Pacey examined the contents of his locker, temporarily blanking on what books he needed.  Actually doing work was a new thing for him, and occasionally he forgot why he did it at all.  Andie’s encouragement, along with his guidance counselor’s insistence that he get his act together so he could go somewhere better than Capeside Community College, had managed to sufficiently inspire him to try harder in school.

 Who are you kidding, Pace? he asked himself.  The only reason you’ve been studying lately is because you’ve been doing it with Joey.

“You okay, Pace?”  Pacey turned around to see Jen Lindley looking at him, concerned.   “You’ve been standing there for like, ten minutes.”

 “I can’t remember what books I need,” he said slowly.

 Jen put her hand on his shoulder.  “You are definitely not okay.  You want to go somewhere and talk?”

 He nodded.  Taking out his history and math textbooks, he finally slammed the locker closed.  “Where do you want to go?”

 “How ‘bout my house?  Grams made some great lemonade…we can make it hard lemonade if you’re so inclined.  It is Friday, after all.” Jen nudged him in the shoulder, trying to make him smile.

 “Alcohol is just about the last thing I need right now,” Pacey said wryly, slinging his bag over his shoulder.  “But thanks.”

 “Speaking of which, how was Dawson’s big scandalous party?” Jen asked.  She had been in New York that weekend, paying a very rare visit to her parents.

 They began walking.  Pacey shrugged.  “Alright.”  He was suddenly overcome with images of Joey kissing his neck, his lips, and her tongue…he knew he was blushing, and prayed that Jen wouldn’t notice.

 She did.  “Why do I get the feeling that it was better than alright?”

 He sighed.  “It was…confusing.”

 Jen arched an eyebrow. “Confusing how?”

 “I don’t know…certain events transpired that were extremely…out of the ordinary.”

 They emerged from Capeside High into the crisp fall air.  “Excellent parking job, Witter,” Jen congratulated.  He had nabbed one of the coveted senior spots in front of the school.  He unlocked the truck and opened the door for her before walking around and getting in himself. “I heard Dawson got drunk,” Jen said, her voice tinged with laughter.  “Was he his usual obnoxiously honest self?’

 “I actually don’t know.  I spent most of the evening out by the docks.  By the time I came back, everybody was gone, and he was asleep.”

 “Jack said Joey had a few too many and started singing…” Jen was overcome by giggles.  “I’m sure that was pretty amusing.”

 “Yeah, it was,” Pacey said a little sullenly.  He had been there for that.  When she sang she had kept constant eye contact with him, and it made him want to cry.  In fact, that had been why he’d left.

 “So what were these extraordinary events, exactly?” Jen asked as Pacey maneuvered the truck into her driveway.

“I…Jen, if I tell you, promise me you won’t make it a bigger deal than it is.”

 “This sounds serious, which means only one thing,” Jen said slowly as she got out of the truck and slung her bag over her shoulder.

 “What?”

 “That these extraordinary events somehow involve Joey Potter.”

 Pacey blinked.  “How did you know?”

 “Because for as long as I’ve known you and Dawson, both of your lives have pretty much revolved around Joey in one way or another.  And now, because you’re in love with her--”

 “Whoa, whoa, Lindley!” Pacey put up his hand.  “Who said I was in love with her?”

 Jen took his arm in hers and led him towards her house.  “I’ve seen how you look at her, Pace,” she said matter-of-factly.  “You’re a pretty good actor, but when you’re in love, anybody can read you like an open book.”

 Pacey sat down on the couch on her porch, sighing.  “I really hope that isn’t true.”

 “So what happened?”

 He took a deep breath and exhaled.  “We kissed.”

 Jen nodded.  “And…”

 “Well, actually, she kissed me.  Really kissed me.  And then she disappeared, and I found her passed out in Dawson’s bed.  And now she doesn’t remember anything about that night.”

 Jen sighed.  “Wow…that…that sucks, Pace.”

 “Yeah, it pretty much does.  Up one side and down the other.”

 “Do you think it meant something?”

 “It meant something to me.  I don’t know if it meant anything to Joey.  I mean, she was drunk, and…I have a hard time believing that she could be attracted to me in any way.  Do you remember what happened the last time I tried to kiss Joey?  Flat out rejected.  I’ve been trying to learn from my mistakes…”

 “Yeah, but Pace, that was over three years ago.  Things were different.  You were different.  So was Jo.  You guys are a lot closer now, and…I think there’s a significant possibility that she wants to get closer.”

 Pacey sighed.  “I mean, forgive me if I seem skeptical, but the girl kisses me when she’s completely drunk, will only study with me ‘cause she lost a bet, and, when sober, can only seem to relate to me by insulting me.  So how am I supposed to tell?”

 “Well…” Jen smiled.  “Try touching her.”

 “Excuse me?” Pacey was visibly surprised.  “What kinda touching we talking about, Lindley?”

 She pushed him lightly. “Not like that.  Just little things…brushing up against her, leaning in close to her…you know the deal, Pace.  If she’s attracted to you, that stuff will drive her crazy, and you’ll definitely be able to tell.”

 “What if she just pushes me away?”

 Jen shrugged.  “It’s a risk you have to take.”

 He ran his hand through his hair.  “I don’t know, Jen…”

 “Pace, you’ve got to try.”  Jen gave him a quick hug.  “Whatever happens with Joey, you’ve got to believe that you’re worth it, okay?”

 He smiled.  “Remind me again why I never dated you.”

 “We had a somewhat different arrangement, Witter.”

 “Oh, yeah, I forgot.”

 “Punk.”  She pushed him.  “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

 “I love ya, Jen.”