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Blue Eyes: Part 9
by Naomi

Andie laughed as she watched her friends boogie on down to �Living la vida loca�. Jack and Pacey�s reenactment of the Pulp fiction dance was totally out of sync with the music, but they pretended to dance it so seriously that the outcome was just pure comic perfection! Jen and Joey were doing their best to dance while bowled over laughing at the guys� display of dance moves. As the music ended Andie whooped along with them as Pacey and Jack bowed to their three adoring fans. The four returned to Andie breathless, sweaty and beaming from the incredible rush that dancing gave them.

�Since when did you guys become such party animals?� Andie asked, amusement and a hint of jealousy sparkling in her eyes. She wished she could just let loose like they did up there on the dance floor. They looked as if they were having so much fun together, goofing around. She was always too self conscious when it came to dancing to ever relax. She could do the serious school dance type slow numbers and conventional dancing, but when it came to letting it all go and allowing your body to respond to the rhythm and beat in whatever way it moved, she just could never allow herself to flow naturally to the music. Not unless there was some alcohol down her, that was.

�Since we discovered Cheesy Music nights here every Thursday.� Joey responded to her query, pulling her hair away from her face and tying it up into a loose bun. They had taken Andie to their favourite student bar on campus, showing her just what student life had to offer. They had taken to the dance floor immediately as their favourite tunes to dance to pumped through the sound system. Andie refused to join them, taking in the atmosphere of the bar, and her surroundings first.

�Our passion for goofy dancing was ignited one cold, boring night, when three unsuspecting left-footed students and one smooth talking ships worker stumbled into this very bar. We haven�t looked back since- even the ice queen warmed up and we come dancing every Thursday night.� Pacey filled her in.

�Hey!� Joey hit Pacey at his reference to her. She really didn�t care anymore, it had just become a reflex action to hit him whenever he called her Josephine or Ice Queen. Some habits are instilled forever.

�Well you�ve all certainly discovered your hidden talents,� Andie teased.

�And I�m all up for discovering your talents McPhee- when can we get you on the dance floor?�

Andie blushed as Pacey wriggled his eye brows at her. She shook her head and giggled. �I�m staying put for the moment. Dancing really isn�t my thing.�

�Hmm this sounds rather familiar- just in reverse.� Pacey pointed out winking at her. �We�ll see Mcphee.�

Andie smiled as she remembered what he was referring to. It seemed like a life time ago when they attended that eventful school dance. In fact it *was* a life time ago�so much had happened since.

�OK so first rounds on me.� Jack stood up. �The usual?� He asked looking at Joey, Jen and Pacey. They nodded in response.

�Ok so that�s 2 beers, 2 Smirnoff�s and what are you having Andie?�

�Umm..just a diet coke thanks Jack.�

�You don�t drink?� Jen asked her.

�Nah..well sometimes but not tonight.� She stumbled as they all looked at her. �I�m still a little jet lagged, and who knows how alcohol will mess with that!�

�Well that�s probably best, we need a sober chaperone.� Pacey stood up and followed Jack, going to help him with the drinks.

�Don�t listen to Pace- we really aren�t a bunch of alcoholics, I promise,� Joey reassured her. �We like just enough to loosen up.�

Andie had noticed how much Joey had changed since she had been away. She had definitely matured and become a lot more self-confident, and less insecure. She mused at how interesting it was that the absence of Dawson seemed to allow her to grow into herself, to evolve and become her own person without the co-dependence that their interesting friendship had produced. She suddenly felt Dawson�s absence, recalling a time when the six of them would hang out together.

�So does Dawson ever come up to Boston?� she asked them.

�Every so often. He is loving it in LA, although I think he feels a little left out of the loop here.� Jen replied.

Andie nodded in understanding- recognising that feeling.

�But he was actually up here last week for a few days after he had been back home to visit for a bit.� Joey added. �Plus I speak to him about twice a week on the phone to catch up, and he likes checking back in to Capeside every few weeks as Lilly is growing up so fast.�

�Of course! He has a little sister now! I totally forgot. I wish I had kept in better contact with you all, I mean I haven�t spoken to Dawson since graduation.� Andie told them regretfully.

�Well I�m sure he�ll be up in a couple of weeks, he doesn�t like to leave us for too long. He makes sure we�re all watching the right movies..�

�-And that we have the right opinions and responses to them.� Joey finished off Jen�s statement.

�Sounds like Dawson,� Andie laughed with them, as the guys returned with the drinks.
�Sorry we took so long, but I had to drag this one away.� Pacey rolled his eyes towards Jack as he set down drinks in front of the girls.

�Is Tony working tonight?� Jen�s eyes went wide as she sat up in her seat trying to see over the bodies obscuring the view of the bar.

�I don�t know what you guys all see in him.� Pacey shook his head.