"I am telling you guys, once you begin driving, you'll never feel the same about riding in a car," Cordelia said as she walked out of Sunnydale High School, followed closely by her best friends, Harmony and Aura.

"It really sucks that your dad took your car away," Harmony added. "And only having your driver's license for a week!"

"Yeah, and it's not like you killed that guy," Aura chimed in.

"That's what I tried to tell my dad!" Cordelia exclaimed. "What was he doing riding a bicycle so close to the road, anyway? But Dad was all like, 'He was supposed to ride on the sidewalk'."

Aura sighed with disgust. "And that guy doesn't even have to pay for the damage to your car?"

"You'd think that's the worst part, but get this--we have to replace the stupid bike and pay for his hospital bills."

"No. Way." Both girls chimed in unison.

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Way. So Dad took away my car and says that his hospital bills will come out of my spring wardrobe fund."

Aura and Harmony looked at Cordelia as if she had just announced that the sun would black out forever in ten minutes.

Cordelia was about to continue the conversation about her lack of transportation, but something- or someone, rather, had already caught Cordelia's attention.

"Hello, salty goodness," she said to herself as she walked away from the girls, who were still gawking in amazement, toward this new someone, who was very handsome.

She noticed he was walking toward her, as well. He was older than she was, with dark brown hair and light eyes behind wire frame glasses, and wore a suit even though it was sunny and hot today. When they were face to face, she noticed he was several inches taller than her, as well.

"Hi..." she said, at a loss for words the first time in her life.

"Cordelia Chase?" He asked

"Oh, an English accent. How very Bond. Wait a sec. How did you know my name?"

"I am Wesley Wyndham-Pryce," he began, but Cordelia interrupted.

"I like a man with two last names," she said flirtatiously.

He smiled and continued, "Yes, well, as I said before, I am Wesley Wyndham-Pryce and I have been sent to collect you. There are pressing matters that need your attention immediately." He had a very dignified air about him, like he was from an old family with old money.

"Um, hallucinate much?" Cordelia scoffed. "I don't care how cute you are. This is Sunnydale, and weird stuff happens here. I especially don't like the way you say, 'you were sent to collect me.'"

"Precisely. This 'weird stuff', as you say, is exactly why I am here for you. You have been called--you are The Chosen."

"I'm sorry, but I think I'm missing a study guide here."

"I'm afraid I don't follow you, Ms. Chase."

"Listen, you say I'm chosen.... but chosen for what exactly? I mean, I plan to run for May Queen, but that's weeks away. How could I have already been chosen?"

"Ms. Chase, I can assure you that what you have been chosen for is not school related."

"Oh, well, geez. I can't thank you enough for making that clear for me. Is this a prank? Did that loser Xander Harris put you up to this?"

"I have no idea who this 'Xander' person is. The Council has sent me to inform you that you have been called." There was urgency in his voice that made him sound serious. Besides, Cordelia doubted that Xander knew anyone this good looking. But still, she had to get to the bottom of the crazy puzzle-speak of this Wesley guy.

"Called for what? And what Council? Student Council? 'Cause I have a few words for them. The mirrors in the girls' bathroom on the Math Hall? Atrocious." She was really starting to get worked up.

"I most certainly am not from the Student Council. Ms. Chase, you are the new Slayer. And I," he gave a light bow that caused Cordy to arch an eyebrow and look around to make sure no one was watching them, "I am your Watcher."

"I'm sorry, but I thought you just said that you're my 'Watcher'. What exactly are you going to 'watch' me do?"

"Slay vampires, of course."

"Slay what?"

"Let me start from the beginning," he began.

"Yes, let's try that for a change." She was even trying to be tolerant anymore, no matter how mouth watering she thought he was.

"As I was saying, in every generation, there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, demons, and the forces of evil. She is The Slayer. And the Slayer is you, Ms. Chase."

Cordelia's jaw dropped, but before she could muster a sound, Aura and Harmony appeared behind her.

"Hi," Aura said to Wesley, smiling. "Cordy, are you going to tell us who your new friend is?"

Before Cordelia could say anything, Wesley took a card out of his jacket. "Please call me so that we may discuss this further."

Cordelia took the card and nodded, seeing her father's car drive up. "I've got to go."

"As do I," Wesley said. He walked back the way he came, Aura and Harmony both waved goodbye, smiling and giggling. Cordelia turned to them and glared.

"You guys are so immature," she said, then paused and added, "Call me tonight? We'll Bronze."

Aura and Harmony blew kisses at Cordelia as she headed for the waiting car. Before getting in, she watched Wesley drive away.