Joey walked to Pacey's locker only to meet him en route to hers. "Hey, Pace. How do you think the test went?"
"Oh that sorry excuse for an examination?" he said with a wave of his hand. "I rocked it. Or at least I think I did … I hope I did," Pacey responded.
"I'm sure you did great," Joey suggested. "Or at least I hope you did too because I can't handle much more of your pitiful study habits." Pacey opened his mouth to protest, but Joey quickly added. "Seriously, you're a child."
"If by child you are referring to my rugged masculinity and youthful outlook, then yes, I would have to agree with you," he stated.
Joey rolled her eyes at his ridiculousness. "So what are we working on tonight? I haven't had a status report on True Love in a few days. What have you been up to anyway?" she asked. The pair walked out the door of Capeside High School and continued walking toward the parking lot.
Having no intention of sharing the true extent of his activities the last few days, Pacey merely answered, "I haven't been able to do much actually. Had a few shifts at Screen Play." His palms began to sweat slightly in recognition that his response omitted all sexual activities involving their mutual friend.
"So I was thinking that it's time I cash in on your promise to use power tools," Joey said hopefully. Her tongue was caught between her teeth in an adorable half-smile.
Pacey laughed. "You do, huh? And exactly what qualifications do you have that permit you to come anywhere near my girl with power tools?"
"I've tolerated you for several weeks now, so I've earned it," she replied easily. "Besides, you said, and I quote, 'I would be happy to share my power tools with you.' Unless I've misjudged you, and you are not actually a man of your word," she accused. "Is Pacey Witter not a man of his word?" Joey asked turning her head to allow her big brown eyes to observe him.
"As you wish, Potter. Just remember that I expressed concern for your appendages," he stated.
"Concern is duly noted," Joey smiled. She grabbed Pacey's hand and hurried him toward the Witter Wagoneer, "Now let's get moving! My date with power tools awaits."
"That one," Joey said pointing to a tool on the ground.
"The circular saw? You want to start with the circular saw?" Pacey clarified. Joey nodded before bending down to pick up the equipment. "Woah, there, Missy. Safety first," he required motioning to the pair of safety glasses in his hand. Joey turned to face him waiting impatiently. Pacey slid the safety glasses over her ears and onto her nose.
"How do I look?" she asked striking a fake model pose.
"Ridiculous," he responded warmly. "OK, now step 2 is we have to actually measure the wood to see where you're cutting." Joey let out a sigh of frustration. "What? You didn't think I was just going to let you start cutting up my lumber for no reason." He handed her a tape measure. "This 2x4 needs to be cut at 2 feet."
Joey took the tape measure, and pulled it across the board. "Hey Pace, I need a pencil," she requested.
"What did you say?" Pacey asked as the smirk on his face grew wider. Joey guffawed. "Can't hear you, Potter," he directed.
"Just give me the damn pencil," Joey instructed. Pacey handed her a pencil, but continued to grin at the irony. She made a mark on the board with Pacey watching over her. "I'm not going to mess up the pencil mark, you know," she claimed.
"Just supervising, Potter. Appendages, remember?" Pacey stated. "Take the square and make a straight line to guide your cut," he instructed.
"OK, I have my glasses, measured, made my line, now stop stalling and give me the saw," she demanded. Pacey laughed and picked up the saw. He expertly set it for the proper depth of cut. Handing the saw to Joey, he walked behind her, and put his hand over hers to strengthen her grip on the saw.
"Here ya go. Now look at the front to these two guide notches," he suggested pointing to the front of the saw. "Line it up to the pencil mark you made and squeeze this to begin your cut."
"It's that easy?" Joey asked smiling at him over her shoulder.
"It's that easy," Pacey agreed. "Ready?" She nodded her head and turned her attention to the task in front of her. With Pacey's hand over hers, she made a clean cut on the board. "Well done, Potter," Pacey praised.
"Hmm … I am pretty good at this, huh? Let's do another one," she said eagerly.
Pacey smiled genuinely. "OK, but remember for every cut you make, that's another board you have to sand." Joey nodded her head in agreement. "We need three more at two feet," he stated. Joey measured two feet, and used the square to mark her spot. "I think you got this now, so I'll stand back," Pacey offered.
"No," Joey responded. "Stay here … just in case. I mean, I don't want to be the victim of some freak circular saw accident." Pacey smiled and resumed his position behind Joey. His body provided a strong foundation that Joey felt comfortable leaning into without fear of falling. She could feel his soft breath on the back of her neck and it sent shivers down her spine. Pacey was both strong, but gentle; challenging, but patient; cocky, but humble. He was so many things that Joey had only recently begun to appreciate. She didn't yet know what it meant, but Joey knew that she liked having him close.
"Great work, Jo," he praised. "Now time for the sanding part," he stated handing Joey a piece of sandpaper.
"How do I always seem to end up with sanding duty?" she asked taking the sandpaper from his hand begrudgingly. Joey sat down in one of the chairs Pacey kept nearby and began sanding. Picking up a piece of wood and sandpaper, Pacey sat next to her.
"So did your work schedule change or something? Why aren't you at the marina?" he asked.
"I got fired actually," she stated matter-of-factly. Pacey stopped sanding and looked at her with concern. "Remember my sleaze ball of a boss, Rob? Well he went on a date with one of my friends, which I may have crashed in order to save her from his inevitable grope fest."
"What?! Joey, I'm so sorry. God, that guy is such a douche," Pacey answered. "He can't do that, you know. There has to be something we can do."
"Just leave it alone, Pacey. He's not worth the trouble," she explained.
"Fine, but I don't like it," Pacey said as he resumed sanding. "So who was the unlucky girl? Anyone I know?" he asked. Joey's face provided the answer to his question. "Oh. Hey, I'm glad she's moving on. Thanks for looking out for her, Jo." Joey shrugged, so Pacey added, "I mean it. You knew I couldn't, so I'm glad you did."
"No problem, Pacey. The guy really is an ass. Of course now I have no income, which is not such a good thing," she stated. "But whatever, let's talk about something else. My lack of money is not news."
"So what time are we heading to Dawson's?" he asked.
"I told you, when we're done with your 'boat thing,'" Joey responded.
"Haha, very funny. You know, I love the guy, but he can be very …" Pacey began.
"Dismissive? Self-absorbed?" she offered. Pacey nodded his head in agreement. "I try to remind myself that he doesn't mean for it to be that way, but sometimes it's really hard. I mean, you're doing a great thing here, Pace. You should not be made to feel small, ever. Your dream is no less important than anyone else's, including Dawson's," Joey stated.
"Thanks, Jo. The same goes for you and your little art thing," he said teasingly. "In fact, I say you're due for some art time. So after this, no more sanding for you for at least the weekend," Pacey instructed.
"Deal," she smiled back at him. "Now, I know he can be annoying, but he is our best friend, so time to go." Joey stood up and held her hand out in front of Pacey. He took it and let her drag him to the Witter Wagoneer. Joey had been dragging him places for years, but never before had she been so eager to offer him her hand.
Joey and Pacey had arrived to Dawson's house at the same time countless times over the years, but they had never actually planned to do so. In the past he just happened to be near the dock when she exited her rowboat. Or they had met each other walking up to the front porch of the Leery house. No matter where they met, they always managed to bicker until the presence of their mutual best friend would dissolve the tension. Joey now found herself riding shotgun next to Pacey on the way to Dawson's house. She was sitting next to him and was not overcome with a desire to call him a "cretin" or punch him in the arm. On the contrary, she had been frustrated with Dawson for changing their plans, for limiting her time with her supposed enemy.
Joey glanced at Pacey in the driver's seat. His left hand was comfortably on the steering wheel with his elbow perched on the car door. She felt heat radiating from his right hand that was rested on the seat next to her. Pacey was wearing his brown corduroy jacket that Joey's brain identified as an easy source of ridicule, but something else inside of her pointed out that it somehow complemented his deep blue eyes.
Pacey stopped at the last red light before they would pull into Dawson's driveway together. Joey suddenly found herself growing uncomfortable. She turned her gaze to outside the windshield, refusing to look at the boy next to her. Joey tried to identify the reason for her discomfort – Was it because they were late? It was her suggestion to not be there right at 7:00pm. Or was it because she wanted to stay and work on True Love? – She only grew increasingly frustrated with her lack of answers. Joey felt Pacey put the car in park, and her heart beat faster. She looked out the window of the car and saw her ladder leading to Dawson's room. Joey knew she wouldn't be climbing that ladder tonight, but rather would walk up the front steps with someone else, with Pacey.