Chapter 4

Sunnydale California

October 29th

"I'm serious." Charlie grinned at John. "20 years from now you're still gonna be living with her. Probably running some creepy motel in the middle of nowhere." As they passed the pool table, he tapped Xander on the shoulder. "Hey we get next game okay?"

Xander nodded. As was usual for most Sunnydale youth, they were hanging out in the bronze. Charlie took a moment to admire the biker chick looking brunette playing against Xander. She smirked at at Charlie, and John elbowed him.

"Does this mean no Yosemite?" Sarah asked. "How can I get out of it?"

"Why don't you want to go?" Charlie asked her. He'd been kind of looking forward to getting away with his girlfriend for some romantic time in the woods.

"It's so lame. No, it's worse." She struggled for the words while they waited for the line at the bar to dwindle. "I went there like two summer's ago with my family...it's loathsome. No, even worse...it'll come to me. Wretched. No..."

John tuned her out. He ordered a drink for himself and for his girlfriend. He knew what she liked drink wise. After he got the drinks, he scanned the crowd for her. Finally he found her, looking a bit put out.

"Hey." he said, slipping one arm around her from behind, handing her a glass. "What's wrong?"

Molly started at being interrupted out of her reverie. "Oh, my dad flaked out on me again. Turns out I can't afford to go to Yosemite."

"You're not going?" Sarah said, arriving with her own drink. When Molly shook her head, Sarah sighed. "I'm not going."

"How are you going to get out of it?" Charlie inquired. He had plans on that score bubbling away already. "Hey wait, that means we could have a Halloween party, just the four of us. The whole school's going on this trip, it'll be empty. We could have, a roaming orgy." He wrapped his arms around Sarah who laughed.

"I love the way this man thinks."

October 30th

Snyder's speech was about what Buffy and her friends would have expected. It was somewhat akin to an old fashioned preacher's fire and brimstone. There was nothing about having fun, or even learning something. It was all about behaving themselves, and not getting into trouble. Or there would be trouble.

They didn't listen. For one thing, none of them were going. What they did instead, was discuss, in whispered tones, plans for the Halloween party. The one Giles had finally consented to allowing them to have in the library. Provided it was just them. That of course was not a problem for them. After all, with the exception of Cordelia and Oz, they didn't really have any other friends. And they managed not to be too sad about that.

"Should we dress up?" Cordelia asked.

"Uhm, I'm thinking no." Buffy said apprehensively. Giles had assured them all that the spell that had turned them all into their costumes the year before had been a one time occurrence. And that Ethan was not one to repeat a prank. But they were still rather wary of Halloween costumes.

"Darn." Oz muttered good naturedly. "I have the perfect costume."

"Maybe next year." Willow grinned.

In all the "excitement", no one noticed Ms. Tate and the guidance counselor sneak out.

It was almost, but not quite time for Ronnie to go do his rounds. But what was occupying his mind at the moment, was the latest chapter of his debut romance novel.

Ever since he'd been little, Ronnie had wanted to be a writer. But he'd never been able to settle into a niche genre wise. Eventually he'd decided to try for romance. It was a genre he felt he could make a mark in.

If only he could get past the bane of writers both professional and amateur, writer's block.

"Mr. Jones."

Ronnie had been so lost in thought he hadn't heard Snyder approaching. Damn the little weasley guy gave him the creeps.

"Mr. Snyder." He allowed the guy a bit of a startled reaction. He suspected the man liked getting that.

Snyder eyed the note pad. "Since you're on the clock, I sincerely hope that's a list of possible problem students."

"Actually I'm on my lunch break sir." Ronnie lied. "But now that you mention it, I was about to get ready for my rounds."

"I think that would be a good idea." Snyder agreed, eyes narrowed. "I know you haven't been working here long Mr. Jones so I'll be clear. I run a tight ship. I won't stand for any shenanigans, and any that do happen, I'll hold you responsible. Am I understood?"

"Perfectly sir." You creepy little leprechaun.


Angel eyed the wall hanging skeptically. "Buffy..."

Buffy smiled innocently. "I know, you guys don't celebrate Halloween but..."

The door sized poster was meant to hang on the outside of a door. It bore the picture of a witch stirring a cauldron.

"I thought it might brighten the place up."

Angel's expression didn't change. She sighed. "Okay so it's a bad joke. But points for trying right?"

"Could be worse. You could have gone with the Vampire."

"Please, give me some credit for taste."

Angel studied the decoration. "Don't let Willow find out you got that. Doubt she'd appreciate it."

"Well the holiday's just rife with stereotypes. Hey is that why Vampires and demons stay in on Halloween? They figure it's too tacky and commercial?"

"That's part of it I guess." Angel admitted. He went on to explain other reasons. Samhain being a very holy day once upon a time, people's guards being up more, wards and such.

Buffy only half listened. Her curiosity about the subject was very casual. This was mostly about getting him to talk. To sound normal and hopefully distract him from his ordeal. And maybe avoid the subject of when to tell her friends he was alive.

To Be Continued...