Disclaimer: In the interest of saving time and money, I decided to stop
writing disclaimers. Because let's face it, kids, what would you rather
read? Sex, or silly disclaimers? I rest my case.
Spoilers: I don't even know what the episodes are called anymore. Movie
titles were *much* easier to remember....sheesh....
Rating: Spicy like my momma's Mexican food.
Joey had been avoiding Dawson for the past week. She knew if he ran
into her, even in a public place, he would know what she had done.
Which really, looking back on it, was nothing really *bad*, just
immoral. Something that "little Joey Potter" never would have done.
She burned bright with embarrassment at the memory of laying on her bed,
kissing Jack. It had been so *easy* to pretend she was lying there
kissing Dawson, instead of Jack. It had been so simple to imagine it
had been Dawson's soft fingers tangled in her hair, and Dawson's rough
cheek pressed against her soft one.
She just didn't know what was wrong with her. Jack was a nice guy, but
he didn't compare to Dawson. Dawson was sweet and gentle. Dawson would
have never offered to take his clothes off for her drawing, and she
wouldn't have suggested it. Maybe that's why she had taken up Jack's
offer--to add a little excitement to her life. Or maybe she was just
crazy.
Now Jack had started to refer to her as his girlfriend, and started
trying to kiss her at school, and Joey hated that. But if she dumped
him now, he would know she had only been using him, and he would be able
to see that her feelings for him were skin deep, but her feelings for
Dawson ran through her like a river.
Dawson moved his hand to cover the right side of his face and Joey
glanced over at him in English. She did that a lot now, looked over at
him when she thought he wasn't looking or didn't notice. The simple
fact of the matter was he was tuned in to everything she did, and
nothing went unnoticed. Dawson's ears turned red when he remembered
climbing through Jen's window. Granted, he never should have done it,
but he was sure if Joey looked into his eyes, his secret would be out.
He knew it had been wrong to use Jen the way he had, and the thought of
telling her that sickened him. But he knew that he had to.
Joey was tying her apron strings when Jack approached her.
"Hi, Joey. How are you?"
"Fine, thanks," Joey blushed, and kicked herself inwardly for doing
so.
"I was just wondering if you wanted to rent a movie tonight or
something," Jack offered shyly.
"Um, actually I'm not really in a movie mood, but thanks for asking,"
Joey made excuses.
"Well, we could just hang out, or watch TV or something," Jack was
eager to please her.
"Actually, you know what Jack, I don't want to spend time with you
right now. I just don't really feel good about the other night, ok?"
"C'mon, Joey," Jack moved to put his arms around her and she backed out
quickly, "we didn't do anything bad..."
"Give me some time, Jack! And some space--I need *space*!" Joey
insisted.
Jack backed off sadly, and tied his own apron. Joey couldn't
feel sorry for him, for she had told him 'no' and he obviously couldn't
take a hint.
Bessie watched the scene from the opposite doorway, and wondered what
had gotten into her little sister.
Jen climbed through Dawson's window and he looked up, surprised.
"Hey, Dawson," she smiled and came to where he sat on the bed.
"Hi, Jen," Dawson's face fell.
"Expecting someone else?"
"No, I was just really looking to be alone," Dawson admitted.
"Oh, okay," Jen looked a little hurt, and Dawson debated whether or not
to tell her he felt guilty about "The Night."
"I'm just really tired," Dawson lied.
"Oh," Jen started to back toward the window, "how's the script coming
along?"
"Oh, I've added a sex scene like you suggested, but I'm not sure how I
feel about it yet," Dawson looked uncomfortable.
"Well, if you need my help--you know where to find me," Jen offered and
started toward the window.
"Hey Jen," Dawson stopped her.
"Yeah?"
"Next time, please use the door."
Jen looked hurt, but she closed the door behind her softly and headed
down the stairs.
"Joey! What is wrong with you!" Bessie yelled. The last customer had
just walked through the door, and Joey had dropped her coffee cup trying
to clean off the table. "That is the third thing you've broken today,
damnit!"
"Sorry, Bessie, I just wasn't paying attention," Joey admitted.
"Go home and go to bed. If you stay we won't have *any* dishes left
tomorrow," Bessie threw her hands up, exasperated.
"Want me to walk you home?" Jack offered lamely from the kitchen door.
"No thanks--I know the way," Joey took off her apron and threw it over
one of the tables. "See you later, Bessie."
Joey buttoned her coat around her and quickly made her way down the
sidewalk. She hoped no one was watching her go the wrong way. She was
desperate to go to Dawson's: to climb through his window, to kiss his
soft lips, to sleep in his arms. She sighed longingly as she looked up
into his window. It was lighted, but she couldn't see his shadow. He
was probably camped out on his bed watching some cheesy romance movie.
On a whim, she decided to walk around the creek instead of rowing her
boat. She watched her feet, and walked carefully through the boggy
parts, and once in on drier land, she looked up to see someone walking
toward her. For a the slightest second, she was scared, and presently,
she turned a deep shade or red for the person approaching her was none
other than Dawson Leery.
"Hi, I was just out for a stroll," Dawson, she noticed, was also
blushing. She looked up at him and into his eyes, and he locked his
gaze with hers.
"Down my street?" she raised her eyebrows, not breaking the stare.
"Yeah, well," Dawson ducked his head to the side just slightly, and
finished softly, "I wanted to see you."
Joey felt a quick moment of relief pass through her body, at least he
wasn't the only one looking. And remembering. And fantasizing.
"What were you doing in my neck of the woods?" Dawson looked behind her
carefully, inspecting the landscape for anyone lurking.
"Oh, I was just walking home from the Icehouse and I...I wanted to see
you, too," Joey admitted.
"Do you miss me as much as I miss you?" Dawson's face got dark.
"More," Joey whispered, about to cry.
"I want you back, Joey," Dawson's voice broke.
"Things are complicated now, Dawson." A tear slipped down Joey's cheek
and Dawson fought the urge to take her into his arms and kiss it away.
"I know--I'm sorry. I just can't help the way I feel. And I feel like
you belong with me," Dawson prepared to continue walking.
"I'm glad you told me that," Joey touched his arm as he passed.
"You know where I'll be," he said, offering the same consolation that
Jen had, and left he standing there, crying, in the moonlight.
The phone rang six times before it stopped. Joey watched it from the
other side of the couch. It could have been anybody : Bessie, Pacey,
or someone else from school. But Joey knew who it was.
Jack put the phone back in its cradle and went to go tend to his
mother. Something was bothering Joey, and she wasn't about to tell him
what it was. Jack wondering darkly if it had anything to do with Dawson
Leery. After all, he had been Joey's best friend. And boyfriend, for
that matter. At least now he knew they hadn't been lovers--Joey's
interest in his own sexual experience had taught him that. She was
curious, and if she had let him, he would have shown her a lot more that
night. But after only a few minutes, she had gotten nervous and asked
him to leave. All he knew was that he wanted to do it again, and next
time, he wouldn't want to stop.
