THIS KISS

Joey couldn't believe that school was over and the Fourth of July was approaching. It had been quite a sophomore year. She had tried so hard to make Dawson notice her and he did the night after the beauty pageant. Nothing had ever come of it.

Ever since then, Joey had seen Pacey in a different light. That night that he kissed her after the carnival... that moment still lingered in her mind. She had wondered if she truly disliked the kiss or if it was some bizarre notion that her heart belonged to Dawson.

"Jo? Hello?" She looked up to see Pacey standing next to her. Speak of the devil, she thought. "Oh, hello Pacey. What can I get you this afternoon?" Pacey raised his eyebrows.

When he had first arrived at the Icehouse, Joey looked deep in thought about something. Probably Dawson, as usual, Pacey thought. He was wondering why she was being so nice.

"Uh, give me a burger with everything and a Coke." Joey nodded, wrote down the order and took it to the kitchen. She walked back to Pacey and poured him a drink. She handed it to him and sat down.

"Mind if I join you?", She asked.

Pacey shook his head and motioned for her to do so. She sat down and stared off into space. "What's wrong with you Jo? You look 'Lost In Space.' " He laughed at his comment, which was referring to the movie 'Lost In Space.' Joey sighed.

"I was just thinking about stuff..." Pacey nodded knowing what she had been thinking about.

"Let me guess. Tall, with blonde hair and he's a mutual acquaintance?" Joey nodded slightly.

"That's part of it." Pacey looked intrigued.

"What was the other part?" Joey shook her head and changed the subject.

"Are you excited for the Fourth of July?" Pacey smiled a little.

"It may sound childish, but yeah. I'm looking forward to our tradition." Joey nodded.

" "Me too. Climbing on top of Dawson's roof to watch the fireworks. Except this year, it'll be different. Blondie's going to be there, I presume."

Pacey laughed. "You really don't like her do you?" Joey shook her head.

"No, I like her just fine. Just seeing her and Dawson together makes me sick." Pacey smiled.

"You love him don't you?", He asked, not really wanting to hear the answer.

"Actually, that's what I was thinking about." Pacey was surprised at this answer.

"Why were you thinking about it?"

Joey sighed. "Lately, it seems as though we've grown apart. I just don't know what to think anymore." Pacey smiled.

"If it's any consolation, I'll always be here." Joey smiled sardonically.

"That's a real comfort." Pacey shrugged.

"Hey, at least I offered."



Dawson sat in his room, contemplating. He wanted to ask Jen to join him, Pacey and Joey for their Fourth of July celebration. The question was: Would she go?

That night after the pageant, Jen had asked him for another chance. Dawson was so stupid? He had turned her down. He wasn't sure how he felt about anything anymore. That night, he had turned her down because he wasn't sure how to feel about Joey.

Joey. His best friend, his listener, his best pal. That was all she was. Or so he had thought. That night at the pageant, she had looked beautiful. Dawson had thought since then.

Did he have a change of feelings for her because of the way she looked or was it that he loved her? It couldn't be love; love was what he felt with Jen. After he had figured that out, he realized everything was clear now.



AT JEN'S HOUSE:

Jen heard a knock on the door and was surprised to see Dawson standing there. She smiled at him and they sat on the porch. "Hey, what's up?", She asked.

Dawson sighed. "Jen, I've been thinking about what you asked me that night after the pageant. I want you back Jen. Can you give me another chance?"

Jen was speechless. "I would love that." He kissed her lightly on the lips. "I've missed that.", She commented. Dawson nodded.

"Yeah, me too. Oh, I wanted to invite you to my house for the Fourth of July. Pacey, Joey and I usually sit on my roof and watch the fireworks." Jen nodded.

"Okay, that sounds great. How about we go to the movies tonight?" Dawson shook his head.

"Even better, we can watch a movie at my house? Have you seen 'My Best Friend?s Wedding?' "



Dawson invited Joey and Pacey over too. So, Pacey called Joey. "Want me to pick you up tonight?", He asked. For some reason, Joey smiled to herself. "Sure, that'd be nice."

Joey, it's just movie night and Pacey is picking you up. Why are you getting dressed up? Joey asked herself this as she stared into the mirror.

Honk, honk! Joey heard the horn and told Bessie she was leaving. She literally ran outside and saw Pacey. He was wearing baggy pants and a blue T-shirt.

Pacey saw Joey and couldn't help but think that she looked great. She was wearing black corduroy bib-overalls and a black and gray shirt underneath. For some reason, Pacey thought she looked great.

"Ready to go?", He asked. She nodded and hopped in the front seat.

Pacey got behind the wheel and just as a joke, Joey said, "Try not to run us into anything, okay?" Pacey smiled.

"I?ll try." They continued to drive and Joey's sudden question shocked him.

"Did that kiss mean anything to you?" Pacey glanced over at her.

"You mean after the carnival?" She nodded.

"Yeah, of course it did. Or else I never would've done it." Joey sighed. He returned the question. "Did it mean anything to you? I mean, you did push away." Joey nodded.

"I've been thinking about that a lot lately." Pacey raised his eyebrows. "About that kiss?" She nodded.

"Yeah. I was thinking... maybe we should do it again. Just to make sure.' Pacey pulled up in front of Dawson's house.

"Are you sure?" Joey nodded. She had decided that she had to get over Dawson. Pacey seemed great. He was there for her and he always would be. At least he had had feelings for her that went beyond the friendship stage.

Pacey sighed, but secretly, he was really happy that this was Joey's request. He leaned in and kissed her lightly. Joey didn't respond at first, seeing as it was weird to her. After a few seconds, she did respond by wrapping her arms around his neck. Pacey put his hands on her hips.

They pulled away simultaneously. Joey stared at him. "What did you think?", He asked. Joey shook her head and didn't reply. Pacey sighed.

"We better get to Dawson?s room. He?ll start to wonder..." Joey nodded and got out of the truck.

"The ladder way?", Joey asked. Pacey shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. Did you know that when I told Dawson we hadn't seen this movie, he was like", And Pacey did an impression of Dawson's face.

Joey chuckled. "Yeah, there's a shock. It always surprises him when he realizes that not everyone is obsessed with movies like he is." Pacey nodded and they began to climb up the ladder.

Joey had almost reached the top when she stumbled. Pacey caught her. Joey smiled and said thanks. They looked into each other's eyes for a brief moment.

"Pacey? Joey?" Jen was standing in the window. Pacey and Joey looked up. Jen raised her eyebrows as they climbed in through the window. What had she just intruded on?

"Everyone ready to watch the movie?", Dawson asked. They nodded and Dawson put the movie in. Jen and Dawson were on the bed and Pacey and Joey were sitting next to each other on the floor.

Pacey and Joey kept laughing at inside jokes and it made Dawson wonder: What was going on with those two? The movie was coming to an end. Dawson took it out.

"So, what did everyone think?" Pacey shook his head. "That movie is so un-canny." He looked at Joey, who laughed. "What do you mean Pacey?", Jen asked.

Joey secretly elbowed him in the side. "I mean, it was a good movie, that's all." Jen knew there was more to it than that, but didn't get a chance to say anything.

"I have to get going. Bessie needs me to baby-sit. Bye." Pacey hopped up. "I'll go with you. Later kids." He followed Joey out the window and left Dawson and Jen looking confused.

"What do you suppose is wrong with those two?", Jen asked. Dawson shook his head.

"What do you mean?" Jen shrugged in response. "I was just wondering if you noticed anything. I thought the atmosphere around them was tense." Dawson thought about it for a minute and realized that she had a point.