“I don’t want to sell anything for the marching band,” Xander said, looking at the box of chocolate bars he was holding as he exited Sunnydale High School with Buffy and Willow, who were carrying the same boxes. “Have you heard them lately? They sound horrible.”
“Says the guy who has no musical talent,” Buffy said, frowning. “Couldn’t they just have a car wash or something?”
“Do you really want to see any of the band geeks in bikinis?” Xander asked, raising an eyebrow. “I’m a horny guy, and even I don’t want to see that.”
“Play nice,” Willow said, nudging him. “So, are we hitting the Bronze tonight?”
“Count me in,” Buffy replied. “I don’t know if Mom will allow it, but I’ll find a way.”
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Willow said in an upbeat tone.
“I just need to offload some of this candy first,” Buffy said, looking at the box. “I wonder if I can sucker my mom into purchasing the whole thing and saving me time.”
“Right there with you,” Xander said. “Too bad my parents don’t ever listen to a thing I say unless it involves the words ‘schnapps’ or ‘liquor’.”
“Well, at least your parents listen to you in the first place,” Willow said, sighing as Buffy gave her a sympathetic look. “We’ll see you later.”
“Bye, guys,” Buffy said, watching her friends walk away before going back inside the school and heading to the library.
She let herself through the double-doors and smiled when she saw Giles pacing around, reading a book.
“Hey, Nerdy McNerd,” she said, getting his attention, giggling at his stern look. “Lighten up, Giles- I come bearing gifts.”
“I’m not buying any of that,” he replied, taking off his glasses and waving them around in the direction of the chocolate box. “Peddle them somewhere else.”
“Well, you’re no fun,” she said, putting the box down on the countertop. “So, what’re you studying up on?”
“Nothing of mass importance,” he answered, shutting the book. “What brings you here?”
“Felt like stopping by,” she said, shrugging.
“And to convince me to buy some of those chocolates?” he asked, not surprised when she nodded vigorously. “Fine. I’ll talk half of them.”
“Did I ever tell you you’re my favorite Watcher?” she asked, opening the box.
“I’m your only Watcher,” he mumbled, accepting the chocolate bars she handed him.
* * * * *
‘Stupid bloody town,’ Spike thought as he aimlessly walked through one of Sunnydale’s cemeteries. ‘Why did you come back here, you wanker?’ He sighed and looked around. ‘Oh, that’s right- Dru left you.’ He growled and kicked a gravestone, sending it crashing to the ground at the sudden impact.
“Sorry, mate,” he said, peering down at the grave marker. “I bet your eternal love didn’t leave you, did she?”
“Sir?” a voice asked a few feet away. Spike quirked an eyebrow and turned to look at the small brunette girl that was trying to get his attention. “Can I interest you in a candy bar?”
“Excuse me?” he asked, tilting his head, using his vampire senses to hone in on the sudden change in her heartbeat.
‘She’s scared of me,’ he thought, delighted. ‘And she looks a little like Drusilla.’ He grinned and took a few steps towards her.
“I suppose I could use a little snack,” he said, and she smiled.
“We’re selling them for the marching band,” she said, looking down at the box, not noticing when his visage changed, his eyes turning amber. “Our uniforms look-” She cut herself off as she raised her eyes to his, letting the box drop as she let out a blood-curdling scream.
Spike grabbed her shoulders forcefully and pulled her to him, pushing the hair off of her neck and sinking his fangs into the smooth skin of her neck. When he had his fill and felt her pulse slow down to a stop, he extracted his fangs and let her drop to the ground.
“Stupid bint, selling candy in a cemetery,” he said, looking at her with a bemused expression. “She must’ve had a death wish.” He leaned down and picked up the box of candy. “Or was desperate enough to sell this to anything that moved.” He opened the box and grabbed a candy bar out of it before tearing the wrapper open and taking a bite of it, smirking. “Well, this is actually pretty good.” He looked at the teenage girl laying at his feet, her eyes wide open, staring up at him in terror, even in death. “Thanks, pet.”
He walked away from her, continuing to eat the chocolate bar.
“Now, where’s my favorite Slayer?”
* * * * *
“Thanks, Mom,” Buffy said, handing her mother the half-empty box of chocolate bars. “I knew I could count on you to buy the rest of these.”
“Anything to keep my daughter my whining,” Joyce replied, smiling at her daughter’s narrowed eyes. “So, what are your plans for the night?”
“Willow and Xander want me to go to the Bronze,” Buffy answered. “Can I?”
“Yes, you may,” Joyce said, and Buffy smiled. “But I still expect you to come home at a reasonable hour. And if I find out you were with Angel instead, I won’t be too happy with you, young lady.”
“Why not?” Buffy asked, crossing her arms. “He’s one of my friends, too, Mom.”
“A friend who went evil last year and killed one of your teachers,” she replied sternly. “I know he has his soul again, but I don’t like the idea of you seeing him anymore, Buffy. Especially not as a couple.”
“We’re just friends,” Buffy said, looking down. “We know we can’t be together again.” She sighed quietly and looked at her mother once again. “But I’m not going to turn my back on him, either.”
“I’m not surprised,” Joyce said. “That’s why Mr. Giles and I are meeting tonight to talk about the state of things.”
“What?” Buffy asked, stunned. “Why would you do that?”
“You were gone all summer, Buffy, and I think it’s time he and I discussed that and all of the other stuff I want to know about when it comes to slayers,” Joyce answered. “Plus, your grades, Angel, and some other details need to be talked about before this year progresses more. It’s your senior year, honey- don’t start doing poorly now, not when colleges are paying so much attention to your transcripts.”
“Yes, Mom,” Buffy said, turning to walk away. “See you later.”
“Have a nice time,” Joyce said quietly, frowning as her daughter walked out of sight. “I just wish she’d be happy again.”
She heard a knock on the back door and answered it, surprised to see Spike standing there.
“Hello, Joyce,” he said, grinning. “Can I come in?”
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!