Ch. 7
"Hey guys," said Uncle Jimmy. He'd just gotten back from work. He taught at the local high school. "Listen, I was thinking that maybe today we could get Dawn registered at school. After all, it's only halfway through the school year and I'd hate to run into a truancy officer."
"Okay," said Buffy. "How do we get to the school?"
"Well, there's the thing- she won't be able to go where I teach at Red Bank Regional. So, she pretty much has two options: there's Red Bank Catholic-"
"No," Dawn interjected. "Sorry, but I'm not very religious."
"Okay, then. We'll get you in at Monmouth Regional. Xander, you can take my car, because driving up in that bus won't be the best thing. Kids might attack. Here's the directions. Tracey should be home by the time you get back to go shopping."
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Buffy and Dawn walked into the school and looked around.
"It's so small," Dawn said. "And.... Yellow."
It was true. This school was roughly half the size of Sunydale Junior High, let alone the actual high school. And every locker was one of the school colors: yellow. A large falcon was painted on the wall to represent the school mascot. Using the signs at every intersection, they found their way to the guidance office.
The secretary told them to take a seat, that the head of guidance would be there momentarily. Buffy looked over at Dawn and said, "I'm sure you'll like this school just as much as Sunnydale."
"Great," Dawn said, rolling her eyes. "Can this one get swallowed up in a giant hole too?"
"Very funny. I have a feeling about this place. I think it'll be fine. Less demony things to tear at unsuspecting juniors."
"My turn to say 'very funny.' Oh, and also- bite me." Regardless of the harsh words, Dawn gave Buffy a smile to show that she wasn't angry in any way.
"Miss Summers?"
"Yes?" Buffy and Dawn said in unison.
"Miss Dawn Summers?"
"That's me," Dawn said, standing.
"Hi, I'm Mrs. Daravich. I'm the head of guidance here at Monmouth. You won't be talking to me much. Rather, you'll come to see your counselor at least once or twice a marking period. We'll get you set up with a counselor once we get you into a schedule."
"Miss Summers?" she said, looking, this time, at Buffy. "I'll need you to come and fill out some information about Dawn."
"Is there anywhere she could go while I do that? Any class she could just- you know- sit in on?"
Mrs. Daravich picked up a sheet of paper. "Well, we have several classes for her level right now. There are English, math, and science courses going on right now, and some electives. The junior history and language teachers are on their break."
Dawn looked uncomfortable. "Any fun classes?"
"Well, there are some electives. We have...." Mrs. Daravich looked up and down the list. "Photography, psychology, graphic arts, and Drama."
"Let's see...." Dawn said. "I have no eye for anything remotely artistic, so no photo or art. Psychology- too complex. "I'll go for Drama." She looked satisfied for a moment, but then said, "See Dawn. See Dawn act." She grabbed at the air next to her neck and pretended to pull. "Cane, Dawn, cane!"
