**********
Prologue:
Starting Over
**********

September 28,1996

Journals are for people who don't have anything better to do than write
about themselves and what they've done. Journals are pretty pathetic if ya
ask me. They're for people who don't know how to deal. Journals are not my
thing. It's not like I wanna be writing in this stupid thing. I got better
things to do. But Doc, here, is freaking making me. It's part of my
'after care program'. What-the fuck-ever. But Doc's OK. That's why I'm
doing it, it's the least I could do. She's been good to me. Don't know why.
Never had many people that cared.

Doc tells me that it's better for me to write about my feelings than just
holdin' it all in. She's says it would be best if I just get it all out in
a way that doesn't include beating the crap outta everyone I meet. But she
doesn't get me, hell I don't get me. All I know is, shit happens. I deal.
I move on. Lingering on emotions just makes people weak. It messes with
their heads and they can't think straight anymore. Like my mom.

I mean before Dad died everything was all five by five. We were a family.
Typical, happy all-American family. I was nine when we found out Dad had
cancer. He died four mouths after he was diagnosed. Everything went
fucking down hill from there. Mom couldn't keep up with the bills, so we
had to sell the house and in exchange, we got a trailer. Fucking first
class, right? Even then, bills were piling up. Then mom met the bastard,
Frankie.

Frankie had plenty of money, of course he sold drugs to get it. The bastard
seemed everything but fucking human. When he wasn't high or drunk....well,
I wouldn't know, on the count of he was always high or drunk.

As soon as the bastard moved in, he started ordering me around like I was his
own personal maid. And when I didn't do something right or do it fast
enough, I became his own personal punching bag. Mom always tried to stop
him, but he beat her too. I got used to it. By the time I was eleven, the
bruises and cuts were like a second skin. Mom only stayed with him 'cause
bills got paid, he kept a roof over our head and food on the table. But I
would've gladly starved to death in the pouring rain then go through
everything he put me through.

There's one day that I've never talked about and I never will.

I just turned twelve and Frankie had his guys over, drinking, smoking, and
playing poker or something. Just like every other week. I, of course,
acted as their personal slave, bringing them beer and whatever. Frankie lost
at his hand but he didn't have the cash or the dope to back it up. So he
offered me and my mom.

There were five of them. The first guy raped mom right there. Right in
front of me. I would've killed myself right then and there if the fat guy
wasn't holding onto me. They all got their turn with her. Then they did me.
God, I don't care how goddamn drunk off their asses they were, this was
beyond wrong. The bastard just sat in the corner the whole time drinking
himself dead. After they were done with me, they left. Mom cried the whole
time. I didn't make a sound. I wouldn't give those assholes the
satisfaction. When Frankie finally got his drunk ass up, he saw mom crying
so he hit her and told her to shut up. When she didn't, he got hold of her
throat and started strangling her. I ran into the bedroom and grabbed
Frankie's pistol. Without thinking twice, I shot the bastard in the back of
the head. But like always, it wasn't good enough. Mom was already dead. I
fucking hate myself for that. For not being able to save her when she
needed me.

I got put into foster homes after that. I've never stayed in the same place
for too long. I say two months was the longest I've ever stayed anywhere
and that was in juvenile. Now I'm 15, and I've been going to counseling for
a couple months. That's where Doc comes in. Honestly, the counseling ain't
doing shit for me but the Doc's nice. She listens to me so I keep coming
back.

But today was my last visit.

See, it turns out when I think all I got in the world is myself, I got an
aunt, Mom's sis. Her name is Jennifer Calendar. I got a pic of her, looks
like Mom but younger. She lives in California. A town called Sunnydale or
something like that. Sounds corny as hell but that's the place I'm gonna
be going to when I say good-bye to Boston. I don't know why she's been
looking for me but she has. I don't know what's going to happen when I get
there. Maybe things will start getting better for me or maybe life will
just decide to knock me right back on my ass like always. I think it's worth
a shot though, after all what the hell do I got to lose?

Faith

**********

September 28, 1996

Dear Diary,

This will be my last entry, since this book is filled with all the happy
times of my childhood, I don't want to mess it up with all the not-so-happy
times coming my way.

The divorce was messy, as I expected. Mom pretty much got everything,
including me. Though, Dad really didn't seem to mind that part of the deal.
I guess I'll be lucky if I ever see Dad again.

To make matters even worse, Mom sold the house and we're moving. And does
she even think to ask me? NO! Of course not! I'm feeling sooo offended.

Why does my mother seem set on destroying the oh-so-beautiful life that I've
established for myself? I'm one of, if not the most popular girl in school,
I've got the most fashionable friends, the smartest nerds to do my homework,
and the most gorgeous guys that would give their right arm to go out with
me. All of that is going down the drain just because some old guy died and
left Mom a store. Tragic, isn't it?

Oh, but it gets better! The town we're moving to is called Sunnydale!!! I
mean eeww! That is so sitcom-from-the-40s-ish. Now I get to tell people,
"Hey! I'm Buffy Summers, I live in Sunnydale."

I hope Mom knows that this can only mean that she'll be receiving huge bills
from the shrink I'll be needing.....I really feel like hurting something
severely right now.

Well, at the age of 16, my life is officially over, because hey, I've just
lost everything.

Traumatized for Life,
Buffy

**********

The dark girl stood alone in the cold, merciless streets of Boston. The
rain pounding down on her while she waited for her bus. No one else in
their right mind would be out this time of night in this part of Boston
where the pimps were kings and the druggies were business men.

But Faith really couldn't help the situation much. That should show how
much her foster parents of this month cared for her. They just dumped her
off, no cash, and no good-bye. Not that Faith would want it any other way.

'Assholes.' Faith thought as she hugged her old denim jacket closer to her.

Luckily Faith wouldn't be dealing with those people ever again and,
hopefully, she wouldn't be dealing with any other state or foster homes.

'Now all I gotta do is figure out a way not to fuck this up.'

Could it all really be that simple?

***********

"Mom," the blonde teenager whined. "Can we please reconsider this whole
moving thing?!"

Joyce Summers closed her trunk, completing the task of loading up their
belongs. "Buffy," Joyce sighed. "I know that you're not exactly thrilled
about us moving...."

"And the 'Understatement of the Year Award' goes to...." Buffy mumbled, as
she dodged one of the clumsy moving men.

Joyce continued, "...but I've already bought the house, and my art was
already moved to that old store I inherited."

"So what's your point?" the younger Summers challenged.

"My point is, that I'm going, but I'm not going without you, so you're just
going to have to come with me."

"But Mom...." Buffy pouted.

"Buffy..." Joyce's voice was set in typical scolding mode.

Buffy threw her hands up in the air. "OK, fine......just fine! Ruin your
daughter's life! Take away my friends and the place were I grew up, do
whatever you want!" The obviously ticked off blonde paused, then added.
"Just don't expect me to be happy about it!"

With her rant over, Buffy turned on her heel and stomped to the car. She got
in and slammed the door as hard as she could, which really wasn't very hard at
all.

Joyce sighed. Her daughter had been having a lot of pointless tantrums
lately. Joyce just figured that it was a phase and Buffy would eventually
grow out of it.

Yeah....right.

**********

Faith was still waiting, it was still raining, and that creepy looking guy
across the street was still staring.

The dark-haired girl's mind started to wander back to the life she loved,
when everything was simple, and how fast everything that mattered was taken
away. Before Faith knew it, tears streaked down her face, mixing with the
polluted rain water. Faith silently cursed herself for crying because that
would mean that she was weak. A long time ago Faith decided that she wasn't
weak and nothing would ever break her again. Now she vowed not to feel
anymore because it just hurt too much.

Her train of thought was interrupted by some scuffling in the back alley.

'If that damn bus doesn't get here soon, I'm gone.'

Patience might be a virtue but it wasn't one that Faith possessed.

Fortunately the bus headed straight for California just arrived, Faith gave
the obviously over caffeinated driver her ticket and headed toward the back
of the bus. She noticed there was no one else on the bus.

'Good, don't need anyone anyway.' That's what Faith was telling herself,
that's what she always told everyone. She had herself and that was enough.
And even though that's what her life was built around, Faith couldn't help
but feel a little lonely right then.

Because doesn't everyone need someone?

**********

Their trip seemed to drag on for hours on hours. Not because it was a long
drive but because of the deafening silence in which the drive took place.

Joyce looked over at her daughter, who seemed to be purposely staring out
the window for the past hour and sighed. "You know, Buffy, you should
really look on the bright side of things."

Now it was Buffy's turn to sigh, "There is no bright side, Mom. It's all a
big bunch of dark, ugly nothing-ness."

"Oh, I don't know about that. You'll get a new school, a lot of new friends,
a chance to start over."

"No, Mom, I DON'T want to start over. I DID have a lot of friends, I WAS
happy. Just because YOU want a chance to start over doesn't automatically
mean that I do. Open your eyes, Mom, what about me? What about Buffy?
Does Buffy have a say in anything that happens in her life? No, because
Buffy has her mother to do all the thinking for her."

Joyce didn't say anything back. The pained look in her eyes said it all.
Buffy saw this and cursed herself for being such a bitch. She inwardly
groaned and sat back in her seat, trying to remain quite for the rest of
the trip.

**********

Two pit stops and a bus change later, Faith was half way to her destination.
When she boarded the second bus, Faith automatically went to the very back
and continued what she had been doing on the pervious bus. She stared out
the window and zoned, trying to escape the rest of the world, leaving her to
her own thoughts.

Faith was no longer alone in the bus but was too distracted to notice the
attractive young Jamaican teen that boarded the bus with her. So when the
anonymous girl approached her, Faith was a bit, if not a lot, startled.

"Hey, is anyone sittin' here?" the girl asked in a heavily accented drawl.

"Yeah, me." Faith said as she was still recovering from her interrupted
daze.

"I see." And with that the girl sat down right next to Faith, which
rewarded her a look from Faith that was bordering homicidal.

"Hey! I didn't say you could sit here. This is my seat!"

"Nah, man. I paid for whichever seat I choose to sit on."

Faith was getting even more irritated. "Yeah, well in case you didn't know,
it IS OK for you people to sit in the front of the bus now." By this
time, Faith was practically growling.

"And when did your people decide to upgrade from trailer parks, to buses?"
The girl asked smoothly, not being intimidated by Faith at all.

Faith sighed, realizing she was too drained to argue. "Fine you can sit
here, just don't say anything."

"It makes me so happy that you have graced me with your approval," the girl
replied.

"All right, already! I'm not in the mood to fight so just shut up." Faith
said, staring her down. She then smirked. She couldn't help but like a girl
who's got balls. Then Faith did something strange, she held out her hand
and said, "The name's Faith, by the way."

The other girl wore a smirk that matched Faith's, and accepted Faith's hand
with her own.

"Kendra."

**********

Chapter One:
"Welcome to Sunnydale"
**********

Faith closely studied her new traveling companion. The girl seemed well
disciplined, back straight and eyes forward. Faith smirked. Kendra looked
like she was staring down one of those bitchy officers that Faith had
encountered in juvenile.

"Yo, relax a little, would ya?" Faith stated.

Kendra turned to look at Faith, "I am relaxed."

"Well, try harder. You're wiggin' me out."

"Wig-in?" Kendra asked, confused.

"Yeah, you know, wiggin'. Freaking me out."

"Oh. I...see." she replied, obviously not seeing much. "I apologize."

"S'okay." Faith paused for a moment, not sure if she wanted to be talking
or ignoring. "Sooo, what's your story."

The other girl raised an eyebrow.

Faith rolled her eyes, "Geez....you know, your story. Where you're from,
where you're going, how old you are. Stuff like that."

"Oh. Well, I am 16 years old, and I use to live wit my grandmodder in
Jamaica. She died one mont ago. I am going to live wit my fadder in Los
Angels," Kendra said, her accent heavy.

"Los Angeles?"

"Yes. He owns a dojo dere. I have not seen him in four years." Kendra
sighed.

"That sucks." Faith could understand the sadness in Kendra's voice.

"Yes, it does indeed suck."

"What about your mom, you could live with her."

"My modder was murdered, when I was a small child. I do not remember her."

"Yeah, my mom was killed too," Faith confessed. "I'm going to live with an
aunt I've never met before." Faith sighed, "well, Ken, it looks like we're
in the same boat."

Kendra raised an eyebrow, "We are not in a boat, we are in a bus."

Faith just smiled and rolled her eyes.

**********

Another hour passed. Joyce said nothing since her daughter had lashed out
at her. Buffy couldn't stand it anymore.

"Mom, look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I mean
everything is just happening so fast. First the divorce and now this. My
life is totally different now, and I guess I was just frustrated and, and
I'm just really sorry."

Joyce turned to look at her daughter briefly before focusing back on the
road. "It's alright, Buffy, I know this all must be terrible for you, and
I'm sorry too. Next time I'll ask you before I make anymore life changing
decisions."

"Ouu, we're making progress! Yay!" Buffy said, suddenly happy with herself.

Joyce smiled at her daughter, then saw the road sign. "Welcome to
Sunnydale."

As they entered the town, it seemed all very serene and peaceful.

'I knew it,' Buffy thought. 'Straight outta a 40s sitcom!'

"This is it! Oh, Buffy, isn't it lovely?" Joyce beamed.

"Uh, yeah, Mom, it's great." Buffy mechanically replied. She stared out
the window, and for the millionth time that day, Buffy wondered who would
actually be senile enough to name a town Sunnydale.

**********

"Sunnydale, off," the driver called.

"Hey, Ken, when you get to L.A. look up this name under Sunnydale." Faith
handed Kendra a piece of paper with Jennifer Calendar's name on it. "I'm
staying with her, give me a call, ok?"

"Why would you want me to give you a call? I dought I wig you out." Kendra
said suddenly confused.

Faith smiled, picked up her back pack, and got up from her seat. When she
was near the exit of the bus, she called back, "'Cause I like ya! See ya
around, Ken!"

"Yes, I will be seein' you, Fait."

**********

Joyce pulled up to the house with the sold sign in front of it. It was a
nice house by all means.

Buffy went in first to inspect the house she would be living in. It was big
and roomy, that was for sure.

'Note to self: Redecorating is the number one priority.' Buffy concluded.
Not that it was decorated bad, it was just the lack of it. Apparently
whoever moved out of here, took every last piece of dust with them.

"Oh, honey, isn't this wonderful? And it was a complete steal at the price
I got it at," Joyce announced, seemly proud of her bargaining techniques.

"Yeah, Mom, this place is just stuffed full-o-wonder." Buffy said, her voice
full-o-sarcasm. "And, I bet the reason why you got it cheap is because
there's bodies buried in the backyard."

Joyce shook her head at her daughter and decided it was best to remain
quiet. A few minutes passed in silence. Then without warning Buffy shot up
the stairs.

"I got dibs on the best room!"

Joyce smiled to herself. 'See, it's just a phase.'

**********

Faith stepped off the bus and flung her worn backpack over her shoulder.
She hesitated before going in the station, suddenly feeling a little
insecure. 'Ok, girlfriend, just play it cool. She'll love ya.' Faith took
a deep breathe and pushed through the entrance.

Immediately Faith spotted her aunt, sitting on the bench. Faith waited for
her to say something, but when she didn't Faith decided to break the ice.
She held out her hand, "Hey, I'm Faith." It worked for her once today, so
it was worth a try.

Jennifer Calendar was on the brink of tears the second Faith walked in the
door. Faith was the spitting image of her mother and walked with the
confidence of her father. Jenny ignored Faith's offered hand and
immediately pulled her into a tight hug. "Faith, I'm so happy I've found
you, it's been too long."

Faith stiffened in the hug, not exactly sure what to do. Faith didn't get
many of those. Jenny seemed to sense this and pulled away gently, not
wanting Faith to feel uncomfortable. Giving Faith a warm, welcoming smile,
Jenny stepped back to get a better look at her niece.

Faith wore combat boots, baggy black jeans, a white tank top that left part
of her mid-section exposed, a well worn denim jacket, dark lipstick and eye
shadow. Jenny noticed the lack of luggage. "Where are your bags?"

Faith held out her backpack. "Everything I got is in here."

Jenny smiled, she even sounded like her mother. "Well in that case, I'll
have to take you shopping after we get you settled." Faith seemed to
brighten a little. "Let's go home, Faith."

**********

Buffy was currently closely inspecting her dresser for any new scratches.
Because you can never trust those moving guys......

The younger Summers chose the room closest to the stairs and bathroom. It
was a nice room, bigger than her old one, with a beautiful maple tree
growing outside her window.

The next item for inspection was the closet. 'Not big, but nice,' Buffy
thought. Then something caught her eye, it was a drawer set in the wall in
the back of the closet. "Hey, nifty!"

"Buffy!" Joyce called from the hall. "Buffy!" Joyce stepped into her
daughter's new room. "Oh, here you are. I just got off the phone with the
principal at Sunnydale High, he said that he can get your transcripts
through fax, and you can start your first day tomorrow! Isn't that great?!"

"Yeah, Mom. That's. Just. Great." Buffy said with an unconvincing smile.
'God, I don't even get a day off, do I?'

"Now that we got you enrolled in school, you can get settled right in, and
then maybe you can help me set up the gallery, you could work for me! And
oh! Decorating! We'll do mother/daughter decorating!" Joyce was practically
glowing.

"Um, Mom, as much as I'd hate to pass up all that mother/daughter bonding
thing, I think I need time to just chill for a while, you know? Think a
bit." Buffy said, starting to feel a little guilty. "But we'll definitely
do the decorating thing."

"Great, honey! Now do you remember where I packed the silverware?"

"Um, with the kitchen-y stuff?"

"Oh, right. I'll just leave you here to...chill," Joyce said as she exited
the room.

"Mom," Buffy said. Joyce's head popped in the doorway.

"Yeah?"

"Love you."

"Love you, too." Joyce replied with a smile.

Everyone, including Buffy Summers, knows you can always score Mom points
with that little four-letter word.

**********

The car ride from the station to the Calendar house took place in silence,
but it was a comfortable silence.

Faith stared at the house she would soon call home. A house and a white
picket fence.

"This is where I'm gonna lived?" Faith asked in awe. Jenny nodded with a
smile. "Wicked!" Jenny almost laughed at Faith's enthusiasm. Faith jumped
out of the car and looked around the house. She opened the fence to the
backyard.

'Green grass, nice size, big,' Faith thoughts rambled. 'Big hole, lotsa
water. A pool? Pool?'

"You got a POOL!!" Faith shouted out to Jenny in the front yard. Jenny just
smiled, enjoying the girl's happiness.

"Faith, there's more inside!" Jenny called out.

The teen ran back to the front and went inside after Jenny. Faith looked
around. This house felt like a home. Faith almost forgot the feeling.
That warm, happy, fuzzy feeling that you get when you're in a place where
you just *know* you belong. The walls were plastered with pictures.
Pictures of Jenny and Faith's mother when they were growing up. Pictures of
who Faith assumed to be her grandparents, and a lot of other happy looking
people.

"Come on, Faith, I'll show you the upstairs," Jenny said as she took
Faith's arm to guide her up stairs.

"This is the guest room," Jenny said opening the first door. "This is my
room, there's the bathroom, and here is your room." She finished as she
pointed to the last door at the end of the hall. "Go on, check it out."
Jenny pushed Faith toward the door.

Faith opened the door. The room might as well have been the whole house.
Navy carpeting, white walls with navy trim, the biggest bed Faith had ever
slept in, a TV and VCR in the far corner, and a stereo system in the other.

Faith sat on the bed before her legs threaten to give out. Just a day
before, Faith had nothing and no one. Now she had a real home and an aunt
that seemed cool in every sense of the word.

Jenny came in and saw Faith's face, "Is there something wrong?"

"At the bus station, you said 'it's been too long.' Is this the first time
you've seen me?" Faith asked.

"No your mother and father used to always come down here every summer when
you were little, but after your father died, I never got to see you again.
That's why I've been looking for you."

"But why...why would you do all of this for me?" Faith sounded unsure.

"Because you are my family, my niece, and I love you. Ever since your
mother died I've been looking for you, it just took so long because children
seem to get lost in the system. I didn't want you to go through life
without anyone, and now you won't. I want you to know that I'll always be
here for you, no matter what." Faith's eyes had begun to water at the
mention of her mother's death.

"So, can I call you Aunt J?" Faith smiled, wiping away a stray tear.
Jennifer Calendar smiled at her new designation and nodded.

"You up for some serious shopping?"

**********

Buffy Summers was panicking. No, scratch that. Buffy Summers was freaking
out. Much better.

Just before Buffy's dilemma, she had finished unpacking her clothes and
putting them away. Then she realized that she was going to be the new kid
in a new school tomorrow, that everyone would be looking at her, that she
would be the center of curious attention, and....she didn't have a thing to
wear!

The blonde decided that it would be hard going against her opponent for a
new wardrobe, but damnit, it was a fight worth fighting! So she took a deep
breath and summoned her opponent to battle for a trip to the nearest mall.
Her weapon of choice: puppy dog eyes and strategically placed pouts.

"MOM!"

***********

Jenny and Faith were currently at the Sunnydale Mall browsing all the teen
stores. So far, all Faith had bought was a new pair of boots.

"Faith, what kind of clothes do you like?" Jenny asked.

"Um, dark, excessively baggy or excessively tight," Faith smirked.

Jenny playfully shook her head thinking what in the world she got herself
into.

"How about this?" Faith asked holding a blood red tube top up to her chest.

Jenny gave her a look. "Oh, alright. But don't you dare wear that to school,
which you'll be starting tomorrow, by the way."

"You don't waste any time do ya?" Faith asked.

"Never."

Faith sighed. Although she never did like school, she wasn't about to argue
over it, besides she would have to start eventually.

***********

Buffy apparently won the battle of the wardrobe, because she and her mother
were currently scouting for clothes in one of the more trendy shops in the
Sunnydale Mall.

"Hey, Mom, how does this color look on me?" Buffy said as she turned around,
and came face to face with the most beautiful pair of brown eyes she'd ever
seen. For a moment Buffy's universe were those eyes staring back at her.

"I don't know about your mom, but I think that color looks really nice on
you....it.... ah, brings out your eyes," Faith said smoothly. 'Brings out
your eyes? God, Faith, the minute you see a pretty girl, you spaz. What's
wrong with you? Pull it together.'

The husky voice brought Buffy out of her trance, "Oh, ah, yeah...thanks."
'Omigod, my ears are burning, I better not be blushing, please god, please
don't let me be blushing.'

"Buffy! Her-," Joyce stopped. "Oh, see, Buffy, you already made a new
friend, why don't you introduce me?"

Buffy knew she was blushing now. "Um, Mom, this is...."

"Faith."

Buffy smiled at the name, which she found adorable. 'Whoa, Buffy,
*adorable*? Snap out of it! Now!'
"Right! Mom, Faith. Faith, Mom."

'Ok, Faith, make nice' Faith held out her hand. "Nice to met you Ms....."

"Summers." Joyce offered and took Faith's hand.

"Nice to meet ya, Ms. S." Faith drawled.

A small sound came from Buffy. Joyce noticed. 'Did my daughter just
swoon?' Joyce gently shook her head, erasing the ridiculous thought.
"Well, I'll just leave you two to talk."

"Buffy?" Faith quirked an eyebrow. "Nice to meet you, too."

"Hmm? Oh, yeah." Buffy said a little light-headed.

"Look I gotta motor, but maybe I'll see ya around?" Faith asked.

"Yeah, around." Buffy said faintly.

Faith smiled and went on her way. "Oh yeah," Faith breathe. "I still got
it......Hey! Leather!"

**********

Chapter Two:
"Decisions"
**********

"Buffy!" Joyce called from downstairs. "Get up, honey. You don't want to
be late for your first day."

The teen groaned and tossed a pillow over her face. She really didn't get
enough sleep last night. Buffy had spent most of the night trying to figure
out why she acted the way she did at the mall and why she was having strange
thoughts about the raven-haired beauty. Buffy sighed. 'I hope whoever
keeps playing with my life is amusing themselves, 'cause this is just not
funny.'

"Buffy!!"

"OK! I'm up!" Buffy called as she tossed her covers on the floor. Buffy
went to her dresser to put on the out fit she bought yesterday. Buffy
inhaled deeply and let her mind wander. 'Yesterday when I met the most....'
a content smile spread across her face. 'Stop it!' Buffy stopped
thinking.

"Shower. Cold. Now."

The young blonde then proceeded to take a very long, very cold shower.

**********

Faith woke up early, and she, not being a morning person, was in a
surprisingly good mood. But the thought of having to go to school darkened
her mood a bit.

She never liked school. Everyone made her feel like an outcast. That
really wasn't the part that bothered her the most, because in Faith's mind
she was an outcast, and she liked it. The part that really bothered her was
when people thought they were better than her. She couldn't help the way
her life had turned out, and she just hated the way people threw it back in
her face. 'Suck it up, girlfriend, let's get this over with.'

Moments later Faith was dressed and ready to go. After giving herself one
last look in the mirror, she went downstairs to join Jenny for breakfast.

"Oh, no you don't. Change. Now." Jenny said.

"Come on, Aunt J, I plan on making an impression." Faith smirked. And did
a full turn to show off her whole out fit which consisted of the red tube
top, leather pants, boots, and a leather jacket.

"You are not gonna make *that* impression, so change. Now." Jenny noticed
that Faith crossed her arms and didn't make an effort to move. Jenny
sighed.

"Just this once. I swear. Please?" Faith topped off her request with a
charming pout.

"OK. But....if I get fired, it's gonna be all your fault." Jenny mumbled as
she poured some milk into her cereal.

Faith smiled. "Thanks! Hey wait a sec.....back up, why would you get
fired?"

"Because I work there. I'm the Computer Applications teacher."

"A teacher?! My aunt is a teacher? Whoa reality check."

"Now why is that so hard to believe?"

"Because, well look at you! You're cool. Teachers are people who have no
coolness. I mean for example, if coolness would be rated on different
organisms," Faith said as she hopped up on the counter. "Your coolness
would be a blue whale, while a teacher's coolness would be...."

"Single-celled bacteria?" Jenny offered.

Faith consider that for a second then shook her head. "Nah, the phlegm that
grows on the fungus that single-celled bacteria eat."

"Oh." Jenny said, knowing very well that she used to be the same way in high
school.

"See my point?" Faith asked. Then she pointed to Jenny, "You are..."

"Cool."

"Teachers are..." Faith gave her aunt a thumbs down.

"Not cool?"

"Exactly," Faith jumped off the counter and circled her seated aunt. "And
for tomorrow's lesson, we will be reviewing street slang. That's right.
Street. Slang. Class dismissed." Faith said in a stuffy voice with her
hands clasped behind her back as she looked down at Jenny.

Jenny chuckled and shook her head. 'Yep, she's definitely a Calendar.'

**********

"Mom, wait!" Buffy shouted as Joyce's jeep pulled up to Sunnydale High.

Joyce hit the brakes, "What? What's wrong?"

"Um, Mom no offense or anything, but could you drop me off in the back of
the school? I mean, don't think I'm ashamed to be seen with my
mom...'cause, I'm not....it's just you know, first day; need to earn cool
points fast." Buffy finished with a smile. "Please?"

Joyce started the jeep and swung around to the deserted back parking lot.

"Thanks, Mom. You're the best." Buffy said as she exited the vehicle.
"Love you."

"Love you too, honey. Have a good day, and I'm sure everything will be
fine." With that said, Joyce drove away.

"Hey," a female voice called out to Buffy. The unknown blonde girl
snickered. "I did that whole 'Mom, don't drop me off in the front of school
on my first day' thing too, when I started here."

Buffy smiled shyly, knowing she'd been caught.

"Don't worry your secret's safe with me....I'm Amy."

"Buffy."

"Interesting."

"I know."

"So I'll walk you to the principal's office?" Amy offered.

"Yeah that'd be great. I would feel like a total loser if I had to ask a
person in authority." Buffy said, relieved.

Once they were both inside, there wasn't as much of activity in the halls
as she expected. She looked at Amy questioningly.

"A lot of people either come late or hang out on the grounds." Amy finished.
They were standing at the Principal's Office. "Well, good luck. I'll see
you in homeroom."

'She was nice.' Buffy stood and looked at the door a while. She was
nervous. 'First impression, Buffy. Don't blow it.' She took a deep breath
and walked in.

**********

Jennifer Calendar drove into her parking space, "Well, this is it. You must
now go off into the world and make some friends."

Faith looked down at her hands in her lap. "Well, Aunt J, the thing is I've
never been exactly a people person."

"Nonsense, you're a Calendar chick and I heard we are wicked cool." Jenny
smiled as she repeated what Faith had told her earlier.

"Alright, I'll try to be not so antisocial." Faith said grimly.

"Oh, I think you'll get lots of attention dressed like that," Jenny
stated trying to lighten the mood. Faith snickered a bit. "Come on, you,
let's go."

**********

Principal Flutie was currently crawling up off the floor, fixing his reading
glasses. About two seconds before that, he was leaning back in his chair to
see if it was actually possible to balance a pencil on his nose when someone
startled him. Now he was sitting upright again, straightening his tie.

'Ouch, that had to hurt.' "Um....sorry?" Buffy offered.

"Oh no, all my fault. Can I help you with something?"

"Yes, I'm the new student..."

"Ah, yes. Faith Spencer, Jenny's niece. Won't you have a seat?"

'Faith?' "Um, no."

Principle Flutie raised a brow.

"Oh....um, no as in.....Faith. I'm not Faith. I'm Buffy Summers. My mom,
called you yesterday."

"Oh.....oh! I'm terribly sorry....Buffy Summers...Buffy Summers," He
mumbled as he searched through the papers on his desk. "Oh yes, here we
are, Elizabeth Anne Summers....sophomore...cheerleader....hmm,
yes....everything seems to be in order here." Then he pressed a button on
his phone. "Charolette, have Miss Summer's schedule ready." "Yes sir."
The voice replied.

"Buffy, is it?" The blonde nodded. "Well, welcome to Sunnydale High! We
welcome you with open arms, and don't be shy around my office if you ever
need help adjusting." Flutie smiled. "Our counselor, Mr. Giles, can help
you with all your concerns. You'll find him in the library, the man loves
his books. I suggest you see him at lunch or after school and introduce
yourself. Your schedule is in the front to the left of my office. Glad to
have you aboard."

"Thank you, Mr.."

"Flutie."

"Thanks, Mr. Flutie."

"Call me Bob." Flutie said with a smile.

"Oookaay, thank you, Bob." Buffy said awkwardly and left to pick up her
schedule.

**********

"I have to set up for class, but Principal Flutie's office is just down the
hall. You can't miss it."

"OK, Aunt Jenn, later."

Faith made her way down the hall. Cat calls and wolf whistles followed her
all the way there. Faith smirked.
She came up to the principal's door, and felt someone smack her ass. She
turned on her heel and slammed the guy up against the lockers.

"Hey listen, buddy, try that again, and every part of you that comes in contact
with me, will end up unrecognizable, got it?" The guy was squirming and
nodded a quick yes. Faith let go of him and he stumbled down the hall, while
his fellow guys laughed.

One guy in particular was just ogling Faith the whole time. 'Wow!' Was the
only thing he could think of at the moment. Well, Alexander Harris *was*
thinking other things......you know, teen hormones and all.

Faith turned around to enter the principal's office when she bumped into
someone. "Hey, watch where you're...Oh, hi. Buffy, right?" Faith smiled
when she recognized the blonde.

Buffy didn't move from her current position which was being pressed up
against the object of her thoughts of last night. She realized her current
situation and jumped back. "Ah, yeah! Buffy...that's me." Buffy looked
down at her shoes, embarrassed and trying to think of something to say. "So
I guess you're new here too, huh?"

Faith smiled at the blonde's embarrassment. "Yeah, I'm new. You're new?"

"Yep, new."

"How did you know I was new?"

"I knew you were new because Bob told me you were new."

"Bob?"

"Principal Flutie."

"Oh."

"I guess it's cool that we already kinda, well sorta know each other. Um,
you know, since we're new, and we don't know anyone yet." Buffy paused.
"It's good to know people when you're new....but really if you know someone,
I guess you're not really new to them....b-but, to other people we're new.
So yeah, that's us the new girls."

Faith nodded.

Everything that Buffy had said just registered in the blonde's mind. 'O,
Buffy, dear, it's time to turn your brain on now.......oh, god, look at what
she's wearing.....that should be illegal, mmm or not.....Stop it!'

They just stood there for a while. Faith was still trying to figure the
girl out. "What were we talking about, again?"

"I'm....not sure." Buffy said truthfully.

"Um.....ok. Well, I guess I should go make nice with the principal and
all...."

"Oh yeah, OK Um, see you later?"

"Sure."

"Bye." Buffy turned hastily to the secretary's office. 'Stupid, stupid,
stupid....'

Faith shrugged and entered the principal's office.

Xander Harris watched the interaction between the two girls. 'New
people....new people that are girls....two very hot girls.....Xander in the
middle!!' A smug smile appeared on his face.

"Hey, Xander!" the redhead cheerfully greeted her best friend. Then Willow
got a good look at Xander's face. "OK, who is it this time?"

"Girl...new..." Xander said barely coherent.

"Ou, a new girl. We don't get many of those."

"Mm...two."

"Two in the same day?" Xander nodded slowly still gazing at the door to the
principal's office. "Um, Xander?"

"Huh?" the boy grunted.

"You're drooling on your shoe."

**********

"Yes." Flutie said without even looking up from his desk.

"Um, hi. I'm new here, Faith Spencer."

"Ah, yes." He said as he looked up and saw a very stunning young lady.
"W-we've been expecting you. Have a seat won't you?"

Faith sat down.

"I'm somewhat aware of the complications that you had to endure in your
life, Faith, and I want to say if you ever have any problems with the
faculty or the students, my door is always open. Mr. Giles, our counselor,
has also been told of your arrival, you should go and see him after school
in the library."

Faith sat and listened. 'Great, they already think I'm a head-case.' "Um,
sure. I'll be sure to check that out." Faith said with a forced smile.

"Good, good. Now since we were not able to attain your schedule from your
previous school, I've arranged for you to take all required courses, and you
have two electives to choose for yourself. The only classes that are not
already filled are art, band, and drama."

Faith grimaced. 'Why can't I just sit around and do nothing, I'm good at
that...' "I, I guess I could do art....and I can't really play a 'band
instrument'.....so I guess it's, um....art and drama."

"Alrighty then." Flutie smiled and talked into his box, "Charolette."

"Yes, sir."

"Faith Spencer is here, she will be taking art and drama. Have Faith's
schedule ready, " He paused for a moment. "Then assign a school guide to
her."

"Right away, Principle Flutie."

"It's been a pleasure meeting you, Faith." Flutie led Faith out of his
office. "Charolette's office is on your left."

"Thanks, Bob." Faith smirked and went on her way.

Right then Principal Flutie decided that he liked this girl, and he called
out, "Don't be a stranger!"

**********

The first bell rang, signaling the start of homeroom, which was nothing more
than 15 min. of socializing and roll-call. Everyone rushed into their
classes, leaving only two girls at the opposite ends of the hallway.

"So, we meet again." The brunette smiled.

"Yeah.....room 143?" Buffy asked.

"Yup." Faith said as she met Buffy halfway. "Oh look, here it is." Faith
pointed to the door on her right.

Faith opened the door, and Buffy waited for Faith to go in. "Please, after
you." Faith said slyly, eyes shining. Buffy grinned and entered the room
followed by Faith.

**********

All the talking ceased, with the exception of a few "Oh, baby"s and a couple
of "Hell yeah"s as the two unknown girls entered the room.

Both girls handed their slips to the teacher.

"Hmm...Elizabeth Summers and Faith Spencer.....nice to have you, I'm Ms.
Wisner." The teacher paused. "OK, class quiet. It seems you all have two
new classmates. Elizabeth why don't you introduce yourself?"

"OK Um, Hi." The class responded with a round of unenthusiastic "hey"s.
Buffy cleared her throat. "Oh, I'm from L.A.....ah, my Mom and I moved here
yesterday. I think that's about it.....oh yeah, and please, please don't
call me Elizabeth. Everyone calls me Buffy." Her response was simply a
few snickers and a few raised eyebrows. 'Well I think that could have gone
better.' Buffy gave a small, almost unrecognizable pout.

"Faith, would you like to say a few things?"

Faith stood with more confidence than Buffy and spoke louder. "I won't go
over the name thing 'cause you've probably heard it, but if you didn't
you'll probably learn it sooner or later. I will say this though. You
don't bother me, and I don't bother you. See? Simple. Oh, and some chick
named Willow is supposed to show me around your wonderful establishment."
The class snickered and turned to look at the redhead in the back of the
class. She was blushing, probably embarrassed from the attention currently
directed to her.

"Ahem, well people, it seems you have two very....colorful young ladies to
show around, Faith, Eliz-ah, Buffy, please have a seat behind Willow.
Buffy, do you have someone to show you around?" The blonde shook her head.
"Well, any volunteers?"

A tall, shapely brunette stood from her desk making sure she was seen, as
always. "Me and my people would be happy to show Buffy around, Ms. Wisner."

"Thank you, Cordelia."

The bell rang and the students were off to their classes.

**********

Buffy followed Cordelia out into the hall and met up with four other girls.
"Buffy, this is Aura, Harmony, Joy, and Amber.

"I like the Buffy name, it's total chic!" Harmony squealed.

"Yeah! Like it so says 'Hey, I can do dramatic and fun all at once,'"
Amber commented.

"Totally." Joy smiled.

"Ah...thanks?" Buffy said.

"OK, Buffy, as you might have guessed, like it's hard to miss.....we're the
populars. We basically rule this school. Now since you're from L.A. and you
have a decent fashion sense I'm not going to question the coolness factor,
just hang around me and mine and you'll be accepted in no time. There's a
few rules though. First rule: Know you're losers, geeks, sluts, and nerds.
Sight identification is a gimme. See? Over there: Willow Rosenburg, classic
geek/nerd basically a waste of space. And that new girl, Farrah...

"Faith." Buffy corrected.

"Whatever. She's the perfect picture of skank. I mean hello!
Slut-o-rama."

"How do you know?" Buffy asked defensively.

"Oh Pleez!! Look at her! She oozes sex and whore-moans!"

"Oh, yeah totally...plus.." Aura started.

Cordelia cut her off. "Hello!! Miss Motor-mouth, can I finish a sentence?
And the boy-child to your far left: Xander Harris, he's such a joke, he
doesn't deserve the loser status. Stay away from those types and you'll be
just fine."

Buffy nodded and smiled. She was back where she belonged, in with the
populars.

**********

"Here are the lockers, around that corner are some more lockers, a-and out
that door is the outside."

"That bad, huh?"

"Yeah, there's not m-much to show around here. So, w-what class do you have
n-next?"

"Chemistry."

"Me too."

"Where am I supposed to get my books?"

"The library."

"Heh. Yeah books and library kinda go together." Faith laughed at herself.
"I feel really stupid now."

"No! I mean n-no, you're not stupid, interesting yes, stupid no. J-just
new school jitters. I guess." Willow reasoned.

"Probably.....so I'm interesting, huh? What's so interesting about me?"
Faith asked curiously.

Willow led the brunette to their chemistry class, and they took a seat.
"Well the fact that you're new is interesting enough. There's not a whole
lot of things that happen in Sunnydale."

"Yeah and the fact that you're a supreme hottie doesn't hurt either," a
male voice said.

Faith and Willow turned around to see a handsome, but goofy looking guy
staring back at them.

"Well...Wills, introduce me already!" Xander yelped.

"Xander, Faith. Faith this is Xander the Wonder Boy." Willow said smugly.

Xander looked to Faith solemnly, "I assure you, I grew out of that stage 10
years ago."

"Uh huh, that's why you were Wonder Boy for Halloween last year." Willow
said truthfully.

Xander glared, "I was NOT! I was 'Wolverine with a Cape Man.'"

"You were Wonder Boy." Willow was sticking to her story.

"Was not." Xander was sticking to his.

"Was to."

"Not."

"To."

"Class, settle down. We must now venture off into the wonderful world of
chemistry." Professor Haas said in a monotone voice.

Xander whispered. "Was not."

Faith watched the interaction and couldn't help but smile. She could tell
these two went way back.

**********

Four periods later, the lunch bell sounded, and the students were let out of
their cage to form packs, fight for the best spot, and forage. At least
that's what it looked like to someone who was not familiar with the school
popularity, clique, and ranking systems.

"My dad is so gonna take my pager away.....Mr. Flawer was way harsh on my
report, I mean he didn't actually expect me to read Mark Twain when you can
just as easily shell out a ten page report on Cosmo."

"I totally see where you're coming from, Amber, I mean that stuff is so
outdated." Joy sympathized.

"Hiya! You know, Amber, I'm having a hard time in his class too, maybe we
could be study buddies sometime." Xander said as smoothly as he could.

"Eww, Xander. I'd rather go shopping at Sears.....go play with geek girl."

Xander gasped and clutched his chest. "How dare you offend me by comparing
me with Sears shopping....I'm so hurt...ouch, I feel it....oh the pain is
terrible." He finished with a mock faint to the grass.

Joy and Amber made a beeline for Harmony and Aura at 'their' table.

"So, I'll see you Friday for the study thing!" Xander called out and waved,
receiving annoyed glares from the girls.

"Hey, X, you must show me how you woo the girls like that, I must brush up
on my techniques." Faith said as she and Willow approached him.

"Oh thanks, I shall win them over one day, and when I do, the power will be
mine," Xander bellowed. Then he added, "cue evil laughter and snicker."

Willow rolled her eyes. "A day in the life of Xander Harris.....I cringe."

"Oh yeah, Wills, mock all you want..."

"Excuse me! Important people are trying to walk here." Cordelia Chase said
as she waited for Faith, Willow, and Xander to move on her command.

"Hey, cheeks, thanks for the warning. When you see someone important let us
know." Faith smiled.

Willow and Xander shivered knowing what was to come next.

"Listen, newbie, don't even start with me. Seeing that you obviously have
yet to learn who I am..."

"Oh, please spare me, bitchy. I don't give a damn who you are. Like I said
you don't bother me, I don't bother you. So why don't you go before you
start to bother me?"

Cordelia was stunned, shocked even. No one had ever treated her that way.
'She's soo not going to get away with this.' Cordelia thought as she walked
around the trio and over to her table.

"Omigod! Do you know what you just did?" Willow was clearly amazed.

"Wow." Xander whispered.

"Yeah, I got us some respect." Faith replied.

"Y-you just told off the most popular girl in school. She has people you
know. She can make your total existence completely unbearable."

Faith out right laughed. "What's she gonna do, Will? Threaten me with her
eye liner?"

"All I'm saying i-is to be expecting something."

"Thanks for the warning Will, but I can take care of myself."

"Hey, guys! This is Buffy. Buffy this is Willow, Xander, and someone I've
never met before." Amy Madison said as she neared the group.

"I'm Faith, the other new girl." Faith offered her hand.

"Oh, hi! I'm Amy." She accepted Faith's hand. "Buffy got lost looking for
the library and Mr. Giles. When we got there he was gone, for lunch or
something."

"Yeah so I have to see him after school." Buffy added.

"Me too." Faith said.

"Cool, we'll go together." Buffy smiled at Faith. "Oh sorry, hi Willow,
Xander."

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Ladies, shall we?" Xander said as he led them over to a huge tree where he,
Willow, and Amy sat down. Buffy and Faith looked at them and then at each
other. Faith shrugged and sat, Buffy followed.

"Um, w-we can't seem to get a table since everyone tells us to move all the
time so we sit here." Willow explained.

"Hey, it's no prob. I'll get us a table." Faith said as she began to get
up.

"Ou, I like this girl! It's the first day and she's looking for trouble!"
Amy beamed.

"You should've heard what she told Queen C." Xander said.

Amy raised her brow. "What did she do?"

"Verbal bitch sparring! I would pay good money to see that again." Xander
grinned as his mind wandered to his 'happy place.'

Faith was about to go to Cordelia's table to tell her sheep to shove off,
but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. Faith turned. "I-its, okay, Faith.
We like it here... it's peaceful and nobody bothers us." Faith smiled at her
new friend.

"Alright, Red, but if ever one those stuck up princesses messes with ya,
tell me, and I'll take care of it." Willow smiled back at Faith, she
couldn't believe Faith was being protective of her.

Buffy glared. 'Red?! Nicknames?! They're to the nickname stage?! I saw
Faith first! Oh, it is on now! Omigod, Buffy.....breathe......what's wrong
with you?'

Xander stared at his best friend and Faith exchanging smiles and a goofy
grin spread on his face. Amy saw it and knew what his teenage boy hormones
were cooking up. "Xander!!" Amy squealed and promptly slapped him on the
shoulder.

"Owww....ow, ow, ow.....Amy what was that for, I didn't even say anything."
Xander whined in pain.

"You know what that was for, you doof."

Xander sighed, Amy always caught him.

**********

"Buffy," the group turned to see Cordelia. "Are these freaks bothering
you?" Faith began to step forward but Willow stepped in front of her.

"No, Cordelia, I was jus-" Buffy started.

"Come on, we saved a spot for you." Cordelia stated.

Buffy reluctantly got up to go with Cordelia.

"Oh hey, Willow. " Cordelia said as she stopped in front of the redhead. "Nice
outfit, did mommy buy it at the old ladies store?"

Faith stepped in front of Willow. "Listen here,
Miss-I-have-a-stick-shoved-so-far-up-"

Willow put her hands on Faith's shoulders, "No, Faith, it's okay."

Cordelia arched an eyebrow. "Well, well...do my eyes deceive me? Has the
Willster snagged herself a little lap dog? And a skanky looking one at
that?"

Faith was fuming. 'That's it, cheeks, just come a little closer, I dare
ya.'

"Let's go Buffy."

Faith caught Buffy's arm. Buffy jumped at the electric feeling coursing
through her body. "You're not really gonna go over there are you? Look at
the way she treats other people. She's a bitch. Stay here with us."

Buffy stopped. What to do? Stay here, or go to back to the life she had
back in LA with the populars?

"Buffy!" Cordelia shrieked.

"Buffy?" Faith softly pleaded.

Buffy looked deeply into Faith's beautiful eyes, and sighed.

'Damnit!' The blonde turned and went to catch up with Cordelia.

Faith looked to the ground. 'Damnit!'

**********