Buffy stared out the window across the isle as the she went around the familiar route to school. The glare of the sun sometimes blinding her, but she didn’t mind.
Her very empty backpack sat on her lap in the crowded bus ready to be filled with her soon to be bought textbooks. She was glad the vacation was almost over, as nice as it was to have free time she always liked having goals to meet. There was just a special energy in trying to reach for a better future that made the sun a little brighter and the sky a little bluer.
Of course that’s how she always felt about classes in the beginning. A month from now when she had 3 tests in the same week she’d be ruing the day she registered.
Still, as the sign came up stating UC Sunnydale she was excited and tugged on the cord indicating to the driver that she wanted to stop.
The forward motion shifted as the bus slowed and she stood using the bar overhead to help her balance. She carried her purse and pack in front of her while she waited for the bus to halt.
Finally she felt it stop. Buffy strode past her fellow passengers before giving the driver a nod and thanking him. She slung the backpack over one shoulder, her purse along with it and headed up the sidewalk that would lead her to the campus bookstore.
Her good mood left as soon as she eyed the parking lot and saw it was more than half full. There was shiny chrome as far as the eye could see. It looked like most of the student body had decided that today was the perfect day to get what they needed for the upcoming lessons.
Even as her now heavy steps continued forth she began to hear the calls of other students. She’d actually forgotten about this. The time when all of the clubs, groups, fraternities and sororities made their presence known.
Some were waving flyers while others were at makeshift booths. All seemed to be trying to stop everyone who happened to be walking by, often shoving one of the flyers and an occasional button into unaware hands.
Looking out over the hysteria, she tried to map out the safest route through the crowded campus. She was a woman with a mission, and scary overexcited tree huggers and fraternity brothers were not going to stop her.
With her head up and her eyes forward she gripped the slings over her shoulder and cut her way past the screaming people along all sides.
She ran into a football player who stopped her long enough to give her a leer. The only day I wear shorts and I’ve got this lug staring at me. She tried to excuse herself and rounded him only to feel a pinch on her ass.
She overlooked the behavior just wanting to get through the mess that was also know as “An atmosphere of higher education.”
Finally she spied the entrance to the bookstore ahead and sighed with relief. There was a break in the crowd and with the glass doors within reach she put her hand out to pull the handle only to be stopped by a man in an orange vest.
“Excuse me Miss, where do you think you’re going?” He gave her a cool grimace.
“To get books?”
He shook his head at her like she was simple minded before pointing down the sidewalk. “You’ll have to get in line like everybody else.”
Buffy turned to see the line starting a few feet away from the entrance to go along the wall of the building, down the sidewalk and disappearing behind some well placed trees and bushes further down.
“You have GOT to be kidding.” Buffy spoke out loud as the man in orange moved back to his spot as traffic control.
Once again deflated, she followed the path of people and found her spot at the end. She was so far away she could no longer even see the front of the building through the green leaves yards in front of her.
With a little huff, she pulled out her iPOD and tuned to her favorite station while she waited for any kind of movement in the line.
The line started extending behind her as the minutes drug by slowly and the greenery drew closer. She was starting to become very familiar with the back of the bald head of the older man in front of her when someone walking towards the back of the line caught her attention.
“Spike.” She called for him without really thinking and pulled the buds from her ears when she saw she’d distracted him.
He looked around swiftly trying to find the source of his name when he noticed her smiling face. He couldn’t help but return it and walk over to her. “Well, well. Seems we had the same brilliant plan.”
She looked around and raised a well manicured brow. “Yeah, you me and the rest of the underclassmen.” She listened to his laughter. It was so strange how such a simple sound only made her warmer in the summer sun.
Not only glad to have someone to talk to, but that she had another chance to simply be around him, she immediately offered him a reason to join her infinite wait.
Looking behind her and seeing a slightly overweight girl with dark wavy hair taking a sip on a diet cola, she stared Spike down and hoped he’d play along for both their sakes.
Uhh, I saved your spot.” She said to him, waiting for him to take the bait.
When he showed no indication of following her line of thought she shed the empty bag from her back and held it out. It was a plain and very basic black backpack so when she added. “Here’s your stuff,” and backed up to give him room to shove between her and baldy it seemed pretty natural.
He caught on when she took the step back and lifted her back to swing it over his own back. “Yeah thanks,” He played along. “Found a parking spot.” He tried to improvise as he moved in front of her.
The girl behind Buffy stopped sucking on her cola long enough to grumble something under her breath and turn her back but there were no other objections to their little masquerade.
He smiled down at her, mouthing thank you.
She gave him a quick nod and started wrapping the wires of her headphones up to stow away the mini music player.
“So,” He struggled for something to say and decided on the mundane. “How’s the que moving.”
Buffy’s “pfft” was his only answer until she saw the amused look on his face. “Well in almost an hour I went from there,” She pointed to the trashcan that sat about 30 students back. “To here.” She pointed to her own feet.
“Ahh.” He said his eyes wide now understanding her first reaction. “Well then I thank you for helping me to avoid an hour of standing in this endless heat.” He said bowing deeply with a change in his accent.
She let out a little snort. “What’s with the bow?”
She shrugged. “Took an entrance drama course over the summer. Didn’t really work out.”
“Do I want to know?”
“You might, but I don’t think I’ll share it right now.” His reply was straight forward before he started over acting again. “I will take the hidden depths of my past to my grave.”
She bit her tongue, holding in her giggles this time and tried her best to keep her comments to herself.
He could see the mirth in her face, but he couldn’t blame her. He was a terrible actor, as he’d so recently been told, repeatedly, until he dropped the useless class. “Well, was just supposed to be something fun to pass the time.”
“I don’t know.” Buffy turned thoughtful. “Dental Hygienists probably do have to act a lot. That much bad breath everyday?” She made an eww face as she remembered his major. “The class might come in handy.”
The line moved bit by bit as they continued talking in the noon sun.
“May be right, but if so then the patients will be sorely disappointed with my talents. Or lack there of.” He admitted chuckling.
It wasn’t hard being around him. Or to be more clear, it wasn’t as difficult as it had been. Each time she saw him, regardless of how she felt, she seemed more acclimated to the intense attraction.
She still couldn’t help but stare at his mouth and wonder how his lips would feel on hers while he spoke. She still got chills at the sound of his laugh and no matter how much she was around him that scent still drove her wild. But all of that could be set aside now, and she could simply enjoy his presence for the most part.
There was no resistance to his charms, just acceptance of it.
“So how’s Xander doing?” Spike recalled the brunette’s closeness to Buffy at the club a few weeks ago and decided that rather than avoid the subject, he might as well tackle it head on.
She was impressed he’d think to ask about her friend and gave him a bright smile when she answered. “He’s doing great. But I think he may have had the better idea with the whole procrastination thing.”
She noticed Spike raise a curious scarred brow so she explained. “He’s planning to pick up his books next week before his first class. I told him he was crazy but-” She motioned around indicating the crowd of people and the line that went on forever. “Observe how my idea worked out. And people think computer geeks are smart?”
Funny, Spike thought, that Xander wouldn’t have brought her and waited in line with her. If he had the chance, Spike would spend every spare moment with her.
He found it amusing that she poked fun at herself. “Well I for one am glad you braved the heat and alumni. Saved me a full hour of standing around.” He said, taking note that they were most defiantly making progress forward, though it was slow.
The conversation continued as they picked subjects that any pair of friends would. Safe topics that, for the most part, kept their mutual attraction under wraps. The number of people ahead of them in line dwindled in the next hour and before either of them had noticed they were next.
As the man in the orange vest from earlier gave them permission to enter the store Buffy looked over the shelves trying to figure out where her books would be found. She quickly saw the Technology section and looked back to Spike.
“I’m over there.” She said nodding her head to the fully stocked shelves.
He looked over her head for a brief glance at the Computer Texts. “Right.” Of course his subject was on the other side of the store. They were about to part ways and he found himself just as disappointed as he had been when he dropped her home that last day of class.
Suddenly an idea struck him. “So how many of those boulder heavy tomes are you getting?”
Buffy thought for a moment. “Well, four classes, two of which are computer oriented.” She considered it before answering. “Probably around six. They love adding workbooks to the tech classes.” She explained and took the book bag he still had in his hands he’d forgotten he was even holding. “Kinda why I need this old baby.”
“Oh?” This might actually work out. “Want a ride back then? Won’t have to lug all that weight around on the bus.” He hoped to entice her.
Buffy nearly bashed her head against the closest wall with frustration before she stopped and carefully composed herself before answering. “Thanks for offering. Really.” The regret in her voice mixed with sincerity nearly had her cringing. “But I’m meeting Willow at 2 at the caf. And it looks like I might even get there on time.”
He kept the smile on his face and shrugged, hoping that for once he could pull out the chops to get through his next statement without sounding like a complete liar. “Sounds great.”
Well done. 8 weeks of Drama class has not been wasted.
With equal indifference Buffy nodded. “Yup.”
He tried to come up with another reason to delay the inevitable separation, but came up empty. “Alright then. Well-”
“Yeah.” Buffy agreed. “Book time.” She sighed knowing what had to be done. “It was good seeing you again, see ya around.”
She grinned at him and it took all the willpower his body owned not to throw her over his shoulder and drag her back with him if only to keep her near. “Yeah. I’ll see you on campus.”
There was some hesitation on her part, but she turned and once again left him to watch her backside. He let himself greedily take in the shapely legs, tanned from the summer. It was most likely going to be the only chance he’d have to see them.
And then it was over like a dream. The other customers in the store suddenly seemed to be everywhere and he realized he was being shoved aside while people tried to get around him.
This shook him awake, reminding him why he was even at the college.
~~`~~
Buffy sipped on her frozen coffee while Willow excitedly spoke about her favorite thing at present. School preparation. “And you have to have plenty of paperclips. Do you know how many of those little suckers I went through last semester?” She asked, though in no way expecting a response as the blonde shook her head no.
“Nearly 150, and that was just for one class. But you have to have a good system to mark pages. It so-o cuts down on the study time.”
There was no doubt Willow was in her element when it came to school, and as far as Buffy was concerned it was one of the red head’s most endearing qualities.
Buffy herself probably wouldn’t have even discovered her own brain and its ability to figure things out if it hadn’t been for her friend’s incessant insistence that Buffy study with her when they were teens. “You have to have a system.” The blonde backed up her oldest friend.
“Exactly.” Willow finally took a sip of her own frothy drink then started on a different note. “So how was your supply run?”
“Mmm.” Buffy pulled her own drink from her mouth and smiled briefly while her mind replayed specific moments from her wait with Spike.
She quickly looked down at her filled backpack and the plastic bag sitting next to it. Her estimate had been a little low. Turns out the Economics class also had a workbook. “I’m set. Thank god for my grant. Nine hundred bucks for 7 books.” She shook her head.
“Ouch.” Willow screwed up her face. “At least you get something back when its time for the book resale.”
“I guess.” She wasn’t too concerned with it. As a full time student and on a part time budget, money was tight but if Uncle Sam was willing to fork out some cash so she could graduate and finally get a job with a 401K then she was happy to spend it. But getting twenty dollars back for a book that cost $150 didn’t seem like something to get overly thrilled about.
Seeing her friend’s reaction, again Willow changed the subject. “Did you have any cutie pies to watch while you were waiting?”
“Just Spike.” Buffy said without thinking.
“Who?” Willow asked genuinely interested.
Buffy tried to hide the fact that she’d had no intention of mentioning the bleached Greek god. “Oh, just some guy I know.” She played off the slip of the tongue casually.
The red head was having none of it. “And? Details, I want details.”
Considering her options, Buffy set her drink on the table and eyed her friend before letting out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. “Oh Willow, I’m in so much trouble.” She finally burst out.
And she shared the impossible situation quickly, not leaving anything out. “And then he just shows up again today. It’s like karma or something.”
Confused, Willow simply stared at Buffy and shook her head. “Karma? For what?” She couldn’t imagine what the blonde could have done wrong.
She nodded. “Yeah, for how things went with Riley.”
“But you broke it off with him. You said it was a bad fit.” Willow reminded her.
Buffy slumped back in her seat. “Maybe I should have tried harder or something. I don’t know.” She recalled all the e-mails he sent, phone calls and even the presents he left on her birthday, even though they’d broken up a week prior.
With the gift was a note explaining he’d purchased it before they’d broken up, and that he still wanted her to have it. It probably should have creeped her out, but as clingy as Riley got towards the end she knew none of what happened was malicious. Just a guy in love.
After everything was said and done he was a great guy, just not her great guy.
“You can’t be blamed for lack of Chemistry, Buff. It happens sometimes.” Willow studied the look in her friend’s eyes. She knew that look. It was desperate, mixed with defeat.
“I know. I really do, but Spike’s making me crazy and I can’t seem to get any kind of control when my mind switches to him.” she shook her head. “He’s like a drug or something. One I’ve never even had but I’m already addicted to.” She tried to elaborate.
A sad smile accompanied Willow’s next words. “You just have to keep reminding yourself he has a girlfriend.” Then her face shifted and the smile she gave Buffy next hinted at a little secret. “And anything that goes on up here,” She pointed to her own red head. “Is your business.” She finished with a wink.
“Willow, you brazen hussy you.” Buffy couldn’t help but giggle at her usually reserved friend’s observation.
Across the table Willow smiled back, glad she was able to lighten the mood for her friend a little.
Unfortunately it didn’t last. “It would just figure though. The first guy I meet in forever that I’m attracted to and not only is he years younger, but taken too.”
“It’s a cruel cruel world.” Willow agreed shaking her head.
~~`~~
Spike dropped his bag of groceries on the passenger side seat before shutting his car door and turning the key. Punk music blared from the car as soon as the engine started and the noise pollution was like a comfortable blanket to him.
Throwing the car into reverse he slid out of the parking space with ease and headed home.
He studied the traffic around him before switching lanes on the road. It was a familiar path that he took often so he let his mind again replay the precious moments he had stolen with Buffy.
All at once his car jerked forward, then came to a slamming halt. His newly acquired books flew from the backseat onto the floor and the food he’d just purchased laid spilling onto the floorboards beside him.
His radio still howled uninterrupted as he brought his head up from the steering wheel to look through the cracked windshield of his car. “Bloody fucking hell!!” He growled when he realized what had happened.
The steam rolling up from under his hood along with the damage to the windshield had his heart racing. His baby, his most prized possession had just been abused. The anger boiling up from deep inside caused him to grit his teeth as he slowly extracted himself from the Desoto.
The white minivan now attached to his front bumper had a crumpled rear and the glass from the back window was sprinkled all over the black hood of Spike’s car. As he took this all in he turned to see the red 4x4 that looked like it was trying to take a bite out of the boot.
With a grumble Spike stumbled backwards toward the curb and sat down staring at the sight of his car playing the bologna in a car sandwich.
The drivers of the other vehicles and what he assumed were passengers began to gather around where he sat. The other cars on the street paraded by cautiously as their passengers stared on at the unfortunate accident.
Soon came the familiar sound of police sirens and moments later the fire brigade showed up. EMT’s were the last to arrive and in a shuffle that the police were obviously used to acting out, information was gathered and citations were handed out.
The situation was surreal for Spike. He didn’t quite register when the medical personnel looked him over, asking him if he was hurt. He automatically answered the officer’s questions, giving them insurance information and handing over his license so they could copy down his address.
It may have been hours or mere minutes while the others involved where given the same treatment. But even in his dazed state he registered the words, tow truck.
He glanced back at his beauty and shook his head. The old girl had suffered, but he could already tell that the age and build of his classic had saved her from the damage that would have been done if he owned a lesser vehicle.
When a truck with a wide bed in back showed up and attached the long chain to the car to pull it onto the bed Spike quickly got up. “Hold it there, mate. Have to get some things out of her.”
The bulky dirty looking driver pulled a lever and the chain stopped coiling in the Desoto while Spike grabbed the food that survived the onslaught along with his textbooks. “Alight. Go on and load her up.” He said with more calm than he felt.
After all was said and done, Spike got a card displaying the name of the auto shop his car was being taken to clearly printed out. “Call them as soon as you get a chance.” The tow truck driver advised. “Then you can decide what to do.”
Without having to ask, Spike knew the man was referring to either fixing or totaling out the damage to the car. He nodded though and turned to walk towards his house. Luckily, if you could call anything about the situation lucky, the accident had occurred just at the entrance to his housing addition.
He was nearly home when something occurred to him and a small smile spread. If he had to sacrifice the use of his vehicle for a time, maybe there would be a bright side.
Still juggling his books and the slightly torn bag of groceries Spike felt a renewed energy as he headed home, hoping beyond hope that he would be able to find the bus routes on the internet before class started Monday. And if he really lucked out maybe his path would cross Buffy’s.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
I had a bit of fun with this chapter. I hope everyone enjoys the little 'bumps in the road'.
Chapter End Notes:
Ahh the joys of life. The line at the bookstore and the car accident are both directly pulled form my real life so I really hope I got the feel correct on both counts. I will be updating Deserving and Akoshta on Friday but due to a tiny block on this story, do not look for further updates until Tuesday next. Thank you again to everyone who takes the time to let me know what you think. You make me want to try harder and I appriciate the challenge. Kisses to all!!
*** Special thanks to both cordykitten and on for reminding me to switch this up to a Spike/Other warning. But there wont be one single icky Spike/Dru sex scene (cuz its just wrong and I can't stomach it) so please don't be put off by the story.
*** Special thanks to both cordykitten and on for reminding me to switch this up to a Spike/Other warning. But there wont be one single icky Spike/Dru sex scene (cuz its just wrong and I can't stomach it) so please don't be put off by the story.