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Enjoy!

Playing Pretend

(Dawson POV)

My dad and I paced the hallway waiting for my mom to come out. She was taking a pregnancy test and we were all anxious.

"How's it going in there?" my dad called out.

"I can't concentrate with you talking out there about what I'm doing in here."

There was a dead silence.

"Ok, now it's way too quiet," she replied.

"Uh, Dawson, um, so have you started studying for your S.A.T.S, yet?" Mitch said.

"Took the S.A.T.S. Twice."

My dad gawked at me for a moment, "I knew that."

My mom came out of the bathroom.

"It's pink."

My dad smiled and hugged her.

"All right. All right. First thing we do is, uh, we get you to a doctor A.S.A.P. To confirm your results and make sure everything's ok."

I started advances down the hall.

"Where you going?" my mom asked and I stopped.

"Uh, I'm late. It's my first day painting Mr. Brooks' house," I clarified.

"Well, aren't you going to say anything first?" my dad prompted.

"Congratulations," I said and then left.

For some reason I wasn't feeling very glad. In fact I was feeling sort of angry. And I wasn't entirely sure why.

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(Scarlett POV)

I walked into the cafeteria hesitantly. I was accidently avoiding Dawson and when I say accidentally I mean purposely. I couldn't help it but, I didn't know why. I asked him if we were just friends and he didn't say no or yes. He went for the "we have control over our own destiny" path which was fine but, part of me was disappointed. Did that mean I liked him? I don't know but, maybe some distance would help me figure it out.

I saw Joey sitting alone and so I figured now was my chance to attempt to be nice even though I had little respect for her.

"Hey, there. Well, looks like we were both robbed on that math test. "B", my ass. What did you get?" I asked taking a seat next to her.

"I think I set the curve."

"Well, I can see how that would be aggravating. Hope you don't mind if I sit here. I just figured we've never really gotten a chance to talk."

"I'm pretty sure that's been purposeful."

I shifted and took a breath wanting to be friendly.

"I'm sorry. It's not you it's me," she said apologetically and I nodded.

We were silent for a while.

"Have you had sex? I'm assuming you have," she asked and I almost choked on my water.

"I don't mean to jump the gun but, I like to be straightforward and something tells me you don't mind."

"I don't mind. And yes I have. Why?"

"I think Pacey is starting to get impatient. And I realize how weird this is on account that you're Dawson's new best friend which makes me realize how stupid it was to even say all the things I've just said."

I laughed lightly.

"No it's fine. I won't say anything. And I don't know you or Pacey but, from what I can tell he really loves you. I've seen the way he looks at you and I don't know have to know you personally to recognize love when I see it. I've dealt with a lot of bad guys, guys who will say and do anything to get you on your back and Pacey is not that guy."

"But, Pacey's not the problem. It's me. I mean the waiting just goes on and on, and at this point, even I'm getting impatient, but...For some reason, I just keep waiting."

"Joey, let me ask you something. Are you sure that you really wanna have sex?"

"Of course I wanna have sex. The question is am I ready? Because I don't know how you know. I mean... Everyone just says that you just know, but what if that's just what they say and they never really know?"

"Are you ready to have sex?"

"I...yeah of course. With Pacey at least."

"Joey, I think that you'd feel more ready if you were actually prepared."

"What do you mean?"

"Listen...for girls back home a visit to the free clinic to get birth control, safe-sex advice, it's a rite of passage. It's like getting a your learner's permit test."

"The free clinic."

"Yeah. The truth is I don't think that anybody ever really knows if they're ready, but you do know if you're prepared, and you're not."

"You're right."

"Does that mean you hate me a little less?"

"I don't hate you."

I gave her a look.

"I don't! It just takes me awhile to warm up to people," Joey said trailing off and I smiled.

"Well I should start the heating," I said making her laugh as well.

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(Dawson POV)

I wandered down the pier in thought and snapped photos.

I had just left the Fish took her break with me and I told her all about my mom. She was pretty amazing with her insight. I told her how upset my mom's pregnancy made me and how irresponsible I thought they were.

What was wrong with me?

Normal kids would just be happy for their parents. She was right though. Since I heard the news I had only been thinking of myself and not my mom and dad.

But hopefully I didn't say anything wrong because she got a little weird at the end.

Makes me wonder.

I looked up and saw Scarlett gazing out at the water with her journal and pen in hand.

I hadn't seen her all day which was really weird.

I hadn't even told her about the pregnancy.

She was the first to come to mind but, for some reason after last night I stopped.

I wanted to kiss her that night but, I made the right choice.

It didn't help that she looked sorta amazing standing there at that moment.

We are friends. We are friends. Over and over I've spun the words in my head.

I approached her slowly, taking a breath, and acting normal.

"Hey Scar," I said slowly and she turned around.

She closed her journal and brought it to her side.

"Hey D," she said and then turned back around.

"I haven't seen you for the past couple of days. Everything ok?"

"Yeah everything is fine. What's up?"

"Uh nothing. A lot has just been happening."

She faced me again suddenly concerned.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah I think. My mom is just...pregnant."

"Oh my gosh Dawson that's amazing, congratulations!" she exclaimed giving me a hug but, she quickly let go.

"Thanks."

"You don't seem too happy."

"I'm not."

She gave me a look and I sighed.

"Yeah I know, I know, I should be. But I think it's just because I'm being selfish. Like Gretchen was just saying I'm not the one who's pregnant."

"Gretchen?" she questioned and for some reason I felt uneasy.

"Yeah, I was just with her. She was helping me deal," I said slowly.

I couldn't read her face like usual.

"Oh well that's great. I'm glad she could help. I've got to go but, I'll see you later," she said rushing away.

"Tell your parents I said congratulations!" she said giving a smile before turning and leaving.

I lifted my eyebrow in confusion. Never before had our conversation been so...forced.

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(Scarlett's POV)

Gretchen.

He had talked to Gretchen instead of me.

What was wrong with me?

I felt like one of those annoyingly clingy girls who cried at the drop of a hat.

That wasn't me so why was I so bothered.

Especially when I'd been doing everything I could to avoid him for more than twenty four hours.

What was my problem.

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KK That's all.