The next morning, Willow nearly burst with curiosity. She had been signalling to her friend throughout classes, but a gruff-looking Buffy had seemingly ignored her pleas for information. Come lunchtime, this was about to change.
"So how did you find your first vampire?" Willow asked curiously.
"I pretty much stumbled across him," Buffy shrugged. "Wasn't that hard."
"Ahm, okay. And – how did you kill him?"
"Hmm, I nearly had him, but then stupid Angel interrupted, all 'I will rescue you'-like. God! He is so annoying! First, he interrupts my slayer-initiation, and then he follows me around giving advice no one wants to hear."
"He was just trying to help."
"Well, he can go help Cordelia, she actually wants him around."
Willow's eyes got round like saucers. "Cordelia? You think? But -– she's a cheerleader! And – human. And – like a 120 years his junior. How could she? But no way would he ever.."
"Bite me. I think he's way creepy. He keeps following me around. What, I do need a vampire at my back to fight other vampires? Sorry, but that does sound wrong."
Willow jerked her head, unsure of what to think. "Angel always helped us. He's really trying. He's – oh, hi Michael. Here, have a seat."
The addressee was a young Goth that walked past them on search for a free seat in the cramped cafeteria. As was to be guessed, Michael had been one of the unpopular ones in High School, and his nerd-status had not improved with the move to university. As usual, Willow was desperate to make everyone feel comfortable, and so she started chatting about the subject everyone in Sunnydale could relate to.
"Hey, what's on in the Bronze tonight?"
Buffy shrugged, as her evenings seemed to be spent mostly in cemeteries lately. But Michael got all excited. "It's a cool band, you have to come. They're excellent. I can get you in for free. The guitarist is a friend of mine."
Willow was surprised by his enthusiasm but didn't really know what to say that would not hurt his feelings. Buffy, on the other hand, had no such inhibitions.
"Thanks, but we're not so much into depressing noise-music."
To give him credit, Michael was not the least offended. He grinned and said: "They're more alternative style, really. Don't go spoiling my reputation though by telling anyone I listen to, you know, guitars!"
So that night, Willow, Buffy and Xander went to the Bronze to see Dingoes ate my baby. They were not that good, but alright for an amateur band. When Willow went to get some drinks, Xander tried to ease the silence by getting into his goofy routine. Which wasn't working well, he noticed. Buffy's smile was forced, and she kept looking around for Willow.
When Willow returned, she was blissfully unaware of their relieve. "Guys, guess what I just saw! Michael was chatted up by a girl! I've seen it with my own two eyes!"