um you need to look to your future.
It was a sunny August afternoon when she'd found herself pitched in the sand just past Grant Park. She looked good. She felt good too. And after years of depression, stress, and not enough sleep she was finally getting back to her proper weight. And she'd decided to go back to her natural hair color too. When she'd returned from the grave, she'd sworn it off down to every strand under so much bleach and dye that she'd lost the body and shine and made herself so incredibly jealous of Dawn. Her skin looked healthier too, now that she could indulge herself in some quality bathing. It was nice to feel like she had time to be vain. To do girly stuff.
It'd been three years since she could think of herself as just a girl.
It'd been three years since she'd even had a chance to tan. Three years since she could wake up in the morning with a smile on her face. Three years since she could look at a course catalog without bursting into tears.
I got into Northwestern. Again. And this is something for me that I don't wanna pass up. I can't. And I need them to be able to spare me. I'm asking for you for sponsorship. I think I've earned it.
A previous acceptance.
A three semester transcript far better than anyone suspected.
A tearful letter detailing her mother's death, her father's absence,
and overcoming depression.
A glowing letter of recommendation for her work as a guidance counselor.
A commondation letter from a Colonel in the US Military.
Buffy once promised that she would make things different, and she had. There'd be pressure and work, but it was the sort of pressure and work Buffy was looking forward to. A chance to engage her mind once more, and in a non-slaying capacity. To be like other people and rejoin the world. As Buffy Summers, California girl, instead of Buffy Summers, savior.
Aunt Arlene offered up a room in the suburbs, but in the end, she chose an off-campus apartment just North of the city proper. Just because she wasn't the only sane slayer anymore didn't mean she was going to quit. No way was Buffy inflicting that on an unsuspecting relative.
Plus, Evanston was nice.
There's boating, and swimming, and parks to run in. Gotta do that while it's still warm. You'll like our coffee shops but the best clubs are downtown. A bunch of us like to go dancing whenever we can, so you're welcome to join us. Always room for another pretty lady at the table.
She couldn't remember the last time she'd made a new friend. For the past few years, Buffy'd been so caught up in slaying, taking care of Dawn, and the the First that she hadn't just gone out and laid back. It never felt like she had the time. And she loved her friends dearly, but it could be stifling. There were so many hurts to take care of and so many people that needed her. People were growing up, and she could let them go take care of themselves now.
"I miss you every second. But this time away... I think it's good for all of us. Somewhere along the line, I think we all lost who we were, and this is the part where we're getting that back. Knowing that everybody is doing great without me, knowing that you know it too - that's all I ever wanted. The way things were...there was too much pressure. And hey - Chicago. I can get a plane or train to anywhere, on like a moment's notice..."