Background: AU. Joey and Dawson have been best friends forever, they live on the upper class, rich, 'social club' end of Capeside. Jen, Pacey and Jack have also grown up together, and are the best of friends. They are your more average 'working class' people - with less money, different lifestyle. They all go to the same school but have never really mixed because of their social standings. Basically, they really can't stand one another. They are as different as black and white.....(bad. bad.)
Coupling: P/Jo
Feedback: Send it to theclaire81@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: Yes i am Kevin Williamson, I am also God and the artist formally known as Prince
******************************************************************
It was lunch. The three of them lay comfortably sprawled under a tree,
laughing, the wind carrying their voices across the yard.
"If you were stuck on a desert island with 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and
Britney Spears, who would you eat first?" Jack asked nonchalantly, picking
at something stuck in his front teeth.
Jen snorted in laughter
"I object to this entire line of questioning, it’s unjustifiably
barbaric"
"You have to answer Jenny, its part of the game!" Pacey said, shoving
her "You know you want to..." he teased
"Fine" she said "but I hereby state that I'm totally
objectionable"
"Objection noted" Jack said grinning "now fess up... who would
you eat...??"
Jen rolled onto her stomach and took a large bite of her apple, chewing slowly,
as if chewing over her thoughts
"Stone cold." she replied finally.
"What?" both the boys demanded, their looks incredulous
"Why?"
"Easy" Jen said smiling mischievously "There'd be more meat on
him"
Pacey turned to face Jen, grinning broadly "But Britney? You wouldn’t eat
her?"
"She looks good enough to eat" Jack conceded
Pacey nodded, throwing a piece of grass in Jacks face "She has a lot of
meat in the...ahem!...chest area" he said, gesturing with his hands.
Jen snorted again, sighing dramatically "Boys, Boys, Boys...How many times
do I have to tell you they're not real...it'd be like eating glad wrapped
taffy...everyone knows she's had implants..."
"Nuh-uh" Pacey said with mock innocence "Bwitney says those
rumours aren’t true, she just... grew some overnight is all...why is that so
hard to believe..."
Jack laughed and rolled onto his side, rubbing the bits of grass from his shirt
"Are you telling us Jen? your best friends in the world, with complete
honesty! -that you would rather listen to Ms Spears running round the island
all day long singing 'oops I did it again' than miss out on a little Austin
meat?"
Jen sat up and put her arms around Pacey and Jack's shoulders "Well my
besty friends" she said coyly "I said I wouldn’t eat her... doesn’t
mean I wouldn't kill her, in fact I think I'd be doing everyone a
favour..."
They all burst into laughter, leaning against one another and giggling like
children.
Jen stopped almost abruptly when she saw them walking across the school yard.
"Talking of killing people, there goes the trust fund babies right now,
smarmy little SOB's"
Their laughter subsiding, Jack and Pacey looked in the direction of Jens gaze.
The four of them sat high in their lunch benches, talking and laughing
gracefully. They were the picture of perfection. Smart, beautiful and most
importantly - Rich.
Chris Wolfe.
Abby Morgan.
Joey Potter.
Dawson Leery.
The four people everyone adored. The four people everyone wanted to be. That
was, except for Pacey Witter, Jack McPhee and Jen Lindley -for them, there was no
one they hated more.
"Gimme a break" Jack said resignedly "I had enough with Abby's
'Brilliant Minds in time' talk, Mr. Peterson was spouting all this crap about
how we should try to reach the high standards she does"
"Yes really Jack" Jen said sarcastically "you should strive to
be a brilliant mind like Abby or Dawson Or Josephine or Chris, all it takes is
a little work..."
"...and a massive bank account" they said together
Pacey was quiet, he was watching 'the famous four' with quite a lot of
interest, well one in particular...
Joey Potter, she seemed different to the rest of them, she was beautiful of
course, but there was something else... he couldn’t place it... something
pure...
"Hey earth to brain-dead" Jack interrupted, whacking Pacey roughly on
the arm "you checking out Dawson Leery? Coz really, I didn’t realize you
had the hots for boys whose foreheads could have their own solar system"
"Funny McPhee" Pacey said, elbowing him roughly "you should do
stand up, really"
Jen walked up behind them, looking with curiosity "He ain't checking out
Dawson, I'd say he's got he's eye on a certain Joey Potter?"
Pacey sighed "she's a goddess alright..." then turning to his two
friends he continued "for a stuck up money bagged little snot, lets get
outta here, the 90210 scene is making me sick..."
__________________________________________________________________
"You know-"
"Shhhhhhhhh" came the demand from across the room somewhere
Joey sighed and looked around the library to see who was her reprimandee, she
always forgot to be quiet in these places, she couldn't even understand why she
had to be so bloody quiet in the group research area. Didn’t that defy the
point of 'group' study?
Who cares, she thought and lowered her voice -trying again.
"You know what Dawson?"
"Huh?" he said, looking up from his book slightly irritated.
"What did you say"
Joey closed his book for him and leant in closer, whispering "I was just
thinking, Miss Jacobs, English teacher cum librarian, she's perfectly
scandalous isn’t she?"
Dawson’s look was one of bemused confusion "What on earth do you mean
Joey?"
"Its simple" Joey said grinning "She pretends to be this quiet
perfect person, when everyone knows she's been sleeping with that Pacey Witter
for ages now."
Dawson wrinkled up his nose "That’s disgusting"
Joey nodded "Its true, everyone knows it but since it cant be proved..."
she paused as a student walked past "there’s nothing the school board can
do about it..."
"I feel sorry for her actually" Dawson said quietly, looking in Miss
Jacobs direction
"Really?" Joey said smiling, her eyebrows raised in surprise "I wouldn’t
coz I'm sure she's enjoying it..."
"No" Dawson said slyly "I feel sorry that such a fox of a
teacher, has sex with the hygienically challenged town loser"
Joey nodded "yeah...sure..." playing with the zip on the pencil case
she continued offhandedly "I suppose it comes down to what you like, she's
obviously after someone who looks like crap and has as much potential to become
something as pond scum"
Dawson laughed "Yeah, I’m sure Witter, Lindley and McPhee will have very
full lives as the janitors they are destined to be"
Joey laughed and shoved him, then picking up her books and standing she said
"I'm going to find Abby and Chris, maybe we'll be able to find an activity
that doesn't involve discussing the life challenges of Pacey Witter and his two
other mentally incapacitated stooges"
"Oh my, I believe her royal highness was just talking about us" said
a voice. Joey froze and then regaining her composure turned to face who ever
was behind her.
Three angry faces stared back at her, Jack, who had spoken was in front with
Jen beside him and Pacey just behind her.
A cynical, unfriendly smile spread across Joeys face
"To think that I would talk about any of you, in any context, is a waste
of my time" she said coldly "I'm afraid 'lending a hand to the
rejected and somewhat retarded of Capeside' is on next weeks agenda"
"Funny" Jen said sarcastically, moving forward, "Did they teach
you 'the art of snobbery and stupidity' in rich kids summer school or does it
just come naturally?"
Dawson stood up and patted Jen patronizingly on the head "Now now
Jennifer, there no need to get upset... You are right, we were discussing you
three ...we were saying how unfortunate it was you and Jack had to put up with
someone who’s fucking the librarian"
Pacey went white and Jack stepped forward "Now how did you hear that
Dawson?"
Dawson snorted, "Please, everyone knows he's the town call-boy"
Jen started at Dawson and Pacey put his hand on her arm, shaking his head 'no'.
Jack feigned innocence and moved right up to Dawson’s face "No really, how
did you hear it? I wouldn’t have thought anything would get through your colossally
thick skull...I thought maybe your girlfriend Joey might have put it in code
for you."
"Code?" Joey and Dawson asked obnoxiously, glaring at him
"You know" Jack said waving his arms around him "The code that's
reserved for people with big wallets and small IQ's"
"Whatever" Joey said angrily, pushing her hair away from her face
"you three have the worst academic records in the school, look at
yourselves...you are jokes!"
Pacey glared at both of them, breathing heavily "What is wrong with you
people? You think being loaded and being smart gives you some excuse to condemn
everyone else? You guys are the friggin jokes. You will wake up one morning and
realize you have nothing but a high score and some cash.... who’s going to be
laughing then?"
Dawson smiled smugly "I'll be laughing when you’re the one to come and
take out my dirty trash"
Jack snorted and moved around Dawson patronizingly "I'll take lotsa care
with your dick enlargers when I take out the trash sir... It'll be just between
you and me and Joey sir..."
"You are trash" Joey said snidely "All three of you"
Jen laughed "Okay, I was under the impression I was merely a rejected
retarded joke, but what the hey...you can just tack white trash on the end too,
put it on my resume"
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, this a library!" said an anonymous voice
"I’m leaving" Pacey said, grabbing the arms of his two friends,
smiling falsely at Dawson and Joey he said and beginning to move away "Its
been fun, anytime you feel like ruining our day, just keep on breathing.."
Joey fumed, looking at Dawson incredulously she just shrugged and laughed
mumbling "cretins" and other profanities. But as she watched the
three of them go, arm in arm she felt a pang. She didn’t know if she felt guilt
or jealously or anything.
But it hurt.
**********
Pacey, Jack and Jen stalked down the hallway, their faces doing little to disguise
their annoyance at the scene that had just played before them.
"Where do people get off treating others like that!" Pacey demanded
angrily "Isn't there like some kind of rule against those kind of human
beings even being allowed to exist?!"
"Nope" Jen replied dryly "Its their god-given right as snotty
wealthy bastards"
"If I ever win the lottery or my father turns out to have this great
inheritance...If I ever begin to resemble them in any way shape or form,
promise you'll decapitate me" Jack added
"Nothing would make me happier" Jen laughed
Pacey just snorted and went to his locker, mumbling about 'putting a dint in Leery
face' and various other profanities.
He tried angrily to open his locker but it was jammed. On any other day Pacey would
have calmly pulled the door side ways and shook it slightly till it flicked
open, but he was so furious about the previous conversation it only increased
his annoyance tenfold.
He whacked it in anger, hard. twice. three times!
"Dammit open!" he yelled, kicking it and causing many other students
to look around in interest...
"Pace-" Jen started, Jack moving closer to Pacey
Pacey lost it completely, he began to take out all his frustration on his
locker, pummeling it with his fists and kicking it
"Open...dammit...Open!! ...C'MON YOU MOTHER-FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!!.. FOR
CHRISSAKES JUST FUCKING OPEN!!!!!
As Pacey punched the door again, it flew open and whacked him hard in the face.
"Ouch!...Owwwwwww.. Damn it!!" he cursed, teetering and starting to
fall backwards.
Jack grabbed Pacey and pulled him quickly into an empty classroom, away from
the prying eyes of the other students.
Jack couldn’t support Pacey's toppling weight any longer and went down with
him, falling heavily on the floor.
"Hell my head hurts.." Pacey groaned.
Jack sat up, rubbing his elbow and grinning slightly "Yeah well, I think
you got a lesser beating Witter...you shoulda seen the other guy...I mean the
other locker...whatever..I think the door may have actually fallen off"
It suddenly dawned on Pacey the stupidity of what he had just done and he
laughed foolishly "Oh god...I just had a fight with a locker, how very
macho of me.."
There was a loud slam, and the boys looked around to see a very confused and
concerned Jen standing in the doorway.
"What the hell was that about Pacey?"
Jack chuckled "That locker disrespected him"
Jen smiled slightly "Okaaaay....". She paused, grabbing a tissue from
her pocket she went to Pacey and carefully wiped at the trickle of blood coming
from his eyebrow.
"So it had nothing to do with Richie Rich back there calling you the town
call-boy?"
Jack stopped giggling abruptly, looking toward Pacey whose head had dropped,
his face turning that familiar ashen shade.
"It was a stupid thing for them to say" Pacey snapped
angrily "That thing with Tamar- I mean Miss Jacobs has been OVER for ages
now...I mean, it was a mistake...why do people have to keep dredging it
up!?"
"Because those kind of people have nothing better to do with their
pathetic little existence" Jack murmured peevishly.
Pacey sighed "I know Jackers, I know really...but it still hurts, doesn’t
matter who it is...I'm so sick of people only knowing me as 'Tamara's toy boy.
-If its not 'there goes the towns biggest loser' its 'there goes the towns
biggest nymphomaniac'"
"Pace" Jen said softly putting her hand in his reassuringly
"Only dumbass ingrates like Potter and Leery think that...Everyone with
brains know you for the incredible person that you are.."
"Yeah" Jack added "While I might see you and think 'there goes
the guy with the towns biggest gas problem', You and Jennifer are the smartest,
funniest, most incredibly weird and wonderful people I’ve ever had the privilege
of knowing"
"Uh-Huh" Jen said nodding and smiling "I think that sums it up,
we kinda think you are alright to be around"
Pacey sat up, his smile was wide and genuine.
"You guys are too much, how come I got such great friends anyway?"
"Luck I guess,” Jack said cheekily "..and the monthly payments from
Doug"
Jen kicked Jack playfully "yeah and that"
"Okay okay" Pacey said laughing "now give me a hug, both of
you"
Jen and Jack threw their arms around him, a mass of laughing arms and legs,
shoving and tickling and squeezing and kicking one another.
"Thanks so much guys, Dammit if I don’t bloody love you two" Pacey
said, laughing
"Me too" Jen piped up
"Me three" Jack added
"Could this get any cheesier?" Pacey asked,
Jack laughed, "Only if we start talking about Jenny and 'peas and carrots'"
*******
Later that night...
Pacey walked tiredly through the aisles, the flicking fluorescent lights and
the static sound of the radio doing little to improve his mood. Deputy Doug and
his bloody chocolate fetishes, no man should have to be walking through a
supermarket at this time of day. Or this time of night. whatever.
Pacey paused at the toiletries aisle, stuff it, he might as well get some
toothpaste while he was here. -He had been forcing the last dregs out of the
tube for days now.
He paused suddenly in the middle of aisle when he saw her. Joey Potter, the
majesty herself was checking out the tampons.
His first instinct was to turn and run, but being Pacey Witter he couldn't
resist the urge to embarrass her. After all she had been such a bitch this
afternoon.
"That time of the month is it?" he said loudly "I suggest
super-size"
Joey spun around quickly, flustered and red with embarrassment, a scowl
crossing he face when she realized who it was "Excuse me?!"
Pacey grinned slyly, moving in closer to her "Oh you heard me"
Joey glared angrily at him, trying to hide the package she had just picked up
"Well if it isn't the 'dumb male Lolita' of Capeside" she said
snidely
"Well if it isn't the snotty Miss Havisham of money bags-land" Pacey
shot back at her
"Shut up Witter you ass!" Joey hissed at him, throwing the package
back on the shelf "you are making a scene"
Pacey grinned fakely at her "No I’m not!" he insisted, "I’m just
trying to help...now where were we?" he said, reaching for another little
package.
Joey slapped his arm away "Don’t!"
Pacey looked at her incredulously "Why are you even here Potter?" he
asked "I’m sure one of the servants at the manor would have been happy to
get 'Miss Josephine' some ...uh... ladies things..."
Joey huffed loudly "Just go away, the guides on 'how to have a successful
relationship with your English teacher' are in the next aisle..."
Pacey's eyebrows narrowed "Yeah well you should come with me because they
are right next to the guides on 'how to be a decent human being'!" he
snapped, turning and grabbing some toothpaste he walked angrily down the aisle.
Pacey stared at the chocolate bars in front of him, for the life of him he
couldn't remember which ones Doug even liked,..dammit if stupid Joey Potter had
got him all screwed up...
"Pacey" said a familiar voice from behind him "Pacey
Witter"
His breath caught in his throat momentarily "Whadda ya want Potter?"
he replied nonchalantly, turning round to face her "Cause if its another
chance to take a bite outta me about something that happened a long time ago
I'd rather not"
Joey looked at him seriously "I was wondering what aisle those books were
in"
Pacey paused, looking at her, he grinned slightly "yeah I had a little
trouble finding them myself, maybe they sold out or something..."
A small smile appeared at the corners of Joeys lips "I s'pose they would
be pretty popular..." Looking down she continued quietly "I’m...uh..
sorry, that Dawson and I said all that stuff about you and your friends..."
"Well that thing with Miss Jacobs was a big mistake, that I'd rather not
dwell on" Pacey said, avoiding looking at those big sensual brown eyes
"but I guess we're kinda sorry too..I mean..yeah..we're in different
social circles...it happens right..?"
Joey nodded awkwardly "Yeah..Yeah, right.. Soooo.. still good enemies
then?
"Always" Pacey said holding out his hand "lets shake on
it...agree to disagree?"
"Oh definitely" Joey said quickly putting her hand in his, feeling
the warmth of his rough skin on hers, surprised at the sensations it aroused.
Joey broke her grip abruptly and began to walk away "So I'll see
you..hopefully... never?" she said
"That'll be too soon for both of us" Pacey replied sarcastically,
watching her go, but wanting her to stay
*******************************************************************
"I'm telling you" Pacey said sincerely "she was actually pretty
decent about everything..."
Jack and Jen stared back at him incredulously. They were in class, and because
the teacher hadn't arrived they were sitting on their desks talking. They were
listening to Pacey's story of 'Joey Potter and the supermarket' with much
interest and twice as much skepticism.
"You think 'Ice Queen Josephine' was actually being genuine though?"
Jack asked, his eyebrows raised in disbelief "I mean, maybe she really was
'lending a hand to the rejected and retarded of Capeside' and decided to start
with you"
Pacey kicked him "Thanks man, Look..I don’t know really what her
motivations were but she seemed pretty genuine...who cares anyway? Its not like
I'll talk to her again, I mean by choice.."
Jen giggled, and looked at him in mock-discust "You like her!"
Pacey laughed "Not in this lifetime Jenny.."
"You do! Jack joined in, nudging his friend, and singing sillily
"Pacey and Joey sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-"
Pacey clapped his hand over Jacks mouth "Say one more word McPhee and I'll
kill you!" he said, grinning slightly "I wouldn't get with that girl
if the world was flooded with piss and she lived in a tree!..Got it?!"
"Ummmhmfff" came Jacks muffled reply. Jen was laughing at the two of
them so much tears were running down her cheeks.
Pacey removed his hand from Jack's mouth quickly as Mr. Peterson entered the
room, and the three of them sat down, trying to avoid each others eyes lest
they start laughing again.
"Okay class" Mr. Peterson said "I have a new project for you,
its an assignment on 'the peoples obsession with happy endings' and you will be
working in groups of three"
Jen, Jack and Pacey quickly exchanged looks, confirming that they would work
together on this one.
"Mrs. Vaughan’s English class will be pairing with ours" Mr. Peterson
continued "and you will be assigned to your groups of three by US, the
groups will be posted on the board outside the class after lunch. Any
questions? Good... turn to page 33 in your text..."
Pacey groaned and Jen rolled her eyes.
"I bet we all get separated, and end up with dumbasses like Abby Morgan or
George aka-'stinky' G" Jack whispered annoyed
"Yeah I’m worried about getting in a group with Jack 'stinky' McPhee"
Pacey chuckled, but let out an "ow!" when Jack slugged him in the
shoulder
Jen twirled a stand of blond hair around her finger, bemused "Its going to
be interesting alright..."
*******
Later that day...
"God.. I can't even bear to think what delinquents I'm sure to end up
with" Dawson said huffily "Why cant we just pick our own
groups?"
Joey nodded grudgingly, walking somberly down the hallway "Vaughan called
it 'expanding our horizons' or something equally as awful as that"
Just ahead there was a crowd of people gathered around the bulletin board,
craning to see what their group of three was -the two other people they would
be stuck with for the next couple of weeks.
"Dear God..." Dawson mumbled, flicking his folder "I just know
this is going to be hell"
"Ugh" Joey groaned, "I cant even look"
"You don’t have to" said Abby, who had crept up behind her "I
saw them before..and If I remember correctly, you’re stuck with Pissy Witter
and his equally stupid side kick McPhee"
Joeys jaw dropped, she could feel her face flushing "No way"
"Yes way" Abby said smiling slyly " Me and Dawson got whore-bag
Lindley, so between us we got the entire moronic population of Capeside"
"I knew it...this is..Great!" Dawson snapped "just great!"
Chris Wolfe spoke up "At least you got Abby, Leery...I got Belinda and
George...ick!"
Joey shook her head "This cannot be happening..I don’t believe it!"
Dropping her books on the ground, Joey ran to the board, pushing past the other
students till she saw it;
Group 7.
Pacey Witter
Joey Potter
Jack McPhee
"Oh no..." she sighed, turning, she saw, just to the side of the
hall, the three of them standing protectively together.
And they knew about the arrangements as well as she did. Jen's furious
expression, Jack's bemused but stiff grin and Pacey's annoyed features
reflected her own emotions. She smiled sickly at them.
'This was going to be one hell of a ride.. Yeah.. emphasis on the word 'hell'
Joey thought.
___________________________________________________________________
"I'm going to boil my head in lard" Jen said simply, hoisting her
backpack onto her shoulder.
"Don’t you think that’s a little teeny bit drastic Jenny?"
Pacey said walking quickly next to her, and casting a sombre grin at Jack
"I mean it could turn out to be kinda fun".
Jen scoffed "As fun as ripping my fingernails out..one by one...."
Jack smiled and flung his arm around Jens shoulders "Don’t worry Jennifer,
I'll protect you from Leery's obese head"
Jen shrugged him off "No you wont...you're with Pacey remember?... I'm the
one stuck with tweedle dum and tweedle dumber"
"Aww Jenny!" Pacey cried, kissing her on the forehead "Don’t be
like that! You’ve put up with me and Jackers since you were seven years old!! Abby
Morgan and Dawson Leery should be a walk in the park."
"Yeah" Jack nodded "A walk in the park...with lots of prickles
and thorns...and the occasional numbnut"
Jen smiled slightly "Right. thorns. prickles. numbnuts...gotcha." she
raised her eyebrows questioningly "Anything else Mr. McPhee?"
Jack pretended to think carefully "Well, its always a good idea to take
insect repellent, in case of emergency blind Scabby and Dorkson with the
spray...actually I say just blind them for the fun of it!"
Jen snorted with laughter "I like the way you think..."
"Anyway" Pacey said "your not the only one who has to work with
one of the gang from wonderland..in case you didn’t notice Jackers and me ended
up with Miss Josephine Potter!?"
"Ha!" Jen laughed teasingly "Like you even care Pacey
Witter...you lurrrrve her!"
"Oh yeah right" Pacey scoffed "Like you love crocheting and tuna
fishing"
"Now there’s two of my favorite pastimes" Jack said chuckling
"Ain't nothing like a good crochet in the morning for a
picker-upper!"
"Yeah well you also have a fetish for Anne of Green Gables man, so I'd
keep it under wraps if I were you" Pacey laughed.
"Hey, you cried in TITANIC Witter, don’t even try and deny it.." Jack
rebutted, scrunching up his face and mimicking Pacey "No it’s so wrong!
Rose cant just let Jack die...Oh this is sooooo sad!!! waaaaaa!!"
Jen nodded, teasing Pacey further "I think the part that Pacey most familiarized
with was the 'poor boy meets rich girl' scenario. Definitely a killer."
"That’s it!" Pacey yelled "you two are so going down!!!" he
ran at Jack and Jen, pulling Jen into a headlock and twisting Jack's arm till
he was flat on the ground. "This will teach you for saying I love Joey
Potter!..I mean..PUH-LEASE!!"
"Ahem!"
The three of them looked up from the ground, their dirty faces and scruffy
hair, at the three people standing in front of them.
"Oh, hello Joey...Dawson...Abby.." Pacey said as Jen and Jack and
himself picked themselves up and dusted themselves off.
"What’s up?" he asked, trying to avoid Joeys gaze.
"Well bush pigs" Abby snapped "We wouldn’t talk to you voluntarily...
its about the project that unfortunately we are working together on"
Jen sniffed "Yeah...For one happy moment I almost forgot..."
"You should be thanking your lucky stars" Dawson huffed "Your
grade average will be certainly given a boost after this little
assignment"
"I'm overcome with excitement, really." Jen said dryly
"Ugh... cut it out!" Abby said annoyed, grabbing Jens and Dawson’s
arms she began to pull them away "lets start getting this thing organized,
the sooner its over the better..."
"I'll second that" Jen remarked, casting one last annoyed glance in
Pacey and Jack's direction, before being led away.
The three of them left standing under the tree. -Pacey,
Jack and Joey stood in uncomfortable silence, looking at their feet, the sky,
the grass, whatever - as long as they didn't have to look at each other.
"How much of our conversation did you hear Josephine?" Pacey finally
blurted out.
Her dark, warm eyes made contact with Pacey's momentarily, a deep red flush
filling her cheeks. "Does it matter?" she said quickly "We are
here to discuss our assignment right?"
//she knows what they were saying.dammit. she
heard//
"Uh-huh" Jack nodded "what the hell was it again anyway?,
peoples happy endings?"
//I’m gonna get those buggers for this. but geez.
she's so damn beautiful though. a goddess. smart too. shame about the//
"The peoples obsession with the happy ending" Joey corrected him.
"As in famous literature.... Any suggestions Pacey?"
//so adorable. shame about the//
"Pacey?"
"Huh?" Pacey said "Oh yeah..I mean there's lots of examples of
peoples obsession with happy endings"
//shame about the personality.shame about the
money//
"Like?" Joey asked
//beautiful. no chance Pace//
"Uh.." Pacey said hesitantly, looking at Jack for support "Why don’t
we work on this tonight? At my house? I’m kinda busy now..."
Jack smiled suspiciously "Sounds like an idea to me...I'll bring the
popcorn....Whadda ya
say Queen Josephine?"
Joey smiled, well almost. "Its just Joey...and okay..sure, sounds like a
great idea I suppose..."
//no chance Pace. no chance//
*****
********
Joey paused at the doorway. Oh dear god. Why did she have to be here? She didnt
even know whether this was the right house, Pacey had given her some absract
directions but she'd never been down this end of town and all the houses looked
the same.
She knocked tentatively, hoping by some miracle noone would answer the door and
she could go home. She really
didnt want to be here, mainly because they all didnt get along and a little bit
because of the way Pacey made her feel. It was like-
"Howdy" the door swung open abruptly and Pacey grinned mockingly at
her "Hows Missa Potta today?"
"Hello Pacey" Joey replied stiffly "I'm fine thankyou, but I'll
be even better when this entire asssignment is done with"
Pacey raised his eyebrows "you dont want to spend time with me? oh gosh
and darn cause this is surely the highlight of my year!" he said
sarcastically.
Poking his head out the door further, he looked around suspiciously "What
Josephine? No limo? No chauffer?"
Joey rolled her eyes "Jeeves is having the day off thanks. Now are we
getting started on this thing or not?"
Pacey stepped aside and waggled his eyebrows "Come right in, Im ready when
you are..."
"Ugh" Joey groaned, pushing past him, into the living room where Jack
was lying on his stomach reading one of Gretchens 'CLEO' magazines.
"Hello Jack" Joey sid quietly
"hmmmphf" came his reply
Pacey chuckled "Dont even try and get his attention, he's too busy reading
'top ten sex positions'"
"Shut up Witter" Jack replied "I'm trying to find you a prospective
woman, here we go...Sexy Selina, does things with sharp objects...ewww!"
Jack laughed and threw the magazine on the couch. "So... wassup
kiddies?"
"We are supposed to be working at this project, you know...the peoples
obession with happy endings" Joey said
"Oh yeah...that" Jack yawned "should be...fun"
"Look Im as unhappy about the predicament as you are" Joey started
"You're unhappy?" Pacey asked, grinning "you got stuck with the
hottest guys in school. Our Jen is the one about to dump herself in the vat of
crisco, and quite rightly too.."
"Dawson and Abby arent that bad!" Joey replied defensively
Pacey and Jack just looked at her incredulously.
"Okay..." Joey said quietly "maybe Abby's a little..."
"Abby Morgan is satans maker" Pacey laughed "
*******Im kinda gonna skip abit and get on with it. kay?
The three of them are in Paceys room, working on the assignment.
***
"This sucks" Jack stated, rolling onto his back and staring at the
ceiling "could the teachers have thought up anything more boring?"
"Its not boring, its a valid topic" Joey insisted
"yeah Jackers, its a valid topic" Pacey mocked, Joey turning to him
and smiling icily.
Jack snorted "About as valid as peeing your pants"
"You dont have to stay here you know" Joey said, annoyed,
"I-"
"We" Pacey butted in
Joey rolled her eyes and continued talking to Jack "We, can do this with
or without your help"
"What?" Jack said snidely "because you are so much smarter than
me? -being rich doesnt automatically give you brains Joey dearest"
Joey glared at Jack "Stop twisting my words farm boy"
Pacey sat up quickly "you guys-"
"Thats it!" Jack yelled, standing "I'm not putting up with this
superiority crap any longer, Im leaving!"
"Good Riddence" Joey snapped, returning to her work.
Pacey stood up aswell, a slight look of alarm passing over his face "uh,
no you dont Jack, I think we need to talk..." with that he grabbed his
friends arm and pulled him into the next room.
*
"There no way you are leaving me here by myself with her!" Pacey protested,
slamming the door behind him.
"Sorry Witter" Jack explained "Im going home, Ive had
enough"
"Joey's not so bad" Pacey exclaimed "you dont have to over-react
so much man-"
Jack looked at him in surprise "You're defending her?"
"Dont be stupid!" Pacey replied "I was just saying-"
"You were saying she was right, that I over-reacted!" Jack spat,
walking to the door "I am SO gone!"
"Jack! you leave and I will personally decapitate you withe the bluntest
and most painful object humanly possible!" Pacey threatened, but Jack was
already gone.
Pacey took a deep breath. //That @#%$ left me
alone with her.// //What the hell am I going to do now?//
"Pacey?" Joey called softly "you there?"
//oh dear lord//
***************************************
Pacey paused at the doorway, his breath caught in his throat. What the hell was
wrong with him? It was just snobby rich little Josephine Potter. Why did she
suddenly irk him so damn much anyway? //take hold
of yourself man//
Pacey looked tentatively round the side of the doorway. She lay sprawled on the
floor, reading through some notes. She was tapping one foot against a chair,
her long brown hair cascading over her shoulders, her warm, passionate eyes
darting across the page. //From this perpective
she almost looks normal// Pacey sighed //you
could almost forget-//
"Are you going to come in, or are you auditioning for loiterer of the
year?" Joey said suddenly, abrubtly waking Pacey from his trance.
Pacey walked in the door and plonked himself down on the couch "Simply
trying to waste some study time Josephine" he said casually
"What a surprise" Joey said rudely.
"Hey Potter" Pacey warned "You are walking on some thin ice
here... you've already scared Jackers off"
Joey snorted "I'm positively distraught"
"What the hell crawled up your tight ass!" Pacey said angrily
"we didnt ask for you to be in our group-"
"your group?" Joey asked snidely
"Yeah! mine and Jacks!" Pacey growled "If you dont start cutting
us a little slack I'm leaving aswell!"
Joey shrugged "Great! go! I'll finish the damn assignment by myself"
Pacey stood up "fin-...wait a second this is my house - you go!"
Joey stood up angrily, grabbing a handful of paper and facing him.
"Gladly!"
The sound of an echoey voice coming from the shower interrupted the two of them
"Near, Far, Where
ever you are,
I believe that the heart does go on...
Once more, you opened the door
And your here in my heart and,
my heart will go on and on...[/b]
Joey, still facing Pacey tried desperately to hide the grin forming at the
corners of her mouth
"What the hell is that?"
Pacey licked his lips, a cross between asmusement and embarrasment in his face
"That would be Deputy Doug..."
Joey nodded, biting her lower lip in an attempt to curb her impending smile
"oh right... coz for a second there I thought you had Celine Dion in your
shower"
The two of them couldnt hold it in any longer, they collapsed into fits of
laughter, Pacey fell back onto the couch, while Joey keeled over on the floor,
laughing until tears ran down their cheeks.
"Oh god" Joey said, grinning at Pacey "How am I ever going to
beable to take him seriously again?"
Pacey smiled, wiping a tear from his cheek "I dont think it will be a
problem, noone in this town takes him seriously anyway"
Joey chuckled again, then her tone turned serious "Look Pacey, I think I
was a little rude to you and Jack... I mean...I apologise...stuff has been
going on at home and anyway...I'm sorry"
Pacey grinned winningly at her "S'okay Potter, we common folk have thick
skin"
Joey rolled her eyes at him sarcastically "Of course"
There was awkward silence, the two of them met each others eyes and then
quickly looked away.
"So..." Joey started
Pacey raised his eyebrows "So....?"
Joey stood up "Where's your bathroom?"
Pacey pointed "Down there and take a left and then a right"
Joey nodded, and began to walk in that direction "um.. You can start on
Part A. of the assignment, I help when I get back okay?"
"You can count on me Joey" Pacey grinned mischieviously
"Now you've just got me worried" Joey laughed, from somewhere down
the hall.
Pacey sighed and picked up the worksheet Part A.
he read Cite examples from-
There was an almighty crash. A high-pitched squeal. several "I'm sorry I'm
sorry's" and Joey came running back into the room. Her face was flushed
and her eyes wide, she jumped onto the couch opposite Pacey.
Looking fearfully embarrased she looked at Pacey quizzicly "Why didnt you
tell me that 'the bathroom' was the same bathroom that Doug had just had his shower
in?!"
Pacey suddenly realized what had happened and burst out laughing "You
walked in on my brother!? Im afraid in our house theres only one bathroom"
he threw his head back chuckling.
Joey narrowed her eyebrows and looked at him contemptuously "Its not
funny, you knew didnt you?"
Pacey mocked innocence "Me? No really it just.. slipped my mind."
Joey shook her head "you little creep!" I'll slip your mind!"
and with that she jumped from her seat and flew at him, catching him by
surprise, she pushed him off the couch and onto his stomach, grabbing his arms
and pinning him face down on the floor.
Joey grinned widely "I've got you now butt-munch, you tricked me into
seeing your brother naked and for that you must die"
"A little harsh dont you think?" Pacey said from under her, grinning.
"You're right" Joey said "I'll just put you in some momentus
amount of pain"
She went to grab his other arm, but he was too quick for her, and much
stronger. Within seconds he had her on her back pinned to the floor, towering
over her. "What was that Joey? something about putting me in pain I
think"
Joey nooded slyly "uh-huh" and with that she brought her knee up fast
and hit him hard in the genitals.
Pacey yelped in pain and fell forwards. Joey sat up and began to run, turning
back she saw him curled up on the floor, surrounded by cushions and worksheets
in an immesurable amount of pain. I wave of sympathy ran over her. Dammit. she
felt bad.
Walking back over to him cautiously she peered over him "uh...you
okay?" she asked
Pacey groaned at looked at Joey "Jesus Joey, Didnt someone ever teach you
its a crime to hit a guy in the balls, you could have just decreased my chances
of becoming a father"
Joey smiled innocently at him "I'm sorry Pacey..."
He grabbed her arm quickly and pulled her down next to him, so that they were
face to face. He grinned evily "Oh you will be"
Joey grinned "Really?"
Pacey smiled at her, his eyes locked with hers "I Promise."
Joey smiled, she could feel his warm breath on her face,
and as Pacey reached forward and brushed a strand of hair from her face, her
hand met his, loving the warmth of his skin on hers, his beautiful eyes staring
intensely into hers. He leant in slowly and their lips met, a warm tingling
feeling washing over her as she felt his lips press against hers.
There was a loud slam as the door was shut.
Pacey and Joey pulled away abruptly to see Jen and Jack standing in the
doorway. A bemused yet unimpressed look on their faces.
*******************
Pacey grinned stiffly at his friends "Perfect timing indeed.."
Jen grabbed Jacks arm "we'll come back later..." she said,
surpressing a grin, and heading for the door again.
Jack was not impressed "I dont think we should have to leave" he
blurted out, pulling from Jens grip "Pacey was our friend first and just
coz I havent kissed him yet-"
"Jack" Jen sighed, tugging at his shirt "c'mon.."
"No, Jacks right" Joey said, standing up and gathering her things,
her face flushed with embarrasment "I should go, we can work on this assignment
another time"
"Potter, you dont have to go" Pacey insisted, moving over to her
"I have to, Dad will.. worry.." Joey stuttered, walking away from
Pacey and towards the door.
Pacey cleared his throat "Then I'll call you?"
Joey stared at him and then slowly shook her head "Dont" she said
quietly "Theres no need...I mean, unless you need to discuss the
assignment.."
Pacey just looked at her, his eyebrows narrowed.
"Oh thats nice Joey" Jen spat angrily "Do you kiss the people
you work with on a regular basis or is it just another reach out
program??"
Joey looked at Pacey momentarily "It was nothing..it was a mistake, look..
I dont have to explain myself to people like you!!" she yelled rushing out
the door, Jack slamming it behind her.
Pacey sighed and fell back onto the couch, resting his arms behind his head.
"What the hell was that..." he mumbled angrily.
"Dont worry about her man" Jack said "She's just a stuck up
bitch"
Pacey glared at Jack "Shut up" he said "its your bloody fault
she left..."
Jack raised an eyebrow "my fault?, I think she made the decision on her
own that she didn't want to be here"
"You're the one who got all he's 'our' friend, for god sakes" Pacey
growled "I could do without a friend like you once in a while, butting into
my life whenever he thinks its appropriate!"
Jack looked at Pacey, his expression one of hurt and anger
"Fine!" Jack yelled "Im gone! One less friend to butt into your
perfect existance!"
He stormed out the door, slamming it hard behind him.
Jen stood momentarily in the middle of the room, taken aback. Finally she went
over to Pacey kissed him on the forehead and whispered "I'm going after
Jackers"
Pacey just nodded, slumping down into his cushions, burying his face deep into
them.
"Pacey?"
Pacey looked up to see his brother Doug looking down on him
"What is it Dougie?"
Doug took a bite from his donut, crumbs spilling from his mouth "why the
hell are all the doors getting slammed?" he asked
Pacey just groaned.
****OUTSIDE***
"Jack!" Jen yelled, running to catch up with him "Jack
wait!"
Jack stopped suddenly and sat down on the wet grass, when Jen finally caught up
with him she saw their were tears glistening at the sides of his eyes.
"What the hells wrong Jack?" she asked concerned "Pacey didnt
mean that stuff, he's just upset cause he really likes Joey and-"
"Its not that" Jack said sullenly "Its nothing..."
"My ass its nothing! you cant bullshit me McPhee" Jen said sitting
down next to him in the damp dewy grass. She put her arm reassuringly around
his shoulders "Now fess up...I told you I would eat Stone Cold, fairs
fair..."
Jack sighed "I would tell you Jenny, but it would change
everything..."
"Well let me guess then..."Jen said softly "It has to do with
Pacey right?"
Tears began welling up in Jacks eyes again "kind of.."he whispered.
"You are in love with him..." Jen said slowly
Jack looked up, his face a mixture of shock, fear, sadness and loneliness. A
solitary tear trickled down his cheek and all he could do was nod.
Jen hugged him close to her. "Its okay Jack..." she said, trying to
reassure him, but she knew it was hopeless and so did he.
"As long as you live, promise you wont tell anyone..." Jack said
quietly, looking up worriedly at her "Especially Pacey"
Jen sighed "You are going to have to face the fact that you're gay
Jackers...I mean, you cant keep part of your identity hidden forever-"
Jack rested his head on Jen shoulder "I know that...I mean, I will tell
people eventually, but I meant the part about Pacey, can you keep that a
secret?"
"Wild horses couldnt drag it from me Jack, not as long as I live..."
Jen said.
******************
*****
Okay, this part takes place about a week later,
Pacey and Joey have been avoiding each other, also Jack has told Jen, his
family and Pacey that he's gay (He has NOT said anything about him being in
love with him though. um, no way known.) and news is just starting to get
around school.
Pacey walked sullenly down the hall. It was a shitty day. Their assignment was
due in two days which meant they'd have to talk to one another eventually...and
then there was Jack. The news of his 'coming out' had just started to
circulate. Pacey wanted to protect his friend, but he couldnt stop all the
strange looks, the backhand comments and snide remarks. When Jack has told
Pacey himself, that he was gay, he was surprised, but quick to accept. The
small minds of Capeside however, were not so forgiving nor forgetting.
"Hey Pace," Jen said as she came bounding up to him
"wassup?"
Pacey stopped, and looked around, then back at Jen "Where's Jack?" he
asked worriedly
"Geez Pace" Jen smiled, putting her arm around him "Protective
much? He's in the little boys room, and if you dont mind, I chose not to follow
him in there..."
"Right..."Pacey nodded, squeezing Jens shoulder "I'm sorry Jen,
its...its just..."
"I know" Jen said quietly, "dont worry Pace, it'll be yesterdays
news soon enough, they'll find something better to gossip about
eventually"
Pacey sighed "I hope so, the poor guys been through enough..."
"and you dont know the half of it..." Jen mumbled
"What?" Pacey asked "I missed that last bit"
"Its nothing Pacey, really" Jen said quickly, pushing him towards the
door "Now lets go be the evil kids we are, I say skip last class, we'll go
to my house and veg out...?"
"Sounds like a plan Jennifer" Pacey chuckled, shoving her out the
doorway, and straight into Joey Pottter "ooff!"
The two of them fell backwards and over each other, landing in a pile on the
concrete steps.
Pacey grinned cheekily.
Jen looked up from the ground at him "Stop laughing mister, my ass
hurts!"
Joey stood up quickly and brushed herself off.
"Hey Joey" Pacey said, moving towards her "sorry about that, I
mean...It was an accident..."
Jen snorted in contempt, making no effort to move from her current position
"he says sorry to her..." she mumbled, smiling slightly
Joey grinned stiffly "Thats okay Pacey, Ive come to equate you and
violence as one and the same, wherever you go, it follows basically..."
Pacey smirked back at her "I seem to remember getting a fairly rough tap
in the 'nads thanks to you so I think this is more than fair".
Joey nodded, chuckling "I concede..."
Pacey smile at her genuinely "uh.. look, Potter I dont know whether or not
you realize, but our assignment-"
"Yeah I know" Joey said, nodding "Believe it or not, I was
coming to find you, we need to organise another study session...I'd have it at
my house, but...but Dad's having ..friends over.."
"That's fine" Pacey said offhandedly "You can come over to my
house again, I'll tell Jack..."
Joey nodded "Okay...umm..How is Jack?"
"He's fine thanks" Pacey snapped "it wasnt heart surgery, he's
just gay"
"I didnt mean..."Joey said quietly
Pacey sighed "I know you didn't....See you tonight?"
Joey smiled at him "For sure.."
Pacey grinned "I better go tend to Jen, she'll lie there all day and
shrivel up in the sun if I dont go help her up"
*******
************************************************************
%^#*That night*#^%
The two of them lay sprawled on Paceys bed, as the lounge had been taken
residence by Gretchen and her friends.
"Okay, Part A" Jack said, rolling onto his side and looking
sceptically at Pacey "Examples of the peoples obsession with happy
endings?"
Pacey looked at the ceiling, thinking hard "Great Expectations? I mean
that would have to be one of the more obvious examples..."
Jack grinned "Dear God!" he said with mock surprise "I never
thought I'd live to see the day where Pacey Witter would say something
smart"
"Hey" Pacey said chuckling, slugging Jack in the shoulder "I
cant help it if I'm miles ahead of all my peers, I mean.. its just that natural
Witter talent right?"
Jack raised his eyebrows "uh-huh" he said, nodding sarcastically
"you'll make an excellent cop one day Pace.."
"Kiss my ass McPhee" Pacey shot back, laughing and throwing the pen
he was holding at Jacks face
Jack swiped the pen away and smirked "I rather not thanks, I just brushed
my teeth..."
Pacey laughed, rolling backwards and sliding off the bed
*thump*
"Ouch" came the voice from behind the bed.
"Pacey you dumbass!" Jack said, laughing hysterically "That's
the punishment you get when God hears you telling blatant lies"
Pacey poked his head up over the side of the bed, grinning evily "What
lies would that be Jackers?"
Jack flicked a scrap of paper at Pacey's head, grinning slightly "He heard
you say the Witter family is talented man, and he's heard Doug in the
shower..."
Pacey nodded, grinning, and put his hand out so Jack could pull him back onto
the bed "What can I say? you're right!...Dougs not in God's good books
anyway, they dont approve of gay-"
Pacey stuttered, realizing the mistake he had made, his friend had only been
'out' for less than a week and he had already put him foot in it.
"I mean...I ..uh..@#%$, Jack.. Im sorry.. I didn't mean it like
that!"
"No.. Witter, it doesnt matter really, just.. forget about it..."
Jack said quickly, keeping his eyes on the paper in front of him.
There was an awkward silence.
Pacey looked at his watch "I wonder where Potter is? she said she'd be
here forty five minutes ago"
"Oh right..." Jack said quietly, fiddling with the bedspread, then he
looked up, smiling widely "why dont you go look for her? I'll stay here
and hold the fort?"
"Really?" Pacey asked "Do you think I should man?"
Jack swallowed hard, trying to stop the tears biting the backs of his eyes, he
smiled "You like her dont you?"
Pacey grinned, looking at Jack sincerely "Can I tell you something?"
Jack nodded reassuringly "Of course Witter, we're best friends arent
we?"
"Yeah..we are.. I'ts.." Pacey moved in closer to Jack, and whispered
softly "I know I havent known her for that long, and she sometimes seems
like a snob...but, I think..I think I might be falling in love with Joey
Potter..."
Jack smiled weakly, pain burning in his stomach "In that case, I think you
should definately go and find her" he said quickly "As corny as it
sounds I think you should follow your heart.."
Pacey smile was wide and geniune "You're right... Thanks McPhee, your the
best..what would I do without you?"
Jack just cleared his throat and shrugged
Pacey jumped up and began to walk out the door "Jack? you wont get lonely
without me willya?"
"Just go already" Jack said, smiling slightly "If I get lonely I
will just turn on one of Dougs Diva collection, coz I do love it so much and
all..."
Pacey chuckled and closed the door behind him.
Jack just sighed and buried his head in his hands.
*^%#Joeys House#%^*
The first thing that stuck him was the size, the house was big, massive in
fact. They all were up
this end of town, he could almost smell the money.
The second thing Pacey noticed about Joey's house was the quiet. There were
several cars out the front, but there was an eery silence that had descended.
It was kinda creepy.
Pacey trudged over the wet grass to the front door, he could see a light on
inside, perhaps before he knocked he would have a little look, just to see what
life was like for Joey Potter...
As Pacey leant down to peer inside the little window, he felt an icy grip on
his arm and he was whipped around to face whoever was behind him.
"Pacey what the hell are you doing here!" she hissed quietly
"Joey-" Pacey started
"Shhhhhh!" Joey said, putting her hand over his mouth, and looking
worriedly at the door "If they think you know anything they'll kill
you!"
"What?" Pacey replied, confused and shocked
They heard the sound of the familiar crunch of footsteps coming toward them
"@#%$!" Joey said grabbing his arm and pulling him away "Come
with me, I'll explain everything...."
>
***********************************************************
Pacey let himself be pulled by Joey as the two of them ran around behind the
house, Joey gestured towards the back of the yard, to a small shed, almost
encased in shrubbery.
"There" she said breathlessly, her eyes darting worriedly in every
direction "you'll be safe ..."
Pacey looked at her, perplexed and concerned "Joey, what the hell
is-?"
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!" she said again, pushing him down the grassy slope
and finally shoving him into the tiny tin shelter.
Closing the door behind her she, leant against it, breathing deeply "Of
all nights for you to come here..." she whispered
"Joey" Pacey said slowly, also breathing heavily "What the hell
is going on? I just came here to see whatthe hell was taking you so long.., we
were supposed to be working on our assignment remember? , ..but instead I end
up here, almost uncovering some family secret and risking my life.."
Joey sighed, in the half light Pacey could see the pain in her face "If
you dont know, then...then you arent in any danger, it doesnt matter, I just
think you should sit it out until they leave..."
"Until who leave?" Pacey asked, frustrated, his eyebrows narrowed in
confusion "Cut the crap Joey, you said before they'd kill me if they even
thought I might know something. He paused, looking at her "tell me whats
going on or I'm going in to ask you father..."
Joey looked at him stubbornly, tears glistening on her cheeks, but didnt say a
word.
Pacey went for the door "If thats the way its gotta be-" he started
"No Pacey!" Joey cried, grabbing his arm forcefully and pleading with
her eyes "Dont.."
Even in the half-light Pacey could tell that she meant it, she loosed her grip
on his arm and he held on to her shoulders, looking at her intensely
"Please Joey" he said quietly "I'm a part of this now....you
have to tell me whats going on here..."
Joey sighed, and pulled away from him, she moved over to the corner of the shed
and sat down on a dirty delapidated crate.
"You have to swear you wont ever say a word of this to anyone" she
said softly "you could put yourself or them in danger, you could expose my
father for what he really is"
Pacey nodded "I swear Jo, youre safe.. what is your father really?"
Her voice trembled as she said the words "He's a drug trafficker...He,
uh.. trafficks drugs...and its not just a dabble here and there, its big league
stuff, .. heroin, speed, cocaine...you name it.. all in excess of five hundred
pounds to multiple buyers, he's been doing it for years..." she paused
"..He didnt get as rich as he did by working hard Pacey..."
Pacey was taken aback, he just stood there silently bewildered.
"Tonight is 'Poker Night'" Joey said sullenly "Its when the
suppliers come...They are so edgy Pacey, if they saw you...well they know who
your father and brother are...you'd be in a lot of trouble.."
Pacey nodded, dumbfounded.
Joey sighed, her voice breaking "Pacey? Say something please? I didnt want
to burden you with this...Im sorry.. I hate it so much! I hate living a lie! I
hate being so wealthy when I know where its come from, I hate everthing thing
about my life" she took a shaky breath, tears beginning to cascade down
her cheeks "...but Pacey, I dont want you to hate me, I dont think I could
handle that..."
Pacey looked at her huddled in the corner of the room, she was much like a
rabbit looking into the eyes of its prey. There was so much pain in her eyes,
such hurt, such desperate loneliness...
Pacey walked over to her, she was crying softly, her head down in an effort to
conceal her tears. With one hand he gently lifted her chin, so that they were
face to face. Carefully using the corner of his sleeve he dabbed softly at her
tears, and she smiled slightly.
"Thanks reject" she whispered
"Thats okay dumbass" he replied
The two of them giggled quietly and hugged one another close, lost in the
warmth of each others arms....
>
**********************************************************
Jack kicked aimlessly at a stray pebble, stubbing his toe in the process.
"@#%$..." he swore under his breath. It was just a stubbed toe, but
with everything that had happened tonight It was like salt in an already
painful, gaping wound. Jack was tempted to throw himself in the damn creek, just
to stop the anguish.
"Hey stranger" said a familiar voice
"Hey Jen-joo" Jack said sombrely without turning around.
Jen quickened her pace to keep up with him, walking beside him she asked
"Why so blue McPhee?"
"I stubbed my toe" Jack said, grinning in spite of himself
Jen feigned pity "Awwwwww Poor Baby! You sure you dont need to sit
down?"
"I could ask you the same question" Jack said laughing "I though
you would have been in some state of consecutive shock after spending almost
three hours with Dorken Leery and Scabby Morgan"
"Yeah, I suppose my sucide attempts have been few and far between"
Jen laughed sarcastically "maybe I just like to be around them..."
Jack smirked, and then nodded, mockingly "uh yeah, I can imagine the
excitement, every day you count down the hours till you can see them and be
surrounded by their big heads and miniscule brains".
"You got me!" Jen giggled "what can I say? I adore a man with
the potential to flare his nostrils to world record width"
Jack nodded "who wouldnt?" he chuckled
"Talking of Pacey-" Jen started
Jack interuptted her quickly "We werent talking about Pacey"
Jen huffed dramatically "I know that Jackers, I just wanted to get the
conversation rolling"
"Well roll it in a different direction" Jack mumbled, fiddling
distractedly with a button on his shirt
"You can ignore how you feel about him forever!" Jen protested
grabbing him by the arm.
He pulled away from her grip and looked out over the creek "Watch me"
he said quietly, crossing his arms across his chest.
"You have to do something about it" Jen said softly.
Jack turned abruptly to face her "And what do you suggest? -'Hey Pacey,
Guess what?!! Your gay best friend is in love with you! Surprise!?!'" he
spat angrily "No offence Jennifer but reality check?!?! this isnt a
fairytale, and even if it was it wouldnt work because everyone knows in the
happy ending the guy gets the girl, the guy doesnt get the guy"
"Im sorry Jack..." Jen said quietly, trying to hide tears burning her
cheeks
Jack looked at her and saw her wet face, immediatly feeling guilty "oh
@#%$ Jenny Im sorry...Im just so screwed up, what other newly outed guys do you
know who cant get over their hetero best friend.."
Jack put his arms around Jen and they embraced, hugging each other fiercely.
Jen sighed "You're right though...I dont know what its like for you, I
cant even imagine how hard it must be..."
Jack smiled slightly "You're not too bad Jen, I mean I dont mind having
you for a best friend too much..."
"You are all compliments Jackers" Jen laughed "Where is Pacey
anyway?"
Jacks face fell slightly "he ..uh..went to Joey Potter's house" he
cleared his throat "he was going to tell her that he was falling in love
with her... that was a couple of hours ago though..."
"Oh" Jen said quietly
Jack snorted "Yeah oh"
"Jack do you think, maybe you should-" Jen started
"Jen, Its okay" Jack said squeezing her shoulder "It hurts, but
I will live...y'know?"
Jen just nodded, not swayed because of the pained expression on her friends
face as he had talked "lets go, Im freezing my ass off"
As the two of the receded, Joey exhaled loudly, after she had walked Pacey home
she had sat down to relax and think about what was going on between them.
However Jack and Jen had come along and Joey had been an unwilling witness to
the entire conversation.
//Jack's in love with Pacey?//
Joey thought //what the hell?///would she tell
Pacey?////should she?//
Part 2
Back to Index