Buffy looked at herself in the mirror as she straightened her skirt. It was the first day of school and for the first time in her life, she was actually excited about it.

Things had changed for her over the summer. She was no longer Buffy Summers, the nobody, not since the night Riley Finn had finally noticed her at the Bronze. She hadn’t even wanted to go, but her cousin Faith had been in town and insisted on giving her a mini make-over. She took her to the salon to get her hair highlighted, introduced her to the world of make-up, and used the back to school money her father had sent her to buy her clothes Buffy would’ve never imagined picking out for herself.

Now, one month later, she was Riley Finn’s girlfriend. Riley Finn, the co-captain of the football team. One of the popular kids. He had taken her to all the cool parties and introduced her to people she had gone to school with for years, but never even knew her name... until then.

Buffy took another glance at herself in the mirror and smiled, yes, this year was going to be different.


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


“So, have you seen Riley this morning?” Willow smiled at her best friend.

“No, I’m supposed to meet him in the courtyard.” Buffy blushed.

“Oh! The courtyard!” Willow gasped in surprise.

“I know, can you believe it?” Buffy giggled. “I never thought in a million years that I would be hanging out at the courtyard. Why don’t you come with me?”

“I can’t, I’m going to meet Oz at the library.” Willow smiled, adding, “But you have fun.”

“Ok well, tell him hi for me. I will see you at lunch.” Buffy hugged the red-head goodbye and made her way across campus.

She pulled out her compact, checking her appearance in the mirror. She was so distracted she didn’t notice the figure rounding the corner until she had smacked into a hard chest sending her books scattering all over the hallway. Buffy lost her balance and would have followed them to the ground if the man had not grabbed her by the waist in an effort to steady her.

Buffy looked up, flustered when she saw a very handsome man smirking down at her.

“You should really watch were you’re going, pet.”

The man spoke in a thick British accent that gave her tingles. He had steel blue eyes, strong, very sharp cheekbones and a shock of platinum curls she wished she could tangle her fingers into. Buffy blushed when she realized she was staring. She quickly stepped back and bent down to start gathering her things while mumbling an apology.

Spike chuckled looking down at the petite, obviously embarrassed blonde as she hurriedly picked up her books. She was adorable. He grabbed the last of her fallen books and read the title before handing it to her.

“English Lit, college edition?” he noted raising an eyebrow. Perhaps there was more to her than just being pretty.

“I…I like English.” Buffy’s cheeks turned crimson as she took the book from him. “I-I’m sorry about running into you. I…have to go,” she mumbled hurrying off in the direction of the courtyard.


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


“I was beginning to think you got lost,” Riley joked taking Buffy’s hand and walking her over to the center of the courtyard.

“Yeah, it’s not like she’s ever hung out here before.” Cordelia smiled in a way that always reminded Buffy that she was and always would be an outsider.

“So Finn, what lunch period did you got this year?” Angel asked punching his best friend in the arm.

“I have the second session,” Riley answered.

“Oh no,” Buffy whined. “That means we won’t have lunch together. I have the first session.”

Buffy looked at them puzzled when they laughed. Cordelia just rolled her eyes, already annoyed with her. “She has so much to learn.”

Confused over Cordelia’s comment, Buffy turned to Riley.

“Buffy, you’re my girl now. If I don’t like something, I just get it changed.” He put his arm around her reassuringly.

“Yeah, Snyder is such a pushover with us, we tell him to jump and he asks how high,” Angel added.

Buffy chewed on her bottom lip, not sure how she felt about that. She had heard stories about the special privileges. She had known that the popular crowd regularly missed classes, came in late, and didn’t seem to have to follow the same set of rules as the rest of the students did, but she had never heard anyone come out and admit to it before. Now, she was one of them.

When the bell rang, Buffy said her goodbyes and made her way toward her first class, English. It was an advanced class and she was both nervous and excited about it. She smiled when she noticed Willow and Oz had saved her a seat. Even though she liked being part of the new group, she knew that Willow, Oz and Xander were her only true friends.

By the time her third class came around, there was an announcement that there was an assembly scheduled for that period. She was thrilled because she was sure she would get to see Riley at the meeting. She walked to the gym and quickly climbed up to the top of the bleachers where she knew Riley and the rest of the gang would be.

“What do you think the assembly is about?” Buffy asked her boyfriend.

“Don’t know, but hey, listening to Snyder ramble on is way better than receiving class.”

After all the students were inside the gymnasium and were finally quiet, Buffy noticed the vice principal, Rupert Giles make his way to the center of the basketball court.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if you would please give me a moment of your attention, I have some important announcements to make. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, Principal Snyder has decided to take an early retirement and will not be returning to the school this year.”

The gym was immediately filled with gasps and hushed murmurs. Buffy looked to Riley who simply shrugged and smiled.

Vice-principal Giles waited a moment for the room to fall quiet again before continuing.

“And now it is my pleasure to introduce you to the new principal of Sunnydale High, Dr. William Marsters.”

Buffy’s eyes widened when she saw the same man she had run into that very morning stroll towards Mr. Giles and take the microphone. Her eyes were fixed him as she heard whispers around her. Words like hot and sexy filled the air.

“G’mornin’ students, ’m Dr. Marsters, and things here at Sunnydale High are about to change.”

Buffy sat at the cafeteria shuffling her food around her plate during lunchtime, thinking back to the assembly. The new principal, Dr. Marsters, had basically laid down the law, his stern tone echoing throughout the gymnasium as he did. He’d seemed nothing like the polite, smiling stranger she had encountered in the hallway, instead appearing commanding and cold as he explained how there were some new school policies that would take effect immediately.

Upon returning to their classrooms, the students were given a code of conduct. A thick booklet filled with rules, regulations, dress codes, as well as an outline of punishments for failure to obey the new guidelines. The students hummed and hawed as they read through the material. Buffy had silently thumbed through the pages as a growing sense of dread crept up her back. She couldn’t escape the feeling that everything was about to change.

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

When the last bell finally rang, signaling the end of the school day, Buffy breathed a sigh of relief and raced off to find Riley. She spotted him standing in the parking lot surrounded by his friends. Unlike Buffy, they seemed completely unfazed by the new principal. She saw Angel reading aloud from the student handbook in a mock British accent while the others laughed.

“The first minor infraction will result in a one hour detention…” Angel said, tossing the booklet to the ground and stomping on it, before throwing it into the trashcan. “That’s what I think of your rules, you peroxide Billy Idol wannabe.”

Buffy watched as the others threw their booklets inside the wastebasket as well and then Angel lit a match setting the pile ablaze. She looked around nervously, jumping when Riley came up behind her placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Aren’t you going to throw yours in there, too?”

“I-I thought we were supposed to get them signed by out parents?” Buffy answered nervously.

“Buffy, you can’t seriously believe these rules apply to us? Did you read that thing? Two detentions and you are suspended from playing sports? There is no way he can enforce that. He’ll learn, just like Snyder did,” Riley informed her before tossing his book on the fire.

“I don’t know Riley, he seemed so…”

“Babe, as long as you are my girl, you are one of us. Go ahead, burn it.”

Buffy looked uncertain, but noticed that others in the group were now staring at her, waiting for what she would do. She hesitantly pulled her booklet out and walked towards the fire. Staring blankly into it, she carefully dropped the papers on the top of it.

“Now, didn’t that feel good?” Riley smiled pulling her back to lean against his chest.

Buffy nodded giving him a weak smile in response as the turned and hugged her boyfriend, feeling anything but relief.


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

The first week of school flew by. Slowly the uneasy feeling that had plagued Buffy that first day had left her. It appeared as if Riley was right. Things didn’t seem much different than before. In fact, she hadn’t even seen the new principal since the first day of school.

When she walked into her last class of the day though, her teacher instructed her that she, along with Cordelia and Anya were to report to the cafeteria. Buffy was puzzled but followed the other girls as they excitedly babbled about the possibilities of why they had been called. They seemed convinced that it had something to do with cheerleading.

When Buffy entered the cafeteria, she stopped in her tracks when she noticed that the whole gang was there. Riley, Angel, Parker, Darla, Harmony, and with the arrival of the three girls, the most popular kids in class were all there and Buffy couldn’t help but have a bad feeling about the implication.

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

Dr. William Marsters strolled towards the cafeteria. He had been waiting for this day since before he had even agreed to take this position. It was no secret what had been going on at Sunnydale High. It was like a hundred other small town schools, with weak administrators who let snot nose brats intimidate them because of their parents’ wealth and status. He had seen it before and it had always disgusted him.

William, “Spike” to his friends, had worked long and hard educating himself, pulling himself from nothing to graduate top of his class from Oxford. Then he had gone to teach both high school and college afterwards. He was also a published poet. And had accomplished success and wealth through hard work and perseverance, but after a messy divorce, he’d needed a break from the big city. He’d always loved a challenge, so when he heard of Snyder’s resignation from his old friend Ripper, he was ready for the change of pace.

Entering the cafeteria his smile faltered for a moment when he notice the small blond he had literally run into the first day of school. He remembered admonishing himself for letting his guard down by calling her Pet. He had been around pretty young girls for most of his career and boundaries had never been a problem for him. He dismissed the slip on first day nerves though in the back of his mind, he couldn’t stop noticing her beauty.

Now seeing her here with this bunch bothered him more than it should have. He never would have guessed her to be included in this group. Spike quickly pushed that out of his mind and got to the business at hand.


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


Buffy gulped when Dr. Masters walked into the cafeteria, his cold blue eyes meeting hers. If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn she saw a flash of disappointment cross his stony features for just a second before being replaced by impassiveness once more.

“Please find a seat, this may take a while,” Dr. Marsters instructed them.

There were groans as most of the group took seats at the cafeteria tables. Only Angel and Riley remained standing, arms crossed leaning against the far wall.

The principal raised an eyebrow as a slow smirk spread across his face. “So, a school handbook was handed out on Monday. It was to be signed by your parents and turned in no later than today. It seems some of you have yet to do so.”

“Must have slipped my mind,” Angel answered sounding bored.

“Well, Liam, let me refresh your memory,” he said, pulling a container from the floor and placing it on the table.

Buffy gasped when she saw the burned trashcan from the school parking lot.

“You have something to say, Miss…”

“Summers, Buffy Summers,” she stammered.

“Buffy, you were saying?” Spike gave her a challenging look.

She looked around noticing the scowls that Harmony and Cordelia where sending her way and the nervous look on her boyfriend’s face.

“N-nothing, I don’t have anything to say,” Buffy whispered ducking her head.

A flash of anger graced his face as he dumped the ashes on the cafeteria floor. “Well, since no one seems to know anything about this, then I’m guessing everyone will have their handbook signed and in my office by Monday morning. Whoever doesn’t will get a week’s detention.”

“What? You can’t do that! Football practice starts next week,” Riley argued.

Dr. Masters stalked up to the boy nose to nose, “Then, Mr. Finn, I suggest you turn in the bloody booklet before Monday or you won’t have to worry about your football practice, now will you?”

“You can’t do this,” Angel disputed.

“I just did. Now clean up this mess and get your arse back to class,” Spike said throwing a broom to the boy and stalking out of the cafeteria.

Buffy swept a pile of ashes into the dustpan with a sigh. She knew Riley was upset with her. The group had all refused to clean up the mess and even decided not to even bother going back to class. And when she insisted on staying and cleaning up, Riley had argued with her.

“Riley, I can’t have a call home about this. My mom isn’t like your parents,” she explained.

“So what? You’re just going to give in to him?” he’d asked.

“It’s not a big deal, Riley; I’ll catch up with you later.”

She knew he wasn’t happy about it and had hoped he would offer to stay and help her, but instead he had huffed in disgust as he turned and walked out the door, following his friends.

“You here all by yourself?” she heard someone ask.

She knew it was Dr. Marsters before she even turned around and a chill ran down her spine. There was no denying she was intimidated by him.

“I-it’s fine. I don’t mind.”

She was surprised when he wordlessly walked over, grabbed a broom and started helping her. Buffy stopped what she was doing to look up at him, confused.

“You gonna just stand there with your mouth hanging open or are we gonna clean this mess up?” He smirked.

Buffy smiled nodding and slowly returned to sweeping. When they finished scooping the last bit of ashes into the garbage can, the pair stood in silence for a moment.

“Um…thank you, Dr. Marsters,” she said lowering her eyes, not able to face him.

“It’s fine, Pe…Buffy. There’s no reason you should have been in here cleaning up alone. Just don’ tell anyone, I have a reputation to protect, you know?” he chuckled.

Buffy glanced up noticing how he again looked like the man she’d met the first day of school. His eyes seemed softer than before and she couldn’t help but notice his rugged good looks. When he lifted a scarred eyebrow, Buffy blushed as realized she’d been caught staring.

“I-I should get back to class,” she mumbled nearly tripping over the trashcan as she rushed out of the cafeteria.

Spike couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face as he watched the small, flustered blonde hurry from the room. He wondered what a girl like that was doing with a ponce like Finn. And again had to remind himself that it was not his concern; she was just one of his students.


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



Buffy walked through the front door surprised to see her mother home.

“Hi, honey, how was school?” Joyce Summers greeted her daughter with a smile.

“It was ok, “Buffy sighed placing her books on the table and heading towards the kitchen.

Her mother followed her. “Didn’t Riley drive you home today?”

“Oh…no, he had a…uh…doctor’s appointment, so he left class early.” Buffy avoided her mother’s eyes as she grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

“Is he alright?” Joyce asked, concerned.

“Sure, just a check up,”

“So, I hear you have a new principal this year.” Joyce smiled at her daughter.

Buffy had just taken a sip of water and nearly spit it out. The last thing she wanted to talk to her mother about right now was Dr. Marsters. Especially after the awkward moment in the cafeteria.

“Yeah, listen, mom, I need to go shower, I’m meeting Riley at the Bronze later.”



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


Buffy sat silently at the Bronze as the others talked and laughed as if nothing had happened. Riley had been quiet all night, she could tell he still was more than a little annoyed at her unwillingness to just walk away from the mess in the cafeteria.

“So, do you want to dance?” she asked trying to paint on her best smile.

“No,” he answered quickly not even looking her way.

“Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I can’t wait to see the look on old Dr. Marsters’ face when my dad goes to see him on Monday,” Angel said.

“It’s about time someone let him in on how things are done around here and with my parents still in Europe, I’m glad your dad is going to set him straight,” Riley answered.

“Do you really think he will just change how he is acting just because your dad talks to him?” Buffy asked.

Riley let out a disgusted sigh. “Buffy, how many times do I have to tell you, that school is ours. He can’t just come in and think he can change things.”

“Yeah, but he just doesn’t seem like…I don’t know, he just seems different then Snyder.” Buffy sighed dejectedly.

“He sure is. I bet he could give me many great orgasms,” Anya added.

“Ew, he is like…old,” Cordelia scoffed.

“He may be old, but I would do him,” Harmony gushed.

“And that makes him special how?” Parker rolled his eyes.

Buffy felt oddly disturbed by the turn the conversation was taking. She was almost relieved when Angel stepped in.

“No matter how different he seems, I guarantee in the end, he’ll fall in line just like the rest of them.”


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

Spike squinted as he looked over the folders before him, finally cursing and grabbing his glasses from his desk drawer. He wasn’t surprised to see there wasn’t a single reprimand, a single bad mark in any of the files. It appeared as if these kids had gone their entire life being sheltered from all types of consequences to their actions.

“Dr. Marsters, there is a Mr. Angelus here to see you,” his secretary, Mary, announced through his office intercom.

Spike smirked, placing the files back into the cabinet before rising from his chair, muttering, this should be interesting.

When he opened his office door he was greeted by a large man, who appeared to be in his late forties. His hair was dark, slightly graying on the sides and he immediately recognized the dark eyes and large forehead. He was dressed in an expensive business suit and his whole attitude reeked of a mix of power and condescension. Spike took an immediate dislike to the man before him.

“Mr. Marsters, I’m Liam Angelus Sr.” He smiled offering a well manicured hand.

“It’s Dr. Marsters and I’m aware who you are. What can I do for you?” Spike replied smugly ignoring the extended hand and gesturing towards one of the large leather chairs in front of his desk.

Spike could see a flash of anger pass through the man’s eyes as he reluctantly took a seat. He crossed his arms leaning against his large mahogany desk and waited for the man before him to speak.

“Dr. Marsters, there appears to be some kind of misunderstanding in regards to my son, Liam. Something about a paper that needed my signature?”

Spike raised a scarred eyebrow. “It was a student code of conduct,” he corrected.

“Yes, well, it appears Liam has misplaced it. And because of this he has been threatened with detention. As a result he could miss football practice and as I’m sure you know Sunnydale High was the all state football champion last year. We take our football very seriously.” The large man chuckled.

Spike narrowed his eyes. “Your son didn’t misplace his handbook, he burned it, on school property I might add.”

“That is an awfully powerful accusation, Dr. Marsters; do you have any proof of this?” Mr. Angelus asked, the challenge apparent in his voice.

Spike clenched his jaw trying to remain calm. “If I had any proof, your son wouldn’t be getting some soddin’ detention, he would be escorted off school property permanently. And to be completely honest with you, I don’t care much about your bloody football. I’m here to ensure that the students of Sunnydale High get an education, period.”

“I understand that and I have great respect for your position, however, I hope you can understand that I won’t set idly by and allow my son’s future to be compromised, by anyone.” Mr. Angelus said rising from his chair, his voice taking on an authoritative tone.

Spike stood facing the larger man. “I’m here to tell you, Mr. Angelus, your son will be held up to the same standards as every other student in this school. No more. No less. I’m not Snyder. I won’t cower to your bloody threats. You may be some big, important fish in this small Sunnydale pond but you’re no one to me. This is my school to run as I see fit. Now if you will excuse me, I have a lot of work to do,” he said, turning and walking around his desk to take his seat, obviously dismissing the other man as he did.

Liam Angelus stood for a long moment; fists clenched seething as Dr. Marsters’ attention went back to the paperwork before him. When he finally turned toward the door, Spike finally spoke.

“Oh and Mr. Angelus, next time, make an appointment,” he said never once looking up.

Buffy shifted on her feet while scanning the room nervously. She had never set foot in the Principal’s office before. She knew that Mr. Angelus had been there to speak with Dr. Marsters but she wasn’t as confident as the others in the group that it would make detention simply disappear. Riley squeezed her hand snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Don’t worry, Buff, I’m sure we’re about to get an apology,” Riley smirked.

Buffy was about to respond when she heard a dry chuckle.

“That so?” Dr. Marsters asked entering the room, his eyes drifting over Buffy before landing on Riley.

The room fell silent and Buffy took a deep breath. His calm, authoritative demeanor was not lost on any of them.

“Now, I believe we are here to discuss detention” Spike announced.

“Wasn’t my father here to see you today?” Angel asked, his voice no longer bold and confident.

“As a matter of fact, he was,” Dr. Marsters replied approaching the boy. “And I’ll tell you exactly what I told him. I run this school, not you and definitely not your rich daddy.” He poked his finger into Angel’s chest. “Got that, Peaches?”

The room erupted in sighs and half complaints that seemed to disappear when Dr. Marsters turned his attention back towards the group.

“Now, all of you are to report to Mr. Giles in the library, within 5 minutes after the final bell…with the exception of Ms. Summers.”

Buffy’s head snapped up, confused by being left out. She was about to ask why when she was cut off by Cordelia.

“Why doesn’t she have detention?” Cordelia huffed.

“Because, Ms. Chase, she is the only one who stayed to clean up the mess in the cafeteria,” Dr. Marsters replied.

“I can’t believe you told him!” Harmony scowled at Buffy.

“Actually, she didn’t. I came back to check on you and she was the only one still there. This isn’t her fault,” Dr. Marsters informed the whining blond. “Now, all of you, get back to class.”

Buffy watched as the group filed out of the office. She remained there, stunned and unsure of how to feel about what had just happened. She was thankful not to have detention, but now she was once again viewed as an outsider.

“Why did you do that?” she asked.

“You didn’t deserve detention, but consider this a warning, you follow that group and you’re going to find yourself in trouble,” Dr. Marsters said leaning back against his desk folding his arms across his chest.

Tears burned Buffy’s eyes. “Yeah, well, thanks a lot for ruining my life.”

Spike watched as the small blonde ran out of his office in tears. He kept watching the door for a long moment before cursing and running a hand through his hair. “Bloody teenagers.”


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


Buffy shuffled her feet as she watched the group exit the school. She didn’t miss the dirty looks that Cordelia and Harmony were sending her. As Riley approached she tried a sympathetic smile.

“Hey,” she said hoping he wasn’t still upset with her.

“Why are you here, to gloat?” Parker scoffed.

“No…” Buffy turned to Riley hoping he would stand up and defend her, but he simply walked by her toward his car.

Buffy ducked her head and followed behind him trying to keep the tears from spilling down her cheeks, she was determined not to let them see her cry.

“Man, we have to do something about this.” Angel growled tossing his backpack into his car.

“Yeah, but what?” Cordelia countered. “He isn’t intimidated by us or our parents.”

“Well, what now? Are we supposed to just go to class everyday?” Harmony pouted.

“He’ll be watching our every fucking move now,” Parker grunted kicking the trash can and sending its contents spilling all over the asphalt.

“Wait, that’s it!” The group turned towards Angel who wore an eerie smirk.

“Maybe we are going about this the wrong way, what if we aren’t the ones who mess up?” Angel raised an eyebrow.

“You mean wait for him to mess up?” Riley asked walking from his car to join the conversation.

“No, I mean we make him mess up,” Angel answered patting Riley on the back.

“How are we going to do that?” Cordelia inquired.

“Well, we just make him an offer that he just can’t refuse,” Angel responded trying his best to sound like a Mafioso.

Buffy rolled her eyes but walked back towards the group, following her boyfriend’s lead. “I doubt you can pay him off,” she interjected, immediately regretting it when all eyes were once again focused on her.

“I wasn’t talking about money, my dear,” Angel said walking over to Buffy and placing his arm around her shoulder.

Buffy could feel the bile rise in her stomach at his touch, she tried to force a smile and think positive, Well, at least he is being nice to me.

“Then what are you talking about, Angel, quit with all the games and just tell us already,” Anya called out from her spot on Parker’s car where she had been diligently filing her nails.

“I mean, we tempt him with something other than money,” he said giving Buffy’s shoulder a quick squeeze.

“Wha-what are you talking about?” Buffy asked pulling away from Angel’s grasp.

“I mean, he likes you, he has made that pretty obvious,” Angel started his eyes moving to Riley who was listening intently.

“I think you be a little friendly with him, come on to him a little bit and when he takes the bait we get him fired.”

“NO! No way. Are you crazy? I cant do that! ” Buffy squeaked out looking pleadingly at Riley.

“Besides he wouldn’t want her,” Harmony scoffed.

“Oh, I think he does and besides Buffy, it’s not like you have to do anything with him, just a little harmless flirting,” Angel challenged.

“But…I think Harmony is right, I don’t think I’m the right person to do this,” Buffy argued wishing her silent boyfriend would speak up on her behalf.

“I think Angel may be right, Buff, he does look at you a lot,” Riley said matter-of-factly.

“Besides, it would be a great opportunity for you to prove once and for all that you are part of the group, right guys?”

Buffy listened with dread as one by one the group agreed with Angel. She stood there suddenly wishing the pavement would open up and swallow her whole. Anything was better that this. The simple idea scared her more than she could even comprehend, but in the end she looked to her boyfriend. This was her one chance to finally feel included. Isn’t that what she had wanted all along?

“Ok, I’ll do it.” She whispered, tears once again burning her eyes and a familiar sinking feeling crawling up her back.

Buffy sat motionless, her eyes fixed on some random spot on Cordelia’s lavender wall. She and Anya fussed over every detail, from her hair and makeup to the borrowed clothes they had finally picked out after endless hours of careful scrutiny. The whole scene felt surreal. Never in a millions years had Buffy imagined the pair focusing so much attention on her. Her stomach was in knots, but she couldn’t help but notice how the girls were almost treating her with approval. Maybe they were just too absorbed in their task to remember to insult her, but whatever the reason, she couldn’t help but feel like maybe if she went along with their crazy plan, finally she would truly be accepted.

‘The plan,’ Buffy shuttered. How was she possibly gonna pull this off? Dr. Marsters was no idiot and why would a man like that ever be interested in her. She’d never exactly been the type of girl to turn heads and before this year, no one had even really paid much attention to her, well, except maybe Xander. Dr. Marsters was definitely not some schoolboy with a puppy dog crush. He was a grown man, accomplished, successful, handsome… not the sort to take notice of a girl like her.

She was brought out of her thoughts by Anya moving her to stand in front of the full length mirror, Buffy’s mouth dropped open at her appearance. Her skirt was tight and short, falling just above her mid thigh and her light pink button down hugged her breasts, now enhanced thanks the new Miracle Bra that Anya had insisted she buy. Her eyes were lined with smoky grey, and her lips were a soft pink. Her hair had been newly highlighted and fell in soft curls past her shoulders.

She stared in the mirror, barely listening as the girls congratulated themselves. She was pulled from her daze when Anya smacked her on the butt. Buffy‘s eyes drifted up to meet the blondes. She noticed the small silver flask that suddenly appeared in front of her.

“Wha-what is that?” She stammered.

“A little liquid courage,” Cordelia smirked taking the flask from Anya’s hands and planting it firmly in Buffy’s.

Her eyes moved back and forth at the two girls in front of her, wanting to protest. Buffy knew she wasn’t much of a drinker and this could be really bad, but she didn’t feel as if she were in any position to object. She slowly brought the flask up to her lips, the harsh smell hit her immediately causing her to hesitate briefly. She sighed closing her eyes and tilted her head back, feeling the burn all the way to her stomach.
Wiping the last drip off her mouth, she handed Cordelia the empty container. The girls smiled in approval.

Anya took Buffy by the arm leading her to the door. “You’re ready! Let‘s go get our school back.”


*******


Spike rubbed his eyes squinting at the screen before him. Snyder had made a mess of the school’s budget. He muddled through receipts and invoices noticing that his predecessor had devoted a large majority of the schools funds to the athletic program while essential supplies like books and basic classroom needs went neglected. 'What could possess a man to be so spineless?' He wondered.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard the soft knock at the door, but was too focused on the work before him to pay much attention. When the knock got a little louder, more aggressive, he cursed, tossing his glasses across the desk. He stalked over to the door, wrenching it open, his face softened, raising a brow at the sight before him.


*******


Buffy stood staring at the large wooden door before her, the nameplate weaving in and out of focus. Her whole body felt light and warm. Her small hand trembled as she raised it to knock. After a moment she knocked again, louder this time, immediately regretting it. She knew this was a mistake, but before she could get her legs to move, the door burst open with a very angry, disheveled Dr. Marsters staring back at her.

‘When did he get so sexy?’ Buffy mused to herself. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so difficult. Overwhelmed with a confidence she had never known, she sauntered into his office clipping her knee on the corner of the large mahogany chair.

“Ow,” she muttered, quickly trying to compose herself.

She turned to face Dr. Marsters “I wanted to come thank you for the other day. You know, not giving me detention?” Buffy tried her most seductive smile, twirling a stray curl with the tips of her red-painted nails.

He gave her a hard solemn stare which made Buffy suddenly self conscious. She shuffled her feet a bit eyeing the desk, remembering what she had practiced time and time again in Anya’s room. She moved towards it, to strike her seductive pose, however, she hadn’t planned on her heel getting caught on the chair propelling her forward towards the desk. She tried to catch herself with her hands but in the process sent his lamp and planner crashing to the floor.

She heard a soft chuckle behind her. ‘He is laughing at me.’

 Not realizing her heel had broken, she quickly turned losing her balance just as Dr. Marsters reached her causing them both to fall with a thud to the hard floor.

For a split second Buffy was unsure what had happened, she was on the floor with Dr. Marsters on top of her. The moment froze, his face mere inches from hers. Her breath caught in her throat and a strange warmth built in her stomach. She let the heat take over her senses and felt her lips part with a soft sigh.

“Have you been drinking?!”

“Huh?” Buffy’s eyes snapped open to meet his steel blue glare.

Dr. Marsters seemed to be on his feet in one fluid movement, leaving Buffy sprawled on the floor feeling exposed. She scrambled to her feet trying to straighten her skirt and blouse.

“I asked you a question Ms. Summers. Have. You. Been. Drinking?”

Buffy could feel her face redden, her heart raced, the room began to spin. “I…I…”

Tears filled her eyes, she felt humiliated, trapped, like suddenly the walls were closing in on her. She felt the bile rise in her throat.

“I... I h-have to get to class” Buffy stammered hobbling quickly out the door.

She didn’t stop until she reached the parking lot, only pausing long enough to lose her breakfast on the blacktop then ran the rest of the way home.