It was her second day of classes at Point Place Community College and Jackie had lost her schedule. A little frantic she rushed into the office, hoping to get a copy. It was crowded and she had ten minutes to get to class. She just didn't know where. She pushed her way to the counter despite hostile glares from the other students waiting in line.

"Excuse me!" she reached over and tapped the blonde man with his back to her on the shoulder. "I need a copy of my schedule. Could you help me?"

The tall young man turned and smiled at her. "Sure, but you'll have to wait your turn, Miss." His blue eyes twinkled and Jackie naturally titled her head in a flirtatious way.

"Jake! Jake Bradley! It's me! Jackie Burkhardt, from Point Place High."

"I know. How could I forget that smile? How are you, Jackie?"

"I'm great-except I lost my schedule and I'm going to be late for class."

"Don't worry. The teachers expect it the first week. Let me help some of these others and then I'll get you what you need. Okay?" and he flashed the perfect smile that all the girls in school had swooned over. It worked on her now and she waited patiently for him. After several minutes he came around the counter with a copy of her schedule.

"It looks like you have "History of Design" in room 230. Can I walk you there?"

"Sure," she smiled and let him open the door for her. They chatted on the way and once there he followed her in and told the teacher that she was late because of him. The teacher wasn't immune to his charm either and waved Jackie to her seat. Jackie mouthed a "thank you" to Jake, who winked at her as he left. The girls seated around her all sighed or glared at her, which made her feel like she was back in high school where she'd been the prettiest and most popular girl. She hadn't felt that way in a long time and it was nice.

Over the next few weeks it seemed as if Jake was always around when she was at school. Sometimes he would show up and walk her to her next class or if she was in the library he would sit at her table. They would start out studying but end up talking instead. Sometimes he would bring her a soda or an apple from the vending machine. By the end of the first month of school he was walking her to her car at the end of the day, an old Ford Galaxy she'd bought from a guy in one of her classes.

Jake was in his last year of Retail Management and doing really well. His family owned one of the largest sporting goods chains in the Midwest and he was planning on joining the family business. It made sense he told her. He loved sports and he loved people. He had been all state quarterback at Point Place High as well as a member of the baseball team that won regionals in '76. He had a salesman's gift of gab but he was also a really good listener. Sometimes Jackie would apologize for talking too much. Steven had always been telling her to shut her pie hole or he would shut it for her-in the best possible way by kissing her. She shook that thought away and smiled at Jake when he would encourage her to keep talking. She knew he paid attention when after saying how much she liked roses he laid a single perfect red rose on her notepad as she studied in the library. When she looked up he winked and walked away.

"Hey, Jackie. Who gave you the rose?" Donna asked a few minutes later, dumping her backpack on the table and shrugging out of her old corduroy jacket.

"Ugh, Donna, is that the only coat you own? It looks like something the Marlboro man would wear," she turned her nose up.

"Who cares? It's comfy and you're avoiding my question. Who gave you the rose? It's really pretty," Donna said and leaned across the table to smell it.

"Promise you won't tell anyone?"

Donna shook her head and tore open a bag of chips. Everyone seated nearby glared at her and she mouthed "sorry".

"It's from Jake Bradley," Jackie whispered.

"Jake? Really? Wow, Jackie! Good for you. He's like a total dreamboat," she said in her best Jackie voice, tossing her hair. "When are you going out?"

"He hasn't asked me. At least, not yet."

"Not yet? Have you lost your touch, Burkhardt?" Donna stuffed a handful of chips in her mouth.

"God, Donna! Chew!" Jackie grimaced. "I haven't really encouraged him. I mean, he's good looking and really nice but I don't know. Do you think I should?"

Donna popped open a can of soda and got several angry shushes from the other students. "Geez! Sorry!" she whispered loudly. Taking a sip she looked at her best friend and saw the doubt in her big amber eyes. Clearly this called for a serious answer. She set her soda down and reached across the table for Jackie's hand. "I think you should go out with him and have a good time. You've had a rough year and you deserve to have some fun. He's a nice guy. He'll treat you good." She squeezed the little hand gently. "So work that famous Jackie magic and get him to ask you out."

Jackie looked up from their joined hands and smiled at the redhead. "You're right. It's time to move on and put the past behind me. If nothing else we'll make a really cute couple."

Donna grinned, "There's the Jackie I know and love. Now let's get out of here so I can eat my lunch without everyone staring at me!"

Feb.14, 1980

Hyde reached over and snapped off the little black and white tv. There wasn't anything good on and

he was bored out of his mind. He wandered upstairs only to remember that Red had taken Kitty out for dinner. Valentine's Day-what a scam. Just another lame excuse for crass consumerism. He rummaged in the fridge but only came up with one of Red's beers. He had just popped the top when Eric came in thru the living room, pulling on a suit jacket.

"Hey, man. Where are you off to?" Hyde took a swig of Old Milwaukee. Nothing tasted better than stolen beer.

"That better not be one of Red's brewskis. He numbers them on the bottom of the can."

"Yeah, I know. Why do you think I leave the empties in your room?" Hyde grinned.

Eric shrugged. "Whatever. He likes you better anyway. Say, do you mind if I come in to work a little late tomorrow?"

He had been working at Grooves ever since he helped with inventory. It made sense. Hyde couldn't rely on Leo and he trusted Eric. Eric was responsible and he needed the money. He and Donna were moving to Madison after she finished the spring semester at PPCC so they could both enroll at UW in the Fall.

"Sure. No problem. Big night planned with Donna?"

"Yeah, kinda. She's working at the radio station till seven. I'm meeting her at the Hub."

"The Hub? Wow, big spender, Forman. You could probably skip the suit."

Eric flushed and shifted uncomfortably. "Uh-this is kind of awkward but we're meeting Jackie there."

Hyde laughed. "Jackie? Are you guys having a threesome? Just a warning, Forman. Jackie bites."

"What? She bites? Where? Oh, geez, what am I saying!" Eric turned red.

"I'm kidding, man. Why are you meeting Jackie? She can't get a date?"

"No, actually, she has a date and we're going to double."

"At the Hub? This guy must be a real douche," Hyde sneered, conveniently forgetting that he used to take Jackie there all the time.

"Actually we're going to the Vineyard so I'd better head out. Catch you later, man" and he was out the door before Hyde could ask who was the sucker taking his ex out. Not that he cared. He was just surprised there was anyone left in town she hadn't already dated. He finished his beer and went into the living room to watch Red's color cable tv but there still wasn't anything worth watching on.

"Aw, hell" he swore and grabbing his coat and car keys he jumped in the El Camino, knowing he wouldn't relax until he knew who Jackie's date was. When he got to the Hub he saw Donna and Eric at the corner table they all used to hang out at. It brought back a lot of memories which was weird so he pulled out a chair and tried to shake off the sense of nostalgia he felt.

"Hyde, you must have been right behind me," Eric said but he wasn't really surprised.

"What are you doing here?" Donna asked, wearing a green dress, a little makeup on her pretty face.

"Nothing. Can't a guy come for a burger?"

"Okay, sure," Eric drawled but exchanged a concerned look with his girlfriend. You never knew how Hyde would act around Jackie but they were about to find out. The bell over the door jingled and Jackie walked in, followed by a tall, blonde haired guy with an easy smile and his hand on her waist. Her steps slowed as they approached, throwing a nervous look at Donna, who stood up and hugged her to show her support.

"Hey, Jackie, you look really pretty. Hi, Jake."

"Hi, Donna. Eric, how are you? Long time no see," Jake smiled and Eric stood up with a goofy grin on his face to shake the former quarterbacks' hand.

Jackie clutched her purse and refused to look at her ex, who was staring at her and ignoring Jake. Picking up on the tension her date put his hand out.

"It's Hyde, isn't it? I'm Jake Bradley. I graduated in '77. You still drive that bitchin' Camino?"

Hyde glanced at him and nodded but he didn't shake hands. What a tool, he thought, as if everyone in town didn't know who Jake Bradley was. He looked back at Jackie, who glared at him. Nice to know he could still get a rise out of her. "So, Jackie, how's it going?" he asked and nudged her foot with his.

"Fine, thank you," she said politely and took a step back. Not quite the reaction he wanted so he raised an eyebrow and asked. "The Vineyard, huh? That's your favorite restaurant, isn't it? Hope you can afford it, Bradley. Jackie has expensive tastes."

She shot him an angry look but kept her mouth shut. She had a million comebacks about his cheap ass but she didn't want to look like a bitch in front of Jake. Like a true gentleman he defended her, his jaw set. "Don't worry about it, Hyde. I'm pretty sure I can afford to take my girlfriend out to dinner."

Hyde's gaze met Jake's in surprise and maybe a little respect. Jackie beamed and hooked her arm thru Jake's. He smiled down at her and Hyde felt a sinking sensation in his gut. There was something there between them and he didn't like it. Some kind of connection and why wouldn't there be? They both came from money, they had both been really popular in school and they were both really good looking. Freakin' gorgeous actually he thought as he eyed Jackie in the tight red dress she wore. She and Jake were the perfect couple-even their names sounded cute together. Sickeningly cute.

Donna stood up and shook out her skirt. "We should probably get going. Our reservations are for eight o'clock."

Jake gave Hyde a tight smile and taking Jackie's hand he led her out the door. Donna and Eric exchanged a glance after noticing the glum look on Hyde's face. Eric patted his shoulder, "See you later."

"Yeah, Happy Valentine's Day," Donna smiled.

Hyde snorted. "Yeah, right. Enjoy your overpriced , overcooked meal and Forman's lame attempt at seducing you later tonight, Pinciotti."

"Oh, she will! Believe it, Hyde," Eric smirked and followed his chuckling lady love out of the Hub.