Author's Note: I wanted to put two episodes in this chapter, but it got way too long. This one was more of an Eric/Rachel chapter and the next one will be a Hyde/Jackie chapter. Enjoy reading and please review! :) By the way, I heard Tanya Roberts (aka Midge Pinciotti) actually died this time, the last time they announced her death prematurely, so RIP to her. :(
It was a couple of days after the big blowout from our fight. The good thing that came out of that was Steven and Jackie were finally official; they weren't hiding it anymore just like how Eric and I wasn't. Kelso was still grumpy about them being together, but he had to suck it up.
Eric told me he talked to Donna before about us and gave her some closure. Now, it was my turn. I went to her house and rang the doorbell. It was Bob who answered it.
"Hey, Rachel," He friendly greeted me. "What brings you by here?"
"Is Donna home? I really want to talk to her." I answered.
"Yes, she is. Come in." Bob stepped aside so I could enter his house and then he closed the door.
He called for his daughter to come downstairs for me and she did. Bob left us alone in their living room.
"Hey, Donna," I decided to dive right to business. "So, about everything that happened between me and Eric, I really didn't want to hurt you. That's not why we're together. I had a crush on him for a really long time and I didn't do anything about it because I know how much the both of you liked each other. That's why I had to tell Steven to back off from you. We could just never get what we wanted, but since you're my best friend and so is Eric, I had to respect that and let you guys give each other a chance and worked it out. Eric and I just...happened. I was there to support him after the break up, and since then, we became stronger and closer. The strong feelings I had for him kept building up and I just-"
"Rachel, I'm okay about you and Eric," Donna gently interrupted me. "Seriously. Eric talked to me before you got here and explained everything. I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't jealous about the two of you, but I am. I will have to get used to you and Eric and that'll take some time. Being at California really made me think about everything. I knew I took Eric for granted and wasn't that fully committed to him like I thought I was when he gave me the promise ring. I always knew how you felt about Eric before you even told me. I saw the looks you give him and the way you talk to him; Hyde saw it, too, but didn't think your crush was serious. So, then I saw no problem with you until...now," Donna shifted a bit uncomfortably, but then resumed casually talking. "I hated it that you and Eric kept yourselves a secret whether or not it was unintentional, that didn't matter. I hated whenever I saw Eric with another girl, but maybe that it's you now and I know you...I can tolerate this. This is hard to take in, but I just need to process it. Just give me some time."
I nodded. "I understand. I hope we're still friends. Cause you and even Jackie are the only girl friends I have. I don't want a guy to come in between us."
Donna smiled. "We're still friends, Rachel."
I was so glad to hear those words from her and we hugged each other.
Now, that Donna and I have made amends, the same thing happened to Jackie and I, too. I didn't like how she kept herself and Steven a secret from me and she didn't like how I kept my secret about me and Eric from her. We just promised to be better friends, and now that Jackie was dating my brother, we're going to have to get along. Much to her delight.
After all of this drama, more came when Kitty found herself pregnant. But it turned out to be menopause and she was going through a hard time with that. Kelso eventually came to terms with Steven and Jackie's relationship.
We've been talking about colleges and Visitors Weekend. I was planning to go to some community college until Eric persuaded me to come with him and the guys to the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Steven decided to go too even though he didn't think he was college material. Donna and Jackie was going to Marquette together.
Jackie was worried about Steven being in Madison with us because he'd be with 'hot college girls'. She had to assure him that she wouldn't kiss any 'hot college guys' at Marquette. But when Jackie pulled Steven aside while we're packing the car, I knew she was going to act cool and casual about it in front of him. Eric and I was outside too and talked to each other.
"This should be fun," I said with excitement. "I never really saw myself as a college kind of person."
"You're very smart than what you give yourself credit for, Rachel. You and Hyde deserve to go to college." Eric said.
"Thank you," I smiled gratefully at those nice words. I smirked and teased him. "There are going to be a lot of college girls there so don't get too tempted to kiss one of them."
"Hey, the only girl at the college I would kiss is you."
"You better," Then we kissed each other. It felt a lot better to do that out in the open. I smiled broadly at my next thought getting more excited. "Just think about all of the college parties we can go to! That'll definitely be worth going."
"And there's the education." Eric pointed out smartly.
But I rolled my eyes and remarked sarcastically. "Okay, nerd."
The next day, we got at the college and the resident advisor showed us around. The little taste of this college experience made me wonder what I should do with my life and what kind of career I should pursue. Eric thought about being a teacher, but I wasn't sure of myself. I didn't want to be like Edna who had her fabulous water skiing career that Steven and I ruined because she got knocked up with us. She was also the gross lunch lady. There was Father of the Year, Bud, who became a bartender before he left Steven again. Neither of them was good jobs.
Maybe Eric was right that I should take my art seriously, but I'm not sure.
After our tour for the day, we all went to our room back at the motel. Us kids slept on the cots while Red and Kitty had the bed for themselves.
Kitty just came out of the bathroom wearing her pink robe and had hair curlers in her hair. "Guys, um, I realize that, uh...I may have been a little irrational today."
During the car ride here, Kitty flipped out on us for no apparent reason. I think it was just because her menopausal hormones or something.
"A little?" Kelso mumbled.
"Shut up!" Kitty screamed at him.
As I laid on my bed, I pursed my lips in trying not to laugh.
"So, um, maybe now is a good time for me to...explain a few things to you about menopause," We just simply stared in disbelief that this conversation was actually happening. "And, um, lucky for you, I'm a nurse, so I can use the proper terms, like...'epithelial lining' and 'uterine wall'."
We all groaned and laid on our stomachs to completely avoid this.
However, Fez was actually interested and said. "I'm hooked." The little freak.
"Um, Mrs. Forman?" I turned on my side and looked at her. I made sure to be polite. "I'm a woman so I already know all about the female body system, may I be excused from listening to this?"
"Oh, no, Rachel. This teaching will be helpful to you, too, and you'll get to learn all the side affects by me who's experiencing this at first hand. Fortunately, for you, you won't have to endure this monstrosity in your forties or fifties," Then I heard her mumbling under her breath. "You lucky, young, fertile bitch..."
My eyes widened at her uncharacteristic insult to me. I was too taken aback to say anything and just stayed silent as I turned back onto my stomach. I heard Steven chuckling at me and I gave him a hard glare to shut up.
Kitty clapped, ready to explain. Much to my horror. Somebody please save me.
"Okay, so, um, now say these soaps are my ovaries."
"Kill me now." Eric said being mortified.
"Can't hear you, man. I'm on a beach in Florida." Steven had his eyes closed probably dreaming about the paradise.
"Easy for you guys," I grumbled sourly. "All you have to worry about is not getting hit or kicked in the balls."
"Oh, Rachel, you're young, do you still get your period?" Fez had the nerve to ask me.
Me, Eric, Steven, Kelso, and Eric's parents just gave him bizarre looks. As a matter of fact, I am having my period right now so I got up to use the bathroom.
"Now that you've reminded me, Fez, it is that time of the month for me." I said and got off from my bed. I heard Steven's disgusted groan and Kelso made a gross noise at my period. Then I went to the bathroom and closed the door for privacy. I already have a tampon in my jeans pocket.
Few minutes later, I was out of the bathroom. Just in time for us to go somewhere and not to hear about menopause from Kitty anymore.
"Hey, Rach, we're going." Eric informed as he guided me out of the room with his hand on the small of my back.
"Where?" I asked with interest.
"Anywhere but here."
We found a party back at the building and it was very fun being with the college students. It felt cool. It was like how I dreamed the college lifestyle would be. I hung out with some of the older kids and had some drinks, but then I think I got tipsy. Just a little. But Eric didn't think so cause he pulled me away from a guy I was talking to.
"Hey, man, I was just talking to Hazel," The guy said in his defense. I couldn't remember his name. "No need to pull her away from me."
I giggled. "Isn't that funny, Eric? He called me Hazel not Rachel!"
"Yeah, totally funny," Eric said dryly. For some reason, I got the sense he didn't find it as humorous as I did. "Look, pal, this is my girlfriend, so just back off."
"Alright, man, jeez." The guy had his hands up in surrender and walked away. Eric guided me to where Fez and Steven were.
"We was jusssst talking, Eric," I heard myself slurring. "It wassss nothin'!"
"Well, it seemed that he wanted more from you than just talking." Eric retorted.
"Aw, man, is she drunk?" Steven groaned.
"No! Just...tipsy," I tried to stand up straight to prove my point, but stumbled a bit. Eric caught me before I could fall. "And drunk. A little."
"Okay, that's enough of that." Steven suddenly snatched my cup out of my hand and drank some of it.
"Hey!" I whined with a childish stomp. "That was mine!"
"Mine now and no more for you."
I crossed my arms in huff and pouted. I plopped myself onto the green leather couch. Eric sat down next to me. I felt tired then and rested my head onto his shoulder, relaxing.
A beautiful brunette came up to my brother and flirted with him. Most likely lied about never making out with a guy with a beard. I mean, she's in college. She would have to tongue a guy with a beard at some point. When the slut offered Steven to go to her room, he wanted to go, but changed his mind. And I think I know why. The girl left him alone.
"Man, what the hell did I just do?" Steven asked us. "I just turned down a sure thing because of Jackie."
"And you don't know what she's doing at Marquette. Or who." I giggled at Fez's joke.
"Man, she said she wouldn't do anything."
"Yeah, but I bet if she did, you'd cry because you love her." Fez teased, but it was the truth.
"Yeah! And you'd still want to..." I lifted my head from Eric's shoulder and made kissing faces at Steven. I heard Eric chuckling in amusement beside me. "Do that to her."
My brother just looked me unamused and blandly said. "You're very dangerous at college parties."
I rolled my eyes and stood up. Eric helped me to stand, but that wasn't necessary even though it was cute. "Don't worry about Jackie, Steven. She's not going to cheat on you with some college loser. You," I pointed at his nose and he slightly cringed at that. "Should trust her, mister. You almost cheated and slept with that slut, but you didn't because you are just soooo nice and sweet like that and you love Jackie."
Steven sighed in frustration. "If any of you keep using the L word about me and Jackie-"
"Or what?" I challenged him and kept slurring my words. "It is true, Stefan! Denial isn't just a river in Utah!"
Steven just plainly stared at me while Fez and Eric had smirks on their faces.
"We should take you back to the motel." That was all Steven just told me.
"Good idea, Stefan." Eric said sarcastically.
Back at our motel room, I was just laying on my cot with my eyes closed as I try to get over this drunken stupor as the Formans watched The Waltons. I lied to his parents that I was just very tired because I was on my period, but I think Red saw right through me because of how I walked, but didn't say anything. Fighting would just cause Kitty to be more upset and that would be worse because of her menopause. Eric laid with me even though the cot was small, but I didn't care. He just had a tiny, tiny body frame anyway.
"Enjoyed your college experience, Rach?" Eric asked just to be a smart mouth.
"Shut up," I grunted with my eyes closed. A headache was coming on. "I am not verbally available right now."
Eric just chuckled and kissed my forehead. I snuggled to him closer. I felt myself drifting off to sleep.
After the weekend was over, we were back home in Point Place. Eric and Steven made fun of me for my drunkenness because of that party. I just told them to shut it. Donna and Jackie really liked Marquette and Donna was considering about going there.
Steven, Fez, and I got orange sodas out from the fridge. We were talking for a while until Jackie came into the kitchen.
"Hey." She greeted him first.
"Hey." He said right back.
"Okay, so, I'll be leaving you two alone..." I was about to go to the living room where Fez was, but Steven stopped me.
"No, wait. You stay," I gave a confused look to him and Jackie. "Look, Jackie. I know you were worried before...so, I just want to let you know...nothin' happened on my end this weekend," Jackie just nodded. "Isn't that right, Rachel?" Steven looked at me expectantly for my answer since I was a witness.
"Yes," I replied. Realizing what my role for being here was. "He was totally faithful to you. And I can still remember it even though I drunk. When a slutty girl came up to him, he rejected her. Wanted nothing to do with her."
"See? So, there. Now you have proof," Steven said. "I'm not tellin' you that so you'll tell me what you did," She cocked her head to the side. "I just want to let you know what happened with me. That's my report to you." He pointed at her with a smile.
"Alright. Good to know." Jackie casually responded.
I just raised my eyebrow at her for how uncharacteristically laidback she was.
"Good to know?" Steven repeated confusedly.
"Did I stutter?" Jackie asked and walked down the hallway.
I chuckled as she left at my brother. "Now, where did I hear that before?"