Changing Lives by Mabel Marsters

1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 :: 5 :: 6 :: 7 :: 8 :: 9 :: 10 :: 11 :: 12 :: 13 :: 14 :: 15 :: 16 :: 17 :: 18 :: 19 :: 20 :: 21 :: 22 :: 23 :: 24 :: 25 :: 26 :: 27 :: 28 :: 29 :: 30 :: 31 :: 32 :: 33 :: 34 :: 35 :: 36 :: 37 :: 38 :: 39 :: 40 :: 41 :: 42 :: 43 :: 44 :: 45 :: 46 :: 47 :: 48 :: 49 :: 50 :: 51 :: 52 :: 53 :: 54 :: 55 :: 56 :: 57 :: 58 :: 59 :: 60 ::

Chapter 20

“Spike!” Rupert called before knocking on the door to his bedroom, “Are you going to get up at all today?”

Spike woke up then promptly wished he hadn’t; his head was pounding.

“Er, yeah, just gimme a minute okay?” replied Spike. He swung his feet over the edge of the bed, realising as his feet hit the floor that he hadn’t even taken his boots off the night before.

“Your friend’s here, so don’t be long,” said Rupert.

“Who?” asked Spike. He didn’t get an answer as Rupert had moved out of earshot.

“Sorry about having to wait, Angel, he’ll be out shortly,” said Rupert.

“That’s okay, Mr. Giles, I’m probably a bit early anyway,” said Angel politely, sitting on the couch in response to Rupert’s gesture.

“Would you like a drink while you wait? Tea? Coffee?”

“A coffee would be great, thank you, Mr. Giles,” replied Angel. He looked around the apartment as Rupert went to make the drinks. * “Mm, nice place.” *

Spike swapped his t-shirt before coming out of his room so Rupert wouldn’t realise he’d slept in his clothes. A glance at his watch told him it was nearly twelve noon. He wondered who had come around to the apartment since he hadn’t told anyone where he lived. He stopped short when he saw Angel sitting there on the couch.

“Hey Spike, did you forget I said I’d come over?” asked Angel with a grin.

“Um, yeah,” said Spike. Had he really arranged it? He couldn’t remember at all, then again he didn’t remember that much about the previous evening.

“I’m not surprised, replied Angel, “You were pretty wasted.”

Spike cast an anxious glance towards the kitchen and gave Angel a ‘look’.

“Keep it down,” he hissed.

“’S okay, he can’t hear us,” said Angel.

Spike was just about to ask what they’d arranged to do when Rupert reappeared. He handed both boys a cup of coffee.

“You look like you need this,” he said as he gave the cup to Spike.

“Thanks. I do.” He took it gratefully.

Spike declined the offer of something to eat. He went and had a wash and swallowed down a couple of painkillers for his headache.

“C’mon, lets go out,” he said when he came back into the room. He pulled on his leather jacket and Angel followed him out.

They wandered along in silence for a while.

“I can’t remember telling you where I lived,” said Spike.

“You must have otherwise how’d I know where to come?” said Angel reasonably.

“I suppose,” said Spike.

“Don’t you want to hang out with me? Got other plans?” asked Angel.

“It’s not that it’s just…well, why do you want to hang out with me?” said Spike, “I know what you’re like…er…William told me what you were like.”

“Yeah, I know. I gave William hell. Did he really call me a prick?” said Angel, smiling at Spike.

“No, that was me, but he was scared of you. He had a shit life and you helped make it that way,” replied Spike.

“I know and I feel kind of bad about that, especially with what happened, but the guy was pathetic. I just couldn’t resist it.”

“So is that why you’re hanging out with me? ‘Cause you feel bad about bullying William?” snapped Spike, “I don’t need yer bleedin’ guilt trip, mate.”

He increased his pace. Angel jogged a few steps to catch him up.

“Hey, chill out,” said Angel, “It’s not that at all; it’s the way you stood up to me in the cafeteria. It’s been a long time since anyone stood up to me like that so I figured we’d get along okay, two of a kind.”

Spike stopped.

“I’m nothing like you, Angel,” he said flatly.

“Aw come on, Spike, give me a break. You had a good time last night, didn’t you?”

Spike relaxed a bit, “Yeah I did, it was fun but I feel like shite now. I drank too much.”

“You know the answer to that don’t you?” said Angel, “Have another drink.” He pulled out a flat bottle from his jacket pocket, “Here you go. Just what the doctor ordered.”

“No, I don’t think so, mate,” replied Spike.

“Suit yourself,” snapped Angel. He took a swig himself then started to put it back. “Perhaps I was wrong about you. Perhaps you’re just as pathetic as William was,” he added with a sneer.

Spike took the bottle from Angel’s hand and gulped down a mouthful. He’d rather do anything than have Angel start picking on him again.

“That’s more like it,” said Angel, putting his arm round him, * “Like candy from a baby. Going to be fun putting you down Mr. ‘Thinks I’m tough’ Englishman.” *

He’d heard the rumours around the school last week after Spike had stood up to him, that Angel had perhaps met his match in Spike. He had planned on just severely kicking hisbutt but when he saw Spike had been alone all week and looking pretty miserable about it he decided on a different course of action….

Ooooooo

Angel had been right, Spike did feel better after another drink and by the time he’d had another couple of shots he was feeling no pain whatsoever. The pair had met up with Davey in the mall; they walked around looking for trouble. Angel stole a bag of potato chips and some chocolate and they sat and munched them directly opposite the store he’d stolen them from.

“So why did you steal them?” asked Spike, “they only cost a few dollars, why risk gettin’ caught for so little?”

“So you think we should aim for bigger stuff?” said Angel.

“No, that’s not what I said.”

“Christ, stop worrying,” moaned Angel, “Have another drink and loosen up.”

He held out the now nearly empty bottle of liquor, his expression daring Spike to refuse. He didn’t - he took the bottle and drained the last of it.

“Come on,” said Angel.

“Where are we going?” asked Davey.

“I’m gonna get me that t-shirt I’ve had my eye on and Spike here’s gonna help me.”

“Wot?” exclaimed Spike, “I’m not ‘elpin’ you steal stuff.”

“You a broken record?” sneered Angel. He got hold of the lapels of Spike’s jacket, “Last chance, English, you with me or against me?”

Spike looked at Angel, it was hard not to really since the guy’s face was barely six inches away from his own. He knew that if he didn’t agree that that would be it. Angel and Davey would beat him up and then it’d just be like old times at school.

“Okay, okay. Christ, mate,” said Spike, “I’ll ‘elp yer.”

Angel let him go, smoothing his jacket down as he did so.

“Cool.”

They went to the store. Angel told Spike what he wanted him to do so Spike walked in and over to the assistant.

“Er…excuse me,” said Spike, emphasising his English accent. “Can yer give me a bit of ‘elp please? These sizes are a bit confusing,” he added holding up a shoe, “they’re not the same as back ‘ome.”

“Oh, you’re English?” said the assistant, a man about Rupert’s age but short and round, “What part are you from?”

“London,” said Spike glancing back at Angel in time to see him stuff a t-shirt under his jacket and walk out of the store.

“London? I’d love to visit London,” sighed the assistant, “So what are you doing over here, visiting relatives?”

“Just moved out ‘ere to live,” said Spike.

“What English shoe size are you?” asked the assistant.

Spike made a big show of looking at his watch.

“Oh God, I’m sorry, I didn’t realise the time. Look, I’ll ’ave to come back another day,” he said as he turned and left the store. Once outside he spotted Angel and Davey in the distance and ran to catch them up.

“Told you it would be easy. Soon as anyone hears your accent they’re too busy listening to you to notice anything else. Here, I got one for you too. Hope it fits,” grinned Angel, tossing Spike a t-shirt.

“Thanks,” he said, returning Angel’s grin. His heart was still beating a little faster than normal even though technically he hadn’t actually stolen anything.

The three of them walked along heading for the exit from the mall. Angel got to the door first.

“Oh, look who it is! Little Miss Prim and Proper and her geeky friend,” sneered Angel, stepping to the side as Buffy and Willow walked in.

“Shut up, Angel,” said Buffy, brushing past him.

Spike looked her in the eye. This was his chance to talk to her, the liquor in his system taking away most of his shyness.

“Hi, Buffy,” he said.

She didn’t reply, just looked at the t-shirt that he was holding. He glanced down at it and saw that the price tags were showing, the lack of a bag giving the game away that it hadn’t been purchased. He put it behind his back guiltily. When he brought his eyes back up to meet hers he almost stepped back, she was looking at him with such disgust.

“Come on, Willow,” she said to her friend, “Don’t want to be near the likes of these assholes for long.”

“Such a way with words,” sneered Davey.

Spike stood there watching Buffy walk away.

“Don’t you worry about her,” said Angel, putting his arm around Spike, “She was always full of herself and this term she’s volunteered for half of the dorky schemes her pet geek helps out with.”

Spike still couldn’t take his eyes away from Buffy’s swiftly departing back. His heart was in his boots; was it only a few weeks ago when he’d stood with his arms around her at The Bronze? He’d hoped she’d want to be friends with Spike but that looked extremely unlikely.

“Come on,” said Angel, pulling his arm, “she’s a stuck-up cow.”

Spike allowed Angel to drag him out of the mall. The three of them separated and went home, arranging to meet at The Bronze again that evening.

“Your turn to bring the liquor,” said Angel as Spike turned for home.

“Uh, okay,” said Spike, wondering where the hell he’d get some from.

Ooooooo

“Have a good time?” asked Rupert as Spike walked in.

“Yeah, it was okay,” he replied, hiding the t-shirt under his jacket as he walked to his room.

“I thought we could go out for a meal later,” said Rupert, “First week in the new job and new school over and done with.”

Spike paused, “Er…I’m going out with Angel and Davey tonight.”

“Again?” said Rupert, “Where are you going?”

“The Bronze,” he replied.

“I’m not too happy about you going to the club two nights in a row, especially since you didn’t surface until noon,” said Rupert.

“Wot? Are yer tellin’ me I can’t go?” said Spike belligerently.

“No.” replied Rupert carefully, “I’m not stopping you going but next week don’t organise to go twice. Once is enough, you’ve got schoolwork to do don’t forget.”

“I ‘aven’t forgotten,” snapped Spike, “I’m just tryin’ to fit in. That’s wot yer want me to do, don’t yer?”

“Yes, I want you to make friends but I think two nights at a club is too much. I’ve got to set some ground rules, Spike; it’s not unreasonable.”

“Okay, okay,” said Spike and he went into his room.

He threw his duster on the bed and pulled the price tags off the t-shirt before sitting on the bed.

“Great day, Spike. You piss off Buffy again, then piss off Rupert.”

He had had fun with Angel though; he’d never really ‘hung out’ with anyone apart from the few weeks in England with James. He turned on his laptop to see if he had any e-mails from Rich.

An hour later he emerged to go and have a shower before going out.

“I’ve ordered in a pizza, it’ll be here soon,” said Rupert, hoping the atmosphere would clear.

“That’s great, thanks, I’m starving,” replied Spike, “Just havin’ a shower. I’m sorry about before - I should ‘ave asked yer first.”

“Oh, thank God.” Rupert had been worried Spike would resent him setting rules.

When the pizza arrived the two of them ate companionably. At eight p.m. Spike went out to meet Angel. He’d looked through the cupboards in the apartment but couldn’t find any alcohol in the place. Without fake ID he’d never be able to buy any. He resigned himself to being ridiculed by Angel when he remembered where he’d be able to get some- his old house. His mom always had plenty about the house; he felt a stab of grief hit him when he thought of her.

He walked to his former home and went around to the back door to unlock it with the key he’d got from under the stone. He went straight to the cupboard beneath the sink. Sure enough at the back he found his mom’s emergency bottle; the one she always thought he’d not known about. He pulled it out, put it into the deep pocket of the duster and quickly locked up and left, not noticing Mrs. Johnson peering out of the window of her house next door, scowling as she saw the bleached haired youth striding down the path.

Ooooooo

Angel and Davey weren’t there when Spike arrived. He made his way over to the chairs where they’d sat the night before, there were kids sitting in them but Spike thought he’d just wait near them. He was astonished when, like the previous evening, they got up and walked away.

He grinned as he sat down, quite enjoying the feeling of power it gave, knowing he used to be the one moving away. He put his feet up on the low table in front of him. About ten minutes later Angel and Davey arrived. They bought three Cokes before joining Spike.

“Did you get it?” asked Davey.

“Did yer think I wouldn’t?” countered Spike, pulling out the bottle. He’d already had some and was feeling pretty mellow.

“Knew you wouldn’t let me down,” said Angel, sitting down.

The evening flew past in a blur to Spike. The vodka clouded everything but he welcomed it. It was easier than thinking too much - that had been William’s problem, not Spike’s he decided, taking another slug.

“It’s boring in here tonight,” said Angel, “Let’s go somewhere else.”

Spike squinted at his watch - it was ten thirty. He stood and followed Angel and Davey. As Angel passed a table of guys who were steadfastly keeping their eyes averted, he picked up one of the drinks and with a laugh poured it over the head of the nearest boy.

“Oops,” he said.

The boy didn’t react, knowing it would only make things worse. Davey followed suit with the next boy. Spike picked up a drink but stopped short of pouring it over its owner, a flashback to Angel doing it to him in the cafeteria before the summer vacation preventing him from following through. He poured it on the table and then batted the rest of the drinks over with a sneer and caught up with the others.

The trio made their way to the park. They sat on the swings taking turns drinking the vodka. Spike was so drunk by this time that he didn’t notice that Angel and Davey were faking drinking it.

Angel smirked as he watched Spike drinking it. * “Oh yes, it might take a bit of time but the end result would be great. Stupid English creep so desperate to fit in with me he’ll soon do anything I want.” *

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