Pacey was very bored in the counsellor's office. He had no idea why he was called but the truth was that it wasn't very hard to realize that it had something to do with his 'stellar' academic achievements. But he wasn't going to bother with that. School was not really for him, he was not made to have stellar academic achievements. He was meant to pump gas for the rest of his life. Why bother with school?
"Well, Pacey, grade point average 1.7, currently failing biology, and US History, extracurricular interests, none, tendency to be disruptive in class, has difficulty with tests requiring a No.2 pencil, let's see here, career aptitude tests, well I didn't realize it was possible to fail an aptitude test. This shows that you have absolutely zero career objectives. Congratulations. Most people with your academic record can't walk upright."
Pacey sighed. Great. Some more failures. Why were they even bothering? Didn't they know that there was no hope for him?
" What are my options?" He asked half-heartedly.
"Summer school, followed by a return engagement in your sophomore year, and if by some miracle you make it to graduation, a life of leisure. Until welfare kicks in that is."
Pacey raised his eyebrows cynically.
"I'm very disappointed in you, Pacey."
Wasn't that something he was used to hearing! When would people stop expecting so much from him?
--------------------------
As Joey was slowly heading for her class she heard Dawson's voice:
" We won, you and me!"
"What are you talking about?"
"The Boston Film Festival. We won the Juror's prize for the best short film in the Junior division!"
Joey's eyes opened wide:
" Oh my God!!!!"
"Listen to this, The clever send up of the horror genre shows a profound understanding of the traditional Hollywood fascinations and turns them upside down in an entirely refreshing and entertaining way.."
Joey beamed.
"...writer and director, Dawson Leery, and producer, Joey Potter, have been allotted a budget of $2500 towards their next project." Dawson showed Joey the cheque: "This is a check for 2500$ to finance our next movie. We've already been pre-accepted in their Winter Workshop."
"...we...?"
" Yeah! I mean, I know, I understand that we are broken up and no longer a couple, and i totally respect that, but we are still Dawson and Joey, best buds, the way we were before, right?"
Joey nodded:
"Are you sure you're OK with us working together again, Dawson?"
"Are you kidding?! Joey, you're my best friend! No matter what else changes, this will never change... I have accepted that we are meant to be nothing else but friends... and in conformation with our friendly relationship, I believe we make a great team... I mean, look, the last time we made a team we won 2500$!"
Joey smiled happily.
" OK, Dawson. What is our next movie about?"
" I don't know, I haven't made up my mind yet. But I'll write something and it'll be better than the last one, I promise"
" OK, you do that and let me know" Joey laughed." I have to get to class now, see you later."
"You too. And... Joey?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad we're best buds again"
"Me too, Dawson."
As she headed for the class, Joey bumped into Jack.
"Hey... Joey..."
"Heya... Jack..." Joey mocked him, wondering what was going on. He had been acting strange for a while. "How's it hanging?"
"Good... good... pretty good... I... uhm... I was wondering if I could..."
"Jack, you're acting weird."
"I want to ask Jen out."
"Jen? Jen Lindley?"
"Yes..."
"And why are you telling me? I'm not exactly her best friend or anything..."
"I don't know, you're the only person I could think of talking to... you know... that knows her at all..."
"Last I heard, Jen was hanging out a lot with Chris Wolfe."
"I know. I know that, and I suppose i shouldn't hope she'd ever want to go out with me... I mean... right?"
"I don't know, Jack. I really don't know much about the way Jen thinks. You should ask Jen. What do you have to lose?"
"I don't know... it's just that... she was so much fun at the dance... I had an amazing time... and..."
"Jack, you don't have to explain yourself to me."
"I know.... sorry... I'll just... go ahead and ask."
"You do that... Jack, i really have to get to class."
"Right."
-------
"...and then he tells me I have no future that does not involve the fast-food industry." Pacey complained to his friends at lunch.
"And he's called a guidance counsellor" Andie remarked with venom.
"Yeah, amongst other things."
"Just because a student doesn't fit into some cookie-cutter mold that the public school system deems acceptable they're ready to write 'em off. I mean, Einstein failed second grade and not because he was stupid but because he was bored. And the incompetency of an inferior public school system failed to recognize it. You know, they'd rather just dismiss someone who's in obvious need of some guidance, rather than reach out to him. I mean, if someone along the way had just taken two seconds to notice, to care, they would have noticed that you need to be rescued not ridiculed." Andie got carried away as all the people around them turned to watch her rant.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Andie McPhee", Pacey said to mask his embarrassment as the other people clapped.
"Well, you have to mobilize yourself and prove him wrong." Dawson said decisively.
"Yeah, like I could ever..."
" Work hard and you'll do it."
" It's not that simple."
"If you need help, Pace, you can always ask..." Joey suggested, timidly.
"Help?"
"I could... tutor you..."
Pacey frowned:
"You think that would help?"
"I could also tutor you..." Andie tried to say.
"Of course it would help, Pace. All you have to do is make a little effort. We could all help you." Dawson suggested.
"Well... I suppose..."
Jen sat at their table:
"Hey guys, how's it hanging?"
"Dawson won a prize for his movie and I'm failing the sophomore year" Pacey said in one breath.
Jen looked at both of them, confused:
"I'm not sure if I should smile or frown here, help me out."
"You can smile. My failing is a surprise to no-one, so you might as well enjoy your success as a leading lady."
Joey took Pacey's hand over the table:
"You're not failing anything. Not if I can help it."
Everyone looked at her in surprise.
"I mean... she blushed and let go of his hand. We'll all help you and you'll pass. We'll make sure of that. That's what friends are for."
"Ooookay..."
Chris Wolfe sat next to Jen:
"Lindley."
"Heya, Chris."
"Hey everyone."
The others just nodded. Chris turned back to Jen:
"So, listen, I've got to confess. I am on a mission. Todd, here, is having a p-a-r-ty tonight." He showed to a guy who was just sitting behind him.
"Well, great, you know you can sign me up."
"Excellent, see you there. He got up and left."
"So, what's the deal with him?" Dawson couldn't help but ask.
"We've just been hanging out. What?"
"Errr..."
"You could come too tonight... In fact, everyone here could join me..."
"I don't think so", Dawson said. "I was thinking of writing up a new script tonight."
"I have to study for the test paper next week". Andie said.
" *We* have to study too" Joey looked pointedly at Pacey who just nodded with a smirk.
"I could come..." Jack offered.
Jen smiled widely at him:
"Of course you could!"
"Jack, you have a test next week too... "Andie pointed out.
"I can study some other time. I haven't been to a party in a while..."
"It's a deal." Jen winked and Jack blushed.
---------
Pacey knocked at the Potter residence door. He couldn't understand why, but for some reason he felt very weird about the whole situation. He was not used to the supportive Joey. Sure, they were friends, and they had gotten along well on occasion, but this was definitely something new.
Joey opened the door and looked at him unsurely:
"Heya, Pace."
"Potter." He replied in the same insecure tone.
They stood and looked at each other for a few long seconds.
"Can I... uhm... get in?"
"Yeah... sure..." Joey laughed nervously. What was happening to her?
"Are you OK? I could come back another time, you know..." he said while entering.
"Are you trying to bail out on the study session?"
"Me? Nah... Why would I?" Pacey went back to his usual bravado: "You know me, I'm Mr. Stud... ious..."
"Very funny, Jailbait. Now come and prove it. I will tutor you in History today." Joey headed for the centre of the living room where she had placed the text books, a pen and a few pieces of paper.
"Wow, you did all this for me?" Pacey asked in mock-surprise, although the surprise part was actually genuine.
"As it happens, I have a history test coming soon, and I thought, since you're so equally bad on all subjects, it would do me a good as much as you."
"You wound me, Potter."
"Well, good, then, I was afraid this day would go by without it."
Pacey smiled and sat down next to her.
----------
"So... first Tudor king?"
"Henry..."
"Which one...?"
"There were more?!" Pacey sighed exasperated.
"Yes, England counted eight Henry kings."
"Oh, dear God! I need to take a break."
"Pacey, we just took one fifteen minutes ago."
"Don't you understand? My brain is close to a short-circuit! I demand a break!"
"No"
"Wench"
"Retard"
---------
"Who was the last Tudor monarch?"
"Elisabeth..."
"Which one...?"
Pacey looked around unsurely:
"The first...?"
"Exactly! Good job!"
"Thank you. Do I get a cookie?"
"I don't think we have any left... You ate them all..."
"What do you mean no cookies left? How are you going to stimulate me into studying further?"
"By pointing out that you don't want to do summer school...?"
"Of course I don't want to do summer school! Summer school is for morons."
"I know that, and in order to avoid others find out that you're one of them, you might want to study this."
"Hey, I take offence in that!"
"Well you could always prove me wrong by showing off your vast knowledge of the Tudor dynasty..."
Pacey sighed.
"Control freak."
"Shut up and read."
-----------
"Potter, it's close to 10 PM. We have been studying for three hours already. I can name all the Tudor monarchs, the years they reigned and some of their accomplishments... What more do you want?"
"I suppose..." Joey rose. "I swear, you are the most childish and annoying person I've ever studied with she sighed."
"Right back atcha, Potter..." Pacey rose too as Bessie came in.
"Pacey... this is a surprise..." she said smiling.
"Yeah, well, get used to it. Your sister has offered to introduce me into the world of the studious."
Bessie chuckled:
"That'll be the day... I hope you're not leaving on my account."
"No, but we've been studying for three hours and that's about as much as I can take. Plus, I have to pass by the store before getting home."
"Which reminds me, Jo, please go to the store and get some milk... We've ran out and you know we can't have a proper breakfast without it."
"Sure." Joey turned to Pacey: "Let's go."
"Night Bessie."
"Night Pacey."
They walked out and Pacey headed for the car.
"You have to be kidding me. You're not actually thinking I'm going to climb into that."
"Jesus, Potter, stop whining and get in there!"
"Not if I want to live another day I won't!"
"You've survived the previous times, why not now?"
Joey muttered and got in.
"I can't believe I'm doing this."
"You know I'm not that bad of a driver" Pacey said and started the car with a loud noise.
"You think?"
-------------
As they entered the store they spotted Andie talking to a store employee. They looked at each other and frowned.
"What do you think is happening?" Joey asked.
"I don't know, let's find out." Pacey said and they headed towards Andie.
"Let's go home, Mom." They heard her say and turned to see a middle aged woman looking dumbly at the shelves.
"I can't. I'm sorry, honey. I can't go home. I'm sorry, honey."
"Please, let's just go home, okay?"
"No, I can't."
"Mom, stop it. Please"
"It's all over. It's all gone..."
Andie was nearing tears.
" Andie...? What's going on?"
"Pacey...! Joey!!! What are you guys doing here?"
"We're here to buy some stuff... What are you doing?"
"Nothing..." Andie sighed exasperated and turned to her mother: "Mom, for God's sake, you're making me look bad! Let's go home!"
"Hello, mrs. McPhee..." Pacey greeted.
She looked at him confused:
"Do I know you?"
" I'm Pacey Witter, I'm a friend of your daughter's... How do you do..." He took her hand and shook it.
"Hello, Pacey, nice to meet you..."
"How are you doing? Grocery shopping?"
"I don't know..." Andie's mother kept her confused look. "I don't know..."
"Don't worry about it. I have to pick some groceries. You could help me pick them out..." He looked around: "Look, they've got marshmallows! It's a food group all in its own!"
"You don't want that. I have some turkey and roast beef in the fridge."
"You know, that sounds to me like a triple-decker club sandwich. Will you make me a sandwich, Mrs. McPhee?"
"Pacey, what are you doing?!" Andie whispered loudly.
"Yes, I can make you a sandwich."
"Excellent. You, Mrs. McPhee are my saviour. Come on."
He took her by the hand and led her towards the exit. Joey and Andie followed dumb folded.
"OK, Pacey, that is enough, I'll take her home now." Andie took over after Pacey had placed her mother in her car.
"OK..."
After Andie left, Joey looked at him confused:
"What was that?"
"I don't know... Let's go shopping... I believe that's what we were here for."
----------------------------