Chapter 3

"Hey, you're new here," the brunette observed. "I think I saw you on the night shift Tuesday."

The sorceress nodded. "I just m-moved here. I mean, l-last, last week," she said, her stutter returning pretty much full-force. Way to sound like a dolt, Tara, she berated herself. She didn't usually make that much conversation with the customers, but couldn't really help herself. The redhead's proximity was a pretty big distraction, and she did have the urge to make sure she would be remembered. Hopefully in a positive way, not in a total spaz way.

"Is it Tare-uh or Tar-uh?" the taller guy asked, indicating her name badge with a nod, his menu open in his hands.

"It's, it's Tara. So the, uh, the first one." She gave a shy grin to the friendly group.

The tiny blonde smiled. "Well then, welcome to Sunnydale, Tara. I'm Buffy. You'll probably see me a lot. Are you going to be going to Sunnydale High?"

"Yeah, actually. I'm, it's my senior year." She was getting more control over her stutter again, talking sort of slowly to make sure her tongue wouldn't stumble over the words.

"Well, hey! We're seniors, too!" the beautiful redhead piped up with an eager and adorable grin.

"Some of us twice," the stubble-faced guy added, then glanced around the table. "By some of us, of course, I mean only me." He shrugged. "Five-year program."

"That's really cool," Tara said with a lopsided smile. "I m-mean, that I'll be going to school with you. Now, at least I'll know someone. Um, sort of." Suddenly remembering that she was supposed to be doing her job, she fumbled around in her apron pocket for her notebook and pen. "Are you guys, um, ready to order, or do you n-need more time?"

The brunette looked over her menu for a moment. "I'm not quite ready yet, what about you?" she asked, nudging the taller guy.

"Another vote for more time," he said, flipping the page.

Buffy looked up with a helpful smile. "Maybe you should just stop back in a few minutes. We've been pretty busy with the chatting. But I can say that water would be of the good."

"Agreeing with that statement," the guy with spiky hair stated smoothly. The other three went with that, and Tara was set to bring five waters out. She wished that her other four tables would completely disappear for a while, but no such luck. She brought out table 11's lunches and refilled coffees at 14, then checked up on 12 and 13. The two young men at 13 were ready for their check, so Tara quickly delivered the check and returned to Buffy and her friends. She had been completely terrified that she would spill something since her hands were sort of shaky, but made it there without incident.

"So, are you ready now?" she inquired, placing the glasses of ice water before each of the teens. "To, to order?" Arg, could I sound more out of it?

"This time we're set," the taller of the young men said amicably. "Ladies first." He gestured to the brunette, who ordered concisely, followed by Buffy. Next the girl with the beautiful greenish eyes ordered, and Tara grinned giddily as she wrote the order down. The girl smiled in reply, her lips curving gently upwards with an almost playful look. Very nice. Focus, Tara, come on! Managing to pull her eyes away from the redhead, she took both of the young men's orders, promising to be back as soon as possible.

She posted the orders for 15 back at the kitchen, leaning against the wall briefly to catch her breath. Why couldn't the other tables disappear? At least she knew she would see the girl at school, but that was a different environment. More people, more uncertainty. Maybe one of them would volunteer to show Tara around the school. Maybe the redhead, she thought hopefully. I really need to find out her name, I can't keep calling her Titania or Red. Denise tilted her head and approached Tara. "You all right, sweetie? You look pretty bushed," she said with concern.

"No, n-no, I'm okay. Really, I just needed a little breather." The witch straightened and made her way back out front to check on the rest of her tables while table 15's orders were prepared. As she passed the booth she gave a smile and a little wave. She has a boyfriend, remember! Falling for straight girls will never end well.

She delivered refills on coffees for table 11 this time, and table 14 ordered dessert. When she put up the dessert orders, table 15's orders were up. Praying to anyone who would listen that she wouldn't drop or spill anything, Tara lifted the large tray and brought it out to the booth. She got everyone's orders right, and hoped no one would notice that she took a little extra time and care with the faerie-girl. She made eye contact as often as possible, and talked a little with everyone at the table, though she was careful not to neglect her other customers.

The lunch crowd was thinning out, and business was starting to slow down. It probably wouldn't get busy again until around five or six, which was just before Tara's shift ended. She excused herself to bus table 14 and get their check, as well as table 11's. A few customers filtered in, but only one sat in Tara's section. After delivering the gentleman a menu and a glass of water, she returned to Buffy's table to check in on things. The brunette wanted another mocha, but no one else had any requests.

All too soon, the teens were ready to leave. Tara tried to entice them with the Espresso Pump's delicious apple turnovers, but it was unsuccessful. She delivered the check, and they all moved to cover it, but the two guys ended up splitting the bill. She talked a little more with Buffy and the other two girls, discovering the guy's names were Xander (the taller) and Oz (the spiky-haired). The brunette was Cordelia, but the group affectionately called her "Cor" or "Cordy."

And as they rose to leave, Tara stuck around hoping to ask the redhead her name. Before she could ask, though, the brown-green eyed girl turned a 100-watt smile on her. "Bye, Tara, I'll see you in school, I guess. It was nice meeting you!"

"I-it was nice meeting you, too…" Tara managed, her heart hammering.

"Willow! I'm Willow," she filled in quickly, realizing she hadn't introduced herself before. Oz reached for her hand, and she laced her fingers easily with his, making Tara wonder what Willow's hands felt like. They looked so soft…. "Bye!" the redhead repeated as they walked off.

Tara let out a long breath as the teens disappeared out the door. A slow smile spread across her face and she watched them walking down the street through the shop's front window. "Willow," she whispered, letting the name roll off her tongue. Perfect, really. Willow.