Growing Up

Chapter 6

Buffy and her friends walked into the Bronze later that night because they all needed some fun. Willow and Jessica got a table, while Buffy went to the bar to get some drinks. She smiled at the bartender. “Hey, Xander. How are things going?” He returned her smile when he saw her there.

“Things are pretty good. How are you, Buff? I feel like I haven’t seen you here in a while.” Buffy nodded.

“Yeah, been a little busy. I’ll just have two cokes and a cherry coke.” She said and Xander nodded also.

“Coming right up.” He replied as he went to get the drinks. Jessica then walked over to Buffy when Xander walked away.

“I said I would get the drinks.” Buffy told her and Jessica nodded.

“I know, but Tara’s here now and I wanted to tell you to get another coke.” Buffy didn’t believe that was the only reason that Jessica walked over to the bar, but she didn’t say anything about it. Xander walked back to Buffy and put the drinks down in front of her and Buffy gave him another smile.

“We need one more coke.” She told him and he nodded as he went to get it. Jessica licked her lips as she watched him go.

“Xander is really looking good.” Buffy rolled her eyes.

“You seriously need a boyfriend.” Jessica agreed when Xander came back with the coke. Buffy took two of the drinks and Jessica grabbed the other two as she smiled at Xander.

“Hi, Xander. You look nice today.” She told him and Xander suddenly got nervous when he looked at Jessica.

“Thanks, so do you.” Buffy rolled her eyes again and walked away from them. It was obvious that Xander had a crush on Jessica and she basically had a crush on every guy that she has ever come in contact with, but Buffy had a feeling that Jessica really liked Xander. She headed back over to the table where Willow and Tara were sitting and she put the drinks down in front of them. Jessica then came over to them a few minutes later, with a big smile on her face as she put her drinks down and took a seat. Buffy wondered about the look on her face.

“What’s with the smile, Jess?” She seemed to come out of her daydream when Buffy spoke to her. She turned to her friend.

“Nothing, I’m just going out with Xander tomorrow night.” Buffy smiled at her.

“Really, how did that happen? Did you finally ask him out?” Jessica shook her head.

“I didn’t have to, he asked me out.” Buffy was surprised that Xander actually made the first move. He always had trouble talking to girls in high school.

“Well, it’s about time you two got together.” Willow said and Jessica smiled.

“Yep, I’m in a good mood right now. Let’s go dance.” She said as she grabbed Buffy’s hand and pulled her away from the table and on to the dance floor. Tara turned to Willow after being quiet the whole time. She hasn’t known all of them that long and she still felt a little shy around them.

“Would you like to dance?” Tara asked taking a risk and Willow gave her a smile as she got up and pulled Tara up with her as they also moved to the dance floor. A slow song came on and Willow wrapped her arms around Tara and she did the same. She looked away from Willow’s gaze, still feeling a little shy.

“You look really great tonight, Tara.” Willow said to make conversation and the other girl finally looked up at her and blushed a little. She then rested her head on Willow’s shoulder as they both moved to the music.


* * * * *


Buffy was standing by herself on the dance floor, while Jessica had to go to the restroom. She came back a little while later and her hair was all messed up. Buffy was about to ask her what happened, when Xander then showed up with his hair looking messy also. Buffy could take a guess at what they were doing. Xander gave Buffy a smile and went back to work and Jessica went back to dancing, without saying anything. Buffy shook her head and just continued to stand there and think of things, since she wasn’t in a dancing mood. She just stood there and watched all the other couples. It was times like this that she really wished she had a boyfriend. She then saw Spike walk into the Bronze and she waved to him. He smiled when he saw her and walked over. “Hey, glad you finally made it.” Buffy said and Spike nodded.

“Yeah, told you I would.” Buffy nodded also when a song she liked came on.

“So, care to have that dance now?” She asked him and he just shook his head.

“I think I’ll sit this one out. I’ll just watch you.” Buffy shrugged as she made her way to where Jessica was on the dance floor and started to dance with her friend, who had a group of guys dancing around her. More seemed to show up when Buffy started to dance. Spike knew he wasn’t a good dancer and was okay stepping out of this one, but it still killed him to see Buffy dancing with other guys around her. Even though she didn’t seem to be paying any attention to them. She looked bloody amazing out there. She had all the right moves. Spike shook his head and decided to walk over to the bar. He really needed a drink. “I’ll have bourbon.” He said to Xander, who nodded and went to get him his drink. He came back a few seconds later and placed the glass down in front of Spike, who drank it all down at once. He placed the glass back down when he was done.

“You feeling okay, Spike? You drank that kinda fast.” Xander said and Spike nodded.

“I’m fine; just have a lot on my mind.” Xander wondered what could be on his mind.

“Having problems with Faith?” He asked and Spike shook his head.

“We’re over, but that’s not what’s bothering me.” Xander was waiting for him to say something else and when he didn’t, he just shrugged and looked out at the dance floor.

“Man, Buffy’s looking hot out there.” He commented and realized it wasn’t a smart thing to say when he saw the look on Spike’s face. “Not that I was checking her out or anything. I wouldn’t look at your sister like that.” Spike grew angry at that comment.

“She’s not my sister.” He said a little harshly as he got up and headed outside. Xander watched him go and wondered what was up with his friend. He really hoped everything was okay.