Chapter 1
“Come on, B. You need some real fun in your life. Come out with us tonight. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Buffy Summers looked across the lunch table at her friend. Faith Lehane couldn’t be anymore different than her, but they practically grew up together. They always managed to be there for each other and were like sisters. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. I have a lot of homework.”
Faith rolled her eyes. “Only you would worry about homework on a Friday. You have the weekend for that. Tonight is about having fun. I want you to come to the Bronze with me. Willow and Xander will be there, too. You need to loosen up for a change.”
“You know, I take offense to that. I have fun all the time.”
Faith raised her eyebrows. “Volunteering at a homeless shelter is not what I would call fun. Just come out with us tonight. If you’re not enjoying yourself, then I’ll never bother you about it again.”
She nodded after a moment. “Fine, I’ll go with you, but I might not be staying long.”
Faith smiled. “That works for me.”
* * * * *
“All right, ladies and gents, well, Xander. The drinks are on me tonight.”
Buffy was surprised when Faith put a pitcher of beer at their table. “How did you manage that?” she wondered.
Faith shrugged. “I have connections.”
Buffy rolled her eyes and should have known. They were all underage, but the brunette definitely had her ways.
Faith poured some of the beverage and held it out to the blonde. “You know you want it, B. I bet you can’t drink the whole thing.”
Buffy wasn’t about to back down from a challenge and took the glass from her friend, taking a long sip of the alcohol. She slammed the glass down and scrunched up her nose in disgust. “God, that stuff tastes horrible,” she complained, but was pretty sure that she would be having more. Faith was right, this was a night to let loose and have fun. That was exactly what she planned on doing. It was time for a new Buffy, one that wasn’t such a good girl. She hated getting teased at school for always following the rules. Buffy picked the glass back up and chugged the rest of the liquid before slamming it down again.
“Maybe you should take it easy there, Buffster. You’re not used to drinking,” Xander Harris commented.
Buffy shook her head and tried to think clearly. “I can totally handle it, but I think the room might be spinning.”
“Wow, you’re really a lightweight.”
She glared at Faith.
Their other friend, Willow Rosenberg, grabbed Xander’s hand and pulled him out of his seat. “We’ll just be out there.”
Buffy watched her friends go, then glanced at all of the other dancing couples. A part of her really wished that she could be that free.
Faith smiled when she noticed where Buffy’s concentration was and also pulled her on the dance floor. She started moving seductively to the song that was playing.
Buffy didn’t know what to do and just moved along with Faith, throwing her hands in the air. A group of guys formed around them and Buffy felt satisfied by that. She closed her eyes and got lost in the music, not even realizing when the song ended.
Faith was chatting up a few of the guys that she was dancing with and noticed that Buffy’s attention seemed to be elsewhere now. She turned to the bar to see a man sitting there, with a leather coat and bleached hair. Faith smiled and focused back on her friend. “Why don’t you go talk to him?” she yelled over the music.
Buffy shook her head when she realized that Faith was addressing her. “I couldn’t do that. He’s a complete stranger.”
Faith sighed. “That’s the idea, Buffy. You’re the one that told me you were sick of how boring your life is. This is your chance to be someone different. Come on, you’re probably not even likely to see that guy again. It’s just for tonight.”
Buffy thought it over and nodded. “Okay, I can do this.”
Faith smiled. “That’s my girl. Now, go get that hottie.” She gave Buffy a little push in the direction of the bar.
Buffy took a deep breath and headed the rest of the way over there. She saw that the man was enjoying a few shots of Tequila and sat down next to him. He never even looked her way and figured that she would have to make the first move. “Is that stuff any good? I’ve never actually tried it before. I’m more of a beer drinker,” she claimed, not wanting the guy to know that she had never tasted alcohol before that night.
He finally turned her way, pushing one of the shot glasses over to her. “Knock yourself out, love.”
Buffy swooned inside at the fact that he had an accent. She just took the shot glass and drank it down all at once, cringing at the taste and letting out a cough. She noticed the amused expression on his face.
“It takes some getting used to.”
Buffy agreed and held her hand out to him. “I’m Buffy Summers,” she introduced herself.
He glanced down at her hand and took it after a few seconds. “Spike Reynolds.”
She pulled her hand out of his. “Spike? I’m sure your parents didn’t actually call you that.”
He smiled and shook his head. “Now, that would just be cruel. The real name is William, but we’ll just keep that between us. Did your parents actually call you Buffy?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes, is there a problem with my name?”
Spike laughed and liked this girl already, she had attitude. “No, it’s a fine name. I was just wondering. So, what’s a good girl like you doing here?”
“What makes you think I’m good? I come here all the time. What about you?”
He shrugged. “Every now and then, I feel like I haven’t had a break in months. You seem a little young to be here. Are you even old enough to drink?”
Buffy didn’t like the way he was looking at her, so she thought of something quick to say. “Of course, I’m twenty-three. I’ve just always had one of those young faces.” She was worried that he wouldn’t believe her, but all he did was nod.
“Well, I’m already bored of this place. You feel like getting out of here?”
Buffy didn’t think that leaving with him would be the best idea. He could be a rapist or something, but he seemed nice enough and she really wanted to get to know him more. It was the first time that a guy showed her any real interest in over a year. Besides, she was a new Buffy now. At least she would be for that night. “Sure, I’ll just let my friends know that I’m leaving. Be right back,” she said hurriedly and went to find Faith, praying that she knew what she was getting herself into.