Kelly sighed as she closed the door later that night. She could at last breathe normally. That was close! Having Pacey hear that phone conversation and her mom almost slipping. She should really be careful. She can't let Pacey know, she just can't.
With heavy footsteps, she walked up the stairs. She saw her mom waiting for her in her room when she got in. She smiled weakly.
"So, what did Dad say?"
"Nothing much. Except that I should be taking care of you or else he'll take you back to New York and I'll never see you again."
Kelly sat beside her mother and rested her head on her shoulder. "Don't worry about him, okay?"
"I don't think he'll ever forgive me for what happened ten years ago!"
"Mom," she whispered in a firm voice. Suddenly she was so tired and sleepy. "It doesn't matter what Dad thinks. I still love you and I'm here with you now because I do. I don't care about what happened what I know is I want to spend this time with you."
Joyce hugged her. "Thanks, honey."
"You're welcome."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just a little tired, you know?"
Joyce frowned and looked at her intently. "I told you school's going to be tough but you won't listen."
She shook her head slowly. "It's not school. It's Dad. I just miss him, I guess."
"Really?"
"Just a little, Mom. Don't tell me you're jealous." Kelly smiled as she teased her mother.
Joyce shrugged. "I can't help it. I'll always doubt myself—"
"Stop. I don't doubt you. You're my mother and I love you. I want to stay here with you. That's all that matters and all that should matter."
The two said goodnight and after changing into her pajamas, Kelly finally rested and fell asleep.
The next morning she was feeling much better. And just to lift her spirits up, she wore a bright red leather jacket over a black shirt and paired it with tight-fitting black pants. Her heeled boots completed her sexy outfit.
"Where are you going? To a party?" Her mother asked during breakfast.
"To school. I just thought I needed something colorful to cheer me up."
"Still feeling tired?"
Kelly finished her glass of milk before answering, "Kinda."
"I could call the school and you could—"
"Mom. I can handle it, okay? I don't want my friends to worry about me when there's absolutely nothing to worry about."
Her day went slowly but well. She had the normal load of homework and she was feeling lousy about it.
"Did David fetch you from class?" It was Pacey. He always asked her questions like that. Did David buy her lunch, carry her books, and hold her hand when they cross the street—anything! And sometimes he'd ask her if David kissed her like that or something. And Kelly found it so amusing that he'd try to top whatever David did.
"Actually no."
"Hah!"
"That's because we had the same classes together so he didn't have to."
"Shit."
Kelly smiled and linked her hands with his. "I'll tell you what David did not do."
Pacey's face lit up immediately. "What?"
"He didn't look this good wearing an old sweatshirt."
"Thanks. You look great as usual, by the way."
"I try."
They walked down the hallway. They were supposed to meet Dawson and Jen. The gang was going over to Dawson's house to do their homework and since homework was something the two of them haven't been doing, they figured it was worth a try.
"Is your mom okay?"
"Yeah."
"She looked pretty shaken yesterday."
"She gets that way with Dad. I guess she thinks he'll never forgive her for what happened a long time ago."
"Have you?"
"What?"
"Forgiven her."
"I was very mad and hurt at first but later on I just understood her. I didn't like what she did but I understood it, you know? She just wasn't happy with Dad."
"I thought you wanted them together."
"Yeah… but… it's more of like a little girl's fantasy of having a perfect family, I guess."
"So you don't really think they'd get back together?"
"I don't think so…"
Pacey opened the door for her and they stepped out of the building and into the cold. Kelly hugged her jacket tightly.
"Cold?"
"My jacket's not thick enough."
Pacey placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her nearer to him to warm her up. He saw Dawson sitting on one of the benches and they started walking towards him.
"Where's Jen?"
"She's getting her books from her locker."
Kelly sat down beside Dawson. She was feeling so cold.
"You okay?" Dawson looked concerned.
"Of course." She even smiled.
They were discussing their lessons for that day when they heard a voice from far away yell, "Kelly!"
Kelly's head snapped up and she started to tremble. Not from the cold. She stood up. "What are you doing here?"
"I've been looking everywhere for you!" The guy, who looked their age but dressed very well in classy clothes, walked briskly and stopped just in front of Kelly. He looked worried and angry. But mostly, worried.
"How did you find me?"
"I asked your Dad where you were. I told him I just wanted to see you and try to talk things through. He wants you to come home with me."
"I can't believe this! Dad told you?"
"He knows I care for you, Kelly. Please. Go back to New York with me." He stepped closer and grabbed Kelly by the shoulders.
Pacey stepped in. "Hey!" He pushed the guy gently. "Who are you anyway?"
"I'm David."
"David?"
"Yeah. The guy she dumped before she moved back here."
"You dumped him? But you said—"
Kelly pulled at David's windbreaker. "Let's go!" The two of them started to walk away.
"Kelly?!?" Pacey was suddenly confused.
"I'll talk to you later, okay?"