New story time! The very lovely, amazing Emilie Brown made an adoptable banner and it found a home with me. So here's the first chapter! Don't worry everyone! Me, starting a new story, doesn't mean I'm abandoning any of my others. They will be finished eventually! Joss Whedon owns Buffy...don't sue me!
Close Your Eyes
Chapter One
BPOV
"Buffy! Time to get up! It's a big day and we have appointments to get to!" I groan, hearing my mother's voice ring through the house. I rub my forehead and blink a few times before sitting up.
"I'm up, mom!" I yell back then mutter, "And can't wait to move out next month." I yawn and feel at my hair before making an annoyed noise and heading for my bathroom. I turn on the hot water to my shower, stripping off my night clothes and throwing them aside. I step into the flow of water and sigh as it loosens my tense back muscles. I quickly wash my hair, shave my legs and scrub my body clean before regretfully shutting off the water and wrapping a towel around myself. I go back into my room and start to grab a bra and some underwear when a voice startles me.
"You are so lazy," Dawn says, causing me to yelp in surprise then swing around to glare at my younger sister, sitting on the edge of my bed. I grumble at her, then point to the door. She rolls her eyes but leaves my room anyway. I'm sure she'll have a lot to say at breakfast. The other reason I can't wait to more out. I toss my towel aside and slip into a light red thong and matching bra. I throw on a tank top and pair of jeans before sliding my feet into my flip-flops and heading downstairs for breakfast.
"Morning, daddy," I say, kissing his forehead. "Momma." I give her shoulders a squeeze before sitting next to Dawn and poking her side. She slaps my hand away and gives me a mock glare.
"Do I really have to go tonight?" I dive right in, "I know I'm part of the family but I'm nineteen years old. I should have some choice in this, shouldn't I?"
"What's the matter, sweetheart? Don't like my business banquets anymore?" dad asks, peeking over the top of his paper at me.
"They're boring," I whine, "And there's a big party tonight and all of my friends are going and I can't because of the dinner."
"You should be there. The business might be yours one day," dad says, reaching over and patting my hand.
"I hear the man throwing this banquet is very attractive and young too. Maybe love will be in the air tonight," mom adds in as we finish eating and start to clear the table. I just roll my eyes.
"And hey, spa day!" Dawn puts in, excitedly. I smile at that. Spa days are nice.
"In the car, girls! It's going to be a long day," mom tells us, ushering Dawn and me out the door. Once in the car, I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Willow and Xander.
No go, guys. Sorry, next time! ~B
~CYE~
"What did you have in mind?" the manicurist asks, filing my nails. I make a small humming noise, thinking. This is one of the last few things needed for tonight and I'm feeling more relaxed. After a full massage and facial, it's hard to be tense.
"Classic French tips for my fingers and red for my toes, please?" I finally decide, smiling. "Maybe some silver glitter over the white?"
"That sounds lovely," she responds, before getting to work. I relax back in my seat as the woman does my nails. It barely takes an hour but feels like so much longer. Once she finishes, I am lead to one of the hairstylists. I look through a book of elegant up-dos and decide on a half up-half down look. Once she's finished, I meet back up with mom and Dawn.
"Good choice," mom tells me, looking over my hair. I grin at her and squeeze her hand. We head home to get dressed for the banquet. I hadn't realized how long our spa day had taken but it was nearly five o'clock when we got home. That gives us an hour to get our makeup on and get dressed. Well, me to do my makeup. I'm the only one of us who would rather do it myself so mom and Dawn just have to get dressed. I go inside and up to my room, turning on my vanity light and sitting down.
I set out all the makeup I plan to use and then begin applying foundation to my face. Once done, I brush on a light powder and blush. I decide on a pink and brown natural looking eye shadow with black liner and mascara. I add a little silver to the corner of my eyes to make them appear wider.
"Half an hour!" I hear Dawn call from down the hallway and go to my closet. I pull out the long red dress I bought specifically for tonight and gently snip off the tag. I slide the smooth satin over my body and look at my reflection in the mirror. The dress falls perfectly around me, hugging my curves in all the right places. The thick tank top sleeves and small V are complimented well by the small silver brooch resting directly beneath my chest. I grab a pair of strappy black heels and a black leather clutch. I put on a thin coat of reddish-pink lipstick and place it, along with my cell phone and wallet into the clutch. I walk downstairs to find my parents already downstairs and ready.
"You look lovely," mom tells me. I smile at her, appraising her deep green dress.
"You look better," I respond, honestly. I have a gorgeous mother. Dawn joins us a few minutes later in a purple dress the falls just past her knees.
"That's cute," I tell her, "When'd you get it?"
"Last week," she says, "When I went to the mall with Nicole." I nod as she hooks her arm in mine and we head to the car, following closely behind mom and dad.
"We're right on schedule," dad lets us know, grinning back at us in the rearview mirror.
~CYE~
Pulling up outside the mansion, I can't help but be shocked. I grew up in a large house but this? This is unreal. The mansion before me looks like it came directly from the pages of a storybook. We walk to the front door and a young girl, a little older than myself greets us.
"Welcome! You must be the Summers'. I'm Kathy, Angel's sister. I'll be staying for a week or so to help him settle in. Now, come in, come in!" she introduces herself, shaking each of our hands. The inside of this house is just as gorgeous as the outside, if not more so. There are at least a hundred people already milling around the place, some with drinks, some just standing around in deep conversation. I separate from my family, telling them I'm going to look for Cordelia but instead just taking in my surroundings. I've been to a lot of these things in the past but never one this extravagant. Suddenly, I feel very underdressed.
"Excuse me," I murmur, after almost colliding with an older woman on the stairs. She gives me a friendly smile and nod. I continue up the stairs until I reach an ancient looking clock set right into the woodwork of the wall. It's strange but the beauty of the clock, set into the wall, strikes something inside of me. It feels almost familiar.
"Beautiful," I jump at the voice, so deep, soft, and close to my ear. I turn my head to face the most absolute gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on. I softly clear my throat.
"Yeah, it is," I whisper, still a little flustered.
"Actually, I was talking about you, but sure, it's a nice clock," he chuckles as I feel heat rise in my entire face.
"We-well, thank you, I guess," I murmur, looking down, still blushing. If I keep this up, I'll be the same color as my dress soon. I feel the man hook a finger under my chin and watch in shock as he leans closer. I struggle to keep my breathing steady but it seems an impossible task when his warm breath fans against my cheek as he whispers,
"I think dinner's about to be served." I blink and step back, out of his spell.
"Ri-right," I silently curse myself for stuttering, "I should find my family." I head quickly down the stair, almost running right into my dad.
"Whoa, there, princess. Slow down," he laughs, "Any luck finding Cordelia?"
"Ahh…no. There are a lot of people here," I answer, hoping my dad doesn't notice my shaky voice…or knees…or hands. God, what the hell is this mystery man doing to me?
"We should find our seats, dear," mom says to my dad, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Buffy, you're back." She smiles brightly at me. I give her what I hope is a convincing smile. I walk along side my parents and Dawn and we find our seats quickly. I sit next to Dawn, crossing my ankles and sitting up straight. I can't stop my fingers from fidgeting in my lap. A man steps up to the head of the table. I feel my stomach drop when I see it's the man from the stairwell.
"I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight. As I haven't had a chance to personally introduce myself to everyone here, my name is Angel O'Connor. This is my younger sister, Kathy," he points to the girl that greeted us at the door, "I hope everybody enjoys their night and that I get a chance to speak to each of you." Maybe it's my imagination, but his eyes lock with mine as he says the last of his little speech. He sits down just as the caterers bring out the appetizers. I feel my cheeks burn in complete and utter embarrassment. Why does the earth never open up and swallow me when I need it to?
Review? Pretty please?