RORI POV:
I don't really know why I invited him into my house, I was embarrassed of the state it was in. It was perpetually filthy, I never had the time to actually clean it. He didn't complain, though, just enjoyed the beer and pot I bribed him with to stay. There was no TV, I had sold it several months ago to pay off one of my dad's drug dealers, so we just stared at the wall behind the empty TV stand. It was so nice to have someone in the house with me, it always felt so lonely with just me. I'm not the type of person to believe in ghosts, but my house was haunted. Haunted by the memories of the happy family that had once lived here. He made me happy, made me feel like there was more to life than just survival.
I couldn't help the tears that were threatening to spill onto my cheeks as he pulled me into a warm embrace. I felt so safe, so protected in his arms. I wanted to build my home there, to live in the warmth that was Steven Hyde. "Goodnight Rori, get some rest. Tomorrow's the concert and you have to be at your best." He mumbled into my hair. "Yeah, night Hyde. Thanks for sticking around. I really needed some company. Knowing that you're here for me is more than I ever could have asked for." For some reason, I felt compelled to kiss him, but that was out of the question. I placed a tentative kiss on his cheek before quickly turning to hide inside the house, I couldn't let him see me cry.
Saturdays were always difficult to work, the world was out enjoying a day off and I was stuck behind the counter of a Kwik Trip. There were truckloads of teens out driving around, and I wished with every fiber of my being that I was one of them. I started arranging the cartons of cigarettes on the wall behind me when a familiar voice brought a smile to my face. "I have gas on pump three." I turned to see Hyde standing behind the counter with a small smug smile playing on his lips. I turned to see the whole gang standing there. "Hey! What're you guys up to?"I asked, smiling at them. Kelso piped up from the back. "Jackie's buying gas for the concert tonight, Forman is too poor to afford it." "Well, to be fair the Vista does guzzle gas like crazy." Eric defended himself with a huff. I rang them up and they headed out. "When do you get off?" Hyde asked. "11:30. Then I'm headed over to Forman's place to hang out with the gang." "Great, see ya then. Don't forget to talk to Kitty about moving in." I sighed, leaning in. "How can I forget, I'm homeless." He rolled his eyes at me. "Just don't okay?" I smiled at him. "Fine, but since when are you my boss?" He rolled his eyes at me again before going out to join the gang.
