Raging Raven: Yeah Nikki didn't tell her sister about the attempted rape on purpose but that will talked about later on in the story. I think i answered this through PM but i'll put it here so everyone else can see my answer :)
Standing in the line for yearbook pictures I watch as my friends get there's taken first, as I lean into Beck who has his arm curled around my neck lovingly. Cordelia gives the camera a glowing smile, and her picture is taken. Xander is up next, and he gives the camera a goofy, heavily dimpled smile as the flash goes off.
Willow hops up on the stool and gives the camera a big grin when the photographer doesn't immediately snap her picture, her expression becomes a bit concerned, and unfortunately, that will be her picture in the yearbook.
Oz just stares blankly into the camera with a thin smile on his face as the photographer snaps the picture, giving Beck a kiss I sit down on the stool and give the camera a small Nikki Summers smirk.
Turning around I watched as Beck sat on the chair and instantly lit up a cigarette making Willow gasp in shock as I let out a laugh at Beck's obvious rebellion, the click of the camera cemented his picture and he stood from the chair giving me a wink as he walked over the doors leading to the quad.
Finishing our pictures being taken, Xander, Willow and I start to walk out of the lounge as Beck walks to his next class "You have to help me pick an outfit. I wanna wear something that makes Oz go, 'Oh.'" she grins at me.
"No problem. I've already got my dress and I know Beck is going to drool as soon as he sees me" I smirk at my little redhead friend "I got the tux goin' on. I'm gonna look hot if it even remotely fits" Xander tells us as we laugh together.
We reach Cordelia, who is looking at the other girls that are running for Homecoming Queen "Whatcha doin'?" Xander questions startling Cordelia as she turns to face us "Checking out the I-laughingly-use-the-phrase competition".
She looks over at a girl playing with her hair and talking to a couple of boys as Oz comes up behind us and gently puts his arm around Willow "Holly Charleston: nice girl, brain dead, doesn't have a prayer"
She shifts her gaze to another girl, she is handing out campaign flyers "Michelle Blake: open to all mankind, especially those with a letterman's jacket and a car" she looks at Xander concerned "She could give me a run".
"Where's Buffy? She's gonna miss the yearbook pictures" Willow asks me as Oz looks around "Buffy and Faith are in the library getting all sweaty" Xander smirks as I look at him "They're training" I correct looking back to Willow "And Buffy's avoiding me which is weird because I'm the one that usually avoids her".
"I don't think she was here the day they announced them. Did anybody tell her?" Oz wonders as we all shake our heads "Oh, I'll tell her now. I have to go to the nurse's office for an ice pack anyway" Cordelia says as Xander puts his hand on her arm looking worried "Did you hurt yourself?"
Cordelia smiles and nudges him "No, silly. It shrinks the pores!" as she walks off Oz gives Xander a look that oozes 'duh'.
Faith holds up her padded hands as Buffy throws several punches to them, after a particularly hard punch, Faith has to shake out her hand and take off the pads "Oh, man! Guys should break up with you more often".
"Gee, thank you" Buffy mutters as she heads toward the book cage as Faith follows "No, I mean it. You really got some quality rage going. Really gives you an edge" Faith compliments as she sets down the pads.
Buffy picks up her jacket "Edge Girl. Just what I always wanted to be" she grumbles sarcastically as Faith wipes her cheek with a towel "Well, screw him, alright? You move on, and... you party heavily, and you'll be fine. I mean, you're still going to that dance, right?".
Buffy opens a juice bottle "Maybe" she shrugs as she takes a drink "You got the tix already. Why don't we go together?" Faith questions as Buffy shrugs closing her bottle still not really wanting to enter a friendship with Faith "I don't know about that".
"Come on. We'll find a couple studs, we'll use 'em and... discard 'em. That's always fun" Faith nods and takes a swig of her own drink "Okay, I'm in. Not the stud-using part, though" Buffy gives Faith a smile.
Cordelia looks into the library through the round door windows and sees the two Slayers talking. She pushes the door open and is about to go in when she notices two boys walk by. She slips back into the hall and rushes to catch up with them "Uh, Bobby! Mashad!" she smiles and giggles "You don't phone, you don't write..." she makes eyes at them "Where's the love?".
Buffy comes out of the library and sees the teacher she's been waiting to talk to "Ms. Moran?" the teacher looks up "Hi! I'm so glad that I ran into you" Buffy smiles as they walk slowly side by side "Um, I had this little incident last year of getting kicked out of school" Buffy stutters as the teacher looks at her blankly.
"And I'm back now, though, I've done all of my makeup tests, but I still need one written recommendation from a teacher. I think the word that Principal Snyder used was 'glowing'" Buffy smiles awkwardly "Uh, to put in my file so I can prove that I belong here".
Ms. Moran looks at Buffy confused "And, um, you are...?" Buffy stops taken aback "Buffy. B-Buffy Summers" Ms. Moran tries to remember "Third row. I sat by the window. Uh, your class: Contemporary American Heroes from Amelia Earhart to Maya Angelou. The class that changed my life?"
Ms. Moran glanced at Buffy still not remembering her "Were you absent a lot, um..." Buffy eyes the teacher sadly when she realizes that Ms. Moran has no idea who she is "Buffy".
Willow, Oz, Buffy, Xander and I are sitting at a table in the cafeteria as Cordelia walks into view holding out fliers and grabbing random students by the arm "Hi. I hope you'll consider me for Homecoming Queen".
"I can't believe it. My favorite teacher and she didn't even remember who I was. I'm like a non-person" she looks at Oz "Am I invisible?" she waves her hand in front of him "Can you see me?".
Oz nods "Big as life" Buffy huffs loudly "At Hemery, I was Prom Princess, I was Fiesta Queen, I was on the cheerleading squad. And the yearbook was, like, a story of me. Now it's senior year, and I'm going to be one crappy picture on one-eighth of one crappy page".
Rolling my eyes I look up at my sister "Uh, no, actually, you're not" she looks back at me confused "What do you mean?" I shrugged drinking my soda "you missed the picture-taking".
Buffy eyes go wide with surprise "When? Why?" she splutters as Oz looks at her "We already did 'em," he told her monotonously "Why didn't you tell me?" Buffy almost shouts at me as I looked at her annoyed "Cordelia was supposed to tell you!" I called back as Buffy settles her gaze on a campaigning Cordelia.
Cordelia grabs another students arm to hand them a flier when I realize it's Beck "Cordy don't make me count" I warn as she let's go of my boyfriend's arm quickly as if he was on fire. Beck smirks as he sits next to me and gives me a kiss.
"So you're the infamous Beck" Buffy started and I looked at her annoyed "Just no" Buffy tried to again but I put my hand on her face "Still going to be a nope" I heard Beck let out a laugh next to me as I denied my sisters attempts of talking to him.
I glared at Buffy and uttered the words that sent her back on the warpath "Yearbook photos" Buffy's face darkened again as she got up from the table "Buffy, you look so cute in that outfit" I heard Cordy say falsely "I'm not voting for you" Buffy replied as I look up to see the two girls glared at each other.
"Then make it snappy" Cordelia says grumpily as she continued to pass out fliers "How come you didn't tell me they were doing the yearbook pictures?" Buffy questions crossing her arms as I watch entertained knowing something good is about to happen.
"Didn't I? Oh, I guess I forgot. What's the big?" Cordelia shrugs making Buffy look angrier "It's just..." Buffy exhales looking like she was trying to contain herself "You could've thought about somebody else for thirty seconds, that's all".
Beck tried to speak up when I put my finger on his lips and leaned into him "Shh, it's about to get good" Beck quietened down and pulled me in closer "You're evil" he whispered in my ear as I smirked.
"Hey, I am under a *lot* of pressure here" Cordy protested as Buffy sighs annoyed "Oh, yeah, campaigning. Rough gig" she replies sarcastically "What would you know about it? Just because you were Guacamole Queen when you were three doesn't mean you understand how this works".
"Obviously, it involves handing out entirely lame fliers" Buffy scoffs although I remember how crazy she was back in Hemery and how manipulative she became for the votes of our fellow classmates.
No. It involves being part of this school and having actual friends" Buffy takes offense and glares at Cordelia "Now, if it was about monsters, blood, and innards, then you'd be a shoo-in. I'd like to see *you* try to win the crown.
Beck looks at me confused at the monster comments but I just shake my head dismissing it "You would?" Buffy questions rhetorically as Cordelia huffs and walks around Buffy to leave "Then you will" Cordelia stops in her tracks and turns to face her.
"What does that mean?" Cordy asks as Buffy faces her "I'm gonna show you how it's done. I'm gonna run for Homecoming Queen, and I'm going to win" Cordelia looks Buffy up and down "This is starting to be sad".
"Sorry, Cordy, but you have no idea who you're messing with" Buffy retorts as Cordelia lets out a scoff "What? The Slayer?" again I have to shush Beck when he asks what she means, if these two don't shut up he's going to find out.
"I'm not talking about the Slayer. I'm talking about Buffy. You've awakened the Prom Queen within. And that crown is going to be mine" I sighed as the two girls glared at each other "are you really going to do this?".
Buffy turned to me and put her hands on her hips "Stay out of it Nikki, it's not like you know anything about being Prom Queen" I frown at my sister offended "You didn't win anything at Hemery".
Having enough at Buffy's bitchy tone I stood up and smirked at her "Really? Then I guess I'll just have to show you then" Buffy looked at me worried as did Cordelia "What?" they called in unison.
Standing up on our lunch table I clapped my hands "Attention everyone, you're all looking at your newest Prom Queen candidate. Vote for me, if you want someone normal and like totally not vapid" I say in a valley girl voice before jumping off the table and glaring at the girls as the other students clapped "Game on".
Willow and Xander are stood in her room trying to find Willow the perfect outfit for the dance, music is quietly playing on the radio as the two friends move around each other comfortably.
Willow is trying on an outfit, and steps out from behind her changing screen wearing a crimson blouse over a white satin slip dress "What do you think of this?" she questions unsure of herself.
Xander glances over at her as he tucks his white, long-sleeve dress shirt into his tuxedo pants, his bow tie hangs around his collar, still untied "Nice" he shrugs with a smile as he goes back to tucking in his shirt.
"It's my first big dance, you know?" Willow exclaims as she unbuttons her blouse with a smile "Where there's a boy and a band... and not just me alone in my room pretending that there's a boy and a band".
Willow picks up another outfit "I just want it to be..." She goes back behind the changing screen as Xander steps over to her dressing mirror to tie his bow tie "Special. That's why I spared no expense on the tux"
"The tux? I thought you, uh, borrowed it from your cousin Rigby" Willow questions from behind the screen as Xander struggles with his tie "Expense to my pride, Will. They're our only relations with money, and they shun us... as they should".
Willow steps out from behind the screen again, this time wearing a black top embroidered with several randomly placed small sunflowers and a smiling sun over a full-length black skirt with a floral print "What do you think about this?"
Xander looks at her once again "Nice" Willow huffs at the just 'nice' she wanted something that would as Nikki had put it, make her man drool although now she was trying to beat Buffy and Cordelia at their own game she couldn't help her with a dress.
Xander turns his attention back on his tie, Willow smiles seeing him struggle with it and comes over to him, raising her hands along the way to reach for the tie. Xander lets go of the tie, and she starts to tie it.
She looks up at him and gives him a little smile "What?" Xander questions as Willow's smile doesn't waver "I was just... Remember the eighth-grade cotillion?" she giggled feeling happy at the memory "You had that clip-on?"
"Hey, I was pretty stylin' with a clip-on" Xander exclaims as Willow just nods "And now here we are, and it's... Homecoming" she says as she concentrates on the tie "Yeah, we should face it, Will" Willow looks up at Xander confused.
"You and I are gonna be in neighboring rest homes while I come over so you can adjust my, um..." Xander doesn't really know how to finish that sentence as Willow raises her eyebrows at him "My, uh... Well, I can't think of anything that's not really gross".
Willow is finished with the tie and smiles at him, she pats the tie and then goes back behind the screen to try on yet another outfit. Xander pulls on his vest "So, uh... you and Oz" he starts tentatively "How do I put this?".
He begins to button the vest "Are we on first, second, or, uh... ye gods?" Xander continues to do up his vest waiting for Willow's answer like it was juicy gossip "That's none of your business, Alexander Harris" Willow calls back as her shadow on the screen shows her adjusting the shoulder straps of the dress she's putting on.
Xander smiles and almost makes a squealing noise "Ooo, rounding second" he reaches for his jacket as Willow lets out a huff "You don't know that. What about you and Cordelia?" Xander pulls on the tuxedo jacket "Oh, a gentleman never talks about his conquests".
"Oh, yeah?" Willow begins as she steps out from behind the screen "Well, since when did you become a..." she stops dead as they both see each other, she is wearing an elegant black, sleeveless, full-length dress and Xander is looking dapper in his tuxedo.
They don't say anything for a long moment but just look upon each other, Willow finally breaks the silence to finish her sentence "...gentleman?" she smiles and giggles as she looks down at her dress, then back up at him and shrugs "Uh, I know. 'Nice.'"
"I was gonna go with 'gorgeous'" Xander corrects as he steps toward her as Willow smiles widely "Really?" she steps toward him too "You, too. I-in a guy way" Xander smiles back and draws a breath "Oz is very lucky".
Willow smiles softly "So is Cordelia... i-in a girl way" suddenly Willow looks very worried "I don't know if I can dance in this. I don't know if I can dance!" Xander lets out a small laugh "Come on. Piece of cake".
He steps up to her and offers his hands to dance "Here" They take a few seconds to get positioned for a traditional slow waltz, and then start to dance "Well, that seems to, um..." Xander looks down at their feet as they sway back and forth for a little while.
Willow looks up at him but tries not to look like she is "Yeah. This shouldn't be a... problem" they both look at each other "No" They slowly inch closer to each other "No problem" He slowly leans his head down to her, and she responds by angling hers up to him.
They are soon very close and kiss gently. The kiss goes on for several seconds before they realize what they are doing and quickly jump apart, Xander points at Willow "That didn't just happen!"
"No!" Willow gestures nervously "I mean, it did, but it didn't!" Xander nods quickly as they both began to backtrack "Because I respect you. And Oz. And I would never..." Willow furrows her brow "I would never, either! I-it must be the clothes. I-it's a fluke".
"It's a clothes fluke, that's what it is. And there'll be no more fluking" Xander exclaims pointing between them as Willow nods in agreement "Not ever" They step closer again, and are about to kiss when they jump apart again.
"We gotta get out of these clothes!" Xander calls gesture to his suit "Right now!" Willow states before they both quickly realize the implication of what they just said, and get all flustered and gesture wildly.
"Oh, I didn't mean..." Xander tries to explain as they become more jittery than before "I didn't... me, either!" Willow says as rushes back behind her screen as Xander hastens the other way.
Sharpening my Slaying tools I looked over to Faith who was laying on my bed giving me a smirk "So you're running for homecoming Queen" I rolled my eyes at her knowing tone "Yes. I'm running for Queen" I grumbled sitting down on my desk chair with an annoyed pout.
"I thought you hated all those girly things?" Faith questioned with a raised brow "I do but Buffy thinks I can't do it so now I'm going to teach her a lesson" I told Faith who grinned at me "Well I'm with you sista".
I let out a laugh as I spun my butterfly knife around "What's with you and B going together?" I questioned as Faith shrugged "You're going with your man and I wanna have some fun" I grinned at her "and you think my stuck-up sister is going to be fun?".
"Well she's no you but I might be able to persuade her" Faith mused as I laughed "I believe it when I see it" sitting next to my newest friend I handed her a newly sharp stake as she stared at me confused "So what happened between you and B anyway, it's like a taboo to ask about it".
Letting out a small sigh I turned my head to see her brown eyes trained on me and for some reason I felt like I couldn't look away "it's complicated" I grunted as I began to pick my nails with my knife "Life's complicated" Faith stated and I knew she could see through my bullshit unlike my friends and family.
"Her ex-honey tortured Giles and me when he lost his soul. He also tried to turn me into a vampire" I told her hoping she'd believe the short version I had been telling Buffy and my mom "Angel right?" Faith questioned as I shivered just hearing his name.
A moment passed as I felt Faith just watching me silently but I couldn't meet her gaze it always felt like she could read me better than Buffy could "that's not it though, is it?" I looked up at her but didn't say anything.
"I haven't known you guys long but I know shit like that wouldn't make you like this because you're stronger than that" Faith explained softly, more caring than I think she realized she knew she could be.
"and I'm guessing it's something you haven't told B.. so I won't tell.. promise" glancing at her warily she held out her pinky finger making me smile "He tried to rape me"I whispered feeling disgusted with myself, feeling the same weakness I felt when his hands were touching me.
Feeling Faith's finger interlock with mine I looked up at her face which held many emotions, the only ones I could distinguish were anger and protectiveness but thankfully there was no pity in sight, I had enough of the gang pitying me.
"I'm not gonna lie and say it'll be ok because it won't be for a really long time, trust me, but I'll make sure you get through it" Faith promises as I unlink our pinky's and hold her hand glad I finally have someone that doesn't look at me like I'm going to break or go insane.
"How do you know it'll get better" I question knowing how angry and disgusted I feel all the time and I don't think it'll ever change "I'm a runaway who stayed in seedy motels all my life" she answered simply and I understood.
Silence overtook the two of us but it wasn't a bad silence, it was a silence that brought the two of us closer than before, we had more than just being the Slayer to bond over "right, so what are you wearing to the dance?" I questioned pulling away from Faith who just shrugged at me and gestured to her leather pants.
"you have to wear a dress Faith" I laughed as I opened my closet door "Wait really?" I heard Faith question as I walked into my closet "Well shit Puddin', I don't have nice clothes" I smirked at Faith's nickname for me, it was something she started calling me when I told her about my love for comic books but mostly Harley Quinn and the Joker.
Pulling one of my dress from my closet I threw it over to Faith as she looked at it impressed "Nice, thanks" it was a simple black strappy dress, I knew it was more Faith's style than the dress I had bought myself for the dance.
I watched as Faith looked over the dress and pulled it against herself like she'd never had a dress before "looks awesome" I told her as she grinned at me before throwing the dress on the bed "So let's talk winning the crown strategies".
After spending the rest of the night thinking up ways I could crush my sister and Cordelia we had a few notes and plans on what to do "maybe we can get Willow to do something smart on the computer" Faith wondered as I nodded feeling tired.
"Right good idea" I mumbled rubbing my eyes and looking out the window it was Buffy's night on patrol "wanna stay over?" I questioned closing the curtains turning to the brunette behind me who nodded at my request.
Picking up some shorts and a spaghetti top I walked away to the bathroom to change and brush my teeth thinking about how Faith hadn't made me feel ashamed of myself when I told her what happened with Angelus, spitting out the toothpaste I looked up into the mirror and gave myself a small reassuring nod.
Walking back into my room I looked over to Faith and let out a small laugh when I saw her already asleep drooling on her hand that was tucked under head, my laugh soon stopped when I pushed the covers away suddenly remembering Faith sleeps naked "Why am I friends with you" I muttered with a small laugh as I climbed in next to her.
Reaching the doors to Sunnydale High I let out a small huff trying to remind myself not to be... well myself, I had to smile and be social or else I was never going to get people's vote to be the queen.
"Why are you doing this to yourself" Beck asked as he put his arm around me "you're a queen in my eyes but I didn't think you'd want to be.." he pointed to a board which held four posters on, my competition "Queen..." he finished in a teasing tone.
"I don't want to be that Queen like all 'look at me, look at me'" I mocked passing a few students "but we need better Queens than Cordy and who will only think of themselves," I told him as he looked at me with a big smile showing his dimples.
"Well you've got my vote and the guys said they'd vote for you too. I don't think any of them have ever voted before" he said with a laugh as I hugged myself into him "ooh so I've got the stoners, loners and the amazingly mysterious Australian hottie's votes" I joked as Beck growled and kissed my neck.
"Mr. Macher if you would unstick yourself from Miss. Summers' neck I would appreciate it" I groaned hearing Snyder's voice drone from behind me "Sorry Principal Snyder" Beck apologized as Snyder just looked at the two of us before staking off.
"Wow that stick must be really far up his ass" I commented hearing Beck laugh behind me "I'm going to the library, I'll see you later" Beck nodded and pulled me in for another kiss before walking away to his friends.
Smiling to myself I turned around and jumped seeing a girl stood behind me "Nikki Summers" she greeted as I gave her a small smile "well you know my name..." I said as she looked down at her shoes shyly.
"Oh, I'm Maria Cross" smiling at the smaller girl I couldn't help but think of Willow when I looked at Maria "I just want you to know you've already got my vote, I know people say you've got some anger problems..." I nodded to myself and clicked my tongue.
"But I don't think you're a bad person, and you're always sticking up for people when Cordy or Harmony pick on us" Maria finished as I swallowed the lump that was beginning to form in my throat.
"wow, thanks Maria, that means a lot to me," I told her as she blushed a little "I'll see you around?" Maria nodded quickly and walked over to a group of... well nerdy looking student and they all gave me a small wave.
Waving back I laughed to myself as Cordy started to walk beside me "huh, who would've thought you'd get the nerds" she commented without malice "Honestly Cordy I didn't think I get any votes" I admitted as she turned to look at me in surprise "then why are you doing this?".
Looking through the library window I saw Buffy talking to the others point to a board behind her "Buffy's always been the best at everything, she's the queen and now it's my chance to dethrone her" I answered pushing through the doors with Cordy following behind me.
"Uh, Cordelia, Nikki... Okay, look. I know this is a little awkward, but I don't see any reason why we all can't get along during this campaign time" Buffy tries to explain but my eyes were scanning over the board that had mine, Cordelia's and the other girls faces stuck to it.
"I mean, we're... almost friends," Buffy says then turns to me "Twin sisters... and... we are all riding together in the limo" I just watched my sister become jittery and realized she felt threatened by her competition.
"Yeah, great. Willow, how's that database coming?" Cordelia asks as Willow looks down in shame "Uh, it's... just about done" she sighs and I notice she looks guilty "Xander?" Cordy questions.
Xander whips his head around to face her "I got your new flyers" he smiles thinly like he was ashamed of himself "Let's get cracking" I noticed Buffy gives them all a betrayed look.
Xander slips off of the table and looks at my sister "She's my girlfriend" he rushed out as he goes to Cordelia, Willow slides off of the table also and gestures a lot when she looks at Buffy on her way to join Xander and Cordelia "It's just that... she needs it so much more than you do".
I frown at my friends not because I felt betrayed by them but because they are obviously helping Cordelia for a reason, Oz gets off of the table also, and stops by Buffy on his way after Willow, pointing back and forth between Willow and himself "As Willow goes, so goes my nation"
He goes over to stand with the others, who are hanging their heads in shame and embarrassment behind Cordelia who by contrast, is standing proudly, facing Buffy with her arms crossed "Thanks for what you said, Buffy. I think we're getting along great. Don't you?"
Buffy takes it silently with a look of betrayal and abandonment evident on her face as Cordelia turns and heads out of the library "huh" I click my tongue as the others each look back with a quick apologetic glance and follow her out.
Posting a few more flyers with my face on around the school I began to hand out lollipops my mom had helped me make and design with a tag saying 'Don't be a sucker, vote Nikki Summers as Homecoming Queen'.
The last few days had been hectic with Cordelia and Buffy going head to head over things like Buffy sticking her poster over Cordy's, Cordelia getting people to throw away Buffy's muffins for one of her homemade baskets.
Luckily for me, Buffy and Cordy had been so focused on besting each other that they hadn't taken me seriously as a threat meaning I was able to get votes from right under their noses.
People were starting to get weary of the war brewing between Buffy and Cordy that they were avoiding them, their loss was my gain. Faith was helping me in her own unique way, she had been giving the other candidates posters mustaches and generally bigging me up to people.
Looking around I noticed Willow talking to Buffy and she looked shaky, almost like she had been downing energy drinks all night, she was nervous about something. When Buffy walked off I watched as Xander quickly stepped up to Willow and the two began to talk which was would be normal if they didn't look so suspicious.
Walking up to my two friends I plastered a smile on my face "Hey guys!" I called making them jump as they hadn't noticed my presence and began to greet me shakily "Hey Nikkster... what's up" Xander said with a fake laugh.
Glancing between the two I definitely knew there was something going on, grabbing each of their arms I dragged them to an empty classroom as they tried to protest and get away from my vice grip.
Throwing them into the room I shut the door behind me, crossing my arms as I turned to face them as they grew even more nervous "What did you do?" I questioned as Willow's eyes popped open "What... why would we have done something?".
"You're jumpy, nervous and Xander can't look Buffy or me in the eye" I replied as Xander again didn't meet my eye "Plus you're working for Cordy" I added as Willow looked at Xander "So either she has something on you or you know something she shouldn't".
Willow and Xander looked at their feet sheepishly making me sigh "listen, I know you two you wouldn't do anything to hurt someone on purpose so whatever it is you know or have done just work it out before someone does get hurt".
"what do you want?" Willow sighed looking at me sadly as I frowned "What do you mean?" I asked wondering what she was talking about "Well technically in one way or another we are being used to help with Buffy and Cordelia's campaign so what do you want us to do for you" Willow explained and I understood that my sister had somehow forced Willow to do something for her.
"I don't want anything Will, I just want you two to stop being idiots. I'm not the type to use my friends for personal gain" I told her as I opened the classroom door and walked out seeing Jonathan being tripped up by a jock.
Catching him at the last minute I stood him upright with a heavy sigh "You okay?" I wondered as he stared at me in shock as he nodded slowly "Good, take care Jonathan" I told him as I walked off to find out what my sister had said to Willow.
Smoothing down the front of my blue sparkly dress I smiled at myself, I was getting dressed at Faith's motel as per the plan, Willow called me earlier and told me that they were going to leave Cordy and Buffy to go in the limo together so they could kiss and make up.
Popping open my tube of lipstick I coated my lips in a red hue "Hey can I borrow that" turning around I saw Faith coming out of the bathroom putting a choker on "You look great Faith" I exclaimed handing her the lipstick.
"Thanks Puddin' you look hot" I grinned at the compliment as we both looked into the mirror hung on the wall "so why are we not in the limo again?" Faith questioned as I fixed my makeup.
"Willow and Xander think if they leave Cordy and Buffy alone in the limo they'll somehow magically fix all their problems with each other" I commented with a laugh "like that's gonna happen".
Hearing a knock on Faith's door I smiled knowing who it was "well hello hottie" Faith greeted Beck as he gave her a humored smile "Faith" I warned with a smirk as she grinned at me.
"Wow, Nikki you look gorgeous" Beck gushed as I twirled for him until he pulled me into his arms for a kiss "Here" he mumbled holding out two corsages and putting the lily on my wrist.
"Thank you" I whispered kissing him again before taking the red rose corsage and turning to Faith who had been oddly silent since Beck's arrival "Faith Lehane, will you be my homecoming date," I asked her with a grin knowing Buffy had ditched her at the last minute.
Faith let out a small laughed as she held out her wrist rolling her eyes as I slipped the rose over her hand "Beck take our picture" I asked as I gave him my camera and stood with Faith in a prom pose as we tried not to laugh.
Taking a few more pictures with both Beck and Faith I grinned having fun, putting away my camera I nodded at Beck who held out his elbows "Ladies I'd be honored to escort you to the homecoming dance".
Grinning at Faith we both grabbed an elbow as we walked out to Beck's van which had been decked out with lights and other things "I just wanted it to be a good night for you, no matter the outcome" Beck whispered to me after Faith had gotten into the van.
"Thank you" I whispered against Beck's lips and marveled at how much I cared for him and how I'd made the right decision to start dating him especially after what had happened with Angelus.
Buffy walks out of her house wearing a bright red spaghetti strap evening gown with matching shoes and purse. She comes down the steps from the porch and walks over to the limousine waiting for her in the driveway.
The driver holds open the door for her, and she gets in, she looks next to her and finds Cordelia sitting there wearing a green satin dress with a corsage on her wrist "What's going on here?" Buffy questioned Cordelia confused, where was her sister.
Cordelia hands her the card she found in the limo when she was picked up, Buffy opens it and reads.
Dear Cordelia and Buffy,
We won't be riding to the dance with you.
We want you to work out your problems
because our friendships are more important
than who wins Homecoming Queen.
Your friends.
P.S. The limo was not cheap. Work it out.
P.P.S I'm taking Faith as my date as you
let her down, what a shocker B.
She folds the card closed and sets it down knowing that last line was from her sister and felt a little guilty for shunning Faith "Well..." Buffy starts as she looks around and notices the corsage waiting for her in a small box between them "They bought us corsages?".
Cordelia just nods looking annoyed that Buffy would dare talk to her "I took the orchid" Buffy rolls her eyes "Okay" The driver gets in and starts the engine, the limousine drives along at a steady speed "I don't see what the big deal is" Cordelia enunciates as Buffy huffs at the brunette "I'm not making a big deal. You wanted the orchid, you got the orchid".
"It goes with my complexion better" Cordy declared as the driver pulls the limo to the side of the road, Buffy side eyes Cordelia "It does have that sallow tint," She notices the car stopping "Finally we're here"
They hear the driver's door slam and his footsteps as he runs off. Buffy gives Cordelia a concerned look as she opens her door and gets out of the car. Cordelia gets out behind her and swings the door shut.
They look around, surprised to find themselves in the middle of the woods "What is this?" Cordelia questions quietly looking around thinking her friends were up to something "Okay, guys, we've had enough of your stupid little game!".
Buffy notices a VCR and a monitor waiting for them on a rock "What's massively wrong with this picture?" The two walk up to it carefully, a sign on the VCR says "Press Play", which Buffy does and her eyes widen seeing a vampire appear on the screen
"Hello, ladies. Welcome to SlayerFest '98".
Dancing with Beck I notice Xander and Willow standing beside each other but almost 3 foot apart, Willow has her hands folded in front of her and looks sad as she watches Oz play whilst Xander is idly nibbling on a finger sandwich looking down at the floor, seemingly deep in thought.
"I'll be back," I told Beck as I walked towards the pair noticing Faith coming up behind them "What are you two so mopey about?" she questions them as they notice the two of us.
Xander looks at us nervously "Oh, we're not mopey. We're groovin" he says as he points at the stage "On Oz's band. He's a great guy, Oz" Xander explains as Willow nods quickly "He wrote this song for me".
Faith glances around and sees Scott behind her dancing with a girl before she looks back at me "What a sleazebag!" she huffs and walks off as Xander and Willow look at me questioningly "she has a problem with men" I tell them before following the brunette.
Faith moves around the table over to Scott who is dancing slow and close with his date, Faith touches the couple, and they pull apart "Scott? There you are, honey!" she exclaims as I laugh behind my hand.
"Hey, good news. The doctor says that the itching and the swelling and the burning should clear up" Faith puts her hands on Scott's chest "but we gotta keep using the ointment".
Scott's date isn't sure what to make of that, Faith turns to her and touches her on the shoulder "Hi" She turns back to Scott, grabs him by the lapels and gives him a little pull. She lets go of him and Scott turns back to his date, thoroughly embarrassed "Uh...".
Faith links her arm with mine as we both let out a laugh as Scott's date pushes him away and storms off with him following her like a puppy "That was so good" I confessed as Faith just grinned at me as she walked off to dance with some guy.
Suddenly my smile dropped and my skin started to feel prickly, looking around I noticed two certain people were missing and hoped they hadn't killed each other in the limo ride over.
Noticing Giles' absence too I left the gym and walked over to the library where I found the place a mess and the two missing girls looking like they had been to hell and back "What the?" I questioned as Giles, Buffy and Cordelia looked over at me.
"Good you're here" Buffy started until Cordelia cut in "Oh my god Nikki, I love your dress" I just nodded at Cordy and turn my attention back onto my sister "What's going on".
"Slayerfest, look how can we get rid of these transmitters" Buffy questioned as I took the corsage out of her hand "Slayerfest?" I asked as Buffy explained to me about what happened and now there were only two guys left out there with guns.
Thinking of a plan I turned to Giles "I need some wet toilet paper" I heard Cordy scoff behind me "Yeah! That'll help" she said sarcastically as I wrapped the transmitters into the wet paper.
Nodding to Buffy she seemed to understand what I was getting at, as she tried to take it away from me I pushed her hand away "I can do this just..." looking at the two tired girls I smiled "rest, I got this".
Running across the hall I wince when I hear gunfire around me as the shoots tried to kill me, ducking into a classroom I quickly hid behind a bookcase waiting for the trackers to follow me, the hunters were about to become the hunted.
Looking around the bookcase I see one of the assassins scans around in the dark room, but he obviously can't see me. The assassin keeps scanning as he walks through the room.
Rising up from behind a low bookcase I throw the wad of wet toilet paper with the transmitters and hits the assassin on his back. He spins around to look what direction he was hit from but I had already ducked back down.
Quickly gunfire starts to shoot through the wall as the assassin turns toward the fire and shoots back. The gunfire through the wall until it suddenly stops and everything goes quiet again.
Getting back up I see the assassin laying on the floor dead, walking out of the classroom I see the other assassin on the floor in the hallway also very dead "wow that worked out better than I thought".
Opening the doors to the library I peeked my head in "Everyone okay in here?" I question as the three of them nod at me "So are we ready for homecoming now?" I joked as they all smiled at me "Thanks Nikki" Buffy nodded at me as I just smiled "it's what I do, the chosen few" I mumbled as both Buffy and Cordelia nod knowingly.
Buffy, Cordelia and I work our way through the crowd who have gathered at the stage to hear who the Homecoming Queen is, I smile seeing Cordy and Buffy are still dirty and disheveled from their ordeal.
"I'm gonna go with mud wrestling" Oz commented when he noticed us beside him "Oh, God! What did you two do to each other?" Xander questioned as he looked at them in shock "Long story" Buffy mumbled waving him off.
"They got hunted," I said aloud as Buffy eyed me "Apparently not that long" I pouted thinking about the Slayerfest "it's so not fair, if you two hadn't been fighting I would have been in that limo" everyone looks at me in disbelief as I cross my arms.
A drum roll gets our attention "In this envelope, I hold the name of this year's Homecoming Queen" Devon says as he gets a few calls from the crowd, I notice Beck giving me a thumbs up and I also saw Faith giving me a small nod.
Before opening the envelope Devon makes another announcement about an after-party "After all that we've been through tonight, this whole who-gets-to-be-queen capade seems pretty..." Cordelia starts looking at Buffy and me "Damn important" Buffy finishes.
"Oh, yeah" I agree as the girls looked at me "I know you didn't take me seriously in this and it's okay, I didn't either," I told them as they each took one of my hands "And the winner is..."
Devon opens the envelope and checks the name, I felt both Buffy and Cordy squeezing my hand in anticipation "The winner is... Nikki Summers!" feeling the air leave my body I stood frozen, I had won.
I looked at my sister and Cordelia who both smiled at me softly "Go get the crown" Cordelia says with a smile as Buffy agrees with her "You deserve it" slowly walking to the stage I smile when the crown is placed on my head.
Hearing a shout from the crowd I let out a small a laugh "That's my girlfriend" Beck started to whistle as I saw him watching me proudly along with all my friends, the other candidates Holly Charleston and Michelle Blake rolled their eyes and pushed their way out of the crowd.
Finally, I had proven myself to Buffy who was watching me with pride written all over her face, I was no longer her twin who she walked over, I was now a formidable friend and sometime foe. Fake curtsying to the crowd I gave a smirk "You love me, you really love me!".
So the ending on this episode was changed so that Nikki won Homecoming Queen, did you all like that ending or hated that Nikki won? Hope you all liked the Nikki centered chapter and that it shows you more about Nikki's thoughts and feelings, how she interacts with Faith and her beau, Beck.
Q: Who do you think is older Faith or Buffy?
A: This has always been a debate online and I always felt like Faith was older, that may be because her character had been through a lot and she was more street smart than Buffy but I always got the feeling she was a little older.