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Chapter 5


Over the next few weeks, Buffy and Spike grew closer. Spike began working
the same shifts she did and felt his attraction toward her growing. He
never said anything to Buffy for fear that she would get scared and start
avoiding him, but he couldn’t help the feelings he had for her. Today, they were in the back room, restocking the items that had just been shipped in.

“So what’s new with you, Goldilocks?” Spike asked. He’d noticed she’d been
quiet for most of the day and was starting to get worried about her.

Buffy shook her head as she finished unpacking one of the boxes in front of
her.

“Come on,” Spike prodded. “There’s something stirring around in that
overactive brain of yours.”

Buffy smiled slightly. “It’s really nothing.”

Spike walked over to her and gently took her by the arms. “Buffy, are you
okay?”

This time she smiled genuinely. “There’s nothing to be worried about, if
that’s what you mean.”

“Good,” Spike said, breathing a sigh of relief. “But there is something
bothering you.”

“It’s stupid really. I just…I’m not going to the prom, and I’ve just been
thinking about if it’s a mistake to skip it, but it’s this weekend, and I’m
getting kind of close to the buzzer if I decide to go.”

Spike stared at her, confused. “What do you mean you’re not going? Guys must be lined up around the block to take you.”

Buffy laughed at that. “Oh yeah, I really get the greatest guys in Sunnydale
High. My favorite options are Cameron Walker, who felt the need to try and
sexually assault me in his car last year, or Larry, who tries to grab my butt
in gym class every day. Call me crazy, but I’m thinking I don’t want to
face the post-prom parties with guys like that.”

Spike felt anger build in him at the mention of these two idiots touching a
girl like her. “Buffy, if anything ever happens, I want you to tell me, okay?”

Buffy gave him a small smile. “Nothing’s going to happen to me because I
won’t be in that kind of a position for anything to happen, but thank you.”
She gave him a small smile and squeezed his hand as she got up and left the
room.

Spike sat there for a long time, thinking about what Buffy had said. He knew
that she would be sorry if she missed out on her prom, but he couldn’t find
it in himself to ask her. It was, after all, her school, and she didn’t seem
that interested in asking him, so he knew he should forget about it. What
he couldn’t forget about was the look in her eyes when she told him about it.

Spike left the room and saw Buffy and Willow talking at the front of the
store. Spike decided to leave them alone and began shelving some books when
he heard the bell at the front of the store. Turning around, he saw Willow
walking toward him as the door shut.

“Did Buffy go home?”

“No,” Willow said. “She’s just taking her break. Spike, you have to
convince her to go to the prom this weekend.”

Spike blinked at the abrupt change of topic. “Listen, Red, I don’t know if
Buffy wants me to butt in.”

“Spike, she wants to go, but she doesn’t have a date.”

“Yeah, I know. She told me.”

“What is wrong with you?” Willow cried as she smacked him on the shoulder.

Spike flinched at the amount of power behind her tiny hand. “What are you
goin’ on about?”

“Buffy tells you her problem, and you don’t ask her?”

“Red, it’s not my place to ask. It’s her school, her dance, and I’m her
friend. If she wants to go with me, she’ll ask.”

Willow threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. “Men!” Looking Spike
in the eye again, she continued, “Spike, she’s turned down four offers
because they haven’t been the right guy.”

“So the chit’s picky, so what?”

“Because the right guy is you.”

Spike froze. “She told you that?”

“Well…not in so many words, but I know her, Spike. She’s my friend.”

Spike absorbed all of the information for several long minutes as he sat
down at a nearby table. “I’ve got an idea, Red.”

* * * * *

Buffy stood in front of the mirror on Saturday night, staring at the
reflection. “I’m cool with going stag,” she muttered to herself as she
looked at the strapless, red floor-length gown that Willow had talked her
into. The low-cut neckline showed off a generous amount of cleavage. A
high slit up the right leg made Buffy feel a little self-conscious about
the amount of skin she was exposing, but she shrugged it off. Her long
golden hair was pulled up in a French-twist with a few face-framing pieces
left down. Her mother’s diamond earrings were the only jewelry she wore.
Buffy stared into the mirror for over ten minutes when she heard the
doorbell.

“Buffy! Your friends are here!”

“I’ll be right down, Mom!”

With a final glance in the mirror, Buffy turned and made her way downstairs.
She smiled at her friends as she walked downstairs. Willow and Oz stood
in the doorway, blissfully happy. Buffy could see Xander and Cordelia
behind them and smiled. Cordy had finally taken it upon herself to ask
Xander to go with her since he was too frightened to ask her.

“Buffy, you look amazing!” Willow squealed.

“Lookin’ good, Buffster.” Buffy smiled at her friends as Cordy and Oz
echoed the statements.

“Thanks, guys, you all look great, too. Where’s my mom?”

“Oh, she’s out on the porch,” Willow replied.

Buffy frowned and followed her friends out into the night. She felt her
chest constrict at what she saw. Standing on the porch in an all black tux
with a black necktie, Spike smiled at her, holding a bouquet of white roses.
Buffy stood frozen in her place as her mother snapped pictures of her
shocked expression.

Buffy finally was able to give him a smile as he stepped forward. “What are
you doing here?”

“I couldn’t let my favorite girl go to her prom alone, now could I?”

Buffy’s smile brightened at the admission as everyone started talking at
once. She couldn’t hear anything else as Spike leaned forward, gently
brushing her cheek with his lips. “You look gorgeous, luv,” he whispered
quietly.

Buffy shivered at the feel of his breath on her skin and looked into his
eyes. “You’re not so bad yourself.” Buffy took Spike’s offered arm and let
him lead her to the waiting limousine.





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