"Pacey?", Dawson tentatively pushed open Pacey's unlocked door, after knocking a few times, he thought there would be no problem letting himself in.
"Pacey?" Dawson called out again.
"Joey?" came Pacey's voice from his bedroom- not having heard Dawson calling his name, but only footsteps on the floor, he presumed it was Joey.
Pacey poked his head out of his bedroom door, a smile on his face, only for it to fade when he saw Dawson in jeans and a long-sleeved brown shirt staring at him.
"Why would it be Joey?" he asked Pacey quizzically.
Pacey thought for a moment, "she said she and Audrey might stop by after class" Pacey said, as he walked towards Dawson.
"Drink? Food?" Pacey asked, walking past Dawson and heading towards the kitchen.
Dawson turned and followed him "Err, no- why are they coming over here? And when did you talk to Joey?" Dawson asked, and Pacey could tell that Joey was right- Dawson had never quite forgotten, or let his suspicions about him and Joey fade.
And if Pacey didn't infact have something to hide, he would be mildly offended.
Pacey opened the fridge door and pulled out some orange juice, sipping some from the carton as he watched Dawson standing awkwardly by the kitchen window.
"Audrey called me, and Joey was with her- they want to come over and harass me for some such thing" Pacey said, waving off his explanation.
"So, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Pacey said, putting the carton of juice away and offering Dawson a seat, as he sat down himself.
Dawson sat down opposite Pacey, and there was silence.
"Did you get amnesia on the way over here or something?" Pacey asked, smiling.
Dawson laughed "Ah no-" he began "believe it or not, I have come to ask for advice" he said, looking at Pacey half seriously.
Pacey leaned back in his chair, curiosity building up "Well, ask away- I will tell you all I know!" Pacey said.
Dawson smiled, and fidgeted in his chair for a second, making Pacey a little nervous- "Well- err-" Dawson began with a shaky tone, and then took a deep breath "I'm thinking of asking Joey to move in with me" he said at last, and Pacey tried to smile, though his gut was wrenching.
"Ah, well I thought for a second that you were going to tell me that you two were getting hitched! -" Pacey laughed, trying to see the bright side of things.
Dawson smiled "No, that will come later" he said, his smile widening- and Pacey's diminishing.
"So, where do my expertise come into this?" Pacey asked, trying to get the conversation over with.
"Well, I know you and Audrey are going well- and, have you two considered doing that?" Dawson asked.
"No, not as such" Pacey replied simply "and where exactly are you planning on staying? Gram's house, or would you buy a place?" Pacey asked.
"Well, I have been looking at apartments- there are tons of ones that are close to both our University's" Dawson replied, getting the feeling that Pacey was uncomfortable with this conversation "So you and Audrey aren't willing to take that next step?" Dawson asked again.
"No, we haven't discussed it, I think we are perfectly happy with the way we are now" Pacey replied, a little impatiently now "And, may I ask, are you so suddenly desperate for a room mate?" Pacey asked.
"Well, don't get me wrong, Gram's has been great, but I just want to move on- and what better room mate to have than Joey?" Dawson replied.
Pacey nodded, grinding his teeth he began to feel anger and jealousy rising "Well Dawson, I think you should maybe drop a hint with Joey first, she's not exactly the kinda gal that rushes into those sorts of things" Pacey said bluntly, and then rose from his seat.
Dawson did the same "Err- well I was hoping you'd be a little more help, but thanks Pace, I'll maybe talk to her about it tonight" Dawson said.
"Tonight? You guys are doing something tonight?" Pacey asked, a little too quickly.
"Um, yeah- we've both been having long study sessions, and it will be nice to unwind- just the two of us" Dawson said, wondering why Pacey was so keen to know.
Pacey nodded "yeah, well, I thought we could all do something together again- seeming as last time was so much fun" Pacey began "and I thought we could do that mini-golf thing that Audrey mentioned" Pacey said, trying to sound convincing "Could be fun" he added.
Dawson looked a little uninterested "I wouldn't take you for the mini gold type" Dawson said.
"Me and Joey used to do it- we went on a date to the mini golf park in Capeside once-" Pacey said, but stopped himself from saying more, sensing Dawson's weariness at the mere mention of him and Joey.
"Well, I'll ask Jo, and I'll get back to you" Dawson said, "I got to run, see ya Pace" he said, and headed for the door.
"Stop by any time" Pacey called after him.