“C’mon, admit it Jo…that was the best kiss you’ve ever had, far better than rich boy. And it was courtesy of yours truly.” I joke, as I remember that gentle sweet kiss. Even though Joey wiped her mouth violently with her sleeve afterwards, it still counted to mean something to me. After all, I’d had a crush on the girl since I was 5! But things change I guess. Either that or they go around full circle.

“Trust me Pacey, you ranked a very low 2.” She tells me seriously.

“I thoroughly doubt that Potter.”

“Would I lie to you?”

“Yes you would. Besides, I was fourteen at the time, that’s not a good age to be judged on anything.”

“So what? You saying you’ve improved?” She laughs.

“There’s gotta be a reason Tamara kept coming back.”

“Mid life crisis?” I ignore her comment, and without properly thinking it through, put forward a possibly life ending proposition.

“I say we set the record straight right here and now.”

“Huh?” she asks, dumbfounded.

“You heard me Ice-Queen. Let’s replay that fateful night and we’ll just see who’s scoring a two.”

“I’d rather have spiders run rampant on my face.”

“That could be arranged.” I say, inching ever closer to her.

“Pacey.” She protests.

“What have you got to lose?” I whisper lightly before my lips brush hers. She remains frozen for a moment, but then responds to the kiss. It turns from gentle exploration to heated passion very quickly. Her hands run up and down my neck, violently gripping at my hair, as mine explore the curves of her back. I’m half way between shocked and elated when her lips part slightly, allowing my tongue entrance to explore her mouth.

“Pacey! You better get up or you’ll be late for school!” My mom tears me from my dream. I’m still in complete shock that this actually happened, it happened two days ago. Since then I haven’t seen Joey, but Dawson has organized for the three of us as well as Jen to go to the movies tonight, so I’m sure to see her then. Half of me is excited about seeing her, while the other half is frightened beyond belief. What will she do? What will she say? Will things be different? Does she feel anything? Damn, not even Tamara got me this worked up; I can’t get that bloody Potter girl out of my head. She’s there, plaguing my thoughts every second of every day. At least before all I had were dreams of what could happen, but now I have this scene that actually did happen which won’t stop rewinding and repeating itself over and over again! Sometimes I even let myself imagine what would have happened if she hadn’t pulled away. God those are the best dreams…the dreams when Joey actually feels one millionth of what I’m beginning to feel for her.

“Pacey! Hurry up!”

“Alright mom, I’m coming!” I yell as I drag my ass out of bed, looking forward to yet another night of dreaming.

“You are coming tonight right Pace?” Dawson asks me during English.

“Yeah, I got nothing else to do.”

“Good…good, coz I really need you there.”

“Need me there? For what?” I ask curiously.

“To keep Joey sufficiently occupied while I try to get things together with Jen. I mean, you do remember what happened the last time you abandoned us at the movies?”

“I do recall you mentioning something about that. So, when did you decide you wanted to get Jen back? Last we talked you were just a little confused over you feelings for Potter.”

“Yeah I know…and I’m really sorry for laying all that hormonally charged confusion on you Pacey. I just realized that what Joey and I have is something special yes, but it doesn’t go beyond friendship. I think that’s what I was guilty of, you know? Confusing friendship with something more. You know when you’re with a girl and suddenly the temperature seems to rise, your palms sweat, you struggle with what to say and you find it alarmingly difficult to breathe all of a sudden?”

“Yeah…I know what that’s like.” I nod solemnly, recounting at least a dozen situations when Joey has done those very things to me.

“Well I don’t feel that with Joey. But Jen…”

“With Jen you feel it?”

“I do.” He sighs, a smile forming on his lips.

“Well I wish you well D. I just hope Jen feels the same way. And don’t worry bout Potter tonight, I’ll keep her occupied.” I smirk mischievously.

“Just don’t start WWIII, okay?”

“Promise.”

I wait patiently for my father to go into the kitchen to look for more liquor, when he inevitably does, I make my move. I quickly bolt to the coffee table and delicately pick up my fathers keys so that he doesn’t hear them rattling. I quickly slip out of the front door as quietly as I can and “borrow” the car. I cross my fingers as I start the engine, hoping that Dad will be too wasted to notice it gone tonight.

When I arrive at Dawson’s house, he, Joey and Jen are already outside waiting. Dawson and Jen are talking animatedly and Joey watches on, looking less than amused.

“Hey guys, the wheels are here!” I exclaim out the wound down window.

“Are we going to be accessories in this automobile robbery?” Joey asks.

“It his Dad’s Jo.” Dawson tells her.

“Yeah…it’s called borrowing when you’re blood related. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing proof of that, some DNA testing should be done.” I consider this as a serious possibility while Dawson and Jen slip into the back seat. Joey rolls her eyes and sighs, climbing into the front seat beside me.

In an attempt to block out the sounds of the lovebirds in the back, I turn on the radio, and my favorite song begins to play. Joey leans over and abruptly changes the station. I change it back defiantly and then she switches it back again.

“I give.” I sigh, letting her listen to her music. She smirks triumphantly and begins to hum along. This is going to be a very long night.