The ride to LA in the ambulance had been a torture for Dawn. Los Angeles was only two hours away from Sunnydale. But to her it felt like an eternity. She got settled into her new room which was exactly like the old one. Same issues with the lack of color. She was greeted by Dr. Burkle, a beautiful young woman with dark hair. She explained to them that Dr. Wyndam-Prize was going to perform the transplant. But she was the one that was going to monitor Dawn's condition until a donor was found. Dawn liked this woman much better than she liked Dr. Shultz. She seemed so gentle and friendly.
Dawn was left alone for a couple of hours because Buffy was staying at their cousin's apartment and they needed to make the arrangements. Faith was the same age as Buffy, but they were so different. Faith was a rebel. She worked as a bartender at a club so Dawn guessed Buffy would find her asleep even though it was past noon. Buffy on the other hand, had always been little miss perfect. Dawn wished Buffy was more like Faith sometimes. She loved her sister, but she was such a snob.
Dawn was bored out of her head when she decided to take a little tour around the hospital. She grabbed a wheelchair not only because she thought it was fun. But also because her heart was too weak and any physical activity could become a problem.
She was happily wandering around the place when she saw a boy around her age. He was on a wheelchair like her. He had blue eyes and beautiful facial features. But he had no hair. It was pretty obvious that the boy had cancer. He looked pale and weak. Dawn's smile quickly disappeared and she felt a knot form in her stomach. Here she was acting like if everything was just a game when kids her age were dealing with something so horrible like cancer. Her mom had died from cancer and Dawn was kinda glad that she didn't live enough to look like him. He seemed miserable and Dawn felt the need to say something. She cautiously moved closer to the boy who was staring out a big window. She was ready to introduce herself when the boy turned to her.
"What are you looking at?" He said glaring at her.
"I-I-I just wanted to say hi" She replied awkwardly.
"Go away stupid girl. I'm not here to make friends" said the boy furiously.
"Hey! I'm not stupid. I just wanted to be nice." Dawn complained. She felt hurt by the stranger's words. What was his problem?
"Well, I don't need your pity. Get lost" He responded.
"Whatever. You're an idiot" And with that Dawn was ready to turn around and leave. But she was interrupted by a man approaching them.
"Connor!" He yelled. "I've been looking for you everywhere. Where have you been? You're late for your chemo session."
"I'm not going. What's the point? I'm not getting any better". The boy with cancer who had been rude to Dawn replied. His look full of sadness and humilliation.
"Don't say that. Come on" The man said taking the boy away.
Dawn dropped her gaze. The scene she just had witnessed made her feel uneasy. She had been so angry at the boy a minute ago. But now her heart was aching for him again. Maybe she was right and he was an idiot. But he certainly didn't deserve that. No one did. He probably had been dealing with this for a long time. No wonder he was so angry.
Dawn was lost in her thoughts when a manly voice with a strange accent interrupted her. "Well, that was awkward". She raised her view to see a weird guy with bleached hair and a long leather coat.
"Who are you?" She inquired frowning.
"My name's William. But everyone calls me Spike." He reveled with a friendly smile.
"Spike? What a stupid nickname". Dawn commented.
"Well, I like it". He replied slightly uncomfortable. "So, what about you? Do you have a name?"
.
"I'm Dawn" She replied shaking hands.
"Nice to meet you bit." Spike said.
"Hey! Don't call me that" She told him annoyed.
"What's wrong with bit? It's cool" He argued.
"Fine." She said rolling her eyes. "I gotta go. My sister will be back soon and she'll kill me if I'm not there. Nice to meet you Spike, bye"
"See you around bit" He told her.