Dawson and Joey had stayed at the ruins for a long time before finally going home. He had dropped her off, and kissed her
goodnight, something he never thought he would be able to do. All his dreams came true for him, and Joey that night. He was
happy, but a part of him was telling him theirs was not in for a happily ever after. Dawson wasn't sure how they were going to
tell everyone the news, especially Jen. He had cared for her, he had thought it was love, but he realized that day in Providence
with Billy and Pacey that it wasn't. He knew what he wanted, and it was Joey. His walk home was filled with thoughts,
questions, and Joey.
Dawson walked into his house as quiet as he could, not wanting to disturb his parents. He went into his room, and closed the
door quietly behind him. He walked to his window and sat down next to it. He looked up at the stars, and his gaze came down
to Jen's house. He had wasted many hours starring at it the last few weeks. Long wasted hours, he thought. He was about to
get up, when he saw Jen and Pacey walking up to her porch. They were laughing, and Dawson heard his and Joey's name
mentioned in some laughable context. Dawson tried to hear more, but soon he found himself wondering if those two had
something happening. He laughed at the concept of Jen and Pacey, and closed his blinds.
Dawson walked over to his bed. He noticed the time on the radio, it read 12:06am. He wasn't tired yet so he figured he'd switch
on his radio to the local radio station. There were commercials on. Dawson slowly took off his shirt, through it into his closet,
and laid back on his bed. He placed his hands behind his head. He wondered what Joey was doing at this minute. And he knew
exactly what that was. She was thinking about tonight, just like he was, and she was thinking about him, just like he was
thinking about her.
Joey closed her front door, and stood there, her back against it for awhile. She couldn't believe all her dreams had began to
come true. Dawson loved her!! She couldn't think of anything else right then. She smiled, and ran to her room. Realizing she
didn't want to wake up the baby, she walked extra slow to her room. She closed the door, quietly behind her. She walked over
to her bed sat down, and looked at the clock, it was 11:50am. What a night!, she thought. A great night!! She prayed that it
wasn't a dream, and she knew for the first time, that it wasn't. It was reality. She got up off the bed, grabbed her towel, and
decided to take a shower. She wasn't tired at all, and she needed to get rid of all this extra energy.
Joey got out of the shower at 12:06am. She sat on her bed in her towel, and with her extra towel started to dry her hair. The
commercials ended, and she waited to hear what song was next. As she waited she was wondering what Dawson was doing. She
knew though. They thought a like, and at times it was scary, but other times, it was nice. She was thinking of him, and he was
thinking of her. Joey laid back on to her pillows, and stared at the ceiling.
Unbeknownst to Dawson and Joey was that they were listening to the same radio station, at the same time. The song that came on
was "Truly, Madly, Deeply" by Savage Garden. It made Dawson think of Joey, and Joey think of Dawson. They would both get up
and walk to their windows, open up the blinds, and star at the stars, thinking of the other.
" I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope I'll be your love Be everything that you need I'll love
you more With every breath Truly, Madly, Deeply do I will be strong I will be faithful Cause I'm counting on A new beginning
A reason for living A deeper meaning... Yeah.... I wanna stand with you on a mountain I wanna bath with you in the sea I
wanna lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me And when my star is shining brightly in the velvet sky I'll make a
wish And look to heaven And make you want to cry With tears of joy For all the pleasure in the certainty Though we're
surrounded by the comfort And protection of the highest powers In lonely hours The tears devour you I wanna stand with you
on a mountain I wanna bath with you in the sea I wanna lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me Oh can't you see it
baby Don't have to close your eyes Its standing right before you All that you need will surely come I'll be your dream I'll be
your wish I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope I'll be your love Be everything that you need I'll love you more With every
breath Truly, Madly, Deeply do I wanna stand with you on the mountain I wanna bath with you in the sea I wanna lay like this
forever Until the sky falls down on me I wanna stand with you on a mountain I wanna bath with you in the sea I wanna live like
this forever Until the sky falls down on me....."
When the song was over Dawson walked back to his bed, and switched off his light. He laid down to have dreams of him and
Joey. And to remember the great night they had. He hadn't realized it before, but that song fit his feelings for Joey very well.
Joey went to bed after the song, she slept on her side so she could see the stars until she did. Because the stars were like looking
at Dawson sweet smile, and sparkling eyes.
Joey walked to Dawson's house. They had made plans that night to walk each other to school. It was only Tuesday, and it felt
like Friday. Joey had the urge to ditch school, she wanted to drag Dawson with her, and they could make a day of it. So what if
they got caught! They would get detention together, and Joey didn't mind that one bit!! Either way they would be spending all
day together. She would bring it up to him, and see what he says. Knowing him he might have second thoughts about it,
knowing how much he likes to be a good boy. But the way he acted last night showed he did like to do some things that were
way out of his personality. He isn't like Johnny or Danny at all!! He was in fact a real life Richie Cunningham, or any good boy
from TV Land obscurity. She was just the opposite of Sandra Dee, or Baby. Yet, Joey and Dawson fit perfectly together. After
all, most the school thinks they are couple already. Why tell them any different.
Dawson was waiting for Joey on the front porch of his house. He was starring off at the water, and was lost in thoughts about
Joey. He hadn't been able to stop from thinking about her since he knew he loved her, but now it was like all he could think
about since they kissed. He never thought about Jen like he thought about Joey. He saw Joey coming toward him. She looked
great. She was dressed in a white sweater with a V-neck, and jeans. Dawson stood up, and walked off his porch right into her
arms. They hugged, and he kissed her lightly on the lips. They began walking to school, holding each other's hands.
"Dawson, what would you say we ditched school today?" Joey asked, point blank.
"Why? Have a test you don't want to take?" Dawson asked her, smiling.
"No, nothing like that, Dawson. I just don't feel like going to school. Come on!! No one will know." she said, she wanted to
ditch school so bad!! She just wanted to spend time with him.
"I can't Jo. I am having three tests today. I would, believe me. But I can't miss these tests." he said, there was genuine sadness
that he couldn't.
"Alright,...need help with studying before school begins?" she asked.
"No, I think I'll do fine on them. Thanks though." he said looking at her with that smile of his.
"No problem." she said.
Pacey was walking to school when he saw Jen walking ahead of him alone. Pacey jogged up to her, and she was in a trance.
She didn't bug when he bumped into her. Pacey tapped her again on her shoulder and she turned her head to see who it was.
Pacey smiled, and she smiled back.
"Sorry, Pacey. I guess I didn't see you." she starred ahead of them.
"Or feel me either." he said.
"What?" She asked confused.
"I bumped into you also, and you didn't move a muscle." he said smiling. "What are you thinking about, Jen?"
"Nothing,.." she said smiling at him.
"You say so, but I know you have something on your mind." he said.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Jen was thinking about something, and it was Dawson and Joey. She hated to admit
it, but she had regretted helping Pacey pull this off. She thought it would backfire. That nothing would be confessed. But she
was wrong, something had been confessed. Dawson was in love with Joey, and Joey was in love with Dawson. She had found
that out in detention that fateful day that Joey almost confessed all to Dawson. She had this terrible feeling growing inside her,
and she didn't want to know what would happen if she didn't control it.
Joey had told Dawson she needed to see her counselor, and walked into the main office. She saw some new kid at the
registration desk, and she couldn't help but stare.
"Hi, my name is Eric Randal. I need to register for classes." the new kid said to the secretary in the main office.
He was dressed in tight black jeans, a white shirt so tight you could see his muscles, and his six-pack; black leather boots, and a
black leather motorcycle bike jacket. He had black hair, and when he turned and she saw his eyes...they were a piercing blue.
Eyes she had never seen before.
Joey walked away, toward her counselor's office, and laid her back against the wall when she turned the corner. She took a deep
breath and let out a sigh.
"Joey?" her counselor said next to her on her right.
"Yes?" Joey said smiling.
"I forgot what I needed to see you about, but I was wondering could you do me a favor." she said placing her hand behind her
back. "I would like you to take this young gentleman to your classes with you. He's in all of them that you're in. Coincidence or
not, I don't know. But it'll be very nice of you."
Her counselor had lead her straight to the young guy at the desk. He stood up straight, and smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Sure, I'll do it." Joey smiled at her counselor. She smiled back, and walked away.
"My name is Joey. Joey Potter." she said holding her hand out to him. He placed his hand in hers.
"Eric Randal." he said. His voice sounded like elemental music. Like water flowing over rocks in a river.
"Umm, shall we go to class." she said smiling. Taking her hand away from his.
"Sure, yet I don't really want to be here right now." he said laughing.
"Yeah, me neither." she said laughing. They walked to the door, and he held it open for her. She nodded, and smiled. What a
gentleman....she thought.
Eric and Joey walked from one class to the other. They walked to her locker, and found that his was the one right next to hers
on the right. They laughed, and talked about their dysfunctional families. He was living with his sister. He and his sister were all
that was left of his family. His father had committed robberies, and had dragged his mother with him on one of them. They got
into a car chase with The cops, and his father ran off the road. The accident killed them both. Joey told him about her father
which was in prison, her mother that died from cancer, and she was living with her sister, her black boyfriend, and now her
nephew. Joey and Eric walked to the cafeteria, and she introduced him to Dawson, Pacey, and Jen. Jen seemed to be taken
with him, but he wasn't interested in her. Shocking, Joey thought. Joey sat next to Dawson. Eric sat next to Joey.
Dawson or Joey couldn't say anything to Pacey or Jen. Joey and Dawson both knew that Pacey would flaunt it in their face,
that he knew all along that they loved each other, and Dawson could bare to hurt Jen. Joey was a little put off by that though.
All during lunch, Joey and Dawson barely said a word.
"Joey, mind showing me where our next class is?" Eric said.
"No, I'll see you guys later. Bye." Joey got up, and walked off with Eric.
"You seemed upset about something, I thought getting away from them would help." Eric said.
"Yeah, I am. Thanks." she said. They started off toward their classroom.
"Can I help?" Eric said, concern in his voice.
"Well, you probably can't help..." Joey said opening the door the their classroom.
"I am a great listener." he said smiling.
"Let's just say one of those guys in there is suppose to be mine right now, yet he can't stop for thinking about telling her about
us would hurt her, when she dumped him!" she said sitting down in her seat.
"I kinda figured it had to do with one of those guys." he said. He sat down in the seat next to her.
"Look if you ever need to talk, I'm here. I know you don't know me very well, but I hope we can be friends." he said, smiling
at her.
"Thanks, I'll remember that." Joey said smiling back at him. God, does he know how much he looks like a young Dean Cain?,
she thought.
After school Joey told Dawson she was going to show Eric around town, and she'd see him later. She kissed him goodbye, and
walked up to Eric. He was standing on the steps, waiting for her. They walked over to the parking lot, and Eric lead her up to a
motorcycle.
"You drive this?" Joey asked.
"Yeah, its how I got to town." he said picking up his helmet, and handing her the second one.
"Why two?" she asked, taking it from him.
"In case I give anyone a ride." Eric smiled, and swung his right leg over the bike.
Joey, did the same, and placed the helmet on. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and she held on for dear life as Eric
started the bike. They drove out of the parking lot, and went right by Dawson and Pacey. She was having a blast.
They arrived at Eric's house, and she got off the bike.
"Wow! That was fun." she said, laughing.
"I know, that's why I ride one." Eric said getting off the bike.
"I have to go though, I have to meet up with Dawson." She said handing him his helmet.
"Okay, thanks for helping me to class today, Joey." he said, smiling at her.
"No, problem. Bye!" Joey said as she started off toward her house.
As she walked away, Eric gave an evil grin as he turned around to go inside.
Dawson and Joey were lying on his bed, watching the only movie he could rent that night. It was Mrs. Winterborne, with
Brendan Fraser, and Ricki Lake. Dawson hadn't said a word since she got to his house. And Joey was getting annoyed about
it. Joey grabbed the controls away from him, clicked off the TV, and VCR.
"Dawson, what's the matter with you today?" Joey said.
"Nothing, now give me back the controls." he said reaching for them.
"No, there is something wrong, and I want to know what it is." Joey said. "And don't give me that crap 'nothing' again. I know
you too well Dawson."
"I just think maybe we should just stay friends for awhile longer." he said, getting off the bed.
"What?" she asked, baffled.
"I mean it, Jo. I think we rushed this. I mean we are great friends, but I am still having these feelings for Jen. I mean I wanted
to tell Pacey that we were together, but I couldn't because Jen was there to. I mean, if I didn't have feelings for her still why
couldn't I say anything to her." Dawson said looking at her.
"Look if you just want to act like what happened last night happened...fine." she said rolling off the bed. Leaving the controls
there on the bed. It was just like her dream. Yet, in her dream Dawson didn't want to take back the kiss, or anything. She
walked over to the window, and sat down placing her shoes on.
"Jo...." Dawson said walking up to her. "Its not that I want to forget about last night. Because I can't I meant everything I said
to you. It's just....."
"Jen?" Joey said, shooting her head up, staring him in the eyes.
"Yeah..." he said.
"Look, its fine. Okay." she said smiling.
Joey placed her left foot over the windowsill, she looked back and saw Dawson starring after her. "Night." and with that she
left.
Dawson was left in his silent room. He laid on his bed, and starred at the ceiling. Why did he just do that?, he scolded himself.
He just let the girl he was in love with leave through his bedroom window. He was still a little confused as to why he couldn't
say anything about him and Joey to Jen. He was too nice, that was his problem. He was too caring and he couldn't hurt
anyone, no matter if they had hurt him or not. He heard someone coming in through his window, hoping it was Joey, he sat up.
But it was only Pacey.
"Hey, Dawson. Why so glum?" he asked.
"Pacey...there is something you need to know." Dawson said.
"What man?" Pacey asked, sitting down.
"Me and Joey kissed last night after the dance. And we both told each other we loved each other...." he said.
"That's great man! I knew it all along...." Pacey said, but Dawson broke in.
"But tonight I told her we should just stay friends..." he said, almost in a whisper.
"You did what?" Pacey asked, confused. "Why man!?"
"Because I still have mixed feelings about Jen, or else I would have told you guys at lunch today. I wanted too, and I know
Joey did too. But it was like I couldn't because Jen was right in front of me, and I couldn't hurt her." he said getting up, and
walking to his window.
"But are you forgetting she dumped you, man! She hurt you first." he said.
"I know, its just I couldn't do it. I couldn't say anything." Dawson was starring out his window.
"Man, you just blew it." Pacey said walking over to him.
"What do you mean?" Dawson asked.
"There's a rumor going around school, that you aren't the only one that likes our friend Joey."
"Who likes Joey?" Dawson asked. A bit of jealousy in his voice.
"I don't know names, Dawson. But when the word gets out to whoever it is that she's single....she will be up for grabs. And
there is nothing you can do about it, my friend." he said patting him on his shoulder.
Joey met up with Eric in the morning at their lockers. He saw that she was upset about something. He closed his locker, and
looked at her. She got out her books, and shut it. She turned to him.
"Let's go to class." she said.
"Joey, is there something you want to talk about?" Eric asked, he was concerned.
"You know, its nothing. I just have to say that I have no more boy problems. We are officially just friends. So what I told you
about yesterday, forget it." Joey said smiling.
"Okay." he said. "You know I just have to say one thing...."
"What's that, Eric?" she asked as they began walking to class.
"You are tuff, you a tomboy type. But you don't have to be so tuff, ya know? You should dress up a little. Let your guard
down some. You might find it easier that acting tuff all the time." he said smiling at her.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." she said laughing.
"I mean it. It's not that you need to, or anything. Cause you don't really. Your beautiful enough already." he smiled, when he
saw her smile to that. "I am serious. What guy wouldn't want you is crazy."
"All the guys in this school are more attracted to girls from New York, who have big boobs, bony arms, and blond hair." she
laughed.
"Like that friend of yours....Jen?" Eric asked.
"Yeah." she said.
"Not me. I would much rather have a girl like you. Someone who's more attractive on the inside than anything." he said
smiling.
"Thanks..." she said. "Come on, we are gonna be late."
They walk in to class together. Eric was falling for her every time they talked. And he had meant everything he just said to her.
Boy, did that guy know what he was missing? he thought.