Nowhere Fast

Chapter 5 - Strange Aromas

Pacey Witter

It was inevitable that there would eventually be a problem involving the bathroom. I’m just surprised that reared its head ten days after we moved in.

Uncharacteristically for me, I actually woke up the first time my alarm clock buzzed. So I entered the bathroom and found the other door open. I peeked inside and found Joey wrapped in a towel while blow-drying her hair. Knowing full well that just standing there would probably cause greater embarrassment, I tapped on the door to get her attention.

Joey spun around quickly, uncomfortable as well, “Pacey, what the hell are you doing?”

“Is there a reason the door’s open?”

She let out a deep sigh, “Oh, yeah, that’s because I was still in there. I was still using the mirror.” She glanced at her clock, “What are you doing awake this early?”

“This is the time I’m supposed to wake up. It’s just that today, it actually happened.”

“I see,” Joey replied curtly. “In that case, I need a couple more minutes. Do you mind?” Instead of waiting for a response, she grabbed her hair dryer and assorted other supplies and went back in the bathroom, being sure to slam both doors shut.

That left me in her room. Not that I minded being stuck in her room. I truly was stuck since I couldn’t exit through the main door, unless I really wanted to wake Jack up. I hadn’t seriously thought I’d need the key to the room just to make a trip to the bathroom.

On her dresser were assorted pictures, all neatly framed.

There was a studio photo that appeared to be taken at least five years ago of a couple and two children. Probably a family portrait. A younger version of Joey was standing next to her mother, who had features very similar to the Joey he knew now. The other child was probably Bessie – she too resembled them in some ways.

I drifted my eyes to another frame. It appeared to be a prom photo. There was Joey, dressed in a beautiful lilac-colored gown which just grazed the floor, arm-in-arm with a blonde guy trying to appear perfect in the suit but failing on all counts. This must have been Dawson. You know, somehow I thought that someone such as Joey would at least be dating a guy that wasn’t so… so…

This must be the jealousy streak in me speaking but Dawson doesn’t seem like much of a catch.

Joey entered the room, watching me looking at the picture, “Is there a problem?”

I jumped up a little too quickly, “What, no, I’m sorry about that.” She noticed the particular photograph I was looking at.

“I see you found him.” She gave a small smile as her eyes rested on Dawson’s face in the picture. She had changed into a dark green tiny t-shirt and a pair of jeans. She rested the towel and a shower caddie into her closet.

“I suppose I did.”

Joey gazed wistfully at the photo, “That was a pretty special evening for me. I remember he was so nervous, planning the ideal prom night. Bessie and I had worked on that prom dress for months. Call me Pretty in Purple, although it just doesn’t have the same flowing sound as Pretty in Pink, you know.” She glanced over at me, chuckling, “Okay, I guess he wasn’t the only one who’d watch too many movies. Or maybe it’s just him rubbing off on me. So anyway, Bessie drove me over to his house. We had decided against renting a limo because it was too expensive. Didn’t matter, in fact, in made it easier when Dawson decided after the prom to drive out to this beach and watch the sunrise.”

“Sounds wonderful. Very storybook.” I agreed.

Joey shrugged, “Isn’t that the way the prom is supposed to be?”

“Well, if you consider going with your best friend’s boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend as the ideal way to spend a prom night, then no.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Anna was an entertaining date. But it’s just difficult when you’re in the limo watching the other couple and wishing you had what they had.”

“What did they have?”

“Although my friend Jen would have you believe that she is annoyed by every little thing her boyfriend does, in fact she relishes every opportunity. It took her and Drue two years before they realized that they belonged together. They have this relationship consisting mostly of banter but with a sexual undercurrent so you are aware it’s just that and not an actual fight.” I’m hoping it doesn’t take two years for Joey to come to that conclusion.

“I suppose there’s more than one way for a prom to turn out.” Joey shrugged. She then remembered why exactly I was there, “Okay, I’m out of the bathroom now so you can get out of here. Thanks to you, I’ll probably already be late for class. I really don’t like having strange men in a wife-beater and boxers in my room this early in the morning.”

I looked down, remembering I was still in the clothes I slept in, “ You invited me in. It’s not my fault that you find me so incredibly irresistible with my bed head.”

“Exactly how is this hair any different than what you do usually?” She tilted her head trying to get a better view.

“All I know is that you want to ravage me as soon as you’re done with your classes.” I knew perfectly well that it was a joke only, but it’s fun to play with her mind a little.

Joey grabbed the towel off the bed and threw it in my face. It was actually a wonderful combination of rose petals and oranges. After allowing myself to savor the smell for a few seconds, I picked it off and placed it on the doorknob before leaving her room.

Jack McPhee

Operation Dorm Match is back on the road. Pacey had been in Joey’s room yesterday having a civilized discussion. He had given up any pretenses about me not knowing about his fascination with her. Which is definitely a positive because it’s much easier dropping hints about someone when that someone is actually interested in the plan.

I was returning to the dorm when I ran into Joey, carrying a stack of books, trying to open the door to our dorm building. She gave a quick wave as she struggled to balance the pile in her arms.

“I think you need some help,” I remarked as I grabbed a couple of books from her.

She smiled, “Thanks. I really needed that.” With fewer books, she was able to grab her key and unlock the door. We entered to find Abby and Charlie, the people from check-in, sitting in the hallway.

“How is your little arrangement turning out, Mr. Potter?” Abby hissed.

Joey rolled her eyes, “Abby, I can’t believe you’d actually waste your time with our petty little lives.”

Abby replied, “On the contrary, it’s a source of great amusement in this building. Charlie and I are part of this pool, determining exactly what goes on behind closed doors. My money is on Joey sleeping with Pacey while this idiot,” pointing to Charlie, “is convinced that you,” pointing to me, “and Pacey are the ones while Joey watches.”

Charlie chimed in, “Pardon me for trying to find the homosexual subtext to the situation.” I hadn’t realized until this moment how much of a flaming queen the guy was.

Abby waved him off, “Anyway, so inquiring minds want to know.”

Joey peered at her through her narrowed eyes, before answering, “I think the best answer is that there are three people down the hall leading civilized lives while depressed witches are sulking in their friend’s room, trying to figure out a way to cause some action, deflecting the fact that she is as single as is possible on this campus. She latches onto a guy who would probably only be attracted to her if she decided to dress up as Brad Pitt for Halloween. There’s your exclusive.”

Abby clenched her fists, then stormed off. Charlie initially decided to follow her, then thought better of it, “You know what you two remind me of? Ever seen the movie Pillow Talk? With Doris Day and Rock Hudson.”

Joey is completely confused, “What? Yes, I’ve heard of that movie. They share a phone line and he annoys the hell out of her for always romancing women. He gets this idea to pretend to be the ideal guy because she’s such a bitter wench?”

Charlie nodded, “Exactly. There are two different ways to interpret the situation. One is purely about the movie in which the supposed prince is right under her nose but she’s too blinded by hatred to notice.” He flashed a quick glance in my direction before continuing in a more sarcastic tone, “The other is realizing the behind-the-scenes miracle that must have occurred to make Rock Hudson so convincing as an actor that people could believe he was straight for so many years.” He waved his arms around, “It’s your call, really. I’d better go after Abby.” He raced away to find the sniveling little bitch.

Joey turned back, heading upstairs very angry. Still having her books in my arms, I followed her. She unlocked her door and threw the books on her bed, gesturing for me to do the same.

“Those two make me sick. Did they really think the undertones of that conversation would be completely lost on us? It’s people like them that make me truly hate this goddamn school.” She slammed her backpack down on the ground.

“People like Abby probably get aroused by having others get pissed at them. She’s repressed enough as it is, you don’t need to contribute to that.”

Joey plopped down on the bed, “She’s got to jerk off while thinking about something. Much better than thinking about Charlie.” Not that I had the faintest clue whether Abby actually had a crush on her sidekick. It was much more fun thinking about that than the implication that Charlie was trying to out me. "Probably she needs both. I don’t think it’d actually take much to get Charlie off. I’m sure it helps fantasizing about you and Pacey all night.” Joey laughed as she remembered Charlie’s wager, “Come on, what sane person would seriously think about two straight guys fucking each other while a girl’s watching?”

“It’s a little weird, but you know what Charlie, his boytoy and Abby do in their dorm rooms is their own business.”

Joey laughed, “Thanks for that mental image.” Gazing down at the ground, “You don’t think he meant what he said about that movie, do you?”

Fuck, she caught exactly what he said. “There’s a certain part of his theory that does apply to our current living situation.”

Joey rolled her eyes and began yelling, “I knew it. God fucking damn it. Do you seriously think that’s what Pacey and I are? There is nothing there. I am not an idiot, I realize the guy is trying to wear me down. But I am not some forlorn being waiting for a toad to turn into a prince. I have my prince, damn it.”

Glancing at her dresser at what appeared to be a prom picture of Joey with Dawson, I muttered, “Are you certain about that?” It was almost as if she was desperately trying to convince herself that Dawson was the ideal boyfriend, that there was no possibility that Pacey really was the one.

Joey replied brusquely, “Thanks for helping me but… I have something to take care of. About Dawson.”

“Sure thing,” I exited through the main door and unlocked the next room. I absentmindedly turned on the CD player. I heard the first couple of notes and recognized it as the same CD that I’d been playing for the past week. I laid down on the bed and resorted to trying to sleep, even though I knew perfectly well it was too early to really be successful at it.

Joey Potter

This is really getting a little confusing. It’s not that comments from Abby and Charlie have never occurred. Actually Charlie, being the one that actually lives on our floor, can be quite civil at times. Of course, it was always outside of Abby’s presence because she obviously had some control over him. He would also see clearly what’s been happening in the week we’ve moved in.

So the fact that he was alone when he compared the movie to me and Pacey made it all the more baffling. Wasn’t it clearly obvious that Jack, of all people, would take it the wrong way? Sure, he tried to pretend that it was a joke but I knew it bothered him.

I’ve been noticing the smaller gestures from him. It’s actually rather cute and so old-fashioned when he offered to help carry my books. I could hear that now-familiar music coming from his room. Is it weird to bond with a guy over music? Because if there was a way that one could relate through music… Then again, I relate to Dawson through movies.

Yeah Joey, that’s not the least bit odd. That reminded me, what the hell was I going to tell Dawson? Part of me wanted it to end. But it’s been only a week, he wouldn’t be able to accept it, that’s for damn sure.

Riiing-Riiing. I took a deep sigh, realizing it was an off-campus call and there was really only one person that would make such a call at night.

I tried to sound chipper, “Hello?”

“Did I catch you at a bad time?” Sure enough, it was Dawson. And sure enough, my chipper voice completely failed me.

“Excuse me?”

“Is there something wrong?”

I lied, “I just miss you so much.”

I could feel him smiling on the other side of the phone, “I miss you too. I just thought I’d taunt you by saying that I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” I replied skeptically. One trait that doesn’t really describe Dawson at all is unpredictable. Which meant that I should probably think back to movies I’ve seen recently and figure out what he might have learned from them.

“Hence the taunting you part. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that if something unexpected happens in the next couple of days, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. I’ve had a long day and I’m really tired so can this wait until another time?”

His voice dropped a little, “Of course. You need your sleep. Goodnight.” He paused, then added, “I love you, Joey.”

“Goodnight, Dawson.”

Chapter 6 - So Much For the Afterglow
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