head. "Last year was '96, I was fifteen. This year's 1997, I'm sixteen. So, yes, technically I should be a sophomore. But the school was impressed with how well I did last year in my exams so they told me I could skip a grade; Especially with everything that happened with mom over the summer. The principal knows that I need to finish up school and get into college and eventually find a job. It's really pretty cool of them to let me skip a grade," Buffy explained.
"Well, technically I was right. You should be a sophomore," Spike said.
Buffy rolled her eyes once more, "Can't you just admit that occasionally you're wrong?"
"Never love," Spike said with a smirk. Buffy laughed, the sound making Spike smile widely. "So, besides the grade issue, how was your first day?"
"Well, the school work on the first day thing is something I'm not loving. But besides that I was just kind of lonely. I mean, I don't really have any friends anymore. Once I started slaying I didn't really have time for my popular friends so they all kind of decided I was a freak. I get lonely a lot. But it's cool, I have you," Buffy said.
"You always have me love. But I'm over one hundred years old. It might be nice for you to have some friends your own age," Spike said.
"I know. Maybe someday I'll meet some freaks like me. But, until that happens I'll deal. Besides, I'm always busy with slaying and training. And being a junior means that the college issue becomes slightly more pressing," Buffy said.
"What issue. I'll help you study, you'll get in somewhere wonderful, and we'll move there and fight nasties."
"Well, money is kind of an issue, not too much, since mom did do a pretty good job taking care of finances. But still, it's a little bit of a-" Buffy was cut off by Spike.
"Non-issue," The vampire supplied. "I have tons of money. Way more than I could ever hope to use, and ways of making it multiply. Legal ways, mind you," Spike stressed at Buffy's disapproving look. Buffy knew that Spike was lying, about the legal part anyway. But, she wouldn't fight him on it. She was too thankful for his support and friendship.
"So, how did the big date go?" Xander asked Buffy. The slayer held the portable phone as she attempted to talk to Xander, who had called shortly after Josh dropped her off at her apartment, and change her clothes.
"Okay, I guess. I really like him," Buffy said.
"That's awesome!" Xander said happily. "I'm so glad that-"
"As a friend," Buffy said, cutting Xander off. "I mean, I'd love for you to bring him around more so we could hang. But I don't like him as anything more than a friend."
"Still, I'm glad you had a good time…I'm glad you went out," Xander said. However, he couldn't keep the slight sound of disappointment out of his voice.
"I'm sorry Xand," Buffy said.
"Don't be Buff," Xander insisted quickly. "I'm not angry at you. I'm just upset that you're not happier. That's all I want. That's all I care about, and that's all Spike would care about," Xander said.
"I know," Buffy whispered softly. "Well, I better go, I need to get some sleep."
"Okay, bye Buffster."
"By Xand. See you tomorrow," Buffy said.
"So love, you planning on killing that thing anytime soon," Spike asked casually as he watched Buffy beat up a vampire.
"Eventually," The slayer answered equally as casually. A few more minutes passed and Spike grew impatient.
"Love, just stake the poor thing," He insisted.
"Fine," Buffy huffed, sticking a wooden stake into the heart of the fledgling. It got a surprised look in its eyes and dissolved into dust. The pair walked in silence for a few minutes before Spike spoke.
"What was that all about?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Buffy questioned.
"I mean, you were totally beating on that vampire. Usually you give them a fairly quick death."
"I don't know. I guess I'm just a little bit bored. I mean, we haven't had any Big Bads for a while," Buffy said. At Spike's wounded look she quickly amended the statement. "Besides you of course."
"Ta love. Thanks, but you're right," Spike said.
"Still, I kind of feel like something should be coming. I mean, I know I'll regret yearning for a disaster as soon as it strikes, but it would be kind of nice to get to fight an apocalypse or demon or something," Buffy said. Spike chuckled. "Kind of funny that you're hoping for an apocalypse. Not sure how slayer-like that is."
"Well, life's funny like that."
"Yeah…it really is," The vampire agreed.