Chapter 2: Buffy

Buffy Summers stared out at the fields, which whizzed by the car window in a blur of greens and yellows, and sighed deeply. She grew up in LA with her mother, father and younger sister; Dawn. Buffy was popular in school, largely because she was dating the love of her life; Angel O'Connor. Of course at the age of 15, who isn't the love of your life?

Then, one not so distant night, Buffy's world was turned upside down. Strained, raised voices had woken her from her sleep and she was sure she heard her mother crying. Afraid of what she might find, Buffy opened her bedroom door and watched from the safety of the banister. She'd been right to be afraid. A single suitcase was by the front door. Divorce. That's what her mother had told her. Buffy couldn't understand why; they had always seemed so happy together.

"I'm sorry, honey," her mother said softly, bringing the young girl out of her day dream. Buffy turned to look at her as she continued, "I know this isn't fair on you or your sister, but I'm sure after a while you'll really start to enjoy your new home." Buffy just nodded.

Her mother smiled, "your gran is really excited to have us living close by and the house is bigger than our house in LA," Joyce paused then and winked at her eldest, "big enough to have your own room," she finished. Buffy brightened at this and looked over at the younger brunette sleeping on the back seat, "I get the biggest room, right?" she asked and her mother gave a little laugh.

"Sweetie, you get first pick." Joyce confirmed. She glanced at the radio clock; 9:30 pm, "Are you sure you don't want to get some sleep, it's going to be late by the time we arrive," Joyce tutted as she applied the brakes, "especially if this traffic doesn't let up." Buffy shook her head, she could never sleep on car journeys. Leaning her head against the cold glass window, she watched as the fields merged into houses. The houses crawled by and Buffy's thoughts wandered again as she read the sign; Sunnydale 15 miles. She thought of happy times, when her family had spent their holidays visiting her grandparents. Her father had always had to work, so it had just been the three of them.

Buffy almost shed a tear, as she thought how hard it would be not to find her grandad John nodding off in his tatty green armchair. He had passed away earlier that year and Buffy had been utterly heartbroken, she'd not only lost her grandad but her best friend. The whole family had taken the sudden loss very hard and in a way Buffy was pleased that they were moving to Sunnydale. As much as she would miss her life in LA, she couldn't deny it would be great to be close to her gran. Granny Lilly liked to live vicariously through her grandchildren; the two talked on the phone almost every day, particularly about school and boys.

A few specks of rain started to beat against the window as the car trundled slowly along. Buffy's head was pounding; she was angry at her father, nervous about starting a new school and she missed Angel. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, so her mother wouldn't notice the silent tears that had started trickling down her cheek, mirroring that of the rain on the window. It was silly crying really, she had seen him less than five hours ago and they had said their messy goodbyes. She remembered sobbing into his brown jacket and inhaling the smell of his cologne as she had squeezed him tightly. As she'd stared up into his soft brown eyes, he'd reassured her that the distance wouldn't be an issue. They would take turns visiting and Angel had already said he would come to Sunnydale for her 16th birthday, which was in a month's time. For a brief moment, Buffy was completely lost in her memories of Angel. She almost didn't notice the sign that read; welcome to Sunnydale.

Joyce had been right, it was almost midnight when the car began to slow as the three arrived at their new home. By the light of the streetlamp, Buffy took in the they grey cobbled stone pathway that led to the front porch, framed either side with white washed stone walls, "You go on in," Joyce said, as she unbuckled her seat belt, "I'll wake your sister."

Buffy agreed and grabbed her duffel bag from the boot of her mum's jeep and proceeded into the house. Stepping inside she noticed the spacious, open plan lay out, high walls and vaulted ceiling. She carefully navigated her way through the obstacle course of 'fragile' and 'this way up' boxes as she made her way to the stairs. The beige carpet looked new and the light oak banister was smooth to touch as she climbed up the stairs. Her mother had been right, the house was so much bigger than the one in LA.

Curiously Buffy poked her head into every room, they all looked much the same. Beige carpets and cream walls ran throughout the upstairs, with the exception of a tiled bathroom with pale blue paint. She turned the corner at the end of the landing and climbed the next few steps. She pushed open the door and peered inside. She smiled, it was almost like the room knew she was coming. Her eyes travelled straight across the room and landed on a lovely bay window, framed on the outside by a large, strong oak tree.

Buffy flung her duffel bag down in the corner, utterly exhausted. She fished her phone out of her denim jean pocket. She'd promised to call Angel the minute she arrived, although looking at the time; she wasn't sure he would appreciate it.

Instead she sent him a text, switched on her radio, making sure to keep the volume low and proceeded to get ready for bed. The soft soothing tones of Brian Adams; Everything I do, lulled her into a calm state. As she brushed her teeth, she swayed around the room, gesturing dramatically with her arms, blissfully unaware of the pair of striking blue eyes watching her through the windows.