Before Sunrise - Part 3

Joey was still processing all that happened. She got off the train to spend a whole day with a guy she hasn't seen since 10th grade. But truth is: he was not just an old buddy from high school. At a point of her life, Dawson Leery was the only one for her and he was her world, her first love. For a moment, she remembered the first time she saw him in a new light.

Flashback

Young Dawson and Joey were running in Dawson's backyard.

"Come one, slow boy, you will never get me", Joey mocked Dawson, her favorite hobby.

"You're so full of it, aren't ya?", Dawson said slightly irritated.

Joey looked behind and laughed and then she stumbled and fell, bruising her arm. She screamed and he run to her and took her in his arms, gently touching her face.

When he touched her, she felt a shiver in her spine and smiled shyly.

"Are you okay, Jo?".

"Are you okay, Jo? Were you smiling?". Dawson was puzzled and then Joey realized she was daydreaming. Major flashback.

"I'm okay, just thinking. Well...now I'm off the train, what are we gonna do?", she said quickly.

"Maybe we can leave our bags here and, then, enjoy the city. What do you think?"

"Good idea".

As they left the station, they could see the city. "Wow, this is beautiful!", Dawson was surprised with Vienna.

"Yeah, it is, but we don't know anything around here. Do you have a tour guide or something?".

"Yes, let me see", he grabbed a small book. "Uh...we can go to the Art Museum or maybe watch a movie at the "largest movie theater from Europe". Well, I'm a little biased, I think you know my preferences for...".

"Movies", she completed his sentence.

"What do you think? A movie night for old times sake?".

They both laughed at his comment. Movie nights, their trademark.

"Okay, but I don't know if we will find a Spielberg one", she joked.

"Actually, I'm on the Soderbergh phase".

Joey rolled her eyes.

"Regardless...he was the first one who inspired you to make movies, so..."

Dawson laughed.

"Right, right...confession time. I'm still a huge fan of him. What can I do? My college friends make fun of me, but I can't help it, the guy is great". Dawson looked around a little embarrassed.

"I knew it!", Joey smirked. "Some things, Dawson Leery, never change...even with the time".

"Yeah, they never do", he said staring at her eyes while memories were filling his mind.

Flashback

Joey: C'mere Dawson

"I will kill Pacey", he thought while walked towards her. "Why Pacey has to do this? This is awkward, Joey and I kissing?"

And then it happened. Their lips touched for the first time and he felt something different. She put her hand in his face. It was sweet, the kiss was sweet. He was totally into it when he heard Abby's annoying voice, breaking the moment.

"13...14...15. So are we having fun?"

"Earth to Dawson. Hey, are you awake?", Joey has been calling him for a whole minute.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about...", he stopped. He could never tell her he was thinking about their first kiss, in detention, six years ago.

"Thinking? About what?". Joey seemed curious.

"About lunch... what about something to eat? I'm starving, aren't you?". He took a deep breath.

"Not so much, since we ate an hour ago. Are you okay?".

"Yeah, I'm just hungry. Let's go".

He changed the subject, but definitely it was still there in his mind.

TBC