WWDD: S2E19 “I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU”

Another night with Buffy out late leaves Dawn and her stuffed animals flipping through one of Buffy’s magazines while Joyce does laundry. When Joyce comments on a bloodstain on Buffy’s shirt, Dawn quickly explains its ketchup she spilled. Later, as Joyce heads to Buffy’s empty room to say goodnight, Dawn stops her and insists Buffy’s already asleep. She makes a mental note to remind Buffy she has the best sister ever.

After school the next day, Dawn meets Cynthia at the playground before heading to the library. She still doesn’t fully trust her, but she doesn’t have anyone else to talk to about having a Slayer for a sister. Dawn explains Buffy is always fighting monsters and she’s afraid of losing her. Cynthia earnestly wants to help, eager to make up for the journal theft. Deciding to delve into magic for a solution, they agree to gather research materials and meet at Cynthia’s house the next night.

At the library, Dawn finds everyone researching a ghost haunting the school! When she eagerly offers to help, Buffy instead puts her in Mr. Giles’s office to do her homework. There, Dawn spots a pink crystal and picks it up until Mr. Giles sharply tells her to put it down. Softening, he explains it’s rose quartz that’s special and has healing properties. Dawn is instantly intrigued, and by the time they leave, she has a book on crystals tucked into her bag.

The night of the exorcism, Joyce drops Dawn at Cynthia’s for their research sleepover while on her way to Spanish class with Pat. Along with her PJs and a stuffed animal, Dawn comes prepared with her magical artifacts: the book on crystals, a Magic 8 Ball, and a Pyramid Collection catalogue she found in Buffy’s room. Cynthia is just as ready, armed with VHS-taped episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, several Goosebumps books, and her best cootie catcher. They spend the night drinking Diet Coke and building something that feels like a plan while Sinéad O'Connor plays in the background.