AU- The Midnight Players of SHS **Updated 11/16!!!!!!!

[mangled_monkey]

Rose- I have actually decided to skip class so I can work on the next bit. It'll be up by 3. Or, since you're probably in a different time zone, in about an hour and a half. I'm trying to update alot intentionally, mostly because I know this story will be neglected for at least two days come midterms and another two come finals. I want there to be plenty up before then. I have a goal of where I will be when that time comes, and I'm hoping the timeline works out. Heck, at this rate, I might even be ahead. Also, I really get annoyed when a story I follow religiously doesn't update for months on end. It's kinda a deal breaker and makes me not like the story so much anymore. I don't want to be THAT author.

*Gives Rose a cookie*


Edited to add- YAY! Two pages!! That is so cool! I hit to pages! *does a second page dance* And I'm the first post on this page... that rocks so much!

[ShallowLikeUs]

*giggles* cuddly zombies..

i am a professional slacker... and... I did okay in highschool.. it was that whole.. homework thing. But i test well so i graduated with a special cord that means i was all.. honors.. but not really really honors.. yeah... college sucks.. i'm all.. lethargic and.. lazy.. but i'm in florida (i grew up in cleveland ohio... yay for the mistake on the lake!) so.. i get sun out of the deal.. onto feedback!

Yay! Update!

Willow's best care bears attire made me smile... i had a wardrobe of carebears and ninja turtles... and my grandma always tried to get me to wear frilly dresses... i rebelled at an early age.

I love how Ruth calls the teacher "Miss Teacher Lady" cause well.. when i was in school.. i knew my teachers names. but i didn't talk much anyways. so i never really had to talk to my teacher. and I love the "You draw doggies good. Want to be my friend?" because i know, that the two things are equatable. I still ask people "Will you be my friend" cause.. well.. i'm lame.

As for Willow's mom... i have to say this <^>(>.<<^>) [kirby ish angry...stupid parents who ignore their childrens needs! I NEVER WANTED TO BE A BALLARINA!...sorry...channelling my childhood there..]

And I love how the lightboard makes Willow's inner geek be in awe, i loved that line...

I got a copy of the new testament today...thought i would share... there i was.. walking back from french class... and some guy makes me take this little green book.. and it's bible stuff...

But in french class the jewish kid had one too... I think it's great that they hand out the new testament to the jewish kid.

Alright.. i need to go sleep.. and then.. get up.. and do homework...or.. read fanfic...

Update sooooon please? (i'm so lame.)
-Dani

[Thianne]

Cave Vale says: love fic. WANT MORE!!!

good job, keep it up!

[writerfreak]

well that was a suprise, i go out to run some errands for my business and come back and theres an update, yay. i loved the tech crew in school, i was up on stage once and was like nope not doin this anymore, so i started working with the sound. and yes i got out, as soon as i hit 18 i was gone, and ill be 21 in august so its been a while. 6 months isnt so bad, it will fly. still a great story, i agree with cave val, me love want more lol.



writerfreak

[mangled_monkey]

ShallowLikeUs- I LOVED the ninja turtles. My first cat was named April June (her birth month) Raphael. But yeah. I called all of my teachers Miss Teacher Lady for two years. My first grade teacher didn't like it much, though.

Here's the next bit.

****
The girls got to the mall around 4:15, giving them close to four hours before it would be dark outside. Their first stop in the wide selection of stores was the Hot Topic. Tara showed Willow the basic type of outfit she might want to get. Willow picked out a few different pairs of pants and various tops that she figured she might want to get, and went back to the dressing room to try them on.

Tara went into the dressing room with her, to help get the clothes on. She looked away as the girl undressed, but still managed to catch a glimpse of her bare back, only her butt and a small strip of skin higher up being covered with a somewhat sheer, emerald fabric. She gulped hard and looked at her feet until Willow spoke. “Hey, Tara? Could you pull that string there to tighten it up?”

Tara silently pulled the string on the corset Willow was trying on, holding her breath as the distance between her and Willow lessened and she could feel the heat from the redhead’s skin on her hand. She was asked to tuck the string into the back of the corset and wordlessly did so, enjoying the all too short feel of the girl’s smooth skin against her hand. Well, I guess this means I’m attracted to her, Tara admitted to herself with a silent sigh. So the crush waits for the second day. So much for self-control, Tara.

Willow loved the way Tara just barely caressed her back as she tucked in the string and tried to think of an excuse for her to touch her that way again, but there just wasn’t one. “Thank you.”

Tara nodded and moved back, taking a deep breath that went unnoticed by Willow. “You’re welcome.”

Willow pulled on a pair of pants she thought would go with the corset and looked in the mirror, then turned to Tara with a beaming smile. “So… how do I look?”

Tara looked her over, having to take deep breaths to keep from hyperventilating as she looked at the way the outfit hugged all of Willow’s slight curves and how the green fabric of the corset top really brought out her eyes. She tried to find words to describe how Willow looked at that moment, with that smile and that outfit, but the words failed her. After a moment of her silence, Willow began to frown. “It looks stupid doesn’t it. Stupid me and thinking I’d look good in this… I should just-”

Tara cut her off, not wanting her to think she looked in any way bad. “N-no… You look great.” Amazingly wonderfully beautiful is more like it. But she would never have the courage to say those words. Not after what happened with Joanie.

Willow smiled. “I guess I look ok…” She looked at the price tag on the corset and frowned. “I don’t think I’ll get it.”

Tara nodded, knowing how expensive the clothes here were and figuring that Willow might have better luck with affording the clothes at Target, where she bought her own.

Willow tried on a few more items of clothing with no further incident. After paying for one shirt and one pair of pants at that store, Tara took her to the Target and Willow got five more pairs of the same pants for close to twice the amount she paid for one pair at the trendy chain.

As they were walking out of the Target, Willow heard her stomach growl over the background noise of the mall. “Uh, want to get dinner here?”

Tara frowned. “Umm… I don’t really have any money.”

Willow noticed the slight embarrassment on the girl’s face and smiled at her. “That’s ok… my treat. You were nice enough to show me everything I’m going to need and you’re teaching me how to do lighting…”

Tara was about to shake her head when she noticed an adorable pout on the redhead’s face, aimed at getting her to say yes. “I… I guess that would be ok…”

They walked to the food court and looked around for a good resterant choice. “What kind of food do you want?” Willow looked at Tara for an answer.

Tara shrugged in reply. “I don’t really care… besides… you’re paying, so you choose.” She watched Willow to see where she would go, and she began walking toward a pizza place. Tara followed, and they each got a slice of cheese pizza and a bottle of water. Tara grabbed napkins as Willow paid, and they walked to a vacant table and took a seat.

They began eating in silence, both girls feeling awkward but only Tara really understanding why. She didn’t want this crush to ruin her friendship with Willow. She had grown to care about her quite a bit in the two days she had known her and wanted Willow to care also. She was pretty sure Willow liked her, but she was certain it was just as a friend, so she didn’t want to entertain any thoughts that they might possibly have more.



Willow decided to walk Tara home after their dinner, since it was starting to get dark and she wanted her new friend to be safe.

As they were walking, they began to drift closer and closer to each other, until eventually their arms were brushing. They walked that way in silence for a block, before Tara smiled. “Um… Thank you for dinner. I had a great time.”

Willow wondered briefly why this seemed like a date, but she shrugged that off and smiled. “I did too.”

They got to Tara’s house, and Willow walked her to the door before stopping and turning to her. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Tara.”

Tara smiled a lopsided smile that Willow subconsciously knew she would fall in love with. “Bye.”

Willow began to walk away, then turned around and waved, walking backwards until she hit Tara’s mailbox. She winced slightly at her display of clumsiness and smiled apologetically at Tara. “Bye.” She walked away quickly to save herself from further embarrassment.

***
I edit for comments later.

[MochaVamp]

I am enjoying this story. The angst of thinking your crush is straight.

Plus, this is just too cute!
.

Willow began to walk away, then turned around and waved, walking backwards until she hit Tara’s mailbox. She winced slightly at her display of clumsiness and smiled apologetically at Tara. “Bye.” She walked away quickly to save herself from further embarrassment.

[writerfreak]

awww that was so sweet. and the running into the mailbox, totally something i would do. or trip up the stairs or something equally as horrific and embarrassing in front of a crush. it is still very good. and it keeps getting better and better.



writerfreak

[mangled_monkey]

Val- I'm finally getting around to replying to you. You got more!

writerfreak- Thanks for your continuing support on this story. It's very helpful. The mailbox thing was actually a last minute thing as I watched someone in the student lounge I was in awkwardly back into a table. It struck me as a good idea, so I put it in. Glad people like it.

MochaVamp- Cool SN. And yeah, I LOVE angst as long as it's happening to one of my characters or someone in a story. I can't stand angst in my own relationships.

My next update might be up tonight or tomorrow. I'm hoping. If I get too bogged down or sleepy, it won't be up till Friday.

[Guppy]

Loving the 2 updates while I'm at work. Wonderful way to relax after all that drama. And I feel like Willow backing into the mailbox most days. It was a perfect last minute add-on. Try as we might, the others still notice it no matter how we try to disguise it.

Awesome story! Cuddly zombies? LOL. Geek Willow will have a blast in tech room. And alone time with Tara even better!!! Can't wait for more. Oh, and thanks for the cookie *munch* vewy guud *munch*

[writerfreak]

my support of this story is guaranteed. its a very well written piece. ill continue to watch for updates and possibly hopefully maybe more stories from you sometime. i like the way you write.

writerfreak

[WillowRulez]

It's your story, you can be defensive all you want It wont keep me from reading! I just ask these questions because I know some writers just write Willow that way because it's usually like that. But with your flashback you helped explaining the depth of that insecurity and that's all I need.
I am not the biggest fan of Buffy anyway, especially the late character. In the beginning she was only oblivious but then she was outright self-absorbed. Oh well, guess they needed someone like that.
So WT alone in that booth...
PS: Cuddly zombies is very cute... I can imagine the pic in my head at least! Maybe someone could draw it for us

[mangled_monkey]

Guppy- I'm actually not sure how much fun you'll get to SEE her have in the tech room because this story has gone in a different direction than I had originally planned. It was supposed to revolve more heavily around the acting, because I know about that WAY more than I know about the inner workings of the tech crew. But there may still be acting in here, I hope. If I can even decide on a play...

writerfreak- I will have more stories, possible a few one shot pieces to practice writing sex, but I might not even post those. This piece will eventually get to the first time place, and I want to be ready. That is making me nervous NOW and it's really far away. Bunches and bunches of chapters. Oh well, I'll get it.

WillowRulez- I can't stand it when people write a character because that's how they always seem without understanding what makes them that way. Most of Willow's insecurities, I believe, are because of her parents, but some are just how she is. Some people are just naturally insecure. I hope to continue explaining the depth of feelings and insecurities also, because I find that's what makes me interested in a story most, when I can understand where everyone is coming from. Buffy annoys me, but I'm not going to be down on her in this story, because I really don't think Tara would open up to her when she knows how busy she is. Not at this stage in her life, anyway. The booth will be fun to write, because that is where a good deal of relationship development will take place.


Next up will be the sleepover, boys and (mostly) girls! Are there any boys? *shrugs* oh well. That'll be next. I'm really surprised no one asked about the Joanie thing. I really thought I was going to have to explain there. Hehe. This'll be fun.

[ShallowLikeUs]

My pet turtle is named Donatello... he was my favorite ninja turtle...I stood in line when i was like.. 5 at disney world for an hour to get his autograph...screw mickey...I wanted Donatello! and then my friends informed me in december that in the movies.. Donatello is Cory Feldman...and I almost cried. And I used to play ninja turtles with the kids on my street...I was so cool...(not really) anyways... Onto feedback!!

Aww!! soo cute... and I understand how Tara feels... for I too am starting to have a crush on a new friend.. who i only just met...only my dilema... she's straight, which, not that big of a deal...that can be worked around, for I too was once "straight". but the big problem...she's dating one of my close friends...and has been for the past 4 years...so um... I'm not gunna try and break that up...at least Tara will get to kiss Willow... it's inevitable...for... those are the rules.

Hot Topic Sucks! I say...as I wear a shirt that I got there... and shoelaces from there... and.. okay.. so I shop there.. but.. when their clearance is 50% off... i figure i can spring for some fun stuff... but mostly... I shop at wal-mart...cause it's the closest...I hate wal-mart...evil censorship empire... and...this is all completely irrelevant...i just... tend to... talk a lot...

I love the interaction between Tara and Willow. So cute. and how it felt like a date, all.. subconsiously... oh oh oh! and Willow backing into the mailbox!! Cause...I've done that before... only.. I was backing away.. and.. it was a porch.. and.. stairs.. and.. I ended up with bloody palms... cause my hands hit the ground and.. it just.. was not pretty.. and.. it wasn't very cute apparently...cause i never got a second date... when did clumsy stop being endearing?

okay...i'm done... for now.

Update! Please?

-Dani

[tarebear]

hey MM... i just finished reading this story and i really like it! i'm definitely looking forward to the sleepover... will willow be accepted in the group or will she gravitate like tara... a part of but not really? it seems xander and tara are really close... all cuddly and everything... when willow starts crushing on tara, that might propose as a problem... especially with the idea that they're a couple... well that is if willow never finds out about joanie beforehand... yeah, what happened to them? did she transfer or something? why did they broke up? is that even relevant to the story at this point? buffy seems a little distracted... is it because of the sleepover or something else? will we get to see some faith action in your story? what about giles? is cordelia ever going to change her evil ways? is tara's mom going to be okay? at least tara's dad and brother seems to be nice enough in this story.... geez! i have lots of questions don't i? hehe...

anyways... hope to see more of this story soonish... but i guess that won't be a problem since it seems you're a real fast updater... and us readers absolute love fast-update writers!

good job on this fic MM! and oh! welcome to the board!

[mangled_monkey]

ShallowLikeUs- Aww, crushes on straight girls suck. I had one for two years. Same girl, of course. Her boyfriend was a total jerk. Anyway, hang in there. I don't exactly hate Hot Topic or anything, I just think it's way overpriced. I like the clothes and stuff. Clumsy never stopped being endearing with some people, but others don't like clumsy girls. I will never understand that. Clumsy is CUTE!

tarebear- I refuse to answer most of those questions because they will be answered in the story, and that'll ruin the surprise if I answer them now, but yes, there will be Faith, and Buffy is distracted by all the stuff she's doing. School, drama AND tech is ALOT to do. And Cordy will not be good in this story. She also won't be mentioned much. I have yet to decide if Giles will be in this. Maybe. And everything with Joanie will be explained in a flashback when it's a bit more relevent to the main storyline. And Tara's mom will probably follow canon. Maybe not. Donny and her dad are no nicer in this than they are on the show, you just don't get to see them much. And yes, you have alot of questions. An update will be posted by the end of the night. In two or three hours, most likely. Maybe even two chapters.

[ShallowLikeUs]

much of my clothing is from hot topic...i just hate pricey things... and i tend to get cranky and you know.. angry. anger leads to hate...and hate leads to anger...no wait.. fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate.. .hate leads to dollars in the waistband...yes well.. the straight girls are silly...so.. i guess i'm... silly.. sometimes... since.. i'm going to go on a date with a guy... at least he's nice. i should really be focusing on school... and you know.. my future... but hah... like that would ever happen. oooh i have cookies left over from dinner! yay.. oh oh! and Five by Five!! is the next episode!! to watch! on my DVD!! yes!! i love faith... she's so hot...okay.. i ramble.. and.. am just.. being annoying.. to the angel-mobile...away!

-Dani

[mangled_monkey]

ShallowLikeUs- .... I really have no clue what to say to that.

Ok, here's an update. This isn't the entire sleepover, don't worry. There'll be more added on later when I finish it. I just wanted to get this up tonight in case I don't finish the rest.

This next bit is dedicated to writerfreak, without whom this part might not've existed and exists because of at the same time. Way to go with the paradox there!

The Midnight Players of SHS- Chapter something part 3.4

****
Willow arrived at Buffy’s house a few minutes after six. She was let in by Faith, who happened to be closest to the door. Faith grinned widely when she saw Willow. “You must be my new slave.”

Willow was more than slightly taken aback at this new and different greeting. “Your… slave?”

Faith nodded, putting her arm around Willow once she had come in. “Yeah… you joined tech crew. I own your ass.”

Willow frowned. “I don’t think that was on the contract…”

Faith grinned. “Ya gotta read the fine print, Red… It’ll get ya every time.”

Willow was dragged into the living room by Faith as she was walking there, and looked around. “Where’s everyone else?”

“In the kitchen. You better go get changed for the occation, Red.”

“Huh? Oh… Right, my pjs. I’ll go put them on… Where’s the bathroom?”

“Upstairs. The only door that’s open.”

Willow nodded and went upstairs, found the bathroom, and changed into her pajamas, pink ones with kittens on them. She went back downstairs once dressed again.

Faith looked Willow up and down and smirked at her. “Nice pjs…” She said in an almost sincere tone of voice.

Willow smiled. “They’re new…”

Buffy and Tara entered the room then, each holding a bowl of popcorn. “We’re here!” Buffy announced as she took a seat on the couch. “Nice pjs, Will… Love the kittens.”

Faith sat next to Buffy on the couch, a tiny bit closer than is merely friendly, and Tara sat on her sleeping bag on the floor. Willow unrolled her sleeping bag next to Tara’s on the end and sat on it. Tara smiled at Willow and looked up at Buffy. “So… movies?”

Buffy nodded. “We have three movies to watch. Sorry, Willow, but we didn’t know which one to get for you, so you don’t have one. Faith chose Rush Hour… Tara chose Rent, and I chose Earth Girls Are Easy.”

Willow nodded. “Three is enough anyway… right?”

Buffy and Faith glanced at eachother in disbelief. Tara grinned slightly. “You uh… Don’t go to many sleepovers, huh?”

Willow frowned. “Well… Not really.”

Faith laughed. “That explains it, then. The whole point of a sleepover is to stay up all night with your best gal pals and eat too much.”

Buffy nodded in agreement and leaned on Faith’s shoulder, which Faith seemed happy about, although no one noticed that. “Speaking of, could you put in the first movie, Tara?”

Tara nodded and sat up onto her knees, grabbing Rush Hour and crawling over to the DVD player. She put in the DVD, put the box on top of the player, and crawled back, laying down on her sleeping bag in preparation to watch the movie.

As the movie played, Willow and Tara slowly gravitated toward eachother each time they shifted, until their hips were touching. They stayed like that for the rest of the movie, until Tara got up to turn it off.

When she turned around after pressing the button, she had to suppress a giggle. Willow noticed the barely suppressed giggle and asked “What?”

Tara pointed to the couch where Buffy and Faith were asleep, Buffy’s head on Faith’s shoulder and Faith’s head on Buffy’s. Willow smiled. “Aww, they’re so cute…”

Tara sat back down on her sleeping back and got in. “They like to talk big, but they never make it past the second movie.”

Willow smiled at them while she climbed into her sleeping bag. “So… are those two… a couple?”

Tara shook her head. “No… Faith wants them to be… but she won’t admit it.”

Willow nodded and laid down. “Do they usually sleep that way?”

Tara nodded. “Yup. Every time there’s a sleepover, since ninth grade, they fall asleep that way. No matter who has a boyfriend, they act as couply as ever at these sleepovers.”

Willow cuddled into her sleeping bag and yawned. “So why doesn’t Buffy do something about it?”

Tara grinned. “Because she can’t tell Faith likes her.”

“Wow… how oblivious can one person be? It’s so obvious…”

As they both turned over to sleep, Tara thought yeah… so obvious. Why would she ever want me?

****
That will probably be it for tonight, since I'm getting somewhat incoherent. Enjoy![/b]

[writerfreak]

awe...its dedicated to me, thats so sweet even though i really didnt do anything. its really good, and all the credit goes to you, i didnt do much.
i love it once again. and thank you for the dedication.



writerfreak

[LesbianJedi87]

great updates! YAY!!!!! I dont have much to say in the analytical sense cuz Im way tired and just so not wordy enough for that lol

Just wanted to say great update! And sorry for the late FB, but I do read these updates as soon as they're well...updated lol just takes me a while to reply lol

Cant wait for the new update! (I think Ive said "update" way too much" hehe)

[tarebear]

aaawww! what a short yet cute update! it's really ironic for willow to say that it's obvious that faith really likes buffy when she doesn't take the time to look at tara enough to notice her interest in her as well... and tara is way too insecure to do anything about it right now... sigh!

i can't wait to read the rest of the sleepover...

btw... thanks for the reply... i knew you couldn't answer those questions without giving the story away... anyways those are just the sort of things running through my mind that i'm sure by reading further, the story will answer by itself.

good job so far MM!

[Candleshoe]

Well, I came for the cookies (I heard they were good hint, hint) and stayed for the wonderful fic. I really like the cuteness of this, the tentativeness, the unsure-but-sure-ness, and I loved five year old Willow!

Really looking forward to the next update - but don't forget to go to class occasionally!

[ShallowLikeUs]

i give the thumbs up on this update! Buffy and Faith so cute. and i'm off to my nana's house for the weekend. keep up the awesome work.
-Dani

[WillowRulez]

Oh no, Tara, don't even start to think along those lines
Buffy and Faith are really cute!
Great update!
P.S.: I was gonna ask about Joanie but then I thought: hey, everything will be explained in good time...

[Guppy]

the sleepover starts! woohoo! B and Faith are cute but Willow needs to look next to her, that's obvious too. It is so hard though to actually tell when someone likes you, especially if they are subtle. Can't wait for your next update. Sleepover continued! It's gonna rock, maybe some friendly cuddles???

[mangled_monkey]

writerfreak- You did do stuff, but I already went into that. This next part was inspired because of your help, so you DID help with it.

Rose- Late feedback is still feedback, so it's always appreciated.

tarebear- Irony is kinda ironic that way.

Candleshoe- I do go to class... most of the time... that teacher said we didn't need to go, just read the book and do the work and show up for the tests. I don't plan on not going all the time, I just wanted to appease my fans. Five year old Willow is going to be one of my personal favorites for a long time. *Gives you a cookie* Since you hinted so obviously...

ShallowLikeUs- Hopefully this next bit keeps up to standard, then.

WillowRulez- Hey... my readers have faith in me... I wish I had Faith in me... (snicker) Sorry... I couldn't help it.

Guppy- Umm... friendly cuddles of a sort, I guess... Read on and see!

*Gives everyone else cookies*

Note: Everything medical in this update was gained from talking to doctors. Information published in studys may vary.


The Midnight Players of SHS

****
Early the next morning, around five-thirty, Willow woke up to find the sleeping bag next to her empty. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, looking around trying to find the girl that was missing. She pulled up the opening to the bag and looked in the cave that created… just to be sure she wasn’t in there.

She got up, straightening her pajamas and walked around the bottom floor of the Summers’ house. “Tara?” She whispered, careful not to be too loud in her search. As she went through the dining room, she made a mental note of everywhere she checked. Not under the dining room table… Not under the tablecloth… Not in this drawer… Not in the dining room…She moved on to the kitchen. Not in the cabinet under the kitchen sink… Not in the knife drawer, which is probably a good thing… Not in the oven… Not with the pots and pans… Not in the kitchen… Maybe the bathroom. She walked up the stairs, but saw upon reaching the top floor landing that the bathroom door was wide open and that the room itself was vacant. She decided to expand her search to include outside areas, finding Tara on the back porch.

She opened the door, went out, and sat down next to her on the steps. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Tara jumped slightly, looking scared until she turned and saw Willow. “Oh… It’s you… Yeah, I uh… I just… woke up.”

Willow nodded. “Me too… I… Well, I got worried when you were gone.”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about me…” Tara looked down at the grass. You don’t need to worry because I’m not worth the worry.

Willow didn’t like what her tone of voice implied. “You seem kind of… preoccupied... are you ok?”

Tara nodded, then shook her head. She took a deep breath, looked up at Willow, then back down at the grass, tears welling in blue eyes already clouded by pain. “My mom got worse. She went into surgery an hour ago.”

“I’m sorry.” Willow put a hand on Tara’s knee, trying to be comforting. “Do… do they know what’s wrong?”

Tara nodded, refusing to look up because she didn’t want Willow to see the tears. “They did a test yesterday… something about ANAs or something… Dr. Williamson said she possibly has Lupus.”

Willow scooted a little closer and put her arm around Tara’s shoulder. “I read about that in my mom’s medical journal… they have some really promising treatments… like… this medicine… Topamax… it has very few side effects and gets rid of almost all the symptoms in 70% of the patients…”

Tara looked at Willow, the tears in her eyes spilling over and rolling down her cheeks. “But… w-what if mom’s part of the other thirty percent?”

Tara began to sob. Willow wasn’t sure what to do for a moment, but then her sense recovered somewhat and she wrapped the girl into her arms and began rubbing her back gently. “I… I don’t know…” She whispered. She bit her tongue to keep from assuring Tara that everything would be alright, because she knew how hollow those words were when there was no guarentee.

The two girls stayed that way for what seemed like an eternity. It was actually close to ten minutes before Tara’s tears had been exhausted and she just sat quiet and still in Willow’s arms.

Neither girl moved for a few seconds, until Tara pulled back, wiping her face with the palms of her hands and smiling apologetically at Willow. “Uh… Sorry I got your shirt all wet…”

Willow looked down at the large wet spot on her shirt, looked back at Tara and shrugged. “It’ll dry… are you ok?”

Tara nodded slowly. “I will be… um… thank you… for… well, you know.”

Willow, her arm still around Tara, smiled slightly at her friend. “It’s what I’m here for…” Neither of them spoke for a long moment, then Willow spoke again. “If you ever need anything… at any time… you can call me, ok? Or you can come to my house… my room opens up into the backyard so that… what I’m trying to say is… I’m here for you.”

Tara smiled for the first time in what felt like days. “Thank you, Willow.”

No more words were spoken between them as they watched the sunrise, Willow’s arm still around Tara, and waited for the others to get up.




****
I know it's sad. Sorry if it made anyone (*cough*writerfreak*cough*) cry, it's intentionally sad, but this story will have ups and downs. That's how life is.

[writerfreak]

i didnt cry i was strong.....*sniff*. lol. ok ok ok maybe i did, only a little. but its so sad. good..but sad. *sniff*. ok i have to go find tissues now.



writerfreak

[Guppy]

Very good update. sad but it did include cuddling of sorts so i'm satisfied! did Tara get a phone call to know about her mom? do they have cell phones? what color was the sunset? Was it a clear or cloudy morning? oh, I guess those last two don't really matter Sorry, fantastic update. And way to go Willow telling her where your bedroom is! Good first step at letting Tara in!

[mangled_monkey]

Guppy- They do all have cell phones, which will come into play later, but Tara had known about the surgery when she got to the sleepover.


To everyone- I'm sure you have all noticed that my updates have slowed down. I promise at least one update every day, but I can't say there will be more. I'm working hard on this story, but I also have school work and a job to keep up with which wasn't affecting me before. I hope everyone keeps reading.

[Candleshoe]

I'll keep reading, don't worry! I am enjoying this story a lot...

[WillowRulez]

Poor Tara... I hope her mom is part of the 70% and doesnt have to die. Willow is too cute with her all-around knowledge.
Keep it up!