Disclaimer: I don't own anything or any character
Hello! I've been on a serious hiatus as you can see. Next Chapter.
Enjoy!
Tornado Filled Group Projects
I pulled up to Joey's house with a strong desire to turn around and go back home.
I had no clue what I was doing there or why I felt so compelled to come but, there I was.
I knocked on the door, shifting my feet uncomfortably on the worn out welcome mat.
The door flew open and there stood Joey.
"Hey," I said.
She looked genuinely surprised at my presence.
"Hey," she responded awkwardly.
"It's not too late, I hope."
"Oh, not at all, of course not. Come on in," she said standing to the side to let me in.
"Ok. I-I wanted to return these," I said holding out the cds in my hand.
I needed a back up plan in case I wimped out but, now that I used it I felt like an idiot.
"You're kidding me, right?" she questioned in disbelief.
"No. No, I-I was going through my, uh, CD collection, trying to weed out some of the more embarrassing reminders of my callow youth, and I came across your Counting Crows collection."
It was such a lame excuse yet I kept talking anyway.
"Dawson, you borrowed those, like, 3 years ago."
"Yeah, I know. I apologize for my appalling lack of etiquette. Uh, um? Uh...No. I, uh... So I should go," I said backing up towards the door slightly.
I was panicking at the prospect of being here when I was pretty sure I shouldn't.
"Why?"
"Because it's none of my business."
"What isn't?
"Pacey."
"Ok, you're gonna have to start making some sense here, Dawson."
I took a breath.
"You know, just- just talk to Pacey, ok?"
Joey seemed very confused by now.
"About?"
"About school. He's in trouble," I finally said getting it out of my mouth.
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, he didn't show up for school today. And if he's not careful, he's gonna flunk out," I said evenly and I almost laughed aloud.
"And I can't for the life of me figure out why I should even care about this, but... I'm here, and if there's anyone who can help him out it's you, so..."
"Well, no offense, Dawson, but if Pacey was in such dire straits, don't you think I would know about it?"
"No, I don't."
"Why?" Joey asked with crinkled eyebrows.
"Don't you get it, Jo?" I stated sighing deeply.
"When you love someone, you want her to be proud of you, you want her to think there's nothing in the world that you're incapable of. And the thought of disappointing her is- it's crippling," I said staring at her right in the eyes but, she looked down.
Awkward silence filled the space between us.
"Good night," I said turning to leave without another word.
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Dawson and Jen sat on the dock staring out at the open water.
"It's ok to be hurt, Jen," Dawson said.
"I'm not hurt, Dawson. It's just that only real boyfriend that I ever had enlisted the help of my best friend to dump me, and... You know, I'm- and I'm just angry," she responded with a clear look of frustration.
"Take it from somebody who spent the better part of last spring angry at the world," he started and then sighed deeply.
"It's not worth it. I mean, it might numb the pain a little bit, but it's basically just a distraction. I don't know. Point is, if you do it right, Jen, loving someone's gonna hurt. And the sooner you let yourself feel that, the sooner you'll be able to love again."
Jen rolled her eyes, not amused at this attempt at making her feel better.
"I really don't need one of your sappy self-help seminars right now."
Dawson shrugged.
"Just trying to repay a favor."
"Oh, what?" Jen questioned in confused.
"You've been sage to my simpleton more times than I care to count."
"God, why didn't just throw me into oncoming traffic?" she groaned placing her head in her hands.
"You know, because you helped me through the worst of times. I've really learned a lot from you, Jen," Dawson responded evenly looking at her.
"Really? Like how to downward spiral your way into adulthood?"
Dawson laughed.
"No! No, you didn't. You're the one who taught me that love can suck. Things change, passions fade, partners come and go. But that through it all, one thing remains sacred, and that's friendship. It's true because... I mean... God, without you guys this summer, this would have been a huge black hole of depression for me. But it wasn't because I was lucky enough to have you, Jack, Andie, and Scarlett."
"Do you have to be so damned earnest? It's disgusting really. I mean, it makes me wanna drown you in the creek," Jen said shaking her head.
"Oh, it's part of my charm. Funny thing about friends. Sometimes they bring you the worst of news, but it's always best of intentions."
Jack walked up the dock and Dawson looked up.
"Jack," Dawson said standing.
"Hey," Jack said nervously.
"Thank god. Take her off my hands for a while?"
"Sure."
"I'll see you around."
Dawson left and walked up to his house.
He went up to his room and closed the door.
After laying on his bed he picked up the phone, dialing the number he had learned so quickly.
"How to get a better personality hotline, how may I help you?," the voice said from the other side said making Dawson laugh.
"Yes you can. I have this friend. She's tall, gorgeous, redhead but, once she opens her mouth it all goes to hell," he said and he could almost see her narrowed eyes.
"She sounds wonderful. Ever think maybe you're the one with the problem," Scarlett said sarcastically and Dawson smiles widely.
"I was thinking maybe we can go to that new pizza place on Market Street this weekend. I heard they have a open mic night," he said laying his head back on his pillow.
"Hmm I'll let you know cause clearly I have to go find a new personality," she said in bitter amusement.
Dawson smiled once more.
"That's fine. Take your time. I'm not going anywhere."
They both laughed and proceeded to there usual phone escapades.
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I walked into the doors of Capeside High walking towards my class.
It was surreal being here after spending all my life in the city.
I still felt quite a bit out of place because I couldn't help but stand out.
Everyone in Capeside knew each other and grew up together and it was clear I was not one of them.
"Hey Scarlett," a random jock said looking me up and down with a smirk as his minions followed him glaring at me.
I sighed.
Because I was from LA and the way I dressed all the guys assumed I was easy while, all the girls seemed to just hate my guts.
I seriously considered putting on something more Capeside this morning but, I finally convinced myself to put on my new thrift store skinny jeans and my newly sewn halter neck top I made from my kitchen tablecloth.
So what if they judged me. So what if I liked fashion and had a thing for Victoria's Secret. They'd just have to get over it.
I walked into class and tossed my bag in the chair in front of Dawson.
I perched myself on his desk and plucked the rest of his pop-tart from his hand.
"You know, I've always had this wild fantasy of a girl, a classroom, and a desk but, I promise it has never included her eating my pop-tart," Dawson said smirking at me as I munched on the rest of his breakfast.
"Patience my dear Dawson. Class isn't over yet," I responded slyly winking at him as I slid off the desk, taking the seat behind him.
My eyes momentarily locked with Joey who looked away quickly with a look of annoyance.
The bell went off and everyone found their seat.
Mr. Stonehenge began class and went off on one of his usual tangents.
He spoke of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. It was one of my favorite Shakespearean plays to read.
My attention was caught by Joey and a guy I'd never seen before as they bickered quietly.
"I hate to interrupt, Miss Potter, but maybe you could tell us what the two gentlemen of Verona is all about," Stonehenge said drawing back all of our attentions.
"Uh, well, it's a—"
"Could you raise the volume a notch? I don't speak mumble."
"It's about a girl who comes between 2 guys," Joey said finally.
I could tell she was uncomfortable and truth be told I was uncomfortable for her.
"Right you are. 2 guys, a girl, and no pizza place," he said making an attempt at being funny.
"Uh, how did the play make you feel, Miss Potter?"
"I didn't think it was very realistic. I mean, Valentine is this cardboard-cutout hero, and Proteus is unfairly painted as a villain. I just think these scenarios are actually a lot more complicated."
Dawson chuckles in front of me and Stonehenge takes notice.
"Mr. Leery, do I sense an opposing viewpoint in your little chortle?" Stonehenge questioned.
"No, no. It was nothing," Dawson said and then sat back in his seat.
"Please, please. Elaborate."
"Well, um, I don't think it's a story about a girl coming between 2 guys. I think it's about the friendship between the 2 guys." Dawson said evenly and Joey looked almost appalled.
"Which fails when the girl comes between them," she said.
Dawson looked over at her, "It fails because one friend betrays the other. I mean, Proteus is a lousy friend."
"Valentine isn't such a great guy. I mean, he's so fixated on his honor that he totally loses sight of everything else around him."
"He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. He gave up the girl he loved. You think that's a bad thing?"
"I think nothing about this topic is black and white, Dawson," she said rolling her eyes.
I laughed internally at the clear tension. They needed to just go ahead and clear the air. Grudges led no where good.
I rose my hand.
"Ms. Hamara do you have something to add?" Mr. Stonehenge.
"Yes. I agree with both of them but, I'd also like to point out a big part of the story is about the girl and her inability to make up her mind, as well as her destruction of the friendship," I said brushing through the pages of a copy of the play in my hands.
"She was taking her time. You don;t just make a decision like that right off the bat," Joey said looking over.
"Yes you should. When it comes to matters like this we always know what we want somewhere inside us. She was just afraid to say it. She wasn't honest and it wasn't fair," I continued and I thought she would rise and push me over.
"Silvia was just following her heart. She shouldn't be judged for that," Joey snapped at me.
"The heart is often a fool and so are people. She followed her heart, that's fine, but, she trampled a friendship and that's just how it is. You reap what you sow," I said not even bothering to acknowledge the daggers she shot with her eyes at me.
The boy who was bothering her earlier rose his hand.
"Drue," Stonehenge said.
"Gene and roger here have a fantastic energy, but they're sort of all over the place. Now I for one would love to see them engage in a prepared debate about the merits of the play," Drue said smiling smugly.
"Would you mind your own business?" Joey exclaimed rolling her eyes at him.
"I think that is a splendid idea. I've never generated so much heat out of what is arguably Shakespeare's worst comedy. And you know what would make it even better? If you and Scarlett teamed up with them, Drue, threw both of your own viewpoints into the mix. I look forward to a lively debate from the 4 of you... Tomorrow," he exclaimed with excitement in his eyes.
I could see Joey sink in her chair and Dawson just shook his head in annoyance.
The bell rang and we all filtered out of the class.
"Isn't this just peachy," Dawson muttered to me as we approached Joey's locker.
"So, leery manor, the B&B, or we could do Scar's place? Where you want to get together?" Dawson said uninterested.
"Dawson can I talk to you," Joey said quietly.
"Alone," she added bluntly.
I started to back away but, Dawson grabbed my hand.
"No. We don't need to talk because there's nothing to talk about," Dawson said blandly and Joey's lips tightened
"Dawson, are you ok with this?" she inquired.
"Well, rather than debate the awkwardness of the situation, I'd much prefer we just get it over with."
I almost smiled out of pride.
He was distant but, civil.
"Ok. Well, um, I have to work. So you're both going to have to come down to the yacht club," Joey said putting a book in her locker.
"Are you going to be able to focus down there?" I asked and her eyes narrowed.
"I wouldn't have suggested it if I couldn't," she said snarkily.
"No that's a good question. You do have to work," Dawson said jumping to my defense.
Joey's face softened,"Yeah. The place is a tomb on Thursday nights. Well, except for one old geezer who always shows up for the prime rib special."
Dawson nodded,"All right. Sounds cool. We'll see you later."
Pacey walks towards us with Jen and Dawson backs away.
I blew a kiss at Jen who smiled and went with him.
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"Someone couldn't have high-tailed it out of here fast enough," Pacey said watching Dawson and Scarlett walk away.
"And you are in such a race to start conversation with him?" Joey countered crossing her arms.
"Mmm. She's right, Pacey. One day one of you is going to have to put an end to this great era of silence," Jen threw in joining in the look Joey was giving Pacey.
"But not me and not today. Today I am celebrating," Pacey said smiling.
"Celebrating?"
"Pacey done good," Jen said smiling.
"Oh, Pacey done very good. Pacey got his first "A"," Pacey said proudly.
"Hmm? Good omen, yeah?" Joey said smiling as well.
"And I couldn't have done it without you."
"I was but a mere study aide."
"Sure you were. So now, you're going to come sailing with me this afternoon, because this afternoon is the absolute last beautiful day of the season, and you have been conscripted to be my deck hand."
Joey almost cringed.
"I'd love to, pace, but I have a project to do," she said slowly.
"Put it off for one day?" Pacey said but, Joey shook her head.
"It's due tomorrow. And..."
Pacey's eyebrow rose, "Am I missing something here?"
"It's with Dawson. It wasn't planned. It was assigned," Joey said hoping that he'd understand.
"Well, isn't that cute?" Pacey said annoyed.
"I'll go with you if you want. I mean, maybe the open horizon will serve to lift my spirits a bit. Huh?" Jen jumped in.
Pacey looked over at her, "Really?"
Jen nodded, "Yeah."
"There you go. Willing victim," Joey said happily.
"Oh, 2 things. First of all, I absolutely refuse to make out with you, and second of all, there's a distinct possibility that I'll puke," Jen said as they began walking down the hall.
"What do you know? Those are my 2 things," Joey said grinning as Pacey threw his arm around her.
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Alright :)
