Joey is shocked to discover that Pacey has been living in Boston for more than three weeks and has made no attempt to contact her. Dawson heads home to Capeside, having made the decision to drop out of university and move to Boston to be with Joey and all his friends. While Gail is understanding, Mitch is not. Dawson and his father have a heated argument which Dawson refuses to concede. Dawson leaves the family home, still sure that he will not be returning to USC. Later, Mitch leaves for the local shop, but tragedy strikes during the journey.