Sunnydale High, 8:15 am.
Tara ran as fast as she could after she stood outside the library. While she was rushing, she looking at her class list and saw that her first class was history, and that while she wanted to get her books before heading in; that had to be done at another time. So Tara ran up the stairs to the third floor and then a few doors to the left where she came upon a closed door. She then looked at the number to make sure that she was in the correct room before knocking on the door. Tara looked through the glass pane as an older male looked at her before getting off the chair her was sitting on and then opening the door.
"Hi… hi, sir" said Tara as she handed the man her class list, "I… I'm sorry I'm late. I was at the library to get my books but.."
"Be on time the next time" said the man as he stepped to one side and let Tara into the room. She walked inside and looked at the student's all looking at her while the teacher closed the door and the headed towards his desk. He then stood next to Tara and introduced her to the class. It was while he was making the introductions that Tara noticed a blonde giving her a small wave with one hand, before she nodded at the seat right next to her.
Once Tara told everyone a little about herself, she walked through the open spaces and sat at the seat next to the blonde girl, the same one she had met earlier that day.
"Hi, Buffy" said Tara with a small smile as the teacher then started to write something on the board. It was then that Buffy's face fell when the man spelled out the words 'pop quiz', "looks like I came in at the right time?"
"Oh yea" said Buffy softly as she looked around the class, before looking at Tara again, "ummm… I know it's weird but have you seen Ford? You know, that guy I was walking with?"
"Ummm.. no" said Tara as she looked at Buffy, "sorry, but he was gone by the time got out."
"Glad you escaped Snyder" said Buffy as Tara grinned.
"He's got a Napoleonic complex, doesn't he?" asked Tara as she leaned in and whispered.
"Huh?" asked Buffy confused.
"You know.. he's a bit…" said Tara when she was interrupted by the teacher.
"Alright" said the teacher as Buffy, Tara and the others looked at the man, "quiz time and…."
While the man was speaking, Tara whispered again and told Buffy that she'll explain what she meant later.
"I.. I mean if you're not busy" said Tara.
"How're your classes?" asked Buffy as Tara reached into her bag and showed her the class list while the teacher kept droning on. Buffy nodded her head before handing the piece of paper to Tara again, "we're in the same classes… neat. How about I introduce you to some friends? I mean after lunch we catch up at the library and…"
"The library?" asked Tara as her eyes widened, "I… I mean maybe we could go somewhere else and… I mean…"
"Everyone silence" said the Teacher as Buffy and Tara separated and sat up while the teacher handed pieces of papers with question on them down each row of students. Buffy took the piece of paper and then handing it down to the person behind her before glancing over at Tara with one question going through her head.
'She's afraid of the library?' thought Buffy to herself, 'that's just weird.. well this is the Hellmouth; the address for weird but I'm not getting any funny feelings from her.. no vibes… no Slayer sense or… yeah… like I've got Slayer sense. Anyway, maybe Giles freaked her out or something; well, I'll have to properly introduce her to Giles.. oh and to the others too. But I wonder where Ford is?'
Sunnydale High, 12:30 pm.
It was after finishing the class right before lunch that Tara and Buffy walked out of the classroom. Tara felt that there was something about the girl she had been sitting next to for the past few classed, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Shaking her head as she continued to talk to Buffy, who had been doing her best to make Tara feel welcome at the school, Tara accidently bumped against a dark haired girl who was walking the another way. Stopping after the bump, Tara stopped moving when she fell a feeling of dread come over her before she looked at the girl who looked back at her, apologized and then started laughing with her other friends.
"Tara?" asked Buffy as she stopped walking and looked back at Tara who was looking at a the girl who had just joined Sunnydale High School a few days ago, Anya Jameson. Buffy walked over to Tara and asked if everything was alright, however, she noticed that Tara kept on looking at Anya while mumbling something under her breath… as if she was talking to herself; and the Slayer swore she heard the word 'Demon', "Tara? Did you just say demon?"
"Huh?" asked Tara as she looked at Buffy while kicking herself mentally. The girl who had walked past them had surprised her, especially when Tara had a strange feeling go through her body. She then started to look at that girl's aura and was shocked to see it so unnatural… and combined with the feelings that were permeating her body, Tara knew that the girl was a demon.
A demon she couldn't believe was in high school.
'A demon' thought Tara as she looked on while Buffy had been calling to her earlier, 'a demon here.'
It was when Tara felt a tap on her shoulder, and then turned and looked at Buffy who asked her if she actually said the word 'demon' did Tara realize that she was actually talking to herself; something that she did to calm herself down when her father would slap her mother, or he would shout at her… berating her for what he thought she was.
"Huh?" asked Tara shaking her head, "demon? No.. no.. no such thing as demons, Buffy. I just said the word 'demean'."
"Demean?" asked Buffy as she raised an eyebrow at Tara who nodded her head vigorously.
"Yea" said Tara, "I said that I wish I could demean her?"
"Tara?" asked Buffy as she stepped closer, "did you really mean…"
"Hey, Summers" said a voice from behind Buffy who suddenly had a smile on her face as she looked at Tara before turning around and giving Ford a hug, "classes were a killer. I guess we've got different… you know.. stuff."
"You remember Tara?" asked Buffy as she motioned towards Tara who gave Ford a small wave.
"Hey" said Ford nodding at Tara, "how do you like it here so far?"
"I made a friend" said Tara softly while poking Buffy's upper arm as the Slayer grinned at Tara and then at Ford, "so I'd say I'm having more fun than in my old school."
"Neat" said Ford as he put his arm around Buffy's shoulder.
"We're meeting Willow and the others for lunch" said Buffy as she looked over her shoulder and noticed that the smile on Tara's face that had been there a few seconds ago when she met Ford again had vanished as she was looking at Ford with a frown on her face, "ummm… Tara? You alright?"
"Huh" said Tara as she looked at Buffy while thinking to herself, 'tell her, Tara. Tell he that he's lying. He hasn't been to class. Every word's been a lie but… come on, Tara. No… I.. I can't… stop it Tara… you're making it too obvious."
"Tara?" asked Buffy as she gently took Ford's arm off her shoulder while Tara looked at the floor, "Tara, you're spacing out a bit here."
'Say something, Tara' thought the blonde witch to herself, 'say something… and lets go on with the day. You can talk to momma tonight and… for crying out loud just say something.'
"Sorry" said Tara as she looked at Buffy, "I was just thinking about cheese."
'Cheese!?' thought Tara to herself while wishing silently that the ground would open and swallow her.
"Cheese?" asked Buffy as she chuckled while putting her arm around Tara's back before she gently guided Tara towards the cafeteria, "we've got a mean mac and cheese. I mean I don't think the cheese is real… but it's decent. Although, my mom makes the best mac and cheese on Earth… say, if your not busy… maybe we could go to the Bronze tonight.. it's the local club that lets us in as long as.. well.. you know, we don't drink."
"Of.. of course" said Tara shaking her head as she smiled at Buffy while Ford was walking in front of them with his hands in his pockets. Tara then looked at Ford again with suspicion in her eyes as Buffy ran to the boy who she used to have a crush on all those years ago. Tara followed them through the hallways until they reached an area outside the cafeteria where there were two people waving at Buffy, who waved back at them. Buffy then turned and waved at Tara… signalling her to join them as they took a seat and the blonde Slayer introduced Tara to Xander, who stood up immediately and started to talk while hurriedly getting a seat for Tara so that she could sit next to her.
However, for Tara, she didn't hear anything that Xander was saying while she looked at the girl with the long red hair and green eyes who was shaking her hand. Time shad seemed to stop for the blonde witch when she shook her head and time started flowing again. It was then Tara realized that she was still shaking Willow's hand while the redhead smiled nervously at her.
"Sorry" said Tara as she stepped back, "sometimes I just space out."
"No biggie" said Willow as she waved her hands while Tara noticed an empty chair near Xander. Smiling at the young man, she walked over and sat next to him where he excitedly started shooting questions at Tara; including if she was single and if she would like to go to the Bronze for a family friendly gathering of friends.
"Xander" said Willow as she shook her head at her oldest friends while chuckling, "you don't ask a girl if she's single right after you meet them."
"That's what he did with me" said Buffy as she leaned back on her seat.
"Really?" asked Tara as she put her hand on her chest in mock horror, "you say that to all the girls? Oh my."
"Hey" said Xander as he looked at Willow and Buffy, "I've read in a book that…."
"You read?" asked another girl who walked past Xander with four other girls before they sat at another table.
"For your information" said Xander as he looked at the girl, "I do read… unlike you.. I read actually books."
Xander then looked back at Tara who was looking back at him with her eyebrow raised.
"Fine" said Xander, "maybe some comic books… which are by the way, still books."
"Agreed" said Ford as he pointed at Xander's direction.
"So, Tara…." Said Xander, "my questions?"
"Yes to both questions" said Tara with a smile.
The Bronze, later that night.
Tara, Willow, Xander, Buffy and ford had gotten to talk more before heading back for their classes. At the end of the day, Tara decided to forgo the trip to the library.. telling the group that they were still in the process of moving into their new apartment. In reality, Tara wanted to talk to Sarah about what she had seen and heard; and she also wanted to know if Sarah managed to get that job.
Unfortunately, the older woman didn't.. but she was referred to the doctor's office in Sunnydale High for a nurses position. She told her excited daughter that she had an interview the next day, and that if she did get the job.. then she'll do everything in her power to embarrass her daughter.
"Momma" said Tara while Sarah chuckled.
It was on the way back home that Tara told Sarah about Ford, about the books that she found on the library table, and about the demon she had seen in the school who was disguised as a student.
"Wow" said Sarah shaking her head in disbelief, "I guess the demon… did you sense any danger from her?"
"No" said Tara, "it was just… just weird. I'm more concerned about Ford, I mean Buffy's a nice girl and.. I mean I see that he's lying her and…"
"And this has nothing to do with you being attracted to this Buffy person?"
"Momma" said Tara as she looked at Sarah with her eyes open before shaking her head, "no… she's a friend. I mean the first friend I made on my first day."
"I'm just playing with you, sweetie" said Sarah as she chuckled, "and this Ford fellow?"
"Mom, I can see his aura… every time he opens his mouth? A lie comes out" said Tara as she looked at her mother, "he's been telling everyone one lie after another. I mean he even lied about why he's here… and.. and I'm afraid of telling Buffy that I can read aura's or that.. I mean I can do spells. I mean.. what if this is like home… what if they become like Donnie, Beth, and daddy.. except for the sick parts, I mean."
"How do you feel when you talk to Buffy?" asked Sarah while she turned the car into their apartment complex, "I mean.. do you think she can be trusted? Or how about this librarian? I'm guessing that if he owns those books… then he definitely knows something about the occult. But I can't tell you if he can be trusted, or not."
"I don't know" said Tara, "but with Buffy, I feel comfortable."
"Then you should tell her" said Sarah, "if you feel comfortable around her, then tell her about what's going on. Tell her your suspicions but… but try telling no one else, Tara. Maybe you just tell her that you're getting a bad vibe from Ford… I know you said that they've known each other for a long time, so maybe its just better to tell her about your vibe. She can ask him any questions later on."
"Alright" said Tara.
"So, what do you want to do tonight?"
"I.. I was hoping that you could drop me off for an hour at a club called the Bronze?" asked Tara, "I mean, Buffy said it's a place.. well, the only place that allow hose under eighteen and we don't get to drink and…"
"Ok" said Sarah, "for an hour. But I'll be there in the corner looking at all the cute boys."
"Momma" said Tara as Sarah laughed.
It was around nine at night that Sarah dropped Tara off at the Bronze before telling the blonde witch that she'll pick her up at ten. Once Sarah drove off, Tara walked through the entrance and into the throngs of people inside the building while pulse pounding music was playing from the speakers on the walls. From where Tara was standing, she could see that bar in one corner that was serving alcoholic, and non-alcoholic drinks; then she then got a whiff of onion rings in the distance from that same area. Smiling, Tara then looked at one section which consisted of the dance floor, and then she looked at another section that consisted of tables and chairs; and it was there she saw Willow, Xander, Buffy and Ford.
Walking towards them while doing everything she could to keep Willow off her mind, the blonde witch walked towards their table. It was Willow who caught sight of Tara first as she waved at her, before Xander, and then Buffy while Ford turned and looked at the dance floor.
"Hey, you made it" said Buffy as she leaned forward and shouted so that her voice could be heard over the loud music, "welcome to the Bronze."
"Nice place!" shouted Tara as she shouted while she sat next to Willow.
"How about we dance a bit?" asked Ford as he looked at Buffy.
"Tara?" asked Buffy as she looked at her. She felt as if she was dumping her on Willow and Xander while she went dancing with Ford.
"I'll get a pop" said Tara, "Willow, Xander?"
"Sure" said Xander nodding his head.
"Xander" said a sweet sounding Willow, "could you get us some drinks?"
"Ummmmm…." Said Xander as he looked at the puppy dog eyes that Willow was making.. eyes that he always would give in to, "fine… three cokes coming up."
"Thank you" said Willow and Tara together as Xander trudged away while Buffy and Ford headed to the dance floor.
Tara was nodding her head to the song that was playing when she realized that she and Willow were the only ones at the table.
"So… Willow" said Tara as the redhead looked at her, "are you and Xander? I.. mean.. you just asked and he… well… he left to get drinks like his life depended on it and… I'm just babbling now… please stop me."
"No" said Willow shaking her head and waving her hands, "Xander and I.. I mean there's nothing… I mean he's my oldest friend and… and I mean do I wish there was something there? Maybes but anyway I think I'm babbling so place stop me too before I say even more things and I can't breathe when I babble and…"
"Willow" laughed Tara as she turned and grabbed the redhead by her shoulders, "stop."
"Sorry" laughed Willow when she noticed a familiar face out of the corner of her eye. Turning her head, she saw a man in a dark overcoat talking to Buffy and Ford, "Angel."
"Huh?" asked Tara as she looked at where Willow was looking. It was then that the blonde gave a small scream just as she jumped off her seat. Her scream was enough for anyone nearby to just looked at her.. before continuing what they were doing, however Willow just looked at her before getting out of her seat while Buffy and Ford, and then Angel looked at the young woman.
"Tara?" asked Willow while the witch was looked at Angel in fear, "Tara? You alright?"
Tara didn't know if she was alright; Tara didn't even know if she was seeing what she was seeing. She could see the darkness just coming off Angel, the darkness that she knew emanated from the demon that made up a vampire. But in the middle of that darkness, she could see a bright white circular ball of light… a ball of such pure white that Tara knew the only thing it could be was a soul.
"Tara?" asked Buffy as the witch stared at Angel while shaking her head. Tara knew that it wasn't possible, that a vampire couldn't have a soul…. Tara could feel the darkness from the demon trying to strangle her as she just looked at Angel. However she didn't know if these feelings were just because of her own fears. She wanted to run.. all Tara wanted to do was run. This was the first time she faced a vampire… ordinarily she'd just see them from a distance… but this was the first time she saw one up close.
'Get away from him, Buffy' thought Tara to herself as she saw how close Buffy and Angel were standing.
"Tara" said Buffy as she walked towards her with concern in her eyes, "are you…"
"We need to leave" said Tara as she grabbed a surprised Buffy's hands and ran as fast as she could while telling Willow to run as well. Tara dragged a resisting Buffy until they were just outside of the Bronze, and near an alley right next to the club, when Buffy finally managed to regain her balance and she stopped moving.. as did Tara.
"Tara" said Buffy, "first.. damn you're strong… and second, what's going on?"
"I… where's Willow? Willow!" shouted Tara as she turned around and put her hands on her head in panic as she looked around, "Xand…."
"Hey!" shouted Buffy as a figured jumped out of the alleyway and slammed into Tara. The both of them fell onto the ground as Tara screamed upon looking at the face of the vampire that was on tp of her. Buffy then grabbed a hold of the vampire's shoulders before pulling him off Tara, and then throwing him into the alleyway. Tara slowly got up only to see Buffy run and then punch the vampire before she picked up a piece of wood near a dumpster. She then saw the blonde kick the vampire until he was slammed against a wall before Buffy stopped him with the piece of wood. Tara took a step forward a the vampire turned to dust, after which Buffy dropped the piece of wood onto the ground, and then turned around just as Willow and Xander ran out to Tara who stood transfixed.
"You….. you" said Tara in shock, "you… you… you're a myth."
"Ummm.. Tara?" asked Willow.
"Buffy?" asked Tara as she pointed at Buffy "you're the Slayer."
TBC.