Dawson's Creek
*
-In Front of Me-
*
-There is something in me
Something I cannot describe
Every time you're around me I get so numb
I can't speak
When you look at me
It's something different Like falling into a big dark pit, not knowing where you are or what to do
When you walk with me
I feel like running-
*
*~*Joey and Pacey Forever!!*~*
Joey placed two iced teas in front of the nauseating couple in back and bit the inside of her lip, and amazingly was able to contain mute. She put on a fake smile as she gave them their check. "Enjoy," she said sweetly. As soon as she as out of earshot, she let out the groan she'd kept in. Why couldn't middle-aged people stick their tongues into each other's mouths at home? She heard the door close and turned around, ready with her order pad. Dawson Leery and Pacey Witter had just entered, both soaked by the pounding rain outside. "Guys," she walked over to them, glad for an excuse to sit down. "How's it going out there?" Pacey pulled his hood down and glanced at her. "Oh, it's going great, Potter." He said with sarcasm. "It's freezing cold, there's rain the size of gumballs falling, and the lakes are all practically frozen. My favorite kind of weather. Get me some coffee will you?" He rubbed his hands together. "Nice to see you too, Pace." Joey rolled her eyes. "Now, now, don't get hissy on me, Josephine. I am a paying customer and I demand some coffee." Joey ignored him and sat down. "I can you you've had it rough here." Dawson laughed lightly. "The place is packed." "Got that right." Joey grumbled. "Good for business though." Dawson lifted an eyebrow. "Yeah." Joey sighed. "Well, good thing too. I need it." "Just like I need some coffee" Pacey raised a dollar bill in front of her face. "Pacey." "Now or I'll scream roach, Potter. What's it going to be?" Joey's head snapped up. "You wouldn't.no, who am I kidding? Of course you would." She stood up and snatched the bill out of his hand. "One coffee," she muttered. "Anything for you, Dawson? It's on the house." "Hey, what about me?" Pacey whined. "Don't I get free food?" Joey didn't bother to answer him. "I'm fine, thanks." Dawson said. "But you one the other hand, look exhausted, why don't you take a break?" "I'll do that, thanks." Joey cracked a grin. "I guess I am sort of tired. Be right back." She hurried over to the back of the kitchen where her sister Bess, was cleaning out the oven. "I'm taking a break," Joey threw off her apron and poured a fresh pot of coffee into a tall cup. Bess stuck out her head. "Ok. 10 minutes, though. You have the night off anyway. Hey, hand me a wet towel, will you?" Joey ran a hand towel under the faucet and turned on the water. "Thank God. I've been working day and night for the past week." She looked into the fogged mirror above the sink. "Damn," she muttered. Dawson had been right. She did look awful. There were dark rings under her eyes from not getting enough sleep and her face was red and sweaty from all the walking around with hot plates. There were loose strands of hair everywhere from her ponytail. "Here." She handed the towel to Bess and grabbed the cup of coffee. When she returned to Dawson and Pacey's table, they were playing paper football with a folded napkin. "Losers," she laughed. Pacey took a long swallow from his cup. "Well, Potter, I guess this is pretty decent coffee considered it was made with two sweaty hands." Joey hit him in the back of his head while he was drinking, causing him to move forward and spill his cup on his shirt and pants. Dawson winced and Joey's eyes widened. "Owww!" Pacey exclaimed as the hot liquid seeped though his clothes. "You idiot! Oww." Joey cracked the first grin she'd smiled all day. "Sorry, Pace. Here," she handed him some napkins and Pacey wiped away, muttering. "You really are out of it." He still managed to joke even with the pain shooting him through the leg. "Yeah, because if I were "in it" I would have splashed in your face, not your clothes." Joey smiled sweetly at him. Pacey smiled back at her. "Aw, ain't she such an angel, Dawson?" Dawson shook his head and chuckled. "You guys are better than television." "Ha ha," Pacey and Joey both mocked at the same time. They both looked at each other in annoyance. "No, but really, Pace, I think you're right despite your cruel and mean ways you say them.I really am out of it. This morning I put orange juice in a bowl" she shook her head. "and frankly, I'm glad I have the night off. I need the sleep." Dawson's eyes lit up. "You have the night off? Great! Then you'll join us tonight. We're all going out to dinner at Leery's Fresh Fish." "Who's 'us'?" "Oh, you know, the usual: Me, Pacey, Andie, Jack, and Jen. 7:00." Joey got a sour taste in her mouth as Dawson said the last name. She was NOT looking forward to seeing her and Dawson get giggly together. She wasn't ready for that after all, so why did Dawson keep trying to make her and Jen friends? Like she'd spend her night off for that. -Keep dreaming, dream boy.- Joey thought bitterly. She shifted in her seat. "Uh, no thanks, Dawson, I'd really like to catch some sleep instead." She felt Pacey looking at her. Dawson looked hurt. "C'mon, Jo, you haven't hung out with your friends in a while and everyone missed you." "I'm not surprised," Joey said smugly. "Except for me, of course." Pacey put in. "And Jen says that she really would like to know you better," Dawson looked at her. "So how about it? Please?" Joey felt a trill of annoyance. What was there to talk about? Jen stole Dawson from her with her New York looks and carefree attitude. End of story. "Like that's going to make any difference." She muttered. "Jo, come on." Dawson look uncomfortable. "What happened is in the past. I thought we were friends! And only friends, and now me and Jen are a couple and you told me you were Ok with it, so why do you have to say away from her? She's trying hard to be your friend and you keep pushing her away, Jo!" Joey was stunned. How could Dawson defend Jen? And be willing to risk his friendship with her for Jen? She swallowed hard. She stood up, making the chair behind her screech loudly. "You know what, Dawson? Fine. I'll go. Happy?" She stomped away, not caring that Dawson was calling her name.
*
Jen applied a layer of gloss to her lips and looked into the mirror. She cocked her head. Something was still missing. she wanted to look casual, yet not too casual. This was after all, dinner. And everyone was going to be there, so she wanted to make a good impression on them, even though she knew they already liked her. Except of course for Joey. Jen frowned. Dawson had called her earlier to inform her that Joey was coming along after all. -That's Ok.- She thought. -I won't let her get me down. Besides, she's friends with Pacey so how hard can it be for her to accept me?- She smiled. Her grandma entered her room with some of Jen's now-clean clothes. "My, you look gorgeous Jennifer. Where are you heading off to?" "Just having dinner," she accepted the clothes from Grandma and in hauled the clean, flowery smell. She warm cloth felt good against her cheeks. Then she looked at Grandma. "Gorgeous- casual, or gorgeous- trying- too hard?" "What difference does it make as long as you look nice?" Jen smirked. "Ok, Grams, well I better go." She pecked her grandma on the cheek, took one last look in the mirror and walked out. "I except you back by 10:00!" Grandma called after her. Jen responded with a wave of her hand. Dawson was waiting outside for her. "You look gorgeous." "What is with everyone and the word lately?" Jen grinned at Dawson. "You look good too." His blond hair was combed back and he wore this dark blue sweater that really brought out his eyes. She took several steps forward until she was close enough, and looked up. Dawson leaned forward and kissed her softly. When they parted, Jen worked up the courage to ask, "Is Joey going to walk with us?" Joey lived across the creek after all. Dawson shook his head no. "Bess told me that she had already gone when I called her." "Oh." Jen played with the hem of her dress. She felt sort of relieved. "Hey, Jen?" Dawson stared ahead. "Yeah?" "Whatever happens." he hesitated. "Don't think any bad about her, Ok? She's actually pretty cool once you get to know her, she's just." "Is she jealous?" Jen stared at Dawson. "Does she still like you?" "I don't think so. I think she's just not used to you.because you're from New York, she must think that you're snobby and.but you're not." "That's not very nice of her is it?" Jen smiled so that Dawson would know she was kidding. "Don't worry- I get along with people. Its' what I do. Unless they're cheerleaders. I'll get her to like me. You watch." Dawson smiled back at her. "You're amazing, you know that?" He stopped suddenly. "We're here. And so's everyone else." Jen couldn't help noticing Dawson neared away from her slowly. -Joey.- Jen thought, she looked ahead. Yep. She stood wearing a spaghetti-strap shirt and a simple pair of jeans. Jen suddenly felt foolish for wearing a low cut dress and her pearl necklace. "Hey guys." Dawson called. " 'Bout time you two got here. We're all starving." Pacey said, before anyone else got to say anything. "Hey you two!" Andie called out cheerfully. She wore a plaid skirt. Jen felt a little better. "Hi!" Jen said. Then she nodded at Joey. "Hey," she said quietly. "Hi." Joey's word was swift, and cold as ice, and she didn't even look at Jen when she said it. Jen felt her face burn. Why was she being such a jerk? She'd never done anything to Joey- it was Dawson who chose that he wanted Jen and not Joey, and wasn't it Joey who said that she didn't care? She wanted to speak up and ask Joey what the hell her problem was, but then she felt Dawson lightly brush his hand against his. He gave her a pleading look. Jen sighed. -Joey's lucky that Dawson is so caring, because if it weren't for him, I would have truly enjoyed pulling out every inch of your hair, one by one.- Jen forced a smile. "Well." she did her best to sound as nice as she could. "Let's go in!" "Oh my gosh, I've heard that the shrimp here is really good!" Andie tried to break the tension. "I love sea food!" "Yeah, you should have seen this girl eat fish one time when we all went to an All-You-Can-Eat- Buffet, she totally stuffed her face until she exploded. Literally." Jack piped up. Andie hit him lightly. "Well, are we all just going to stand here or are we going in?" Pacey asked the group. They all hastily entered Leery's Fresh Fish and had to wait in a line to be seated. Jen decided to try to make friends with Joey again. She neared causally toward her. "Do you like seafood?" She asked lamely. -Duh, why else would she be here?- Jen almost rolled her eyes in disgust at herself. Joey shrugged. She still didn't look at Jen. Jen closed her eyes. This was going to be a very long night. As they got seated, Jen whispered to Pacey, "How did you get on Joey's good side? It's impossible!" Pacey smirked. "I wouldn't really call it her good side." "Yes you are, it's just that you two have this.special friendship where you insult yourselves.but you're still friends, see what I mean?" Pacey raised an eyebrow. "Well," she continued. "How can you make conversation out of this girl? She's like a stone- expressionless. She's a bitch." She shook her head. -And I don't think I'll ever like her.- Pacey laughed lightly, then he added, "Did it ever occur to you that she doesn't want to talk?" "Why not? "Because, she has this thing, she talks when she's ready, y'know? Otherwise, she feels pressured and it frustrates her." "Did it ever occur to you that you two should be a couple?" Jen smiled. Of course she was kidding. Pacey and Joey seemed too funny for words. If he can understand her, then so can I!- But first, before they became friends, they would have to stop hating each other of course.
* Joey had almost laughed out loud when she first caught sight of Jen. Who the hell wears a short, fancy dress and expensive-looking jewelry to out to dinner with friends? -At least she's not trying to talk with me anymore.- Joey read the menu. Why had Jen been trying so hard to be friends with Joey? -She probably wants to act all angelic- like in front of Dawson, and I won't fall for it.- "Hey kids!" Joey looked up. Dawson's mom, who worked here of course, was hovering over them, a smile on her face. Then she noticed Joey. "Joey, what's been happening? I don't see you with Dawson anymore." -That's cause he's too busy hanging out with the blonde spazz.- "Hi Mrs. Leery. Yeah, I've been kind of busy with somethings." Joey trailed off. She had never really been good at lying, so she looked down at the floor. "Oh, well, that's too bad, I've been missing you. You should try to come over more often. Like before." Joey smiled at Mrs. Leery. "I'll do that, thanks." Mrs. Leery was the closest thing Joey had to a mom, and the thought of life without her scared her. And she was so nice to Joey, and had always been there for her. Like a really mom. "Well, since I'm already here, I should probably take your orders." Joey ordered a cheese burger- thank goodness every restaurant had that, because Joey was allergic to all seafood, and the burgers here were really good even though it was called Leery's Fresh Fish. After everyone else had given their orders, Pacey nudged her. "Try this." He held a shrimp in front of Joey. "Free appetizers, since Dawson's mom works here. They're absolutely ravishing." He batted his eyelashes. Joey rolled her eyes. "Gee, Pace, as good as that sounds, I'll pass." "What, the brave, independent Joey Potter passes on a challenge?" "Oh, so it's a challenge, now is it?" Joey felt a tug at her lips and she had to smile. Then she said, "You know I'm allergic." (*A/N: Joey really isn't allergic to seafood, I just made that up for this story. *) "I triple-dog-dare you." Joey laughed. "You're so immature." Pacey grinned. He waved the shrimp around. "Josephine, eat me, eat me." He said in a low voice, making the shrimp pretend to walk into Joey's mouth. Joey couldn't resist. She grabbed another clean shrimp from the basket and popped it into her mouth. She felt happy for the first time in weeks. "Happy?" She giggled through a mouthful of shrimp. Pacey raised an eyebrow and then smiled. He ate the shrimp that was in his hand and reached for the basket. "Now, I'll get you to get drunk." He waggled his eyebrows. "Hey, Joey, I thought you were allergic to seafood." Andie looked at her, her face nervous. "Me too, but these are really good." "What do you think will happen to you?" Joey laughed. "Relax, Andie, does Joey look sick to you? I think not." Pacey said. Jack leaned back in his chair. "That's great, Pacey, but I don't think you'll get her drunk. Ever." Jen suddenly laughed herself and suddenly all of Joey's happiness came crashing down. She had forgotten Jen was there. And Dawson. Her, Jen, and Dawson all in the same room. Her stomach turned. Was it just the shrimp? "Joey, your face is looking a little red." Dawson looked at her. Joey closed her eyes. "Yeah? I wonder why?" She tried to sound like nothing was wrong, but then she began to feel hot and sweaty. "You were like this when we ate seafood at that restaurant when we were kids." "I didn't need that, Dawson." Joey snapped. "I'll get you a cold towel." Jen offered. Jen's voice was so sugary sweet, it actually made Joey sick. She didn't want to be here. In the same room with HER. "I better go." She stood up and before anyone could say a word, she ran out. What had she been thinking, actually giving the idea of her and Jen a chance? -As far as I know, I've given her enough chances.-
* Pacey watched Joey go. Confused, he nibbled on a shrimp. -What the hell just happened?- He thought she had been kidding about the whole "I'm Allergic to Seafood" thing. Now that he thought about it, he'd never seen her eat any seafood. And she did order the burger. -Oops.- "Damn." He said out loud. "I hope she's not seriously allergic." Dawson fixed him with a glare. "When we were kids, and she's had just had one bite of fish, she had fever for a day and a half. She missed school because of it and." Pacey stopped listening to Dawson and leaned back. Sometimes it was so irritating the way Dawson could talk about when he and Joey were kids for hours. As Dawson babbled on, Pacey drifted into his own thoughts. He felt a heavy guilt on his shoulders when he remembered Joey's face. Red as a beet. If she did have fever, it was probably his fault. He started to stand up, but then a hand was placed on his hair. He looked up at Mrs. Leery. She was holding 6 steaming plates. "Where do you think you're going?" She asked. "Your food is ready." "Oh." Pacey looked at the appetizing food. "Uhh." "Stay, Pace." Jen cocked her head at Joey's empty seat. "SHE'S probably not coming back, and I bet her sister can take care of her." "Uhh." Pacey repeated. -But her sister's at work. Joey will be all alone with a fever. All because of you.- "Naw, I better go. But I will take Joey's order to go. I'll bring it to her." "Since when do you care so much about her?" Dawson asked. He looked bewildered. Pacey blinked. "I'm only human, Dawson. Of course, I'm feeling guilty. So is it so wrong to feel bad?" Dawson shrugged. "Just didn't expect it from you, that's all." "What? You don't think I'm capable of feeling guilty? Well, then, what do you think of me, Dawson? You think just because you're the all- around good natured Charlie Brown, that you-" "Ok! Ok!" Andie held out her hands and made a T. "Time out." She said quieter when she saw a couple turned their heads in their direction. Pacey stood up and accepted the doggy bag from Mrs. Leery. Why was Dawson getting on his case? Did he really think that Pacey was a jerk that would let his friend puke her stomach out because of him and just sit back and not care? -Please. It's like he think that he knows what's best for Joey- he treats her like a little girl, not a friend!- "See ya," he muttered as he slouched away.
* Joey could actually feel the earth spin beneath her as she lay on the couch. Her stomach, after throwing out all the acid, was now empty and growling and she was burning up, plus aside from that, she had a huge headache. -This is what I get- Joey thought bitterly. -for accepting to actually be in the same room with Jen Lindley.- Joey heard a familiar engine outside the window. She sighed. -Pacey.- Damn, she didn't want him seeing her like this- he'd laugh at her until God knows when. No problem. She just wouldn't answer the door. "Potter!" She heard his poundings on the door. "You all right? Let me in!" She sighed again. The pounding was making her head hurt more. "Damn, Pacey let me restore my strength alone!" She yelled. "You won't restore without food!" Suddenly, the door opened and he walked in. "I come bearing food, and you're so sick you forgot to lock the door. Aren't you lucky I came?" He grinned at her, then his smile faded away. "You look awful." "I feel awful." Joey forgot to feel irritated at him since the smell of grilled burger reached her nose. He stomach grumbled again. "Mm.oh, is that a burger?" "Yep." Pacey put the bag down and took the wrapped hamburger out. "Stop drooling, girl. I'm going to have to put it in the microwave for a bit. It's kind of cold." "I don't care." Joey stood up and let the blanket fall on the ground around her. She walked over and took the burger out of his hands. Taking a big bite, she felt Pacey put his hand on her forehead. With her mouth full, she backed up and looked at him. "What the hell-" "You're hot." "Excuse me?" Joey felt her face tighten in surprise. She clutched the burger tightly. "Your temperature." Pacey rolled his eyes. "Oh." Joey's face reddened even more. -I'm an idiot.- She sat back down on the couch and crossed her legs. "I'm Ok, thanks for the burger- that's all I needed. You can go now." "Nuh-uh. Even though you say you're Ok, you're probably trying not to puke right now." "No." Joey snapped. Laying her head on the headrest, she reached for the remote control. "Besides, you probable want to go back to that dumb dinner thing." Not able to control herself, she thought out loud, "Why did I go anyways? I should have known something was going to go wrong. Something always happens. God, every time I'm in the same room with Jen, she makes me feel like an outcast! Even with my own friends! I mean, how sad is that?" She took a deep breath. "I bet she's laughing at me. The poor girl from Capeside can't even handle a little fish." She tore away some lettuce from her burger. After a moment, Pacey took a seat next to her. There was a long silence. Joey chewed slowly. "Ok," Pacey looked at her. "I can understand that you're feeling something." He blinked. "But I don't think she's laughing at you right now, Jo." "And why wouldn't she? She's everything I'm not; she gorgeous, sophisticated, she's nice-" "Stop right there. Joey, in my nicest words: that's really lame." "What are you talking about?" Joey felt a bubble of anger form in the pit of her stomach. "She may be from New York, but just because of that, that doesn't mean she's better than you. She may be a little pretty-" "Aw, c'mon, Pacey, your mouth dropped the moment you saw her. And so did Dawson's. And he still looks at her that way. And ever since she got in the picture, it's like, he's forgotten the damn about me." Joey said dryly. "Damn, Jo." A frustrated look came across Pacey's face. "Ok, I'll admit, yeah, Jen is a pretty girl, but so are you. And you should really stop comparing yourself to her, because all you're to find are flaws in you that are imaginary. You're going to start thinking that she's perfect and even though it may seem that way, she's not. No one's-" "-Perfect." Joey finished for him. She looked away and sighed. -So then why does it seem that way?- "But I can't stop comparing myself to her. I've tried, Pacey, but, it's like, I don't know, every time she's around me, I suddenly feel like I don't even belong in the same room with her." "Then you have to stop thinking like that. You have to get over Dawson." Joey's eyes widened with surprise. She was about to protest, when she realized that she wasn't over Dawson. And besides, she was tired to trying to defend herself. Joey's eyes filled with tears. "How? It's not that easy, Pacey, I wish it was, but it just isn't." Pacey sat closer to her and grabbed her hand. "Yeah, wouldn't I know it?" He said glumly. Joey suddenly remembered about how hard it was for Pacey when he had to break up with Andie. And she suddenly felt tired. She closed her eyes and leaned back on the couch. It was weird she knew, but holding Pacey's hand gave her comfort. "But we'll get out of it. Together." He squeezed her hand. "After all, that's what friends are for, right?" "Right." Joey smiled at him warmly. She could still hear the rain pouring hard outside. The setting was the same, but somehow, Joey felt happier then she had been, knowing that she could always count on Pacey. And the feeling was good.
*
*~* End of Chapter One*~*
*~* Chapter 2 will be probably be done and posted on the internet before
the month is over if my teachers don't give me a lot of homework*~*
* Did you guys like that fanfic? I hope so; I've never really been too good
at writing. but please give me your thoughts and comments! E-mail me at
SILENTANGELT@AOL.COM I hope to finish up chapter 2 before this month is over (hopefully). Just so you know, this is a Joey+Pacey fanfic. It may not seem like it now, but
trust me: it will. LoL, I've always loved Pacey and Joey together. They make such a cute couple, don't you think? Does anybody know who they end up
with in the very last episode? (
*
-In Front of Me-
*
-There is something in me
Something I cannot describe
Every time you're around me I get so numb
I can't speak
When you look at me
It's something different Like falling into a big dark pit, not knowing where you are or what to do
When you walk with me
I feel like running-
*
*~*Joey and Pacey Forever!!*~*
Joey placed two iced teas in front of the nauseating couple in back and bit the inside of her lip, and amazingly was able to contain mute. She put on a fake smile as she gave them their check. "Enjoy," she said sweetly. As soon as she as out of earshot, she let out the groan she'd kept in. Why couldn't middle-aged people stick their tongues into each other's mouths at home? She heard the door close and turned around, ready with her order pad. Dawson Leery and Pacey Witter had just entered, both soaked by the pounding rain outside. "Guys," she walked over to them, glad for an excuse to sit down. "How's it going out there?" Pacey pulled his hood down and glanced at her. "Oh, it's going great, Potter." He said with sarcasm. "It's freezing cold, there's rain the size of gumballs falling, and the lakes are all practically frozen. My favorite kind of weather. Get me some coffee will you?" He rubbed his hands together. "Nice to see you too, Pace." Joey rolled her eyes. "Now, now, don't get hissy on me, Josephine. I am a paying customer and I demand some coffee." Joey ignored him and sat down. "I can you you've had it rough here." Dawson laughed lightly. "The place is packed." "Got that right." Joey grumbled. "Good for business though." Dawson lifted an eyebrow. "Yeah." Joey sighed. "Well, good thing too. I need it." "Just like I need some coffee" Pacey raised a dollar bill in front of her face. "Pacey." "Now or I'll scream roach, Potter. What's it going to be?" Joey's head snapped up. "You wouldn't.no, who am I kidding? Of course you would." She stood up and snatched the bill out of his hand. "One coffee," she muttered. "Anything for you, Dawson? It's on the house." "Hey, what about me?" Pacey whined. "Don't I get free food?" Joey didn't bother to answer him. "I'm fine, thanks." Dawson said. "But you one the other hand, look exhausted, why don't you take a break?" "I'll do that, thanks." Joey cracked a grin. "I guess I am sort of tired. Be right back." She hurried over to the back of the kitchen where her sister Bess, was cleaning out the oven. "I'm taking a break," Joey threw off her apron and poured a fresh pot of coffee into a tall cup. Bess stuck out her head. "Ok. 10 minutes, though. You have the night off anyway. Hey, hand me a wet towel, will you?" Joey ran a hand towel under the faucet and turned on the water. "Thank God. I've been working day and night for the past week." She looked into the fogged mirror above the sink. "Damn," she muttered. Dawson had been right. She did look awful. There were dark rings under her eyes from not getting enough sleep and her face was red and sweaty from all the walking around with hot plates. There were loose strands of hair everywhere from her ponytail. "Here." She handed the towel to Bess and grabbed the cup of coffee. When she returned to Dawson and Pacey's table, they were playing paper football with a folded napkin. "Losers," she laughed. Pacey took a long swallow from his cup. "Well, Potter, I guess this is pretty decent coffee considered it was made with two sweaty hands." Joey hit him in the back of his head while he was drinking, causing him to move forward and spill his cup on his shirt and pants. Dawson winced and Joey's eyes widened. "Owww!" Pacey exclaimed as the hot liquid seeped though his clothes. "You idiot! Oww." Joey cracked the first grin she'd smiled all day. "Sorry, Pace. Here," she handed him some napkins and Pacey wiped away, muttering. "You really are out of it." He still managed to joke even with the pain shooting him through the leg. "Yeah, because if I were "in it" I would have splashed in your face, not your clothes." Joey smiled sweetly at him. Pacey smiled back at her. "Aw, ain't she such an angel, Dawson?" Dawson shook his head and chuckled. "You guys are better than television." "Ha ha," Pacey and Joey both mocked at the same time. They both looked at each other in annoyance. "No, but really, Pace, I think you're right despite your cruel and mean ways you say them.I really am out of it. This morning I put orange juice in a bowl" she shook her head. "and frankly, I'm glad I have the night off. I need the sleep." Dawson's eyes lit up. "You have the night off? Great! Then you'll join us tonight. We're all going out to dinner at Leery's Fresh Fish." "Who's 'us'?" "Oh, you know, the usual: Me, Pacey, Andie, Jack, and Jen. 7:00." Joey got a sour taste in her mouth as Dawson said the last name. She was NOT looking forward to seeing her and Dawson get giggly together. She wasn't ready for that after all, so why did Dawson keep trying to make her and Jen friends? Like she'd spend her night off for that. -Keep dreaming, dream boy.- Joey thought bitterly. She shifted in her seat. "Uh, no thanks, Dawson, I'd really like to catch some sleep instead." She felt Pacey looking at her. Dawson looked hurt. "C'mon, Jo, you haven't hung out with your friends in a while and everyone missed you." "I'm not surprised," Joey said smugly. "Except for me, of course." Pacey put in. "And Jen says that she really would like to know you better," Dawson looked at her. "So how about it? Please?" Joey felt a trill of annoyance. What was there to talk about? Jen stole Dawson from her with her New York looks and carefree attitude. End of story. "Like that's going to make any difference." She muttered. "Jo, come on." Dawson look uncomfortable. "What happened is in the past. I thought we were friends! And only friends, and now me and Jen are a couple and you told me you were Ok with it, so why do you have to say away from her? She's trying hard to be your friend and you keep pushing her away, Jo!" Joey was stunned. How could Dawson defend Jen? And be willing to risk his friendship with her for Jen? She swallowed hard. She stood up, making the chair behind her screech loudly. "You know what, Dawson? Fine. I'll go. Happy?" She stomped away, not caring that Dawson was calling her name.
*
Jen applied a layer of gloss to her lips and looked into the mirror. She cocked her head. Something was still missing. she wanted to look casual, yet not too casual. This was after all, dinner. And everyone was going to be there, so she wanted to make a good impression on them, even though she knew they already liked her. Except of course for Joey. Jen frowned. Dawson had called her earlier to inform her that Joey was coming along after all. -That's Ok.- She thought. -I won't let her get me down. Besides, she's friends with Pacey so how hard can it be for her to accept me?- She smiled. Her grandma entered her room with some of Jen's now-clean clothes. "My, you look gorgeous Jennifer. Where are you heading off to?" "Just having dinner," she accepted the clothes from Grandma and in hauled the clean, flowery smell. She warm cloth felt good against her cheeks. Then she looked at Grandma. "Gorgeous- casual, or gorgeous- trying- too hard?" "What difference does it make as long as you look nice?" Jen smirked. "Ok, Grams, well I better go." She pecked her grandma on the cheek, took one last look in the mirror and walked out. "I except you back by 10:00!" Grandma called after her. Jen responded with a wave of her hand. Dawson was waiting outside for her. "You look gorgeous." "What is with everyone and the word lately?" Jen grinned at Dawson. "You look good too." His blond hair was combed back and he wore this dark blue sweater that really brought out his eyes. She took several steps forward until she was close enough, and looked up. Dawson leaned forward and kissed her softly. When they parted, Jen worked up the courage to ask, "Is Joey going to walk with us?" Joey lived across the creek after all. Dawson shook his head no. "Bess told me that she had already gone when I called her." "Oh." Jen played with the hem of her dress. She felt sort of relieved. "Hey, Jen?" Dawson stared ahead. "Yeah?" "Whatever happens." he hesitated. "Don't think any bad about her, Ok? She's actually pretty cool once you get to know her, she's just." "Is she jealous?" Jen stared at Dawson. "Does she still like you?" "I don't think so. I think she's just not used to you.because you're from New York, she must think that you're snobby and.but you're not." "That's not very nice of her is it?" Jen smiled so that Dawson would know she was kidding. "Don't worry- I get along with people. Its' what I do. Unless they're cheerleaders. I'll get her to like me. You watch." Dawson smiled back at her. "You're amazing, you know that?" He stopped suddenly. "We're here. And so's everyone else." Jen couldn't help noticing Dawson neared away from her slowly. -Joey.- Jen thought, she looked ahead. Yep. She stood wearing a spaghetti-strap shirt and a simple pair of jeans. Jen suddenly felt foolish for wearing a low cut dress and her pearl necklace. "Hey guys." Dawson called. " 'Bout time you two got here. We're all starving." Pacey said, before anyone else got to say anything. "Hey you two!" Andie called out cheerfully. She wore a plaid skirt. Jen felt a little better. "Hi!" Jen said. Then she nodded at Joey. "Hey," she said quietly. "Hi." Joey's word was swift, and cold as ice, and she didn't even look at Jen when she said it. Jen felt her face burn. Why was she being such a jerk? She'd never done anything to Joey- it was Dawson who chose that he wanted Jen and not Joey, and wasn't it Joey who said that she didn't care? She wanted to speak up and ask Joey what the hell her problem was, but then she felt Dawson lightly brush his hand against his. He gave her a pleading look. Jen sighed. -Joey's lucky that Dawson is so caring, because if it weren't for him, I would have truly enjoyed pulling out every inch of your hair, one by one.- Jen forced a smile. "Well." she did her best to sound as nice as she could. "Let's go in!" "Oh my gosh, I've heard that the shrimp here is really good!" Andie tried to break the tension. "I love sea food!" "Yeah, you should have seen this girl eat fish one time when we all went to an All-You-Can-Eat- Buffet, she totally stuffed her face until she exploded. Literally." Jack piped up. Andie hit him lightly. "Well, are we all just going to stand here or are we going in?" Pacey asked the group. They all hastily entered Leery's Fresh Fish and had to wait in a line to be seated. Jen decided to try to make friends with Joey again. She neared causally toward her. "Do you like seafood?" She asked lamely. -Duh, why else would she be here?- Jen almost rolled her eyes in disgust at herself. Joey shrugged. She still didn't look at Jen. Jen closed her eyes. This was going to be a very long night. As they got seated, Jen whispered to Pacey, "How did you get on Joey's good side? It's impossible!" Pacey smirked. "I wouldn't really call it her good side." "Yes you are, it's just that you two have this.special friendship where you insult yourselves.but you're still friends, see what I mean?" Pacey raised an eyebrow. "Well," she continued. "How can you make conversation out of this girl? She's like a stone- expressionless. She's a bitch." She shook her head. -And I don't think I'll ever like her.- Pacey laughed lightly, then he added, "Did it ever occur to you that she doesn't want to talk?" "Why not? "Because, she has this thing, she talks when she's ready, y'know? Otherwise, she feels pressured and it frustrates her." "Did it ever occur to you that you two should be a couple?" Jen smiled. Of course she was kidding. Pacey and Joey seemed too funny for words. If he can understand her, then so can I!- But first, before they became friends, they would have to stop hating each other of course.
* Joey had almost laughed out loud when she first caught sight of Jen. Who the hell wears a short, fancy dress and expensive-looking jewelry to out to dinner with friends? -At least she's not trying to talk with me anymore.- Joey read the menu. Why had Jen been trying so hard to be friends with Joey? -She probably wants to act all angelic- like in front of Dawson, and I won't fall for it.- "Hey kids!" Joey looked up. Dawson's mom, who worked here of course, was hovering over them, a smile on her face. Then she noticed Joey. "Joey, what's been happening? I don't see you with Dawson anymore." -That's cause he's too busy hanging out with the blonde spazz.- "Hi Mrs. Leery. Yeah, I've been kind of busy with somethings." Joey trailed off. She had never really been good at lying, so she looked down at the floor. "Oh, well, that's too bad, I've been missing you. You should try to come over more often. Like before." Joey smiled at Mrs. Leery. "I'll do that, thanks." Mrs. Leery was the closest thing Joey had to a mom, and the thought of life without her scared her. And she was so nice to Joey, and had always been there for her. Like a really mom. "Well, since I'm already here, I should probably take your orders." Joey ordered a cheese burger- thank goodness every restaurant had that, because Joey was allergic to all seafood, and the burgers here were really good even though it was called Leery's Fresh Fish. After everyone else had given their orders, Pacey nudged her. "Try this." He held a shrimp in front of Joey. "Free appetizers, since Dawson's mom works here. They're absolutely ravishing." He batted his eyelashes. Joey rolled her eyes. "Gee, Pace, as good as that sounds, I'll pass." "What, the brave, independent Joey Potter passes on a challenge?" "Oh, so it's a challenge, now is it?" Joey felt a tug at her lips and she had to smile. Then she said, "You know I'm allergic." (*A/N: Joey really isn't allergic to seafood, I just made that up for this story. *) "I triple-dog-dare you." Joey laughed. "You're so immature." Pacey grinned. He waved the shrimp around. "Josephine, eat me, eat me." He said in a low voice, making the shrimp pretend to walk into Joey's mouth. Joey couldn't resist. She grabbed another clean shrimp from the basket and popped it into her mouth. She felt happy for the first time in weeks. "Happy?" She giggled through a mouthful of shrimp. Pacey raised an eyebrow and then smiled. He ate the shrimp that was in his hand and reached for the basket. "Now, I'll get you to get drunk." He waggled his eyebrows. "Hey, Joey, I thought you were allergic to seafood." Andie looked at her, her face nervous. "Me too, but these are really good." "What do you think will happen to you?" Joey laughed. "Relax, Andie, does Joey look sick to you? I think not." Pacey said. Jack leaned back in his chair. "That's great, Pacey, but I don't think you'll get her drunk. Ever." Jen suddenly laughed herself and suddenly all of Joey's happiness came crashing down. She had forgotten Jen was there. And Dawson. Her, Jen, and Dawson all in the same room. Her stomach turned. Was it just the shrimp? "Joey, your face is looking a little red." Dawson looked at her. Joey closed her eyes. "Yeah? I wonder why?" She tried to sound like nothing was wrong, but then she began to feel hot and sweaty. "You were like this when we ate seafood at that restaurant when we were kids." "I didn't need that, Dawson." Joey snapped. "I'll get you a cold towel." Jen offered. Jen's voice was so sugary sweet, it actually made Joey sick. She didn't want to be here. In the same room with HER. "I better go." She stood up and before anyone could say a word, she ran out. What had she been thinking, actually giving the idea of her and Jen a chance? -As far as I know, I've given her enough chances.-
* Pacey watched Joey go. Confused, he nibbled on a shrimp. -What the hell just happened?- He thought she had been kidding about the whole "I'm Allergic to Seafood" thing. Now that he thought about it, he'd never seen her eat any seafood. And she did order the burger. -Oops.- "Damn." He said out loud. "I hope she's not seriously allergic." Dawson fixed him with a glare. "When we were kids, and she's had just had one bite of fish, she had fever for a day and a half. She missed school because of it and." Pacey stopped listening to Dawson and leaned back. Sometimes it was so irritating the way Dawson could talk about when he and Joey were kids for hours. As Dawson babbled on, Pacey drifted into his own thoughts. He felt a heavy guilt on his shoulders when he remembered Joey's face. Red as a beet. If she did have fever, it was probably his fault. He started to stand up, but then a hand was placed on his hair. He looked up at Mrs. Leery. She was holding 6 steaming plates. "Where do you think you're going?" She asked. "Your food is ready." "Oh." Pacey looked at the appetizing food. "Uhh." "Stay, Pace." Jen cocked her head at Joey's empty seat. "SHE'S probably not coming back, and I bet her sister can take care of her." "Uhh." Pacey repeated. -But her sister's at work. Joey will be all alone with a fever. All because of you.- "Naw, I better go. But I will take Joey's order to go. I'll bring it to her." "Since when do you care so much about her?" Dawson asked. He looked bewildered. Pacey blinked. "I'm only human, Dawson. Of course, I'm feeling guilty. So is it so wrong to feel bad?" Dawson shrugged. "Just didn't expect it from you, that's all." "What? You don't think I'm capable of feeling guilty? Well, then, what do you think of me, Dawson? You think just because you're the all- around good natured Charlie Brown, that you-" "Ok! Ok!" Andie held out her hands and made a T. "Time out." She said quieter when she saw a couple turned their heads in their direction. Pacey stood up and accepted the doggy bag from Mrs. Leery. Why was Dawson getting on his case? Did he really think that Pacey was a jerk that would let his friend puke her stomach out because of him and just sit back and not care? -Please. It's like he think that he knows what's best for Joey- he treats her like a little girl, not a friend!- "See ya," he muttered as he slouched away.
* Joey could actually feel the earth spin beneath her as she lay on the couch. Her stomach, after throwing out all the acid, was now empty and growling and she was burning up, plus aside from that, she had a huge headache. -This is what I get- Joey thought bitterly. -for accepting to actually be in the same room with Jen Lindley.- Joey heard a familiar engine outside the window. She sighed. -Pacey.- Damn, she didn't want him seeing her like this- he'd laugh at her until God knows when. No problem. She just wouldn't answer the door. "Potter!" She heard his poundings on the door. "You all right? Let me in!" She sighed again. The pounding was making her head hurt more. "Damn, Pacey let me restore my strength alone!" She yelled. "You won't restore without food!" Suddenly, the door opened and he walked in. "I come bearing food, and you're so sick you forgot to lock the door. Aren't you lucky I came?" He grinned at her, then his smile faded away. "You look awful." "I feel awful." Joey forgot to feel irritated at him since the smell of grilled burger reached her nose. He stomach grumbled again. "Mm.oh, is that a burger?" "Yep." Pacey put the bag down and took the wrapped hamburger out. "Stop drooling, girl. I'm going to have to put it in the microwave for a bit. It's kind of cold." "I don't care." Joey stood up and let the blanket fall on the ground around her. She walked over and took the burger out of his hands. Taking a big bite, she felt Pacey put his hand on her forehead. With her mouth full, she backed up and looked at him. "What the hell-" "You're hot." "Excuse me?" Joey felt her face tighten in surprise. She clutched the burger tightly. "Your temperature." Pacey rolled his eyes. "Oh." Joey's face reddened even more. -I'm an idiot.- She sat back down on the couch and crossed her legs. "I'm Ok, thanks for the burger- that's all I needed. You can go now." "Nuh-uh. Even though you say you're Ok, you're probably trying not to puke right now." "No." Joey snapped. Laying her head on the headrest, she reached for the remote control. "Besides, you probable want to go back to that dumb dinner thing." Not able to control herself, she thought out loud, "Why did I go anyways? I should have known something was going to go wrong. Something always happens. God, every time I'm in the same room with Jen, she makes me feel like an outcast! Even with my own friends! I mean, how sad is that?" She took a deep breath. "I bet she's laughing at me. The poor girl from Capeside can't even handle a little fish." She tore away some lettuce from her burger. After a moment, Pacey took a seat next to her. There was a long silence. Joey chewed slowly. "Ok," Pacey looked at her. "I can understand that you're feeling something." He blinked. "But I don't think she's laughing at you right now, Jo." "And why wouldn't she? She's everything I'm not; she gorgeous, sophisticated, she's nice-" "Stop right there. Joey, in my nicest words: that's really lame." "What are you talking about?" Joey felt a bubble of anger form in the pit of her stomach. "She may be from New York, but just because of that, that doesn't mean she's better than you. She may be a little pretty-" "Aw, c'mon, Pacey, your mouth dropped the moment you saw her. And so did Dawson's. And he still looks at her that way. And ever since she got in the picture, it's like, he's forgotten the damn about me." Joey said dryly. "Damn, Jo." A frustrated look came across Pacey's face. "Ok, I'll admit, yeah, Jen is a pretty girl, but so are you. And you should really stop comparing yourself to her, because all you're to find are flaws in you that are imaginary. You're going to start thinking that she's perfect and even though it may seem that way, she's not. No one's-" "-Perfect." Joey finished for him. She looked away and sighed. -So then why does it seem that way?- "But I can't stop comparing myself to her. I've tried, Pacey, but, it's like, I don't know, every time she's around me, I suddenly feel like I don't even belong in the same room with her." "Then you have to stop thinking like that. You have to get over Dawson." Joey's eyes widened with surprise. She was about to protest, when she realized that she wasn't over Dawson. And besides, she was tired to trying to defend herself. Joey's eyes filled with tears. "How? It's not that easy, Pacey, I wish it was, but it just isn't." Pacey sat closer to her and grabbed her hand. "Yeah, wouldn't I know it?" He said glumly. Joey suddenly remembered about how hard it was for Pacey when he had to break up with Andie. And she suddenly felt tired. She closed her eyes and leaned back on the couch. It was weird she knew, but holding Pacey's hand gave her comfort. "But we'll get out of it. Together." He squeezed her hand. "After all, that's what friends are for, right?" "Right." Joey smiled at him warmly. She could still hear the rain pouring hard outside. The setting was the same, but somehow, Joey felt happier then she had been, knowing that she could always count on Pacey. And the feeling was good.
*
*~* End of Chapter One*~*
*~* Chapter 2 will be probably be done and posted on the internet before
the month is over if my teachers don't give me a lot of homework*~*
* Did you guys like that fanfic? I hope so; I've never really been too good
at writing. but please give me your thoughts and comments! E-mail me at
SILENTANGELT@AOL.COM I hope to finish up chapter 2 before this month is over (hopefully). Just so you know, this is a Joey+Pacey fanfic. It may not seem like it now, but
trust me: it will. LoL, I've always loved Pacey and Joey together. They make such a cute couple, don't you think? Does anybody know who they end up
with in the very last episode? (