*********************A NOTICE******************************
These stories are all in good fun so don't get bummed out if your story is a victim of my criticism. It doesn't mean that your story wasn't good or that you didn't work hard on it. Remember no fan fiction is safe!
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Joey, Dawson, Pacey and Jen could not believe that they were all sitting in the Capeside High Library on a Saturday. Again. They had promised themselves last time that they would not get stuck in this position again. (Well, except Pacey. He was just more determined not to get caught.)
Miss Tringle walked into the room with an annoyed look on her face. "You four again! I figured that you would have learned after the first time." The group looked down at the table. "Well, after the trouble you caused last time, I am going to give you something to do today.", she said, "I want you to read all these fan fictions. I've read some of them and I think that they might give you an incentive not to get back into Saturday detention." "I am going to do some work in the audio visual room and I expect you to read these stories. Whether you like them or not." With that, she turned and walked out of the room. "Wow, look at that stack. We'd better get started.", Dawson said. He picked the first one off the pile and the group gathered around to read it.
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The Edge
By Jessica
This story was written as of the emotions of The Breakfast Club.
Dawson is reading a magazine on his bed. He flips through the pages quickly; looking for anything that remotely interests him. Nothing. Damn. God, Dawson was bored. He throws the magazine down and gets up. He wanders slowly around his room, searching for something to do. Dawson picks up random trinkets and sets them back down.
Dawson: I own trinkets?! Aren't they something that gypsies carry around?
Then he spots his photo album on his desk. He takes it back to his bed and starts to look through it. The first page contained a picture of him, Joey, and Pacey when they were seven, taken in Joey's rowboat. Dawson flips through the book, reminiscing about old times. The last pages of the album held pictures of the three on their camping trip to Harper's Woods last summer. Ahhh, memories. That trip had been a lot of fun, Dawson remembered. As he was gazing at the pictures, he heard a rustling at the window. Dawson looked up to see a dark brown head poking through. "Hey Jo."
"TGIF, Dawson. Thank Goodness Its Friday!"
Joey: I don't really think I would say goodness. I don't get it. She said "God, Dawson was bored" in the first paragraph. Why do I have to say "Thank Goodness it's Friday"? It makes me sound like a catholic school girl!
"I know, and think, we have an entire nine days off from school starting tomorrow!" Dawson exclaimed.
"And we have to spend Spring Break here in Capeside, the dullest place on earth. Why can't I live somewhere where things actually happen Dawson?" Joey complained.
"Because if you lived somewhere exciting, you wouldn't live near me. And without me, your life wouldn't be worth living!"
Joey: Yeah right.
"Oh, really?"
"It's a fact." Dawson stated smugly.
"You wish Dawson!" Joey jumps Dawson and they wrestle for several moments on the bed before Joey finally pins him.
"I give, I give!"
Dawson: You couldn't pin me if you wanted too.
Joey: Yes, I could. Try me.
They jump up, get on the floor and start wrestling.
Pacey: I'll put ten bucks on Joey!
Jen: Stop it! We have to read this story!
Dawson looked up at Joey who almost had him pinned.
Dawson: She's right Jo. We'd better stop.
Joey let her grip up, but before she could get up Dawson flipped her over and pinned her.
Dawson: HA! I got you!
Joey: Ok, Macho man, we have to read the story now.
Dawson and Joey rejoined the group and they all continued to read the story.
Joey lets him up and glances at the open photo album. "Dawson, you should really stop living in the past."
"I was just looking at the pictures from the camping trip into Harper's Woods. I haven't had that much fun in a long time. Just you, me, and Pacey, hanging out with Mother Nature."
"Dawson…" Joey was exasperated. "I swear, there is something twisted going on in that head of yours. You always remember things not as the happened, but how you wished they happened. You are so out of touch with reality. If you'll recall, we got lost, I sprained my ankle, and you stepped in a hornets' nest!"
Dawson: Ouch!
"Yeah… that hurt too! I thought they were going to have to airlift me to Boston General. I couldn't open my eyes for a week because of the swelling. Plus you and Pacey fought all weekend." Both Dawson and Joey fell silent, each remembering the fateful trip. Suddenly, Dawson jumped off the bed and exclaimed, "We should do it again."
"No way!"
"Yes, this week. We have all of Spring Break."
"Not happening!"
"Joey, YOU were the one complaining about spending vacation in Capeside. Here's your chance to escape."
"Get over it, Dawson. I'm not going." Joey protested half-heartedly. Dawson felt her weakening and moved in for the kill.
"It'll be just like old times."
"Fine, I'll go." Joey consented reluctantly. "But you and Pacey have to supply the grub."
Joey: Mmmmmmm. I do love that grub. Can't you just call it food?
She headed towards the window and starts down the ladder. "And Dawson?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't forget the marshmallows." Joey walks down to her rowboat, tied up at the dock. A whole week without Jen, just her and Dawson…and Pacey.
Jen: Gee, I'm glad you wouldn't feel to sad without me!
Well, maybe he won't want to come. Maybe he's still brooding over his pathetic crush on Ms. Jacobs, maybe he'll get sick.
Pacey: That's real nice! Maybe I'll get sick?!
Joey rows away, entertaining thoughts of her and Dawson, alone in Harper's Woods.
Pacey: Why Joey, don't you have a dirty little mind!
* * * * *
Dawson is just closing his back door when he spots Jen coming across the lawn towards him. "Hey Jen, how's it going?"
Dawson bends down for a quick kiss.
"It's going. I was just coming to see you. Where are you headed?"
Dawson: "It's going? I don't get it.
"Over to Pacey's." Dawson answered. "I have to ask him something. You want to walk with me?"
"Yeah, sure." They take off in the direction of Pacey's house. "What's so important it can't be asked over the phone?"
"Something I want to ask you, too." Dawson looked at Jen's curious face.
"Okay…well, shoot."
"Well, every summer since we were eight, Pacey, Joey, and I go camping in Harper's Woods. The last couple of years,
we've been allowed to go alone, minus parents. It's always a lot of fun. So I thought that since we have a week's vacation
coming up, we all could go camping together." Jen looked down at her feet. "So, do you want to come?"
"I don't think that's such a good idea, Dawson. I mean, Joey and I aren't the best of friends, and for that matter, neither
are you and Pacey right now."
Dawson: Wait, what happened between me and Pacey ?
"I know, but what could be better than a week of fun to bring us together? We could all get to know each other a little better."
Jen: After what they said about the last trip, I don't think a "week of fun" would be the appropriate statement.
Jen looked unconvinced. "My grams would never allow it anyway."
"Why? There are four of us going. I can't sexually corrupt you with two other people around."
Joey : I thought you were already were sexually corrupted. Well, er, um, I mean you used to be. You know what I mean.
Jen: I understand.
"Well, I'll ask."
"Good."
* * * * *
Dawson entered the Witter's front yard and headed for the door, but then he spots Pacey up in a tree. He is sitting on a
branch, reading a book and eating an apple. "Pacey, WHAT are you doing up there?"
Pacey: A regular Johnny Appleseed.
Joey: Yeah, and since when do you read?
Pacey: Very funny.
"Its Deputy Doug's day off…" Pacey jumps out of the tree, "and I didn't feel like taking his abuse today. He's still on the rampage over the whole Tamara thing. Thinks that I made up a rumor and sullied her reputation, causing her to have to leave Capeside to salvage her self-esteem. Thinks I ran her off. Can't face up to the reality that someone might possibly prefer me to him."
Joey: I wouldn't go that far….
"That sucks, man. So, anyway, what are you reading?"
"Ethan Frome…"
"That SO pathetic, man."
Jen: That is pathetic.
"Leave me alone, I have fond memories of this book." Pacey stares into space for a moment. "Yeah, well, doesn't matter now."
Joey: And how you flunked all the quizes.
Dawson stares at Pacey a moment, surprised. "You really loved her, didn't you?"
Pacey looked Dawson square in the face and answered, "Yes, I did. I loved her. What am I talking about? I STILL love her."
Joey: Pacey loves any woman who will sleep with him.
"Well, I have a plan to help you get over her."
Dawson: Another teacher?
Pacey: What is this beat up on Pacey Day?
"Good luck."
Dawson continued, "The four of us are spending Spring Break in Harper's Woods. Just like old times. Well, except Jen's coming. No parents, no TEACHERS…" Pacey glances up and Dawson smiles wickedly, "and most important of all: no Deputy Doug. So, you coming?"
"Yeah, count me in. Anything to escape Big Gay Al.
Jen: Who's Al?
Pacey: Maybe it's Dougie's new boyfriend.
* * * * *
Mrs. Lindley is in the kitchen, cooking dinner. She stirs the spaghetti and looks up to see Jen enter.
Jen: My Gram's last name is Ryan. She's my mother's mother.
"Yumm…That smell really good, Grams. You know, I could finish dinner for you. You could just sit back and relax while I set the table. I'll even do the dishes afterwards."
Jen: Yeah and blow up the kitchen while I'm at it.
Grams looked unconvinced, "Jennifer, what is it that you want?"
"Nothing, it's just, well, Dawson, Pacey, and Joey are going on a camping trip this week and they invited me to come along." Mrs. Lindley opened her mouth to protest, but Jen cut her off. "Joey'll be there, there will be four of us. Two tents, one for the guys and one for the girls. I'll be perfectly safe. C'mon, Grams."
Pacey: Hmmm, I don't know, Joey might try something....
"I don't suppose my opinion counts here, you'll do whatever you want anyway."
Jen: Yes, well she's right about one thing.
"Grams…"
"Can I trust you Jennifer?" She puts down the spoon and faces Jen. "Can I trust you not to do anything stupid?"
"Yes, Grams, you can."
Pacey: Fingers crossed behind her back.............
"Then you may go." Jen smiles and goes to hug her. "Eat you dinner, Jennifer." Mrs. Lindley was not pleased.
Jen: First, Her last name is Ryan, second dinner wasn't done and third we don't show any emotion in our house. I think she thinks God might strike the house with lightning or something if we do.
* * * * *
Dawson and Joey are at the supermarket, stocking up for the trip.
Joey: We've gotta get the grub don't we.
"Hey Dawson, don't forget the cookies, and some bagels, pop-tarts, and we probably need some fruit. Apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes should be enough, don't you think? Oh, and some…"
"Whoa, Jo. Slow down. Remember whose paying for this."
"I remember. Not me!" She throws some cookies in the cart, and they moved down the aisle to the soda and Dawson begins to load six packs of Coke into the cart. "Whoa, Dawson! Why are you buying so much Coke? We're only going to be gone for a week, not a decade. That's enough liquid for an entire third-world country!"
"Well, there are four of us for a week…" Joey cut him off.
Pacey: Here it comes….
"Four of us? Pacey, you, and me. My limited math skills still count three. Who's the fourth? E.T.?"
Dawson: And she says I don't live in reality.
"No, Jen!"
"Jen? Why's she coming?" Joey asked angrily.
"Because she's my girlfriend and I asked her. Look, I know you don't Jen, but id you just give her a chance, I know…"
Joey: I don't Jen, what? And hasn't this person ever heard of spell check?
"Dawson…" Joey was ready to freak BIG.
Pacey: Oh no! She's going to freak BIG!
She almost told him that they could go without her, she'd rather stay home, but then she realized she's just be driving him towards her. It would just be Jen and Dawson, alone in the woods. Pacey's always off in his own little world; he wouldn't come between them… "Fine, Dawson. I'll go get the Pop-tarts." Joey stormed off.
Dawson: I wouldn't want her to drive me towards my girlfriend.
Jen: Yeah that would be horrible!
* * * * *
It was early Saturday morning and Mr. Leery, Mrs. Lindley, Pacey, Joey, Dawson, and Jen were packing up in Dawson's driveway. Mrs. Lindley pulled Jen aside.
Jen: Hello! It's Ryan not Lindley.
"Now remember, Jennifer. I have your word."
"I know, Grams. And thanks for letting me go." But Mrs. Lindley was already walking towards her house.
Jen: They did it again!
"Just remember." And with that, she disappeared inside. Jen sighed and turned to see Dawson approaching her. He looked at the closed door and the look on Jen's face.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah, she's just convinced we're going up there to have a orgy or something. She's trying to guilt trip me into behaving."
Pacey: Now there's a campfire game!
"Well, I am here to make all of your worries disappear. You just need to concentrate on having a good time." Dawson leaned over to kiss her, and soon they were locked in a passionate embrace.
Dawson: In front of my dad?
"Make me puke!" Joey mutters under her breath as she loads a cooler in the back of Mr. Leery's Ford Explorer. Her comment does not go unnoticed by Pacey, who gives her a knowing look.
"Here, Jo, I'll help you out." He raises his voice. "Hey Romeo, Juliet, gonna help us load or just make out all day?"
Joey: Probably make out.
Dawson and Jen break apart and head over. "Where's my thanks, Joey?"
"Thanks for what?" She gives Pacey a dirty look.
"For putting a little space between Jen and your loverboy."
Joey: I'll show you where your thanks are……..
Joey gave a Pacey a look that could freeze lava. "Bite me, Pacey."
Pacey: Oh, that's clever.
Dawson came up. "Are we ready to split?"
"Just a sec, son. I've got to go to the bathroom first," Mr. Leery says.
"Okay, but hurry!" Dawson replies anxiously.
Joey: Sounds like you're whining, Dawson.
"Yes, sir!"
"So, where exactly are we going, anyway?" Jen asked.
Joey: Um, camping…
"Well, my dad's driving us up to the campground and dropping us off. It's not far from here. Usually, we hike, but since we have all this food…
Joey: That's grub…
Anyway, we'll hike up to the waterfall on Monday and campout."
"Oh," Jen looks around. "Umm, where are the tents?"
"We don't use tents, we sleep under the stars." Pacey answered.
"No tents?"
Pacey: Do I have to repeat myself?
"What's the matter, Jen? Can't handle the great outdoors? Afraid bugs will climb on you in your sleep?" Joey asked sarcastically.
Pacey: It's starting.
"Joey…" Dawson warned.
"I just thought it might be cold…" Jen answered defensively.
Mr. Leery broke the tension. "So are we ready to go?"
"Yeah, let's ride!" Pacey answered.
Dawson: Giddy up!
* * * * *
Pacey, Jen, and Dawson were sitting on a picnic table in the middle of the campsite. It wasn't really a campsite as much as it was a clearing with a table and firepit.
Pacey: Then what is a campsite? That sounds like one to me.
Mr. Leery had left hours ago and it was now almost two o'clock. The sun was out and beating down on the three friends.
Joey: Where am I?
"Whoa, it's hot." Jen took a sip of her Coke.
Pacey: I thought it was going to be cold, Jen.
"Where's Joey, anyway?" She had taken off right after Mr. Leery left.
"Don't know. Probably at the lake." Dawson replied. The lake was a quarter of a mile through the forest.
Joey: Well, it's nice every one is so concerned about my whereabouts.
"I'll go look for her" Pacey offered.
* * * * *
Pacey crunched through the bushes slowly, thoughtfully. It was really too bad that Joey was in love with Dawson.
Unrequited love hurts, he knew. Not that his love wasn't requited, it had just ended too soon. He could empathize with Joey.
Joey: Do you even know what empathize means?
He almost believed that Joey and Dawson should get together, there was obviously something between them… but then, what about Jen?
Jen: It's nice some one is concerned about my feelings, even if it is Pacey.
Whatever Dawson decides, all three of the will get hurt.
Pacey slows as he reaches the edge of the trees. Joey was wading in the lake with her back to him, her small shoulders shaking with silent sobs. She played sadly with the water; sliding her hands softly over it, picking it up and watching it slip through her hands. He glanced around a found a good tree to climb.
Joey: Spying are we, Pacey?
He sat on a branch facing Joey. He watched Joey for a long time and then his thoughts drifted to Tamara.
* * * * *
Dawson and Jen were back at the campsite. Jen is stretched out on the picnic table, dozing, and Dawson is sitting on the bench next to her, staring in the direction of the lake, silently willing Pacey and Joey to come back.
"They've been gone an awfully long time. I better go look for them." Dawson jumped up and started towards the trees.
Joey: Just look for the sobbing girl playing with water and a boy in a tree spying on her.
"Dawson…" But he was already gone. Jen sighed and lay back down, frustrated.
* * * * *
Dawson came to the edge of the lake and spotted Joey. Her back was to him and she looked so small. Dawson almost called out to her, but something stopped him. He tiptoed back to the edge of the forest and leaned against a tree. He did not see Pacey above him, and continued to watch Joey.
Jen: So now both of them are spying on her?
She was so beautiful, with her graceful shoulders and dark, flowing hair.
Joey: Why thank you.
But this was JOEY, his best friend since birth. He shouldn't be feeling this way towards her, and he shouldn't be thinking these thoughts about her. If only he knew how to stop.
* * * * *
Jen was mad. Dawson, Pacey, and Joey had just ditched her. Dawson had left over 30 minutes ago. She stood and headed out to the woods. Several minutes later she spotted Dawson and stopped. He was staring at something. She followed his gaze to find… Joey in a bikini, standing waist deep in the water. She also leaned against a tree and watched Dawson watching Joey.
Joey: So now all of them are spying on her! Don't you think that is a little creepy?
* * * * *
Pacey just sat in his tree and watched all of this going down. He watched Joey for a while, then wandered off into memories of him and Tamara, the time she taught him to cook one Saturday in her beach house.
Pacey: Nude Cooking for Lovers is now my favorite cookbook. That's a career I would like……
The day had been a blast, complete with food fights and a small fire. When dinner was ready, they carried their plates, along with a bottle of wine and a blanket, down to the beach and had a picnic in the sand.
Joey: You're underage. So you broke more than one law on your little escapade, didn't you?
They laid in each other's arms, watching the stars for hours that night…
Dawson: Hmmm…….
Suddenly Pacey was brought back to reality by a twig snapping beneath him. He watched Dawson walk to the edge of the lake, stop, and come back. Then Dawson leaned against a tree and watched Joey. Sometime later, Jen came and watched Dawson. And Pacey witnessed it all, gazing back and forth between the three, wondering.
* * * * *
All four friends are sitting on logs around a campfire. They are toasting marshmallows and eating s'mores.
"Ahhh. Now this is how you do it, boys and girls. A perfectly toasted marshmallow." Pacey removed his marshmallow from the flames and smushed it in between the chocolate and graham crackers.
"Pacey, slow down. That's your fourth s'more tonight." Dawson warned.
Jen: Pig.
"Yes, mother." Dawson gave him a look. "Ok, don't worry so much. I'm nowhere near my limit…yet."
Joey: Better watch out, Dawson. Everyone knows Pacey has a mother complex.
"Oh yeah Pacey," Joey teased. "Just like the last time you said that and then spent the night regurgitating Hershey's and graham crackers."
Jen: Lovely
"If I recall correctly, someone else was barfing the night away right alongside me," Pacey said, not unkindly. "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!" Joey just laughed.
"We were all sick that night," Dawson recalled. "Major pig out session. It was worth it though."
"Yeah…" Pacey and Joey agreed. The three of them laughed at the memory and Jen managed a small smile.
"I remember one time in New York…" Jen started but Joey cut her off.
Joey: Awww, is Jen feeling left out?
"Remember the time we got lost because Dawson swore he knew how to use a compass?"
"I did too know how" Dawson protested. Pacey and Joey teased him until he relented. "Well, it looked easy on MacGyver."
Joey: More proof that Dawson lives in a dream world.
Jen tuned out the conversation. She knew what Joey was doing, deliberately discluding her, showing Jen she was the odd one out.
Joey: Gee, that's not to hard to see.
She doesn't need to do that, Jen thought bitterly, that's a fact that has been made abundantly clear to me lately. Jen glared at Joey, but none of the three seemed to notice. Actually, none of them seemed to notice her at all. Dawson was holding her hand but was completely unaware of her presence. Jen sighed and made an excuse about being tired. She left the happy circle and crawled into her sleeping bag. She listened to the laughter ten feet away and it felt like ten miles.
Pacey: Aww, poor little Jennie.
* * * * *
The next afternoon was beautiful, sunny and warm, with a nice breeze. Jen was sitting in a lounge chair reading and getting some sun. Pacey, Joey, and Dawson were playing catch beside her, and the boom box was playing the sound track from Grease.
Jen: How did they bring a lounge chair ? And a boom box, unless it's battery opperated?
"Jen, you sure you don't want to play?" Dawson asked.
Jen: Why would I ?
"Yeah, I'm not very good. Besides I didn't bring a glove." She replied.
Jen: Again, why would I?
"You could use mine." Dawson offered.
"Then what would you use? Nah, I'm fine here. Just catching some rays."
"Okay." Dawson went back to the game, his conscience satisfied.
Pacey: Good to know he has one.
They played for some time, giggling and laughing.
Dawson: Oh yes, Pacey and I just love to giggle.
Dawson threw Joey a pop fly and right before it reached her glove, Pacey jumped up and stole it.
"Oh, you are SO dead, Pacey" Joey chased Pacey around the clearing until Pacey threw the ball to Dawson. They played keep away from her for a while until a frustrated Joey gave up and just tackled Pacey. Pacey, however, was much bigger and after several minutes of wrestling, was able to pin her.
Dawson: Joey, you sure do wrestle with boys often.
Pacey: Yes Jo, maybe you need to find another way to let out aggression.
Pacey held her down while Dawson tickled her until she was squealing like a pig.
Joey: I have not, nor shall I ever squeal like a pig.
"Let…me…go! I'm gonna pee my pants!" she gasped. But they would not relent, because they knew, for
all her protests, she was having as much fun as they were.
And Jen sat in her lawn chair, watching. She had never felt so alone.
Pacey: This is that part in the afterschool special when the girl would turn to drugs and promiscuous sex to take a way her loneliness. But since you've already done the sex part, I guess that just leaves drugs huh, Jen?
Jen: Shut up, Pacey!
* * * * *
The next morning, the four of them set off into the woods. They were going to hike up to the waterfall and spend the night and hike back down in the morning. They took only their sleeping bags and whatever food and clothes they could carry on their backs.
Dawson: I guess they left the lounge chair there.
Pacey led, followed by Joey, Dawson, and at the very end of the line, Jen.
Joey: I notice Dawson's not in the lead.
The three of them were really good at hiking, but Jen just couldn't seem to keep up.
She was so tired, and to make matters worse, she kept tripping on tree roots and rocks. Dawson looked back and saw Jen was way behind, her face bright red with effort.
Jen: This is wonderful for my self-esteem.
She tripped and fell to her knees. Dawson ran to help her up. "Jen, you okay?"
"Yeah, Dawson…I'm just tired."
"Maybe we should take a break." He raised his voice, "Joey, Pacey, let's rest awhile. Jen's not used to this." Joey rolled her eyes and sighed, but she followed Pacey down to the others.
"How much farther do we have to go?" Jen asked.
"Oh, not far," Joey answered, "only 10 or 12 more miles."
Jen: Only 10 or 12?!
"What?!?" Jen answered incredulously. "You've got to be kidding!"
"She is," Dawson interrupted. "Only two more miles." Joey just smiled wickedly and walked away.