a/n -Words inside the " ♦'s" are thoughts. yes, it's odd. I can't find anything that won't disappear from the text. ☺☺☺☺

Chapter 5 -Discoveries

The end of school bell rang and Dawn trudged out of her Algebra class. Her head was throbbing from all the useless junk crammed into it. She rubbed her temples as she slowly walked on. Not paying attention to where she was going, she bumped right into a girl who was walking in the opposite direction.

"Ooh! Sorry." Dawn apologized as she stooped to pick up her Algebra book.

"It's okay."

Dawn looked up to see a mousy-looking girl. Her dirty blonde hair was tied into a long pony-tail down her back. She had large, frightened looked light brown eyes. The girl's outfit was way out of style. She wore a baggy purple polo shirt, that was buttoned all the way up, a plaid skirt that was pulled up way too high and a pair of purple and white striped knee socks.

"Uh, my name's Dawn." Dawn replied politley.

"I'm Shelby. Nice to meet you." The girl replied hurriedly. She tried to push past Dawn.

"Hey, wait!" Dawn called after her. "You forgot this." Dawn handed her a pink book that appeared to be a journal of some sort.

"Thanks." Shelby looked at her feet shyly.

"So, is this your first year at Sunnydale Academy too?" Dawn asked, looking over at Shelby.

"Uhh...Why are you talking to me?" Shelby aksed with an almost amazed expression on her face.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Dawn asked, confused.

"Well...I'm not popular...And not many people talk to me." Shelby replied quietly.

"Well, I'll be your friend and talk to you." Dawn replied warmly.

Shelby looked up and smiled. "Thanks." She replied shyly. "It means alot."

"Hey, what's your dorm number? Mine's 115" Dawn asked.

"Uh..345"

Dawn pulled out a pink pen and scribbled the number on the palm of her hand.

"Well, this is my stop. I'll talk ot you later." Dawn replied.

"Bye." Shelby said with a smile.

Dawn unlocked the door and stepped into the room.

"Buffy? Willow?" Dawn called.

No answer.

"Huh. I guess they're still out." Dawn's eyes wandered to a beautiful, handcarved, mahogany dresser. She meandered over to it and brushed her fingers against the smooth surface. Her fingers wrapped around one of the drawer handles.♦If Buffy or Willow hasn't claimed this yet, I will♦Dawn pulled the drawer open. Empty. ♦Yes! Wait a second...♦Dawn scanned the inside of the drawer, when something shiny caught her eye. It was a ring. She picked it up and turned it around in her fingers. It was a brilliant blue with flecks of dark and light purple. The stone was incased with a broad silver band.

"Wow." Dawn whispered, amazed by it's beauty. ♦Maybe I should show Buffy...♦Dawn thought for a moment. ♦Nah, she'd probably try to steal it.♦Dawn shoved the ring into her suitcase. She'd wear it later. Now, it was time to do her Algebra homework and try not to fail.

♦Meanwhile, outside on the campus...♦

Buffy and Willow were relaxing under a tree, trying to study for the biology test next week. The didn't tell, Dawn, but they knew she would be fine.

"There he is." Willow whispered.

Buffy looked up. "Who? Where?" she asked, her eyes darting around the campus.

" Oz.There." Willow tried to point at him discreetly.

"Oh. I see him. He is pretty cute. But I like his friend more." Buffy motioned to the guy standing next to Oz. He was tall -taller than Oz anyway, he had dark, soulful eyes and had dark brown hair that shone in the sun.

"What's his name?" Buffy asked, trying not to drool while looking at him.

"Uhm..his name is...something with an "A" I think. All I know is he's best friends with Oz." Willow replied.

"We need to go talk to them." Buffy squealed.

"Right now? Uh...I-I can't..." Willow babbled nevously.

"Okay, okay. We can wait until the right time. But they have to be together when we talk to them. 'Cause it's easier that way." Buffy stated.

"Okay...Let's try to study now." Willow suggested.

"Good idea." The two girls dropped their longing gazes arcoss campus and started to study.

♦Meanwhile, over by the guys...♦

"Do you see her?"

"Uhm...no. Where are you looking?"

"Right there."

"Oh yeah. I like her hair."

"Me too." Oz sighed.

"Just talk to her." Angel prodded.

"How?" Oz asked.

"Well, you open your mouths and the words should come out..." Angel replied.

Oz sighed. "Not like that."

"I know, I know...You just have to do it." replied Angel. "By the way, do you even know her name?"

"No...not yet. and the fact that I'm in a band doesn't help." Oz replied.

"Why not?"

"Because she'll probably think I just want her as a groupie and to have sex with her. And that's not what I want."

" Sorry, I can't help you there. Do you know who she's talking to?" Angel asked.

"She's a new student, I think. And I'm pretty sure she's my girl's roomate? Why?" Oz asked.

"Uh...Just wondering." Angel replied. "And since when is she 'your girl'?" Angel asked.

"Since I don't know what else to call her." Oz said.

"How about...Red?" Angel asked.

Oz thought about it. "No...Whenever I think of red, I automatically think of skittles for some reason. Red ones are the best."

"You need help." Angel looked at Oz pitfully.

Oz shrugged and they headed back to their dorm.

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Hey! Plz lemme know if you like this so far! Thanx! ☺☻☺☻ -Smilies, Ozlover ♥♥♥