Somewhere Else
Chapter 3 - I Can't Read You
Joey inspected her reflection in her mirror for the fifth time since she finished dressing up. She knew there was no reason to be so nervous about a dinner date with Pacey…
“Not a date, not a date…” she had to keep reminding herself.
Besides, if there was one person that should be nervous tonight, it should be Jen. How Joey had been able to go the whole week without slipping such juicy information was a mystery.
Then there was the additional problem involving the location of the dinner. Joey was convinced that if Charlie found out the truth, he might throw her out. After all, he’d threatened to do so for lesser offenses. It also led to the decision that they couldn’t invite Jack for fear that there would be even greater problems. Which meant that Pacey was, likewise, in the dark.
Of course, that was Jen’s claim. Joey knew that Jen used this as an excuse for Pacey to have to come to the apartment to pick her up and get directions.
So when there was a knock at the door, she figured he was the only possible person. She opened the door to see Pacey was there, dressed in a gray dress shirt and black pants. And, thankfully, alone.
“Um, hi.” Pacey choked out. He had to admit that Joey caught his attention in a black dress with spaghetti straps and a hem just grazing the top of her knee. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a loose bun that yet seemed to have every hair perfectly in place.
It had been only a month ago that they’d last seen each other. He’d finished classes a few days before Christmas and returned to New York, just before Joey left for Capeside. Yet, it had been even longer since the last time he’d truly noticed Joey.
She smiled at how she’d been able to make him tongue-tied. “How’s classes been, Witter?”
“Fine,” he sputtered. Having had a little time to regain his voice, he asked, “Is there a reason the location is top secret?”
“Top secret?” Joey replied teasingly. “I’ve known all along. I suppose Jen didn’t want you there.”
“For the day she’s proposing?” Pacey scoffed. “I think not. The question is why she invited someone to tempt Drue,” trying to convince himself that Joey could tempt anyone, and that it wasn’t just him.
Joey made a grossed-out face to that thought. “If I should ever be in that position, promise that you’ll check me into an insane asylum immediately.”
“You mean that would be worse than when we dated?” Pacey grabbed the coat on the hook behind the door and held it out for Joey.
Joey wiggled into the coat, able to feel Pacey’s breath on the back of her neck. She skirted the intention of the question, “Would you want to anger Jen?”
Pacey let out a cough, “Yeah, good point. We…um…should get there. Where is there, anyway?” He hadn’t moved yet from behind Joey nor did he particularly want to leave. At the same time, he knew Joey wouldn’t appreciate the thoughts running through his head. Hopefully, he’d be able to forget this moment by the time he returned to Lisette.
“Uh, oh yeah.” Joey ducked under Pacey’s arm as she dug out the slip with the address. She pushed him out of the apartment, hoping to resume their usual routine.
* * * * *
Pacey and Joey spotted Jen sitting at a table inside Angelino’s Ristorante. Joey hadn’t seen Rita at the entrance, as she’d expected, so they had to hassle with a young lady who was probably one of her daughters just to get past the door. As she approached their table, Joey looked around at the ornate decorations, from the framed paintings of Rome, to the floral arrangements. This had certainly exceeded her expectations of this establishment. After all, she was living with someone who was brought up by these people.
Jen exclaimed, “This isn’t going to happen!”
Pacey sat down and wrapped an arm around Jen to reassure her. “Everything is going to be fine.” Joey took the seat next to Pacey.
“Oh yeah? I’ve had to deal with the annoyance at the door and the sleaze cleaning tables. Drue’s late because apparently his mom neglected to fulfill her weekly bitchiness quota. I’m not even sure if this is appropriate…”
“Jenny? Calm down.” Pacey gripped Jen’s hand. Jen looked up at him. “As your closest friends, we can safely say this is a wise decision. The girl at the door won’t be an issue anymore tonight. If the sleaze approaches, Joey can threaten him quite effectively. Drue will get away from Ole Cruel One. You two deserve to be together. I can’t think of a better match.” Pacey thought about the last sentence and muttered, “I meant that as a compliment though for some reason it doesn’t sound like one.”
Jen placed her hand on top of Pacey’s. “Thank you. Now I remember why I wanted you here in the first place. Your sanity is refreshing. Because everything else about this night seemed too fucked up to be believed.” She looked up to see Rita walking towards their table and immediately warmed up.
“Good evening. I convinced my daughter Lorena to cover the front for tonight. Somehow, I wasn’t finding it assuring when you were assigned to her table so I switched jobs with her.”
Jen glared at the front, where she was reading a magazine. “I can’t imagine why,” she muttered.
Rita nodded knowingly, then glanced at Pacey, his hand still in Jen’s. “Don’t tell me you swapped guys already.”
Jen declared, letting go of Pacey in the process. “Drue has to know that if he messes with me, he’ll have to deal with my bodyguard.”
Pacey pinched her bicep as he added, “Even though I suspect she’d cause enough damage on her own.” He then extended his hand to Rita, “Pacey Witter, protector of all creatures great and small. I remember passing by this restaurant so many times when I lived in the city, taking in the aromas after every trip.” He was deliberately laying his charm on rather thick, forcing Jen to kick his leg under the table. Joey covered her mouth with her hand to keep Pacey from seeing her smile.
Rita gave a light chuckle. “Nice to meet you as well, Pacey. You no longer live out here?”
“I visit quite a bit…”
Pacey was interrupted by Drue circling around the table to get to his seat. “Sorry I’m so late.”
Jen gently kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t worry. I wasn’t planning to send the drug-sniffing dogs out for another fifteen minutes.”
Drue replied wryly, “I’m glad I was able to beat your stopwatch.”
* * * * *
The quartet had just finished their dinner when Rita signaled to get Jen’s attention. Jen stood up, “Excuse me a moment. I’ll be right back.”
Pacey asked, “Is it just my imagination or is this place rather creepy? I mean, I see Rita and the daughter at the door and that… stern-looking chef who for some reason is talking to Jen right now…” He shook his head disbelieving, realizing that Jen was probably talking about the proposal.
Drue and Joey turned around, noticing Jen standing there with Rita and a wrinkled man taller than both of them wearing the white uniform. His blonde hair had traces of gray peeking through, which seemed to accentuate his steely gray eyes. Whereas Rita looked like anyone’s kindly relative, the man was definitely more of a dictator sort.
“Must be Angelino. Charlie looks just like his dad,” Joey observed. Except much kinder, she thought to herself.
Pacey muttered, “He reminds me of my dad. Even though they look nothing alike, they both have that same aura.” Drue and Joey stared at Pacey, amazed that he used such a word. He shrugged, “Maybe Lisette’s rubbing off on me.”
Jen returned to the table, then rummaged through her purse for something. Drue laughed, “You’d better tell me you remembered your credit card.”
She scowled, narrowing her eyes, then reminding herself that she didn’t want to argue with him now. She pulled out her wallet and flipped the card out. “You think I’d do something like that?” But she quickly resumed her search, wondering if she could have been so stupid as to forget the damn ring.
As soon as she felt the felt box in her hand, a huge smile graced her face. Pacey was the only one who noticed the change in mood, as he commented, “You should be careful leaving your credit card lying around.” He held his palm over it. “What could I do with this?”
Jen ignored Pacey as she turned back to Drue, hand still in purse. “What we have had these many years has been one of the strangest journeys I could imagine. One that I don’t…damn it, I can’t remember the next part.”
Pacey and Joey exchanged glances, trying their hardest not to make a remark and ruin the couple’s moment. Drue arched an eyebrow, wondering who was responsible for turning Jen into a sap. “You okay?”
“This is all wrong. I can’t do this.”
Drue asked, “Are you sure?”
“I know what I want to do. I pictured this amazing evening…but the thing is I’m not used to this romantic drivel. I totally shouldn’t have listened to Pacey on this one.” Joey whacked Pacey in the arm but she couldn’t help but chuckle. Jen saw their reaction and started laughing, burying her head under her arms. “This is so pathetic.”
Drue looked at the other three people at the table, wanting in on the joke. The thump sound of an object hitting the floor caught his attention. He looked under the table to see a box and picked it up. “Uh, Jen? You dropped…” Drue looked down at the box, not believing what he was holding. “This…”
When Jen saw it, she exclaimed, “This is not happening.” She snatched the box out of his hand.
“Were you planning a proposal?”
“What, do you think I’d be that gooey romantic? That’s…nope.”
Drue smirked, “So what is it?”
“It’s…”
He continued, “Don’t even bother saying your mom presented you with something handed down through generations. Your parents give away everything after five years.”
“Busted,” Pacey mumbled. Joey was trying to keep a straight face, knowing that Pacey didn’t hear the second half of the story yet. That, though Joey knew there was a chance that Jen would actually go through with everything, she’d been helping Drue with his swoon-worthy Valentine’s Day/engagement overture.
Jen let out a deep breath before stating in a calm voice, “Are you determined to make this difficult?”
“Well, I had plans to rent a boat to do this. The question is whether you want to ruin that.”
Joey couldn’t hide her amusement with their situation any longer. Pacey was watching Joey, and couldn’t help but laugh. Jen gauged her friends’ reactions as it dawned on her what happened. “What are…you were?”
Drue nodded. “Yup. But why should I spoil your moment?”
Jen glared at him, at the same time furious and happy this was the person. “Snake.”
“Tart,” Drue retorted.
“Wanna marry me?” She held out the box for him, hiding her face with her other hand.
Drue shrugged, “Sure, why not.” He accepted the box and opened it to reveal the engagement band.
Pacey whispered to Joey, “I guess we’re not in the mindset of happy couples.”
Joey agreed, “You either understand completely or you have no clue what love is.”
Pacey turned to Joey, who was watching the couple. He had thought he knew what that meant, at least when dating Joey. Now, however, he had to agree.
* * * * *
An hour later, Pacey and Joey were alone at the table. They were taking advantage of the wine Rita had sent to their table while talking about how school was so far, their job searches, anything to distract them. Jen and Drue had left earlier, to celebrate on their own.
Joey couldn’t resist asking the question she’d wanted to avoid. “I’m surprised Lisette didn’t mind you being away from her for the night.”
Pacey shrugged, “She has work to do. Her deadline is tomorrow morning.”
“How can you tolerate her writing about your relationship for everyone to read?”
“It’s not all about me. Believe it or not, she did date other guys before meeting me.” Pacey smirked, “Then again, once a girl meets Witter, everything before that could be forgotten.”
Joey rolled her eyes before continuing, “Do you even read Rocked in Life?” She tried to keep a straight face as she said that rather lame column title.
“Why should I? As far as I’m concerned, it’s an exaggeration of everything she’s been through.”
“I could read that column and you wouldn’t mind?”
“Why not? It’s nothing you don’t know.”
“Even if it was rather detailed? I seem to recall you having problems when things I wrote got leaked to the public. You said you were fine with it.”
“That also involved hearing every little detail of your relationship with Dawson. That’s…okay, I see what you mean. But…” Pacey struggled to defend himself, “Remember, that was through the filter known as Abby Morgan. Therefore, it’s already worse than the story would normally sound.”
“Okay. Let’s say that Lisette wrote about how she was having doubts about her current relationship because she was bored. Would that concern you?”
Pacey rationalized, “Even if she had that thought, it was something that she was thinking at that particular moment. Doesn’t mean it’s how she always feels.” He took a sip of wine before asking, “Did she actually write that?”
Joey hastily replied, “No, it’s just an example. You never know when she’ll write that…”
“That’s why I staying away from that publication,” Pacey affirmed.
“Pacey,” she rested her hand over the hand he still had on the glass. “That’s a real possibility. There’s the distinct possibility you’ll find out details of your relationship through someone else.”
Pacey stared at her hand, wanting desperately to reach over to her. He now remembered why he’d insisted he was heading home right after dinner. Why he was relieved that Joey wasn’t really around this past Christmas. Why he had taken so long to get over her. How he’d convinced himself that Joey was part of the past. How he had to get back to school immediately and look for Lisette before he did something dumb to ruin what he’d built up.
Rita approached their table. Joey noticed her there and informed her, “This has been a wonderful evening.”
“I was beginning to wonder if Jen would live up to her end of making this a wonderful evening.” She looked from Pacey to Joey, and asked, “Has anyone ever mentioned you should have dated?”
Joey let go of Pacey’s hand quickly. Pacey was still staring at the spot at the glass where their hands had been. Joey replied, “Actually, we did.”
“Oh? Wasn’t in the cards?”
Pacey knew that he needed to hear Joey’s explanation again so he could be reminded of why it was wrong to have fallen in love with her. Joey answered matter-of-factly, “I transferred to NYU from Rutgers while he stayed there. I needed to establish myself somewhere else and thought it’d be easier to do that without him.”
“Rutgers? Good school,” Rita murmured, a hint of sadness to her voice.
Joey jumped at the opportunity, “It is. Pacey’s in his last semester. It’s not easy to graduate from there.”
“I know that,” Rita replied softly, then walked away to leave them alone.
Pacey warned her, “You promised Jen you wouldn’t dredge this up tonight.”
Joey complained, “We’re just supposed to leave without saying anything?”
“Yes.” Pacey stood up. “I think we should call it a night.” He held up the remains of the wine bottle.
“Sure.” She got to her feet and was about to follow Pacey out when she realized she couldn’t leave without telling Rita something. Joey scribbled on a scrap paper and left it under her glass.
When Pacey turned around to see what held Joey up, he sighed, “Fine, you win. We technically won’t be here when she reads that note.”
Joey replied, “There was something I found out before you arrived and I thought she’d want to know about it.”
* * * * *
“We could have gone out tonight,” Jack complained as he led Michael into his room.
“I told you I need to watch this tape for my cultural studies class.”
“You couldn’t get the VCR fixed?”
“I couldn’t even find the VCR! I have no idea where my neighbor stashed it until he can repair it. Besides, usually Pacey and Lisette have your room on the weekend. I thought it’d be fun to stay here.”
“In what universe is an empty dorm room on a Friday night the happening place on campus?”
“Could be tonight,” Michael hissed in Jack’s ear. “If you play your cards right afterwards.” He offered a quick kiss before sitting down on Jack’s bed to find the tape in his backpack.
Jack sighed as he sat down next to him on the bed. “Is this going to be worth wasting an evening?”
“I know I have no choice.”
“I’m tempted to leave you here and pop back in a couple hours.”
“Yet you’re sitting here thereby implying you’ll suffer through this.”
“I could find a party, you know.”
Michael shook his head, “You’re not the random partying type.” He settled against the wall, pulling Jack backwards with him. “It’s a film from the 1950s. Not much happens so I need you to be around so I don’t fall asleep. I’m supposed to watch how attitudes towards other cultures were displayed onscreen.” He nuzzled up against Jack as he rewound the tape, then hit play when it finished. “I was already tired before I got here so I guess your mission is to keep me awake.”
Jack was relieved the phone rang less than a minute into the movie. Michael stopped the tape to allow Jack to hear. “Hello?”
“I didn’t expect to actually get you at home.” Charlie greeted him.
Jack broke away from Michael, moving to the edge of the bed. “How was tonight’s show?”
“I’m glad the show’s closing this weekend. If I have to hear that goddamn carnival music one more time, I would have lost my sanity.”
“So you’d be just like everyone else in that show?”
“Precisely!”
Michael muttered, “Is that Charlie?” Jack nodded in reply. Michael sulked back against the wall, watching Jack. Almost all had been good for the past few months. He’d been fortunate that Jack’s and Charlie’s schedules hadn’t permitted them from having much time together. That and surprising Jack when he was in New York City a couple weeks ago, during the one opportunity Jack may have gone to see him.
Charlie heard the voice in the background and asked, “Is this a bad time?”
“Well…” Jack looked over his shoulder at Michael, thinking how to answer that.
Michael leaned in closer, whispering loud enough for Charlie to hear him, “Tell him to fuck off.”
Jack swatted Michael away, exclaiming, “Shut up.” He then said to Charlie, “Any time in which you’re not talking to Pacey or the answering machine would be considered a decent time.”
“I didn’t interrupt you two when you were…”
Jack cut him off, “He’s watching a movie.” Jack grabbed the remote and hit the play button. He pointed it out to Michael, “There, keep yourself occupied.” He stood up and moved to the other side of the room.
“Porn?”
Jack laughed, “No, an educational film.”
“Is that the code word for Ocean’s Eleven? You could learn a lot about how to set up a million-dollar heist while wearing designer clothes. Or so I’m told, given I was distracted by all the guys in that film.”
Jack explained, “Michael’s working on a class assignment. There’s nothing kinky going on.”
“Yeah, okay, whatever you say,” Charlie replied in a low voice. “It’s none of my business and really, I don’t want it to ever be my business.”
“Fair enough,” Jack chuckled lightly. It was at times like this that he wished they’d never agreed to allow outside dating. He stared at Michael, now absorbed in the movie, and wondered how he ever stayed around him this long.
Michael was certainly a nice, friendly guy to be around. Jack couldn’t deny he wasn’t too bad to look at either. What had interested Jack about him was how settled he’d become. Even though both were seniors at Rutgers, Michael was practically secured a spot at Boston University; that wasn’t too difficult since his father was a senator and had many connections. Meanwhile, Jack was hoping he’d get accepted there; he applied to both there and NYU.
“There was a reason I called. I’ve finally gotten away from the cheesy plays. You’re now talking to a cast member of the musical version of Hairspray.”
Jack exclaimed, “Wow. Seriously?”
“No, I just thought I’d randomly bring up John Waters films. Though I could see why you’d be shocked. I told a fellow cast member and she snapped with, ‘Ain’t that little world better than Burger King?’ I’m so glad this shit is almost over. One day left.”
“That’s amazing. Congratulations on the start of your Broadway career.”
“Thank you. As soon as I find out when I’ll be onstage, I’ll let you know. Hopefully, I can get a couple tickets if you’re interested.”
“Of course I want to see this! Are you kidding? I’ve heard it’s a difficult ticket.”
Michael interrupted, “You know, I can get you any ticket you need so we can go together.”
Charlie replied, “Hopefully, I’ll be able to get it myself so he doesn’t have to go through the trouble.”
Jack glared at Michael, wishing he would stop trying to show Charlie up. “He’s just offering. I don’t think he’s serious.” He turned away from him, thereby not noticing that Michael wasn’t kidding.
“I’ll let you get back to keeping him occupied,” Charlie joked. “Good night.” He debated whether to say anything more, knowing Jack couldn’t answer him back. Eventually, he added, ‘Sorry I didn’t see you when you were in the city. I’ve missed you.”
The only sound at the other end was the television set for a while. Finally, Jack replied softly, “Same here. Good night.”
Charlie held the phone in his hand long after Jack hung up. It wasn’t until he heard the door open that he finally realized that and hastily set the phone back in the cradle.
Joey stood in the doorway and gave him a strange look. “Was that Jack?”
“It had been.” He stood up, avoiding her, and headed for the kitchen.
“I confiscated half a bottle of wine from dinner.” She raised the bottle triumphantly, then placed it on the table.
Charlie picked up the bottle to give an inspection. “Impressive. There’s about fifty dollars worth. You want?”
Joey headed for the cabinet and took out two glasses. “Will these do?”
Charlie opened the bottle and filled each juice glass halfway. “I doubt this is the way such a bottle was meant to be served.” He sat down on one of the chairs at the table.
“Oh well.” Joey leaned against the counter, slipping her shoes off so she could feel her toes again. “So now Jen and Drue are officially engaged.”
“How grown-up of them.”
Joey chuckled, “You have a point. It seems like everyone’s becoming more mature than I am. Pacey’s settled with Lisette…”
Charlie corrected, “Pacey’s monogamous, not settled. I don’t think Pacey’s capable of even devoting himself to two different women. He could be in the same position with you. I’d bet that he was probably checking you out throughout dinner.”
Joey laughed it off, even though she wished that was true. “He wouldn’t do that! Pacey knows better.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Why else would you dress up?”
Joey stared down at her outfit, minus the heels. She had to admit that she hoped to provoke such a reaction from Pacey and had been disappointed that hadn’t happened. “You think I’m trying to win him back with an outfit? That’s preposterous!”
“Joey, you caused me to look twice. Pacey would be gone.”
She undid the bun, letting her hair drape over her shoulders as well as to hide any red in her face. Finally, she snapped, “So how’s Jack? Was Senator Boy in bed with him?”
Charlie looked down at the ground, muttering, “Maybe.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. You have no room to talk. Why do you even bother? You don’t like the idea of Jack with someone else. Admit it.”
“It doesn’t work out well the other way. You’ve seen how messy this can get. It’s not so easy to work it out when you’re in two different worlds. Communication via phone stinks and e-mail tends to be not much better, given that I have to wrestle the laptop away from you.”
“If it’s that difficult, break up with him and move on.”
“Isn’t it bad enough that you’re regretting that idea? You want me to join in the misery? No, thank you.”
Joey replied softly, “I just get the feeling that you need Jack much more than he needs you.”
Charlie turned away from Joey and stared at the wine bottle. There was something oddly familiar but he couldn’t quite place why. “Today’s been too good of a day to ruin with this discussion. Let’s just enjoy it without talking about our screwy personal lives. Just focus on the loss of Jen and Drue’s freedom.”
Joey knew better than to pry information from Charlie now. She added, “And the beginning of legitimate work for you.” She raised her glass. “Should we do a toast?”
“A toast is usually associated with champagne but why not.” He spun around, glass in hand. “To success in the future.”
Joey affirmed, “To future successes.” They clinked their glasses together and drank to that.
Chapter 4 - Catch-up Time
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