Goodbye For Now
SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA: TWO WEEKS LATER
I stare emotionlessly into the mirror as I watch my reflection. I looked pale and sickly, honestly, I looked like I felt...dead.
Playing with the ends of my black leather jacket I examins my dark blue jeans and a black vest as well as my platform boots, making sure there was no sign of blood or demon guts on them. I couldn't risk Jenna spotting anything out of the ordinary.
As I examine my outfit my eyes land on my mother's charm bracelet that was resting on my wrist before my eyes move to the ring that Angel gave to my, it was hanging loosely around a long silver chain on my neck. Now it was more of a way for me to remember him than anything else now.
Sighing I move away from the mirror and heads for my bedroom door but quickly turns around staring at my now bare room. Everything in the house had either been put in storage or shipped to Mystic Falls. It was not a home anymore, it was just an empty house.
Taking a deep breath I blink back tears before I close my bedroom door for the last time and makes my way down the stairs.
Waiting by the front door, standing next to my bags were me friends, all of them holding back their tears. Well, except Cordelia, but to be fair...it's Cordelia.
As I make me way towards them surprisingly Cordy was the first person to speak, breaking the long silence "Why is everyone so sad, I mean yeah she is leaving but hell, she gets to get out of this godforsaken town, although she does have to go to Virginia, so maybe that's worse."
At her words, the group all turn just stares at her stunned at her inability to read the tone of the room.
Cordelia just rolls her eyes before steps towards me "Anyway, if you ever tell anyone I said this I will deny it but... I'm gonna miss you Brianna" Inhaling tightly the cheerleader then does something so unexpected and hugs me tightly.
I was momentarily stunned couldn't help but smile sadly as I hug her back "I'll miss you too, Cordy." Cordelia smiles then steps back and wraps an arm around Xander's waist, clearly trying to play 'the I don't care, cool girl' that she let people think she was.
Oz steps forward next and hands me a CD, only causing me to let out a small laugh as I spot 'Dingoes Ate My Baby' written across the stop. I look up and smile with tears in my eyes as I nod gratefully, too scared to speak, I knew the minute I opened my mouth I would break.
"It will remind you of The Bronze." OZ tells me.
Cordelia couldn't help but roll her eyes "Really? Won't that just remind her that Dingoes play their instruments as if they have plump sausages taped to their fingers. No offense."
Xander and Willow couldn't help but glare at Cordy, yelling at the same time "Cordelia!"
"Why are you yelling my name, I'm not deaf, plus I said no offense" Cordelia responds, looking genuinely confused by their outbursts.
Xander sighs at his girlfriend before turning to his short werewolf friend "Sorry man"
Oz being Oz just shrugs, unable to find himself able to argue with the brunette's statement "No, that's fair."
I smile watching my friends interact; I was really going to miss this. I just couldn't imagine my life without them all.
Stepping forward I pull Oz into a tight embrace whispering a small thank you. He smiles at me before he and Cordelia go outside leaving the trio to have their final moments together. It had begun with just the three of them, it was only right it ended with them.
Willow at this point was in tears and Xander wasn't any better, he was getting very close to crying, but was desperately trying to hold onto his pride; failing miserably.
I look at my two best friends water filling her eyes, stepping forward I hold onto them both tightly letting the tears fall.
"Promise me you will both be careful, no getting yourselves in trouble and no hunting vampires by yourselves. I can't lose anyone else."
They both nod and look at me who was trying not to have a complete breakdown.
Willow was fully crying and could barely form sentences, while Xander who was managing somehow to keep it together, reaches into his pocket and pulls out a box handing it to me.
Opening the box slowly I let out a small sob as I look at the gift. Inside was a photo frame with a picture of me Xander and Willow from last year.
I look up at Xander and Willow and smiles "I Love you both. I'm going to miss you so much."
"We are going to miss you too Breester" Xander replies smiling sadly as he lips his hand and strokes my cheek softly wiping the tears from my face.
Willow nods in agreement before taking a shaky breath as she hears Giles's car honk from outside "It's time." She whispers before she and I link arms as they all begin grabbing me stuff.
I grab my weapons chest after Xander both tries and fails to pick it up causing Willow to giggle. Luckily for me, The Council had a way with airports, one word from them, and I was cleared to go through security without having my bags checked, so my weapons chest, which I was taking just in case, will not get me into any trouble. As much as I hated The Council, I had to admit they clearly had a lot of power given all the strings they had pulled.
As they pile my stuff into Giles' car I hug my friends once more before getting into the passenger seat next to Giles. I smile at them hiding my tears before my gaze falls to my house. A sad smile crosses my face as I remember when my mother and I moved into this house, it seemed so long ago now.
"Goodbye" I whisper to the house, my friends, and Sunnydale as Giles puts the car into drive and they head towards the airport. I look back towards my friends waving goodbye, Willow was crying while Oz kept his arms around her tightly; Cordy was doing the exact same with Xander.
As Giles drives past the leaving Sunnydale sign I feel more tears run down my face, wiping my eyes I merely sit in silence as me and Giles keep driving.
After what felt like hours the pair finally arrive at LAX airport.
As they head inside the pair do not speak until I had gone through security and was waiting for my plane to start boarding. Honestly, neither of them knew what to say, it was just too hard.
As my flight is finally called Giles looks at me sadly before he hugs me "I'm so proud of you Brianna, You truly are, all I could've wanted in a Slayer and more. I'm going to miss you. If you ever need anything I'm just a phone call away day or night, if you need help I will be there for you." I let out a small sniffle trying to hold back my tears as I look up at the man who had been more of a father to my than my own, giving him a sad smile "Thank you for everything Giles, I'm going to miss you too".
MYSTIC FALLS, VIRGINIA
Today was the day. Today the household of three would become four. Glancing at the clock on the dashboard yet again as she runs a nervous hand through her hair, she was currently running everything through her head. She just wanted to make sure everything was settled for Brianna's arrival. Jeremy had strangely been very open about helping set up Brianna's room, but to be fair Brianna and Jeremy had always been close when they were kids. She was pretty sure at times Jeremy had wanted Brianna to be his sister instead of Elena, especially when they were little.
Elena who was sat next to Jenna as they drove towards the airport smiles as she looks over at her stressed and exhausted aunt "Jenna it's fine. The room is ready, you played the grief card and got Brianna into school. It will be fine."
"I still can't believe she burnt down a building." Jenna huffs before letting out a small laugh "Like mother like daughter."
Elena lets out a small snort at that as she glances at her aunt curiously "Aunt Joyce? Bit of a wild child?"
"Well, she didn't burn down buildings. But..." Jenna pauses in her words as a small smile crosses her features as she thinks back to her childhood. She had been a kid when bad girl teenage Joyce was raising hell for their parents "She got arrested at least 5 times before she was 17. She had a thing for shoplifting. Loved her bad boys."
Elena couldn't help but smile fondly as she listens to Jenna talking about how crazy Aunt Joyce had been, honestly it was hard to believe that smart sensible aunt Joyce had been the rebel.
However, the sweet peaceful atmosphere was interrupted as the airport finally came into view. Elena takes a shaky breath as they approach the airport, thoughts of her cousin running through her mind. She and Brianna had been close as kids but Brianna had only just lost her mother 3 weeks ago and she had no idea how she was holding up. All she could do right now was to make sure Brianna had an easy transition moving to Virginia.
As the two of them pull into the parking lot, Jenna lets out a small exhale before she looks over at Elena "Ready?" she asks.
Elena glances out at the airport before smiling, it was time to go get Brianna.