Cut to Capeside High.
Pacey shuts his locker door, sighing in relief. He spins around suddenly, and does a little jig.
PACEY: Go Pacey…go Pacey!
He sees Andie walking towards him, and runs up to meet her.
PACEY: Hello, gorgeous.
He kisses her.
PACEY: You know, you possibly look more beautiful than you did yesterday.
He kisses her again.
PACEY: Which is not to say you looked ugly yesterday. Just that you look even more beautiful today. If that’s even possible.
He kisses her a third time. Andie giggles in response.
ANDIE: Pacey, what’s gotten into you?
He grins.
PACEY: Brains, McPhee. Brains have gotten into me. Now, coupled with my razor-sharp wit and charming good looks, I’m almost unbeatable. And if you doubt this, here’s the proof.
He hands her his term paper.
ANDIE: A B? You got a B?
PACEY: Well, a B+, if you wanna get technical.
Andie hugs him.
ANDIE: I knew you had it in you. I just knew it.
PACEY: I’m actually going to get into the 11th grade, can you believe it?
At that moment, Dawson and Joey wander down the hallway. Pacey turns to them and waves.
DAWSON: Hey.
JOEY: What are you smiling for? Sale on beef jerky?
PACEY: You’re looking very stunning today, Joey. You sleep well?
Joey raises an eyebrow, and looks at Dawson.
JOEY: He’s being nice. What’s going on?
Pacey laughs, then shows her the term paper.
PACEY: Read it and weep, Josephine.
Joey nods.
JOEY: Impressive. Hell has indeed frozen over.
PACEY: Mock all you like. Not even you can ruin my good mood right now.
DAWSON: This calls for a celebration, I think?
PACEY: Now you’re talking my language, Dawson. Where to? The jazz club?
Andie shakes her head.
ANDIE: Don’t think we’re allowed in there after the last fiasco.
PACEY: Maybe Jen has an idea. That girl has ‘fun’ written all over her.
DAWSON: Haven’t seen her since Abby’s funeral. Jo?
Joey shrugs.
JOEY: She’s your neighbour, Dawson.
Andie raises her hand.
ANDIE: She was over at the house last night.
JOEY: You invited her?
ANDIE: Jack did, actually?
Dawson raises an eyebrow.
DAWSON: Weird. Didn’t know they were that close.
PACEY: Come on, D. Jack’s the only guy Jen can hang around with who won’t try anything, right?
Dawson and Joey share a private look.
JOEY: You thinking what I’m thinking?
DAWSON: In short: ew!
The two of them laugh. Pacey and Andie give confused looks.
PACEY: Am I missing something here?
*****
Cut to outside the school.
Jen is sitting at a picnic table, looking over some papers. A moment later, a cup of coffee is placed next to her.
JEN: Thanks. You have no idea how much I needed this.
Jack sits down next to her.
JACK: Don’t mention it. Us outcasts need to stick together, right?
Jen gives him a look.
JACK: Sorry. Just trying to joke around. Lighten the mood.
Jen manages a small smile.
JEN: Thank you.
JACK: I still can’t believe your own grandmother kicked you out of the house. And I thought my dad was disapproving. He’s not happy with me, but he’s never actually tried to disown me or anything.
JEN: I’m ok, really. Just want to at least try to pass these finals. Don’t worry about me, Jack. I’ve got a place to stay.
*****
Cut to later, at the Leery house.
Dawson walks in the front door, and hears the TV on. He goes into the living room.
DAWSON: Hey, mom. What are you watching?
Much to his surprise, it isn’t Gale lying on the couch. It’s Jen.
JEN: Oh! Uh, hey Dawson.
DAWSON: Jen? What are you doing here?
She smiles nervously.
JEN: Well, remember my not-so-subtle eulogy? Grams kinda kicked me out for that.
Dawson’s eyes went wide.
DAWSON: Are you ok?
JEN: Yeah, I’m fine. Your mom…she said I could stay here for awhile. Is that all right with you?
DAWSON: Actually…
Dawson pauses, seeing Jen’s distraught face. He can’t bring himself to say what he really thinks.
DAWSON: No…no problem at all. It’s a big house, right?
She smiles.
JEN: Thanks. I promise I won’t take your ET doll…sorry, ‘collector’s item’.
She hugs him. There’s awkwardness on Dawson’s part, but he doesn’t show it.
At that moment, Joey walks in.
JOEY: Hey, you ready to…go…?
She pauses, as she sees Dawson and Jen in an embrace. Quickly, Dawson lets her go.
DAWSON: JOEY! Uh, yeah, whenever you’re ready.
Joey looks at Jen suspiciously, wondering what exactly she walked in on.
JEN: Where we going?
Dawson turns back to her.
DAWSON: Pacey passed his finals. We’re going out to celebrate.
JEN: Sounds like fun. Just let me get my coat.
Jen heads upstairs. Once she’s gone, Joey looks at Dawson.
JOEY: (sarcastically) Well, you sure looked cozy…
Dawson sighs.
DAWSON: Mrs. Ryan kicked her out of the house. Mom asked her to stay here for awhile.
JOEY: And how long is ‘awhile’?
Dawson shrugs.
JOEY: Where’s she going to be sleeping?
DAWSON: Not in my room, that’s for sure.
Joey pauses.
JOEY: Sorry…I just saw you two together, and…
Dawson nods.
DAWSON: Guess I’m the lucky one. Your only ex is gay.
Joey starts to laugh.
JOEY: Quite a year it’s been, huh?
DAWSON: Yeah.
At that moment, Jen heads down the stairs.
JEN: Ready to go?
DAWSON: You two go on ahead. I just remember something I have to do. I’ll meet you at the Icehouse.
Joey is reluctant for a moment, but then goes ahead.
*****
Cut to next door.
There’s a knock on Mrs. Ryan’s front door. Opening it, she sees Dawson standing there.
DAWSON: We need to talk. Now.
She sighs.
GRAMS: Dawson Leery. Why am I not surprised. If you’re looking for my granddaughter, she’s not here.
Dawson bites his lip.
DAWSON: I know. She’s at my house. She says you kicked her out…is this true?
Grams stares at him for a moment.
GRAMS: I understand you’re upset, but…
DAWSON: To quote Tom Cruise: “You haven’t seen me very upset!”
GRAMS: …the disagreements between me and Jennifer are personal.
DAWSON: You kicked her out of the house! That goes beyond ‘disagreement’ as far as I’m concerned.
GRAMS: That young lady…I gave her a chance, Dawson. I truly did. But she continues to refuse to listen. Going so far as insulting me and my beliefs. I apologise if that offends you, but truthfully it’s none of your business.
DAWSON: That’s a load of crap!
Grams gasps, taken aback.
GRAMS: I beg your pardon.
DAWSON: You, this whole thing. Your ego is bruised because you think Jen doesn’t respect you? How about the lack of respect you’ve shown me? Convinced I was a ‘bad influence’ on her…
GRAMS: I never said that…
DAWSON: Oh, wait…that’s right. The term you used was ‘the wrong element’. You know what? Maybe I don’t go to church every week, but I have heard my share of bible stories in my lifetime. But the parts in there about compassion, and understanding, and ‘turning the other cheek’…all that goes right over your head, doesn’t it? You know what you are? You’re a hypocrite!
With that, Dawson storms off. Grams watches him leave, angry…but then her face softens.
She’s afraid he may be right.