Ok so this is the first thing I've ever submitted here. How long it is depends on whether people like it or not. I haven't decided on the angst level yet... So um please review and let me know if it sucks or not 'k?


It was the same thing every night. I’d go to sleep and have the dream. Different locations, same situations. Every morning I would wake up in a sweat. Why? I’d been having the dream for years with no explanation as to the cause. I turned my head on my pillow and glanced at the clock. Eight a.m.. At least I had gotten a few hours sleep this time. One thing I can always count on Will for, wearing me out so I actually get sleep.

“Morning Buffy.” Oh god he was still here. My eyes traveled over his tousled blonde hair and his sinewy muscled naked body that was still in my bed. He should know the rules by now. Will is so lucky he is a friend, otherwise I would’ve kicked him to the curb hours ago.

“Hey Will. Thought you’d be home by now.” Please just go. I hate when they get clingy and want to cuddle. I let my hazel eyes meet his blue eyes attempting to gauge what was going through his head.

"Thought about it. Then I thought differently.” He placed my hand over his morning erection. He just wants to have another round. Thank God. Sex I can handle, relationship feelings are a different game.

“I think I can squeeze something in before class,“ I smirked and lightly stroked my hand down his shaft to make sure he was at full salute and ready to do his job. I swear I’m going to have to buy stock in Trojan with this guy. I’m not complaining, though. One thing I can say about Will, I’m never left unfulfilled.

Will is the most reliable friend with benefits I have ever had. We’ve been friends for about eight years and I upped his status about eight months ago after he got rid of his psychotic ex-girlfriend. It works well for me, us. All the benefits of having a reliable repeat performer and none of the relationship hassle. We get all the fun and none of the attachments or guilt. I’ve been waiting for the shoe to drop on our happy arrangement. After a time, these arrangements get a bit sticky. The guy will get clingy and want to be serious or he finds a girl he actually wants to date. I’m all for the guys finding a girl they want to have a relationship with. Hell, someone should pretend the fairy tales are real, right? I just hate it when they decide that person is me. Completely ruins the friendship. Will, so far, hasn’t had any such inclinations. I’m really going to hate it when he does, he’s the first guy who has actually known what to do with his tongue. Speaking of that tongue.

“Oh, dear god! What are you doing down there, writing War and Peace?? Fu-uck YES!” I am definitely going to have to keep this boy around for as long as possible. With a last swipe of his tongue, Will rested his perpetually stubble covered chin on my stomach.

“Actually I was writing Hamlet’s soliloquy. I’m surprised you didn’t notice.” He grinned cheekily.

“Yuh-huh. Cute. So funny.” I moved my legs so that he wasn’t trapped between my thighs anymore. He rolled over and let out a sigh. Great, so not a good sign. He probably wants to talk or something now that he’s got me in a jell-o state.

“Same dream again?”

“Any other?” I rolled off the bed and started to get dressed. I was so not in the mood for a round of Will’s special dream analysis.

“And she’s off.” He reached over to his pants, fished out a cigarette and lit it.

“Yea, yea whatever. No time for this today. You owe me another pair of underwear,” I said, holding up my ripped underwear. I don’t know why I bother wearing any when he’s around.

“Told you not to wear them. Just get in the way.” He took a drag off his cigarette and let his other hand rest on his stomach, drawing attention to his neglected member.

“Not everyone can go commando like you. Suppose you want me to take care of that for you?” Two could play at the distraction game. I figured I’d get him off the subject of my dream.

“Be nice,” he smirked stubbing out his cigarette and disposing of it in an empty Diet Coke can.

I sat back down on the bed and let my hand trail his chest, my mouth following the path. He twisted my long blonde hair in his hand, pulling my head up before it reached his cock. He reached over to the economy size box of Trojans and handed me a condom. I rolled it down his shaft and poised myself above him.

“So tell me about it.” He asked as I mounted him.

I must be doing something wrong if he’s still trying to analyze my dream. I ignored his question and clenched my muscles around him. I received a groan for my efforts. Now I was doing something right.

“Tell me.” He panted as he pulled my head down to him and began to plunder my mouth with his tongue. He released my mouth as I continued rising and falling on him.

“Same old.” Thrust. “Ran.” Grind. "Fell." Squeeze. "Trapped." Thrust. “End.” Grind up.

“Not over.” He said as he pulled my t-shirt over my head. At least I hadn’t put on underwear again or that’d be another pair he’d owe me.

He flipped me onto my back and pulled my knees up to his shoulders. Thank god for yoga. When he’s done I’ll just roll over, get dressed, cut out and avoid any more post-coital talk. God, he is good at hitting the right spot. If I didn’t hate the idea of a relationship so much, he would be perfect. He bit down on my shoulder as he came, taking me with him. Like I said, he would be perfect, even leaves marks in easy-to-hide places.

“Wow,” I said as I pushed him to the other side of the bed and stretched out my legs.

“Yeah.” Will moved his hand by my head and lightly stroked my hair.

“Yeah. Oh damn. The time.” I rolled off the bed, grabbing clothes as I wobbled to the bathroom. I started the shower, figuring it was probably not a great idea to show up in class smelling of eau de just fucked cologne. After I climbed in the shower I heard the door open. Damn, I just became Will’s favorite kind of audience, trapped.

“You’ll never get past it if you don’t confront it, you know.” He started to pee.

“Hope you lifted the seat this time.” I used to get squicked when guys would pee while I was in the room. It was just, weird. It doesn’t even phase me that Will pees in front of me. It does bother me if I get a wet ass because he didn’t lift the seat though.

“You’re avoiding. Why won’t you at least look into it.”

“It’s no big, just a fact. I deal.” I heard him turn on the sink. Was he brushing his teeth? When did he bring a toothbrush?

“You woke up in a panic.” I heard him spit out toothpaste.

“That’s just because my head was near your armpit.” I can’t believe he brought a toothbrush with him. What’s next, a shaving kit?

“Smart ass. Fine I’ll drop it, for now.” I heard him spray shaving cream in his hand, I just had to think it, didn’t I?

“Hey Will?”

“Yea.”

“When did you bring your bathroom stuff to my house?”

“About a month ago.”

“Oh.” I leaned against the shower wall. Shit, shit, shit. This is so not good.

“Why? Do you have a problem with my hygiene?”

“No, you’re just so damn hairless, I forgot that you actually ever shaved.” I covered. Have to think fast, he’s nesting. Damn, damn, damn.

“Yes, I shave. I keep my stuff under the sink by the cleaning products. You know, where you never look.”

“Funny.”

“But true. Don’t worry, it’s just for convenience. Not a big deal pet.”

“I’m ok, not freaking. Far from.” Slow, deep breathes, Buffy, don’t let him hear the panic in your voice.

“Sure. Time to get out of the shower.” He flushed the toilet causing all my hot water to disappear.

“Not funny.” I screamed. I heard him walk out of the bathroom door and close it behind him.

I climbed out of the shower and looked at myself in the mirror. He said it’s no big, so no big, right? Right. Not going to make a mountain out of this. Oh, man, is that a zit? It looks like it could be a mountain. No, I’m just going to ignore that he has a toothbrush here. Unlike this zit. No wait, not a zit, it is whisker burn. That should go away soon. I finished my morning ritual and walked out of the bathroom all fresh and pressed. Ok, not pressed, but definitely fresh. He’d gotten dressed while I was in the bathroom. I hope he’s not planning on walking me to class. Oh, nope. My X-Box controller is on the floor. He is going to game, thank God.

“So, movie tonight?”

“What? No, um, I um have a lot of stuff to do tonight.” He caught me off guard. Have to think fast, take evasive tactics.

“Uh-huh, and you’re upset.”

“No, I’m not upset, why would I be upset? I just have stuff, that’s all.”

“And you’re panicking.”

“No, I’m not. Where are my shoes?” I looked around frantically, must get out of this conversation. Oh yea, I am so freaked.

“Right here.” He indicated the foot of the bed where he was sitting.

“Right.” To prove to him how not freaked I was, I sat next to him and began to put on my shoes. He placed his hand on my foot.

“Stop. Breathe. I told you it’s not an issue.”

I glanced up at him and then looked back at his hand on my foot. “I know. It’s just…”

“It’s just I am lazy and don’t feel like getting my things out of the car every time I want to shave or be minty fresh.”

“You’re lazy, and you're an ass.” I looked up and smiled at him.

“Best one around.” He moved his hand from my foot and put his arm around my shoulder. “Besides, I’ll share my body fluids with you but there is no way in hell I’m sharing a toothbrush.”

“Eww much.” I pushed him away and got up. “Ok, I’ve got to jam. Call you later. We’ll meet at Espresso Pump or something.”

“Yea, all right luv.”

“Oh and if you insist on staying here and playing my X-Box, don’t scratch my DVDs and lock the door when you go.”

“Who said anything about X-Box?”

“I’m oblivious but not that oblivious. I can see the controller by your foot.”

“Won’t scratch your precious copy of Dirty Dancing. promise. Have fun at school, dear,” He smirked.

“You’re not funny,” I replied, walking out the door.

He said the toothbrush isn’t a big deal. On some levels he’s right. It’s not. On other levels though, it’s a huge deal. It starts with a toothbrush, then his own shampoo, next think you knw he wants a drawer and some hangers. No, I have to sabotage this thing now. I’ll just do the avoidy thing. I’m good at that. I have to od it now before things get to weird.

* * * * * *

He called to meet up at The Espresso Pump that night. I told him I was going to be stuck in the library. Ok, not a believable excuse coming from me but it was worth a shot. I avoided him for a few days, then a week. I figured if I just let a little time pass I could get unwigged out about the whole toothbrush thing. Yeah, that’s not how Will works. He’s a confront-things-head-on kind of guy and just won’t let a subject drop.

“Buffy.” Shit, he had me trapped at my front door.

“Will, what are you doing here?” I feigned surprise. I knew he was going to show up sooner or later if I kept avoiding him. I had been hoping for later.

“Just, stop. Drop the act.” Uh-oh, he is pissed. This is what I get for ignoring his phone calls. I’ve fucked it up. I was trying for sabotage and succeed to the next level of fucking it up. Hopefully I can fix some of it before the whole friendship is killed.

“Ok, act dropped. Come in before the neighbors decide to take an interest.” I opened the door and we walked in. He sat down on the sofa while I dropped my backpack by the door and went into the kitchen. If this was going to be a blow out I was going to have a drink or two in me. “You want something to drink?”

“No, yes, no.” He ran his hands through his hair and looked at me. “Yeah, I think maybe I do.”

“O.k.” I made myself a Captain Morgan and Diet Coke and brought him one of his beers from my fridge. I sat down on the sofa next to him, handed him his beer and took a drink from mine. “Say it, get it over with.”

“What the bleedin’ hell are you doing? Why are you playing this game with me that you’ve played with the other guys?”

“Game?”

“I know you. We’ve been friends far too long and I’ve watched you throw guys away like used Kleenex. As soon as things get too much for you, you’re gone. You did this Scott and Riley, now you’re doing it to me.”

“Oh, that game.” Yeah I was going to need more than one drink. He is calling me out. I knew everything had been going too well. He knows me as well, if not better than, myself. I am so screwed.

“Yeah, that one, “ he said. “What are you so scared of? I told you it wasn’t a big deal, of course you saw through that, but still.”

“You know I don’t want a relationship. They are too much work. There is too much involved and at risk.”

“You don’t think our thing is involved or a risk? We’ve been exclusive for eight months. Eight months. I haven’t even thought about another girl since we started.”

“Why do you have to go and complicate things? It was good. Wasn’t it good? Weren’t we happy as we were? Why do you have to bring the whole relationship thing into it? Why can’t we just stay friends? Stay as we are, were.” I got up and began pacing around the back of the sofa. Why did he have to throw a monkey wrench into everything? He knows I don’t deal well with the idea of a relationship. We were friends the last time I was actually in one. He knows what I went through with Angel. He saw how well that didn’t work. Now I’m going to lose my friend because of this bullshit.

“It was good. It just isn’t enough. I’m tired of being your beck and call boy.”

“You’re not my beck and call boy,” I said, looking into my drink.

“Beck and call boy, fuck buddy, call it what you like. I’m not playing the game anymore.” He looked down at his beer bottle and began peeling the label off.

“You knew the rules coming into this. Why are you trying to change them now?” I walked into the kitchen to pour more Captain Morgan into my glass.

“Yeah, I knew them. I thought maybe, being it was us, it would be different.” He got up and met me in the kitchen. He sat his empty beer bottle on the counter and took my hand that was on my glass.

“But it’s not. You can’t change the rules in the middle of the game.” I looked at his hand on mine and then looked into his eyes. “You just can’t, it never works.”

“It could if you wanted it to.” He raised his free hand to my face and caressed my cheek.

“You think this is easy for me?” I turned my face away from him and concentrated on a piece of ice in my glass.

“Just let it happen.” He leaned forward and kissed my eyelids and then my mouth.

“I can’t.” I tore away from him. “Don’t you see that it is just not something I can do?”

“No, you can do it, you just refuse to. You know why you keep having that nightmare of being trapped?”

“I don’t care why I have that nightmare. I just have it.”

“Well, I care. You’re terrified. You are a terrified little girl who is afraid of living her life. So you throw away any possibility for happiness or a relationship. It’s selfish. It’s stupid and it’s selfish and you’re going to end up alone and miserable.”

“Thanks for the insight, doc. You’ve just solved everything. I’m all cured. Guess you can go now.” I sat back on the sofa and pulled my knees up to my chest, refusing to look at him.

“Guess I can.” He walked over to the door. “I hope you find whatever it is you want someday Buffy.” He opened the door and walked out.

I can’t believe he left. My one constant, my brick wall, left me. I released the tears I’d been holding back.

Author's Notes: I wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful reviews. I really appreciate it. I wanted to finish this chapter the other day but the characters argued with me so I had to put them in the corner while I finished my Teach For America application. Now that the app is finished I told the characters they could get out of time out. If you see points for improvement please let me know.

Sitting on my couch, crying and staring at the wall wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I knew this was bound to happen. Always, when things are going too well something happens and screws it all up. Sure, me and my relationship phobia screwed it up this time but still, nothing ever last. I decided what I needed right now was some serious chocolate therapy.
I got up and went into my kitchen to see what I could scrounge up. Jackpot, I found ice cream. Will left one of his cartons of Ben and Jerry’s in my freezer. Will. Damn it, I wasn’t going to think about him. Screw it. He’s gone and his ice cream is here, and it’s all mine. I tore off the lid and found he’d left me with, an empty carton. I can’t believe he put an empty ice cream carton in my fridge. I put it back in the freezer. Fine, no chocolatey goodness. If I can’t have chocolate, I’ll just turn to the Captain. “Hello, Captain.” I held up the bottle and peered at the amber liquid. “You and I are going to be good friends tonight. Yup. Forget Will. Don’t need him. Hell, I can buy batteries.” I poured a healthy shot into the glass of Captain Morgan and Diet Coke that I had left on the counter. “Guh. Way too strong. Oh well. Forget you. Trying to change the rules in the middle of it all. Asshole.” I choked down the rest of my drink and stumbled towards my room, falling into the wall a few times.
“Stupid wall, keeps moving. I can hold my liquor, don’t tell me I can’t.” Maybe I shouldn’t have skipped lunch today. “Hello, sweet bed.” I fell forward onto my pillows. Damn, my face hit the pillow Will always uses. It still smells like him. “Note to self, change the sheets.” With that thought, I passed out.
I woke up with my face buried in my pillow. Mmm, Will’s cologne and general scent. I wonder if he’s in the kitchen. “Will. Will, bring me some water please.” Huh, he usually has some smart ass remark on my hung over state by now.
“Will?” Oh yeah, he’s not here. He’s gone. I forgot. Damn. Stupid Will. Ok, stupid me too.
Yuck, my mouth feels like I licked a public restroom floor. Definitely need to brush my teeth. I pulled myself out of bed and felt my way to the bathroom.
“Wow. I look like shit,” I said, staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I picked up my toothbrush, looked at it and dropped in the sink as if it were on fire.
“Damn you, Will.” Great, can’t even brush my teeth without thinking of him. I picked my toothbrush and proceeded to get rid of the hung over taste in my mouth. Taste, Will always tasted good. No, stop thinking about him, not helping matters.
I managed to get the floor taste out of my mouth and decided to scrounge in the kitchen for food. Cereal seemed like a good idea, until I opened the cabinet and found Will’s box of Wheatabix. “O.k., no cereal. Survey says, open the fridge. Damn him!” In the fridge I saw Will’s beer and the buffalo wings he left here last week. I, am dumb. He has been nesting here for ages and it took a toothbrush for me to notice. Good riddance, right? Except, well, Will’s the one I call whenever one of these arrangements end. We talk about what went wrong, why I had to end it. He’d come over and bring me ice cream. Now that he’s the one it ended with, who am I going to eat ice cream with?
That's it. Enough, no more moping about the house. It's not getting me anywhere and, well, I knew this was going to happen anyway, right? Right. It always does. I think I'll go hit up The Espresso Pump for yummy caffeine goodness since there isn‘t any food. Caffeine always makes everything better. Or at least it makes you more awake to deal with everything.
* * * * * *
I ordered my quad, tall, non-fat, no-whip mocha and went to find a cushy chair to sit in. The table I usually sat at with Will was occupied by blonde girl who looked like she was about to fall out of her top. I had seen her there before, always trying to get Will's attention. I laughed to myself because she was completely the opposite of his type. I guess she thought sitting at our usual table was a way to make him pay attention. At least some things hadn't changed. I was about to go tell her to give it up when I saw Will walk in.
Blonde girl started bouncing when she saw him, I was sure we were all going to get a peep show. He waved at her. Wait a minute. He waved at her? He's not supposed to wave at her. He's supposed to ignore and avoid her. That's what he always does.
He's not supposed to actually acknowledge her existence. Doesn't he know that will encourage her? He noticed me and looked shocked for a moment, quickly covering it with his patent-pending cocky smile.
Ok, he’s coming over towards me. Act like you don’t care, don’t look at him. What? He’s going to sit with her? No, no, no, no. He is not supposed to sit with her! We don’t like her. We mock her. He’s sitting with her? Am I in bizarre-o land?
Yeah, I need to go get my eyes checked because it looks like he’s holding her hand. He’s coming over here with her! Look away, oh isn’t that nice grout work on the floor. Dum-dee-dum.
“Hey Buffy,” Will said.
“Oh, Will, I didn’t know you were here.” I think I’ll give him fake grin number four while I stare daggers at the trashy blonde.
“No?” He raised his eyebrow. Damn that cocky eyebrow, you don’t know I could be telling the truth. Shut up eyebrow.
“No, I must’ve totally missed you coming in. Lot on my mind and all.” Ha, I resisted the raised eyebrow look. Now sit down, talk to me and make Barbie go away.
“Yeah, well can’t stay and chat. Just came to meet Harmony. We’re going out for a picnic this afternoon.” He’s testing me. Well, I’m not going to play along.
“Sounds peachy. Will’s a bit rude, we haven’t been introduced. I’m Buffy, nice to meet you Harmony.” Meet you at the edge of a cliff so I can push you off. No, I’m not jealous. He can date vapid blondes if he wants to. I’m not jealous, I’m not.
“Ready to be off pet? Don’t want to keep the ants waiting and all that.” He smirked. He knows. Damn him and that smirk.
“Ok, bye Buffy. It was umm, interesting meeting you.”
“Yeah, it was swell.” I wonder if she’ll deflate if she gets stuck with a pin?
“Buffy.” He cocked his head and looked at me.
“Will.” I will not let him see how much I’m bothered by this.
“Right, we’re off. See you.” Harmony and Spike walked out of The Espresso Pump.
He left, again. Sigh. Definitely time to hit up Ben and Jerry’s.

Author's Note: Sorry for the huge delay in chapters. I'm in a production of "Laramie Project" that is kicking my butt all over the place. I want to make a disclaimer right now. I am very much not a Sparmony person. Remember this story is from Buffy's POV, so we only see what she sees. While there is some S/H stuff, I promise no descriptions of sex between the two of them. Also, there is a happy ending, because what kind of Spuffy story would it be? That and I wrote the ending already and this is the sandwich meat. That said, onto the story.

Bumpy Rides

What the hell? Why does he keep leaving before I can say
anything. Oh yeah, because I wasn't going to say anything. I wasn't going to yell at him and ask why he was having a picnic with that stupid bint. Oh god, I just used one of his words.

I walked into my apartment, happily licking a spoonful of Chunky Monkey, and preparing for a night in front of the TV. First though, I have to check my machine and see how many more people are trying to collect money from me. After the mechanical voice told me I only had one message, the first voice I heard was Will's voice.

"Buffy. Buffy, are you there? Look, I, I'm sorry about last
night. Will you pick up the phone, please? We need to talk. It's just, you know what, fuck it. You want to act this way, fine. You are probably off with some back-up dick in a jar you had lying around. Who'd you decide to make your friend with benefits this time, huh? I hope you did. I hope he's there right now and is hearing this. Guy, whoever you are, don't bother even thinking about getting attached to this one. She treats men like toilet paper. That's right. You treat men like toilet paper. I wish you would just get past your issues. I
know Angel destroyed your trust and all, but I'm not Angel. Fuck you, and your issues. You know that little blonde chit at Espresso Pump? Well, I'm finally going to take her up on one of her offers. You want to act this way, fine. You're not the only pussy in town." Click.

"There are no more messages." The mechanical voice said, as I sat stunned.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Does he really think I would move on to another guy this soon? He thinks I'm a whore. That bastard thinks I'm a whore. Serial monogamist, yes. Whore, no. Non-committal, relationship-phobic, a bit of a bitch, yes. Whore, no.

I looked at my pint of Chunky Monkey and put the lid back on it. My urge for ice cream was killed. I got up; put it in the
freezer, next to Will's empty carton. This calls for stronger
medicine. This calls for loud music and sweaty dancing. This calls for the Bronze.

I called up one of my few female friends, Tara, to see if she was up to bronzing it tonight. Surprisingly she was. Tara had been in a funk for a bit, since she broke it off with her ex-girlfriend Willow. She decided it was time to turn her frown upside down, and put on her dancing shoes.
* * * * * *

Tara and I arrived at the Bronze, dressed to hunt. We, were on a hunt for fun. We split up to make a round of the club, and then meet at the bar. Halfway around the club I ran into something tall and clad in leather. Great, Will is wearing his leather trench coat from his punk phase again.

"Hey, you alright luv? Oh, it's you." He said, eyeing my outfit.

"Thanks, fine just peachy. Love your concern."

"Well, you seem to be back on the whor-orse again."

"Fuck you." I walked away. He is not ruining my night.

"Buffy." He grabbed my arm.

"What Will? Or should I say Spike since you're in your punk regalia again?"

"Nothing."

"That's what I thought." I walked towards the bar to meet
Tara. Leaning against the bar, waiting to place my order, I heard a high pitch squeal.

"Buffy, is that you. Oh it's so great to see you."

It's Harmony, fabulous. "Oh, hi Harmony. How are you?" Wow, I'm such a good actress. Notice how I haven't killed her yet.

"I'm fine. I wanted to ask you something actually."

"Shoot." Great, now she thinks we're friends. Super.

"Well, it's about Will."
"Ok, about Will. What do you want to know?" Fan-fucking-tastic. Will advice.

"So, we were out today, and like I tried to kiss him. Like, he wouldn't."

"Really?" Good. He doesn't need to.

"Yeah. I mean, he's like so cute and all. I just wanted to
kiss him, since we were out on picnic date. He wouldn't do it though. He kept pushing me away. What's wrong with him? All guys want to kiss me."

"Heh. Yeah. Ummm. Hmmm. How do I say this to you?" Oh, this is too good for words.

"Is he? He's not is he? I mean I know he's too cute and has those sharp cheekbones and full lips, but he's not…"

"Not what Harmony?" Heh, he can't say I told her this if she says it herself.

"Oh my god. He's gay. He can't be gay. His fashion sense isn't that good."

"Well, you know what they say about stereotypes."

"Oh, thank you so much Buffy for being honest with me."

"Not a problem." I'm going to hell. That's ok though, I'll
have friends and well, it's just funny.

"Ok, well, I'll see you later. Thanks again." She gave me a hug. Eww.

AN: I am so sorry for the huge delay in chapters. As a reader it drives me nuts when there is a monster gap between updates, so I hate doing that to others. However life loves to throw curve balls at you. Graduation is a little over a week away though so I will have a lot more time to concentrate on my writing. Especially since the play is finally over. Anyway I hope you like this chapter and I really will try not to have huge delays like that ever again. Oh and again I am NOT a Sparmony shipper at all. All of the S/H is part of the story and I really do promise to NEVER have descriptions of Sparmony sex. Ever. That said, Harmony is still around.

Leaning against the bar, watching Harmony walk away, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“What are you so smirky about?” Tara, she is going to get a kick out of this.

“Oh, nothing. Just kind of let Harmony think that Will is gay.”

“You what?”

“Well, he wouldn’t kiss her and I just let her draw her own conclusions. What do I care if they’re the wrong ones?” So not my problem if Harmony thinks Will is gay. Maybe she’ll leave him alone now.

“That’s just wrong, Buffy. You should’ve said he had a disease, not made him gay. Everyone is gay nowadays. It’s the latest craze.” Tara teased.

“Oh, so that’s what you are doing, the latest craze?”

“Exactly. All the cool kids are doing it.”

“Right, sure.” I patted her on the shoulder, and signaled the bartender.

“Really, Buffy, if you don’t want him let someone else have him.”

“It’s not that I don’t want him. I, I don’t want him. Not in the relationshippy sense or anything. You know, he’s my friend. I just think he can do better.”

“Uh-huh.”

Why doesn’t anyone ever believe me when I say that? “Enough about my non-relationship issues. How are you doing since the Willow breakage?” Best way to take the focus off your own problems, redirection.

“I’m doing pretty good. It’s still a little rough, but not too bad. You know because it was a mutual breakage, not sabotage like some people.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Damn the redirection didn’t last long.

“Yeah, yeah. Denial thy name is--”

“Tara, enough. I told you I don’t want him as anything other than a friend. We’re friends that’s all. Well ok, maybe not friends at the moment but he’ll get over it and things will be right as rain.”

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to look into deep chocolate brown eyes, tousled brown hair and a perfect white smile. He gave me a bashful look, as if he was sorry for interrupting my conversation. What the hell, it can‘t hurt to talk to the guy.

“Hi. I’m Parker.”

“Hi Parker. Buffy.”

“I was wondering…” He ducked his head and ran his fingers through his hair making it more disheveled. “I was wondering if you’d like to dance.”

“Sure.” I took his hand and we weaved our way through the tables surrounding the dance floor. Looking around, I made sure we were in Will’s direct line of sight. He’s trying to make me jealous with Harmony; fine two can play this game.

“So, do you go to the university?” Parker said over the din of the music.

“Yuh-huh.” Small talk, so tedious.

“Cool. Me too.”

I smiled at him and continued to dance to the music. I looked over Parker’s shoulder and saw Will take Harmony’s hand and lead her to the dance floor. He put her arms around his neck and placed his hands on her waist. He looked at me and smirked.

“What are you majoring in?” Parker said trying to get my attention.

I looked at him and said, “University studies.” That was a nice vague major to encourage him to cut the small talk. I know small talk is all part of the ritual of getting to know people, but I really didn’t want to get to know him. Also, I really hate trying to carry on a conversation in the middle of a dance floor.

“Really? Interesting.”

This guy is just determined to talk. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer to me. Maybe pressing against him will keep him quiet. I looked over his shoulder at Will and gave him a tight grin. His smirk was replaced with a look of annoyance. Then he grabbed Harmony closer to him. I slipped one of my arms from around Parker’s neck to underneath his arm, wrapping it around his back and pulling him closer to me.

“Umm, ok.” Parker said and wrapped his arms tighter around my waist.

Will looked like he was about to spit bullets. I rested my chin on Parker’s shoulder and gave Will a triumphant smile. He was pissed and jealous; I stuck my tongue out at him.

His nostrils flared and his jealous look was replaced with a devilish grin. Will started nuzzling Harmony’s neck. I bit my tongue to stop from saying anything. Swallowing back the bile that was threatening to crawl up my throat from the display Will was putting on; I began kissing at Parker’s neck. I looked over at Will and saw that he was staring at what I was doing. Our eyes locked, it was full on battle time. He slid his hands down Harmony’s back to her left leg, raising it up to wrap around his right knee. I lowered my hand that was on Parker’s back to his waist and wrapped my left leg around his right knee. Will began grinding against Harmony’s right leg in beat with the music. I reciprocated by grinding against Parker’s right leg.

“Wow.” Parker gasped. Poor guy doesn’t realize that he’s just being used as a tool.

I unwrapped my left leg from around Parker and twisted my body around to his back, placing my arms around his chest. I rubbed my body against is back and turned my head around to raise an eyebrow at Will. He clenched his jaw and began to nibble Harmony’s neck. I twisted back around to the front of Parker and started nibbling his earlobe.

“Will, yeah, oh. I thought, I thought you were gay.” Harmony moaned.

“What!!” Will screamed.

“Well sure. I was talking to Buffy and well, she didn’t say it exactly but I figured you were.”

I stopped nibbling on Parker’s ear and looked at Will. I was wondering how long it was going to take for her to tell him that she thought he was gay. He looked from Harmony to me and back to Harmony.

“No. No pet, I’m not gay. In fact, if you like we can continue this dance in a more private setting.” He looked at me and shook his head.

“Ok.” Harmony giggled.

Will left one arm around her waist and began to guide her off the dance floor. He looked at Harmony, stepped back and tapped Parker on the shoulder. “Hey mate. Don’t let her dance moves fool you. Frigid as Antarctica that one is.” He looked at me and continued off the dance floor.

“You know that guy?” Parker asked.

“Yeah, I turned him down once. Never got over it.”

“Oh. So do you want to come back to my dorm?”

“No Parker, not tonight thanks.” God I just forced Will further into Harmony’s arms.

“Oh. So he’s right.”

“He’s not right, I’m just not interested ok.” I started to walk away from him and he grabbed my arm by the elbow.

“No, it’s not ok. You can’t just do that.”

“I can and I did. Now let go of my arm.”

“Not ‘til you finish what you started.” He placed my hand over his crotch.

“I don’t have to finish anything.” I tried to pull my arm away from him.

“You know you want this.”

“No, I don’t. I don’t want you or your teeny weenie. Now let me go. Go home and just let this be a memory in your pathetic spank bank.” He let go of my arm and stared at me. I walked off the dance floor to find Tara.

“Whatever you frigid slut. You wouldn’t know what to do with it anyway.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head as I continued my search for Tara.

“Buffy.” It was Tara. Thank god.

“Tara can we go home now? Please?”

“Yeah. Let’s get out of here. This place is dead anyway.” She smiled.

“You are so right.”