Disclaimer: Not mine and all that jazz…
Chapter Five
"Well, Miss Summers, it was a pleasure seeing you again," Riley said as he pulled up to the house. "I'm glad to know that you haven't died this time," he added with a smile.
"As am I," Buffy said as she opened the door and got out of the car. "Thank you again for the ride," she said. "I can't tell you how much this means to me." She started to close the door, but she stopped and opened it back. "It was nice seeing you, too, Riley," she said sincerely.
Riley nodded. "I'll give you a call sometime," he promised. "Or at least an e-mail," he amended.
"I'd like that," Buffy said before closing the door. She took a deep breath before she walked up to the house. This was the house. It was large and it looked nice, but Dawn did not belong there. She sighed heavily as she knocked on the door. She hoped it was not too early to be there. She glanced at her watch. Five thirty. Maybe it was too early. She could come back in a few hours, she decided.
Buffy began walking back down the sidewalk, but to her surprise the door opened. A handsome young blonde man opened the door. He looked wide awake. "Can I help you?" he asked.
"Depends," Buffy said as she walked back towards the house. "I'm looking for my sister, Dawn Summers. She ran away, and my friend said she might be here. I'm sorry if I woke you or anything."
"Nonsense," the man said. "Surfing season. Have to wake up early to catch some good waves," he told her. "Name's Jay," he introduced as he extended his hand to her.
"Buffy," Buffy said as she shook Jay's hand back. "Nice to meet you. Is this the right address?" she asked curiously.
Jay nodded. "Sure is," he said. "Your sister's a cute little thing," he added. "Really good for Bradin. He's been in some troublesome relationships, and I think she's someone he could use."
"Well, I don't think it'll work out," Buffy began. "Did Dawn happen to mention where she lived?" she asked as she looked around nervously.
Jay picked up on Buffy's anxiety. "Come on in and make yourself at home," he said. "Don't worry. I don't bite. Johnny might, but he'll be asleep for hours," he added with a small chuckle. "But to answer your question, no, she didn't. Where are you from? I'm guessing not Playa Linda."
"What gave it away?" Buffy asked.
"Your lack of tan," Jay responded simply. "Everyone here tans in the summer. It's almost a town requirement. LA?" he questioned.
"Originally," Buffy said. "Then Sunnydale," she started.
"Well, that's dead," Jay pointed out.
Buffy nodded. "Yea, so we moved to Rome," she finally answered the question. "I really don't know how Dawn ended up here. We don't even know anyone in the metropolitan area anymore. Well, at least we didn't know we knew anyone in the area."
"Interesting," Jay commented. "Well, Dawn's not going to be up for a while. Do you have any plans?" he asked.
Buffy shook her head. "Not at all."
"Well, have you ever considered surfing?" Jay asked. "I think you might enjoy it."
"Is this your way of hitting on me?" Buffy asked.
Jay shook his head. "No, I have a girl. I run a surf shop, and part of my job is teaching others to surf. What do you say?" he asked. "Please?"
Buffy shrugged. "What have I got to loose?"
Jay smiled. "There's the spirit."