Author: eday69
Rating: NC-17
Feedback: Yep I love it. Please leave feedback on the Class of 99 thread on the Kitten Board.
Distribution: Anyone can have it if they want. Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters are the property of Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy.

Willow sat under the same tree with some of the drumline at lunch.

"So how is everything with your girlfriend?" Nick, a freshman who played bass, asked mockingly.

"You are so juvenile." Oz said, but really was curious in the answer. He had secretly been crushing on Willow since she arrived, but she had made it clear she was a lesbian from the beginning.

"Actually she brought me coffee while I was at work last night, and we're going out for coffee sometime after school today." Willow beamed at the 4 guys.

"Really!" Xander said. "That's cool Wils, you gonna ask her to homecoming?"

"I don't know, I mean I don't really know her, we've talked a few times, but I don't know if she's interested in me as a girlfriend or just a friend."

"If she were a guy it would be easy." Matt said.

"What do you mean?" Willow asked.

"I mean guys don't really have girls that are friends. They are always hoping one day to get laid by the chick." Matt explained.

"So you all really aren't my friends, you just want to have sex with me?" Willow asked.

"Well it's different cuz you're gay, so you are like one of the guys. But seriously Wils, if you ever wanted to do a guy I wouldn't say no." Xander teased.

"Thanks Xander, I'm going to go puke now." Willow said making a gagging sound.

"Seriously, if you get in with Tara, you could hook me up with Anya."

"Anya! Are you kidding me, that chick's a full on B." Matt said.

"No more than any of the others, well except Tara, she's always been nice to me." Oz said. Willow smiled at this, of course her crush was nice to everyone. Willow didn't think Tara had a cruel bone in her body.

"Who cares, she's hot." Xander said.

"Xander has a thing for chicks that verbally abuse him." Oz explained to Willow.

"That explains a lot." Willow mused. "So you guys ready for our first field show of the year?"

The first football game was next Friday and while they didn't have the whole fields show down, they were performing the first movement on the field at half time, as well as playing in the stands and opening up with a march around the track. They saw football games as more of a practice session, most of the students at the school could care less about the band.

"I'm a little nervous actually." Nick spoke up.

"There's nothing to be nervous about, it's actually really fun. It's pretty relaxed, more like practice." Oz said. "Besides, I think the line this year is way better than previous years."

Tara stood in front of the squad after school showing them the moves she and Cordelia had thought of earlier that day, she also showed them the video Cordelia had found of the stellar move she wanted them to perform.

"I don't know Tara, It seems really hard." Buffy said as she watched the video.

"I know but just think if we could pull it off, it would be awesome. We can totally do it you guys, we have a great squad this year." Tara tried to convince them. She really hadn't been into cheerleading this year. What was the point, what were they working for. Big deal if they won state, it wasn't like she could take this to college, or get a degree in it. She shook her head, she had to get back into it, her team counted on her. "Ok guys, let's try the starting moves, then we'll cool down with some cheers, we have a pep relay next week before the game, so we need to tighten some stuff up." Tara said and all the girls followed.

After practice, Tara made her way toward the band room. She heard the sounds of percussion coming out of the room. She peered inside and saw several of the drumline playing different instruments. Willow was currently playing the xylophone holding two mallets in each hand as she expertly moved them in synchronicity. Tara knew the song they were playing, it was Metalica's Fuel. They all seemed to be having a great time, as each bounced up and down with smiles on their face as they banged on the instruments. Tara stopped at the door and stood watching, the sound was unbelievable, it sounded almost as good as the CD. Willow seemed to play the melody while the others accompanied. They all seemed to stop at once when they noticed her standing there. She felt a little self conscious as she raised her hand in a little wave.

"Hi."

"Tara Hi." Willow was the first to speak up. "We were just practicing."

"Metalica is practicing?" Tara smiled.

All of the guys seemed to look down, embarrassed at being caught. Willow smiled back sultry and Tara thought she might die right there.

"No, smartass, we were just messing around."

"Well it sounded really good." Tara complimented them.

"Let me introduce you. That's Xander on set." She said as she pointed with her mallets toward the dark haired guy. "Oz is on Timpani. Nick is on the Glock and Matt's on bass. Everyone else left so we were just messing around."

"Hi" All the guys said leering at Tara.

"Ok so coffee, I'll see you guys later." Willow said quickly hurrying Tara out the door, before they could undress her with their eyes.

They walked side by side toward the coffee shop across the street.

"So how was your practice?" Willow asked.

"Oh, um, good, we finally settled on part of the routine, then just did some drills."

"That's good, will we get to see it at the game?" Willow questioned.

"Probably not, it's still pretty far off, we'll probably do something from last year. We haven't decided yet." Tara said pushing the cross walk button. Willow nervously stood waiting for the signal to change. Tara really was absolutely gorgeous, and nice too. She was really the real deal and Willow felt herself falling hard and fast. Get with it, don't scare her off with your weirdness. Willow chided herself.

"So what else is there to do in this town besides coffee?" Willow asked breaking the silence.

"The usual I guess, bowling, movies, dinner that kind of thing. What kinds of things did you do in your old town?"

"The same. I suppose most towns are alike. Maybe we could do something like that sometime." Willow questioned as they started across the street.

"I think I'd like that." Tara smiled, and received a smile in return. They ordered their coffee and sat down in a rather secluded booth in the back.

"So are you liking it here?"

"I'm liking it more and more each day." Willow flirted back. Tara blushed and dropped her head. "It's a lot different than my other school though."

"How so?"

"Well the band pretty much ruled the school, we were the best in the state, kind of like the football team here. It's just really different, the band here is, well, pretty awful, I doubt we'll break top 15, although if the other bands in this state suck as much as we do, maybe we'll have a chance."

"So you were all popular at your old school."

"Kind of, sort of like you are here."

"Oh no, I'm not that popular."

"Oh believe me Tara you are. Let me tell you from the other side of the fence you kind of rule the school."

"I wouldn't go that far." Tara knew Willow was teasing her now, but it did hold some truth.

"Are you guys performing at the pep rally next week?"

"Yeah, we do all of them, try to rile up the students. They are actually pretty fun, and if it gets me out of Trig then I am all for it."

"Hey if you ever need any help with it, I am pretty good in Math."

"I hear you are pretty good in everything, a regular genius seems to be the word around the school."

"No, I'm no genius, I just happened to have taken all these classes at my old school." Tara knew Willow was being modest.

"Speaking of that Cordelia wanted me to ask if you would tutor her." Tara laughed.

"I wouldn't mind actually, well if I have the time, and she really needs help."

"Oh no I was just kidding, I mean she does, but Cordelia is more of a here you do it while I paint my nails kind of girl. She's not really into the whole school thing you know."

"Yeah I know the type. I'm looking forward to the game next Friday, I assume you guys will be there?"

"Yeah we're going on first half, then letting JV do the second half."

"Oh I won't get to see you then." Willow said pouting. Tara thought it was the cutest thing in the whole world. And she's upset she won't get to see you cheer, that is so sweet. Tara thought as Willow continued. "We march around the track beginning of the game, then practice until half time. After that we play in the stands, so maybe if you get a chance you can stop by and say hi."

"Of course I will. Plus, you'll get to see our routine at the pep rally anyway. Next week is pretty cool here, we have spirit week and as cheesy as it sounds, it's pretty fun."

"Well I'm looking forward to my first spirit week, go Warriors." Willow said and made a fist in the air. Tara laughed and noticed the clock on the wall.

"Sorry to say this, but I need to get home. My parents are expecting me for dinner."

"Oh that's cute."

"What your parents don't expect you home?" Tara asked.

"No they're out of town for two weeks."

"That must be nice."

"Yeah, it's cool." But Tara got the impression Willow didn't think it was very cool.

"Let me give you my cell number, in case you want to get together sometime." Tara said a little unsure of how to phrase the question of possibly hanging out this weekend.

"Sure." Willow said and dug out her cell phone. They exchanged numbers and went on their separate ways.