| The older woman sighed and nodded her head. �I�m sorry to hear that� but you know I hear that that young man that accompanied you last time really was a nice help to the kids. Will he be back for their next game?� Andie shook her head. �You know I don�t think that he�s available�� She began but the woman cut her off. �Because you know that stability is extremely important for kids today. And as bad as it is to not have your brother around I believe that the absence of that young man might just throw those kids off completely.� She continued. �Don�t you agree?� Andie stood there with her mouth agape not sure of what to say. Finally she simply nodded in agreement. �You�re right. I� totally agree with you on that. I mean yeah stability and everything should be you know� well stable for kids.� She stuttered. The woman smiled widely. �I�m glad that you see it my way. And he�ll be at the practice tomorrow too won�t he?� It was more of a demand then a question. �Of course he will be. That�s apart of that whole stability thing you know.� She remarked. �You know I have to get this medicine to my brother. Wouldn�t want him away from the team and everything for too long. I have to go.� She rushed out barely hearing the older woman�s enthusiastic good-bye. She shook her head. What had she just gotten herself into? As if she didn�t have enough on her plate already! This day was just getting worst and worst. The Icehouse� Joey slumped down at a table. Her feet were aching and she felt all gross from working all day. The only good thing was that it was close to winter so at least she wasn�t dripping with sweat. Running her hands through her hair she sighed as she thought back to her conversation with Dawson earlier that week. It shouldn�t bother her that he was happy. She was happy that he was happy. But there was still this small selfish part of her that believed that she was the one that should make him happy. She knew that she wasn�t being fair. She had Pacey and he made her happy but still she couldn�t help herself. For so long it had been them two against the world and then this past year everything changed. And now it wasn�t her and Dawson anymore. It wasn�t even her, Dawson and Pacey anymore. It was her and Pacey and then there was Dawson� and now Andie. She was by his side, holding his hand and saying those words of encouragement that she once used to tell him. It was hard being replaced. It hurt more then she realized. Maybe this is what Dawson felt. �Penny for your thoughts.� Gretchen stated sliding into the seat across from her. Joey looked up with wide brown eyes as though she had been caught in an illegal act. �Hey� Gretchen. What are you doing here?� She asked. Gretchen gave her a look knowing exactly where her mind was. �I am meeting that studious brother of mine here for a bite to eat. He says because it�s the best place in town.� �Only because he gets his meals for free.� Joey retorted with a smile. Gretchen shrugged. �I�m sure that doesn�t hurt. Of course neither can the sight of you.� She remarked. Joey sighed and rolled her eyes although pleased with the compliment. She took a moment before jumping in. �Hey so what have you been up to lately?� �Working� at the Leery fish house mostly.� She answered. Joey nodded. �Is it busy over there right now?� �You have no idea. I guess it�s the Christmas rush and people would rather dine out then cook something at home.� She answered. �And you know Gale is a perfectionist so she won�t just hire anyone so that means we all have to pull extra weight.� �Wow� Dawson must hate being there. I mean I know he hates waiting tables.� �Actually he�s been pretty cool about it. Andie picking up shifts probably doesn�t hurt either.� She replied nonchalantly. �Andie�s working there too? That must be� well she must be something. Especially when you guys are slammed, I hope she doesn�t freak out too much.� �No she keeps a level head most of the time. I mean there were a few close calls but the majority of the time she really holds her own. You know if she ever needed some extra money while at Harvard I definitely could see her grabbing a waitress job.� �Andie as a waitress? Wonders never cease! I guess she�s just perfect all around.� She muttered. �Joey are you sure that you�re okay?� She hesitated not sure if she wanted to do this but found that she needed a release of some kind. �Why do I feel like I am the wronged party in this entire Dawson, Andie, Pacey thing square?� She asked turning to Gretchen. �I mean I know that I have no room to talk about whom Dawson decides to date and whether or not that person is good for him or just a waste of his time, but there is still this other part of me, the irrational alter ego of Joey Potter, that can�t stand to hear just how happy he is with someone else.� She sighed as she ran her fingers through her thick brown tendrils. �I just keep thinking that I used to be the one that he came to talk about relationship problems or awkward transition into adulthood. I was the one that had the ideas that bailed him out of tough situations and stayed with him all times of the night when he needed inspiration for his next project. I hate to sound arrogant or even egotistical but any void that there was in Dawson�s life� I filled and now�� She trailed off. �And now Andie seems to be moving in on your territory.� She offered. Joey cut her eyes to the girl beside her guiltily. �Am I as bad as I sound?� She muttered. |
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