"So we're not gonna talk about it?" Pacey asked her.
They were walking to the theater because she told him she missed doing that. She was wrapped comfortably in an orange quilted jacket that her mom insisted she wore. She didn't mind because it was fall, after all and it kinda was in style. But the rest of her outfit, a white sleeveless top, black leather pants and heeled sandals, were her doing, of course. Just because she's back in Capeside doesn't mean she should forget about fashion, right?
"About what?" Her feigning of innocence didn't work because Pacey stopped walking altogether and looked at her.
"Why you're here." He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked determined enough to stay there.
"If you're gonna stand there all night, we won't get to see the movie and you know how much I love Ben Affleck!"
"I won't budge."
She walked towards him and stood so close that if she wanted to, she could see the yellow flecks in his brown eyes. "Fine. But promise me you won't say a word to anyone, okay? I don't want them to think I'm immature or something. Even my mom. Okay?"
"I promise."
She sighed. "Okay. I don't really want to lie to you so I won't. My dad's getting re-married."
"What?"
"He met this model during his photo shoot and he fell in love, I guess. And he didn't even ask me, you know, if I wanted him to marry again, he just went ahead and asked her. Like he doesn't care about me. So I told him because he's busy with the preparation and all that, I should go to school here, live with mom and he'll have peace. He said sure. So here I am. He exiled me."
"You're mom doesn't know he's getting re-married?"
"She does. But she doesn't know I hate him for it. I really do, Pace. I can't stay in that house without thinking of ways to kill his fiancée."
"Why didn't you tell him that?"
"As much as I hate him, there's a part of me that still loves him. And he looks so happy that I just don't wanna burst his bubble, you know? But… I still dream about him and mom getting back together, you know? And it just sucks that they won't be."
"That sucks." He hugged her.
"You won't say a word, okay?"
"I won't. I promise."
They reached the theater with almost half an hour before the movie starts. There was quite a line already and Kelly decided it's better to get the popcorn now. Pacey said he would. She stayed in line.
Pacey walked to the refreshment stand and ordered a huge bucket of popcorn with extra cheese. As he waited for his order, a couple of guys from school saw him and went to piss him off.
"Hey, Witter! Whachudoing here?" Ronnie Harrison started.
"Don't tell me you actually have a date. With a face like that?" Ronnie's sidekick, Jordan Fritz added.
"At least my date's a girl, Jordie, not Ronnie." He didn't really wanna get into a fight with. They've been sent to the Principal's office already because they fought on school grounds. He tried to ignore them.
"Who's the girl?"
He didn't say a word and paid for his popcorn. He carried it and walked back to the line but the two stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
"Guys, I don't wanna get into this right now."
"Why not? You wanna impress your girl?"
The two bullies stepped forward and Pacey knew that if they started a fight, he won't back out from it and the night would be ruined. What a welcome party for Kelly!
"Honey! Where have you been? I've been waiting for ages!" Kelly walked towards him and linked her arm around his.
Pacey blinked. Did she really call him honey? What has gotten into her? "I got popcorn."
"Oh. Thanks." She got one kernel and popped it into her mouth. "Extra cheese. I love extra cheese." Only then did she seem to notice the two boys who were standing in front of them. "Well, hello!"
"Uh… hi!" Ronnie said. He was a little speechless and Pacey knew it was because Kelly looked like a model with her dark hair and slim figure. He fought hard not to laugh out loud.
"I'm Kelly Bishop. I'm going to Capeside High this fall. Are you guys students there, too?"
"Yeah." Jordan looked as bad as Ronnie did.
"Well, it's nice to meet you uh—"
"Ronnie."
"Jordan."
They both extended their hands for a shake but Kelly frowned her apologies. She held up her hand and shook her head. "I have butter and cheese all over my hands. I don't wanna mess you up. I'm Pacey's girlfriend."
"What?" Pacey asked out loud.
"Honey," she scolded him. "He always does that to me. He's so funny! That's what I like most about him. Besides the fact that he's absolutely the best kisser in the world." To prove her point, Kelly tilted her head up and kissed Pacey on the mouth!
He didn't know what to do at first. He was holding the popcorn and he didn't want to spill it. So he just held Kelly at the waist with his free hand.
"Uh… the movie's starting, so…"
Kelly ended the kiss when the two guys left.
"What was that all about?"
"It's called a kiss in New York. Is that how you call it here, too?"
"I know it was a kiss, Kelly. But why did you kiss me?"
"Because I'm your girlfriend. It would be too weird if your girlfriend didn't kiss you, like, all the time, right?"
"Why did you say you're my girlfriend?"
"I don't know. You guys were about to fight so I just stepped in. Don't bother to thank me, by the way."
"Thanks. I just didn't know you were going to do that."
"It won't hurt, you know."
"What?"
"To pretend I'm your girlfriend."
"What are you saying?"
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No."
"I have a boyfriend and I miss him terribly. Maybe you could pretend to be my boyfriend or something."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"What could happen? You would have someone to go out with and you don't have to ask. I would have someone to spend time with. It's the perfect set-up. I'll be the perfect girlfriend. Besides, you'll be going out with the prettiest girl in school."
"And the most conceited of all."
"Exactly. So what do you say?"
Pacey smiled and placed his arm around her shoulders. They walked towards the guy who was getting the tickets. "Just tell me I get to kiss you like that."
"And so much more," Kelly added. She was glad Pacey was there for her, he's always been there and now during this tough time, it's nice to know he's gonna support her. It hurt that she had to lie about the reason, though. It's true her dad's getting married but it was to a beautiful and kind woman who worked for him and Kelly loved her. But it's just not fair to Pacey to tell him the truth. It's not his problem.