Just thought I'd let everyone know that this one is written for all the D/H fans from F4F, and is written from Donna's POV :)
Lake Michigan-August 1968
Shortly after my family moved to Point Place in the summer of '68, we started a tradition of vacationing together for a couple weeks every couple years or so with the Formans, just to get away. The initial reason was so our two families could get to know each other better, but we soon learned to treasure these vacations when they came along. Eric always ended up taking Hyde along, as his mother was always looking for any excuse to ship him off for a while, so she could entertain her 'friend' of the moment. Though I didn't think of it at the time, I find it rather bothersome that a mother ship her only child off at every possible opportunity. Don't really think too much of Edna, but I digress.
Anyway, I wasn't too thrilled with the vacation idea at first, but then I started thinking of all the opportunities I'd get to dunk the string bean from next door into Lake Michigan. Suddenly the whole vacation thing didn't seem so bad. Little did I know that it would also be the beginning of another tradition that has followed me every couple of years since.
It all started on the third day of the vacation when Eric, Hyde, and I snuck out of the cabin to go for a swim:
Eric had snuck past our parents; swim trunks, water wings and all. I was hiding behind a corner plotting how to get away with my latest dunking attempt without running into Hyde, who would assume his bodyguard duties instantly. After all, how could I resist when he looked like a half filled blow up doll with the skinny arms sticking out from under those huge water wings? Looking at it now, he actually looked kind of cute like that, but my mind was only on the next attack.
Once Eric left the house and my escape seemed certain, I darted outside after him. Keeping a safe distance, I followed close behind without him noticing I was there as I put the finishing touches on my plan. Little did I know that Hyde had left the cabin hours ago, and was sitting alone behind the large oak at the water's edge.
Anyway, once the string bean reached the water and dived in, I saw my perfect opportunity and took it. Started charging after him and dove into the lake with an evil look on my face as he stared at me in fear. I landed directly on his shoulders and down under the water he went. Victory was mine! I was so caught up in my little victory dance that I failed to notice when Hyde quietly slipped underwater, grabbed my feet, pulled me off of Eric's shoulders and dunked me. Needless to say, the string bean came up sputtering and muttering something about swimmer's ear as he slowly swam ashore.
Meanwhile, Hyde had gotten a good grip on me and we both came to the surface together; me, kicking and screaming all the while. He just sat there and looked at me scathingly as I continued to pummel him. Finally he said, "Not a good move, Pinciotti.", in his stern, controlled way as he stares at me with what I called his 'Zen face', even then. His words didn't quite register and I continued struggling to get free, then decided to add one last particularly loud scream, "LET ME GO!" He just remained calm and held his tight grip before firmly replying, "What, so you can go after Forman again? I don't think so."
I got pretty tired of struggling at that point, so I went with the last resort I'd had, and turned at looked at him pitifully. "What do I have to do to get you to let me go?", I asked, pouting. "Well, since I lost my quarter today thanks to you, I'll have to collect a forfeit of some kind." he replied with a devilish twinkle in his eye. How strange for someone so young to use a word like 'forfeit', let alone know what it means, but that's exactly what he said. Don't think I'll ever forget that, though at the time, I just got a look of confusion on my face and uttered, "Collect what?" "A forfeit." he replied, looking me right in the eyes. Was going to ask what he meant by a forfeit, but before I could say anything else he had leaned in and kissed me. As a first kiss it wasn't much, just a quick peck on the lips before he dropped me in the water and swam away; little did I know that kiss would be the first of many.
Lake Michigan-August 1968
Shortly after my family moved to Point Place in the summer of '68, we started a tradition of vacationing together for a couple weeks every couple years or so with the Formans, just to get away. The initial reason was so our two families could get to know each other better, but we soon learned to treasure these vacations when they came along. Eric always ended up taking Hyde along, as his mother was always looking for any excuse to ship him off for a while, so she could entertain her 'friend' of the moment. Though I didn't think of it at the time, I find it rather bothersome that a mother ship her only child off at every possible opportunity. Don't really think too much of Edna, but I digress.
Anyway, I wasn't too thrilled with the vacation idea at first, but then I started thinking of all the opportunities I'd get to dunk the string bean from next door into Lake Michigan. Suddenly the whole vacation thing didn't seem so bad. Little did I know that it would also be the beginning of another tradition that has followed me every couple of years since.
It all started on the third day of the vacation when Eric, Hyde, and I snuck out of the cabin to go for a swim:
Eric had snuck past our parents; swim trunks, water wings and all. I was hiding behind a corner plotting how to get away with my latest dunking attempt without running into Hyde, who would assume his bodyguard duties instantly. After all, how could I resist when he looked like a half filled blow up doll with the skinny arms sticking out from under those huge water wings? Looking at it now, he actually looked kind of cute like that, but my mind was only on the next attack.
Once Eric left the house and my escape seemed certain, I darted outside after him. Keeping a safe distance, I followed close behind without him noticing I was there as I put the finishing touches on my plan. Little did I know that Hyde had left the cabin hours ago, and was sitting alone behind the large oak at the water's edge.
Anyway, once the string bean reached the water and dived in, I saw my perfect opportunity and took it. Started charging after him and dove into the lake with an evil look on my face as he stared at me in fear. I landed directly on his shoulders and down under the water he went. Victory was mine! I was so caught up in my little victory dance that I failed to notice when Hyde quietly slipped underwater, grabbed my feet, pulled me off of Eric's shoulders and dunked me. Needless to say, the string bean came up sputtering and muttering something about swimmer's ear as he slowly swam ashore.
Meanwhile, Hyde had gotten a good grip on me and we both came to the surface together; me, kicking and screaming all the while. He just sat there and looked at me scathingly as I continued to pummel him. Finally he said, "Not a good move, Pinciotti.", in his stern, controlled way as he stares at me with what I called his 'Zen face', even then. His words didn't quite register and I continued struggling to get free, then decided to add one last particularly loud scream, "LET ME GO!" He just remained calm and held his tight grip before firmly replying, "What, so you can go after Forman again? I don't think so."
I got pretty tired of struggling at that point, so I went with the last resort I'd had, and turned at looked at him pitifully. "What do I have to do to get you to let me go?", I asked, pouting. "Well, since I lost my quarter today thanks to you, I'll have to collect a forfeit of some kind." he replied with a devilish twinkle in his eye. How strange for someone so young to use a word like 'forfeit', let alone know what it means, but that's exactly what he said. Don't think I'll ever forget that, though at the time, I just got a look of confusion on my face and uttered, "Collect what?" "A forfeit." he replied, looking me right in the eyes. Was going to ask what he meant by a forfeit, but before I could say anything else he had leaned in and kissed me. As a first kiss it wasn't much, just a quick peck on the lips before he dropped me in the water and swam away; little did I know that kiss would be the first of many.