Somewhere Else
Chapter 12 - Out of Place
Several hours later, Abby and Charlie were sitting on a couch in the darkest section of the bar. Abby held an empty bottle of beer, singing along to the faint music coming from the jukebox.
I'm jaded and you're beautiful
I'm deluded and envious of you
you're carin' that I'm hurtin'
but I'm laughing 'cause I'm lyin'
and you believe what I say to be truth
Charlie collapsed back on the couch, a full bottle still sitting on the table in front of them. He knew Abby was trying to get him drunk so he was being careful about how much he imbibed. Abby, however, hadn’t realized that yet, getting herself drunk off his drinks in the process.
no self-reliance, no social skills
you're confident and you express yourself so well
you're learned
degrees upon your wall
I'm jealous, no invitations to the ball
They had been talking about their professional worlds. Abby was currently answering phones at a software company, hardly the type of job she anticipated once leaving college. She had intended to work as a programmer analyst but realized it was difficult to break in. So here she was, working at a help desk, forced to be nice to people on a regular basis. They were reduced to this and basically any other topic which kept away from their personal lives.
this is the way God made me
no excuses, this is the way God made me
“God Made Me“ - Chantal Kreviazuk
That is, until Abby suddenly blurted out, “Do you know how much I hate all this?”
Charlie raised his head, puzzled by the outburst. He kidded, “You mean tricking young men to help you doesn’t get you off anymore?”
“Hey! You wish you had my ability with the guys,” Abby snapped, then continued her train of thought. “That guy I was hanging around earlier?”
“Is he your current fool?”
“Frank? No, he has a girlfriend. In fact, I helped him get that chick. Have you ever heard of columnist Lisette Donnelly?”
Charlie may not have been sure who Frank was based on appearance. But, as soon as Abby mentioned Lisette’s name, he laughed at the sales pitch. “Columnist? That’s a stretch.”
“Well, she had a boyfriend who I happened to know…”
Charlie cut her off, “I’m sure Pacey Witter appreciated your input.”
Abby turned to Charlie, surprised he was aware of that. “You still hang around Pacey Witter?” Instead of waiting for an answer, she explained, “I saw an opportunity to lure Frank to my side and snatched it. I didn’t give a damn that it involved Pacey Witter.”
“I’d hate to think you’d hold a grudge against him.”
“Who gives a fuck about the threesome? I’ve moved on.” She raised the bottle to her mouth. When she realized it was empty, she grabbed the bottle on the table and took a gulp.
“Yeah, I see. Now you play cupid for the college sect. That’s a step up.”
She muttered, “I think I’m more like the Clueless chick. Perfect matchmaker for others, terrible with my own. That’s what I hate.”
Charlie sat up, staring at Abby’s now-slumped form. “Did you just say…”
“Shut up,” Abby insisted. “You heard nothing from me.”
“If I recall correctly, she did find love at the end of that movie.”
“Yeah, with her ex-stepbrother. Uh, ewww.” She faced Charlie. “Don’t you get sick of being alone?”
“I wouldn’t know. I was in a relationship before tonight.”
Abby arched an eyebrow, skeptically asking, “You? Committed? For how long? Two weeks?”
“Over three years, on and off. If you know about Pacey, then you’re also familiar with Jack McPhee.”
She laughed, “That doesn’t sound like the guy I remember. You were determined not to let anything deter you from your future vocation. What happened to that?”
“I’m on my way, careerwise. Just have to get the loans out of the way first. They’re almost paid off.”
“I suppose,” Abby mumbled, not convinced.
Charlie got back to the original topic. “So, long-term relationships have alluded you?”
“You know the deal. Guys are idiots in general. The ones I end up dating are great for fulfilling demands. The ones I’m truly attracted to have no interest.”
“Sorry to hear that.” He bit his lip to keep a scathing remark from slipping out. Abby appeared to be having a rare moment of being genuine. No need right now to hit her when she’s down.
“No, you’re not. You’re relishing the fact that I am alone and will always be alone.”
Charlie replied flippantly, “If all of my sisters found suckers to marry them, there’s hope for you.”
Abby forced a smile, remembering the time she had to intercept a call from Charlie’s sister Lorena. She had fun telling her off, even if it didn’t affect any of Lorena’s later remarks. She admitted, “You do realize you fall in the latter category.”
Charlie couldn’t fathom what she meant. “About what?”
“Guys I date.”
“You know there’s one little problem…”
Abby retorted, “Of course I know that!” She calmed down as she tried to explain, “When I realized, obviously I chose to ignore your sexual preference. I kept telling myself it was just a phase. The longer we were friends, the more I’d realize that couldn’t happen. It doesn’t mean I didn’t hate you for capturing me.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not the reason you hate me. You know, the hallway, Joey’s journal, crossing over. Those are the reasons.”
“Along with what I said,” she maintained. “I’d think of us having the perfect Hollywood sham marriage.”
“Interesting fantasy, Abigail.”
“Oh, pul-lease.” Abby slid closer to Charlie, resting a hand along Charlie’s cheek to get him to focus on her. “We could have easily pulled it off. You’re the actor, after all.”
“You’re seeing things that don’t exist. We don’t exist in any way, shape or form.”
Abby surprised Charlie by swinging her leg up and over him, then positioning herself so she was straddling him. “Can you seriously tell me it wouldn’t work?”
“Yes, I can.” Charlie stared blankly at her. “I can also tell you’ll regret this when you get sober.”
“No, I’m taking advantage of opportunity.” Abby leaned forward and initiated a kiss. She pressed against his body, trying to stir any reaction from him. When none came, she got off of him and stood in front of him. “You’ll be a terrible leading man.”
“Your acting needs improving,” Charlie countered, crossing his arms in defiance. “Do you really think I don’t know what you’re doing?”
“And what am I doing?” Abby demanded.
“You’re dismayed by the cubicle that’s your office. I’m supposed to be your ticket out? I think not.” He rose up, now face to face with her. “Do guys really fall from this?”
“You think I’m playing games? Is it so far-fetched for you to believe I’m telling the truth?”
“Sham marriages. Yeah, that’s regular conversation.”
Abby was taken aback. “While the marriage thing was a joke, I meant the rest.”
“Why should I accept that as the truth?”
“I manipulate. I don’t lie. Remember, tell everything as it is, whether they want to hear it or not. I can’t help it if you have trust issues.”
“Regarding you? The issue is simple. I don’t trust you. Nobody should.” He picked up his coat off the couch and prepared to leave.
“Just because Jack betrayed you doesn’t mean I’m to blame.”
“I didn’t tell you why we broke up,” Charlie muttered as he wrapped the scarf around his neck, placed the hat atop his head and headed for the exit.
“You didn’t have to say a word. Your defensive stance tells it all.” She grabbed her belongings and followed him. “You don’t want to face the truth about your life. That’s fine. Why don’t you go figure that out while sitting at family dinner? Is that even possible for you? I bet not.”
Charlie turned around to confront her, laughing coldly. “Is that the only ammunition you pack? That may have worked three years ago but not anymore.” He resumed exiting from the bar.
Abby opted not to follow him this time. She shouted out, “Fine, go off to your fucking exciting adventures prancing around a stupid stage.”
He called over his shoulder, “Get a life of your own and stay the hell away from mine.”
* * * * *
Pacey returned to the dorm the following afternoon. When he spotted Jack huddled under the covers with a book in his hand, Pacey whispered, “Are you awake?”
A grunt indicated he was, in fact, awake.
Pacey grinned, “You’re not going to believe this but I didn’t need your prodding to succeed with Joey. Just needed time alone and no holding back.”
“I'm happy for you, Pace.” Pacey hadn’t noticed the flatness of Jack’s voice regarding that information.
“Thanks. It’s amazing… I feel like I’ve been in hibernation and seeing the sun again.” He rummaged through the refrigerator for a bottle of water.
“Great,” Jack grumbled, turning over to face the wall.
“It even makes me say something as stupid as admitting it’s a beautiful day and it shouldn’t be wasted indoors.”
“Go do that.”
That made Pacey stop what he was doing. “Are you serious? Have you even looked outside today? It’s dark, damp and windy.”
“Appropriate weather.”
Pacey walked over to the bed, asking, “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing to be concerned about.”
“Jack? What happened?” He sat down on the floor, waiting for a reply.
“I am a terrible, terrible person who would be better off shut away from the rest of the world.” He turned over and buried his head in his pillow. “If the building implodes, you can blame me.”
“What happened? Did you and Charlie have a fight?”
“There’s nothing to fight about. We both would agree I should rot in hell.”
Pacey was wide-eyed, at least pretty sure they had broken up. “Come on, Jack. It can’t be as bad as you’re saying.”
“Wanna bet on that?” Jack sat up, evidence of the long night before now obvious to Pacey. He mournfully added, “At least I’m sure I’d win the wager.”
Pacey started, “Here’s what I know. Joey and I dropped you off. You entered the dorm and…”
Jack continued, “Michael was waiting for me in the lobby.”
“I thought you blew him off after the encounter in the English building.”
Jack had forgotten he never told Pacey about the dinner. “Actually, let’s just say that wasn’t the only time we saw each other. So Michael may have had reason to show up.”
“Did you go out with him? After Valentine’s Day.”
“Technically, yes. Which, looking back, would have been a shitty enough reason. But no, I let him upstairs and, after being rather surprised by a birthday gift, I…we…there was a kiss.”
“Wow. Um…” Pacey struggled to figure out what to say. It was easy to figure out the next part of the story involved Charlie finding out.
“Save it. There should be no words that make me feel better right now. Because I know that, if Charlie wasn’t in the room, my actions would have been even worse. Michael recognized that as well; he left shortly after Charlie gave me what I deserved, not even saying a word on the issue.”
“Smart bastard, for a change,” Pacey muttered, referring to Michael. Louder, he exclaimed, “Why, why, why?”
“I don’t have any fucking clue.” Jack raised his knees to his chest and rested his head against them.
“You’d better figure it out,” Pacey informed him. “I don’t see you as being a guy who habitually cheats. So, is this about wanting Michael instead? Was there something missing between you and Charlie? Maybe it’s an entirely different problem.”
“I have no idea.”
“Here’s a reality: your relationship with Charlie may not survive in any form. So, when you do move on, you don’t want to make the same mistakes that led to the conversation we’re having right now.”
Jack twisted his head over to face Pacey. “You’re not mad?” he asked pensively.
“I figure, as soon as Joey finds out, she will yell at you. I’m not pleased by any means by the results, because I really thought it would last. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, however, it’s that sometimes love stinks.”
“Spoken like someone who just reunited with the girl of his dreams,” Jack noted wryly.
* * * * *
Joey was at her desk, reading through a stack of papers, when there was a knock at the door. She yelled out, “Who’s there?”
“Your favorite person in the whole wide world,” Jen replied. “Either that or the most delusional.”
She had forgotten that she’d invited Jen over just yesterday. Amazing how much had changed since then. Joey stood up and went to the door to let her in. Jen was holding a bag overflowing with books.
Joey remarked, “I’ve never seen you carry that many school books. What gives?”
“School?” Jen scoffed. “Yeah, right. No, these are bridal magazines my supervisor unloaded on me. Do you realize that middle-aged women in long-term marriages live for planning other people’s weddings?” She tossed the bag on the kitchen table. “So what were you studying?”
“For once, nothing. I thought I’d try to read Dawson’s script. It’s been sitting on the desk for days.”
Jen swiped a can of Coke from the refrigerator and propped herself on the countertop. “How boring is it?”
“Jen!” Joey whined. She sometimes forgot that her current circle of friends didn’t see Dawson as positively as she did. At the very least, none were particularly fond of his films so far. The only ones they found mildly amusing were any which involved Joey Potter, cringing actress.
“Sorry. Reflex.”
“The idea is interesting. It’s a mockumentary about a band struggling to make it big in the music industry.”
“Why would that topic appeal to Dawson? As I recall, his taste in music leaves much to be desired.”
“Part of the point, I believe, is that the band, in fact, sucks.” Joey shrugged. “His former roommate was in a group so Dawson’s using that knowledge. I’m not saying there isn’t potential for a great movie. It’s just…”
“It’s better to hear about real bands,” Jen finished.
“Yeah. This reminds me of the guy that lives down the hall from Pacey and Jack. I realize I’d rather hear that guy talk than any of this.”
Jen mused, “Well, when you look the way Trent does, anything would sound better. But, since I have heard his band play, that’s a damning statement. How much have you survived so far?” She pulled back the tab on the can and took a gulp.
“About thirty pages. I need a break.” She dropped down on a chair.
“So, I came over here for details. You went to see the date last night. Anything worth reporting?”
Joey smiled as she thought back to the previous night. “Pacey stayed over here.”
“On the couch or your bed?”
“My bed.”
“With you in the bed as well?” Joey nodded. Jen beamed. “Wow! I actually meant dirt on the guys’ date but this is so much better. Spill.”
Before Joey had a chance, she was interrupted by the click of the lock. Charlie entered, not noticing either of the ladies as he tossed his belongings on the couch and strode toward his bedroom.”
Just before the door shut, Jen snapped, “And hello to you too.”
Charlie turned around. “Sorry, didn’t see you there. Hi.” To Joey, he said, “I thought you were working today.”
Joey informed him, “The office is being renovated so they wanted any unnecessary people to stay home.”
“Oh,” Charlie replied, disinterested in the explanation. “I’m just gonna take a shower then head to work.” He escaped to the bedroom.
Jen wondered aloud, “Why would he need to take a shower here if he was at Jack’s this morning?”
Joey mused, harking back to the way she spent the morning with Pacey. “Maybe they were fitting in other activities.”
Jen laughed, “Commendable activities, I’m sure.”
Charlie exited his room shortly after. Joey teased, “So, were you able to live up to expectations or did Pacey outdo you?”
He replied sourly, “You’ll have to ask Michael that question since we’re no longer together.”
The two ladies exclaimed, “What?”
Joey added, “How did that happen?”
Charlie replied, “Let’s see. Jack runs into Michael. Michael gives cheesy gift. Jack and Michael kiss. Jack invites Michael to room. Charlie leaves to give them what they want. The end.”
Joey cried out, “Unbelievable!”
“Well, he did. Believe it. He fooled everyone.”
Jen asked, “Are you okay?”
“Peachy. I’m glad I figured it out before I asked him to move in with me. That would have been stupid. Now, if you don’t mind, I have to get ready for work.” He retreated to the bathroom.
Joey wondered, “How is he holding it together?”
“Focus on anything else. In his case, probably, work. It doesn’t seem like he got drunk, which would seem like the normal response.”
“Joey!” Charlie bellowed from the bathroom, then returned to the kitchen area. “Is there a reason the towels are covered in ice cream?”
Jen stared wide-eyed at Joey, who tried to hide a blush. Joey eked out, “Sorry, I must have forgotten.”
“I never imagined you as the type!” Jen blurted out, then began laughing. Rather than answer, Joey walked past Charlie into the bathroom and dumped the messy towels in the nearby laundry bag. Jen continued, “After all, this is the person who reprimanded me for explaining those oils…”
Joey twirled around to chastise her, “I still feel that way! It’s just…everything’s better with chocolate.”
Charlie muttered, “If gay guys are supposed to understand women better than straight guys, then I really feel sorry for Pacey and Drue.”
Jen jumped off the counter and approached Charlie. “You’ve missed out if you can’t figure out what we’re talking about. Call me if you ever want to find out.”
“Crazy women throwing themselves at me seems to be the running theme of this weekend,” Charlie said under his breath, then replied, “I’m not that naïve. I’m just surprised given it’s Joey!”
Joey headed to the closet and threw the towel on top at him. Charlie caught it before it sailed over his head. She begged, “Can you please go away?”
“That could happen sooner than you think.” He offered a smirk then proceeded to the bathroom.
“What the hell is he talking about?” Jen inquired.
Joey shrugged it off, “Sounds like any other threat from him. Any way to give me false hope.” Still, she wondered what was happening.
Chapter 13 - Planners
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