Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. Cool.

It's been a while. So Yeah.

Enjoy!

Two Is Company

Andie opened another box as she went through stuff in her room. Pacey came in carrying another stack of books.

"Lugging your literature to and fro is getting tiresome, Mcphee," Pacey complained, placing them down clumsily and Andie rolled her eyes at his dramatic nature.

"Oh, well, pardon me if I'm not in a rush to hit those high school halls and be stared at like some kind of social leper," she spat, scared already at the responses of her fellow classmates. They would judge her that was a given but, she wasn't looking forward to it in the slightest.

"It won't be like that," he assured.

"Oh, come on! I mean, can't you hear it? "Ooh, there's that really smart girl who almost chemed herself to death inside the inflatable fun house."

" Andie, if our high school didn't have a history of forgiving stupidity, how do you think I'd be able to walk down the halls, huh?" he said hinting at his past indiscretions.

"You know, you guys have been really good about coming to visit me. But, uh, you've all been alone. Nobody's talking about the other night, and no one's talking to each other."

Pacey gave a sigh.

"Well, yeah, we're not the most huggy of groups right now. I mean, our previously fractured circle of friends has just gone and fractured itself again."

"You mean Jen and Jack."

"No, I mean everybody. Our new addition isn't even talking to Leery."

"That's ridiculous, because we all talked about this."

"Well, you talked about it. You gave me the whole "two to tango" speech, but so far as I can tell, every tango needs someone to lead."

"And why is everybody so insistent that that person has to be Jen? I told you. It's not her fault. Ok. I'm gonna fix this. I'm just gonna get ahold of her and—"

"Why?" Pacey inserted and Andie was speechless.

"Honestly. Why, Andie? I mean... Maybe not all friendships need to be saved. Maybe we're meant to just spend a certain part of our lives with certain people and then move on. Isn't that what this whole year is supposed to be about anyway-movin' on?"

Andie faltered a little.

"Pacey, we can move on without moving away from each other."

"Well, maybe we can't," he suggested, bringing her spirits down.

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(scarlett's pov)

I parked my car and got out trying to prepare myself for Andie. She was such a fixer and it was clear how much she wanted to fix everyone's' conflict. But that wasn't how conflict worked.

"Hey Jack," I greeted approaching the door. He was throwing out the trash.

"Hey Scar," he said giving a small smile.

"Here to see Andie?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"I think she's inside. I just got home," he stated going back to push the garbage can out.

"Hey Jack can we talk," I asked hesitantly. I didn't want to push him but, I didn't want to stay silent either. Both could possibly equal guilty.

"Yeah sure," he said stopping and facing me.

"About Jen…"

He shook his head and grunted in irritation.

"Scar-"

"You can't just keep ignoring her."

"To hell I can't."

"She made a mistake."

He laughed, I assuming, at the understatement.

"We all make mistakes. You've made mistakes. I've made mistakes. We are imperfect beings Jack and whether you like it or not at some point or another you're going to come to the realization that your sins and hers are an inevitable cycle of pit stops cursed against us throughout our lives. Andie is not a child. Jen is not to blame for her bad decisions. And Andie's bad decisions should be approached with love and grace just like she would do for you. This is not black and white. Jen is not the bad guy in this equation."

I could feel for Jen and understand her. I had done some terrible things in my short and quickly fleeting life.

"I appreciate your opinion Scarlett but, frankly this is none of your business. You've been here, what, a few months. Please don't act as if you know what I should and should be thinking," he snapped and it felt like he slapped me.

"Oh my bad I didn't realize that your friendship was so exclusive."

"Scarlett I didn't-"

"No it's fine. I just wasn't aware that my voice was invalid and unwelcomed. And I also didn't realize that your anger entitled you to being a prideful and self-serving ass. Thanks for letting me know," I stated calmly with daggers in the undertones.

I didn't give him a chance to respond and I went inside feeling as if I wanted to cry but, knowing I wouldn't. I didn't do that.

I walked up the stairs towards Andie's room.

"Knock, knock," I said knocking and then entering.

My advances slowed as I saw Pacey sitting on Andie's bed.

"Oh hi Pacey. I didn't realize you were here. I can come back later," I said smiling and backing towards the door.

Pacey shook his head in protest.

"No need. Come in. Sit. We were just discussing the shambles our group has found themselves in," he said patting on the bed.

I wasn't sure I wanted to join this discussion.

"Well more like your group. I've barely been here a few months. I might as well count my loses as well as my blessings…" she said and Andie gasped.

"Scarlett. You are just as much a part of the group as me or Pacey. You might not be close to Joey or Pacey but, this summer with you has made you my sister. And Jen, Jack, and Dawson all feel the same. I hope you know that," she insisted and Scarlett gave a small smile.

I placed her hand on Andie's.

"Me too An, me too. You've become very important to me and so has Jen. As far as Dawson and Jack goes well… sometimes things come to an end no matter how short winded that may be," I said feeling rather sad.

I could feel a cloud begin to creep over me but, I recuperated quickly.

"But things happen. I'm used to losing people. Nothing new."

"Wait Jack? What happened with you two?" she inquired but, I looked away.

"I'd rather not talk about Dawson or Jack if that's ok," Scarlett said.

"You all need to suck it up and talk to each other. We're friends!" Andie exclaimed in frustration.

Pacey and Scarlett traded a look and stayed quiet.

#$%^&*^%$#$^%&*(*^&%^$%#$^%&^*&%^$%

(Jen's POV)

Grams's words kept playing over in my head…"I have never... In all my life... Been so deeply disappointed in anything or anyone. I don't even... I don't even have the words."

My eyes filled with tears for a second time.

It was such an empty feeling to feel alone and unwanted.

"Jen hey, "a voice came from behind.

I turned around.

"Hey Scar… I was just in the neighborhood and I'd thought I'd come by and… and…."

My voice caught in my throat as l let the tears fall. Scarlett walked over and wrapped her arms around me tightly and I lost it. I felt so misunderstood and judged. My biggest fear was rejection because of not being good enough is smart enough, perfect enough.

"You are loved."

That was all Scarlett said it my ear and for just a moment I felt such peace, right there in her arms.

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Thanks for reading. Next one will be up in a couple of days.