Willow sat back, "it all started this afternoon. That's not right, it started a long time ago, but this afternoon was the beginning of the end."
~~~~~~~~~~
She got back from the library around six.
"Tara why don't we " she stopped when she realized the dorm room was empty.
I thought she'd be here, she said to herself. Then she saw the note on her desk.
'Hi,
A couple of the guys from the Wicca Group came by. There's a gathering tomorrow at sunrise at Indian Gap out in the desert. They have to leave now to make it in time. I know how busy you are working on your article so I know you won't mind me going without you. I'll be back late tomorrow.
Love,
T'
Mind, that's right old Willow won't mind with her nose stuck in a book or her laptop, go have a good time don't think about her, she complained to herself.
I guess I'll have plenty of time to polish up the article at least, she thought. It was something to be proud of, her first article for the Software Design Journal. Professor Hoskins had encouraged her and had even contacted the editors for her. She'd been working for months, but it would all be worth it when she was published. Just think how Dad will feel. She was going to give him a copy at dinner tomorrow night. She hadn't seen him in such a long time and to be able to tell him about this, it would be great.
Her mood began to improve, maybe I'll call Buffy and we can get a pizza, she thought picking up the phone. She heard the series of beeps that meant she had voice mail, two messages in fact the computerized voice said after she punched in her access code.
Message 1 - "Willow, this is Mel Hoskins, Dr. Hoskins, I just got a call from the Journal editors, they're running a submission this month on the same techniques that you developed. A research team from Cal Tech came up with them independently. Their article was received for publication two weeks before yours. It's a bad break, but I know a level headed person like you will be able to take it in stride."
In a daze, she automatically pressed the button for the second message.
Message 2 - "Hi sweetie, this is Dad. I'm sorry but something's come up and I'm not going to be able to make dinner tomorrow. In fact, I'm not sure when I can reschedule. I know you'll understand. Oh, don't try to call me back, I'll be leaving as soon as I pack a few things. Bye."
She slowly replaced the receiver and sat down on the bed.
No article, all that work, no Dad, no Tara, no nothing, she lay back tears in her eyes.
It wasn't just the disappointments, they were bad enough, it was the way they all ignored her feelings. They just assumed she would put their feelings above her own.
She sat up wiping her eyes, she knew what she needed, a shoulder to cry on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Willow rang the bell and the door opened.
"Hi! .. oh it's you. " Buffy said her face falling.
"Gee, I'm glad to see you too," Willow said as she walked in past her friend.
"It's just that there's this guy, we've had coffee a couple of times and tonight he's coming over to help me with history."
"Except for the fact that you're not taking history this semester, it sounds like a good plan," Willow commented.
Buffy colored, " it's been a pretty long dry spell for me, I just said the first thing that came into my head. I figured we'd find something else to do eventually."
She continued, " how do I look? I don't look too needy do I?"
Willow took in the leather micro skirt and the tight halter-top.
"Do me a favor, sit down, " Willow asked.
Buffy sat.
"At least your underpants match your top, " Willow said dryly just as the bell rang.
Buffy jumped up, "it's him quick out the back way, Mom and Dawn are already at the movies."
Before she knew it, Willow was standing alone on the back porch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bell over the door of the Magic Shop rang as Willow entered.
She noticed Giles working at a rear table, but was glad to see Xander standing at the counter.
"Xand, I really need to see a friendly face right now, " she said.
"Wills, is there a friendlier one than this? " he asked with a crooked grin.
"You wouldn't believe the stuff that happened today " she was interrupted by the bell.
Anya came in carrying a brown paper bag.
"Ready Xander? I've got all the stuff," she said.
He looked from Anya to Willow, " in a minute, I was talking to Will."
"I've got two cans of whipped cream, hot fudge sauce and maraschino cherries."
Willow saw Xander's eyes glaze over, "Xand, are you listening?"
Giles looked up; "didn't you buy any ice cream?"
Anya smiled, "we don't need any ice cream, we .."
Xander interrupted, "right, right, we've got plenty of ice cream at home. Sorry Will, got to go, I know you understand."
Anya and Xander were through the door before she could object.
Dispirited, she walked back to Giles' table.
"Willow you don't know how happy I am to see you, " Giles said as she sat down.
"I'm just glad that someone is. You wouldn't believe the way people have.."
"That's all very interesting I'm sure and we can talk later. Now, I need you to look after the shop for an hour or two. You're the one person I can depend on not to let some personal crisis "
He stopped as Willow screamed and ran out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I walked and walked until I thought of you."
"How bloody thoughtful, " her host responded.
"I needed someone to talk to, someone who would listen and maybe understand."
"Contrary to popular belief luv, I'm not a complete bastard, I do have a heart. It doesn't have much work to do but I've still got it, " he said with an evil grin. "That's what you get for depending on mortals, every minute some sodding crisis. You live for a couple of hundred years, you take a longer view."
Willow smiled, "you're pretty funny and smart too. I'd even say you were sweet, but I wouldn't like to hurt your reputation around the cemetery."
"Right you'd be too," he said with a laugh.
After a moment he asked, " feeling better now?"
"Yeah, lots, just kinda tired, "she said yawning.
A few minutes later he covered her sleeping form with a blanket.
"Sleep well, red," Spike said, "they don't appreciate what they've got, the bloody twits."
END