When the Sun Falls (BTVS)

Chapter 8: Adultish

Season 3: Episode 11

"Mom! I'm home!" I shout as I walk through the door.
It had been a long day at school and then we had stayed after for a bit to make sure that everything was tiptop shape. It was still chilly, at least for Sunnydale. It had snowed on Christmas, which was a very rare occurrence. Setting the keys to the house down, I looked into the kitchen, where my mom was sitting down with some man that I had never seen. I smile and set my things down, going upstairs to leave them be.

Sarah was in her room, playing games on her computer. I walk in, her not noticing. One plus side of turning into a demon, super sneakiness. I flop down on her bed, causing her to jump and quickly swivel around, " What are you doing in here?"

I sigh, " Who's that person talking to mom?"
Sarah shrugs before going back to her game, " I don't know, he got here before I was home."

Time passes by as I relax on Sarah's bed, watching her fail at her game over and over again. It had been over an hour before mom came up. " Sorry, that took longer than expected."

I nod and head out of the room with her as she goes back down to the kitchen to make dinner.

" So, what was he all about?" I ask, picking up some dishes.

" He's from a house selling company, I was seeing what rates we could get."

I pause as my heart does a double beat in my chest, " Rates?"

Mom takes a deep sigh and looks at me, " You're father has just got a ton of money from his work. He called me and offered to buy us a house closer to him, you know, so you and Sarah can see him more often. We're moving to LA."

I feel like crying as the lump builds in my throat, " And you didn't think to tell me?"

" I did, but I just needed to wait-"

" When?" I say, my voice cracking, " When were you going to tell me? When were we going there?"

" No, honey. I wouldn't", mom says softly, " We weren't going to leave until the school year ended anyway?"

I put my head in my hands, " Can I say here?"

" Without anyone? Alone?" my mom asks, shaking off my plea.

I nod, " I'm not alone. I have all my friends, and Giles... I just don't... want to go."

" Are you suggesting you stay with one of your friends?" Mom asks like I was stupid.

My voice rises, " No, I could have my own apartment-"

Mom cuts me off, " You are 16, you can't live alone!"

" I'm almost 17, and I'll only be with you for another year, and then I'll be an official adult! It's not like you're across the country, you'll be an hour away."

" And how will you get to me if you need anything, you don't have a car!" Mom yells.

" I can buy one." I say, and the quieter, " Mom, I want to stay in Sunnydale, at least for now, until I finish highschool."

Mom rolls her eyes and goes back to vigorously browning some meat, " I don't want to hear it right now. We'll talk about it tomorrow."

I nod and grab my coat from the wrack, " I'm going to Giles's for dinner. I'll be back by eight."

With this, I walk out the door into the evening air. The sky nearly dark, only the slightest bit of sunset pink still remained at the horizon. I walk through the cemetery, careful not to step on any of the freshly buried graves, just in case a vampire were to pop out.