Summary: Buffy runs away after her life gets too hard.
Disclaimer: All of the characters belong to the almighty Joss except for the girl at the counter and the guys who takes the ticket!
Distribution: Feel free to post it on your site, as long as you give me credit for writing it.
Spoilers: Up through Season 5, except this is a little different, because Riley is abusive and Joyce didn't actually die, although she almost did.
Rating: G or PG, I guess.
Authors Note: This is my first fic, and I'm pretty proud of it!! I know there isn't too much B/A in this one, but the upcoming fics in the series will have more, I promise. Oh, and this is all in Buffy's POV.
Dedication: This is 100% for Jess, thanks for all your help, girl!!
Feedback: Yes, please!!! It's what keeps me writing!!!

I sat on my bed, face tear stricken, and watched the sun go down. It was a beautiful sight, and almost made me want to stay, but I knew that I couldn't. What did I have going for me? My mom was dying; my sister wasn't my sister; my boyfriend had become an abusive alcoholic; and my friends? They weren't friends anymore. I had once considered the people in my life as a safe haven, a place to run to when I was scared, or hurt. Now it was them I was running from.

I knew there was only one thing on this earth that could make me stay. He was my soulmate, and he knew it, we both knew it, but he made the decision of leaving me two years ago. I don't know how I've made it this far without him. I tried to push him to the very back of my mind, but there has never been a day that I didn't think of him. His soulful chocolate eyes, his strong body. I miss everything about him, and I wonder if he misses everything about me.

Face it girl, I said to myself. He's never coming back. I sighed and looked back outside. The sun was nearly down, and Mom would be home with Dawn in a few minutes. My bag was nearly full, but I decided to stick in a few extra clothes before zipping it shut. Then I pulled piece of paper out of my desk drawer, and sat down to write my good-bye note. My hand was shaking, and I took a few deep breaths before I started to write.

Dear Mom,

I'm sorry, but I just can't stay any longer. I wish I didn't have to do this, but I don't have another choice. At midnight, I'm running away somwhere, I don't even know where yet. I don't know when I'm coming back, or if I ever am. Don't try to find me, because I'm going to keep moving around. I know you're going to hate me for this, I don't blame you. But life has gotten too hard and complicated, and I don't know what else to do. This isn't your fault, don't blame yourself. Tell Giles I know he's going to be horribly disappointed in me, and I wanted to say goodbye to him, but I knew he would try to stop me. You all would. If Riley tries to hurt you or Dawn, call the cops immediately. Neither of you are strong enough to face him, even together. Tell the rest of the Scooby Gang that I wish things were different. I'll miss everyone. I love you Mom, and tell Dawn that I love her too. I will never forget you.

Love from Buffy

I set the letter down on my bed and grabbed my bag. I left the door to my room ajar, and hurried down the stairs to the front door. My watch read 9:46. If I was going to make it to the bus station before they got home, I would have to hurry. I sprinted through the streets of Sunnydale until I saw the old brick building.

When I got to the front of the ticket line, I saw that there were several buses leaving in the next half hour. Seattle, Philadelphia, and the Los Angeles airport. I knew that showing up in LA would be risky, because Angel would be able to sense me. Plus, that would be the first place my family and friends would look. On the other hand, I wouldn't have to stay long. I could hop on the first plane out of there, and never look back. I payed for my ticket to LA, and found an empty seat near the back of the bus.

The ride was very uneventful, and I was grateful when we arrived at the airport. It had taken most of the night to get there. I walked into the huge building, and looked around to make sure I didn't see anyone I knew. With a sigh of relief, I got in line to buy a one-way ticket out of my life.

"What's the farthest away I can go from here on a flight within the next hour?" I asked the girl at the counter. She looked rather confused and surprised at my question, but answered me in a calm voice.

"We have flights to Africa, Germany, England, Italy, and France in the next 60 minutes, if that's what you mean," she replied.

I considered all of my options carefully. Africa didn't really appeal to me, no TV. Germany sounded nice, but what I knew it got really cold in the winter. Living in Sunnydale for the past few years, I had never really needed warm clothes. England. I've always wanted to go there, but wouldn't it be easy for Giles to find me there. It was his country, after all. Italy and France were my last options. Figuring that I would probably be able to make it with the little French I had learned in school, I purchased a one-way ticket to Paris.

As I sat in the waiting area, I found myself thinking hard. How could I ever face them again? This wasn't the first time I had run away, after all. The first time, they had been upset of course, and how could you blame them? But this seemed like the last straw for them. I knew they would miss me, and try to find me. Giles wasn't the type to give up. But maybe I could start a new life for myself in Europe. I could find a job and rent an apartment, I thought.

"Now boarding flight 71235 to Paris, France," came a male voice over the intercom. I slowly got up and handed the man my ticket. He took it and ripped of part of it then handed it back to me. As I walked toward the plane, I made up my mind. I wasn't coming back.

Go to the next story, Reminders

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