Disclaimer: I don’t own Dawson’s Creek, or it’s characters. They are the property of Kevin Williamson and the WB.
Author’s note: This one took me a long time, I know. It’s hard with school andeverything, so I’m going on a break. I know DC will have two or threemini-hiatuses during the season, so I’ll write one story during each of those, and start back up regularly when season two ends. Thank you to everyone who took the time to compliment me on my writing, and my series. I really appreciated the support. You guys are what kept me doing this for all these months, so, if I had a hat, I’d tip to you all : ) Thanks again.
[OPEN: Exterior shot of the Leery house, night time. Cut to Dawson, lying on his bed, hands behind his head. We hear Joey singing “On My Own” coming from the television. He hears a noise from outside. He sits up and listens, curiously. He hears another noise, and rushes to the window]
DAWSON (while going to the window): Joey? (looks out the window) Pacey.
[He walks away from the window, and back to his bed. Pacey climbs in the window]
PACEY (smiling): Hello to you, too. (He walks over to the bed, and sits on it’s edge, glancing at the TV) Dawson, man, you gotta stop doing this to yourself.
D: Why? Is there some sort of law that says I’m not permitted to wallow in my own wretched misery?
P: No. It’s just pathetic.
D: Bite me, Pacey.
P: Ah, the walking dictionary has run out of intelligent comebacks. A sure sign of the Armageddon. Man, you *do* have it bad.
D: Pacey, if you ‘re *trying* to make me feel worse, you’re doing a bang-up job.
P: I’m sorry, Dawson, but *honestly*. I mean, look at you. Have you even taken a shower today? (Dawson doesn’t answer, Pacey’s voice changes to a more serious tone) You can’t keep missing school, either.
D: *Two* days, Pacey. I missed two days.
P: Yeah, and for what?
D (defensively): I’m sick.
P: Yeah, and I’m a genius. Dawson, look, I know you miss her, but it’s *not* the end of the world.
D: That’s debatable.
P (sighs): She’s not going anywhere, man. Not to another country, not to the arms of another guy, not even to a new personality. The girl loves you, Dawson. Don’t ask me why. She’s obviously smoking something, but she does. She always will. (pauses) But she just went through a major ordeal all by herself. She’s a little freaked out, because now she doesn’t think she can trust you to be there for her. ‘Cause lets face it. You’re the only one who’s ever been there for her. *You’ve* never hurt her, and *you’ve* never let her down. Until now. And in one foul swoop, you managed to disprove all three of those theories. Now she’s got no one to count on. What’s a girl to do? Give her time, Dawson. She’ll be back.
D (sighs): We should’ve just stayed friends.
P: You don’t mean that.
D: No I don’t. But it would have been easier. (he sits up) I love her, Pacey.
P: I know ya do, man.
D: I would’ve stayed with her, y’ know. If she had been pregnant. And not because I’d be worried about what everyone would think, but because I love her. I told her I was too scared to grow up. But that wasn’t entirely factual. You were right on, Pacey. I’m the only one she can, or *could*, depend on. I couldn’t handle that kind of responsibility. I was too afraid I’d let her down, just like everyone else she ever loved has. So, I pushed her away, thinking it’d be better for her, when ultimately, I just ended up hurting her, the very thing I was attempting to prevent. (pauses) Yeah, I’ll admit, I *was* scared to grow up, but I would have done it for her.
[Camera cuts to Joey, standing on the ladder, leaning against the side of Dawson’s house. There is a small smile on her face. She listens intently]
P (OS): Then why don’t you do it now? I mean it, Dawson. Get off your lazy ass, go over there, and tell her everything you just told me.
[Joey looks hopeful, cut to Dawson]
D (standing up): Yeah, I should. (he pauses for a second, then flops back down on his bed) I can’t.
[Cut to Joey. She looks disappointed]
P (OS): Dawson, man, you are a lost cause.
[Joey looks dejected. Theme music starts as she slowly and quietly works her way back down the ladder]
[OPENING THEME, COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[OPEN: Exterior shot of the Icehouse. Late evening. "Cold Feelings" by Social Distotion is playing. Cut to Joey, taking an order, and walking behind the counter. She places the order up, just as Warren walks out of the kitchen. She ignores him, and glances at her watch]
JOEY: Bessie, I’m going now!
BESSIE (OS): Is it seven already?
J: Yeah, and I have a lot of homework tonight, so I have to get started! B (pops her head out from the kitchen): I’ll be home in a few hours, probably, but don’t wait up, okay? You look like you haven’t been sleeping well lately.
J (looks annoyed): I’m sleeping fine, Bessie.
B: Whatever. Oh, and start thinking about what you want to do for your birthday on Saturday.
[Bessie goes back into the kitchen, Joey sighs, and takes off her apron, as Warren comes up behind her, and the music fades away]
WARREN: So, you got a birthday coming up?
J (turning to look at him): Yeah, so?
W (shrugs): So, nothing. I was just wondering. Sweet Sixteen, huh?
J (mumbling): Something like that.
W: What? Don’t tell me you’re gonna get all mopey about the biggest day of your young life just ‘cause you can’t spend it with your precious Dawson.
J (defensively): For your information, and not that’s it’s any of your business, my diminutive amount of sorrow has nothing to with Dawson. I just don’t like birthdays okay?
W: Yeah, right. (pauses) Maybe you’ve just never had a good one before.
J (sarcastically): And what *would* make a good birthday, Warren? A date with you?
W (smiling): *You* are a mind reader.
J: Forget it, Warren. I’ll admit it, you’re a nicer guy than I originally thought. You’ve changed since our unfortunate first meeting, but I’m still not going to go out with you.
W (whining): Why not, Joey? Why won’t you just give me a chance?
J: Because you’re always going to be that lying, self-absorbed jerk.
W: Joey, I’m truly sorry about that. How many times do I have to say it?
J: Warren, I don’t care if you ever say it again, because as much as you want it to, it won’t ever change what happened, nor will it change how utterly repulsed I am by you.
W (wincing): Will *anything* change that?
J (shrugging): Maybe time.
[She turns and walks away, and the camera cuts to a close-up of Warren, looking after her with a furrowed brow, a pained expression on his face]
[Scene cuts to Joey, walking along the waterfront, on the way back to her house. She holds her apron in her hands, and holds her hands behind her. She walks slowly, looking out onto the water. She hears a voice behind her]
VOICE (OS): Joey! Joey, wait up!
JOEY (turning to see Anderson, she smiles): You’re still here?
ANDERSON (smiling as well): I told you. You’re stuck with me ‘till Sunday.
J (sarcastically): How dreadfully appalling.
A (still smiling): I thought you were gonna come see me last night?
J (smile fading): Uh, yeah, I’m sorry, Anderson, I just . . . I had some things I had to get done.
A: Well, are you busy now?
J: Actually, I was on my way home. I have a ton of school work, so . . .
A: What classes?
J: Um, Spanish, and Marine Biology.
A: Well, Joey, let me tell you, it’s your lucky day.
J (skeptical, but smiling): Really?
A: Yep, those just happen to be my best subjects.
J (sarcastically, still smiling, and crossing her arms): Imagine that.
[Scene cuts to Jen, sitting at her desk, attempting to do some of her homework. "Close Your Eyes" by the Goo Goo Dolls is playing softly. She sighs softly, as she flips the page of the book she’s reading. She lifts her head when she hears a knock at the door. Relieved for the break, she walks out of her room to go answer it. Camera cuts to Pacey, standing outside of her house, holding a single red rose. The music has stopped. Jen opens the door]