Evil Willow's Favorite Fanfic

All the World's a Stage


Part 8

Written By: Cat
Rating: G
Summary: Dawson's Creek goes through some changes.

Disclaimer: I am not in any way affilated with the show.
I don't not own any of the characters from the show. I do
own rights to any characters I have made up. No copy rght
infirgment intended.

She sat there nervously. How am I going to do this, she thought. I don't even know why I'm here in the first place. Just breathe Joey, she told herself. It was opening night and Joey was as nervous as anyone could be. She was starring as Juliet in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts' rendition of the famous Shakespearean play "Romeo and Juliet." Joey tightened her gown once more before making her final entrance. "Oh happy dagger let me die!" Joey cried, thrusting the knife into her side in the final scene of the play. Thunderous applause came from the audience as they gave the phenomenal performance a standing ovation, but no one was applauding harder than Dawson Leery. He, along with Heather, Pacey, Jen, Bessie, Bodie, Mitch, and Gail, had traveled to the Big Apple to see Joey, as well as her Cloey, perform. The cast took a final curtain call and the crowd finally dispersed, leaving the group of friends to congratulate their two stars. "Jo, that was wonderful," Dawskstage with a kiss. Joey just blushed. "Yeah, well..." "Great job, Joey," Heather said. "Thanks," she replied, giving her old enemy a hug. "Cloey, Jo, what can I say? In the famous tradition of Siskel and Ebert, I give you two thumbs up," Pacey interjected. "Better make that four," Jen put in. "You both did an excellent job." "Well, when you're good, you're good," Cloey happily announced. "Of course, Joey did a better job than anyone else. She literally made us all look terrible." Mitch and Gail both just chuckled. "Good job, both of you. You did wonderfully," Mitch declared. "I'll second that," Gail said, smiling. "We love you both." Bessie gave her sisters a hug. When he drew her off to the side of the ecstatic group, Joey looked up at Dawson and smiled. "You know I'm coming home after this," she said. "I know. I'll be waiting for you," he said looking into her eyes. "I can't wait," Joey replied, smiling. She sighed. "Right now, though, I'm heading back to the dorm. We have a matinee and an evening performance tomorrow. An actress needs her beauty sleep." She reached for her coat. "Goodnight then. I'll be waiting on Monday," he called after her. Two Months Later… "What do you mean you're never coming back? You said you'd be back two months ago!" Dawson said, shouting into the phone. "I told you, Dawson. I've decided o stay here and finish my schooling. "Why can't you accept that?" Joey replied calmly. "Because I love you, Jo. I can't stand being without you," Dawson answered. "I love you too, Dawson, but you have to let me do this," Joey said. "Goodbye," she added quietly, hanging up the phone. She turned to her sister. "Watch out for him, will you, Clo?" she asked. "You know I will," Cloey said, giving her sister a hug. With that final goodbye, Cloey grabbed her bags and was off to the airport for the next flight to Capeside. She was planning on spending some more time with Bessie before college, and was going to transfer to Capeside High and graduate there. One Month Later… Dawson got up and pressed the rewind button on the VCR. "So is E.T. a keeper for you or not?" he asked. "I have to admit it--that little alien is pretty cute," Cloey said, smiling reluctantly. "I knew you'd like it. You and Joey are so much alike it's almost creepy." "We are not," Cloey replied. Dawson's smug, self-satisfied grin was her only answer. "Look, you may think so now, but I guarantee six months from now you'll be embarrassed you ever said that," Cloey declared, crossing her arms over her chest. "We'll just have to see about that," Dawson said. "Whatever…" Cloey sighed. "I need to be going now. I'll see you, okay?" "Yeah--first period tomorrow morning. Bright and early." "'Night, Dawson," Cloey called out, half way down the ladder. "Goodnight, Clo." Six Months Later… Cloey, Dawson, Pacey, and Jen walked down the halls of Capeside High laughing. "Finally! Summer vacation is here!" Pacey announced putting his arms around Jen. "So what do you guys have planned?" Dawson asked the two. "Oh I don't know. A little this, a little that, who knows," Jen replied. "Well, I was thinking more along the lines of 'Jamaica here we come!'" Cloey said. "I'm taking Bessie, Bodie, and Alex down. You guys are welcome to tag along." "Really?" Jen asked, surprised. "Yeah, why not? The more the merrier." "That's my Clo," Dawson declared proudly. Cloey smiled. She liked the idea of being Dawson's, but knew she would never be able to measure up to Joey in his eyes. Not that she wanted to, of course--Joey was her sister and best friend! Of course, there were always those fantasies she never let herself fully acknowledge… She snapped back to reality. "Well, I'll book three more seats on our flight then…and sunshine here we come!" "Alright!" Pacey yelled. Meanwhile… Joey was happy in New York City. Once in a while she checked up with Cloey and Dawson to see how things were going in Capeside, but she didn't really want to go home for the summer. She was looking forward to a new project: working at a summer arts camp that taught little kids different aspects of acting, dance, singing, and art. On top of that, she had a few acting classes that she was continuing with. She felt comfortable in New York. It was becoming home.