Chapter Eleven - Pacey's P.O.V.
Today I remembered exactly why it was that I hated high school so much. I walked into my first class to discover none other than Drue Valentine making as ass of himself. That in of itself I found amusing, but when he decided to try and take me down with him, that was when I started to have a problem. I am here to learn, to prove to myself that I can do this, and that I am going to make something of myself. Unlike Drue who is here because his mommy bought his way in, and could care less about actually learning anything.
After that my day got increasingly better, even though I have a ton on work already. I am definitely going to need Joey's help and encouragement to make it through these next four years. I smile and start daydreaming about her. I am the luckiest guy I know of, I completely screwed up and the love of my life forgave me.
I am brought out of my trance to discover the Spawn of Satan himself asking me something. I decide that it is probably easier to fake a conversation with him than it is to ignore him. Hoping to lose his interest and make him go away I say "What Drue? I was kinda in the middle of thinking about something, did you say something important?"
"I'm sure you were. He smirks at me So is she a hottie? Never mind, I just wanted to congratulate you. I have to say again that your dumping Harry Potter at Prom last year the way you did was masterful. You should have gotten rid of her mean, bitchy ass right after you fucked her on the class ski trip."
My blood is boiling at this point and I want to deck him for his comments, but I know that it wont do any good, and it is probably the fastest way for me to lose my scholarship. But no one talks about Joey like that to me and gets away with it, especially not Drue Valentine. "Drue, I'd thank you not to speak about Joey that way, especially not to me, you just might not live to regret it." I say angrily through clenched teeth, trying to remain in control.
"Whoa! Someones still carrying a torch! You two broke up months ago, and if memory serves you were the one doing the dumping. Its time to move on Bro." He adds glibly.
"Drue, while it's true that we did break up last spring, it might do you some good to know that we are back together now. So if I were you I'd be really careful what you say to me." I threaten him.
He looks around, trying to find somewhere to disappear to. He must have realized that he was no longer welcome and that he had pissed me off with his comments about Joey. Not really caring where Drue went or what he did, I walk off leaving him there, looking around lost in the middle of the quad.
I decide to dump my stuff and head over to Joey's to surprise her and see how her day went. As I walked across campus towards the dorms I am again lost in thoughts of her.
"Good afternoon Pacey. How are you on this lovely day?" Grams asks from her place in the flowerbed at the front of the house as I walk up the path.
"I'm good and yourself?" I ask politely.
"I'm wonderful. I thought I would cut some fresh flowers for inside. Brighten the place up."
"Is Jo back from class yet? I wanted to stop by and see how her first day went."
"That's sweet of you Pacey. I'm afraid she wont be back for about another hour or so, but Jennifer is in the kitchen making some tea. If you would like to stay you're welcome to join us."
"I'd love to join you for tea Mrs. Ry... Grams. I end quickly seeing her expression. Jen's presence in our lives had really changed her, she was no longer the stern, god-fearing woman who had lived next to the Leary's, now she was a surrogate grandmother to all of us.
"Grams, teas ready." Jen says poking her head out the screen door "Hey Witter, your here again?" She asks teasing me by stating the obvious fact that I was indeed once again at their door.
"What can I say I just can't stay away from all of you pretty ladies." I say winking at her.
Laughing she says "Alright Romeo that's enough, or I'll have to tell Jo that you were flirting with another girl. Tea?"
"Why Miss. Lindley that would be delightful."
"Come on in you can tell me all about your exciting summer on the high seas, and all about the nightmare that is known as the first day of classes."
"Well class wasn't too bad. I never thought it was possible for professors to assign this much work after only one day though. I was kinda hoping for a gradual transition." I said smiling.
"I know I already have two papers due on Friday, Ugh." she says wrinkling her nose. Pouring tea and putting a plate of cookies on the table.
"Hey the highlight of my day so far was finding out that the Spawn of Satan is my 8:00 Econ class. Now I really have a reason to hate Monday mornings." I say around a mouthful of cookie.
"You're kidding me right? Drue Valentine got into Boston University?"
"Lindley would I kid you about something like that?"
"You never know Pacey, you might just try." She says. "So your summer how was it?"
"One word, Lonely. Jo was all I could think about. I took quite a lot of abuse over it from some of the guys actually. I'm just so happy that she still loves me, and was willing to give me a second chance. I figured she would never talk to me again after the way I treated her at Prom, and then for the way I left with out saying a word."
"She was pretty messed up for a while, and then when Dawson left for L.A. so soon afterwards."
"Jennifer did you offer Pacey some cookies to go with his tea?" Grams asks.
"Yes Grams I did." Jen responds rolling her eyes.
"They were delicious. Thank you." There is something about Jens grandmother that always makes me mind my manners.
Just then Jack entered the kitchen through the back door, grumbling about something.
"Jackers! How's it going?" I ask.
"Pacey!" he says a little shocked. He was looking around the room as if trying to figure out what was different. "You do know that you don't live here right?" he asked teasingly.
"I know. I just came to see Jo. Rough first day?" I asked eyeing his overflowing backpack.
"Yeah, who know education was going to involve so much work? I just want to coach the kids, not teach them geography!"
We all laughed at Jacks comment. "Aw, poor Jackers all frustrated after only one day!" Jen mocks him.
"Jen that hurts!" he replies pretending to be hurt by her words.
"Just think of it as payback for last night."
"Pfft! You totally deserved that. You were being pushy. Besides last night you were just asking for trouble."
I had to laugh at their argument. "Guys, if I didn't know any better I think you were an old married couple."
"WHAT!" they both screech turning to look at me.
"Come on, face it, you're as bad as me and Jo."
Raising an eyebrow she looks at Jack and says, "He does have a point you know."
Jack obviously needing to unwind from a long day, and wanting to play drops to one knee in front of Jen and asks "Jennifer Elizabeth Lindley, Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"
Laughing Jen says "Thanks Jack, it's a really nice offer but we both know that I'm not really your type. I think that's always been our problem, we both like men. Besides I'm still mad at you." she pouts.
"Jenny, ya know I love ya!" he says ruffling her hair.
"And me you Jackers." She replies a little sadly.
"Hey Jen what's Pacey's car doing parked out front?" Joey asks as she comes into the kitchen.
"Why, I came to see you of course my love."
"Miss me again already Pace?" she teases.
"Always, now come over here and give me a kiss."
She rolls her eyes dramatically and sighs. "I suppose if I have to." She smiles, walks over to me and settles in my lap. Cupping my face between her hands she leans in to kiss me softly. I tightened my arms around her and kiss her hungrily. She melts instantly wrapping her arms around my neck pulling me closer.
"Oh god! Get a room!" Jen complains loudly and Jack merely laughs heading off to the front room, so as not to have to witness our public display of affection.
"Mmm..." She murmurs when I finally break our kiss and rest my forehead against hers. "Hey Pace how was your day?"
"Aside from running into Drue Valentine, it was great. And you how was your day?"
"My day was amazing! I loved every minute." She says smiling her eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Didn't you miss me?" I ask pouting a little.
"Yes Pacey, of course I missed you, but today I realized that all of my dreams are going to come true."
"And when did you come to this realization?"
"About the time I walked trough the door and saw you sitting at my kitchen table."
"Wow! Then I guess it must mean that all of my dreams are going to come true as well." I say softly before catching her lips in a gentle kiss once again.
"Aw Geez! Are you two still at it? I came in here looking for food, I didn't want to have to watch you two devour each other." Jack teases "Seriously though guys, I'm happy that you found your way back to each other! But please for the sake of my appetite please go maul each other somewhere where I don't have to witness it."