Note: thanks nursechrism, superfan24, PaceyandJoeyForeverandEver, elwoodluver00034, FL twin, for the nice feedback.
Note2: Sorry it took a bit longer to update, parents came back from their vacation and things got busy. I'll try to update a much as I can but it may be a couple of days from now on, anyways enjoy the next chapter.
Chapter 5
Pacey took his seat in English class, 'Joey had understood leaving at lunch when Dawson joined them and the rest of the group. They hadn't really talked to each other about their feelings about Dawson. Sure they talked about that Jack, Andie and Jen could rebuilt their relationship with him if they wanted but not really about them trying to be friends with Dawson. Sure he had made it clear he felt he couldn't trust the guy anymore but not if he wanted to change that. As much has he didn't want to part of him still wanted Dawson back in his life. Dawson had after all been there for him in the past whenever he had trouble with his family. Remembered his birthday when others simply didn't care. Well there was 2 years ago when he had forgotten about his birthday. It had really hurt him that the only person whom he could always could on to have fun with on his birthday hadn't remembered. Dawson could be really self-absorbed at times. Ever since 2 years ago he hadn't felt as close to Dawson as he used to. He tried, he really did but something was just missing. It wasn't just because of the birthday that Dawson had forgotten, that would be sad but it was that he had changed. Andie had given him the confidence to change. She was able to see the insecure little boy inside him and just have faith in him he could be the man he wanted to be. He didn't have to be a screw up. He didn't have to be the town loser. He could be someone, for the first time in his life he wasn't on the side lines like he always was with Dawson and Joey. He was Dawson's friend all those years but he never got really close with Joey, ever since his father arrested hers they had had their banter. It was weird to think they got closer only when his father arrested hers for the second time. Sure they still had their banter but after the summer, after Dawson rejected her, she had allowed him to comfort her, trying hard to get him to leave her at first but finally giving in and letting it all out. Since then they were closer. But this wasn't about his relationship development with Joey but him and Dawson growing slowly apart. His days with Dawson at their old fort in the forest seem a lifetime ago. When they went back there they had felt their history but Pacey hadn't been able to tell him what he meant to tell him then. That night he knew he had to stop things with Joey, for Dawson's' sake. He had tried…he really had that time to get her out of his head…but he couldn't, he couldn't get her out of his head. Every time he closed his eyes he saw her, every time he slept he dreamt of her, every time he was around her he wanted to tell he how he felt and kiss her.' He looked up when the bell rang just as Jack entered the class and hastily took a seat next to him. 'I wonder how Jack feels about all of this. Jack never really got along with Dawson.' A small smile played on his lips remembering how things were between Jack and Dawson also because of Joey. The teacher began to scribble something on the board while saying something but Pacey didn't hear him, lost in his own thoughts. 'Jack, he personally never had a problem with Jack. He liked him but it put him in a position that was uncomfortable, being Dawson's friend and being Jack's friend, who just happens to be your girlfriends at the time brother. He remembered how upset Dawson was with him when he had invited Jack along on the father son fishing trip. He'd been upset with Dawson and Dawson was just too self-absorbed again to figure out why. Jack had seen it in an instance and finally told Dawson it was because Pacey's father, John Witter, put Dawson on a pedestal while Pacey stood in that shadow. John Witter seemed to care more about Dawson, like everybody else in Pacey's life, then Pacey. Pacey just couldn't figure out at that time in his life why that was. John was his father, not Dawson. And Dawson actually seemed upset with his father that weekend. He just couldn't believe how in the world anyone could be unhappy with a father like Mitch Leery. It just made him so angry. Dawson could never see beyond his own little world. Could never see how lucky he was. It had hurt him then that Jack who had not even known him for a year could see that but not his so-called best friend. But again Dawson had attempted to make up his shortcomings for him when Pacey's father had first been proud at him then told him to enjoy it because he would most likely not happen again, Dawson had tried to be there. The effort alone made him forgive his best friend but in the back of his mind he knew Dawson would never understand how it felt like to hear every day from your father that you were basically worthless and a mistake. Andie knew him better then anyone had. It hurt that even Jack seemed to take an interest to get to know him better while Dawson never seemed to really try to talk to him. Sure he would tell him he didn't want to talk about it but Dawson should have pushed harder. But it wasn't Dawson's fault things between him and his father weren't good. Eventually his father and him bonded a little, this also thanks to Andie. He owed Andie much and he loved her, he just wasn't in love with her anymore. He once had been but when he found out she had cheated on him, those feelings seem to have died. Ever since then he and Joey had gotten even closer. Dawson just didn't understand him anymore. Dawson wanted him to become the town screw up again so he could feel better about himself. Dawson had said so at his birthday party. Sure he was drunk and he himself knew how you say things you don't mean sometimes when you're drunk. But still those feelings come from somewhere when you're drunk. He remembered himself ranting about Dawson and Joey's balled and how tired he was of their saga. He had made him feel like he wanted to puke. He actually puked after too. Still it had been wrong to say those things and he knew it, and felt sorry for saying them. But still part of him felt that way at that time to have said those things. Which meant part of Dawson must have felt that way too.' He was suddenly pulled out of his thoughts by Jack asking him something. "Huh?" he said before turning to Jack saying "sorry what?"
Jack smirked, 'Pacey will always have that short attention span when it comes to school' "I asked how you were dealing with this whole Dawson thing." He repeated to his friend.
"Well not so much dealing, as avoiding to deal with it. It's just that it's weird, him and me have been friends for so long but since he started his relationship with Joey I've felt like him and me have been growing apart. Maybe I pulled away because I might have had feelings for her back then but not knowing I had or maybe it was because I didn't want to be the character he had scripted for me anymore. I don't know but as hard as I tried things just didn't got the same, maybe I didn't want them to because since I met Andie I didn't want to be the town loser everyone thought I was. I've just been thinking that even if we became friends now again it wouldn't be like it was before. Not because it doesn't feel right but because I don't want to feel the way I feel around him. I don't want to be the person he wants be to be. I want to be the person I'm right now." Pacey fell silent and watched Jack then looked towards the front of the class noticing the teacher was gone.
Jack smiled "he went to get some more coffee while we are supposed to be working on our assignment. But back to Dawson, I don't think you should trust him. I don't know why exactly. Call it an instinct. On the outside he seems sorry and sincere but there is something…off about it. Jen thinks so too, that's why I got to class so late. I hadn't had the chance to talk with her with Dawson there, but Dawson went to Math with Andie and Jen had a free period. Anyways she says the feels there is something Dawson isn't telling us but it could be an all matter of things. We both suspect he's not over Joey. He's still calling her his soul mate, which is kinda my fault since I was the first one to bring up the words soul mate, but that's because I hadn't seen you and Joey together. I'm not saying she's your soul mate or anything Pace because we're a little young to be using those kind of words. But you guys do have a deep connection with each other. And share a deep love, really. Every time either one of you see each other your eyes just light up." Jack said smiling then added seriously "I'm not sure if Dawson is up to anything but if he is don't let him get to you. Joey is with you, she chose you, she loves you, not him."
Pacey smiled saying "Of course she does, honestly which woman would chose oompa Loopma over sexy me?"
Jack laughed "Pacey, I hate to break it to you, but you're not that hot."
"Of course I am, but I'm afraid all the hotness is reserved for one woman." Pacey replied smirking.
"Of course it is Pacey" Jack said chuckling.
Pacey smirked and was about to say something when the teach said with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand "I'm glad this little assignment has got you both so excited." He said to them, then added "maybe I should give you both an additional assignment, since it was about Othello, maybe you two will write an essay for me about Shakespeare and his work." The teacher smirked at their faces and walked to his desk saying "I want it on my desk by the end of next week." The bell rang cutting off the response from the two friends and they irritably started packing their bags.
Just as they were about to walk up to the teacher, to get out of it, the teacher said "Oh and this better be about his plays and not those movies you have about Shakespeare on your part time job Mr. Witter."
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When they were outside after an unsuccessful attempt to get out of their assignment Pacey said "I swear that guy took over Mr. Petersons spirit in making our lives difficult for his own pleasure."
Jack smiled wryly "I second that. Hey Joey, Jen" Jack said as they approached the two girls and…Dawson in the hallway. Joey wrapped her arms around Pacey's neck and kissed him "hey" she whispered when she pulled back. Pacey smiled at her "hey then noticed the figure behind her. "Dawson" Jack and Pacey said in union. Joey and Jen, turned to look at Dawson whom had apparently followed the girls because Joey rolled her eyes in annoyance and frustration at the sight of him and Jen managed a small smile. Pacey just continued to stare at him with a blank facial expression not saying a word beside his name he said when he greeted them.
"Hey" Dawson said, then added "so you guys had that new English teacher yet? I heard he's a nightmare."
Pacey shrugged, Jack looked from him to Dawson uncomfortable and ended up saying "He's got Pacey and me do an extra assignment because we were talking."
"Actually he only saw us laughing" Pacey threw in.
"You got in trouble already? It's our first day of the new school year!" Joey said looking at him with forced disapproval.
"Oh my, Miss Potter are you suggesting you want to punish me for getting in trouble our first day back at school?" he asked smirking at her in a amused shocked expression as his eyes told her what kind of punishment he had in mind.
Joey gasped and gave him a hit on his head "pervert" she said to him smirking at him in amusement before squealing when he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground and spun her around grinning.
After the third spin he put her down and smirked and she playfully hit his shoulder before leaning in to kiss him.
Pacey kissed her back his arms tight around her waist holding her close to him when Jen said "uh guys" she broke apart and noticed an uncomfortable Jack and Jen standing near Dawson whom was smiling happily at them. "Oh don't worry about me guys. As long as the two of you are happy, I am happy" he said to them, although inside he felt the anger and rage flow through him urging him to take Joey out of Pacey's arms and beat him back into the hospital if not his grave for touching what was his.
The four managed a small smile before all excusing themselves to get to the lockers before the next class started, which was about to.
Hope you liked that, next chapter Dawson will throw movie night, inviting everyone, that must be fun! right? lol. feedback please.
