Author: Raven's Bard
E-mail: ravensbard78@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Nothing in the Buffyverse belongs to me. Joss owns it all.
Rating: TV MA (nothing you wouldn't see on the show)
Spoilers: Welcome to the Hellmouth and The Harvest
Distribution: Just tell me where it's going.
Summary: Just wait and see.
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"Come on, get up. I don't want you be late for school."
"Alright, alright. I'm up." Though I certainly wasn't happy about it.
I went through the motions to get ready for my first day at a brand new school, grabbing clothes, a shower and breakfast. By the time that I was done Mom had already gotten the car ready and was waiting for me.
The drive to school was short, but quiet thankfully so I had a little time to think.
And remember.
Merrick, though he was a stuffy old brit, quickly became the only adult that I felt I could trust and feel comfortable around. He took me in and taught me how to fight. But even more important he at least paid attention to me, which was more than I could say about my parents. It hurt more than I thought possible to have to watch him die in front of me and be powerless to do anything. Damn you, Lothos. At least I paid you back for causing the death of Merrick and.... them.
Still can't think about them yet. That hurts worse than Merrick. When Merrick died I at least had them to go on for. The only bright spot of that time that I had left. I can still remember their face. I didn't know them very long, but I guess I just fell in love with them at first sight. I wish I could have saved.....
The car coming to a stop jolted me out of my thoughts, so I actually paid attention to the building that we stopped in front of. Bright and cheery were the words to describe the place. Great, the perfect place to find more Kimberlys and Jens. Just what I didn't need.
"Do you want me to walk you in?" Mom asked.
"No, I think I should go without becoming the laughing stock of the school before I even get inside. No offense, mom, but no one would want their mom around them in high school." I said.
"I suppose so," she returned.
I grabbed my bag and hopped out of the car, but not without one last comment from mom.
"Try not to burn this one down, hon. I think one school is more than enough for you in your life," she commented.
"Don't worry, mom. I'm sure I won't find anything that flammable in there, even in chem class," I replied smirking.
She stared at me for a moment and I think she was actually trying to decide if I was being serious. Finally she made a decision to ignore it and muttering a quiet "good-bye" before driving off for work.
"I suppose this could be worse," I muttered to myself. No matter that I had gotten stuck at a new city and school, leaving behind those few friends that I had left after becoming the school pariah. Though on the bright side, a new school could only be better than my experiences at Hemery High. After all, it's not like there could be that many master vamps trying to take over the world in California and God wouldn't be that cruel, would he?
Feeling slightly better about the whole situation, I decided to try and make the best of it. Time for my grand entrance, I thought and stepped forward......
...and right into the girl walking in front of me causing both of us to ground in a tangle of limbs.
"Sorry, sorry," I muttered while helping her up. "What a great way to start. Are you okay?"
"Nothing broken... I think," she said as she grabbed her bag off the ground.
"You sure? I really am sorry," I said, praying that not many people saw the collision.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I take it you're new here," she stated.
"Yep, just starting today. Though this isn't the way I wanted to start out here," I grimaced.
"I bet. Why don't I show you to the office," she said with a smile.
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
"Oh, by the way, my name's Willow," she said while holding out her hand to shake.
"My friends call me Xander."
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