Note: I am sorry that it has taken me so long to update. This school year is really busy and I rarely have time for myself. The part that I feel worst about is how I left the reader. I left it with a sad ending and one person that I know almost cried. It was good huh? ï
I want to add some happiness back so I've changed this chapter a bit. I hope you enjoy, please review!
"Are you cleaning again!?"
Lily stood at the bottom of the stairs watching her younger daughter in the kitchen. Joey had a half eaten piece of toast in front of her while she was cleaning the table with her napkin. No, she wasn't cleaning; she was scrubbing furiously into the wood so hard that her finger tips were rubbing the table. Lily grabbed Joey and stopped her.
"What's wrong Joey girl?"
Joey put down the napkin and wiped away a tear before looking at her mother.
"There's nothing wrong."
"Sweetie, you've been cleaning everything lately. I've never seen you without a rag ever since... Joey, if this is your way of coping with your breakup with Pacey then..."
"Mom this has nothing to do with Pacey," Joey said somewhat angry.
"I know Joey girl but I'm just saying if it was..."
"Well it's not! So don't bother. Gees, you'd think cleaning is a crime in this house. I'm going to school now," Joey said before slamming the front door.
Pacey was once again lost in a dream world for the umpteenth time this week. He couldn't focus, he couldn't think, he couldn't even eat, which was a big thing for Pacey because he never got so depressed that a triple chocolate fudge brownie lost it's luster. Whenever he closed his eyes he would see her.
Josephine Potter.
Pacey chuckled at the thought of how she would always hit him when he called her that. The memory brought a frown back. It's amazing how two months really are short. When it's the end of the school year they seem so long but 2 moths in nothing compared to a year and a year is nothing compared to a lifetime.
Those 2 months were hard, like every relationship is. They fought constantly, although most of it was more like banter than actual fights. There were those big fights too. Usually Pacey would end up going to her house the next morning and they would forgive each other and spend the rest of the day together never wanting to leave when it turned dark.
In his little dream world, Pacey forgot to watch where he was going. He hit someone straight on and fell to the floor. He looked at the ground and saw papers from the other person. Pacey got on his knees and started to pick up the papers.
"I'm so sorry, I really am," he said handing over the papers not looking at the other person.
Joey took the papers and tried to look away.
"Its fine Pacey," she said quickly.
Pacey looked at Joey when he heard her voice. He helped her up and looked at her. Pacey could tell Joey was trying to avoid eye contact with him.
"I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing, I'm sorry."
"I said it was fine," Joey said picking up her purse.
They stood there in an awkward silence for a few seconds.
"So..." Pacey began, "How've you been Joey?"
Joey rocked back and forth from her heels to her toes and vice versa.
"I'm...I'm fine. Um, you know I have to get going because I'm um, working, tonight, at the icehouse, and my mom hates it when I'm late so bye," Joey walked away quickly.
"See ya Joey," Pacey squeaked before walking away with his head down low.
Jen and Dawson watched the whole thing. "It's like they are afraid they'll catch cooties or something from the other one." Jen commented.
"I'm happy that they have finally talked to each other," Dawson replied.
Jen looked at Dawson questioningly. "They haven't spoken all week?"
"Nope," Dawson said, "Not a word all week. Pacey said that the classes they shared they would avoid each other. Pacey was hit hard with the breakup but Joey doesn't seem that affected."
"I bet she's worse then she's letting on. I'm going to go see her tonight, Dawson."
Pacey walked up to his two friends. He didn't even try smiling.
"Hey Pacey, How are you?" Jen asked.
Pacey shook his head and said, "Not so good."
"Have you tried talking to her? I'm sure Joey isn't feeling that good either."
"Did you just see what happened? She doesn't want to talk to me. It's like it didn't even matter to her."
Jen felt bad for Pacey. He was feeling even worse because he thought Joey didn't care, when Jen knew Joey cared more then she was letting on.
Dawson and Jen were walking home that afternoon. They walked hand in hand and jumped over the mud puddles formed by last night's rain all the while laughing. A
MX-5 Miata in strato blue pulled up next to the happy couple.
"Aw how cute! Two teeny boppers smiling," the man in the driver's seat said as he took off his sunglasses. He had dark spiky hair and had on a leather jacket.
Jen stopped smiling and walked up to the car. "Billy?"
"Hey beautiful," Billy said with a model like smile before looking at Dawson, "And you might be blond boy?"
Dawson was still freaked out by this stranger but took Billy's hand and shook it anyway.
"Dawson."
"It's nice to meet you Dawson. I want to thank you for keeping my Jenny company for this long while."
"How did you find me here Billy?" Jen asked still in awe that Billy was back.
"I overheard that you were staying with your grandmother. Besides, you really think I would stay away from my girlfriend?"
Dawson looked from Billy to Jen, "you're HIS girlfriend Jen?"
"Awe how cute. Jenny went back to Jen," Billy commented.
"Shut up Billy!" Jen spat, "I'm not your girlfriend anymore. We broke up."
"If in breaking up you mean my girlfriend leaving me in the middle of the night, never telling me where she was going and I had to hear about her whereabouts from her drunken mother then yeah, we broke up," Billy said with a smile. He opened up his passenger door, "now enough with the chit chat and both of you hop in and I'll give you a lift."
Dawson rolled his eyes and walked away. Jen followed. Billy stayed next to the couple, driving slowly.
"Seriously, this isn't good for my engine and I'll just keep doing this the whole way so you two might as well get in already."
Jen looked at Billy, "After this you leave and Dawson," she said looking back at the blonde," He really will do this the whole way."
Dawson shook his head then went into the car followed by Jen before they drove away.
Joey once again was cleaning. The table was soaking wet from all the cleaning but Joey didn't notice. She was too busy lost in her thoughts.
He looked fine. It's like what we had didn't matter to him. Did it? Why am I asking that? Of course it didn't matter! He didn't even try to stop me from breaking up with him. I bet he was hoping for it. I knew it. I knew nothing would be different with him. I should have stayed away from him and none of this would have happened. I just thought...I thought I meant something. I swear I felt something when he kissed me or even when he looked at me. O those eyes! Pacey had the most beautiful eyes and they were so loving. He used to stare at me before he kissed me and always smiled wide after. Kiss. Pacey could melt me with his kisses. But it doesn't matter. It's over, gone, never to be felt again. Things are never going to change and I should just accept it. I'm meant to be alone, and never happy. That's me Joey Potter, the eternal loner...
Joey was so inside herself that when Jen tapped her on the shoulder Joey's hand slipped and got cut by a sharp edge on the table. Joey grabbed her hand and touched the blood. She turned around and faced Jen. Joey started crying.
"Shit! Shit! O god!"
Jen grabbed a towel and put it on Joey's hand. She put her hand on Joey's shoulder.
"It'll be okay Joey."
Joey whipped away and faced Jen still crying.
"No it won't be Jen! Don't you get it? This is how it's always going to be. I'm supposed to be unhappy," Joey fell into the nearest chair and kept crying.
Jen bent down next to Joey and pulled her into a hug. "Don't worry Joey. It'll get better, shh."
Joey rested her head on Jen's shoulder and let the tears come. "He didn't even care. He didn't care. He said it was fine. He didn't even care," Joey cried.
"Who didn't care?" Jen said still holding Joey.
Joey lifted her head up and wiped away some tears but they kept coming.
"Pacey. He didn't care about us. He probably wanted to breakup. It meant so much to me and he didn't even care. Why does this always happen to me?"
Jen put her hands on Joey's. "He does care Joey. Pacey cares so much about you."
Joey started to get her self together. "He doesn't seem like he does. I've been cleaning myself to death here and he doesn't even seem mad or sad or anything! I think I need to go away from here."
Jen stood up and nodded. "Okay. I'm gonna go talk to your mom and then we'll go to my house." Jen smiled before walking away.
When Jen came back, Joey was calm and collected talking to someone. Jen looked at who she was talking to and it was Billy. Jen walked up to him.
"What the hell are you doing here!?"
Billy looked at Jen and smiled.
"It's nice to see you too. I'm just talking to a pretty young woman."
Jen looked at Joey. "Why are you talking to this...asshole, Joey?"
Joey smiled and shot down the rest of her drink.
"You shouldn't be so mean to Billy over here, Jen. He's really nice. He gave me some brown stuff to drink. What's it called again Billy?"
"Tequila. It really works wonders huh doll?" Billy said.
Jen gave a dirty look to Billy. "You gave her tequila! What the fuck were you thinking? Alcohol is the last thing she needs!"
Joey stood up and walked over to Jen already a little tipsy. "You need to chill Jen. Billy is going to give us a ride."
"We are not getting in the car with him Joey."
"Well maybe you're not but I am. I really don't feel like walking right now so I'll be in the car," Joey walked past Jen.
Billy followed her, "You heard the girl," he said to Jen.
Jen followed the two and got in the car. Joey was in the back and Jen was in the front. She put on her seatbelt and faced Billy.
"We are going to my house!" Jen yelled.
"Yes sir," Billy responded.
Joey picked up a full bottle filled with brown liquid, "Is this what I had before Billy?"
Billy looked at the bottle then started the car. "Yes it is."
"Can I have some more?"
Billy smiled, "drink up doll."
Joey opened the bottle and poured the alcohol in her mouth. Jen saw this and tried to grab the bottle. Joey moved away.
"Get your own bottle Jen!" Joey spat before chugging some more.
"Doll face, "Billy said driving, "I'm going to a party now. You want to come?"
Joey put down the bottle and smiled, "Hell yeah! I'm up for some fun."
Jen whipped her head to face Billy, "No Billy! Joey is not in any condition to go to a party and she's drunken enough already."
Billy shrugged his shoulders, "Hey, I'm not going to stop the girl from having a good time."
A few minutes later they reached the beach house. There were teens everywhere and really loud music. Joey jumped from the back seat and threw the half drunken bottle at Jen before running off into the house. Jen tried to follow Joey but Billy held her back.
"Let her go Jenny. Besides, I never got the proper hello," Billy said holding Jen tight.
Jen got free after a small struggle and faced Billy, "I don't want you! Why can't you understand that? Joey is my friend and I don't want her getting hurt," Jen said before walking into the house after Joey.
Joey was sitting in a chair with a drink in her hand. Her hand was tight around the cup she was holding and her eyes were glued on Pacey. He was talking to a blonde girl who was twirling her hair in her fingers. The blonde giggled and touched Pacey's face. Joey could feel her self getting hot. She was about to get up when a tall broad guy stood in front of Joey smiling. Joey thought this would be the perfect way to get back at Pacey. She extended her hand.
"Hey cutie. What's your name?"
The guy leaned into Joey and rubbed her neck. "Jake, you want to go outside and do...stuff?"
Joey wasn't really into the guy but figured he would be a nice distraction. She grabbed Jake's hand and smiled seductively. "You lead the way handsome."
Jake smirked again and dragged Joey quickly over to the back door. The door was next to Pacey. As Joey passed she said hi to Pacey and giggled. Pacey looked at Joey, who was obviously drunk, and followed her out. Jake went back inside to get Joey some more to drink. When he left, Pacey walked up to Joey who was having trouble standing up.
"Joey, what are you doing here?"
Joey turned around and frowned, "what, I can't have fun too?"
"Obviously you have. Jo, you're drunk."
"So!" Joey spat out while slurring, "I felt like getting drunk. Now excuse me while I go back to Jake. You should go back to your blonde Barbie doll and leave me alone."
"Joey I won't let you get with this guy!"
Joey gave Pacey a dirty look, "you have no say! We aren't together anymore! Well, it's not like you care. Tell me, did I mean ANYTHING to you?"
Pacey looked at Joey in disbelief, "Of course Joey. Why would you doubt that?"
Joey wiped away a tear. "It doesn't matter. I have Jock, no, Jake now. So you can leave."
Jake came back and gave Joey the drink. Joey gulped it down then wrapped her arms around his shoulders and smugly smiled at Pacey. Pacey shook his head then started to walk away. When he was almost at the house he heard Joey's voice.
"Stop it! Stop!" Joey yelled as Jake wouldn't let Joey go.
Pacey clenched his fists and walked back up to them. He tapped Jake on the shoulder and when he turned to face Pacey, Pacey punched him square in the nose. Jake fell to the ground holing his nose.
"What the hell did you do Pacey!?" Joey screamed looking down at Jake. Jen had finally found Joey just in time to see the punch. Jen ran up to Joey and asked if she was okay.
Pacey pushed Joey and Jen along towards the creek. "Go get in my boat before someone comes after us. Hurry!"
The three of them ran to the boat and Joey got in. Pacey and Jen pushed it into the water then Pacey picked up the oars and rowed away. Once they were in the middle of the creek and far away enough, Pacey slowed down his pace.
Joey was lying down humming, still feeling the high from the alcohol. Jen was sitting on a row and Pacey was watching them.
"How long has she been drinking?" Pacey asked Jen.
"About an hour."
"That's not too bad."
"Yes it is. She inhaled half of a Grande sized bottle of tequila in 15 minutes."
"Ouch. She's going to feel it tomorrow."
They laughed slightly.
Joey sat up and smiled at them.
"Hey guys, How do cow's pee?"
Pacey and Jen looked at each other before laughing until they reached Jen's dock. Once they got drunk Joey up the dock stairs and into Dawson's house, they plopped her on the couch where Joey almost fell asleep on contact, after complaining of a headache.
"It's better if she stays here because her mom would flip if she knew Joey was drunk," Pacey said unfolding the blanket Jen gave her.
"You're right. I don't want her to get into trouble," Dawson said looking at his drunken friend.
Pacey put the blanket over Joey and smiled, "Sweet dreams Jo," he said before kissing her forehead.
Pacey was backing up when Joey grabbed his shirt collar, "wait," she said.
Pacey moved back, "yeah?"
Joey leaned forward and kissed Pacey. She put one hand behind his head and brought him closer. Slowly she backed up and opened her eyes, "Thanks for saving me," she said before dropping to the couch and falling asleep. Pacey smirked then stood up.
He walked with Jen to the dock. He climbed in the boat and was about to row away when he called Jen.
"Jen!" Pacey called.
"Yeah?" she said turning back around.
"Do you have any idea why she got drunk?"
"Well, it could be a lot of things. School, work, friends, family, you."
"Me? No, it's not me."
"I don't know. She DID just kiss you."
Pacey smiled remembering. "She's drunk. She probably thought I was George Clooney because I do resemble him."
Jen chuckled, "Sure Pacey. I think she knew it was you."
They smiled at each other one last time before Jen walked away and Pacey rowed away thinking maybe Joey really did know it was him.
'No,' he thought, 'I think it's best if I just chalk it up to being drunk, although it felt nice to taste her again.'
Pacey rowed away feeling lonely once more.
