Chapter Two: Potential
~*~*~*~*~
It was two weeks after Buffy's demise, and everyone was still in shock. Willow was a wreck, her emotions causing magical outbursts, and Tara was the only one that could calm her down. Xander allowed himself to be consumed with his work, while Anya cursed D'Hoffryn for leaving her as a human. Giles had taken to drowning his sorrows in large glasses of whisky. Spike was killing every demon that had crossed his path, while Dawn rarely left her bed.
It was a week later that the whole gang assembled together for the first time since that night, and everyone looked worse for wear.
"So, Glinda, why did you bloody gather us all here?" Spike was the first one to break the silence. The blonde vampire had better things to do then sit around, and twiddle his thumbs.
"Demons aren't gonna sodding sit around and wait for the Big Bad," he continued.
"Shut up, Goldielocks!" Xander growled.
"What are you going to do, boy? Mock me?" Spike snarled sarcastically, lifting a platinum eyebrow.
"Guys just stop it, please!" Willow snapped, loosing her patience.
Xander opened his mouth to speak, but found that no sound was coming out. It was like the time the Gentleman came into town, except it was Wicca magic that had silenced him, or so he assumed.
"The p-point is that we n-need to get on with our lives. B-Buffy would want us to." Tara declared, speaking for the first time.
Everyone flinched at the blonde slayer's name.
"Be brave, live. Live for me," Dawn quoted in a whisper. She was seated on the couch, with her knees underneath, clutching Mr. Gordo to her chest. Her face was pale and both eyes looked black and blue. Dawn looked like she had not showered for days.
Not a single eye was dry when Dawn spoke.
"She's right, Buffy would have wanted us to live. It's time to get on with our lives!" Willow voiced, masking the resolve face in place.
So it began, everyone moving forward with his or her life. Of course, they grieved when they had the chance, but slowly everything was turning out to be okay. Xander spent more time around everyone. Willow's outbursts were rare, and Giles became more and more sober. Anya counted money which seemed to calm her, and Dawn was learning to research different demons, hack into different databases, and basic defense training from the Scoobies.
Just when they started accepting death, Buffy arose from her coffin. Willow the cause of her aliveness.
Xander was happy she was back. In his eyes, life was slightly more normal. While Tara worried if there were after effects of the spell. Giles scolded Willow for working a dangerous, black magic spell. And, Willow gloated in the success of her spell. Dawn felt confused and joyful about her sister's resurrection.
~*~*~*~*~
"Miss Summers, have you been listening to anything I've said?" Principal Montgomery demanded in frustration, peering intently at Dawn over his golden rimmed spectacles.
Hugh Montgomery was a strict man, but he had a kind smile. His trust into giving second chances was greatly appreciated by the troublemaker the teens parents, or in Dawn's case guardian.
"I'm sorry, I haven't," Dawn bluntly replied.
A frosty white coat of recent paint covered the walls. Framed awards and pictures hung in view, while dozens of books lined the long wooden stained shelves. In the middle, there was an oak desk with two chairs in front side by side. Dawn was currently occupying one chair.
"Do you know how much potential you have, Miss Summers?" The balding man asked, annoyed by Dawn's lack of interest.
"Potential?" the brunette questioned, raising her arched eyebrow.
"Yes, you have potential. It's just how you use it. Tardiness is not acceptable in my school, Miss Summers." Mr. Montgomery replied, a slow smile appearing on his face. "Now, I want to see those grades up, up, up, missy!" He commanded, standing up to shake her hand.
"Yes sir," Dawn agreed quietly.
The school bell rang, and Hugh quickly scribbled a pass for Dawn's next class.
~*~*~*~*~
School passed by quickly, much to Dawn's obvious relief. She hastily made her way towards the direction of the Magic Box, thoughts occupying her mind. Her feet moved on it's own accord, while she was lost in her own world.
Taking a deep breath, Dawn turned to metal doorknob and entered. The sight that greeted her was what she expected. Anya was ringing up a customer who was purchasing what looked like incense. Xander munched on some snacks, while Tara and Willow were studying large texts. Dawn jumped as she heard the sound of pain echo from the next room. It looked like Buffy was training, Giles at the receiving end.
"Honey, I'm home!" she called walking towards the round table.
"Amer Moo Awnster" Xander greeted his mouth full of chips.
"What did you say?" Dawn replied amusedly, her blue eyes glinting as she watched him swallow.
He swallowed and cleared his throat.
"I said afternoon, Dawnster!" he greeted clearly.
Just then, Buffy came through, followed by Giles who was holding ice to his jaw. The blonde slayer was wearing gray sweat pants, with a white tank top. Her hair was put up into a messy bun.
Buffy's hazel eyes locked onto Dawn's.
"Dawn, is there anything you want to tell me about?" she asked, a frown settling on her pale face.
The Key tilted her head, trying to look innocent. "What do you mean Buffy?"
Buffy huffed angrily blowing her blonde bangs away from her face.
"I mean, why haven't you been going to class? Not to mention that you've been late to school six times, Dawn!" Buffy scolded her face emotionless, while her fists were clenched, betraying how angry she was.
"Gee, Buffy, it's amazing how it only took a call from my principal to show you that I actually exist." The brunette snapped sarcastically.
Buffy opened her mouth to reply but Dawn's raised hand silenced her.
"Forget it, Buffy! Just, go on and ignore me, it was better that way. Don't forget to stop by Spike's crypt on the way home. I know how much he loves you taking your frustrations out on him!" She shouted, ignoring everyone's shocked stares.
Sobbing, Dawn grabbed her book-bag and bolted out the door. She didn't stop running until she came upon her street.
Home sweet home, Revello Drive.
~*~*~*~*~
Dawn pulled out a key from the back pocket of her denim jeans. She shakily inserted it into the keyhole, twisting so it unlocked. Entering the house, Dawn carelessly threw her bag over on the couch. The brunette ran up the familiar stairs to her room, where she flopped onto her twin-sized bed.
She hadn't meant to yell, but she was so sick and tired of everything. Dawn wished her mother was here with her, stroking her hair and muttering soothing words. But Joyce Summers was dead, and Dawn never felt so alone.
She needed to leave Sunnydale and get away from the responsibilities the Scoobies demanded from her. Mr. Montgomery was right she did have potential, she just needed to find some place where it was valued and needed.
~*~*~*~*~
"Goodbye, Sunnydale," was the last coherent thought Dawn had, before she fell asleep.
