CHAPTER 9:
"Okay", Dawson answered, knowing very well what Pacey meant. He tried to think of something to get rid of Joey for a second so he could talk with Pacey about his first day in the new class and what to tell Joey, and whoelse noticed he was gone, in the mean time. But Dawson didn't need to make up an excuse, Joey provided one herself. "Sorry to interrupt this nice gathering", she said as she walked away. "But I need to look something up in the library. See you guys in class, okay?"
"Sure", Dawson mumbled, and Pacey ignored the question so he wouldn't have to answer it. Instead he walked along with Dawson to a quiet place in the school. Lots of those to find around in the lunch break, so that wasn't so hard. When Dawson stood still, so did Pacey and he waited for his friend to talk. "So", Dawson started. "It went okay?"
Pacey shrugged as if it was no big deal. "Well yeah of course, I already had this material last year, it's actually a piece of cake. So no problem."
"C'mon Pacey you know what I mean", Dawson sighed. "No need to pretend to me, we're best friends, remember?", he added reassuring.
"Okay well except for the staring looks and the whispers I guess it was alright", Pacey admitted. "But I came out of the class as soon as I could and I don't really know anyone in there so it's hard to give well argumented statement here Dawson, as we all know you like so much."
Dawson opened his mouth to give Pacey a well thought of answer in return, but shut it in time when he realized that was exactly what Pacey meant. "Well that's just me", was all he said. "Anyway, next subject, you made it clear over there you didn't want Joey to know why you weren't in class, but how long do you know you can keep this a secret from everyone? I mean you walk around in school, but never show up in class? That's gonna be hard to explain."
"Well yeah dude, it's gonna be hard, but with your help", Pacey smiled as he laid an arm around Dawson's shoulder. "Besides what are best friends for?", headded trying to persuade Dawson.
"I just think it's not possible and not to speak of the fact it's rather useless", Dawson said in his own all known kind of way. "So what, your afraid they are going to talk about you behind your back? You're afraid that you're topic of the day? Well no offence but people already talk about you. And me, and Joey and the English teacher for that matter. But guess what, today's news, is tomorrow's history. It seriously isn't that big of a deal to anyone but you."
"I don't know", Pacey said as he crossed his arms and leant with his back against the wall. Letting a deep sigh out he didn't tell Dawson what exactly was on his mind with all this.
"O c'mon Pacey, like you ever cared what people thought of you, be honest to me and to yourself, what's wrong?"
"Just forget it Dawson", Pacey said frustrated throwing his arms in the air. "Just forget it okay? I'll figure something out for myself. And what if it doesn't work? Like you said, it's no big deal to everyone but me. Besides if I try hard with working myself back up with your dad this is just temporarily. Very temporarily."
"I hope so Pacey. Not just for you and the fact I of course want you back in my class, but I am a terrible liar, you know that. I can't keep secrets, not even my own, so I seriously don't know how long I can keep this from Joey. And I still don't know why you want to hide it from her. You know her sarcasm are just jokes, and I doubt they even get to you, the way you pretend they don't. Since when do you care anything she says? Aren't you two like each others worst nightmare anyway?"
"Yeah sort of", Pacey said as he pushed himself from the wall. He tried to find a way to change the subject to not ruin the entire lunch break they had, so he said overly happy "Lunch?"
Dawson smiled to his friend and shook his head. Sometimes he really couldn't get a clear idea about what was going on in that head of Pacey. Not sometimes, most of the times actually. And that Pacey seemed the kind of guy that jumped from one thought, mood or even situation in the next without thinking just made him more interesting to Dawson. He was the exact opposite; calm, careful and always explaining everything until the tiniest details.
Yes, he and Pacey made quite the pair. You could see it in everything they did. Like for instance when they walked into the cafeteria for some food. Pacey placed his plate with a nice noise on the counter and made all kind of loud comments on the food. Direct, funny, very true most of the times, but loud. Dawson on contrary slowly took whatever he needed and walked towards Pacey without any loud remark, without any remark actually. Two opposites, still best friends to the end.
When they had paid for their food they took place at one of the few empty tables left in the place and began to eat their meals. Pacey opened the ketchup and put it over his sausage. With big bits he quickly consumed the meat and went on with the rest of the plate that was emptied in no time. When he was done he leant back on his chair and watched Dawson eat his meal.
"What?", Dawson asked annoyed when he saw Pacey staring. "Do I have ketchup on my chin? O wait, you were the ketchup freak here", he tried to joke. Seeing only a small smile appearing on Pacey's face he asked again "What?"
"Nothing, can't a guy just stare?"
"No", Dawson said as he frowned.
"Okay", Pacey replied. He started to whistle and looked away from Dawson, pretending the wall was suddenly very interesting to look at.
"Aww Pacey", Dawson said, getting curious now. "Penny for your thoughts."
"You'll never guess."
"Well it can be two things. Or you were actually thinking of the fact break is almost over and we're splitting up again soon or you were planning a food fight."
"Ow Dawson great idea", Pacey said mischievously as he grabbed his spoon and got ready. But unfortunately for him right then the school bell rang to announce break was over. No more fun, no food fights, just boring classes were waiting for both of them.
"And they announce doomsday", Pacey joked as he stood up. "Nice knowing you Dawson", he said as he walked away. Turning around he waved a goodbye to his friend before walking to the next class.
