The Better Life
by Samantha
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Joss owns the characters from his show...and so do some other
people I guess, I am borrowing them to play, I own anyone not from Buffy, the
better life is the name of the 3 doors down CD, and the chapter title is a
line from Shakira's Objection..I am copying kitty with song lines as titles,
sorry! Don't get mad.
Author's Notes: OK guys here I am doing a challenge, please be patient, I am
really sick strep throat, 101 fever the whole 9 yards, yet I have this
compulsion to write this fic, so parts may be slow in coming feedback is
welcome.
CHAPTER ONE: It's not her fault that she's so irresistible
Not too long ago in the land of far away Orlando there lived a girl whose name was Buffy. She wasn't rich, or by any means special. She lived in a doublewide trailer, with her step-mom and stepsisters who all hated her and treated her like dirt. This is her story.
"Buffy, turn up the goddamn air conditioning," Buffy awoke to the sound of her stepmother screaming.
"Yes mom," she reached up above her head to where the controls for the air-conditioning, heat, ect. all were. She didn't really have a room, just a closet big enough for a bed and at the end of the bed a bucket of her clothes, such as they were. Her father had died leaving them with very little money, and despite his requests that she be well taken care of, most of the money went to her stepsisters. Her stepmother kept her around like a maid, to clean, cook, and do laundry. Buffy got off her bed, opening the door to the hall, hoping to make it into the bathroom. Almost there her stepsister pushed by her.
"Oh no you do not. I know you don't think you're getting a shower before me." Cordelia tsked at her then waltzed into the bathroom, slamming the door.
"Yeah and after her I am getting in," her younger stepsister Dawn added from her bedroom door. "Why don't you go get breakfast, and pack my lunch...and no peanut butter that is soooo unbelievably cheap." She slammed her door. Buffy sighed and turned toward the kitchen, she knew that by the time her sisters were done she would be lucky to have time to brush her teeth. Her step mom sat at the table smoking a cigarette and reading the paper.
"Bout time you got up, I've been sitting here waiting for my coffee, you know I gotta be at work by eight."
"Yes mom, sorry," Buffy started the coffee maker and set out a bowl of cereal for each of her sisters, after she poured the coffee she sat down for her own bowl of cereal. As she finished Cordelia was just coming into the kitchen. Buffy walked back to her room realizing there was no way she was gonna get a shower before school. She dug through her small pile of clothes pulling out a pair of jeans that was way too long, and a small pink tank top that used to be Cordelia's, till her boobs got too big for it. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and grabbed her books, setting them in the hallway she went to brush her teeth quickly, unfortunately it was Friday, school was one of her favorite times, she hated weekends. It only meant more time at home cleaning and getting yelled at, at least at school she had a few moments of peace. Buffy grabbed her books and headed for the door.
"You better get your ass straight here after school, you know how much laundry there is, and all the dishes, and I want you to mop the kitchen," her stepmother yelled from the table.
"I'll come straight home," Buffy closed the door quietly behind her. She had to leave earlier than her sisters cause they got a ride to school with her stepmother. They refused to be dropped off with her, so she had to walk. It was ok with her really, more time away from them, and it was only like, oh, 10 blocks to school.
She arrived at the school a few minutes before the bell and went straight to her locker to get her books for first period. As she dug through her locker she idly listened to people's conversations as they passed by. Just the boring usual dribble...who was dating who...who was pregnant...who had abortions...the usual. Then a voice caught her attention.
"It is gonna be the most fucking wicked party this year, we are so going." Buffy looked up at the girls passing her, in the center of them was Faith King...the richest most popular girl in school, she was surrounded by the other girls from the 'royal' families of the city.
"Your dad will never let you go to the party, it is totally a shack party Faith." Harmony Lorde chided her.
"Whatever, he wants me to meet a husband so bad he doesn't care where I find him, as long as it is a him," Faith winked at the girls, and they giggled, "This party is gonna be wicked." Buffy watched the girls disappear down the hall. Had she just heard right? Was Faith King into girls? She had heard the rumors before, but here from the horse's mouth. God, she had had so many fantasies about Faith, quiet ones so, as her stepsisters wouldn't hear. She slammed her locker shut. Not that it mattered if Faith liked girls she would never like her, Buffy looked down at her pitiful outfit, Faith had been decked out in Gucci and Prada most likely. No there was no chance; she would never be able to go to the party anyway. Sighing Buffy headed for class.
CHAPTER TWO: I'm not crazy cause I take the right pills every day
Disclaimer: The chapter title is a line Jimmy eat world..Bleed american.
The fact that Faith King was going to a shack party was a gossip of the day in all Buffy's classes. The boys were all bragging that they were gonna show her what she was missing, and the girls saying that they would be with her for her money, few of them admitting their true interest in her. Buffy sat in the back of her classes as usual, just listening, she knew Cordelia, and Dawn would both be going to the party, while she would be sitting at home, watching TV, if she was lucky enough to be done with her chores. She took her time walking home from school, wishing to savor her last few minutes of freedom before the weekend. She turned up the gravel path to the trailer, and opening the door was immediately yelled at.
"Where have you been? We have been home for five minutes already, what did you stop to get a soda?" Her step mom yelled.
"I.."
"Never mind, now listen, I want everything clean by the time we get home."
"Where are you going?" Buffy asked as she started to clear the dishes from the table.
"Not like it's any of your business, nosy," Dawn said picking up her purse.
"But we are going to get new outfits for Xander Harris's party, you know the shack party, where Faith King is going to be tonight. I hear she buys her girlfriends all kinds of shit, one girl even got a car." Cordelia smiled dreaming of the things Faith would buy her when she seduced her.
"Too bad she isn't gonna like you," Dawn snapped, "Once she sees me."
"Right, cause babysitting is one of her big turn ons," Cordelia rolled her eyes.
"I'm mature!"
"You're fourteen, you shouldn't even be going to this party."
"That's enough, you are both going, and while I don't like the thought of either of you playing for 'that' team, it would be worth it for a while, I am more counting on one of her rich male friends to like one of you."
"Please mom, that is so not where the real money is," Cordelia opened the door holding for Dawn as they both walked out. Their mother sighed.
"Now, laundry needs doing, dishes washed, mop the floor, take out the trash, vacuum the living room, and tidy all the bedrooms, I want this all done by the time we get home." Her stepmother was digging through her pockets trying to find her keys. Buffy picked them up off the kitchen counter and brought them to her.
"I'll get it done mother, do you think that, maybe if I got everything done in time," Buffy, swallowed, getting up the nerve to ask.
"Maybe you could what?" Her step mom asked snatching the keys from her.
"Maybe go to the party tonight, just for a little while?" Her stepmother laughed.
"Absolutely not! That is out of the question, your sisters are going and they don't need you embarrassing them, and I have a date tonight so someone needs to be here to watch the house, what a stupid question."
With that she slammed the door and was gone. Buffy sat down on the couch, her arms crossed, she heard the car try to start, and finally start, it backed out of the driveway, and the noise disappeared. It wasn't fair, her sisters didn't even like Faith, they always talked about how stuck up she was, and how gross it was that she liked girls. And Buffy really liked her and she couldn't go to the party. She stood up and started collecting the remaining dishes and running the sink water.
Later that afternoon...
"No dad."
"I am just saying, why not just give it a try, you hardly even gave Gavin a chance." Richard King stood in the doorway of his daughter's room; she was finishing her makeup.
"Dad," Faith turned on her stool to look at her father. "I am sorry, but I don't like boys, I mean I look at them and stuff, but they are not for me."
"Just promise you will give them a chance honey."
"Sure I'll give them a chance."
"That's my girl," he walked over kissing her forehead, then leaving the room, she heard him mumble under his breath as he left.
"Maybe she could find someone at this shack party." Faith turned back to the mirror smiling at herself. She knew her dad would never let her know that he knew where she was going tonight, but he wanted her to meet a guy desperately, although he had liked her last girlfriend Willow. He still had his dreams of her huge white wedding; she kept telling him that they could still do that. He would just shake his head at her. Oh well the shack parties were always fun when she was able to go to them, she could always find some hot, lower class girl, desperate for her money, to fool around with. They thought she didn't know their motives, but she did. The phone rang.
"Hey hon., it's Harmony, what's up?"
"Nothing, just finishing getting ready. You going tonight?"
"Duh, of course, would I miss this? I will see you there though, me and Gabby Duke, and Miranda Knight are going to a club for a while first. Who are you going with?"
"Gavin's supposed to pick me up in about an hour, and we are gonna get something to eat, then go to the party."
"God, why you still put up with that boy is beyond me, I just hope you don't expect me to talk to him."
"Never."
"Right, bye for now."
"Bye," Faith hung up the phone, Harmony really was obnoxious sometimes, and they were mostly only friends because of their parents. Faith really believed the only reason she didn't like Gavin was because his family had only recently come into money, and it pissed her off that someone like that shared her last name, she constantly was letting people know that they were NOT related. But Gavin Lord was one of the only guys that Faith had ever been even mildly attracted to, now they were really good friends, despite what her father wished. At that moment she heard an engine in the driveway. Taking one last look at herself she grabbed her jacket. Walking out the front door she saw her dad walking towards Gavin's Camero, and Gavin stepping out. They shook hands; Faith sighed walking up next to Gavin.
"Gavin Lord, always nice to see you around here," her father said smiling broadly.
"Yes, Mr. King, you know I love taking your daughter out," Gavin put his arm around Faith's shoulders, trying not to wince as Faith pinched his other arm. Her Father smiled even bigger.
"Well yeah, you kids have fun," Faith moved away getting in the passenger side door, Gavin quickly got in the drivers side, revving up the engine. He smiled at Faith, as he put the car in drive, pulling around the circular drive heading back towards the street.
"Do you know how much he wants us to get together?" She asked. "Why do you have to encourage him?"
"Cause it's fun to watch you squirm, he smiled at him." It was really too bad that there wasn't a romance between them Faith thought, not for the first time. He was fucking fine. He was Italian so he had nice dark skin and eyes, he wore his hair spiked, and today was wearing a pair of baggy jeans, and a dark blue sweatshirt with a picture of an imp on it, his favorite. Oh yeah there was no denying he was a hottie.
"Hello Faith?" He waved a hand in front of her face.
"Huh?"
"I said where do you wanna eat? What were you thinking about?"
"Just how cute you are," Faith playfully pinched his cheek. He smacked her away, she laughed at him. "I dunno, how about Olive Garden?"
"Sounds good."
CHAPTER THREE: Ready for the goodtimes
Disclaimer: The chapter title is the name of a song on Shakira's CD. I don't own the fairy god mother.
Buffy just finished mopping the floor and was heading for the bathroom for a shower as her sisters and mom walked in the front door, all laden with bags. Buffy ignored them quickly running to the bathroom and jumping in the shower so that they would think she had been in it a while, therefore could not make her get out. Sure enough she was hardly in there a minute before she heard the bathroom door open and Cordelia was yelling.
"You better be almost done, we have to get ready for the party. Why did you wait so long to get in the shower anyway we have been gone over two hours, couldn't you have done it earlier?"
"Sorry, I'll be out soon," Buffy yelled back.
"You better." Cordelia slammed the door. Buffy showered quickly and wrapping a towel around herself darted down the hall to her room. Shutting the door she changed into a pair of sweats, and a tank top. As she brushed her hair, Dawn threw her bedroom door open, slamming it against the bed. Dawn leaned against the door.
"I can't believe you asked mom if you could go to the party. Please," Dawn rolled her eyes. "I mean look at you."
"Shut up, I am not going anywhere, why would I get dressed up?" Buffy answered still brushing her hair.
"No need to get mouthy, I am just saying, it's not like you have a chance with anyone there." Dawn left, laughing at the thought of Buffy going to the party. Buffy sat her hairbrush down and picked up a little hand mirror looking at herself. She didn't think she was ugly, at least no more so than her stepsisters.
"Buffy come help us!" Cordelia yelled, rolling her eyes Buffy went to Cordelia's room. Dawn and Cordelia were rapidly pulling clothes out of their bags. Buffy helped them pick out their outfits, and put up their hair. She was surprised by the expensive clothes her stepmother had bought them. Even though they always got better things than her, her mother rarely splurged for the truly expensive stuff. But Dawn had a pair of dark blue jeans that laced up the front, and a tiny white tank top with Guess scrawled across the front in iridescent writing. Cordelia had a pair of tight black Tommy jeans and a low cut red tank top. They each wore tall chunky shoes. Buffy had to admit they looked good, maybe one of them would meet someone tonight, least then they'd be out of the house more. Buffy went back to her room as they finished their make up; soon her stepmother knocked on the door. She was dressed trashy as usual for her date.
"Alright we're leaving, don't let anyone in, don't go anywhere, don't wait up, we'll be back late," her stepmother walked away and was replaced by her two stepsisters leering in her doorway.
"Bye Buffy, have fun," Dawn said in a sing song voice.
"Yeah, isn't Sabrina on or something?" Cordelia and Dawn laughed as they walked away, Buffy heard the front door shut and got up slamming her own door shut, she threw herself down on her bed. It just wasn't fair! They were evil, but they got everything they wanted. She did everything around the house and was lucky to have their hand me downs, practically the only thing she ever got new of her own were tampons, and shoes, and the shoes were from payless, and only when they had sales. Where was the justice? Despite her best efforts, Buffy felt tears start to fall down her cheeks. Just not fair. She was dimly aware of a bright flash and then some added weight on her bed; she sat bolt upright when a hand started stroking her back.
"What the hell??" Buffy stared open mouthed at the two girls on the bed with her. "You're the Olsen twins!!" Buffy tried to scramble away from them to the head of her bed.
"Hey, calm down, it's all right," Mary-Kate said, holding up her hand to show her they meant no harm.
"Yeah, we're here to help, we're your fairy godmothers," Ashley said smiling.
"My huh?" Buffy looked at them in disbelief.
"Well something like that I mean you are older so that makes it hard for us to be God mothers, so maybe God sisters? Cousins?"
"Ashley, stop," Mary-Kate held up a hand to her sister to stop her babble, she moved up to sit next to Buffy resting a hand on her knee. "Listen we are here to help, you need to go to this party, we have to help get you there."
"Yeah, you are like so destined to fall in love."
"Ashley! Anyway, so here we are, now we gotta get you dressed, what do you have?"
"Well not a lot actually, nothing to go to a party in and hope to impress someone," Buffy looked down sadly.
"Totally no problem, lets see," Ashley said digging through the trunk of clothes, Mary-Kate went to help her. She pulled out a pair of torn up jeans, and Ashley pulled out a shirt. They each took a hair clip out and tapped the clothes. Buffy couldn't believe her eyes. In place of her own clothes, now on the bed there was a pair of jeans in perfect condition, they were frayed along the waist, and laced from the knee down on either side, and a white tank top with sparkles all over it.
"How the? What the?" Buffy stared at the clothes in front of her, they were nicer than any she had ever owned.
"Oh, go on, try them on," Ashley bounced excitedly. Buffy quickly changed into the clothes. The three of them went into Cordelia's room to use the full-length mirror. Buffy gasped at herself, the pants fit her slim form perfectly, and hung low on her hips, the shirt was cut so as to show off a hint of her cleavage, and a lot of her toned stomach. Her blonde hung silkily over her shoulders.
"Nice," Mary-Kate said looking over her shoulder, so about ready to go then?" She asked.
"I think, oh, but I need shoes."
"Duh, Mary-Kate went into the other room, and returned with a pair of silver and red sneakers that Buffy had never seen before. On the side of them there was a Nike swoosh, and under that written 'Glass'. She handed them to Buffy, who gingerly put them on, they fit perfectly. Buffy looked at the side of them.
"Nike Glass? Those are so expensive!"
"Whatever, it's nothing," Ashley waved her hand dismissively. "Now you gotta be back by midnight...I don't know why they haven't changed that with the times, I mean all the good parties usually don't get started till then, but lucky you this one starts early."
"Yeah, it's only almost eight now so that gives you," Mary-Kate thought for a minute, "Four hours, then all of this turns back to what it was before."
"Ok, I can do that, but how am I going to get to the party?" Buffy asked.
"Mary-Kate, you forget everything," Ashley said shaking her head.
"I do not! Here is ten bucks for a cab, our magic budget has gone down, so we don't do that whole pumpkin thing any more, I mean carriages were easy, but you try to turn a pumpkin into a Jag and you are taking big time mess. So go on now."
"Thank you sooo much!" Buffy hugged them each in turn and walked out the front door where a cab was waiting. 'Well here goes nothing,' she thought as she stepped into the cab and gave the driver the address.
"She was cute," Mary-Kate said standing in the door of the trailer.
"Think she'll get a happy ending?" Asked Ashley.
"Don't they always?" Mary-Kate answered. "Lattes?"
"Sure," the two shut the trailer door and started down the block.
CHAPTER FOUR: Count your blessings, seduce a stranger
Disclaimer: The chapter title is a line from the Incubus song 'warning'. Taz is totally Star's, not in any way mine, but i like playing with her.
"Do you even know where we're going?" Faith asked Gavin.
"Yes, it's right down here and left, be patient."
"Whatever dude," Faith rolled down the window as she lit a cigarette. "You want one?" Gavin nodded, and she handed him hers, lighting another one, she inhaled deeply blowing the smoke out the window. "So what you think? We gonna get some tonight?"
"You always get some Faith, then get gone, wasn't that how it was with me?" Gavin asked, a little bitterness creeping into his voice.
"I am still riding around in your car aren't I? You know we could never really be together, you always go for the crazy girls expecting them to settle down, you my friend, need a nice girl."
"No such thing," Gavin said turning the car down a dirt road. Faith laughed at him.
"You'll find someone honey don't worry." Faith patted his arm to console him. Gavin rolled his eyes as he pulled the car up next to the line of cars along the road.
"So here we are."
"Great, time to rock and roll," Faith jumped out of the car, adjusting her top, Gavin got out and came around next to Faith. Together they walked up the drive.
Inside the party was crazy. Faith couldn't decide if she didn't know half the people or if they were just too drunk for her to recognize. When she was barely in the door a girl practically jumped at her. Faith caught her and pushed her up to a standing position.
"I Juuusst knew you would come," the girl slurred at her.
"Yep here I am."
"So you wanna make out?" The girl boldly asked.
"Nope," Faith pushed the girl back towards her friends.
"Whoa Faith, turning down a hottie? That's so not like you," Gavin teased.
"What can I say, I'm looking for substance tonight," Faith smiled. "Besides I think I recognize that girl, I think she is freshman, Diane, or Dawn or something. Jailbait." They laughed as they plowed through the crowd for drinks.
Each with a drink in hand they found couch to lean on the back of to girl watch. This was their ritual at parties.
"How bout her," Gavin said pointing to a tall dark haired girl in a red tank top. Faith gave him a dubious look.
"I like a little bit of a challenge, she screams 'cheap slut' don't you want better for me. What about her?" Faith asked pointing to a short chunky girl with blonde streaks in her dark hair."
"Where?" Gavin asked trying to stand up straighter, Faith started laughing and he figured out who she meant. "Oh that's just wrong Faith. Wait a second look at her." Faith followed his stare to a girl standing by the keg, she was about her height, wore a tight pair of neon green pants, and small black tank top, but the most stunning thing about her was her amazingly purple hair, she was currently chugging beer with a few guys, and winning everytime.
"You're kinda girl," Faith said slapping Gavin on the back and finishing her beer. "Here, go get us more beer." Gavin nodded taking her empty glass and walking toward the keg. Faith shook her head watching him go. He walked over and she watched him start chatting with the girl. Apparently he said something funny, cause she started laughing putting an arm out to steady herself on him. Faith turned away from them to survey the crowd again.
Buffy paid the driver and got out of the car, and leaned back in to pay the driver.
"Thanks," pulling out of the car, she turned and faced the house in front of her, she heard the car pull away from behind her. 'No turning back now.'
The house was small and sorta run down, but right on the water, she could hear people laughing and screaming on the beach. Slowly she walked toward the door, opened it up and stepped inside. The heat hit Buffy right away, the house really was small, and probably forty people were crammed into the downstairs, so the air was smoke filled and hot. Buffy looked around nervously at the people, she really didn't want to run into her sisters, she spotted Cordelia surrounded by some friends and hanging all over a guy, but Dawn was no where in sight. Oh well, time to blend in.
Faith looked around the room, and as her eyes swept past the door she paused, the most beautiful blonde girl she had ever seen had just walked in. She looked a little lost and scared, Faith didn't think that she had ever seen her before.
"So hey, I got her name and number," Gavin came back handing her a cup. "Taz, 555-2634...Faith?"
"Yeah, that's cool," Faith handed him her cup and walked towards the girl.
"Hey."
Buffy turned at the sound of the voice, and the hand on her shoulder. She stared into the two chocolate brown eyes, her breath caught in her throat.
"Hey, um, hi, how are you?" Buffy said nervously. Taking in Faith's whole appearance, a tight pair of black leathers, and a garnet red, corset like top.
"Hi, I'm Faith, do I know you?"
"Um, no I don't think so, I mean I have seen you in school, but we never really met, which is ok, cause I mean, why would we, not your fault or anything." Buffy quickly put her babble to a stop.
"Right, you want a drink?" Buffy nodded, "Come on." Faith put an arm around her waist and led her over to Gavin. She took both cups from his hands and handed Buffy one.
"Hey, one of those was for me," he protested.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Buffy started to hand hers back to him. Faith put up a hand to stop her.
"Go get another Gavin, talk to Taz," Faith waved him away.
"You could at least tell me who this beautiful stranger is," Gavin said mock bowing and kissing Buffy's hand. Buffy giggled.
"My names Buffy."
"There," Faith pushed him up and turned him toward the keg. "She's Buffy, go blend in," she put her mouth next to his ear. "She's mine, stop flirting."
Gavin looked back smiling as he walked back over, throwing an arm around Taz as he waited in line.
"He's nice," Buffy said looking after him.
"Yeah, a sweetie. So you're Buffy? Huh, I can't believe I have never seen you in school."
"Don't worry, I've seen you I mean, well," Buffy was embarrassed by how dumb she was sounding. "You always are busy in school, I just usually watch."
Faith pressed her body up close to Buffy's, causing her to gasp.
"Like what you see?" She breathed in her ear. Buffy swallowed nodding.
"Good," Faith stepped back. "You wanna go for a walk on the beach?"
"Sure," Buffy put down her drink and accepted Faith's outstretched hand.
Faith led her through the crowd, receiving a thumbs up from Gavin, and he in turn the flip off. She opened the back door to the beach.
They walked past all the people partying on the beach, receiving more than one catcall as they passed, but soon they were out of range and alone on the beach with the moonlight and surf. Buffy was pleased her hand was still firmly entwined with Faith's. As they got well away from the light of the fire Faith turned to Buffy. She ran a hand through her hair pushing stray hairs away from her face, even though the wind fought to push them back.
"You are so perfect," Faith whispered under her breath.
"So are you," Buffy placed her hands on Faith's waist. Faith was stunned that she had been able to hear her. Slowly Faith's lips moved towards Buffy's, which eagerly accepted them. The kiss started off slow, and tentative, but grew in its intensity. As it did Faith pulled them both down to the sand, half laying on Buffy, she started to push her hand under her shirt, but Buffy pulled away breaking the kiss and sitting up.
"What?" Faith asked also sitting up.
"I don't know, this is gonna sound dumb, but I really like you, and I don't wanna be just another girl who you get drunk at a party and screw. I mean it would be fun, but I want it to be more than that," Buffy played with some shells between her legs looking down at the sand as she spoke. Faith looked at her for a moment, taking in what she had just said. None of the other girls had ever even thought about stopping her, they just wanted to do whatever it took for a chance at her money. And now she sat here with possibly the most beautiful girl she had ever had the luck of kissing, and it sounded like she liked her. Not for her money, but for her. Faith reached a hand over taking Buffy's hand, and pulled them both up.
"Ok," she said, starting to lead them back to the party.
"So you want me to go now huh, that's ok I mean I understand, you wouldn't ever want a relationship.." Buffy was interrupted by Faith's lips once again pressing against hers. Buffy lent into the kiss until Faith pulled away.
"I don't want you to go, I want to stand out here and do this all night, but I also like you, and think you really like me, so I was taking you inside where, this wouldn't happen. I mean more time out here alone with you, and well, I don't have that kind of self control." Faith smiled winking, Buffy returned the smile, and pulled herself close to Faith kissing her once more. When she pulled away she saw Faith swallow, her eyes still closed. "So yeah, uh the party." Faith said trying to compose herself.
"Yeah, it's kinda boring, think we could go somewhere else?" Buffy asked as they walked back towards the house.
"Sure, let me just find Gavin," Faith put an arm around Buffy's waist pulling her close as they walked.
CHAPTER FIVE: I'll keep chasing the soles of your shoes
Disclaimer: The chapter title is a line from Shakira's song 'fool' great cd guys buy it! I am gonna buy the natalie imbruglia one while i am in england since i like the lines kitty has used=) oh and Taz is Star's=)
When they walked back in Faith scaned the room for Gavin. She found him sitting on a couch still talking to the purple girl. 'Some sort of record for him,' she thought as she walked over to him.
"Hey," she said standing in front of him.
"Hey," Gavin smiled looking up at her, "What's up?"
"You ok to drive babe?"
"Yeah, I can drive, why?" Gavin asked looking at the girl he was with.
"You two wanna motor? Go down to the pier or something?" Faith asked.
Gavin looked at Taz questioningly.
"Sound good to me." She stood up reaching for his hand; with a wide grin he accepted her hand and let her pull him up.
"Cool, lemme grab my girl," Faith led the way over to where she had left Buffy to wait. "Ok, B, lets go." She took Buffy's hand and the four of them left for the car. Faith and Gavin each held open their doors letting Taz, and Buffy climb in the back, getting in Faith turned to Buffy.
"We are gonna drive a little then probably end up at the pier, cool?"
"Yeah sure whatever," Buffy sat back, an excited smile on her lips. Gavin pulled out and roared up the dirt road and out onto a more main street, finally back on the highway he speeded towards downtown Orlando. Buffy had never felt so happy in her entire life. The radio was blaring, and both her and Taz were laughing at Faith and Gavin dancing, and singing along with the songs.
~Hey, don't write yourself off yet It's only in your head you feel left out Or looked down on Just try your best, try everything you can And don't you worry what they tell themselves When you're away It just takes some time Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride Everything everything will be just fine Everything everything will be alright, alright~
Faith reached back as she sang, squeezing Buffy's knee, and then taking her hand she pulled her forward a little, Buffy moved up so she was leaning over the seat. She smiled; thinking how beautiful Faith was singing and smiling like this. Faith surprised her by moving up and capturing her lips with her own for a short soft kiss, Buffy smiled down at her and sat back in her seat.
After cruising up and down International drive a few times, they made their way out downtown towards a park (they bypassed the pier, because the author just remembered that Orlando is not on the ocean, lol). Parking they walked to a gazebo.
"So Buffy, you're a senior?" Gavin asked.
"Yep," Buffy answered taking Faith's hand.
"And you don't go to our school?" Faith asked Taz.
"Nah, I graduated last year, I am taking a couple classes at the community college, but mainly I am just trying to earn some money, I met Xander a couple years ago through some friends and we have been close ever since, so I try to swing by his parties."
"Lucky me," Gavin said putting an arm around Taz's waist and pulling her close to him.
"You better feel lucky," Taz purred in his ear, Gavin shivered a little, and Taz stuck out her tongue barely licking his ear.
"All right, so, we're gonna go swing, or something," Gavin said, Faith laughed as he pulled Taz away toward the swing set.
"He always picks that kinda girl, it's too bad they always hurt him," she shook her head.
"She seems nice," Buffy commented, sitting down on a bench, Faith followed suit.
"Yeah, well I hope. So, wow this is kinda weird."
"What?"
"Honestly? Meeting a girl at a party, and liking her, not like just for sex, can't think the last time that happened." Faith turned smiling at Buffy.
"Well, most of those girls, I wouldn't want you to like them."
"Why not?" Faith asked.
"Cause I like you to like me," Buffy moved up against Faith turning her head to kiss her, she ran a hand through her hair, resting it on her neck, breaking off the kiss, she pulled back a little licking her lips. "I like you to kiss me."
"Glad we have something in common then," Faith said leaning in to kiss her again, she pulled Buffy over so she was strattling her lap, Buffy leaned down hungrily kissing her, Faith was caught totally off guard when she pulled back suddenly and jumped off her lap.
"Oh my God, what time is it?" Buffy asked.
"What?" Faith looked at her confused.
"What time is it?" Buffy asked again slower. Faith looked at her watch.
"I dunno, almost midnight," Buffy grabbed Faith's wrist looking at her watch, the exact time was eleven fifty-eight.
"I gotta go," Buffy started backing away towards the road.
"What? Oh you got curfew? No problem, I'll just got get Gavin," Faith turned to walk towards the swings.
"No, I have to leave now," Buffy turned jogging away.
"Buffy, wait," Faith grabbed her. "Gavin give you a ride, just wait one sec."
Buffy nodded, but took off running as soon as Faith had gotten far enough away; she was across the Park by the time Faith noticed.
"Shit," Faith took off after her. Buffy ran quickly, and was soon leaving Faith behind, she felt in her pocket, glad to find the change from the carbide still there. Almost to the main road she stumbled falling, losing one of her sneakers, she was about to grab for it when she noticed she had tripped over her pants, which were once again way too long for her. She could hear Faith coming, so she quickly scrambled into the bushes hiding.
"Buffy, fuck dude," Faith stopped at the road looking both ways, but seeing no sign of her. "Damn it." Faith started back towards the car when she noticed the shoe, she picked it up and carried it with her, recognizing it as Buffy's.
After Faith disappeared Buffy came out of the bushes and jogged down the road quickly till she came to a gas station, there she stopped and called a cab. She road home quietly praying that she would get home before the rest of her family.
Faith ran back to the car and threw the shoe inside, then jogged over to the swing set. Gavin and Taz were sitting talking quietly.
"Hey, um, hate to interrupt, but I just lost my date," Faith said sheepishly.
"Try to move a little too fast for her tiger?" Gavin teased. Faith gave him the finger.
"No, she just got all freaked out about the time and then ran off, she lost a shoe, I got it." Gavin laughed.
"Not funny, what the fuck I find a girl I like, and I immediately loose her?"
"Sorry, come on lets go, we'll drive around and see if we can find her." The three walked back to the car. They drove through downtown a few times, then decided to give up. They dropped Taz off at one of her friends' house, then headed back towards Faith's.
"I gotta find her Gavin."
"You really like her don't you?" Gavin asked astounded.
"Yeah, I really do."
"Then we'll find her."
"How?" Faith asked.
"I don't know, she goes to our school, we have her shoe, can't be that hard, we'll make all the hot blonde girls who are seniors try on the shoe."
"That shoe could fit anyone."
"No, that is a Nike Glass, those shoes are custom fitted to one person."
Faith and Gavin rode the rest of the way in silence, Faith contemplating if she would ever see Buffy again, and eager for school and Monday and the chance to find out.
CHAPTER SIX: Cause there's a foot for every shoe
Disclaimer: The chapter title is a line from Shakira's poems to a horse.
Buffy snuck into her house, and was just getting into bed when she heard her stepmother come stumbling in. She heard her laughing and bumping into things, all the while telling the man she was with to be quiet. After a few minutes their voice disappeared behind the closed bedroom door. As Buffy almost fell asleep she heard her sisters come in, she could hear Cordelia yelling at Dawn.
"God, you are so fat! How could you get this drunk and make me carry you home? You are so embarrassing, I should have brought Buffy with me!"
"Shhut up, I talked to Faith she liiiked meeee." Dawn giggled.
"No she didn't she threw you back to your friends like the idiot you are, and ran off with that blonde girl. What a slut she was." Buffy heard Cordelia push Dawn's door open and flop Dawn down on the bed.
"God, learn how to fucking drink." Cordelia slammed Dawn's door and walked down to her own room, Buffy heard her brushing her teeth before she drifted off into dreams.
The rest of the weekend passed uneventfully for both Buffy and Faith. Buffy spent her time cleaning (a nasty pile of vomit from Dawn), and cooking. Faith on the other hand spent her time lounging around the pool with Gavin, and Taz. Monday morning came quick enough with Faith arriving early to school. Gavin drove her as always and they sat now on one of the benches outside the school.
"So I told my dad about her," Faith informed Gavin.
"Oh yeah? How'd he take it?" Gavin handed her a doughnut from the bag they had picked up, and a coffee.
"Pretty well, I just told him how much I liked her, and he was enthused. I mean not happy it was a girl, but happy I wanted to settle down some. I think we're five by five."
"That's nice, so what's our plan now?"
"Yeah so, my dad, he asked the principal to call all the blonde seniors to the gym during lunch," Faith said sipping her coffee.
"He did not!" Gavin said astounded. "Is Snyder gonna do it?"
"What can I say, my dad holds a lot of weight with him, we're on for lunch, meet me in the gym," Faith stood up brushing crumbs off her shirt.
"You are too much Faith King." Gavin shook his head.
"And that's why you love me," Faith kissed Gavin's forehead, winked at him and sauntered off. Gavin just shook his head at her and finished his breakfast.
Faith kept her eyes out for Buffy on the way to her first class, better avoid the whole shoe thing if possible, she even asked a few people if they knew her, but no one seemed to have any idea who she was talking about. She stood looking over the hall until the bell rang, and even then still stood watching the stragglers, until her teacher Mr. Giles asked her to please sit.
"Now if I have everyone's attention, can anyone tell me what the reading was about this weekend?" Mr Giles asked the class.
"A bloody load of crap," Spike shouted from the back of the class where he was lounging with the other morons, Faith shook his head at him.
"Ah, anyone else," Mr Giles attempted again.
"Fairy tales." Oz said without looking up.
"Yes, and what about them?" Mr Giles asked, pleased that it seemed someone had at least read the title of the chapter.
"Origin of."
"Very good, now if you could all.." Faith tuned out the rest of the class, zoning on Buffy. The rest of her morning passed in a similar manner. Faith only really paid attention between classes, hoping to spot Buffy. Unfortunately Buffy had been made late that morning by her stepmother who insisted she do the dishes before school, because she had a boyfriend coming for lunch. So while her stepmother drove her sisters to school Buffy was left to wash the dishes, and even though she hurried she still didn't make it to school until halfway through first period. She was made to sit in the office till first period was over, and as she was about to go, was treated to a lecture from Snyder, which lasted most of second. She went quickly to her third and forth period class, which was chemistry, followed directly by lab, so she did not see Faith once.
As Buffy and her partner cleaned up their station after lunch an announcement came over the speaker, it was Mrs Summers, the secretary.
"Attention students, your principal has requested that all blonde senior females please report to the gym during lunch. Thank you." The students in Buffy's lab looked at each other in confusion at the odd announcement. In Math class on the other side of the school Faith class was doing the same thing, except for Faith and Gavin who were both looking down at their desks trying not to make eye contact, or laugh. Neither of them could hold it anymore once they got out of the room.
"Oh my god that was great, made Snyder sound like an idiot."
Faith lent against the lockers as Gavin put away his books.
"Yeah, or a perv," Gavin added. He slung an arm over Faith's shoulders. "Come on, let's find your honey." They headed toward the gym.
Buffy finished cleaning her station after her partner left and after putting away her books headed for the gym. Outside the doors she was accosted by her sisters.
"Hi Buffy, where are you going?" Dawn asked.
"To the gym, like the announcement said."
"Buffy, Buffy, they were not talking about you." Cordelia shook her head.
"How do you know? They said all blonde senior females; hello here I am all three. Now if you will excuse me." Buffy tried to step around them, but they each grabbed one of her arms and started pulling her down the hall. "Hey, what are you doing?" Buffy struggled.
"Well, you see we found out that Faith is in charge of this whole thing to find her bimbo from Friday night, and apparently, you fit the description." Cordelia explained.
"And we are not giving you the chance to accidentally get mistaken for someone she likes." Dawn added. As she said this they were shoving Buffy into the janitor's closet, closing it behind her they turned the lock, smiling they walked away. Buffy threw herself against the door.
"Hey, this isn't funny, let me out!" She pounded on the door, but then slid to the floor crying, knowing now she would never have Faith. Meanwhile Faith was busy having each of the girls try on the shoe. One after another they tried, and though some were close, none of them fit the shoe exactly. Faith was starting to feel like she was crazy.
"Ok. Gavin, you say Buffy too right? And Taz?" Faith asked in between two of the girls.
"Faith, I totally back you up on this girl being real. Maybe she is just absent today." Gavin tried the shoe on the next girl, who it obviously did not fit.
"Thanks," the girl got up, and the next sat down. Gavin looked around the gym..3 more to go.
Buffy was pacing the closet, well as much as she could pace. This was so screwed up, she finally got a date with Faith, they had the perfect night, Faith was looking for her right now, and she was stuck in a janitor's closet. Her damned stepsisters. Ok this is dumb, no more. In a fit of anger Buffy pulled back her leg, and kicked the door. To her surprise she heard the lock snap and the door swung open, half off its top hinge.
"Whoa," Buffy looked at the damage she had just caused, and then took off at a run for the gym.
"Uh Faith, I think that was the last girl," Gavin looked sadly down at Faith who was now sitting in the chair the girls had used.
"Can't we wait just a minute? There could be some stragglers." Faith looked at the door expectantly.
"We've already waited five. Tomorrow we'll have them call anyone who was absent today down, ok? Now come on, if we hurry we can still catch some Burger King," Gavin extended a hand down to Faith who slowly accepted it, allowing herself to be pulled up. Together they walked toward the gym doors.
"Gavin, what if she was lying? What if she doesn't go to this school? What if I never see her ag.." Faith was interrupted as she turned the corner by a girl slamming right into her, she fell flat over.
"Oh, sorry," Buffy said wincing.
"Hey, you didn't try on the shoe did you?" Gavin asked fishing it out of his bag. "Didn't you hear the announcement?"
"I did, I just got caught up." Buffy started to take off her shoe. Faith stood up refusing to look at her, she was convinced that it was over, she would never find Buffy. Gavin slowly slid the shoe onto Buffy's foot. He looked up at Buffy in awe.
"It fits."
Disclaimer: The chapter title is the name of an incubus song, and Taz in all her wonderfulness belongs to Star, to whom i am forever gratfull for leting me borrow her.
Faith turned around slowly hardly able to believe what she had heard. The shoe fit? Was it possible that she had found Buffy.
"Is it really you?" She asked coming closer to Buffy.
"Yeah, it's me," Buffy pulled the other shoe out of her bag and put it on, now she had a matching.
"Buffy," Faith threw her arms around her pulling her tightly into a hug, Buffy returned the hug. Pulling back Faith looked into Buffy's eyes. "I am never going to lose you again." She gave Buffy the sweetest kiss, their lips barely touching, before moving in for a much more forceful one. Gavin smiled as he watched them.
By the end of the day the news had spread all around the school, Buffy's sisters were furious, but couldn't tell anyone because everyone else was so excited. In the next week Buffy and Faith became known as one being in the school, no one ever talked about Faith now, without mentioning Buffy. Faith's father met Buffy, and right away could see why his daughter loved her so much, and after hearing about the conditions in her home he offered for her to come live with them, in a different room of course. Buffy felt like a princess, as she was given her own large room, and was taken shopping for anything she had ever wanted. Her sisters refused to talk to her in school because they were so mad to see all the nice things she had gotten, and how everyone in the school loved her now. They eventually transferred to a different school when their mother decided to move in with one of the losers she had been dating.
School finished quickly and after graduation, Buffy and Faith had a summer wedding. They invited all of Faith's friends and family, and plenty of people from school. To everyone's surprise the Olsen twins also showed up for a while. It was a beautiful wedding and the reception after words was held at Faith with people swimming in the pool, and all kinds of food. Faith and Buffy were sitting in their bikinis, next to the pool with Taz and Gavin.
"You married," Gavin shook his head. "Still can't believe it."
"Shut up," Faith splashed him.
"Hey, no need to get the innocent bystanders," Taz complained wiping her arm on Gavin.
"Hmm, no don't see any of those around," Gavin said poking Taz in the arm.
"Hey!" She splashed him with water; he turned and shoved her off the edge into the pool, she came up sputtering. "Gavin I am gonna kill you!" Before he could move she had caught his arm and pulled him in after her. Buffy laughed as Gavin splashed into the pool. Too late she noticed the devious look in Faith's eyes.
"Oh no," Buffy tried to scramble away, but instead found herself pushed into the pool, but not alone, she had grabbed onto Faith and pulled her in too. They both came up laughing, and Buffy jumped onto Faith clinging to her neck, Faith held her around the waist, they watched Gavin and Taz splashing each other playfully, until Gavin took a hold of Taz's arm and pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. Her arms wound up around his neck, Buffy decided to stop this before it went too far.
"Ok, guys, kids in the pool remember." Gavin pulled back slowly as he heard all the ohhhs, from Faith's little cousins. He turned to Buffy.
"They gotta learn sometime," with that he turned back to Taz kissing her deeply again. Faith turned Buffy's face towards her.
"I think we got something to teach them too," Buffy smiled as she moved up to kiss Faith again, wrapping her legs around her middle. More ohhhs came from the kids, and the photographer snapped a few pictures. Buffy pulled back catching her breath.
"Ok, I think all of us need to get out of her before the pool becomes a hot tub." Laughing the other three nodded and they all pulled themselves out, grabbing a towel Gavin dried himself off some while Faith and Buffy just sat together on a lounge chair and Taz sat on another one.
"I think I am gonna go get some sodas. Anyone want?" Gavin asked turning.
"Oh, orange," Buffy said smiling.
"Coke would be good," Faith wrapped her arms around Buffy.
"Taz?" Gavin asked.
"Yeah," I'll come with you babe." She got up wrapping a towel around her waist. Taking Gavin's hand they walked off.
"I love you," Faith whispered in Buffy's ear.
"I love you too," Buffy whispered back kissing Faith's jaw. Faith shivered, thinking of all the fun she was going to have later.
"Excuse me, Faith, Buffy?"
"Yeah?" Faith asked, she and Buffy looked up to see Mr. Giles standing over them.
"Oh, uh, hey Mr. Giles, glad you could make it." They quickly stood up, putting a few inches between themselves.
"Yes, um.. congratulations. And girls, on behalf of the watchers council of England, I have something to tell you..."
And they all lived happily ever after.