The school bell rang, signalling the start of class. I looked one way, then the other. Someone rushed pass me in their hurry to get to class, and knocked my books out of my hands. I signed in frustration; nothing was going my way this morning.
�Room 209, is that way!� A stranger said pointing in the opposite direction to way I was facing.
�How long have you been there?� I said slowly shoving my timetable in my pocket and picking up my books. I hated the first day at a new school. I knew the moment I had gotten out of the car this morning that I was going to get lost the place was absolutely huge. I looked up my stranger; it was a kinda cute blonde haired boy. He had big green eyes, and was a couple of centimetres taller than me, I predicted. We were silent for a while, but the second bell rang breaking it. He shrugged in response. The people were minimizing in the corridor.
�I better go, don�t want to be late for my first class, � I turned around and took a few steps, then turned back around, �and well I guess I should say thanks and hope to see you around sometime!� I smiled faintly and started walking in the direction of room 209. The guy started to follow; I rolled my eyes at his actions and hugged my books tighter to my chest.
�Look can I walk you? I�m going there myself, and seeing as you�re new and all, I wouldn�t want you to get lost, on your way there.� The guy asked after another short silence.
�I guess; but I need to know your name, for all I know you could be criminal, escaped from prison and are thinking up some crazy plot to kill me.� I said looking at him, trying to make a joke of some sort.
�Close but no, Dawson.� He laughed anyway.
�Last name?�
�Here we are, Mr. Jackson�s� English class!� He ignored my question and walked into a classroom full of students. I eyed the classroom first, and then followed him in. He stood next to me looking around the class and then looked at me. The teacher spoke first.
�Dawson, it�s nice of you show up today!� The man said, he stood in the middle of the classroom, collecting papers from everyone, �Who�s your friend?� Dawson shrugged looking at me, I never did tell him my name, �Go take your sit Dawson!� he walked back to his desk pulling out a folder. Dawson sat near the back with some guys; they were all giving him high fives. I looked at Mr. Jackson, and he looked at me.
�So do you come with a name, or not?� Mr. Jackson asked harshly, it wasn�t if I knew what he wanted me to say.
�Yes, its Joey� I just stood there, waiting for him to speak again.
�Class it looks like we have a new student joining us for the rest of the year,� he announced to the world and then turned towards me, �You can go take a seat next to Jen, over there!� He pointed in the direction of the free seat.
�Thanks!� I said walking towards the seat. I sit down next to Jen, who I smile at but she doesn�t even look up at me, to busy reading a book, which to me didn�t look like a textbook of any sort.
�Now, lets get started with today�s assignment, I trust you all completed it.� Mr. Jackson said started and walked up and down the desk rows as he talked.
�Yes!� Was mumbled around the class a couple of times before Mr. Jackson continued.
�Ok, then what did you think?� Mr Jackson asked the class as walked back to the front, �Dawson?�
�I reckon it was pretty hard for an over night assignment� I could tell Dawson wasn�t even interested in the assignment.
�Well tell me this; what�s the point of having something easy as a posed to something hard?� Mr. Jackson asked and waited for someone to call out the possible answer.
�The point is the hard stuff ends up being easier than the easy stuff! � Jen says like she isn�t paying attention at all.
�Well thank-you Jen, for taking the time to at least pay attention this time!� Mr. Jackson was now leaning on the front of his desk.
�No, problem Mr. J!� Jen said still not looking up from her book, she turned the page. Mr Jackson didn�t seem bothered that she wasn�t actually paying attention.
�Anyone else have anyone suggestions?�
�I reckon that the assignment was interesting?� I guy from the back, which had high fived Dawson before.
�Now why do you say that Jack?� Jackson asked Jack.
�Well it made me think my mother and how badly she needed me, when things get to tough on her, I was right there to help. And it got me thinking I should be helping other people in the same situations.� Jack said sitting forward in his seat.
�Good Jack, now just act on that thought every once in a while!� Mr. Jackson looked pleased to say the least, at just the few people that had responded to him.
�Psst!� It came from behind me. I did�t turn around as a note was handed over my shoulder.
�All right, any one else.� Mr Jackson asked just as the bell rang, �Ok, we will continue this on Monday then, have a good weekend!�
I open the note up as I stand up, it says:
Dear Joey,
Mr. Jackson is one of the best English teachers you will get around here; so don�t take anything he says personally, he means well. I know from years of experience, when I say that.
As you already know my name is Dawson. There are three kinds of people at our school, the Popular, the geeks and the so-called normal. I would class my friends and me as the normal bunch, wouldn�t you? The kids that get into trouble, have all the fun, but ain�t worth the time of the so-called popular people.
The popular people are usually the people with money in their pockets, then they know what do with, so they bitch and spread rumours like you wouldn�t believe just to hide are superficial they really are.
And as for the geeks, they are just people who look like they haven�t left their computers in more than a week, you get the picture.
We�re going for pizza after school want to come?
Meet us at the front of the school if you want to come.
Dawson
I stuff the note in my pocket as I find Jen reading over my shoulder.
�Joey, right?� Jen says chewing on her gum, �gum?� she offered.
�Yeah!� I said taking a piece.
�Got a boyfriend?� Jen looked like she wasn�t even talking to me, we walked out together though.
�Yeah I dumped him when I moved here!� I said spotting Dawson not far away.
�Honey, this is the 90�s. You can�t just dump your boyfriend anymore. You have to recycle him. And by the look you are giving Dawson down the hallway, you like him!� Jen said turning to open of locker that must have been hers coz it opened a minute later.
�I do not, I only met him like an hour ago!� I said glancing down at my watch.
�Tusk, tusk, checking your watch for the exacted time you meet him, is one of the first sign you like the guy!� Jen said closing her locker and turning to face me.
�Is it now?� I asked as we started to walk down the hallway to the double doors at the end.
�Yup, if I don�t convince you; you like this guy by the end of the day I�ll give you ten bucks!� Jen said with a big smile, shoving her hands into her pockets.
�I bet you don�t even have ten bucks!� I challenged her as we approached where Dawson was standing. She pulled a ten-dollar note out of her pocket, �So what, doesn�t mean anything!�
�Suit yourself. Hey Dawson, what�s cooking?� Jen said kissing him on the cheek. They must be close to some degree.
�Jen, same old same old and yourself?� Dawson asked looking at me and winked and then looked back at Jen.
�Oh you know the usual, picking up stray individuals, giving Mr J. a hard time, the usual!� Jen said nudging me, �but I gotta run meeting Andie so we can learn for our Spanish test!� and like a flash she was gone. Dawson just laughed.
�By that she meant, Andie was going to give her the answers to the Spanish test!� Dawson leant into to whisper to me.
�Oh, who�s Andie?� I asked looking at him. This was going to be ok. I think I can last the first day.
�Oh you�ll love Andie, she�ll make such a fuss over you and you won�t know what to do!� Dawson said with another laugh.
�Yeah,� I said before Dawson started dragging to meet Andie.
* * * * * *
�This is a very nice car, I always wanted one of these!� I said as we climbed in, just Dawson and me.
�Yeah I bet you know nothing about cars?� Dawson joked as he started the engine.
�Well, you are badly mistaken, I know that this is a Jeep and it�s red!� I said trying to sound serious.
�Yeah, and that�s about all you know right?� Dawson asked not giving up as we pulled out of the school grounds.
�Fine don�t believe me, my dad was a mechanic, I would sit and watch him for hours as he worked on cars all day!� I said turning to stare out the window.
�What happen to your dad?� Dawson asked after a long silence, as we pulled into the pizza place.
�My dad, what makes you think something happened to him?� I opened my door and got out. We had arrived at a diner that looked like it had been here since the 60�s and a name like �Capeside Diner� I just knew I was right.
�You just spoke like he wasn�t around anymore!� He opened the door of the diner.
�Oh, well do you mind if I just say nothing for the time being?� I asked as I looked around, it looked quite cosy.
�Sure, you don�t have to tell me anything you don�t want said!� he said as we headed over to the table that occupied 3 other people, Jack, Jen and Andie.
�Hey guys!� Dawson said sitting down next to Jack and Andie�s side of the booth. And I sat down next to Jen and smiled at her, �I hope you don�t mind I invited Joey out with us?�
�Not at all, the more the merry right!� Andie said clapping her hands together excitedly.
�Ok, Andie that�s enough fizzy for you tonight!� Jack said with a laugh picking up her drink and moving it away.
�Very funny Jack!� She said snatching her drink back.
�So where�s Pacey, I thought you were giving him a lift here?� Jen asked laughing at Jacks childlike behaviour.
�I dunno he told me he was going to be a little late, something came up!� Dawson shrugged looking around the place.
�Um who�s Pacey?� I asked as four pairs of eyes all turned to look me at once,
�Pacey�s here, who wants to know?� a very cute looking guy with apron tied around his waist, approached the table and sliding in next to me, making me sit very close to both him and Jen, �I don�t believe we�ve met, the names Pacey and you are?� he asked smiling and offering his hand to mine.
�Joey!� I shook his hand. We just looked at each other for a moment before he turned his attention back to the rest of them. I couldn�t stop looking at him. He pulled a pencil from behind his ear, with his left hand. His hands looked big and smooth, almost like they were there for me to reach over and hold.
�So, what will it be?� His right arm was stretched over the table; it was so robust and strong that I knew if I touched it, it would be rock hard.
�Usual?� They all said together.
I ripped my eyes away from his body to see that Andie and Jack were reading from the meal in front of them. Jen was watching me, where Dawson was just smiling at Pacey.
Pacey smiled, �You guys are so boring, Joey what would you like to drink?� I turned my attention back to Pacey.
�What do you reckon mend?� I asked picking up a napkin that was in front of me.
�How about I make you a Pacey Special?� Pacey said as I raised an eyebrow, in his direction, �Don�t you trust me?�
�What do you think?� I said looking across at Dawson who was watching us.
�So, was that a yes or a no?� Pacey asked glancing across at Dawson as well, then over my shoulder at Jen.
�As long as I�m not died tomorrow, then I�ll try your drink, sound fair enough?� I said smiling widely at Pacey.
�Fair enough, I�ll be right back, shall I tell Gretchen you want the usual pizza too?� He asked looking towards Jack and Andie, who looked up at him, as everyone nodded. Pacey shook his head as I watch him walk away, I bit my lip, he had an even better behind; then I thought he would. I was totally memorized until he disappeared. I turned and looked at Jen, she laughed and pulled out a ten-buck note and handed it to me.
�I was wrong, my bets on Pacey!�
* * * * * *
�Bye guys, thanks for the pizza!� I said waving my new friends goodbye as they pulled out of the parking lot.
I had declined the offer for a ride home, as it was not along walk and besides the night was warm enough. I turned around and saw Pacey leaving the pizza place. Ok so I left out the fact that Pacey asked to walk me home, how could I say no to his gorgeous face. �Hey!� I said as he came to stand in front of me, his face cracking into a grin.
�Hey!� He said, I was smiling wider at his every word, �Should we go?�
�Yeah!� he stepped around me as we headed the same way everyone else had gone. We walked in a comfortable silence, our feet on the old pavement as we moved in time with each other, �So why were you late tonight?� I asked turning my head to look at him.
�Oh, it was just this thing I had to do, nothing really!� he said not looking at me.
�Oh, you don�t have to tell me, I was just wandering!� I bit my lower lip as I looked down at the pavement, I suddenly felt I shamed for asking such a personal question. We continued in silence.
�So, how do you like everyone so far?� he asked as we crossed the road at some lights.
�They�re an interesting bunch of people you hang around with!� I said with a laugh as we continued to walk down the other side of the street.
�What�s so funny?� he asked looking at me, trying to hide his smile.
�Oh, just that when Jack spilt his drink all over Andie, and Andie�s shriek, Jen�s laughter and Dawson�s annoyed �not again� look!� I said letting out another laugh.
�Yeah, that was hilarious!� Pacey joined in the laughter.
After we caught our normal heart rates again, I looked up and found my driveway in front of us.
�Well this is me!� I said pointing down the driveway towards the house.
�I had fun tonight!� Pacey said with a grin as we found the back porch.
�Yeah, me too. I�ll have to thank Dawson tomorrow!� I said looking at him standing in front of me, with that gorgeous smile, the ruffled hair from hard work and those kissable lips.
�Do I mean nothing to you?� He asked trying to act hurt.
�Thanks for the walk Pace!� I said giggle a bit at his child ness, and turned around to head inside.
�It was my dad!� Pacey said after I had taken a couple of steps. I turned around as he sat down on the porch steps.
�What?� I asked as I sat down beside him.
�I was late tonight because I my dad!� Pacey said covering his face in his hands.
�Oh!� I said, trying to figure if I should ask or not.
�My dad, oh god he frustrates me so much sometimes, you know?� Pacey asked appearing out of his hands at me.
�Yeah, like you wouldn�t believe. My father would get frustrate me to no end, he would be loving and caring one minute, but the second alcohol touched his lips, out would come this person, that wanted to blame all his problems on his family!� I said truthfully hoping that what I said would at least get him to talk a bit more. Pacey hands dropped from his face, so I could see the pain in his face.
�I told myself a thousand times, that I wouldn�t let him get to me!� He said sadly his head was turned towards the creek in front of us, but he suddenly as he turned to face me and I could see that he was on the verge of crying.
�Pacey let it go,� he shook his head and cover his face again with his hands. I scooted closer to him and leant over and placed a hand on his shoulder, �Let me understand your pain!� he shook his head as he tried to compose himself again, but failed miserably, �Ok,� I paused as I took away my hand, �If you won�t talk I will. My father use to be the best, he would make me laugh so many times when I was little, he would let me watch him and let me help him sometimes, he would take me to baseball games, he even gave me a baseball that had my name stitched into it when I was eight.� I nudged Pacey as I spoke; his upset expression was fading slowly. �Those times were some of the best; we were just in our own little world!� I said smiling remember.
�Daddy�s girl?� Pacey voice made we jump a little, and I just rolled my eyes.
�Hardly, the older sister has forever been that, I have always been in her shadow!� I paused it was nice talking about my father after so long, my mother didn�t want to hear about it, �I was 12 when things started to get really bad. He would come home drunk from work and yell at my mother or me to do what ever he wanted because we were so afraid of him. He would hit up and throw his beer bottles at us. I was 14 when I last saw father, he came home so drunk that night that he shoved my sister into the wall that she passed out from the impact. When my dad yelled for her to get up, and she didn�t, he kicked her, till their was blood coming out of her mouth,� I could feel the tears forming just thinking about it, �It was the worst thing to watch, My sister slumped unconscious next to the wall with blood pouring onto the floor beside her. My dad gave up after a while and just walked into his room and passed out of the bed. My mum ran and cradled my sister�s head, she yelled at me, for not calling for help. I was crying as I rang the ambulance, I was so scared that I was going to be next!� I wiped my tears and looked at Pacey, he had tears falling freely down his face, that one look broke my heart all over again. I just couldn�t do this anymore, �Oh god, I have to go!� I got up and went inside as quickly as I could. I didn�t want to face reality, but most of all I didn�t want to face my worst fear of all, him.
