It had been seven years ago since he walked away from her dorm door. He fully intended on seeing her in the fall, but it wasn't meant to be. He left, moved to Seattle with his girlfriend and found a good job at the University of Washington. Sometimes he still thought about her, remembering how young and innocent she had been and yet how maturely she faced whatever came her way. There wasn't anyone quite like Joey Potter and he still missed her. He and Emily had been married for a year, and the marriage was already strained.

It was a rare sunny day in the late fall when he saw her. She was standing in line for coffee and his breath caught in his throat, he hesitated and then spoke.

"Joey Potter as I live and breathe," he waited.

"Professor Wilder," her eyes widened and she was hugging him seconds later.

"How have you been?" She was stunning, even more elegant and poised than the young woman he remembered, the one who had stolen his heart.

"I've been well," there was no need for him to elaborate on his marriage issues for her.

"You're married," she had already noticed his ring, she had always been sharp, "who's the lucky woman?"

"Emily McMillam, she and I met at a party that summer after your freshmen year."

"That's why you weren't there in the fall," she realized with a thoughtful smile.

He nodded, no additional words were needed to explain, and she saw how it was.

"What brings you to the west coast Ms. Potter?" He decided calling her Ms was the safest option possible.

"Pacey is a chef in one of the main restaurants out here, Pike's Palace," she smiled, "I moved out here to be with him."

"We both followed someone," he observed, "was yours the boy from the story?"

"No," she looked down, "it's complicated, as always I guess."

"Do you want to walk down by the water?" He couldn't look away from her soulful eyes. He wanted to hear about her life.

"Sure," she agreed taking the elbow he offered her. They made their way towards the water.

"So Joey Potter, what happened between that summer and now?" He promoted her.

Joey felt like her life had taken on a surreal quality. Her morning had been so predictable and now she was here, seeing him again and talking with him made her stomach do little flip flops. Five years ago she didn't know what she wanted, and despite her life taking on a firmer direction she found herself speechless when he said her name. Giving him a hug had provided her time to grasp her composure and now she was losing it again.

"I graduated with a double major in English and psychology and a minor in biology." She glanced his way and was rewarded with a smile.

"Joey I always knew you had it in you, congratulations."

"Thanks, anyway after I graduated I moved to New York with my boyfriend and worked for a while as an editor, then I came back for a wedding to Capeside. One of our really close friends was sick and ended up passing away."

"Joey I'm so sorry," he could tell it was painful for her to talk about.

"It was really tough for a long time," she whispered, "Anyway, I broke up with my boyfriend in New York and Pacey and I ended up together. It was Jen's last wish that I act on my feelings for him. Dawson, the boy from the story and I realized that our love was so deep it wasn't meant to be lived out, we are the true definition of soulmates. Does that make any sense?" Her confused eyes searched his and he nodded.

"So, Pacey got this offer fairly recently and we moved, things have happened quickly." She paused and he wondered if she was done.

"So what are you doing now may I ask?"

"I'm working at a local high school, I'm teaching 11th grade English and I'm part of the counseling program there as well." She blushed slightly and then made eye contact with him, "I wanted to make a difference in other's lives, somewhat like what you did for me."

"Joey I did nothing, it was all you," he could hardly believe she didn't understand how talented she was.
She seemed to be struggling, "Professor," and was cut off.

"David," he hastily said.

"David, I think you were the first person to see the person I could become. You didn't see what I was from the past, you didn't see the scared nervous freshmen I was then, you saw my future and I didn't, couldn't really even see it on my own. I gained so much confidence from the advice and guidance you gave me and through the opportunities you showed me were mine for the taking."

Throughout her explanation he remained quiet feeling his heart swell with pride and as she finished he waited for her to look up.

"Joey," he put his hand under her chin and lifted it tilting his head down and to the side forcing her to make eye contact, "you are a truly inspiring person. You walked into my class and changed my life as well."

"I'm glad you were my teacher, I'm sorry about that night," she admitted.

"It was for the best, if you had come back, who knows what we'd be saying to each other now," he assured her.

"I should go, I have class in about an hour and I need to grade some quizzes," she paused, "it was so good to see you Professor, I mean David," she corrected herself hastily seeing his raised eyebrows.

"It was good to see you too Joey Potter," he hesitated and pulled out a business card, "if you ever want to grab coffee or if you need anything, just give me a call."

"Thank you, take care," they shared a tight hug and parted going their separate ways.

Joey walked away feeling shaken. She had never expected to see him after he left that summer. She knew he had moved and she had other things on her mind. Seeing him brought up strong emotions inside her she was unprepared for. His eyes had pierced her soul, and she knew he could read her like a book. He always saw who she was, and yet she felt deep down that perhaps she had dreamed of someone like him who saw her best side and all of her potential. It never happened and she remembered fondly that which hadn't happened. Regret she figured was a waste of time, but now she wasn't so sure.

David fingered his wedding band as he processed his feelings. Joey's smile was burned into his mind and he still felt her arms around him. God, sometimes he wondered if something happened with them that night where they would be today. He shook his head and stood, it was time to get to work.