Nowhere Fast
Chapter 14 - Right Through You
Joey Potter
It had been twenty-three hours and forty-five minutes later and still no sign of Abby Morgan.
I had initially intended to hold vigil at Abby’s door all day but Pacey thought that wasn’t the healthiest way to handle the situation. Whatever the situation was at the moment.
Pacey insisted that he would find out anything he could about the journal. Surely somebody had to have some knowledge of it.
I hadn’t been in my dorm room, back from classes for more than five minutes when there was a loud banging on the bathroom door. I got up and opened the door to find Pacey.
“I wish I had better news for you. I’ve got some information.”
“Is it about where Abby’s hiding out?”
He shook his head sadly, “Nope. But there is some information. Yolanda, the RA for the third floor, found out that Tom had in fact gotten the master key to use for your room. The official report said that there had been a light fixture to replace. One that you had told him about.”
“Who’s Tom?” I demanded.
Pacey laughed slightly, “Our RA, Jo.”
“Oh that’s his name. I only knew him as the frat creep who bores us at hall meetings. Anyway, I never made such a call.”
“I figured that. Yolanda said that you could file a complaint against him if you desire.”
“I definitely will do that. Nothing about Abby’s role?”
“Unknown yet. The second piece of news involves Abby’s partner-in-crime. Jack has this suspicion that Chris Wolfe is dating Abby and that he, not Charlie, is the helper.”
“Now that I don’t believe.”
“Hold on. Yolanda confirmed that Chris had been in Abby’s room during the weekend.”
“That means nothing. I mean, it does say that Abby has another friend, I suppose, but that’s it.”
“And that she knew that because she’d seen him leaving her room at eight in the morning.”
“I guess I can retract the statement that Abby never gets laid. That doesn’t indict the hormone either.”
“No, it doesn’t. Yolanda had no idea about Charlie’s whereabouts this weekend so he could…”
“No, it’s not could. He did it.” I insisted. Why the hell is Jack trying to twist this around? Granted, I wasn’t fond of Chris either. But he was just a typical frat guy. You know, without actually being in a frat like our RA. He was definitely one of the loudest disadvantages to living on this floor.
“It’s worth keeping in mind before you threaten anyone again,” he pointed out. “We still can’t even prove Abby’s involved.”
Damn him for being right. I sighed, “Why do you have to be reasonable at a time like this?”
“Somebody has to be. It’s not expected to be you right now.”
“I’ve been thinking about how bad this could be. Trying to get inside Abby’s head. I figure there are two likely possibilities. One, she will outright tell everyone in this building the juicier details.”
“I thought that was our only concern. There is something worse?”
“Well, if the contents aren’t interesting enough to provide gossip, she could manipulate our current living situation. I’m actually not sure what I wrote because I usually do that to clear my head before I go to sleep. They’re not necessarily coherent.”
Pacey scratched his head, “Exactly how could she influence the living arrangement?”
“I don’t know. Maybe try to turn us against each other. She loves to watch a fight.”
“Is there anything that might cause a fight in there that I should be aware of?”
“Is this your lame way of finding out what I wrote about you?” I countered.
“You’re right. It’s a really lousy question. It’s not something sick like wanting a three-way with Chris Wolfe and rock star wannabe Trent?”
I laughed, “That I can absolutely guarantee isn’t written in there. Thank you for ruining a good night’s sleep for me.”
“No problem.” He smiled as he left the room. I got up to shut the door when he popped back in, “Pleasant dreams.”
I sneered, “I hope you’re stuck fantasizing about not getting it up for a girl.” I shut the door and couldn’t help but laugh. It had been the first time I could genuinely say that I hadn’t been upset since this happened.
Now I really hoped that what I jotted down in the journal about Pacey was positive. I remembered that I must have been disapproving when we’d first met but I’d think that what I wrote about him had to improve over time. What Abby would consider the more entertaining version, I had no idea.
* * * * *
Jack McPhee
I returned to the dorm after class to find a note stuck on my door.
Documents Found. Inquire at Room 137.
I snatched the paper and reread it about ten times. It was definitely cryptic but the message became clear. I knocked on Charlie’s door.
Charlie shouted, “Who is it?”
“What is this letter about?” I replied as I held the paper to the peephole in case he was looking out.
The door swung open quickly and Charlie dragged me in. “I don’t know if Chris is home and we don’t need him knowing anything.”
“Please tell me ‘documents found’ refers to what I think it does.”
He lugged his backpack over to his desk as he searched through the books. “There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that I swiped the journal.” He pulled out a blue bound notebook. “The bad news is that Abby read all of it and was already done with its contents. I know this because she was eager to share the details.”
“Please tell me this isn’t that bad.” Charlie pointed to his roommate’s chair, which I sat down in.
“If you’re thinking that Joey only wrote about herself, you would be wrong. You have every reason to be concerned for reasons that aren’t connected to her. Abby used the most gruesome of terms in telling the stories so I suspect she’ll try to turn the three of you against each other. That’s apparently her objective, though I wouldn’t be surprised if she also relayed tales throughout the building.”
I closed my eyes, dreading exactly what that meant. “So it’s pretty much a given that she’ll tell about what happened between me and Joey.”
“I’d hope that’s all she does. But I doubt it. She intends to push Pacey to Shannon. Maybe it would get Joey jealous in the process.” That wasn’t a bad thing – that’s what I’d been trying to since I first heard about her. I opened my eyes and got a hint of a smile.
“She didn’t happen to mention anything about having a crush on him?”
“The words came up but I don’t know whether it’s Abby being manipulative or the truth. Especially when you consider that both of them are supposedly to be afraid of you.”
“What?”
Charlie took a deep breath before replying, “She claims you’ll end up like your mother. I know she twisted everything around to say that.”
“My mom?” I had been prepared for the whole building to know that Joey and I kissed. Or that I was gay. Or that Joey bashed Pacey’s pursuit. Never did I think that Joey’d written about her conversation with Andie. I dropped my head on the desk, muttering, “Abby. That fucking bitch.”
“Those were exactly my words. Actually, I think I said ‘you lying fucking bitch’. To which she shoved the pages in my face and tried to force me to read. Anyway, here you go, for your reading pleasure.” I stretched my arm back. He placed the journal in my hand. I placed the book in front of me. I almost expected a gruesome monster to pop out. I pushed the book away from me quickly. “Or whatever you want. Not that you’d actually volunteer to read it.”
“What did you do with this?” He had seemed so certain that Abby screwed up the facts that I was suspicious. Then again, I’d been pretty apprehensive regarding anybody in this building at the moment.
“For the most part, I agree with you. It’s sick that she’s so interested. But when Abby made it sound like Joey called you crazy, goddamn curiosity took over. When I returned here, I searched for the page I refused to read before. All Joey wrote was about her conversation with your sister. Abby reached her own bizarre conclusions.”
In a slight way, it was reassuring that Joey hadn’t really wrote those words. Still, that meant little when you consider that people tend to believe the first version of a story over the later reincarnations. “This is not really happening. I will wake up and forget all of this.” Charlie dragged his chair next to mine at the desk and sat back down. “You think I’m overreacting?”
“No, I don’t. Everything gets fucked up when families are involved. I challenge you to find one person who isn’t distressed about their family for some reason.” He picked up a notepad from Marco’s desk and began doodling on it.
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Some people just have better reasons than others. It sounds as if you were forced to be the parent in that household.”
“Basically, yes.”
“When they find out their All-American son isn’t, there will be a clash?”
The question had actually startled me. The only context I’d ever heard that word ‘All-American’ used was when people were talking about my brother. I looked up to see he’d stopped writing and was throwing quick glances in my direction.
“Funny you should ask. I had just told my sister. She was shocked and a little upset at first.” I chuckled as I recalled the conversation. She had called while Pacey and Joey were waiting for Abby to return to her room. I hadn’t intended to actually tell her at that moment – the words just suddenly came out. “But, an hour later, her only complaint was that she’d never be able to have a sister-in-law to bond with.”
Charlie snickered, “What an odd reaction.”
“Yet typical of Andie. I’ll deal with Dad in person since he’ll certainly have a problem with having a gay son. It just doesn’t fit into the image that we’re a happy family. It’s not necessarily a good idea to tell my mom…”
“Why? She’s a homophobe?”
“No, not that. It’s just she sometimes doesn’t even know who I am. There have been times when she thinks I’m my brother. If I tell her, I might have to repeat myself over and over. Not that I’d lie if there’s any news to report.”
“I don’t understand. If your family wasn’t a major obstacle, why were you so wary?” There was a hint of bitterness to his voice when he asked that question. He’d resumed doodling on the notepad. Something was strange about his questions but I couldn’t quite figure it out.
“I don’t know. I guess I just didn’t want to be different. I just wanted to blend in. Can’t you understand that?”
“Not really. I’ve always been the one getting the attention, regardless of whether I was gay or straight. I’m the youngest of eight kids.”
“Eight?” I exclaimed.
Charlie mumbled, “A large stereotypical Italian family. There are way too many relatives to deal with.” He ripped the page from the pad and placed it back on Marco’s desk. “Anyway, I’m told that fitting in appeals to many people.”
Although he hadn’t said anything yet, I suspected he’d probably have dealt with some less-than-pleasant reactions. Much like the previous conversation, he’d been trying to distract himself from thinking too hard about that. “Um, yeah, okay. Anyway, I’ll leave it as an anonymous gift for Joey.”
“That’s why I left the note on your door, not hers. I wouldn’t set myself up to get murdered in a confining space.”
“She’d probably still believe that you’re the enemy.”
“Good for Joey. Let her think what she wants.”
I stood up and grabbed the book off the desk. “Thanks for your help.” I had my hand on the doorknob when I suddenly could hear Jen’s voice from the club. “This is going to sound like a strange request. See, you were right about something. It’s not so much trying to fit in as it’s that I really didn’t know anyone else that was gay. Maybe I should remedy that.”
“You’re right, that’s a strange request. Are you offering to come meet people?” He snorted, “Or is it just a way to ask me out?”
I couldn’t resist laughing along to that. “You must be tired because you’ve already started dreaming apparently.” Seriously, I added, “Meeting people.”
“Cool. I know there’s a party this weekend. Hell, Darren throws a party every weekend. Mostly gays though also some straights that enjoy good music.”
So Pacey and Jen really did it for that purpose. I replied as nonchalantly as possible, “Sounds like a good plan. Is this another of those conversations that’s sticking in this room?”
“Well, it’s not heading over to Abby’s room, or Chris’ for that matter, because of their stupid games. But it’s really up to you regarding anyone else.”
“I can’t seriously imagine Pacey or Joey thinking this is a good idea either. If I can convince them that Chris really is involved, then maybe.”
“Fair enough. I hope Joey appreciates the gift.”
“Same here. Thanks for everything.”
Charlie nodded as I headed out of the room. I was about to enter my room when I stared at the door to Joey’s room.
I wasn’t even sure I should let Joey know that I have it. This whole situation was just too sticky right now. I turned to the last page of the journal. A blank sheet. I ripped the page out and scribbled down a quick message. I knocked on her door, dropped the book on the ground and left the building.
* * * * *
Pacey Witter
“You can’t imagine how happy I am that this night went so well.” Shannon exclaimed as we entered my room.
“So, what are we claiming? That you wanted to see my comic book collection?” I chimed as I shut the door slowly.
“No, I thought it was the DVD. You claimed to have the Toy Story set and I didn’t believe you.”
Without moving, I replied, “Do you believe me now?”
She purred, “Do you really care if I believe you?” Her normally high-pitched voice sounded an octave lower as she slinked closer.
“Not really.” I agreed as I pulled her against me.
“Just a manipulative ploy, I see.” Shannon chimed as she pressed her lips against mine, then sneered, “What do you think I am, just some dumb redhead? Because I don’t appreciate being made,” a kiss, “a fool,” another kiss, “of by somebody like you.” She walked backwards, tugging on my collar to lead me to my bed.
“I’m sorry about that. Could you figure out a way to forgive me?”
She sat down on the bed and pulled me on top of her, “Somehow I think I can pardon you for this offense.”
I bent down to kiss her and started to unbutton her shirt. “I insist that, since I tried to play you for a fool, you have one request. Anything you want.”
Shannon sighed as she rested her hand underneath my shirt. “Do you mean anything?”
“Anything.”
“Pacey?” Shannon’s mouth was moving but Joey’s voice was coming out. I stopped kissing her. This is goddamn ridiculous. Okay, it was true that if Joey were actually the one there, it would be the ideal. I just didn’t see that happening now.
“What did you say?”
“Pacey, Jack, I know one of you is home. I can hear the television. I can’t wait to tell you this news.”
I opened my eyes. What the hell had happened? I looked around the room to find that I was alone with the television on. Still bleary-eyed, I couldn’t remember what I’d been watching when I fell asleep. I must have been dreaming about that moment with Shannon.
“Come on. Please let me enjoy this with someone.”
I called out, “Hold on, Jo.” I rolled off the bed and stumbled over my sneakers as I headed to the bathroom. I barely had a chance to open the door when Joey burst into the room, rambling on and on. She was clearly excited about something but I wasn’t quite coherent yet.
“Jo, hold on. I just woke up.” Joey took a deep breath and gave a wide smile. A genuine smile. “What happened?”
“Did you blackmail her? I admit, I’m truly shocked to see this.” It was then that I noticed a blue bound notebook in her hands. She was waving it around excitedly. There was only one thing that book could possibly be.
“Is that the journal?”
“Of course it is. I can’t believe you did this!” I had no idea what she was thanking me for. Since my last report to her two days ago, there had been nothing but dead ends. I couldn’t prove Tom had done anything wrong because Yolanda showed documented proof of the supposed broken light. I couldn’t prove Abby was involved because she hadn’t been seen all week. I couldn’t prove that Charlie was involved because he was still sticking to his story. I could prove that Chris Wolfe was an asshole but that was common knowledge. So how the hell could I have done this, other than the fact that everyone knew that I was helping her?
“Um, Jo, I can’t take credit for this…”
“So modest, Pace.” She waved a sheet of paper around. “I mean, I know that you have been doing great detective work but I didn’t think you’d actually find it.”
I took the paper from her and began reading aloud. “I will do whatever I can to protect the contents. I wish I could guarantee this but there are more powerful forces trying to ruin you.” It was written rather sloppily but also obviously disguised to appear to be my handwriting. I knew I wasn’t coherent but there was no possibility that I could have written that.
I could have very easily taken credit for this. Problem was, I had absolutely no clue what was happening. I wasn’t even sure she was out of harm's way yet.
“I didn’t write this.” I stated. I was definitely safer being truthful.
Joey shook her head, “You don’t have to be mysterious. I know it’s you.” She then surprised me by wrapping her arms around me. Joey leaned her chin on my shoulder and whispered in my ear, “I just can’t thank you enough.”
“I really don’t know how this occurred.”
“Pacey, you can drop the act now. I don’t believe you.” She murmured. Joey pulled herself off my shoulder and her eyes were fixed on me. That smile was still set on her face. “I couldn’t thank you enough.” She slowly moved in closer and appeared to be leaning in for a kiss. For a moment, it felt as if that dream about Shannon could have truly transpired with Joey.
Suddenly, she stopped, with her lips within six inches of mine. I could hear someone talking in the background. I thought at first that I was just focusing on something instead of what was really happening.
She’d heard it as well and backed off. “What on earth were you watching?”
I still couldn’t figure out the conversation yet. That is, until I heard a girl’s squeaky voice say “Can you truly live up to your name, Woody?” Oh shit. I must have fallen asleep while watching a movie. I had borrowed a couple of videotapes and not the type that I could have ever watched with anyone else around.
Joey snapped out of her trace and muttered, “I guess you really didn’t leave the journal there.” I was relieved that she at least believed me. “I should let you get back to watching your… porn flick. What is this - American Cherry Pie?”
I could now remember why Shannon was lured in the dream by that particular DVD as I muttered, “Sex Toy Story,” then insisted, “It’s not the way it appears.”
She stepped back, “I think you saying anything further enters the realm of way too much information.” Joey then looked around, “Where’s Jack anyway?”
Normally, he was home before me. It was past midnight and his backpack wasn’t even around. “Probably went to the computer lab. I’ll let him know what you have.” A part of me was wondering if he was right about Chris being involved. Maybe Jack had been the one who wrote the letter. But wouldn’t he have immediately given it to Joey without all the mystery if he’d actually found out?
On the other hand, this could be the calm before the storm. She’d already forged Joey’s signature on the paperwork so it wouldn’t be too difficult to fake my handwriting. Abby wants Joey to feel relaxed.
Joey sighed, “Hopefully, the worst of this is over.” She turned around and headed for the exit.
“I hope you’re right,” I muttered.
Joey faced me, gave a quick nod, then left the room.
Chapter 15 - Harsh Truths and Lies
Nowhere Fast Index
DC Index