Buffy finally realized why should she try hiding the fact that she's worried about Dawn's school work. she decided that she would talk to Dawn the next morning. She didn't get to talk to her earlier because she had to get to work at the Pizza Palace and then after work she had to go right on patrol. Buffy hated being gone at night but she knew that it is her calling and until she dies she will have to do her duty. She could only work at the Pizza Palace at night because she had to research on the demons during the day. There hasn't been that much activity on the Hellmouth lately but she has been busy. Angel calls her every so often to see if Giles could look some new demon up for him because he sleeps during the day and he needs the research to be the hero of the night in Los Angeles. She would always try to do her best to help Angel out. She didn't like it that he was a demon at heart a long time ago but she knows that he has changed.
That next morning Buffy woke up when she heard the birds chirping she didn't have to stay out long the night before becasue there wasn't much activity going on anywhere in town, so she called it an early night dreading the task that she would have to face that morning. Dawn was sitting at the kitchen table with Willow, eating a bowl of cereal.
Willow: Morning Buffy. How was patrol? willow wanted to make good conversation at the breakfast table for Dawn's sake. Her and Buffy had a good talk last night and she learned how to face reality. she finally realized that people are going to look at ehr weird if they know she is a homosexual.
Buffy; Morning Willow. Patrol was slow and easy i didn't have to slay a single vampire. I like the job now, but i remember how i hated to slay when I first learned of my calling. Yeah it still gets frustrating at times but i am used to it now and that makes it easier. Buffy turns to Dawn.
Dawn: Morning Buffy. how was work. Did you have to make a lot of pizzas?
Buffy: Not really, it was slow there too. What are you doing today? She asked her sister with a look towards Willow
Dawn: I have classes in the afternoon and in the early evening hours but this morning I am free to sleep in or do whatever i want. She gives her sister a smile.
Buffy: Well if you have a few minutes to spare after you get done eating breakfast, I would like to talk to you about your grades in your college courses. Buffy glances at Willow.
Just then there was a knock at the front door. Willow got up to answer it.
Willow: That is going to be Kayla. We're supposed to go to the mall today and then grab a bite to eat later for dinner so i won't be home till late. Don't wait up, Dawn.
Willow rushes out of the room. Buffy turns to Dawn ready to do battle. She'd try to take it easy on her. She remembers how she felt in her sophmore year of college.
Buffy: Dawn, look i know that you are working hard in your classes, but I don't think that you are working hard enough. i saw something come in the mail from the college and i opened it because i thought it was your report card and i saw how you were doing in your classes. Buffy looked at Dawn and seen that there wasn't a sign of annoyance on her sister's face.
Dawn: You saw my report card? How did i do? Can I see it?
Buffy: Yes I saw it. You did okay. Just not the grades that I thought that you would have and i put it on your desk. She looked at Dawn for a minute before heading to the cupboard for a coffee mug. She poured some coffee into the mug. She took a long drink.
Dawn: I will try harder, Buffy. But the classes are really hard. Not like the classes in high school.
Buffy: That is all I'm asking you to do Dawn. I want you to become something in your life and make mom proud.
Dawn: Thanks ,Buffy. I will try and make mom proud. Thanks for caring. but i am thinking that i did an okay job in my classes.
Dawn started out of the room. Buffy stared after her. She picked up the phone and dialed Xander's number. Xander answered.
Buffy: Hey Xand, would you want to go out to lunch with me today?
Xander: Hello, Buffy. What's the special occasion?
Buffy: Nothing. I just want to hang out with you since Willow went out with Kayla today.
Xander: Who's Kayl? He asked with surprise in his voice. After Tara died he thought that It would take a long time than it has taken Willow to get over her than it did.
Buffy: Willow's new girlfriend.
Xander: wow that is fast. I didn't think that Willow would be over Tara this soon.
Buffy: Look Willow needs us to have very high confidence in her friends right now. See willow was called a no good for nothing person last night at the Bronze and she was crying the whole way home and the person that called her that told her she should stay hone just because she is a homosexual.
Xander: The nerve of some people. I hate people here I mean they are so judgmental. They didn't talk to her because she was really smart when she was in high school and now they want to be mean to her just because she is homosexual. That is so not fair. I wish there was something I could do to stop them.
xander didn't know it then but there was something that could stop them. He just had to be patient and wait for Angel to call the next time. The thing that everyone didn't know was how soon Angel was going to pull a surprise on them the next day/