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True Love Renewed

Chapter 13: Back to Boston

January 14, 2002

The first day of classes was going by quickly for Joey, who was finding it very easy to get back in the habit of getting up to go to classes. She had a couple of art classes this semester that she thought she would really enjoy. At lunchtime she was on her way to meet Pacey for a quick bite before he headed off for his first college class. She couldn't help but wonder how he would make out. He was taking a psychology class and an English Lit class, since they had been his favorites in high school. She had a feeling that Miss Jacobs had a big part in Pacey's enjoying the latter so much. As she walked into the restaurant where she was supposed to meet Pacey she looked around but didn't see him anywhere. Suddenly his familiar voice spoke up from behind her.

"It's about time you got here Potter. Do you want me to be late for my first day of school?"

"You late for class? Nah, that would never happen. You have way too much respect for the education system," she replied sarcastically.

"Very funny Jo. I'm telling you. I'm a changed man. I'm not the same Pacey Witter you dated in high school."

"So, Jack's gaydar is getting better."

"Ha ha. I am not gay Jo. In fact I would be more than willing to prove that to you right now if you would like."

"No thank you Pacey. I'll take your word for it."

"Your choice. I would take me up on the offer if I was you though. You might not get another chance."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take."

"Ok. Just remember, you were warned."

"I'll keep that in mind in case I ever start regretting my decision."

They sat down and each ordered a hamburger and a coke. As they ate Joey told Pacey about her morning classes and Pacey told Joey that he was worried about his first college experience.

"You'll do fine Pacey. I know you can do it."

"Thanks Jo, that really means a lot to me."

"You're welcome."

"Well, I better get going if I'm going to be on time. I'll see you later Potter. Thanks for the lunch."

With that, Pacey picked up his notebook and ran out of the restaurant on his way to his first class. Joey sat there and finished eating her lunch while thinking about how glad she was that she and Pacey were friends again.

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February 14, 2002

Happy Valentine's Day to me. I don't think so. How can I be happy knowing that she is out having a romantic dinner with him? I had already seen the flowers he had sent to her dorm room and now they were out eating at the nicest restaurant in Boston. Pacey got up and started getting ready to go to eat with Grams and Jen. The three of them had decided to eat together since the two couples had Valentines plans. While he walked to the apartment he thought about how this semester was going so far. He was doing well in his two classes, although he probably could do better. The others were all maintaining their standings from the previous semester. On Fridays, whoever was in town continued to have dinner together with Grams. These gatherings seemed to be getting smaller though. Joey was going home a lot of weekends. She said it was to help Bessie and Bodie with the B&B, but it amazed Pacey that every time she went home for a weekend either Jen or Jack and Tobey seemed to be going home that weekend too. Pacey could never go along because he had to get a second job in order to afford his classes and usually ended up working on the weekends. His only consolation was that Drue never went along with her either. That wasn't much of a consolation though because she spent almost all of her free time during the week with Drue. Pacey still got jealous every time he saw them together, but Joey was happy so he was trying to be happy for her. Pacey stopped at the store on his way and bought two bouquets of flowers. One for Grams and one for Jen. He then continued on his way to dinner. When he got to the apartment he knocked on the door and presented the first batch of flowers to Jen when she opened it.

"For you beautiful."

"Thank you Pacey. What are those?"

"These are for Grams. No woman should face a flowerless Valentine's Day."

"Well thank you very much Pacey," said Grams as she entered the room. "I've made spaghetti for dinner. I hope that suits everyone."

"Sounds great to me," said a very enthusiastic Pacey. "I'm really glad I'm getting to spend tonight with the two loveliest women in Boston."

"Well aren't you just being the sweet one tonight. What's gotten into you?" asked Jen.

"Nothing. Just telling the truth."

At that moment Grams came back into the room to announce that dinner was ready. The three of them moved to the dining area and sat down to enjoy their dinner. While they were eating Jen brought up the topic of spring break.

"So Pacey, are you going back to Capeside for spring break?"

"No, I have to stay in town and work. How bout you?"

"Well, I'm going to be here for part of it and in Capeside for part of it. Grams is staying here so I will stay her for a couple of days with her, but then I am going back to Capeside to stay with Joey while Drue is in New York."

"Drue's going to New York?"

"Yeah, his mother is making him go spend time with his father. He really doesn't want to go, but you know how his mother is. Anyway, he's going to be gone the second half of the break, so I'm going to keep Joey company, along with Jack and Tobey of course."

"Of course."

"What about Dawson, is he going to be home that week?"

"Didn't you hear? His break is the week after ours so he is going home for a couple of days and then spending the rest of his break here visiting us. He's going to stay with Grams while he is here. Isn't that great?"

"Yeah it is. I wish someone had told me. I would have offered to let him stay with me. I'm sure I could manage to find some room on the floor for a sleeping bag."

"You mean and actually clean the apartment? You're floor would probably disintegrate at the first touch of cleaning supplies."

"Probably, but it would be worth it to have Dawson stay with me for a couple of days."

After this the conversation turned to classes and work and movies. Just some idle chit chat to get through dinner with. After dinner Jen and Pacey watched a movie while Grams finished some knitting she had been working on. When the movie ended Pacey got up and announced his intentions of going home to study for his psychology exam the next day. He thanked Grams for dinner, gave each lady a hug and a kiss on the cheek and then left to walk back to his apartment. The whole way home he couldn't help but wonder what Joey and Drue had decided to do after their dinner and whether or not their date was over now.