happier

road trip

For some reason, Cola could feel something had shifted in her and Pacey's relationship. He was a bit more reserved and awkward around her. That's why she was confused when he denied walking to school with her. She had to walk alone instead. She walks in, seeing Joey get out of Warren Gray's car. She furrows her brows as she walks next to the girl. Joey shakes her head, so she doesn't ask.

Later that day, Joey and Cola had just walked out of Global. They see Jen walking up to them and Cola looks up at the brunette, seeing that she looked annoyed to see her.

"Listen, I heard something this morning and I think you should know-" She says, looking at the taller brunette. However, they're interrupted when they see Pacey and Billy talking together. Cola can see Jen begin to grow angry. "At the risk of sounding redundant, what the hell are you doing here?"

"The boys just had to wrap up a few things before we left. Good morning." He says, winking at Cola. She makes a face out of disgust.

"What are you talking about?" Jen asks.

"I'm taking your two boys on a little road trip. Funny, but in the midst of all the confusion, Dawson and I actually stumbled upon some common ground." Cola looked at Pacey, who just had a smile on his face.

"I don't think I like the sound of this, Billy. The last thing Dawson needs is to be pulled down by you."

"I swear to you. Dawson was simply complaining about how a guy just can't seem to get any around here. So, I told him about this little place I know." Joey and Cola look at each other, their eyes widening.

"What kind of place?" The taller brunette asks.

"Well, let's just say the women take cash and are remarkably friendly."

"You're taking them to a whorehouse?" She looks up at Pacey in shock, but he also looks in shock. Clearly he didn't know about this either.

"Ah, there's his holiness now. Well girls, gotta run. I see Saint Dawson's champing at the bit." He then grabs Pacey's arm to go away, but Cola grabs his hand. He turns around, looking down at the girl.

"Please. Don't do anything stupid. Come over when you're done." He nods, sending her a soft smile before going off with Billy and Dawson. She turns back to the other two girls, who still look in shock from what they had heard.

"God, I know I've never really had a whole lot of faith in guys, but I-i just thought Dawson was different." Jen confesses, clutching the books tightly to her chest.

"Yeah, he's different. Unfortunately, he's just not as different as we thought." Joey said, making the other two girls nod along.

"Listen, Joey. You know that football player, Warren? You didn't sleep with him, did you?" Jen asks, making Cola's eyes widened as she looked at her taller friend.

"Yeah, I had sex with Warren Gray. Right after I gave the sponge bath to the navy pilots. Why would you even ask me that?"

"He's telling everyone that you did." Joey's eyes form into a glare as Cola sees her jaw and fists clench.

—

At lunch, Cola and Jen were sitting there, waiting for Joey to show up. They see her walk in, but storm right up to Warren. She pulls him aside, but her two friends keep a close eye on the two of them. When they hear him yell how he never wanted to be her boyfriend, they stand and see her looking around with embarrassment on her face. She storms out of the cafeteria and Jen and Cola follow her out. Cola finds her sitting on the stairs and she waves the blonde over. Cola sits down next to her and brings her into a side hug. Joey leans her head on her shoulder, fiddling with her fingers. Jen simply leans on the wall, looking at the two of them.