Footnote 7/?

Summary: Starts in freshmen year. Pacey is tired of being a third wheel.

Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

Rating: R

-break-

He figured right as he found Joey walking up the dock toward him the next day, but he was relieved when she asked again to do something that Jack jumped in wanting to join. Pacey was surprised to see disappointment in her eyes as she nodded.

Instead of using Joey's small boat to row toward town they jumped in Mr. McPhees Jeep Cherokee. Jack had gotten his drivers license a few months back while Pacey was waiting for a retake after failing the first time.

Parking near the center of town, the three of them headed for the Rialto.

"Well, if it isn't the disappearing Witter."

Dawson's snarky tone had Pacey cringing as he turned to his former friend, Joey beside him tensed her arms crossing in front of her. "Hey Dawson." His former friend had changed not just in style but also attitude, reminding him of a wannabe James Dean…or their own hometown replica, Matt Caulfield.

"What made you resurface?" Turning to Joey he added snidely holding Jen closer to him. "Joey beg you to come back?"

Pacey reeled back slightly at Dawson's tone, his rough words causing Joey's gaze to hit the asphalt, her feet shuffling beneath her. "Joey didn't beg me…I came here with my friend Jack for the summer." The sardonic laugh he received in return made Pacey's stomach turn but Dawson's eyes turned back on Joey, a haughty look in his eye.

"She has some crazy thought in her head that I'm the reason you left…but of course she's also the prude who won't grow up."

Before Pacey could respond to the even harsher words, Joey let out a whimper, turning on her heel and running from sight.

"Run little baby." Dawson muttered making Jen snicker next to him.

Pacey was shocked. Gone was the lighthearted fun Dawson he grew up with, in his place stood an asshole jerk. "What the hell is the matter with you?"

"Oh, don't get all self-righteous on me Pacey…you deemed her a prude before I did." Dawson shook his head, pulling his arm from Jen's back.

"Yeah, I did as a tease…you know a joke?" Pacey growled incredulously looking to Jack who was stunned into silence at the confrontation.

"Well, you pegged her right…she is a prude." Dawson responded flippantly smiling at the stunned look that appeared on Pacey's face, curling his arm back around Jen he chuckled guiding his girlfriend away from the pair.

"What the hell?" Pacey asked Jack rhetorically shaking his head before turning in the direction that Joey fled, his eyes sliding shut finding his father now before him. "Shit."

"Nice to see you too Pacey." John growled shoving his thumbs into his uniform pockets giving his son a pointed look. "I have to hear from your sister that your back in town?"

Pacey cringed giving Jack a look that told him 'I'm sorry I put you in this position.' "Sorry Pop."

John rolled his eyes eyeing Jack up and down. "Your mother wants you at dinner on Sunday."

"Ok." Pacey sighed rubbing at his temples, he didn't have to open his eyes to know his father was gone, his keys jingling loudly as he went.

"Your father is the sheriff?"

"Yes." Pacey groaned, shaking his head. Nodding in the direction Joey went he sighed. "I'm going to check on Joey…make sure she's okay."

Jack chuckled full heartedly pointing toward his car. "I'll see you back at the house."

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