Buffy had gone shopping. Her closet full of new clothes, she was ready to start over. That concept was almost impossible seeing as she'd be starting over in an old school with old enemies and a tattered past. But, she kept telling herself that she would deal with it when the time came.
She stretched out on her bed, glaring at the ceiling with its pealing glow constellations.
"I have to get those down very very soon" She whispered to herself, carelessly.
"Buffy!" Her father called as he ran up the stairs. "Are you ready?" He stopped at her doorway.
"Yes." She said simply and got up, dressed in a mini skirt, tank top, and boots, she felt she could conquer the world and at least high school.
She happily leapt into the car, buckled her seatbelt, and fastened on her sunglasses. This was going to be one hell of a school year.
She yawned. School had started and whispers were circling her everywhere. From the cheerleaders wanting her back or the losers enviously gossiping, she felt wanted.
She sat down in the cafeteria, alone. That didn't last long. All of a sudden, a group of people surrounded her. Enveloping her in designer clothing, noxious perfume, and rowdy behavior. These were here old friends.
"Hey, Buffy." Ashlen sat down next to her, popping her bubblegum.
"Hey, Ashlen." Buffy replied, her eyebrow raised.
"So, Buffy, we totally forgive you for burning down the gym and becoming all schizo, you wanna hang with us?" Tiffany, another one of her old friends, asked, almost rhetorically.
"Do I have a choice?" Buffy joked.
"Like totally!" Ashlen guffawed.
God, they are so dense "Okay, fine." Buffy smiled, almost struggling with sincerity.
"There's a little get together at Tyler's tonight. You there?" Tiffany took initiative again.
"Count on it." Buffy let slip. It frightened her that she was falling back into the same pattern again, conformity was not her friend. She shrugged it off and looked around the room. Her eyes stuck on a brown-haired loner in the corner. Pike. Sigh.
Buffy had left the "Party of the Century" tired, and especially rough around the edges from the crappy rap music.
Her ears were numb and she remembered a time when she had enjoyed those parties, now they made her sick.
She went to the nearest payphone and entered her father's number in a careful fashion. She waited until he picked up. "Hey, Dad, yeah, I'm ready to be picked up."
She hung up the phone and turned around. The sight in front of her made her eyes widen.
"Oh My God! Pike!" She hugged him with a squeal.
"Hey, Buff." He choked out.
"It's been forever!"
He nodded "It really has"
As soon as Buffy arrived home, she was giddy. She laid on her bed for about an hour, until the phone rang, she picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Buffy? Is that you?" He was extremely surprised.
She recognized the voice immediately. "Giles." She halted.
"I have very important information. Can we talk?"
"I suppose." Her voice was very monotone.
"I'm not going to lecture you, even though, I must say that I am incredibly disappointed in you and that-"
"Giles, behold the lecturing?"
"Oh, um, yes. Well, a very important matter has arisen."
"What?"
"We've come across what once would've seemed the impossible."
"Go on."
"Buffy, this may come as a great shock, but Willow…Willow has been identified as the Slayer that was called following Kendra's death." He paused "Willow is the Slayer, Buffy." Giles sighed.
"What? Is this some cruel joke?" Buffy laughed.
Giles narrowed his eyes, and Buffy couldn't see him "No, it is not a joke! What is with you damn Americans? If something's serious you all think it's quite hilarious!" His stiff English side was showing in a predominant way.
Buffy stopped "Sorry. I suppose I was just surprised."
"As are we."
"I mean, she never mentioned the Slayer dreams or anything to me. I was her best friend." Buffy seemed a little disappointed.
"It's not as if you didn't keep secrets from her…"
"But that's different."
"And how so?" He was becoming quite irritated with her prattle.
"It's just, if I told her some of my secrets, if someone found out she knew…" She paused, almost with a sob "It's best if she didn't know."
"Well, my point of this conversation is, um, we need you back."
"And why? I mean, you do have the almighty Willow!" Buffy joked.
"That is beside the point, it seems Angel is back."
Buffy didn't reply.
"I said-"
"I know what you said, Giles."
"This is more your specialty than my own."
"Oh. Okay. I just don't have anywhere to stay if I came back."
"Have you forgotten your mother's?"
"Giles, she kicked me out."
"Oh, yes, very sorry about that. Apparently she has recalled her decision."
"Oh, well, it'd still be kinda uncomfy. I mean, barging in again…"
"If you wish, you can stay at my place for the first few days."
"Thanks Giles." She whispered.
"When can I expect you?"
"How about eight tomorrow night?"
"Why that late?" He seemed stunned.
"I'm in school, Giles. My dad had me readmitted."
"Oh."
"Yeah." She could hardly believe it herself.
"Eight it is." He said.
"And Giles?"
"Yes?"
"How did you get this number?"
I decided to readjust the chapter. Sorry. Okay. Well, don't get too mad at me for seriously screwing with the timeline. Here's some notes:
1. Faith wasn't called, Willow was. My story. My choice.
2. Set around "Beauty and the Beast(s?)"
3. I know, poor Angel, tormented, especially since Buffy hasn't arrived to help yet. :(
Reviews feed my soul and confidence!