Summary: Buffy is dating Riley however she is not feeling fulfilled in their relationship. Will one night out at the Bronze with Willow change her life forever?
In relation to the series: Buffy has been attending Sunnydale University where she met and started dating Riley. She left university to look after Dawn and aid her Mom in her recovery from her operation. Joyce doesn't die and Buffy goes back to university part time but continues to live at home. Story is set in Season Four however more AU than the actual series. Spike has returned to Sunnydale already and has been chipped, Buffy knows this from what she has found out from Riley, and she has yet to see him face to face.
Back to Routine
Buffy was sat on a bench in the campus of UC Sunnydale, waiting for Willow to finish her chemistry lesson so they could go to History together. History was the only subject Buffy took now. She didn't mind missing out so much on her university education because her mum was doing a lot better now, which was the most important thing. She had to admit that she had taken a liking to staying at home, if her Mom hadn't insisted that she go back to College she would still be in bed, asleep, right now. Buffy let out a sigh and took a sip of her can of soda.
"Hey Buff" Buffy turned round to see Willow and Tara standing over her. Buffy smiled; at least she wasn't on her own anymore.
"Hey Guys."
"What are you all sad about?"
"Oh it's nothing really I was just thinking that if I wasn't here, I would be tucked up in bed right now!" They all laughed.
"We better get off the history now; we don't want to be late do we"? Willow said Buffy just smirked at her. "Well I know you don't want to be there!"
"See you guys later, I'm going to the Magic Box to help out Anya, and she is totally freaking out about the wedding!" Tara piped up.
"See you later baby." Willow kissed and hugged Tara, then she waved goodbye and headed off to the Magic Box. Buffy and Willow walked off in the direction of the History department. Buffy sighed again wishing she had something like that with Riley, but their relationship had got all awkward and well, boring.
"Are you ok Buffy?" Willow enquired.
"Um?" "Oh yea I'm fine."
"You sound so sure!" Buffy smiled, she knew she couldn't get anything past Willow.
"Yea I was just thinking about me and Riley, how it's got all predictable and everything."
"I knew you weren't really happy." Willow said laying a reassuring hand on Buffy's shoulder.
"Congratulations Sherlock! Na I'm okay, I just need some girly time or something. You know get back to the old times, have a really good chat and stuff." Buffy said with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Sounds good to me, we can bring happy Buffy back!"
"I am Happy!" Buffy said a little too hastily and Willow just frowned at her friend.
"I AM! Well sort of…" Buffy said tailing off.
"Okay, how about a sleepover at your house, just you and me; we can have girly chats, cookie dough, and loads of Chocolate."
"Sounds good… I think I need it." Buffy said perking up.
"YOU DO!" Willow said rather assertively, Buffy frowned and then smiled at her friend as they walked into their history room, she knew Willow was right.
xxx
Willow and Buffy walked out of their History room and Buffy stated "That was so boring!"
"I know! Even I was bored and I like history, I'm a history nerd." Willow replied jokingly.
"Well looks like I'm back into a routine again, boredom included." Buffy winced at her own statement.
"Well least your Mom and Dawn are the least of your worries now."
"Yea everything's great…Well almost everything!"
"Well Doctor Willow is going to sort all that out!"
"Yea I know I really appreciate it." Buffy said putting an arm around Willows shoulders as they walked off in the direction of Willow and Tara's dorm.
"Don't mention it. What are friends for?"
"SORTING OUT BEST FRIENDS BOYFRIEND AND LIFE PROBLEMS?!" Buffy replied flippantly. Willow laughed.
"Argggh I can hardly think! Why did Giles suggest I take history?" Buffy said rubbing her temples.
"Because I suppose it could help with your slaying and stuff, giving you a background or something" Willow suggested sticking the key in her door.
"I don't think American history helps much with that sort of stuff."
"Guess not."
"Is Tara going to be okay on her own here?" Buffy said looking round the large well-decorated room.
"Sure, I said to her you needed sorting out anyway."
"Oh god I'm that obvious?" Willow laughed again.
Willow and Buffy gathered up Willows stuff and left Tara a note to let her know what was going on and then made their way to Buffy's house. After dropping their stuff off, Buffy and Willow went shopping to buy all the essentials needed for girly talk, most important being the chocolate. On their way back, Willow decided to go to the Magic Box to see Tara so she could say goodnight and Buffy made her way home carrying their heavy load. By the time Buffy got back it was seven o'clock, so she got changed into her pyjamas and waited for Willow to arrive.