"Do you need the bucket?"

Xander looked at his best friend apprehensively. He held out the bucket in front of Willow and rubbed her back. The hyperventilating redhead shook her head and swallowed the lump in her throat.

"No. I'm fine, I'm fine. It's just that I've never been to one of these shindigs and I don't really know what to do and do I look ridiculous in this dress and I need to-.."

"Breathe." Faith interrupted. She glanced at the panicking girl through her windshield mirror and attempted an encouraging smile. "You look great, Red."

"Stunning even." Xander added.

Willow smiled shyly and wiped her sweaty palms against the car seat.

"Aren't you just a little bit nervous?" She asked Xander.

The boy next to her smiled widely.

"Not at all." His voice cracked, giving away his true feelings.

Willow raised an eyebrow at him.

"Fine. I'm breaking down inside and I want my mommy." He admitted in a high-pitched voice. He placed the bucket on his own lap and began to breathe deeply in and out.

Faith shook her head in wonder and turned right.

"Well if you guys still wanna puke, do it now cuz we're almost there."

Willow whimpered and fought Xander for the bucket. After a few moments of struggle, Xander admitted defeat and Willow took hold of the bucket as if it was a life-saver. The brunette in the front seat parked the car and smirked.

"Too late. We're here."

She turned off the engine and got out of the car. She opened the door next to Willow, crouched in front of her and held her hand.

"C'mon, Red, it'll be fine. Don't worry. You got me and Xander, right?"

The redhead whimpered again but slowly stepped out of the car anyway. Meanwhile, Xander already stood outside, his eyes darting nervously across the street.

It was obviously a high-class neighborhood and cars were parked everywhere. Several people were making their way to the only mansion showing life. Harmony's house.

"Alright, guys. Let's go. Just relax and have fun, alright?" Faith told her two friends and led the way. Xander and Willow walked closely behind her, almost fearfully watching their environment.

Harmony hovered in the large hallway, ready to greet any 'important' guests and throw out any partycrashers. She stood with a colorful cocktail in one hand and continuously chattering with anyone in the proximity.

"Glenn, hi! How's it going? Uh huh. That's great. Charlotte, hey! Oh. My. God. That dress is sooo cute! Hi Katie, did you see Charlotte's dress? It is sooo embarassing. Oh, hey Lana." Harmony kissed the air beside Lana's cheek and grabbed her friend's hand.

"Having fun?" Harmony asked and took another sip from her drink.

Lana nodded enthousiastically but her eyes kept darting behind Harmony.

"Yeah, this party is like totally great. And I love the band you set up in the den, it's like completely vinatagey!" She gushed. "Faith would totally love them. Have you seen her?"

Harmony shook her head.

"Nuh uh. But speaking of Faith..." Harmony took a step closer to Lana. "Do you like have a thing for her? Because I'm fine with it, girl on girl is the hottest thing in Europe now, you know? But like, other people could be incriminating, you know?"

Lana blinked at her friend. "You mean discriminating?"

"Whatever. Do you get what I'm saying though?"

Lana nodded and then smiled as she saw Faith entering the hall.

"Faith!" She squealed happily and ran over to her side. "I was afraid you wouldn't come." She admitted shyly.

The brunette grinned at the blonde and wrapped her arm over the girl's shoulder.

"And miss out on seeing you in that dress? Hell no." She whispered playfully in her ear. Lana blushed and eagerly wrapped her own arm around Faith's waist.

"Hey, Willow. Hi, Xander." She waved at the two.

Willow stood frozen by the door and Xander waved back nervously. As Lana dragged Faith into the next room, Harmony approached the two.

"Hey guys. I'll show you where the drinks are!" She smiled enthusiastically, grabbed Willow's hand and skipped away. Xander quickly followed after them.

"Was that Xander?" Buffy asked Cordelia as she they strolled into the hallway. The brunette cheerleader froze in her tracks and searched the hall almost like a predator.

"Where? Where?" She asked.

Buffy watched her friend's strange behavior and pointed at the door leading to the den.

"I think he went in there."

"Let's go." Cordelia said and briskly walked away.

Buffy rolled her eyes and walked after her.

The den was filled with teenagers. They were scattered around in little groups, talking to eachother, dancing or drinking. A local band stood on a small stage against the far wall and anounced a five minute break.

"Where is she?" Buffy mumbled and searched the spacious area with her eyes.

"She?" Cordy raised an amused eyebrow but let it pass as she noticed her blonde friend was too preoccupied looking around the room.

The brunette quickly spotted a nervous-looking Xander with Harmony and an even more nervous-looking Willow by the punchbowl.

"Ooh, there he is!" Cordy excitedly grabbed Buffy's arm and pointed at the brown-haired boy.

Buffy smirked.

"Why are you so excited that Xander's here?" She asked.

Cordelia let go of Buffy's arm and took a sip of her drink.

"I'm not. But I thought you were looking for him." She lied.

"No I wasn't. You were." Buffy answered.

Cordelia squinted at Buffy, annoyed.

"No I wasn't. You were." She repeated Buffy.

Buffy squinted back at her.

"No I wasn't. You w- There's Faith!" Buffy exclaimed and quickly left for the girl.