Stumbling
Chapter 2 - Retreating Form
* * * * *
Pacey was awakened the following day by someone pulling him off the living room couch, landing on the floor with a thud. He stared up into the eyes of an angry blonde. By instinct, he initially thought it was Audrey. After all, he'd normally spent many an evening over there. "Good morning, sweetie."
Once he regained his bearings, however, he realized it wasn't Audrey but Jen Lindley instead. She ordered, "On your feet! Now!"
He obediently followed her command, bolting up into position. Then quickly remembering why he was at this house in the first place, as he held his forehead to steady himself. "Look, I'm not sure how I ended up here or what's happening..."
Jen interrupted, "I know exactly why you're here. Audrey called before you showed up and told me. She had gone to your apartment looking for you, then realized there was the distinct possibility you'd land here. After all, all roads lead to Grams'." She smirked wryly, then resumed dictator mode. "Who will be down here any minute. I heard her alarm clock so it's only a matter of time. So..."
She tugged on his arm, leading him to the door. There he was standing outside and then just as suddenly, he was yanked back in the house, to be greeted by a different Jen. “Pacey! What a surprise.”
Pacey whispered, “Are you okay?” He looked over her shoulder to see Jack was in fact awake and trying not to laugh at Jen’s display.
“Absolutely.” The sound of footsteps interrupted as Grams came downstairs. Jen twirled around and exclaimed way too excitedly. “Good morning, Grams.”
The elderly woman gave Jen a once-over, not sure if she was okay either. “Um, good morning Jennifer. Pacey, it’s nice to see you. Will you be staying for breakfast?”
“Of course he will be,” Jen replied before Pacey had a chance to consider. Grams smiled as she headed for the kitchen.
Jack muttered, “She’s not buying it. It’s not worth the effort.”
Jen snapped, “You don’t know that!” She glanced at the clock, “It seems like Dawson slept through my alarm. Better go get him.” She raced up the stairs toward the attic.
Pacey walked to the bottom of the staircase and looked up suspiciously. “Do you think Dr. Jekyll or Ms. Hyde will come down those stairs? I always used to think that Dawson had a spell over Joey so it would be fitting…”
“If that’s the case, he screwed up the formula.”
Pacey shoved his hands in his pockets while still staring at those stairs. Rather than accept the silence, Jack started cleaning the mess from the previous night. It was much better than watching Pacey do anything in his power to ignore what he’d said.
* * * * *
“So, what brought you over here last night?” Grams asked as she sat down at the kitchen table with a glass of orange juice and oatmeal. Jen, Jack and Dawson were also eating at the table while Pacey propped himself on the counter.
Jen countered, “He only stopped by for a few minutes then left…”
Grams interrupted, “The only person you’re fooling is yourself so please stop it.”
Pacey finished the bite of toast before he answered, “I’m honestly not sure. I got a little drunk and probably thought it made more sense to stay here than try to drive back home. The night is kind of hazy. I suppose Jack let me in.”
Jen interjected, “Actually, I let you in and he stayed down here playing security guard, apparently for no reason.”
“Well, then I thank you. I hope I didn’t make too much of a fool of myself. Do I need to apologize to Audrey for anything?”
“Um, no. Given the circumstances, she thought you handled yourself rather well. There were no phone calls complaining of anything so I’d guess you’re in the clear.”
Pacey nodded as he snatched a cookie from the jar next to him and took a bite. “That’s good. Hopefully, nothing has changed.”
Jack realized that Pacey had no clue what happened and the idea was making him sick. He finished the glass of juice in one gulp then stood up. “I have to get going. I forgot I was planning to go for a run this morning.”
Grams nodded to let him know he was excused as Jack left the room. Pacey watched him exit, regretful of the mess he’d caused. Jen caught his expression, then looked back upon hearing the front door open then shut.
Dawson linked his fingers between Jen’s as he gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I have to meet Oliver to discuss a couple of scenes. I’ll see you tonight.” He let go as he went back upstairs.
Jen turned to Pacey accusingly, “Why do I get the feeling you did something wrong?”
“I may have said something he didn’t exactly appreciate,” he hinted as he took another cookie.
* * * * *
“Jack!” Joey called out as she spotted him running on the other side of the street. She raced to catch up to him. When he finally heard her, he slowed down to allow her to meet up. “What brings you to this part of the city?”
Jack shrugged. “I thought I’d take a different route.”
“Could you do me a favor? Audrey called me because she forgot her wallet in the dorm.” Joey shuffled through her backpack until she found it.
“Sure, I suppose.” He took the wallet from her. As Joey began to walk away, Jack called out, “Just what were you trying to accomplish last night?”
She turned around, surprised at the question. “Give Pacey what he deserved.”
“So you wanted him to freak out,” Jack concluded.
Joey smirked, “ He’s the one who suggested the ridiculous idea. Is it Audrey’s fault that it backfired? It wasn’t so much that she wanted to date Carla but that she was curious about it.”
“Did you send Pacey over there just so they’d break up?”
“Did I? Yes. Was I alone? No. It was Audrey’s idea. She didn’t know how to end the relationship.” Instead of returning to the dorms, Joey opted to walk with him to the restaurant. Finally, she spoke up, “What’s the big deal? Jen had Charlie pay for his threesome proposal. Let the punishment fit the crime.”
“And you agreed out of the goodness of your heart?” He raised an eyebrow, skeptical about Joey’s motives. Besides, this was nothing like that debacle.
“Meaning?”
“You’re thrilled that Pacey’s no longer dating your roommate.” They were now in front of Civilization
“There were awkward moments, yes. But I only wished them the best.”
“And now that it’s over, you couldn’t be happier.” Joey narrowed her eyes, pissed off that there was truth to that statement.
Neither noticed Audrey standing there, waiting for them to enter. She gathered the gist of their conversation and forced herself to not let it affect her. She had a feeling that Joey had an ulterior motive as soon as she showed up last night, but what Jack said seemed to confirm it. “You showed! I was beginning to think you forgot.”
Jack handed her the wallet, as Joey said, “Of course not. I just got held up.”
Audrey gestured to Jack, “I’m glad you and Jen were there. I guess I didn’t handle that as well as I should have.”
“That’s a mild assessment,” Jack muttered.
Audrey picked up two menus and led Joey and Jack to a table. She held her arm out for them to sit down. “I know, I know. You have to understand, it wasn’t the way it seemed. I suppose I was kind of cheating. I was figuring out what happened that night with the three of us and that was the only conclusion.” Joey handed Audrey back the menu and began to stand up, but was pushed back down. “If there’s any chance to continue this conversation, it’s if you pretend you’re customers. Now, that’s two cups of coffee?”
Joey leaned back against the chair and sighed, “Yeah, sure.” Jack nodded as well.
“Great.” Audrey twirled around and dropped the receipts on the counter. She then returned to their table and sat down next to Joey before anyone could object. “It was wrong but I knew what I really needed to do was break it off.”
Jack replied, “I don’t understand why you did it like that.”
“Pacey’s not so much interested in me as he’s trying not to give in to someone else.”
Joey said, a little too cheerfully, “Are you sure about this?” Jack stared down at the table, realizing it was just wishful thinking that she’d be talking about someone else. Of course Audrey meant Pacey and Joey. It was always about them.
“I see the looks,” Audrey insisted. “Why would he want to admit anything? It’s not like it’s mutual.” She glanced in Jack’s direction, noting his expression, and reconsidered, “I’m pretty sure it’s not mutual.”
Joey replied, “I think you may be mistaken.”
Audrey was horrified upon realizing what she stirred up. “Bunny, I thought you told me you were okay with us dating.” She tried to keep the contempt from her voice.
“I was but it was because I thought he had no interest in reliving the past. If you had seen the way Pacey acted at the prom, you’d understand why I had doubts. Hearing this information changes everything.”
Jack recalled past conversations with Dawson during the summer before senior year. “He didn’t have to make a choice,” he muttered as he glared pointedly at Joey.
Audrey noticed the stern look she was getting from her boss and stood up quickly. “Um, that’s not exactly what I meant…I’m not so sure he wants to go back to those days. I’ll explain it to you later.” As she was leaving, she flashed a sympathetic smile in Jack’s direction, hoping she could fix this without alienating anyone.
Part 3
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