The creek in Capeside

Sandalwood and pine

We pulled up into the school drive, surrounded by limos lining the road, most of them skewed at angles, partially ramping up onto the curb. A sea of bright fluorescent, pastel and neutral colours swarmed around the green. Pacey ran around the car before I could open the door myself and extended his hand to help me out.
'You really are quite the gentleman Pacey Witter.'
He just beamed at me and then pulled me in by the waist to kiss me. I heard a click and a saw a bright flash. Andie was out with her camera already. I shot her a look.
'What? I can't help it you two are so adorable!'
We all laughed then made our way over to take some more pictures.

Jen joined us with her date, a friend from back in New York, Johnny somebody. We must have taken 100 pictures, but I knew Andie was never one to miss an important moment. As we walked up towards the gym, we passed Joey and Dawson. He was facing the other way, but I made eye contact with Joey and smiled at her, she gave a slight nod and the corners of her mouth pricked up a little. She did look beautiful, and I somehow still felt a bit intimidated. I took a deep breath and turned my attention back to Pacey and my friends, no matter how intimidating I found Joey, I was happy. So happy. I looked up around at the gym, Andie had really outdone herself. Fairy lights were strung up to make a dazzling blanket hanging from the ceiling. There were bouquets of spring flowers in yellows, pinks and oranges, like the different hues of a sunset. She'd used recycled milk bottles for flower vases and for a little milkshake bar to the side of the main doors. There was a live band instead of a sucky DJ, who'd already begun to entice people onto the dance floor.

'Oh Andie, it's incredible!' I said squeezing her tightly and swaying her side to side.
We spent the rest of the night dancing, sometimes as a group bouncing up and down slightly off time to the beat of the music. Sometimes just me and Pacey dancing slowly, our torsos pinned together, his hand on the small of my back. I would rest my head on his shoulder feeling his chest rising up and down and hearing his heartbeat thumping along to the music. He smelt amazing, it reminded me of walks through the forest, that smell of sandalwood and pine. Every now and then he would kiss the top of my head and I would look up to him, our eyes locking together, then we'd just smile at one another and I would go back to resting my head.

By the time we got to the end of the night I was exhausted and I fell asleep in the car on the way home. I heard the click of the car door open and felt someone whisk me up and carry me into the house. I'd managed to wake myself up a little enough to open my eyes and speak. Pacey laid me down onto my bed and started pulling my shoes off my feet.
'Pace?'
'Shhhh darling, it's ok you just fell asleep.' He whispered.
'I had an amazing night Pace. It was the best ever.' I lay back looking at the ceiling feeling my eyes getting heavier and heavier. Then I heard Pacey's footsteps, he was walking towards the door. 'Pacey? Please can you stay with me?'
'Of course I can, I'll be back in one second.'

I was just about to drift back to sleep when I heard something scratch on the floor. Opening my eyes I saw Pacey sitting down on a chair next to me, he leant forward and kissed me on the forehead. Then sat back and stroked my hair until I fell to sleep.