And night settles. The day went by so quickly for me. I didn't even know that the street lamps popped on until I looked up and got shot back to reality with the sudden bright harshness to my eyes. Oh, and, the sun went down. Wish I could just say, well I'm blonde, so that's my excuse. But when you aren't blonde anymore it isn't pretty convincing, anymore.

For some reason most are jittery and uneasy at night. In Sunnydale the nights feel spooky and as if the Halloween atmosphere never leaves after every October. Really though, you must understand, that it never stops everyone from coming out. Nope. When you live here, a oh so boring town, you got to get your kicks sometimes and somewhere. And that's when the clubs come into play.

I phoned Xander as I headed to the mall with Tara and Willow, and told him to go jerk off with Oz at the arcade (what a bunch of kids in grown men bodies) cause I changed plans. He just answered with a okey dokey, and that was the full conversation. Hey, he understands Buffy talk.

My date with Willow and Tara at the mall flew by in a blur of laughter, ogling at the guys (or in their case girls), along with enough different outfits to make me want to swear off clothes for life. Uh... Just kidding. I live for a new outfit, funky new jewelry, and jazzy new shoes!

After half the afternoon dwindled down, we finally emerged with our new outfits. I got a kick ass mini leather skirt, along with a shimmery baby blue tube top, and to top it off a pair of high heeled black leather boots. Shh...don't tell me that I'll be paying for this with some overtime. You'll spoil my carefree moment.

So here I am. I'm ready and raring to go. Docked in my new outfit, dark makeup, bone straight hair, and a small confident grin that seems permanent as I stalk my way over to Tag. Oh, another thing, Sunnydale is a walking town. The word car seems foreign to people here.

How could I go from mope-y Buffy to happy Buffy in a span of 9 hours? I knit my brows together in a slight moment of concentration. That's right! I'm meeting my fabulous friends, playing one of the songs I wrote when I was in a little to happy to be me mood, and well, there's the prospect of getting plastered afterward. Peachy.

"Buffy!"

Damn. Just when I was riding a natural high, he comes bumbling to my side, towering above my petite form.

"Riley." My carefree smile rides off the cliffs to be replaced with a small twitch of my lips.

"Buffy."

Does he get off saying my name? I involuntarily shiver at the thought. My whole manner is non cha lont and cold. Giving off a vibe of indifference to his presence. Can't he see, that I want, him else where?

"Please don't, kill my name."

He runs a hand through his crew cut dirty brown hair in confusion. That huge nose turns in my direction, making me think of the evil witch from the Wizard of Oz.

"Buffy," There he goes again, "your name is an inanimate object."

Grr. He just talked to me as if I'm a bad child and he's the parent! Since I started college he's been my unwanted admirer. All right, it wasn't always unwanted. At first I loved the boyishness he radiates, the innocence, the paper cut identity. At first. I really did love the attention...at first.

Then I felt like I was being stalked, excuse me, I still am being stalked. Hey, a girl can say no without literally saying no. But no, Mr. Top Student/Ass Kisser of Ms. Walsh's Psychology Class just doesn't get it.

"Exactly." I use my all to fake patronizing tone.

He seems to gleefully accept that response as he breaks into a goofy smile, "So where ya going?"

"The Alps." I say with all assurance.

"With that on?" He appreciatively leers at my choice of clothing.

Ew. Gross. Yes, this is worn to attract guys' attention. No, it is not worn to attract his at all. I try my best to hide my repulsed expression, ok, I tried.

"Why don't you go waddle along back to Iowa and say hi to your 'rents for me?" I sweetly command more than ask.

Before a reply can be uttered, Tag's blinking sign comes into view and I swiftly weasel my way into the side door. Being in a band and having a gig at this place has certain nice privileges. The first to invade my senses is the pulse pounding, ear drum bursting music that ricochets from wall to wall. The backstage workers shuffle along busy doing one thing or another. All getting ready for the next band. My band.

Xander slides up behind me from thin air, coiling his arms around my slim waist in a possessive manner. A small squeak escapes my mouth along with a startled jump. Xander... Just thinking the name rehashes fun times, good jokes, and silly banter. My big brother, or so we like to believe and fantasize.

Whispering at a sultry level he inquires, "Where's my rubber ducky?"

What did you expect, you look good enough to eat? No way. Nothing smooth and swagger like from my Xander. Just plain silliness and immatureness that has never left his sex driven, good time having mind and muscled body.

With all seriousness faked I reply, "In the tub, Ernie."

"Now we may all be merry!" He shouts in good spirits.

In a flash I am spun around and around and around and around until I see the blur of Tara scampering over, her eyes wide as plates. Her smooth face is set in a shocked expression, but with that evil glint in her eyes' I earnestly know I'm in trouble.

"Xander!" She yanks me from his grasp, "Do this later when she's drunk and about ready to puke her guts out!"

I stumble a bit until I catch my footing, shooting Xander my best vengeful glare, then at Tara's words I can't decide who to send it to. Without warning I burst into laughter, sending Xander and Tara with me.

This is what I live for. Moments like these, where everything fades away but the great company you're in. If I didn't have such good friends to keep me company without my mom or Dawn who was taken by our dad when mom died...a knife would looks so tempting upon my wrist at the moment...

"Aye, aye, Captain-ess." Xander stoutly salutes.

I shake my jumbled head before inquiring, "When do we go on?"

"15 minutes." Tara gives me a shaky 'don't freak out' smile.

"Here it comes..." Xander braces himself by covering his delicate ears.

"FIFTEEN MINUTES!" I loudly sputter in shock, "I have to work up my voice, fix my outfit, redo my hair, and at least get a couple of drinks in me!!" I whip my head around and stare down an innocent looking Xander who has just tentatively removed his hands from his ears, fearing the worst his over. Not fucking likely, "This is all your fault!"