Chapter 11
Buffy and William aged 15
“Go on……” Angel urged her
“NO WAY…it’s bad for your health!”
Angel rolled his eyes and stopped offering the lit cigarette to her, taking a deep drag before allowing the smoke to come down his nose.
“You’re SUCH a kid!”
“What’s THAT supposed to mean?” Buffy rounded on Angel, folding her arms across her chest.
Smiling, he took another deep drag, and turned away from her, grinning.
“Come to the movies with me Saturday”
“Day or night?”
“Night”
“Can’t………we’ve got guests coming”
“Day then!”
“Well…I’ve got chores to do”
“Sunday then – oh hold on, don’t tell me, you’re ‘Little-Miss-Goodie-Two-Shoes’, and have to go to church!”
“I DO not!” Buffy snorted with derision, her cheeks going red and hot
“Well?”
“WE, well we usually go visiting on Sundays…it’s not my fault!”
“No…just have to do what you’re told, I understand – you’re scared”
All the time they had been talking, Buffy had been keeping an eye on the double doors that led from the main school building. They eventually opened, and a whole bunch of students came out, Buffy didn’t know any of them – but as soon as they opened, she’d instantly turned away from talking to Angel, just in case – she knew how much William disliked him, but not the reason why………
“See – scared in case that brother of yours sees us talking!”
“Shut up, cretin! – You don’t know anything about me!” Buffy said hotly
“I know you’re a chicken in case that brother of yours sees me talking to you………fuckin’ geek”
“Don’t you talk about him like that, he’s NOT a geek – he’s just really clever that’s all!” Buffy said angrily. One of Angel’s mates walked over
“Give that here………aaaaahhhhhhhhh!” Ged took the cigarette off Angel and took a deep drag
“Hello Buffy…does your brother know you’re here?” Ged teased grinning, taking another drag from the cig before passing it back to Angel
Buffy gave him a filthy look and turned her head away, to see the doors opening again, and Willow and Xander come out. She knew that William wouldn’t be far behind
She picked up her bag
The wind blew and she shivered, slinging her bag over her shoulder
“Hey Summers, your nipples have gone hard!” Ged said with a grin, leering at her chest. Both snorted a laugh and Angel and gave Ged a shove, ‘let’s split’ and they both went to find the rest of their ‘gang’. Buffy swiftly turned away big eyed and hot with embarrassment.
She waited for her friends at the top of the steps.
“Will said he won’t be long, he’s talking to Miss Callender, she’s giving him some new assignments”
“So Bufster, wanna come to the movies on Saturday, they’re showing a night of horror classics, Night of the Living Dead, Zombies from Hell, It walks – it’ll be fun!” Xander asked grinning
“What – oh, I don’t know, maybe...did you ask Will?”
“He said to ask you”
“We’ll see…maybe………haven’t you got to be like, sixteen to see them, I know they’ve been re-classified as not so horrific these days?”
“We can pass for sixteen easily”
“Except it’s James’ mom working in the pay-in booth, she knows how old we are”
“Would she care though? – I mean James is a bit wild, besides, what difference does a few months make?”
“James only got into trouble because of Angel Stebson – she stopped them seeing each other, that’s what she told my mom anyway” Willow said
“Well, I don’t want to risk getting turned away, I’d die of embarrassment” Buffy said
“So what shall we do then?”
“Hey!”
Riley came bouncing over to them, full of enthusiasm, grinning from ear to ear
“So, what gives Ri – why the happy?”
“Going on a 10 mile route march with the Army Cadet Corp tonight – we’ll be carrying full packs and everything!”
“Full packs – of what? – Cards, cookies?” Xander asked and immediately regretted it, coz he knew Riley would tell him…in great detail…leaving nothing out…from the teaspoon to the size and shape of the tent…
Both Willow and Buffy rolled their eyes at Xander – they were going to be bored stupid for the next ten minutes at least
“………And the design is SO clever, being round the tent can’t be lifted by a corner, as there IS no corner! Then we pitch them in a circle, so that the aerodynamics are even better -“
“Hi, waiting for me?”
Will stood over the two prostrate girls, shielding them from the sun
They both sat up
“Thank god, let’s go!”
William pulled both girls up off the grass
Buffy immediately started walking
“Hold on a minute………did Xander ask you about the movies?” William trotted after Buffy and caught her up
“God that kid could bore for the USA – I’ve just lost ten minutes of my life back there!”
“Buffy, movies?”
“What – oh no…James’ mom’ll be in the pay-booth, she’ll know we’re not 16”
“So no movies then…” William fell into step
“Bye Buffy, call me!” Buffy turned and waved to Willow who was standing at the base of the steps waiting for Xander.
***************************
Few months later………
“Who in their right mind would let two sixteen year olds drive such a powerful car?”
Joyce asked incredulously looking up from the local newspaper report
“I don’t think it was a case of letting them honey…I think they stole it” Hank said
“Well I wouldn’t put anything past that Stebson kid – but James?” Joyce sighed
“Always been a bit of a handful wasn’t he, Angel?”
“Handful? – That kid’s been a wrong one since I taught him in nursery class. Okay, James did have his moments, but he wasn’t really a naughty child, he was just always easily led…and now he’s on a life-support machine. I feel SO sorry for Mrs Wesley, she tried desperately to keep James away from Angel Stebson”
“What does the police report say?”
“Here read it for yourself, they were racing some older boys apparently – the car swerved to avoid something, lost control and slammed into a tree and flipped over several times” Joyce handed her husband the paper
The front door opened and William led in a sobbing Buffy, it was 9.20pm, and they had been at the Bronze
“Buffy – William, what’s the matter?” Joyce stood, exchanging a worried glance with her husband
“There was a message sent to the Bronze, it was announced that James’ died an hour ago, he never regained consciousness” William said, he too looked white with shock. Joyce’s hands flew to her mouth as she sat down heavily
“Oh god, oh no – oh that poor boy…it was her only son Hank. Do you think I ought to ring her?”
“I doubt if there would be anyone home honey…she’s probably still at the hospital, and she’s bound to have family with her – you sit I’ll get you a drink. Are you all right son - Buffy?” Buffy nodded her head, but she was still crying.
“Yeah dad, I’m okay………I’ll take Buffy up, come on Muppet” William let her go upstairs first
******************************
Ten Weeks Later………
Joyce switched on the local news on TV
“………I’m standing outside the Court of Inquiry Sunnydale, to give you the verdict on the accident that killed James Wesley, and injured his passenger, Angel Stebson. The court found that going only on the evidence given by 16 year old Angel Stebson, that James Wesley stole the car, and saw Stebson walking along the road going to a friends house.
It was then said by Mr Stebson that Wesley threatened and intimidated him to get into the car. Mr Stebson said he thought it was a bad idea as he knew the car must have been stolen, but he felt more threatened by what Mr Wesley would do to him if he didn’t.
Mr Stebson said they were caught up by some older guys at a stop sign, and with looks and nods, they decided to race away from the lights – Mr Stebson said he tried to reason with Mr Wesley, but he was laughing and telling him not to be a ‘chicken’, at the same time drinking out of a can of beer. Wesley then swerved the car, lost control and slammed into a tree, sending the car into a spin where it flipped over………”
“I don’t believe a word of it!” Joyce said, flipping off the TV and folding her arms across her chest in disgust
“You’re not the only one mom…but as Angel was the only witness…” William said sadly
“And I don’t believe that either – if anybody did any intimidating, it would have been Angel to any potential witnesses…intimidated by James, my foot – Angel’s a big hulking lump – James was smaller for a start, ooh there’s no justice – I just feel so sorry for Pamela Wesley – hearing her son trashed by that, that no good, lying little…well one day, I just hope that one day the truth will out, that’s all”
Buffy came in through the front door, and over to William
“Where did you get to, one minute you were talking to Xander, next I couldn’t find you”
“Sorry, I wanted to get home to see the verdict”
“Verdict, what verdict?”
“About the accident where James got killed”
“And?”
“Um…well I don’t know, mom switched it off in disgust”
Joyce looked sternly at her daughter
“Just you keep AWAY from Angel Stebson young lady, do you hear me?”
Buffy just rolled her eyes at her mother and said nothing
*******************
Christmas and New Year came and went, and it was coming up to Valentine’s Day
William had let himself into the kitchen, and quietly closed the door. He put his book bag down, and went straight to the fridge.
He took out juice and poured himself a glass. He and Buffy usually walked home together, but he’d stayed behind to talk to one of the teachers, and Buffy seemed excited about something, saying she wanted to phone Willow, so she’d gone on ahead without him.
He went to go through to the lounge before going upstairs, when he heard Buffy say,
“So, I said ‘yes, I’d love to go to the dance with you!” Buffy said excitedly to Willow.
“Go on, what did he say then?”
“Well, I knew he was trying to sound casual, but secretly, I know he was really pleased” Buffy said to her friend.
William frowned. He finished his juice, washed the glass and put it on the drainer.
He came into the hall, where he saw Buffy sitting on the stairs.
“Um…hold on Willow…want to come past?” she stood up, and walked down the steps so William could go up.
“Ta”
“Carry on” Buffy said to Willow.
“Wear? I haven’t a clue…”
William lay across his bed, flicking through one of his homework books. He hadn’t checked his marks…he read,
‘Excellent work William, A’ on his English essay, and ‘As always, Excellent, A on his maths. Buffy came into his room without knocking.
“Um, William…could you lend me some money?”
“How much?”
“Erm…what have you got?”
“Hold on…” he took out his wallet, and checked how much he’d got. He had $50.
“I need…$6 for bus fares…and $10 for lunches…oh yeah, and $23 for this book I want…um, will $10 do?”
“Great, thanks, I’ll give it you back next week” he peeled off one of the notes and gave it to her, not asking what she wanted it for.
“In case I’m still in the shower, will you let Willow in for me, she can sit in my room if you’re too busy to talk, she should be here in about twenty minutes or so”
“Ok” William said, he was lying on his stomach, reading. About fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang, and William went down to open it.
“Hi William”
“Hi…Buffy’s still in the shower, she said to sit in her room, I must study if you don’t mind, I’ve got some special tests coming up”
“Fine. Although why she needs to start getting ready this early, I do not know, it’s not like he doesn’t see her every day at school!” Willow said, smiling.
William led the way up the stairs.
“Who’s this, Parker?”
“No, Angel, silly…I mean, she’s got what, over three hours before he picks her up!” Willow grinned. William WASN’T smiling.
“Angel?”
“Um…yeah…that’s right?”
“Angel Stebson?” William asked, his face serious. Willow’s smile rapidly disappeared.
“Um…uh huh…she didn’t tell you?” Willow looked pained.
“No. No she didn’t. And we all know why, don’t we? S’cuse me” William went into his room, and slammed the door. Willow flinched at the banging door; she stood in the hall, thinking how she’d probably just dropped Buffy in it.
She could hear the shower running, and resignedly pushed open Buffy’s bedroom door, went in and sat on the bed.
She was flicking through a teen magazine when Buffy came in, dressed in a towelling robe, her hair in a turban. She un-furled it, and rubbed her hair.
“There, what do you think, does it look lighter, more blonde?”
“Um…I suppose, I’ll see when it’s dry. Buffy.”
“Hmm?” Buffy sat at her dressing table and plugged in her hairdryer.
“I think…um…why hadn’t you told William that it was Angel you’re going out with?”
“Why do you think, he’ll have a fit!” She had just combed through her damp hair, and was just about to switch on the dryer, when she looked through the mirror at her friend.
“Oh shit…hold on, have you said something?” Buffy turned to look at her friend. Willow was looking very pained, and was biting her bottom lip.
“Sorry…but well you didn’t say you hadn’t told him, and you didn’t say not to say anything!”
Buffy rolled her eyes and sighed. She knew how William and Angel severely disliked each other… she was only really going out with him to piss her mom and dad off...but it also meant that meant that William wouldn’t be speaking to her now either.
“Willow!”
“Sorry, but, well, we ALL go to the same school, how did you hope to keep it quiet? And you know what Angel’s like when he’s got a girlfriend, he’ll expect you to stand with him, necking during break times…” Willow said.
“I wouldn’t!” Buffy had blushed scarlet.
“Then you won’t keep him,” Willow said, going back to the magazine. Buffy turned back towards the mirror and began to dry her hair.
When she was all made up and ready to go, she went and knocked on William’s door as it was closed.
She couldn’t hear anything, but she could see a light on. Deciding that he’d got his headphones on listening to music and didn’t hear her knock, she opened the door. She was surprised to see William just lying on the bed. He wasn’t even reading.
“Oh…um, you going deaf in your old…age, William!” Not giving her a chance to finish her sentence, William rolled onto his side, his back towards her, but he said nothing.
“I’m off now,” Buffy said. Still nothing from him.
“Look…I didn’t tell you, because I knew you’d react like this” Buffy sighed, leaned on one hip. William still didn’t say anything.
She heard a car horn sound.
“Buffy, he’s here!” Willow said.
“Night then…have a good time…I will” Buffy said sarcastically, and still William said nothing.
“Right! Fine, ignore me, see if I care!” She slammed the door and left. She DID care, she cared a whole lot whether William spoke to her or not…William threw himself onto his back moodily.
Of all the boys she could go out with, why did she have to pick a wanker like Stebson?
***********************
The following morning, William came down later than normal, but with his coat on.
“William…aren’t you having breakfast?”
“Um, no thanks mom, I’ll grab something later, there’s a couple of things I want to check in the library for before my test, (he was fibbing) I’ll see you, bye” and he was out the door. Hank came out of the den, draining his coffee cup.
“Oh, was that William? – I wanted to say good luck” Buffy looked up from her magazine and frowned. She thought ‘Good luck?’, and then remembered that he had some big computer test he was taking in town, and felt guilty that she hadn’t said anything either.
She hadn’t enjoyed the date the previous evening either, worrying about him, but not for that reason only. Angel had wandering hands, and was really only interested in making out…
“He probably thought you’d gone…he didn’t even have a drink…or even speak to you, did he Buffy? - He must be distracted” Joyce said.
Buffy kept her head down and mumbled something.
She got to school, and saw Angel standing with his friends. She walked up the steps.
“Buffy” She stopped, and asked,
“What?” Angel glanced at his friends, embarrassed that she’d all but ignored him, in front of his friends. He beckoned her with his head. Buffy didn’t like this.
“I’m busy, see you lunch time” she turned and carried on up the steps. Angel resisted the temptation at follow her, although he wanted to.
When she got in class, she was surprised to see her brother there.
“William! I thought that you were-“
“Right, settle down now while I do registration…that includes you, Miss Summers” Buffy glared at the teacher, sat down in her chair.
“Adams”
“Here”
“Anderson”
“Yup”
“Benson”
“Here”
“Campbell-Summers”
“Yes”
“Cartwright”
“Yes”
While the teacher called out the names, Willow passed Buffy a note.
“What’s the matter with William?”
“Angry about you-know-who” Buffy wrote back
“Rosenberg”
“Sorry”
“Sorry? Miss Rosenberg, why are you sorry?”
“I um, I mean here”
“Sanders”
“I’m here”
“Summers”
“Miss Summers”
“What? I mean yes, here” She heard a chair scrape back, and William passed her.
“Ok William, good luck” the teacher said
“Thanks” he left without so much as a glance in Buffy’s way. A few of her classmates looked in her direction; they knew how close Buffy was to her brother.
She kept her head down, looking sideways as William hitched his bag up on his shoulder and disappeared down the corridor, without even looking back into the classroom.
“Miss Summers, for the second time!”
“WHAT?”
“I don’t know where your concentration is today, but if you can’t keep up in class time, maybe you’d like to do it in your own!”
“Sorry…I’ve got something on my mind” Buffy said, looking serious.
“Yeah, she’s just lost her right arm…he’s left without saying goodbye!” one wag said.
“Just Fuck off!” Buffy snarled at the girl who’d been sarcastic.
“Right, detention for a week Miss Summers, I will NOT have foul language like that in my class”
Buffy smarted, a few pupils glanced at her then each other.
At break, Willow said,
“Buffy, you’ve got to calm down, Mr Simpson nearly gave you detention too…you get detention from three teachers in a row in one week, and you could be looking at a suspension!”
“I don’t care!”
“Buffy”
“Oh…save it!” Buffy marched off. Willow heaved a sigh. Two hands grabbed her shoulders.
“Boo!”
“Oh, Xander, hi”
“What’s up with the Bufster, she’s got a real scowl on her face?” Willow explained.
“Buffy and William fallen out? – I don’t believe it!” Xander said, then he asked,
“Why?” Willow explained about the previous evening.
“Oh. Well, I’m with William on this…Stebson is BAD news, it’ll lead to no good, she’s only been out with him once, and she’s already in detention!”
“Yes but…” Willow sighed and followed Xander to the next lesson. Buffy was nowhere to be found.
Xander, by a subtle sideways jerk of the head to indicate outside, bought Willow’s attention to
Buffy walking out of the school gates. Willow frowned.
“Miss Rosenberg, would you like to answer?”
“Um, the um, the murderer said that his reason for killing the woman was private, but he’d written in his diary that she’d reminded him of the woman at the nursing home where he’d been abused, this didn’t come out during the trial, and-“
“Ok, ok, you were listening, my mistake, thankyou. Mr Harris, why did the prosecuting counsel object to the evidence being bought up at the appeal?”
“Um…well, er…” Willow wrote
‘Diary inadmissible evidence, taken without warrant’ Willow hissed at him.
“The er, the diary, which the killer wrote in was classed as inadmissible evidence, when the detectives took it from his home, they didn’t have a warrant”
“Very good. I apologise to you too, I thought you wasn’t listening either”
“Ok…so, ‘inadmissible evidence’” the teacher said, as she wrote the words on the blackboard. The English literature lesson continued.
“Thanks Will”
“It’s ok…I wonder where Buffy’s gone?”
******
“Hey, Harris…have you seen Buffy?” Angel came over to them as they were leaving class.
“I saw her leave at about 1.30”
“Leave?” Angel looked puzzled
“Yes, leave. As in go, vamoose, push off, vacate the prem-ok, ow!” Angel had grabbed Xander by the collar.
“Angel, leave him alone. We were in Eng Lit class, and saw her walk out of the gates. She’s really peed off, she’s got detention, nearly twice”
“Angel”
“What?”
“Smoke, come on” Angel let Xander go and went over to his mates, who had all lit up cigarettes
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