“You want some popcorn Joey?” I ask, when we get in the line at the candy bar.

“Where did Dawson and Jen go?”

“Outside. So, popcorn?”

“Why are they outside?”

“Why do you care?”

“Could you just answer the damn question?”

“Could you answer mine?” she glares menacingly at me for a brief moment, before finally answering, “Popcorn would be good, thank you.”

“Now, to answer you’re question…I think Jen wanted to get some fresh air, to smoke, you know?”

“Jen smokes?”

“Yeah. She said something about quitting when she first came to Capeside due to Grams, but she started again.” Joey scoffs loudly.

“Strike one for the blonde bimbo.” She sneers.

“Oh yeah…because given that Dawson’s out there keeping her company, I really think that her smoking habits are a huge deterrent.” I say sarcastically, as we approach the front of the line.

“What can I get you?” the young boy behind the counter asks with a smile.

“One large popcorn, two cokes,” Joey elbows a reminder in my ribs, “sorry, 1 coke and 1 diet coke.” I revise my order. “Oh, and a couple of napkins.” The young boy runs off to fetch our order.

“You’re not having popcorn?” Joey asks.

“Yeah, that’s why I got a large, we’ll share.”

“Share? Why couldn’t we have had one each?”

“Sorry Miss Glutton but I’m kind of strapped for cash.”

“And who has napkins for popcorn?”

“No normal people I’ll grant you but given your messy tendencies, you really should.” Before Joey can respond with another of her biting remarks, the kid comes back with our popcorn and cokes.

“Should we get our seats?” Jen asks, coming up behind us with Dawson’s hand swinging in hers. Joey glares death stares at this gesture, while I inquire about the new development.

“We decided to give it another try.” Dawson explains. I congratulate them and take our food and drinks as we head for the cinema.

“Guys.” Joey says.

“What’s up Jo?” Dawson asks, releasing Jen’s hand, much to her dismay and showing Joey the concern that the look on her face derives.

“I’m not feeling so good. I think I’m coming down with something.” Joey lies through her teeth.

“There is a virus thing going around.” Jen says.

“Maybe we should forget about the movie and take you home.” Dawson offers. Jen’s face falls, obviously disappointed.

“No, you’ve already paid for the tickets and everything. I’ll just go.” Dawson looks skeptically at her.

“No Joey. I don’t want you going alone. I’ll take you.” Joey seems pleased with this idea, but Jen on the other hand seems resentful. I offer Jen a knowing look.

“Dawson, you shouldn’t miss out because Joey’s sick.” She says, looking at me for encouragement. “Besides, Pacey didn’t really want to see the film anyway and he’s got the car…Joey shouldn’t be walking when she’s sick.” Dawson looks at me, asking silently for my agreement.

“Jen’s right Dawson. I’ll take Joey. You and Jen should enjoy the film together.” Joey laughs sadistically.

“Thanks guys, but I can go alone.” She says, walking away. Dawson looks at me expectantly.

“Got it covered. And don’t worry about anything, you two just have a good night.”

“Thanks Pacey.” Jen yells after me, as I catch up to Joey and drag her kicking and screaming to the car.

“So you’re coming down with something, huh?” I ask her, starting the engine.

“Yeah, I think it’s just one of those twenty four hour bugs, you know.”

“Right.” I humor her, knowing the real reason for her wanted departure and knowing she knows I know…if that makes any sense! Joey takes the popcorn I’d brought out and starts eating.

“Pass me a handful.” I ask, while trying to maintain concentration on the road.

“No.” she snaps.

“I paid for them!” I exclaim.

“As if I asked for the gentlemanly gesture. Frankly I’m surprised you knew how to pay for a girl.”

“You’re a girl?” I ask with mock surprise.

“Ha ha.” She deadpans.

“Come on Jo, just give me a few pieces, the smell is driving me crazy. Any second now the car will be flooded with saliva.”

“An attractive image.” She sighs, picking up a handful and raising it over to me. “You going to take it?” I look at the popcorn, wanting desperately to eat it.

“Remember I hurt my right hand the other day? I can’t take my left off the wheel or I’ll lose control of the car.” Joey shrugs and pops the popcorn in her own mouth.

“Joey!”

“What? I ain’t hand feeding you, cripple boy.”

“Pretty, pretty please? Other wise I’ll have to stop the car right here and finish off the popcorn myself. And you know I’m a slow eater. You’ll be in my presence for at least another half hour…you poor thing!”

“Ugh…you know, I feel like I’m going to vomit.” Joey once again fakes illness.

“Feel free to wind down the window.” I say, pulling over onto the side of the road and snatching the popcorn from her. Outside it starts to rain, putting an end to any thoughts Joey may have had of walking home.

“Lucky Dawson didn’t let you walk, huh?”

“Please, a few drops of rain wouldn’t have killed me.” The rain pelts down harder and harder, creating a blanket on the windshield.

“Maybe it’s a good thing I stopped too, I can’t even see.” Joey reaches over and switches on the windscreen wipers, expecting them to take care of that little problem, instead, the wipers merely add to the thick blanket that continues to pelt down on the glass, making it even harder to see.

“Gees.” Joey mutters, switching them off again. She silently puts her hand into the bucket of popcorn and continues eating in silence with me, as we both watch the rain pelt down on the windows.

“Do you think it’ll let up soon?” she asks, as I let her take the last handful.

“I doubt it. But it might ease up a little, so that we can see.” Joey is about to wipe the grease from the popcorn on her jeans, but before she can, I quickly hand her the napkins I got. She smiles self consciously, realizing that my assertion of her being a messy eater was right.

“I know you better than you know yourself.” I smile.

“That’s a little disconcerting.”

“Thought Dawson was the only one who knew you, didn’t ya?” Joey merely smiles, then adds, “Believe it or not Pacey, but I know you pretty well too.”

“Oh you do, do you?”

“Yep. I know that you don’t like the yellow M&M’s, I know that you’re insecure about your hair, that you are head over heels in love with Heather Graham and that you never get less than a B+ in Home Economics.”

“Who told you that? No one is to know that! No one! It’d ruin my reputation as the E+ student.”

“Oh right, because that’s one stigma a person couldn’t live without.”

“I couldn’t.” I maintain.

“If that’s the only thing you’ve got going for you, I feel extremely sorry for you.”

“Joey Potter feeling pity for moi?”

“Momentary insanity, don’t worry, it’ll pass.”

“I’m sure it will.” I say, tempted to run the conversation in another direction, but hesitant. Joey always makes me feel indecisive. I’m never sure of myself around her; she turns me into virtual jelly. But none the less, I’ll take the gamble, I always do.

“So…you think you know me pretty well then huh? What, with knowing about my M&M tendencies and everything?”

“Yes Pacey, I believe I know you pretty well. After all, I’ve had the misfortune of knowing you for the better part of my life.”

“I still know you better than you know me. I mean, I can practically read your mind.”

“Yeah right.” She scoffs.

“I can. Right now you’re wondering when the damn rain will stop so we can get the hell outta here, right?”

“Yeah but anyone would have guessed that.”

“Well what am I thinking right now?” There’s no going back now. Joey ponders my question for a moment before smiling triumphantly.

“You’re wondering if your Dad has stashed any food in the glove box because you’re hungry.” I laugh.

“That’s not it. Close…but not it.”

“Well Mr Witter, enlighten me. What are you thinking?” I take a deep breath, prepared to lose all my dignity in one moment.

“I’m wondering whether or not you’ll slap me if I kiss you?” Joey’s jaw drops, obviously surprised, and having not much experience in the area of propositions, looks as if she’s struggling for something to say.

“I will slap you.” She manages to utter.

“Should I take my chances?” I ask, inching ever closer to her, my breath now mingling with hers. Joey is so hypnotized in the moment that she forgets to answer, and my lips meet hers, in a scorching kiss.