It was early winter and the house was colder than normal, and it sent shivers down her spine. Joey Potter tried to push the strands of hair, that escaped from her clip, out of her eyes without getting paint on her face.
She glanced at her watch and then back at the canvas. She sighed and threw down her brush onto the palette. Joey stepped back to examine her work critically. It was definitely acceptable. She knew it would sell at the next gallery showing. But the fire, the passion, and the absolute love for the craft still was missing...
Joey rubbed her face wearily and took off her smock. A myriad of colors stained her hands and she went to the bathroom to wash them away. She scrubbed her paint stained cheeks with her face cleanser and examined herself in the mirror.
On the outside she was a young, attractive woman of twenty-nine years. On the inside, she felt like her youth was being wasted without him to share it with. Joey reached up to her hair and freed it from the clip. Chesnut hair tumbled down her shoulders, and she pushed her wispy bangs out of her face to inspect it.
Joey had never really worn much makeup. He had liked it that way. Although it had been many years...too many years, she still didn't wear much, unless it was for a special event such as a gallery party, a get-together with friends, or the occasional date.
She looked at her watch again. Allie would be over for lunch soon. Joey rented her spacious loft from the kind elderly woman, and they had become very close over the past 6 years. Joey considered her a second mother even.
"Why don't you date more often, Josephine?" Allie had asked, while pouring Joey another cup of tea.
"Oh you know me, Allie. I just don't have the time with my work..."
"Pish posh. My old age has taught me a few things. I believe either you have, um, how do you say? Taken a liking for the same sex,...or you're trying to get over a lost love."
Joey had laughed and shrugged it off, saying she honestly didn't have time for many dates, although she knew the older woman was right.
But she was wrong about one thing. Joey didn't want to get over that lost love. Everything about it, except the way it ended, had been perfect. She didn't want to forget it.
Everytime she thought of Capeside, MA, she though of his sandy blonde hair, and telling, soulful sparkling blue eyes. Sometimes when she was painting she found herself trying to recreate the color that sparked in his eyes.
They had met many years ago, as kids. Young, scared little kids full of life, and eager to discover the world. He had been with Pacey, and she with her childhood friend, Suzie. It was her first memory of him. Impish baby face, wide eyes brimming with curiousity... They had become friends immediately, and from that moment on she knew she'd never love anyone like that.
Joey snapped out of her reverie and hurried to the bedroom to change before Allie arrived. She greeted her bunny, Lops, on the way to her closet. Joey knelt down and stroked her soft brown fur. Lops was her first pet and Joey had loved her from the moment she brought her home from the animal shelter.
"Hi, sweetie," she whispered, looking fondly at the precious, sweet animal. Joey didn't mind living alone but a little companion like Lops made it more enjoyable.
Finally, the bunny hopped away down the hall and Joey quickly dressed, selecting a warm wool pale blue sweater, with a long denim skirt. She sifted through her jewelry box for a pair of simple gold hoops when she came across the locket.
Joey stopped what she was doing as she usually did when she found it. Fingering the thin, delicate gold chain with the heart on it, she lifted it to her neck and gazed in the mirror.
She hadn't worn it for more than ten years now. He had told her to wear it always and think of him, no matter where they ended up...together or apart. It just didn't seem right, though. Even if in her heart she was still his girl.
Their friendship had been the strongest bond she had ever felt with one person. He was always there for her. They would talk for hours about the small things such as school, the latest movies, and they'd talk even longer and more passionately about their dreams, fears, and the challenges life threw at them.
He held her when her mother died.
She had never known a love so great and knew she never would again.
The deep friendship naturally blossomed from the love that was always there into a beautiful relationship. Before he left, they lost their virginity to each other and the next morning as they tearfully said goodbye he slipped her an envelope with a note and the locket inside.
Joey stared back into the mirror and fought back the tears. The doorbell rang and she carefully placed the locket back in the jewelry box. Wiping her eyes, she went to answer the door.
***
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