A/N: There isn't going to be any diary in this chapter. Just so you know, it's all real life.
I spent this whole morning walking casually past the photo lab, hoping Snap would show. No luck. Guess I won't run away to Vegas after all. Occult club met in the library during free period. Once I was sure Snap wasn't coming out, I jogged down with my books for next period. There were actually more members than I expected. 3 Goths. 2 hippies. 2 computer nerds. 3 all-around geeks (Ham included). 1 gothic hippie. Scary. They were seated all around the two tables, some in chairs, some on the table, some hanging off the book carts. Everyone gave me a glance when I came in, except Ham who made a big show of waving me in. Color me freaked.
"Everybody, this is Jenny. She's our new member." There was a chorus of "hey"s and some waves of acknowledgment. Ham sat back down and I dropped my books on the floor and took a seat.
"So that's it?" I asked with a small grin, "I don't have to sacrifice any baby animals? Or carve the motto into my flesh?" Everyone laughed. I definitely feel better now.
"Hey, did we ever think of a motto?" Gothic hippie said. Now she was a strange sight. A black artfully tattered peasant blouse with a patchwork skirt in varying gray patterns. Very…interesting.
"Not now Erica," Ham groaned, "We have to talk about fundraising. James?" One of the Goths pulled a crumpled paper out of one of his pockets and smoothed it absentmindedly.
"I talked to Principal Wood and he says if we want to fundraise we need an adult advisor." There was a collective groan.
"What are we fundraising for?" I asked, feeling very out-of-the-loop. Ham pulled a page printed from a website out from underneath "Vampires and Other Mythology".
"'The Unabridged Demon Chronicles of Babylon' it's just recently been translated and is ungodly expensive." I stared down at the page which showed a glossy book with a foul looking creature scowling out of the cover.
"Hmm." I responded noncommittally. What was I supposed to say? You people are insane? I personally couldn't see why anyone in anything resembling their right mind would want that book but, hey. Wait a minute. That thing on the cover looks familiar. I squinted down at it until something in my brain clicked.
"Uncle Giles has that," came out of my mouth before my mind registered it. Everyone turned and stared at me.
"But it only was put on the market, like, a week ago," Hippie #1 said blinking his large brown eyes.
"It's, well, he has the original, not translated one." More gaping. Why did I have to bring up Uncle Giles' collection of old, dirty, creepy books? It was one of those things you don't generally tell people about until you've known them for a long time. Like 3,000 years.
"That is so cool!" Ham broke the silence, "Do you think he'd be our advisor?" Now it was my turn to be struck speechless. Tweedy old Uncle Giles, advisor to the occult club? Well, he was into all this weirdo stuff…
"I suppose," I admitted unenthusiastically.
"Will you ask? Ask for us?" I nodded and sighed. Just when I find something that's supposed to get me away from my "family".
Later
"Jenny Summers, please report to the office. Jenny Summers, to the office." The P.A. box said to my science class. I stood up and left to the symphony of accusatory "ooohs". Now I was worried. What did I do? Why did I have to go to the office? I didn't mean to take two sporks, I swear! I strode past Calculus, Biology and Trig. Through Senior Hallway. Finally to the office. The walk took about 2 minutes. But it seemed like it took…two minutes. No drama there. Opened the door and stepped in. Mom looked up from her desk and smiled.
"Hi honey, I have an errand I need you to run, so I'm going to have to give you a pass to leave…" she started shuffling through the papers on her desk. Whoa now, hold everything. Do you mean to tell me I got called down to the office and spent all those minutes worrying just so Mom could send me on an errand?
"Mom…"
"Here," She held up two slips of paper, one the bright blue 'leaving school' pass, "Go to the butchers and give him the paper. Just tell him it's for the Summers. He'll know what to give you. When you get home, could you make up a cup of it for your father? Microwave it and everything. I'd go myself, but the phones have been ringing off the hook since the-" she cut herself off with a nervous laugh. I rolled my eyes and took the papers. No arguing with Mom when she was nervous laughing. At least I didn't have to take that science test.
Later
I looked up at the butcher's sign at the address Mom had given me. I pushed in and a cheery little bell rang.
"Just a minute!" A fairly tall, beefy man emerged a second later, wiping his hands on a bloody apron. Gross.
"Can I help you?" Larry, thank you nametags, asked, giving me a suspicious look.
"I'm here to pick up the Summers order," I told him coolly, flashing the paper. He squinted at me and smiled.
"So you're Buffy's girl." I nodded slightly. Did absolutely everybody in this town know my mom? He smiled again and grabbed a big white bag from under the counter.
"Here you go. Tell the old Buffster I said hi." I nodded again and got out of there as fast as I humanly could. Scary scary scary. Why does every single adult I ever meet, look at me, smile, and say "Oh, you're Buffy's girl. Tell her I said hi" or some variation. God.
Later
At home, I opened the bag and pulled out a plastic milk carton full of icky red wine. It looked kind of thick, but hey, if Dad wants gross yucky alcohol, let him have it. I poured some into his usual mug sitting by the microwave, and popped it in for a few minutes. Once it was done, I grabbed a couple mini-marshmallows and dropped them in, just to be nice. I'm a saint, I tell you. So I open the basement door, and I can hear Dad pacing. Door slammed shut and he stopped.
"Love, finally. I seriously need it. Ooh, good smell, it's getting me all vamped out." Vamped out? Must be some weird alcoholic slang. I touched his shoulder gently, and he turned around. His face was contorted, all bumpy and his teeth looked like fangs, and his eyes were a scary yellow color. His eager smile disappeared when he saw me.
"Jenny," he whispered. I did what any normal girl should do in such circumstances. I dropped the mug, screamed, and fainted.