That night Pacey woke up four times. He slept a total of four hours
at the maximum. Pacey decided to give Joey a day or two to think. Two days
later he couldn't take it anymore, he had to talk to her. Before Pacey went
over to the B&B he went over to the Leery house to get a pep talk from his
old pal Dawson. Since he has known the Leerys' since he was small, Pacey
just walked in.
"Hey Mrs. Leery, is Dawson home?"
"I think so. You can look in his room."
"Thanks."
Pacey walked up the stairs and heard blink 182 playing on Dawson's stereo. Pacey opened the door and found Dawson laying on his bed tapping his foot to the beat.
"Hey D."
"Hi Pacey, how are you doing?"
Pacey looked at Dawson.
"That bad huh? Well, breakups aren't great."
"She told you already?"
"Well yeah, she came late last night crying because she had to do it."
"I have to talk to her; I just came for a pep talk."
"You haven't talked to her yet?"
"No, I thought I should leave her alone for a few days."
Dawson started to chuckle. "Pace, you won't see her till school starts. She went to Chicago with Carmen for the next two weeks."
Pacey just stared at Dawson and his hands started to make fists. Pacey shot off the bed.
"Shit! Why the hell didn't I remember that she was thinking of going with Carmen? I'm so fucking stupid!"
Dawson got up and put his hands on Pacey's shoulders. "You're not stupid Pacey, you were just side tracked. She'll be back in two weeks and you can talk to her then. If I hear from her I'll put in a good word for you. You need to calm down and figure out a way to get on her good side."
Pacey sat down and took in a few deep breaths. He went home and tried to figure out how to get Joey back. Everyday for the next twelve days Joey called Dawson. Dawson put in a good word for Pacey everyday. The day before Joey was do back, Dawson, Pacey, Sam, and Charlie decided to eat at Price's meal time restaurant in central Capeside. Dawson starting talking about the call he got from Joey today.
"She called this morning Pacey."
"Did she say anything about me?"
"Yeah but it wasn't good. She said that if I mentioned you again when she called that she would hang up and never call again."
Pacey looked sad. "How am I supposed to get her back now?"
"You actually think you can win back Josie?" Sam asked Pacey.
"I was hoping to."
"Once Josie has made up her mind there is a slim to none chance that someone can change it. I would say that right now all you will get out of her is friendship."
"Sam's right Pacey, Joey needs time to think. All hope is not lost. If she truly loves you then she will come back eventually." Charlie added.
"I guess then friendship is what I'll take. I need her in my life." Pacey laid his head on the table. Jack was sitting two tables down and heard him talking to his friends.
"I got another letter today. She really likes Chicago but can't wait to come back." Jack said to his friend.
"Man Jack why do you love her? This Joey Potter chick seems like a real bore."
Pacey had to ask Jack about Joey. Why was he talking to her? Pacey got up from his chair and walked over to Jack.
"Hey Jack, you've heard from Joey?"
"It's none of your business but yeah, she sends me a letter everyday."
"How is she?"
"She's better now that she has me again. You know you're a total ass. How could you hurt Joey like that? Didn't she mean anything to you, or were you just looking for easy sex and when she didn't give it to you, you went to a slut like Melody Shark?"
Pacey started to get mad. "You have no idea what we shared so don't you even dare say I didn't love her."
"If you did love her then you would have stayed away from her because you know that everything you touch gets screwed up. It's a good thing Joey realized what a mistake she made and got out of there in time."
"I told you to stay the hell out of it!" Pacey punched Jack and Jack went down. Jack and Pacey got into a fight. Pacey's friends intervened and got Pacey off of Jack. Pacey got free and stood above Jack. "If you ever talk about my love for Joey you'll be seeing me again."
Pacey walked away with only a bruised fist. Jack wasn't so lucky. Jack had a bloody nose and a black and blue eye.
Two days passed and no Joey. It was the first day of school and Pacey was at his locker. For some reason he turned his head. He saw Joey walking down the hallway. She looked very different. Joey was wearing red strap opened toed high heels, a short skirt that barely treaded the half way mark on her thigh, a red spaghetti strap shirt, cherry red lipstick with shine, black mascara and a small amount of gold eye shadow, red stud earrings, red toe and finger nail polish, a red choker and, her hair was cut to her shoulders and it had red highlights in it.
Joey walked right pass Pacey without even looking at him. She walked over to her locker and Pacey had to talk to her so Pacey walked up to her.
"Go away Pacey," Joey said without even looking out of her locker.
"Joey, you dumped me, ran away, and left for the rest of the summer without telling me you were going. I think I deserve a talk."
Joey slammed her locker shut and turned to face Pacey. "Fine, we can talk right after school."
"Why can't we talk now?"
"I have to go talk to Jack right now and he is a priority above you. After school or never, pick one."
Joey had a scowl on her face. She looked really annoyed.
"Fine right after school. It'll only be a few minutes Jo'. Well, I have to go to class so I can pass. Bye."
Pacey walked away and Joey took a deep breath. She walked over to Jack's locker.
"Hey Jackers." Jack turned around and Joey saw his face. His eye was bruised and he had a cut on his nose that was bandaged. "What happened to you?"
"Your great ex did this."
"Pacey did this to you?"
"Yeah. First you hurt me emotionally then shit head hurts me physically. Are in some kind of contest of who can give Jack the most pain?"
"I'm so sorry Jack. Pacey was just being his dumb self. If we were in a contest, I guess Pacey gave you the most pain huh."
"No, you did."
Joey looked at her feet and there was a long awkward silence. Joey spoke up.
"Jack, I'm sorry I hurt you last year. I didn't want to. What Pacey and I shared was spring fever mixed with summer love."
"So then why didn't you dump him sooner?"
"Jack, we may have shared summer love but it was still love. It's not that easy to forget about your first love. I never felt like that with anyone else."
Jack looked at Joey. "Are you over him yet?" Joey nodded her head. "Do you want to see a movie tonight?"
Joey smiled at Jack. "My dear sweet Jack, I'm over Pacey but I'm not ready to date just yet. You never loved me Jack; you fell in lust with me. I think that I need some time and try dating someone besides you and Pacey. You'll always be my friend, just not my boyfriend."
Jack nodded his head. "You look really hot Joey. I really like your hair."
Joey smiled, put her arm around his shoulders and, walked to class.
The whole day dragged on. When the last bell rang Pacey ran to his locker. Joey casually walked to hers. Pacey walked up to Joey and said Hey. Joey told Pacey to sit on the bench. Pacey did and Joey put her bag next to him. She stood in front of Pacey.
"What the hell were you thinking when you beat up Jack?"
"I don't know what to say, except my action was nothing short of honorable."
"How was giving Jack a cut nose honorable?"
"I was defending my unrequited love for you."
"Pacey I don't want to get into it."
"Fine, okay, I concur. I wanted to tell you that even though I can't have you in my pathetic existence of a life as what I want you to be, I still need you in it. One way or another, I need something from you besides hatred. I'll be happy to go back to bantering buddies if you prefer."
Joey laughed and shook her head yes.
"Is that a yes from the speechless Josephine?"
"Yes. Don't call me Josephine, Witter."
"Great, thank you Joey. Well, I have to go Potter. You need a ride?"
"Are you kidding? I will never get into a car with you as a driver again."
"Good, I'm in a hurry, I have a lot of homework and I was just asking to be nice. See ya later Potter."
Pacey walked away. "Hey stay away from Jack okay." Joey yelled to Pacey.
Two and a half months passed. Joey and Pacey became bantering buddies again and irritated Dawson during movie nights with all of their bickering. Pacey was barely getting a C in world history so Joey was tutoring him. Joey had to work so Pacey came with her. He was getting a lot wrong and that was getting on Joey's nerves.
Joey just finished work and sat down to get a napkin so she could wash off her makeup. She took a deep breath.
"Okay, Pacey who was the leader of the reign of terror and what instrument of death did they like to use?"
"Uh, I know this one, Marie Antoinette and the head chopping thing."
"God Pacey, don't ever open that book? Marie was the queen of France and the head chopping thing is called a Guillotine."
Pacey hopped onto the counter that Joey was sitting at. "I don't understand why we need to read about some screwed up dead guys who were to ashamed to ask for help."
Joey looked up. "It's called education Einstein. You should try and get some." Joey poked herself in the eye when she was trying to take off her makeup. "I hate makeup!"
"Why do you wear it then? You don't need it. Let me see your eye." Pacey got down and stood in front of Joey. She kept moving her head so Pacey had to hold it still. He looked in her eye.
"It looks okay; it's a little red though."
Joey whispered thank you. They just looked into each other's eyes. Slowly Pacey came closer and brushed his lips on hers. He took his hands from her face and placed them on her hips. She didn't resist, actually she put her arms around his neck and pressed against him. Their lips separated and came together again. The kiss started to deepen. When Joey felt his tongue she tore herself away from him. She ended up on the opposite end of the counter. Pacey looked at her with puzzlement.
"What's wrong Jo'?"
Joey started to rock on her heels. "I think it's time for you to leave."
Pacey took a step towards her but she backed away. "Joey."
He took another step but Joey backed up again. "I said leave!"
Pacey looked at her and grabbed his coat. "Whatever you want. Don't have to tell me twice. I'll see you when I see you." Pacey walked out and slammed the door behind him.
Joey ignored Pacey all day. At the end of the day Joey had on her headphones. Special by Garbage was playing. When Pacey came to her locker Joey made sure she sang the words loud enough for Pacey to hear.
"Joey we should talk."
"I used to adore you, I couldn't control you, There was nothing that I wouldn't do, To keep myself around and close to you, Do you have an opinion, A mind of your own, I thought you were special, I thought you should know, But I've run out of patience, I couldn't care less, I used to amuse you, But I knew that I'd lose you, Now you're here and begging for a chance, But there's no way in hell I'd take you back."
Joey closed her locker, smiled, and walked away. Jack ran to Joey and hugged her.
"I got a 100 on the test!" Jack leaned in and kissed Joey. Joey quickly pulled away and looked behind her. She saw Pacey still standing there. He saw the kiss between Joey and Jack. Joey pulled Jack away and told him again that she didn't want that and Jack said he was just caught up in the moment.
Joey didn't talk to Pacey for the rest of the week. When she saw him he turned his walked away.
"Hey Mrs. Leery, is Dawson home?"
"I think so. You can look in his room."
"Thanks."
Pacey walked up the stairs and heard blink 182 playing on Dawson's stereo. Pacey opened the door and found Dawson laying on his bed tapping his foot to the beat.
"Hey D."
"Hi Pacey, how are you doing?"
Pacey looked at Dawson.
"That bad huh? Well, breakups aren't great."
"She told you already?"
"Well yeah, she came late last night crying because she had to do it."
"I have to talk to her; I just came for a pep talk."
"You haven't talked to her yet?"
"No, I thought I should leave her alone for a few days."
Dawson started to chuckle. "Pace, you won't see her till school starts. She went to Chicago with Carmen for the next two weeks."
Pacey just stared at Dawson and his hands started to make fists. Pacey shot off the bed.
"Shit! Why the hell didn't I remember that she was thinking of going with Carmen? I'm so fucking stupid!"
Dawson got up and put his hands on Pacey's shoulders. "You're not stupid Pacey, you were just side tracked. She'll be back in two weeks and you can talk to her then. If I hear from her I'll put in a good word for you. You need to calm down and figure out a way to get on her good side."
Pacey sat down and took in a few deep breaths. He went home and tried to figure out how to get Joey back. Everyday for the next twelve days Joey called Dawson. Dawson put in a good word for Pacey everyday. The day before Joey was do back, Dawson, Pacey, Sam, and Charlie decided to eat at Price's meal time restaurant in central Capeside. Dawson starting talking about the call he got from Joey today.
"She called this morning Pacey."
"Did she say anything about me?"
"Yeah but it wasn't good. She said that if I mentioned you again when she called that she would hang up and never call again."
Pacey looked sad. "How am I supposed to get her back now?"
"You actually think you can win back Josie?" Sam asked Pacey.
"I was hoping to."
"Once Josie has made up her mind there is a slim to none chance that someone can change it. I would say that right now all you will get out of her is friendship."
"Sam's right Pacey, Joey needs time to think. All hope is not lost. If she truly loves you then she will come back eventually." Charlie added.
"I guess then friendship is what I'll take. I need her in my life." Pacey laid his head on the table. Jack was sitting two tables down and heard him talking to his friends.
"I got another letter today. She really likes Chicago but can't wait to come back." Jack said to his friend.
"Man Jack why do you love her? This Joey Potter chick seems like a real bore."
Pacey had to ask Jack about Joey. Why was he talking to her? Pacey got up from his chair and walked over to Jack.
"Hey Jack, you've heard from Joey?"
"It's none of your business but yeah, she sends me a letter everyday."
"How is she?"
"She's better now that she has me again. You know you're a total ass. How could you hurt Joey like that? Didn't she mean anything to you, or were you just looking for easy sex and when she didn't give it to you, you went to a slut like Melody Shark?"
Pacey started to get mad. "You have no idea what we shared so don't you even dare say I didn't love her."
"If you did love her then you would have stayed away from her because you know that everything you touch gets screwed up. It's a good thing Joey realized what a mistake she made and got out of there in time."
"I told you to stay the hell out of it!" Pacey punched Jack and Jack went down. Jack and Pacey got into a fight. Pacey's friends intervened and got Pacey off of Jack. Pacey got free and stood above Jack. "If you ever talk about my love for Joey you'll be seeing me again."
Pacey walked away with only a bruised fist. Jack wasn't so lucky. Jack had a bloody nose and a black and blue eye.
Two days passed and no Joey. It was the first day of school and Pacey was at his locker. For some reason he turned his head. He saw Joey walking down the hallway. She looked very different. Joey was wearing red strap opened toed high heels, a short skirt that barely treaded the half way mark on her thigh, a red spaghetti strap shirt, cherry red lipstick with shine, black mascara and a small amount of gold eye shadow, red stud earrings, red toe and finger nail polish, a red choker and, her hair was cut to her shoulders and it had red highlights in it.
Joey walked right pass Pacey without even looking at him. She walked over to her locker and Pacey had to talk to her so Pacey walked up to her.
"Go away Pacey," Joey said without even looking out of her locker.
"Joey, you dumped me, ran away, and left for the rest of the summer without telling me you were going. I think I deserve a talk."
Joey slammed her locker shut and turned to face Pacey. "Fine, we can talk right after school."
"Why can't we talk now?"
"I have to go talk to Jack right now and he is a priority above you. After school or never, pick one."
Joey had a scowl on her face. She looked really annoyed.
"Fine right after school. It'll only be a few minutes Jo'. Well, I have to go to class so I can pass. Bye."
Pacey walked away and Joey took a deep breath. She walked over to Jack's locker.
"Hey Jackers." Jack turned around and Joey saw his face. His eye was bruised and he had a cut on his nose that was bandaged. "What happened to you?"
"Your great ex did this."
"Pacey did this to you?"
"Yeah. First you hurt me emotionally then shit head hurts me physically. Are in some kind of contest of who can give Jack the most pain?"
"I'm so sorry Jack. Pacey was just being his dumb self. If we were in a contest, I guess Pacey gave you the most pain huh."
"No, you did."
Joey looked at her feet and there was a long awkward silence. Joey spoke up.
"Jack, I'm sorry I hurt you last year. I didn't want to. What Pacey and I shared was spring fever mixed with summer love."
"So then why didn't you dump him sooner?"
"Jack, we may have shared summer love but it was still love. It's not that easy to forget about your first love. I never felt like that with anyone else."
Jack looked at Joey. "Are you over him yet?" Joey nodded her head. "Do you want to see a movie tonight?"
Joey smiled at Jack. "My dear sweet Jack, I'm over Pacey but I'm not ready to date just yet. You never loved me Jack; you fell in lust with me. I think that I need some time and try dating someone besides you and Pacey. You'll always be my friend, just not my boyfriend."
Jack nodded his head. "You look really hot Joey. I really like your hair."
Joey smiled, put her arm around his shoulders and, walked to class.
The whole day dragged on. When the last bell rang Pacey ran to his locker. Joey casually walked to hers. Pacey walked up to Joey and said Hey. Joey told Pacey to sit on the bench. Pacey did and Joey put her bag next to him. She stood in front of Pacey.
"What the hell were you thinking when you beat up Jack?"
"I don't know what to say, except my action was nothing short of honorable."
"How was giving Jack a cut nose honorable?"
"I was defending my unrequited love for you."
"Pacey I don't want to get into it."
"Fine, okay, I concur. I wanted to tell you that even though I can't have you in my pathetic existence of a life as what I want you to be, I still need you in it. One way or another, I need something from you besides hatred. I'll be happy to go back to bantering buddies if you prefer."
Joey laughed and shook her head yes.
"Is that a yes from the speechless Josephine?"
"Yes. Don't call me Josephine, Witter."
"Great, thank you Joey. Well, I have to go Potter. You need a ride?"
"Are you kidding? I will never get into a car with you as a driver again."
"Good, I'm in a hurry, I have a lot of homework and I was just asking to be nice. See ya later Potter."
Pacey walked away. "Hey stay away from Jack okay." Joey yelled to Pacey.
Two and a half months passed. Joey and Pacey became bantering buddies again and irritated Dawson during movie nights with all of their bickering. Pacey was barely getting a C in world history so Joey was tutoring him. Joey had to work so Pacey came with her. He was getting a lot wrong and that was getting on Joey's nerves.
Joey just finished work and sat down to get a napkin so she could wash off her makeup. She took a deep breath.
"Okay, Pacey who was the leader of the reign of terror and what instrument of death did they like to use?"
"Uh, I know this one, Marie Antoinette and the head chopping thing."
"God Pacey, don't ever open that book? Marie was the queen of France and the head chopping thing is called a Guillotine."
Pacey hopped onto the counter that Joey was sitting at. "I don't understand why we need to read about some screwed up dead guys who were to ashamed to ask for help."
Joey looked up. "It's called education Einstein. You should try and get some." Joey poked herself in the eye when she was trying to take off her makeup. "I hate makeup!"
"Why do you wear it then? You don't need it. Let me see your eye." Pacey got down and stood in front of Joey. She kept moving her head so Pacey had to hold it still. He looked in her eye.
"It looks okay; it's a little red though."
Joey whispered thank you. They just looked into each other's eyes. Slowly Pacey came closer and brushed his lips on hers. He took his hands from her face and placed them on her hips. She didn't resist, actually she put her arms around his neck and pressed against him. Their lips separated and came together again. The kiss started to deepen. When Joey felt his tongue she tore herself away from him. She ended up on the opposite end of the counter. Pacey looked at her with puzzlement.
"What's wrong Jo'?"
Joey started to rock on her heels. "I think it's time for you to leave."
Pacey took a step towards her but she backed away. "Joey."
He took another step but Joey backed up again. "I said leave!"
Pacey looked at her and grabbed his coat. "Whatever you want. Don't have to tell me twice. I'll see you when I see you." Pacey walked out and slammed the door behind him.
Joey ignored Pacey all day. At the end of the day Joey had on her headphones. Special by Garbage was playing. When Pacey came to her locker Joey made sure she sang the words loud enough for Pacey to hear.
"Joey we should talk."
"I used to adore you, I couldn't control you, There was nothing that I wouldn't do, To keep myself around and close to you, Do you have an opinion, A mind of your own, I thought you were special, I thought you should know, But I've run out of patience, I couldn't care less, I used to amuse you, But I knew that I'd lose you, Now you're here and begging for a chance, But there's no way in hell I'd take you back."
Joey closed her locker, smiled, and walked away. Jack ran to Joey and hugged her.
"I got a 100 on the test!" Jack leaned in and kissed Joey. Joey quickly pulled away and looked behind her. She saw Pacey still standing there. He saw the kiss between Joey and Jack. Joey pulled Jack away and told him again that she didn't want that and Jack said he was just caught up in the moment.
Joey didn't talk to Pacey for the rest of the week. When she saw him he turned his walked away.