Footnote 10/?
Summary: AU starts freshmen year; Pacey is tired of being a third wheel.
Disclaimer: I only own the plot.
Rating: R
-break-
When Joey agreed to meet at the Rialto, she assumed Pacey was already on his way but was shocked to find him nearly an hour late…and not alone. Next to his right was his friend Jack but to his left was a boisterous grinning blonde woman who bounced with every other step.
"Sor…sorry I'm late. I'm sure you remember Jack…" Turning to his friend Pacey avoided Joey's eye as he introduced the woman next to him. "And this is Jack's sister Andie."
Joey's eyes widened the jealousy she felt curling back up her spine noticing the way Pacey diverted his eyes from her.
Andie, paying no mind introduced herself putting her hand out to Joey. "Andrea…but most people call me Andie. You must be Joey."
Joey nodded mutely shaking the offered hand, her eyes on an uncharacteristically silent Pacey looking everywhere but at her.
"So what movie are we seeing?" Jack asked, trying to break up the obvious tension that everyone but his sister could feel.
"Well, if it isn't Jug head and friends." Dawson snickered his eyes homing in on the spicy blonde stranger before him. "And who might this beautiful creature be?"
"Andie." Andie blushed giggling as her brother sighed shaking his head Pacey stared at them wide eyed and Joey stood dumbstruck. "We were just going to see a movie."
"Dawson…" Dawson introduced himself with a grin throwing an arm around Andie's shoulder guiding her toward the theatre. "I love movies."
It only got more awkward from there as Dawson and Andie took seats next to each other while an uncomfortable Joey sat next to them, a seething Jack next to her and an annoyed Pacey next to him.
"Doesn't he have a girlfriend?" Jack hissed at the pair watching in shock as his sister locked lips with the other blonde.
"Hasn't stopped him before." Joey whispered back folding her arms across her chest.
Her words only added fuel to Pacey's irritation as he shuffled in his seat, his nose flaring wildly.
-break-
"If my father doesn't string me up for this dinner, remind me to go to Dawson's and throw him in the creek for his bullshit."
As much as Joey was trying to linger in the awkward and uncomfortable stage, she was in at the movies she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her as the pair walked to the Witter house.
"I'm sorry he made you feel uncomfortable."
"I could say the same." Joey smiled eyeing over his reaction to see if it would change. "It must've been awkward seeing her kiss someone else, let alone Dawson."
Pacey shrugged, cringing, remembering what transpired at the theatre. "We had our time."
Joey felt her heart skip a beat at the words but stopped as they stepped up to his house, the raised voices from inside sending a shiver down her spine.
Pacey stopped next to her placing a hand on her shoulder he gave it a gentle squeeze getting her attention. "If you want to back out now, I won't hold it against you."
Shaking her head Joey gave him an encouraging smile her hand covering his on her shoulder. "I can handle it."
"Suit yourself." He sighed, opening the front door letting her go in first.
-break-
Exactly one hour and twelve minutes later Pacey stomped out of that same front door, his full body vibrating in anger. It was only then that he realized he left Joey behind to deal with his family's wrath. Turning around he inhaled a deep breath ready to go back into the hell hole he called home to save Joey like a knight in shining armor when she came out the same front door, the wood slamming behind her.
Pacey opened his mouth to plead to apologize when she turned her eyes on him shaking her head in confusion and she turned walking in the opposite direction.
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