Part 2
Out

Willow was studying for her physics test and contemplating heading to the after hours café for a sandwich and mocha when the phone rang.

"Hello, Willow and Buffy's residence," she answered brightly.

"Hey Will," her boyfriend said.

"Hi Oz," she replied. "What's up?"

"The guys and I got a call from Shy's manager…you remember, that band with the werewolf? They haven't found a replacement lead singer yet so they had to cancel their gig in Los Angeles for tomorrow night. They were going to open for Blue October and the promoter agreed to let us fill in."

"Oh Oz!" Willow exclaimed. "That's wonderful! When do you leave?"

"Pretty much now," he said. "We need to get set up and learn a few new chords to cover for Shy's originals. I'm sorry about our date tomorrow. Do you wanna come to the show? I can spring for a bus ticket and a taxi to the venue if you want."

Willow thought a moment and an image of a glowing face with high cheekbones crossed her mind. "No, save your money. I'd like to…really, but I've got a paper due Monday…and so do you, Mister!" The last part was said sternly.

"I know…and I promise I'll work on it between sets," he said. "Thanks for emailing me the research."

"You're welcome," Willow said. "But you owe me."

Oz chuckled. "I promise I'll make it up to you in the best way possible."

"Oh yeah? How?" Willow said in a flirtatious voice.

"Well, remember that thing I did the last time you stayed over?"

"Oz!" Willow giggled, blushing.

He continued, "I've got some new ideas for places I haven't tried yet."

"Bad boy," she laughed. "Give the guys my love and go break a leg in L.A., okay?"

"Okay, baby," he said. "Love you."

"Me too," she said and hung up the phone. She glanced at her physics text a moment, but then turned and headed for the café.

Willow hit the coffee stand before ordering a grilled cheese from the short order cook. She paid using her student debit card and looked around for a seat. A pretty blonde sitting with a group of young women caught her eye and her heart thumped when she recognized Tara. She stood there undecided if she should just approach the group. Tara, as if sensing her presence, turned around and immediately saw Willow, a big grin breaking over her face. Tara waved her over and pulled an empty seat close to her.

Willow sat and shyly looked around the table as Tara introduced the other women.

"Sophina, S-stefanie, Mia and P-paula," Tara said pointing out each woman in turn. "Guys, this is W-w-willow, f-from the W-wiccan group."

There were a smattering of 'heys' and 'how ya doings' and 'wassups' as Willow busied herself sugaring her mocha. Of the group, Sophina was the most 'feminine' in her dress, makeup and hairstyle, but Willow noted that even with her clunky boots and heavy skirt Tara was far prettier than any of the girls. The one named Stefanie had short-cropped hair, but wore a size-too-small T-shirt that showed off her bountiful bosom and she sported a caduceus tattoo on her inside forearm. Paula, a short Hispanic girl with black hair, sat quietly and sipped her soft drink, but the eldest of the group – Mia, tall and lanky with long hair – eyed Willow with a look combining curiosity and appraisal.

Willow searched her brain for something they might have in common and then she flashed on Tara's introduction. After she took a sip of her mocha, she asked the group, "Are you all Wiccan?"

The one called Stefanie chuckled. "Just Paula…and Tara of course. The rest of us are active in another group on campus."

"Oh yeah, which one?" Willow asked. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Tara blushing again and with a passing thought noted how adorable she looked.

Mia seemed about to answer when Sophina elbowed her and pointed her chin at Tara and widened her eyes in warning. Mia glanced at the blonde and took a long look at Willow. As if coming to a decision, she shrugged. "I've got to get to the library…see ya gals later. Put more flyers out if you need to. Nice meeting you, Willow." She stood up and with a wave left. The other girls, except for Tara, all stood a moment later and with a round of 'see yas' and 'laters' and 'ta-tas' they left, leaving the two girls alone at the table.

Willow looked confused. "Okay, what'd I miss?"

Tara gave a half-smile, half-smirk that caused Willow's stomach to flip-flop. "The girls were checking you out on my behalf…before you came in, I was telling them I met someone."

Willow was pleased that Tara's friends cared enough to appraise Tara's potential friends – or mates, her mind chipped in – and also that they found her acceptable enough to leave Tara alone with her.

"So how'd I do?" she asked Tara with a grin.

"Pretty good so far," Tara said. "Mia's tough…if she didn't like you, she would s-say so."

Willow asked, "So did you meet them at that mysterious group?"

Tara's face turned pink again. "I met Sophina in my Freshman English class last year. She encouraged me to join the group. I figured why not? Part of the whole college experience is exploring who you are."

Willow face brightened as several clues and her own wishful hopes finally came together. She said knowingly, "Ah…you all belong to the Lesbian Alliance."

Tara nodded. "It's kinda fun, not all serious like the Wiccan group. At least the dances are a b-blast." She pulled a flyer out her pack and slid it over for Willow to look at. It was an announcement for a Meet & Greet event taking place the following night. "And no-one b-brings an empowering Bundt cake."

Willow burst out laughing at the joke. Tara smiled serenely as if happy at giving Willow joy.

Finally Willow stopped laughing and took a bite of her sandwich. "I haven't joined any groups yet, except the Wiccans…too busy fighting evil in between classes and study sessions," Willow explained. "And to be honest, I don't think I'll be going back to the Wanna Blessed-Bes."

"Me either," Tara chuckled at Willow's jibe. "I just stuck around hoping to find someone to practice with." She blushed again.

"And now you have!" Willow said brightly. Then she fingered the flyer thoughtfully. "Uh Tara…do you, um…are you going?"

"To the dance?" Tara said. "Yeah, I was planning to hang w-with the girls."

Willow bit her lip. "I kinda meant…um, are you going to the dance with anyone?"

"Willow, do you want to know i-if I have a girlfriend?" Tara smiled.

It was Willow's turn to blush. She looked into Tara's enchanting blue eyes and took a deep breath. "I want to know if you want to go to the dance with me, but I'm afraid of stepping on any toes, ya know?"

Tara's smile seemed to light up the room. "It's okay, Willow…I don't have a girlfriend and yes, I'd love to go to the dance with you."

Willow beamed. "That's great…wow, cool."

After asking Tara out, Willow's boldness fled and she changed to a more comfortable subject. The two girls chatted about different magical texts they had read while Willow finished her sandwich. Then realizing how late it was getting, Willow offered to walk Tara home. The evening was warm and pleasant and strangely free of creatures of the night. Outside Tara's door, Willow hesitated while Tara unlocked it. After she swung the door open, the blonde turned to Willow.

"Did you want to c-come in?" she asked. "Maybe for a soda or something?"

Willow's stomach did flip-flops again at the thought of or something. She smiled and shook her head. "I'd love to, but I've got some more studying to do."

"I understand," Tara said.

"But…tomorrow night, right?" Willow asked hopefully.

"Yes," Tara answered with a smile. "Shall we meet there or…?"

"I'll pick you up around seven, if that's okay?"

"More than," Tara answered. "I'll be looking f-forward to it all day."

"Me too," Willow said. She reached out a hand and ran it softly down Tara's arm and gave her hand a light squeeze before letting go. "Night, Tara."

"Good night, Willow," Tara said and waited until Willow turned the corner before closing her door.

Willow positively skipped back to Stevenson Hall, her hand still tingling from Tara's touch and bounced into her room. Buffy was sitting at her desk and studying for a change. The Slayer watched in amusement as Willow threw herself down on her bed and squeezed her stuffed teddy bear in happiness.

"Hey Willow," Buffy said with a laugh. "Good night?"

"The best," Willow sighed with joy.

"Special date with Oz?" Buffy asked.

Willow sat up and froze as she looked at her roommate in horror. "Oh god, Oz! I totally forgot all about him!"

Buffy stood up in alarm, immediately on Slayer alert. "What's wrong? He okay?"

Willow nodded numbly and whispered. "Yeah, he's with the Dingoes in L.A."

Buffy looked at Willow in confusion and asked, "Is everything all right?"

Willow nodded. "Yeah, I just forgot I was supposed to email him some research."

"Ah, okay then," Buffy said and then returned to her books.

For once Willow was glad her roommate leaned toward the self-absorbed side. She didn't have any idea how'd she explain to the Slayer about Tara. As the image of the blonde formed in her head, Willow felt her heart race. I've got a date with the prettiest girl in Sunnydale! she thought happily. Then her stomach churned in fear. I've also got a boyfriend. Can this get anymore complicated?

Jumping off the bed, Willow headed for the shower, her thoughts a mass of confusion.

What am I gonna do?