𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 ；𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆

I trudged up the school steps the next morning to see Xander and Willow standing near the entrance, most likely waiting for me.

When Willow noticed me she smiled, nudging Xander in his rib. He saw me and waved before they approached. I've known them since fifth grade. We've been best friends from back then until now—sophomore year.

"What's wrong, Katy?" Willow asked.

"Yeah," Xander agreed. "You look like you haven't slept in a week." His thumb runs across my cheek. "And there's a huge scratch right there."

I yawned, rubbing my eyes. "I couldn't sleep. Again."

Willow let out a small sigh. She knew exactly what I had meant by that, and so did Xander. They had always known about my different way of life, and never judged me for it. They had always kept my secret. I was grateful for that.

Willow's expression morphs into a giddy smile when she seems to have remembered something. "Have you talked to Greyson since he went back to California State?" She has a massive crush on my brother that has lasted since she was twelve and he was fifteen, and she just so happens to ask about him every chance she gets.

I nodded. "Yeah. He called this morning and said that he was coming down next weekend." My nuisance of an older brother was starting his sophomore year of college, working hard in hopes of getting a degree as a crime scene investigator. Why he wanted that job, I didn't know, but he said that he liked the idea of being able to help catch criminals and put, as he says, "the evil sons of bitches in their place". I, on the other hand, knew that it had something to do with our father.

"That's awesome!" Willow says, her smile gleeful. "Speaking of which, you and I haven't hung out in a while. Maybe I could come over when Greyson's home and tell him hey—"

"I saw that new girl earlier," Xander interrupts as we sat down on a nearby bench. I was thankful for his intervention. I didn't want to hear any more of Willow's fantasies that involved my older brother. "Pretty much a hottie."

"Ah, so now you have another girl to hopelessly crush on," I teased. Xander was often infatuated with girls he didn't have a chance with. His most recent crush was on Maria, a girl in our sophomore English class. As expected, it didn't turn out well whenever he admitted his feelings for her.

He frowned at my comment, turning to Willow. "I had a little trouble with the math."

"I can second that," I piped up. I wasn't the best at school, but math was always my worst subject.

"Uh, which part?" Willow asked.

"Math. Can you help me out tonight, please be my study buddy?"

Willow pretended to think it over. "What's in it for me?"

I dug a quarter out of my pocket. "If you help us, you'll be twenty-five cents richer," I told her, making Xander chuckle.

Willow nodded. "Okay. Do you have Theories In Trig? You should check it out."

Xander furrowed his brows. "Check it out?"

"From the library, Xand," I responded. "You know that."

He sighed, looking around the quad, before brightening. "Right, I'm there! See, I want to change."

"You guys meet me at the library during lunch," Willow told us. "I can help you then."

I nod, but then frown whenever I see a familiar face walking towards us. "Yuck. Cordelia."

"Hey, Katy," Cordelia called, smirking. "Nice jacket. Where'd you get it, Goodwill?"

"It's my dad's," I replied. "And he would be very proud if he heard you say that." Cordelia stalked off with an eye-roll, making me smile in triumph. I always loved to mess with her. Maybe it was because she was so rude to everyone else that I liked to give her a taste of her own medicine.

"There's a new librarian here," Willow spoke up. "He got here yesterday. He supposedly had worked at a British museum—or maybe the British Museum, I'm not sure. I'm rambling, aren't I?" She soon realized, blushing.

Xander and I chuckled. The bell rang and we stood up, heading to our first class.

♱  ♱  ♱

In the third period, the teacher had begun her lesson on The Black Plague. "Now if you'll turn to page 63 you can see the map that shows the disease spreading through Rome and the North..." She continued her lesson and I glanced at Xander, who looked like he was ready to stab himself with his pencil.

The new girl that Xander had identified to be the 'hottie' sitting beside me looked around the room, seeing the students take out their books. I got my textbook out of my backpack and slid it to the middle of the black table so we could share it.

She smiled, flashing a row of pearly white teeth. "Thank you."

"No problem," I whispered back.

The bell rang once again. Kids poured out of the classroom and into the hall.

The new girl headed into the direction of the cafeteria, following Cordelia. They were talking amongst one another, but I grabbed her arm, stopping her from walking any further.

"I'd advise you not to eat the food here," I told her. "And to not associate with Cordelia. She's not the best person to show you around here." She chuckled, facing me.

"I'm Buffy." She held out a hand for me to shake and I did.

"Katy."

We walked down the hall. "If you need a textbook, there's plenty in the library." I remind her. "I was heading that way to meet my friends. You can come if you want."

Buffy smiled. "Okay."

We began walking down the hall only to bump into Cordelia again. "Buffy, what are you doing?" she asks with a sneer.

Buffy gestured to me. "She's taking me to the library."

"Oh, I could've done that—"

"Hate to desert this riveting conversation," I spoke up, "But we have to get Buffy a textbook." I grabbed Buffy's arm and pulled her down the now empty hallway.

I shoved open the library doors and stepped inside to see Willow having a conversation with who I guessed to be the new librarian. Xander was sitting down at the table, staring off into space. I cleared my throat, making our presence known. When Xander saw Buffy standing beside me his eyes widened slightly.

"Hey ladies," he said nervously as she sat in the chair across from him. I occupied the one beside Willow.

I lean towards Xander. "It only takes one girl to turn you into a babbling idiot, doesn't it?" I whispered. He didn't respond, only continued to stare at Buffy.

"Hi Katy," Willow acknowledged my presence, giving me a small smile.

I waved in response and looked at the librarian.

"Hello." He said in a thick British accent. "I'm Sunnydale's newest librarian."

I grin. "I'm Katy. Pleasure meeting you, Mr. Librarian—"

He held up his hand, motioning me to stop. "Please, call me Giles."

I hesitated, nodding my head. "Cool name."

I turned back to Willow. "I guess you should help us with the homework now," I said, glancing at Xander.

Then, I glance over at Buffy. "And the new girl needs a textbook," I told Giles, gesturing in her direction.

He stood up. "Yes, I suppose so. Follow me, Buffy." She did.

Willow opened her textbook that was laying on the table. I set my backpack down on the table, taking out paper for myself and Xander.

"Thanks, Katy," he told me as I set it in front of him. I smile in return.

We each got out pencils and Willow began helping us with the homework, trying to finish before lunch was over.