'Changing The Future' (3/?) - G - Buffy/Willow

["Louise ." <iwantyourblood@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Changing the Future (3/?)
Author: Louise
Email: iwantyourblood@xxxxxxxxxxx
Website: http://iwantyourblood.tripod.com/underyourspell
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy, Willow, or any other characters from BtVS.
Feedback: All please.
Distribution: Wherever, just ask first.
Summary: Reply to a challenge set by Xenocide. Willow is sent back in time 
to change events to save Buffy from devastation.
^^^^

My mind races through the events that proceeded from our meeting two years 
ago. I was a stuttering mess. This time it was going to be different. I was 
going to show her the new me, ?Hey, that?s me.? I say with a confident 
smile. Good so far.
?I?m Buffy,? She says a bit uncertainly, as if she is worried that I wont 
want to talk to her.
?I know,? I realise after I said it that I shouldn?t know who she is; after 
all, we don?t know each other. I follow it quickly with, ?You?re the new 
girl...I?ve seen you around.?
She looks at me awkwardly then sits down beside me, ?I need a favour.? She 
pauses, ?It involves hanging out with me for a while.?
My heart skips a beat. Just as it did the first time she said that to me. 
?That can be arranged.?
She seems surprised at my answer; ?You?re not worried about me hanging out 
with Cordelia? I?ve heard that - ?
I cut her off mid-sentence, ?Cordelia Chase? No worrying here.? That wins me 
a rise of her eyebrows and a grin. She looks impressed. Score.
?I kinda have this burning desire not to flunk all my classes, and I heard a 
rumour that you were the person to talk to if I wanted to get caught up.? 
She looks sceptically at me.
?I could totally help you out!? I say a little too enthusiastically. ?Great 
going, Willow, looks like you?ve still got a bit of your old self lingering 
around after all?, I berate myself silently. But she is smiling at me. She 
is such a wonderful person, any normal popular sixteen year old girl would 
have picked on me, not befriended me.
I freeze when I remember what I was wearing that day. No. Please no. I look 
down and my eyes grow wide with embarrassment. The brown dress. I?m not as 
bad as some people when it comes to what I wear, but this is beyond bad.
I begin to collect my things and stand up, she looks startled, ?I?ve got to 
go. I?ll catch you later and we?ll talk about study times.? I explain in a 
tiny voice.
?Sure.? She raises her hand and gives me a tiny wave, ?See ya.?

I stop, for a moment forgetting my humiliation. I look right at her, smiling 
warmly, and say, ?Bye.? Then I turn around and walk quickly out of sight.
^^^^

The bell rings and I?m relieved that the day is over. It feels so weird to 
be reliving my past, going to my old classes, seeing people that have since 
moved away or even died. My mind has been on other things than schoolwork 
all afternoon. But one topic steals the show. Buffy.
As I make my way over to the main gate, I spot her standing against the 
wall. Her blond hair tucked behind her ear as she tensely searches the flow 
of people.
?Buffy!? I catch her attention and she smiles, relaxing a little.

When I approach her she sighs, ?I?ve needed a friend all day,? She begins 
lightly, ?I got lost like twenty times and I?ve been late for all of my 
classes.? I rest my hand on her arm and squeeze it gently. She smiles at my 
offer of support. My head feels light.
As we start to walk, she notices my change of clothes and smiles, ?I like 
your sweater,?
I look down at myself and laugh, ?Thanks. The dress was, um, my mom got it 
for me and I-I had to wear it, or she?d get all grumpy and - ?
?Relax, Will,? She laughs. I realise that she called me by the abbreviation 
of my name and my stomach feels strange. I love when she does that.
I try to remember the conversation I had been planning all day, but my brain 
draws a blanc, ?So, study times...? I begin and she nods.
?I knew that?d come up. I?m free tonight if you are.? She offers as we cross 
the road.
I start to agree to meeting tonight, but stop myself, ?Not possible. Tonight 
you?re coming with me to The Bronze.? I reply boldly.
She looks at me questioningly, ?The Bronze??

^^^^

To Be Continued...

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