Spring of '76


'So, I'm pretty sure my dad is giving me the Vista Cruiser...' Eric trailed, gauging the gangs response to the big news.

'Cool!' Exclaimed Donna instantly with a huge grin, 'You know how hot that makes you now?' She teased, joking around, although Kelso and Wake knew otherwise. Janet Chingkwake kept her friend's secret regarding her high school crush on the nerd, being trustworthy, Michael Kelso however, being a complete idiot, instantly blabbed.

Donna flushed as Michael spilled the beans but she played it off with feigned aloofness as Hyde luckily swooped in to rescue her from Kelso's slip up, diverting the conversation and steering clear of the topic of raging hormones and feelings of sentiment amongst members of the circle.

'Sounds like the party is in full swing up there, man. Don't think your parents would notice if you snagged us a few beers.' The rebel suggested with a mischievous glint in his eyes and his trademark smirk, which always foretold trouble.

Jan rolled her eyes, tapping Eric on the shoulder to gain his attention as she shook her head in diapproval, wisely reminded him of what was at stake, 'You're dad will kick your ass, and he might revoke his gift.' She reasoned.

'What a surprise, Jan Wake, the wannabe fun police is here to rescue Forman from making bad decisions and thinking for himself, which would result in some serious fun but nah, let's just sit around instead and play Candy Land and drink apple juice, or are board games and cider too rowdy, grandma?' Hyde sneered before turning to address Eric, leaning forward to rest his wrists against his knees as he spoke gruffly in a tone saturated with wisdom.

'You need to learn to think for yourself, man. Stop letting this doll control you. She isn't your mother.' He pointed out.

'Yeah, come on, Jan, don't be such a Debbie Downer.' Kelso chimed, casting her a sulky look that made him look even dumber than usual.

Everyone in the gang knew that Eric was much more impressionable and therefore much more fun to hang out with when Janet Chingkwake wasn't present to be his voice of reason. She was always looking out for him, as Eric and Donna were her closest friends since childhood. She was very protective of those she deemed worthy of caring about, as for the others within the gang, they could get bent.

Jan met the frizzy-haired stoner's gaze evenly from across the room, her features unreadable as she swiftly calculated a response. She rarely ever let her mask of cool indifference slip out of place and reveal when the jackass had successfully gotten beneath her skin. He acted likewise, both feigning aloofness, when deep down their sharp tongues often wounded the others pride and stung in a way that left them both inwardly brooding and fuming for days after their nasty encounters.

That's why Janet gravitated towards Eric and Donna, they were easier to tolerate. Donna was headstrong, kindhearted and compassionate. Eric was submissive, much like a lap dog, and politely considerate with regards with how he spoke to the ladies, for the exception of Jackie, of course. Everyone openly teased the girl incessantly. Sometimes Janet even felt sorry for her, disliking how the guys sometimes took the jokes too far and really disrespected her. Jackie, like Donna and Janet, was fortunately able to hold her own against the males. She was self-assured, quick-witted and bossy. Although she was shallow and self-absorbed most of the time, she had her rare moments of depth which had pleasantly surprised Jan from time to time, allowing her to tolerate the wealthy sophomore's company, being the youngest member of the circle. Plus, she always paid for their food, which was a nice perk.

Hyde gravitated toward Eric for similar reasons as Jan, Forman was a total dork, yes, but also loyal and passive and now he had a car, which was a nice perk since walking around town was inconvenient. Hyde also enjoyed Kelso's company to some extent, mostly for the sheer enjoyment of watching the idiot fail at life. The only female in the gang he showed any sincere level of respect for and went 'easy' on was Donna. He thought she was groovy, unlike most girls, and appreciate her laidback attitude and good sense of humor. The ginger could take a joke, and was practically one of the guys, except she was hot.

'Not his mother, eh? Gee, I hadn't noticed how maternal I've been acting. Steven's totally right, Eric. Don't listen to me, man.' Jan emphasized the last word in a mocking tone laced with sarcasm as she looked between Eric and the scruffy blond with a smart mouth. Her stormy, blue eyes narrowed as she glared at him in annoyance, thinking of a clever response. 'Then again, Steven, how in the hell would you know how a mother acts when you were birthed in a gutter by some cheap, drunk whore?'

Swiftly, like the strike of a rattlesnake, the normally aloof male was on his feet looming above her, his face darkening with ascending anger. It was rare that he lost his cool and let it show that her words had any sort of open, negative impact on him. She had gone too far and now it was his turn to bite back. She smirked somewhat cruelly, lifting her chin bravely to peer up at him evenly, as glinting eyes locked upon one another in challenge. She had won their verbal battle, at least she had thought.

Hyde jabbed a calloused, dirty finger into her chest as he spoke, so close that beads of spit fell upon her face as he spat out harshly, 'Aren't you the pot calling the kettle black, Wake? At least I have a mother. Word has it yours ran off a few years ago and left you here to rot in Point Place. Probably why you try so hard to play mommy to Forman over here. Gee, you've got some serious issues, doll.' He frowned, feigning concern over her questionable mental state.

'Congrats, Hyde. That was actually a pretty decent burn.' She smiled darkly at him, inwardly fuming as his words poisoned her but she wouldn't give the jerk the satisfaction. Her antidote was vengeance. 'I can appreciate a witty insult when I hear it. Well done, it seems you're not so brain-damaged after all and here I thought binge drinking throughout an entire pregnancy was bound to have some sort of negative effect, I s'pose you merely choose to be a burnout loser, when all this time I pityed you, assuming you were born a defective moron.'

'Enough you two!' Interjected Donna, sensing that they were taking the teasing too far and a real fight would ensue, lightly swatting Hyde away from them on the couch.

'Behave children!' Eric thundered, scolding them.

'Children?' Wake parroted in confusion, 'I thought I was the grandma? -Atleast according to Hyde's weak attempt at burning me.' Janet recalled.

'Just get us some beer already! Geeze!' Shouted Kelso, growing inpatient and tired of hearing Steven and Janet bicker.

'Alright, alright.' Eric crumbled beneath the pressure of his peers, holding up his hands in defense as Jan let out a huff of annoyance and rolled her eyes at him in disappointment.

'And make sure they are cold!' Hyde instructed him, calling after his scrawny retreating figure jogging up the basement steps two at a time. 'Like Wake's frigid soul.'

'Like Hyde's heart of steel.' She countered back.

'Like snow!' Kelso joined in on their witty banter.

'No, man.' - 'No.' - Deadpanned the pair in unison as Donna chuckled and swatted him in the arm for being such a dumb-

'dweeb' she muttered as he yelped out in pain and withdrew from her like a wounded animal.