Class
English Lit
Chapter 15 – English Lit
A/N: I know everybody is very anxious for the Spuffy to
start, but trust me, working up to it will make it worth it!
Buffy floated through her first day of classes dreaming
about her great date with Angel. She
was on cloud nine and couldn’t wait to see him at his fraternity party Saturday
night. She tried calling him on her
cell phone at lunchtime, but he didn’t pick up. She left him a message, letting him know she’d be done with
classes at three.
Willow and Anya had very different schedules than Buffy, but
they all shared one class together, Intro to English Literature.
two that afternoon so they could sit together.
The class was very large since all first year students were required to
take it. The professor walked in and started the class.
“Good afternoon. I
am Professor Snyder and this is Intro to English Literature 101.
graduate students working for me as Teaching Assistants.
hold group discussions on the novels we review. The group discussion will be held every Thursday evening at
6. Later I will be dividing the class
in to groups, one assigned to William Martin and the other to Clem
Roberts. Gentleman, will you please
pass out the syllabus?”
When the two grad students rose from the first row and
turned around, Buffy gasped. She would
recognize that blond head anywhere!
“Buffy, what’s wrong?”
Willow nudged her friend whose mouth was hanging open.
“Oh my god Willow, it’s Spike!” Buffy whispered.
blue soft collared shirt. ‘Wow he looks
good. Oh, god, did I just think that!
Bad Buffy!’
“Wl>“What? Who’s Spike?”
Willow asked puzzled.
“The motorcycle guy – remember his piercing blue eyes
that Buffy couldn’t forget? He is
G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!” Anya licked her lips.
‘I wouldn’t mind a piece of him…’ she thought to herself.
“Anya, you are not helping!” Buffy hissed.
as she slumped in her seat. Spike was
making his way toward their row, passing out the syllabus.
row. When he reached their row, he
looked down at her as he handed her the stackpapepapers.
narrowed and his lips formed a smirk.
In a low voice he said, “Fancy meeting you here Luv,” and Buffy was blushing furiously while Willow and Anya broke out “Is there a problem ladies?” Professor Snyder was standing “No!” Willow, Buffy and Anya replied in unison. “Well since you three seem to find Mr. Martin so amusing, “Anya Jenkins.” “Willow Rosenberg, sir.” “Elizabeth Summers-Giles. “Well Buffy, Willow and Anya.” Snyder said
proceeded to the next row.
in giggles.
at the front of their row looking very perturbed.
why don’t we make sure you are assigned to his discussion group.
It might be under Buffy.”
snidely. “We seem to have an influx of
Americans this year. Well ladies, you
getter buckle up because you are about to be taught real English
Literature, not that bloody William Shakespeare you Americans are taught.”
of the cl
Spike and Clem took their seats at the front again so Buffy
couldn’t see Spike’s face. She was sure
he was having a chuckle over her getting in trouble.
When the class was over the girls practically ran out of the
classroom. Anya was laughing.
“Hilarious! That was awful!
Professor Snyder has it in for us.
It’s going to be impossible to get an ‘A’ from him.”
“Oh don’t worry about getting your ‘A’, Willow.
to all of us.” Anya said jokingly.
Buffy spun around.
“Anya, It will not be like that.
In a few weeks Spike will forget about me and the whole incident.”
“Yeah right!” Anya and Willow said in unison.
dorm. Xander was waiting for Anya.
“Ladies.” He greeted them.
He pulled out a bouquet of daisies and handed them to Anya.
“Oh Xander, your so sweet!”
“Nicked them myself.
Thought we could take a walk by the pond before I have to go to work.”
“I’d love to. See
you guys later.” Anya and Xander went off.
Buffy and Willow walked up to the room.
The phone was ringing when they entered. Buffy went to answer, hoping it would be Angel.
“Hello?”
“Hi Buffy,” a breathy voice said, “it’s Darla.
“Oh, hey Darla. I
just finished up.”
“Great, why don’t you come over to see me and Fred?
we’ll have dinner.”
“Okay, I’ll be right over.”
“Buffy explained to Willow where she was going and then she
got in her car and drove over to Darla and Fred’s. On the way, she called Lady Lilah and Dawn and told them about
her first day of school. She also
explained that she wouldn’t be home that weekend. Lady Lilah was upset at first, but when she explained that Angel
had invited to her a party, she was singing a different tune.
but Buffy assured her she had plenty.
Darla and Fred lived in a townhouse right off campus.
neighborhood. Buffy was surprised when
a servant greeted her at the door. She
didn’t think Darla and Fred would be so formal at school.
Darla and Fred were waiting for Buffy in liv living
room. The houses décor was modern and
simple. Very different from Angelus
Manor. It made Buffy wonder if they had
Pottery Barn in England. When Lady
Lilah took her shopping for school in London, she hadn’t seen one, or a Crate
and Barrel.
“Buffy, it’s so wonderful to see you again.” Darla
exclaimed. She and Fred came over and
hugged Buffy. “The housekeeper will
bring the tea shortly. Let me
introduce you to everybody.” Buffy then
noticed that on the other side of the room three other girls were seated on a
sofa. “Everybody, this is a dear friend
of mine, Lady Elizabeth Summers-Giles, but please call her Buffy.” The girls
all giggled at this. “Buffy, this is
Lady Katherine Taylor, Lady Josephine Etson, and Baroness Emily Pendleton.”
Buffy greeted the girls.
They were all Darla’s age and very dull in appearance.
in common with any of them. The tea was
served and they all sat down. They all
managed to make small chit-chat, but Buffy felt uncomfortable.
brought up Angel, or the fact that Buffy had gone on a date with him.
After tea, Fred took Buffy on a tour of the house while
Darla went over some sorority business with the other girls.
“Buffy, I’m glad you’re here. I really hope we can be friends.”
“Oh Fred, thank you.
I hope we become friends too.” Buffy assured her.
“Oh good. Buffy, can
I ask you a question?”
“Sure Fred.”
“Darla said that back in America, you weren’t a Lady.
The question surprised Buffy, but she could see Fred wasn’t
asking to be mean. “I didn’t officially
inherit the title until my father passed away.
My grandmother explained that if I had grown up here I would have had
the title. It was just very complicated
due to my parents’ separatand and my dual citizenship.
“Sure Buffy.” Fed nodded.
“Well, do people think less of me because I’m American?
toward me.”
“Well, that’s probably part of it.
“Because of Angel?
They don’t like him?” Buffy asked, puzzled.
“Oh, just the opposite.
He is one of the most eligible men around, and they are all jealous of
you.”
“Oh, okay. So how do
you and Darla feel about me and Angel?”
“Buffy, we both like you a lot. But I realize that there is a lot of pressure between our two
families for you two to get together.
There’s a lot of pressure in our circles to make the right match. Don’t
let that get to you. Just go with your
heart.” Fred smiled at Buffy.
Buffy smiled back at her, but she couldn’t help but wonder
if Fred was trying to tell her something else.
The girls went back downstairs. Darla was now sitting in the parlor with Wesley.
“Lady Buffy, how good to see you again.
“Good evening, Wes.” Fred smiled.
“Hello Wesley, how are you.” Buffy greeted.
“Just fine. I’m here
to join you ladies for dinner.” When he said ladies, he only looked at
Fred. Fred looked away
uncomfortably. Buffy was beginning to
understand.