OUR LAST CHANCE

CHAPTER 3

 

Monday morning, Dawson and Andie walked along the crowded hall of Capeside High, his arm around her and indulgent smiles across their faces, as they made their way to their first period classes.

“I  had a lot of fun this weekend, Dawson,” Andie said.

“Good, I’m glad…What do you say this weekend, we spend a romantic night alone…On the beach maybe. You, me, and a blanket? A picnic basket maybe?”

Andie smiled. “Yeah, that’s sounds really good…”

“Yeah?” He said, leaning in and kissing her.

“Yeah…”

“Hey, Dawson. Hey Andie,” Nikki Green passed them in the hallway.

“Oh! Hey…Nikki,” Dawson said, straightening up.  Andie’s face tightened.

“Hello Nikki.”

Nikki’s gaze drifted over them like ice and Dawson felt very uncomfortable for that split second. It was as if with that gaze she was looking through them, investigating them as possible suspects…for the toilet paper in her lawn and the shaving cream on her car. He felt very uncomfortable in that moment.

She tossed her long braids back over her shoulder and walked on, leaving them in the hall.

“Whew, that was weird!” Dawson said, turning back to Andie. “Do you think she has any idea it was us?”  Andie shrugged.

“You tell me, you’re the one who used to date her…” She frowned. “If anyone knows her well, it’d be you.”

“Are we jealous now?” Dawson grinned.

“As if!” Andie huffed, smiling. “Why would I be jealous when you left her for me?”

“That’s right…I did, didn’t I?”

“Yes…She won the stupid election and I won you.”

“Was it worth it?” He asked slipping his arm around her waist and pressing her against him.

“Almost…”

 

Pacey waltzed down the hallway towards his homeroom whistling “Zippity-Doo-Dah”.

“What are you so happy about?” Joey asked as she fell in stride beside him. They had the same first period.

“Ahh, come on Potter, don’t be such a crab. It’s a beautiful day, the last two weeks of high school…ever! And we got off Scott clean for the TP thing.”

“Don’t hold your breath, Pace…The day could turn very ugly at any given minute.”

“Joey,” Pacey scowled. “How do you find the energy to be so pessimistic day in and day out?”

“Practice,” She shrugged.

“Well, you should practice smiling a bit more…” He turned and looked at her. “Especially since you got this thing,” He touched her nose ring with his pinky and she swatted his hand away. “It makes you look scary…”

“Bite me, Pacey.” She said frowning again.

“Blow me, Potter.”

She gasped, and shook her head as he mocked her with an evil grin.

“In your dreams Pacey!” she finally retorted.

“Joey, you have no idea what you do in my dreams…”

“Shut up!”

 

They entered their class and took their seats, Pacey in the back and Joey six seats ahead of him, closer to the front: Alphabetical order. Pacey always had to sit in the back when they were arranged in alphabetical order… This, he thought, was the root of all his academic problems. He thought about all of the participation points he had lost over the years, all of the direction and encouragement, sitting in the back, not being seen, not being able to see…His last name would have to start with a “W,” he thought as their teacher, Ms. Monroe, took roll.

It’s all because of my name…

He didn’t notice the office assistant enter the classroom…or the note she handed Ms. Monroe…or the look Ms. Monroe threw him when she read it. He also, because of his intense exploration into this new theory, did not hear Ms. Monroe call on him.

All because of a name…

            “Pacey…” She called again. He just sat there staring at the wall, slouched in his chair with his head down on his desk, and his legs spread out before him. “PACEY.”

            “Huh?” He asked, snapping out of his trance.

            “You have a note from the counselor,” She said impatiently, holding the little white piece of paper. “Here…come get it.”

            “Oh,” Pacey said absentmindedly as he rose from his chair and proceeded up the aisle to her desk. Joey watched him pass, frowning until she caught his eyes on her. She relaxed her face into an indifferent expression, and tried not to follow him with her eyes.

            He took the note from Ms. Monroe then headed back to his seat. Joey lowered her eyes to her notebook as he passed, aware that he was still watching her.  When he was behind her, she rolled her eyes, tossing her hair back over her shoulder and taking out her homework assignment.

 

            Pacey slid into his seat and opened the folded piece of paper. He glanced over it, than sat back with a sigh.

            Great…Mr. Davis wants to see me after lunch…just what I wanted.

 

“What do you think about him?” Jack asked as he Jen and Henry sat in the cafeteria at lunch.  They watched a tall, clean-shaven junior walk passed.

“Too young for you,” Jen giggled.

“Too young?” Jack scowled, glancing at Henry. “You’re dating a sophomore!”

“But a very mature sophomore…” Jen smiled, leaning back against Henry. “And he’s a quarterback, so it makes up for it.”

“Jack, what happened to that one guy…Marc?” Henry asked.

“Oh…we went out, but he turned out to be a real tool.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah…Very conservative…had a lot of hang-ups.”

“I didn’t think conservative and gay mixed.” Henry said.

“Oh, you’d be surprised…” Jack said sipping his soda.  “Gays come in all forms.”

“Jack,” Jen laughed. “You need to find someone more like yourself…someone laid-back with a good sense of humor.”

“Thanks for the advice, Jen.” Jack said sarcastically.

“Oh, don’t worry…You’ll have plenty of opportunities this summer, and then when you get to college next year…”  She grinned.

“I hope so…Capeside’s a dried up fish pond.”

“Hey guys,” Joey said, slipping down in a chair next to them.

“Jo,” Henry said. “Are you going to be able to practice today?”

“I think so…unless I get stuck at Potter’s.”

“I hope so…” Henry said. “The band really needs you for rehearsal.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine…Bes always has Pacey to help her.”

 

Joey had begun singing for Henry’s garage band four months ago. Now that Potter’s Bed & Breakfast was open and running in full swing, reluctantly thanks to Pacey Joey thought, Bessie didn’t need her as much. Pacey had been working there after school for a year now, and it gave Joey time to do other things, to pursue other interests.

 

“Good, because we have a new song we want to try out…”

 

Henry was always so excited about their music. For Joey, it was just a way to escape the everyday troubles of life. She knew it was just a hobby, if even that…it was something she did in her spare time, and she wasn’t serious about it. Henry, though…he wanted to make something of it…get real gigs, and make money, make a name for themselves. Joey told him repeatedly how she felt, but he always smiled and nodded and didn’t pay attention to anything she said. And when she was finished, he would go on, speaking enthusiastically about the future of the band. That’s the way he was. Persistent. Persistence is what had finally won over Jen.

 

“Oh!” Henry said looking at his watch. “I have to go! I’ve got to meet with my tutor in the library…I’ll see you guys later.”

“Bye Henry,” Joey and Jack said.

“Bye,” Jen said as he bent down and kissed her.

“Later babe.”

Henry left as Dawson and Andie made their way to the table.

“Hey guys,” Dawson said as they sat down. “Where’s Pacey?”

“I don’t know…” Joey groaned. “Probably stalking some girl, trying to get her number…”

“Geez, Joey…” Dawson smiled. “That’s harsh.”

“Yeah, well…Pacey Witter just brings out the best in me.”

“I think there’s something going on behind that, Jo.” Dawson added casually.

“Dawson!”

“I’m serious Jo.”

Jack and Jen snickered to each other, and Andie grinned. Joey’s cheeks flushed.

“Let’s just stop talking about Pacey!”

 

Pacey walked towards the cafeteria knowing he’d be meeting with his guidance counselor within the hour. He knew it was about his college applications…they never got off your back about this stuff. Not being one to worry, he tried not to think about it. Put it off until later…that was the best way to deal with school, as he had learned his last four years at Capeside high. Ignore it, and it will not be…

Pacey rounded the corner towards the cafeteria. He shoved his way through the double doors and caught sight of the gang in their usual corner, laughing and talking…just hanging out, and completely oblivious to the impending doom he was about to face. He changed his stance as he approached them, his chin lifted, and his shoulders back. He strolled up to the table and took a seat next to Joey.

“Hey guys,”

“Hey Pace!”… “Hi…” “How’s it goin’,”

“Ugh,” Joey groaned, scooting away from him.

“Gee, Potter, don’t be so happy to see me…”

“Are you working for Bess today?” She asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“Good, because Henry’s gonna have a breakdown if I don’t get over for rehearsals…”

“Still crooning with the band, I see…”

Pacey had never actually seen her sing with them, though he had secretly wanted to. She never wanted him there, so he always gave her a hard time about it.

“Ha, ha,” Joey rolled her eyes sarcastically.

 

Nikki watched the group from her table across the room. Dawson with his arm around Andie; That trouble maker, Pacey, and little Joey Potter, she never liked Joey, both bickering like siblings…She knew it was them. She knew they had been them, the four of them running down the street, smug laughter emanating in the night, thinking they’d gotten off scott-free….She knew it was them, it had to be…and probably Jack and Jen too.  She suddenly had an idea to get back at them for what they did to her car. She took out a piece of notebook paper and started writing, a small, sly grin crossing her lips.

This is going to be so much fun…

 

The bell rang and the group disbanded, each heading off to their classes…Dawson and Andie walking hand and hand towards the door, then parting in the hallway outside.

 

After lunch, Pacey sat in the counselor’s office tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair.

‘Two more weeks of this and I’ll never have to sit here again.’

He waited patiently as his guidance counselor looked through his records.

“Well, Pacey,” He said. “I’d just like to congratulate you for the 180 you did in your four years of high school here.”

“Why thank you, Mr. Davis. I worked really hard.” His tone was caustic, almost sarcastic. But he smiled anyway.

“Yes, I know, “Davis said. “And you got into San Diego state I hear.”

“Yeah,” Pacey smiled again, genuinely this time. “I just got my acceptance letter three days ago.”

“Have you told your father yet?”

“No.” Pacey’s smile disappeared.

 

Pacey had applied on his own to San Diego State University in California without telling anyone, let alone his father. He had decided initially, not really thinking he’d succeed, to apply to San Diego because it was the farthest school from Capeside that he could think of, besides Hawaii of course.  He had applied, and as he had just confirmed with his counselor, had been accepted. He had actually been accepted.

That meant he was going to California (that in itself was a miracle) where no one would have any preconceived notions about him. No one would see him and think ‘slacker’. No one would be there to call him ‘loser’. No one would know his past, or his family. No one would know of his affair with Ms. Jacobs his sophomore year. No one would have any idea of who he was, and he could start over fresh.

 

“Well, when do you plan on telling him?” Mr. Davis asked.

“I-I wasn’t really sure to tell you the truth. You’re the only one I’ve talked about it with so far…”

“Pacey,” He said, leaning over his desk towards him. “I know your relationship with your father…isn’t so great,”

“To put it mildly,” Pacey mumbled, slouching in his chair.

“…But you have to tell your family. You have to make plans and the necessary arrangements to make this work.” He smiled. “Pacey, you’re a bright kid, I know I’ve told you that before... You’ve made some extraordinary accomplishments in the past few years and you deserve to be proud of yourself. Your SAT scores alone were a surprise! You deserve your family to be proud of you.”

Pacey had scored well, very well, on his SAT’s…probably, he knew the one reason he was accepted to Cal State at San Diego…that and his charisma. Lord knew it wasn’t because of his grades. He had managed a B- average but with all the work he’d put in, you’d think he’d have straight A’s…No one knew about his SAT scores…no one but himself and the administration. He had kept it to himself and let everyone else think he bombed, as usual.

“That’s never gonna happen.” Pacey said, dryly about the possibility of mending his relationship with his father. “Never…”

“But how will you know unless you try?”

“I just know.” Pacey stared at him blankly.

“I can call him in for a meeting, if you like,”

“Look…” Pacey said, leaning forward. “I appreciate your efforts, I really do. I know it’s your job to encourage me and I thank you for it, but I don’t think anyone will ever be able to figure out how to fix what’s happened between me and my dad.”

“I’m not offering because of my job,”

“Well,” Pacey said rising from his chair. “Thanks, but no thanks. I just don’t have the energy for it anymore.”

“Well, okay then.” Mr. Davis rose from his seat and held out his hand. Pacey shook it then turned to leave the office of which he had spent the majority of his past four years being reprimanded for his deviant actions.  “Hey Pacey?”

Pacey turned back to look at him.

“Good luck.”

“Thanks.” He said in a gruff, and slammed the door on his way out.

 

“Hey, Jo.” Dawson said as he caught up to her in the hall after lunch.

“Hey,” She replied.

“Um…I was wondering if you would do me a favor?”

“Sure,”

“Well, this Friday is me and Andie’s anniversary,”

“Anniversary?” Joey asked sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

“Yeah!” Dawson beamed. “Ten months, two weeks and three days...Well, Friday makes it three weeks exactly…”

“Okay, whatever.” Joey mumbled, walking on. “What do you need?”

“A room at Potters.”

“What?” She gasped.

“I wanted to take her somewhere special…for a special night…to do something special…” Dawson grinned sheepishly.  “And I thought a bed and breakfast would be perfect! And since Potter’s Bed And Breakfast is the closest one, and since I know the owners, I thought why not?”

“Dawson!” Joey snapped.

“Joey, come on!”

“You want to bring her into my home so you can ‘consummate’ your relationship? NO!”

“Joey…”

“No way, Dawson…” Joey started walking again.

“I thought we were friends…” Dawson said, his hands dropping to his sides.

“We are! But just because we’re friends doesn’t mean I have to lend a hand so you can have sex!” The word ‘sex’ came out a little too loudly and some of the kids in the hallway looked up at them.

“Ssh! Jo!” Dawson hushed, taking her aside. “Please…” He started in a whisper. “I know this must be atleast a little hard for you,”

“Hard?”

“…But I need your support. I need your help. Jo…You are one of the most important people in my life, and I hoped that you would understand how major this is.”

“It is major, Dawson!” Joey bit her lip, struggling for the right words as she felt the room start to spin. “I thought…I just thought…”

“What, Jo?” He asked.

“I thought,” She sighed…the room spinning faster. “Honestly, I thought we would graduate, together…as virgins.” She smiled shyly. “You know…you and me, friends for life, the last virgins at Capeside…”

“Oh Jo!”

“Now I’m going to be left all alone!” Her eyes lit up, and she flung her hands into the air. “Joey Potter: Virgin queen. No sex for this girl! The last of my kind!”

“Joey!” Dawson laughed, hugging her. “You’re being way too over dramatic!”

“I am?” She asked looking up at him, and felt like she was inside of a washing machine on spin cycle.

“Yeah,” He smiled. “There are plenty of freshman who are virgins at this school.”

“Oh Dawson!” She said, swatting him playfully to cover her shock. “You’re so mean!”

“I’m kidding! I’m kidding! There are plenty of sophomores too!”

“OH!”

“Kidding!” He grinned. He looped his arm around her shoulder as they walked. “Seriously Jo…It’ll happen for you…someday.”

“Yeah, when?” She said as her stomach churned.  “When I’m old and gray and I finally just jump the postman because I was so horny for all those years…Yeah right!”

“Oh, Jo.”

“Really! I can see it now! My cats will all have run away, and I’ll be sitting in my rocking chair, with my teeth in a glass on the table next to me, and suddenly the door bell rings…‘There’s a package for you…’”

She shrugged, growing quiet for a moment. “Dawson?”

“Yeah?”

“Is she really ‘the one?’ ”

Dawson detected the hint of sadness in her voice.

“Yeah…Jo, she’s ‘the one’.”

Joey felt the room come to a halt.

Dawson watched her expression change from dark to darker. He put a hand on her shoulder, and squeezed. “Come on, Jo…”

“Okay, then.” She turned, and smiled reluctantly. “Okay, I’ll help you get nailed.”

Dawson grabbed her in a hug, and gave her a quick kiss her on the cheek. Joey made a face and pulled away.

“Jo…You really are the best, you know that!”

“Yeah…so I’ve heard.” She sighed.

“I’ll never forget this, Jo! I’ll owe you BIG TIME.”

“You sure will!” Joey tossed her hair back over her shoulder. The air felt suddenly tense around her.  She wanted to get out of there…she didn’t like him standing there, gawking over her, in the middle of the hallway.  She tossed her hair to the side again and took a step back.  “I’ll see you later…I have to go.”

She turned hastily, heading down the hallway.

“Later, Jo!” Dawson called out. He watched her disappear around the corner before proceeding to his locker.

 

Joey stormed through the hallway, her eyes set on the path in front of her and noticing nothing of the smiles or stares, hello’s or glares from her fellow students as she shoved past.  She needed to get out of there…she needed to get some air. Just the thought of the conversation she had just had with Dawson made her feel ill.

The nerve! How dare he approach her point blank with this!

Joey had to accept the fact that he was with Andie…and that was fine. But this sex thing was a harder pill to swallow than she had realized. God! The thought of them together…under her roof! She could hit somebody…

As she rounded the corner past the administrative offices, she slammed into a body.

“OW!” She squealed as she was thrown back.

“Watch out!” Pacey screamed.  Joey rubbed her forehead.

“Get outta my way, Pacey! I’m not in the mood for this crap!”

“Me neither!” He growled

 

After entering the combination, the lock smacked open and a piece of folded notebook paper fell out. He leaned down and absentmindedly picked it up, pausing to read it before shoving it back in his locker with the rest of his papers.  He had to do a double take to understand what it said.

           

I know you’re with someone else right now and please know that I would never do anything to jeopardize your relationship with her but I’m tired of suffering in silence…I can’t hold it in anymore…My emotions are too strong to withhold, and through anonymity I am able to tell you how I really feel, how much I really love you, without the risk of embarrassment or disaster.

I feel that we are so close in spirit…so connected…Star Crossed lovers who may never have a chance to explore our possibilities with one another.

            I lay awake at night thinking about you…when I can finally sleep, I dream of the moment when I can profess my love to you…The dream is always the same…As the words pass through my lips, I can see acceptance in your eyes, and then we can finally be together.

            I fear I can never know such pleasures, I’ll never know your passion for there are too many unpermitting circumstances…But now I can be satisfied that you know that a potential love is out there…hidden within me…atleast now I can know that you have some awareness…you have some idea, and I can rest with my secret knowing you’re at least thinking about it.

 

That was it. That’s all it said. No signature…no indication of who it could be from.

 

            Dawson spun around, suddenly feeling the possibility of a thousand eyeballs all on him at once.

No on was watching him. No one was paying attention.

            He cautiously turned back to his locker and looked down at the note again.

Why would someone send him an anonymous letter like this? Why him? Who could it be? Jen? No…she had Henry, and he was certain that she was quite over him…after all it had been nearly three years since they went out and she never said anything to him.

Joey? But why? Why would she give him a note? It didn’t make sense…wouldn’t she just come right out and tell him if she still had feelings for him? Wouldn’t she…OH WAIT! What about him discussing his plans with Andie? She hadn’t seemed very excited for him…she actually seemed a little…’jealous’. What if she had been having second thoughts about their being together, and what if she had been having these feelings for a while, afraid to tell him for fear of hurting Andie… What if she did send him the note?

            “No,” He mumbled shaking his head. But still…It would make sense…

            Confused, Dawson slammed the locker door closed and took off towards his class. He shoved the note deep into his pocket, and thought aimlessly about how he was going to resolve this mystery.

           

            “You’re such a jerk, Pacey!” Joey said, stomping past him.

            “And you’re a-----” He mumbled something unintelligible and turned and stalked off. Joey watched him bitterly, rolling her eyes then continued on.

            She went straight out the front door, ignoring the questioning look from the junior hall monitor.

‘No way is he going to stop me from leaving!’ she thought to herself.  She was bigger than him…she could take him.

 

She took a deep, frustrated breath as she stepped out into the fresh air. She paused, looking around at the deserted courtyard, then hastily decided to head east towards the docks. Maybe she’d grab a milkshake or something, comfort food, she thought, then go find a nice quiet bench where she could just watch the waves, and sit and think without being bothered. After she calmed down a bit, she’d have to head over to Henry’s for rehearsals. Boy, rehearsals were going to be a blessing today! Singing was one way she knew she could express her emotions without the city having to call out the S.W.A.T. team, and boy, did she need to express her emotions today.

Joey headed towards the docks. She absentmindedly picked at her nose ring.

 

Pacey’s steps slowed as he reached the trees on the outer side of the school football field. He was on his way out of this place and he couldn’t wait! He kicked at a pile of rocks and grunted in frustration. He stared bitterly back at the school where most of his years were spent imprisoned; where he was told day in and day out how he was no-good and just trouble, only to end the day by going home to another prison…home, where he was criticized, neglected or ignored.

“I’m sick of it all,” He thought angrily. Well, not much longer…Not much longer at all. He imagined himself just packing up his bags and taking off to California without another word to either his father, or Doug.

            “That’d teach ‘em,” He said almost sadly. He turned and walked through the trees to where they thickened, almost becoming woods, and followed the path next to the creek towards town. He still had awhile before he needed to be at Potters. He wondered what Bessie would have him doing today…

            ‘More menial labor,” He thought. And Joey wasn’t even going to be home…he was going to be so bored.

 

            All through out class Dawson thought of the little note tucked away in his pocket. His teacher droned on and on, but he didn’t hear a word of what she said. He stared blankly towards the front of the room, his mind in a far off place…imagining Joey writing the letter, late one night, alone…in her room.

            ‘What am I doing?’ He suddenly scolded himself as his thoughts turned perverse. ‘Where did that come from!’ He shook his head and settled back in his seat. Joey didn’t write the letter…he tried to convince himself of that.

Or did she?

 

 

            “One chocolate milkshake please, extra thick.”

            Joey sat at the counter of a little burger shack just off the docks. She frowned to herself as the tall glass was set down before her, thick chocolate oozing down the sides of the glass, topped with thick whipped cream and a cherry…she really shouldn’t be eating stuff like this.

            ‘Oh well,’ she thought as she dug in. After the cherry, she ate out the chunks of ice cream with a spoon. She mixed the whipped cream with what was left then slurped it up with her straw. Afterwards, feeling weighed down and tired, she inadvertently let out a burp. No one was looking, so she decided not to feel self-conscious.

            Comfort food never worked. It just made you feel bloated, and that made you feel worse than you did in the first place.

            Joey got up, and left. She decided to mope around the docks for a while…maybe look for that bench that she had thought about earlier. Maybe there she could find some peace and quiet…and understanding.

 

            “Dawson!” Andie squealed when she saw him. Monday’s school day was over, and the halls were crowded with kids eager to get out. Books were shoved into lockers, lockers were slammed shut, and graded homework assignments were wadded up and thrown in the trash or folded into paper airplanes.

            Dawson grinned as Andie ran to him, arms reached out ready for a hug. He still thought about the note, but he didn’t mention.

            “Oh! I missed you all day!” Andie sighed.

            “But I just saw you two hours ago,” Dawson laughed, kissing her.

            “Two hours too long for me…” Andie bounced along as they walked down the hall to the front door. “I can’t wait until we graduate! Then we’ll have the whole summer off together!”

            “Me too,” Dawson said, still beaming.

            “Ah! No more school, no more homework, no more…” Her eyes narrowed as they passed Nikki Green. Nikki was grinning from ear to ear…was she watching them? No… “No more Nikki Green,” Andie finished bitterly.

            “Nikki?” Dawson laughed, not seeing the smug look across Nikki’s face before she turned her back to them and headed off towards the student parking lot. “What does she have to do with anything?”

            “Nothing,” Andie said blankly. “Absolutely nothing…”

            “Hey, there’s Jack,”

 

            They headed over to where Jack waited, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, and a frown on his face.

            “What’s wrong Jack?” Andie asked, feeling her brother’s anxiety.

            “Oh, nothing…” Jack frowned.

            “Somehow I’m not convinced,” Dawson said suspiciously.

            “Ahh, it’s a long story.” Jack sighed.

            “Well, let’s go to the café and then we can talk about it over food.,” Andie said. “I’m starved.”

            “Sure,” Jack said halfheartedly. “But let’s wait for Jen…we were supposed to hook up here…she wants to borrow some notes.”

            “Okay.” Andie said.

 

            Pacey had been sitting in Moe’s Tavern for nearly an hour. He had ended up here after taking the walk from school, and although it was a bar, he did have his fake I.D., and he was depressed, Pacey was not drinking anything other than a coke classic. He was slumped at the bar, chewing on his straw, lost in a daze when his brother, Doug, walked in, still in uniform from his early shift.

            “You little shit!” Doug yelled as he walked up behind Pacey.

            Pacey spun around, a bewildered look across his face, and before he could say anything, Doug had his hands wrapped around his shirt collar and was yanking him off the stool.

            “Hi, Doug!” Pacey said innocently. “How’s it hanging?”

            “What do you think you’re doing in here?” Doug asked, swinging Pacey to the side and glancing at the bartender. The bartender shrugged and looked away. “What is my under-aged little brother doing in a clearly marked 21 and over establishment? Huh?”

            “Doug, I was just—”

            “You are gonna be in so much trouble when I tell dad,”

            “Doug! Come on!” Pacey said, struggling to get loose of his grasp. “I was just having a soda…that’s all! Come on! Let me go!”

            “A soda, huh?” Doug asked, turning back to look at Pacey’s glass sitting on the bar.

            Still holding Pacey with one hand, he grasped the glass, lifting it to his lips, and took a swig.

            “Ugh!” He said after taking a drink. “It is soda! Alright you little, Peabody…You’re off the hook this time,” Doug let go off his shirt, and Pacey stumbled back. Doug turned back to the bar, and climbed up on the stool. “Bartender, I’ll have a Mai Tai…and don’t forget the little umbrella.”

            “God, Doug! Could you be any more queer?”

            Pacey’s voice was a little louder than he had meant it to be, and everyone in the bar turned around to look at him, including his brother, Doug.

            “What did you say?” Doug mumbled through clenched teeth as his face turned bright red.

            “Uh—” Pacey laughed nervously. He took a step back, glancing around at the bar patrons, as Doug started to rise off of the seat slowly. Pacey realized his options: Stay…and get pummeled; or run, and have a chance.

Pacey chose the latter.

            Pacey took off out of there like a rocket…with Doug close on his heels.

 

            Jack, Andie and Dawson sat down around the table on the outside patio in front of the Café. Jen and Henry arrived a few minutes after. They had decided to tag along but came in a separate car. Now the five of them looked over their menus.

            “What can I getcha? Drinks?” The waitress asked, pen and pad in hand.

            “I’ll just have a coke for now,” Andie smiled.

            “Me too…cherry coke.” Jen said.

            “Coke,” Jack said.

            “Do you have any green tea?” Henry asked. The waitress gave him a funny look. “Okay…I’ll just have a coke too.”

            “Coke.” Dawson said.

            “Okay, four cokes and one cherry…” The waitress walked off.

            “So what happened Jack?” Jen asked leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand. “I heard Tony Golding asked you out today…”

            “What!” Andie gasped. “Tony asked you out?”

            “Ew,” Dawson said. “That guys a jerk.

            “Tell me about it,” Jack said. “I know he’s a jerk…I just don’t feel like talking about it at the moment.”

            “What’s the big deal?” Henry asked. “So he asked you out…”

            “Well, there’s a little more to it than that,” Jack said, lowering his voice.

            “Jack! Will you just spill it already!” Andie quipped excitedly. She cocked her head to the side and gave him a wide-eyed stare.

            “Well…alright.” Jack said sourly. He leaned forward and the rest of the group automatically did as well. “I was in government, right? And I asked if I could go to the bathroom…so I’m walking down the hallway, and I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around to see who it was, right…”

            “It was Tony!” Andie blurted out.

            “Andie,” Jack said. “Please…”

            “Sorry,” She said biting her lip. “Go on.”

            “So I turn around and it’s Tony…He says ‘Hi’, and I said ‘Hi’ back and then continue on to the restroom. Well, he follows me in and he keeps like, leering at me...”

“Spooky,” Henry whispers.

“And so I walk up to the urinal, and…you know, do my thing… And then halfway through, he asks me if I’d seen that new movie, Final Destination, yet. And I go ‘NO, but I here it’s pretty good, right,’ and he goes, ‘Yeah I guess…so I just broke up with my boyfriend, and I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me,’ and I was like ‘No way!’ and I zip up my pants and before I could even say anything, he grabbed me and started kissing me!”

Dawson, Henry and Andie crinkled their noses in disgust. Jen laughed out incredulously.

“No way!”

“Yes way!” Jack said, looking disgusted.

“That’s so gross!” Andie shrieked. “He like, wears lipstick and fishnets, and silk panties under his gym shorts!”

“Ugh, don’t remind me!”

The waitress came back and set down their drinks. Jack took a long gulp of his before continuing on with his story.

“…So I’m stuck in this lip-lock with that freak and I start pushing away and all of a sudden he goes, ‘I thought you were gay!’ and I’m like, ‘I am, but not that gay!’ and I ran out!”

All four of them were laughing at him now.

“ ‘Not that gay!’” Jen laughed. “That’s funny!”

Jack started to crack a smile. “It’s not THAT funny, Jen,”

“Oh YES it is!”

“I—ha, ha—I’m afraid I’m going to have to agree with her,” Dawson giggled. “It is funny! That guy’s a total weirdo! I heard he got high and supposedly did it with his sister and her boyfriend!”

“Eww!” Jack scowled. “That’s so gross!”

“Why on Earth would he think you’d be interested in him!” Henry laughed.

“I don’t know…I guess he figures because we’re the only two gay kids at Capeside…”

“AS IF!” Andie groaned. “Tony’s not gay…he’s a sex-freak in need of some serious shock therapy! It’s people like that that give people a bad name…”

They all laughed.

Just then Pacey came zooming by. Their heads all turned as he passed.

“Hey, Pace!” Dawson called out to him, but Pacey kept going.

“Where’s he going?” Jen giggled, her cheeks still flushed.

“I don’t know,” Dawson chuckled.

“So, let me get this straight,” Henry started to Jack.

Just then, Pacey came running up to their table; his shirt soaked with sweat, his face bright red, and gasping for air. He opened his mouth to say something, but then couldn’t catch his breath.

“Why are you running?” Andie asked him. He opened his mouth again, but nothing came out. He clutched at his side, breathing deeply, still trying to catch his breath. The others looked up at him, bewildered and amused looks on their faces.

“You look like you’re a little thirsty,” Jack grinned, holding up his soda. Pacey grabbed the cup and started gulping it down, tilting his head all the way back until it leaked down the sides of his face and down the front of his shirt. He slammed the cup down on the table, and managed a breathless,

“Thanks,”

“PACEY! YOU LITTLE SHIT!”

They spun around to see Doug Witter running through the tables in their direction; billy club in hand and a fiery look in his eye. Without hesitation, Pacey fled, and the others watched Doug zip past and follow him down the street.

“What was THAT all about?” Jen gasped.

“He, he, he,” Dawson giggled.

“He sure was in a hurry,” Andie said, sipping her coke. Jack grinned, lifting his cup to his lips. He held the cup back, scowling.

“Hey! He drank all my coke!”

 

 

 

…END CHAPTER 3