Part 5
Kaylie was ecstatic. Smiling happily, she looked over her music as she left Glee Club practice. Truly, she felt whole again. She felt like a different person with him here. She was who she was supposed to be. Her parents could move her where they liked, he’d found her, and despite her grounding she was headed to meet him. Even despite her own misgivings. She skipped a little, nearly breaking into a run as she strode away from the school, taking the steps two at a time. She was moving so fast she forgot to look ahead and found herself falling to the ground after running into something soft and solid that felt distinctly human. Looking up, she frowned realizing she must’ve been wrong about the human part.
Dawson Leery looked down at her, concerned and surprised. A little pleased too. “Kaylie, sorry about that. Are you alright?” She’d run right into him. Now looking at her, it occurred to him that she was rather pretty. Especially sitting on the ground in a heap, her hair falling in her eyes, her knee length skirt slightly pushed up, while she rubbed at the dirty spot on her leg. Especially so annoyed and unguarded.
“Fine, Dawson, fine,” she muttered, attempting to remain polite. He was always so damn smug in class. So damn knowing and astute. Please. Consider my day ruined, she thought.
“So Kaylie, how’s the Glee Club going? Pacey and Joey said you have a great voice.”
Kaylie smiled a little, standing and smoothing her hair back. “Fine thanks.”
“Can I say something, Kay?” Dawson was a tad hesitant. This was really for his friends, he tried to convince himself. He cared about them. He was happy. He was dating Gretchen and he wasn’t trying to break up Pacey and Joey anymore. Really.
“Sure Daw,” Kaylie gritted out through a tightly teethed smile. “What’s up?”
“Are you interested in Pacey? Because he’s with Joey and they’re happy,” he said, trying to convince himself that his reasons for asking were altruistic. “Very happy. And if you have any interest in Pacey....” He wasn’t sure what else to say.
“I don’t think it’s any of your concern Dawson,” Kaylie stared into his eyes, an eyebrow arched quizzically, “But why don’t you tell me, since you’re asking, are you still wanting Joey?” Dawson’s eyes widened. “Don’t look so surprised. It’s a small school, word travels fast. If you want Joey, you’re going to have to work a miracle though. Perhaps exchange bodies with Pacey? And personalities.” Her eyes narrowed menacingly.
“I’m dating Gretchen Witter,” Dawson protested weakly.
“She’s a little old for you, don’t you think?”
Dawson frowned at the turn of the conversation. “She’s 21.”
“Really? She looks older. Doesn’t matter, with your maturity level she might as well be 30.” Kaylie stood straighter advancing on Dawson with each barbed jab. She started to look a whole lot taller than her five-foot-one-inch stature with every passing second. “I don’t think you should look to me as an ally Dawson. Or a stooge. I don’t play either role with much conviction.”
Dawson smiled in spite of himself. Kaylen was beautiful angry, eyes flashing, voice lowered, her hands on her hips. And he realized something important. “You still didn’t answer my question.”
Sighing tiredly, Kaylen asked, “What question?”
“Do you want Pacey?”
Her eyes dropped to the ground under his smug stare. “Pacey loves Joey....and I have someone.” She headed down the remainder of the steps and out to the school parking lot. As an afterthought she turned, her smile uncertain, her countenance defeatist, “Goodbye Dawson.”