Giles was undecided about allowing Buffy to work with others and Buffy, herself, was all for it. Having other people she could fight with, let alone talk to about the things she dealt with was an intriguing idea. In the meantime, Cheerleader tryouts started.
"Cordelia's hoping to be named Head Cheerleader." Xander told Jesse, as the two of them patrolled.
"I'm unofficially boycotting the Cheerleader tryouts." Jesse answered. "So I won't be there watching them with you this year."
"Why are you boycotting them? Tryout day has always been one of our favorite days. Gorgeous girls getting bendy and stretchy. Cordelia modeled last years uniform for me. She's out grown it though and it's a little tight, not that I minded that fact. I did get doped slapped for having my eyeballs glued to her chest, but come on! How could they not be, I may love how her mind works and her dedication to tactlessness, but I'm a sixteen year old hormone bomb and she's physical perfection. It's a no brainer, which is why I cease to have a functioning brain when she dresses like that."
"I'm unofficially boycotting them for Amy's sake. It's a Good Boyfriend thing, after what her mother did to her just so she could relive her glory days as a cheerleader."
"Oh, yeah. Which reminds, I hope she stays gone because I'm still afraid I made the wrong choice in letting her go. Amy would have had a hard time forgiving me for killing her mother even after what her mother had done to her, but she's unstable and desperate to be a Hexenbiest again. That's a scary combination."
"Amy's worried about it too." Jesse said sadly. "She's struggling, which is one of the reasons I'm being supportive boyfriend right now. The tryouts are reminding her of her mother and she's worried people are going to get hurt or die because we spared her mother's life for Amy's sake. I argued against killing her too, Xan, it's not all on you. I helped convince Uncle Rory we should let her go. And he didn't want to kill her either, but would have because he thought it was the best solution. And that's based on his years of experience."
"On the bright side, driver's tests are coming up. We'll soon have our licenses, not that we have any cars to drive." Xander finished gloomily, in a change of subject. "I mean I can borrow Dad's or Uncle Rory's to take Cordy out once in awhile. Her Dad's promised to buy her a car once she passes it herself and she's got her eye on a little convertible, she showed me pictures of it. I've got to admit, it's a pretty car."
"Maybe we should get day jobs this summer and save up to buy a couple of cars." Jesse suggested. "We could even save money and buy a couple of clunkers from Uncle Rory's junkyard and being a mechanic, he could help us fix them up. It never hurts to know how to fix your own car. Hey, I think it's one of those practical life skills mature adults are suppose to know. Does that mean we're working on being mature adults ourselves? That's a scary thought. When you were reaming that Watcher dude out you mentioned yours and Cordy's possible grandkids and now I'm talking about practical life skills. Is this how it happens? You grow up without noticing you're growing up?"
"Maybe. On the other hand, we've had to deal with some pretty adult ideas since last summer and we don't have any choice but to continue dealing with adult ideas. Just being who we are, me a Grimm and you, my best friend. Sometimes I wonder if not telling you about all of this might have been better and than I remember Willow. We didn't tell her because Wesen and Grimms are a secret and for a good reason, the public could turn on us so easily and lump us in with demons. But not telling her also left her vulnerable, she couldn't recognize a vampire on sight like you've learned how to, or protect herself from one. It's a no win situation and like Kirk, I hate them. Right now, I just don't see another solution. Do you regret me bringing you into all this, just because I wanted my best friend's help and support?"
"No. I could have walked away and pretended you never said anything. But I wouldn't have what I've gained. A relationship with Amy, confidence in myself and what I can do. The skills to defend myself and others. My only regret is that we didn't tell Willow. But she died knowing we loved her as our psuedosis."
"Psuedosis?"
"Substitute sister."
"Very much our little sister." Xander agreed sadly. "Forever."