Chapter 4: New School, Same Rules
Sunnydale High was an impressive building, with its large courtyard, high sandstone walls, and maze of interconnected corridors it looked more like a college campus than a high school. Buffy made her way nervously through the crowded beige corridors in search of her locker. As she turned her map this way and that she became distracted by a nervous squeak. Looking ahead, she found the source. A girl of about average height was pinned up against the lockers by an orange glamazon. Buffy couldn't hear what was being said, but she noticed the girl's frightened facial expression and quickened her pace.
"Not so confident without your bodyguards are you?" the aggressor taunted as she levered Willow up by the straps of her overalls and shoved her against the cold, steals lockers. Willow winced as one of the dials jabbed between her shoulder blades and she let out a squeak. Willow's hazel eyes went as wide as dinner plates as she attempted to balance herself on her tiptoes. The young girl peered helplessly around, hoping either Xander or Spike would show; Spike always seemed to have a habit of turning up in the nick of time. Although right now, it wasn't looking very likely. Willow gulped hard as the vicious human tangerine slid closer and her mind ran off and hid.
The overgrown satsuma, whose name was Ashley, had been Harmony's best friend and although Cordelia ruled the school, it didn't stop Ashley from making her presence known. Normally, Willow could sense her thanks to the tapping of high heal stilettoes and the overpowering aroma of fake tan. This morning her senses had failed her, hence why she was now attempting to have an out of body experience. Willow vaguely remembered Xander saying that he smelt a mutiny. Secretly, Willow was voting for Cordelia to remain in power, being Spike's cousin meant the two had an understanding of sorts.
Harmony had not retired from her role quietly, she had lashed out and vandalised school property. She had been expelled just before the end of their sophomore year and Ashley held Willow personally responsible. Reaching out with her thin, bony hand, Ashley toyed with Willow's hair, curling it around her false nails as she sneered through her Botox induced lips, "you and your little friends will pay for what you did to Harmony…"
Suddenly, Buffy slid up next to Willow and flashed the bully her brightest smile, "oh my God," she exclaimed, "I love your shoes, last season's Prada, right?" Buffy asked still giving the girl her award winning smile. Ashley backed away startled and risked a look at her shoes as Willow flopped towards the floor. Thankfully, an overly perky blonde prevented her from completely toppling over. Willow watched as a look of horror spread across Ashley's face, well the only thing that really changed were her brown eyes, the rest of her face wouldn't thaw out for another few hours at least. Ashley was mortified; how did she not realise she'd put last season's shoes on? She looked briefly back at the two girls, before awkwardly sprinting off down the corridor.
Buffy turned to the girl, who was still in shock and gave her a sincere smile, "You ok?" she asked and Willow gave a small nod. "Hi, I'm Buffy," Buffy said smiling. Willow returned the smile, somewhat nervously but didn't say anything. "So what do they call you?" Buffy asked.
"Most people just call me 'is my paper ready," Willow blurted, nervously and then continued, "you can call me whatever you want!" she finished nodding vigorously as she hugged her text books and stared at the floor. Buffy grinned, "I meant, what's your name?" she asked.
"Oh," Willow replied sheepishly as she tried to remember what it was, "It's Willow," she introduced, "my friends call me Will or Red," she gestured at her head, "you know cause, the hair," she was in full on babble mode now, "actually it's only Spike that calls me Red, Xander calls me Willow or Will, no other names, no other friends, I don't mind, they're the best, those two," she shook her head and her voice dipped, "again with the too much talking…"she mumbled as she came to a complete stop and stared at the floor again.
Buffy laughed inwardly as she took an instant liking to the shy girl, "well now you have three," Buffy assured her, and her heart melted at the look of pure joy on Willow's face.
"It's my first day," Buffy clarified, "and I'm completely los…" she didn't have time to finish her sentence before Willow cut her off, "aww all new and shiny, you better not be seen talking to me, you still got a chance at a social life, its ok really I… " This time it was Willow's turn to get cut off.
"Listen Will," Buffy started, "having a social life is overrated, I had so many people in my social circle back in LA, but it wasn't anything real. I've got a new start here and I want to make the most of it. I want to make some real friends. Friends that would be there when I needed them. "
Willow beamed up at Buffy, "well then, I'm your girl," she said triumphantly, offering to look at Buffy's timetable. The two soon discovered they had a lot of the same classes so they headed off together.
At the other end of the corridor, Spike stood completely perplexed. He had spotted Willow pinned against the lockers and was storming over, when a blonde girl beat him to it and he stopped dead in his tracks. As he had watched the scene unfold, his curiosity turned to admiration as Ashley ran off down the corridor. He continued to stare as Willow voluntarily and excitedly scampered off with her new friend.
"Who's your friend, Will?" Xander asked as he slid into the seat next to Willow, his lunch tray full of pudding, and gestured to Buffy. After Willow had introduced them, the three sat and chatted together for almost the entire lunch hour; feeling very comfortable in each other's company. Buffy soon worked out that any serious conversations should be reserved for Willow, as Xander's contribution to the group seemed to be joke making and sarcastic commentary.
"Hey, wait a minute," Willow gasped, suddenly realising something, "I knew I recognised that address, you're Spike's new neighbour!"
"Spike?" Buffy asked.
"Oh don't worry, Spike's cool," Xander said before a look of horror spread across his face and he quickly added, "don't ever tell him I said that!"
Buffy laughed, "Ok I promise, scouts honour," she said giving the salute. Willow suddenly waved to someone behind Buffy, "have you met Spike yet?" she asked. Buffy looked over her shoulder, "you could say that," she cringed as she recognised him, "may have almost ran him over this morning," she muttered under her breath. She relaxed when Spike sat at another table. A tall, slim girl with raven locks descended upon him, wrapping her arms around him and they began kissing passionately. Buffy felt a brief stab of envy, Angel never kissed her like that. His kisses had always felt slightly awkward, this guy seemed completely confident. She averted her gaze before her teenage mind went wandering places it shouldn't.
"Who's that?" she asked not missing the look that passed between Willow and Xander.
"That's Drusilla…" Willow started.
"Sunnydale's resident crazy person," Xander added interrupting Willow.
"…Spike's girlfriend," Willow concluded, as if she hadn't heard a word Xander said. Buffy mouthed the perfect 'o' and nodded her understanding. "You don't approve, do you?" Buffy asked and the two replied in unison.
"No," said Xander
"Well…" said Willow as if trying to be diplomatic.
Buffy laughed. The bell rang then, signalling the end of lunch and the three new friends headed off to class. Buffy looked at her watch, only 1:00, so she left Willow and Xander by the science lab as she proceeded to the library for her free period. As she turned the corner, she crashed head first into Spike.
"Hey!" said the agitated Brit, "Oh it's you, that's the second time you almost knocked me over," he said indignantly. He looked like he might say something else but Buffy didn't give him the chance.
"Don't worry next time I'll succeed," Buffy bit back, as she pushed passed him and through the double doors. Spike watched her walk off, shaking his head.
The library was the most colourful place in the whole school. Its big oak bookcases stretched as high as the ceiling and were home to the largest collection of leather-bound books Buffy had ever seen. The stain glass windows let the rays from the sun stream through and dust particles danced and swirled amongst them. It was almost deserted, with the exception of an older man, with a penchant for tweed suits, stacking shelves. Buffy coughed politely to get his attention.
"Oh!" said the man, "hello…how may I help?" Buffy couldn't help but detect another British accent, although this was far more proper than Spike's. The young blonde smiled and handed him her form. He took it graciously and smiled, "Ah!" he exclaimed somewhat excitedly, "Buffy Summers…I met your mother this morning…Rupert Giles…I live next door," he finished, extending his hand.
Buffy shook it studiously, "you're Spike's father?" she enquired not fully comprehending how the two could possibly be related. Mr Giles merely laughed, "Yes it does strike one as odd doesn't it."
Buffy felt slightly embarrassed, "I'm sorry, it's just…" she began but the librarian dismissed it.
"No, not at all… you're not the first to have that reaction and I doubt very much that you'll be the last." Mr Giles went quiet for a while before continuing, "He wasn't always this bad tempered, he used to be a very sweet boy, until his mother died…" His voice trailed off as if he had slipped into a memory and a sad smile came over his kind features.
Buffy felt guilty, she'd been just as angry when her father left and he was still alive. She couldn't even begin to comprehend how Spike must have felt. Judging from the look on the older man's face, the loss was still pretty raw. Instinctively, Buffy reached a hand up to his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. Mr Giles flinched, "oh gosh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be… " he blinked back the tear and gestured around the empty library, "as you can see I don't get many visitor's here…quite frankly I thought you were a mirage." Buffy stifled a giggle.
"Now, let's see if we can't find your books for you," he looked at Buffy's form again, "fascinating subject… oh do follow me," he requested as he scampered up the stairs. Buffy followed smiling; she definitely liked Mr Giles. As for his son, well maybe she should give him a chance.