Lady's shade and Joshy's girl - thanks for your reviews. I really appreciate them.
Joey's POV:
We were still laughing as we made our way to the exit of the movie theater. I never had been a big fan of comedies, I felt they didn't have any plot, but even I had to admit I had enjoy the movie. Or maybe it was the fact that I was just enjoying being back in Capeside. Back with my friends.
Jack reached the door first, and held it open for us. Andie was the first one outside.
"The storm has started. Everything is white," she said as she stepped outside.
I was right behind her and sure enough I stepped out into a winter wonderland. I always had enjoyed the first snowfall of the year. There was something magical about it. Of course after that magic wore off, you were left with the shoveling, bad roads, and slush that resulted from the snow. I had never been a big fan of winter.
There was probably already an inch of snow on the ground and it was coming down steadily. I hadn't bothered watching weather reports but I wouldn't be surprise if we woke up to six or more inches. It was going to make getting around tomorrow quite a feat.
"Jen and I have our cars parked over at the highschool," Jack said. I knew what he was getting at. Walking to Leery's Fresh Fish and then to the high school would be out of the way for them. "If you two don't mind, I think it would be best for us just to head for our cars now."
"Go ahead," Andie said. "I'll meet you back at your apartment."
"Joey."
"Not a problem. I walk around New York City by myself, I think I can walk the streets of Capeside without the protection of a guy."
"I'm sure you can," Jack said with a grin. "I'll see you tomorrow night Joey," he told me, holding his arms out for a hug. I gratefully fell into them. It felt great to be with the people who meant so much to me again.
"Drive carefully," I told him as I stepped back. "That goes for you too," I told Jen as I gave her a hug.
"I will and take your own advice," Jen told me. "I'll see you out at your place. Then we can stay up, watch the snow fall, and have a gab fest."
"Sounds like a plan."
We a final wave to each other, Jen and Jack headed in one direction and Andie and I started in the other direction. The wind had picked up, and I was glad we were walking with it, as I really didn't want to try walking against it.
Andie and I walked along in silence for awhile. I really didn't know her all that well. We just never really talked to one another. Sure we hung out together but one of the others had always been with us.
I was searching for some thing to say and was about to ask the lame, how is school going question, when Andie spoke up.
"Can I ask you a question, Joey. It's kind of personal."
"Sure, Andie. You can ask me anything."
"If two people had a relationship in the past that didn't work out, do you think there is any chance for them the second time around?"
Giving what was going on with Eddie and me, I found Andie's question a little ironic. Yes, Dawson and I had tried our relationship a second time in college and it had failed once again. Dawson and Jen had given their relationship another try with the same result. That didn't mean it could never work out. Dawson's parents had been the perfect example of that. If it hadn't been for that car accident, I believed they would be together still. And then there was Eddie and me. I really wanted us to work. I enjoyed being with him. Felt complete when I was with him.
"If two people were meant to be together then it will happen eventually. It think its just a matter of timing. Both people in the relationship need to be at the right place in their own lives that they can handle being in the relationship," I told her.
Glancing to the side, I saw Andie nod.
"Any particular reason that question came up?"
Andie shrugged. I thought at first that she was going to tell me but then she spoke up.
"It just seems like everyone at school has someone special in their life, except for me. I mean, I've gone on a date here and there, but they weren't anything special. I didn't really feel any connection to any of them. There's only been one person in my life that ever made me feel like that."
"Pacey."
It wasn't really a guess. I knew how hurt Andie had been when she and Pacey had broken up. She had made a mistake and Pacey just couldn't get past that. Couldn't forgive her. Andie had only let go, because she knew she had to. I hadn't missed the hurt look in her eyes when she found out about me and Pacey in Dawson's yard our junior year. I knew then that she still loved Pacey, just like Dawson was still in love with me. I had to give her credit though, she had dealt with the situation better than Dawson had. Hadn't stopped being friends with either of us just because things weren't the way she wanted them.
"Is it obvious?"
"Not really. I just know how hard it is to get over him. Have you ever told him that you still care about him."
Andie just shook her head.
"Maybe you should," I told her.
I knew Pacey had never stopped caring about Andie. She had been his first love. Had really been the first person who had ever shown any faith in him and what he was capable of. Finding out she had cheated on him had crushed him, I knew that as I had to deal with a drunk Pacey the night he had broken up with her. In a way, I had always felt that I had always been competing with Andie's memory. That everything that happened, Pacey was comparing it to what he had with Andie. Maybe that was one of the reasons we had never worked out.
"And if he doesn't feel the same way?"
"Then at least you know," I told her. "The other option is that your left wondering what could have been for the rest of your life."
We had reached the restaurant by then. The parking lot was just about empty. A couple was exiting the restaurant as we approached. I grabbed a hold of the door before it closed and held it open for Andie and then followed her inside.
"I'm sorry we . . ." I heard Gale start to say. "Oh Joey, Andie I didn't realize it was you. I'm closing the restaurant because of the storm, but can I get you coffee or something."
"Coffee would be great," I tell her hoping it will warm me up a little. I notice that there is one more couple left finishing up their meal in the far corner.
"I'm fine," Andie tells her.
"Where are Jack and Jen?" Dawson asked from the table he was busy wiping down.
"There cars were at the high school so they headed that way after the movie," I replied as Andie and I make our way over to the bar to sit down. "The snow is really starting to come down out there," I told him as Gale comes out of the kitchen with my coffee. Pacey and another cook is behind her.
The other guy had his coat on, and headed for the door as Pacey comes over and takes a seat in the stool next to Andie.
"Shouldn't you be working?"
"Well Potter, for you information except for that coffee cup and those dishes that our patrons are using, my job is done for the night so while I wait for the customers to finish up their food and beverages, I'm taking a break."
"You could help me," Dawson said from where he was still cleaning up tables.
"I'm the kitchen help," Pacey replied.
I notice Gale look at her watch and then glance toward the window. I can see the worried look on her face. I'm figuring she's worried about getting home to Lilly. Sure, her babysitter is with her, but it just wasn't the same. Bessie use to call me every twenty minutes if she was away during a storm after Alexander was born. I guess it was a mother thing.
"Mom, why don't you head on home," Dawson says walking over to her. Evidently he had noticed his mom's actions too.
"I don't want to rush anyone," she replies nodding in the direction of the people still eating.
"Pacey and I can lock up," Dawson told her. "Right Pacey."
"Yeah sure. No problem," Pacey replied.
"I don't know. Still, I would like to let Angie get home before it gets too bad outside."
I knew Angie was the teenage daughter of the family that had bought Grams' old house. She was a senior in highschool this year and with being right next door, her parents didn't mind how long she watched Lilly.
"Go," Dawson told her holding out his hand for the keys.
Gale handed the keys over to him.
"Thanks honey," she said hugging and kissing his forehead. "Thank-you Pacey," she said as she headed to the coat closet for her coat.
"Not a problem," Pacey replied actually getting up. I thought at first he was going to help Dawson with wiping down the tables. Instead, he headed over to the customers to see if they needed anything.
"You kids be careful going home," she told all of us as she headed toward the door.
"We will," I replied. "Drive carefully." Gale left and I turned to Dawson. "Need any help?" I asked him.