Chapter 5

Alyssa headed to Buffy's office the next day and found her getting off of the phone. She smiled when she saw her. "Hey, I'm glad you're here. I have to tell you something." Alyssa sat down and took a deep breath.

"It's about my dad, isn't it? He's gonna try and make me come home?" Buffy shook her head.

"Actually I just found out that your dad is missing. Well, not missing so much as gone. It looks like he left. I called the police and told them about your situation and they sent a few guys over to your house to talk to your dad. He wasn't there and most of his stuff was gone so they figured he left town." Alyssa took everything in and nodded.

"I guess he didn't care about me coming home. I figured he wouldn't anyway. He's probably just happy that he doesn't have to deal with me anymore." She said trying to sound confident, but Buffy could tell that she was hurting.

"I'm really sorry, Alyssa. Do you have any other family nearby?" Alyssa shook her head.

"Not that I know of. It has just been me and my dad." She replied.

"What about your mom?" Alyssa was saddened for a moment before she answered.

"My mom died when I was little. I don't really remember her all that much." Buffy sympathized with her.

"I'm sorry; I know how much that sucks. Well, you'll just have to stay with us now. If you want that of course. I could always find another home or something." Alyssa shook her head again.

"No, I mean I would really love to stay with you. I promise I won't be in the way. People hardly seem to notice me much anyway." Buffy nodded and again felt bad for this girl.

"I'm sure it won't be a problem. It might be good for Dawn to have someone her own age around." Alyssa smiled and nodded also. She was really starting to like Dawn and she was the first person in the school to really be nice to her. "I guess I'll let you get back to class now. Don't forget that you can always come and talk to me about anything, okay? That's what I'm here for." Alyssa nodded again and stood up.

"Thanks, Buffy. I really mean that, thanks for everything." Buffy smiled as Alyssa walked away. She was really starting to like her job and it sure as hell beat flipping burgers. She got back to the papers on her desk. Alyssa was at her locker later that day when someone slammed it shut, almost catching her hand. She turned to see Eric Saunders, one of the football players standing there with a twisted smirk on his face.

"Sorry about that. Your locker was just in my way." Alyssa ignored him and walked away when he grabbed her arm. "Hey, I don't think I was done talking to you yet. That's just rude." Alyssa noticed that a crowd of students surrounded them as she pulled her arm out of his grasp.

"I have to get to class." She said and he just smiled at her.

"Right, of course. I'll let you do that." He stated as he moved out of her way and she tried to walk by him when he suddenly put his foot out and tripped her. She tried to keep her balance, but it was no use and she fell onto the floor. The students around her laughed as she got up. "Sorry, didn't realize you were such a klutz." Eric said as he laughed with them. Alyssa wouldn't cry in front of everyone even though she had the urge to. She wouldn't give them that satisfaction. She grew angry instead as she stared daggers at Eric. His pants suddenly fell to the floor like they had a mind of their own and revealed his smiley face underwear. Everyone was now laughing at that as Eric grew embarrassed and pulled his pants up. He glared at Alyssa like she had something to do with it. She couldn't stop the smile from gracing her lips and that made him even angrier. "You think this is funny, freak. I'll give you something to laugh about." He said as he walked closer to her and everyone was then interested to see what he would do when someone else joined the crowd and stood next to Alyssa.

"Why don't you leave her alone, Eric? She didn't do anything to you." Alyssa felt relieved when Dawn showed up and Eric wasn't impressed.

"I don't remember asking you, Summers. Why don't you mind your own business?" Dawn crossed her arms over her chest.

"She's my friend so it is my business. Nice underwear by the way. Did your mommy pick them out for you?" Everyone laughed again except for Eric. He got in Dawn's face.

"At least I have a mommy." Dawn glared at him and wouldn't let him know how much his comment hurt. He then looked at Alyssa one more time before turning his attention back to Dawn. "You freaks deserve each other." He stated as he finally walked away. The crowd then drifted apart when they realized that it was over and Dawn sighed in relief as she looked at Alyssa.

"Are you okay?" She asked her with concern in her voice and Alyssa gave her a small smile.

"Yeah, thanks for that. That guy is such a jerk." She said and Dawn agreed.

"Tell me about it." She replied as she put her arm around Alyssa. "Come on; let's get to class before we get into trouble." Alyssa nodded as she walked away with Dawn.