Chapter 03

The More Things Change.

Each day that past made it easier. Easier to go on. Easier to be her. Pacey and Dawson were back on speaking terms, back to friends. Joey wondered if she and Pacey would ever get back to anything. They had been home over two months, and after their conversation on the lawn they hadn't spoken since. She was not part of the crowd anymore. She had hurt Pacey too much, and she wasn't about to take more, so she left. She made new friends, and she studied, and she created a whole new existence for herself. It all felt like a dream. She would walk by during lunch, and they would all be there. Where they had always been, but she wasn't one of them anymore, and it hurt. Pacey had started working at the docks, and he seemed happier. He and Andie seemed to be getting close again. She spent some time with Dawson outside of school and they were growing closer. She would never ask for more from him. He was only human and you could only hurt someone so many times before it hardens him or her. It was senior year and she had no one. She sat in a corner in the library reading her literature book.

"Edgar Allen Poe sure could be depressing".. she though as she read

"Once upon the midnight dreary

while I pondered weak and weary

over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore

As I nodding nearly napping

Suddenly there came a tapping

As if someone gently rapping upon the door."

"blah, blah, blah." she said to herself. Looking up she saw Dawson standing at the end of the isle looking at Poe also. She walked up behind him and whispered "Lenore."

Dawson jumped and laughed when he saw who it was. "Very funny."

"I thought so" she smiled. That however was followed by silence. "So. have any big plans this weekend?"

Dawson looked at her wished she knew how much he wanted any plans he had to be with her. "Not really. Jack and Holden are out as usual. Jen is with Henry, and I think Andie has plans to visit her mom. Pacey is working all weekend. What about you?"

Joey shrugged, "Nothing. Studying."

As they were talking Pacey walked by. He stopped. He knew Dawson was what was wrong with him and Joey, but he was helpless to stop it. He saw the history. You could see it in the animated way they spoke, in the simple touching of a shoulder, that something was there. Something he couldn't compete with. Partially hiding behind the shelving he watched them. It seemed so long since he had last kissed her. So long since her last smart ass retort. He missed her.

Andie peeked around him before speaking. She saw Dawson and Joey. They were obviously having a good conversation, laughing, and smiling. She knew it would bother Pacey, but what she didn't want to admit was that it was bothering her. She had assumed Dawson and her were best friends. They had grown so close over the summer, but as soon as Joey got home, they hardly spoke. She was lucky enough to be spending most of her free time with Pacey. That was what she had wanted for sooo long, and now? Well, now. it was. different. They were definitely friends, nothing more. She didn't mind that at all, but it bothered her that she and Dawson seemed to be nothing more either. She shook her head and scolded herself silently. What was she thinking?!

"So, you gonna stand there and stare or go over and say HI?"

Pacey jumped, "Andie! I didn't see you there."

"I know. " She smiled. "You and Dawson are friends again right?" He nodded. "So why the stalker act?"

"Andie, Dawson and I may be friends again, but Joey and I certainly are not. She made it clear I'm not what she wants."

Andie watched the pain in his face. She wanted so much for him to be happy again.

Actually, partially she wanted Joey not so close to Dawson. "What am I doing?" Andie asked out loud, not realizing she had done so.

"Doing what?" Pacey asked crocking his head to look at her.

Andie paused, feeling caught. "Ohh , umm, I mean, look at me helping you out with your girl problems. Who'd a thought?"

Pacey smiled but her knew something was up. She had that look on her face. That look that she tried to hide. The one that said she was thinking about something that she didn't want to be thinking about.

Andie hoped she was hiding the jealous feeling in her stomach. It was a weird feeling, one she hadn't had since Pacey first kissed her. Why, oh why did it have to be for Dawson. He was in love with Joey, and always would be. She didn't want this feeling, whatever it was. So she pushed it aside. Only times like his. times when she saw them together that is was harder to disguise. She looked over and saw Jack and Holden studying at a nearby table.

"Hey, it's Jackers and Holden. Come say hi with me Pacey." She grabbed Pacey by the hand and pulled him with her to their table. "Hi guys. "

The looked up at Andie and Pacey. "Well hello there my darling annoying sister. Hey Pace." Jack said.

"What's up guys." Pacey said.

Holden smiled, "Well, I was just telling Jack here that since this week is our six month anniversary I have a surprise planned for Saturday night. He however is insisting that I do nothing to commemorate this event."

"Jackers! Come on.this is an important time is a relationship. You should celebrate ever milestone." Andie cheerfully chimed in.

"I agree Jack. Never pass up a anniversary celebration." Pacey added.

Dawson was thrilled to be having this conversation with Joey. While she was telling him about a cute thing Alexander had done the other day he noticed Pacey watching them, and felt a twinge of guilt. She was after all still a sore spot between them, so when he saw Andie walk up he thought she would pull him away. Instead she and he had locked eyes and he felt a strange guilt hit him the stomach. He knew that since Joey and Pacey's return their friendship had dwindled. After all they had done for each other last summer, suddenly they were almost strangers. Why did that bother him? He and Andie had been there for each other when they had no one else, but things were different now.for both of them.

"Earth to Dawson. Come in Dawson." He heard Joey calling as Pacey and Andie walked away.

"I'm sorry."

"Where'd you disappear to?"

"So, back to this weekend. I know you're on this whole self supporting kick, but I don't think a quick stop at a retro Leery Movie Nite would destroy that. do you?" He asked

Joey had never been so happy to say yes. "I would love to Mr. Leery. Only this time I think we should change location."

"Meaning?" Dawson questioned

"Meaning you're parents are still in honeymoon mode, and since Bessie and Bodie have taken Alex to see Bodie's parents my house is empty. and I would say a prime video viewing arena." Dawson laughed.

"I'll bring the movies."

"I'll pop the popcorn." She said as naturally as if movie nite hadn't vanished almost a year ago. It was so easy with Dawson. So natural. So, right. She only hoped tonite wouldn't be the last movie nite for a while. Maybe they could make it a regular thing again.

"Ok, then. I'll be there around. 8:00?" Dawson said

"Sounds good to me. Bye Dawson." She touched his arm and Dawson felt his insides turn to mush.

Joey grabbed her bag and left the library. A smile large as day on her face. Pacey caught a glance of her walking out and knew their time was over.

"Penny for your thoughts" Jen interrupted.

"Huh?!"

'You, Joey, a thing of the past. I'm getting a definite vibe that says. yes, yes, it says you've given up."

"What other choice do I have Jen? No matter what I do, it's always gonna be Dawson. I refuse to torture myself unnecessarily. I'm young."

"That you are."

"And not to be conceited, but I'm a good looking guy."

"No arguments here"

"And I have more going for me then my looks.:

"Virtual Voltaire" Jen smiled.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm single and on the move."

"Preach it brother man."

"Time to let the women of Capeside know Pacey Witter is up for grabs." Pacey picked up his bag and walks out of the library leaving Jen behind smiling.

"God help the women of Capeside." Just then Jen spotted Henry. She watched him confused. It was Sixth period. He was supposed to be at football practice. Why would he be in the library? She crept up behind the large book shelving where he was to surprise her young boyfriend but as she began to move the books aside she noticed he wasn't alone. Standing next to him, was Shelly. Shelly, the hoe bag waitress from the restaurant was hitting on him again, and this time she knew he was Jen's. Instead of breaking it up she decided to watch. Henry seemed a little too comfortable with Shelly. She decided to move a little closer to the conversation to hear what was going on.

"Henry, you are such a bad boy" she heard Shelly say as Henry whispered something in her ear. "Well, don't be so nervous. I won't tell Jen if you won't." Shelly laughed.

Henry looked around nervously and Jen had to duck to not be seen. "I'm just not this kind of guy Shelly. I don't lie to get out of practice and I don't cheat on my girlfriend."

Jen almost smiled.

" Henry, if your not sleeping with her, then sleeping with me isn't cheating. It's. exploring you options. I got sent home sick from trig. so, come on. my house is empty, and so is my bed. though not for much longer Mr. Parker I assure you."

Jen felt the tear well up in her eyes. She had trusted Henry. She had let down exquisitely built walls for him and he had betrayed her. She refused to stand there and be helpless. She knew she had to confront him, and she had to do it now.

"Henry Parker you sophomore piece of hormonally driven, lying, no good, from this moment on single piece of filth. And you, you over made up, skank incapable of finding your own boyfriend, you both can go to Hell."

She turned around and saw the whole library watching the current situation. With that she pushed her way past the crowd that had gathered and left, Henry running behind her.

"Jen, Jen, wait! Jen!" Henry called grabbing her arm.

She pulled away and turned around, "If you ever so much as look my way again Henry, you'll be in desperate need of surgeon to remove my foot from your ass. It's over."

"Jen, no, listen. I'm sorry. It's just I'm sixteen and I'm ready. for so much more, and you mean more to me then just sex, so I thought.."

"I wouldn't finish the sentence if you know what's good for you. This is it Henry. I'm walking away, and nothing, I repeat nothing you can do or say, that includes loitering holding signs, and preparing picnics is going to save you from this, or change my mind." She turned away from him and didn't look back as she headed over to where she knew Pacey had parked hoping he hadn't left yet."