“There is nothing but you.” Giles said. “You are the centre. And within you, there is the core of your being... of what you are. “
Giles walked in a circle around Buffy.
“Find it... breathe into it.”
Buffy was leaning over a short pedestal with both her hands on it; she had her eyes closed. Giles walked in front of her.
“Focus inward. Let the world fall away... fall away... fall away...”
Buffy opened her eyes. She leant forward and went into a handstand, balancing on her hands on the pedestal. The pedestal was about two feet high and four inches square. There were exercise mats underneath it and a vault stood in the background. Giles was still walking circles around Buffy, staring at her.
Off to one side was a large flat crystal with three smaller crystals standing on end atop it.
Giles continued watching Buffy.
Buffy closed her eyes again. She removed one hand from the pedestal.
Buffy brought one arm out parallel to the floor, so she was balancing on the other hand. Giles was still walking around her, watching. Buffy’s face looked very peaceful.
Someone tried to balance a fourth crystal on top of the three standing ones, but it was clumsy and all the crystals fell over with a clunk.
Buffy’s eyes flicked open, she lost her concentration and crashed to the floor with a cry. Giles started toward her in alarm, saw she was all right. He then looked in a different direction, pulling off his glasses in an angry motion.
As Buffy lay on the floor Dawn went and stood over her
“Can we go now?”
Buffy looked annoyed.
Nobody knows who I am. Not the real me. It’s like; nobody cares enough to find out. I mean, does anyone ever ask me what I want to do with my life? Or what my opinion is on stuff? Or what restaurant to order in from?
Dawn was sitting on her bed, wearing pajamas, writing in her diary. There was a huge pile of stuffed animals on the bed with her.
No. Underline. Exclamation point.
Dawn underlined the word and drew the exclamation point. She pondered for a moment and then violently drew a few more, stabbing at the paper with her pen.
Exclamation point, exclamation point. No one understands. No one has an older sister who’s a Slayer.
Buffy opened the refrigerator and took out a carton of milk.
People wouldn’t be so crazy about her if they had to live in the same house with her every single day. Everybody cares what she thinks. Just ‘cause she can do back flips and stuff.
Buffy sniffed the milk and put it on the counter. Behind her Joyce was drinking coffee and Dawn opened a cabinet to get out a box of cereal. Buffy picked up a banana from a bowl of fruit, and turned away.
Like that’s such a crucial job skill in the real world.
Buffy moved to the cupboard to get a bowl. Joyce poured milk into her coffee cup. Dawn opened the cereal box and sat down.
Plus Mom lets her get away with everything. ‘Your sister’s saving the world.’
Joyce moved back to lean against the counter again, Buffy returned with a bowl, which she placed on the counter, moving the milk carton aside. She picked up the banana again and turned away, peeling it. Dawn took Buffy’s bowl and poured cereal into it.
I could so save the world if somebody handed me super powers...
Dawn turned away from the table as Buffy returned with a knife, prepared to slice the banana into her bowl, but found the bowl missing. She saw it sitting at Dawn’s spot full of cereal, and made an irritated face.
... but I’d think of a cool name and wear a mask to protect my loved ones, which Buffy doesn’t even.
Dawn returned with a spoon, wearing an innocent expression. Buffy turned away to get another bowl, and Dawn picked up the carton of milk. She emptied it into her bowl and sat down to eat.
If this town wasn’t so lame everyone would completely know what she does. And then I bet they wouldn’t even be that impressed, because like, killing things with wood? Oh, scary vampires, they die from a splinter.
Buffy returned with another bowl, reached across Dawn for the cereal box, poured it into her bowl, picked up the milk carton and found it empty. Dawn continued eating, pretending not to notice.
“So Buffy, what are your plans today?” Joyce asked.
Buffy continued giving Dawn a dirty look for a moment, then looked away.
“Oh, actually, Giles and I are gonna go to the magic shop for supplies for my new and improved training sessions.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
Buffy walked to the sink, then to the fridge, “Oh, yeah, I’m actually…”
Joyce interrupted, “You can take Dawn shopping for back to school supplies.”
Dawn put down her spoon and turned around, preparing to argue.
“What??” Buffy said.
“Mom, I-I thought you were taking me.” Dawn said.
“Well, honey, I’ve got the Gurion showing tonight, and there’s so much to do to get the gallery ready.” Joyce turned to leave kitchen.
“No, but, see, Mom…” Buffy began.
Buffy and Dawn ran after Joyce as she walked to the living room.
“That doesn’t really work for me. We’re just going to the magic shop. No school supplies there.”
“Yeah, Mom, I’m not going to Hogwarts.” Dawn giggled at her own joke till she noticed Buffy looking annoyed and confused. “Geez, crack a book sometime.”
“Look, I’m sure Giles doesn’t mind dropping you and your sister off at the mall afterwards.” Joyce said.
“Actually, he does mind. This is supposed to be quality Watcher/Slayer time. I told you, she completely ruined my training yesterday.” Buffy complained.
“Did not!”
“Oh, you know you did too.”
“Buffy. I realize the importance of your new Slayer thing, but…”
There was a knock on the door.
“… I could really use your help.”
Joyce walked past the two girls, both sighing and rolling their eyes in annoyance. They glared at each other as Joyce opened the door and Michael came in.
“Morning, Mrs. Summers. You look great.” Michael said.
“Oh, thank you, Michael.” Joyce said and left the room.
Buffy went over to Michael, “Suck up.”
“What? It’s a nice outfit.” Michael protested.
Dawn pretended not to be watching them.
“Mm-hmm.”
“Besides, ‘I’m here to violate your firstborn’ never goes over with parents. Not sure why.” Michael said.
He and Buffy smooched.
Michael, my sister’s boyfriend, is so into her. They’re always kissing... and groping. I bet they have sex! He so looks like a woman.
Michael was wearing black leather pants and a purple velour top with a neck that was low round his neck. He also had his nails painted purple. He also wore a ring on nearly every finger.
Michael stopped kissing Buffy and looked at Dawn.
“Hey, kid.” Michael said.
“I’m not a kid.” Dawn said annoyed.
She walked off as Buffy and Michael moved into the living room.
“Well, this is a surprise of the nicest kind.” Buffy said.
“Now it’s my turn to be surprised. I thought we had plans today.”
They sat on the sofa.
“Plans? We planned plans?” Buffy asked.
“Well, you said, uh, ‘come over tomorrow and we’ll hang,’ and then I said, ‘OK.’ Not the invasion of Normandy, but still a plan.”
Buffy nodded in resignation.
“Right.”
Michael studied her expression, “We’re not hangin’ today, are we?”
“Giles is on his way to pick me up.”
“Oh, Slayer training.”
“Slayer shopping, actually, but equally as important.”
“I have no doubt. Okay, well, we’ll hook up later.” Michael started to get up.
“Are you mad at me?” Buffy asked.
