great

Author's Response: Thank you! Thanks for reviewing :)

The men gathering around a vulnerable Buffy was scary. If she's going to be at the gym several more times, how is she going to protect herself? Will can't be responsible for her safety every time she leaves the building. The self defense lessons are an excellent way for some one on one time, but they're going to leave her in the gym twelve more times...

Will's attraction and confused emotions are making him gruffer than usual. Buffy's not a mind reader, and neither is he. They really just need to talk honestly with one another, but at that age it's difficult to sort strong emotions.

Will doesn't seem to be more than friends with Dru, but she's certainly got designs on him. I like how nutty you're writing her, it's very amusing. Thanks for another tight chapter.

Author's Response: Hmmm. You've just made me mentally add something to the next chapter, because of course, I glossed over the safety aspect with a "well, she's a high school kid, they do risky stuff sometimes" (which probably isn't fair to say, adults do so as well!) I remember going along with some fairly braindead plans sometimes in high school just because someone I liked would be present. But Buffy's not stupid. Thanks for bringing up the point.

Yeah, I had some of the most honest, heartfelt conversations I've ever had in my life at that age - but they were oddly always with my friends, never my boyfriends. In this case, neither one is sure of the other, so that makes it tough to broach any touchy subject.

Dru brings a snippet of Winston Churchill's famous line to my mind - "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key". Ok, ok, so she's not that deep, certainly not in this story, but she is a ton of fun to write and her intentions at this point in the story are relatively murky other than the fact that she obviously likes William. Thanks for reviewing! :)

Great update! Poor William and Buffy they both have feelings for each other but are scared to express them. Can't wait for her to start her self defense lessons with him.

Author's Response: Yes, they are. Self defense coming right up! Thanks so much for reviewing :)

Loved the update! I'm glad William's taking Buffy to the bus stop, maybe they'll get a chance to talk some more. Please update again soon, I really love this story! :)

Author's Response: Thanks! I'm hoping to update this weekend. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. Thanks for reviewing! :)

ah, poor Buffy, such a victim. But she has guts. I can't wait for Buffy and William to get comfortable with each other.

Author's Response: She's had a few bad experiences, yeah. It may take a little while for them to be comfortable again. William's still self conscious about that night at his house and preoccupied with his mother's situation, adding Buffy confusion to the mix is well...not relaxing lol. Buffy's feeling a little awkward and stalkerish too, she's stuck her neck out about as much as she's willing to at this point. So nobody's comfy just yet. Thanks so much for reviewing each chapter! :)

Boo Dru. But maybe someone will come along and explain to Spike that she's jealous. That should throw a monkey wrench into the whole 'she just wants me for my brains" thing he's go going.

Author's Response: Yes, Dru's still in the picture for now. Well, Buffy didn't ask him anything school related this time, but she does want him to teach her something else so... Thanks for reviewing :)

please get rid of drusilla

Author's Response: I'm sorry, I can't just yet. :( Thanks for commenting.