Autumn Stevens was bored. She sat in the middle of her brand new bedroom nervously wringing her hands together glancing around her new surroundings. Her room was the exact same as her old one back in Maine. It was no coincidence. Her parents had built a house that looked exactly like her old house in Maine. "To make the family feel more at ease in their new surroundings." Well it didn't seem to be working, Autumn thought. Although her room was the exact same, from the hard wood floors, to the white roll top desk, and canopy bed, and colors of moss green, lavender, white, and soft butter yellow. Still it didn't make her feel anymore secure in her new environment. Her parents had moved for a number of reasons. Her father who was Vice President of one of the largest computer chip manufacturing companies had had a transfer to California, but the big reason was the all the trouble Autumn had got herself in to in her old school. At least that's what her twin sister Summer would say. Summer. Her sister had hurt Autumn more then anyone. Summer and Autumn were fraternal twins. They were both named after their coloring. Autumn had been born with ivory skin like the coming winter, blue eyes the color of the fall sky, and red-golden brown hair like the autumn leaves. Summer had been born with golden skin like the summer sun, light blue eyes the color of the summer sky, and golden blonde hair. The difference in their looks was not the only thing that made them apart. Summer had always been the social butterfly of the family. At their old school she had been the popular cheerleader and October queen. Autumn on the other hand was the social misfit of the family. She was an outcast by her peers and her usual choice was solitude. She had got in a lot of trouble from cutting multiple classes, fights, and ignoring homework and tests. The last straw was when she thought a boy in her class was a vampire, so she had knocked him out cold and just as she was about to "stake" him, the police had arrived. The only thing that had stopped her from ending up in jail, was that her father had such powerful influence over the court systems. Now was the time for a fresh start her folks had told her, and her sister had always resented her for it. Maybe now that the family was in a new state and town her and her sister could become close again. Her first day of school was tomorrow, which made her a nervous wreck. 'I must be good, no more fights, or cutting class.' Autumn thought to herself. This time things were going to be different. Autumn's thoughts were interrupted by her sister barging through her door.

"Autumn, I need to borrow you green silk scarf. Now."

She glanced up at her sister and smiled. "Sure, Summer hold on a moment." Autumn went over to her white wicker dresser opened a drawer and pulled out her green scarf. Before she could turn around and hand it to her sister, Summer reached over and grabbed it out of her hands. Summer silently left the room the door slamming behind her. "Well," thought Autumn unhappily, "Some things never change."

Monday morning Sunnydale High.

Autumn was extremely nervous as she sat in her first period French class. The bell had rung and the petite blonde haired French teacher Ms. Louve, greeted the class and immediately began speaking in rapid French. 'Oh great,' thought Autumn panicky, "I must have taken French II instead of French one. I have absolutely no idea what she is saying.' Suddenly a voice whispered in her ear.

"Pssssst! Hey, don't worry about it, she's saying that she's going to put us in groups of two and we're going to get to know each other."

Autumn glanced to the girl next to her gratefully. "Thanks. How did you know what she's saying? I thought this was French one!"

The girl grinned. "Oh it is, but Ms. Louve always starts off speaking in French to scare the kids who aren't serious about the class. That way they'll drop out, and she can get the more serious students. I've taken Introduction to French, so I can hear some words of what's she's saying. Hey, I know, we can be partners! I don't recognize you, you must be new? My name is Faith Chambers what's yours?"

Autumn, feeling a little overwhelmed at the sudden attention, managed to blurt out her name. "Autumn Stevens. Are you a sophomore or a Junior?

"Sophomore, just turned seventeen, how about your self?"

"I'm a sophomore, I'm sixteen."

Faith smiled. 'So how long have you been here?"

'Only about a month. I moved from Maine, my dad got a job transfer."

"Ah, gotcha. Well I'm sure it's tough being the new kid. Any brothers of sisters?"

"One sister, my twin Summer."

"Oh! Identical?

"No, fraternal." She spoke with some discomfort.

Faith sensed the pain behind that, and let the subject drop. "Well what's your next class?"

Autumn got out her schedule and glanced at it. "History, with Mr. Brown."

Faith wrinkled up her nose. "Ugh, you don't want him, he just lectures all period, a complete bore. You should transfer to Ms. Wilkins, history class. It's taught sixth period. What's your sixth period class?"

"Chorus, believe me I didn't ask for it, they just sort of signed me up."

"Hmm, well tell you're counselor, you want to switch to second period newspaper. I'm on the staff. It's a blast you'll really like it. Plus you get an off campus pass which can be major plus. In you're next class look for Iris Mckenzie, she's one of my good friends. She's hard to miss, she's got a short pixie style hair cut, brown hair. Big gray eyes. You can't miss her."

Autumn raised her eyebrows. "Why isn't she taking Ms. Wilkens history class?"

"Well, newspaper isn't her scene, she's a theater fiend. She's always the star of the school plays so she takes Theater arts during fifth period, and Chemistry during sixth. She's major excel girl, want's to be a doctor on TV. Pretty silly if you ask me."

Autumn's head was whirling with all this information. Faith certainly wasn't shy. "Well," she cleared her throat, "Thanks for the tip." She managed a weak smile.

Faith laughed. "I'm sorry, I talk too much. Lemmie see you're schedule."

Autumn handed the slip of paper to her. "I got some classes I really don't want."

Faith bit her lip. "Let's see, French I, United States History, Geometry, Swimming, Biology, and Chorus. Well my friend Camillie Matthews, has Biology with you. She's great. A little quiet but you'll like her. She's going to be entering the state finals for track this year. She's a totally awesome runner. She has strawberry blonde hair, hard to miss it. It's super long. Anyway we have some really specific French, questions we're supposed to ask our partners so I suppose we should get going…."

The two girls practiced their French, giggling at their poor pronunciation. Autumn was glancing around the room when her gaze settled on a stunning girl about three rows over. Her eyes were a bold green and her hair was a mass of black curls. Her skin was milky white, flawless and her lips we're curved in a seductive smile, as she stared at the guy partner across from her.

Faith noticed Autumn's gaze and spoke up. "Oh, so you noticed Miss Queen Cora Richards herself hmm? She's the resident's princess and a half. My advice, don't be friends with her. She may be the most popular girl in school, but she's also the meanest. You don't want to be friend with someone like that."

Autumn glanced at Faith's grim expression. "Oh, well, I wasn't really thinking about that anyway. I

mean she doesn't seem like my type of friend." And it was true, Cora Richards was obvious the residents pretty girl. Her suede, green, dress and black heeled boots. It was obvious Cora Richards last name meant something, and that something was rich.

Faith smiled. "Besides you have you're new friends. Right here, we're all you need. "

Grimly Autumn realized positive thinking was not going to be easy, because some where in the back of her mind she was thinking about how long she would actually keep her new friend.

Autumn's next class history started off on a much more different note. Autumn looked around the room to find an empty seat. It was then she noticed the girl with the short brown pixie style cut. Her dress was a velvet red, with a red scarf tied around her neck. Her shoes were a red velvet suede with thick soles. She had a very unique style. Autumn walked over and took the empty seat next to her. Taking a deep breath she got up the nerve to say something.

"Hi, You must be Iris?"

Iris turned her head to face her. "Ya, I'm her. Who are you?" It wasn't said meanly, but she also didn't say if with the cheer Faith had.

Autumn cleared her throat nervously. "My name is Autumn Stevens. I just moved here. I met you're friend Faith this morning and she told me to talk you. I heard you're in to theater, and science?"

Iris managed a small smile at Faith's named. "Oh, well yes, I love to act but I also have a real passion for science. Sort of my creativity and serious side combined in to one. I suppose she's all ready tried to recruit you for the school paper?"

Autumn smiled, relieved that Iris didn't seem so intimidating after all. "Yes, but I like to write so it shouldn't be to big of a deal."

Iris nodded her gray eyes thoughtful. "Where did you move from?"

"I just moved her from Maine, job transfer. I think I'm going to-" her voice was cut off by the bell, and Iris turned to face the front of the room. The body language was clear. 'I'd love to chat, but I'm a serious student and want to do well in this class.' Autumn fell silent and turned her eyes on the teacher.

Three excruciating hours later Autumn stood in the cafeteria's lunch line. History hadn't been too bad, although the teacher was kind of a yawner. But Geometry and Swimming had been horrible. No one had paid attention to her. So she had sat through each class feeling like the new kid dork of the year. When she got to the front of the line she glanced down at the rows of unidentifiable food. Finally she chose a sandwich and a coke. Now came the part she had been dreading. Where to sit during lunch. Fortunately, Faith had saved her before she really started to worry.

"Hey Autumn over here!"

Autumn turned in relief to see Faith, Iris, and who obviously must have been Camille sitting at a table. Faith was waving her hand, gesturing her over. Autumn walked through the chaos of students, arrived at the table and sat her tray down.

Faith turned to Camille. "This is the new girl I was telling you about, Autumn Stevens. Autumn this is Camille Matthews."

Camille smiled sweetly at her and said hello.

"And of course you know Iris all ready."

Iris nodded at Autumn. " Hello again, Autumn."

Autumn managed a small smile.

"So Autumn how did you like the first half of your day at Sunnydale high?" Faith asked.

"Well, to be honest, it's pretty scary being the new girl. I mean after History everyone ignored me." Well, Autumn thought, actually the ignoring started when Mr. Brown had begun lecturing and then after class when Iris had finished saying goodbye.

"It gets some getting used to." Faith said a sympathetic look in her eyes.

Autumn nodded, as Camille gave her a curious glance.

"So, Autumn, what was your old school like?"

Autumn hesitated before speaking. "Well, it was okay. I mean just an ordinary school, you know , books, teachers, kids. That sort of thing."

The other three girls glanced at each other. A quick change of subject was made.

"So, Autumn, we're all going to be at a club called The Bronze, want to come? We can call you and give you directions later. It's kind of a dance club. We usually get a lot of small town cool bands." Faith said.

"Well, I have an awful lot of catching up to do, maybe after I get caught up?"

Faith, Iris, and Camille exchanged an unreadable look and Faith spoke for the group. "Sure, Autumn. Just let us know."

The rest of the lunch period went by rather slowly for Autumn, as the other three girls exchanged gossip about kids from school. Finally the bell rang, and Autumn gathered her tray and book bag.

"I got to go to Biology now, so I'm not late." Autumn glanced hopefully at Camille, who had the same class.

"Oh, Autumn, I have Biology too, give me a sec, and I'll go with you."

Autumn nodded gratefully and waited for Camille to gather up her things.

'Well the day had been pretty much a loss' Autumn thought unhappily. It had been nice to have Camille in Biology, but she had her own friends that she had known for years. And although Autumn was sure it wasn't intentional, Camille had ended up chatting more with her friends then with Autumn. Well I can't say I blame her, thought Autumn unhappily. I am such a ditz at Bio. It had been a total failure. Never had she felt so behind in a subject, as the class chatted about basic life forms Autumn felt a slow rise of panic begin to consume her. 'I am never going to get this down.' She thought unhappily. Autumn went out to the front of the school to see her sister chatting with someone. She squinted in the bright sunlight and tried to see who it was, and at that moment she felt her heart skip a beat. Her sister was talking to none other then Cora Richards.

The ride home had been mostly silent, besides the few critical remarks by her sister towards her. Autumn was relieved when they finally pulled up in front of their house. Autumn all but ran out of the car and up to her room. When she got there she shut the door quietly behind her and went to her stereo. Popping some classic 80's tunes in to her stereo she danced back to her desk and turned on her computer. She had a ton of homework to do, considering she had just got all new classes and most teachers had seemed to think that no one had anything better to do. Sighing Autumn began to type up a report for her English class on what her goals were for the class. Two boring hours later, Autumn thought she was going to fall asleep. 'I got to get out of here.' she thought to herself. She stood up and winced stretching her arms above her head. She didn't know what to do with herself, and it was only 7:00. After a few moments thought she reached for the phone and dialed Faith's number.

The Bronze was dark and smoky when Autumn arrived. The band was loud playing an old song, she had heard her mom listen to. Scanning the crowd she looked around for Faith and the rest of the gang. The club was full of people making Autumn feel a little claustrophobic. 'Where are they?' she thought. She forced herself threw crowds of people pushing them aside with her arm when they got in the way. Finally her eyes rested on Faith who was sitting a table with two guys. Swallowing nervously she fought the urge to run out the door and never look back. At that moment however Faith chose to look in her direction. A broad sunny smile broke out across her face and she waved her over. Autumn sighed and made her way towards the table.

"Hey, Autumn, what's up? I'm so glad you could come!"

Autumn managed a pretty weak smile, "Thanks, thanks, I'm glad, um, I could make it too."

"Have a seat." Faith said and made a gesturing motion towards the chair.

Autumn hesitated a moment before taking the seat offered.

Faith gestured towards the guys. "This is Galen, and this Damon. There Junior's. Damon is Camille's boyfriend."

Autumn smiled. "Oh."

Galen finally seemed to rouse himself to make an introduction. "Hey, your name is Autumn? I'm Galen Ritchards."

Autumn cast a sharp look at Faith. Ritchards?

"Cora, is Galen's cousin." Faith explained.

Galen smirked. "Believe me it's not by choice."

Autumn managed a small smile at that. "Not too many people seem to like Cora, so why is she so popular?"

"Oh you know, ever town has them. The girls with the status, cash, good looks, the right parents. It's like people are afraid NOT to like them. Then there are the sensible people like us." Damon explained.

"Oh yes, you were so sensible, when you crashed your parents car into a tree last weekend." Galen snorted.

Damon looked embarrassed for a moment. "Ya well, it wasn't my fault! That lady rammed me from behind."

"Suuure."

Autumn, Faith and Galen laughed.

A few hours went by, and Damon and Camille were dancing out on the floor. Autumn was feeling slightly bored as she gazed around the sea of happy faces. Faith had been dancing with a ton of different guys that seemed to flock to the pretty blonde. Autumn sighed again sinking further back in her chair. 'Why am I such a loser?' She thought to herself. It was then that she felt the hair on her arm's rise. Someone was watching her. She was sure of it. She glanced around the bronze carefully checking for eyes wondering in her direction. No one seemed to be looking at her. Camille and Damon were absorbed in each other, Galen had wondered off some where, and Faith was dancing with her newest partner. Autumn squinted her eyes through the smoky room. It was then she saw him. He was standing in the shadows underneath the stair way staring intently at her. He seemed startled when their eyes connected and quickly sank back into the darkness. Autumn stood her heart pounding. 'Why is he watching me?' She crept back towards the bronze to where she had seen the stranger. But all she found was empty shadows.

Eventually it was time for her to go. She had school the next day and didn't want big bags under her eyes the second day of school. As she gathered up her thing Galen suddenly made his appearance.

"Hey you leaving?"

Autumn gave a small yelp. "Don't do that! Where have you been anyway?"

He gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry I was visiting with some buddies of mine outside, are you leaving? I can walk you home."

"No that's all right. I can manage."

Galen looked momentarily disappointed. "All right. I'll see ya around then."

Autumn mentally kicked herself. 'Idiot! He wanted to walk you home, how can you be so stupid!'

She sighed dejectedly and forced her way through the crowd and into the chilly fall night.

The next day didn't seem any better. Ms. Louve gave a pop quiz which she failed miserably, and Faith seemed preoccupied and didn't pay a lot of attention to her. She had switched her biology class and ended up in newspaper which a crappy assignment to do a review on the cafeteria's new lunch menu. 'Can this possibly get any worse?' Autumn thought unhappily. Now she was stuck in the library researching her history paper that had been assigned that day. 20 pages on the revolutionary war. Great.

The library seemed dead when she entered.

"Hello?"

There was no answer. Shrugging Autumn stepped up to the computer to look up her paper topic. She had been so intent in her research that she didn't notice when someone came up behind her.

"Hello, can I help you?"

Autumn let out a shriek. "Oh my God, don't DO that!" Autumn turned around and saw a woman. She appeared to be in her mid 40's. Her hair was light brown and long and her face was unlined except for smile lines around her eyes and mouth. She was dressed in brown pants and a black short sleeved silk shirt.

"Can I help you? I'm Maggie Giles, the school librarian."

"Umm I'm trying to find stuff on the revolutionary war..."

"Oh! Oh my! Autumn Stevens?"

Autumn looked startled. "Ummm ya. How'd you know that?"

"I was told you were on your way here. Hold on a moment I have something for you." With that Maggie headed for the back of the library. The sound of rummaging reached Autumn's ears, whom inspite herself was curious.

"Here you are. I'm so glad you showed, we have so much to do!" And with that Maggie Giles thumped down a huge book with the title "Vampyre."

Autumn froze. "Umm. No. I wasn't umm."

Maggie looked up with a concerned expression on her face. "What is it Autumn? Is something wrong?"

"How-how did you know about this? That um I-"

"Have slayed vampires? Simple, I'm your new watcher. Ritchard told me you were coming."

'But, but, I, I don't want to slay vampires anymore! I quit doing that! It got me kicked out of my old school. I almost got arrested!"

Maggie nodded looking worried. "Yes, I know. You made a mistake with that boy. Don't worry when I'm done with you you'll know the difference between a human boy, and a vampire. We just have to help you out with your inner powers."

"I don't' want too! Vampire slaying has ruined my life! My sister hates me because of it!"

Maggie walked closer towards Autumn. "Now, Autumn, you don't have any choice in the matter it's just the way it is. So why don't we get started after school...Autumn wait! Where are you going?!"

The only answer was the swinging of the library doors.

Autumn felt pale and shaky as she headed towards her biology class. 'These people are every where? Why can't they leave me alone?' All she wanted was a normal life. No more chances of getting arrested or murdering innocent kids. She just wanted to be a high school girl. 'I won't go in that library again.' Autumn thought to herself. Never again...