Description: My version of how Joey and Pacey collide, set after high school.
Disclaimer: I only own the storyline not the characters.
Author's note: If anyone reviews, I will update.
Missed Opportunities
Chapter# 1
(Pacey's pov)
" What about you Witter?", I hear my friend Clay ask. Shaking my head lost in thought, I glance in his direction. What about me? Seriously have no clue what he is referring to right about now. I have not been paying attention to a word these two have been saying. My mind has been a bit preoccupied lately. A few weeks ago on a visit to Capeside, I ran into none other then miss Josephine Potter. That girl brings back some memories. The two of us hadn't seen one another in a while. Guess we sort of lost touch when she left for Worthington. Hell, I only spent half of high school trying my damnedest to get Joey to notice me. Never was able to catch her attention sadly. Just never could seem to gather up the courage needed to ask her out. Then again even if I had its not likely Jo would have said yes. That girl is way out of my league and always has been. There had been a few times where I came close to putting it all out there for Potter. The thought of her rejecting me is what always seemed to stop me.
" What about me? Sorry, I haven't heard a word about what you three are talking about.", I admit with a distracted shrug of my shoulders. Lately I have not been able to get Joey out of my head. Seeing her a few weeks ago really took me back. Hell, Potter was one of the first girls I ever kissed. It was our freshmen year and we were paired together on a project. Unfortunately I had killed the two snails we were supposed watch mate and lost our row boat when we had gone in search of more. The day had just been so perfect, and it was then I noticed Joey as a hell of a lot more then the girl I teased and traded insults with. It took all I had to kiss her that day, sadly it never amounted to anything seeing as how Joey did not feel the same one bit. I had put myself out there and been shot down, it hurt like hell.
" Whose the one who got away? Don't bother telling me there isn't one either. I have noticed how distracted you have been as of lately.", pries Ben with an arched eyebrow. Having stopped what they were doing, both Clay and Lucas turn their attention towards me. Gee, thanks Ben. Way to put me on the spot. Obviously there is a girl, her name is Josephine Lynn Potter. I'm not about to let these morons know this. I would much rather not pick at an old wound. Besides it doesn't even matter, the chances of me ever telling Joey how I feel and her not laughing in my face are slim to none. While settling for Potter's friendship might not be ideal, what other choice do I have? Really wish these guys would change the subject already, Joey is not something I would like to talk about.
" Fortunately for you, even if there was a girl I would never tell you.", I acknowledge with a smirk and an amused shake of my head. They do not seem to be happy with my answer. Not sure what they were really expecting. Sure I might still hold the torch for Joey, that doesn't mean I am going to continue to pine over her. I have long since come to terms with the fact that Potter and I are not meant to be. If we were then she would have noticed how badly I wanted her to see me as more then the guy who pestered her to no end. At the end of the day I was never able to. It is not as though I expected for anything to happen between the two of us, though I had hoped at least.
Cracking open a beer, Clay takes a few gulps," Oh, come on Witter. We have all spilled our guts to you man."
Offering a simple shrug of my shoulders, I take a bite from my slice of pizza," I never said that you had to."
" Wow, this girl must have done a number on you Pacey.", remarks Lucas much to my disliking. Wonder what could have possibly given that away? Could it have been the fact that I am not willing to discuss said feelings towards a miss Josephine Potter. Why the hell would I? Haven't I put my heart through enough already? Who knows how long I have wanted Joey to see me the way I see her. After high school the two of us drifted apart majorly. We never really kept in touch. Sure we saw one another on holidays but that was about it. Truth is it hurt seeing Joey knowing I could never be the one who made her happy.
" Guess that you could say that she did man.", I admit with a heavy sigh. The guys must have noticed the heart ache in my voice as they have since changed the subject. All this talk about Joey has really struck a nerve. Even now I can't help wondering where she is or who she is with. Since I ran into her a few weeks back in Capeside, I just can't seem to get Joey out of my mind. The girl still has a hold on me even after all these years. Who the hell am I trying to kid? Joey always will there is no use trying to deny it either. Sometimes I kick myself for never laying it all on the line for Joey. Would it have made a difference? Guess that is something I will never know.
" Speaking of women who stole our hearts, mine just drunk texted me. Looks like I'm playing designated driver. Any chance you guys want to tag along for the ride?", questions Clay before standing from his seat and grabbing his car keys. Oh that actually sounds like it could be fun. Besides it is not as though I have anything better to do. To be honest it is a little sad actually. Hell, I can't for the life of me remember when is the last time I went out with a girl. Not that the opportunity hasn't presented itself, I was just never interested. Getting out of the apartment sounds like a good idea even if only for a little while. At least then I will have some time to clear my thoughts of Joey well before I go to bed tonight. Last I want is to fall asleep with her on my mind.
" Count me out, I would rather not sit next to a girl who smells like vomit.", points out Ben before turning the television onto a game. Oh, I had not put that notion into the equation. Still, with luck she'll have puked her guts out well before we pick her up. I remember the one time that I had to bring Potter home drunk. The whole ride home she complained that I carried her out of the party. We no sooner get to her house and she is asking me to carry her inside and upstairs. Giving the fact Joey was more then wobbly on her feet, I didn't offer up much of an objection. After I had cleaned her up and helped her change I tucked Joey into bed. Saying my good nights I had no sooner turned to leave when her voice pleading with me to stay stopped me. Joey had all but grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me down beside her. Not knowing what else to do I merely spent the night with Joey asleep in my arms.
Standing from my seat, I pull on my coat," I'm in, I could use some fresh air."
Stepping into his boots, Clay quickly ties them," Cool, come on. I don't want to keep her waiting Pacey."
" Are you hoping tonight just might be your shot Clay?", I question as I follow him from our apartment. I'm not an idiot, I noticed the hopeful glint in his eye. It reminded me of the one I once had at the thought of Joey. What I wouldn't give for a real chance with her. Given a shot, I don't know if I could ever make Joey happy. This said that is not to say that I wouldn't try my damnedest. The only thing I want is to be the only guy Joey has eyes for. This does not sound like all too much to ask for. Since day one it has always been her. Part of me wonders if that is why I had relentlessly pestered Potter all those years. Could it really have just been my way of saying I love you?
" I'm not holding my breath if that's what you're asking. But yeah, guess you could say a small part of me is.", confides Clay with a heavy sigh. Really feel for the guy right now. There was a time when I was in Clay's position. No matter what I did it was never enough to catch Potter's attention. After a while I sort of just gave up trying. Part of me always knew that I didn't stand a shot in hell with Joey. This knowledge never stopped me from falling unfortunately. Oh and when I fell it was hard, all the sudden Jo went from the annoying girl across the creek to one who had caught my affection. There were more then a few times that I have tripped over myself for Potter. Hell, I nearly got suspended over the girl.
" You're a good guy Clay, any girl can see that.", I point out with a gruff nod of my head. It is the truth too, Clay is a great guy. Here he is going out of his way to rescue a girl who has yet to notice him as more then a friend. Seriously do not get girls sometimes. How can they be so clueless? How often does a guy go out of his way to get you to notice him? Shouldn't this be a sign that he is into you? Hell, I know that if I had a girl fawning all over me it would make me wonder if they were into me. Just once I wish Joey could have known how much I cared for her. For Christ sake I was all but willing to do just about anything for her. If I weren't there is no way in hell I would have drove to Boston University to pick Joey up when things went downhill with prince charming.