Disclaimer: All Characters belong to J.W, and the plot is model after Jane Austin's novel Pride and Prejudice
Thank You Christine for all your help!
Slumber Party
Chapter Eight
"We are not watching 'The Scarlet Letter'!" Faith cried out as she tried to stop Kendra from placing the DVD in.
"Why ever not dear sister; I would think you would feel an affinity to Hester Prynne—a woman condemned by society for her sexual actions," stated Kendra matter-of fact.
"Ha ha, Kendra you're so funny," said Faith in a sarcastic tone. "Serious, there is no way I'm watching some stupid historical drama."
Dawn nodded in agreement. "There are no hot guys to check out. Everyone is plainly-dressed in those hideous Black clothes and the women don't get to wear any makeup. It would be boring."
"I have to agree with them," said Buffy sending her sister a sympathetic look, "as much as I love the story, I don't really want to watch the movie. It wouldn't exactly be a relaxing movie to watch now would it?"
"Fine," grumbled Kendra, "this is why I don't like watching movies with you guys. No one ever wants to watch what I want." 'Why did I even agree to be here, they never want me here anyway? I'm just dull, boring, stuck in the mud Kendra to them. I know Willow and Buffy try, but I still wish they would really take the time to care about my life. They think I'm all about studying, but I have other interests too, if only they would ask.'
In a stage whisper Faith said, "Who would want too?" And was soon "Shushed" by Buffy and Willow; Dawn giggled, while Kendra shot her a look. 'There you go again Faith, another comment I'm just suppose to ignore and pretend didn't hurt. And they're pairing off again, Dawn in support of Faith's statement, and Buffy and Willow chastening Faith. They probably agree with Faith too, but don't want me to know. And I'm left alone'
Willow always the peacemaker offered an alternative movie, "Why don't we watch 'A Knight's Tale' instead?"
"Cool, that's the film with Heath Ledger, he's hot," declared Faith in favor of the movie.
"Yeah," said Dawn, "that film has hot guys, plus great scenery and music."
"Must we," Kendra whined, "that film is filled with historic inaccuracies."
"It will be fun," said Buffy as she dragged Kendra to the couch as Willow got up to place the DVD in. "The film has everything, hot guys for Faith and Dawn, a semi amusing plot for me and Willow, and you can have fun pointing out at the things wrong with the film ." 'Is it just me, or does Kendra seem downer than usual'
"Oh fine," said Kendra as the beginning credits scrolled across the screen. 'I know you're trying Buffy, but you're still saying 'Faith and Dawn,' 'me and Willow.' Why am I never paired with you guys? You could have said 'Us and Willow' I enjoy a funny plot as much as you guys. I guess I should be happy that they even know that I like historical films that are accurate'
And so began Family Night. Joyce and Giles were out already, and the girls had eaten pizza for dinner. Willow had wanted to start with a more interactive event, but her sisters had hidden all the board games save one, Candy Land. Much to the amusement of her sisters, Willow detested the game since it had always given her nightmares about her teeth falling out from cavities, so they had decided to watch movies.
"So Willow how did your date go with Oz the other night?" asked Buffy as they sat together watching the movie. 'Ha you wanted a Sisters' night Willow, so you should have prepared for an interrogation by all your sisters about your new boyfriend'
"Uhh… it was alright," Willow answered nervously as she noticed the gleam that entered her other sisters' eyes at Buffy's question. 'Maybe Family Night wasn't such a good idea'
"You went out with Oz again? What did you guys do?" Dawn asked.
"We had a nice picnic," Willow answered quickly.
"That's it," said a disappointed Dawn, "what's so fun about a picnic, seems a bit dull." 'How in the world am I suppose to live vicariously through your life Willow if that's all you're doing'
Buffy asked a bit confused, "I thought your date was at night, what's so great about a picnic in the dark."
Before Willow could answer, Faith said with a smirk, "Maybe that's the point, having a tumble in the dark outside."
"No…no…no," Willow stammered out as deep blush covered her face, "It was a nice innocent picnic, no funny business at all. Oz thought it would be nice to do some stargazing in the gardens of his home."
"I'm just messing with you sis," Faith said. "But seriously, you've been with Oz for a month and you guys still haven't done anything."
"Of course not," said a bewildered Willow. "We've only known each other for a little while, our relationship is still new. It's way too early to be thinking about that stuff."
"Oh come on! What's the big deal? You're attracted to him, his attracted to you; give in to your urges." Faith could never understand why her older sisters were so cautious and reserved, since she found life more enjoyable when she let her impulses guide her in life.
"Not all of us has your 'want, take, have' ideals Faith," said Buffy, "Some of us want more than a casual fling."
"That's right," added Kendra. "We are not animals governed by our more basic desires."
Furious Faith shouted, "Did you just call me an animal?"
Trying to stop the argument before it got off the ground Buffy stepped in and said, "I'm sure that's not what Kendra was saying Faith, right Kendra?"
At Buffy's look, Kendra nodded and said "No insult intended, just making a statement." 'That's so not far, I just make a statement and I'm reprimanded, but when Faith makes a direct comment about me she just gets shushed'
"Fine," said Faith. "So you want a relationship that's built on more than sex, you already seem to have that so why not sleep together."
Sighing Willow responded, "As I've said before Oz and I have only known each other for about a month, we still have so much to learn about each other." 'Yeah like I have to tell Oz about Tara.'
"But when do you know you know enough about someone to take the next step?" asked Dawn. "No offense, but I agree with Faith, not about the casual flings, but about going with your feelings and desires; you and Buffy always over-analysis your relationships to the point that you don't have a relationship anymore."
'Again I'm excluded,' thought Kendra. 'Just because I've never brought anyone home doesn't mean I've never had relationship also.'
"Hey I do not over-analysis my relationships," said an indignant Buffy. At her sisters' looks, "what I do not."
"B, you're a 23 year old virgin," declared Faith.
"So?" Said Buffy unruffled, "There's nothing wrong with being a virgin, I'm glad I'm waiting to I find the right guy to be with."
"How do you know you haven't already met him, but because you were so picky you threw him away?" said Dawn.
"Because of what you said before Dawn about feelings, I've never clicked with any of the guys I've been with, so that's how I know," said Buffy proudly since she was able to throw her sister's words back in her face.
"Well I think it's great that Buffy is waiting," Willow said, "I wish I had instead of sleeping with James in High School because it was expected of me."
Faith unwilling to drop the topic yet continued on, "Yeah but Buffy and Kendra are still the only virgins left and the're older than Dawn and I."
"Faith!" yelled out all her sisters all for different reasons.
"I can't believe you told," Dawn said.
"That was uncalled for," scolded Willow.
"If you were trying to offend me, it didn't work. A person's maturity is not proven by the fact that they have sex, as your own immaturity has just shined through with your last comment," huff Buffy with a hint of anger.
"Who said I was a virgin," declared Kendra. At that shocking statement all eyes turned to look at the middle Summers' sister. No one was sure what to say least of all Kendra, who hadn't meant to say the statement out loud. Realizing she couldn't take back words Kendra decided to go forward and adopted her formal speech again to speak.
"I am not a virgin, so that just leaves Buffy, although I don't think of it as a slight against her at all, in fact quite the opposite. I think it makes Buffy more unique and special in comparison to us."
Not sure what to say Buffy just thanked Kendra for her kind words of support. Finally gaining control of her voice Faith asked, "Who, When, Where?"
Kendra, without showing an ounce of embarrassment she was really feeling inside answered, "My boyfriend a few years ago in his apartment, and that's all I will say on the subject."
Willow was startled by her sister's revelation. She had always tried to be the best sister possible and to always be there for her sisters, so to learn that Kendra had hidden so much of herself from the family hurt. 'I can understand her not telling us about when she lost her virginity, but to not even mention having a boyfriend at all. Has she had more than one? Why did she never talk to me or the others about her life? She said not to push on the subject, but maybe she really wants us to push so that we finally learn more about our silent sister.'
Buffy on the other hand thinking it would be more prudent to abide with Kendra's wishes before Faith decided to add her own two cents decided to switch the spot light. "So Dawn what about you? Let me guess it was John, the quarterback your boyfriend during junior year?"
No longer embarrassed by Faith's earlier statement and seeing how forthright Kendra was, Dawn decided to answer frankly also, "Actually, it was the guy I met in Ireland in the student exchange program in senior year."
"The one who was the only other American in the program?" asked Buffy. Dawn just nodded in agreement. "You still stay in contact with him right? I think I've seen some of his letters to you in the mail."
"Yeah we still stay in touch. After we realized our moment in Ireland wasn't going to last once we came back to the states with me living here and him going to school on the east coast, we decided it was best that we break up, but were still good friends," answered Dawn a bit sadly. Although Dawn still believed it was the right decision to not have a long-distance relationship with the guy since she was too young to be in a serious relationship, she couldn't help thinking about what if they had made a go at it. 'Would we have ended up resenting each other? Maybe worst we could have ended up hurting each other by betraying each other? Or would we have been part of the lucky few who could make it work.'
As Dawn contemplated all this she noticed that the movie was half over and began trying to back track the evening's discussions to figure out why they were even talking about each other's virginity. "Guys why are we even talking about all this, weren't we trying to learn more about Willow's new relationship?"
"Oh Yeah," said Faith, "Okay so we know you guys aren't having a physical relationship, but how do you feel about the guy? And don't say you don't know Will, because you won't have even dated Oz for a month if you didn't feel a lot for him."
In a rare show of agreement with her sister Kendra nodded her head in agreement. "That's true Willow. I have not seen you as happy as you have been in the last month in a very long time, and I think it is greatly attributed to Daniel entering your life."
Willow sighed knowing that she couldn't avoid the topic any longer. "Oz is a great guy, and I care a lot about him. He's someone I can see myself being serious with, so I'm going to tell him about Tara." At that declaration smiles appeared on all her sisters faces and they all jumped up to hug their big sister in support. They all knew Willow still missed Tara so much that she had a hard time talking about her to anyone, including them. For Willow to willing talk about Tara to Oz showed her sisters that their big sis was finally ready to move on with her life with a new person.
Being crushed by her sisters' hugs, Willow began pushing them off her. "That's enough…get off. Shushes…I'm glad your happy for me, but you don't have to act like I'm marrying the guy, gush your acting like mom." 'That seemed to do the trick,' thought Willow as she noticed all her sisters blanching a bit at that comparison. "Anyway I'm just enjoying getting to know Oz better, he leads an interesting life. I've also enjoy getting to know his sisters and friends; they seem to be such wonderful people." At that statement Buffy snorted. "What? They are."
"Excluding Oz and Gunn, they all seem a bit snobby."
"And how did you come to that conclusion Buffy, you haven't spent much time with them," Willow asked.
"Will you know first impressions are a big thing to me and I will never forget how Oz's sisters looked at me when I entered the room like I was a lowly peasant, whose unfit clothes would dirty the place up. The very few times I've seen them around town they would deliberately start walking in the opposite position of where I was coming from."
"I still think your exaggerating that. Darla and Drusilla are such lovely ladies I can't imagine them being so rude. But what about Angel? I thought you guys got along fine that day when you gave him the tour of the center?" Willow said as she got up to get more snacks.
"Well I did have a nice conversation with Angel that day, but he has a slight superiority-complex," said Buffy, at Willow's look she tried to explain. "During our conversation he kept making remarks about how inefficient public schools are in teaching children properly when compared to his boarding school education and he said the people in town had their priorities messed up if they care more about sports then the arts."
Willow and her other sisters just looked at Buffy like she had gone crazy. Faith was the one that spoke what was on all their minds, "B you've been working too hard cause all that stuff you just said are things you agree with."
"What!" said a startled Buffy as she looked at all her sisters. "No…no…it was the way he said it. Like how boarding schools are automatically superior to public schools and that it's a miracle that people are even able to get an education in such institutions. Hey I know public schools will never have the same resources as a boarding school, but I don't think public schools do such a bad job teaching the youth. And yes, I know I've said how disappointed I am that funding has been cut heavier on the arts then the sports, but the way he said it made it seem like Sunnydale is filled with country bumpkins unable to appreciate the merits of cultural and intellectual exploits."
"I think you like the guy," Dawn declared to her sister. "And you're doing what you always do looking for flaws in the guy that aren't really there."
"You are so wrong," Buffy said as she shook her head adamantly. "If you spent time talking with the guy also, you would see it to, also. And I don't like the guy; I have no idea where you got that silly idea from, Angel is too much of a playboy anyway." 'I can't believe she would think that. I admit Angel's easy on the eyes but that's it. But I have no interest in an elitist guy with commitment problems who only dates socialites.'
"Ah ha that's it," Willow interjected. "You do like Angel, but when you heard from Oz about his playboy tendencies you got scared off."
'Not Willow too, my sisters are delusional,' thought Buffy as she took a breath before speaking, "I have no idea where you even got such an idea. Maybe…maybe I'm wrong about Angel, but that doesn't mean I'm interested in the guy romantically. Now I think we should focus back on the movie before we miss the whole thing."
Willow just shook her head, 'I think someone is protesting too much,' but turned her attention back to the television. The rest of the evening was spent watching more movies, gossiping, and just enjoying each others company. The Summers' sisters loved one another dearly even if they all hold different views and interests; they knew the time was coming when these sister nights would be rare events as they all headed in different directions, but for now they would be there for each other.
Author's Note:
I know it's taken forever for me to update, but I hope you all liked the new chapter. I know there isn't any B/A interaction in this chapter also, but I really wanted to focus on the sisters relationship. I always thought Mary and Kitty especially Mary were ignored and neglected in the original. So although Kendra and Dawn's storyline will never be a main focus, I thought it would be interesting to have glimpses into their story every once in a while. Hopefully all the sisters found their own distinctive voice in this chapter.
The next chapter will finally be of the fundraiser night, so there should be more B/A interaction but don't hold me to that because I'm still planning it in my head.
I do have a question for my readers, do you want a scene with Willow finally telling Oz about Tara or should the scene happen off stage and talked about later. I'm not quite sure what to do yet.