Chapter 1:

My heart burns with unexpressed passion
Soon it will erupt from deep within
Will someone be there when it happens?
Will someone help me find my way?

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Everyday was the same. Buffy Anne Summers would wake up, get dressed and head off to school. Actually, everyday wasn't the same....but the way Buffy felt never changed. No matter how great the day had been, she'd always go to bed feeling empty.

Alone.

Unwanted.

Unloved.

Sure, Buffy had family and friends who thought the world of her but for Buffy it wasn't enough. See, Buffy wasn't exactly the girl who had guys lining up outside her door. To be painfully honest, Buffy had never even had a boyfriend. She was almost a senior in high school and had yet to experience an actual date.

Never even been kissed.

Her mom kept telling her that it was perfectly normal for her not to be dating at this age and that someone would be coming her way soon.

Buffy didn't believe that.

Every time she 'crushed' on someone, it always end the same way. The guy would always feed her some stupid line like,

" You're such a good friend." or " You're like a sister to me."

Thus, Buffy would always end up feeling the same way every time. Alone. And boy did it hurt to feel that way. Of course Buffy was always good at hiding her feelings from everyone so no one ever knew how alone she actually felt. She'd always put on a brave face for everyone else's benefit but her own. She couldn't have people feeling sorry for her. She did enough of that herself.

Everyone was paired up with someone but her. Xander had Willow (her two best friends) and Angel (her brother) had his girlfriend Cordelia. Even Buffy's mom, Joyce, was dating someone. They all tried to give her advise on the whole 'dating' thing but none of them actually understood what she was going through. Half of the time, Buffy didn't understand it herself.

What was wrong with her?

Why did she feel like this?

And more importantly, how long would it last?

Every night, Buffy would go to bed feeling empty.

Alone.

Unwanted.

Unloved.

Wasn't it about time that someone showed Buffy how special she actually was?

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A/N Let's get a few things straight; Yes, Willow and Xander are dating in this fic and yes Angel is Buffy's brother. I thought it would be fun to write it this way. Let me know how you feel about it cuz I could always change it. After all, I not only want you to read this story but I also want you to LIKE it.

This story is gonna be very hard for me to write. I'm not gonna give up why just yet. In time, you'll probably figure it out. Who knows? Maybe you have already. Please post a review!!

Oh, by the way, the writing in the beginning of the fic was from a poem that I wrote called ‘ Burning From the Inside Out.’ I hope everyone liked it. In ever chapter, a poem or song will be included. Whether it’s from me or someone else will depend on what the situation of the chapter is. If it’s someone else’s work, don’t worry; the credit will be given properly. I don’t still other people’s work.

Chapter 2:
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This is my day
This is my time
This is my chance
I’ll finally shine

This day is mine
I will stand out
I’ll show who I am
The real me will be let out

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Monday 7:45 a.m.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

" Buffy, it's time for school. Get up." Angel ordered outside of Buffy's bedroom door. Buffy's only response was to sink deeper into her bed and puts her big pillows over her head. “ Buffy I know you hear me. Get. Up. Now." he ordered once more.
" Go away, Angel." Buffy mumbled from underneath her pillows. Seconds later, Angel enters her room without invitation, walks right over to her bed and pulls all of the covers and pillows off of her 'sleeping' body.
" It's time for school, Buffy." Angel repeats.
" I'm not going." she answers as she grabs the covers and puts them back over her.
" And why not?" Angel questions as he pulls the covers back off of her. Buffy finally sits up and glares at him.
" I don't feel good." she whines. Angel sighs and sits down on the edge of her bed.
" What's wrong?" he asks. Buffy wasn't prepared for this question so she stutters on her response.
" I...uh....ummm..it's my stomach" Buffy grabs said area and holds it like she's in pain. " I think last night's dinner didn't sit too well with me. Hence, no school." she finishes. Angel looks her over for a moment before replying.
" With all of the yum-yum noises you were making at the dinner table last night, I highly doubt that something is wrong with your stomach. Try again."
* Damn.* thought Buffy. " Did I say my stomach? I meant to say....*cough cough*. It's actually my throat. It's killing me." Buffy lied through her teeth and Angel saw right through it.
" Nice try, Blondie but you're going to school." Angel replied firmly as he got up from his seat on her bed.
" Come on, Angel. Just give me this one day." Buffy pleaded seriously, all of her 'pain' forgotten for the moment.
" Look, when mom's out of town, I pretty much let you do whatever you want, right?" Angel asked.
" Right. Why should this be any different.?"
" Because mom would kill me if she found out that I let you skip school." he returned.
" Who says she has to find out?"
" She's our mother, Buff. She'll find out." Angel assured as he exited her room. He didn't get too far before Buffy heard. "Get dressed. We're leaving in twenty minutes."
" I HATE YOU!!" Buffy exclaimed, not meaning it at all.
" No, you don't!!" Angel yelled back with a chuckle.

With a sigh, Buffy got out of her comfortable, warm bed and began to get ready. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she started to get dressed. Considering how much time she had to do so, Buffy settled on a pair of white jeans, a pair of cream colored sandals and cream colored strap shoulder top. To top her look off, Buffy put her hair up in a nice clamp with tendrils of hair framing her face. Her make up was light and flawless. There was only one word to describe the way she looked: HOT!

* Too bad no one else seems to notice the hotness of me.* Buffy thought as she grabbed her purse and exited her room.

When she got down to the kitchen, Angel was putting on his jacket and grabbing his car keys.

" It's about time. Are you ready to go?" Angel asked.
" Do I have much of a choice?" Buffy questioned with a glare.

Angel left her question unanswered, not that she expected him to answer her anyway. Both teens, exited the house and headed for Angel's black car. Once they were both seated and buckled up, Angel started the car and pulled out of the drive way. As the ride progressed, Buffy still sat in silence and it was starting to make Angel nervous.

" What crawled up you butt this morning, sis?" Angel teased but did really want to know what was making her so distant. She was usually so up and about on the drives to school.
" I'm fine." was all she said. The tone of her voice told him otherwise so he pressed her on it.
" You're not 'fine' and I can bet a year's allowance that I know what your problem is."
" Enlighten me, Wise One. What's my problem?" Buffy finally turned her attention away from the window and towards her older brother.
" Homecoming is coming up soon." Angel stated.
" And?" Buffy freighted ignorance.
" You don't have a date." he finished. Buffy glared at him before looking back out of the car window once more.
" So I don't have a date. What else is new?"
" You get like this before every dance." Angel complained as he turned onto the street where their school was located.
" I get like what before every dance?"
" You get all moody and start feeling sorry for yourself." Angel returned. Buffy's head snapped back with her mouth wide open.
" I so do not get that way. You have no idea what you're talking about."
" Yes you do get that way and I know exactly what I'm talking about. Everyone gets all excited about what they're gonna wear and most importantly who they're going with while you just sit out on the sidelines feeling sorry for yourself. It's been that way since your freshmen year of high school." Angel replied and for a few moments Buffy had nothing to say because she knew that he was telling the truth.

Buffy never went to any of the school dances because she knew that she'd be the only one there without a date. To save herself the embarrassment, she'd just stay home and watch movies while everyone danced the night away with there honeys. Buffy didn't realize that someone had caught on to her behavior. it really surprised her that the person who caught on was her brother. Angel was a great guy but if it wasn't about football or Cordy then he just didn't care.

" Look," sighs while pulling in to a parking spot on the school's lot, " I know it's not easy being the only person in the school who's not in a relationship."
" Rub it in, why don't ya?" Buffy mumbled and pouted babyishly.
" but," Angel went on with his advise ignoring her little remark. " feeling sorry for yourself isn't helping your case either. You don't need to be in a relationship to be happy."
" Says the guy a relationship." Buffy shot back. * He doesn't understand. How could he? Angel has never had a problem with dating.*
" I’m just saying that you should do things differently this year. Go to the Homecoming dance.” Angel suggested. Buffy looked at him as if he’d gone mad.
“ I’d be the only person there without a date, Angel.”
“ Who cares? Just go and have fun with your friends. You don’t need a date for that. Besides, the dance is still a couple of weeks away. Someone could still ask you to go.” Angel turned off the car and removed the keys from the ignition. Buffy removed her seatbelt and tried to get as far away from her brother as possible but Angel wasn’t exactly finished with what he was saying. “ At least think about it, Buffy. You could have a lot of fun.”
Buffy knew that his advise wouldn’t do her much good but if accepting it was the only way to get her out of the car and far away from this conversation then she’d agree.

“ I’ll think about it but I’m not making any promises.”

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A/ N The poem in this chapter was called ‘My Perfect Day’ by me. I hope everyone like the chapter. I promise that Spike will be making an appearance soon. Please post a review and let me know what you think.

Chapter 3:

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I"m just a rebel
I'm just a freak
I do what I feel
I feel what I speak

Don't piss me off
Don't make me beg
Just let me be
Just let me stay


William 'Spike' Adams strutted his way down the halls of Sunnydale High school. Various stares as well as glares were thrown his way as he passed. Spike just shrugged it off. Being the new kid always had people reacting a certain way towards him. The girls couldn't take their eyes off of him and the guys hated him because of it. Spike didn't either sex any mind. He wanted to keep out of trouble while he was here and getting involved with someone else's girl or pissing of the wrong guy wasn't gonna help him do that.

Spike continued walking until he came to a sign that said 'Principal Snyder'. Before he could enter, a sugar-coated voice stopped him.

" You must be the new guy." the blonde purred seductively . Spike turned fully towards the voice and had the sudden urge to roll his eyes.

The chit was beautiful but he had dealt with her type before and he wasn't interested. She had long blonde (bleached) hair. The outfit that she was wearing looked as if it had been painted on and her make up was way to heavy. Spike could tell by the two lackeys standing behind her that she was in the 'popular crowd'. He DEFINITELY wasn't interested.

" Can I help you with something?" he asked with a bored expression on his face. Harmony look a little surprised at his indifferent tone but quickly recovered with a flirtatious smile.
" Isn't that supposed to me my question? I mean, you are the new kid after all. I bet there are tons of things that I could....help you with." Harmony replied as her pointing finger made a trail down his shirt-covered chest. She was starting to invade his person space with her body and it was really starting to grate on his nerves.
" You help me? I highly doubt that, pet but thanks anyway." dismissed Spike. He walked into the principal's office not caring about the glare that he was sure Harmony was throwing at him.

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Take notice of me
Look into my eyes
What do you see?

Take notice of me.........


Buffy and Angel walked into the school side by side. Since Angel was the captain of the football team, he was always greeted and ogled when he walked down the halls. Buffy was greeted as well but it was only because she was Angel’s sister. It didn’t really bother her. She wasn’t interested in being popular. That was Angel’s deal.

“ I’ll see you later, sis.” Angel started walking towards his football friends and Cordy but not before this was said. “ Please think about what I said, Buffy. You could have a lot of fun.”
* What’s to think about? I’m doomed to be alone forever.* Buffy thought but instead of saying that, she nodded and forced a small smile.

After her and Angel parted ways, Buffy walked to her locker to get her books for class. She hadn’t even gotten the thing open when Willow and Xander made their presence known.

“ Hey, Buffy.” they greeted in unison. They were so in sync sometimes that it was almost sickening. Buffy really envied the two of them sometimes.
“ Hey you two. How was you’re weekend?” she inquire as she opened her locker.
“ Nothing spectacular. Boredom was a major theme. Hanging out in my basement also took place. You should have been there.” Xander answered sarcastically.
“ Yeah, major fun.” Willow joined in. Buffy laughed lightly at her friends antics.
“ Sorry a missed it.” Buffy teased not being the least bit sorry.
“ How was yours?” Willow asked as the three of them began walking to class.
“ I bet it was way better than ours combined considering that her mom was out of town for the weekend.” Xander cut in.
“ Actually, nothing interesting happened. Angel and I just hung out some.” Buffy replied as if was the most normal thing in the world for her to do over the weekend.
“ Really?” Willow asked with a gasp.
“ That’s a first.” observed Xander.
“ I know. He was actually acting like a brother. I mean, we spent the entire weekend together. He didn’t hang out with his friends or Cordy once. I don’t know what been up with him lately. He’s not usually so open with the brotherly love. He even gave me advise this morning.” Buffy said as the three of them entered their math class and took their seats.
“ What kind of advise did he give you ?” Willow questioned. She began taking out her materials for the class.
“ He thinks I should go to the Homecoming dance this year.” she answered. Xander waited a beat before speaking again.
“ I can’t believe I’m actually saying this but I agree with him.”
“ You do?” Buffy and Willow asked at the same time. Both of them knew that Angel and Xander didn’t exactly get along. It wasn’t like disliked one another. It was just that they could barely have a conversation without getting into an argument,. They never agreed on anything, especially when it came to Buffy.

“ Yeah. I think you should go.” he answered.
“ Why would I go?” Buffy questioned.
“ Why wouldn’t you?” Xander shot back.
“ Who would I go with? Everyone’s already paired up.” Buffy pointed out.
“ You could go with us.” Xander suggested. “ It’ll be like a threesome.” he joked but no one was laughing.
“ In your dreams, Xanman.” Buffy said dryly.
“ Oh come on, Buff. When’s the last time the three of us hung out at a school dance?” he asked and Buffy looked down in shame when she finally answered.
“ In all honesty, it’s been so long that I don’t even remember.”
“ Exactly. You should come.” he pressed.
“ but I don’t have a date.” she whined childishly. Xander just rolled his eyes and Willow finally spoke up.
“ And?” sighs. “ Buffy, you don’t need a date to have a good time.”
“ Says the girl with a date.”
“ And who’s to say that you still can’t have a date? I mean, it’s still a couple of weeks until the big night. Someone could still ask you.” A few seconds later Xander’s face lit up as if he had just come up with an idea.
“ Uh oh. I know that look. Willow, he’s got that look. I think he’s up to something.” Buffy observed.
“ I was just thinking that maybe the new guy is available.” he responded.
“ What new guy?” Buffy questioned more than a little lost but the couple just continued the conversation without her.
“ Oh yeah! He’d be perfect for her. Xander, you’re a genius.” Willow complimented and Xander gave up a goofy grin in response.
“ Wait a minute. What new guy? There’s a new guy?” Buffy interjected trying to figure out what the hell they were talking about.
“ Don’t tell me you don’t know about the new guy. Everybody knows about the new guy.” Xander replied.
“ This isn’t the first time I’ve been left out of the loop.” Buffy muttered. “ So what’s this guy’s deal? I mean why did he move here? Why would anyone want to move here?”
“ Don’t know.” Willow answered. “ Rumor has it that he’s related to one of the faculty members.” Willow shared.
“ I hope it’s not Snyder cause that would just be wrong.” said Buffy.
“ I guess we’ll find out soon enough. He’s supposed to be arriving today.” Xander looked really giddy.
“ There goes that look again.” Buffy noticed. “ Should we be worried?” Xander just shrugged and smiled innocently.
“ I just thought that it might be nice if you volunteered show ‘im around once he got here.”
“ And then what? He’ll fall head over heals for me and be my date for the dance?” Buffy asked incredulously.
“ It could happen. It’s not that far fetched, Buffy.” Willow cut in. Buffy sighed deeply and looked down as she responded.
“ When it comes to me, it wouldn’t happen and it is far fetched. When it comes to me, this ‘new guy’ is probably gonna be like every other male at this school.”
“ Animalistic?” Xander cracked. Buffy wasn’t amused.
“ Not interested. “

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Chapter 4:

*************************************************************************************

Just another day......or is it???


Impatiently, Spike waited for the principal. As he waited, he thought about how much he really didn’t want to be here. Spike’s parents had thought it would be a great idea if he came to live with his uncle for his senior year of high school. Spike wasn’t loving the idea at all.
Two weeks earlier……
“ You have got to be kidding me! I’m not movin’ to bloody California. You two are off your nut!” Spike exclaimed at his parents after being told that he would be leaving to go live with his uncle Rupert in the states. He started pacing around the living room.
“ We thought you’d be pleased, William. After all, you are always complaining about this place and how much you hate it here.” his father Ethan answered from his seat on the couch. Spike cringed at his given name but chose to ignore it. That wasn’t the matter at hand.
“ Yeah but that doesn’t mean I wanted you to go and move me out of the country. And to live with Rupert? No bloody way. ” Spike replied heatedly. Ethan sighed and Spike’s mother Abby spoke up.
“ Your uncle is not that bad. We thought you‘d be happy about this.” she replied calmly. Abby had never been an outspoken woman. Even with her son’s bad temper, she always kept her cool.
“ Well, you thought wrong.” Spike growled. Why did that have to start listening to him now? “ I can’t move to California.”
“ Why not?” Ethan countered. “ What’s so bad about it?”
“ Well, it’s- I’m-I just-” Spike unfortunately couldn’t think of a good enough reason. “ I hate you.” he muttered out at his father when he looked up and noticed his knowing smirk. Sure, he never meant it when he said that but Spike wanted his father to know just how pissed he was.
“ Oh how I’m going to miss that spunk of yours when you go.” Ethan joked. Abby playfully slapped him on his arm. Spike rolled his eyes in response and went up to his room, muttering the whole time.
Present…..
Spike was brought out of his memories when he heard someone enter the office. He turned and nearly laughed at the troll sized man who stood before him. He was nearly bald and he almost looked kind of sinister. Spike could tell that he was going to have problems with him but he wasn’t intimidated by him though.
“ You William Adams?” Snyder asked but he didn’t seem like he cared. He walked over to his desk and sat down in his chair.
“ Actually sir, I prefer Spike.” he returned. The look that Snyder gave him was almost deadly.
“ I really don’t care what you prefer, Mr. Adams. I’m not here to accommodate your preferences. I’m here to make sure kids like you stay out of trouble.” Snyder‘s statement implied exactly what he thought of Spike. * * Just another trouble makin‘ rock reject.* “It has been brought to my attention that you are related to one of my faculty members.” he moved right to the point.
“ Yeah. What of it?” Spike asked. He was getting bored really quick.
“ Don’t think that just because you have family in this building that I’m going to let you do as you please. I run a tight ship around here and I expect all of my rules to be followed.” Snyder moved to stand in front of Spike. “ I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Mr. Adams.”
“ Should I be scared?” Spike enjoyed pressing the man’s buttons. Snyder just smiled evilly and continued.
“ Make one mistake and you’ll be out of this country so fast, your head will spin.” he threatened. Spike just looked at him with an unimpressed expression at his role of authority.
“ You wankers really know how to make a bloke feel welcome.” Spike said as he stood. “ Can I go now or would you like to throw some more scary threats my way.” he made air quotes with his fingers on the word scary. Spike could almost see steam coming out of Snyder’s ears.
“ Get out.”
“ It was a real pleasure meeting you, mate.” replied Spike sarcastically. He left the office just as the bell rang with a big smirk on his face.
Maybe this place wasn’t gonna be so bad after all.




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Just another girl
Just another boy

Buffy, Willow and Xander made their way out of their first hour class with relieved expressions on their faces.
“ Thank God that hour is over. I almost died of boredom.” Xander complained.
“ That makes two of us.” Buffy replied in agreement with a groan.
“ Make that three. I almost dozed off myself.” Willow said with a little embarrassment. Buffy turned to Xander and replied,
“ I think we’re starting to rub off on her.”
“ Should we be worried, Will? You’re not gonna start ditching class, are you?” Xander teased.
“ Ha ha ha. I can be just as bad as the both of you.” the bell rang signaling that they were late to their next class. “ Oh crap! I’m late for class. Mr. Hall is gonna be so disappointed. I gotta go. I’ll see you two at lunch.” Willow sprinted for her Chemistry class with a wave.
“ Yeah she’s bad to the bone.” Buffy laughed with a roll of her eyes. “ I’ll see ya later, Xand.”
“ See ya.”
Buffy and Xander headed in opposite directions of the hallway. Buffy was just about to turn the corner when she was knocked down to the ground my something hard. All thoughts of wanting to yell at the jerk who had knock her down were immediately thrown out the window when she looked up and was met with the most beautiful human being that she had ever seen. His was dressed in all black with platinum white hair. His cheek bones could cut ice and his eyes were as deep and as blue as the ocean. Buffy had never seen anyone like him. She was snapped out of her ogling fest when his silky smooth voice was heard.

Or maybe we stand out to one another....

“ Are you okay, luv?” Spike questioned with concern.
“ Huh?” Buffy looked a little dazed. *He probably thinks your dumb as well as clumsy . Great job Buff.*
“ Are you okay?” * Wow! She really is beautiful.* With a small smile, he reached out his hand to her. Buffy looked at the offered hand before taking it. She tried to ignore the spark she felt when she hesitantly let Spike pull her up off the ground.
“ I’m-I’m fine.” she finally answered. " Are-are you okay?" *Geez, Buff. Could you be more of a spaz?* A deep chuckle was her answer.
" You're the one who got knocked on your ass, pet. Not me. You should be more careful next time." Spike didn't know why he said that to her. She was just showing her concern for him. Maybe that's what set him off into 'jerk' mode.
Buffy's face got red with embarrassment and rage. She wanted to smack that dumb smirk right off of his face.
*What is that jerk's problem? Did he have to rub the fact that I fell on my ass in my face? Who does he think he is?*
" I should be more careful? You're the one who bumped into me." Buffy huffed with a pout. Spike wanted so bad to push her up against a locker and take that pink lip in between his teeth.
" Well princess, if you hadn't have had your nose so high in the sky, maybe this could have been avoided." he shot back. Buffy gaped at him like a fish.
" Who do you think you are?!" she exclaimed. " It's not like I did it on purpose. I DID apologize!"
" No you didn't." Spike corrected. Buffy replayed the last couple of minutes and realized that she hadn't apologized. However, she wasn't gonna back down yet. She was way too stubborn for her own good.
" Well, I would have apologized if you hadn't been such a jerk." buffy continued. " It was an accident."
Before Spike could say anymore, someone made their presence known.
" Class started ten minutes ago, Ms. Summers. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't haul you off to detention." Snyder interrupted with a devilish grin.
" Principal Snyder! I was-I was just- I mean we were just-" Buffy stammered nervously. That little troll had always had it in for her.
" You were just skipping class, weren't you?" he turned his attention to the other blonde standing next to her. " And with the new kid? I knew that you were trouble the minute I laid eyes on you."
" Principal Snyder, we weren't trying to skip class." Buffy argued.
" Then what, may I ask, were you doing?" Snyder questioned with a glare.
Buffy was never good at lying and she was not about to admit that Spike had knocked her on her ass a few short minutes ago. Just when she thought that all hope was lost on getting out of this with punishment, Spike came to her rescue.
" She was just helping me find my way to class." Spike cut in before Buffy made an even bigger fool out of the both of them.
" I was?" " She was?" were the responses that Spike got from Buffy and Snyder.
" Yeah. This place is like a bloody maze and....Miss Summers was kind enough to help me find my way." Spike explained, making sure that a glance that said " Just go with it." was thrown Buffy's way.
" Right! Ummm....that's what we were doing." Buffy agreed with a vigorous nod of her head.
' If anyone should get punishment, it should be me. I'm the reason she's late for class." Spike continued.
Spike couldn't understand why he took up for the little chit beside him. She was annoying as hell and he'd only just met her. For some reason, he didn't feel that he should let her suffer for something that was really his fault.

We see in each other what others blind themselves to...

Buffy was just as perplexed as Spike was. Why had he taken up for her? He had expressed nothing but dislike for her just moments before. Buffy still went along with it, hoping that Snyder bought the whole thing. Thankfully, he did.

" I see. Well, the both of you should probably be getting to class. You've wasted enough of my time standing here." Snyder returned. It took everything that Spike and Buffy had to not smack the living hell out of that man.
" Yes, sir." Buffy and Spike said in unison but didn't move to do what he said.
" Now would be nice." Snyder barked. Spike and Buffy turned away and walked down the hall to class.
Moments passed and still neither one of them said anything. They were heading in the direction of Buffy's second period class and she briefly wondered if Spike's destination was the same as hers. A part of her hoped that it was.
" You didn't have to do that, you know." Buffy spoke up softly after a while. Spike stole a quick glance of her and then turned his gaze back in front of him.
" I know but it was, after all, my fault that you were late for class." Spike admitted. " Why should you get in trouble for something that I caused?"
" Was that your way of apologizing for knocking me on my ass?" Buffy smiled shyly at him. Spike looked over at her and realized that he would die a happy bloke if she smiled that way for him all the time.
" Maybe it was." he answered with a boyish smile of his own.
" In that case, I'm sorry too." she gave in. " I can be such a klutz sometimes."
" You're forgiven." he replied as they turned the corner and continued walking down another long hallway.
" Good. So are you." she returned. " So do I get to know the name of the guy who saved me from a week's detention?"
" Spike." he answered and was surprised when she let out an unlady like laugh. Buffy soon sobered up when she realized that he wasn't laughing.
" Oh. You were serious. Sorry." her face burned with embarrassment.
" It's okay, luv. I get that all the time." he said. " but since we're on the subject, what's yours?"
" Buffy." she answered softly.
" Let me guess; your parents were hippies?" he teased. Buffy playfully pushed him.
" No, you ass." she giggled, letting him know that her name calling was all in good fun. " It's short for Elizabeth. My brother gave me 'Buffy' as a nickname when we were younger. It was his way of teasing me I guess. As time went on, the name stuck.
" Interesting." was Spike's only reply. Before he could say anything else, Buffy stopped at a classroom.
" Well, this is where I get off." she replied. " Thanks again for your help back there. That guy is a real pain in my ass." she complained.
" No prob, ducks." he grinned at her.
" I guess I'll see you around?" she inquired hopefully.
" Looking forward to it." Spike answered with a sexy smirk and then he was off down the hallway.

Buffy watched him while he walked away. She didn't know what it was but there was something about that guy that made her hot.

* Hopefully, I'll see him again before the school day is out.* she thought as she reluctantly made her way into her second period.

******************************************************************************

As Spike made his way to his English class, he couldn't help thinking about the small blonde that he had met. Of course, she was amazingly beautiful but he could tell that there was something more beneath the surface of her. There was something about her that made him want to know more.
And he was going to have a hell of a time figuring it out.

You see me and I see you.....

**********************************************************************************

 

Chapter 5:

I got this feeling deep inside me
I don’t know how to explain it
Can you help me?
Or are you just as deep into this as I am?



Buffy continued the rest of her morning classes with only one person on her mind. Spike. She didn’t know what it was about him that drew her in but it was driving her crazy. She didn’t know anything about him but his name and she wasn’t even sure if that was his give name anyway so why was she so taken with him?

* He’s just another guy, Buff. Sure, he’s really hot and all but he’s just another guy.* Buffy attempted to convince herself but she knew deep down that there was no denying his effect on her. * You probably won’t even see him again. After all, it is a pretty big campus. Soon he’ll be just another face in the crowd before you know it.*

Why did the idea of not seeing Spike again not sit well with Buffy?

It wasn’t like she went for guys like him anyway. Not that there was anything wrong with Spike physically (cause boy was he HOT) but Buffy could tell that he was more than a little rough around the edges. The whole ‘black leather punk’ look gave that away. It was easy for her to see that he didn’t follow the rules and lived life a little dangerously. Buffy wasn’t usually attracted to guys like that. She wanted the clean-cut, charming, respectable, teen beat of the week type of guy. Even though Buffy never had a guy like that, she was certain that that’s what she wanted in a boyfriend.

Until Spike came along. ….

Ever since Spike had crashed his way into her life, Buffy wasn’t so sure what she wanted anymore. How was it that Spike could change her whole outlook in just one meeting? She didn’t even know him and already she felt butterflies in her stomach. Buffy never took to a guy so quickly and as much as it gained her curiosity, it also scared the hell out of her. She wasn’t supposed to feel this way about a boy that she just met….at least that the inexperienced part of her was saying. Other parts of her were telling her to give into what she was feeling and just see where it would take her but how could she? Spike was practically a stranger to her. A stranger that she wanted to get to know very well.

There was only one questioned….

Would Spike want to get to know her as well???

“ Did any of you get a glimpse at the new kid?” Anya’s voice broke into Buffy’s thoughts.
“ I did and not only did I get a glimpse of him but I also talked to him.” Harmony shared, not mentioning that Spike had completely blew her off. Buffy’s ears perked up at this.
“ You lucky bitch.” Anya said playfully. She didn’t want Harmony to know how pissed she was at the fact that Harmony had gotten to the hot blonde first. “ Well, what did he say to you? Did he give you any play?”
“ Of course he did, An. I mean, this is me we’re talking about. He was practically all over me. I had to go to the girl’s bathroom just to get him to stop following me.” Harmony lied through her teeth and Buffy could tell. Harmony always bragged more than she needed to about a guy throwing himself at her when the truth was that he couldn’t get far enough away from her.
The thought of Harmony or Anya getting anywhere near Spike made Buffy’s blood boil. Both of the fake blondes were skanks and shallow. They were both friends with Cordealia. As much as Buffy tolerated the brunette cheerleader as her brother’s girlfriend, she couldn’t stand the other two and pretty much vocalized her feeling towards them as much as possible. Harmony was a gold digging skank, while Anya was just in it for the sex. Buffy knew that the second they got their hands on Spike, he’d not only be broke but he’d probably have some incurable sexually transmitted disease.

“ What did you and the new kid talk about, Harm?” Buffy chose not to mention Spike’s name, hoping that her suspicions about Harmony lying were right.
“ Well if you must know Miss Butting-In-My-Business-Without-Asking, he was telling me how beautiful I was in his oh so sexy British accent.” she answered snobby tone that made Buffy want to slap her silly.
“ Bullshit.” Buffy said with a knowing smirk. Harmony and Anya gasped in surprise.
“ Is not. You’re just jealous Miss I’ve-Never-Even-Had-A-Boyfriend.” Harmony shot back and Buffy had to push the stab of hurt down.
“ So what’s his name?” Buffy asked, knowing that Harmony had no clue.
“ His n-name?” Harmony stammered.
“ Yeah. I mean, if he was all over you as you said he was, surely you would have gotten his name.” Buffy continued. Harmony glared at her but didn’t admit what a terrible liar she was. “ Lying is not your thing, Harmony. Why don’t you stick you to being the gold digging whore that you are. It suits you better. Well, not really but you get my point. That guy would never go for a girl like you.” Buffy said with much satisfaction. She could practically feel Harmony glaring holes in her head as she turned around to think more about the boy that she had just finished ‘defending’.

Buffy didn’t know what kind of girl Spike went for but she was almost certain that it wasn’t anyone like Harmony or Anya.

She hoped….

*************************************************************************************

I got this feeling deep inside me
I don’t know how to control it
Do you understand what I’m saying?
Or are you are you just as lost as me?



Spike sat in his Chemistry class with a very bored expression on his face. He was a good student and although he would never admit it to anyone, he like school quite a bit. However, sitting here listening to Mr. Hall yap his gums was not his idea of fun. The only thing (person) that kept him from dozing off was the little short blonde that he had met. He just couldn’t get her out of his mind.

* She’s just a girl, mate. Sure, she beautiful, sassy and unlike any other girl you’ve ever met but she’s still just another girl.* Spike inwardly told himself, deep down not believing a word of it.

Spike wasn’t used to fawning over girls like this. Usually, it was the other way around. To him, girls were all the same. Being on the receiving end of one too many stakes to the heart by women that he cared about made him wonder why women were needed anyway. That was the reason why he always used them for the only thing they were good for…………or at least what he honestly believed they were good for. He’d use his charm and good looks to get in between their legs. Then, he’d dump them before they had the chance to hurt him. Deep down, Spike knew that his actions were crude and just plain mean and heartless but he didn’t know if he could take another heart-break. He just felt no woman was worth that kind of pain.

So what was the deal with Buffy?

Why did she affect him like this?

Why did it feel wrong to think of her as another roll in the sack?

Why did Spike suddenly care?

What was this girl doing to him?

And more importantly, why didn’t he mind what his heart was suddenly feeling?


Before he could answer any of those questions, a small voice brought him out of his thoughts.

“ E-Excuse me?” the voice cut in. Spike turned to said voice and was met with a perky but nervous red head.
“ What can I do for you, pet?” he asked with a kind smile, hoping that it would relax her a little. She blushed but was able to answer him without any trouble.
“ I noticed that you looked a little lost during the lesson so I thought I’d come over and help you out. My name’s Willow. You must be the new kid.”
“ Good guess. Was it the mass amount of attention that tipped you off?” he asked teasingly. Willow grinned back and answered,
“ Well that and the fact that I’ve never seen you before today also helped a little.” pause “ So do you need any help?”
“ Thanks for the offer, Red but I’m not lost. I’m just bored as hell.” he confessed with a sigh. Willow giggled.
“ Mr. Hall has that affect on a lot of people but he means well. How’s your first day going?” she asked after a brief moment of silence.
“ Pretty good considering the welcoming meeting I had with the principal. I really didn’t like him” Spike complained.
“ You’re not the only one. He give you a hard time?” Willow asked.
“ No. A hard time I would be able to handle.” he answered.
“ I would say that you’ll get use to him but then I’d be lying. The best way to deal with him is to ignore the troll all together.” Willow gave up with a helpful smile. Spike smiled back.

Spike liked this Willow girl. Sure, she wasn’t who he would normally surround himself with but that didn’t mean that he couldn’t start. She seemed like a decent person. A little on the nervous side but nice. He could tell that she’d be someone he’d be hanging out with a lot in the future.

Willow also thought that the bleached blonde was a cool guy. He was a bit intimidating but he seemed like a cool person. He even gave her a pet name. * Maybe Xander was right about this guy being perfect for Buffy. All I have to do is convince Buffy of this as well.* she thought. Before she could say anything else, the bell rang signaling the end of the class.

“ It was nice chatting with you, Red. See ya around.” Spike grabbed his belongings and headed for the door. Willow’s voice halted his exit.
“ Hey, Spike?” Willow waited until she had his attention before she continued. “ Would you like to hang out with me and my friends until you find you way around this place. I mean, I’m sure they’d like to meet you and you’d really like them. Knowing just little ol’ me is gonna get boring after a while so I figured you’d like to meet some new people and I’m just gonna shut up now ‘cause I’m babbling an awful lot.” she finished in one breath. Her face was almost as red as her hair.

Spike grinned during her little ramble and realized that the two of them were gonna be good friends. She was a smart bird and hadn’t treated him like a trouble maker or jumped all over his bones at first sight. Anyone that Willow hung out with would have to be good people just like her. * Maybe Red knows Bu-No! No! Bad Spike! Don’t think about her!*

“ Sure, Red.” Willow blushed at his cute pet name for her. “ Lead the way.”

Little did he know that he’d be ‘crashing’ into Buffy real soon.


*************************************************************************************

A/N How’d I do??? The poem in the story was, again, by me. It’s called “ Some Kind Of Feeling”. Spike and Buffy crash (wink wink) into one another in the next update so stay tuned!!! Leave me some reviews!! You know how I love them.


 

Chapter 6:

************************************************************************************

You’ve got your ball
You’ve got your chain
Tied to me tight, tie me up again
Who’s got their claws
In you my friend?
Into your heart I’ll beat again.


Buffy endured the torture of two other classes. She had yet to run into the guy that had been consuming her thoughts all morning. Honestly, she didn’t know if that was good or bad. On one hand, if she ran into Spike again she could easily do the whole ‘get to know him’ thing. However, getting to know him might be a mistake. Buffy could be setting herself up to get hurt and getting hurt was not something that Buffy did well. Not only were there tears and much moping but her confidence level dropped lower and lower every time a guy turned her advances down. For some reason, Buffy just knew that if Spike turned her down, it would hurt way more than when the other guys did.

*STOP! Buffy, you need to stop thinking about this guy. HE’S JUST ANOTHER GUY!* Buffy thought as she made her way out of her forth period. * I know what my problem is.* she continued. * I just need some food in my system. Yeah. That’s it. I didn’t get a chance to eat this morning. All I need is a nice meal to stop the craziness that’s running through my head. After a nice lunch, Spike won‘t even register on my radar.* Buffy finished with assurance.


If only Buffy knew how wrong she was…….

*************************************************************************************

Spike ended up having two other classes with Willow. As fun it was to be around the perky redhead, his wish of running into Buffy again hadn’t come true…yet. He thought about asking Red if she knew her but then went against it. He then would not only feel like a git but he’d look like one too.

* She’s just another bint, Spike. Get her out of you head.* Spike ordered himself as he and Red walked to the lunch room. * Why are you wasting your time on her when there are so many other available chits to choose from?* Just then, a group of very attractive looking girls passed him. Usually, in a situation like this, Spike would get one of the girls attention and work his magic. This time, however, he didn’t even spare them a second glance.

In all honesty, Spike hadn’t noticed any other female in that way besides Buffy. It hadn’t even crossed him mind. For some odd reason, the thought of doing such a thing felt wrong some how. Sure, during his first four classes, girls made flirtatious advances towards him but it didn’t make any difference. Buffy was the only girl that had his undivided attention.

Buffy had so much of Spike’s attention that he wasn’t paying mind to the redhead who was speaking to him!

“ Spike?” Willow waved her hand in front of his face to get his attention.
“ Huh?” Spike snapped out of his daze and focused on Willow.
“ Are you okay?” she asked. “ You seemed a little out of it.”
“ Sorry ‘bout that, Red.” he smiled sheepishly. “ I guess I spaced out for a moment there.”
“ It’s okay.” Willow shrugged as they entered the cafeteria.
“ So where are these friends that I keep hearing so much about?” Spike moved the conversation right along as Willow pointed out a table and sat down.
“ They‘re probably just making their way out of class. They should be here any second now. I can‘t wait for you to meet them..” Willow said excitedly. “ Xander, my boyfriend, is really cool and you’ll just love Liz.” she finished, not really noticing the not so interested look on Spike face at the mention of Liz. (A/N If you haven’t guessed it, Liz is Buffy. Willow just uses both nicknames sometimes.)
* Oh great! Another girl who isn’t Buffy. This should be a bloody picnic.* Spike thought with an inward groan but smile for Willow’s benefit.
“ I’m sure I will.”

If only he knew how right he was……..

“ I’m in the mood for a soda.” Willow made a move to get out of her seat but Spike beat her to it.
“ Let me, pet.” he offered.
“ Are you sure?” she questioned with a timid but grateful smile.
“ I don’t mind. You stay here an’ wait for your friends.” and then he was off getting a soda for her.

Spike took in the students around him as he made his way to the soda machine out in the hallway. He noticed that they were a lot like the kids he used to hang out with back in England. Everyone belonged to their own little clique. The cheerleaders and the jocks hung out in one area of the cafeteria while those who thought they were all alone hung out together in another area. Willow’s table was sort of in the middle, leading Spike to believe that her and her friends didn’t really belong to any group.

* Just like me.* Spike thought before he crashed into a familiar blonde. * It’s her.*

*************************************************************************************

Sweet like candy to my soul
Sweet you rock and sweet you roll
Lost for you, I’m so lost for you
Oh and you come crash into me


On her way to the cafeteria, Buffy ran into Xander. They continued their journey together.

“ So?” Xander started with a goofy looking grin.
“ So….what?” Buffy rolled her eyes, knowing exactly what he was referring to.
“ Have you seen him yet? The new guy?” Xander questioned. Buffy shook her head with a small smile playing on her lips at the memory of meeting Spike.
“ Why would it make a difference if I did?” she countered.
“ You saw him, didn’t you?” Xander pressed. Buffy sighed as they rounded the corner leading to the cafeteria.
“ Yeah, I did but what does it matter?” she questioned.
“ Did you talk to him?” he asked, ignoring Buffy’s previous question.
“ Well, not at first but after he knocked me on my ass we had the best conversation two strangers could have.” answered Buffy sarcastically. Xander turned to her with a confused expression.
“ He knocked you on your ass?”
“ It was an accident but yes he did.”
“ So what’s his name? What’s he like? Where’s he from” Xander asked all of these questioned without so much as a breath in between. Buffy put her hand over his mouth in an attempt to shut him up.
“ Slow down, tiger. You’re babbling like Willow.” she removed her hand but not before a muffled “I do not” was heard. “ The only thing that I got from him was a name and I don’t think it was a real one, no matter how serious he looked when he gave it to me.”
“ but still you talked to him?” Xander inquired.
“ Yes, I talked to him.” Buffy exclaimed. They were standing outside the cafeteria now. “ I honestly don’t get why this is such a big deal to you, Xand. I mean, he’s just another guy. I probably won’t even see him again.”
“ The day isn’t over yet.” was the only words that left Xander’s mouth before he went in looking for Willow.

Having the craving for a Pepsi soda, Buffy chose not to follow. Just as she rounded the corner to where the soda machines were, she , along with the rest of her stuff went crashing to the ground.

“ Twice in one day? Some one must really hate me.” Buffy grumbled, not bothering to acknowledged the butt-head who had knocked her down, as she gathered all of her scattered belongings.
“ Hate is such a strong word, luv.” a deep British voice said from above her. Buffy’s gaze slowly traveled from his boot covered feet, his denim cover legs, up to his very noticeable shirt covered abs to his unforgettable face.
* It’s him.* Buffy thought with excitement and a little bit of fear.
“ Hello, cutie.” Spike purred. “ Didn’t think we’d meet again so soon, especially like this.” he finished with a chuckle.
* Cute? He thinks I’m cute?* Buffy smiled inwardly but had to shake herself out of her glee when she noticed that his lips were moving again.
“ ….let me help you.” Spike reached for her hand and help her into a standing position. Not wanting to let go of her hand just yet, Spike continued talking. “ I thought I told you to be more careful when you’re walking around, pet.” he said with a tone to let Buffy know that he was only teasing. Buffy slipped out of the daze she was in and finally spoke up.
“ Why should I be careful? You’re the one who bumped into me.” she played along and they both shared a smile.. She reluctantly removed her hand from his grasp, already missing the warmth of his hold, to pick up her belongings. Spike must have had the same thing in mind because they reached for her stuff at the same time.
“ Ouch!”
“ Bloody hell.” they both exclaimed in mild pain while their hands went to rub their foreheads.
“ Sorry.” they both tried and laughed at how silly they sounded.
“ Don’t take this the wrong way or anything but has anyone told you that you’re a very violent person?” Spike questioned with a smirk. Buffy opened her mouth in shock.
“ Me? I’m violent?” she asked incredulously. “ You’ve done nothing but cause me physical body damage since I met you. I am so not violent.” Buffy replied with both hands on her hips. Her face was red with rising anger. Spike realized that he liked her looking this way.
“ Okay! Okay! I take it back.” he chuckled in surrender. * God, she’s sexy when she’s angry.*
“ Good.” Buffy huffed then reached her hand back up to rub at her ‘injury’. “ Crap! That’s so gonna leave a bump.” she pouted. Spike groaned the tempting lip.
“ Would you feel better if I kissed your little boo boo.” he asked with a playful roll of his eyes. Buffy figured that he was joking.
“ Yes I would.” she answered innocently and before either of them knew what happened Spike’s lips were on Buffy’s forehead. The action was so quick that Buffy and Spike barely had time to process what happened. Buffy looked up at him with wide eyes.
* Did he just do what I think he did?* Buffy’s mind asked.
* Why the bloody hell did you do that, you wanker?!* Spike’s inner self screamed at him.

Spike cleared his throat and bent down to pick up Buffy’s stuff. Trying to fight of the feeling of touching her, Spike asked,

“ So…uh…where were you off to in such a hurry?”

Buffy still hadn’t recovered from the kiss that just took place so she didn’t answer right away.

“ Oh!” when it finally did register to her what he had asked. * Right! He wants to pretend it never happened. I can do that…..I think. I mean, it was just a forehead kiss. It was nothing….right?* “ I was ummm…getting a soda.”
“ You’re in luck, kitten; “ he gave Buffy a smile that made her knees weak. “ So was I.”

*************************************************************************************

 

Chapter 7:

*********************************************************************

Introductions
Exchange of names and smiles
Don't feel like those things are needed with you
Seems like we're pasted all that

How can that be?
I don't even know you
You don't even know me

There's no need for an introduction with us
Isn't that kind of strange?


The trip to and from the soda machine was made in comfortable silence. Yet, as comfortable as they were around one another, both Buffy and Spike felt as if it shouldn't be that way. After all, they did just meet and everything. Why did they both feel like they had knew each other way longer than they actually did.

* I just met this guy. I mean, what do I really know about him? Sure, he's good looking and nicely shaped but that doesn't say much about the type of person he is. His bad boy looks just proves that he's not the kinda guy that I should have anything to do with. He was, after all, the one that knocked me down on my ass. Twice. If anything, I should be getting as far away from him as possible.* Buffy thought but made no move to get away from the blonde that had sizzled her world so suddenly.

Little did she know that Spike was fighting internally within himself as well.

* Why am I acting like this bint is anything special? Sure, she beautiful and built in all the right places but she's probably just like all those other chits that throw themselves at every bloke with a steady pulse. I shouldn't be making friendlies with 'er. * spoke Spike's mind. His head may have wanted out of this freaky situation but the rest of his body was curious as to how far this thing would go.

Both of them seemed to come out of their heads once they reached the lunchroom. They both looked around the area until their gazes finally fell on each other.

* All you have to do is walk away, Summers.* Buffy thought to herself. * This freak show could be over within seconds.*

* Just walk away, mate and everything can go back to normal.* Spike thought at the exact same moment.

Still, neither one of them moved. Both of them were just to caught up the presence of one another that they couldn't force their gazes or feet to move else where. Which is why Buffy did the only thing that seemed appropriate.

" Would you like to sit with me?" Buffy blurted out suddenly. Not only did she surprise Spike but she surprised herself. *Real smooth, Buffy. Dork much. You weren't supposed to ask him to sit with you and your friends.* Yet, she continued with her suggestion. " Me and my friends, I mean. I just figured with you being new and all that you'd want to....ummm....meet some new people. I'm sure they wouldn't mind making a place for you at our table." Buffy rambled out quickly with a blush that tinted her cheeks. During her proposal, Spike grinned but inside he was floored.

* She wasn't supposed to do that! We were just supposed to walk away and never talk to one another again.* Spike's thoughts exclaimed. He then down at the soda in his hand and remembered Willow and how he was supposed to be eating with her and her friends. You would think that it would be welcoming excuse to get away from Buffy and this whole thing but it only made Spike realize that he'd have to part ways with Buffy and that wasn't something that he wanted to do. Still, he couldn't' just ditch Red and her friends.

* Any other time you would have gladly ditched someone like Red for someone like Buffy. What's gotten in to you, Spike.* he asked himself. As weird as he knew he was acting, the fact still remained that he had Red and her friends waiting and he ( for some strange reason) didn't want to ditch them. * Wouldn't be a nice way to start off my new friendship with Red.* he decided and before he gave Buffy the answer that he knew would disappoint her.

" That's really decent of you, luv." Buffy smiled softly at his sweet endearment but the smile soon faltered at " but I already have someone saving me a seat as we speak."

" Oh. Ummm..." Buffy fought for words to speak without showing her disappointment. " Well, we wouldn't want to keep that person waiting longer for you than they have to." she finished. Buffy didn't want to imagine the person that was waiting for him was a girl. She also ignored the sudden jealousy that she felt when she thought about another girl saving him a seat.

" I have been gone long enough." he agreed.

" Rain check?" Buffy offered, hoping that he'd agree to sitting with her sometime. Spike gave her a soft smile and replied.

" You got it."

Realizing that one of them had to move in order to end the conversation, both Spike and Buffy ventured in the same direction as each other. They were both heading where Willow was sitting. The closer they got to their destination , Buffy grew more and more suspicious. Just who was this 'someone' that was saving a seat for Spike? Before Buffy could voice her thoughts, Willow's chirpy voice cut in first.

" Spike, you're back. I thought I was gonna have to send out a search party to come and find you." said Willow. She noticed Buffy standing beside him. " Hey, Buffy. I see you've met Spike."

Buffy looked at Spike and then back at Willow a little confused but managed to get out her reply as she and Spike sat down.

" Yeah, I have." pause. " I'm just gonna go out on a limb here and guess that the two of you have met one another as well?" Buffy offered sarcastically. No one seemed to notice. She was relieved that it was Willow who had saved a seat for Spike and not someone like Harmony or Anya but at the same time jealous Buffy still lingered at the surface.

" Red was nice enough to offer some assistance in Chem Lab this mornin'." Spike spoke up. He didn't know exactly what he was feeling about the fact that he knew the same people that Buffy did. All he knew is that it meant he wouldn't be getting rid of the adorable blonde anytime soon.

" Is that so?" Buffy questioned Spike. They held one another gazes for a while until Willow broke them out of their little moment.

" Yeah." Willow continued. " He didn't need my help with anything but I figured he'd like to meet some new people so I invited him to sit with me, you and Xand." pause. " You don't mind, do you?" Willow finished nervously, hoping that Buffy upset.

" No. Of course I don't mind." Buffy said with a shake of her head. " He is new after all and I know that if I were in his place I'd want to meet new people." Spike smiled gratefully at her before frowning. It suddenly occurred to him that the 'Liz' he was so reluctant about meeting was actually the blonde that he couldn't seem to stay away from.

" Wait a minute! This is the 'Liz' chit you were talking about? You're Liz?" Spike questioned with wide eyes.

" That would be I." Buffy answered but then paused. " Or is it 'That would be me?' I never could figure out how that goes." Buffy pouted. Willow giggled and then said,

" Well, if you had paid more attention in 9th grade English, you wouldn't have that problem." Buffy pouted even more but her immature but playful remark was cut off by Spike.

" You told me your name was Buffy." he cut in a little upset. Had he been falling for a girl who couldn't even give him her real name? * I knew she was too good to be true.*

" I also told you that 'Buffy' was my nickname. It's short for Elizabeth." Buffy answered, a little confused a his change in mood.

" How the bloody hell do you get 'Buffy' out of 'Elizabeth'?" Spike asked jokingly, trying to cover up his embarrassment for his mood change. Buffy seemed to not notice but rolled her eyes at his question.

" Don't ask me. My older brother wasn't exactly known for his thinking skills back then." pause. " Come to think of it, he's not exactly known for his thinking skills now." she joked with a laugh. Willow giggled along, knowing that Buffy was just joking. " So where's Xander?"

" He's-"

" Here, present and accounted for." Xander's voice broke in. He grabbed a seat and sat down next to Willow. After a quick peck to her lips, he continued speaking. " Sorry it took me so long. Those lines are getting longer and longer everyday." Xander obviously didn't notice the new face at the table and started to eat.

" Ummm....Xander?" Buffy attempted getting his attention. Xander looked up but instead of answering Buffy he finally noticed Spike.

" Who's the goth kid? Don't think I've ever seen him around here before." Xander replied bluntly as he munch on a Cheetos. Buffy and Willow looked at him with wide eyes. Spike just chuckled.

" Xander!" Willow and Buffy exclaimed embarrassed by his bluntness. Xander didn't see the problem.

" What? What I say?" he asked dumbfounded. Buffy and Willow rolled their eyes simultaneously.

" Xander this is Spike." Buffy introduced. At Xander's blank look, she continued. " The new kid." Xander's eyes widened in shock.

" That's him? You're he? He's you?" Xander asked in a rush. It didn't take much to see that Xander was surprised.

" Yes, yes and yes." Spike smirked at the goofy boy.

" Oh. Well, that's just-Oh." Xander couldn't even form words. Willow took the opportunity to take up for a boyfriend.

" You'll have to excuse Xander." she begun to explain. "He's not all there in the head." she teased. Xander mock glared at her while Buffy and Spike laughed.

" Very funny, Will." he turned and looked at Spike. " Sorry, man. You're just not what I expected." he clarified.

" So I've been talked about then?" Spike asked. " Neat."

" Well, in a one Starbucks town like Sunnydale, you're pretty big news." Xander continued.

" I'm really no one special, mate. I'm just here for the rest of my high school education." Spike dismissed the 'pretty big news' comment shyly. Buffy noticed his modesty and was a little stunned. She couldn't imagine someone like Spike being shy.

" Why is that by the way?" Xander asked. " I mean, don't take this the wrong way or anything but you don't seem like a small town kind of guy and Sunnydale is pretty small. Why would you wanna live here?"

" I didn't, actually. My parents got in their thick heads that i needed a change of scenery. They thought it'd be cool if I stayed with my uncle Rupert during my senior year." Spike explained with a pout that Buffy found irresistibly sexy.

" So it's true, then?" Willow cut in. " You are related to one of the teachers here. Didn't think it'd be Giles though."

" Bloody hell." Spike muttered. " I was hoping that part wouldn't have gotten out."

" Why not? Giles is pretty cool to me." Buffy spoke up after being quiet for most of the conversation. Mr. Giles or Giles as Buffy often called him was one of her favorite teachers. He taught World History and often filled in for the school librarian since Snyder was too cheap to hire a full-time one instead.

" Cool?" Spike looked incredulous at her. " That's one word that I would not use to describe my uncle."

" What word would you use then?" Buffy questioned with a amused grin.

" Stuffy, miserable, old git comes to mind." Spike answered with a smirk.

" That's four words, Einstein and doubt that last one was even word at all." Buffy finished with a laugh. Spike smiled at her. Willow and Xander watched this and thought the same thing.

* This is start of something great!*

" Don't worry, Spike; your family secret is safe with us." Buffy teased with a pat to his knee. Both of them immediately had to shrug off the bolts of energy that they got from that one innocent touch.

" Ha bloody ha, Summers." Spike said dryly, hoping that his voice was steady after she had just touched him. " So what do you blokes do around here for fun?"

" What's a bloke?" Buffy asked with a crease in her forehead and a wrinkle of her nose that made Spike smile.

" It's a-oh bloody hell-don't worry you pretty little head about what it is. Just know that it isn't anything bad or offensive." he assured.

" Oh." Buffy said, more focused on the 'pretty' part of his comment than anything else. * He thinks I'm pretty.*

" Not much to do in ol' SunnyD." Xander broke in.

" There's The Bronze." Willow spoke up.

" The Bronze?" Spike asked.

" Night club type place." Buffy explained. " It's the only place in this town that's about any real fun. Well, there and the mall."

" And since I'm not exactly a 'shopping spree' kinda guy, I think I'll stick with The Bronze." Spike responded teasingly.

" Why don't we go there tonight?" Xander suggested with a smile. " It'd be a perfect way for us to get to know Spike a little better." The last part was directed at Buffy, who blushed at Spike and glared at Xander.

" That'd be real cool." Willow agreed. " What do ya think, Buffy?"

" Don't you guys think that Spike would want to get settled in first before we take him out on a night on the town. I mean, he just got here. He probably hasn't even seen his uncle yet." Buffy babbled. Spike shook his head.

" Saw 'I'm this mornin'. He won't mind."

" But I don't want to get you in trouble, especially since you just got here and all." Buffy tried.

" I'll run by his classroom and talk to him about it if it'll make you feel better, kitten." Spike offered. If at all possible, Buffy reddened even more at his new endearment.

" Come on, Buffy. You can't miss out a little bronzing fun." Willow said.

" Yeah, it wouldn't be the same without ya." Xander agreed.

" And I don't see the point in going if you're not gonna be there." Spike purred over at her. The flirtatious thing just came to him. He didn't understand why he did it but he really wanted her to go. *Maybe then I can figure out what this thing between us is.*

One look into those pools of blue orbs of Spike's and Buffy couldn't do anything but what all of them want her to.

" Okay. Count me in."

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