Buffy was so glad the weekend was over. She didn't think she could survive another day in the house with Riley. Every time they were in the same room, Buffy could feel him undressing her with his eyes. Although, he already knew what she look like naked.
The six hundred apologies Buffy had received from him had also made her uncomfortable, so Buffy was actually happy to go to school. That had never happened before in her life. Plus, she had spent her entire weekend not only looking for vampires, but worrying about them. Life was tough, especially when you had a secret identity.
Today at lunch, Buffy was going to meet some of Riley's football buddies. Allison had already told her that Graham was off limits. Allison had a huge crush on him. Well, at least Allison hadn't noticed that Buffy had it bad for her brother, but Buffy wasn't so sure she could say that about Emma.
Buffy couldn't wait until she met Graham. That was all Allison had been talking about. Graham this, and Graham that. Graham was a god among men, or at least that's what Allison had said.. The only problem was Buffy was going to have to walk into the cafeteria. The place where Cordy was horrible to her.
Buffy accidentally dropped a book from her locker onto the floor. Before Buffy could retrieve it, a young man picked it up for her. "Here you go."
"Thanks," Buffy said as she took the book from his hands. She thought she better introduce herself before the guy thought she was rude.
"Hi. I'm Buffy Summers. I'm new here." Duh, genius, Buffy thought to herself. He's going to think you're an idiot.
"Nice to met you, Buffy Summers, but I already knew your name and face. Huxley's a small town, and we don't get many new people. A word of advice; if you have a secret identity, hide it from everyone because once one person knows, everyone knows. I forgot my manners, I'm Alexander Harris. My friends call me Alex."
"I don't have a secret identity, so I have nothing to worry about," she laughed, but Buffy was secretly worried about what he had said. Buffy was going to have to hide her Slayer strength, which meant no beating up on the football team. One little slip and the whole world would know about vampires and demons.
"So Alex, I can use all the friends I can get. Why don't you come eat lunch with me today?
"I can use all the friends I can to, Alex thought to himself. "Sure, I'll eat with you. But what I want to know is, what are you doing in Huxley?"
"I thought everyone knew everything."
"Well. I know that you were in trouble back in L.A. But as for what you did, you got me." Alex still couldn't believe that this tiny girl was trouble, and after meeting her, his original thought was only further cemented.
What was Buffy going to tell him? She didn't want to lie, so she got as close to the truth as she could. "I did lots of things. The last straw was when I burned down the gym."
"Getting to know you is certainly going to be an adventure. Isn't it?"
"You have no idea." And I hope you never find out, Buffy thought to herself.
The day went by fast, and before Buffy knew it, it was lunch time. Buffy went into the cafeteria happy as could be. She saw Riley and Allison sitting together at a corner table. Buffy only hesitated for a second, as she saw Cordy sitting with a group of cheerleaders.
Buffy avoided Riley's eyes as she sat down at the table. Things were still a little awkward between the two of them.
Buffy asked both of them how their day was going, but only Allison answered. However, neither Buffy or Riley heard. They were both wrapped up in their own insecurities to notice anything else. Across the room, Emma was watching their table with interest.
Alex and Graham, from opposite directions, were walking towards the table where Riley, Allison, and Buffy were sitting. Each guy dropped his tray at the exact same moment.
"Hi, Graham." Allison was just so excited to be eating lunch with her crush. It was a dream come true, and it was all thanks to Buffy. Allison was really beginning to love that girl.
Graham ignored Allison and turned his attention to Riley. "What is he doing here?" As Graham said he, he motioned his head towards Alex. Graham and Alex didn't get along, and that was an understatement
.Buffy didn't know what Graham's problem was, but she was about to fix it. "I invited him to eat with us." Buffy made sure she emphasized 'I'.
Graham turned around to face Buffy, and at that moment the whole cafeteria got quiet. Graham wasn't sure of this chick. Ever since 'she' came to town, Riley had been different. Riley even yelled at Cordy for what she did to Buffy. Normally, Riley would have been the one to pour grape juice on the newbie. Graham didn't like the way Riley had changed, nor did he like the reason for the change. "There is no way I'm going to eat here with him. Either he leaves or I do."
Riley didn't know what to say. He didn't want to upset Buffy, but Graham was his best friend. Riley was caught between a rock and a hard place. Now, it fine to yell at Cordy, but to ditch your best friend was un-cool. "Come on, Graham," Riley said as he stood up.
Buffy was shocked as Riley turned around to go eat with Graham. To Riley's back, Buffy said, " I thought you didn't care about popularity. I guess I was wrong." The tone in Buffy's voice was unmistakable, it was disappointment.
It took Riley just a spilt second to turn back to the table and sit down again. Graham was shocked at Riley reaction. "Graham, just sit down and eat with all of us, including Alex."
Graham didn't know what to do. He certainly didn't want to lose his best friend to some girl over a *guy*, so he sat down at the table.
The cafeteria remained quiet. No one had ever seen anything like that. It wasn't every day that a senior listened to a sophomore, and it wasn't like it was any senior. It was the captain of the football team, the most popular and nicest guy.
By the time the group left the cafeteria, Graham was actually talking to Allison and had stopped giving death looks to Alex. All in all, it seemed that they were on their way to being friends. Well, at least civil to each other.
Alex felt like his world was finally coming together. It was no secret, except maybe to Buffy, that he was the outsider of the school. Now, he finally had one friend, and maybe with time, a couple more.
Alex just had to say something to Buffy, but he didn't know what. No one in his life had ever stood up for him, not even himself. The fact that Buffy had, and didn't even know him, spoke volumes about her. Alex was almost glad that she was his first friend. So he just said what was on his mind. "You know, you're amazing."
"You ain't seen anything yet." That was the truth, and Buffy hoped he never saw what she could fully do. As she watched everyone walk out of the door, she hoped none of them ever would.
Unknown to both Alex and Buffy, Emma and Riley both overheard their comments. One was scheming and other was extremely jealous.