HYDE POV:
The walk home was a little bit more strained than usual. She was under so much pressure these days that I didn't know how she handled it, but she did, with all the grace and beauty anyone could expect of her. I didn't like thinking about her this way, I never had before, but I couldn't help it. We had grown up together and I don't know when it happened, but the gangly, awkward little girl with the smart mouth and quick wit had grown into a really hot woman. She still had that smart mouth and quick temper, but she was so tired anymore that she forgot how to use them properly. She was embarrassed of her house, and never invited me in, and didn't really even like me to walk her home. She waved me away, saying goodbye. I didn't want to leave her alone here. It didn't seem like a person like her should be in a place like this, but she was too stubborn and hardheaded to have it any other way. Kitty Forman had offered her Laurie's old room, but she had refused, saying that she didn't want to impose on her. Jackie had offered to buy the place outright so she didn't have to pay rent anymore, but she nearly decked her for that. She was prideful, almost to a fault, but who could blame her. She only wanted to prove that she wasn't the same as the trash that raised her. At least she would be hanging out with us this weekend, she would finally get a break.
"Hey, can we give Rori a ride to the concert?" I asked walking into the back into the basement. Donna and Eric broke apart, her tongue visibly pulling out of his mouth. "Dude, knock?" Eric said angrily. I waved him off flopping back into my seat. "She's got money for the concert and wanted to come, can we give her a ride?" "There aren't really enough seats, but if you're willing to let her sit on your lap, I suppose it'll probably be alright." "Good, she needs a break." "What's got you so worried about her? You don't even like her." "Shut up Forman. She's having a rough time right now, alright." I snapped at him. Eric opened his mouth, but Donna whispered in his ear, probably warning him against it. I don't know why all of a sudden I wanted to protect her, or why I wanted her to be happy, but it's all I can think about these days. I moved off towards my bedroom. Needed to sleep off all of these troublesome thoughts.
