Go With Me

Eric was left alone sitting at the bus stop. He was holding onto the strap of his duffle bag, and staring at the starry sky. He was confused as what just happened here. Eric wasn't at all happy. He had left Dawson and Joey alone, thinking they would have their break up officially confirmed. But what happened?? They had made up. That set Eric off like a rocket. He wasn't going to lose the one girl he really liked, and might be falling in love with to some other guy. He wasn't sure they were an official couple yet or not. And before he resorted to mean tactics, he was going to try and win her the gentleman way. There was a dance coming up, and it was guy's choice. It was like a Sadie Hawkins, but no matter what...the girls can't ask the guys out. Only the guys can ask the girls. The theme was Fantasies...and he was going to do his best to make his come true. He placed his right hand in his side pocket of his leather jacket, and pulled out a jewelry box. Black satin on the outside, and he opened it slowly. Revealing a beautiful gold locket. The heart was made of real gold, and in sterling silver was the name Josephine written in Victorian Style. Under the name was a etched Rose, with a diamond on the center of it. It was the most expensive thing he had ever bought for a girl. And he had it specially made for Joey. He closed the box, and looked at the stars again.

"I will give this to you Joey...and I will let you know how much I love you. I will do everything humanly possible to get you back. To show you I can treat you better than any other guy a live. Especially Dawson. I saw your beauty when I first saw you. Did he?? I am not giving up on you Josephine Potter. Not by a long shot." Eric stood up, placed the box back in his jacket. Eric grabbed his duffel bag, and started back into Capeside.

*****

Saturday, 11:50pm

Joey was sitting in her bedroom reading on of her favorite magazines, when the phone rang. She wasn't expecting a phone call this late. It was practically midnight. She should have been asleep, but she couldn't fade off to sleep. She picked up the phone, and tried to sound like she was woken up in case it was Dawson. He would have had a fit if she was still awake. She knew Dawson. Better then even he knew himself.

"Hi...sorry if I woke you." the voice said.

"Hi...who is this?" she asked confused. She knew it wasn't Dawson, she could tell his voice anywhere.

"It's Eric." he said.

"Oh, hi. Oh my God!!" she just realized that she had ditched him at the bus stop earlier with Dawson. She felt a twinge of embarrassment for being so unfeeling. "I am so sorry about earlier Eric. I didn't mean to ditch you there."

"Its ok. I am guessing your fight with Dawson is over." he asked. He already knew it was, he just didn't want her to know he knew.

"Yeah, its over. So, why you calling me so late Eric?" she asked.

"Well, I thought I would beat all the other guys." he said with a slight laugh.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, I thought I'd ask the most gorgeous girl in school to the dance this Friday before all the other guys did." he said, she could tell he was smiling by the sound of his voice.

"The dance? I don't know what to say right now....can I think about it, Eric?" that was the only thing she could think of to say that wouldn't hurt him.

"Sure. I'll let you go back to sleep." Eric said, hanging up.

"Please let this be a bad dream..." she thought out loud hanging up the phone.

*****

Sunday, 11:05 am

"Bess!!" Joey yelled as she entered the Icehouse.

Joey was confused. She had never had two guys ask her to a Dance in her life. Not even one guy. She never thought this would happen to her. She had a fight with Dawson, and ended up spending more time with him than Dawson during the fight, and she had began to like his company. She didn't love him...she couldn't she knew her heart belonged to Dawson.

"Bess!!" Joey yelled again. Finally Bess stepped out from the kitchen.

"What is it Joey?" she said whipping her hands dry with a towel. "You sound in distress."

"I am...." Joey said sitting down on one of the stools.

"Well, what is it?" she asked, sitting next to her.

"I love Dawson, you know that." she said, looking up at Bess. "Well, me and Dawson had a fight earlier last week. He wouldn't tell Jen that we were together. So I broke it off acting like we were only friends and the kiss we shared meant nothing. Like it never happened. Any ways. I started hanging out with the new kid, Eric, a lot. He is so nice, and on the night I went to the movies with him. He kissed me." she took a breathe, and bowed her head. "Well, yesterday while I was waiting for Eric to come back into town from Providence...Dawson wanted to talk to me. Eric left us alone, and we finally told each other how we felt about each other. That we both love each other. Well, there is a dance this Friday at school, and Dawson has yet to ask me. But last night Eric called me, and asked me to go with him. What am I suppose to do Bess?? What is the rule...if someone already asked you before the one you want to ask you asks you to go with him...what do you do??"

"Well, I will start with this: Congrats on you finally getting Movie maker to say he loves you. But about the rule...there is none." Bess said.

"What do you mean...there is none??" Joey asked, confused.

"There is no rule. You say yes to the one guy you want. Not any other way. And if he never asks you....and you want to go tot he dance, say yes to the guy that did. Even if its just to go. You don't have to make it a contest. Like: 'Whatever guy asks me, I will date.' type thing. You don't have to see the guy you chose to go with ever again unless you want to. See what I mean??" Bess asked standing up.

"Yeah, I see what you mean." Joey said smiling.

"Good."

"Thanks Bess." Joey said, as she got up and turned to leave.

"You're welcome." Joey heard Bess say.

*****

Sunday, 12:00 pm

Pacey was walking around the docks, when he saw Abby walking alone as well. A menacing smile crept across his face, and decided to "accidentally" bump into her. He walked toward her, his face looking like its in a daze. He was shocked to see her alone though. It was like her to be found in Capeside without a guy on her arm.

Pacey bumps into her like he planned, and she shrieks right into his ear. "Watch where you are going!"

"Sorry,...Abby?" he says acting surprised.

"Pacey? God...now I have to wash this jacket extra times!!!" she says, with disgust in her voice.

"Where is your latest squeeze this week Abby. It's not like you to be without a guy with you 24/7." he says with his Chester cat smile.

"Sue me for trying the single life out, Pacey. You know all about that though don't you?" she says smiling.

"Where are you going, Abby?" he asks.

"I was just leaving where I was, and now I am going home. Not that it is an concern of yours." she says pushing past him.

Pacey looked behind her, the only thing in site was a building. Small in size, but big enough to be some kind of business. He walks over to it, and finds it to be a dating type business. The window read:

Looking for Mr. or Miss. Right?? Come on in, and fill out a survey. Our computers will match you up with the one right for you!!

"What the hell," Pacey muttered to himself. He pushed open he door, and walked inside.

*****

Dawson was sitting on his bed in his room. His eyes fixed on his ceiling. His thoughts were on Joey. His best-friend, and the one he truly loved. To see her with another guy almost killed him inside. But he hoped that would never happen again. Dawson sat up on the side of his bed, and was about to get up, when the phone rang.

"Hello..." Dawson said.

"Hello, is there a Dawson Leery at home?" the voice asked.

"This is him...."he said with confusion.

"This is the Boston Film Festival Judge Number 2. I am the official caller for the Festival to call all nominees to come out here and be in our audience. I am not allowed to say who is the winners, so please don't ask..."

"Are you saying I am a nominee??" Dawson said shocked.

"Yes. There should be a package in the mail for you today with details on your plane, hotel, and other arrangements for you and one guest. Any questions please call me at 555-6968. Have a good night." click.

Dawson sat there with the phone in his hand for about ten minutes. He dropped the phone, got up grabbing his jacket, and climbed out his bedroom window. He went around to the front of the house, and opened up the mailbox. There it was the package the guy on the phone had told me about. He grabbed it, and began running all the way over to Joey's.

*****

Joey was sitting at her bedroom window. When she thought she saw Dawson running toward her house. She jumped up from her seat, and ran out her room, to the front of the house. She closed the door softly behind her, and ran toward Dawson. He had a huge grin on his face, and was carrying a brown package in his right hand. They ran into each others arms. And he hugged her.

"Dawson...why are you so excited?" she said happy, but softly.

"Come with me...." he said softly, taking her hand and pulling her with him as he began to run toward the ruins.

They reached the ruins quicker than she ever thought they could. He sat her down on one of the cement benches, and he sat next to her. All Dawson did the whole time was stare into her eyes. His eyes were so happy, and full of excitement. Joey couldn't believe how excited he was.

"What is it Dawson?" she said with a smile.

"I have some great news." Dawson said with a huge grin.

"What?" Joey asked. She knows its something huge, or it wouldn't have gotten Dawson to come over to her house at midnight.

"I just got a phone call from the Boston Film Festival. Or at least a judge of the Boston Film Festival. He told me that I should have a package at my house," he points to the package between him and Joey. "And that I will have a couple plane tickets inside it, and all the information I need for my trip to the Festival."

"What are you saying Dawson?" she asked, her excitement started to rise.

"I am a nominee, Joey. They wouldn't tell me what for, but the only ones getting a phone call, and a package were the nominees!!"

"Oh my God, Dawson!!" Joey said, hugging him.

"I knew you would be as excited as I am about this." he said hugging her back.

"You're kidding!" she said, smiling her biggest grin at him. "This is something you have been dreaming about, and trying for all your life. You should be twice, if not more, excited then I am!!" she said, with a slight laugh.

"I know, I am...." he said.

"So, when is this?" she asked him.

"This Friday." he said. "The guy on the phone told me that our plane leaves this Friday at two o'clock."

"What are you talking about 'our' plane leaves??" she asked confused.

"I want you to go with me, Jo." he said. "It won't be the same without you there with me."

"I don't know, Dawson." she said.

"Please, Jo?" Dawson asked, smiling his sweet, innocent smile.

"Alright, alright. I'll go with you." she said smiling.

"Yes!!" he said picking her up in his arms, and went into a full circle. "We are going to have the best time."

"I agree." she said, she kissed him.

Their embrace was only witnessed by the moon, the stars, the water, and the trees around them.

*****

Jen was at her house eating her dinner when she saw a figure approaching her front door. She got up wiping her face, ad walking slowly toward the door. She waited for the knock, and she went to look out the peep-hole. She sighed when she recognized the person outside.

It was Cliff.

He was still dressed in his jersey, and he was wearing jeans, and a shirt with the number 76 on it.

"Hello," Jen said opening the front door with a smile. "Come on in."

"Hi. Thanks," Cliff said walking past her.

"So what brings you to my house Cliff?" Jen asked closing the door behind him.

"I wanted to see how you were doing, since you broke up with Dawson." he said with a slight smile.

"I'm alright. It's been hard since he lives right next door to me." she said crossing her arms, and walking into the living room.

"If there is anything I can do to help you out, let me know." he said following her.

"Thanks, Cliff. But I don't think anyone can help someone else get over a person easily." Jen said trying to laugh.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." he said.

They sat down on the sofa, and listened tot he thunder outside. It had been a quiet evening up until now. It was about to rain, and Jen had a chill run up her back. Cliff just sat across from her, smiling at her every move.

"Why are you smiling?" Jen asked with a laugh.

"Cause I am staring at the most beautiful creature in the whole world." he said.

"That's sweet, Cliff. But don't you already have a girlfriend?" she asked him standing up.

"Who said anything a bout a girlfriend, Jen?" he said getting up as well. "I was just stating a fact. But if you really want to know...I don't have a girlfriend. We also broke up."

"I'm sorry....but if I may ask, why?" she asked, turning to face him.

"She had these feelings for one of her friends, but she kept denying them. Until I caught her writing in her computer at home." He said looking at the ground. "Don't hate me for what I am about to say...but, I waited till she left her room. She left the computer on, and it was too tempting. I climbed through the window, and read what she wrote. She didn't close the file. It was like she intended for me to see it."

"What did she write?" Jen asked stepping closer to Cliff.

"She wrote along the lines of something like this: 'I have these feelings for my best friend, he is sweet, and everything I could have ever wanted. I have feelings for Cliff, but they aren't love. Not anymore.' She had written up to two pages talking about that. I waited for her to return after I was done, and confronted her about it. She told me that it was mindless rambling. I knew it was over between us. So I broke up with her. Then and there. She didn't even cry about it. I know she was relieved," he said sitting back down. It was clear to see that he was upset. Something she never thought she'd see a jock do is cry...but he was on the verge to.

"I'm sorry, Cliff." Jen said walking over to him.

"I miss her sometimes, but I move on," he said trying to smile it off.

"I don't think I want to imagine how that stuff she wrote must have hit you." Jen said trying to make him feel better.

"Well, I highly doubt you ever will. It's not like Dawson writes stuff like that on his computer. He uses his computer to help him with his movies." Cliff said.

"Yeah…maybe." she said.

*****

Saturday, 12:05 pm

Pacey had slept in. It was Saturday, and he wanted to stay in bed as long as he could. But his mother came into his room and yelled:

" PACEY WAKE UP!! IT'S NOON, AND YOU HAVE SLEPT LONG ENOUGH! GO DOWNSTAIRS AND CHECK THE MAIL FOR ME!"

She slammed the door on her way out.

Pacey had gotten up, and after he got dressed, he went downstairs to check the mail. His parents were gone, along with Deputy Doug. He was alone in the house. He loved it when he was left alone.

He pulled out the mail from the mailbox, and went back inside. He flipped through the mail, and found a package for him. He dropped the rest of the mail on the dining room table, and went to his room to open it. It was a video tape from the dating service he went to the other day. He turned on his TV and VCR and popped the tape in the machine. He sat back and watched it. To see who they put him with.

What he saw was that there were only three girls that fit him even a little. But the fourth one was what shocked him. She fit him almost perfectly. And it scared him.

Because the person was....Abby.

*****

Eric saw Joey walking with Dawson to his house Friday after school. He had hoped Joey would have given him an answer today in one of their classes. But all she said to him was hi, stuff about the assignments, and bye at the end of the class. She would walk over to Dawson's locker, they'd give each other a small kiss, and Dawson would walk her to her next class. Where he would be sitting down in his seat, watching them say their good byes. They said their goodbyes, and he turned his motorcycle around and started after her.

Joey turned to the sound of his motorcycle, and she stepped to one side. So she didn't get ran over.

"Hi, Eric." Joey said with a big smile.

"Hey, Joey. So, have you thought about the dance?" he asked hoping for the best.

"Humm...Eric." Joey said stopping. Eric turned off his bike. "I don't know what to say, or how to say it. But...."

"You can't go?" he said.

"No, I'm sorry. But its a very important thing that I have to go to." she said, trying to smile.

"Well, what is it?" he asked, but he knew it had to do with Dawson.

"Well, there is a Boston Film Festival in Boston that Dawson has been nominated for an award, and he asked if I would go with him. Since we are best friends, well....I said yes." she said. "I had forgotten about the dance when he told me the great news. You understand right, Eric?"

"Yeah, of course I understand, Joey." he said, trying to smile.

"Thanks. Now I have to go and pack. Bye!!" she said waving to him, as she ran for the boat.

Eric waved back, but his smile didn't stay for long. He was now angry, and all chances with Joey as Mr. Nice Guy went out the window. If he was going to get Joey for himself, he was going to have to resort to evil ways. The same ways that made him come to Capeside in the first place. He had told Joey two lies. Actually, they were both close to the truth. Eric sat on his bike, and started to think back to the past......

"Guys, calm down!!" Eric said in a drunken voice. "My parents are on the phone."

His friends, all twenty or more of them, started to calm down with giggles, as Eric started talking to his dad again.

"Yeah dad?" he said in a questioning tone.

"You are throwing a party when we said not too!!" he yelled.

"No dad, honest I'm not." he said, trying not to laugh.

"Listen to me, we are coming home. If all your friends are not out of the house by the time we get there, you are going to be grounded for a very long time." he yelled. His mother in the background trying to calm her husband.

"Dad, honest there is no party here. Stay up, and keep mother company as long as you want to." he said.

"Look, here....Son!" he said. "We are on our way right now. It will take us a couple hours at the most...so you better start packing." click.

"Hey guys my parents want the house spotless. They are coming home right now." Eric was saying, but when he turned around, all his friends had ditched him with the mess at hand.

Eric was picking up the mess, when he ran across a broken picture of his sister, Victoria. She had died because his father was drunk, and he came home with every intention of killing everyone. Eric had heard him fighting with his sister downstairs. He ran to his room, and called 9-1-1. He was fourteen, and his sister was fifteen. They were only one year apart. And they were very close. As soon as Eric hung up the phone, he heard the gunshots. He ran downstairs, and saw Victoria lying on the floor. There was blood all over her chest, and he knew she was dead. Eric came running downstairs as he heard the sirens and began hitting his father, and yelling at him. The cops came in took the gun from his father, and called the ambulance for his sister.

His father and mother came walking into the living room as he was taking the picture out of the frame. Eric stood up, and turned to face them.

His father started to yell at him , but saw the picture in his hand.

"You killed her. And I hated you for it. I still do." Eric said softly. Trying to control his temper. But when his father started to say some thing, he yelled. "YOU KILLED HER! You came home drunk, and wanted to kill us all. You dare call me your son, you dare call yourself my father. She did nothing wrong, and you know it! You went got yourself plastered, and wanted to kill us all, because you blamed us for everything wrong in your life." he placed the picture down on the coffee table. He looked up, and he walked past his father to his mother.

"Did you know that?" he asked her.

"No," she said softly.

His dad had walked to the coffee table and yanked it open. He pulled out his '44 Magnum, and pointed it toward them both.

"He's pointing his gun at me isn't he?" he asked, smiling.

"Yes," his mother said.

Eric turned around and laughed. The sirens were getting closer. And his dad hit him over the head, and dragged his mother outside. They got in the car, and started taking off. Eric got up, and turned on the TV and watched the news. The chased him to a dead end, and his dad went over the cliff. Killing himself and his mother.

After that, before the cops got to the house, Eric packed a few things. His clothes, pictures of his sister, and a few of his belongings. He went into his parents room, took his mothers jewelry, and all the hidden money in his dad's vault. Plus all his major credit cards, and his bank card. He left the house, and walked tot he back. He took all the money out of his dad's account, and cut up all the credit cards. He left NY with all the money he would ever need to make a life for himself, and he never looked back.

The house was his sister's. His dad promised it to her. They furnished it, and everything to the way Victoria had dreamed her house to look like. He left it the way he found it, and Placed her picture above the fire place.

He would straighten all the lies out, and tell Joey the truth. But only as soon as he knew she was his. He wanted to kill his father, and he knew if given the chance, he would've. With not a blink of an eye. He knew he could kill someone if he ever needed to. And the first one, would be Dawson Leery.

*****

Dawson's mom picked up Joey around six, and headed for the airport. They sat in the backseat, talking and laughing about how all this seemed like a dream. They were in a hurry though, they would miss their flight if they didn't get a move on, or so his mom liked to put it. The time Dawson and Joey would be in Boston is good for two reasons: it will give his parents time to sort their feelings out without him there, and it would give him the chance to prove to Joey how much he loves her, and that their love could stand through anything, even change in scenery...

They got to the airport, and said quick good-byes, as they grabbed their luggage, and ran into the airport.

They went through the metal scanners, placing their luggage on the x-ray machine, as they went through they grabbed their luggage and bolted again. They got to their gate just in time to register their tickets, and to board the plane. There were two seats right at the entrance to the plane, and Joey sat next to the window, and Dawson sat beside her. Joey was smiling the whole time, and so was Dawson. He had snuck in his bag brochures, maps, and all the travel guides he could find on and off the web for this trip. When Joey falls asleep, he would take them out and make his plans. Before he left the house to pick up Joey, he remembered one thing that would make a big difference....they would need money. He was going to ask his parents, but decided not to. He would use the money he had been saving up for the new camera he wanted. Joey was more important then any camera. And he wanted Joey to have the best time of her life on this trip.

"Joey, this is going to be the best weekend you are ever gonna have." Dawson said kissing her lightly on the lips.