Pacey tasted his food with disgust:
"One day, this cafeteria is destined to cook a fry that actually tastes like a fry"
Andie looked at him, smiled and went back to her magazine:
"Menage a trois... have you ever been in one?"
Pacey swallowed his fry and sighed:
"All hail, the queen of non-sequiturs has spoken."
"It's not a non-sequitur. It's this month's Jane."
"Chicks magazines are racier than Playboy. There's always an article in there about how to prolong your this or around your that"
"This one's a purity test."
"A what?"
"A purity test. You've heard of them. An assortment of sexual questions that when totaled are meant to gauge your level of sexual experience."
Pacey swallowed nervously and looked around the table where Dawson, Joey, Jen and Jack were eating quietly.
"Ooookay… time to put that away."
"Why?! Its fun!"
"Gauging our level of sexual expertise is not my idea of joy abounding."
"Don't think I don't know where this is going, Pacey Witter. I know your history."
Dawson raised his brows in surprise as Pacey nearly choked on his bread.
"You do?!"
"Sure I do. You're a typical guy. You want everyone to think you have unseemly, adventurous sexual existence, when in fact your purity level is probably closer to Big Bird's than Bill Clinton's."
"Yeah, you know what? You got me That's me… Mr. Embarrassingly Pure."
"Whatever" Andie packed her magazine and grabbed her bag. "Am I going to see you at Petersons Cram-o-Rama?"
Pacey sighed.
"That would imply that I'm going."
"No, no, Pacey, you cannot bail on this study session. It's way too important."
"To you."
"No, no, no. To everyone that cares about their grade."
"Well, see, that's the rub. Yo soy not concerned."
"Don't joke about this."
"I'm serious. As committed as you are to doing everything in your power to get an A, I'm equally committed to getting my C, possibly D if I can't get a good look at your answer sheet."
"Pacey!"
"What's in it for you, anyway? Who cares about my grade?"
Andie opened her mouth to say something but stopped short.
"Whatever. If you're keen on failing your classes, so be it. I was just trying to be nice."
"I don't need anyone trying to be nice to me, McPhee."
"Sure. Whatever. Bye guys! Come on, Jack"
As the two McPhees were rising to leave Pacey threw a look at Dawson who just smiled. Joey watched the exchange and said:
"I thought you and miss McPhee over there had something going on"
Pacey chuckled.
"Me? And her? What gave you that idea, Potter?"
"I don't know... the date you had two weeks ago?"
"That wasn't a date. We were supposed to go to the movies and didn't."
"Weren't you supposed to take a rain check?"
"What is this? Find out all about Pacey day?"
Joey grabbed her back and said nervously:
"Whatever. I was just asking. Forgive me for taking pity on you and showing some interest in your miserable existence."
"Right, on that note, I'm going too." Jen rose and left with Joey.
Pacey went back to his fries.
"You know, Pace, she was just being nice." Dawson said when they were left alone at the table.
"She's annoying. What does she care about my grades?"
"I'm talking about Joey here"
"Potter?" Pacey raised his brow and finished his last fry. "Sure, whatever, man. See you later"
As he left Dawson wondered what had just happened.
/
"Dear class, I went home with a cold that was considerably more important than you. The test is still on for tomorrow. Study the sample questions. Until then, hardly yours, Mr. Peterson" Andie read the note in one breath.
"So, he bailed on his own study session" Pacey spoke from behind her.
"Oh, look who showed up!"
"Yeah, I realized the Young and The Restless re-runs came to an end last week."
Joey and Jen showed up behind Pacey:
"Where's Peterson?"
"Apparently he's skipping class today."
"Great."
Chris Wolfe whispered in Jens ear:
"We should have our own study session. My folks are in Saint Martin. We'll have the whole house to ourselves."
"Like wed get a lot of work done that way" Jen smiled a knowing smile.
"The lady questions my motives? Invite your friends."
"Fine. Guys, Chris is home alone tonight. Wanna go study at his place?" Jen turned to the three.
"I was thinking more along the lines of the city library", Andie said.
"His offer does have enticing qualities." Pacey pointed out.
"Since when were you in such a rush to form a study group?"
"Have you seen this man's house? His family is totally loaded! They got a satellite dish!"
"Whatever."
"'Im in, man" Pacey nodded to Chris.
"Fine, whatever, I'm in too", Andie sighed.
"Cool, I'll drive. So, Jen, you'll be joining us?"
"How can I resist?"
"Jo?" Pacey turned to Joey who just sat there.
"What do you need me for?"
"Do you wanna come or not?"
"What's the point? With the four of you"
"She doesn't wanna come, Pacey". Andie threw him an annoyed look.
"You know what? Whatever. I'll come. It's better than listening to Alexander wailing all night."
"Great, the more the merrier" Pacey smiled.
"Can I call Dawson too, then?" Joey turned to Chris who just nodded.
/
"Uh, the TV is that way. The Jacuzzi and sauna are in the back. We keep extra suits in the guest room and the kitchens that way if you get hungry."
"Sounds like you're going to get a lot of studying done." Joey muttered.
"AHEM" a 12 year old girl coughed loudly from the kitchen door.
"Everyone, this is my little sister Dina. She promises to stay out of the way."
Andie looked around the living room:
"This room isn't going to do. We're going to need a long table, proper lighting, and high-backed chairs. Where's Pacey?"
"Pacey's watching TV" Dawson smiled.
"200 channels from all over the world, man!" Pacey's voice was heard from the other room. "Its a couch potato's dream! Oh my God! Three Stooges in Cantonese!"
"Why do you insist on undermining me on every opportunity you get?" Andie glared at him from the living room door.
"Think of how boring the alternative is."
"Pacey, we are here to study, not watch TV, ok?"
"You are here to study, McPhee."
"Urgh, you are so annoying!"
"Why are you talking to me, then?"
Andie placed her hands on her forehead.
"Fine. You stay and watch TV. We will study."
Pacey sighed and joined the rest.
Two hours later everyone except Andie was tired and bored.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Jen said, noticing Andie's magazine. "How pure are you? God, talk about an open can of worms!"
"Excellent", Chris smiled.
"No, no, no. Were way behind" Andie interfered.
"Come on, Lieutenant! I vote for one last bonding before I go back to academic torture!" Chris insisted.
"Why not?" said Jen.
Andie sighed.
"Okay, in an effort to keep this moment of folly under control, I'm taking charge. There's 100 questions total and I only have 1 test. Well pass it around and take turns asking. Write your answers on the paper and well total when finished. Okay, um, Pacey? Why don't you start?"
"Alrighty" Pacey said reluctantly. "Have you ever been intimately aroused by a relative? So it's a southern test, huh?"
Thirty minutes later, Joey read the last question:
"Have you ever been in love? If so, how many times? Give yourself a point of purity for each time."
Dawson watched her carefully as she blushed.
"Okay, lets score em up!" Andie said, not noticing the two. "Everybody ready?"
Joey got up and left. Dawson followed.
"Not now, Dawson."
"I saw the look on your face as you read that question."
"It's not what you think, okay? Just… just let it be, Dawson"
As she left, Dawson turned around and saw Dina in the doorway.
"Dawson, right? Dina Wolfe here, in case you don't remember."
"Dina, do you know where the coffee is?"
"Yeah, drip or instant?"
"Um, drip."
"Appropriate. Tough room."
"With me, always."
"So, care to fill me in on the details of your little love affair?"
"I;d rather not discuss it, actually, thanks."
"You;re right, Dawson. Why talk? People like you and me, we can say everything with a look."
Dawson frowned but said nothing.
/
"And the totals are as follows: Chris clocked in with the least pure score of 66, Jen is a close second with 69, Joey and Dawson bring up the scale with a matching level of 83, and I round us up with 92. Wait a second, were missing someone here"
Pacey showed his paper: "It's right here"
"Why didn't you turn it in?"
"Didn't really want to."
"Hand it over."
"You dog!" Chris exclaimed. "This wouldn't have anything to do with question 16, would it?"
"I don't get it" Andie said, confused.
"Yeah, we blew right past it, but I think we should read it again out loud. What do you say, Pace?"
"Chris" Pacey bit his lower lip.
"Come on. Stop it. I'm dying to know. What'd you put in for 16, Witter? Let's just put an old rumour to rest right now."
"Is there anything redeeming about you other than your house?"
"Ouch, that hurts" Chris feigned pain.
"Okay, will someone please tell me what you guys are talking about?" No-one answered. Everyone looked just as confused as her. "Okay, I'll look it up myself. 16: Have you ever had sex with someone twice your age? Huh? It's a joke, right?"
Pacey bit his lip again.
"Well it's true after all" Chris smiled triumphantly. "Witter laid the pipe with Miss Jacobs. I don't know whether to congratulate you or fall off my chair."
"Miss Jacobs?!" Joey rose in a surprised shout. Her strong reaction was soon followed by Andies:
"Pacey you said you were embarrassingly pure those were your words, right?!"
"This is none of anyone's business, okay? My purity is my own thing and only my own."
Pacey rose and left the room angrily. Joey and Andie remained dumbfounded, while Chris laughed quietly.
/
Jen walked in on Joey in the guestroom:
"God, I can;t believe this place. They've got brand new swimsuits just for visitors. Nice digs. What's the matter, Jo? You're not going to give in to a little hot tub temptation?"
"I'm just going to study, thanks."
"You know, I'm really sorry about you and Dawson and I know you may not believe it."
"You know, you're right, I don't."
"Thanks, Joey. Just when I thought we were starting to get along, you make sure to prove otherwise."
"That's me. Always up to proving other people wrong."
"You know, I used to think that it was our mutual feelings for Dawson that kept us apart. I never really considered the fact that maybe you were just a bitch.'
"Look, Jen, I didn't mean to be so harsh. God, I am so sick of talking all the time. I just want to follow my feelings and not discuss it. We run it into the ground and don't you just want to have something left to just experience?"
"As much as anyone"
"I just wanna live, Jen, but everyone just wants to talk. And then... and then you find out something and you realize that that no matter what you want it still depends on the others"
Jen frowned.
"I uh... I wish I could say something"
"There's nothing to say" Joey left towards the garden.
As she walked out she bumped into Pacey.
"Oh, hi, Jo" he tried to get in but Joey stopped him.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"What?"
"Why didn't you tell me about miss Jacobs?! I mean, I heard the rumour but I never thought it would be true!"
"So what?"
Joey said nothing.
"So what, Jo?!"
"We're old friends we... I should know" Joey muttered.
"You and me?! Jo, were sparring partners! We hate each other!"
"No we don't!" Joey replied instantly. "Or I think we don't... do you?" she looked at him unsurely.
Pacey gasped at her reaction.
"No, I don't" he said softly. I don't hate you, Jo… I..." He lowered his eyes. "I don't hate you."
Joey smiled brightly:
"I don't hate you either, Pace"
They hugged each other, not noticing the two people in the darkness of the house watching the whole scene. One of them stayed in wonder while the other turned back to get inside.
"So" Joey got out of the hug. "You mind if I ask why?"
"Why?"
"Yes, why? Did you love her?"
"It didn't go as far as love but I wasn't indifferent... just that she helped a lot my wounded ego" Pacey blushed and sat on the edge of the sidewalk. Joey sat next to him.
"Wounded ego?"
"Jo, you know me... I'm a walking joke! A beautiful older woman takes interest in me... how can I say no?"
"Pacey, you're not a joke"
"Oh come on, Jo, you yourself said..."
"Forget what I said. We spar a lot, and we say a lot of things but in the end we don't mean it, do we?"
Pacey smiled and took her hand.
"No, we don't."
"See? You're no joke, Pacey. And you shouldn't think so little of yourself"
"I can't help it"
"Pacey, you are a great man. And you have some great friends. And there are girls who like you, like Andie"
"Andie is a control freak. I tried to like her, I did, but I can't. I can't like her just because she likes me"
"No-one's asking you to... I'm sure there are other girls out there who like you they just aren't as obvious"
"You think?" Pacey smiled again and Joey nodded.
"I'm sure of it"
/
"Psst! Gorgeous!" A small voice interrupted Dawson's walk.
"What? Do you hide in the vents?"
"So you dated both of them, huh?"
"You certainly do your research."
"Which one's the one? On your test, you put you'd only been in love once. I'm dying to know. Is it Cameron Diaz or Julia Roberts?"
"How did you?"
"It's called an answer sheet" Dina pointed the piece of paper in her hand.
"Give me that!"
"Wait, not so fast... I have one you want much more"
"Joey's?"
"She puts little smiley faces on her o's. Kinda makes me wanna puke."
"Let me see it."
"Not so fast, this toll has a fee."
"Okay, what?"
Dina puckered up.
"You've got to be kidding me. That's not going to happen."
"I think you'll find her last answer sheet interesting. Seems while you've only been in love once, according to you know what, she's been in love twice..."
Dawson lowered his eyes and sighed.