Chapter 3: First Impressions
In the house next door, Spike had finally decided to call it a night. After joining his mates at the espresso pump, for a much needed break from reality, he slammed his bedroom door shut and headed straight for the window, grabbing his new pack of swiped fags as he did so. He pulled back the thick, black curtain and was just about to open the window, when something caught his eye. The new neighbours had moved in and a young blonde, was making a particular impression on Spike.
She was small and slim with beautiful golden hair, which hung down in loose curls stopping just past her shoulders, and she was wearing the most adorable pair of lime green sushi pyjamas. Spike shook his head and laughed to himself. 'At least someone's having a better night than me,' he thought. He watched mesmerized as she flew around the room, dancing to a tune he couldn't hear. She had the biggest smile on her face.
Suddenly, she stopped. She must have noticed him watching, because the smiled faded and her cheeks flushed crimson red, which only caused Spike to grin even more. For a few moments they just stared at each other.
Buffy noticed a boy of about 16 maybe 17, staring at her. She cringed inwardly, he was laughing at her; 'oh my God! He's staring at me and I'm in my pyjamas; my sushi pyjamas!'
Feeling fully embarrassed, she scrabbled across to the window and shut the pale pink curtains. 'Great first impression on the new neighbours, well done Buffy' she sarcastically congratulated herself, as she flopped down on the bed. Tomorrow will be better she promised herself, as she got under the covers and closed her eyes.
Next door, Spike's fag and lighter lay forgotten, as he threw his duster over the chair, kicked off his black boots and spread out on the double bed, dismissing all thoughts of Drusilla and letting sleep take over.
Monday morning came far too quickly, Buffy sat with her hands clutched firmly on the steering wheel, "I don't know about this," she said apprehensively, as she looked pleadingly at her mother. Her instruction permit had been delivered straight to the new address and it seemed that no matter what excuse Buffy thought of, she wasn't getting out of it.
"Buffy," her mother said sternly, "how do you expect to pass your test if you don't practice? You didn't want to drive with Dawn in the car, that's fine, but she's gone now and Sunnydale High School is only around the corner so just calmly put the stick into reverse and…" Buffy began to follow her mother's instructions, but she lost her concentration and the car jerked backwards ever so slightly.
"Oi Watch it!" A thick, gruff British accent said.
"I'm sorry," Buffy mumbled avoiding the owner's gaze. The boy, who she had noticed laughing at her Saturday night, walked around to her window and bent down, "I'm not a soddin' vampire, don't you check your bloody mirrors?" he said in an almost angry whisper.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Buffy said more sarcastically, meeting his eyes this time. This guy was just plain rude, after all it wasn't like he couldn't see the L-plates. "The sun reflecting off your hair kind of put them out of action!" Buffy chided.
"Just try and not kill anyone yeah, pet," Spike said, "dozy bint," he added as he swaggered off down the road.
Buffy turned back to look at Joyce, "Are you sure you don't want to drive?" she asked her mother hopefully. Joyce looked at her daughter and sighed, "Buffy!"