Starting Line
by Rin
Starting Line
[reviews]
A/N: I wrote this (or am still writing this) for a challenge. I want to continue this story through all seven seasons, adding only the characters that appeared during that season. Here's what I have so far for season One...
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Waking up was never easy for Willow Rosenberg. It was always the hardest part of the day, especially after a good night's sleep. Today was no different, as she grumbled her protest to the rising sun's attempts to wake her through the window. However, once her alarm clock showed there wasn't enough time to hit snooze again, Willow Rosenberg was a completely different person. She was chipper, and eager to start her daily ritual of school, homework, and computer time. Her parents were away on a conference tour this month, starting out on the East Coast today, if she has the dates remembered correctly. As she hopped the few blocks to school, she passed by her best friend's house, knowing Xander was probably waiting until the last minute to crawl out of bed, barely making it to class on time. It was just another typical start to another typical day in Sunnydale, California.
That was until lunch...
Xander was out with Jesse, probably skipping the rest of school, or torturing the other girls in the hallways. They weren't bad looking guys but they brought repulsion with them everywhere they went; at least it seemed that way at times. If they'd clean up a little, maybe shower before school instead of waiting until the last minute, throwing on yesterday's jeans, and whatever t-shirt was lying around...then, maybe they'd have a better shot. Willow didn't see anything wrong with them but the shallow girls they chased after sure did.
Getting ready to tackle her banana, Willow just watched all Sunnydale High's inhabitants like she did every day. Alone, under the tree, on this same bench. Unless they needed help with school, people avoided her like the plague, too. Of course, she wasn't trying to fit in, or push herself into the popular crowd by any means. This redhead liked her alone time. Xander, Jesse, and Amy were all the friends she really needed, even if she did prefer her computer most of the time to the shenanigans of teenage boy hormones. Just as she was about to sigh deeply, content in her lack of surrounding people, a shadow approached cautiously. Looking up, she noticed the new girl standing there, waving at somebody. Willow looked around, thinking she was waving at somebody else...but clearly, she was the only one in this area. She always was.
"Um...hi, I don't mean to butt in on your lunch. You looked like you were in happy land...but um...you're Willow, right?" The blonde waited for a response but Willow was still dumbfounded that her daily routine was interrupted.
"Oh, um...yeah. Hi. Did you want me to move?" Willow hoped this wasn't the case. This was HER spot but she wasn't assertive enough to tell the new girl the lay of the lunch land.
"No, you don't have to move." The blonde girl smiled at her, and sat down on the bench beside her. "I'm Buffy."
"Willow. Um...did you need a pencil, or something?" Willow started to put her half-eaten banana down but Buffy touched her arm, halting the process.
"Am I bothering you? Do you want ME to move?" Buffy looked at the redhead with a sort of hopeful, puppy-dog look. "It's just...I have this wicked craving to survive here, and I was told you were the one to ask for help."
"Oh, you mean like school stuff?! I can totally do that." Willow was relieved that she wouldn't have to move but the interruption in her routine was duly noted. "What did you need help in
exactly?"
"Um...everything?" Buffy's sheepish look was enough to make Willow give a toothy grin. "I just moved here, obviously...and there's this thing where teachers don't slow down for new kids. I'm expected to just...pick right up, and I was thinking you could help me get up to speed."
"I can do that. You wanna meet in the library, maybe after school?" It would cut into her studies but it's not like she wouldn't have been helping Xander anyways.
"Um...actually, I have to go straight home after school, barring there isn't some major apocalypse." Buffy winced, almost apologetic.
"Oh, well...um..." Willow didn't know what to say, which was odd for a girl that always said something, even when nervous. It was obvious Buffy was serious about not staying after school, and the redhead didn't want to push.
"I was thinking, I don't know...maybe you could come home with me instead? Teach me the lay of the land even. My mom drove me to school, and I wasn't really paying attention. You could walk with me, tell me all about the town? I mean... that is if your mom didn't drive you, or picks you up, or that you don't have any other plans. It's okay if you do..." Buffy was babbling. It was if the tables had turned on Willow, and she had to wonder if she was that cute when she babbled.
"No, that's okay. I guess. I mean... you don't come across as the psycho killer type. Although, if you were, you wouldn't act like you were if you really wanted me to..." Willow was halted by Buffy's hand again.
"It's okay. If you're not comfortable, we can do it another time." Buffy looked at Willow, as though seeing something charming or adorable. "Thanks for not thinking I'm the psycho killer type. I'll take that as a compliment."
"It's okay if you don't want me to help you now. I know I'm a spaz." Willow ducked her head. She'd never had this long of a conversation with anybody else she'd ever tutored. Matter of fact, everybody else was 'my way, or the highway' when it came to her, even Xander to some degree. However, it seemed like this Buffy girl was giving her a choice. She wasn't threatening her into helping, or trying to act superior. No, this obviously popular-crowd-type stranger was treating her like a person. "You were hanging out with Cordelia earlier anyways."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Buffy was different than the rest of the popular crowd. She seemed baffled by Willow's statement.
"Well, you wouldn't want her to see you talking to me." Willow ate her banana to keep herself from babbling.
"Cordelia's been nice; to me, anyways...but like I said earlier, I have this strong desire not to flunk out." Buffy was referring to their earlier encounter at the water fountain, where the Queen C decided to put Willow in her place for the second time that day, only with the new girl by her side this time. "Am I getting that you don't want to hang out with me?"
"You don't have to hang out with me just to get me to help you." Willow was running out of banana fast.
"Who says I don't wanna hang out with you just because...? I mean, sure...I have an added need of help...but maybe I genuinely find you interesting." Buffy cocked her head to the side, studying Willow's every move.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to imply that you were the type of person that would do that. It's just. I'm used to that in the past, and I'm saying that you don't have to hang out with me just to get my help. I'd be happy to help regardless." Willow had somehow managed to dig herself into a hole, and this girl had peaked her interest BIG time. Not only was she being nice to her, she was absolutely gorgeous. Clean...unlike the boys. She smelled really great. Like sandalwood and vanilla with a hint of something...unique. It was hard to place. All of a sudden, Willow became completely aware of the other girl's presence.
"It's okay. I know what you meant." Buffy relaxed a bit, settling more in the area. "Don't let me interrupt your lunch. You can eat and talk at the same time, can't you?"
"I don't wanna be rude..." Willow gave Buffy a sheepish grin but she was really hungry, so she dug out her sandwich and carrots. "Would you like one?"
"Oh, no thanks. I ate my lunch last period on my free." Buffy smiled at Willow. "Thanks, though."
"You're welcome." Willow devoured her sandwich. She felt hungrier than usual for some reason. Maybe it was the fact that she was off schedule from talking to Buffy. "What time did you wanna meet and where?"
"So...you're gonna help me?" Buffy's eyes lit up, and they almost had a glow to them. Willow couldn't help but stare at them.
"Of course...I said I would. Besides, you'll wanna get caught up as soon as possible, so you don't get even further behind. I don't like that feeling, and I couldn't imagine what you must be going through right now." Willow found herself back in the comfort zone.
"It's a big, panicky headache." Buffy smiled again. "How about we meet here when the last bell rings? We can walk to my house from here. It's not that far."
"Nothing's far in Sunnydale. You're in walking distance to everything." Willow could see Xander and Jesse making their way over to them, grins on their faces that showed their obvious intent: the hot new girl. Luckily, Principal Flutie saved the day, as he dragged them to his office for some good, old-fashioned discipline for skipping school yesterday.
"Sounds great." The bell rang, indicating that their lunch period was over, and they both gathered their things. "So...I'll meet you here after school, and we'll start with the learning."
"Yep." Willow gave out her second toothy grin of the day, in a short span of fifteen minutes, no less. This typical day had already turned into something completely different.
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Buffy Summers didn't know what to expect on her first day in this new school but she definitely didn't think everybody would want to know everything there was to know about her. Cordelia Chase had hung onto her every word, as though she was the coolest person alive just because she was from Los Angeles. She was really nice to her but Buffy wanted something new. She had outgrown the 'I'm the queen, you're my followers' phase back at Hemery High. It was time to prove to her mom that she wasn't really a troublemaker. It was hard enough convincing her that she hadn't really burned down the school gym.
When she'd expressed interest to her teachers that she'd like help getting caught up, there was one name that was unanimous: Willow Rosenberg. She'd remembered Willow from their earlier encounter with Cordelia at the water fountain. When lunch came around, she searched the entire quad and cafeteria but to no avail. The redhead was nowhere to be found. Buffy was about to give up when she spotted the girl sitting by herself underneath the shade of a giant tree.
Once they started talking, Buffy had started flirting, hoping to charm the redhead into liking her. She couldn't believe she was genuinely flirting with this nerdy girl but sure enough, the blonde was working her best introduction moves. The ones that made all the boys (and a few girls) back at Hemery High swoon, and become putty in her hands. This girl was different, though. She wasn't falling for it, and that piqued Buffy's interest big time.
They'd decided to meet after school in this spot, and walk to Buffy's house. As the blonde checked her watch for the third time, she was surprised to find that she was eager to see the redhead again. She seemed so...quirky and fun. Buffy was used to bitchy and whiny. Yes, it was definitely time for a change, and she might've found that in her new tutor.
"Hey, sorry I'm late. I was helping Ms. Calendar in the computer lab." Willow was hugging her books, as she made her way towards Buffy.
"You're not late. I was super early." Buffy noticed that when Willow didn't slouch, they were about the same height. "Ready to show me the town?"
"When you are!" The redhead hugged her books tighter, and walked Buffy home, rambling on and on about Sunnydale, and the strange things that happen here. When they got to Revello Drive, Willow noticed there was no car in the driveway. "Is your mom not home?"
"She must be working later. She's opening up an art gallery downtown, so that keeps her pretty busy, I'd imagine." Buffy unlocked her front door, and ushered the redhead inside. Boxes were everywhere, fresh from their moving day yesterday. "Can I get you something to drink, eat? Anything?"
"Um...no, thanks." Willow blushed, as Buffy shut the door. She didn't know why, though.
"You sure? It's not a problem. I'm getting myself some juice anyways." Buffy walked into the kitchen, leaving Willow standing there in an awkward glance. "Sorry about the mess. Just moved in, and all."
"That's okay. Um...where did you wanna study, though?" Willow looked around, and noticed the couch had things on it, the dining table had things on it, and even the kitchen's island bar was stacked.
"We can go up to my room. It's unpacked. I couldn't sleep last night." Buffy came in from the kitchen, and handed Willow a glass of orange juice. "Here. I know you said you didn't want anything but I took the liberty of mixing you a drink anyways."
"Mixing? What's in this?" Willow was about to panic. Was Buffy trying to give her alcohol? Maybe she was wrong about the psycho killer thing.
"Two parts orange, one part grapefruit. The Buffy special." Buffy handed Willow the glass, and the redhead took it hesitantly. "It's okay. There's no alcohol in there, if you're worried about that. Mom would kill me if she found out I already know where she's hidden the Peach Schnapps."
"Oh...um. Thanks." Willow took a sip, and was relieved that there indeed was no alcohol. "The Buffy Special?"
"My mom used to make it for me when I was sick, and I got addicted." Buffy touched Willow's elbow slightly, and motioned for her to move up the stairs. "If you're not comfortable with this...since you just met me today, we can meet in the library tomorrow morning."
"No, no I'm here. This is okay. I'm okay. Everything's okay." Willow wasn't sure if she was just trying to convince herself. Her other tutees just met her at the school, usually around the football field, where they'd have some sort of practice.
"I don't want you to panic. It's just schoolwork." Buffy opened her bedroom door, and became nervous all of a sudden. She hadn't been here one day, and already she had a girl up in her room. 'Moving kinda fast, aren't we?'
"I like your room. It's very...homey." Willow let out a sigh of relief. She was still worried she was walking into a trap. She laid her backpack down by the bed, and looked around at the different decorations. It was if Buffy had lived here for years already. Reaching over, she picked up the little pink pig from the bed.
"Oh, that's Mr. Gordo." Buffy walked over, and sat on the bed next to Willow.
"Buffy? Who is this?" Mrs. Summers had come out of nowhere, it seemed. The worry in her voice showed the concern for her daughter's choice in friends.
"Oh, Mom. This is Willow. She's gonna help me catch up in my classes." Buffy watched Willow start to turn into a beet, and became worried for the girl. "Willow, this is my mom."
"Oh, uh...hi, Mrs. Summers. I'm just going to help Buffy study, and I'll be gone. We'll be quiet. You won't even know I'm here. Well, you do know that I'm here but you could pretend like I'm not. That is, if you want to pretend like I'm not. That's not to say that you want to, or implying that you would." Willow stopped when Buffy's hand squeezed her knee.
"It's okay. Just make sure all you do is study." Joyce eyed Buffy suspiciously, especially after the knee touch. She wasn't worried about Willow; she was worried about her daughter. "I'll call when dinner is ready."
"Okay, mom." Buffy watched her mother shut the door, and noticed Willow had a baffled face. "What?"
"What did your mom mean by, 'just make sure all you do is study?'" Willow started fidgeting with her fingers, as her curious nature took over her previous babble fest.
"Oh, she's just being the concerned parent. You know how they are..." Buffy noticed the forlorn look Willow cast, and felt like she'd put her foot in her mouth. "Oh, god...Do you not..."
"No, no...I do. Well, sorta. I mean, they're both still living if that's what you mean, and I do live in their house. It's just that they're never home, and when they are, they might as well be gone." Willow turned out of parent territory quick. "So...what'd you want to start with?"
"Oh...well, I was thinking history, and then we could segue into the present." Buffy started digging through her books. "It was cool to see you in my classes this afternoon. At least I know you'll have some clue where I'm at, and we won't have to do this cold turkey."
They went about studying for almost two hours with no breaks. Buffy found she was already up to speed in history, since she'd taken the same course last semester at Hemery. She was okay in Algebra once Willow showed her how to solve the problems. When they got to English? That was another story. The class was already halfway through a novel, and there was no way she'd catch up in time for the quiz tomorrow. Willow mentioned that the teacher would probably give her an extension, since it was only her second day of class.
At about six, Buffy's mom called them down for dinner. Joyce invited Willow to stay for dinner, and after much coercing, and convincing the girl that she'd just have to make something for herself later (since her parents were away), the redhead agreed. She was quiet through most of dinner, being completely polite, and answering all of Joyce's questions. Willow found out Buffy's parents were divorced, that Buffy was a troublemaker at her old school, and they'd moved to Sunnydale to start anew. The redhead wanted to smile when she noticed the exasperated look Buffy kept giving her mom throughout the conversation. She'd only known her one day but she could tell this blonde girl wasn't really a troublemaker, and that her mom didn't really believe that she was, either. Maybe they both just needed a fresh start.
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The next day at school, Willow was surprised to find Buffy interrupting her lunch routine again. The blonde found her, and sat down on the bench beside her. The redhead was a little worried, especially when she saw Cordelia Chase across the quad looking at them. Living in fear every day of the Queen of Sunnydale High wasn't exactly the best extracurricular activity. At least she hadn't threatened her into tutoring her.
"Something wrong?" Buffy looked at Willow with concern. The girl had barely said two words since she'd sat down. "Did we scare you last night? I know my mom can come on strong but she's just trying to interrogate my friends before I make them."
"Friends?" Willow gave Buffy a disbelieving look.
"Well...if you want another friend, I hope I'd be up for your consideration." Buffy smiled at the girl, a flirty grin.
"Oh...well, I just thought you'd want help. I didn't think you'd really wanna hang out with me. I mean...I told you about my friends when you walked me home last night. We're the losers here, and you're...not." Willow tried her hardest not to stare at Buffy but it was so hard when the blonde smirked like that. "I mean...Cordelia obviously invited you into her crowd, which people have tried for years to do. Don't let me spoil your chance at popularity."
"I had my chance at that. I was worse than Cordelia, I assure you." Buffy rolled her eyes at the memories. She was trying to forget how shallow she was once upon a time. "So...it's a Friday night, and I have no plans as of yet..." Buffy hoped Willow picked up the hint but the redhead appeared clueless. "That was a hint for you to tell me what you were up to, so I could find out if I should ask you to make plans with me..."
"Oh. OH! Um...well, I was going to study, maybe play on the computer a little. I might rent a movie, or there's the Bronze. I think Xander said something about wanting to go tonight." Willow looked around for him but remembered he and Jesse had lunch detention. They had to help the lunch ladies slop out the mashed potatoes in the cafeteria today.
"Cordelia mentioned something about the Bronze. I might check it out...but only if you promise to be my date." Buffy looked at Willow's dumbfounded look. "Well, I don't wanna look like an idiot when I walk in the door by myself, do I? I'm entitled to maintain a little bit of shallowness."
"Well, I mean..."
"Come on, Will...we'll have fun. You can show me the rest of Sunnydale." Buffy realized she'd already given the girl a nickname but the redhead didn't seem to mind.
"Um...okay." Willow was still baffled by the date comment. "I guess so. I mean... I probably would've gone anyways because of Xander."
"Oh, are you and Xander...um...together?" Buffy didn't mean to sound saddened by the news but the way the redhead talked about the boy, it appeared there was no shot at an eventual play for her new redheaded friend. 'And she's the only one that's really piqued my interest...'
"No, I mean we did but we broke up." Willow was so serious.
"What happened?" Buffy's curious nature tended to dig her heartbreak further.
"He stole my Barbie." At Buffy's odd look, Willow explained. "Oh, we were five."
"So, which way is it to the Bronze? Should I pick you up, or vice versa?" Buffy switched subjects quick, or else she'd get ahead of herself. Her heart was already racing.
"It'd probably be best if I picked you up. It's only a few blocks to downtown from your house. Closer than mine." Willow couldn't believe she'd agreed to be sociable.
"Great...how does eight sound? Unless you want dinner first. I'm sure mom wouldn't mind. She was quite charmed by you. I'm afraid you're going to be a good influence on me, Willow Rosenberg." Buffy smirked, and couldn't help the sexy tone her voice conveyed. It seemed natural to flirt with Willow. The most natural thing in the world.
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When Willow rang the doorbell, she didn't expect Mrs. Summers to escort her in the house. The older lady offered her something to drink, and began the interrogation early. Where are you going? When will you be back? What are you going to do? That sort of thing. The redhead had never been interrogated before...it really was like a date, only it wasn't. Well, she didn't think it was. She hadn't really changed her clothes from school, just grabbed a sweater to go over her jumper. If this was really a date, if Buffy was really serious, then Willow might've changed. Maybe.
"Ready to go?" Buffy stopped her mother's next question, as she descended the stairs. Willow had to blink. The blonde had changed outfits, and fixed her hair. 'Oh, no...this is a date...wait, a date? I'm on a date? Like...a real date?' Buffy had to break her out of her thoughts. "Willow, you still with me?"
"Oh, um...yeah. I'm ready." Willow walked towards the door but Buffy was held back by her mother, getting the 'be home by eleven' speech.
"Don't do anything stupid, Buffy. I don't think that girl knows you like her." Joyce smoothed one of Buffy's wild hairs down.
"I hope she knows that I like her." Buffy smiled with such innocence.
"You know what I mean, Buffy. I don't want another Hilary incident, okay? We just moved. I don't need anymore threatening parent calls." Joyce fixed Buffy's jacket, and kissed her forehead. "This is your first friend here. Don't do anything to scare her away."
"It's not like I'm a vampire, Mom. I don't bite..." Buffy rolled her eyes.
"Just be careful. She seems like a lovely girl, and I wouldn't want you to ruin a potential friendship because of your little crushes." Joyce hugged her daughter. "Now, go have fun."
"I will." Buffy hugged her back. They'd definitely become closer since the divorce.
Making her way into the living room, Buffy explained that she was getting the curfew speech. Willow just nodded her head. She set her own curfew, so it was weird. The redhead wasn't used to parental discipline.
Once at the Bronze, they ordered drinks, and sat down at a nearby table. Buffy finally managed to get Willow to start chatting freely. Just as the redhead was going to explain why she had a hard time dating, Xander and Jesse interrupted the conversation. The boys had their lusty grins focused on Buffy, and Willow felt out of place, even around her best friend.
"Hello, ladies. Can we get you a refill?" Xander tried to be suave but he was a little too close for Buffy's liking.
"You must be Xander and Jesse. I've heard so much about you." Buffy smirked at Willow, who was shyly ducking her head. 'Is she trying to hide?'
"Only good things, I hope." Xander wedged himself between the two, and took a drink of Willow's juice. "Man, Will, drinking the hard stuff tonight, I see."
"Huh?" Willow hadn't ordered alcohol, she didn't think. She'd ordered the Buffy special. She had to explain it to the bartender. There was now an addiction, though she wasn't sure if it was to the drink, or Buffy herself. Her feelings were baffling her.
"So...ladies, care to dance?" Xander was solely focused on Buffy, who just shrugged, and figured...why not? It's a dance club, there should be dancing. Xander almost wet his pants when the blonde stood up and walked to the dance floor.
"Well, are you coming?" Buffy arched an eyebrow at him. He was just standing there dumbfounded, and Willow's eyes were panicky.
"Almost..." Xander managed to squeak out. His feet weren't cooperating. A beautiful girl had agreed to dance with him? This had never happened before...what was he supposed to do now?
"Well...get out there, doofus." Jesse was shocked, too...maybe a little jealous. If only he could get Cordelia to cooperate like that. He pushed Xander to get the boy moving. After all, this blonde wouldn't wait forever.
"Right." Xander moved, eyes wide. He found Buffy on the dance floor. "I'm Xander."
"I know. I'm Buffy. You're Willow's friend." Buffy started moving to the music, trying not to laugh as Xander attempted to dance.
"Yeah...we go way back." Xander knew he looked like an idiot but the girl hadn't run away yet, so that was a plus.
"Heard you stole her Barbie once." Buffy smirked. She was flirting again, only this time out of habit, and not genuine interest. "You broke her heart."
"Well, we were five..." Xander blushed. They were getting looks from disbelieving people that the Harris boy had scored. The two continued dancing for a few songs until Buffy decided it was time to give the boy a break. He looked exhausted.
"Let's get you something to drink before you pass out." They made their way back to the table, and Xander found Jesse, who gave him a slap on the back. "Well, that was fun. You should try it. See if you can keep up better than Xander."
"Oh, no. Dancing on me equals spaz." Buffy took Willow's hands, and pulled the protesting redhead back to the dance floor. When Willow just stood there stiff, Buffy took the initiative, and placed her hands on the redhead's hips, forcing her to wiggle them a bit.
"It's just dancing. You can't be any worse than Xander." Buffy smirked. Now she was flirting with meaning, as she ran her hands slightly up Willow's hips. Just as Buffy was about to give up, a slow song came on, and her eyes widened. 'Perfect...' "Here, you can surely slow dance. I'll even lead."
"Um..." Willow was in a state of shock, as she felt Buffy's hands run along her back, and pull her closer. They started to sway to the music, and the blonde's hot breath was right on her neck.
"See? You're not so bad." Buffy leaned her head back, and gouged Willow's reaction. The redhead's eyes were a mixture of heavy-lidded lusty and wide-eyed shock. Her breathing was strong, and her heartbeat was exceptionally fast. Her palm was sweaty but that didn't stop Buffy from continuing the sway. "You're a pro."
"Um, thanks?" Willow took a deep breath but instantly regretted it, as the scent of Buffy attacked all of her senses, confusing the redhead even more. Was she seriously crushing on Buffy for real? Or was it just because the blonde was being nice to her?
"I was thinking we could meet for coffee tomorrow...maybe at that place we passed on the way here. If you're not busy, that is..." Buffy thought back to what her mother had said, and decided to just be friends...for now. The seduction of Willow Rosenberg could be a slow process. Besides, it seemed the girl wasn't ready for any type of relationship beyond that. There was still much to be learned.