~Young Love--Part One~

Everything pop culture etc is the same...history is the same. It's the way humans do things in the USA in 1999 which is different in my story although there are still a lot have arranged marriages in our world today.

This story takes place in Capeside yes, in America, and yes, in 1999. But it is in my world, or, a different world where a lot of things are done differently e.g., marriage, dating, starting a family and the views and concepts on people.

Dawson and Joey are fifteen and so are all their friends, and this is what makes the story. What if you were to marry and start a family at such a young age, and with someone you thought was only your best friend?

Dawson and Joey although reluctant do not disagree because it is the law to do what your parents wish, (especially if they�re rich.)

This takes place after "Dirty Dancing." _______________________________________________________

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With a loud shriek Joey landed into the murky creek. Dawson laughed loudly as she came up to the surface, spluttering angrily.

"I'll get you! You creep!" she yelled, swimming furiously towards the dock where Dawson had 'accidentally' pushed her.

He just grinned. "You can't do anything, Joey, I�m way stronger then you." Joey hoisted her out of the water and immediately made a grab at him. Yelping, he darted away. She ran blindly towards him, and together they fell into the bushes surrounding the creek.

"I'm-I'm sorry." Dawson breathed as she hit him, furious and wet. He grabbed her hands to make her stop hitting him and she scowled.

"Don't you ever do that to me again, got it?" he nodded quickly, smoothing her hair away from her face. It was just a simple, friendly gesture and neither thought twice about it.

"Come on." Joey giggled, slapping his side. "I'm sorry I got so mad. Let's go film stuff now, in the boat." she fanned her face and pouted her lips. "I think I have a real knack for acting, what do you say?"

Dawson didn't say anything. He just grabbed her hand and they walked off to the boat.

****

"It is...quite disgraceful." Mrs. Ryan put her cup of tea down and eyed Mrs. Leery and Mrs. Potter. "The two of them, trekking about...all over each other..."

"They're just very good friends." Mrs. Potter sighed weakly. "But the town is beginning to gossip..."

"Well, I got married at sixteen." Mrs. Leery smiled. "I think it's about time we told them of their being betrothed."

"I would very much love to see my youngest daughter married." Mrs. Potter sighed. Mrs. Leery patted her hand. They all knew of her illness, cancer. Bessie, her other daughter, who was nineteen, was already married and was pregnant but Mrs. Potter wanted to see Joey do the same...Mr. Potter was also keen on the idea of Joey getting married soon. It was the law that if you got married at 15/16, you would inherit any money you had received over the years or from past relatives.

Dawson and Joey were 'betrothed.' or, engaged to be engaged. Without their knowledge. It had been decided as soon as they hit eight, and regularly spent their days...and nights together, talking, sniping and basically being the best of friends. Many other people their age got to choose, but in their case, it had already been decided.

"There already is a love there." Mrs. Leery had declared. "It shouldn't be too hard for them to marry. They'd move into their own apartment of course..."

Mrs. Ryan frowned. Things were not going her way. "My Jennifer has a thing for Dawson. He cares for her. They would make a fine couple. I think what Josephine and Dawson need is some time apart." Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Leery exchanged looks. Not if they had anything to do with it!

****

"Oh I'm so wonderful..." Joey giggled, arching her back and fluttering her lashes. Dawson laughed softly, holding the camera at just the right angle. Joey pursed her lips and sat up.

"I'm the worlds worst actress." she declared. "I'll never get anywhere."

"You're great." Dawson said hastily.

Joey noticed his gaze reverting elsewhere, away from her. Joey followed his gaze and groaned. Jennifer Lindley. That little blonde half-wit was the bain of Joey's existence. Dawson was her best friend, and no blonde rich hussy from New York was going to change that. Dawson's head leaned back as he studied Jen, perched on the dock.

Jen raised her eyebrows at the sight of her supposed beau, snuggled in a boat with that dreadful Joey. Dawson's head was resting on Joey's breast, and he just seemed to realize it. Flustered, he jumped away from her, causing the boat to rock. Joey flushed as well.

"Umm...maybe we'll film tomorrow?" Dawson asked, packing up his stuff as the boat neared the dock. He reached out and tied it up.

"Of course." Joey said quickly, hopping out. She gave Jen a civil nod. Jen reached her hand out to Dawson.

"Dawson...would you like to take a walk?" Jen asked sweetly. He nodded eagerly, and off they went. Joey stomped down any feelings she had just then and walked to the Leery's house to fetch her mom. She didn't own Dawson, after all.

"Mom? Can we go?" she called, walking into the living room. The three women looked up and Gail and Lillian exchanged smug looks.

"Yes dear. Oh yes...tomorrow evening, after maybe your friends see a movie or something, I want you all to come back here, to the Leery�s."

"You see, we have a big surprise announcement." Gail added.

Joey shrugged. "Okay." she wondered what it could be...Mrs. Ryan got up huffily. "Do reconsider." she said snottily, and marched out.

****

"What were you and Joey doing?" Jen asked casually, clinging to his arm.

"Filming the poem, 'lady of Shalot' in the boat. It's her favorite poem." he smiled.

"We've only just started, and she has barely said any of the lyrics so I don't know what it will be like. It's just an art piece."

"That's nice" Jen said flatly.

If...when she had her way with Dawson...and married him, she would give Joey a restraining order. Joey would never be able to see Dawson, even if she was his best friend.

"I love these walks." Jen sighed, smiling at him.

"Maybe, soon, we might have them more often." she knew her grandmother was talking to the Leery's about it...

Dawson licked his lips. He was beginning to think about that...but he felt as though something was pulling him back. He felt maybe he was too shy. "Maybe." was all he said. Maybe...

****

"Come back at eight, you hear?" Gail instructed, straightening Dawson's shirt.

Jen made impatient noises and he rolled his eyes. "Coming..." his mother had strictly said he was to go pick up Joey and Pacey, and all of them would go into town for a bite to eat, then return at eight. Gail had been cleaning the house and decorating it to perfection, Dawson had asked questions but no answers had been given.

But he had a sneaking suspicion, as did Jen, who kept giving him dazzling smiles and giggling. Dawson smiled when he saw Jen. Hair, soft, make-up soft and glittering eyes...she was so pretty. He was looking forward to spending the night out with her, even if Joey and Pacey were tagging along.

"We're off to see Joey." he instructed, helping her into the boat. �The wicked wizard of oz.� Jen thought.

"We'll pick her up and row over to the Town dock, where we'll meet Pacey. It'll be a tight squeeze but I think we can manage." Jen pouted but quickly covered it up with a smile.

"Sure." Dawson started to row, and Jen admired his arm muscles. Dawson noticed this and grinned, pleased. Jen sighed. She knew what was going to happen. Finally, after three weeks... she would finally have security.

****

"Joey?' Dawson called. "Hurry up, we're going!"

Mrs. Potter came out onto the porch and Dawson nodded welcomingly. "Hello Mrs. Potter. How are you today?�

He could not help but admire how well she looked, even though he knew of her illness which Joey refused to acknowledge.

"I'm wonderful, Dawson. Joey's on her way." her eyes sparkled as she knew how special this night was. Dawson looked into the darkness and saw Jen waiting impatiently.

"Here she is." Lillian said softly.

Dawson looked up. And his breath was taken instantly away. Joey did the famous half smile and stepped out.

"Come on,� she said, kissing her mother on the cheek and walking down the steps.

Dawson followed her, entranced. Her hair was wavy and she had a glittery clip in it. Her lips were a beautiful soft rose color, her eyes looked demure and alluring and her maroon cardigan over her maroon floral printed knee length dress made her look... Beautiful.

Dawson shook his head. How dare he think of Joey in that way?

Joey looked at him strangely and he smiled apologetically.

"You look very nice, tonight Jo.� he said civilly.

"Thanks. So do you.� she answered. They reached the boat and Dawson got in, picking up the oars.

"Umm..." Joey stepped in and was faced with two decisions. Sit in Jen's lap, or Dawson's. Jen looked horrified either way, but pulled Joey back so she sat between Jen's knees. Jen wasn't having Joey in Dawson's lap, which was reserved for her only. Joey wiggled around so that her body didn't touch Jen's.

Dawson started to row and they were all quiet.

"So...I wonder what the big deal is." Dawson said brightly, trying to start conversation.

"I think I know." Jen purred.

Joey shrugged. "I have no idea. But mom dressed me up for it. Apparently a lot of people will be there."

Jen bit her lip in utter happiness. This was turning out to be better and better!

"I think it's probably an engagement." Dawson said. "For one of our friends." he locked eyes with Jen.

And suddenly it became all too clear for Joey. Panic swelled up from all corners of her body, begging to be released in angry tears. She hardened her face and clamped her mouth shut. She only hoped she wouldn't lose her best friend tonight, of all nights. Please don't let it be Dawson and Jen's engagement...she said to herself. Please god...

****

"This better be good, or at least above average." Joey said to Dawson as they filed into the cinema.

He shrugged "I wouldn't have a clue how it is. But I will sit next to you so we can do what we always do." Joey rolled her eyes but laughed. She slid into a row and sat down,

Dawson followed, and Jen sat next to him. Pacey sat down next to Jen.

They were seeing American Pie and didn't expect to see an Oscar nominated film, but at least a passable one.

"Sex is like, such an important issue nowadays." Joey sighed.

Pacey nodded. "Duh. We've grown up with it, no one is afraid of it anymore."

"Yeah, it's not like you see many couples on T.V in separate beds anymore." Dawson added. Jen rolled her eyes. Did they always talk in movies like this?

****

They walked out of the cinema at 7:50, laughing as Pacey told dirty joke after dirty joke, and Joey made sarcastic comments about the movie.

"I'm sure the sex was great as well.,� she said. Pacey laughed.

"It always is in movies."

"They could at least make it realistic for once. I'm sure there is tones of fumbling around in real life first sex."

"You mean, you don't know?" Pacey teased her. Joey ignored him and pointed out the time.

"We should be getting back now." Pacey groaned. 'I'm dying to know what the big deal is!" "We all are." Jen said smoothly. "You'll just have to wait."

All four of them had to squeeze into the boat, Jen found herself sitting on the bench with Pacey between her knees and Joey casually leaned into Dawson's lap as he started to row slowly back.

"Did you hear that Abby Morgan is engaged to a thirty year old man? He�s old enough to be her father!" Pacey announced.

"No way!" Jen gasped. "Her parents wanted her to get married to any old man." Pacey laughed. "As long as she's taken off their hands."

"Oh no, Abby just wants the money so she grabbed the first guy that came along." Joey said snottily.

Joey squirmed slightly in Dawson's lap, blushing she realized he had a...it's natural, she thought. Boys get them all the time for no reason at all!

Dawson just continued to row, trying to concentrate on rowing them back. He shot Jen a few looks as well, to show her he was thinking about her. He was only reacting to having Joey's lush body in contact with his...his breathing suddenly became labored.

****

The four of them entered the party and amazed, looked around. Dawson noticed a lot of his relatives, and casual friends from school, a lot of Gail's friends and other people milling around. A few girls Joey had known for years noticed Jen and Joey and rushed over to them.

"Isn't this exciting?" Rose screeched, enveloping both of them into a hug.

"You must be so happy!" Rose and Liz both went over and kissed a surprised Dawson, as a few boys shook his hand.

"It's finally happened man!" Mike beamed and Robert just smiled. "I'm so jealous.� he teased, and the two of them walked away.

Joey stared at Jen. "Do you know what this is all about?" she asked.

Jen only smiled smugly. �I may.� she answered, and sashayed off to get some punch.

"This is getting more puzzling by the minute." Joey said to Dawson. "We'll find out soon enough." Dawson said calmly, although he felt bewildered himself.

Joey lowered her gaze. �Umm...Dawson?" she looked up at him.

"In case this is...what I think it is...you must know that I am your best friend, and I'll always be there for you. But..." her sentence was cut short when Mr. Leery got up onto the stairs and yelled out to get attention.

"I have a very special announcement to make." he said loudly.

"I'm very proud and happy to announce...the engagement of my son, Dawson Leery..."

Joey felt tears prick at the corner her eyes and Jen smiled broadly over at the punch table. "...And Josephine Potter."

Everyone in the room clapped and cheered, and Pacey cheered the loudest, clapping

Dawson on the back. "You dog! I can't believe you never told me! No wonder you and Joey looked so cozy in the boat!" he laughed, not noticing Dawson�s shocked look.

Jen gasped. This...this was a mistake! Her cup hit the table and splattered everywhere, and upset, she ran out of the house.

Joey was in a state of utter shock. She...she was? her mother and father crushed her into a hug, and Bessie kissed her cheek. All were grinning. All of Joey's friends surrounded her, sighing in envy and congratulating a completely shell shocked Joey.

"We know you didn't know..." Lillian whispered into her ear. "But darling it's for the best...it's for me...for you...and of course, the law...Dawson is the perfect husband..."

Joey gulped. "I'm engaged to Dawson?" she whispered.

"You're supposed to kiss her now." Pacey told Dawson.

"Mom?" Dawson went over to his mother.

She smiled. "I'm sorry we never told you. We thought it'd be nicer if it were a surprise. You've been betrothed to her for years now." She gave him a push in the direction of Joey, and they met in the middle.

Joey raised her eyebrows. "We're engaged.� she said quietly.

"I know." he whispered.

Although it seemed like a joyous moment, both of them had never felt more confused in their life. How could they marry each other? They were only best friends...

"Kiss her." Mr. Leery mouthed to Dawson. Without thinking, Dawson laid a small kiss on her lips, and found them to be incredibly soft and lustrous, but it felt strange no doubt. Everyone cheered and clapped again for the 'happy' (shocked, actually) couple.

TO BE CONTINUED...