Two nights later, Jackie was over the Foreman's for dinner. Kitty was making a big meal to try and make Jackie fell better. She had been having a hard time with the kids at school and all the rumors around town about her. She was sitting with Hyde on the couch when there was a knock on the door. Red got up and answered the door and stared angrily at the news reporter who was standing on the front stoop.
"Hello is Jackie Burkhart here for an interview?"
"Go away."
"We just want to talk to her quickly. To see how she is doing. And see what her thoughts on everything are."
"Get off my front step before I call the cops."
"But Jackie is here right?"
"What part of get off my front door step did you not understand?"
The man nodded his head.
"Well…sorry to have bothered you."
The man left with his camera man and Red locked the door before taking his seat in his chair again. Jackie fidgeted and looked back over at Red.
"I'm uh…I'm sorry you have to deal with that."
"Don't worry about it Jackie."
"Yeah but-"
"Jackie." He said sternly. "Do not worry about it."
She smiled at him and turned back to Hyde who took her hand and squeezed it gently. They sat and watched TV. Red was just flipping through the channels aimlessly and stopped on the news channel. And of course, they were doing a story on Jackie's father. Red looked over at Jackie apologetically.
"Oh…I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
Kitty walked in just in time.
"Dinner's ready!"
Hyde took Jackie's hand and pulled a seat out for her next him. She smiled and the rest of the Foreman's sat down to eat dinner.
"Wow this looks great Mrs. Foreman. Thank you for inviting me for dinner."
"Oh of course honey! We love having you around here."
"Speak for yourself." Eric grumbled and Hyde kicked him under the table. "Ow!"
"Shut up freak."
"What man? She's the devil."
"Whatever Eric. It's not like your insults affect me. We both know I'm cooler than you will ever be."
Red laughed and looked at Jackie.
"Well don't listen to my dumbass son. We love having you around. You're cooler and smarter than both of these boys."
"Yeah Jacks don't listen to Erica over here. I love having you around here."
Jackie smiled and they began to eat dinner. About twenty minutes later, there was a flash coming through the dining room window. They all stopped and looked over and saw three camera men outside the window taking pictures.
"Oh my god…" Jackie said.
"My god…they will stop at nothing to get a good picture will they."
"Mr. Foreman I am so sorry."
"I'm going to take care of this right now."
"Red what are you going to do?"
"Call the cops Kitty. They can't be on our property. And they should not be bothering a young girl like Jackie."
Red stomped off towards the front door as more and more flashes came through the window.
"Boys take Jackie downstairs and don't leave ok?"
Hyde and Eric nodded leading Jackie down to the basement as Kitty called the cops. Red threw the door open and glared at the men outside. There were camera men, reporters the works.
"My wife is calling the cops. I suggest you leave now."
"We just want a chance to talk with Ms. Burkhart sir."
"Well you're not going to talk to her so leave."
"Well we've talked to both of her parents but not her. So if she comes out now, we'll leave her alone."
"She's not coming out. So leave before the cops get here. Otherwise you have to deal with them."
"Red there on there way." Kitty said hiding behind her husband. They stood there waiting for the cops to arrive. Meanwhile in the basement…
Eric, Hyde and Jackie were just sitting watching TV none of them saying anything. Hyde was in his chair, and Jackie was on the couch while Eric was sitting in the lawn chair.
"So uh…that Jeanie sure is funny huh?" Eric said nervously.
He looked at Jackie who didn't say anything. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes. He looked over at Hyde.
"Eric man could you…?"
"Yeah I'll go see how my parents are making out upstairs."
Hyde silently mouthed thank you to him and watched him walk upstairs. He looked over at Jackie. She hadn't moved an inch and was staring straight at the TV. He cleared his throat and stood up slowly sitting down next to her. He wrapped his arm around her and just waited not wanting to push her. She didn't say anything after about fifteen minutes he looked over at her again and saw the tears falling from her eyes.
"Oh Jacks…"
"I wanna be a normal kid Steven…"
"I know you do…"
"Even before all this happened, they were always trying to interview us and see what was going on in my family. I've never been able to be normal."
"Jackie…there's no such thing as normal."
"Well whatever…I want to have a different life than this."
"Unfortunately that can't happen…your dad was mayor of this town and they want to know absolutely everything about you."
"My father is a bastard."
"I can't argue with you on that one."
"Steven I hate this…"
"I know you do baby…and if I could make it go away I would."
Jackie looked over at him, her eyes filled with tears again. He sighed and pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his chest.
"Its ok…everything is going to be ok."
They stayed like that until Eric came back downstairs.
"The cops took care of the reporters. They won't be coming back anytime soon."
"Oh…that's good."
"My Dad said you can stay here tonight if you want Jackie."
"Really?"
"Yeah he says you can even sleep in Hyde's room as long as you two keep your cloths on. And trust me…he'll probably check that you do."
Jackie and Hyde smiled at him.
"Thanks Eric. And can you tell your parents I said thank you too?"
"Yeah sure. I'm gonna go call Donna. I'll se you guys in the morning. And remember what I said about my Dad."
Jackie looked over at Hyde.
"Would it be ok if I stay over?"
"Of course it would be ok."
"Can I borrow something to wear?"
"Sure. Come on."
They got up and made their way into Hyde's room. He handed her some flannel pants and a matching T-shirt. She smiled and changed before snuggling into his cot. He smiled at her and spooned in behind her.
"Everything's goin to be ok Jacks. I promise."
"I know Steven. I trust you."
He kissed the side of her face.
"I love you Steven."
"I love you too Jacks."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
So theres only going to be a few more chapters before this is over. so i hope you like it. Read and Review Please. :)
