London Calling
London Calling
Prologue
"Buffy, honey... Time for school!"
Buffy turned to her mirror. Only two days left until graduation and her world fell apart. Countdown to insanity. Ooh, that sounded good. Maybe she would write it down.
"Coming, Mom!"
She grabbed her bag and consulted the mirror once more. Brown, mousy hair. Thick, wire framed glasses. The obligatory braces that always followed in a geeks repetoire were there and accounted for, happily shining away on her otherwise pearly-whites. Buffy tilted her head. Maybe she should actually try dressing... sexy? Sexily? Provocatively. That sounded good.
Turtlenecks just weren't very flattering.
"Buff... we're leaving without you. Get your butt down here NOW if you want a ride." Xander bellowed up the stairs.
Buffy mentally prepared herself.
"OK, be cool. No, not cool... be together. Don't act like a complete retard today." She took a deep breath. She opened her door. She walked to the stairwell and stood looking confident and prepared, and started down. Then she saw him waiting... and promptly fell down the stairs.
"Oof!"
Her glasses were askew. Righting them, she looked up into the eyes of her salvation. Oh, that sounded good, too. She should have brought her journal with her today.
"Are you alright?" Asked that mildly sardonic, beautifully accented voice.
"Gah..." Why couldn't she ever speak properly when he was near? It was like he sucked all the air right out of the room.
"Fine, fine.. Sorry. Fine!" She disentangled herself out of his arms and blushed.
"Good. You ready to head out? I think Xander's going to have an aneurism if we don't leave soon." He brushed her hair behind her ear and she melted. If only he weren't so unattainable. He opened the door for her and led her to the car. Spike Williams was a God.
***
"Spike Williams, you're an ASSHOLE!" Harmony shouted at the top of her lungs. Anyone who was near during her outburst immediately found themselves a seat and stared. Harmony was always good for a great scene. Jesus, why had he decided it would be a good idea to date this harpy in the first place?
"Harm, I just don't feel like it's working out. You know I have to leave for London after graduation. I just don't think a long-distance relationship is what I want right now. Sorry." He winced and prepared himself. Good God, the girl was shrill.
"You're sorry. You're SORRY?!? I'm HARMONY KENDALL, Godammit! I could have any guy in this schoYou\You're lucky I even look at you, you big bleached freak!" She shouted, face turning the most shades of red he'd ever seen outside of a batch of tomatoes. Adding insult to injury, she started to stomp her feet.
"Harmony, how old are you? Three? Look, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but the truth is we weren't going to last. You're a nitwit. You're completely brainless. And you quite obviously have no self-respect whatsoever, because I know for a fact you wereing ing out with half the football team at that party last weekend."
She rolled her eyes.
"Spikey... it was Truth or Dare. You can't just wimp out on a dare, it's totally not cool!"
He closed his eyes and prayed for patience. "For God's sake, that doesn't mean you let them feel you up in the process! And I told you before, I don't share. So hit the road, alright? You'll find some new lackwit to replace me, I'm surep>
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She pursed her lips. "Fine. But you're gonna come crawling back! I'm the best you've ever had, and you're sure gonna be sorry you let me go."
He lit a cigarrette. "I find that highly doubtful."
She grimaced in annoyance and flounced off. Why did his dick so often do the thinking for him? These girls were more work than they were worth.
"Hey man... Nice performance. I thought good ol' Harmony was about to claw your eyes straight out of the sockets." Xander said and slapped him on the shoulder. "Bet you'll be glad to get outta this place. All of the girls you've dated are out for blood!"
He threw down his cigarrete and snubbed it with the toe of his Doc. "I've gotta focus on work instead of girls. Da said if I came home with anything less than a B+, he'd never let me move back here. You know I have to stay on his good side if I want to transfer to UC Sunnydale in two years like I'vennednned. I've got to be a bloody saint!"
"Famous last words, pal. When you gain a sainthood, I'll grow a pair of breasts and turn into a woman!" Xander grabbed at his chest for emphasis.
Spike laughed. "Too late! You're already a big prancing girl."
Anya sidled up to Xander's side. "What's going on here? Xander's not a woman! I love his penis. Besides, that would make me a lesbian. And I tried that once and found it to be unsatisfactory."
Xander immediately got that glazed look in his eye that meant only one thing. "Ahn, why don't we go find a janitor's closet and you can tell me ALL about this little experience of yours." He and Anya started towards the school. "Now, was the girl anyone I know?"
Spike shook his head and sat down on the steps leading up to Sunnydale High. Xander. He was going to miss him. God, he was going to miss the whole Summers clan! He was over there more than he was his own house. Joyce was like a mother to him. She made sure he ate right, got his schoolwork done, and she always had time to listen to his girl troubles. Plus she made that hot cocoa he liked. With the little marshmellows...
And then there was Buffy. Just like a sister. She was absolutely adorable with her big eyes and blushes. Always scribbling away in that little journal of hers. He'd miss the way she looked at him like he was the only thing in the world. She'd probably die of embarrassment if she knew that he was aware of her little school girl crush. She'd get over it, find some nice kid more her age who'd treat her right. Some nice, normal kid who played chess and never even looked at her the wrong way, because if that prick did, he'd come over and kick his ass halfway down the block, and -- Spike caught himself. What was the matter with him? He obviously needed some sleep.
"Spike man, you ready to go? Graduation's in a few hours. Gotta get spiffed up for the big day!" Xander looked flushed, as well as Anya. Those two were like rabbits. Spike smiled.
"Yeah. Let's go."
***
Graduation was over. Life was over. Buffy sniffled. She didn't think she'd be able to make it through the rest of high school. What was the point of going on when life was so obviously cruel and horrid? She'd rather just curl up in bed and die!
The band started into another song. Kids poured around her, dancing and drinking and making-out like there was no tomorrow. Mom was pretty smart to head for the hills. Buffy thought to herself, wiping her nose on her sleeve. Knowing that her only son would want a big party at the end of his senior year, Joyce had relented.
"Bleagh..."
Some kid had just barfed on the carpet. Mom's sure gonna be pissed about that. Then the smell hit her, and she decided now might be a good time to move somewhere else.
Buffy wandered the house, feeling alone and miserable. Where was Spike? If her life was going to end so crappily, she might at least be allowed the joy of looking at his beautiful, angelic face one last time. She sighed and entered the kitchen.
Spike and Xander were at the counter making drinks for the people that didn't want beer. Obviously they were sampling the wares, because she'd never seen either of them so plastered.
"I love you, man." Slurred Xander.
"No, I love you, man!" Spike shouted and hugged Xander so hard they nearly overturned. "Hey, it's lil' Buffy! Bu-ffy. Buuuuufffyyy... Heh! Your name sounds funny!" Spike laughed uproariously at his joke. Buffy smiled.
"Like Spike's such a normal name." Buffy goggled at her response. Where had that come from?
"She's a firecracker! Xander, this sister of yours is going places. Like, around the room. She's kinda spinnin'." Spike squinted his eyes and swayed.
"Dude, you're wasted. You need to take a break." Xander leaned heavily under Spike's weight. "Buff, can you get him to the guestroom?" He passed the lurching boy over to Buffy.
She put her arms around him and breathed in deeply. God, she'd never forget that smell if she lived to be a hundred. Cigarettes and musk and something that was just his alone. Spike. She started them towards the door.
"Buffy, you're a pal. You're just like the little sister I never ever got!" Spike mumbled.
Buffy winced. Would she always be that to him? Just some kid?
"Here we are. Home sweet home!" Buffy helped him onto the guestroom bed. "You know, this should just be your room. You're here often enough."
"What, getting tired of me so quick? Betcha can't wait for me to leave!" Spike joked, pulling off boo boots.
"Oh no, Spike. I don't want you to leave! You're like... my best friend." Buffy stated, face serious.
"That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me, I think." Spike replied, gazing up at her blearily. "Don't worry, kitten. I'm coming back here as often as I can... hopefully for good in two years."
"You mean it? Really?!" Buffy asked excitedly. If Spike moved back, he'd have a chance to finally see her as she was. A grown-up. Maybe lot het her in a different way. Spike layed back on the bed wearily.
"Sure thing, pet. I promise." Spike got the words out and turned on his side. He was asleep in seconds.
Buffy glowed. He was coming back! Life wasn't over after all. She took out a throw and carefully placed it over him, then pulled up the rocking chair next to his sleeping form on the bed. Hugging herself, she fell into a dreamless sleep.