Chapter 3:

The first week of school went by fairly fast for Joey. She was tired, but she loved every moment of it. She had never thought about becoming a teacher but after this week, it was a possibility for Joey.

"Joey are you ready yet?" Jen called from behind the door.

"Almost. I'm just buttoning the last few buttons."

"Hurry up, Grams will be furious if we are late for church."

"Keep your bloomers on Jen, I'm coming." Joey said, opening the door.

Jen looked over Joey's attire. "Very nice. That color makes your eyes look almost blue."

"Thank you Jen."

Joey looked over Jen's attire and knew that Mrs. Ryan would be furious. Sometimes Joey wondered if Jen did things such as this in order to drive her grandmother crazy. She was wearing a pink dress, with a deep square cut bodice, revealing a lot of cleavage. Joey on the other hand was wearing her light blue dress, which buttoned up to her throat. It was not the most comfortable thing, as Joey hated having things around her throat, but she knew that this was an appropriate dress for church.

"Jen, Grams is going to die when she sees what you're wearing."

"That's the idea Joey. I want to keep reminding her just how annoyed I am at having to live here."

"Oh Jen. It can't be that bad. I mean look at all the southern gentlemen there are most of them are handsome. You could find a suitable husband down here."

"I don't need to find a suitable husband, I was in love with Drew, Joey. I'm biding my time though; I will leave for New York soon, or get him to come down here. There will be no stopping us."

"I hope that all works out for you."

The two girls walked out of the schoolhouse and down the walkway toward the church. Joey was slightly nervous. Pacey Worthington was going to be there. Joey has not seen him since the day he saved her life. She was both nervous about seeing him and excited about it at the same time.

Jen looked over at her new friend and smiled inwardly. At least one of them could be happy. Jen knew that despite what Joey said, she had a thing for Mr. Worthington, and why shouldn't she? He was a very handsome man, even Jen thought so, though not as handsome as her Drew.

"Are you nervous?" Jen asked.

"Yes. What? NO! Why would I be nervous?"

"Joey, Joey, Joey." Jen laughed. "You are nervous and you know darn well who I'm talking about. Pacey will be there today."

"I know that Jen. Why would that make me nervous?"

"He's handsome Joey, and I have a feeling that our Mr. Worthington, Charleston's most eligible bachelor likes you. That's enough to make any girl nervous."

"Well not me. He's just a man, Jen. There is nothing be nervous about."

Jen just smiled. "Well let's put your theory to the test. I see Mr. Worthington, now. He is standing outside the church, talking to Grams."

"Oh hello girls," Grams said, as Joey and Jen walked up to them.

"Hello Mrs. Ryan."

"Grams. Hello Mr. Worthington."

"Good morning, Miss Liton, Miss Preston."

"Good morning Mr. Worthington," Joey smiled.

Grams smiled at the children. "I will see you inside. Good day Mr. Worthington."

"Good day Mrs. Ryan."

Pacey watched as Jen's Grams walked away and turned back to Jen and Joey. "Well, Joey how was your first week of school?"

"It went smoother then I expected actually. How did you manage to keep yourself busy Pacey?"

"Oh you know, I managed although I'm not sure how, but I managed. It would have been much more enjoyable if you had been around to entertain me."

"I'm sure it would have, however, I do have much more enjoyable things to do with my time."

"Ouch. Josephine you wound me."

"I will really wound you if you call me Josephine again."

"Ok children, I think we better get into the church for more then one reason, the major one being that Grams will send the hounds after us, and the other is I don't want to see you two come to blows or draw blood."

Joey laughed. "I'm not being serious Jen. Well, perhaps a little bit, I tend to get violent when someone calls me Josephine. I really just don't like the name."

"I wasn't being serious either Miss Liton. Although I can't fathom why you don't like the name Josephine, Joey. It's a lovely name."

"I can't explain it, I have just never liked it."

"I will accept that and I promise that I will never call you that again."

"I thank you Mr. Worthington. However, Jen is right. I do believe that if we don't get inside the church soon, Mrs. Ryan is going to send the whole parish out looking for us."

Pacey laughed. "I can just imagine that. Miss Liton your grandmother is a very kind woman, but she does seem a tad scary. I would not want to be on her bad side."

"Oh trust me you don't. I've been there most of my life, and it is quite scary."

"And yet you always manage to do something to rile her up." Joey said, arching an eyebrow.
"I know what can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment. I like pushing my grams' buttons."

Pacey escorted Jen and Joey into the church. He sat in the pew behind Mrs. Ryan and the two ladies, steeling glances at Joey all mass. He went through the motions subconsciously. Joey kept Pacey's attention all mass, not that he minded, and not that she knew. She stood up and sat down whenever Jen did, and somehow managed to remember the words that she was supposed to utter back whenever the priest asked his questions.

Pacey waited outside the church for Joey and Jen to emerge. They came out with Mrs. Ryan, one girl on either side. Joey looked like a vision to Pacey, but he would never dream of telling her that, they hardly knew one another.

"Ah Mr. Worthington, I wasn't sure if you'd still be out here."

"I couldn't leave without at least saying good-bye to you Mrs. Ryan." Pacey said, flattering the older woman.

"Oh, please. Save that smooth tongue for someone younger and more deserving."

Pacey chuckled. "I will try, however, you have stolen my heart Mrs. Ryan."

Evelyn Ryan had the decency to blush. "You do know how to go on Mr. Worthington, it's a wonder you are still single."

"I just haven't found the right woman yet, ma'am." Pacey said, glancing at Joey. The look did not go unnoticed by Evelyn Ryan, nor by Jennifer Liton. Jen was about to make it her mission to set her new friend up with the dashing Mr. Worthington.

"Well children, I am old and I am in need of some tea. I will be heading back to the schoolhouse."

"Would you like us to walk you back?" Joey asked.

"Oh no dear, that's quite all right. I am capable of getting back on my own. Stay, mingle, meet some people, whatever. I will expect you back for supper, however."

"We will be back by supper, Grams."

"Mrs. Ryan, would it be all right if I took both your granddaughter and Miss Preston down to the coffee shop for some refreshment?"

"Of course Mr. Worthington. As long as the girls would like to go."

"Thank you ma'am."

Evelyn Ryan walked away from the young group, smiling. Pacey Worthington, the city of Charleston's most eligible bachelor was falling for Miss Preston. He couldn't have picked a better person to fall for, in Evelyn's opinion.

Pacey turned to Jen and Joey. "So may I escort you to the coffee shop?"

Jen turned to Joey giving her a subtle nod yes. Joey looked like a deer caught in headlights. She wasn't sure if she should be going out with Pacey Worthington. Part of her was excited about the idea of spending time with Pacey again, but part of her was afraid because she really liked this man, and she didn't know anything about him.

"I suppose that would be all right." Joey replied.

Pacey smiled. "Wonderful. Ladies."

Pacey offered his arms to both Joey and Jen, who took the offered arms thankfully. Joey rolled her eyes first, but accepted the offered arm nonetheless.

The three walked down the street to the coffee shop, smiling at some of the people as they went. Mrs. McBride looked at the three shamefully, but neither Pacey, Joey, nor Jen paid any attention. They just continued walking, enjoying the day.

"Here we are. So, what can I get you anything?"

"If it's not too much of a bother, I'll just have a tea," Jen said.

"If it was a bother Miss Liton I wouldn't have offered." Pacey smiled.

Jen laughed. "I suppose not."

"And for you Joey?" Pacey asked.

"A sweet tea, please."
"Right away."

Pacey left the two women and walked up to the counter to place his order. Why he was gone, a stranger walked up to the table. He had a strangely large head, blond hair, a huge forehead, and blue eyes. Joey couldn't help but notice that his eyes seemed dull, not like Pacey's eyes. Pacey's eyes were so lively and they seemed to sparkle.

"Hello ladies," the stranger said.

"Um, hello." Joey said, looking down quickly. She did not want to give the man in front of her any idea that she might like him, he reminded her too much of Dawson, and for some reason, this strange reality she seemed to be stuck in had everyone from her present life, except for Bessie. Jen was there, and so was Grams, so why not Dawson. And if this person were 'Dawson' it would be safe to assume that he has some of the same qualities as 'her' Dawson.

Jen noticed Joey's quiet demeanor, and wondered about it. Why did Joey seem almost afraid of this man?

"Hello." Jen said, smiling at the man.

"Is this seat taken?" the man asked.

"As a matter of fact it is." Pacey said, setting down the cups on the table.

Joey looked up gratefully as Pacey placed her sweet tea in front of her. She smiled at him as he sat down.

"Hello. I'm Pacey Worthington, and you are?" Pacey asked, extending his hand.

"Dawson Lexington. Pleasure. Ladies," he said tipping his hat.

As Dawson Lexington walked away Joey breathed a sigh of relief. Of course his name would be Dawson, her life was just screwed up that way. Why in the world would he not be Dawson? Joey was positive too that for some reason this Dawson was going to believe that they were 'soul mates' as well. Why? Why did this have to follow her all the way to the past?