Author's note: Thanks for your continued reviews! I really enjoy reading your suggestions; they definitely help with the writing process. I know we're getting a little antsy for some PJ love, but I'm trying to ride the slow burn that I so enjoyed in Season 3. I promise they will get their kiss(es) ... eventually!
Joey was sat in her spot on Dawson's bed. It was the side of the bed near the window where she used to sleep after movie nights at his house. Dawson sat to the left of her with his back rested against the headboard. Jen lay on her stomach at the foot of the bed. Pacey was sitting in Dawson's desk chair near the window. Escape from Witch Island continued to play on the television as Dawson periodically examined the face of each of his friends watching for their reaction to his work. Joey was used to this scenario, she had experienced numerous of Dawson's "advanced screenings," but for some reason she found herself squirming under his gaze.
"Hey, can you guys pass the popcorn?" Pacey asked from the side of the room. Joey looked at the large bowl of popcorn that was resting in the middle of the bed, which meant everyone but Pacey had easy access to it. Dawson ssshhed Pacey loudly. Joey rolled her eyes and gave Pacey an apologetic look as she handed him the bowl. "Thanks, Jo," he said purposely louder than his original request. Despite Dawson's look of annoyance, Joey smirked at Pacey's smart-ass behavior.
Pacey found himself where he always was when in Dawson's room … anywhere but a comfortable spot on the bed. Growing up, Pacey was always relegated to the floor during movie nights because the spot on the bed undeniably belonged to Joey. However, even when "the princess" (one of Pacey's many names for Joey) wasn't in attendance, Dawson would still toss Pacey a pillow down to the floor. Pacey would sleep on the floor next to Dawson with the promise of a peaceful night outside his own home and a pleasant morning compliments of Gail Leery.
Dawson had only spent one night at Pacey's house in their entire childhood. In 2nd grade, a young Pacey had somehow managed to convince his parents to allow him to have a small sleepover to celebrate his birthday. He had invited Dawson, and his friend, Will Krudski. The three boys had played in the woods, ate pizza, and created an elaborate set up of G.I. Joes. These activities had passed by without incident until Sheriff Witter came home. He was drunk as usual, and spent the remainder of the night degrading his youngest son. Pacey suggested the three boys go to sleep early that night in hopes of escaping any further wrath. He had laid out each of the boys' sleeping bags on the floor of his bedroom. Pacey's slept in the middle sleeping bag with a best friend on either side of him. No longer having access to his preferred target of ridicule, John Witter's anger turned to his wife. Though the boys tried in earnest, no amount of ghost stories or uncomfortable boyhood laughter could cover the noise downstairs. Dawson never spent another night at the Witter household. In fact, he rarely entered the home at all after that. Will, on the other hand, stayed over occasionally because he understood the dynamic present in the Witter family. He also knew that while it was uncomfortable to be there, Pacey was safer from his father when someone else was there.
Pacey quickly shook his head trying to remove the memories from his head. He would have preferred a spot on Dawson's bed, but he was satisfied to merely spend time in a home that did not hold inevitable pain. Pacey was grateful for the childhood the Leery's had offered him especially after Will moved away one year later. Dawson's house had provided a sanctuary for Pacey; a place for him to escape his own harsh reality. If Dawson had allowed himself to acknowledge the pain his best friend experienced at the hands of the people who were supposed to love him unconditionally, maybe he would have saved a spot for him on the bed. Nevertheless, pain was not part of Dawson's existence, and so he ignored it.
Forcing his thoughts to return to the present, Pacey put another handful of popcorn into his mouth as he watched the events the four friends had experienced first-hand unfold on the television. Escape from Witch Island was shameless in its similarities to The Blair Witch Project, but that wasn't what disturbed Pacey. He looked at the image on the screen. A gorgeous Joey stared back at him underneath a silly wool hat that somehow managed to make her dark eyes even more intense. Pacey may not have been the most academically inclined of the friends, but he was perceptive enough to see that she was the most interesting part of the film. Joey was on the screen reading from Mary Waldeck's journal – "I fill my days with memories. I remember how he used to look at me. Like I was his most valuable treasure. Has he found a new treasure? I can't help but wonder if we'll be able to find our way back to each other. The road before us seems so very long and my head is clouded with such dark thoughts. I feel our bond grows weaker by the day and I'm powerless to stop it." Pacey stole a glance at the live version of Joey only to see Dawson looking longingly at her.
Pacey was reminded of the events that occurred at the beginning of the year. He had Joey crying on her dock. He had consoled her then because Dawson had asked him to. Pacey remembered what he said to her that night, "How painful it must be to know that as right as you two are for each other, it doesn't mean you're right for each other right now." He was referring to the ever-present Dawson and Joey. Pacey sighed knowing that he had also made a bold prediction that night that he and Joey might become friends. Over time, Pacey had allowed himself to consider the possibility of the two being more than friends. He even suspected that she might have entertained similar thoughts. She had actually suggested he stay near her earlier while they were working on True Love. Pacey thought that surely that behavior could be safely interpreted as flirting.
Then Pacey noticed a shift in Joey's gaze from the television in front of her to the boy next to her. Her eyes met Dawson's and they both smiled warmly at each other. Pacey silently chastised himself for considering the possibility of more with Joey. She may have learned to tolerate him, or at best to genuinely enjoy his company, but Pacey would never be on the receiving end of one of those looks; the ones she seemed to reserve only for Dawson. Pacey resolved to work harder to contain whatever feelings may have been developing for his best friend's soul mate. His eyes turned from the off-limits brunette to the sexy blonde at the foot of the bed. Feeling his eyes on her, Jen inconspicuously licked her lips. Pacey's eyes widened as she slowly moved her right hand to unbutton the top notch of her sweater. His fingers twitched with desire to undue the rest of the buttons. The two friends smiled at each other in a silent promise.