Okay. Sorry it took so long to update, I went to a Justin and Christina concert and my mind was totally fixated on that. Anyway, this chapter sort of sucks but things will get interesting the next chapter. I promise. Thanks to everyone who responded to it! -Jelisha

Chapter Three

'I've been torn apart so many times, I've been hurt so many times before, So be careful and be kind.'

"Jen, are you sure about this?" Joey whispered into the shorter girl beside her, glancing eyes headed towards them and Joey trembled. She knew this was a bad idea from the moment that Jen had suggested it.

They were both standing inside the local hospital waiting room, Jen had suggested that Joey file a job application form since the hospital was hiring teens to file medicine records for them. It was the perfect way for Joey to earn extra cash for the bills at the B&B and save some extra on the side for her own personal use.

But she was hesitant now, as she stood looking around uneasily. Everyone around her knew about her history, they knew that her mother had died from cancer and that her father was in prison. But more importantly they knew that her older sister was married to a Black man, which in this small town was considered a crime.

She could care less what others thought of her, she had learned from the past that there were going to be people who would try to stand in her way to keep her achieving her goals. But she wouldn't let them. Dawson had given her the confidence that she had always lacked in the past.

It was still the nagging feeling that she didn't want to work for anyone that would be talking behind her back when the doors were closed shut. She didn't want to give anyone that satisfaction in knowing that they could use her whenever they felt the need to.

"Joey, I'm giving you the chance to help out your family," Jen noticed the nervous look on Joey's face, "don't worry about anyone else. That's not why we're here. Hold your head up high and go get that job. I'll be waiting outside if you need me." She whispered softly, before exiting out of the waiting room.

Watching her somewhat of a friend walk away, she took a deep silent breath. This didn't have to be a big deal, if she didn't let it be. Walking to the counter where a white woman with glasses sat, reading what seemed to be a romance novel, she cleared her throat loudly to gather the assistant's attention.

The older woman looked annoyed as she traveled her eyes to the petite young girl before her, she almost scowled. It reminded her of the days when she was a teenager herself, now her curves where considered clumps and her so called husband had left her for the maid. Shaking her head from her thoughts, she smiled lightly. "Do you have an appointment?"

Joey nodded, "Actually, I had called earlier to speak with Dr. Johnson about a job offering."

The woman nodded her head understandingly, "Ah. Yes, I remember your call. She is waiting for you in her office," she pointed her finger towards the door down the hall, "just go straight down this hall and her office is the last door."

Nodding towards the older woman, Joey smiled softly before walking down the hall and towards the door. Letting a tiny sigh escape her lips, she knocked softly onto the glass window. She didn't know why she was so afraid; it didn't matter if she got this job or not. There were plenty of other offerings she could take.

"Come in," A voice echoed outside of the office, twisting the knob to open the door, she entered the office. It was a small area, with barely any shelves for books and belongings. But by glancing around she could tell that it was a very comfy place.

The older woman looked to be around her late 20's, she was pretty, Joey noted, with her long blonde hair and hazel eyes. She grinned as Joey walked in, standing up; she reached out her hand. "Ah, you must be Josephine?" Joey shook her hand and sat in the chair across the older woman's desk.

Relaxing just a bit, she nodded. "Yes, Dr. Johnson..."

"Stop right there," the older woman held up her hand in protest, "I feel so old when people call me that, especially my patients. So call me Helen." She grinned.

Joey smirked, "Okay. Helen," she whispered to herself a bit mockingly, before becoming more serious once again. "I know that there are a lot of applicants wanting this job, and you've probably heard from the town gossip about me and that might cloud your judgment on whether I fit the right criteria for this job..."

Helen arched her left brow in question, "What town gossip?" The younger girl's eyes widened, as she couldn't believe that this woman was living in Capeside and didn't even hear about the daily gossip that flows around this sneaky little town. "Put your eyeballs back in their sockets, I have no intention of listening to what others claim to be the truth. Never judge a book by its cover. That's my personal motto, besides I've read your profile. I'm very impressed."

Blushing slightly, Joey ran her fingers down her skirt, just to do something. She wasn't really good with accepting compliments. "Thank you." She whispered softly, her eyes raising to meet Helen's.

Clasping her hands together, she stood from where she was sitting. "What are you doing tomorrow evening?" She said quite curiously.

Joey shrugged, she really hoped that this wasn't a closet homosexual who was trying to get close to her. That was the last thing she needed right then. "Nothing in particular, I might have to take care of some things at the B&B."

Helen leaned her left hip against the edge of her desk, and nodded. "I see. Well, every month I have a little party at the dance hall down the street. And this month, I want to see how all the applicants for this job, including you, react to such events. It would be a shame to hire someone who is stuck up and can't have any fun."

Looking far off for just a second, Joey agreed slightly, even though she knew that she wasn't much of a fun person. Well, unless she was drunk. "Okay. Well I'll be there."

Helen walked over to the younger girl, "Oh and bring a date. We have these little games that we play with dancing partners and so everyone has to bring someone." If it was any more possible the woman's smile became wider, she acted like an obsessed fan and it was sort of funny considering that she was twenty-eight years old.

Hesitantly, Joey licked her lips. Who was she going to bring? She had no one. The idea of bringing along Pacey entered into her thoughts. No. She wouldn't ask him to come with her. He would make a fool of himself and more importantly, he would make her look like a fool.

She couldn't ask Bodie, even though Helen said she didn't care about small town gossip, she knew that it would not be such a good idea to bring along her sister's husband. Biting onto her lower lip, she looked deep in thought, she hadn't noticed that Helen was now beginning to leave her office.

"Joey, are you all right? You look pale." Helen whispered, her blue eyes staring at the younger girl in slight concern.

Joey snapped out of her daze, and then smiled reassuringly, nodding her head. "I'm fine, Helen." She whispered, before heading towards the door, "but I'll be there tomorrow night, you can count on that."

Helen grinned; leading the way out of her office, with Joey close behind she turned around unexpectedly. "I'm glad I had the chance to meet you, Josephine." She moved closer to the younger girl and quickly gave her a kiss on the cheek; "It was a pleasure." Pulling away, she winked and began to walk down the hall, leaving Joey standing in confusion.

Running her fingers through her hair, she groaned. She wanted the job, without a doubt, but having to go to some stupid party wasn't her idea of fun. Especially if Dawson couldn't be there to take her. Her mind wandered onto her love, she hadn't thought of him in the past few days.

She had been so focused on the B&B, that she forgotten him and how much she missed him. She knew that Pacey was talking to him behind her back, she wasn't psychic, but she wasn't dumb either. It had hurt her to know that Dawson didn't want to speak to her, he didn't try to contact her or give her some sort of sign that he missed her.

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. Now she remembered why she didn't surround her thoughts on him now. It made her angry. Just thinking how he was willing to throw away everything just because a stupid fight. She needed to separate her thoughts from him. It wasn't worth it...at least not right now.

She had to worry about tomorrow's night party. What was she going to wear? But more importantly, whom was she going to bring? Sighing loudly, she closed her eyes briefly. There was only one choice that kept recurring in her mind and she felt sick of even thinking of the possibility.

But even as she felt nauseous, somewhere deep inside, a feeling began to creep inside of her, a warmth feeling just knowing that he might say yes. She didn't know where that feeling was coming from and quite frankly, she didn't want to why she was feeling that way. It scared her.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she exited the hospital. Trying her best to get her thoughts from the recent urge she had just felt. But throughout the whole drive to his house, the aching of it kept returning. ~*~

The tide waves outside of the small home clashed against the ocean, and she looked out onto it, before entering the small house. Her blue eyes scanning for any figure in sight. "Pacey?" There was no answer. "Doug?" She whispered softly, making her way into the kitchen.

Smiling softly, there stood his older brother, in an apron, listening to classical music while cooking dinner. The food aroma hit her nostrils in a quick sniff, and her stomach groaned at the smell. She hadn't ate since early that morning and now it was almost evening time.

Folding her arms across her chest, she leaned against the kitchen counter. "Doug?" He didn't respond instead his head bobbing to the music slightly he was too entranced. Clearing her throat, she spoke a little bit louder. "Doug?"

He jumped back in surprise, and placed a hand to his chest. Calming himself down, he reached over to turn down the volume on his stereo. Wiping his hands against the apron he was wearing, he continued chopping his tomatoes, and then placing them into the pot that sat on the stove.

"Hello Josephine, what may I ask, are you looking for today? Or who are you looking for?" He turned his head slightly and winked at her. She blushed before turning her eyes away from his gaze.

"Is Pace here? I need to speak with him for just a moment," She wanted to leave the kitchen as soon as possible. Her stomach was aching to be fed and the smell of his cooking was definitely getting to her.

Doug pointed his right index finger up towards the ceiling, she understood perfectly. He was in his room. Giving her his thanks softly, she walked up the stairs and headed towards his room. As she began to inch closer she could hear him talking to someone, he was most likely on the phone.

Leaning on to the door, she could hear his conversation perfectly. And it was obvious by quick reactions by Pacey that he was talking to Dawson. Her eyes closed briefly, but she became anxious as she heard Pacey say her name.

"Joey? Man, she's fine." He was quiet for a moment, and she wondered what Dawson was saying to him, she heard Pacey's soft laughter and her cheeks darkened with redness. She didn't know why the hell she kept blushing and acting like a girl with a crush every time she thought of Pacey.

It was getting ridiculous.

It had become clear to her as she escaped her thoughts that he was now off the phone. Gaining her self-esteem, she pushed the door, without knocking, and was met by his confused stare. She once again felt that blush creeping upon her cheeks, and she groaned inwardly, darting her eyes away from his. She felt so stupid.

"Jo? What are you doing here? And more importantly...in my room?" He asked puzzled, but a grin tugged at his lips.

She shrugged her shoulders, dumbfounded. Her blue eyes gazed upon a half- eaten sandwich that was beyond spoiled. It looked rather disgusting. "Pacey, that is nauseating." She pointed to the sandwich.

He looked towards it and didn't see the disgust that she was seeing. "You made me that sandwich, I haven't finished it yet." He stated simply.

Her eyes widened, and she looked to him in surprise. "Pacey, I made you that thing THREE weeks ago. You are still eating that?" Her stomach began to churn, she couldn't believe she wanted to ask him to accompany her to that party.

He wasn't date material. She didn't understand what Andie had seen in him at all.

His laughter erupted throughout the room; she didn't see anything amusing. "You should've seen your face. No, I'm not still eating it. I was going to throw it out when I had the chance." Then something dawned on him; "You still haven't answered my first question. What are you doing here, Potter?"

Her blue eyes returned his gaze as she bit down on her lower lip, "Don't get arrogant when I tell you this but," taking a deep breath, she explained. "I have a job offer and the only way I truly have a chance in getting it is going to some upper class party that most likely will only engage people around their fifty's. So, I have to bring a date and..."

He grinned, "You're not asking me, are you Potter?"

She wanted to slap that grin off of his face, but instead she smiled back at him. Surprisingly. "Well who else is there to ask? Don't get cocky, Witter. You were my last choice, believe me."

It was a moment of silence before Pacey moved towards her, she felt a little uneasy and took a step back. "I'll come." He watched as her features relaxed slightly, "So what does a certain someone wear to this engagement?"

Clasping her hands together, she glared at him. "Some nice slacks, and a tie would be preferable. I mean it, Pacey. Don't wear a shirt that has any obscene images or writing on it. You got it?"

He nodded his head obediently. Smirking slightly, his eyes traveling throughout her body. "So, what are you wearing, Potter?"

She felt uncomfortable underneath his gaze, "Pacey, keep your eyes focused from the head up...anywhere else, you won't be able to sit down for a week." He quickly looked to meet her eyes, and she laughed. "And I don't know yet, it doesn't matter what I'm wearing because this isn't a date." She stated simply.

He held her gaze, and nodded slowly. "This is not a date." He agreed softly.

The tone of his voice surprised her and she necessarily didn't like the way he was looking at her right then. Dawson. Think of Dawson. Tearing her eyes from his own, she headed towards his door. "I'll come by at seven...,"

He interrupted her, "Hey, don't do that. I'll come by and pick you up." She turned slightly to meet his eyes, "That's what a gentleman does right?" Her lips parted, as if she was about to speak but he quickly continued speaking, "I know it's not a date. But I would feel better if I came to take you to this party, not the other way around."

Lowering her eyes to the ground beneath her, she debated whether or not to argue with him over the issue. She didn't know if this was right, having this urge to actually want to be around him, she felt as if she was betraying Dawson. Would he approve if he knew how much close his best friends becoming to be? All these questions surfaced through her thoughts, but without thinking, she smiled. A real genuine smile. Her blue eyes glistening, she whispered, "I would like that, Pace."

He let out a sigh of relief, before chuckling to himself. And she watched as he nodded his head, and turned his back to her, as if that was the end of their conversation. Exiting his room, she leaned her body against the frame of the door.

Something was developing between them. She couldn't deny it. She silently wished that it was only a close friendship that was beginning to surface but a part of her, a part that she wished to not acknowledge, wished that it was more.

Shaking her head, she exited the house. Her heartbeat increasing slightly. Instead of worrying about what she was going to wear tomorrow night, she had a frightening thought of what was to come between her and Pacey.

It was going to be a long party tomorrow night. A very long one. ~*~