Jackie/Hyde Fic: Cessoare cont. (9-11/11)
[mood| 
Cranky ]
Chapters: 9-11 out of 11
Chapters Before: Chapters 1-4
Chapters 5-8
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“You mean nothing to me!”
No, it wasn’t part of a confrontation between angsty teens, but was hollered over the crowd of people crammed in Jackie’s living room by none other than Fez. He stood on one of Jackie’s mother’s expensive footstools with a beer can crushed in his fist, yelling drunken obscenities at all those who would listen. A few turned to look up at him- most, however, didn’t even bother to gaze in his direction…like usual. Yet, Fez persisted in trying to gain their attention, especially the cheerleading squad’s attention.
“Hey you, pretty lady in the pink! Do you like my ass?” Fez said, leering his butt forward as the girl flicked her hair and turned away from him. In midst of a conversation, Hyde and Kelso turned their attention to their drunken friend.
“Yea!” Kelso hollered in excitement with a goofy grin plastered across his face.
“Would you not like some brown sugar?” Fez sputtered, just as he lost his footing and fell forwards. He scrambled to get a grip of anything to break his fall and momentarily smiled as he felt his hands grip on something. Unfortunately for him, Fez had managed to graze his fingers against a crystal vase and instead of breaking Fez’s fall it fell down itself. Hyde and Kelso ran forward and managed to save Fez from falling onto the floor, but the vase smashed into several pieces.
“Crap.” Hyde mumbled, as Fez whoopeed and yelled at more girls around him to ‘make sweet love’ to him as he squirmed in Kelso and Hyde’s hands. Kelso’s mouth gaped open as he saw the smashed pieces of glass on the floor and let go of Fez.
“Oops.”
“This is your fault, Kelso!” Hyde accused.
“Mine? Fez is the one that fell!”
“C’mon man, you’re the one who orchestrated this whole party when Jackie told you not to.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Hyde. There’s no orchestra!” Kelso shouted. Hyde groaned and grabbed Kelso by the collar and pulled him away from the rest of the people.
“Look, Kelso. Why don’t you do the smart thing for once and get all these people to leave before they break anything else and you burn Jackie’s house again?” Hyde demanded.
“What so you and Jackie can be alone?” Kelso retorted and Hyde scoffed.
“No. So her house won’t be destroyed.” Hyde responded tersely. The two then heard a few girls shriek.
“Ew! Like oh my God! He’s peeing!” A cheerleader yelled. Hyde and Kelso turned to see Fez relieving himself in a potted plant in the corner of the room. Hyde groaned in disbelief.
“See! That’s because of you!”
“That’s because he had too much beer to drink. He had to go!” Kelso yelled.
“God, Kelso. I knew I shouldn’t have smashed your head that hard against the monkey bars in 4th grade.” Hyde mumbled to himself.
“Was that you? And all this time I thought it was Miss Kinicki…”
“Just get Fez and the rest of these people the hell out of here, Kelso!” Hyde groaned in annoyance.
“Hey, you can’t tell me what to do, Hyde. It’s not like this is your house. It’s Jackie’s. And if she tells me to leave- then I will.” Kelso declared. He then looked over Hyde’s shoulder. “And she looks like she’s having a nice time.” He said pointing in her direction. Hyde turned around to see Jackie leaning against the wall of her hallway and flirting with a guy. Hyde sighed and Kelso grinned at his friend and laughed, “She seems to be having a really good time.” Hyde glared at him and pushed him aside, before turning around and making his way over to Jackie.
“Jackie, um…Fez broke a vase.” Hyde mumbled to Jackie. Jackie looked up at him with a flutter of her eyelashes.
“Oh, hi Steven. This is Brandon Cook.” Jackie introduced innocently. Brandon grunted a ‘hey’ at Hyde. “Brandon’s on the football team and he’s a drummer in a band.” She replied with a faux smile.
“Whatever. Fez broke that big glass vase, Jackie.” Hyde repeated, this time making eye-contact with her- something he hadn’t done since their “almost kiss”. Jackie glanced over Hyde’s shoulder and looked at the shards of glass on the floor. She turned back to him and shrugged.
“Oh well. It’s my mother’s and she’s never around to see it anyway.” Jackie said nonchalantly and turned her attention back to Brandon.
“Fez is also pissing in the corner.” Hyde declared, pointing at Fez who was still relieving himself with an audience now forming around him. Jackie tried to maintain her conversation with Brandon and be “zen”, but she finally sighed in defeat and headed over to Fez. Brandon licked his lips as he watched her leave, checking her out.
“She’s one hot chick.” Brandon said to Hyde. “So what are you? Her ex? Because I sense some tension.”
“Nothing, man. I’m just living with her for a while until I find a place to stay.”
“So you haven’t screwed her yet?”
“No.” Hyde replied grimly, trying to hide the anger that was bubbling inside him from just the sight of the guy. The guy- who Jackie was now totally flirting with after she almost kissed him.
“Why not, man? She’s got a fine ass and from what I’ve heard she’s pretty good in the bedroom. Knows her way around, y’know.”
“Whatever.” Hyde said, rolling his eyes and was about to walk off.
“I guess I’ll find out tonight anyway.” Brandon smirked, taking a sip of his beer. Hyde turned back around to look at the handsome jock in confusion.
“What?” He asked.
“Jackie asked me to stay a little longer after everyone leaves, if you know what I mean.” Brandon snickered, as he nudged Hyde. Hyde took a deep breath and nodded at the guy before walking over to Jackie who was desperately trying to calm Fez down.
“Hey. Did you invite that jackass to spend the night?” Hyde asked, pulling Jackie away from the rest of the crowd.
“Not the night. But who knows.” Jackie said, casually. She then tried to go back to Fez, but was pulled back into her previous position by Hyde.
“What the hell are you thinking? He’s only trying to get into your pants.” Hyde said.
“I’m thinking I’m going to have some fun, Steven. And I don’t want you to think I actually have a thing for you. Considering you’d rather, what was it you said? You’d rather watch “The Love Boat” then hear my voice. ” Jackie declared bitterly, storming off back in the direction of Brandon. Hyde stood confused at Jackie’s actions before it dawned on him that she had heard his conversation with Eric and Donna. Hyde groaned in frustration before walking back to Jackie.
“It wasn’t like that.” He grumbled to Jackie. Jackie paused in the middle of another flirting session with Brandon. She closed her eyes briefly and sighed before turning to look at Hyde.
“You said it.” She said, her eyes staring coldly into Hyde’s. She then turned her attention back to Brandon. Hyde grew aggravated at Jackie’s reluctance and whacked Brandon on the arm, indicating him to leave.
“This doesn’t concern you. Leave us alone, man.” Hyde said to him. Brandon glanced at Hyde once and snorted in response, not budging. Jackie glanced back and forth between the two teenagers, both looking very eager to break out into a fistfight.
“Steven! Why don’t you go away? Considering you’ll just ignore everything I say anyway.” Jackie said, annoyed that Hyde wanted to get rid of her date.
“I’m not going away, Jackie.” He responded.
“Look, you guys can do this another time. Why don’t you just beat it, street rat? I’m meant to be with her first. You can fuck her anytime you want after that.” Brandon said arrogantly. Jackie shrivelled her nose in disgust, as Brandon then put his arm around her and pushed Hyde away with his other hand. Hyde raised an eyebrow at the gesture, before shoving Brandon fiercely away from Jackie causing him to fall backwards. He regained his stance, however, and then moved back towards Hyde- his fist now clenched. Jackie noticed the two teenagers’ hands clasped in tight fists to their side, both with grim lines on their face.
The party members began to notice the scene and the whispering began, ending up with everyone in the room’s attention towards Hyde and Brandon and Jackie who had now positioned herself in the middle of the two.
“Move out of the way, Jackie.” Hyde said through gritted teeth. Tears began to form in Jackie’s eyes- she was growing more and more confused at Hyde’s actions. What was his problem? One moment he was going to kiss her and then the next he told his friends how annoying she was and now he was fighting a guy over her?
“What are you doing, Steven?” Jackie asked. It wasn’t a question, but a plea. A plea for an explanation that she needed so desperately to make sense of all that had happened to her in the past few days.
Hyde faltered at her question and then replied, “He’s a jackass. He’s only using you, Jackie.”
Jackie then looked him straight in the eye. The tears in her eyes were on the brink of falling and she chewed her lip. The two stared at each other, before Jackie finally spoke. “A-and you’re not?”
With that Jackie turned on her heels and left her living room crying, as Hyde tried to comprehend the question. The question, which Jackie didn’t stay for the answer. He ran his hand through his hair and groaned as he saw her leave with Donna following close by. He turned back around to see most of the living room looking at him, including his best friends and Brandon. It was Jackie’s flirting buddy that was the first to speak up.
“Great, man. Now neither of us can fuck her.” Brandon retorted in annoyance. Hyde turned to walk away and then quickly wound around to make full contact between his fist and Brandon’s jaw. The football player fell to the floor, clutching his jaw in pain as some blood dripped from his mouth. Kelso and a few others “whoa-ed” and cheered while others remained confused. Hyde stood over Brandon, equally confused, clutching his throbbing fist in pain until Eric quickly pulled him away from the scene.
“What’s the hell’s wrong with you, man? He’s gonna kick your ass!” Eric exclaimed. Hyde ignored his best friend and walked off angrily in the opposite direction to which Jackie had disappeared.
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It was the second time that evening that Jackie had fled from her living room in tears over Hyde. She ran outside into the open air before collapsing down on her porch and breaking down; her body trembled as she cried. All the confusion, happiness and pain she was feeling blended in with her salty tears, escaping her body. A sudden warmth on her shoulder, interrupted Jackie’s sobbing and she slowly looked up to see her best friend standing over her.
“Hey, Jackie. You okay?” Donna asked as she sat down next to her. As soon as Donna was within grasping range, Jackie threw herself into her arms and bawled into her shirt. Donna shifted uncomfortably at the quick gesture, before balancing Jackie on side and pushing a few clumps of wet hair that clung to Jackie’s face away with a few fingers.
“Donna! Why is this happening? Why is this happening to me?” She cried.
“Honestly, I have know idea what’s going on, Jackie. Why are you so upset? Why was Hyde fighting with that guy?”
“I don’t know! I’m so confused, Donna. I love Steven. I do. I care about him so much and… he doesn’t care about me at all!” Jackie wept. “He said I annoy him. That he’s here, because it’s convenient. T-that he even listen to my voice! My voice- which I have told sounds like a nightingale’s!” Jackie exclaimed, mascara running down her face. Donna held back a few chuckles and shook her head instead.
“Look, Jackie. I don’t want to tell you that I told you so… but I told you so. Hyde’s not that kind of guy that will fall in love or have a girlfriend. He doesn’t even like people- let alone girls.” Donna said.
“He liked you. How could he like you and not me?” Jackie declared, a shred of hope cased in her voice.
“That was a long time ago.” Donna sighed.
“So? He went after you even though you were with Eric, because he liked you. He really liked you. He danced with you. He kissed you.” Jackie said. “He wanted you, Donna- for some bizarre reason. It was obvious.”
“He had a crush. A crush that he got over when he realised nothing would ever happen between us, because I love Eric.”
“But he doesn’t love anyone. Something could happen between us if he only tried. I know it.” Jackie cried.
“Crushes don’t work out, Jackie. Even if you love a person, they might not love you back. And eventually you’ll give up trying. It happens.” Donna said as she stood up. “Maybe it’s time you give up on your crush too.”
“I can’t. I-I don’t think I can, Donna. It’s too hard. I love him.” Jackie whimpered.
“You think you love him. But you probably don’t. You’re living in a high-school crush, Jackie. You have to at least try to get over it, because it’ll hurt you until you do.” Donna said, as Jackie glanced up at her- a sad expression on her face. Donna gave her a small smile and squeezed Jackie’s shoulder comfortingly, before leaving her best friend to think alone.
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“Hyde!” Eric ran after Hyde who was storming through Jackie’s kitchen. “Hey, stop man!” Eric said as he grabbed Hyde’s shoulder.
“Leave me alone, Forman.” Hyde bit out and tried to continue moving, but Eric stood in front of him and looked straight at him.
“What the hell is going on with you, man? I know what Red did was wrong and I’m sorry about that. But don’t let him kicking you out of our house screw you up. What’s wrong with you? Why are you punching random guys?”
“He was a jackass.” Hyde responded, a hint of anger in his voice at the mere mention of the guy that was currently sprawled on Jackie’s living room floor.
“So? Kelso’s a jackass and you don’t punch him… well, okay you do that. But you don’t knock him out. You clobbered the guy.” Eric asked.
“I’m not going to explain myself to you, Forman.” Hyde said, moving forward again, but Eric stopped him.
“Maybe you should. So far you haven’t explained anything to me. C’mon Hyde, tell me what’s wrong? Why are you doing this? Why are you staying here?” Eric asked.
“You know why. Red kicked me out and I found another place to stay. That’s it.” Hyde said.
“Oh okay. So because he kicked you out, you moved in with the devil?” Eric remarked sarcastically.
“She’s not the devil. Look, Forman. I didn’t move in with Jackie, because Red kicked me out.”
“Then what was it?” Eric asked.
“Jackie wanted to do me a favour and offered her place. I accepted-because she owed me and I was hungry. That’s all.” Hyde replied tersely.
“Why would Jackie owe you something?” Hyde looked at Eric and his enquiring eyes and shrugged. “Come on tell me, man. I’m your best friend. When you were homeless and your whore mother ran out on you- who was the one that offered his place? His food? His money to you?” Eric claimed and then pointed at himself. “Me. It was because of me, Mister. You like owe me. You owe me an explanation.”
“Stop being a girl.” Hyde declared.
“Start being a man.” Eric retorted. “Just tell me, man.”
Hyde chewed on his lip before taking a deep breath and finally speaking. “Fine. Jackie owed me, because the stuff I was carrying when I got arrested-it was hers.”
“What?!?” Eric exclaimed.
“She was trying to impress me or whatever and bought the bag. We were arguing and this cop came over and he found it. And… and I told him it was mine.”
“So it wasn’t yours at all?” Eric declared and with a pause later. “So that’s why you moved in with, Jackie. Because she was the reason you got kicked out of my house in the first place!” Eric said as Hyde nodded.
“Yeah.”
“So you punched that guy, because you…” Eric began and Hyde sighed. “Wait, I don’t get that one. What does he have to do with your arrest or being kicked out? Did that guy gave you a wedgie in 4th grade or something? Why?”
“No. That wasn’t it. I just… he was pissing me off.”
“He was only flirting with Jackie. Why would that piss you…” Eric began and then realisation slowly hit him. Pieces seemed to fit and as soon as the ‘click’ happened in Eric’s mind, he covered his mouth quickly with his hands as a big “GUH!” noise escaped. Hyde raised his eyebrow at Eric in confusion, before Eric slowly removed his hand off his mouth and exclaimed, “Oh my God, you like Jackie!”
Hyde was totally taken aback by Eric’s words and chuckled uncomfortably to himself. “What? No! I don’t like Jackie!”
“It all makes sense, man. Why you went to jail, why you’re living with her, why you hit that guy… you’re in love with Jackie!” Eric shrieked.
“No, I’m not.” Hyde said, looking down at the marble floor.
“Yes, you are.” Eric said, with a massive grin across his face.
“You’re crazy, Forman. I don’t love Jackie. I don’t love anyone.” Hyde declared emphatically.
“Well- I think you do. And her name is Jackie!” Eric said. “God, I can’t believe you like Jackie.”
“I-I…you swear you won’t tell a single person, Forman. Not even Donna. Or I will kick your ass!” Hyde declared, making a fist with his hand to emphasise the extent of the promise. Instead of cowering in fear, Eric grin grew even wider.
“So you do like her!” He declared and then moved closer to Hyde and sang in his face, “Hyde and Jackie, sitting in a tree… K-I-S-S-I…” His song was interrupted by a hard punch to his arm. Eric shrunk down in pain and looked up at Hyde with a ‘what the hell’ look.
“Not a person, Forman.” Hyde said.
“Ow. I get it. I won’t tell anyone, okay?” Eric said, rubbing his arm. “I won’t tell anyone you’re in love with Jackie!”
And then he was met with another punch, as Hyde glared at him and made his way out of the kitchen. “Whatever, man.”
“Hey Hyde.” Eric called out.
“What?”
“In all seriousness. You know Red will let you move back in if you tell him the truth. He just wants to know why you had the drugs. Tell him the truth, man.”
“Forman…”
“Just think about it, okay?” Eric ended, before moving past Hyde out of the kitchen. Hyde stood still for a moment before sitting down on one of Jackie’s bar stools, thinking about what Eric had said.
Maybe he should move back in with the Formans and out of Jackie’s life- a life he could never fit in.
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“Oh my God, like that must really hurt!” A cheerleader exclaimed as she huddled on one side of Brandon, tracing her finger around his swollen eye. A few other girls were crowded around him and he had his arm around a couple of them.
“It’s nothing, babe. You should’ve seen the other guy!” Brandon said, as Donna came back into the house past him. She stopped in front of him, hearing his words a look of disgust appeared on her face and she turned to the sea of girls around him.
“Wow, that does look really bad,” Donna noted and then gave him a cunning smile, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to punch you that hard. I guess I don’t know my own strength!” Donna added in a high-pitched, mocking tone. Brandon scrunched his face in annoyance as the girls unhooked themselves from him.
“You got punched by a redhead? Ew!” One of them said and stormed off as the others followed her. Donna smiled at Brandon, as all the girls disappeared.
“What? Did I say something wrong?” She remarked sarcastically and then walked off towards Eric who had just come out from the kitchen.
“Ugh, is he still here?” Eric asked her, indicating Brandon.
“Not for long.” Donna said. The two watched, as Brandon stood confused for a second and tried to flirt with more girls before finally giving up and leaving the party- with a bruised eye and ego.
“So, how’s Jackie?” Eric asked quietly, as the two distanced themselves from the rowdy party.
“I don’t know. She’s confused and all she knows is that she’s in love with Hyde.” Donna replied.
“Really?” Eric remarked with a smirk, “Well, then they need to sit down and talk. I know Hyde wants to tell Jackie some stuff and with all these people here, I don’t think he can.” Eric said, glancing over at the party where Kelso was instigating a drinking game.
“Yeah. I guess we’ll have to shut this party down. Or more like shut Kelso down.” Donna said, as the two walked over to Kelso.
“Hey, party’s over, Kelso. Get everyone out of here.” Eric declared, taking the beer can out of Kelso’s hand.
“But, I was on my 8h beer, Eric!” Kelso exclaimed, trying to grab the beer back.
“Look, Jackie’s upset and this party is really the last thing that should be on her mind. Get everyone out now!” Donna declared.
“Or what?” Kelso challenged.
“Or I’ll hit you.” Donna threatened, as Kelso moved back a few steps.
“All right, all right- I’ll try to get everyone out. No need to get violent, Big D.” Kelso declared, fear evident in his tone. Donna smiled proudly, as Kelso stumbled off towards some noisy teens.
“That’s my girl.” Eric replied with a smile and put his arm around Donna. Along with Kelso, the two wrapped up the party and soon everyone fanned out of Jackie’s house, leaving only a drunken foreign boy behind. The three walked over to him and sighed.
“Okay, I think we’ll have to lift him out of here.” Eric said, as they stood around Fez who had collapsed, face-first, onto the floor of the living room.
“Wait!” Kelso exclaimed and left the room, only to return moments later with make-up in hand. “He’s drunk! This is the only time I can experiment with his soft skin.”
Eric and Donna laughed as Kelso worked on Fez’s face. Hyde then came out of the kitchen just as the now disfigured Fez muttered “Happy Birthday” before Kelso grabbed his legs and Donna his arms and lifted him out of Jackie’s house.
“You managed to get everyone out?” Hyde asked Eric, looking at the empty living room filled with empty bottles, cans and cups and disarrayed furniture.
“We told them that the keg was dried out- which it was. Died it self out.” Eric said and Hyde nodded.
“So you guys going now?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty late.” Eric said and then put his hand on Hyde’s shoulder. “Man, remember what I said about telling Red the truth okay? And if you want- Kitty will make you something, clean your clothes- if things don’t work out here.” Eric patted Hyde on the shoulder. Hyde nodded slowly and said bye to the rest of his friends.
Hyde closed the door behind his best friend dreading, in a way, that he was now all alone in the house with Jackie- the one person he had hurt most, the one person he cared for most. Sighing, Hyde turned back to the living room that was left in shambles. Under any other circumstance Hyde would’ve left the mess to Jackie or someone else to clean it up. But the guilt that was building up inside of him for making her cry, for hurting her, overpowered his pride and he began to slowly throw cups into a trash bag.
For minutes he silently cleaned before hearing the clattering of heels echo across the paved floor. Hyde looked up to see Jackie standing near the doorway looking at him. The two just watched each other for a moment, before Jackie broke the gaze and walked over to the other side of the room. Without a word shared, she picked up another trash bag and started hurling the garbage on her side into it as Hyde watched her.
Minutes went by and neither said a word. Neither even looked at each other. Solemnly they both cleaned the floor, throwing cups, chips and broken glass into the bag. The awkward tension was so thick that it could be cut with a knife and before long Hyde couldn’t stand it and made the slice himself.
“Jackie.” He called quietly. Jackie looked up at him and for the first time he saw how heartbroken she really was through her moist eyes and smeared kohl. He looked down at the floor before moving a few steps closer to her and mumbling, “I’m sorry, Jackie.”
Jackie remained quiet. She turned back to the bag and put a few more cups into it. Hyde waited anxiously for any response, the seconds seeming like minutes as more uneasiness filled the room. After what seemed like forever Jackie turned back to him, “What are you sorry for, Steven?” She asked softly.
Hyde paused for a moment before quietly continuing, “For what I said. For what I did. For- well, everything. I know I screwed up, Jackie and I hurt you and I’m sorry for that.” For once Hyde was speaking true from his heart to her. Jackie just looked at him, more confused than ever. She didn’t know what to say or what to understand. Hyde decided to work on her silence and plead his case further. “This is hard for me, okay? To admit that I need help from you. It’s really hard and I guess I’ve been acting weird because of that.” Hyde declared. Jackie moved towards him a bit more, with each of his words she had inched forward and now stood only a few feet away from him. The discomfort was beginning to fade and all the feelings that were tugging within Jackie were now aching to come out in one sentence in response to Hyde’s words. But she held her breath and knew she had to listen to him- she had to understand Steven, she had to know what he really felt, so that she could get over him like Donna had said.
“Why? Why is it so hard for you, Steven?” Jackie asked, her hand extended forward- it was aching to grasp his, but she quickly let it fall to her side.
“B-because…” Hyde paused and finally looked directly at Jackie, “Because I never thought I had to be dependent on anyone. I thought I could live life on my own- I didn’t need anyone. But since my arrest, I’ve realised that that’s not true. I’ve been dependent on the Formans this whole time. They gave me a room, they fed me, they gave me clothes- they’ve done so much for me. And I never wanted to disappoint them. But then that night happened, when I took the wrap for you…”
Hyde stopped and didn’t know whether to continue. His feelings were spilling out and to none other than Jackie and he was afraid that the more he spoke, the more the truth would come out. The more his cold exterior would fade away. He was afraid to tell her everything. He was afraid to tell her that the reason he couldn’t admit he needed help from her was because he liked her and he liked that she helped him and he liked that he needed her. But most of all, he was afraid to tell her that he had been acting weird, because he was really falling for her.
His cut-off sentence had left guilt plastered across Jackie’s face. All this time she hadn’t really thought of what he had been going through since that day a few days ago. The moment he was arrested all that was in her mind was that she would get him out, she would take him in, she would dote on him and he would fall in love with her. She hadn’t realised that he was torn over disappointing the Formans for his actions. That he relied on them, he respected them for making his life better and in one instant she had taken that all away from him.
“Steven, I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to…” Jackie stammered. She didn’t know what to say. How could she say sorry for wrecking his whole life? How could she apologise for putting her feelings before his- for only thinking of herself while he struggled? She was upset that he had insulted her and that he hadn’t cared for her- when all along he had a reason to. She had taken his security away from him and then pressured him into liking her- he had every reason to hate her.
Hyde looked at her, puzzled by her words. What was she apologising for?
“I wrecked your life. I’m so sorry, Steven. You should never have taken responsibility for that pot- it was mine. I should have been the one to go to jail. I lost you your family- and I’m so sorry.” Jackie whimpered. Her words began to sink in and she began to cry. Hyde looked perplexed at her sudden words, her sudden reaction, and without thinking he grabbed a hold of her hand.
The action confused both of them. Jackie stood shocked as Hyde embraced his hand’s warmth over hers. Hyde didn’t know what he was doing, but holding her hand felt right. It gave him the courage to admit what he wanted to. To explain to Jackie what he meant, to finally tell her the truth.
“Wait, no. Jackie, that’s not what I meant. I-I don’t blame you for anything. What I was trying to say was…” He took a deep breath before continuing, “When I took the wrap for you- I-I just did. I didn’t think of the consequences. I didn’t think of the Formans. I didn’t think of whom I would disappoint. All I knew was that I was doing the right thing.” Hyde admitted as Jackie listened to him, still not understanding what he was saying. “It did cost me. I lost the Forman’s support and respect, but… really it was worth it, Jackie. And I don’t blame you for it. And when I was on my own- I thought I could survive. I thought I didn’t need anyone, but that wasn’t true. I needed someone, I needed help…” Hyde looked up at Jackie, taking a large intake of breath before finally ending, “I needed you. You were right, Jackie. I realised that you care about me and I guess…I do sort of care about you.”
“What the hell do I know? I’m living in a high school crush.” Jackie cut him off with a groan.
“Well, m-maybe you’re not.” Hyde declared, moving a step closer to her.
There was that little glint of confusion in Jackie’s eyes again, “What do you mean?”
“You were right, Jackie. I don’t hate you. I haven’t for a long time.” Hyde looked away for an instant before gazing directly into Jackie’s eyes. “I like you, Jackie.” A smile suddenly appeared on Jackie’s lips. “I-I realise that all this stuff I’ve been doing- it’s because of you. Going to jail, living with you, having breakfast with you, punching guys- you’re the reason for it all, Jackie. A-and I guess I was trying to…” The smile grew larger as Hyde began to mumble more- more excuses and feelings he had never known he could admit to, let alone have.
As Hyde continued to ramble, Jackie moved forward and in one fluent movement crushed her lips against his. Hyde hesitated at first, overwhelmed by her sudden move, but soon he responded back as her warm lips passionately kissed his. His tongue ran across her lips, as Jackie ran her hands from his back up into his hair- tangling her fingers into the web of curls. Hyde kept his hand securely across Jackie’s waist, pulling her closer and closer into him as their kiss deepened. Their lips swelled as they continued their drugging kiss, until finally pulling apart after desperately needing air. They both glanced into each other’s eyes with dishevelled appearances and fervent breaths- and smiled. A small, loving smile. The smallest gesture that made both their hearts tingle.
“So all this time- you actually liked me?” Jackie asked with a grin, entwining her fingers with his.
“I guess.” Hyde mumbled, avoiding her eyes for a moment. His cheeks almost flushing a pinkish colour. God, he was blushing. Now he understood why Forman was “Forman” since he started dating Donna.
“Love me?” She posed with a smirk. Hyde glared back at her.
“Don’t push it.” He declared and Jackie laughed. She moved in closer to him again, letting him pull her into his arms. She stood in his grasp- feeling warm, loved, happy- secure. She looked into Hyde’s eyes, trying to read what they were expressing- the eyes that he kept hidden beneath big shades most of the day. Jackie placed her hand on the side of Hyde’s face and slowly caressed his cheek. He seemed to fidget at first, feeling awkward by her gesture, but then stood comfortably as Jackie traced his face with her fingers. She glanced back at him, looking deeply in his eyes searching for the same glitter of excitement and happiness that were sparkling in her eyes, the glimmer of happiness that she had held back for so many months.
But she couldn’t find the same in Hyde’s eyes. Not even a flicker of contentment. Jackie sighed- knowing exactly why.
“I-I want to tell Mr. Forman.” She finally spoke, circling the palm of his hand with her fingers.
“What?” Hyde asked, confused.
“I want to tell him what really happened, Steven. I can’t live knowing that you lost your family, your home, your security because of me.” Jackie declared softly, “I know you want to be there. And I’m stopping you from it- and I don’t want to stop you from what will make you happy anymore. And the Formans- they make you happy.” She cupped his face in her hands and looked him directly in the eyes. “I’m going to tell them the truth, so that you can go back home. So you can be truly happy, Steven. Okay?”
She gave him a light hug, as he stood thinking about what she had said. She was right. He was happy with Jackie, but there was something missing. And living with Jackie wasn’t right. Not at that moment in their lives. Her parents could come back any day- what impression would he make on them when they would find out he, an ex-convict, was living with their only daughter? It wasn’t right. He didn’t want her to disappoint her family, like he had his.
He had disappointed the Formans, his true family. And he so desperately wanted his family back, as much as he tried to hide it. Kitty loved him and Red treated him like a man- like a son. He was happy with the Formans, happy being part of a family, being somewhere where he belonged. He craved that more than anything else in life and Jackie was willing to give that to him.
“But I won’t be able to drive your dad’s Lincoln to school on Monday then.” He finally spoke. Jackie laughed and gave him a brief kiss on the lips. He then looked back at her and said, “I’ll come with you. We were in it together, so we’ll tell them together.” Jackie grinned at him and pulled him into a tight hug.
“Oh thank God! I didn’t want to tell the Formans by myself. Mr. Forman would yell at me and Mrs. Forman would probably start telling me about cooking!” Jackie exclaimed and Hyde chuckled at her, gently pushing away a few stray strands of hair that fell over her face. He stood quietly, chewing on his bottom lips nervously as he played with her hair. He was wanted to say something, she could tell. Jackie looked at him curiously and he stopped playing with her hair before shuffling his feet slightly and then smiling at her.
“Um, thank you, Jackie. For everything. Thanks.” He said quietly. Jackie’s incredibly beautiful smile played across her lips again as she gave his hand a squeeze.
“You’re welcome, Steven.”
---
“Why didn’t you tell me this before!?!” Red hollered. Hyde stood near the stove and Jackie, smartly, stood behind him as they finished explaining what had really occurred that night to Red and Kitty- who both sat at the kitchen table in awe. “How could you two be so stupid?”
“W-we don’t know.” Jackie squeaked. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Forman.” Red sighed as he stood up, walking towards the two of them.
“I will have a talk with your parents when they come back and you- I didn’t expect this from you.” Red said, pointing at Hyde. Hyde lowered his eyes to avoid meeting Red’s disappointment. Red paused, noting Hyde’s expression and softened his tone, “I didn’t expect you to be so noble.” Red declared. Surprised, Hyde looked up instantly and Kitty’s eyes brightened up as she stood up excitedly.
“A stupid noble dumbass.” Red ended with a chuckle. Hyde smirked at Red and Kitty quickly wrapped her arms around Hyde, pulling him into a caring hug.
“But we love you!” She said, placing a kiss on his cheek. Hyde then looked back at Red, who nervously shook his head before muttering.
“Now get your stuff and go to the basement- you’re moving back in.”
There was no way Hyde could hide his evident appreciation, as a genuine smile appeared on his face. “Thanks, man.” Hyde said, extending his hand outward to shake Red’s. The two looked at each other before Red shook his hand with Hyde’s. They paused, smiling at each other with their hands still adjoined before Hyde moved forward and gave Red a hug. Red hesitated for a moment before smiling and patting Hyde on the back.
“It’s good to have you back, son.” He replied sincerely.
“It’s good to be back.” Hyde said, as he slung his bag over his shoulder. Jackie grinned from behind him, her hand instantly grabbing his as he stood by her. Kitty smiled at the gesture between the two and it didn’t go unknown to Red either.
“Just remember, that I’m watching you a lot more closely now. Both of you. And don’t you even think of doing anything so stupid again, Steven- even if it is for a girl.” Red declared as both Jackie and Hyde nodded. Jackie began to make her way towards the stairs to go down to the basement and Hyde began to follow her. He then turned around, glancing at Jackie and then at Red.
“I’ll try, Red. But I can’t guarantee it.” Hyde said, looking in Jackie’s direction. Red shook his head with a laugh, as Hyde walked down the stairs to the basement. Kitty smiled at her husband and put her arm around his waist as he pulled her towards him.
“We’ve done a good job with him, Red. Despite all that’s happened- I’m proud of him.” Kitty said, looking in the direction of where Hyde had just left.
“Yeah. We have. I’m proud of Steven too, Kitty. He’s turned out to be the man I always thought he could be.” Red said, he leant forward and softly kissed Kitty on her forehead. “He’s definitely a part of this family. He’s definitely a Forman.”
---
“Hey.” Hyde said casually as him and Jackie descended the stairs into the basement. Their friends looked at them in shock, surprised at Hyde’s appearance.
“Hyde! You’re here? Are you back?” Eric stumbled, as Hyde went straight to ‘his chair’ on which Kelso was sitting. Hyde gave him a slap on the back and Kelso immediately shot off his chair.
“I-I was uh keeping it warm for you.” Kelso stammered, as Hyde sat down. A groan of relief escaped his lips as the hard wooden back of the chair met his back.
“Yeah- I’m back.” Hyde replied, putting his feet up on the coffee table. His response brought cheer to the group and Eric grinned widely.
“Great! Because you know- I was almost going to tell Red that I do drugs, so you could come back.” Eric replied.
“No, you weren’t. You were saying how there was no way you would put your ass in the line of Red’s foot even for Hyde.” Fez replied. Eric glared at his friend and back at Hyde.
“That’s not true. I said- that I might consider telling Red if you weren’t going to tell him that…” Eric paused before glancing over at Jackie who had slipped into the chair across from Hyde. “So you told Red everything?”
“Yeah. I told him everything.” Hyde said, as the others looked confused at the conversation between the two best friends. Hyde looked over at Jackie and gave a small smile, “We told him everything.”
Eric grinned, being the only one who understood what Hyde was saying and why he was sharing that intense look with Jackie. “All right!” He declared in excitement.
“Told who what?” Donna asked, curious looking over at Eric. Eric leant forward from his position on the edge of couch and whispered an explanation in her ear. Donna looked confused for a moment as she listened intently before shaking her head and slightly pushing Eric away.
“That’s not true!” She said with a laugh as Eric teetered on the edge of the couch.
“Yes, it is! Hyde, tell her.” He declared. Hyde just shrugged in their direction, causing Eric to sigh and turn to Jackie. “Jackie, you tell her.”
“Tell her what?” Jackie feigned, folding her arms across her chest and leaning back in her chair. Donna laughed at Eric and told him he was crazy.
“I wanna know! Tell me!” Kelso whined and Fez retorted a similar remark.
“Tell you what?” Jackie repeated again, smiling sweetly at them. Hyde chuckled to himself before standing up.
“Before you girls start gossiping and trying on make-up, I’m going to go check out my room.” Hyde said walking over to his door.
“Okay. But, um, don’t worry if there’s some stuff in there that wasn’t before. I’ll just move my Star War figures back to my room.” Eric sighed, as Hyde smirked at him.
Hyde walked up to his room, taking a deep breath as he looked into the small, cold room. A wave of relief- of happiness washed over him as he glanced into the room that only had a rusty cot on the side and a bunch of dented cardboard boxes.
This was it. This was his home.
Hyde smiled and took a step into his room, as the others began to talk about other events of the day. A step back into the life where he belonged.
A moment later, his head stuck out of his door as he looked back at the group. “Hey Jackie, you coming?”
Eyebrows raised, little ‘gah’ noises escaped and a smug expression appeared on Eric’s face as Jackie gave the group an innocent smile and a small wave before practically skipping to Hyde’s room. The rest of the gang watched as Hyde extended his hand out and Jackie took it and walked into his room.
“And hey- get out of my basement.” Hyde said to the others with a smirk and closed the door to his room- leaving the loneliness out of his world.
---
He was left alone. Kicked out of a world that he belonged to. He was that lone bubble, isolated from the rest. Until she came and made him fall into reality and mix with the rest. A girl who changed his world, his thoughts and his feelings.
Jackie made Hyde realise that there was more to life than reputation.
There was belonging.
---
Fin
Cranky ]
Chapters: 9-11 out of 11
Chapters Before: Chapters 1-4
Chapters 5-8
---
“You mean nothing to me!”
No, it wasn’t part of a confrontation between angsty teens, but was hollered over the crowd of people crammed in Jackie’s living room by none other than Fez. He stood on one of Jackie’s mother’s expensive footstools with a beer can crushed in his fist, yelling drunken obscenities at all those who would listen. A few turned to look up at him- most, however, didn’t even bother to gaze in his direction…like usual. Yet, Fez persisted in trying to gain their attention, especially the cheerleading squad’s attention.
“Hey you, pretty lady in the pink! Do you like my ass?” Fez said, leering his butt forward as the girl flicked her hair and turned away from him. In midst of a conversation, Hyde and Kelso turned their attention to their drunken friend.
“Yea!” Kelso hollered in excitement with a goofy grin plastered across his face.
“Would you not like some brown sugar?” Fez sputtered, just as he lost his footing and fell forwards. He scrambled to get a grip of anything to break his fall and momentarily smiled as he felt his hands grip on something. Unfortunately for him, Fez had managed to graze his fingers against a crystal vase and instead of breaking Fez’s fall it fell down itself. Hyde and Kelso ran forward and managed to save Fez from falling onto the floor, but the vase smashed into several pieces.
“Crap.” Hyde mumbled, as Fez whoopeed and yelled at more girls around him to ‘make sweet love’ to him as he squirmed in Kelso and Hyde’s hands. Kelso’s mouth gaped open as he saw the smashed pieces of glass on the floor and let go of Fez.
“Oops.”
“This is your fault, Kelso!” Hyde accused.
“Mine? Fez is the one that fell!”
“C’mon man, you’re the one who orchestrated this whole party when Jackie told you not to.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Hyde. There’s no orchestra!” Kelso shouted. Hyde groaned and grabbed Kelso by the collar and pulled him away from the rest of the people.
“Look, Kelso. Why don’t you do the smart thing for once and get all these people to leave before they break anything else and you burn Jackie’s house again?” Hyde demanded.
“What so you and Jackie can be alone?” Kelso retorted and Hyde scoffed.
“No. So her house won’t be destroyed.” Hyde responded tersely. The two then heard a few girls shriek.
“Ew! Like oh my God! He’s peeing!” A cheerleader yelled. Hyde and Kelso turned to see Fez relieving himself in a potted plant in the corner of the room. Hyde groaned in disbelief.
“See! That’s because of you!”
“That’s because he had too much beer to drink. He had to go!” Kelso yelled.
“God, Kelso. I knew I shouldn’t have smashed your head that hard against the monkey bars in 4th grade.” Hyde mumbled to himself.
“Was that you? And all this time I thought it was Miss Kinicki…”
“Just get Fez and the rest of these people the hell out of here, Kelso!” Hyde groaned in annoyance.
“Hey, you can’t tell me what to do, Hyde. It’s not like this is your house. It’s Jackie’s. And if she tells me to leave- then I will.” Kelso declared. He then looked over Hyde’s shoulder. “And she looks like she’s having a nice time.” He said pointing in her direction. Hyde turned around to see Jackie leaning against the wall of her hallway and flirting with a guy. Hyde sighed and Kelso grinned at his friend and laughed, “She seems to be having a really good time.” Hyde glared at him and pushed him aside, before turning around and making his way over to Jackie.
“Jackie, um…Fez broke a vase.” Hyde mumbled to Jackie. Jackie looked up at him with a flutter of her eyelashes.
“Oh, hi Steven. This is Brandon Cook.” Jackie introduced innocently. Brandon grunted a ‘hey’ at Hyde. “Brandon’s on the football team and he’s a drummer in a band.” She replied with a faux smile.
“Whatever. Fez broke that big glass vase, Jackie.” Hyde repeated, this time making eye-contact with her- something he hadn’t done since their “almost kiss”. Jackie glanced over Hyde’s shoulder and looked at the shards of glass on the floor. She turned back to him and shrugged.
“Oh well. It’s my mother’s and she’s never around to see it anyway.” Jackie said nonchalantly and turned her attention back to Brandon.
“Fez is also pissing in the corner.” Hyde declared, pointing at Fez who was still relieving himself with an audience now forming around him. Jackie tried to maintain her conversation with Brandon and be “zen”, but she finally sighed in defeat and headed over to Fez. Brandon licked his lips as he watched her leave, checking her out.
“She’s one hot chick.” Brandon said to Hyde. “So what are you? Her ex? Because I sense some tension.”
“Nothing, man. I’m just living with her for a while until I find a place to stay.”
“So you haven’t screwed her yet?”
“No.” Hyde replied grimly, trying to hide the anger that was bubbling inside him from just the sight of the guy. The guy- who Jackie was now totally flirting with after she almost kissed him.
“Why not, man? She’s got a fine ass and from what I’ve heard she’s pretty good in the bedroom. Knows her way around, y’know.”
“Whatever.” Hyde said, rolling his eyes and was about to walk off.
“I guess I’ll find out tonight anyway.” Brandon smirked, taking a sip of his beer. Hyde turned back around to look at the handsome jock in confusion.
“What?” He asked.
“Jackie asked me to stay a little longer after everyone leaves, if you know what I mean.” Brandon snickered, as he nudged Hyde. Hyde took a deep breath and nodded at the guy before walking over to Jackie who was desperately trying to calm Fez down.
“Hey. Did you invite that jackass to spend the night?” Hyde asked, pulling Jackie away from the rest of the crowd.
“Not the night. But who knows.” Jackie said, casually. She then tried to go back to Fez, but was pulled back into her previous position by Hyde.
“What the hell are you thinking? He’s only trying to get into your pants.” Hyde said.
“I’m thinking I’m going to have some fun, Steven. And I don’t want you to think I actually have a thing for you. Considering you’d rather, what was it you said? You’d rather watch “The Love Boat” then hear my voice. ” Jackie declared bitterly, storming off back in the direction of Brandon. Hyde stood confused at Jackie’s actions before it dawned on him that she had heard his conversation with Eric and Donna. Hyde groaned in frustration before walking back to Jackie.
“It wasn’t like that.” He grumbled to Jackie. Jackie paused in the middle of another flirting session with Brandon. She closed her eyes briefly and sighed before turning to look at Hyde.
“You said it.” She said, her eyes staring coldly into Hyde’s. She then turned her attention back to Brandon. Hyde grew aggravated at Jackie’s reluctance and whacked Brandon on the arm, indicating him to leave.
“This doesn’t concern you. Leave us alone, man.” Hyde said to him. Brandon glanced at Hyde once and snorted in response, not budging. Jackie glanced back and forth between the two teenagers, both looking very eager to break out into a fistfight.
“Steven! Why don’t you go away? Considering you’ll just ignore everything I say anyway.” Jackie said, annoyed that Hyde wanted to get rid of her date.
“I’m not going away, Jackie.” He responded.
“Look, you guys can do this another time. Why don’t you just beat it, street rat? I’m meant to be with her first. You can fuck her anytime you want after that.” Brandon said arrogantly. Jackie shrivelled her nose in disgust, as Brandon then put his arm around her and pushed Hyde away with his other hand. Hyde raised an eyebrow at the gesture, before shoving Brandon fiercely away from Jackie causing him to fall backwards. He regained his stance, however, and then moved back towards Hyde- his fist now clenched. Jackie noticed the two teenagers’ hands clasped in tight fists to their side, both with grim lines on their face.
The party members began to notice the scene and the whispering began, ending up with everyone in the room’s attention towards Hyde and Brandon and Jackie who had now positioned herself in the middle of the two.
“Move out of the way, Jackie.” Hyde said through gritted teeth. Tears began to form in Jackie’s eyes- she was growing more and more confused at Hyde’s actions. What was his problem? One moment he was going to kiss her and then the next he told his friends how annoying she was and now he was fighting a guy over her?
“What are you doing, Steven?” Jackie asked. It wasn’t a question, but a plea. A plea for an explanation that she needed so desperately to make sense of all that had happened to her in the past few days.
Hyde faltered at her question and then replied, “He’s a jackass. He’s only using you, Jackie.”
Jackie then looked him straight in the eye. The tears in her eyes were on the brink of falling and she chewed her lip. The two stared at each other, before Jackie finally spoke. “A-and you’re not?”
With that Jackie turned on her heels and left her living room crying, as Hyde tried to comprehend the question. The question, which Jackie didn’t stay for the answer. He ran his hand through his hair and groaned as he saw her leave with Donna following close by. He turned back around to see most of the living room looking at him, including his best friends and Brandon. It was Jackie’s flirting buddy that was the first to speak up.
“Great, man. Now neither of us can fuck her.” Brandon retorted in annoyance. Hyde turned to walk away and then quickly wound around to make full contact between his fist and Brandon’s jaw. The football player fell to the floor, clutching his jaw in pain as some blood dripped from his mouth. Kelso and a few others “whoa-ed” and cheered while others remained confused. Hyde stood over Brandon, equally confused, clutching his throbbing fist in pain until Eric quickly pulled him away from the scene.
“What’s the hell’s wrong with you, man? He’s gonna kick your ass!” Eric exclaimed. Hyde ignored his best friend and walked off angrily in the opposite direction to which Jackie had disappeared.
---
---
It was the second time that evening that Jackie had fled from her living room in tears over Hyde. She ran outside into the open air before collapsing down on her porch and breaking down; her body trembled as she cried. All the confusion, happiness and pain she was feeling blended in with her salty tears, escaping her body. A sudden warmth on her shoulder, interrupted Jackie’s sobbing and she slowly looked up to see her best friend standing over her.
“Hey, Jackie. You okay?” Donna asked as she sat down next to her. As soon as Donna was within grasping range, Jackie threw herself into her arms and bawled into her shirt. Donna shifted uncomfortably at the quick gesture, before balancing Jackie on side and pushing a few clumps of wet hair that clung to Jackie’s face away with a few fingers.
“Donna! Why is this happening? Why is this happening to me?” She cried.
“Honestly, I have know idea what’s going on, Jackie. Why are you so upset? Why was Hyde fighting with that guy?”
“I don’t know! I’m so confused, Donna. I love Steven. I do. I care about him so much and… he doesn’t care about me at all!” Jackie wept. “He said I annoy him. That he’s here, because it’s convenient. T-that he even listen to my voice! My voice- which I have told sounds like a nightingale’s!” Jackie exclaimed, mascara running down her face. Donna held back a few chuckles and shook her head instead.
“Look, Jackie. I don’t want to tell you that I told you so… but I told you so. Hyde’s not that kind of guy that will fall in love or have a girlfriend. He doesn’t even like people- let alone girls.” Donna said.
“He liked you. How could he like you and not me?” Jackie declared, a shred of hope cased in her voice.
“That was a long time ago.” Donna sighed.
“So? He went after you even though you were with Eric, because he liked you. He really liked you. He danced with you. He kissed you.” Jackie said. “He wanted you, Donna- for some bizarre reason. It was obvious.”
“He had a crush. A crush that he got over when he realised nothing would ever happen between us, because I love Eric.”
“But he doesn’t love anyone. Something could happen between us if he only tried. I know it.” Jackie cried.
“Crushes don’t work out, Jackie. Even if you love a person, they might not love you back. And eventually you’ll give up trying. It happens.” Donna said as she stood up. “Maybe it’s time you give up on your crush too.”
“I can’t. I-I don’t think I can, Donna. It’s too hard. I love him.” Jackie whimpered.
“You think you love him. But you probably don’t. You’re living in a high-school crush, Jackie. You have to at least try to get over it, because it’ll hurt you until you do.” Donna said, as Jackie glanced up at her- a sad expression on her face. Donna gave her a small smile and squeezed Jackie’s shoulder comfortingly, before leaving her best friend to think alone.
---
“Hyde!” Eric ran after Hyde who was storming through Jackie’s kitchen. “Hey, stop man!” Eric said as he grabbed Hyde’s shoulder.
“Leave me alone, Forman.” Hyde bit out and tried to continue moving, but Eric stood in front of him and looked straight at him.
“What the hell is going on with you, man? I know what Red did was wrong and I’m sorry about that. But don’t let him kicking you out of our house screw you up. What’s wrong with you? Why are you punching random guys?”
“He was a jackass.” Hyde responded, a hint of anger in his voice at the mere mention of the guy that was currently sprawled on Jackie’s living room floor.
“So? Kelso’s a jackass and you don’t punch him… well, okay you do that. But you don’t knock him out. You clobbered the guy.” Eric asked.
“I’m not going to explain myself to you, Forman.” Hyde said, moving forward again, but Eric stopped him.
“Maybe you should. So far you haven’t explained anything to me. C’mon Hyde, tell me what’s wrong? Why are you doing this? Why are you staying here?” Eric asked.
“You know why. Red kicked me out and I found another place to stay. That’s it.” Hyde said.
“Oh okay. So because he kicked you out, you moved in with the devil?” Eric remarked sarcastically.
“She’s not the devil. Look, Forman. I didn’t move in with Jackie, because Red kicked me out.”
“Then what was it?” Eric asked.
“Jackie wanted to do me a favour and offered her place. I accepted-because she owed me and I was hungry. That’s all.” Hyde replied tersely.
“Why would Jackie owe you something?” Hyde looked at Eric and his enquiring eyes and shrugged. “Come on tell me, man. I’m your best friend. When you were homeless and your whore mother ran out on you- who was the one that offered his place? His food? His money to you?” Eric claimed and then pointed at himself. “Me. It was because of me, Mister. You like owe me. You owe me an explanation.”
“Stop being a girl.” Hyde declared.
“Start being a man.” Eric retorted. “Just tell me, man.”
Hyde chewed on his lip before taking a deep breath and finally speaking. “Fine. Jackie owed me, because the stuff I was carrying when I got arrested-it was hers.”
“What?!?” Eric exclaimed.
“She was trying to impress me or whatever and bought the bag. We were arguing and this cop came over and he found it. And… and I told him it was mine.”
“So it wasn’t yours at all?” Eric declared and with a pause later. “So that’s why you moved in with, Jackie. Because she was the reason you got kicked out of my house in the first place!” Eric said as Hyde nodded.
“Yeah.”
“So you punched that guy, because you…” Eric began and Hyde sighed. “Wait, I don’t get that one. What does he have to do with your arrest or being kicked out? Did that guy gave you a wedgie in 4th grade or something? Why?”
“No. That wasn’t it. I just… he was pissing me off.”
“He was only flirting with Jackie. Why would that piss you…” Eric began and then realisation slowly hit him. Pieces seemed to fit and as soon as the ‘click’ happened in Eric’s mind, he covered his mouth quickly with his hands as a big “GUH!” noise escaped. Hyde raised his eyebrow at Eric in confusion, before Eric slowly removed his hand off his mouth and exclaimed, “Oh my God, you like Jackie!”
Hyde was totally taken aback by Eric’s words and chuckled uncomfortably to himself. “What? No! I don’t like Jackie!”
“It all makes sense, man. Why you went to jail, why you’re living with her, why you hit that guy… you’re in love with Jackie!” Eric shrieked.
“No, I’m not.” Hyde said, looking down at the marble floor.
“Yes, you are.” Eric said, with a massive grin across his face.
“You’re crazy, Forman. I don’t love Jackie. I don’t love anyone.” Hyde declared emphatically.
“Well- I think you do. And her name is Jackie!” Eric said. “God, I can’t believe you like Jackie.”
“I-I…you swear you won’t tell a single person, Forman. Not even Donna. Or I will kick your ass!” Hyde declared, making a fist with his hand to emphasise the extent of the promise. Instead of cowering in fear, Eric grin grew even wider.
“So you do like her!” He declared and then moved closer to Hyde and sang in his face, “Hyde and Jackie, sitting in a tree… K-I-S-S-I…” His song was interrupted by a hard punch to his arm. Eric shrunk down in pain and looked up at Hyde with a ‘what the hell’ look.
“Not a person, Forman.” Hyde said.
“Ow. I get it. I won’t tell anyone, okay?” Eric said, rubbing his arm. “I won’t tell anyone you’re in love with Jackie!”
And then he was met with another punch, as Hyde glared at him and made his way out of the kitchen. “Whatever, man.”
“Hey Hyde.” Eric called out.
“What?”
“In all seriousness. You know Red will let you move back in if you tell him the truth. He just wants to know why you had the drugs. Tell him the truth, man.”
“Forman…”
“Just think about it, okay?” Eric ended, before moving past Hyde out of the kitchen. Hyde stood still for a moment before sitting down on one of Jackie’s bar stools, thinking about what Eric had said.
Maybe he should move back in with the Formans and out of Jackie’s life- a life he could never fit in.
---
---
---
“Oh my God, like that must really hurt!” A cheerleader exclaimed as she huddled on one side of Brandon, tracing her finger around his swollen eye. A few other girls were crowded around him and he had his arm around a couple of them.
“It’s nothing, babe. You should’ve seen the other guy!” Brandon said, as Donna came back into the house past him. She stopped in front of him, hearing his words a look of disgust appeared on her face and she turned to the sea of girls around him.
“Wow, that does look really bad,” Donna noted and then gave him a cunning smile, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to punch you that hard. I guess I don’t know my own strength!” Donna added in a high-pitched, mocking tone. Brandon scrunched his face in annoyance as the girls unhooked themselves from him.
“You got punched by a redhead? Ew!” One of them said and stormed off as the others followed her. Donna smiled at Brandon, as all the girls disappeared.
“What? Did I say something wrong?” She remarked sarcastically and then walked off towards Eric who had just come out from the kitchen.
“Ugh, is he still here?” Eric asked her, indicating Brandon.
“Not for long.” Donna said. The two watched, as Brandon stood confused for a second and tried to flirt with more girls before finally giving up and leaving the party- with a bruised eye and ego.
“So, how’s Jackie?” Eric asked quietly, as the two distanced themselves from the rowdy party.
“I don’t know. She’s confused and all she knows is that she’s in love with Hyde.” Donna replied.
“Really?” Eric remarked with a smirk, “Well, then they need to sit down and talk. I know Hyde wants to tell Jackie some stuff and with all these people here, I don’t think he can.” Eric said, glancing over at the party where Kelso was instigating a drinking game.
“Yeah. I guess we’ll have to shut this party down. Or more like shut Kelso down.” Donna said, as the two walked over to Kelso.
“Hey, party’s over, Kelso. Get everyone out of here.” Eric declared, taking the beer can out of Kelso’s hand.
“But, I was on my 8h beer, Eric!” Kelso exclaimed, trying to grab the beer back.
“Look, Jackie’s upset and this party is really the last thing that should be on her mind. Get everyone out now!” Donna declared.
“Or what?” Kelso challenged.
“Or I’ll hit you.” Donna threatened, as Kelso moved back a few steps.
“All right, all right- I’ll try to get everyone out. No need to get violent, Big D.” Kelso declared, fear evident in his tone. Donna smiled proudly, as Kelso stumbled off towards some noisy teens.
“That’s my girl.” Eric replied with a smile and put his arm around Donna. Along with Kelso, the two wrapped up the party and soon everyone fanned out of Jackie’s house, leaving only a drunken foreign boy behind. The three walked over to him and sighed.
“Okay, I think we’ll have to lift him out of here.” Eric said, as they stood around Fez who had collapsed, face-first, onto the floor of the living room.
“Wait!” Kelso exclaimed and left the room, only to return moments later with make-up in hand. “He’s drunk! This is the only time I can experiment with his soft skin.”
Eric and Donna laughed as Kelso worked on Fez’s face. Hyde then came out of the kitchen just as the now disfigured Fez muttered “Happy Birthday” before Kelso grabbed his legs and Donna his arms and lifted him out of Jackie’s house.
“You managed to get everyone out?” Hyde asked Eric, looking at the empty living room filled with empty bottles, cans and cups and disarrayed furniture.
“We told them that the keg was dried out- which it was. Died it self out.” Eric said and Hyde nodded.
“So you guys going now?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty late.” Eric said and then put his hand on Hyde’s shoulder. “Man, remember what I said about telling Red the truth okay? And if you want- Kitty will make you something, clean your clothes- if things don’t work out here.” Eric patted Hyde on the shoulder. Hyde nodded slowly and said bye to the rest of his friends.
Hyde closed the door behind his best friend dreading, in a way, that he was now all alone in the house with Jackie- the one person he had hurt most, the one person he cared for most. Sighing, Hyde turned back to the living room that was left in shambles. Under any other circumstance Hyde would’ve left the mess to Jackie or someone else to clean it up. But the guilt that was building up inside of him for making her cry, for hurting her, overpowered his pride and he began to slowly throw cups into a trash bag.
For minutes he silently cleaned before hearing the clattering of heels echo across the paved floor. Hyde looked up to see Jackie standing near the doorway looking at him. The two just watched each other for a moment, before Jackie broke the gaze and walked over to the other side of the room. Without a word shared, she picked up another trash bag and started hurling the garbage on her side into it as Hyde watched her.
Minutes went by and neither said a word. Neither even looked at each other. Solemnly they both cleaned the floor, throwing cups, chips and broken glass into the bag. The awkward tension was so thick that it could be cut with a knife and before long Hyde couldn’t stand it and made the slice himself.
“Jackie.” He called quietly. Jackie looked up at him and for the first time he saw how heartbroken she really was through her moist eyes and smeared kohl. He looked down at the floor before moving a few steps closer to her and mumbling, “I’m sorry, Jackie.”
Jackie remained quiet. She turned back to the bag and put a few more cups into it. Hyde waited anxiously for any response, the seconds seeming like minutes as more uneasiness filled the room. After what seemed like forever Jackie turned back to him, “What are you sorry for, Steven?” She asked softly.
Hyde paused for a moment before quietly continuing, “For what I said. For what I did. For- well, everything. I know I screwed up, Jackie and I hurt you and I’m sorry for that.” For once Hyde was speaking true from his heart to her. Jackie just looked at him, more confused than ever. She didn’t know what to say or what to understand. Hyde decided to work on her silence and plead his case further. “This is hard for me, okay? To admit that I need help from you. It’s really hard and I guess I’ve been acting weird because of that.” Hyde declared. Jackie moved towards him a bit more, with each of his words she had inched forward and now stood only a few feet away from him. The discomfort was beginning to fade and all the feelings that were tugging within Jackie were now aching to come out in one sentence in response to Hyde’s words. But she held her breath and knew she had to listen to him- she had to understand Steven, she had to know what he really felt, so that she could get over him like Donna had said.
“Why? Why is it so hard for you, Steven?” Jackie asked, her hand extended forward- it was aching to grasp his, but she quickly let it fall to her side.
“B-because…” Hyde paused and finally looked directly at Jackie, “Because I never thought I had to be dependent on anyone. I thought I could live life on my own- I didn’t need anyone. But since my arrest, I’ve realised that that’s not true. I’ve been dependent on the Formans this whole time. They gave me a room, they fed me, they gave me clothes- they’ve done so much for me. And I never wanted to disappoint them. But then that night happened, when I took the wrap for you…”
Hyde stopped and didn’t know whether to continue. His feelings were spilling out and to none other than Jackie and he was afraid that the more he spoke, the more the truth would come out. The more his cold exterior would fade away. He was afraid to tell her everything. He was afraid to tell her that the reason he couldn’t admit he needed help from her was because he liked her and he liked that she helped him and he liked that he needed her. But most of all, he was afraid to tell her that he had been acting weird, because he was really falling for her.
His cut-off sentence had left guilt plastered across Jackie’s face. All this time she hadn’t really thought of what he had been going through since that day a few days ago. The moment he was arrested all that was in her mind was that she would get him out, she would take him in, she would dote on him and he would fall in love with her. She hadn’t realised that he was torn over disappointing the Formans for his actions. That he relied on them, he respected them for making his life better and in one instant she had taken that all away from him.
“Steven, I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to…” Jackie stammered. She didn’t know what to say. How could she say sorry for wrecking his whole life? How could she apologise for putting her feelings before his- for only thinking of herself while he struggled? She was upset that he had insulted her and that he hadn’t cared for her- when all along he had a reason to. She had taken his security away from him and then pressured him into liking her- he had every reason to hate her.
Hyde looked at her, puzzled by her words. What was she apologising for?
“I wrecked your life. I’m so sorry, Steven. You should never have taken responsibility for that pot- it was mine. I should have been the one to go to jail. I lost you your family- and I’m so sorry.” Jackie whimpered. Her words began to sink in and she began to cry. Hyde looked perplexed at her sudden words, her sudden reaction, and without thinking he grabbed a hold of her hand.
The action confused both of them. Jackie stood shocked as Hyde embraced his hand’s warmth over hers. Hyde didn’t know what he was doing, but holding her hand felt right. It gave him the courage to admit what he wanted to. To explain to Jackie what he meant, to finally tell her the truth.
“Wait, no. Jackie, that’s not what I meant. I-I don’t blame you for anything. What I was trying to say was…” He took a deep breath before continuing, “When I took the wrap for you- I-I just did. I didn’t think of the consequences. I didn’t think of the Formans. I didn’t think of whom I would disappoint. All I knew was that I was doing the right thing.” Hyde admitted as Jackie listened to him, still not understanding what he was saying. “It did cost me. I lost the Forman’s support and respect, but… really it was worth it, Jackie. And I don’t blame you for it. And when I was on my own- I thought I could survive. I thought I didn’t need anyone, but that wasn’t true. I needed someone, I needed help…” Hyde looked up at Jackie, taking a large intake of breath before finally ending, “I needed you. You were right, Jackie. I realised that you care about me and I guess…I do sort of care about you.”
“What the hell do I know? I’m living in a high school crush.” Jackie cut him off with a groan.
“Well, m-maybe you’re not.” Hyde declared, moving a step closer to her.
There was that little glint of confusion in Jackie’s eyes again, “What do you mean?”
“You were right, Jackie. I don’t hate you. I haven’t for a long time.” Hyde looked away for an instant before gazing directly into Jackie’s eyes. “I like you, Jackie.” A smile suddenly appeared on Jackie’s lips. “I-I realise that all this stuff I’ve been doing- it’s because of you. Going to jail, living with you, having breakfast with you, punching guys- you’re the reason for it all, Jackie. A-and I guess I was trying to…” The smile grew larger as Hyde began to mumble more- more excuses and feelings he had never known he could admit to, let alone have.
As Hyde continued to ramble, Jackie moved forward and in one fluent movement crushed her lips against his. Hyde hesitated at first, overwhelmed by her sudden move, but soon he responded back as her warm lips passionately kissed his. His tongue ran across her lips, as Jackie ran her hands from his back up into his hair- tangling her fingers into the web of curls. Hyde kept his hand securely across Jackie’s waist, pulling her closer and closer into him as their kiss deepened. Their lips swelled as they continued their drugging kiss, until finally pulling apart after desperately needing air. They both glanced into each other’s eyes with dishevelled appearances and fervent breaths- and smiled. A small, loving smile. The smallest gesture that made both their hearts tingle.
“So all this time- you actually liked me?” Jackie asked with a grin, entwining her fingers with his.
“I guess.” Hyde mumbled, avoiding her eyes for a moment. His cheeks almost flushing a pinkish colour. God, he was blushing. Now he understood why Forman was “Forman” since he started dating Donna.
“Love me?” She posed with a smirk. Hyde glared back at her.
“Don’t push it.” He declared and Jackie laughed. She moved in closer to him again, letting him pull her into his arms. She stood in his grasp- feeling warm, loved, happy- secure. She looked into Hyde’s eyes, trying to read what they were expressing- the eyes that he kept hidden beneath big shades most of the day. Jackie placed her hand on the side of Hyde’s face and slowly caressed his cheek. He seemed to fidget at first, feeling awkward by her gesture, but then stood comfortably as Jackie traced his face with her fingers. She glanced back at him, looking deeply in his eyes searching for the same glitter of excitement and happiness that were sparkling in her eyes, the glimmer of happiness that she had held back for so many months.
But she couldn’t find the same in Hyde’s eyes. Not even a flicker of contentment. Jackie sighed- knowing exactly why.
“I-I want to tell Mr. Forman.” She finally spoke, circling the palm of his hand with her fingers.
“What?” Hyde asked, confused.
“I want to tell him what really happened, Steven. I can’t live knowing that you lost your family, your home, your security because of me.” Jackie declared softly, “I know you want to be there. And I’m stopping you from it- and I don’t want to stop you from what will make you happy anymore. And the Formans- they make you happy.” She cupped his face in her hands and looked him directly in the eyes. “I’m going to tell them the truth, so that you can go back home. So you can be truly happy, Steven. Okay?”
She gave him a light hug, as he stood thinking about what she had said. She was right. He was happy with Jackie, but there was something missing. And living with Jackie wasn’t right. Not at that moment in their lives. Her parents could come back any day- what impression would he make on them when they would find out he, an ex-convict, was living with their only daughter? It wasn’t right. He didn’t want her to disappoint her family, like he had his.
He had disappointed the Formans, his true family. And he so desperately wanted his family back, as much as he tried to hide it. Kitty loved him and Red treated him like a man- like a son. He was happy with the Formans, happy being part of a family, being somewhere where he belonged. He craved that more than anything else in life and Jackie was willing to give that to him.
“But I won’t be able to drive your dad’s Lincoln to school on Monday then.” He finally spoke. Jackie laughed and gave him a brief kiss on the lips. He then looked back at her and said, “I’ll come with you. We were in it together, so we’ll tell them together.” Jackie grinned at him and pulled him into a tight hug.
“Oh thank God! I didn’t want to tell the Formans by myself. Mr. Forman would yell at me and Mrs. Forman would probably start telling me about cooking!” Jackie exclaimed and Hyde chuckled at her, gently pushing away a few stray strands of hair that fell over her face. He stood quietly, chewing on his bottom lips nervously as he played with her hair. He was wanted to say something, she could tell. Jackie looked at him curiously and he stopped playing with her hair before shuffling his feet slightly and then smiling at her.
“Um, thank you, Jackie. For everything. Thanks.” He said quietly. Jackie’s incredibly beautiful smile played across her lips again as she gave his hand a squeeze.
“You’re welcome, Steven.”
---
“Why didn’t you tell me this before!?!” Red hollered. Hyde stood near the stove and Jackie, smartly, stood behind him as they finished explaining what had really occurred that night to Red and Kitty- who both sat at the kitchen table in awe. “How could you two be so stupid?”
“W-we don’t know.” Jackie squeaked. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Forman.” Red sighed as he stood up, walking towards the two of them.
“I will have a talk with your parents when they come back and you- I didn’t expect this from you.” Red said, pointing at Hyde. Hyde lowered his eyes to avoid meeting Red’s disappointment. Red paused, noting Hyde’s expression and softened his tone, “I didn’t expect you to be so noble.” Red declared. Surprised, Hyde looked up instantly and Kitty’s eyes brightened up as she stood up excitedly.
“A stupid noble dumbass.” Red ended with a chuckle. Hyde smirked at Red and Kitty quickly wrapped her arms around Hyde, pulling him into a caring hug.
“But we love you!” She said, placing a kiss on his cheek. Hyde then looked back at Red, who nervously shook his head before muttering.
“Now get your stuff and go to the basement- you’re moving back in.”
There was no way Hyde could hide his evident appreciation, as a genuine smile appeared on his face. “Thanks, man.” Hyde said, extending his hand outward to shake Red’s. The two looked at each other before Red shook his hand with Hyde’s. They paused, smiling at each other with their hands still adjoined before Hyde moved forward and gave Red a hug. Red hesitated for a moment before smiling and patting Hyde on the back.
“It’s good to have you back, son.” He replied sincerely.
“It’s good to be back.” Hyde said, as he slung his bag over his shoulder. Jackie grinned from behind him, her hand instantly grabbing his as he stood by her. Kitty smiled at the gesture between the two and it didn’t go unknown to Red either.
“Just remember, that I’m watching you a lot more closely now. Both of you. And don’t you even think of doing anything so stupid again, Steven- even if it is for a girl.” Red declared as both Jackie and Hyde nodded. Jackie began to make her way towards the stairs to go down to the basement and Hyde began to follow her. He then turned around, glancing at Jackie and then at Red.
“I’ll try, Red. But I can’t guarantee it.” Hyde said, looking in Jackie’s direction. Red shook his head with a laugh, as Hyde walked down the stairs to the basement. Kitty smiled at her husband and put her arm around his waist as he pulled her towards him.
“We’ve done a good job with him, Red. Despite all that’s happened- I’m proud of him.” Kitty said, looking in the direction of where Hyde had just left.
“Yeah. We have. I’m proud of Steven too, Kitty. He’s turned out to be the man I always thought he could be.” Red said, he leant forward and softly kissed Kitty on her forehead. “He’s definitely a part of this family. He’s definitely a Forman.”
---
“Hey.” Hyde said casually as him and Jackie descended the stairs into the basement. Their friends looked at them in shock, surprised at Hyde’s appearance.
“Hyde! You’re here? Are you back?” Eric stumbled, as Hyde went straight to ‘his chair’ on which Kelso was sitting. Hyde gave him a slap on the back and Kelso immediately shot off his chair.
“I-I was uh keeping it warm for you.” Kelso stammered, as Hyde sat down. A groan of relief escaped his lips as the hard wooden back of the chair met his back.
“Yeah- I’m back.” Hyde replied, putting his feet up on the coffee table. His response brought cheer to the group and Eric grinned widely.
“Great! Because you know- I was almost going to tell Red that I do drugs, so you could come back.” Eric replied.
“No, you weren’t. You were saying how there was no way you would put your ass in the line of Red’s foot even for Hyde.” Fez replied. Eric glared at his friend and back at Hyde.
“That’s not true. I said- that I might consider telling Red if you weren’t going to tell him that…” Eric paused before glancing over at Jackie who had slipped into the chair across from Hyde. “So you told Red everything?”
“Yeah. I told him everything.” Hyde said, as the others looked confused at the conversation between the two best friends. Hyde looked over at Jackie and gave a small smile, “We told him everything.”
Eric grinned, being the only one who understood what Hyde was saying and why he was sharing that intense look with Jackie. “All right!” He declared in excitement.
“Told who what?” Donna asked, curious looking over at Eric. Eric leant forward from his position on the edge of couch and whispered an explanation in her ear. Donna looked confused for a moment as she listened intently before shaking her head and slightly pushing Eric away.
“That’s not true!” She said with a laugh as Eric teetered on the edge of the couch.
“Yes, it is! Hyde, tell her.” He declared. Hyde just shrugged in their direction, causing Eric to sigh and turn to Jackie. “Jackie, you tell her.”
“Tell her what?” Jackie feigned, folding her arms across her chest and leaning back in her chair. Donna laughed at Eric and told him he was crazy.
“I wanna know! Tell me!” Kelso whined and Fez retorted a similar remark.
“Tell you what?” Jackie repeated again, smiling sweetly at them. Hyde chuckled to himself before standing up.
“Before you girls start gossiping and trying on make-up, I’m going to go check out my room.” Hyde said walking over to his door.
“Okay. But, um, don’t worry if there’s some stuff in there that wasn’t before. I’ll just move my Star War figures back to my room.” Eric sighed, as Hyde smirked at him.
Hyde walked up to his room, taking a deep breath as he looked into the small, cold room. A wave of relief- of happiness washed over him as he glanced into the room that only had a rusty cot on the side and a bunch of dented cardboard boxes.
This was it. This was his home.
Hyde smiled and took a step into his room, as the others began to talk about other events of the day. A step back into the life where he belonged.
A moment later, his head stuck out of his door as he looked back at the group. “Hey Jackie, you coming?”
Eyebrows raised, little ‘gah’ noises escaped and a smug expression appeared on Eric’s face as Jackie gave the group an innocent smile and a small wave before practically skipping to Hyde’s room. The rest of the gang watched as Hyde extended his hand out and Jackie took it and walked into his room.
“And hey- get out of my basement.” Hyde said to the others with a smirk and closed the door to his room- leaving the loneliness out of his world.
---
He was left alone. Kicked out of a world that he belonged to. He was that lone bubble, isolated from the rest. Until she came and made him fall into reality and mix with the rest. A girl who changed his world, his thoughts and his feelings.
Jackie made Hyde realise that there was more to life than reputation.
There was belonging.
---
Fin