Controlled Chaos
Part 7 - Truth & Consequences
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Joey storms out of the cafeteria. A couple of minutes later, she stops suddenly.
Joey: Damn it. I have to return to Jen’s room. So much for the grand exit. (spins around and heads back to the Union)
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Pacey and Jack walk outside of the Union. Jack stops him.
Jack: Okay, you’d better explain yourself.
Pacey: Isn’t it obvious? I realized how monumentally stupid I’d been when I saw you leaving. It was now or never.
Jack: What about Joey?
Pacey: Admittingly, I’m still lost about how to explain it to her. I just hope that it’s easier now that we’re on the same side. (pauses) We are on the same side, right?
Jack: I suppose so. This is not just an attempt at being friends?
Pacey: Friends? Sure, although I’d prefer to think there would be more benefits.
Pacey wraps an arm around Jack’s waist.
Pacey: (chuckles) Part of me was thinking as soon as I caught up to you that I would kiss you right there.
Jack: In a weird way, I’m glad you didn’t. I’m not that interested in grandiose displays like that. Besides, as much as I want us to tell Joey, I’m not interested in giving her heart failure.
Pacey: Two very good reasons why I stopped myself. Though it’s much more difficult now that we don’t have such a captive audience.
Jack: That is true. Even here, it’s more out in the open than anything else we’ve done.
Jack leans in slowly, giving Pacey a chance to break away. When he doesn’t, Jack presses his lips to Pacey’s. Pacey wraps his other arm around him to pull Jack closer.
Joey: Ahem.
They pull apart and face the person they’ve been dreading the most.
Joey: Was that show purely for my benefit? Because I still had lingering doubts about what I saw inside, you decide to give me the full display?
Jack: (mutters) I suppose one out of two ain’t bad.
Pacey: This had nothing to do with you whatsoever.
Joey: You goddamn liar. You fucking tell everyone else except me, the one person that really should know. You dumped me for him, not Jen, but you put on a show for nine fucking months.
Pacey: That wasn’t only because of you. Do you think it was easy for me to admit to myself? That’s why everything ended so suddenly when I tried to start a relationship with Jack.
Joey: Hold on, are you telling me that you and him actually dated? Right after you broke up with me?
Jack: (glances at Pacey) Yes, that’s what happened.
Pacey: It sounds so much different when you put it like that. I realize perfectly well that I hurt both of you. Why the hell do you think I stayed the fuck away from everyone, not just you?
Joey: If it was that deep of a secret, how the hell did the peanut gallery find out?
Pacey raises an eyebrow. Joey points in the direction of the Union. Realizing whom she means, he gestures to Jack.
Jack: Ryan figured it out based on incidents before we even knew the truth. It wasn’t until months later that I kind of told Jen and Andie. Cheryl learned through them.
Pacey: Let me add that was right before I left for my summer in New York. I was aware that Ryan knew but discovering that the other girls knew was a crushing blow.
Joey: (snidely) I’m sure it would be. All those beautiful ladies finding out you’re no longer in the market.
Pacey: I didn’t say I was only attracted to men. In fact, I’m generally more enamored with women. But Jack, well (gazing at him) that’s a different story.
Joey: I’m glad you pointed that out.
Pacey: Jo, look…
Joey: Fine. I heard your explanation. Now you’ll consider mine. Right now, every single one of you makes me sick. Pace, as far as I’m concerned, I hope you lead a wonderful life. I really thought you and I had a chance to reconcile but I’m obviously wrong if the person you see when fucking me was someone else.
Pacey: I’m so sorry about that.
Joey: No sorrier than I am. Jack, I can’t believe that you’ve managed to break my heart twice. First when we dated and now this by being the other woman. You supporting him hurts in some ways more than when Pacey and I actually broke up. I know perfectly well that I never want to speak to you again.
She turns around to leave, getting herself confused.
Jack: (softly) The cafeteria’s that way. (pointing to the building)
Joey glares at him, then stomps off in that direction. As she is about to enter the building, she runs into Cheryl.
Joey: We’re heading back to the dorm right now.
Joey drags her a couple of steps before Cheryl stops short. Joey peers at her.
Joey: Why the hell did you stop? I just want to get the fuck out of here. I’ve had enough goddamn drama for today, if you don’t mind.
Cheryl: In that case, don’t go anywhere near Jen.
Joey: I really don’t care who I’m near. I need to get what I brought out of your room. Now let’s go at once.
Cheryl: First of all, don’t you ever order me around again. Secondly, you don't want to bring your attitude to Jen because...
Jen: (from a distance) You can go to hell, you son of a bitch.
Joey turns around and sees Jen walking quickly away from Ryan.
Ryan: Fine, continue dictating exactly what I am and where I go.
Jen: (spins quickly back to him) How dare you turn this around on me! It's not my fault!
Ryan: (snidely) You're right, it's so clearly mine.
Jen tries to hold back tears as she passes Joey and Cheryl. Ryan turns back to enter the Union.
Cheryl: (to Joey) Let's just say that Jen and Ryan finally talked and it wasn't pretty.
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Part 8 - Birthday Blast
Index