Dark Times

Part Five: Acceptance Letters

Posted: October 27, 2004

Disclaimer: see first chapter

Author's notes: Sorry about the long wait, I'll try to be better next time. I am working on this, and I'm at a point where I can almost see the end...Almost. But it's way ahead of where you guys are...I have a LOT of typing to get done....

No Reader's responses today, I have to babysit soon, and I figure you'd rather have an update than your questions answered. Next time, I promise!

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"Jen! Mail!" her mom called two weeks later, the day after graduation.

Like the entire senior class, she had been out late partying, and had crawled out of bed only a half hour before. She grabbed the letter that had four miniature tarot cards in the upper left hand corner, and started opening it.

"Thanks, Mom." she pulled out the acceptance letter she knew was there, and slowly read it.

"What's that?" her Mom asked, leaning over her shoulder.

"An acceptance letter to a summer program in England."

"I didn't know you had applied-"

"It's a big time school, Mom. One of the most exclusive and prestigious in England, even the world. If I didn't get in, I didn't want you to know. It would be too embarrassing. Could I go?"

"What about your summer job?"

"This is a full scholarship, Mom! And if they like my performance, there's a chance I can get a full scholarship for the next five years! Please, Mom? This college would knock employer's socks off!"

"What about plane fare? It's gonna be pretty expensive-"

"I have that money I was saving for a car. I really want this, Mom. Please?"

She caved, "Do you promise to write?"

Jennifer jumped for joy, excitedly, hugging her mother, "Thank you!"

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"JERK! MAIL!" his fifteen-year-old sister, Stacia, called.

"Thanks, dweeb." He took his mail into his room and slammed the door.

At dinner, he brought out the letter, "Mom, Dad, in May I learned of this summer program for excellent students, the top five percent of their classes, so I applied on a whim, not expecting to get in, but I did," he handed the acceptance letter to his father, "I would really like to go. I think I'm the only person in the county to get in to this place, even if it's just for the summer."

"Sounds like an excellent opportunity."

He sighed in relief, "Thanks, Dad."

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They both packed the following day, and met Buffy at the airport the next. The older blond really wanted to get out of the country, complaining about her spider senses never letting her rest.

"Ready guys?" she asked, dressed in light blue capris and a white tank top. Her hair was up in a flowing ponytail, secured by a black scrunchy, and she had oval shaped sunglasses pushed up onto her head.

They both nodded, nervous. Neither of them had flown before.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I know it's scary your first time flying, but you're in the best of hands. Here are your tickets."

"We already have tickets," Jennifer held up hers. They had both checked to make sure they were the correct flight and near each other the night before.

"Ok, then, Wait right here," she took the ticked from them and walked off. Ten minutes later, she came back with two checks, handing each to one of them. She quickly pulled a nametag off her shirt and stuffed it into her purse.

Their plane was called to board, and they were the first ones on the plane.

"Hey, Triss, how are you?" Buffy asked the flight attendant as she stuffed her messenger bag into the overhead compartment.

"Good. And who are these two?"

"You won't believe me, but my daughter and her half brother. Both were given up, on a chance of a better life, but a prophecy sprung up, and they found out the truth."

"Really, you're too young to have a kid their age," the red head joked, "Well, I'd love to chat, but we have some UAM's on board, and being the newest flight attendant, I drew the short straw. See ya later, Miss Summers!" she walked off towards second class and coach.

"Bye, Triss!"

"Who's that?" Jennifer asked, buckling her seat belt.

"One of the first girls to graduate from the academy. She graduated in 2010, with a class of 20. While on active duty, she studied to become a flight attendant. She got off three weeks ago, but she still patrols when she can, in different cities around the world. She checks in every week or so. It's habit, I guess."

"So, what are we to expect?" Jennifer asked after the flight attendants had gone over procedure; bottom seat cushion is a floatation device, where air masks were located, exits, standard procedure.

Buffy indulged her, handing them both a piece of gum as they started taxiing down the runway. She told them of the beauty of the grounds, the expanse of lawns, the dormitories and group homes for the younger kids, or kids that needed a firm hand, the elementary, middle and high school, as well as the university. They listened to her for the first fifteen minutes after take off.

"I think you're going to have the most problems with the time difference. Though the flight is only 15 hours, it will be 3 am when we arrive, Friday morning.

"Now, I'm sorry, but with everything going on, with Angel and all that, I still have a few finals to correct, since I oversee the whole training program at all four schools and I finally got my teaching degree four years ago, so I teach four classes at the high school and a few at the college. I was surprised to find I love teaching, but grading sucks," she stood up to get her bag, and pulled a huge folder from the messenger bag, setting it on her tray, searching for a red pen.

They passed the flight by playing card games, sleeping, reading, writing home, and playing games on Connor's Gameboy Advanced.

When the pilot turned the seatbelt sign on once more, they had forgotten completely about their nervousness. It soon returned, though, as they stuffed their items back into the overhead compartment. They gripped onto their armrests for dear life, not letting go until they were safely on the ground once more.

When they had deboarded, Buffy left them near the bathrooms, and didn't come back for over ten minutes.

"Sorry 'bout that. I realized halfway through I knew the pilot. Her name's Vi, and she was one of the first potentials. We caught up, and reminisced a bit about old times. She said she was trying to keep Triss on her plane, so they could watch each other's backs patrolling. Oh well, it was nice seeing her. So, are we ready? Robyn's waiting for us," she grabbed her carry on and back pack and strode off. They could do nothing but follow.