A Touch of Jealousy (COMPLETE)

Chapter 38

Author's Note: Thanks to the wonderful Ali for betaing this so quickly! You're the best BETA mom!

“How…? W-when?” Buffy hesitated as her mind quickly came up with a series of answers, none of which she liked too much. “Did you and Cordy…”

“What?! God, no!” He immediately denied shaking his head vehemently.

“Then…”

“It’s… um…” He looked at her before sighing audibly and blurting out: “ItutoredCordelia.”

“Huh?” That was definitely not the explanation she was expecting.

“I tutored Cordelia.” He repeated. “In English, last year.” He grumbled lowering his head.

“You tutored Cordy?”

“Yes.” He sighed heavily.

“You tutored someone?” She continued to question incredulous.

“Surprised, luv?”

“Very.” She nodded.

“We’ll she was kinda slipping and Mrs. Kennedy asked me to help her out. So, I ended up coming here every Friday afternoon. That’s how come I know this house so well.” He explained.

“Wow.”

He rolled his eyes before pressing his fingers over the bridge of his nose.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?” She asked still baffled by the revelation.

“What?! And let everyone label me as a geek? No way. It took me too long to get my badass rep over here. I wasn’t about to lose it.” He shook his head as he walked around in small circles in the confined space. “Plus, Cordy wasn’t too keen on letting everyone know that she needed tutoring.”

There was a moment of pause in which Buffy looked like she was doing a slow-motion imitation of a fish out of water, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly.

“Actually, Oz and Red know about it too.” He said, trying to break the awkward silence.

At that Buffy looked up and frowned.

“It kinda slipped during Homecoming while you were…” He swallowed hard and decided to avoid the subject. “…gone.”

“You told them and didn’t tell me?!” A hint of disappointment was evident in her voice.

“I told you. I wasn’t planning on telling anyone at all. It just slipped.” He mumbled, leaning against the wall, opposite her.

“That’s how come everyone knew about the ‘speech’ but me, huh?”

“Sorry.” He said in a weak voice, tilting his head sideways.

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest in silence before uttering:

“H-how? You never pay attention in class in English. You’re always scribbling away in you notepad.”

“That’s cause most of what the teacher's teaching I already know.” He replied smugly.

“Then what is it you are constantly writing?” She inquired with a half smile as she narrowed her eyes at him.

At that there was a renewed silence. Spike pulled at the black bowtie around his neck, loosening it a bit. He tried to hide his face as he stared down at the floor; the light coming through the shutters destroying his effort.

“Spike…?”

“It’s poetry, alright?” He replied a bit snippy, dropping his arms limply at his sides in defeat.

“Poetry?!”

“Yes.” He hissed while she closed the small distance between them. “I write poetry and Mrs. Kennedy helps me with it. So, there you have it, I’m a geek. Happy now?” He grumbled, daring to look up at her for the first time since they had started the conversation.

He felt his breath catch in his throat when she was suddenly pressed against him, her lips crushing into his for a demanding kiss. It took a few seconds for him to respond but, eventually, he did. His arms quickly wrapped around her, one hand buried itself in her hair as he opened his mouth to welcome her in. The two stumbled backwards and soon Buffy found herself pushed up against a wall with Spike leaning into her.

He gasped as her small hands reached for his shirt, hurriedly pulling it out of his pants before snaking her fingers under it to run over his abdomen. It wasn’t long before those same fingers found their way down south, practically tearing the black sash of his tux as they reached for the waistband of his pants.

“What are you- Ah!” He mewled as her hand roughly cupped his erection through the black fabric.

She moved her palm up and down as her teeth attacked his earlobe.

“God, Buffy… wha…” He swallowed hard as her hand wormed into his pants to brush over the dark curls there. “Wha’ are you doing?” He managed to ask, resting his forehead on the wall over her shoulder, squeezing his eyes shut, his teeth clenching and unclenching as he searched for control.

She never answered him, trailing harsh kisses up his neck to capture his lips. Her arms flew over his shoulders and before he could react, her legs were wrapped around his waist, her light blue dress hitched up over her thighs.

His mouth instinctively searched for the tender skin of her neck, lightly nibbling at it as she thrust her pelvis against his, causing him to let out a strangled cry.

“Buffy…” he gasped.

“I want you.” She breathed as her fingers wrapped themselves around his dishevelled curls and forced him to look up at her.

Without warning she smashed her mouth over his for another bruising and urgent kiss, while her hand dipped between their bodies and slipped into his pants to encircle his cock once again.

“God…” Spike moaned as her small hand wrapped around his cock and began gliding up and down.

“I missed you.” She said between ragged breaths.

“I missed you so much.” He replied, his lips returning to their previous task as he placed a series of open-mouth kisses over her neck.

“I tried to get… ah!” She groaned as he reached the sensitive spot below her earlobe. “… get away from… t-the gallery…” She panted, while her hand continued to pump him. “… but the place was swamped… a-and…” She stopped in mid sentence when she felt him grab a hold of her wrist and pull her hand from between her bodies. She frowned and looked down at him.

“You keep that up and I’m not gonna last.” He answered her as he drew shallow and quick breaths from his lungs. He stared up at her for a few seconds before asking: “Are you sure you wanna…” He tilted his head downwards. “…here? Someone might…”

Another frown settled over her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

“Y-you don’t want me?” She choked.

“What?” He asked in disbelief.

“It’s just that…”

He ground his hips against her and growled in a low voice as he suggestively narrowed his eyes at her: “Does it feel like I don’t want you?”

She felt a flush take over he cheeks and shook her head.

“Just wanted to make sure you wanted…” He whispered in her ear. “Don’t want you working me up and then changing your mind, is all.”

“Since when do I do that?” She mocked in false indignation.

“Since always.” He replied simply as he continued to lick his way up and down her neck, making it hard for her to concentrate on the topic at hand.

“I…” gasps “…never did…” swallow “that.”

He immediately abandoned his ministrations to look up at her.

“What about that day in the cabin?” At her frown he continued. “The time I told you the truth about Andrew and Angel. Remember?” He continued in a high-pitched voice, mockingly trying to mimic hers: “No! Not now! Tonight. When they’re asleep.”

“They could have heard us.” She defended herself, adding a pout.

“They can bloody well hear us now too.” He contoured.

“Oh, come on. There is a party going on out there. No one will hear.” She argued.

“They will if you scream.”

“I won’t scream.”

“Are you doubting that I can make you scream?” He pulled his chest away from hers, while her legs stayed wrapped around his waist, and cupped her backside.

“No. I just won’t.” She explained, rubbing herself against him and causing him to roll his eyes back in their sockets for a second.

“It’s not really your choice, now is it?” He asked in a deep, husky voice leaning closer to her. “Sometimes you just *have* to scream.” He said suggestively running his tongue over his lips.

“Ego much?” She asked, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow at him, but it quickly fell back into place as he thrust his pelvis into hers. “There’s loud music no one-“

“Stupid kids! Keep running around and bumping into people.”

Buffy and Spike froze as they heard Snyder’s familiar voice coming from the hall.

“I-I’m really sorry Mayor Wilkins. I didn’t mean to spill my drink on you.” He continued to babble. “It’s just that idiot Harris ran into me and-“

“It’s ok, Snyder.” Mayor Wilkins creepily peppy voice reached the teens in the closet. “Now, which door was it? Second door on the right or left?”

“I-I think Mrs. Chase said the bathroom was the second door on the left.”

Buffy stared wide eyed as the two men stopped in front of the shutters. Her eyes practically fell out of their sockets when she felt one of Spike’s hands abandon her hips to slither between their bodies. Her frightened gaze alternated frantically between Spike’s face and his hand. She swallowed hard when she heard the distinct metallic sound of a zipper sliding open.

“What are you doing?” She uttered soundlessly.

She froze when one finger brushed over her panties and pushed them to the side.

“No!” She mouthed trying to pull the intruding hand away without making any noise.

The sound of running water reached her ears and when she turned to look through the shutters she realised only one of the men remained in the hall – Mr. Snyder. Behind him, directly opposite to the plantation shutters, was an open door that revealed a bathroom. As the principal nervously walked in circles in the corridor, Buffy was able to spot that the mayor was inside the other room, leaning over the sink and struggling to clean his trousers.

Her attention flew back to Spike when she felt something hard press against her entrance.

“No!” She breathed, a mixture of fear and excitement rushing through her veins.

“No one will hear.” He whispered, leaning against the side of her face, his eyes closed as he ran his tongue over her ear.

“Wait, Spike…” She whispered.

“And you won’t scream, remember?” He asked in a husky voice before slowly thrusting his hips forward and entering her.

Buffy’s eyes flew open as she felt him sluggishly slip between her folds, stretching them. She held her breath, biting her lower lip with all her strength as she struggled to keep from moaning out his name, her nails digging into the padded shoulders of his tux.

He refused to enter her completely, pulling out and pushing in only the tip of his cock with excruciatingly slow movements.

“Spike they’re…” She trailed off for a moment when he lightly nibbled at her earlobe. God, she loved that! “T-they’re gonna… ah… hear.”

He let his face slide over her neck, his nose nuzzling against the soft skin as he reached her collarbone. In the meantime, his hips continued to move, slightly pushing forward, teasing her mercilessly as he pulled back out.

“Spike…” She breathed; her voice practically inaudible.

“I want you so much…” He silently growled in her hear, suddenly slamming into her.

“Ah!” She gasped, her mouth going wide, mimicking her eyes.

In the hall, Mr. Snyder came to a halt.

“What was that?” They heard Mr. Snyder ask.

“What was what?” The mayor questioned, not really interested as he continued to stare down at the stain on his pants.

Buffy felt her heart skip a beat and Spike froze inside her, his face still buried in the crook of her neck.

“I think I heard something.”

“It was probably just the music.” The mayor offered, rubbing a piece of wet toilet paper over the black fabric.

“No, it was-“

“Darn it!” Mayor Wilkins suddenly hissed, dropping the paper into the nearby waste bin. “Pesky little stain won’t come out!”

“Well, Mrs. Chase should be here any second with the stain remover. I’m sure it’ll come right off. Be good as new.” Mr. Snyder spoke in a fast pace, rubbing his hands together while the other man picked another piece of toilet paper and resumed his task.

Buffy’s eyes were still fixed on the two men in the corridor, when she felt Spike move inside her. Without warning he pulled out of her and pushed back in, causing her to bite back a moan as she held her breath.

His hands cupped her ass, holding her up against the wall as he started to set a slow, steady rhythm. His mouth worked her neck, his tongue hungrily licking every inch of her exposed flesh as he drove in and out of her.

“We have to… stop… We-Oh! God! We need to…”

“Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor? Oh, here you are!” Mrs. Chase’s painfully squeaky voice pierced through Buffy’s blinding daze. “I thought I told you to use the bathroom in the office. It was closest. I’ve been looking for you all over the house. Now, let me see that nasty stain.”

With a foggy gaze Buffy turned to the left to see, through the shutters, Mrs. Chase spraying something on the Mayor’s trousers before rubbing it in.

“See Mayor Wilkins, I told you it would…”

Mr. Snyder’s eager whine seemed to fade into the background along with Etta James’ soulful voice as one of Spike’s hands abandoned the curve of her ass to slip between their bodies and find her clit. His thumb pressed small circles over it, while his pelvis continued to thrust into her at growingly faster and more urgent pace.

“Spike… don’t… Christ!” She hissed arching her neck, further exposing it to him.

But he had already focused on something else. In the midst of their hard grinding, the strings on one side of her dress had fallen over her shoulder, causing the blue fabric to skim down over her chest, partially exposing her pale breast. His mouth eagerly trailed down, his chin working to push the gown further until one perfectly erect nipple was peeking out. His lips immediately parted to take the small pebble between them, letting his tongue roll around it before pressing against it.

Buffy couldn’t take it anymore, the combination of having him kissing and nibbling at her nipple, one rough thumb brushing and massaging her swollen clit while he drove hard into her was just too much.

“That’s it luv! Come for me… Come for me…” He secretly coaxed, never abandoning her breast as he looked up to see her face contort in pleasure.

Her eyes were tightly shut, her eyebrows marred by a painful frown, her mouth closed, but her lips parted to reveal her clenched teeth as she fought her rapidly approaching orgasm.

“Well, I think the stain’s out.”

“Well Mrs. Chase, you are a miracle worker indeed.” Mayor Wilkins said with a plastic grin as he exited the bathroom. “We better hurry then, only five more minutes till midnight.”

“Oh, God, Spike.” She hissed, gasping over and over again, swallowing hard, gulping for air as she felt the pressure ready to explode inside of her.

“Please, Buffy… Come for me. Don’t fight it.” He begged her with soft whispers, finally leaving her breast to attack her mouth. “Fuck! I’m so close.” He mumbled between desperate kisses as his hand abandoned her clit and returned to cup her ass.

“Well, we better go back to the party then.” Snyder offered as they continued walking down the hall.

In the utility room, Spike pulled out of Buffy and suddenly rammed into her with all of his strength and that did it. She grabbed a fistful of his hair, trying to hold onto anything and screamed into his mouth as a powerful orgasm slammed into her.

Spike’s own moans mixed with hers inside their joined mouths when he felt her inner muscles spasm around his cock, clamping down and milking him as he came with her.

“What was that?” Mr. Snyder stopped dead in his tracks.

“What?” Mrs. Chase and the major asked in unison.

“That sound.” The bald man insisted.

“I don’t hear anything.”

“No. Just now. There was a-a… muffled sound… something.” He insisted.

“Snyder. I think you’re in need of a little more time away from the kids. You’re starting to hear things.” Mayor Wilkins said as he continued to walk toward the party.

“B-but…” Snyder stuttered after him.

In the closet, Buffy and Spike slumped against the wall together, ending up in a puddle of numb limbs on the floor.

“God! That was… God!” Buffy was the first to speak, between ragged pants.

“Christ, I missed you so much, Summers!” Spike mumbled against her hair, his eyes closed as he inhaled her scent.

“Summers? After what we just did, you’re back to calling me by my last name?” She teased.

“You’re amazing. You’re…” He struggled to find the words, but every single one that came to mind seemed cheap and puny compared to what he was feeling at that moment.

She smiled proudly, beads of sweat dripping down the side of her face as her fingers playfully twirled around his bleached curls.

“I missed you so much.” He finally said, after a moment of silence, looking up at her. “When I saw you at the house all I wanted to do was touch you…” He ran his finger over her shoulder and down her arm. “…feel you close to me, take in your scent…” He inhaled sharply against her cheek. “… kiss you.” He finally ended his sentence brushing his lips over hers. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“Just tonight?” She smiled.

The look on his face made her heart stop her a second, her stomach twist and her breath catch in her throat. The way he stared at her, the painful turmoil of emotions in his eyes frightened her for a split second. It was just so intense.

“Always.” He breathed. “There is no one else but you and if you don’t know that by now-“

She cut him off by placing two fingers over his mouth.

“I know.” She whispered, then leaned in and placed a single kiss on his lips.

They stared blindly at each other for a few moments, their fingers lazily tracing strange patterns over each other’s bodies.

“We better go.” Buffy broke the stillness. “My mom’s gonna be looking for me.”

Reluctantly, he nodded and was about to move when she exclaimed:

“Oh, wait! I’ve got something for you.” Without leaving his lap she reached for her small bag and opened it.

She took out a clumsily wrapped present from inside and handed it to.

.

“What’s this for, pet?” He questioned with a frown as he took the gift.

“Merry Christmas!”

“I thought you had already given me a Christmas present.” He said suggestively as he started to unwrap the paper.

“This is extra.”

He opened it to reveal a pair of boxers with red hearts scattered over a dark blue background. A smile crept over his lips.

“Like it?” She asked.

“Love it.” He replied bringing her in for another kiss.

The music in the background came to a sudden halt to be replaced by a loud chorus:

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five…”

The two teens remained sitting on the floor, gazing at each other in the dark closet, the only light coming from the shutters.

“Four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!”

“Happy new year, pet!”

“Happy new year!” Buffy replied as his hand cupped her cheek and brought her in for a long kiss.

Chapter 39

“Miss Summers!” Mrs. Finch’s high-pitched voice bounced off the classroom walls.

“Sorry.” Buffy meekly apologized with her head bowed.

“I will not warn you and Miss Rosenberg again.” The history teacher threatened for the third time that day.

For the next ten minutes the two teens managed to keep quiet but soon Willow was nudging the blonde haired girl that sat next to her

“So, what happened next?” She asked with a sparkle in her eye, anxiously waiting for the rest of the story.

“Well, Mrs. Chase came into the hall…” Buffy continued telling the events on New Year’s Eve, leaning towards Willow while occasionally throwing a quick glance to check on the teacher. “And then…”

“Miss Summers!”

Both girls jolted in their seats, sitting up straight and staring terrified at the grey-haired woman.

‘I’m so busted.’ Buffy thought as she watched her history teacher adjust her glasses as she started reading the slip of paper she held in her hands.

“Well, Miss Summers I guess you get to skip my boring lecture after all. The new guidance counsellor wants to see you.” She explained glancing up from the paper to stare at girl in question.

“New guidance counsellor?” Buffy frowned looking at Willow for some kind of explanation, but found none.

“Come on Miss Summers! I don’t have all day.” Mrs. Finch exclaimed turning to the black board.

Awkwardly, Buffy picked up her things, quickly shoving them into her backpack before leaving the classroom.

~+~

With a powerful sigh and the same frown still marring her eyebrows she knocked on the door.

“Come in.” she heard someone answer.

“You wanted to see me?” Buffy asked entering the room.

Behind the desk sat a brow-haired woman, with pale skin and a nice plastic smile plastered on her red lips.

“You must be Buffy.” She spoke, standing up and shaking the teen’s hand over the desk. “I’m Halfrek Addams your new guidance counsellor.” At Buffy’s frown she added with a sigh: “I know, Halfrek... bad huh? Let’s just say my parents had very… *original* ideas. Just call me Hallie!”

“Hey!” Buffy greeted awkwardly as she took her seat, mimicking the motions of the woman standing across from her. “A-Am I in trouble?” She asked after a few moments of nerve-racking silence

The only answer she got was a light giggle from the brown-haired woman.

“No, you’re not in trouble. I’m just trying to meet all of you guys, since I’m new around here. You know, get to know you better, so I can help you out.” She explained after a while.

“Oh!” Buffy replied, lightly nodding as she allowed her body to relax into the chair.

“So…” Hallie started as she looked at the file she held in her hands. “Buffy Anne Summers.” She read, then, putting down the papers she looked up at the girl sitting in front of her. “What do you want out of life?”

“E-Excuse me?” Buffy questioned a bit startled.

“What do you want to do? What are you goals? Your passions? What drives you?” The woman continued to inquire, enthusiastically waving her hand in the air.

Buffy’s eyes widened at the roll of questions thrown her way.

“W-Well, I-I don’t really know yet.” She stuttered.

“You’re a senior, right?” Hallie asked picking up the file and burying her dark brown eyes in the papers once more.

“Yes.”

“Well, you should have some idea of what you want, right?”

“Not exactly.” Buffy replied a bit nervous.

There was a moment of paused in which the Hallie sighed audibly before putting down the file and closing it.

“I see that you aren’t involved in any extra-curricular activities.” She started. “No sports, no clubs, no groups.”

“Not really into those things.” Buffy tried to explain raising the corner of her mouth as she shrugged and melted into the chair.

“What are you into, Buffy?” Hallie asked with a pseudo-compassionate smile.

“I don’t really know.”

“Have you ever wondered if the reason you don’t know what you like is because you have never really been involved in anything? You have never tried any sport, or any other sort of activity. Maybe, if you tried, you would find that you actually like some these things.” Hallie argued.

“Makes sense.” Buffy spoke meekly.

“It does, doesn’t it?” Another bubble-gum smile was thrown Buffy’s way. “What about…” Hallie stood up, picking up another large file from the stand next to her desk and started looking though it. “… Chess club?”

“No!” Buffy immediately sat up straight in her chair, shaking her head. “I-I mean, I don’t know how to play.”

“Oh! Well, then… what about… Cheerleading?”

Buffy frozen as suddenly the image of herself in one of Cordelia’s skimpy cheerleading outfits invaded her mind.

“Nooo, thank you.” She replied.

“Why not?”

“Just not a football fan. Don’t think I have what it takes.” Buffy explained as she silently prayed for the guidance counsellor to change her mind.

“Ok then…” She flipped through a couple more pages, suggesting a series of other activities that just made Buffy want to hurl. “I guess the only choice left then is theatre.”

“Theatre?”

“Yes! Like drama class?”

“I-I can’t act.”

“Nonsense. Of course you can!” Hallie said with a dismissive wave of her hand as she leaned on the desk, standing in front of Buffy.

“B-But…”

“Oh, it would be a perfect way of going through all that pent up teenage frustration… pouring your heart and soul into your role.” Hallie continued clapping her hands enthusiastically.

“I don’t have any pent up frustration.” Buffy piped up, but the brown-haired woman would have none of it.

“Of course you do! You’re a teenager!”

“No, I-“

“That settles it then! You’ll be auditioning for the next play. And you’re just in time actually. Auditions start today, after school. Isn’t that great?”

“Yippie!” Buffy muttered to herself, shrinking into her seat.

~+~

“Hey, Wills, Xander.” Buffy greeted dragging her feet to the table and dropping her tray on it.

“That’s the way to face the New Year - wrinkled forehead and deep pensive sighs.” Xander piped up sarcastically.

“What happened? You in trouble?” Willow asked, clearly concerned.

“No.” Buffy replied shovelling her food around in her plate.

“Heard you got a free trip to the guidance counsellor today.” Xander said as he glanced over Buffy’s shoulder to find Spike coming towards them. “Hey, bleach-man!” He greeted as the boy took his seat, giving Buffy a quick peck before replying:

“Hey, whelp.” Turning to Willow he added with a slight nod.”Red.” His attentions went back to the girl sitting next to him. “What’s wrong, luv?” He asked running, his hand over the small of her back.

“She got called to the guidance office.” Willow replied in a low voice.

“Got the play too, huh?”

Everyone at the table turned to see Oz setting his tray next to Willow’s, Cordelia trailing right behind him.

“You got tagged too?” Buffy inquired with a little more life in her voice as she looked up from her plate for the first time since sitting down.

“Yep. Not enough commitment to school life.” Oz continued, after giving Willow a kiss.

At that Buffy sighed audibly and returned her attentions to her food.

“Would be nice if someone explained what’s going on.” Xander exclaimed with a goofy grin.

“Oz and Buffy are one of the few chosen ones to be in the new school play.” Cordelia explained, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“You’re gonna be in a play?” Spike asked frowning at Buffy.

“The new guidance counsellor said I don’t get involved in extra-curricular activities enough and that I should open my mind to new experiences, so I can discover my inner self and what I *need* to be happy in life.” Buffy mumbled, dropping her fork and leaning back into her seat.

“Same speech with me.” Oz said.

“You like theatre?” Spike questioned still a bit thrown.

“No. But it was either that or cheerleading.” Buffy sighed, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting.

“And you chose theatre?”

The blonde girl nodded, twisting her mouth in disgust.

“I don’t know. I might have liked seeing you in those nasty, tight, little outfits.” Spike said with a smirk, suggestively running his tongue over his teeth as he tilted his head towards her.

“Yeah! Me in nasty, tight, *little* outfits cheering for *Angel*.” Buffy replied with a plastic smile.

At that Spike’s smug grin crumbled and was replaced with a deep frown.

“I guess you’re right. I always thought you’d be great in… what play is it?”

“Romeo and Juliet.” Buffy spat.

“Yeah. You’d make a great Juliet.” He smiled before nuzzling against the crook of her neck.

“I’m not auditioning for Juliet. I’m reading for the Nurse.” Buffy explained.

“Even better.”

“That’s what you get for having no school spirit.” Cordelia said smugly. “I can’t wait to see Oz in those pathetic costumes. Thank God I actually have a social life around here. I don’t have to be subjected to that sort of public humiliation.” Her chuckle was cut short when she felt a hand over her shoulder.

“You’re Cordelia Chase?”

The cheerleader turned to face a dark-haired woman standing next to her.

“Yes.”

“Hi. I’m Hallie Addams. I’m your new guidance counsellor.”

Cordelia remained silent as she waited for the woman to continue.

“Could you please come by my office after lunch? I really need to speak to you.” And with a smile she left the room.

In horror, Cordelia turned to see the gang looking back at her, a vengeful smirk on Buffy’s face.

~+~

“Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.” Cordelia mumbled unenthusiastically as she rolled her eyes.

“Ow, you just managed to sound more monotonic than Oz!” Xander noted.

“I hate this.” Buffy piped up, plopping down on the stage, her legs dangling off it.

“Come on girls, I’m here for support.” The brown-haired boy exclaimed with a wide grin. “I’ll help you guys with the lines and all.”

“I already know all the lines by heart.” Buffy mumbled, letting the papers drop to the floor.

“Yeah, but not all of us developed a freakish crush on Leonardo DiCaprio when Romeo and Juliet came out.” Cordy grumbled as she continued to go through the text. “Then have my lips the sin that they have took. God! Can this get any more complicated?” She finally let a frustrated sigh in defeat as she joined Buffy on the stage. “Where is this drama teacher anyway?”

“Oh! Sorry I’m late!” A breathless voice was heard right before a heaving woman entered the room.

“Miss Addams?” Cordy exclaimed.

“Should have guessed.” Buffy grumbled.

“I got caught up talking to one of your classmates and guess what? He seems to have a secret passion for theatre just like all of you.” She babbled with a huge grin as she adjusted her hair. “Meet our newest cast member!” She announced turning around but was surprised when she failed to find anyone behind her. Turning back to the group of students on stage she threw them a quick smile before leaving. “Just a second!”

“Probably another one conveniently diagnosed as a social outcast.” Oz finally spoke.

“Why do I get the feeling that this whole problem about us not getting involved in school activities is directly connected with the fact that Miss Addams is directing a play in a school where everyone hates theatre?” Buffy asked rhetorically, narrowing her eyes.

“I don’t know why *I* have to be here. I’m not socially handicapped like the rest of you guys!” Cordelia noted then, seeing the look on everyone’s face, she added: “What?”

“Gotta love her total lack of a clue!” Xander said with a smile as Buffy rolled her eyes.

“You probably got picked to draw in the crowd. Otherwise, I doubt it anyone would voluntarily come to see the impending disaster that is this play.” The blonde explained.

“There you are! No need to be shy!” Miss Addams said as she returned to the room, pulling someone with her.

“Angel?” Buffy exclaimed as she saw the star quarterback being dragged onto the stage.

“Guess we needed more star quality to draw in the crowd.” Xander said under his breath.

~+~

Hallie Addams pressed her fingers against the bridge of her nose as she listened to the pathetic dialogue being played out in front of her.

“I take thee at thy word / Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized / Henceforth I never will be Romeo.” Angel said dramatically waving his hands in the air.

“What man art thou that thus be…be…” Cordy stuttered as she struggled with the word.

“Bescreen’d.” Oz whispered from behind the curtains.

“Bescreen'd night” Cordelia managed to blurt out, her eyes glancing up at the quarterback as she continued: “So stumblest on my counsel?”

“By a name / I know not how to tell thee who I am / My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, / Because it is an enemy to thee; / Had I it written, I would tear the word.” Angel overacted.

“My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words / Of that tongue’s utterance, yet I know the sound… um…” Cordy panicked as she tried to recall the next line. Throwing a glance at the sheet she held in her hands, she squinted to read: “Ah” She said triumphantly as she remembered: “Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?”

“God, Shakespeare must be rolling around in his grave.” Miss Addams mumbled before taking a long breath: “That’s great, you guys! I think that’s enough.” She said with a weak smile.

“Are you sure? Cause I can-“

Angel’s rambling was quickly cut short: “No-no! No need to go on. I got it! Great job!”

The two teens quickly jumped off stage.

“That wasn’t that bad.” Cordy said with a wide smile.

“No, not bad.” Xander apparently agreed. “It was more bordering on refined torture.

“Hey!” Cordy protested, swatting him across the chest.

“Ouch! Honey, you gotta admit, you’re no Laurence Olivier.” Xander insisted.

“I’m not a man!” Cordy protested, crossing her arms over her chest.

After a few seconds the cheerleader mumbled:

“Was it *that* horrible?”

“Painful, *very* painful!”

Cordy’s gaze went from her boyfriend to the shorter boy now sitting next to him, waiting for his opinion.

“It was… um… unique?” Oz offered.

“Ok, so it sucked.” The brown-haired girl grumbled, plopping down on a chair and crossing her arms over her chest.

“Oh! Buffy’s on now!” Xander piped up as he glanced at the stage.

The petite blonde seemed even more minuscule standing alone on the large wooden surface. She cleared her voice and squinted as the lights hit her eyes.

“Um… I-I’m gonna read for the role of the Nurse.”

“Ok!” Miss Addams agreed with absolutely no hope in her voice as she kept massaging her temples. ‘This is going to be a disaster! Why did I choose to be a teacher? Why? Why!?” She asked herself over and over again. “What scene are you reading?”

“Scene three from act one.” Buffy piped up.

“Ok…” She turned around and glanced at the audience and pointed: “You and… you!”

“Me!” Xander and Oz asked in unison.

“Yes. You read Juliet and you read Lady Capulet.”

“B-but I’m not auditioning.” Xander noted nervously.

“I just want you to read so she can say her lines.” Hallie explained.

“Oh, ok!”

Miss Addams let out a sigh as Xander started reading Lady Capulet’s lines and Buffy replied. A minute into the scene her tired eyes shot open.

“Wow, someone who actually *knows* the lines.” She thought.

“Even or odd, of all days in the year, / Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen. / Susan and she--God rest all Christian souls!-- / Were of an age: well, Susan is with God; / She was too good for me: but, as I said, / On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen;” Buffy spoke loud and clear as the movie she had watched a hundred times, during her early teens, played out in front of her eyes. “That shall she, marry; I remember it well. / 'Tis since the earthquake now-“

“That’s enough.” Miss Addams’ voice snapped Buffy out of her semi-trance. “How do you know all the lines?” She asked a bit curious.

“I guess I watched the movie one too many times?” Buffy offered.

Miss Addams didn’t say a word; merely nodded, signalling that Buffy could step down.

~+~

“Wow! That was amazing!” Xander exclaimed as they exited the theatre room.

“You think so?” Buffy asked with a goofy grin on her face.

“Absolutely!” Xander insisted, earning a deadly glare from his girlfriend.

“Very Shakespearian.” Oz noted.

“Thanks guys. I don’t know what got into me. I just went up there and it just… clicked, you know?” Buffy spoke flushed.

“I guess you’re a natural.” Cordy huffed in defeat.

“Thanks, Cordy. Do you guys know when the list of the cast is posted?”

“I don’t know. Probably tomorrow.” Xander offered, shrugging.

~+~

The day seemed to drag on forever and so did the night. Buffy practically jumped out of bed when the alarm clock finally rang.

“Honey, you better- You’re up!” Mrs. Summers looked a bit surprised when she found her daughter fully dressed and ready to go.

“Morning, mom! I gotta go!” She blew her mother a kiss and was out the door in a flash.

~+~

“Hey!” Buffy greeted with a wide grin, throwing her arms around Spike and giving her boyfriend a quick peck on the lips.

“Hey, yourself!” He replied startled. “What’s with the peppiness?”

“Hey, Willow, Xander!” She continued spreading her uncanny good mood.

“Ok, who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?” Spike asked with a suspecting frown.

“What? Can’t a person be in a good mood?” She questioned back, flashing him a smile as she walked down the hall.

She came to a halt when she turned the corner and saw the small crowd gathering in front of large board.

“The list of the cast for the play is posted today.” Willow explained.

“I thought you hated having to be in the play.” Spike continued surprised.

“Ha, but apparently our little Buffy here has a secret natural talent!” Xander replied, serving to further confuse the bleached teen.

As the conversation continued Buffy remained frozen in place, her stare fixed on the board, while her heart slammed against her chest.

“Well, pet? Aren’t you going to go check the list?” Spike finally asked, running his hand over her back. “I’m sure you got the part.”

“I-I’m going.” She stuttered as she took a step towards it. She glanced at Willow, then Xander and finally her eyes landed on Spike who gave her a reassuring wink. With a long intake of breath, she made her way to the board.

Her eyes scanned the list for a few seconds. Spike felt his heart sink when he saw the distraught look on her face.

“Look, luv, it’s just a play…” He started.

“I-I know.” Buffy mumbled as she walked back to the gang.

“So, who got the part?” Willow dared to ask.

“Cordelia.” Buffy muttered, her eyed never leaving the floor.

“She’s playing the Nurse? Then who’s playing Juliet?” Willow questioned with a frown.

But Buffy didn’t’ even care as her best friend turned to check the small piece of paper. She was snapped out of her pathetic pouting by the redhead’s loud, piercing scream.

“Ahhhh! You-You got it!” She shouted pointing hysterically at Buffy.

“Willow?” Xander whispered a bit concerned.

“You got it! You-you, you’re Juliet!” She finally managed to explain.

“What?” Buffy exclaimed.

“You got the part of Juliet!” Willow repeated.

“You’re kidding!” Buffy refused to believe, making her way through the small crowd to reach the board again. Her eyes widened when she read her name. “Ahhhh!” it was her turn to scream as she ran and threw her arms around Spike for a suffocating hug. “I-I got the leading role! Ohmygod, ohmygod!”

“Ahhh!” Willow’s new yell snapped the two lovers apart.

“Willow, you should really consider therapy to deal with your hysteria attacks.” Xander mumbled as he rubbed his ear.

“You’re in the play!” She shouted.

“Huh? I didn’t audition.” Xander explain

“

“Well, you’re playing Lady Capulet.” Willow insisted, tapping the glass as the brown-haired teen came closer.

“What? No! I don’t-I… I can’t act!” He stuttered. “And I’m playing a *woman*?”

Buffy and Willow giggled at the desperation on the teen’s face. Spike, on the other hand, didn’t join in on the celebrations as his eyes scanned over the rest of the list. He felt his stomach twist painfully when he read: Romeo --> Angel O’Neill.