Long Lost Daughter

Chapter 1

(Taylor's POV)

I sigh as I stand at the entrance of my new school. I can't believe my parents moved us to this stupid town. I hear the bell ring and decide that it's time to head in. I meet the principal at his office. I zone out as he gives me the welcome spiel and hands me a piece of paper with my classes on it, as well as my locker number. I think he is still talking as he walks me to my first class of the day, but it all sounds like white noise to me. My mind can't help but to wander. I nod my head and give a small smile so that he thinks I was listening as he opens the door for me. Then there is the familiar feeling of everyone's eyes on me. The room went completely silent as soon as we walk in. I stood there waiting awkwardly for the teacher to say something.

"Welcome, Miss Thompson. I am Mrs. Smith. Class this is Taylor, she is a new student. Let's all try and make her feel welcome." Mrs. Smith says as she gestures to the only seat available. It is next to this really cute brunette. As I go to sit down she looks up and makes eye contact with me. She and I smile at each other as I sit down.

"Mrs. Smith is a fun teacher. You'll like her." She says smiling at me.

"Thanks for telling me, I am sure I will uh..." I trail off as I do not know her name.

"My name is Da–"

"Miss Summers, do you have something you would like to share with the rest of the class?" Mrs. Smith inquired with agitation written all over her face.

"I am so sorry Mrs. Smith, it's my fault. I was just asking where we are so that I may get caught up." I say trying to cover for her.

"Oh, well that's alright. Just be a bit quieter and see me after class. I will get you some material that should get you all caught up." Mrs. Smith says as she goes back to lecturing.

"Thank you and it's Dawn Summers." Dawn whispers with a small smile. I just simply give her a toothy grin back and focus my attention on the white board. The class seemed to go on forever and her voice became drowned out by my inner thoughts. My mom and dad have been so stressed from the move and with my sister that I have pretty much been on my own. I just wonder if they will even notice if I do not come home from school on time. Probably, they don't notice a lot but they are on top of it when it comes to me making a mistake. My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the bell ringing. I pick up my bag, close my notebook and go up to Mrs. Smith.

"Here you go Miss Thompson. These are some notes from the lectures you have missed that are important to this unit. Just focus on the class work for tonight and I will touch base with you tomorrow." Mrs. Smith tells me as she hands me a small stack of papers. I smile at her as I tuck the papers in my notebook. 

" Thank you Mrs. Smith." I head off to my next class and see that Dawn is in the same class, only this time the seat next to her is taken. I can't help but be a little disappointed. Maybe it's because she is the only person I kind of know at this school? I am not sure, but there is something about her that I am very drawn to. The next few classes are the same way, passing glances but nothing more. Then the lunch bell rings. I wander around and try to find the cafeteria.

"Hey Taylor! How is your first day going?" Dawn asks me.

"Oh, it's a day. Just trying to find the cafeteria now." I say looking around still. She giggles.

"Come with me." Dawn says, grabbing my hand and leading me down the hall to the lunch room. We grab our food and go sit down. "So what brings you to Sunnydale?"

"Well my mom and dad are opening a new practice here in Sunnydale. They are both doctors and figured that this would be a nice place to settle down in." I say before taking a bite of pizza.

"Nice, I hope that goes well for them. Should get plenty of business around here." I see a small glint of fear dance across her face after she finishes her sentence. But she quickly plasters on a smile and takes a small bite of salad.

"What do you mean? Have a lot of accidents around here?" I joke.

"Not really, just always nice to have those resources around a town like this." We finished up our lunch with a bit of small talk. Before we know it the bell rings and we have to get to our classes. The rest of the day seemed to fly by, but I just can't get what Dawn said out of my head. She gives off such a weird and magnetic energy and then she goes and says something like that. Maybe I am overthinking it. She seems so nice and sweet, but that doesn't mean anything nowadays. I hear the final bell of the day and head to my locker to put my books away. I see Dawn walking towards me. I give her a big smile and wave at her.

"Hey Dawn" I say before bringing my focus back to which books I need to bring home. She comes and stands next to my locker.

"Hey Taylor, got any plans after school?"

"Just going home and studying. Trying to play catchup before I get too far behind. How about you?" I say as I zip up my backpack.

"Probably just heading home to study. Would you like to come over?" Before I can answer my sister walks up behind Dawn. I see she already has her own little group of friends. She glares at me but doesn't say anything as she walks by. She and I don't get along at all. I try to hide the disappointment on my face.

"Yeah, sure." Dawn smiles widely.

"Great! Let's go!" She says excitedly. She grabs my hand and we rush outside. The walk to her house is so beautiful. I can't believe how pretty Sunnydale is. Maybe I will like it here. Then we get to her house and I am in awe. Her house is so beautiful.

"You actually live here?" I ask as we walk up to the porch.

"Yep. Me, my sister, and her friends."

"What about your parents?" I ask. I immediately regret it. I watch her smile turn into a pain filled expression.

"My mom passed away and my dad doesn't come around much anymore." She says.

"I am so sorry! I didn't mean to bring that up. I should just go. I am so so sorry!" I say panicking. I start walking away, but I feel her hand stop me.

"No, it's ok. Come on in." She says with a half smile. We get to the door and she opens it for me. I try to keep my gasp to myself. The inside is even more beautiful than the outside. I hear a few peoples voices as we head toward the kitchen.

"Hey Dawnie, who's your friend?" The redhead asks as we walk into the kitchen. I can feel their eyes on me. In the kitchen there are 4 people. A man with dark hair, a woman with blonde hair, and a woman with dirty blonde hair who is standing next to the redhead.

"Oh, this is Taylor Thompson. She is the new girl that just started at our school. Taylor, this is Xander, my sister Buffy, and that's Willow and Tara." Dawn says as she introduces me to everyone. I watch Tara's expression change. She almost goes pale. I do a small awkward wave.

"Hi there." I say shyly. I am not a fan of meeting new people. Today has been overwhelming to say the least.

"Hi, welcome to Sunnydale. Dawn, Taylor can only stay for a few hours. We have plans tonight." Buffy says. Dawn nods in agreement.

"Alright. Taylor, do you want a snack?" Dawn says as she grabs an apple from the fridge.

"I'm good." She closes the fridge and pulls me upstairs. I'm glad that I at least made one friend today.