Joey rubbed lipstick across her lower lip and pressed both her lips together. She then capped the lipstick and put it on her dresser. Joey was late getting ready and she was sure that Dawson would be at her house any minute. However, she was having trouble deciding how she wanted to go out.

Joey observed her appearance in the dresser mirror and sighed. She scooped up a hair brush and ran it through her hair. Joey growled out loud because she couldn't make herself look the way she wanted.

"You look great." said Bessie, standing in the doorway.

Joey turned from the mirror and smiled lightly at her older sister.

"I look like a train wreck."

"That's a lie and you know it. You always look beautiful."

"Thanks Bess but today I just want to look plain."

Bessie's face crumpled up in distaste.

"What do you mean plain?"

"I want Dawson to see me as "plain" Joey Potter and nothing more."

"Now I've heard everything." laughed Bessie, entering Joey's bedroom and sitting on her bed.

Joey smiled and put the brush back on her dresser. She laughed lightly and sat next to Bessie.

"Yeah, I thought I'd never say that either."

"So what's going on with you and Mr. Leery anyway?"

"We're just friends but he wants something more. I'm just not ready for a relationship."

"Really?" asked Bessie, raising an eyebrow.

"Well not exactly."

Bessie nodded her head in confirmation. She understood what Joey was saying.

"You're just not ready for a relationship with Dawson."

"That about sums it up." said Joey, blowing wind through her lips.

"So let me guess. You finally have eyes for Pacey Witter."

Joey's mouth opened in shock. Is it that obvious, she thought?

"How did you know?"

"Well Joey, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. You and Pacey have spent a lot of time together lately, and I've seen the way he looks at you. You're Pacey's world. He has been by your side all year and watching over you the whole time. Besides, he didn't seem too happy when you were dating AJ. I knew it was just a matter of time before you realized that you cared for Pacey." said Bessie, rubbing Joey's shoulder.

"Well I've finally realized it but it doesn't seem to matter. I feel as if the world is working against us. There is no way that Pacey and I could be together without somebody getting hurt."

"Well you have to ask yourself one question."

"What's that?"

"Is Pacey worth it?"

Joey thought for a moment. Pacey Witter was the most infuriating person she had ever met but ironically he was also the most endearing person she had ever met. He had practically turned her world upside down. A year ago they were barely friends but now Pacey crossed her mind almost every second of the day. Joey did care for him and she quickly realized that Pacey Witter was worth it.

"Yes, he's worth it." said Joey with a smile.

"Then you need to make Dawson understand that." said Bessie, patting Joey on the air.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." said Dawson, poking his head through Joey's bedroom door.

Joey and Bessie turned to Dawson and smiled brightly. Both of their hearts started pumping fiercely. I hope he didn't hear what we were talking about, thought Joey.

"No Dawson, you're not interrupting anything," said Bess, rising from the bed, "I was just leaving."

Dawson nodded to Bessie as she exited the room and headed for the B and B kitchen. He then entered Joey's bedroom. He waved to her and smiled. Joey quickly stood from her bed and motion for them to leave.

"We better go. We don't want to be late." she said nervously.

"Ok." replied Dawson casually.

Both Joey and Dawson exited the bedroom and headed for the front door. As they were about to leave, Bessie came out of the kitchen and whispered to Joey.

"Good luck." she said.

Joey nodded to Bess and sighed heavily. I'm gonna need it, she thought sadly.

=====/////=====

Pacey droved the Witter-wagon to the Leery's Fresh Fish Restaurant. He pulled up in the parking lot and got out. The sun was shining brightly and Pacey was surprised on how lovely the day was. Today is a good day for sailing, he thought as he entered the restaurant.

The Leery's restaurant was extremely busy. Waiters rushed through the main dining hall and there were a great deal of customers. Business seems good, thought Pacey.

Pacey scoped through the small crowd and saw Mitch talking with Gale. Pacey found it rather odd that a couple that use to be married worked so well together. It seemed as if they were still married and that the divorce never happened. It would be great if they got back together, thought Pacey as he walked up to Mitch.

"Good morning Mr. Leery," he said, "morning, Mrs. Leery."

"Good morning Pacey." they said together.

"Ready to go Pace?" asked Mitch eagerly.

"Definitely."

"Well Pacey, I want you to be careful. I don't think I could stand losing Mitch." said Gale with a smile.

"Don't worry Mrs. Leery, I'm a pro. Mr. Leery will be fine."

"It's a good thing too. I'd hate to think we sponsored a rookie and that I was putting my life on the line." laughed Mitch, squeezing Pacey's shoulder.

Pacey laughed lightly but his laughter halted when he saw Dawson and Joey enter the front of the restaurant. Both Dawson and Joey strolled up to Pacey and Dawson's parents. Dawson was smiling brightly but Joey seemed a little distant, her eyes locked on Pacey.

"Hey you guys. We're here for the food. Is it any good?" joked Dawson.

"You bet Dawson; the best in town." replied Mitch, poking his son in the chest.

"That's great news because Joey and I are starving."

"Honey, I reserved table nine for you and Joey. A waiter will be with you shortly." informed Gale, pointing in the direction of their table.

Dawson nodded to his mom and then turned to Pacey.

"Good luck today Pace. I'm sure you'll blow the rest of the boats out of the water."

"Thanks Dawson." replied Pacey, in a weak voice.

Pacey's eyes were locked with Joey's. He felt like a massive tool because he was jealous. Pacey couldn't help it. He was sure that he would always be jealous of Dawson and his history with Joey. It hurt like hell when Pacey saw them together. The jealousy factor was just something that Pacey would have to work on.

"Anyway Pacey, good luck." stated Dawson.

"Yeah, good luck Pacey." echoed Joey.

"Thanks you guys but I don't need luck. I'm sure True Love will prevail." informed Pacey, his eyes still locked on Joey.

"Well I hate to break this up but we need to be going Pacey. The race starts in a couple of hours and we still need to get the boat ready." stated Mitch.

The group said their goodbyes and both Mitch and Pacey headed for the docks. Pacey ignored the pain in his chest as Dawson and Joey sat down to eat.

=====/////=====

"I'm glad you decided to spend the day with me Joey. It will give us time to catch up." said Dawson, forking a piece of fish and bringing it to his mouth.

"Yeah, me too Dawson. I've missed you and your friendship." replied Joey, swishing her fork through her salad.

Dawson soon realized that Joey had barely touched her food. Once again Dawson felt as if he didn't know Joey Potter. He couldn't understand why she was acting so strangely. Her moods changed with the wind.

"Is something wrong Joey?"

Joey sighed as she put down her fork. She had put off the talk long enough. Joey had to tell Dawson how she felt about Pacey. Now was the "perfect time", like there was such a thing.

"No Dawson, nothings wrong but I do need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"About relationships."

Dawson was puzzled. What is she getting at, he thought?

"Any relationship in particular?" he asked.

"Yes Dawson. I want you to know that I have feelings for."

"Hey party people!" interrupted Jack McPhee.

Joey turned from Dawson and saw Jack, Jenn, Henry, and an angry Andie. Joey had just been stopped from telling Dawson about her and Pacey. She wasn't sure if she should be angry or relieved.

"Hey Jack. Hey you guys," greeted Dawson, "what are ya'll up to?"

"We're just cruising the docks and checking out the stands. We saw you two through the window so we'd thought we'd say hi." informed Jack.

"What are you guys doing today?" asked Jenn.

"We're having lunch and then watching the boat race." said Dawson with a smile.

"Lunch and a boat race huh? Wow Joey, you sure are busy these days." snapped Andie, with a glare in her eyes."

Jack turned to Andie quickly. He wasn't sure what Andie meant but he didn't like the tone of her voice. Jack shot Andie an angry look and then turned back to Dawson and Joey.

"You'll have to excuse Andie today. She's a little grumpy because I forced her to tag along. She wanted to stay cooped up in her room all day and I wouldn't allow it." he said.

"God has blessed me with two dads." growled Andie.

"Well guys, we should go. We don't need to disturb their meal anymore." stated Henry.

"Henrys right but we should meet up later. There is a party tonight after the fireworks. You two should come." informed Jack.

"Alright, we'll probably be there," replied Dawson, is that cool Joe?"

"Sure thing." she said.

However, Joey wasn't interested in the party. She just wanted this day to be over with, with all friendships in tact.

To Be Continued..