This chapter is kind of short, sorry. There is a flashback. I don't own songs, shows, whatever. One chapter left after this tear…then Sequel. smile
Chew, glance, chew glance…this is all that Joey Potter had been doing for the past two hours at Jen's house. She couldn't even pay attention to the movie, well, almost. She had to admit it was kind of hard to not pay attention when Brad Pitt took off his shirt. As the movie came to a close, Joey had maybe paid attention to fifteen minutes of the film. Every time Pacey moved, her eyes shifted to him. He moved a lot. Every time he reached up for popcorn, Joey could smell his cologne. It took a lot of effort to not jump on him right there. The credits started rolling. Finally, Joey thought. The movie was way too long.
Jen stood up from her position at the foot of the bed.
"Well, I guess its half time. Anyone want something to drink?"
"I do!" Joey and Pacey said together.
"So…four cokes. You want one, right Dawson?"
"Yeah," Dawson said sifting through the movies they rented for the night.
Joey gave a sad look to Pacey. "Wait!" Pacey said quickly.
Everyone looked at him. Pacey shifted his eyes between all of them, looking for an answer. "Um…Dawson. Why don't YOU help Jen and I'll…I'll pick out a movie. Sound good?"
"I guess so. Why do you want to pick out a movie?" Dawson asked getting up.
Pacey put on his cocky smile. "Dawson, we just watched fight club. Although it was under the action section of our beloved Movie bin, which Joey got us the movies at a discount; clearly this bad charade of man on man fighting belongs in the section with titanic and other girly melodramatic things. I don't want to waste another two hours of a perfectly good Tuesday night on another sweaty guy movie. There are other, more interesting things that could be done."
"Like what Pace? Forgot to wash your hair this month?" Joey said with a smile.
"It's actually been two."
"So that explains the flies swarming around your head."
"And all this time I thought they just wanted me," Pacey said with a smile.
Dawson walked over to the door. "We'll be back in a few," he said before walking out.
"I thought they'd never leave," Pacey said moving closer to Joey on the bed.
"That movie was like what, six, hours long," Joey said before lying down on the bed letting Pacey get on top and capturing his lips with hers.
"We really need to find better places to do this Jo," Pacey said between kisses.
"I know. In the past two days we have made out in my boat, in your Dad's car, in your Mom's car, in Doug's car, in my mom's car, the back of the icehouse, the bathroom of the ice house, empty doorways and under the stairs. All of which we got interrupted after maybe five minutes. We've run out of places."
"We wouldn't have if you weren't so needy. Damn woman, I can only take so much," Pacey said coming in for another kiss.
Joey rolled her eyes at him. "Only a man huh? I do believe you're the one on top right now so…"
"What can I say? A man has needs too."
"Pace."
"Yeah?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
"Forceful are we...I like it," he said before kissing her again.
Pacey started to kiss her neck when Joey heard Dawson and Jen in the hallway. She quickly rolled over, causing Pacey to fall onto the floor. Dawson and Jen heard the thump and ran into the room.
"What happened?" they said opening the door.
Pacey pop his head up on the side of the bed. "I uh…thought I saw something go under the bed so um, I leaned over and I fell."
"Typical Pacey thing, "Joey said sitting up and rolling her eyes.
"Uh Joey," Jen said.
"Yeah?" Joey said looking at her.
Jen pointed to her shirt. "You might want to fix that."
Joey looked down to her shirt. The first few buttons were undone, exposing a part of her bra. "Thanks," Joey squeaked turning red. She turned towards Pacey. "I think we can add Jen's bedroom to our list."
Jen rushed up to Joey who was standing in a line by the yacht club. She grabbed her arm.
"It is so hard to find you Joey," Jen said moving with her in the line.
"Why have you been looking for me?"
"O I don't know…maybe the fact that I walked in on you and Pacey getting all hot and heavy, on my bed none the less."
"Pacey fell and we were not getting 'hot and heavy,'" Joey said getting defensive.
"Sure Joey. I'm sure that Pacey fell but I KNOW that you two were doing something 'Friendly.' A shirt doesn't come undone by itself."
Joey rolled her eyes. "Okay, so we weren't just talking exactly. You know, it's been so hard to find a place to not get interrupted so…"
"So you thought you'd give my bed a try."
"I'm really sorry about that."
"No biggie. How long have you guys been doing this?"
"Since Sunday. It was really awkward at first…"
Joey was the first one at the icehouse. She said she would open up the restaurant and watch it until her Mother came in later. She was cleaning up some things in the back when the door rang and someone walked in.
"I'll be there in a minute!" she said to the customer but kept cleaning up.
The customer walked down the short hallway that led into the office. Joey started to leave the room.
"You're not allowed…Pacey?" Joey stopped when she saw him standing in front of her.
"Hey Jo," he said staring back at her.
"Why are you here?"
"The um…project. We never finished it."
"Oh. You can sit down. I have to cleanup and wait for my mom to come before I can do anything."
"Okay," Pacey said still standing. "How are the snails?"
"They're fine. I didn't get to check on them until late last night because we were…" Joey got quiet. "You thirsty?"
"No. Joey, about last night, I…"
"No need to say anything. What happened last night was a mistake…just like the other times we did that. I won't think anything of it so no need to worry," Joey said starting to clean up again.
Pacey grabbed her cloth and she stood up straight. They faced each other and stood closely. Pacey put down the rag and grabbed her hands. "I should be worrying if that's how you feel. I was going to say that I meant what I said last night. I miss you Jo and I don't want to let you go so easily."
"Don't or won't?"
"Both. I won't give up without a fight," he said leaning in and kissing her.
After the kiss, Joey opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Why do you do this to me Witter?"
"Do what?" he asked holding her.
"Be so great. You know I'm a sucker for you already and yet you add on an extra layer of cheese," she said giving him small pecks.
"Do you want me to stop?" he said between kisses.
Joey stopped and pulled back a little to see his whole face. "Never."
They smiled and started kissing again. The door rang.
"I'm her Joey girl," Lily yelled. "You can go."
"Okay mom!" Joey yelled back. She turned to Pacey. "Go into the bathroom. I'll be there when I can."
Pacey ran into the bathroom and closed the door. He hid on the side of the door. A few seconds later, Joey opened the door. "Pace?" she said softly.
"Boo!" Pacey said jumping out.
Joey jumped and then closed the door behind her. She hit him on the arm and pushed him up against the door. "Not funny," she said seriously.
Pacey was still laughing. "Yes it was but I'm sorry. Come here," he said pulling her closer and kissing her.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door. "Anyone in there?" a lady asked.
Joey put her forehead on his shoulder. "Shit, what are we gonna do now?"
Pacey looked around and noticed the window. He grabbed her hand. "Follow me Jo," he said leading her out the window. They snuck around the side of the building and to the front. Pacey opened the door that led underneath of the porch and stairs. Joey stopped moving.
"I'm not going under there," Joey said shaking her head.
Pacey grabbed her hand again. "Do you want to be alone with me or no Potter?"
Joey sighed. "Okay, let's go," she said before going under the stairs with Pacey.
"But we didn't stay there long because the sound of people walking was too loud," Joey said finishing the story.
"Wow. You really wanted to make out," Jen giggled.
Pacey walked down the street clad in his favorite Hawaiian shirt and cargo kaki shorts. Dawson was on the other side of the street. Dawson crossed the street and walked with Pacey.
"Hi Pacey."
"Hey D. what's up?"
"Nothing. Where are you going?"
"The store. I'm staying by Dougie's for the week and he just can't sing his gay man's rendition of that Diana Ross without his red bull so thus, I'm out bull hunting. What about you Dawson?"
"Actually, I was looking for you."
"Why?"
"Pacey, What are you doing with Joey? You're going to hurt her again."
Pacey rolled his eyes. "I think I'll be better this time Dawson."
Dawson laughed. "This time? You actually think you two are back together? Joey wouldn't put herself in that position again."
"And what position is that?" Pacey said facing him.
"The one where she gets hurt by you."
Pacey shook his head. "That was low. I'm not going to hurt her and, so you know, I didn't force her to come back to me. She did that on her own." He walked away.
Pacey turned the corner when he saw Jen and Joey standing in the line. He walked up to them. "Good afternoon ladies. Why are you two in the line for the miss windjammer contest? Are you signing up Jen?"
"Nope. I'm waiting with Joey," Jen responded.
"Joey? You're doing a beauty contest?" Pacey asked surprised.
"Why? Don't think I'm pretty enough Pacey?" Joey retorted.
"I think you could win miss universe easily but I didn't know you wanted to be a beauty queen."
"I don't," she said quickly. "First place is ten thousand. I need money for college."
"Next," Said the lady at the table. Joey signed her name. Pacey then grabbed the pen and signed his name. "Excuse me," she said. "What are you doing?"
"I'm signing up," Pacey said. "I don't believe it says that I can't sign up."
The three walked away.
"Why did you sign up?" Jen asked.
"I want to see the look on my father's face when he reads a headline: Sheriff's Son Does Beauty Contest."
"You really are something else Pacey," Jen laughed. She turned and smiled at Joey. "I'm going to leave so you two can…talk. Bye guys," she waved before walking away.
Pacey walked in step with Joey and grabbed her hand. "What was that about?"
"She knows," Joey said casually.
"About what?"
"About us."
"How?"
"Lucky guess."
"What'd you say?"
"I told her how it started."
"And?"
"And she thought it was sweet. She was only mad that I didn't tell her sooner."
"Oh…Dawson knows too."
Joey stopped walking. "What did he say?"
"He was actually pretty rude. I don't want to talk about it. What do you want to do?"
Joey bit her lip. "Do you really need to ask?"
Pacey grinned. "Let's go to Doug's house. He's not gonna be home for a while," he said taking her down the street.
That Saturday
"I won't fall, I won't fall…" Joey kept repeating to herself in the mirror.
Pacey came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "Hey Gorgeous."
Joey leaned back against his chest. "I'm nervous Pace. What if I fall?" she said talking to him in the mirror.
"You won't fall. Don't be nervous Jo, you'll be fine."
"You're up Miss Potter," a woman said into the room.
Joey took in a deep breath and turned towards Pacey. "Last question time. Kiss for good luck?"
"Always," he said before kissing her sweetly. "Go get 'em tiger."
As Joey walked onto the stage she thought, Yeah, A tiger in heels.
A lady stood by the microphone. "Final question. Miss Potter, What advice would you give to the youth today?"
Joey smiled and walked up to the microphone. She took in a deep breath and felt herself relaxing.
"I would tell the youth today that they should never give up. What they think is a huge deal now won't even matter when they are older. Not being popular or not having a boyfriend or not having money may seem like the end of the world now, but things will get better. If you're smart, then you can do anything. This reminds me of a saying I like to use: Life can suck sometimes. There isn't any ballroom to dance around in or any perfect moments. Life is made of a bunch of mishaps strung together. But between those bumps and bruises, after those times when it seems when no one cares, that's when we find out how perfect life can truly be…"
Pacey stood on the side of the stage watching Joey. Jen came next to him.
"You made her look even more gorgeous than always…if that is possible," Pacey said with a smile.
"Maybe a little too Gorgeous?" Jen said pointing to Dawson.
Pacey looked at him. Dawson couldn't take his eyes off of Joey. Pacey knew that Dawson was finally starting to see the Joey that was always there. It couldn't have come at a worse time. Brittany McPherson stood next to Pacey.
"You two are so dumb, "she said. "Sure that Potter chick is pretty but she'll never win. They'll never let trailer trash win," she said before slinking off.
"…and that is what I would say to the youth today. Thank you," Joey smiled before walking off stage. She gave Pacey a hug.
"How'd I do?"
"You were beautiful."
"Thank you. Now it's your turn Pacey. Knock 'em dead."
Pacey smiled his cocky smile before strolling off onto the stage. He stood on stage and waited for the lady to speak.
"Mr. Witter, What advice would you give the youth today?" said the lady.
Pacey calmly walked up to the microphone and took it off of the stand.
"I would say, get out when you can. Capeside sucks. It has to be the worst town in America. The people are rude and stuck up. They pray on the less fortunate, or, the more fortunate. Capesiders believe that any person who doesn't have a family that makes at least seven figures a year, isn't really a person. I would tell the youth that it sucks to be them because they are the next generation of narcissistic pigs. They should be ashamed to be from the bloodline they are from. Those people who get treated poorly because they aren't rich or aren't thin or aren't a cheerleader or aren't model gorgeous, are the people who ARE the good ones. So be nice to them because they'll be controlling you someday. Thanks." He walked off of stage in the silence of the room.
Joey and Jen greeted Pacey back stage.
"You are the craziest guy I have ever met and I lived in New York," Jen said.
"You don't want to win do you?" Joey said with a smile.
Pacey put his arms around both the girls.
"I couldn't really care less about this competition. I'm just happy I got to tell off those people. Now, let's go wait to see who wins," Pacey said walking away. "And, I must say, I have the two prettiest girls with me tonight."
"Can all of the candidates please come up on stage," The lady said.
All of the girls, and Pacey, walked up on stage for the announcement of the winner. The lady looked at the contestants and smiled.
"The winner of the Miss Windjammer Contest 2005 is…Britney McPherson!"
The crowd clapped and cheered. The rest of the contestants were able to go home. Jen had already left so Joey and Pacey started to walk home together.
They walked in silence, not really wanting to talk. They strolled along the dock for a while.
"It's cold out here," Joey said wrapping her arms around her body.
"Here," Pacey said taking off his jacket and putting it on Joey.
"Thanks," she replied looking at him. "Where's your tie?"
Pacey touched the place where the tie should have been. "I forgot it. Wait here and I'll be back," he said running back to the yacht club.
Joey leaned over the edge of the railing and looked at the water below. Since it had already turned dark outside, the water was black.
"Gonna go for a swim?" Dawson said behind her.
Joey turned around to face him. "Not in heels I'm not."
Dawson stared at her. "Brittney shouldn't have won."
Joey nodded her head. "Her mom runs the competition."
"You should have won. You look gorgeous tonight Joey."
"Why? Because I have on a dress?"
"No, you just do. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it," he said getting closer.
"Do you know how long I waited for you to tell me those words?" she said not moving away.
"You are something else Joey," Dawson said almost touching her.
Joey moved away. "I don't want you to do this."
"Why? I thought you wanted this?"
"I did. I wanted it so badly. But I don't anymore, not since Pacey and…"
"Don't throw this away because of Pacey. He's just going to hurt you again. He can't care for you like I can Joey!"
"This has nothing to do with Pacey. Pacey and I are nothing. This is about us Dawson. I don't want this anymore…not like this, not now."
"You're giving up, that's all," Dawson said before walking off. He passed Pacey, who heard everything, and spoke to him. "I told you she won't go back."
Pacey looked up and noticed Joey was looking at him. He walked over to her.
"Did you mean it?"
Joey wiped away her hair. "Every word."
"Even about us?"
Joey sucked in her lips. "Pace…" she began.
"So you think we're nothing?" he interrupted.
"You know it too Pacey. Yeah, we've been together all week but that's where it ends…kissing."
"It doesn't have to!"
Joey nodded. "Yes it does. Dawson was right. You will hurt me again and this is not a chance I'm willing to take."
"I thought you wanted us again."
Joey moved closer. "I do. I want us so bad. But are a few kisses in the back of a car worth more heartache?"
"I won't hurt you again Jo. I will make you happy."
"I'm sure you would make me happy Pacey. But ultimately in the end someone always gets hurt," Joey took off the jacket and gave it to Pacey. "I'm going to go now before I start to cry."
Joey ran away.
Pacey walked slowly to Doug's house. When he got in his brother was sitting in his chair with is arms folded. Pacey slowly closed the door.
"How was the contest which completely embarrassed the Witter name?"
Pacey rolled his eyes. "Not now Doug," Pacey said as he flopped onto the couch.
Doug noticed the lack of sarcasm from his little brother. That rarely happens. Doug stood up and walked over to the couch and sat next to Pacey.
"Okay, spill it. What happened to you?"
"I didn't win."
"Like you cared. What happened with Joey?"
"How do you know this has to do with Joey?"
"Lucky guess. What happened? I thought you two were back together."
"Then you're just as stupid as I am. I thought everything was going fine. I thought we were back together but I was wrong…dead wrong…like our relationship."
"What did she say?"
"I'll give you the whole scenario. The contest was over and we were walking. Not anywhere, just walking. I forgot my tie so I left her at the dock. When I got back, Dawson was there talking to her. He was telling her that I would hurt her again and how he wanted her…"
"What did you tell him?"
"Nothing. C'mon Doug. This is me, Pacey watch from the sidelines as my life gets torn apart Witter. I never intervene."
"Then what?"
"Then Joey tells him how she wanted him but doesn't now and it has nothing to do with me because what we have is nothing. Then Dawson leaves. I talk to Joey."
"What did she say to you?"
"Pretty much the same thing she tells Dawson. That last week was just meaningless. She said that kissing is where our relationship ends and she doesn't want to get hurt for some kisses in the back of a car. And she tells me I will hurt her. I say I won't but she thinks I will not matter what. Then she runs away."
"So she used you?"
"Pretty much yeah. I feel like shit."
"Do you still care about her Pacey?"
"…yeah. She looked amazing tonight Doug. She always looks beautiful. Whenever I'm around her I get butterflies. She makes me happy but I guess I don't make her happy. That hurts the most."
Doug laughed a little. "I never thought I would say this to you baby Bro…"
"What? That I can't make someone happy?"
"Pacey…you love her."
That was the chapter. The next chapter is the big finish for this edition. Her are some previews of what will happen in the last chapter of a new state of mind:
Pacey: I don't love her.
Doug: You'll always wonder what would've happened if you don't tell her.
Joey: Dawson was right; Pacey could never care for me like he can…And now I need to tell him I love him.
Jen: Dawson kissed you didn't he?
Joey: Yes.
Pacey: …All I can think about is holding you, kissing you and telling you how much I love you. But all of that doesn't matter because you have Dawson for that.
Joey…I don't want you Pacey…
