CHAPTER ONE

Life and the Movies

Joey Potter looked at her friend Dawson Leery and she
smiled sadly.
"Life isnt like a mo!ie" Dawson"" she said. "#e $ant
write ha%%y endin&s to all o'r relationshi%s."
Joey was a %retty &irl with lon& (rown hair. )oth Joey
and Dawson were nearly si*teen years old. The two
teena&ers had %ro(lems. All teena&ers had the same %ro(+
lems + life" lo!e" s$hool work" and %arents. ,t isnt easy to
(e$ome an ad'lt.
Dawson lo!ed mo!ies. He had always lo!ed mo!ies.
He took film $lasses in s$hool. He made short mo!ies
himself. Dawson wanted to (e a film dire$tor. His fa!orite
dire$tor was -te!en -%iel(er&. Dawson s%ent a lot of his free
time filmin& with his !ideo $amera. He lo!ed wat$hin&
!ideos of &reat mo!ies from the %ast. .ost e!enin&s" he
wat$hed mo!ies with Joey. And 'ntil re$ently" that had (een
fine.
)'t now their friendshi% had (e$ome diffi$'lt.
"These days" Dawson always wants 's to (eha!e like
%eo%le in mo!ies"" Joey tho'&ht. And life in the little seaside
town of Ca%eside wasn't like the mo!ies.
Joey looked at the handsome, blond boy who was sitting
next to her. She thought about the years of their long
friendship. They had known each other all their lives. They
were best friends
.Joey had always lo!ed Dawson as a friend. )'t d'rin&
the s'mmer" Joeys feelin&s had $han&ed. -'ddenly" shed
wanted a serio's relationshi% with Dawson. -hed wanted
him to lo!e her as a woman" not as a sister. Dawson hadnt
wanted that. He hadnt wanted to (e her (oyfriend. Hed
wanted them to &o on (ein& (est friends in the old way.
Dawson hadnt wanted a serio's relationshi% with Joey. And
Joey had (e$ome !ery 'nha%%y.
Then a new &irl had arri!ed in the little town. Her
name was Jen Lindley. -he was a (ea'tif'l (lond from New
/ork City. -he had $ome to li!e with her &rand%arents in
Ca%eside. And Dawson Leery had fallen in lo!e with her.
0or a few weeks" Jen had (een Dawsons &irlfriend.
Then she had ended that relationshi%. -he had not wanted a
serio's (oyfriend. Now" Dawson and Jen tried to (e friends.
)'t it was a diffi$'lt time for (oth of them.
-oon after Dawsons relationshi% with Jen ended" his
feelin&s a(o't Joey had $han&ed. At last" he had fallen in
lo!e with her. And for a time" she had (een his &irlfriend.
-he had &otten what she had wanted for so lon&. )'t when
she had Dawsons lo!e" she no lon&er wanted it. Dawson
was the only (oy who she had e!er known well. And now
she wanted to meet new %eo%le. -he no lon&er wanted to (e
$lose to only one %erson. )'t now Dawson was in lo!e with
her" and he didnt want her to know other (oys.
Dawson and his friend Pa$ey #itter were still Joeys
(est friends. And she had started to like Jen too. The fo'r
teena&ers s%ent a lot of time to&ether. )'t life wasnt easy
for any of them.
That e!enin&" Joey had s%ent two ho'rs with Dawson.
Dawson had asked her to (e his &irlfriend a&ain. He asked
her this almost e!ery day. They had 1'arrelled a(o't it. Then
they had wat$hed a mo!ie to&ether. Now it was time for
Joey to &o home.
"Dawson" %lease try to lea!e me in %ea$e"" Joey said as
she walked to the door. ", want 's to (e friends. )'t , dont
want to (e yo'r &irlfriend. , want to meet other &'ys. .ay(e
one of them will (e my (oyfriend. /o' ha!e to 'nderstand
that. This is my e*it from the s$ene. 2oodni&ht."
#hen she had &one" Dawson tho'&ht a(o't Jen and
Joey. He had lo!ed (oth of them. )'t (oth &irls had ended
their relationshi%s with him. #hat was wron& with him3
Why $o'ldnt life (e like the mo!ies3
The ne*t day was .onday. ,n the e!enin&" Dawson"
Joey" Jen" and Pa$ey met in The ,$e Ho'se $afe.
The Potter family owned the $afe. Joeys older sister"
)essie" and )essies (oyfriend" )odie" worked there too.
Joey worked at the $afe in the e!enin&s" after s$hool" and on
weekends.
This e!enin&" Joey (ro'&ht $offee for her three friends
and she sat down with them for a few min'tes.
Jen showed her friends a $ard with (ea'tif'l sil!er writ
in& on it. ,t was an in!itation to a %arty.
"The %arty is for my $o'sin Co'rtneys si*teenth (irth+
day"" Jen said. ",ts Co'rtney 2'ilianis sweet si*teen %arty.
E!eryone has to wear formal $lothes + e!enin& s'its and lon&
dresses. No $as'al $lothes are allowed. ,d like to &o to this
%arty. ,ts &oin& to take %la$e in New /ork City" at the Pla4a
Hotel" on -at'rday."
"Do yo' like yo'r $o'sin3" Joey asked her. ",!e ne!er
heard yo' talk a(o't her."
"No" , dont like her"" Jen said. ", dislike her mother
too. Co'rtney is so good. -he ne!er does anythin& wron&.
-he (eha!es %erfe$tly. , $all her Co'rtney + the + Perfe$t.
E!eryone wants me to (e as &ood as she is. Her mother" my
A'nt 2ra$e" always tells me how terri(le , am. -he says"
Jennifer" yo're r'de and yo're wild. #hy $ant yo' (eha!e
like my Co'rtney3 ,t makes me so an&ry."
"Then why do yo' want to &o to Co'rtneys %arty3"
Dawson asked.
"#ell" it mi&ht (e f'n"" Jen re%lied. "-tran&e thin&s
ha%%en at %arties5 And ,d like to (e in New /ork a&ain. ,
miss the $ity5 Ca%eside is a fine %la$e" ('t its so quiet. ,
miss New /ork. , miss the ('sy streets and the (i& stores. ,ll
%hone my %arents toni&ht. Theyll know a(o't the %arty. ,ll
say" ",m $omin& home for the weekend. ,t will (e &reat5"
Jen and Joey were in se!eral $lasses to&ether at s$hool.
The ne*t day" Jen talked to Joey after a &ym $lass.
", talked to my %arents"" she told Joey. "Theyre &oin&
to (e away from home this weekend. Theyre &oin& on a
('siness tri%. )'t my dad said" /o' sho'ld &o to yo'r
$o'sins %arty" Jen. /o' $o'ld (rin& one of yo'r friends from
Ca%eside. -he $o'ld stay in the a%artment with yo' for the
weekend. Then yo' wo'ldnt (e lonely. #ill you $ome with
me" Joey3"
At first" Joey didnt know what to say. -he had ne!er
(een to New /ork City. -he wanted to see it. )'t Joey was
!ery %oor. Her mother was dead and her father was in 6ail.
-he and )essie worked !ery hard at The ,$e Ho'se. )'t they
didnt ha!e m'$h money. Jen didnt 'nderstand a(o't this
%ro(lem. Her %arents were !ery ri$h. -he ne!er had to worry
a(o't money.
Joey tho'&ht a(o't all this.
"Jen" , $ant $ome with yo'"" she said at last. "Thank
yo' for askin& me. /o're !ery kind. )'t , dont ha!e any
money and , dont ha!e any %arty $lothes."
"Dont worry a(o't those thin&s"" Jen said. ",ll loan
yo' some $lothes. , ha!e too many5 And ,ll %ay for o'r train
ti$kets to New /ork. ,ll (e ha%%y to do that. , dont want to
(e alone in the a%artment. #ell ha!e f'n in New /ork.
Ca%eside is like a !ery slow $ar. #e need to &o faster" Joey.
#e need to ha!e f'n and e*$itement. #e need to mo!e '%
thro'&h the &ears. #e need to shift into o!erdri!e5" -he
sto%%ed for a moment. "#ell" we $ertainly (oth need to &et
away from Ca%eside for a few days"" she said.
-he didnt say anythin& more" ('t she didnt have to say
anythin& more.
"/es. #e (oth need to &et away from Dawson for a
few days"" Joey re%lied. "Thin&s arent easy (etween yo'
and him + , know that" Jen. And , want to (e friends with
Dawson a&ain. )'t he wont let me (e 6'st his friend. , ha!e
to (e his &irlfriend or not his friend at all."
"/o' $an ne!er (e 6'st friends a&ain" on$e yo'!e (een
someones &irlfriend"" Jen said. "/o' $ant do it in real life. ,t
isnt %ossi(le. Life isnt like the mo!ies."
Joey la'&hed.
"O7" ,ll $ome to New /ork with yo'" if )essie will let
me"" she said. "Thank yo'" Jen."
CHAPTER T#O
The Video Store
After s$hool" Dawson and Pa$ey had 6o(s at
-$reen%lay 8ideo" a !ideo rental store. On #ednesday
e!enin&" they were (oth workin& there" %'ttin& !ideo ta%es
on shel!es. Dawson lo!ed to work in the store" amon& all the
mo!ies. And e!ery e!enin& he $o'ld (orrow !ideos from the
store to %lay at home.
,t was fi!e o$lo$k and there were no $'stomers in the
store. As they worked" the two friends were talkin& a(o't
their 'nha%%y li!es.
Pa$eys %ro(lem was his family. They didnt 'nderstand
him. Pa$eys father was the Chief of Poli$e in Ca%eside.
Pa$eys older (rother" Do'&" was a %oli$e offi$er too. They
were to'&h and diffi$'lt %eo%le. They didnt like Pa$ey. They
didnt 'nderstand him5
Pa$ey didnt work hard at s$hool. He only worked hard
at thin&s that interested him. Nothin& at s$hool interested
him. His father always told him" "/o're a fail're" Pa$ey.
/o' dont work hard. /o' always say the wron& thin&s and
yo' always do the wron& thin&s. /o're a la4y fool. , dont
'nderstand yo'. /o're not a &ood son to me."
Pa$ey wanted to lea!e s$hool and &et a &ood 6o(. He
wanted to lea!e his family and li!e on his own. Dawsons
%ro(lem was Joey.
"Pa$ey" , dont want to lose her"" he told his friend.
"-he lo!es me + ,m s're of that. -he isnt honest with
herself. -he says" , want to meet other (oys. How will ,
know if yo're the ri&ht (oy for me if , dont meet other
(oys3 Pa$ey" ,m worried a(o't this %arty that she and Jen
are &oin& to in New /ork. .ay(e shell meet someone there.
.ay(e shell meet a tall" ri$h" handsome (oy. .ay(e shell
fall in lo!e with him. , feel si$k if , think a(o't that" Pa$ey. ,
dont know what to do."
At that moment" someone $ame into the store. ,t was a
&irl from Ca%eside Hi&h -$hool. Pa$ey and Dawson knew
the teena&er. They (oth disliked her" and she disliked them.
-he was always r'de to them. Her name was A((y .or&an.
",!e $ome to ret'rn this !ideo"" A((y said. ",f yo'
&'ys ha!e time to think a(o't work" yo' $an hel% me. )'t
may(e yo're too ('sy talkin&."
A((y &a!e the !ideo to Pa$ey" then she went to look
for another mo!ie to rent. -he disa%%eared (ehind some tall
shel!es" and Pa$ey and Dawson soon for&ot a(o't her.
"#e (oth need to &et away from this town for a few
days"" Pa$ey said. ".ay(e we $o'ld &o to New /ork for the
weekend too. Then we $o'ld meet Joey and Jen. #e $o'ld
!isit famo's %la$es with them. And theyd ha!e to in!ite 's
to Co'rtneys %arty. /o' $o'ld dan$e with Joey. Then she
wo'ldnt meet any tall" ri$h" handsome men."
", $ant follow Joey to New /ork"" Dawson said.
"-hed (e so an&ry with me. -he wants me to lea!e her in
%ea$e." Then he tho'&ht for a moment. "How wo'ld we &et
there" Pa$ey3" he asked. "#e dont ha!e eno'&h money."
"#ell" ,!e (een thinkin& a(o't that"" Pa$ey re%lied.
".y (rother and my dad will (e away from home this
weekend. Theyre &oin& to Hartford" Conne$ti$'t. Theyre
&oin& to a %oli$e $on!ention + a kind of meetin& for %oli$e
offi$ers. The $on!ention is a(o't teena&e $rime. , $o'ld 'se
my dads tr'$k for the weekend. #e $o'ld dri!e to New /ork
on 0riday e!enin& and $ome (a$k on -'nday."
Pa$ey was a little older than Dawson. He was si*teen.
He (ad a dri!ers li$ense. He was allowed to dri!e a $ar now.
"#ill yo'r dad let yo' (orrow the tr'$k3" Dawson
asked. He was s'r%rised.
", wont ask him"" Pa$ey said. ",f , &et (a$k home
(efore him on -'nday" he wont know a(o't it."
",s this really a &ood idea Pa$ey3" Dawson said. He
was worried.
",ts a &reat ideal" Pa$ey answered.
The (oys had for&otten a(o't A((y .or&an. -he was
still standin& (ehind the tall shel!es. -he was listenin& to
them $aref'lly. -he heard e!ery word of their %lan. And she
was smilin& when she 1'ietly left the store.CHAPTER
THREE
New York
Joey and Jen arri!ed at the Lindleys New /ork
a%artment on 0riday e!enin&.
The a%artment was !ery lar&e and !ery (ea'tif'l. ,t
was at the to% of a !ery hi&h ('ildin&" in the $enter of
.anhattan. 0rom the windows" there was a wonderf'l !iew
of the $ity.
Jen %i$ked '% the %hone and $alled a Chinese resta'+
rant. -he ordered some food.
"The resta'rant will deli!er the meal here"" she told
Joey. "#ell &o o't to a $l'( after we!e eaten. ,t will (e
f'n."
"That will (e wonderf'l5" Joey said. -he was ha%%y
and e*$ited. -he wanted to know a(o't life in this &reat $ity.
Toni&ht" she was &oin& to start learnin& a(o't it.
After fifteen min'tes" a deli!ery %erson (ro'&ht the
Chinese meal to the a%artment. ,t was the (est food that Joey
had e!er tasted.
Then the two &irls went into Jens (edroom and looked
at her $lothes. The $loset where Jen ke%t her $lothes was
h'&e. ,t was (i&&er than Joeys (edroom in her home5
The &irls 1'i$kly fo'nd some $lothes whi$h they liked.
Joey %'t on a red dress. -he also %'t on some of Jens
make'%. Joey didnt 'se make'% in Ca%eside" ('t Jen told
her to wear some for the e!enin&.
"/o' look wonderf'l5" Jen said" when she saw her
friends fa$e.
Jen %'t on a short (la$k dress and some lon& (oots.
Then she led Joey to a (i& mirror.
"Dont we look &ood3" Jen asked. "Now well &o to a
$l'( that , know. ,ts $alled The Cellar. All my friends &o
there."
Jen %honed for a ta*i. Joey %'t on a (la$k leather
6a$ket. Then the two &irls walked to one of the ele!ators and
went down to the street.
"Oh" )illy will (e at the $l'("" Jen told Joey" as the
&irls left the a%artment. "/o' m'st remem(er )illy5" -he
tried to la'&h. -he didnt want her words to so'nd im%ortant.
Joey did remem(er )illy. He was a handsome (oy. He
had (een Jens (oyfriend when she li!ed in New /ork. He
had $ome to Ca%eside on$e. Hed wanted to take Jen (a$k to
the $ity. )'t at that time" Jen was in lo!e with Dawson. -he
didnt want to &o to New /ork with )illy. )illy had (een
an&ry" ('t hed 1'i$kly &one away.
That had (een a !ery sad time for Joey. E!ery day"
shed seen Dawson and Jen ha!in& f'n to&ether. Joey had
lo!ed Dawson herself then. -hed hated seein& him with
another &irl. That had h'rt her !ery m'$h. -he remem(ered
all this now.
"Do yo' want to see )illy3" Joey asked her friend. -he
was s'r%rised.", want to see him" ('t ,m ner!o's a(o't him
too"" Jen said. ", dont want to (e his &irlfriend a&ain. )'t
when , see him" , always ha!e a %ro(lem. .y (rain tells me
one thin&" ('t my (ody tells me somethin& different."
Half an ho'r later" the two &irls were in The Cellar. The
$l'( was a lar&e" rather dark room. At one end of the room" a
%retty &irl was standin& on a (ri&htly lit sta&e. -he was
sin&in&. )ehind her" a (and was %layin&. Peo%le were
dan$in&. E!eryone was drinkin& $offee or fr'it 6'i$e. The
$l'( did not sell al$ohol.
Jen introd'$ed Joey to some of her friends. One of
them was a &irl named Amy. And there was a (oy named
T'$ker. Then the &irls saw )illy" who was sittin& in a $omer.
T'$ker talked to Joey while Jen went o!er to )illy. T'$ker
was a friendly (oy" and Joey en6oyed talkin& to him. The
ne*t time that she looked at Jen and )illy" they were kissin&
ea$h other.
Joey was ha%%y when she saw Jen and )illy kissin&.
"#ell" may(e Jen really doesn't want Dawson any
lon&er"" she told herself. And that made her ha%%y. Joey
didnt want Dawson to (e her own (oyfriend a&ain. )'t she
didnt want him to (e ]en's (oyfriend. #hen she tho'&ht
a(o't this" she was an&ry with herself.
"#hats wron& with me3" she tho'&ht. "Dawson is my
(est friend. )'t , dont want him to (e ha%%y with me. And ,
dont want him to (e ha%%y with any(ody else. Why dont ,
want him to (e ha%%y3"
Then somethin& ha%%ened to Joey. -he looked aro'nd
her" and s'ddenly she saw the most handsome (oy in the
world. He was tall and he had (la$k hair. He was on the
other side of the room. And he was lookin& at her5
A few min'tes later" she was dan$in& with him.
".y name is Danny"" the (oy told her. He held her
!ery $lose to him as they dan$ed. And for Joey" the world
was s'ddenly a different %la$e.
"This is why , need to (e away from Dawson"" she told
herself. ", need to meet %eo%le like Danny. Hes wonderf'l."
-he smiled at the handsome yo'n& man. ".y name is
Joey"" she said.
"Joey3 )'t whats yo'r real name3" he asked her softly.
And s'ddenly" Joey didnt want to (e Jose%hine Potter"
the %oor &irl from Ca%eside. -he told some lies.
".y real name is Joelle"" she said. ",ts a 0ren$h name.
.y mother is 0ren$h."
"Joelle. Thats a (ea'tif'l name"" Danny said. "/o'r
$lothes are e*%ensi!e. /o'r family m'st (e !ery ri$h."
Joey didnt answer him.
".y family is !ery ri$h too"" Danny said.
"Oh" Joelle5" he went on. ", want to tell yo'
somethin&.
#hen yo' $ame into the $l'( with Jen" , tho'&ht" That
&irl is so lo!ely. -hes the most (ea'tif'l &irl that ,!e e!er
seen5 , had to talk to yo'. , had to dan$e with yo'. Do yo'
'nderstand3"
At that moment" a &irl $ame into the $l'( holdin& a
h'&e (asket of (ea'tif'l roses. The &irl was sellin& the
flowers for two dollars ea$h. Danny (o'&ht all the roses and
&a!e them to Joey.
"These are (ea'tif'l flowers for a (ea'tif'l yo'n&
lady"" he said. -oon he was kissin& her. He kissed her a&ain
and a&ain.
An ho'r later" Joey and Jen met in the ladies room.
"#ell" yo' met Danny"" Jen said. "Please (e $aref'l"
Joey."
"#hat do yo' mean3" Joey asked. ", dont 'nderstand."
"#ell" Danny has a (ad re%'tation + %eo%le say (ad
thin&s a(o't him"" Jen re%lied. "He isnt a !ery ni$e &'y."
"Oh" Jen" yo're wron&"" Joey said. "Hes a wonderf'l
&'y5 ,!e in!ited him (a$k to yo'r a%artment this e!enin&.
Hes talked to )illy. )illy will $ome with 's too. Danny is
orderin& a (i& limo'sine to take 's to the a%artment. He said"
".y father will %ay for it. He always %ays for a limo for me.
The $ar will (e here soon. Are yo' ready to lea!e3"
"No5 Joey" dont (e a fool"" Jen said. "Danny will think"
Joey wants to ha!e se* with me. He always thinks that5 And
)illy will think" Jens &oin& to ha!e se* with me. , know
these %eo%le" Joey5"
"#ell" may(e they think this"" Joey said. ")'t it doesnt
ha!e to ha%%en. Lets take the &'ys to the a%artment. ,t will
(e f'n5"
)'t Jen was ri&ht. Joey knew that as she s%oke.
"No" Joey5" Jen was almost an&ry now. "Listen to me""
she said. "Danny kee%s a list of names. ,ts a list of all the
&irls who ha!e had se* with him. ,ts a !ery lon& list. He
wants to add yo'r name to it."
Joey was sho$ked and 'nha%%y.
"0ind Danny 1'i$kly"" Jen told her. "Tell him" ,m
sorry. , made a mistake. #e $ant &o (a$k to Jens a%artment.
Then we m'st (oth &et away from here."
Joey went (a$k into the $l'( and she fo'nd Danny. -he
s%oke to him. At first he was an&ry" and so was )illy.
",m sorry" Danny"" Joey said. ", didnt think + "
".ay(e yo' think too m'$h5" Danny said.
"#ell" ,m sorry"" Joey said. Now she was an&ry too. ,
".ay(e , tho'&ht" Dannys a ni$e (oy. ,d really like to
know him. )'t , was wron&. , $an see that now. /o're not
interested in %eo%le. /o're only interested in se*. Please &o
away."
-'ddenly Dannys fa$e $han&ed. He didnt look an&ry
now. He looked like a little $hild who had done somethin&
wron&.
"Oh" Joelle" ,m sorry"" he said. "0or&i!e me. , was
wron& a(o't yo'. Please" let )illy and me %i$k yo' '% in the
limo tomorrow e!enin&. )illy and , are &oin& to Co'rtneys
%arty too. #ed like to take yo' with 's."
)'t Joey didnt answer. At that moment" Jen 6oined her
and the two &irls left the $l'( 1'i$kly.
",m sorry" Jen"" Joey said. ", dont 'nderstand the (i&
$ity. , didnt want to make tro'(le for yo'."
",ts O7"" Jen re%lied. ",ll %hone )illy later. ,ll tell
him to kee% Danny away from yo'. ,ll ask him not to %i$k
's '% from the a%artment tomorrow. Please dont worry
a(o't it."
CHAPTER 0O9R
The Dancer in the Parking Lot
"Oh" we are ha!in& f'n" Pa$ey"" Dawson said to his
friend. Dawson did not mean this. He meant the o%%osite of
what he said. He was (ein& sar$asti$.
Dawson and Pa$ey were sittin& in the tr'$k. They were
lookin& at the li&hts in the tall ('ildin&s of .anhattan
,sland. They were a lon& way away" a$ross a dark ri!er. And
the two friends had (een tra!elin& tor many ho'rs.
Pa$ey was a &ood dri!er and the 6o'rney to New /ork
had not (een diffi$'lt. )'t now the (oys had arri!ed in the
$ity" and they didnt know what to do. ,t was !ery late. They
didnt know where Jen li!ed. They had nowhere to stay.
",ts O7"" said Pa$ey. "Jens %arents li!e somewhere in
.anhattan + we know that. #ell dri!e into .anhattan" and
well find a %arkin& lot. #ell slee% in the tr'$k. Then" in the
mornin&" well find Jens a%artment. #ell find her address in
a .anhattan %hone (ook."
"#ell dri!e into .anhattan"" Pa$ey had said. ,t was
easy to say it" ('t it wasnt easy to do it.
Neither of the (oys had (een to New /ork (efore. And
there were so many roads. There were roads that led to
(rid&es o!er the ri!er. There were roads whi$h led to t'nnels
'nder the ri!er. 0or an ho'r" they were dri!in& aro'nd in
lar&e $ir$les.
0inally" they $rossed a (rid&e and they were in
.anhattan. )'t they were on a (i& hi&hway. They $o'ldnt
sto% anywhere on this hi&hway" and !ery soon they were
tra!elin& thro'&h a t'nnel. After that" they $rossed another
(rid&e. And then they were no lon&er in .anhattan5 They
didnt know where they were.
At last they fo'nd a %arkin& lot. ,t was (eside a ('r&er
resta'rant. ,t was fo'r o$lo$k in the mornin& and the
resta'rant was $losed. A road si&n told them where they
were. They were in a %la$e $alled -taten ,sland.
".ay(e ,ll kill yo'"" Dawson told his friend. ")'t ,
$ant dri!e the tr'$k home. -o may(e ,ll let yo' li!e till
.onday5 Lets try to slee%."
,t was si* thirty when Dawson woke. The sky was
(e&innin& to &et li&ht. Dawson tried to wake Pa$ey.
"2o away"" Pa$ey said. ", dont want to &o to s$hool.
Let me slee%5"
Dawson &ot o't of the tr'$k. He was $old and h'n&ry.
His (ody was stiff and tired. As he looked aro'nd" he saw
li&hts in the resta'rant. -omeone was swit$hin& them on"
one (y one. The resta'rant was o%enin& for the day.
Dawson went into the resta'rant and (o'&ht some food
and some $offee.
#hen hed finished his (reakfast" he went o'tside and
walked (a$k towards the tr'$k. .any $ars were $omin& into
the %arkin& lot now. One of them was an old (l'e 0ord. A
(lond &irl was dri!in& the $ar. -he was the most (ea'tif'l
&irl that Dawson had e!er seen. ,n the $ar with her was a
little (oy with red hair.
The &irl and the little (oy &ot o't of the old 0ord. The
(oy 6'm%ed in the air.
", want a milk shake5 , want a (i& milk shake"" he
sho'ted. ", want a milk shake" then , want some i$e $ream."
"Please" sto% sho'tin&"" the &irl said. Dawson listened
to her !oi$e. Her a$$ent was !ery different from the a$$ent
of this northeast %art of the 9.-. This &irl $ame from one of
the so'thern states. Dawson had ne!er heard s'$h a (ea'tif'l
!oi$e.
"/o'r mom will (e an&ry if yo' ha!e a milk shake and
i$e $ream for yo'r (reakfast" Tommy"" the &irl said.
Dawson was interested in these words. "-he isnt the
(oys mother"" he said to himself. ".ay(e shes his nanny."
Dawson had known an A'stralian &irl who was a
nanny. -he had worked for a family in Ca%eside d'rin& the
s'mmer. -hed taken $are of their new (a(ies.
The little (oy with red hair wasnt ha%%y.
",ts my (irthday"" he said an&rily. ", $an ha!e anythin&
that , want today + yo' told me that5" Then he started
sho'tin& a&ain.
".ilk shake5 .ilk shake5 .ilk shake5" he sho'ted.
"O7" Tommy" O7" O7"" the (ea'tif'l (lond &irl said.
",f yo' sto% sho'tin&" yo' $an ha!e ten milk shakes5"
"2reat5" the (oy said.
As they walked towards the resta'rant" Dawson
wat$hed them. The &irl mo!ed so &ently and so (ea'tif'lly.
He &ot his !ideo $amera from the tr'$k and he started to film
the two of them. The &irl saw him" and she sto%%ed. -he held
the little (oys hand and she led him towards Dawson.
Dawson sto%%ed filmin&.
"#hat were yo' doin&3" the &irl asked Dawson in a
(ea'tif'l soft !oi$e.
", was filmin& yo'"" Dawson said. ", saw yo' &et o't
of yo'r $ar. /o're so (ea'tif'l" and yo' mo!e so (ea'tif'lly.
, had to film yo'. Are yo' an&ry with me3"
The &irl smiled.
"No" ,m not an&ry"" she said. "Thank yo' for sayin&
ni$e thin&s a(o't me. Do yo' li!e in New /ork3"
"No" , li!e in Ca%eside" .assa$h'setts"" Dawson told
her. ".y friend and , dro!e here last ni&ht. .y friend is in
the tr'$k. #ere &oin& to !isit someone + someone he knows.
.y name is Dawson."
The &irl smiled a&ain. ".y name is Di*ie"" she re%lied.
-he held o't her hand. ", li!e in Ja$kson" .ississi%%i. ,m
stayin& in New /ork for a few days with my sister. This is
her little (oy. His name is Tommy."
Dawson held Di*ies hand and shook it. Then he shook
Tommys hand.
",m a dan$er"" Di*ie said. ",!e (een st'dyin& (allet
for many years. , want to 6oin a (allet $om%any in this $ity. ,
dan$ed for the dire$tor of the $om%any yesterday. He didnt
hire me. , ha!e to try a&ain ne*t year. , was sad (e$a'se ,
want to (e a %rofessional dan$er. ,m a &ood dan$er. , want
to work with a famo's (allet $om%any. Do yo' want to see
me dan$e3"
)efore Dawson $o'ld answer" Di*ie was dan$in&
aro'nd the %arkin& lot. -he 6'm%ed into the air. -he s%'n
aro'nd and aro'nd. -he was a !ery &ood dan$er. Dawson
filmed her on !ideo ta%e while she dan$ed.
"/o' were wonderf'l"" he told Di*ie" when she
sto%%ed mo!in&. "/o' will (e a !ery famo's dan$er one
day."
"#ell" thats what , dream a(o't"" Di*ie said. ",!e
always dreamed a(o't that. )'t sometimes , feel st'%id.
.ay(e dreams are st'%id."
"No5" said Dawson 1'i$kly. "Dreams aren't st'%id. A
dream is somethin& that no(ody $an take away from yo'. All
&reat %eo%le start with nothin& ('t a dream5"
Di*ie smiled at him. And Dawson wanted to say more.
)'t Tommy wanted his (reakfast.
"Can we &o now" Di*ie3" the little (oy asked. ",m so
h'n&ry."
"O7" Tommy"" Di*ie said. "#e ha!e to &o now"" she
told Dawson.
"Can , see yo' a&ain3" he asked her.
",m &oin& (a$k to Ja$kson tomorrow"" she re%lied. "-o
we wont meet a&ain. )'t it was &ood to meet yo' this
mornin&. Thanks" Dawson. Thanks for what yo' said a(o't
dreams."
A moment later" Di*ie had &one into the resta'rant
with the little (oy.
Dawson felt sad. 0or a few min'tes" a &irl had $han&ed
his life. )'t he was ne!er &oin& to see Di*ie a&ain and that
made him !ery sad.
At that moment" Pa$ey &ot o't of the tr'$k. He looked
at his friends fa$e.
"#hats wron& with yo'3" he asked.
Dawson tried to e*%lain his feelin&s" ('t Pa$ey didnt
'nderstand.
"Dawson"" he said. "Last week yo' were worried a(o't
Joey. /o' were worried (e$a'se she mi&ht meet another &'y
this weekend. /o' didnt want to lose her. Now you've met
another &irl" and the world has $han&ed for yo'. Are yo'
worryin& a(o't losin& Joey now3 No5 /o're worried
(e$a'se yo'!e lost a (lond who yo' knew for only ten
min'tes. Dawson" the world is f'll of (londs. The world is
f'll of &irls. This is real life" not a mo!ie" my friend5"
Pa$ey went into the resta'rant for some (reakfast.
Dawson stayed in the tr'$k.
", dont want to see Di*ie a&ain" and then lose her
a&ain"" he told himself. "The memory of her is %erfe$t. ,ll
kee% the memory. And ,ll always ha!e my film of her."
#hen Pa$ey $ame o't of the resta'rant" the (oys dro!e
(a$k into .anhattan" and finally they fo'nd a %arkin& lot
there. Then they rode on the s'(way + the 'nder&ro'nd
railway + to 2rand Central -tation. There" they fo'nd a
.anhattan %hone (ook. They fo'nd the %hone n'm(ers of
e!eryone in the $ity named Lindley.
")'t we dont know Jens fathers first name"" said
Dawson. "#ell ne!er find her %arents address. This was
another st'%id idea" Pa$ey."
They $alled all the Lindley:s whose n'm(ers were in
the %hone(ook. None of them knew Jen.
"#hat are we &oin& to do now3" Dawson asked.
"#ell" we know one thin&"" said Pa$ey. "Jens $o'sins
%arty is &oin& to take %la$e at the Pla4a Hotel" this e!enin&.
#ell (e to'rists today. #ell !isit the famo's ('ildin&s in
the $ity. Then this e!enin&" well &o to the hotel. Therell
only (e one sweet si*teen %arty for a &irl named Co'rtney
there. #ell find Jen and Joey at the %arty."
"#onderf'l5" said Dawson. ")'t ,m still &oin& to kill
yo' on .onday5"
CHAPTER 0,8E
Rumors
Jen and Joey s%ent most of -at'rday !isitin& famo's
%la$es in the $ity. Joey had ne!er (een to New /ork (efore.
Jen took her to the -tat'e of Li(erty. -he took her to the to%
of the Em%ire -tate )'ildin&. -he took her to some
e*%ensi!e stores. -he took her to wonderf'l $afes" where
they had $offee and l'n$h. Jen %aid for e!erythin&. Joey was
!ery worried a(o't this" ('t Jen was ha%%y to do it.
"Please dont worry" Joey"" she said. ",ts &ood to s%end
time with yo' away from Ca%eside."
"And its &ood to s%end time away from Dawson
Leery"" Joey said. "#e (oth need time away from Dawson."
E!erythin& was wonderf'l 'ntil they met one of Jens
New /ork friends. Jen and Joey saw the &irl on the other
side of a street that they were walkin& down. -he was $om+
in& towards them.
"Thats a &irl named .iranda"" said Jen. "-hes a horri+
(le %erson. ,!e known her for most of my life. And ,!e
disliked her for most of my life too5 -he s%reads r'mors
a(o't %eo%le + she tells lies a(o't them. -he always has a
nasty story to tell me a(o't someone that , know. And she
always has a nasty story to tell them a(o't me."
.iranda was a small thin &irl with (rown hair. Her
$lothes looked !ery e*%ensi!e. -he $rossed the street and
she sto%%ed Jen and Joey.
"Hi" Jen"" the &irl said. ")illy told me a(o't yo'r !isit
to The Cellar."
"Hello" .iranda"" Jen said. "This is my friend" Joey."
"Hello" Joey"" .iranda said. Then she t'rned (a$k to
Jen. "How is yo'r %ro(lem3" .iranda asked her. "Are yo'
feelin& (etter these days3"
", dont 'nderstand yo'"" Jen re%lied. "#hat %ro(lem3
"/o'r al$ohol %ro(lem" Jen"" .iranda said.
"E!ery(ody knows a(o't it. #erent yo' in the hos%ital
&ettin& treatment3 /o'!e (een away from home for a lon&
time."
"No" , was not in the hos%ital5" said Jen an&rily. "And ,
didnt ha!e an al$ohol %ro(lem."
"Oh" well + thats &ood"" said .iranda. ")'t that was
the story that I heard."
"The story was wron&"" said Jen. ",t was like most of
the stories that you hear" .iranda."
"Are yo' &oin& to Co'rtneys sweet si*teen %arty
toni&ht3" .iranda asked.
"/es" well (e there"" Jen said. "#hy do yo' ask"
.iranda3"
"#ell" , did hear another story"" .iranda said. ".ay(e
yo' need to hear it (efore yo' &o to the %arty."
"And what was this nasty story3" Jen asked.
",ts a(o't )illy and Co'rtney"" .iranda said. "They!e
(een ha!in& se* to&ether for months."
A few se$onds later" .iranda had walked away.
Jen was an&ry. ",t $ant (e tr'e"" she told Joey. ")illy
hates Co'rtney. Hes always hated her."
"Then yo're ri&ht"" Joey said. "The story $ant (e tr'e.
)'t why do yo' $are3 /o' dont want )illy to (e yo'r
(oyfriend any more. /o' told me that."
", dont want him as a boyfriend" Jen re%lied. ")'t , do
want him as a friend. , want to (e &ood friends with him."
"Listen" Jen"" Joey said. "Last week yo' were talkin&
a(o't me and Dawson. /o' said" /o' $an ne!er (e 6'st
friends a&ain on$e yo'!e (een someones &irlfriend. /o'
told me that."
"This is different"" Jen said. "Dawson was yo'r friend
(efore he was yo'r (oyfriend. )illy was never an ordinary
friend to me."
And when Jen tho'&ht a(o't what she had said" it
made her !ery sad.
,n Ca%eside that e!enin&" Do'& #itter" Pa$eys (rother"
walked into The ,$e Ho'se. He sat down at a ta(le. )essie
$ame o!er to him and he ordered some $offee. At the ne*t
ta(le" Do'& saw a teena&ed &irl.
"Hi"" the &irl $alled to him. ".y name is A((y
.or&an. ,m in some $lasses with Pa$ey at s$hool. Pa$ey is
my friend. #hy arent yo' in Hartford this weekend at the
%oli$e $on!ention on teena&e $rime3"
", had to $ome (a$k early"" Do'& said. "Two of the
offi$ers in my &ro'% are si$k. , ha!e to do their 6o(s
tomorrow. .y dad is still at the $on!ention. )'t how did
yo' know a(o't it3"
A((y smiled.
"Oh" Pa$ey told me a(o't it"" she answered. "He told
me" .y (rother and father are away for the weekend. ,m
&oin& to (orrow my dads tr'$k. ,m &oin& to dri!e to New
/ork with Dawson Leery. Thats how , knew a(o't the
$on!ention."
Do'& stood '%. He %'t some money on his ta(le and he
left the $afe. He didnt finish his $offee.
A few min'tes later" he talked to his father on the
%hone.
"Pa$ey has to (e %'nished"" tho'&ht Do'& as he %'t the
%hone down. "Hes told lies and hes taken Dads tr'$k
witho't %ermission. Hes a (ad son to his father. ,m a good
son. And ,!e done what a &ood son has to do. ,!e told the
tr'th."
CHAPTER -,;
Sweet Sixteen
Jen and Joey were standin& in front of the mirror in
Jens (edroom. They had s%ent two ho'rs &ettin& ready to &o
to Co'rtneys %arty. Joey was wearin& one of Jens formal
dresses. ,t was a lon& dark (l'e dress. ,t was !ery (ea'tif'l
and !ery e*%ensi!e. Jen had also fo'nd a (ra$elet with (l'e
6ewels" and Joey was wearin& this too. Her dark hair was
$lean and shiny.
)'t Jen was not wearin& a lon&" formal dress. Her %ale
(l'e dress was !ery short and it was made of silk.
"#ell" , already ha!e a (ad re%'tation in this $ity"" she
told Joey. "E!ery(ody here thinks" Jens a (ad &irl< -o ,!e
de$ided to look like a (ad &irl5"
"/o' told Danny and )illy not to %i$k 's '% with a
limo"" Joey said to Jen. "Did they listen to yo'3 #ill they do
what yo' asked them to do3"
", dont know"" Jen re%lied. "#ell soon find o't a(o't
that."
The two &irls %'t on their $oats. Then they left the
a%artment and went down in an ele!ator to the street.
O'tside the ('ildin& they had a (i& s'r%rise. Danny and
)illy were waitin& for them. The (oys were wearin& (la$k
t'*edos + formal e!enin& s'its. )'t they hadnt arri!ed in a
limo. They hadnt $ome in any kind of $ar. They had arri!ed
at the a%artment ('ildin& in a $arria&e whi$h was %'lled (y a
horse. The $arria&e was &old and the horse was white. The
dri!er wore a white s'it and a &old hat.
"/o' &irls look wonderf'l toni&ht"" Danny said.
"Please let 's take yo' to the %arty in o'r $arria&e."
Jen and Joey talked 1'ietly for a few moments.
"O7"" Jen said at last. "#ell $ome with yo'. )'t we
arent &oin& to (e with yo' all the e!enin&. Dont make any
%lans for 's."
"O7"" the (oys said to&ether.
They all &ot into the $arria&e.
At first" the &irls were ner!o's. They were worried
a(o't the two (oys. Did they ha!e %lans for the e!enin&3
)'t after a few min'tes" they sto%%ed worryin&. The &irls
en6oyed the ride to the %arty.
"Are yo' ha!in& f'n" Joelle3" Danny whis%ered to
Joey.
"/es" this is &reat"" she answered. -he $o'ldnt (e
an&ry with him any lon&er. He was so handsome and so ri$h.
And he liked her so m'$h + she $o'ld see that5
"Joelle" %lease" lets for&et a(o't last ni&ht"" he whis+
%ered. ", (eha!ed (adly + , know that. )'t ,m so sorry a(o't
it."
"O7" Danny"" she said. "Lets for&et a(o't it."
Joey and Jen looked aro'nd them. They were in the
room where the %arty was takin& %la$e. They had left )illy
and Danny at the entran$e to the hotel" and now the &irls
were walkin& into the Rose Room.
The Rose Room at the Pla4a Hotel was ama4in&5 ,t
was h'&e. ,n one %art of the room there were lar&e ta(les
with white $loths on them. Ten %eo%le $o'ld sit at ea$h ta(le.
And there were other ta(les with dishes of food on them. ,n
the middle of one ta(le were some lar&e letters made of i$e.
The letters said CO9RTNE/- -#EET -,;TEEN. The &irls
left their $oats with a $lerk and walked f'rther into the room.
The room was f'll of %eo%le. ,n one $orner" an or$hes+
tra was %layin& dan$e m'si$. .any of the &'ests at the %arty
were dan$in& to the m'si$.
"/o'r a'nt and 'n$le m'st ha!e s%ent tho'sands of
dollars on this %arty"" Joey said. "They m'st (e !ery ri$h."
"Oh yes"" Jen re%lied in a $old hard !oi$e. "They are
!ery ri$h + and they like e!eryone to know that."
Joey looked aro'nd the room a&ain. Near one wall
there was a (i& white s$reen. E!ery few se$onds" a $olor
%hoto a%%eared on this s$reen. All the %hotos were of
Co'rtney. -ome %hotos showed her when she was a (a(y.
-ome showed her when she was a yo'n& $hild. -ome
showed her when she was a yo'n& teena&er. There were
%hotos for e!ery year of her life.
"Look (ehind yo'" Joey"" Jen said.
On the wall (ehind her" Joey saw a lar&e %aintin&. ,t
was ten feet hi&h.
",t looks like the Mona Lisa + Leonardo da 8in$is
famo's %ortrait of an ,talian woman"" Joey tho'&ht.
)'t the %aintin& was m'$h (i&&er than Leonardos %i$+
t're. And the woman in the %ortrait had Co'rtneys fa$e5
-ome(ody had %ainted the %i$t're s%e$ially for the %arty.
-'ddenly" a tall slim &irl $ame towards them. -he had
strai&ht (lond hair and she was wearin& a lon& dress. The
dress was %ink and white. ,t looked !ery e*%ensi!e.
"Co'sin Jen5" the &irl $alled.
"This m'st (e Co'rtney + the + Perfe$t"" Joey told
herself.
"Oh" yo' m'st (e Jens little friend from Ca%eside"" the
(lond &irl said to Joey. Then she t'rned (a$k to Jen. The two
$o'sins did not look ha%%y to see ea$h other.
"#ell" yo' are (ra!e"" Co'rtney said to Jen. ", $o'ldnt
wear a dress like that toni&ht. )'t was it a &ood idea" Jen3
.y friends will think" Co'rtney was wron&. Jens still a (ad
&irl. , told e!eryone a(o't yo'r new life in .assa$h'setts. ,
said" Jen has $han&ed. -hes a ni$e" sensi(le &irl now. #ill
they (elie!e me when they see yo' in that dress3"
At that moment" )illy $ame o!er to them. He kissed
Co'rtney and she smiled at him.
"Are yo' &oin& to dan$e with me later3" she asked.
"/es" my (irthday &irl"" he re%lied. ", want that more
than anythin& in the world. )'t first" , want to find some
al$ohol. ,n this room" theres only a%%le 6'i$e."
"Oh" my mother de$ided a(o't that"" Co'rtney said.
"-hes makin& me so an&ry today5"
"#ell" Danny is lookin& for a (etter drink for 's"" )illy
told her. ",ll see yo' a&ain soon."
)illy kissed Co'rtney a&ain. Then she mo!ed away
from them. -he was &oin& to talk to someone else. "9&h5"
Jen said.
"-he still makes yo' feel (ad"" said )illy. "How does
she make you feel" )illy3" Jen re%lied. "Thats the im%ortant
1'estion5"
", + , dont 'nderstand yo'"" )illy said 1'i$kly. )'t his
fa$e (e$ame red and he t'rned away from her. ",m &oin& to
find Danny"" he said.
As he walked away" a woman in a &ray silk dress $ame
towards the &irls. -he was a (ea'tif'l middle + a&ed woman.
Her dress looked !ery e*%ensi!e.
"Jennifer5" the woman $alled. Jen hated her f'll name.
E!ery(ody else $alled her "Jen" (e$a'se that was the name
that she liked.
"Hello" A'nt 2ra$e"" Jen said. ", m'st introd'$e yo' to
Joey. This is my friend Joey Potter" from Ca%eside. Joey" this
is my a'nt + 2ra$e 2'iliani. -hes Co'rtneys moth + .er.
The woman held Joeys hand for a moment" then she
started to talk to Jen.
"#here are yo'r %arents" Jennifer3" she asked.
"Theyre away from New /ork"" Jen re%lied. "They had to
&o on a ('siness tri%."
A'nt 2ra$e looked an&ry. "#as their st'%id ('siness
tri% more im%ortant than my da'&hters %arty3" she asked.
"#ell" they ne!er think a(o't any(ody ('t themsel!es.
They!e ne!er taken $are of you Jen. Thats the reason why
yo'!e always (een so wild."
"/es" A'nt 2ra$e"" Jen re%lied in a $old hard !oi$e.
"/o' m'st (e ri&ht. )'t not e!eryone $an ha!e a wonderf'l
mother like Co'rtneys."
Jen was an&ry and she was (ein& sar$asti$ + she meant
the o%%osite of what she said. )'t her a'nt didnt 'nderstand
this.
"#ell" yo're ri&ht a(o't that" dear"" she said ha%%ily.
Then s'ddenly" she was an&ry a&ain. "#hy are yo' wearin&
that dress3" she asked. "E!eryone m'st wear formal $lothes
this e!enin&. That was written on the in!itations. Are yo'
tryin& to r'in my little &irls %arty3 Thats a terri(le thin& to
do5"
",m wearin& this dress (e$a'se , like it"" Jen re%lied
$oldly. "#ill yo' take me to see my 9n$le #illiam now"
%lease3 , ha!ent seen him yet."
#hen Jen and her a'nt had &one" Joey saw a yo'n&
man walkin& towards her.
"Hello" Joey"" he said. "#e met at The Cellar last ni&ht.
/o' look (ea'tif'l toni&ht. #ill yo' dan$e with me3"
,t was the yo'n& man named T'$ker. Joey started to
dan$e with him. He was a !ery &ood dan$er. He wasnt
handsome like Danny" ('t he was kind and f'nny. He didnt
hold Joey too $lose to him. -he en6oyed talkin& to him and
she en6oyed dan$in& with him. -he wanted to dan$e with
him a&ain later.
#hen the m'si$ finished" Joey and T'$ker sat down.
Joey saw .iranda walkin& towards them. -he was with Jens
friend" Amy.
"Hi" Joelle"" .iranda said. "#here did yo' &et that ter+
ri(le dress. ,t looks $hea%."
"Are yo' tryin& to (e r'de to me" .iranda3" Joey
asked her. "#as that an ins'lt3 .ay(e it was. ,m not s're
a(o't it" (e$a'se it wasnt really $le!er eno'&h for an ins'lt."
.irandas fa$e (e$ame red and Amy la'&hed at her.
"Tell me" Joelle"" .iranda said an&rily. ",s the r'mor
a(o't yo' tr'e3 Did yo' ha!e se* with Danny last ni&ht" one
ho'r after yo' first met him3 ,s the story tr'e3 E!ery(ody
here (elie!es it5"
CHAPTER -E8EN
The Wrong !othes
Dawson and Pa$ey $ame o't of a s'(way station and
walked towards the Pla4a Hotel. They were wearin& $as'al
shirts and (l'e 6eans. Dawson was $arryin& his !ideo $am+
era. The (oys shirts were $lean" ('t they had (een wearin&
their 6eans sin$e 0riday mornin&. They werent $orre$tly
dressed for a formal %arty.
",m worried" Pa$ey"" Dawson said to his friend. "No
one in!ited 's to this %arty. .ay(e the %eo%le at the hotel
wont let 's &o in. ,f they do let 's &o in" may(e the &irls will
(e an&ry with 's."
"Dawson" yo' worry too m'$h"" Pa$ey said. He
la'&hed. "/o' wanted to (e with Joey this weekend. Now
,!e (ro'&ht yo' here. Are yo' ha%%y3 No + yo're worryin&
a(o't e!erythin&. )e $alm" Dawson. E!erythin& will (e O7.
,m ri&ht. ,m always ri&ht + yo' know that."
"Pa$ey"" Dawson re%lied. "Dont (e a fool. #hen yo'
ha!e to $hoose what to do" yo' always do the wron& thin&.
E!eryone knows that. /o' ha!e a re%'tation for it. /o'
always do and say the wron& thin&s."
The two (oys entered the hotel. Pa$ey walked o!er to
the re$e%tion desk. A man was sittin& (ehind it. He was the
re$e%tion $lerk + he hel%ed &'ests and !isitors.
"Theres a si*teenth (irthday %arty here toni&ht"" Pa$ey
said to the $lerk. "#here $an we find it3"
".ay(e yo'!e made a mistake" yo'n& man"" the
re$e%tion $lerk told him. "There is a %arty here toni&ht" in
the Rose Room. )'t the %eo%le at that %arty are all wearin&
formal $lothes. ,t $ant (e the %arty that yo' are lookin& for."
"O7"" Pa$ey said. ",m sorry. .ay(e we did $ome to
the wron& %la$e."
He walked away from the re$e%tion desk" towards the
ele!ators. Dawson followed him. A min'te later" they were
enterin& the Rose Room. The room was f'll of men wearin&
t'*edos and women wearin& lon&" formal dresses. An
or$hestra was %layin& old + fashioned dan$e m'si$. ,t was
not the kind of m'si$ that most teena&ers like5
A yo'n& woman with lon& red hair $ame o!er to the
two (oys. -he looked at their $lothes.
"Hello"" she said. "Can , hel% yo'3 .ay(e yo'!e
$ome to the wron& %arty."
Dawson tho'&ht 1'i$kly. He held '% his !ideo $amera.
",m the !ideo&ra%her"" he said. ".y name is .r
Leery. This is my assistant" .r #itter. #e work for a
$om%any $alled -$reen%lay 8ideo. Co'rtneys %arents asked
-$reen%lay 8ideo to make a film of the %arty. The $om%any
sent 's here to make the film."
"Didnt the $om%any tell yo' that this was a formal
%arty3" the &irl asked them.
"#ell" -$reen%lay 8ideo is a (i& $om%any"" Pa$ey
re%lied. ".ay(e we didnt &et the $om%lete information."
"#ell" if yo' know a(o't Co'rtney" yo' m'st (e O7""
the &irl said. "Please start filmin&." And she walked away.
Dawson lifted the $amera to his fa$e and looked
thro'&h the !iewfinder. He shot a few se$onds of film.
"#ell" we &ot into the %arty. Now lets find Joey and
Jen"" Pa$ey whis%ered to him.
)'t at that moment the (oys heard a !oi$e (ehind
them.
"#ho are yo' (oys3 #hy are yo' here3" the !oi$e
asked.
Dawson and Pa$ey t'rned aro'nd. A (ea'tif'l middle +
a&ed woman in a &ray silk dress was talkin& to them. And
ne*t to her was a tall man in a t'*edo. On the mans $oat was
a (ad&e. The words on the (ad&e were JO-EPH -ARRAT
8,DEO -ER8,CE- + J. -ARRAT" 8,DEO2RAPHER.
The woman was lookin& an&rily at Dawson and Pa$ey.
"This is my da'&hters %arty"" the woman said. "And
this is the &entleman who , asked to make a film of the %arty.
-o what are you doin& here3 ,f yo' dont tell me" ,ll send for
the hotel se$'rity staff. And theyll $all the %oli$e5"
Joey was !ery" !ery an&ry. 0or half an ho'r" she had
(een lookin& for Danny. -he hadnt fo'nd him yet.
"#hen , do find him" ,ll &et the tr'th from him"" she
told herself. "Did he tell lies a(o't me to .iranda and his
other friends3 Did he say" , had se* with Jens friend last
ni&ht3 ,f he told them that" ,ll kill him5"
)'t Joey $o'ldnt find Danny anywhere. And she
$o'ldnt find Jen or )illy either. -he was an&ry with Danny"
('t she was an&ry with Jen too.
"Jen is not a &ood friend"" she tho'&ht. "-he (ro'&ht
me here" then she left me alone. -he left me with h'ndreds
of %eo%le who , dont know. ,m &oin& to find Danny. ,m
&oin& to &et the tr'th from him. Then ,m &oin& to lea!e this
horri(le %la$e5"
A few min'tes later" she saw T'$ker a&ain. -he smiled
at him.
"Hi"" she said.
"Oh" hi"" he re%lied sadly. ",m lookin& for some
friends. .ay(e ,ll see yo' later." And he walked 1'i$kly
away.
"He doesnt want to talk to me"" Joey tho'&ht sadly.
"He (elie!es the r'mors a(o't me and Danny."
Joey went to the $lerk where she had left her $oat. -he
didnt want to find Danny now. -he didnt want to stay here
any lon&er. -he didnt ha!e any money. )'t she de$ided to
walk (a$k to Jens a%artment. "That will (e (etter than
stayin& here a min'te lon&er"" she told herself. )'t as she
%'t her $oat on" she heard a !oi$e (ehind her.
"J + Joelle" w + where are yo' &oin&3 ,!e (een lookin&
for yo'." ,t was Dannys !oi$e. His !oi$e was not $lear + it
was sl'rred. He had dr'nk a lot of al$ohol + Joey knew that.
-he t'rned aro'nd and looked at him. -he looked at him
with an&er and hate.
",!e (een lookin& for yo' too"" she said. "Did yo' tell
lies a(o't me to yo'r horri(le friends3 Theres a r'mor a(o't
me here. E!eryone has heard it. The r'mor is" Jens friend"
Joey" had se* with Danny last ni&ht. -he had se* with him
an ho'r after she first met him. -o , want to know
somethin&" Danny. Did you start this r'mor3"
"#ell" yes"" Danny re%lied. He la'&hed. ",!e had lots
of &irlfriends. , $an ha!e se* with anyone , want. E!eryone
knows that + thats my re%'tation. , want e!eryone to (elie!e
my re%'tation. /o' dont want me to lose my re%'tation"
Joelle." He la'&hed a&ain.
"/o' are a horri(le liar"" Joey said 1'ietly. ",f yo' e!er
say my name a&ain" to anybody , will know a(o't it. And if
, know that" , will make yo' !ery" !ery 'nha%%y. Now &o
away5"
Joey %'shed Danny hard and he almost fell o!er. Then
she t'rned towards the door. )'t as she rea$hed the door" she
heard %eo%le sho'tin&. -he heard a !oi$e that she knew well.
"#e made a mistake"" the !oi$e said ner!o'sly. "#e
were hired to make a film of a sweet si*teen (irthday %arty.
#e $ame to the wron& %arty + thats all that ha%%ened. #ere
sorry. #ell lea!e now."
,t was Dawson5
Joey $losed her eyes. "Oh" no5 This $ant (e ha%%enin&
to me5" she told herself.
Dawson and Pa$ey" dressed in 6eans and $as'al shirts"
were standin& in the middle of a $rowd of an&ry %eo%le.
Joey saw Amy and .iranda in the $rowd. And she saw Jens
a'nt and Co'rtney too.
", dont (elie!e yo'. ,m &oin& to $all the %oli$e" now5"
A'nt 2ra$e sho'ted.
Joey looked at the two (oys. "They followed 's here""
she told herself. "Dawson wont lea!e me alone. This is
terri(le5 ,m so an&ry with him5"
This was tr'e. )'t Joey was an&ry with Jen and her
friends and family too. -'ddenly she knew what to do.
-he s%oke to Jens a'nt.
"Dont $all the %oli$e"" she said. "This is my mistake. I
in!ited them here."
"!ou in!ited them3" A'nt 2ra$e sho'ted. "#hy3"
Co'rtney was standin& ne*t to her mother. -he looked
an&rily at Joey.
",ts my %arty"" Co'rtney said. "#hy did yo' in!ite
%eo%le to it3 , dont know yo'. "obody here knows yo'5"
"#ell" Danny knows her"" .iranda said in a $old" $r'el
!oi$e. "He knows her very well. Lots of (oys know her !ery
well. ,snt that tr'e" Joelle3"
Peo%le in the $rowd la'&hed.
At that moment" Jen arri!ed. -he looked aro'nd her.
='i$kly she 'nderstood what was ha%%enin&.
"/o'r horri(le friend in!ited these terri(le (oys to my
da'&hters %arty"" A'nt 2ra$e said to her. "Poor %eo%le from
(ad families do that kind of thin&. Take her away from
here5"
"No" thats wron&" A'nt 2ra$e"" Jen said $almly. "Joey
didnt in!ite them. I in!ited them."
Co'rtney s$reamed. "/o' did this to r'in my %arty5"
she sho'ted at Jen. ", hate yo'5"
-'ddenly Dawson s%oke.
"Jen and Joey didnt know a(o't this"" he said to Jens
a'nt. "They didnt in!ite 's + that is the tr'th. #e followed
them here. #e a%olo&i4e Co'rtney + were !ery sorry. #ell
lea!e when you've a%olo&i4ed to Jen."
"/o' m'st (e $ra4y5" Co'rtney sho'ted. ",m not &oin&
to a%olo&i4e to her. , hate her. ,!e always hated her5"
Then Joey heard another !oi$e. ,t was a !ery sl'rred
!oi$e. ,t was Dannys !oi$e.
"J + Joelle"" Danny said. He almost fell o!er as he
walked '% to her. "/ + yo're still here. /o' $o'ldnt lea!e
witho't me." He la'&hed and he looked aro'nd at his
friends. "Joelle $o'ldnt lea!e witho't me"" he told them.
"/o're a liar and yo're dr'nk"" Joey said 1'ietly. ",
told yo' ne!er to say my name a&ain." Then she hit Danny
!ery hard a$ross the fa$e. He fell to the floor.
", think the mo!ie ends here"" Dawson said. ",ts time
for o'r e*it from this s$ene." He held Joeys arm and Pa$ey
held Jens arm. The fo'r friends walked o't of the room.
CHAPTER E,2HT
Pace" Does the Right Thing
The ne*t day" the fo'r friends were sittin& in Pa$eys
fathers tr'$k. They were on their way home to Ca%eside.
They had stayed the ni&ht at Jens a%artment. )'t now they
had to &et (a$k home.
", ha!e to (e home (efore my dad and my (rother &et
(a$k from the %oli$e $on!ention on teena&e $rime"" Pa$ey
told the &irls. "They didnt know a(o't this tri% to New /ork.
, (orrowed the tr'$k. )'t , didnt ask them first."
There werent many $ars on the road ('t the weather
was terri(le. Rain was fallin& hea!ily. Pa$ey had to dri!e
slowly.
The fo'r teena&ers didnt say m'$h. Ea$h of them was
thinkin&.
Jen was thinkin& a(o't the an&ry %hone $all that shed
had from her a'nt that mornin&.
"/o' r'ined my da'&hters %arty"" her a'nt had told her
an&rily. "/o' (ro'&ht that horri(le &irl from Ca%eside. The
yo'n& man that she hit s%ent the ni&ht in a hos%ital. #e had
to &o there with him. #hen yo'r horri(le friend hit him" she
(roke his nose. And you are as (ad as she is. , know all
a(o't yo'" yo'n& lady5 , know + "
"2ood(ye" A'nt 2ra$e"" Jen had said. And she had %'t
the %hone down in the middle of her a'nts senten$e.
#hen )illy had %honed Jen a little later" she had done
the same thin&. -he hadnt listened to him. -hed %'t the
%hone down while he was still s%eakin&.
"2oin& (a$k to New /ork was a mistake"" she told her+
self now. ",t was a big mistake."
Joey was thinkin& a(o't Dawson. )efore they went to
their (edrooms the ni&ht (efore" shed told him a lot of
thin&s. -he was an&ry a(o't what he had done. -he had told
him this.
"/o' ha!e to lea!e me alone" Dawson"" she had said.
"/o' ha!e to lea!e me in %ea$e. ,!e told yo' that (efore. ,
want to meet other (oys. All my life" ,!e only known yo'.
Are yo' the ri&ht %erson for me3 , wont know a(o't that
'ntil ,!e known some other (oys."
", made a mistake this weekend + , know that"" she
went on. ", saw Danny at a $l'( and s'ddenly my life
$han&ed. ,t ha%%ened in a moment. , didnt ha!e a $hoi$e
a(o't it. , didnt $hoose to feel like that a(o't him. )'t when
, saw him" , wanted to s%end time with him. , felt e*$ited
a(o't him. Danny was dan&ero's and he made me ner!o's.
That e*$ited me. He wanted to (e with me !ery m'$h. ,
didnt 'nderstand what he really wanted from me.
", dont want to hear a(o't Danny"" Dawson had said.
"/o' must hear a(o't him"" Joey had re%lied. ", need
to tell yo' a(o't him. , made a mistake. , $hose the wron&
&'y. )'t , ha!e to make my own mistakes" Dawson. /o'
$ant $ontrol my life. Please dont try to do that."
Then shed looked at her (est friend + the (oy who she
had lo!ed sin$e they were $hildren. -'ddenly" shed felt !ery
sorry for him.
,ll always (e yo'r friend" Dawson"" shed said. ")'t at
this time" we m'st only (e friends and no more than that."",
like yo'" Dawson"" Joey had $ontin'ed. ", lo!e yo'" in a
s%e$ial way. ,f , lost yo'r friendshi%" ,d (e terri(ly 'nha%%y.
)'t , dont want to (e yo'r &irlfriend. , dont want yo' to (e
an&ry with me all the time. , want to tell yo' a(o't the other
%eo%le , meet. , want to tell yo' a(o't my feelin&s for them.
, want 's to (e honest with ea$h other. , want yo' to (e my
(est friend a&ain. Do yo' 'nderstand3"
", 'nderstand" Joey"" Dawson had re%lied sadly. "/o'
want me to for&et my feelin&s for yo'. /o' want me to (e
someone who yo' $an talk to. /o' want to tell me a(o't the
%eo%le who are in lo!e with yo'. , $ant (e that kind of
friend for yo'" Joey. ,m sorry. 2oodni&ht." And hed t'rned
and left the room.
Joey had (een s'r%rised. -he always $hose the e*its
from their s$enes to&ether. -he always s%oke the last words
in their s$enes. )'t last ni&ht" she hadnt (een a(le to say
any more.
Joey was thinkin& a(o't that as Pa$ey dro!e the tr'$k
$aref'lly (a$k towards their little seaside town. And Dawson
was thinkin& a(o't it too. And he was also thinkin& a(o't
Di*ie" the %retty &irl from the %arkin& lot in -taten ,sland.
",f , $o'ld see Di*ie a&ain" may(e , wo'ldnt think
a(o't Joey all the time"" he tho'&ht.
Pa$ey was thinkin& a(o't his father and his (rother.
His tho'&hts werent ha%%y either.
"#hy do , worry a(o't (eha!in& (adly3" he asked
himself. ",f , (eha!ed %erfe$tly e!ery day for a year" Dad
and Do'& still wo'ldnt like me. Theyd still say" Pa$ey"
yo're a fool. And yo're a fail're. They dont really $are
what , do" (e$a'se they dont really $are a(o't me. They
en6oy makin& my life diffi$'lt. They en6oy %'nishin& me."
The fo'r friends were thinkin& their own tho'&hts as
Pa$ey dro!e the tr'$k thro'&h the rain.
-'ddenly" the tr'$k slowed down. Pa$ey was sto%%in&.
A $ar had (roken down at the side of the hi&hway. A small"
elderly woman was standin& ne*t to it. -he was lookin& !ery
'nha%%y and she was &ettin& !ery wet.
Pa$ey looked at his wat$h.
"#e $an hel% this lady and we $an still &et (a$k to
Ca%eside (efore my dad"" he told the others. "#e $ant lea!e
her (y her (roken down $ar."
Pa$ey sto%%ed the tr'$k and he and Dawson &ot o't.
They ran o!er to the elderly woman.
"Thank yo' for sto%%in&"" she said. "/o're !ery kind.
, for&ot to (rin& my %hone with me. , $ant $all a &ara&e. Oh"
my name is Phyllis Hano!er."
Pa$ey and Dawson introd'$ed themsel!es. Then they
looked at the $ar. One of its tires was flat. There was a hole
in the r'((er and all the air had &one.
",s there a s%are wheel in the $ar3" Pa$ey asked the
woman. ",f there is" well $han&e the wheel for yo'."
)'t when they &ot the s%are wheel from the (a$k of the
womans $ar" its tire was flat too.
"Oh no"" the woman said. "The s%are needed re%airs. ,
for&ot. ,m so st'%id. #hat shall , do3"
The woman was &ettin& wetter and wetter. Her $oat
wasnt water%roof + the rain was &ettin& thro'&h it. Dawson
saw this. He hel%ed her remo!e her wet $oat. Then he %'t his
own water%roof 6a$ket aro'nd her sho'lders. #hile Dawson
was doin& this" Pa$ey went to talk to the &irls in the tr'$k.
-oon they had made a de$ision. They all walked o!er to the
ladys $ar.
"This is what well do" .rs Hano!er"" Pa$ey told the
elderly lady when he ret'rned. "Joey and Dawson will wait
here in yo'r $ar. They will look after it for yo'. /o' and Jen
and , will take yo'r s%are wheel and well &o in my tr'$k.
#ell look for a &ara&e whi$h $an re%air yo'r s%are tire.
Then well (rin& yo' (a$k here and %'t the wheel on the $ar
for yo'."
0i!e min'tes later" Pa$ey and Jen were dri!in& in the
tr'$k with .rs Hano!er. They were lookin& for a &ara&e.
"The nearest &ara&e is a lon& way from here"" .rs
Hano!er said. "This is so kind of yo'. #here do yo' $ome
from" Pa$ey3"
", li!e in Ca%eside" .assa$h'setts"" Pa$ey re%lied.
"#e all li!e there."
"Pa$eys father is the Chief of Poli$e in Ca%eside"" Jen
told the woman. "#e!e s%ent the weekend in New /ork"
and now were &oin& home."
"And ,m makin& yo' late"" .rs Hano!er said. ",m
sorry. /o're all !ery kind."
Joey and Dawson were sittin& in .rs Hano!ers $ar.
They were tryin& to kee% warm. They were (oth 'nha%%y.
They didnt want to talk a(o't themsel!es" so they talked
a(o't Pa$ey.
", was s'r%rised when Pa$ey sto%%ed to hel% that
woman"" Joey said. "He has to &et home (efore his father
arri!es. ,f were late" hell (e in terri(le tro'(le. Pa$ey knows
that. )'t he sto%%ed to hel% someone."
"/es" , was s'r%rised too"" Dawson re%lied. "He had to
$hoose what to do. And for the first time in his life" Pa$ey
did the ri&ht thin&5"
Joey looked at him.
"#ell" may(e it will (e your t'rn soon" Dawson"" she
said. ".ay(e yo'll do the ri&ht thin& too. .ay(e you'll
make the ri&ht $hoi$e." And she smiled at him.
CHAPTER N,NE
#ome $gain
Dawson o%ened the door of his ho'se" took off his wet
$oat" and went into the li!in& room. His %arents were
waitin& for him there. They were wat$hin& T8" ('t his father
swit$hed it off when Dawson entered.
"#ell" Dawson" did yo' ha!e a &ood weekend at
#a$ey's ho'se3" .r Leery asked.
Dawson sat down. He was in tro'(le + he knew that.
Pa$eys father m'st ha!e %honed his %arents already.
"Dad" .om" ,m sorry"" the (oy said. ", told yo' a lie.
#e werent at Pa$eys ho'se. #e went to New /ork City.
Joey and Jen went there for a %arty. #e wanted to (e with
them."
"/o' wanted to follow them"" Dawsons father said.
"-o yo' and Pa$ey stole .r #itters tr'$k and yo' went to
New /ork. Are yo' $ra4y3"
".ay(e , am $ra4y"" Dawson re%lied sadly. ", dont
know. )'t , was wron& to do what , did. , know that now.
,m !ery sorry."
"Dawson" we ha!e to %'nish yo'"" .r Leery said.
"#ere &oin& to do the only thin& that yo' will 'nderstand.
#ere &oin& to take yo'r !ideo $amera away from yo' for
two weeks."
"/o' $ant do that to me5" Dawson said. ", need my
$amera for the film $lass at s$hool."
"#hy didnt yo' think a(o't that on 0riday" (efore yo'
did this st'%id thin&3" .r Leery said an&rily. "/o're the + "
Then he sto%%ed s%eakin& s'ddenly. He looked at his wife.
"That was terri(le"" he said. ", so'nd like my own father. He
always said thin&s like that to me when , was yo'n& and
$ra4y."
"Dad" .om"" Dawson said. ",ts O7. Take my $amera.
,d like to tell yo'" ,ll ne!er do anythin& like that a&ain. )'t
,m a teena&er with %ro(lems" and ,m tryin& to (e$ome an
ad'lt. -o , %ro(a(ly will do more st'%id thin&s. )'t today"
,m !ery sorry."
"Oh" yes" yo'll do many more st'%id thin&s + were
s're a(o't that"" .r Leery said. He la'&hed. "And ea$h time
yo' do somethin& st'%id" well (e here to %'nish yo'."
Dawson nodded his head. He wasnt 'nha%%y a(o't
that idea. He &ot '% and left the room.
Pa$ey was sittin& in the li!in& room of his fathers
ho'se. His father knew all a(o't the tri% to New /ork. Do'&
#itter had ret'rned from the %oli$e $on!ention a day early.
He had fo'nd o't a(o't Pa$eys tri% from A((y .or&an.
A((y had en6oyed tellin& Do'& a(o't it. And Do'& had
en6oyed %honin& his father with the news.
"/o're a fail're" Pa$ey"" his father told him.
"E!erythin& in yo'r life is wron&. E!ery $hoi$e yo' make is
wron&. #hy $ant yo' (e like yo'r (rother3"
",m sorry" Dad"" Pa$ey said 'nha%%ily. ", wont do it
a&ain."
"/o'r a%olo&y isnt &ood eno'&h"" .r #itter said
an&rily. "#hy didnt yo' ask me a(o't (orrowin& the tr'$k3
")e$a'se yo' wo'ld ha!e said no"" said Pa$ey" sim%ly.
"#ell that's tr'e5" .r #itter said. ")'t yo' didnt ask.
/o' stole the tr'$k5 #hile ,!e (een at a $on!ention a(o't
teena&e $riminals" yo'!e be$ome a teena&e $riminal. Theres
only one thin& to do with yo' + theres only one thin& that
yo'll 'nderstand. ,m &oin& to arrest yo'. /o'll (e arrested
for stealin&. .ay(e yo'll &o to 6ail. , $ant hel% yo' any
more" and + "
At that moment" the %hone started to rin&. .r #itter
%i$ked it '%.
"/es" ,m Chief #itter"" he said into the %hone. Then
he was 1'iet for a while. He was listenin& to someone who
had somethin& to tell him. After a few min'tes" he s%oke
a&ain. "Thank yo' for tellin& me a(o't this"" he said. ",t was
kind of yo' to $all. Did my son ask yo' to $all me3 No" ,
'nderstand. 2ood(ye."
.r #itter %'t the %hone down and he looked $aref'lly
at his son.
"That was a lady named .rs Phyllis Hano!er"" he said.
"-he %honed to tell me a(o't yo' and yo'r friends. /o' were
tryin& to &et (a$k here (efore , did. )'t yo' sto%%ed to hel%
her (e$a'se she was in tro'(le. And she tried to &i!e yo'
some money" ('t yo' didnt take it. #ell" may(e there is
something &ood in yo'" son. .ay(e yo'll (eha!e (etter one
day."
"Are yo' &oin& to arrest me" Dad3" Pa$ey asked
1'ietly. "No" ,m not &oin& to arrest yo'"" .r #itter re%lied.
")'t , dont 'nderstand yo'" Pa$ey. , dont 'nderstand yo' at
all."
", dont 'nderstand me either" Dad"" said Pa$ey. ")'t ,
a%olo&i4e a(o't the tr'$k." And he left the room.
Late that e!enin&" Joey %i$ked '% her %hone. -he
$alled Dawsons n'm(er and he answered 1'i$kly.
"Hi" Dawson"" Joey said. ", $alled to say &oodni&ht.
Are yo'r %arents !ery an&ry with yo'3"
"#ell" ,m still ali!e"" Dawson said. "They didnt kill
me. Joey" listen to me. , need to tell yo' somethin&. , do
'nderstand what yo' said a(o't Danny. /o' saw him" and
then yo'r life $han&ed. ,t ha%%ened to me too. , met a &irl in
a %arkin& lot in -taten ,sland" and e!erythin& $han&ed for
me. -he was a dan$er and she was (ea'tif'l. ,ll ne!er see
her a&ain + , know that. )'t the world is a different %la$e for
me too."
"#hy are yo' tellin& me this" Dawson3" Joey asked.
-he wasnt ha%%y to hear a(o't Di*ie.
", want to (e honest with yo'" Joey"" Dawson said.
"/o' want 's to (e honest with ea$h other. /o' want 's to (e
honest a(o't o'r feelin&s. /o' told me that."
-'ddenly Joey felt (etter. "Dawson"" she whis%ered.
"/es3"
", only wanted to say yo'r name. 2oodni&ht." And
Joey smiled as she %'t the %hone down.