Falling Together

Chapter 2

Willow found it almost impossible to focus.

It was seventh period, her last class of the day. After just a few more minutes, it would be a free Friday afternoon.

But unlike all her classmates, and probably everybody else in the school building right now, weekend wasn’t the reason why Willow found it hard to concentrate on her school work. Her mind kept running back to that moment between second and third period. Those two minutes had kept haunting her mind ever since it happened and had become harder to shake off when they came back. Willow’s heart skipped a beat every time she thought back at the girl taking her hand, the feeling still lingering on her own. The mental picture of the girl’s eyes taking her breath away.

Every time, it took the redhead some time to notice she had drifted off into her own world again and let out the breath she had been holding. Time and time again, she looked around to see if someone was looking at her.

This time was no different.

Coming back to reality, Willow looked around her to see if someone was staring at her. Again, no one was.

What on earth is wrong with me? She thought.

Just when she was looking at the clock, Willow’s teacher told the students to go ahead and pack their stuff. Willow let out a sigh of relief. At least school was over for this week and she could think without anyone other noticing her spacing out.

Finally, the bell rang. All students rushed towards the door, hurrying to go home and take advantage of their free time. Willow, on the other hand, was taking her time, not wanting to be part of the huge and pushy crowd that formed itself at this time of the day.

Willow was alone in the classroom now. Even the teacher had left. He knew about her habit of staying a bit longer at this  hour and that she would never trash the place. Being one of the best students of the Sunnydale high school, she had a good reputation and was trustworthy, so everyone just let her be. She turned away from the door, facing the windows. She enjoyed the few of the clearing schoolyard. Willow had always liked it more when everything around her was calm and quiet. Especially when she wanted to think or wasn’t feeling too well. Of course, she didn’t hate it when it wasn’t, but she preferred it. Maybe it had to do with her situation at home.

Closing her eyes, she was starting to zone everything out. For a few seconds, everything around her was quiet. She opened her eyes again, only to be met by someone’s face right in front of her. Willow jumped up in shock. But shock was quickly fading into a playful smile and fake anger.

“Buffy!” Willow exclaimed.

“What’s up?” Buffy said jokingly, sticking out her tongue to her friend.

“You scared me.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Why?”

“I think the real question here is why I had the opportunity to do so. You seem pretty out of it, Will. Back when we had lunchtime… ever since third period… Oh God, is this because I told you I…” Buffy looked around to see if no one else had sneaked into the classroom to listen what they were talking about. When she saw there was nobody else, she continued in a low whisper: “Is it because I told you I’m The Slayer?”

“No! Oh no, not at all! I’m totally, completely, fully fine with that,” Willow immediately excluded the possibility for her blonde friend. Buffy was visibly relieved, but after just a few seconds Willow could see the frown returning.

“So you were late for class,” Buffy said, knowing how stressed her friend could be when it came to school and being late for her classes. “Is that it? Is this about you being late for third period?”