Chapter Three: A Little White Lie
"So, where should I begin?" Buffy asked hesitatingly.
"How about with your full name and age," Darry asked sternly, his eyebrows knit together in concern.
"My name is Elizabeth Anne Summers and I am sixteen years old," Buffy replied tersely, her teeth gritting together, "Anything else?"
"Yes," replied Darry, who was obviously annoyed at her attitude. "How did a little girl like you beat up seven guys?"
Buffy huffed. "I'm the slayer. You know, the chosen one who fights the vamps and bad guys."
All of the guys stared at her.
"No, seriously," Two-Bit spoke up, breaking the silence.
Buffy sighed. "My parents put me in a martial arts program because we lived in LA and it was dangerous."
"Oh, ok," Steve replied, as everyone nodded in agreement. The explanation certainly made sense.
"Why are you running away from home?" Steve asked curiously.
"None of your business," Buffy snapped, when she noted a boy somewhat separate from the others step out of the shade.
"You're from LA?" he asked nonchalantly. "I'm from New York. Looks like we've got a lot in common."
"What have we got in common exactly?" Buffy asked stiffly as the rest of the group looked on at the both of them somewhat nervously.
"Well, we both come from big cities for one. We both like to fight," the boy responded happily, "And we both will probably..."
Buffy's eyebrows raised in surprise as the boy proceeded to name various misdeeds that caused herself and everyone around her to blush ferociously, with the exception of Two-Bit, of course.
Two-Bit happily opened his mouth, ready to join in when Buffy interrupted.
"Listen, peroxide boy, why don't you go waste someone else's time because I don't want to hear it."
The gang exchanged nervous looks as the boy narrowed his eyes.
"Peroxide boy?" he asked, amused, "Actually, my name is Dallas Winston."
"Actually, I don't care," Buffy replied smartly.
Johnny made a small noise and everyone jumped up in surprise.
"Why don't we go see the movie?" he asked quietly, as everyone leaned forward to hear what he was saying.
Darry sighed. "No, I can't. It's almost 7:30 and I have to go to work."
"7:30!" Sodapop shrieked, "We're late!"
"Hmm, I don't think I'm going to go," Steve said dreamily, gazing at Buffy.
"Yes you are!" Sodapop reprimanded, grabbing Steve by his collar and dragging him off towards the diner.
"Why don't we all go to the drive-in?" Two-Bit suggested, putting his arm around Buffy's shoulders, which she quickly pushed off.
"What do you do for a job?" Buffy asked Darry, ignoring Two-Bit.
"I roof houses," Darry responded, his face hard and his eyes an icy blue.
"Why don't I come with you and help?" Buffy asked curiously. She was, after all, still looking for a job.
"No, thanks," Darry said, shaking his head, "It's too much work. Why don't you apply for the diner? I heard they were looking."
"Yeah, I think I will," Buffy responded, looking over towards the diner. "Then, I can pay you rent and stuff."
"Rent?" Darry asked, puzzled.
"Erm, yeah," Ponyboy interrupted apprehensively, "I invited her over to stay as long as she likes."
"You invited a girl to come live with us!"
"Good for you, Pony," Dally remarked appreciatively.
"It's not like that!" Ponyboy protested.
"Yes, I'm going to sleep in the living room," Buffy said, shooting a glare at both Dally and Two-Bit. She couldn't help but think they were both a pair of pervs. Two-Bit was at least better than the other guy, who kept reminding her for some reason of a vampire she knew back home.
Darry glanced at his wrist watch and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We'll discuss this when I get home from work, Ponyboy," he lectured, "And I want you to finish your homework."
"I did finish my homework," Ponyboy replied, his eyes flashing with annoyance.
"Then do some extra work," Darry said, his eyes narrow and firm.
"Buffy, I'll enroll you in school tomorrow." Darry said, turning and walking towards his car.
Buffy wrinkled her nose. "School? Ugh."
"Well, let's go see the movie," Two-Bit suggested, and they started walking towards the drive-in with Dally trailing around behind them.
Two-Bit pulled out a cigarette and offered one to Buffy as they walked side by side.
"No thanks, I don't smoke," Buffy replied.
Johnny and Ponyboy stopped in their tracks to turn and stare at Buffy incredulously, and Buffy felt Dally bump into her from behind. Probably did it on purpose.
"Never?" Ponyboy asked in shock.
"Never." Buffy confirmed.
"Are you sure you're from LA?" Dally asked in shock.
"Yes, technically, yeah, I am."
"Technically?" Ponyboy repeated curiously.
"Well, yeah, because I moved to a different small town when I was in high school."
"Oh, ok," they murmured, and resumed walking towards the drive in theater.
"So, what kind of thing did you do in your old school?" Ponyboy asked curiously.
"Well, in my old school I was kind of a loner," Buffy replied. "I had two best friends, and one really good friend."
"Really? What were they like?"
"Well," Buffy responded with a sad smile, "Willow and Xander were my best friends. Xander was really goofy all of the time and Wills was so smart. Oz is Wills' boyfriend, and I consider him a really good friend."
"Is it too personal to ask why you left?" Two-Bit asked curiously.
"Yes," Buffy replied curtly, and stopped when they reached a fence.
Two-Bit gestured towards the hole in the fence.
"After you, m'lady," he said, bowing outrageously low.
Buffy laughed and shook her head in wonder as she crawled into the other side. Brushing the dust off her mother's blue flowery skirt, which had somehow wound up in her duffel bag, she waited for the rest of the gang to follow her.
"Alright, let's go see the movie," Two-Bit said with wide grin, grasping Buffy's hand tightly.
"Alright," Buffy said with a yawn, "Come on, lead the way."
A/N: Erm, yeah, so I haven't updated in quite a while. I decided to update b/c I checked my stats and was shocked (shocked I say!) at the amount of reviews I had.
Don't worry, the next chapter will be up soon.
Cross my heart, etc etc.