This chapter skips around.
It was two days before the big departure for Pacey and Joey. Pacey refused to tell Joey where it was they would be spending the whole summer. Joey still had to tell Bessie her little secret.
The wind was blowing softly as it always did in the early summer by the creek. Joey sat with her feet dangling over the side of Dawson's dock. Her feet swayed, her now long again brown hair moved in the wind and her fingers went rrrum on the dock floor.
"Hey there you are Jo; I was looking all over for you. You okay?" Pacey walked up and sat next to Joey.
"Hey sweetie. Yeah I'm fine just a little bored." Joey was watching her feet sway in the wind.
Pacey grabbed Joey's hand. "I'm bored too but just think, in two days we'll be out of here for the whole summer."
"You know if you told me where we are going then I wouldn't be so bored." Joey smiled sweetly at Pacey.
"UH UH, you won't get the answer that easily."
Joey looked sad then put on an ear to ear smile. She put her hand on his leg and said, "What if I..." she finished the sentence whispering to him.
"That alone could get the plans for the whole trip. It's very very tempting but no. I want to keep it a surprise. Who knows if you're even going anyway."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, you still have to talk to Bessie about the trip." Pacey stood up.
"Awwww, do I have to?" Joey sounded like a kid.
"Blah ha ha, yes you have to." Joey took Pacey's hand and stood up. "And I'll be with you as a, let's say, support system."
"Support system my ass Witter. You just want to prove to my sister that you got me again and this time around you deflowered me."
"No I wouldn't tell her that. Well, not the deflowering stuff anyway."
"Ha very funny Pace." They started to walk to Joey's home.
Dawson, Charlie, Jen, Carmen, Sam, Jack, Chris and Andie were all at Dawson's house decorating for a farewell party for Joey and Pacey.
Andie and Jen were putting up streamers and talking.
"I didn't know that Joey and Pacey got back together." Andie said to Jen.
"Oh yeah, they got back together a while ago but they had an open relationship so they dated other people and they didn't come out with their thing anyway." Jen said not taking her eyes off of the streamers.
"I just thought Pacey would tell me." Andie taped the last piece and walked away.
All of the boys were filling balloons or cooking. Charlie was cooking his famous cookies while Jack was making his delicious cherry lemonade. Dawson, Sam, and Chris were filling balloons.
"I can't believe Joey is leaving for the whole summer. I have never been apart from her that long before." Dawson said putting another balloon in his mouth.
"Don't worry Sweetie, I'll be with you. Besides, they deserve to be alone together." Charlie said not looking away from his cookies but to smile once.
"I don't understand why they would keep their new relationship a secret from me." Jack said as he added ice with cherries in them to the drink.
"Well, Josie knew how you acted the first time they were together and I think she didn't want to hurt you again." Sam said after stopping, blowing up three balloons.
"I don't know Joey so well but if my sis likes her then she must be good." Chris said.
Jen went into the sitting room to get away from the noise when she heard sobbing. Jen turned the corner and saw Carmen sitting on the end of the couch crying.
"Carmen what's wrong?"
Carmen saw Jen and quickly wiped away her tears. "Nothing's wrong I'm okay."
Jen sat down. "Come on if your crying then it's nothing."
"Well, Okay. As you know I'm dating Sam still and a few months ago we started having sex. At first we did it often usually every weekend and maybe once or twice during the week. About three weeks ago we started to only have sex like once a week. I was fine with that because usually things do slow down in time. I haven't had sex with Sam in two weeks. That's not all, Sam has gotten very distant. He doesn't hold my hand that much and he rarely kisses me in the lips anymore. When he does kiss me it's a small closed mouth smack then he leaves. I think Sam is getting bored of me. I don't think he loves me anymore."
Jen gave Carmen a hug. "Carmen, Boys do that when they feel like they are getting too close to someone. He'll come around. I know that Sam loves you. Time will heal all."
Carmen was better and stood. "Thanks for the advice Jen but I don't think I can wait that much longer. I don't like feeling unwanted to the only person I want." Carmen smiled and walked away.
Joey and Pacey were inside the house and were about to walk into Bessie's room when Pacey grabbed Joey's hand. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
Joey poked her head inside and saw Bessie picking out clothes for Alex who was jumping on the bed. Bessie saw Joey and told her to come in. Joey let go of Pacey when she did.
"HI Aunty Joey!" Alex stopped Jumping and ran to give Joey a hug.
"Hey Alex. Bessie, can I talk to you?"
Bessie turned from the closet and sat on the bed. "Sure, what about?"
Alex let go of Joey and saw Pacey when Joey was about to speak. "Pacey! Hi Pacey!" Alex ran to Pacey and pulled him inside.
Pacey smiled then looked at Bessie who knew what Joey was going to say. He looked back at Alex and gave him a hug. "Hey little man. Why don't you go watch TV so we can talk okay?"
Alex nodded and left the room. Pacey closed the door behind Alex and grabbed Joey's hand. Joey looked at Pacey and smiled then looked at Bessie.
"Bess, Pacey and I have been dating each other again for the past few months. We had an open relationship so that's why I went on dates but it didn't work well that way."
Bessie looked from Joey to Pacey then to Joey again and smiled. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was afraid that you would get upset."
"Oh Joey, you know me better then that. I just want you to be happy."
Pacey felt the grip from Joey's hand relax a little. "Now thinking about what you just said Bess, I want to ask you something. I'm leaving for the summer and won't be back until the end. Um..." Pacey's voice trailed off till he stopped talking.
Bessie smiled, stood up and patted Pacey's shoulder. "You don't have to ask me permission to leave for the summer Pacey. You should be asking Joey that."
"See that's the thing. I asked Joey and she said yes but you have to agree too. I love Joey with all my heart and I want her to come with me this summer."
Bessie's eyes opened wide and she walked away to the closet. She didn't talk or even face the two.
"What do you think Bess?" Pacey asked. Joey's grip got tighter.
Bessie pulled out a shirt and laid it on the bed then smiled quickly before turning away. "I'm sorry Pacey but I can't let Joey go with you."
"Why Bessie?" Joey asked. No response. "Answer me!"
Bessie whipped around to face Joey. "Because you're seventeen and you don't know what's best for you!"
"Like you do Bess?"
"Yes I do Joey! I was seventeen once and I remember how I never thought logically. I remember not thinking it through well because I ended up pregnant and alone. (F.Y.I. There is no Bodie.) "What are you going to do when Pacey hurts you again? You can't run from him like last time because you're not at home. What will you do then Miss know it all?"
Pacey stepped in. "I'm not going to hurt her Bessie. I never wanted or want to hurt Joey. I love her so much Bessie, why can't you see that?"
"I'm not denying you love her Pacey, I'm just saying that you've hurt her accidentally once and It could happen again."
"No it won't Bessie! I'll take care of her and love her and I WON'T hurt her."
Bessie got upset and clenched her fists and stared devilishly at Pacey. "Joey, if you do not remove this person from this room right now I might throw something heavy at his head." Bessie turned to face Joey. "And I won't miss."
Joey and Pacey both stared at Bessie. Joey rushed Pacey out of the room then the house. "You should leave Pace. I've never seen Bessie look like that before. I love you Pacey. Bye." Joey gave him a quick kiss before closing the door in his face.
Pacey stood there for a few seconds trying to think about what just happened. He then remembered about the going away party at Dawson's house. He walked over there.
All of the decorations were up and the food was ready to be eaten but the guests of honor still were not there. Everyone started to get anxious. It started to rain outside and every so often a flash of lightning would brighten up the room. The door bell rang and everyone got into position by the door. Dawson opened the door to find a very depressed Pacey. Dawson moved aside so he could come in from the rain. When they saw Pacey they all screamed, Congrats! Pacey looked up then walked over to a wood chair and sat down. Everyone saw his face and they wanted to know what was wrong. Dawson got Pacey a few towels.
"I'm sorry all of you had to do all of this for nothing."
Jen sat down next to Pacey. "What happened Pace?"
"Bessie said no. We went over and talked about it and Bessie didn't even want to listen to me. Joey's still over there but she won't change her mind."
Everyone tried to console Pacey but it didn't work. The doorbell rang and Dawson opened the door. Everyone looked at the person who walked in with a black raincoat on and their head hung low. The person pushed back their hat to reveal their face. It was Joey. She hung up her coat and everyone waited for her response, even Pacey. Joey looked around then shook her head no. you could hear everyone release their held in breath.
Joey went and kissed Pacey before sitting in his lap. "I know that all of you are a little sad. Pacey and I are most of all. I don't want this party to be bad. Pacey is still going and he needs a farewell party. I don't want this food to go to waste so let's not dwell on the bad, let's wish Pacey a proper goodbye." Joey smiled at everyone and everyone was hesitant at first but they all went with Joey.
The party went really great. At about midnight people started to go home. All who was left was Pacey, Joey, Sam, Carmen, Charlie, and Dawson. Pacey and Joey were on the couch all scrunched up close together as if they were afraid to let go. Dawson and Charlie were on the other side holding hands. It was only Carmen and Sam who were not close to each other. Sam was sitting on one side of a short couch while Carmen was on the other side. Carmen slowly moved closer to Sam until she was right next to him. She grabbed his hand and he looked at her. She smiled. Sam didn't smile but just held onto her hand very lightly. Charlie got up.
"Anyone want anything to drink?"
Sam sprung up and moved away from Carmen. "I'll help." He walked into the kitchen and Charlie gave him a weird look before going in himself.
Carmen watched Sam disappear then stood up and grunted so loud that everyone looked at her as she walked into the kitchen.
"Sam, we need to talk." Carmen barked.
Charlie grabbed the tray of drinks. "I'll just be... Yeah." Charlie rushed out of the kitchen.
Sam was pouring some soda. "What about Carm?"
"Well, about the way you've been treating me for one."
"The way I've been treating you? What did I do?"
"You haven't held my hand or touched me in a while. You look at me as if I have a disease now, not like you used to with love in your eyes. Oh and sex, I can't remember the last time THAT happened. I want to know why Sam."
Sam put the pop away and looked at Carmen. "First of all I don't know what you are talking about. I hold your hand and what not. If I've been doing that less lately I'm sorry but it happens. Would you like to do more of those things?"
"YES!!!!"
"Then fine. We'll have more sex, we'll hold hands more often, whatever makes you happy Carmen."
Carmen started to feel sick. "See, that's what makes me unhappy."
"What? The fact that I want to make you happy?"
"No, it's the fact that all of those things will make me happy, not you. You used to love to cuddle and sex was never a problem. You used to look at me with these eyes. Your eyes used to make me shutter." Carmen started to smile but looked at Sam and got sad. "Your eyes still make me shutter but in a bad way. I feel like you don't love me or even like me anymore. I don't feel cared about anymore. Jack shows more passion for Jen then you show for me. I don't like to feel this way Sam."
"What are you saying Carmen?"
"I'm saying Sam that I can't do it anymore. I can't take this separation between us. I'm ending it right here right now."
Carmen walked away but Sam just stared at Carmen not saying a word. Carmen looked back.
"I bet you don't even Care do you?" No answer. "I thought so."
Carmen left the house and went home.
Summer pt. 1 of 2 is next.
It was two days before the big departure for Pacey and Joey. Pacey refused to tell Joey where it was they would be spending the whole summer. Joey still had to tell Bessie her little secret.
The wind was blowing softly as it always did in the early summer by the creek. Joey sat with her feet dangling over the side of Dawson's dock. Her feet swayed, her now long again brown hair moved in the wind and her fingers went rrrum on the dock floor.
"Hey there you are Jo; I was looking all over for you. You okay?" Pacey walked up and sat next to Joey.
"Hey sweetie. Yeah I'm fine just a little bored." Joey was watching her feet sway in the wind.
Pacey grabbed Joey's hand. "I'm bored too but just think, in two days we'll be out of here for the whole summer."
"You know if you told me where we are going then I wouldn't be so bored." Joey smiled sweetly at Pacey.
"UH UH, you won't get the answer that easily."
Joey looked sad then put on an ear to ear smile. She put her hand on his leg and said, "What if I..." she finished the sentence whispering to him.
"That alone could get the plans for the whole trip. It's very very tempting but no. I want to keep it a surprise. Who knows if you're even going anyway."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, you still have to talk to Bessie about the trip." Pacey stood up.
"Awwww, do I have to?" Joey sounded like a kid.
"Blah ha ha, yes you have to." Joey took Pacey's hand and stood up. "And I'll be with you as a, let's say, support system."
"Support system my ass Witter. You just want to prove to my sister that you got me again and this time around you deflowered me."
"No I wouldn't tell her that. Well, not the deflowering stuff anyway."
"Ha very funny Pace." They started to walk to Joey's home.
Dawson, Charlie, Jen, Carmen, Sam, Jack, Chris and Andie were all at Dawson's house decorating for a farewell party for Joey and Pacey.
Andie and Jen were putting up streamers and talking.
"I didn't know that Joey and Pacey got back together." Andie said to Jen.
"Oh yeah, they got back together a while ago but they had an open relationship so they dated other people and they didn't come out with their thing anyway." Jen said not taking her eyes off of the streamers.
"I just thought Pacey would tell me." Andie taped the last piece and walked away.
All of the boys were filling balloons or cooking. Charlie was cooking his famous cookies while Jack was making his delicious cherry lemonade. Dawson, Sam, and Chris were filling balloons.
"I can't believe Joey is leaving for the whole summer. I have never been apart from her that long before." Dawson said putting another balloon in his mouth.
"Don't worry Sweetie, I'll be with you. Besides, they deserve to be alone together." Charlie said not looking away from his cookies but to smile once.
"I don't understand why they would keep their new relationship a secret from me." Jack said as he added ice with cherries in them to the drink.
"Well, Josie knew how you acted the first time they were together and I think she didn't want to hurt you again." Sam said after stopping, blowing up three balloons.
"I don't know Joey so well but if my sis likes her then she must be good." Chris said.
Jen went into the sitting room to get away from the noise when she heard sobbing. Jen turned the corner and saw Carmen sitting on the end of the couch crying.
"Carmen what's wrong?"
Carmen saw Jen and quickly wiped away her tears. "Nothing's wrong I'm okay."
Jen sat down. "Come on if your crying then it's nothing."
"Well, Okay. As you know I'm dating Sam still and a few months ago we started having sex. At first we did it often usually every weekend and maybe once or twice during the week. About three weeks ago we started to only have sex like once a week. I was fine with that because usually things do slow down in time. I haven't had sex with Sam in two weeks. That's not all, Sam has gotten very distant. He doesn't hold my hand that much and he rarely kisses me in the lips anymore. When he does kiss me it's a small closed mouth smack then he leaves. I think Sam is getting bored of me. I don't think he loves me anymore."
Jen gave Carmen a hug. "Carmen, Boys do that when they feel like they are getting too close to someone. He'll come around. I know that Sam loves you. Time will heal all."
Carmen was better and stood. "Thanks for the advice Jen but I don't think I can wait that much longer. I don't like feeling unwanted to the only person I want." Carmen smiled and walked away.
Joey and Pacey were inside the house and were about to walk into Bessie's room when Pacey grabbed Joey's hand. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
Joey poked her head inside and saw Bessie picking out clothes for Alex who was jumping on the bed. Bessie saw Joey and told her to come in. Joey let go of Pacey when she did.
"HI Aunty Joey!" Alex stopped Jumping and ran to give Joey a hug.
"Hey Alex. Bessie, can I talk to you?"
Bessie turned from the closet and sat on the bed. "Sure, what about?"
Alex let go of Joey and saw Pacey when Joey was about to speak. "Pacey! Hi Pacey!" Alex ran to Pacey and pulled him inside.
Pacey smiled then looked at Bessie who knew what Joey was going to say. He looked back at Alex and gave him a hug. "Hey little man. Why don't you go watch TV so we can talk okay?"
Alex nodded and left the room. Pacey closed the door behind Alex and grabbed Joey's hand. Joey looked at Pacey and smiled then looked at Bessie.
"Bess, Pacey and I have been dating each other again for the past few months. We had an open relationship so that's why I went on dates but it didn't work well that way."
Bessie looked from Joey to Pacey then to Joey again and smiled. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was afraid that you would get upset."
"Oh Joey, you know me better then that. I just want you to be happy."
Pacey felt the grip from Joey's hand relax a little. "Now thinking about what you just said Bess, I want to ask you something. I'm leaving for the summer and won't be back until the end. Um..." Pacey's voice trailed off till he stopped talking.
Bessie smiled, stood up and patted Pacey's shoulder. "You don't have to ask me permission to leave for the summer Pacey. You should be asking Joey that."
"See that's the thing. I asked Joey and she said yes but you have to agree too. I love Joey with all my heart and I want her to come with me this summer."
Bessie's eyes opened wide and she walked away to the closet. She didn't talk or even face the two.
"What do you think Bess?" Pacey asked. Joey's grip got tighter.
Bessie pulled out a shirt and laid it on the bed then smiled quickly before turning away. "I'm sorry Pacey but I can't let Joey go with you."
"Why Bessie?" Joey asked. No response. "Answer me!"
Bessie whipped around to face Joey. "Because you're seventeen and you don't know what's best for you!"
"Like you do Bess?"
"Yes I do Joey! I was seventeen once and I remember how I never thought logically. I remember not thinking it through well because I ended up pregnant and alone. (F.Y.I. There is no Bodie.) "What are you going to do when Pacey hurts you again? You can't run from him like last time because you're not at home. What will you do then Miss know it all?"
Pacey stepped in. "I'm not going to hurt her Bessie. I never wanted or want to hurt Joey. I love her so much Bessie, why can't you see that?"
"I'm not denying you love her Pacey, I'm just saying that you've hurt her accidentally once and It could happen again."
"No it won't Bessie! I'll take care of her and love her and I WON'T hurt her."
Bessie got upset and clenched her fists and stared devilishly at Pacey. "Joey, if you do not remove this person from this room right now I might throw something heavy at his head." Bessie turned to face Joey. "And I won't miss."
Joey and Pacey both stared at Bessie. Joey rushed Pacey out of the room then the house. "You should leave Pace. I've never seen Bessie look like that before. I love you Pacey. Bye." Joey gave him a quick kiss before closing the door in his face.
Pacey stood there for a few seconds trying to think about what just happened. He then remembered about the going away party at Dawson's house. He walked over there.
All of the decorations were up and the food was ready to be eaten but the guests of honor still were not there. Everyone started to get anxious. It started to rain outside and every so often a flash of lightning would brighten up the room. The door bell rang and everyone got into position by the door. Dawson opened the door to find a very depressed Pacey. Dawson moved aside so he could come in from the rain. When they saw Pacey they all screamed, Congrats! Pacey looked up then walked over to a wood chair and sat down. Everyone saw his face and they wanted to know what was wrong. Dawson got Pacey a few towels.
"I'm sorry all of you had to do all of this for nothing."
Jen sat down next to Pacey. "What happened Pace?"
"Bessie said no. We went over and talked about it and Bessie didn't even want to listen to me. Joey's still over there but she won't change her mind."
Everyone tried to console Pacey but it didn't work. The doorbell rang and Dawson opened the door. Everyone looked at the person who walked in with a black raincoat on and their head hung low. The person pushed back their hat to reveal their face. It was Joey. She hung up her coat and everyone waited for her response, even Pacey. Joey looked around then shook her head no. you could hear everyone release their held in breath.
Joey went and kissed Pacey before sitting in his lap. "I know that all of you are a little sad. Pacey and I are most of all. I don't want this party to be bad. Pacey is still going and he needs a farewell party. I don't want this food to go to waste so let's not dwell on the bad, let's wish Pacey a proper goodbye." Joey smiled at everyone and everyone was hesitant at first but they all went with Joey.
The party went really great. At about midnight people started to go home. All who was left was Pacey, Joey, Sam, Carmen, Charlie, and Dawson. Pacey and Joey were on the couch all scrunched up close together as if they were afraid to let go. Dawson and Charlie were on the other side holding hands. It was only Carmen and Sam who were not close to each other. Sam was sitting on one side of a short couch while Carmen was on the other side. Carmen slowly moved closer to Sam until she was right next to him. She grabbed his hand and he looked at her. She smiled. Sam didn't smile but just held onto her hand very lightly. Charlie got up.
"Anyone want anything to drink?"
Sam sprung up and moved away from Carmen. "I'll help." He walked into the kitchen and Charlie gave him a weird look before going in himself.
Carmen watched Sam disappear then stood up and grunted so loud that everyone looked at her as she walked into the kitchen.
"Sam, we need to talk." Carmen barked.
Charlie grabbed the tray of drinks. "I'll just be... Yeah." Charlie rushed out of the kitchen.
Sam was pouring some soda. "What about Carm?"
"Well, about the way you've been treating me for one."
"The way I've been treating you? What did I do?"
"You haven't held my hand or touched me in a while. You look at me as if I have a disease now, not like you used to with love in your eyes. Oh and sex, I can't remember the last time THAT happened. I want to know why Sam."
Sam put the pop away and looked at Carmen. "First of all I don't know what you are talking about. I hold your hand and what not. If I've been doing that less lately I'm sorry but it happens. Would you like to do more of those things?"
"YES!!!!"
"Then fine. We'll have more sex, we'll hold hands more often, whatever makes you happy Carmen."
Carmen started to feel sick. "See, that's what makes me unhappy."
"What? The fact that I want to make you happy?"
"No, it's the fact that all of those things will make me happy, not you. You used to love to cuddle and sex was never a problem. You used to look at me with these eyes. Your eyes used to make me shutter." Carmen started to smile but looked at Sam and got sad. "Your eyes still make me shutter but in a bad way. I feel like you don't love me or even like me anymore. I don't feel cared about anymore. Jack shows more passion for Jen then you show for me. I don't like to feel this way Sam."
"What are you saying Carmen?"
"I'm saying Sam that I can't do it anymore. I can't take this separation between us. I'm ending it right here right now."
Carmen walked away but Sam just stared at Carmen not saying a word. Carmen looked back.
"I bet you don't even Care do you?" No answer. "I thought so."
Carmen left the house and went home.
Summer pt. 1 of 2 is next.