Why was I excited about this again? Why was I actually looking forward to mountains of homework, surprise tests and the same boring old teachers-none of them lookers!

“Did you study for that Quiz Pacey?” Joey asks me on our way to school, reminding me what I was supposed to be doing last night instead of annoying her at the Potter B&B.

“I guess I forgot.” I tell her.

“No surprise here.” Dawson laughs.

“It’s kind of important Pace, I can’t believe you blew it off.”

“Please, it’s not like it’s the SAT’s, besides, I was busy.”

“Watching me as I vacuum doesn’t constitute as busy Pace.” She tells me. Dawson continues laughing hysterically.

“It ain’t the end of the world, and it really ain’t that funny Dawson.”

“Sorry Pacey but, it’s only been 2 weeks and already we’re resuming our previous roles. Your’s being, a slacker.”

“And yours being dead if you don’t shut up.” I threaten; this causes his smiles to cease, but only for a brief moment.

“Well, it’s the last warm day of the season today guys.” Dawson says casually. “You guys in for a day at the pool?”

“Nope.” Joey says without more than a thought.

“Why not?” I ask, myself thinking an afternoon at the pool would be fun.

“Because.” She says bluntly.

“Wanna go into detail Jo?” Dawson asks.

“Look, I don’t want to go to the pool okay.” I catch her eye and, having sisters myself I suddenly understand.

“You know, why don’t we spend the afternoon by the Creek. You know, sunbake, eat Gale’s cooking…” Dawson laughs once again.

“It’s a done deal.” Joey smiles her thanks at me and gallops off to class.

I get a picnic blanket out and some food and drinks and place them on the dock by the creek, ready for an afternoon with my two best friends. While Joey resents the fact that we’ve remained such good friends and thereby alienated our peers and chances for other friendships, I for one recognise how amazing it is to have such close friends that have been with me through everything. They were there when I had my first heartbreak, when my parents divorced, then later remarried, they were there when I won my first award for a film and they were there to support me when I gave up film class. These two people have been my salvation since I was five years old and I’m so appreciative and proud to have them as my friends, and I know nothing will change that, not even going off to college.

“Hey Dawson.” Pacey says, approaching me with a grin on his face and Joey held tightly in his arms. Joey screams for me to help her but I can only laugh.

“In the Creek you go!” Pacey says, throwing poor Joey into the Creek. Joey drags herself out looking as angry as hell.

“You’re lucky I brought provisions.” Joey seethes; Pace looks somewhat remorseful suddenly remembering why Joey wouldn’t go to the pool.

“Ooops, forgot about that Jo. But…maybe next time you’ll think twice before calling me weak.”

“You are weak!”

“Did I not just carry you from the car?” he asks.

“I didn’t mean physically weak Pacey. Truth is, you’re mentally and emotionally weak.”

“Ooo…I’m so hurt!” Pacey turns to me. “And here I thought she’d actually insulted me.” He shrugs, sitting down on the rug while Joey marches inside to get changed.

“When will you two grow up?” I ask Pacey. A confused expression graces his features.

“You do remember throwing Joey into the creek when we were seven don’t you?” I ask him.

“Oh yeah…that was classic!” Pacey laughs, remembering when he’d pushed Joey into the creek after she’d thrown ketchup at him, all those years ago.

“What I’m getting at Pacey is that you and Joey, you’re still acting the same way you did when you were kids. When will you grow up?”

“Grow up? If that’s a euphemism for opening doors and pulling out chairs for her, then I’d say never.” I shake my head at him. “Wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if I did.” Well, I can’t argue with that!

After I changed out of my creek stained clothes and sent a few nasty barbs Pacey’s way, the afternoon didn’t turn out so bad. It was nice even. Dawson did a huge spiel about how proud he is to have us as friends and how we should all feel lucky to have each other, to which Pacey proceeded to lecture Dawson on the benefits of once and for all getting laid. I just sat in companionable silence and watched as Dawson ate and lay back under the sun; all the while telling Pacey that sex isn’t everything. And I couldn’t help but repeat to myself over and over that Dawson really is a god sent, possibly the only decent male on the planet, and he’s my best friend…hopefully someday more!

“Want me to walk you home Jo?” Pacey offers as we leave Dawson’s.

“I’d rather be stalked by lepers.” I tell him snidely.

“How can a guy turn that away, eh?” he laughs, immediately falling in pace beside me, determined to walk me home, as usual, just because he thinks I’m too girly to protect myself at night.

“So how’s senior year going for you Pacey? Still as excited as you were?”

“Hardly.” He grumbles. “It’s just school with an illustrious title. How bout you? Does senior status bring you any joy?”

“None whatsoever.”

“Well Dawson thinks it’s great.” Pacey says and I can’t help but smile at the mere mention of his name.

“Dawson’s always seeing the glass half full.” I tell him.

“Look at you!” Pacey exclaims.

“What?” I ask.

“I’ve only said the guys name once and already you’re as red as a beetroot!” he laughs.

“Am not.”

“Are too!”

“Am not!”

“Look Jo, and I say this as a friend, not as a pain in the ass, you have come to a crossroad, senior year. This is it Jo, now’s the time to make a move on the guy or get over him.”

“Easy for you to say Mr Man whore!” I poke him teasingly in the ribs.

“Ease off there Ice Queen, I have feelings, just like the next guy. I just prefer to keep ‘em at bay when the opposite sex are concerned.”

“Ahh…one day you’ll fall head over heels and all that sex egotistical bull will go flying out the window. In fact, I can just imagine a Pacey Witter totally heart broken. God that would be a laugh.”

“It’ll never happen Josephine, it’ll never happen.” I punch his arm for calling me Josephine and race him back to the B&B.