Joey's brain went into a top spin. Dawson was kissing her and had caught
her completely by surprise. She tried to move but her feet felt anchored.
Dawson wrapped his arms around Joey's waist in the hopes the kiss would be
reciprocated but suddenly Joey pulled away. She brought her hand to her
forehead as if she were about to pass out. Joey's mind was swirling. She
couldn't think. Everything had happened so fast. Meanwhile Dawson stared
at Joey and realized that his affections were unrequited. Her reaction
wasn't one of happiness. He felt his heart break within his chest.
"Why did you do that?" asked Joey, her head still spinning.
"I don't know. It just felt like the right thing to do I guess."
"Well it wasn't," said Joey, "I thought we agreed to just be friends."
"Funny because I thought we agreed for things to go back the way they were." stated Dawson.
"I wanted for us to become friends again Dawson! Surly you knew what I meant!"
"Oh come one Joey! You must have known I was looking for more than friendship! It's not like I haven't been giving off signals. Why else would I have brought you flowers?"
"Dawson, I think we need to take a few steps back and reassess the situation."
"Reassess the situation?! Oh for Christ sake Joey that's all we do is assess and reassess! I'm sick of standing still dammit. I want to move forward; with you." informed Dawson, flailing his arms in the air."
"There is somebody else Dawson." stated Joey, nervousness flooding over her.
Dawson felt as if a brick had smacked him across the temple. He couldn't believe his ears. Dawson knew that Joey had had a short fling with a college guy named AJ, but he was under the impression that the "fling" was over. Who was Joey talking about?
"Somebody else?"
"That's right, somebody else."
"Who?"
Joey swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and took a deep breath. This is it, she thought, the moment of truth.
Joey looked into Dawson's eyes and wanted to cry. She knew that things were about to dramatically change for the worse. Telling Dawson that she was in love with Pacey would destroy their friendship. The very thought of her losing Dawson shot pain daggers into Joey's heart but there was no turning back now.
Just as she was about to say Pacey's name, Dawson interrupted her from speaking.
"You know what Joey I don't care who he is because this guy is a fleeting crush. I know that you and I are meant to be together and nothing or nobody can change that."
"But Dawson, I really need to tell you who he is." forced Joey urgently.
"No Joey, I don't want to hear it. This so called "guy" is nothing and not worth my time worrying about. But it's plain to see this day has been ruined so I'm going home. I guess I'll talk to you later. Give me call when this "guy" turns out to be a total waist!" shouted Dawson as he headed back down to the restaurant."
Joey was completely confused. She watched in awe as Dawson climbed down the ladder. She didn't know what to think. Joey had tried to tell Dawson about her and Pacey but her intentions hadn't gone as planned. Dawson had been too stubborn for her to get a word in edgewise. What just happened here, she thought?
=====/////=====
Pacey held his Regatta trophy high in the air and shouted out loud. The crowd was in an uproar and applauded Pacey for his victory. The boat race went just as Pacey planned. He had prepared hard for the Regatta and won the day. Pacey had succeeded in his mission. Now all he needed to do was get his relationship with Joey out in the open. However, Pacey set that aside for the moment because he was caught up in the excitement of his Regatta win.
"Congratulations Pacey. You did a great job." stated Mitch, shaking Pacey's hand.
"WE did a great job. I couldn't have done it without you Mr. Leery." said Pacey, the crowd still cheering around him.
"I'm just glad I could help Pace. Thanks for letting me be a part of this." said Mitch, staring out at the crowd.
"You can be my first mate anytime." shouted Pacey, still holding his trophy high in the air.
Jack, Jenn, and Henry clapped and whistled for Pacey. They were definitely the loudest of the Regatta crowd. Meanwhile, Andie kept her face sullen. She wasn't going to give Pacey the satisfaction of seeing her cheer for him, not after what he did to her. Andie recalled the thought of Pacey and Joey kissing in the library, and it sickened her. She wasn't sure if she should cry or vomit. Andie stifled a tear and glared angrily at her ex- boyfriend. I hate you Pacey, she thought, you've made my life a living hell.
=====/////=====
Dawson squeezed through the tourist crowd and headed for the Regatta race award table. He saw his father and his best friend, the two people he needed to talk to. Joey had put Dawson in a despicable mood. He clomped through the tourist grounds in anger. Why is Joey acting this way, he thought, why doesn't she see we are meant to be together?
As Dawson approached Pacey and Mitch, he sighed to himself. Nothing ever went the way he planned. Dawson had tried so many times to make amends with Joey and fix their battered relationship. Sure he had made mistakes in the past but he was trying to redeem himself. All Dawson wanted was Joey. He loved her with unwavering terms and no one could change that.
Pacey shook hands with the town mayor and waved to the crowd. He still couldn't believe that he actually won the race. Pace felt wrapped up in some kind of dream. It was like a wish come true. He gazed out into the crowd again and this time he saw Dawson. Dawson appeared to be distraught and was heading right for him. Pacey's first thought was that Joey had told Dawson about their romantic relationship. Pacey tensed up. Oh boy, he thought, Dawson's going to do something drastic.
Dawson eased through the crowd and finally made it to the award table. The crowd was starting to disperse so it was easier for Dawson to get his father's attention. Mitch quickly saw Dawson and wrapped his arm around him.
"Hey Dawson, come to congratulate your old man?"
"Not exactly dad. I want to talk to you but first I need to talk with Pacey." replied Dawson, staring at his best-friend.
Pacey's locked eyes with Dawson and his heart rate began to race. Pacey wasn't sure if he should try to discuss things with Dawson or automatically put his fists up in defense. Mitch turned to Pacey with his arm still around Dawson. He tossed both boys a worried glance and then nodded his head.
"Sure thing Dawson. I need to speak with mother so head to the restaurant when you're finished here." replied Mitch, moving his arm from Dawson's neck.
"Ok dad." Stated Dawson, his eyes still locked with Pacey's
"Thanks again Mr. Leery." said Pacey nervously.
Mitch Leery nodded to Pacey and waved to both boys before heading back to his restaurant. Mitch had a strange feeling that something serious was about to go down.
Pacey watched Mitch leave and then turned his attentions back to Dawson. Both boys were frowning and there was an eerie silence between them, despite the crowd's loud uproar.
"Did you need to tell me something Dawson?" asked Pacey, his heart still thumping.
"Yeah and it's about Joey."
"What about Joey?"
"I've been trying extremely hard to get her back but today she told me there was somebody else."
Oh no, thought Pacey, she told him about me and her.
"Look Dawson, I can explain." said Pacey, putting his hands up defensively.
Dawson stared at his best friend perplexed. What was Pacey talking about, thought Dawson, what does HE need to explain?
"What do you mean? Explain what?" asked Dawson, raising an eyebrow.
Pacey froze. He quickly realized that Joey hadn't told Dawson about their relationship but why? If she had told Dawson he would have punched Pacey by now. It was obvious that Joey told Dawson that there was somebody else but she left out the important info that it was in fact Pacey who was the somebody. I'm in a jam, thought Pace, I have to get out of this situation quickly.
"What do you mean Pacey? Explain what?!" repeated Dawson angrily.
Pacey didn't know what to do or say. His first impulse was to lie but he didn't want to lie to Dawson. Joey had made it perfectly clear that she wanted to tell Dawson about their romantic intentions. If Pacey told Dawson about him and Joey there would be hell to pay on both ends. One end was enough.
"Do you know who Joey's seeing?" asked Dawson.
"Yes Dawson I do." stated Pacey, wiping sweat from his brow.
"And you didn't tell me?!"
"It wasn't my place Dawson. She wanted to tell you."
"You're my best friend Pacey. You could have at least given me the heads up."
"Why are you pinning this on me? You didn't seem too worked up about AJ. Why should this other guy be any different?"
"Of course I was worked up about AJ, Pacey. I just hid it very well. Joey is my soul mate and I'm not going to like any body she dates."
Dawson's words killed Pacey. He knew that when Dawson found about him and Joey their friendship would be over. What have I done, thought Pacey, I've betrayed my best-friend's trust.
"Dawson, you let Joey go at the beginning of the school year. What did you think was going to happen? Did you seriously think that Joey was just going to sit around and wait for you to like her again? Come on man, Joey is too wonderful to just sit and wait for anybody." declared Pacey.
"I don't know why I'm evening talking to you about this Pacey. How could you possibly understand the relationship that Joey and I have?"
Pacey felt insulted. He was tired of Dawson and his declarations of self- realization. If Dawson was so self aware he wouldn't have let Joey get away in the first place.
"Give me a break Dawson. Where do you get off belittling me because you were too stupid to hold on to your "soul-mate"? Far be it for side kick Pacey to have any opinion about the "star crossed lovers" known as Dawson and Joey." snapped Pacey sarcastically.
"You know what Pacey, I think you're jealous. You're jealous of what Joey and I have."
"Had Dawson. The word you're looking for is had."
"No I was right the first time. You're jealous of what Joey and I HAVE. All you care about is sex. You're driven my the groin and wouldn't recognize your significant other if she bit you on the ass! You'll never have what Joey and I have."
"Go ahead Dawson, vent your frustrations out on me. Why should I care right? Every body else wails on me, why should my best friend be any different? But you know what Dawson, I may not be able to recognize my "significant other" but that's a whole of a lot better than turning my back on my "significant other".
Dawson glared at Pacey. Their eyes met in anger and both boys felt as if they were in a show down, and the clock was about to strike noon. Dawson continued to stare at Pacey with fists clinched. Why am I arguing with Pacey, he thought, Joey's the one I'm mad at.
Pacey was right. Dawson was just venting his frustrations. However that didn't change the fact that Pacey hadn't told Dawson about Joey's new boyfriend, and he should have. To make matters worse, Pacey's words had hurt Dawson, mainly because they were true. Dawson wanted to say something but his mind was clouded with anger.
"Go to hell Pacey." said Dawson, just before storming off.
Pacey watched his friend go and it felt like a dagger twisting itself into his heart. He couldn't stand seeing Dawson so upset and he really couldn't stand being the reason for his pain. Pacey looked down at his trophy which he held tightly in his hands. For some reason the trophy didn't seem as big as it did ten minutes ago.
To Be Continued....
"Why did you do that?" asked Joey, her head still spinning.
"I don't know. It just felt like the right thing to do I guess."
"Well it wasn't," said Joey, "I thought we agreed to just be friends."
"Funny because I thought we agreed for things to go back the way they were." stated Dawson.
"I wanted for us to become friends again Dawson! Surly you knew what I meant!"
"Oh come one Joey! You must have known I was looking for more than friendship! It's not like I haven't been giving off signals. Why else would I have brought you flowers?"
"Dawson, I think we need to take a few steps back and reassess the situation."
"Reassess the situation?! Oh for Christ sake Joey that's all we do is assess and reassess! I'm sick of standing still dammit. I want to move forward; with you." informed Dawson, flailing his arms in the air."
"There is somebody else Dawson." stated Joey, nervousness flooding over her.
Dawson felt as if a brick had smacked him across the temple. He couldn't believe his ears. Dawson knew that Joey had had a short fling with a college guy named AJ, but he was under the impression that the "fling" was over. Who was Joey talking about?
"Somebody else?"
"That's right, somebody else."
"Who?"
Joey swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and took a deep breath. This is it, she thought, the moment of truth.
Joey looked into Dawson's eyes and wanted to cry. She knew that things were about to dramatically change for the worse. Telling Dawson that she was in love with Pacey would destroy their friendship. The very thought of her losing Dawson shot pain daggers into Joey's heart but there was no turning back now.
Just as she was about to say Pacey's name, Dawson interrupted her from speaking.
"You know what Joey I don't care who he is because this guy is a fleeting crush. I know that you and I are meant to be together and nothing or nobody can change that."
"But Dawson, I really need to tell you who he is." forced Joey urgently.
"No Joey, I don't want to hear it. This so called "guy" is nothing and not worth my time worrying about. But it's plain to see this day has been ruined so I'm going home. I guess I'll talk to you later. Give me call when this "guy" turns out to be a total waist!" shouted Dawson as he headed back down to the restaurant."
Joey was completely confused. She watched in awe as Dawson climbed down the ladder. She didn't know what to think. Joey had tried to tell Dawson about her and Pacey but her intentions hadn't gone as planned. Dawson had been too stubborn for her to get a word in edgewise. What just happened here, she thought?
=====/////=====
Pacey held his Regatta trophy high in the air and shouted out loud. The crowd was in an uproar and applauded Pacey for his victory. The boat race went just as Pacey planned. He had prepared hard for the Regatta and won the day. Pacey had succeeded in his mission. Now all he needed to do was get his relationship with Joey out in the open. However, Pacey set that aside for the moment because he was caught up in the excitement of his Regatta win.
"Congratulations Pacey. You did a great job." stated Mitch, shaking Pacey's hand.
"WE did a great job. I couldn't have done it without you Mr. Leery." said Pacey, the crowd still cheering around him.
"I'm just glad I could help Pace. Thanks for letting me be a part of this." said Mitch, staring out at the crowd.
"You can be my first mate anytime." shouted Pacey, still holding his trophy high in the air.
Jack, Jenn, and Henry clapped and whistled for Pacey. They were definitely the loudest of the Regatta crowd. Meanwhile, Andie kept her face sullen. She wasn't going to give Pacey the satisfaction of seeing her cheer for him, not after what he did to her. Andie recalled the thought of Pacey and Joey kissing in the library, and it sickened her. She wasn't sure if she should cry or vomit. Andie stifled a tear and glared angrily at her ex- boyfriend. I hate you Pacey, she thought, you've made my life a living hell.
=====/////=====
Dawson squeezed through the tourist crowd and headed for the Regatta race award table. He saw his father and his best friend, the two people he needed to talk to. Joey had put Dawson in a despicable mood. He clomped through the tourist grounds in anger. Why is Joey acting this way, he thought, why doesn't she see we are meant to be together?
As Dawson approached Pacey and Mitch, he sighed to himself. Nothing ever went the way he planned. Dawson had tried so many times to make amends with Joey and fix their battered relationship. Sure he had made mistakes in the past but he was trying to redeem himself. All Dawson wanted was Joey. He loved her with unwavering terms and no one could change that.
Pacey shook hands with the town mayor and waved to the crowd. He still couldn't believe that he actually won the race. Pace felt wrapped up in some kind of dream. It was like a wish come true. He gazed out into the crowd again and this time he saw Dawson. Dawson appeared to be distraught and was heading right for him. Pacey's first thought was that Joey had told Dawson about their romantic relationship. Pacey tensed up. Oh boy, he thought, Dawson's going to do something drastic.
Dawson eased through the crowd and finally made it to the award table. The crowd was starting to disperse so it was easier for Dawson to get his father's attention. Mitch quickly saw Dawson and wrapped his arm around him.
"Hey Dawson, come to congratulate your old man?"
"Not exactly dad. I want to talk to you but first I need to talk with Pacey." replied Dawson, staring at his best-friend.
Pacey's locked eyes with Dawson and his heart rate began to race. Pacey wasn't sure if he should try to discuss things with Dawson or automatically put his fists up in defense. Mitch turned to Pacey with his arm still around Dawson. He tossed both boys a worried glance and then nodded his head.
"Sure thing Dawson. I need to speak with mother so head to the restaurant when you're finished here." replied Mitch, moving his arm from Dawson's neck.
"Ok dad." Stated Dawson, his eyes still locked with Pacey's
"Thanks again Mr. Leery." said Pacey nervously.
Mitch Leery nodded to Pacey and waved to both boys before heading back to his restaurant. Mitch had a strange feeling that something serious was about to go down.
Pacey watched Mitch leave and then turned his attentions back to Dawson. Both boys were frowning and there was an eerie silence between them, despite the crowd's loud uproar.
"Did you need to tell me something Dawson?" asked Pacey, his heart still thumping.
"Yeah and it's about Joey."
"What about Joey?"
"I've been trying extremely hard to get her back but today she told me there was somebody else."
Oh no, thought Pacey, she told him about me and her.
"Look Dawson, I can explain." said Pacey, putting his hands up defensively.
Dawson stared at his best friend perplexed. What was Pacey talking about, thought Dawson, what does HE need to explain?
"What do you mean? Explain what?" asked Dawson, raising an eyebrow.
Pacey froze. He quickly realized that Joey hadn't told Dawson about their relationship but why? If she had told Dawson he would have punched Pacey by now. It was obvious that Joey told Dawson that there was somebody else but she left out the important info that it was in fact Pacey who was the somebody. I'm in a jam, thought Pace, I have to get out of this situation quickly.
"What do you mean Pacey? Explain what?!" repeated Dawson angrily.
Pacey didn't know what to do or say. His first impulse was to lie but he didn't want to lie to Dawson. Joey had made it perfectly clear that she wanted to tell Dawson about their romantic intentions. If Pacey told Dawson about him and Joey there would be hell to pay on both ends. One end was enough.
"Do you know who Joey's seeing?" asked Dawson.
"Yes Dawson I do." stated Pacey, wiping sweat from his brow.
"And you didn't tell me?!"
"It wasn't my place Dawson. She wanted to tell you."
"You're my best friend Pacey. You could have at least given me the heads up."
"Why are you pinning this on me? You didn't seem too worked up about AJ. Why should this other guy be any different?"
"Of course I was worked up about AJ, Pacey. I just hid it very well. Joey is my soul mate and I'm not going to like any body she dates."
Dawson's words killed Pacey. He knew that when Dawson found about him and Joey their friendship would be over. What have I done, thought Pacey, I've betrayed my best-friend's trust.
"Dawson, you let Joey go at the beginning of the school year. What did you think was going to happen? Did you seriously think that Joey was just going to sit around and wait for you to like her again? Come on man, Joey is too wonderful to just sit and wait for anybody." declared Pacey.
"I don't know why I'm evening talking to you about this Pacey. How could you possibly understand the relationship that Joey and I have?"
Pacey felt insulted. He was tired of Dawson and his declarations of self- realization. If Dawson was so self aware he wouldn't have let Joey get away in the first place.
"Give me a break Dawson. Where do you get off belittling me because you were too stupid to hold on to your "soul-mate"? Far be it for side kick Pacey to have any opinion about the "star crossed lovers" known as Dawson and Joey." snapped Pacey sarcastically.
"You know what Pacey, I think you're jealous. You're jealous of what Joey and I have."
"Had Dawson. The word you're looking for is had."
"No I was right the first time. You're jealous of what Joey and I HAVE. All you care about is sex. You're driven my the groin and wouldn't recognize your significant other if she bit you on the ass! You'll never have what Joey and I have."
"Go ahead Dawson, vent your frustrations out on me. Why should I care right? Every body else wails on me, why should my best friend be any different? But you know what Dawson, I may not be able to recognize my "significant other" but that's a whole of a lot better than turning my back on my "significant other".
Dawson glared at Pacey. Their eyes met in anger and both boys felt as if they were in a show down, and the clock was about to strike noon. Dawson continued to stare at Pacey with fists clinched. Why am I arguing with Pacey, he thought, Joey's the one I'm mad at.
Pacey was right. Dawson was just venting his frustrations. However that didn't change the fact that Pacey hadn't told Dawson about Joey's new boyfriend, and he should have. To make matters worse, Pacey's words had hurt Dawson, mainly because they were true. Dawson wanted to say something but his mind was clouded with anger.
"Go to hell Pacey." said Dawson, just before storming off.
Pacey watched his friend go and it felt like a dagger twisting itself into his heart. He couldn't stand seeing Dawson so upset and he really couldn't stand being the reason for his pain. Pacey looked down at his trophy which he held tightly in his hands. For some reason the trophy didn't seem as big as it did ten minutes ago.
To Be Continued....