Disclaimer: Don't own don't care
Soooooo it's been FOREVER but yeah I felt like updating.
Enjoy!
AnyThing But OK
"Hey stranger," I greeted Scarlett as she sauntered down the hallway.
She gave a small smile.
"Hey Dawson," she replied stopping in front of me.
"I feel like I haven't really seen you," I started.
"I guess you've been a little busy," she said turning to open her locker. That was true. I had been with Mr Brooks, the restaurant, Gretchen...
"Yeah I guess I have. Sorry about that. The filming with Brooks has been irregular and Gretchen decided that she's planning my parents annual Christmas party which means we have been planning my parent's annual Christmas party," I said laughing at the thought.
She took out a book and turned towards me.
"No problem. Life happens," she assured me which made me uneasy.
"You're so polite. Are you feeling ok?" I asked giving a smile and she smiled back.
"No I'm fine...So is everything all done for the planning part?"
"Yeah for the most part. You should come if you can. My parent's would have them every year, but obviously they've been going through a rough patch." She knew all too well.
"Yeah sure I'll come. Sounds fun," she accepted.
"Cool."
"Have you finished all of your applications?"
"Yes. I turned in my last essay, but apparently it wasn't quite USC material," I confessed solemnly.
"What do you mean? What was wrong with it?"
"I had to answer the question why I want to be a filmmaker and for some reason it's becoming obscenely hopeless," I said drearily.
She placed her hand on my arm lightly.
"I get that same queasy, nervous, thrilling feeling every time I go to work. That's never worn off since I was 12 years-old with my dad's 8-millimeter movie camera," she spouted looking me in my eyes.
I gave her a confused look.
"Steven Spielberg," she finished and I smiled.
"What does filmmaking do for you? Does it make you queasy? Nervous? Thrilled? Dreamy?" she continued giving me a wink at that last word.
She brought her hand over my heart and tapped twice. I shifted a little.
"Right here Dawson, right here," she finished closing her locker.
How is it that I missed her even with her standing right in front of me. Maybe I just needed more of her in my life again.
Her eyes shifted to my left.
"Hey Witter heads up," she called out, throwing keys in the air behind me. I turned my head to see Pacey with keys and Joey in hand.
"I was wondering where these ran off to. Did you finish?" he asked her smiling widely and I was slightly sickened.
"Yes I did, at 11:59," she replied happily.
"That's what I'm talking about," he celebrated throwing up his hand and receiving a high five from her.
"Finish what?" Joey asked.
"Yeah, finish what," I echoed looking at Scarlett.
"A book I've been editing. I planned to finish a week ago, but my creative juices weren't flowing, So I went sailing yesterday to clear my head and Voilà," she explained.
"Oh...and how did you know about it Pacey?" I asked trying to keep my smugness out of my voice.
"I joined her-for the sailing I mean," he replied back.
"I'd love to stay and chat, but we've got to go. Talk to you later," he said giving a wave taking Joey along with him. They took a few steps and then he turned back around.
"Oh Nikki," he called out and Scarlett turned. Nikki? As in Nicole? As in her middle name? When had they become so tight? I was trying to not let my emotions get the better of me. I didn't control Scarlett and I didn't want to. She said they were friends and I said I was ok with that. I was ok with that.
"Thanks for the tip on the parts. I found some great stuff already," he beamed and she smiled.
"I'm glad and you're welcome," she said and then she turned back around.
"You ok?" she asked and I took a moment to reorder my face.
"Yeah I'm fine. Uh-I didn't realize you and Pacey went sailing together," I threw out hoping to get some type of explanation.
"No not really, but we ran into each other and he was eyeing Castalia so I asked him to come with," she pointed out and I nodded slowly.
The bell rang.
"Guess that's our cue," she said smiling as usual and turning towards our class.
$%$$%$%$#%%^$#%^&*&(%&%&$*&^*%&^%^&Scarlett POV^*%#$^%&$^*%#^$%
"Maybe I don't want to go to college. Did they ever think that?" Jen questioned in annoyance as she paced the room.
"But don't you want to got to college?" I asked in curiousity. Jen was smart and capable. College would be good for her.
"I don't know, but they should leave that decision up to me instead of pestering me about it," Jen went on.
"Jen, you gotta let people in some times. They love you. They just want what's best for you," I went on and she gave me a rather knowing look.
"Really? So I can let them in if you let Dawson in?" Jen challenged and I rolled my eyes.
"I do let Dawson in."
"Bullshit. If you let him in you would tell him how crazy about him you are."
"I am not crazy about Dawson," I argued looking at her in shock.
She laughed.
"Of course you are. You just have to be honest with yourself and him."
"Jen. Me and Dawson are friends. He is far from my usual type and lets be honest, his type is clearly the Joey's and Gretchen's of the world," I protested going over to my closet and changing into my new holiday dress. '
"Ohhhh so Gretchen is the problem," started and I poked my head out of the closet in disgust.
"Gretchen is not a problem. Dawson is into her and she's alright. She nice."
"Did Dawson tell you he was into her."
"He didn't have to tell me he was into her."
"And if he wasn't into her?"
I paused as I slipped on a t shirt.
"Then he wouldn't be into her," I finally supplied and then walked over to the bed, lying on it.
"I swear woman. You're so difficult," Jen complained and I smiled.
"I learn from the best," I countered and stuck my tongue out at her.
"So sailing with Pacey…." Jen began and I laughed.
"First Dawson and now Pacey. Make up your mind Jenny," I laughed.
"I was just wondering. You two seem to be getting close."
"Yeah, I guess. He's cool people. I wouldn't mind being good friends."
"Are you sure you're not just trying to get Dawson's attention?" Jen questioned and I sat up.
"Jen I am not using Pacey. I like Pacey. He's smart and funny and a great listener and has great
taste in music. Good friend potential so far." I said rather offended she would even think that.
"Ok, if you say so."
"I do say so."
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Jen and I came into the Leery's house hand in hand.
"Well, we made it," Jen said and I smiled.
"Guess we did," I responded.
Gretchen and Dawson approached us and I wanted to throw up.
"Hey Scar, Jen, you came," DAwson greeted with a smile.
"I'm glad you're both here," Gretchen threw in.
I tried to fake a smile.
"Thanks," I said as Jen was less subtle in her uninterested look.
"Hey Scar, would you mind getting some air with me?" Dawson asked and I nodded in response. I gave Jen's hand a squeeze and she nodded. Me and Dawson walked outside. We advanced towards the creek slowly.
"So…" Dawson began.
"So," I ended.
He grabbed my hand.
"I feel like we've been drifting," he said and I turned to face him as his feet stopped walking.
"People drift Dawson," I offered lightly, not knowing what to say.
"I don't want us to drift," he revealed.
"Well it's apart of life Dawson. But I haven't gone anywhere. I'm still here."
"Are you?"
"Of course."
"Ok."
"Ok."
We stared at each other.
"Do you like Gretchen?" I finally asked very plainly. He stood there for a moment in silence.
"Yes. I like Gretchen," he finally said and my heart stung a bit. At least he was honest.
"Ok."
That was it. That was all I could say.
"Are we ok?" he asked and I nodded slowly.
"Yeah. We're ok," I answered telling the truth. I was a bit hurt, but it's not like I wanted to drop our friendship. I just wanted us to communicate.
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Dawson walked up to the the entrance of the living room to observe the party. Everyone seemed to be having fun. Gretchen joined him.
"Hey. You did a very good thing. Years from now, I'm not gonna remember what the hell I got for Christmas, but I will remember what it felt like to see my parents so happy. So thank you," Dawson said to her and she smiled.
"Hey... Total selfishness on my part. This just takes me back to a time before everything got so complicated, you know?" Gretchen said and they smiled at one another.
Mr. Brooks came up from behind, hitting the mistletoe over their heads.
" Why don't you quit flirting and kiss her?" the old man said and Dawson made a face.
"Excuse- you gotta be kidding me. I had nothing to do with this," Dawson said defending himself.
"Ok, well, I guess we'd better get it over with, then," Gretchen replied and Dawson looked surprised.
"You think?"
"It's tradition, Dawson, and you don't monkey with tradition."
Dawson laughed.
"Oh, that's right," Dawson got out.
Pacey, Joey, and Scarlett entered just in time to see the two seal the deal and kiss. It wasn't a short kiss either. Scarlett paused at the scene and was stunned. It took a moment for her to notice the tears threatening her eyes. She turned and left the house without a word. She heard her name being called by Pacey, but she kept going.
