By Walrus
Disclaimer—Don’t own any of these characters, never will….
(Part 2 of Intentions Declared. All you need to know is that Joey and Dawson have just recently gotten together, a fact that Dawson is now sharing with Pacey…)
(As our scene opens, Dawson and Pacey are conversing in front of their lockers…)
Pacey: You dog Dawson! I knew you had it in you.
Dawson: Yeah, well I just wish I could have figured things out sooner and maybe saved everyone a bit of angst.
P: What would our lives be without the obligatory teenage angst? Besides, when you live in Boringsville USA, as we regrettably do, any sort of distraction is a blessing.
(Pacey closes his locker and the two begin walking down the crowded hallway.)
D: I guess. I’m just glad that all the drama in my life has momentarily subsided. I can do without all the anxiety for a while.
P: Gee Dawson, you seem to be handling this situation pretty well.
D: What’s that supposed to mean?
P: It’s just that you’re awfully calm considering the major life-altering event that just took place.
D: As usual I’m not sure I follow.
(Pacey stops in front of the men’s room and turns towards Dawson.)
P: Look, I’m ecstatic that you and Joey finally managed to realize what everyone else in Capeside has seen for ages. But while you may have made great progress on the romantic front, you’ve also opened a whole other can of worms to deal with…
D: Care to elaborate?
P: Don’t tell me that Mr. Introspective himself hasn’t taken some time and analyzed this situation.
D: Pardon me for not trying to completely ruin what up to now I’ve considered a positive event in my life…
(They enter the washroom and each takes position in adjacent stalls.)
P: Let me ask you this. Would you say that you and Joey are gonna have a serious relationship?
D: Well…yeah. I mean, you really can’t go from being best friends for life to just having a meaningless fling.
P: Precisely. So tell me Dawson, how many serious relationships have you had?
D: Well, unless you count the tragedy that was Jen and me…
P: And how many serious relationships has Joey had?
D: None to my knowledge.
P: So here we have two 15 year olds who are embarking on their first romantic journey together, two kids who just happen to have been best friends since they were toddlers.
D: Exactly. Nobody knows Joey better than me, and nobody knows me better than her. We’ve spent nearly 15 years perfecting this relationship.
P: Yeah, and last night you completely altered the entire fabric of that relationship, whether you want to admit it or not. You guys are going to have to develop all new ways of relating to each other. You’ll have to deal with all the difficulties of a regular relationship, but in your case the stakes will be much higher. You risk not only losing a girlfriend, but more importantly an incredible friendship. All I’m saying is that I don’t envy all the strife the two of you will have to deal with in the future.
(They leave the stalls and begin washing their hands)
D: And what, may I ask, will cause all this strife?
P: The usual stuff. Other love interests, attending different colleges, the inevitable break-ups…
D: What makes you so sure any of those things will happen?
P: Oh Dawson, my poor naïve friend. You honestly believe now that you and Joey are together, that you two are going to magically live happily ever after?
D: Well no, but…
P: Look, I’m not saying that you two aren’t destined to eventually end up together. But ya gotta be realistic. You’re only 15. You haven’t even begun to experience life yet. You guys both have a lot of growing up to do before you can even consider settling down. And if your smart, you’ll give each other the space to do just that.
(They leave the restroom and continue down the hallway.)
D: So what are you saying? We shouldn’t be dating?
P: No, but I know how much you enjoy living in the fantasy world. I just want you to be prepared for some difficult times ahead.
D: I’m pretty sure I can handle it… But thanks for that diatribe of cynicism.
P: Just watching your back.
D: Uh huh. (Smiling). And this wouldn’t have anything to do with those blossoming feelings you appeared to have for Joey a few weeks back?
P: Please, let it die man. Besides, do you really think I’d be interested in any girl who finds Dawson Leery irresistible.
D: Very funny.
P: (With a large grin) Actually, now that I think about it, Jen is somewhat hot.
(Joey spots them and walks up to Dawson.)
Joey: (Very sweetly) Hi
D: (With equal sweetness) hey you.
P: Oh Boy. Please tell me this lovey-dovey sap phase won’t last too long.
J: So, I assume you shared all with monkey boy here?
D: He is officially in the know.
J: Then I also assume he’s shared an opinion or two as well?
D: Actually…
J: And if I’m not mistaken, he handled it with the amount of tact with which he handles most everything.
P: You know Joey, I was kind of hoping this budding relationship would finally mellow you out.
J: Really? Cause I was kind of hoping that you’d start playing in traffic. But I guess we don’t always get what we want.
D: (sighing) Well it’s nice to see some things haven’t changed.
P: All right, I think I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.
D: Yeah, I’ll catch you later.
(Pacey walks away)
J: Actually Dawson, I gotta go too. I’m gonna be late for English. But after school, maybe we could go to your house and watch a movie.
D: Ok. We’ll get a video on the way home.
J: (Shaking her head) How about Clueless?
D: Huh?
J: (grinning) I wasn’t really planning on watching a movie Dawson.
D: Huh?…Ohhhh. Sorry, old habit. But me likes the way you think.
J: Later then…
(She leans in and gives him a quick kiss before rushing off to class. He watches her turn the corner,
grinning all the while. But as if on cue, his mind begins replaying some of Pacey’s comments. And as he
considers them, the smile on his face slowly begins to fade…)