Elegantly Wasted
Chapter One

Sighing, Buffy Anne Summers tapped her pencil against her binder, glancing at the clock. First period was almost over, and she was still waiting in the Guidance Office.

Peering over the desk, Buffy could see that the secretary was hard at work playing solitaire.

“Um, Mrs. McHenry, do you know how much longer Mr. Thompson is going to be?” Buffy asked.

The craggy old lady barely gave her a cursory look. “He’s with another student right now.”

“Right,” Buffy said and then added, “It’s just he called me down here before first hour. And now it’s almost second hour.”

This time the secretary looked up with a dead stare. “He’ll be with you momentarily.” Then she focused her attention back to the game.

“Of course,” Buffy muttered under her breath, leaning back her rigid seat.

To her right, a girl with dark hair and ripped fishnet stockings was scribbling madly in her notebook. Buffy sighed again and opened her binder to try and study.

“Mr. Giles! Mr. Giles, you can’t go in there! Mr. Thompson is with someone!”

Buffy gaze shot up at the secretary’s high, shrill voice to see ripped leather and denim, a safety pin through one ear and a silver loop through the left eyebrow all topped by a shock of white-blonde hair.

Spike.

The new most annoying, bizarre guy in high school who had some kind of vendetta against her, and also happened to live a couple houses down from her.

Buffy sank low in her seat, positioning her binder in front of her face.

“Don’t worry, ma’am. Mr. T an’ are a close and personal friends. He won’t mind,” Spike said winningly. He walked past Buffy’s chair and their eyes met briefly before Spike broke out into a wicked grin, a spark of metal flashing in his mouth.

Buffy shuddered at the thought of having that barbell in her tongue. Her eyes were glued to her papers as the door to Mr. Thompson’s office opened and clicked shut.

Immediately, she heard raised voices, and Mr. Thompson flew out of the room furiously. His tiny glasses were perched low on his nose and his face was the color of a ripe tomato.

“Mrs. McHenry I thought I told you I was with a student,” he snapped, glowering at Spike who sauntered out of the room behind the guidance teacher.

The old woman’s lips pursed as she replied, “I know, but Mr. Giles was…insistent.” She spit the word out with venom.

Finally Buffy interrupted, “Mr. Thompson, you called me down at the beginning of first period.”

The teacher glanced at Buffy sitting in the chair and looked surprised to see her there. “Right, I have some college materials for UCLA and UC Sunnydale. Well, Ms. Summers, I think it’s best you don’t miss anymore school today. I’ll write you a pass to your second hour class.”

He scribbled out a pass for her and handed it over quickly and disappeared back into his office. Buffy shrugged her backpack on, watching as Spike fiddled with the frames on the wall.

“So what’s Sunnyhell High’s Princess done wrong?”

Buffy frowned, looking over at him. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he said. “You didn’t do somethin’ bad did you?”

“No,” she snapped. “See unlike you I actually have a brain.”

“Ooh,” Spike said with a laugh. “Watch out, Betty might have claws.”

Buffy’s frown deepened. “My name’s not Betty.” She shook her head and scoffed. “Why am I even talking to you?” She asked herself and stormed out of the office.

“Nice chatting with you, Betty!”

Buffy gritted her teeth, a hot flash of anger sweeping through her. It was only second hour and already her day sucked and she owed it all to Spike Giles.

************
“Okay, what did the mystery meat do to you? Other than be really gross?”

“Hm?” Buffy looked up to see her friend Willow Rosenberg waiting expectantly.

“It’s nothing,” Buffy murmured. “Just…Spike being an asshole.”

“So…the usual,” Xander said, chomping on his food.

Buffy’s nose crinkled in distaste. “How can you eat that?”

“With great gusto,” Xander replied. “So what’s everyone doing tonight? Bronze?”

“Maybe,” Buffy replied, stirring her food around. “Angel might have to go to his parents’ party.”

“Are you going with?” Willow asked, eating a french fry.

“No,” Buffy answered. “Emphatically no. His parents hate me, because I’m not upper class.

Xander snorted. “Then they’d definitely hate my lower-middle class butt.”

Buffy laughed and rolled her eyes. “I just avoid them when I can. But Angel said he’d try and get out of it. Or meet me later.”

“Come with us at the Bronze then, Angel or no Angel. He can meet you there if he gets out late,” Willow suggested.

“Sounds good,” Buffy confirmed.

“What sounds good?” Angel asked as he appeared at their table with a tray of food.

“Just plans for tonight,” Buffy responded, giving him a kiss as he sat down.

“I won’t be able to go, babe,” he told her. “My dad is forcing me to go to the party. Something about business contacts.”

“Oh,” Buffy tried not to sound too disappointed. “That’s okay. Another night.”

“Tomorrow?” Angel asked, kissing her quickly.

“Sure. Where are you going?” Buffy asked, frowning slightly.

“Coach wants some of the guys want to watch last nights game. Get a few pointers. I’ll call you later tonight,” Angel said and with one last kiss, he took his tray towards the athletic office.

“Hey, we could get ready for Bronzing tonight at my house,” Buffy told Willow after Angel disappeared.

“Good, because my mom’s having her biweekly feminist book club tonight. I’m all for women’s rights but I don’t want to listen to another ‘I am a woman, hear me roar!’ chant.”

“Agreed,” Buffy said. “You can raid my closet too. Or we could go shopping after school.”

“Don’t you have cheerleading practice?” Xander piped up. “I know Anya does. She’s making wait on the bleachers.”

Buffy shrugged. “They can do without me for one afternoon. So?” She asked Willow.

“I’m there,” the redhead agreed.

“Awesome! Now I have someone to stop me from spending all my money. My mom is still mad about the stylish and really expensive boots.”

Willow giggled as they stood up to dump their lunch trays. “Well, I can’t promise any miracles.”

Chapter Two

“Hey, Mom,” Buffy called out, opening the door. She slipped her bag behind her back as Joyce appeared.

“Hi, honey. How was shopping with Willow?”

“Fine,” Buffy replied casually, trying to shift the bag so it was hidden.

“Did you girls buy anything?” Joyce asked.

“Nope,” Buffy said with a winning smile. “Willow had to stop back at her house and then she’ll be here. Maybe she could stay over night?”

“I don’t know,” Joyce said slowly. “It all depends on whether or not you tell me what you bought and how much it cost.”

Buffy held out the bag meekly. “A shirt. Forty dollars.”

“On one shirt?” Joyce asked, crossing her arms.

“But I didn’t exceed my limit,” Buffy reminded her.

“All right,” Joyce conceded. “Willow can stay over tonight.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Buffy said quickly, kissing her cheek. She raced up the stairs and dialed Willow’s number.

“Hello?”

“ Hey, Wills. My mom is cool with you staying tonight. What time do you want to come over?” Buffy asked, pulling her new shirt out the bag.

“My dad made his special pasta, so I can come over after we eat,” Willow replied. “Maybe seven?

“Great. And bring your new shirt,” Buffy told her. She heard a knock at the door, and quickly said goodbye.

“Yeah?” Buffy called out and her mother stepped into her room.

“There’s something I need to talk to you about,” Joyce began. She sat on the bed next to Buffy.

“Does it have to do with why you’re all dressed up?” Buffy asked, taking notice of her mom’s nice dress and heels.

“Yes, it does.” She took a deep breath. “I have a date tonight. Well, not a date exactly, just drinks.”

“Mom, that’s great. So, who’s the lucky guy?” Buffy grinned.

Her mother smiled, looking excited. “His name is Rupert Giles. And he’s the—“

“Giles?”

“Yes, Rupert Giles. He and his son live down the street. Buffy, what—“

“Giles as in father of Spike Giles the biggest asshole ever?” Buffy squealed.

“Buffy! That’s not a very nice thing to say,” Joyce admonished, frowning.

“Neither is his compulsive need to annoy and humiliate me,” Buffy retorted. “I can’t believe you’re dating his dad.”

“Not dating,” Joyce corrected. “Drinks only. It’s not that big of a deal, Buffy. And Rupert is very kind.”

“Seriously, have you met Spike? He hates me. You can’t date his dad.”

“Buffy, this really isn’t up to you,” her mother said. “And it’s not serious. If it was, I’d say so.”

“This is so humiliating,” Buffy bemoaned.

“Honey, be happy for me, like you were before you found out Rupert just happens to be Spike’s father,” Joyce said, touching her daughter’s hair lightly.

“Fine,” Buffy resigned. “Go ruin my life.”

“Thanks, sweetheart,” Joyce said, kissing her daughter’s head. “Have fun tonight, and be safe.”

“You’re leaving now?” Buffy frowned.

“I have some things to finish at the gallery. I’ll see you later,” Joyce said and shut the door with a smile.

“Bye, Mom,” Buffy replied and then laid her shirt and pants out on her bed. But her early excitement had dissipated, instead Buffy felt apprehensive about her mother’s ‘date’.

She could only hope a night of Bronzing would cheer her up.

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

“Buffy, I’m not so sure about this,” Willow said nervously, smoothing a hand over her tight shirt and tighter pants.

“Trust me, Wills,” Buffy replied, putting her earrings in. “You look hot.”

“I don’t know.” Willow frowned at her reflection. “And the make-up is too much.”

“No,” Buffy said, gently steering Willow out the door. “It’s just fine.”

“And the shoes are too high,” Willow added as Buffy propelled her down the stairs.

“No, they’re sexy,” Buffy corrected. She grabbed their jackets and eased

Willow out of the house. “Here are your keys. Are Xander and Anya meeting us there?”

“Maybe,” Willow replied as she buckled up and started the car. “They have a date tonight.”

Buffy’s mouth dropped open. “God! Does everyone but me have a date tonight?”

“I don’t,” Willow said. “Who else does?”

“My mom,” Buffy said grudgingly. “And you’ll never guess who it is.”

“Who?” Willow asked, backing out of the driveway.

Buffy waited until Willow was driving down the street to say, “Rupert Giles.”

“Oh! I know him! He’s the librarian at school and he does some things for the historical museum. And his son is—“ Willow’s eyes went wide. “Oh my god!”

“Yep,” Buffy muttered. “Spike. My personal pain in the ass.”

“Oh, Buffy. I’m so sorry,” Willow said, making a sympathetic face. “Does your mom know?”

“Yeah, and her response was pretty much ‘Too bad for you’.” Buffy sighed, tugging on the loose string on her purse.

“Well, does he know?”

Now, Buffy’s eyes went round. “Oh god I hope not. He’ll torment me with this for the rest of high school. Probably until I die.”

“I’m sure he won’t. He doesn’t seem like the type to be up-to-date on who his father dates.” Willow turned the corner, slowing down as they neared the Bronze. “Do you think all of that stuff is true? About why he moved here?”

“No,” Buffy snorted. “Some of it is so stupid. I mean, in jail? A porn star career? Please, he couldn’t porn his way out of a paper bag.”

“Funny image,” Willow giggled. “Yeah, you’re right. But what about—“

“Wills!” Buffy interjected. “No more Spike talk, please. Let’s just enjoy Bronzing while eyeing cute guys.”

Willow grinned. “Deal.”
**********
After three hours of nonstop dancing, Buffy was ready to call it a night. She flopped down in her chair, exhausted. Sipping her water, Buffy watched as Xander and Anya continued dancing, and on the band’s break, the guitarist had come up to Willow to talk to her, and now they were dancing, albeit slowly on the floor.

Sitting back in her chair, Buffy kept drinking her water. She checked the door occasionally, hoping Angel’s dad let him out early, but he was a no-show.

“Buffy! How could you miss practice this afternoon?”

Buffy turned, inwardly groaning. “Hey, Cordelia.”

“We had to do the pyramid without you. Smelly had to take your place at the top!” Cordelia Chase’s perfect nose scrunched in distaste.

“Ew!” Harmony Kendall added, tossing her fried blonde hair.

“Sorry,” Buffy lied. “I had a doctor’s appointment that my mom forgot to tell me about.”

Cordelia’s disdain morphed into a knowing smirk. “Please,” she said haughtily. “Helen and Brianna saw you at the mall with that redhead.”

“Willow,” Buffy corrected with a mocking smile.

“Whatever,” Cordelia said. “Just don’t make Smelly Nelly ever stand on my shoulders again.” With a swish of her sleek hair, Cordelia walked away, Harmony scrambling after her.

“What was that about?” Xander asked, panting as he and Anya plopped down in their seats.

“Cordelia bitching Buffy out for missing practice,” Anya replied for the blonde, drinking her water.

“You could have warned me, Anya,” Buffy said pointedly.

Anya shrugged. “Sorry,” she said, not sounding it. “Who is that Willow’s talking to? An orgasm buddy?”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “No, it’s the band’s guitarist. Oz, I think.”

“Hm.” Anya stared at him. “He’s cute for a short person. And he’s cool. That’s bonus points for Willow.”

“I don’t think Wills cares about that,” Xander said, staring at the pair as well.

Buffy sighed. “Stop with the staring, you’ll making them nervous.” Despite her words, Buffy couldn’t help but glance over at Willow as well. But instead of red hair, Buffy spotted a flash of almost white spikes moving towards her.

Buffy ducked low, trying to stay out of sight. She watched as Spike walk past her hand-in-hand with his girlfriend and resident crazy person, Drusilla.

She let out an audible sigh of relief, and sat up again. Clearly, Spike either didn’t know about his father’s date or didn’t know who it was and that Buffy was her daughter.

As Buffy grabbed her water, she caught both Xander and Anya staring at her.

“What?”

“What?” Xander exclaimed. “You were hiding underneath the table.”

“Ducking under,” Buffy amended. “And I just didn’t want Spike and Craze-illa to see me.”

“Okay then,” Xander said, giving her one last weird look.

“Xander, let’s go back out and dance,” Anya commanded, tugging on his shirtsleeve.

Xander resigned, letting himself be dragged out to the dance floor. Buffy laughed at his expression, and took another sip from her water.

Willow bounced over to their table, smiling like an idiot. “Hey.”

Buffy grinned. “So?”

“Oz is so awesome and funny in a monosyllabic way. His band is going back on stage to play a couple more songs.”

“Then, it’s our duty to get up front and do some sexy dancing,” Buffy told her, hopping out of her seat. She and Willow pushed their way into the middle of the dance floor. Buffy let herself go, trying to shove her worries away and just dance.

Chapter Three

“Want pizza?” Buffy asked, opening the freezer, her stomach growling.

They had danced at the Bronze into exhaustion, and then Buffy had joined Anya and Xander again while Willow had gone to find her guitar guy. Thankfully, Spike and his crazy girlfriend had disappeared after she saw them walk by. Just thinking about the creepy couple made her shudder.

“Sure,” Willow replied, pouring herself a glass of iced tea.

“Pepperoni or supreme?”

“Supreme,” Willow responded. “Want a glass?”

“Yep,” Buffy answered, fixing the pizza on a tray and putting it in oven. She sat down next to Willow, taking a long sip of her tea.

“So what time is your mom coming home?” Willow asked.

Buffy shrugged. “I thought she’d be here already, actually.” She tried to hide her worry with another gulp of her drink.

“Buffy, your mom is fine. She’s just on a very casual date,” Willow assured her.

“Speaking of dates,” Buffy began slyly. “When are you and Oz going out?”

Willow beamed. “Tomorrow night. He’s picking me up at eight.”

The door opened and Joyce walked in, smiling to herself. “Oh.” she looked startled. “Hi, girls.”

“Hi, Mom,” Buffy said. “Willow and I were just making some pizza.”

“How was your night, Mrs. Summers?” Willow asked politely.

“Very nice, thank you Willow. And how awas your night, girls?” she replied, setting her purse down.

“It was nice too,” Buffy answered. “And Willow has a date for tomorrow.”

Joyce smiled at the redhead. “That’s exciting, Willow. I hope you have fun. Well, I’m going to bed. I’ll make chocolate chip pancakes in the morning.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Buffy said, “Night.”

“Night, honey,” Joyce. “Night, Willow.”

“Night, Mrs. Summers,” Willow called out as she walked up the stairs.

“’Very nice’?” Buffy whispered, raising an eyebrow. “I hope that isn’t code for something more happened. Blech.”

“Your mom isn’t like that,” Willow said. “Well, I don’t think.”

“No,” Buffy said emphatically, shaking her head. “God, this is so weird. I’m dreading Monday and it’s only Friday night.”

“Why?”

“Hello? The part where Spike confronts me and humiliates me because of the date.” Buffy huffed. “Stupid head.”

“But, Buffy, it was his dad too. And you can’t make a big deal about something that hasn’t even happened.”

“You’re right,” Buffy admitted. “I’m just being Freaky Buffy. Now let’s pig out on pizza, please.”

**********

Buffy folded her legs underneath her as she reread the same page in Hamlet for her English assignment. She had procrastinated all weekend and now she was forced to do her homework on Sunday afternoon.

She tried not to think too much about her date with Angel, and what had almost happened in the back of his Lexus. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to have sex with Angel, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready. After all, they had only been going out for a couple months.

Her phone vibrated against her thigh, and Buffy quickly threw her book down and answered her cell. “Hey, Wills. How’d it go?”

“Great!” Willow squealed. “He was so sweet, and brought me candy.”

“What did you guys do?” Buffy asked.

“Everything,” Willow sighed dreamingly. “Went to Espresso Pump, walked around town, went to the library, but it was closed. Ate burgers at this 50s diner on—“

“Cherry Oak,” Buffy finished for her. “Their food is really great. But why the library?”

“I told him it was my favorite place,” Willow confessed. “And he didn’t even think I was a total geek. I think we’re going out again next Friday.”

“Wills, that’s great. I’m glad he appreciated your smartness,” Buffy said.

“So how was your date?” Willow asked.

“It was nice,” Buffy replied. “Angel took me to that new restaurant on Main Street. It’s French, I think. All I know is Angel ordered and it sounded garbled.”

Willow laughed. “Buffy, we take French.”

“Hence, the reason I’m getting a C,” Buffy replied, making a face. “Okay, I’ve got to get back to Hamlet or I’m going to be getting a C in my native language, which is just sad.”

“I’ll let you get back to it, and I’ll see you tomorrow,” Willow said.

“Ew, don’t remind me about school,” Buffy made a face, and said good-bye as she hung up. She stared to begin reading again, when the door opened and her mother came in with two grocery bags.

“Hi, honey. Do you think you could part from Shakespeare for a minute and help me with the rest of the groceries?”

“Gladly,” Buffy said, setting her book down again. She jumped from the couch and headed outside to the car.

“Funny,” Joyce said as she reappeared. “It looked like you were in the same place as you were when I left.” She stopped to give her daughter a pointed look. “An hour ago.”

Buffy rolled her eyes as she grabbed two bags. “I can’t help that Shakespeare had to write in ‘iatic meter’.”

“Iambic pentameter,” Joyce corrected. “Buffy…I thought we talked about this. This is an important test for you.”

“I know.”

And we had an agreement that you would take one AP class, and you chose English,” Joyce reminded her. “If you do well on the test, you can get college credit.”

“I know,” Buffy repeated. “And I’m trying, honest.”

“Good,” Joyce said, shutting the trunk. “As long as you try your best, that’s all I ask.”

“Hey, Mom,” Buffy called out and Joyce stood there expectantly. “Are you going to see Mr. Giles again?”

There was a long pause before her mother replied, “I don’t know. We had a nice time.”

“Right,” Buffy said. “But if he ask you out again…?”

“You’d be the first person I’d tell, but I’m not sure he will, okay?” Joyce asked. “Now let’s get this inside before the ice cream melts.”

Buffy immediately perked up. “Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food?”

Joyce smiled. “Of course. I thought it would help motivate you to get through your homework.”

Rolling her eyes, Buffy said as they walked inside, “Seriously, you need to work on your Mom Lies.”