Chapter 24

Willow's Story

Willow's Story

Willow--15

Faith--17

Angel--20

Darla--15

"Alright settle down class. I'm going to be passing out last weeks quizzes," my math teacher said erasing someone's rendition of her off of the chalkboard. I dug one of my fingernails into the bracelet on my wrist. Once I got mine back I waited awhile before flipping it over. I finally did and breathed a sigh of relief. B-. That was way better then the grade I had gotten last week. Angel said a C wasn't such a big deal. He got them all the time. But then again Angel at age 20 is already married and his wife pregnant with their first child.

"Willow," our annoying cousin, Darla, elbowed me in the ribs on our way home from school. I couldn't wait until next year when I could start driving. That meant no more having to walk home with Darla.

"What did you get on the math test?" she asked.

"What is it to you?" I snapped.

"I got a D," Darla said. "But hey one has to keep a rep right?"

"Leave me alone Darla!" I shouted beating her through the front door. Darla's mom and dad both couldn't afford to keep her and her other 8 brothers and sisters. So instead of putting her in foster care like all the others they left her with us.

"Why are you so mean to her Willow?" Faith asked as Darla quietly closed the front door. She was watching TV in the living room. I wish we still lived on our ranch. We moved after I almost drowned when I was 5. I didn't remember a lot about the ranch but I remembered enough. I remember being able to go outside and run around. But now a days we lived in Los Angeles. Angel and his new wife, Buffy, had already found a decent sized apartment where they lived currently. Most of the time it was just Faith, Darla, and I. Dad had left when I was in the 2nd grade and mom worked double shifts at the video store.

"It's not me who always starts it!" I insisted angrily. "She provokes me."

"I didn't provoke you just now! I just asked her what she got on the math test," Darla said turning to Faith for defense.

"She's probably just grouchy because she didn't study again and got a low grade," Faith assured Darla.

"For your information Faith I did study and I got a B-. There you happy?" I stormed up the stairs and slammed the door to the room I had to share with Darla.

"You can't lock Darla out all night Will," Faith said knocking on the door. I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Watch me!"

I guess I had fallen asleep because when I woke up it was dark outside. Faith was pounding on the door.

"Willow! Let me in now you little punk. Darla's missing!" she cried jingling the door handle. I got up and opened the door for Faith. I blinked at the sudden brightness that hit me.

"What do you mean she's missing?" I asked leaning up against the door for support.

"I mean she's not here, she's lost!" Faith pulled me out into the hallway. "And it's all your fault!"

"My fault?" I asked confused.

"Yes. That's what I said, YOUR fault!" Faith shouted going down the stairs. I knew I was supposed to follow.

"Well did you call the police?" I asked, following her into the kitchen.

"No, I panicked," Faith said beginning to pace the kitchen.

"Isn't your responsibility to watch her anyway?" I asked. Faith didn't move to answer. I was really nervous. Darla, besides being the annoying brat I had to share a room with, was my best friend. She was always there when I needed her and by and by we were a lot closer then Faith and I had ever been. I guess my words had really hurt her earlier. All of a sudden I felt sick to my stomach and had to sit down.

"Where do you think she went?" I asked.

"I don't know but I'm calling Angel to see if he's seen her. If she's been by there," Faith said picking up the phone. I could here Angel's voice come over the other end and then Faith let out a sigh of relief.

"Alright see you in a little while," Faith replied and hung up.

"It's okay," she smiled. "We didn't loose her after all."

"I know mines not like terribly tragic like your stories but that's the first one that came to mind," Willow smiled.

"So where's Darla now? Any chance of meeting up with her in the near future?" Fred whispered as Wesley stirred beneath her.

"She lives in LA. I haven't talked to her in like 2 years," Willow said. "You ready to tell yours sis?" Faith took a deep breath and sighed.

"I'm ready."