Ugh, I don't really like this chapter. It's really short and nothing happens, but I couldn't think of anything else to write and I wanted to post something. You know, since it's been forever. So, the next chapter will really be a continuation of this one. I'm just too lazy to write anything right now. But I'm allowed to be lazy because I just ran 4 and a half miles in the freaking woods. It was all muddy and hilly. shudders Not the greatest experience. Enough with my nonsense rambling. You know what to do.

CHAPTER 12

Jackie stood motionless, staring at the place where her mother had been only minutes before. Her mother, in all her glory. Golden hair, manicured nails, and a perfect tan. She was a damn Barbie come to life. Without really meaning to, Jackie grabbed a towel and walked to the opposite wall. She rubbed the orange juice off the wall vacantly, replaying the 'welcome home' scene in her mind. 'Did Steven really do that for me? Did he really yell at her like that?' shaking her head, Jackie bent down carefully and picked up the pieces of broken glass from the floor. She dropped them into the trash can and sighed heavily, then turned around and left the kitchen. She walked across the foyer and up the stairs.

Someone who's not free…

Jackie bent down in the doorway of her room and picked up a jacket from the floor. A pair of rose-tinted sunglasses were hooked onto the pocket. She smiled and wrapped the jacket around her shoulders. The bottom hung below her hips and the cuffs covered her hands completely. The elbows were almost completely worn through and the thick material was so faded, she couldn't decide what its original color had been. The sweet smell of smoke and piney aftershave seemed to be sewn into the fabric.

It was perfect.

But he didn't want her.

Jackie's smile faded, and she slipped the jacket off of her slim frame. It didn't matter how perfect he seemed, he didn't feel the same way. She strode into her walk-in closet and placed the jacked on a hanger. She set it down while she looked for a change of clothes. The outfit she was wearing had too much of that jail smell. Jackie got dressed quickly and tossed her dirty clothes into the corner before turning back to the jacket. With a small tear rolling down her cheek, she hung it on a hook on the back of the door. Jackie quickly wiped the tear away and walked out of her room. 'No way am I going to cry over Steven Hyde' she thought angrily.

"He doesn't want me? Fine. It's his freakin' loss," Jackie said to herself as she walked back down the stairs. So, he just yelled at your mother, defending you because he thinks you're repulsive? She shook her head at the thought. He was just sensitive about abandonment, that's all. He still rejected her, so he was going to pay.

And with a flip of her wavy black hair, Jackie Burkhart made it her mission to make Hyde as miserable as possible.

x

x

Jackie strode confidently down the sidewalk, the Forman house in sight. She ignored the way her breath caught at the sight of Hyde, slouching at the kitchen counter while he ate some form of breakfast. Clenching her fists, she put her withering stare in place, eyes seeming to darken with every step. She crossed the driveway slowly, casually swinging her arms. Hyde seemed to stop eating and sit up straighter. Jackie smiled. Her evil faces were very powerful. But before Hyde could turn around and be a victim of Jackie's wrath, a hand grabbed her arm and dragged her backwards. With a yelp of surprise, the brunette stumbled and spun around. She rolled her eyes when she saw Donna, in yet another flannel shirt. The taller girl refused to let go and continued to drag Jackie in the opposite direction until they reached the Pinciotti house.

"What is your problem, Donna? Do you know how expensive this coat was? I don't want your gross lumberjack hands ruining it," she stated angrily, yanking her arm away. Donna crossed her arms over her chest, shooting daggers with her eyes.

"Where were you last night?" she asked accusingly. Jackie's eyes widened slightly.

"Um…at home. You know, giving myself a manicure," she replied with a smile and showed off her nails. Donna smirked triumphantly.

"Ha! Liar, I know you would never give yourself something you could get from uglier people," she said, pointing at her friend. Jackie swallowed nervously. "And don't bother making up excuses. Hyde already told us the whole story."

"Oh really?" she said loudly, trying to remember those zen lessons she had learned. They seemed so long ago. "What exactly is the story?"

"You both got arrested because you had a bag of pot!"

Jackie's face fell. "Oh. Well, yeah."

Donna shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe you didn't tell me about this!"

"Oh, come on, it happened six hours ago! What did you want me to do, call you from the cell block?"

"Well, they give you a phone call!"

"Yeah. And I used it to call Red and explain to him that everything was my fault so that he wouldn't punish Steven. Like you would have been able to bail us out anyway."

"Wait, you actually took the blame for something?" Donna asked and looked at her best friend incredulously.

"Of course I did, Donna. If it weren't for me, he never would have been arrested."

"I'm just surprised, is all. I keep forgetting how weird you've been lately."

Jackie placed her hands on her slim hips defensively. "How so?"

Donna sighed impatiently. "Oh, I don't know…How about the fact that this is the first time you've insulted me in over a week? Or that you don't talk about how amazing and incredible you are nearly as much as you used to? Not to mention, you just did time! And with Hyde, of all people."

Jackie groaned in annoyance. "I'm sorry, Donna, but I don't have time for this now, okay? I have to go torture Steven."

Donna looked confused. "Why?'

"It's a long story and I don't want to talk about it. But he needs to pay."

"What the hell for? Didn't he try to take the blame for you so you wouldn't go to jail?"

Jackie opened and closed her mouth several times before she actually formed any words. "Yes, but that has nothing to do with it. And besides, I got him out of jail. He should be on his knees thanking me for that but, no! He has to turn into a total ass and-" she stopped when she realized Donna was staring. Jackie took a deep breath and adjusted her coat one more time. "I have to go." She spun around and flounced out of the yard, leaving a very confused redhead behind her.

I will talk to you, no

Yeah, it sucked. But leave a review anyway.