I, Tamber (TLW1515@aol.com), as for the last three stories, swear that my story, "What Competition?!?" will only be on Lisa's page under "Road Trips" for the week of 8/9.

What Competition?!? By Tamber



"So, what do we have planned for this weekend?" Dawson asked his three friends.

"I don't know. I'm bored of our normal weekends." Joey replied.

"Me, too. Jen, you got any ideas?" Pacey asked.

"Actually, yeah. Have you heard of DCI, Drum Corps International or The Cadets of Bergen County?" Jen asked.

Dawson and Pacey shook their heads but Joey said, "Yeah, I saw them once at a competition before he got arrested."

"Great, Jo. Let's feel the guys in. Well, guys, you've been to the school football games and seen the marching band at half-time, right?"

"Yeah." They replied.

"DCI is like a marching band. Except it has no flutes, saxes, and clarinets. Only brass and percussion instruments and it is professional." Jen explained.

"OK." Pacey said.

"Well, this weekend, near Boston, they are having a competition. I thought we could go. I would be extremely different. And I wanted to show you that there is a life outside of movies." Jen said smiling.

"How'd you learn about this?" Dawson asked.

"Well, like Joey, my dad took me to one when I was 5. I've been to 1 or 2 every year. So are you up to something new? "Jen told Dawson and the group.

Pacey and Dawson both said, "Yeah."

"Jen, I don't know if I could be in a car, on the road, with Pacey for that long." Joey said.

"Like it any better for me." Pacey shot her a look.

"As much as I like this, I have to go. Everyone meet at my house Saturday at noon."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Since when can you drive, Jen?" Pacey asked out of shock.

"Well, I am 16. I just haven't had a need to drive. But Grams is letting me borrow her car, which surprised the hell out of me, but if we want to get there we need to go now."

Everyone got in the car and she took off.

Pacey said joking to Joey, "And you said I was a bad driver."

Everyone including Jen laughed.

"Pacey, save your breath." Jen said laughing.

"Hey, Jen. Who's going to be performing?" Joey asked.

"Well, I know the Cadets of Bergen County will be there. I think The Spirit of Atlanta, The Blue Devils, The Santa Clara Vanguard and Southwind will also be there."

"Cool, I also saw the Spirit of Atlanta with my dad. They are great. Hey Jen, let's see what on the radio."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They were traveling down a back road. Joey was asleep and the others were talking.

"Man, Alex must be keeping Joey awake at night. Joey's not the type of person to sleep in a car." Dawson stated.

"I know. How much farther Jen?" Pacey asked.

"Actually, we are almost....." Jen trailed of as the car stopped. She tried to crank it again. But nothing happened. She looked as the gas gauge. "Damn, we're out of gas. But lucky for us there is a gas station about a mile or two back. Come on, Dawson walk with me. Pacey stay with Joey." Jen said as she hoped out of the car.

Pacey didn't mind it he still had a thing for Joey. "Come back, soon." Pacey said to Jen and Dawson. They waved and walked off.

A few minutes after Jen and Dawson left Joey woke up. "What the hell? What happened?" She asked.

"Don't you remember? Well, after you surrendered your love to me we came out in the middle of nowhere and had the best sex I ever had." Pacey said smiling at Joey.

"Bite me." Was Joey's only response.

"OK. Actually, we ran out of gas. Jen and Dawson went to get some at a gas station we passed and I stayed here with you."

"How long have they been gone?"

"Maybe ten minutes at the most." Pacey looked out the window. Then at Joey and a wave passion swept over him.

"Pacey, Pacey, PACEY!" Joey yelled.

"What?" He asked startled.

"Why are you starting at me?"

"I'm not staring at you." He said looking away.

"Pacey, you don't still.......Oh no." Joey said.

"I'm sorry, Jo. I can't help my feelings."

"Pace, don't apologize because....." She trailed off.

"What, Jo?" He lifted her chin with his hand so she would look into his eyes.

"Because I am starting to fall for you."

Pacey didn't say anything. He bent down and kissed her. They kissed for a long time, then broke away.

"Ummm, Pacey." She looked worried.

"Please don't say that you didn't like it."

"No, I loved it, but we were being watched." She pointed out the back window. Dawson and Jen were standing there.

Pacey knew they were going to say something, so he said, "Hurry it up. I don't what to miss the 'new experience'."

"It looks like you just had one, Pacey." Jen said climbing back into the car.

"Yeah, I did." Pacey grabbed Joey's hand and looked into her eyes. "I think we should try new things more often."

*AUTHORS NOTE* I'm sorry I wrote this about marching band related stuff. But my marching band season just began and that is all I will think about until November. Go Lovejoy Wildcats. Trumpets Rule.

*AUTHORS NOTE* I would like to dedicate this story to all of the performers of DCI. Visit their web page. Drum Corps International Please email me with any questions you have. TLW1515@aol.com. I'm sorry I mentioned the Spirit of Atlanta so much, but I'm going to march for them when I get out of high school. Yes, I live in Georgia.

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