Disclaimer: See Part 1
Category: Triangle
Rating:PG
Conclusion
Dawson and Joey are still dancing, Amber is standing there watching. The song stops, Dawson and Joey head back to the table, they see Amber...
Dawson: ( surprised ) Amber! You made it.
Joey: Well, I'm going to get something to drink. That dancing made me thirsty. (She leaves )
Amber: It's her. Isn't it? It's Joey.
Dawson: What are you talking about?
Amber: That's why I sensed tension between you two. She's the one that you pictured sharing your life with.
Dawson: No. That was just dancing.
Amber: That was not just dancing, Dawson. I saw the way you were holding each other and how you were looking into each other's eyes. You have never done that with me. You love her.
Dawson: Amber...
Amber: So, what was this, Dawson? A fling? Were you just using me to make Joey jealous?
Dawson: No. It wasn't any of that.
Amber: Then what was it? I don't understand how you could love someone who has hurt you.
Dawson: Let's just go somewhere and talk. I can't really have a conversation with all this music blaring in my ear.
Dawson and Amber leave, Jen comes back in with Henry, who has finally shown up, and goes to Joey...
Jen: Hey. Was that Amber and Dawson that I just saw leave?
Joey: Yep. She saw Dawson and I dancing. I think she knows that I'm the girl from his past.
Jen: And the future. ( she smiles )
Joey: Don't be so sure about that, Jen. It's all up to Dawson now. He has a choice to make. I'm going to go now. Enjoy the rest of the dance. ( she leaves )
Dawson and Amber in the school hallway talking...
Amber: Are you ready to tell me the truth? Just how long has this thing between you and Joey been going on?
Dawson: For years. We met when we were little kids and have always been a part of each other's lives. Best friends forever. But all that changed the day I realized I was in love with her. She made me so happy. Things changed and we ended our relationship. Well, actually she ended it. I just had to accep it. We got back together, but once again she ended things. This whole past year, we've been apart and she developed feelings for my best friend, Pacey. Well, ex-best friend now. They spent the summer together. And it was that moment I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
Amber: Then I don't understand how you could still love her, Dawson. She really really hurt you. Besides, she doesn't want you. I do, Dawson. You have to give us a chance.
Dawson: Actually, she does want me. Things didn't work out between her and Pacey. When she got back, she told me she made a mistake and that she loved me and that she wants to be with me. I never thought I would hear her say those words to me again.
Amber: So, then how can you say you love me when you really don't?
Dawson: I do love you, Amber.
Amber: Just not like you love Joey.
Dawson: I'm very sorry, Amber. I just want you to know that I really enjoyed this summer and that you are a special person to me.
Amber: You're very special to me too, Dawson. I better go. No use in extending this goodbye longer than it has to be.
Dawson: Goodbye, Amber and thank you. ( he kisses her on the cheek )
Amber: Bye, Dawson. ( She leaves )
An hour later...
Leery residence- Joey knocks on the door...
Joey: Hi, Mrs. Leery. I know it's kind of late, but I really wanted to talk to Dawson. Is he here?
Gale: He's in his room. I'm sure he wouldn't mind seeing you. ( she smiles )
Joey: Thanks.
She goes up the stairs to Dawson's room and knocks on the door...
Dawson: Come in. ( she opens the door )
Joey: Hey.
Dawson: Hey
Joey: You know, its really weird not using the ladder. Then again, this whole year has been weird. So, how did things go with Amber?
Dawson: We broke up. She sensed something between us. She knows where my real feelings are. But, Joey, even though we know how we feel about each other, we can't just get back together. I want you in my life, Joey, but I want us to be friends. I want to recapture what we had before being a typical teenager got in the way. Do you think we could do that?
Joey: I would really like to, Dawson. What about Pacey? Do you think you could be friends again?
Dawson: Anything's possible, Joey. But it won't be easy.
Joey: I know. ( she looks at Dawson's bookbag on the floor ) Can you believe we're Seniors already?
Dawson: I know. It seems like we just started high school yesterday. And now after this year, we'll be going to college.
Joey: Speaking of that, still considering going to Philly?
Dawson: I don't think so. It not exactly my first choice for college.
Joey: So, you're going to remain a small town boy?
Dawson: Maybe. What about you?
Joey: I don't even want to think about that now.
Dawson: You'll have to soon.
Joey: I know, but right now I just want to enjoy this last Saturday before school starts. (she takes off the necklace around her neck and hands it to Dawson ) Here.
Dawson: My necklace. But I gave it to you.
Joey: Well, now I'm returning it. Think of it as an act of friendship. Like you said, we'll always be Dawson and Joey. ( she smiles )
Dawson: Thank you.
Joey: Well, I better go.
Dawson: Wait right here. ( he leaves )
Joey waits looking confused, she hears something slam against the house, she looks out the window and sees Dawson on the ground, she smiles ...
Dawson: ( yells ) Use the ladder. ( she smiles and climbs down ) Just an act of friendship. ( he smiles )
Joey: Thank you. ( she smiles )
Dawson: I'll see you at school, Joey.
Joey: Okay, Dawson.
She leaves. Dawson watches her. A smile across his face.
The End
Well, I hope you liked the story because I enjoyed writing it. :-)
Take care, Frances