FRIDAY – 12PM
" Is it really that difficult to be packed and ready to leave at the appointed time? I mean, did I not clearly state that we were leaving at midday?" said an exasperated Pacey as he rearranged the holdalls that were already in the back of his car.
" Repeatedly" sighed Jack, " I'll go check what the hold up is," He ran back into the building, glad of the excuse to escape Pacey's impatience. Pacey looked at his watch again, thirteen minutes past twelve. The girls were late and he was desperate to get on the road.
" What's up, Pace? You know they're always late, its female prerogative or something," shrugged Dawson, sitting on the back seat with the door open. Pacey leaned against the side of the car and looked down at his friend.
" Oh no, no, no. You see, my friend, I know women are always late but when you get three women together, you do not get expected lateness. You get crazy lateness,"
" Just chill, is all I'm saying!"
" It's at times like this when I just don't understand women," Pacey started to rant, " How hard is it to pack for three days? We were ready on time, I have to drive a long way today, and I just wanted to leave on time. Is that too much to ask?" Pacey threw his arms to the sky as if asking God himself. Dawson sat silently, a grin gradually taking over his mouth.
" We'll get there in time, just leave them to it," he smiled. At that moment, Jack ran towards the car followed by Jen, Joey and Audrey; all looked more than a little amused and carrying a small weekend bag each. Jack shook his head at Dawson and beamed.
" About time, ladies!" said Pacey, grabbing their bags and arranging them alongside the guys' holdalls.
" Shut up, Pace!" said Joey before clambering into the back of the car. Audrey looked up at Pacey and frowned, he smiled cheekily as he moved towards her, putting his arm around her waist and kissing her cheek.
" No silly, not that! How are we all gonna fit in the car? There're six of us and only five seats,"
" Ah, little do you know that four people can easily squish into the back seat of this baby with the minimum of discomfort. I organised everything, this weekend is going to be perfect!"
" Famous last words!" laughed Jack as he ran for the front seat. Audrey glared at him. " Sorry babe, you snooze you lose!"
She smiled and squeezed herself onto the back seat with Jen, Joey and Dawson. They all looked at each other with an air of desperation but there was nothing to be done; the car was loaded up and Pacey wasn't stopping until they hit the beach house. In four hours.
" Hold tight, guys. Paradise is that way!" he grinned as he slid the key into ignition and started the engine.
FRIDAY – 4PM
The car groaned slightly as it was steered up the steep gravel driveway and finally came to a stop outside of one of the biggest houses any of the gang had ever seen. The plant life around the garden was thriving, the windows were winking at them in the sunlight and the large white door was welcoming them in. Jack and Dawson helped Pacey unload the car and carry the luggage over to the front door. The girls were busy checking out the gardens while Pacey rummaged around in his jeans pockets, searching for the house keys.
" Only Doug Witter could buy a pink beach house!" he smiled as the door swung open and everyone carried the bags inside.
Inside the house was just as majestic as the exterior, the kitchen and living room were both massive and contained everything needed for a great weekend. Fully stocked fridge, widescreen TV, and excellent stereo system.
" God bless Dougie and his obsessive saving," sighed Pacey as he fell into one of the leather sofas in the living room. Everyone followed suit.
" I cannot believe your brother can afford a place like this. It's amazing!" gasped Audrey, unable to stop her eyes constantly looking around even though she was sat still. Pacey put his arm around her and let out a contented sigh.
" Can we go choose our room?" laughed Jen, looking from Pacey back to Joey and Jack who were sitting beside her and obviously sharing in the joke.
" Sure thing," said Pacey, " I'll show you where everything is,"
All five bedrooms could easily have passed for the master bedroom if it weren't for the beds occupying them; each had its own en-suite bathroom and large wardrobe. Jen and Joey had decided to share a room, Jen had actually wanted to room with Jack but that would leave Joey in a bedroom alone or rooming with Dawson, both of which ideas she wasn't particularly keen on. Jack and Dawson decided to have a room each while Pacey and Audrey obviously chose the master bedroom, only identifiable by the huge king-size bed sitting under the window.
Pacey and Audrey decided to drive to the nearest shopping centre, just to make sure they didn't run out of any necessary provisions while they were staying; beer, Jell-O, that kind of thing. While they were gone, the rest of the gang started to unpack.
" Can you honestly believe that Doug owns this place?" asked Joey as she hung up the few sweaters she had packed, unsure that the weather would hold this weekend. Jen was stuffing her underwear into the top drawer of her bedside table.
" I know; if I had a place like this, I'd live here all the time. Summer house, my ass!" she grinned, sitting cross-legged on the bed, facing Joey. Joey continued to hang her clothes in the wardrobe carefully, Jen was embarrassed that she had just crammed hers into the dresser but she hated hanging clothes, especially if they were only staying a few days.
" I think I brought too much stuff," sighed Joey, folding her empty holdall and placing it in the bottom of the wardrobe before climbing on the bed and sitting next to Jen.
" Do you think we'll have fun this weekend?" asked Jen, Joey frowned. The question had sounded serious, as if Jen fully expected some form of cabin fever in the space of a weekend.
" Of course we'll have fun, what are you talking about?"
" I don't know. We just haven't spent time as a group for so long, I was just worried that things might've changed without anyone noticing,"
" I don't think so. And even if they have, who cares? I mean, we're all friends here, I'm sure things haven't changed that much," shrugged Joey.
" You're right!" said Jen, jumping of the bed. " Let's go check on the guys,"
Jack had finished unpacking already and was sitting in an armchair in Dawson's bedroom, chatting mindlessly about college as Dawson unpacked. The girls wandered in silently and sat on the bed, Jen winked at Jack who started to laugh. Joey was sometimes a little jealous of the relationship they shared, she was sure that Jen found it easier with Jack being gay. She could be completely honest with him because she knew that it didn't matter, they would never be lovers and therefore she didn't have to hide her true self. At least, that was the way Joey saw it. She had told Professor Wilder the same thing; you hide yourself from the people you're attracted to. He hadn't known at the time that she was talking about him but he soon learnt; she smiled at the memory. She often wished that things had worked out between them, they had seemed so right for each other. Maybe she would have another chance one day.
" You still not finished?" teased Jen; Dawson spun around and gave her a withering look before continuing with the task at hand. The sound of the gravel driveway announced Pacey and Audrey's return so Jen, Jack and Joey decided to greet them in the kitchen.
FRIDAY – 10PM
" I'm guessing that you didn't bring any cheesy board games?" smiled Joey, curling up on one of the armchairs in the living room. Jack was sitting on the floor just beneath her, amusing himself by flicking at her toes and drinking the last of his beer.
" Nah, I thought it would be fun if we entertained ourselves this weekend. We don't spend nearly enough time together," smiled Pacey.
" Y'know, Pace. There is a reason for that!" laughed Jack, attempting to give him a meaningful look but failing miserably.
" I think it's a great idea. We never get together anymore, I think Pacey's disast…I mean, highly successful dinner party was the last time," said Dawson, draining the last of the beer in his bottle. Pacey let out a loud fake laugh that he stopped abruptly causing Jen to burst into fits of laughter.
" I'm sorry," she smiled, " I'm really tired…"
" Like that's any explanation for your stupid sense of humour," said Jack, throwing his balled up socks at her head. She caught them in mid-air and threw them back at him.
" I'm gonna make dinner tomorrow night. See if we can make it a little more wonderful this time round!" smiled Pacey, looking at Dawson specifically.
" I'm sorry, you guys. I am going to bed; it's been a really long day. We can do something together tomorrow," groaned Audrey as she forced herself to move from the couch.
" I follow the lady," grinned Pacey, getting up and following Audrey from the room. Jack stood up and threw himself onto the sofa, lying back with his arms behind his head. Jen walked over and sat on his stomach, causing him to sit up rapidly before slapping her lightly across her leg.
" Maybe we should go to bed too, we've got the whole weekend to stay up late and drink," suggested Joey, Jen shrugged in agreement. Jack and Dawson half-heartedly agreed so they followed Pacey and Audrey up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, Jen kissed Jack and Dawson goodnight and walked into her bedroom. Jack walked into his, leaving Dawson and Joey alone.
" Night Dawson," smiled Joey, glad to be alone with Dawson after so long apart. Although, now they were together, she couldn't find the words to say, she wanted to tell him so much but she couldn't. He knew nothing about Elliot or Charlie and especially not Professor Wilder and for some reason; she wanted him to know everything. But not yet. Dawson reached out and held her hand for a moment before letting it drop and going into his own room. Joey climbed in bed next to Jen and switched her bedside lamp off.
" Everything okay, Jo?" asked Jen as she moved about, attempting to get comfortable.
" Fine. Just talking to Dawson,"
" Cool. Should be really hot tomorrow, I brought my bikini. This is gonna be a great weekend, I don't know what I was worried about before," she said, Joey could hear that she was smiling and was glad. Jen needed a break from Boston, from Charlie and everything else.
" I brought mine too. Night, Jen," she said and turned over. Her mind was racing, what was going on? Surely she would know if she were having 'feelings' for Dawson, wouldn't she? She lay there in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Somewhere in the distance, the thunder rumbled…