trio1

~~~Part One~~~

�I just don�t get why this competition is so important to you.� Willow grabbed her French book from her locker and shoved it inside her bag. Buffy rolled her eyes at the hacker, knowing that the redhead was never going to understand the need to win the May Queen crown that year.

�It�s just something I really want to do. It�ll make me feel somewhat normal. Besides Cordelia is so going down this year. Someone really needs to put her in her place, and what better way than to steal her three-year title as queen.� A wicked little smile spread across the slayer�s face.

�I guess that I�ll never understand the whole May Queen thing. I don�t even understand the concept for the need for school dances yet. I mean all they do is make everyone edgy for weeks. Girls worried that they wont be asked, guys worried that the girls will say no.�

�Worried that no one will ask?� Buffy asked sadly to her friend.

�No...yes... See the stress is already starting and the dance is still weeks away. Lousy stinking dance.� Slamming the locker closed Willow slung her backpack over one shoulder.

�I�m going to need your help. Once I get nominated I�ll need help with posters, flyers and baked goods.�

�Baked goods?� Willow paused and blinked at Buffy questioningly.

�What better way to get a guy�s attention?� Shrugging Buffy passed by Willow on her way to the library. �I was thinking that after we check in with Giles we start coming up with campaign strategies.�

Following the blonde through the library doors, Willow smiled over at Giles who was standing behind the library counter. Xander was already in his position at the large table behind a large mound of artery clogging foodstuff. Faith was tossing a newly made stake high into the air and catching it.

�Hey you two. What took you so long to get here?�

�Buffy was talking me into helping her compete against Cordelia for May Queen.� Willow sat down in the vacant seat next to Xander.

�Nothing against you Buffy, but I think it�s written in stone somewhere that Cordelia Chase *has* to be voted May Queen.� Xander shoved the rest of the Twinkie in his mouth.

Giles forehead puckered. �Buffy don�t you think that such a competition would cut into your slayer responsibilities?�

Buffy rolled her eyes and shocked her head. �That�s why I have Willow to help me.�

�Yeah but what if Red gets nominated too?� Faith had stopped tossing the stake, slightly amused as to how yet again one of the gang just assumed that Willow didn�t have anything better to do than help them.

Buffy and Xander exchanged looks, and burst out laughing. Even Giles cleared his throat as he shoved his face behind the pages. Willow looked slightly hurt, but gave a shaky smile as well. �What do you all think is funny? What do you think that your better then her B?�

Buffy stopped laughing abruptly, �No. I�d never think that.�

Faith narrowed her eyes at the blonde. This is what irritated Faith about the other slayer. She�d never say it, but Faith just knew that Buffy saw herself slightly better than the rest. Being a slayer didn�t make a person better, just weird. Everyone kept pointing out that the only reason she lasted so long was her support system. Faith was positive that it ran a lot deeper than that. Sure it helped having everyone around you think that your shit didn�t stink. But it sure gave you a hands up having a hacker/research gal/witch all wrapped up into on little package.

�Personally I think that Willow would make a wonderful May Queen. What�s the matter B? Intimidated by a little competition?�

�Of course not. But it doesn�t really matter Willow isn�t in to that kind of thing.� Buffy chose her words carefully, knowing that the other slayer was trying to get her to say something she didn�t mean.

Faith cocked a brow toward Willow and studied the redhead�s expression. �Is that true Red?�

Willow couldn�t help but feel a little hurt by Buffy�s and Xander�s amusement at the thought of her being nominated for May Queen. �I�m more behind the scenes girl, not the in your face kind.� Willow tried to convince Faith.

Giles cleared his throat, getting their attention. From past experience he knew that things could get out of hand fast just by a few words. �Yes well if we�re finished, perhaps we could get down to business?� Buffy and Xander were more than ready to put the conversation in the past. But as for the redhead and brunette slayer words had been said that neither could forget.

~~~*~~~

�They�re going to announce the nominations today during third period.� Buffy grabbed Willow�s hand in her excited state and gave a none to gentle squeeze.

Willow cried out, and Buffy looked guiltily at her friend. �Oh my god I�m so sorry.�

Cradling her hand to her chest, Willow sucked back the tears knowing that it would only add to her friend�s guilt. �N-No problem...really Buffy.� The blonde slayer looked unsure but at the sound of the school bell Buffy grabbed her English book and took off to her class. �Wish me luck.� Buffy yelled over her shoulder and disappeared into the crowded mass of students.

Tears fell from Willow�s face as the pain from her hand throbbed. Hurrying to the library Willow let her book bag hit the ground just inside the door. Wiping the tears that clouded her vision, Willow searched for the Watcher. Looking in the office with out any success Willow made her way up into the stacks. �Giles?�

�I�m over here Willow.� Giles stuck his head from around a corner and saw the pain that Willow was in. �Dear lord what happened? Are the others okay?�

�No big bad.� Willow shook her head. �Just an over anxious slayer.�

Placing the books he had been reading through back on the shelf, Giles reached for Willows hand and tenderly inspected it. �I don�t believe it�s broken, but perhaps we should take you to get some x-rays.�

�I�ll be fine if we just wrap it.� Willow bit her lower lip. She hated hospitals, and would do anything to get out of a horrible trip to the sickest place on earth.

Giles looked uncertain, but went to retrieve the first aide kit anyhow. �Perhaps you should go home and rest.�

�Giles I�ll be fine, really.� Sucking in her breath as Giles tried to straighten out her hand for his inspection.

�Fine then I insist that you forgo the meeting tonight.� Giles paused looking seriously at the redhead.

�Not come? But Giles Angelus and Spike are still on the lose, you need me.� Giles gave her a fatherly look, and Willow stopped. �Fine I�ll go home and rest, but I�m coming to the meeting tonight.� Giles finished his job and took the kit back to his office.

�Very well then. Get your belongings and I�ll give you a ride home.�

Dragging her feet Willow complied getting her bag, she followed Giles out of the school and to the parking lot. Missing the school announcement.

****************

Willow got home and took the phone off the hook, knowing that by the next period both Xander and Buffy would know she was gone and start checking up on her. Plus she really wasn�t in the mood to hear Buffy�s cheerful screams of joy at being nominated to run for May Queen. Damn Faith forever bringing up that stupid conversation. Ever since then Willow had felt betrayed by her two best friends.

Stripping her tee shirt off over her head, trying not to cause her arm any unnecessary pain. Willow went to stand in front of the mirror. Taking a look at the girl staring back Willow moaned. They were right. She could never compete against people like Cordelia and Buffy. They were sophisticated and mature where it counted to the teenage boys they went to school with. The girl reflected in the mirror was in serious need of a tan, had way too many freckles, and no miracle bra could help what she had. Sticking her tongue out at the reflection, Willow turned and slipped into bed.

~~~*~~~

�Giles where is she?� Buffy and Xander came rushing through the library doors nearly knocking another student unconscious.

�Buffy please be careful.� Giles scolded. �Now what�s are you yelling about.�

�Willow have you seen her?� Xander shifted foot to foot looking around the library anxiously, hoping that the redhead was somewhere in there.

�I took her home hours ago. Something about a sprained wrist.� Raising a brow in Buffy�s direction.

�What?� Buffy looked back innocently. Giles let out a sigh of frustration.

�So she doesn�t know then.� Xander said anxiously.

�Know what?� Giles turned from the teens back to the book he had been reading.

�Hello do you keep your head under a stone. Everyone�s talking about it, students and teachers.� Buffy jumped up onto the library counter, ignoring the reprimanding look from Giles. �Someone is trying to pull a Carrie with our little redhead as the butt of their joke.�

Pinching the bridge of his nose Giles wished that the teens would just get to the point. Trying to decipher the way they spoke was just plain tiring.

�She got nominated for May Queen.� Giles looked blankly back at Xander not able to figure out how this was a bad thing.

�Well I�d think that you�d be happy for her.�

�It was a joke Giles. There�s no way she could ever compete against Cordelia, Harmony and me.� Buffy looked at Giles wondering if it was the English blood that ran through his veins that hampered him from understanding the crisis they were in.

�I personally think it�s a good thing. It�s about time someone saw just how special Red is.� Faith walked through the doors, having been listening from the other side.

�You would.� Buffy glared over at the other slayer.

Faith gave a throaty laugh. � I knew you would be intimidated by having to go up against her. Perhaps the kids here want something different from there May Queen.�

�Faith you don't even go to school anymore, how is it that you think you know what students want.� Xander backed Buffy up.

�Well I guess we�ll see then wont we.� Faith challenged.

�No *we* wont. I don�t want her getting hurt.� Buffy jumped down form the counter and stood toe to toe with the other slayer.

�See you�re intimidated, I love it!� Faith laughed again.

Turning from the brunette Buffy ignored the other girl. When she saw Willow next she was sure her friend would see the ridiculous situation as it was.