Chapter 2: Pure

"So how long have you been interested in boats?" Ranae' asked as she and Pacey sat across from each other in a Ruby Tuesday's.

"A couple of years....hey you wanna ease up on the cheese fries? I ordered them for both of us." Pacey said, smiling.

"Sorry." she giggled. "I love cheese fries."

"Obviously." Pacey said. "So how long have you been interested in music?"

"I have no idea...I got put in pageants when I was like two, and I just started loving the stage from there." Ranae' replied, popping another fry in her mouth.

"Seems like you've always had your life planned out then."

"Pretty much, even though it wasn't always looked at as the right thing to do." Ranae' said. She paused. "Everyone thought I was going to grow up and work in a bank or something. When I told everyone I was moving to Boston to pursue a music career, they all thought I was joking, until I picked up and left. And now here I am."

"And I'm glad you're here, too." Pacey said with a smile.

"Pacey, you're so sweet, how is that you don't have a girlfriend?"

"I dunno. How come you don't have a boyfriend?"

"I get....shy around guys." She said, ducking her head. Pacey reached across the table and lifted her chin.

"I couldn't tell." he said softly with a smile. "But seriously, there's no reason to be scared of us, we're just as freaked out as girls are when it comes to the opposite sex."

"Maybe, but still...." Ranae' trailed off and bit her bottom lip thoughtfully.

"I don't want you to ever be shy around me, deal?" Pacey asked.

"Deal." Ranae' said with a smile.

"Now where in god's name is our food?" Pacey asked, looking for the waiter.

A few hours later....

"Which one's yours?" Ranae' asked, looking at all the boats.

"This one right here." Pacey said. "It's actually not mine, it's a friend's. But I watch it for him. I live here."

"You live here?" Ranae' asked. "Wow, that's cool."

Pacey smiled. He could tell by the way she smiled and by the way she said things that she meant every word. Most girls would think sleeping on a boat would be lame. Pacey helped her onto the boat and they sat there looking up at the stars.

"You know, I'm really glad you moved here." Pacey said.

"Me too." Ranae' replied before Pacey kissed her.

The Next Day...

"So, Pacey, how was your date with the lovely Renee?" Jen asked.

"That's Ra-na-ya, Miss Lindley, and it went great. She's a nice girl." Pacey replied. Jack and Jen looked at each other and raised their eyebrows.

"Nice girl? Since when have you ever dated a nice girl? Sans-Joey of course." Jack replied.

"Look, man, I like her. She's sweet, she's nice, she's funny, she's smart, and she's gorgeous. What more could a man want?" Pacey said with a grin.

"So where does this RA-NA-YA go to school?" Jen asked, putting emphasis on her name.

"Berklee."

"That's right down the road from our school." Jack said.

"You should bring her to one of Jack's many frat parties." Jen suggested.

"Actually I wouldn't wanna subject her to that too early." Pacey said. "She's not exactly frathouse material."

"You're dating *another* pure girl?" Jack asked.

"Yeah man. She's great." Pacey said.

"It sounds serious, Pace." Jen said.

"Not too serious, but we do have a date for tonight."

"Where?" Jack asked.

"Movies."

"Good move, in the dark. Typical Pacey."

"Jack, I am not after a piece of ass with this girl. If I wanted a piece of ass, I'd do like you said and go after some sorority girls. She's different."

"Whoa." Jen said. "This could be interesting."