A/N: My first Buffy the Vampire Slayer fic, I think? It's set in Season 3, and yes, there will be some woz-iness in the beginning. Won't last long, though! If you have any opinions, please review.
Willow played with the hem of her skirt, giving her mirror a sceptic look. It's a big night, and she couldn't seem to find the right outfit.
She hadn't met Oz over winter break. Not once. They'd have a few nervous phone calls, but with him being at the Alps (she still had a hard time picturing Oz, her laid-back Oz, skiing of all things) and the big black cloud named Xander still hovering over their heads, they hadn't managed find any time to meet up.
She pulled the sweater over head and turned to her wardrobe for the third time that night.
/
Willow ran, trying to disentangle herself from her long scarf while doing so. She was late. Not by much, but she didn't want Oz sitting there by himself. Not on their first date since...
Her stomach immediately clenched with guilt. Even though he had forgiven her, or she thought he had, hadn't he? but what if he hadn't, he might still, oh god-
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft yell of pain. And something solid. Which, she discovered when she opened her eyes in confusion, turned out to be the ground. And a girl. Willow gasped, crawling over on all fours to check. It had been a hell of a collision.
"Oh, god. I'm so sorry! I'm so stupid, here let me-" She reached down for the girl, brushing off the grit on her clothes and eyeing her with concerned eyes. It was a petty thing to do, but she had to do something. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't.. I-I didn't see you. Or I did see you, but my mind didn't... Are you okay?"
The girl blinked a few times, looking more confused than she did. Until a light smile spread over her features.
Jesus. She must've hitten her hard.
Twenty minutes later, Willow knew four things about the girl.
/
One, her name was Tara.
Two, Willow had either given her a concussion, or she was far too kind for her own good. She fully blamed the crash on herself.
Three, Tara was just about eighteen.
Four, she was new in Sunnydale, and would soon start in Sunnydale High School.
Five. Willow was terribly late to her date.