Nice To Meet You Part Two At first Joey was convinced she�d imagined Bessie�s consent because she wanted it so badly. But her older sister stood before her with a warm look and a gentle smile. �I can go?� �You can go.� �Who are you and what have you done with my big sister?� Bessie sighed indulgently and headed for Joey�s closet. She quickly weeded through the small space and pulled out a few t-shirts, some warm sweaters, a couple sundresses, some tank tops and a bathing suit. As Joey watched, mouth open, Bessie neatly folded the clothing and placed it in a small suitcase. Joey hadn�t used the gray bag since she visited A.J. Things were different then, Joey mused, a small smile forming on her lips. Bessie reached for the little duffel bag, which had been discarded next to Joey�s bed. Opening it and examining the contents, she raised an eyebrow. Bessie zipped it closed without further comment. �Get your coat, Joey.� Joey grabbed a light windbreaker and followed Bessie out of her room. The two sisters headed into the living room and found Bodie and Pacey awkwardly conversing. Pacey�s eyes lit up as Joey walked in close behind her sister. He ducked his head and smiled sheepishly at Bessie�s stern glare. Bodie and Bessie exchanged a quick glance, Bodie�s eyebrows raised in question and Bessie answered with a slight nod of her head. She then darted a look at Pacey and back to Bodie, who answered her with a discreet thumbs up. Joey and Pacey stood behind the two adults and alternated between trading almost shy smiles and examining their sneakers. Joey found herself staring at Pacey�s worn black slip ons and feeling a rather silly high watching him shuffle his feet nervously. Pacey relished one good look at Joey�s soft smile before returning his gaze to the ground. �Looks like you�ve got a first mate, Pacey.� Pacey looked up at Bessie with wide, startled eyes. Joey avoided his questioning smile. His smile widened; relief and happiness lit up his face. �First mate, huh? Can she swim?� Joey shot him a dirty look. He smiled and laughed when her frown melted into a large grin. �Like a fish,� Bessie responded, pursing her lips together in a fish impression and sticking out her tongue at her sullen younger sister. �But...you can�t go tonight.� �Oh.� The two teenagers frowned in unison. Bodie stifled his laugh with a hastily improvised cough. �It�s already starting to get dark and I want to get some trip stuff for Joey,� Bessie explained reasonably. �And...I want you two to go on a date.� Joey�s skin started to feel hot. She frowned and hunched her shoulders in embarrassment. �A date?� Pacey stood on the balls of his feet. �I can�t very well let my sister shack up with you for three months without so much as a first date.� Pacey choked on his tongue. �And you two need a date on land. In Capeside. High school dating shouldn�t start with a honeymoon cruise.� Bessie smiled approvingly. �First, Joey and I will go pick up some trip things, then you two can go out. And tomorrow...you can take off.� Pacey jumped once and then blushed profusely at the others� surprised glances. �Pacey, go,� Bodie commanded firmly. At Pacey�s regretful glance, Bodie smiled. �Go make sure that boat of yours is outfitted for two. And be back here in an hour.� �Yes sir.� Joey arched an eyebrow at Pacey�s meek reply. He took a step to leave and then, darting a cautious glance at Bessie and Bodie, timidly approached Joey. She smiled expectantly. Pacey gave her a light peck on the cheek and nearly ran out the door. Bessie laughed as Joey turned to her with a goofy smile. �Come on, Jo.� The two quickly left for the grocery store. ** �Let�s see. Toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tampons, aspirin, sunscreen, and a first aid kit.� Bessie went over the contents of the shopping basket critically. �Looks like I�ve got everything,� Joey said. �Almost.� Bessie walked over to another aisle and headed down it, scanning the shelves. �Which kind, Joey?� Joey looked over Bessie�s shoulder to see what she was referring to. The rows of condom boxes certainly weren�t what Joey had expected. �Bessie?� Bessie smiled reassuringly at her sister�s scared look. �You and Pacey are gonna be on a boat alone for almost three months. I want you to be prepared.� �We�re not gonna have sex,� Joey whispered through her teeth. She started to back away from the packages, but was stopped by Bessie�s firm hand on her arm. �You might.� Joey�s gaze turned to the condom packages with a mixture of wonder and terror floating on her features. She looked over her shoulder at Bessie and shrugged her shoulders helplessly. �I don�t know what to get.� Bessie scanned the shelf quickly and picked up a box boldly labeled Trojan. With a laugh, she tossed it to her sister. �Get these. The brand name alone should be a good ego boost for Pacey.� Joey frowned and threw the box back at Bessie, aiming it at her head. �Fine, we�ll go with the Durex. But don�t blame me if he�s disappointed.� Bessie smirked and handed Joey the new box, which she quickly stuck in the cart. The two sister silently walked to the checkout counter. They paid for the groceries and loaded them into the truck cab. Climbing into the truck, Bessie threw Joey a sidelong glance. Joey smiled nervously and buckled her seatbelt. Bessie started the car and listened to the engine hum for a minute. Joey stared out the dirty windshield and looked at the small parking lot. After what seemed like hours, Bessie sighed softly and said it. �Don�t have sex too soon, Jo.� Joey nodded obligingly. �At all,� Bessie added. Her voice was tinged with laughter. Joey raised an eyebrow and pouted. �Especially not with Pacey Witter.� Bessie scrunched the bridge of her nose for effect. Joey glared at her stormily. Bessie laughed outright. �Well, he might be cute without those ugly shirts,� Bessie mused. Joey self consciously smiled. She mumbled her response under her breath, �I kind of like the shirts.� |