Changing Lives by Mabel Marsters

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Chapter 39

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Buffy closed her eyes at the touch of Spike’s mouth on hers, she moved towards him wanting to deepen the kiss but as her tongue touched his lips he pulled away. She opened her eyes and saw two vivid blue eyes looking at her anxiously.

“Um…we’d better find Willow and Xander,” he said quickly to cover his embarrassment.

“Okay,” said Buffy, “didn’t he like kissing me?”

Then she thought she knew what was wrong. “Oh my God, was that his first kiss? No wonder me trying to stick my tongue down his throat made him back off. He’ll think I’m a big ho’,” she thought in despair.

She reached for his hand and was rewarded with a broad smile as her small hand found his. He gripped it tightly.

“Phew! He still likes me.”

Spike’s mind was racing.

“Why did you stop, you idiot? She obviously wanted it.”

But he couldn’t help it. As they were kissing someone pushed their way past. At the touch of the other person, reality came back with a crash. His natural shyness kicked in as he suddenly realised there he was, in the middle of The Bronze, kissing Buffy Summers – the girl of his dreams.

“Look, there’s Xander,” said Buffy, pointing to a table near the front. They made their way over to him through the crowds, sitting in the seats he’d saved for them.

“Perks of helping the band,” he grinned, “Managed to get a good table in return.”

He noticed that Spike and Buffy were holding hands and winked at Spike, causing him to blush and look down, but he didn’t let go of her hand.

“Where’s Willow gone?” asked Buffy.

“She’s backstage smooching with Oz,” replied Xander, “Huh! Everybody’s getting paired off except me.”

“So wot time are the Dingoes on stage?” asked Spike, once he felt the heat leave his face.

“In about a half hour, I think. Devon hadn’t arrived until about ten minutes ago, the rest of the band were going frantic.”

“I’ll bet!” said Buffy.

“At least he’s here now,” said Xander.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them ag…er…play,” said Spike, only just correcting himself in time.

“You’ll love them,” said Xander, “Oz always says they’re useless but they’re not.”

“Yeah, I know most of the songs they play. Oz runs through them sometimes, but mostly I get him to play his own. They’re really good. I don’t know why Devon has such a problem with them,” said Spike animatedly.

“I know why he does,” said Buffy, “He’s jealous. Sure he can sing but he could never write a song of his own.”

“Look, Willow’s coming back,” said Xander, “They must be getting ready to go on.”

“Hi guys,” said Willow as she sat between Xander and Spike.

“How are things backstage?” asked Xander.

“Pretty tense but at least Devon showed,” replied Willow.

A few minutes later, to a loud cheer, Dingoes Ate My Baby came onstage. Willow squealed in delight as Oz appeared with his bass guitar. Devon swaggered up to the microphone at the front of the stage. He screamed ‘hello’ and then introduced the first song.

After six songs it became clear to the friends that all was not going according to plan. When Devon announced what song was next the other band members were looking at each other and shaking their heads.

“What’s going on?” asked Buffy.

“He’s not sticking to the set list,” explained Willow, who knew it by heart, “They should have played one of Oz’s songs by now.”

Then abruptly at the end of the current song Devon just walked off the stage. Oz looked at his fellow band members in panic then walked to the mic and announced that there would be a short break and then they’d be back. They all left the stage.

Willow went to see what was going on. She came back moments later.

“Spike, can you go and see Oz? He’s in a bit of a state and is asking for you.”

“Okay. Poor Oz. Devon’s a right git if he lets him down,” said Spike before he went to find Oz.

As soon as he got backstage Oz grabbed him by his arm and pulled him into a corner; the normally laid back boy looked frantic.

“Devon’s gone!”

“Wot? Gone? As in left altogether?” asked Spike stupidly.

“Yeah, he said he wasn’t singing any of my songs and that was it – he’s left the band.”

“Christ, he picked his moment, didn’t he?”

“He’s done it on purpose. The thing is, the band played here in the summer vacation and he did the same then. It’s taken me this long to get them to give us another chance. If we don’t complete our set the band is as good as finished,” wailed Oz.

“Why don’t you sing, Oz? They’re your songs and you know you can sing,” urged Spike, hating to see his friend so stressed.

“I can’t, Spike. Sure, I’m not too bad at singing along when I write them.” He looked Spike right in the eyes. “But I haven’t got a voice anywhere near as good as you have.”

“Oh no, no, Oz, don’t do this to me,” said Spike backing away, “I can’t, yer know I can’t.”

“But you know all the songs and you sang in England.”

“Once, I sang once, Oz, and I had to be wasted to get up at all. I’m sorry but I just can’t, okay?” replied Spike, vehemently shaking his head.

“We’re through if you don’t, Spike. I’m begging you,” Oz pleaded.

“Oh Christ, I’m going to lose the best friend I’ve ever had but I bloody can’t do it.”

Just then Joey, the drummer, walked by with a glass in each hand; Spike looked at Oz then back at the two glasses.

“Um…Joey, what drinks ‘ave yer got there?” asked Spike.

“Jack Daniels. The barman took pity on me and let me have them,” replied Joey.

“Shit!” said Spike. He grabbed the glasses out of Joey’s hands and downed the first in one gulp.

“Spike! What are you doing?” cried Oz.

“Look, if yer want me to sing I need a bit of ‘elp first.” He grimaced as he drank the second. “Thanks, Joey.”

“’S okay,” replied a somewhat surprised Joey, “So you’re going to take the lead spot?”

“Looks that way,” said Spike.

“Oh man! Thanks!” screamed Oz, throwing his arms around Spike and hugging him in a totally un-Oz-like manner, “You’re the best.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Spike in embarrassment.

“But you shouldn’t have drunk that liquor.”

“Not planning on making a habit of it again if that’s wot yer mean. Just couldn’t do it in cold blood, okay?”

“So when are we going back on? I need to tell Pete,” said Joey, referring to the lead guitarist.

“Fifteen minutes?” said Oz, raising an eyebrow at Spike.

Spike nodded. “Wot the hell ‘ave I agreed to?” His heart was beating fit to burst.

“Come on, I’ll go over the set list with you,” said Oz, “We’ll start off with a cover of Born in the USA…”

“Wot?” interrupted Spike.

“Born in the USA,” repeated Oz, “It’ll get the crowd back on our side and I know you know it, then we’ll do my five songs and…”

“Hang on a minute, Oz, don’t get too carried away. That’s enough, isn’t it?” said Spike, who was feeling almost sick with nerves despite the – he had to admit – pleasant feeling of the alcohol getting into his bloodstream.

“Oh, okay, we’ll just play it by ear,” said Oz.

Ooooooo

There was a cheer as Pete and Joey walked back onto the stage.

“Sorry about the break, folks, but we’re back and we’re gonna make sure you all have a great time,” said Joey.

“Oh no, where’s Spike? He’s going to miss it,” said Buffy, looking around for him.

“Um…Buff,” said Xander, “I don’t think he is going to miss it.” He pointed to the stage.

Oz and Spike had joined Pete and Joey.

“Our usual lead singer is…er…ill, so we’ve got another guy to help us out. I hope you show him your appreciation, he’s got a great voice. It’s Spike Norman!” continued Joey.

“Oh my God!” cried Willow and Buffy in unison, as a rather pale Spike stepped to the front of the stage.

The crowd obediently gave a bit of a cheer, albeit a half hearted one. Devon had always been the lead singer and it was his voice they’d come to hear. They weren’t convinced they were going to like the sound of a new singer, especially one that was visibly shaking.

Spike took the microphone from Joey.

“Um…thanks,” he muttered barely audibly even with the mic.

He glanced back at Oz who grinned at him. Spike nodded and Oz counted them in for the first song.

Spike closed his eyes and smiled at the thought that he was wearing the same clothes as when he’d sung at the karaoke. In his mind he could see James and Rich grinning up at him.

“This is for you, James.”

He opened his eyes as he began to sing. He didn’t focus on the crowd, just looked towards the back wall. Still, he almost faltered – the place was full – but he concentrated hard and gave it his all.

Unlike at the karaoke there wasn’t a pause when he sang the last line; the place erupted in rapturous applause. Spike looked at the crowd properly for the first time and a broad grin split his face. He glanced at Oz who was also grinning like an idiot. Joey gave him a thumbs up and Pete mouthed ‘well done’.

Spike suddenly wondered why he’d thought he’d needed a drink before doing this – the applause was intoxicating enough. It was hot under the spotlights and so after another song he took off his duster and put it at the side of the stage. A few girls cheered when he did, appreciating the tight fitting t-shirt and lean muscular arms. He looked every inch the rock star with his bleached locks and tattoo. He blushed a bit and for the first time dared to look at Buffy; she smiled up at him and mouthed ‘wow’, he winked at her.

After several more songs, all of which were written by Oz and all had been well received, Oz nipped off stage to swap guitars. When he came back on he handed Spike another drink which he took gratefully; it was water. He watched as Oz had a quick word with Pete and Joey. Spike was just wondering why Oz had gotten his acoustic guitar – the Dingoes always stuck to electric – when he started to play the intro of the next song. Spike froze - he glared at Oz and shook his head. Oz walked up to him, pushed him gently away from the mic and spoke into it himself.

“This is a song that our new lead singer Spike wrote. It’s the first time it’s going to be played in public. I hope you like it.”

“I’m gonna kill yer for this,” muttered Spike as Oz walked away from the microphone.

Spike put both hands on the mic and leant on the stand; again he looked off rather than down at the crowd. He took a deep breath.

“Seems like only yesterday

Life belonged to runaways.

Nothing here to see no looking back.

Every sound monotone,

Every colour monochrome,

Life began to fade into the black.”

He looked at Buffy. She was staring at him. Their eyes met and he sang the song to her.

“Such a simple animal,

Sterilised with alcohol.

I can hardly feel me anymore.

Desperate meaningless,

All filled up with emptiness,

Felt like everything was said and done.

I lay there in the dark and I close my eyes,

You saved me the day you came alive….”

Buffy felt a tear prick at her eye as she listened to the lyrics. She remembered him telling her of how he’d tried to run away. The whole school knew of his drinking and there he was singing a song that, although beautiful, told everyone of his pain.

She quickly scanned the club and saw that the whole place was transfixed - mesmerised by his haunting voice. Spike was full of contradictions, she wasn’t sure she’d ever work him out though she knew she wanted the opportunity to try to. He was painfully shy at times yet here he was singing on stage to a packed house. He took on Angel – she still couldn’t believe he’d done that – yet blushed at just about everything.

“Huh! Talk of the devil.”

She noticed Angel; he was several yards away and was scowling at Spike. Davey and Riley were with him and they didn’t look very happy either.

Buffy glanced back at Spike. His song was drawing to a close, and he held her gaze to the end.

The place went wild! Oz slapped Spike on his back. Pete and Joey, who hadn’t accompanied the song because they didn’t know it, enveloped him in a bear hug.

Spike turned back to the mic, “Um…thanks,” he stuttered, “Glad yer liked it but all I did was write the words – the melody is all down to Oz.”

Oz grinned as the crowd renewed their cheers. Pete grabbed the mic.

“We’re Dingoes Ate My Baby – see you all again soon – goodnight!”

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