Author's Note: I'm back to updating now. I was just taking a break for a while. Hope you like this chapter and please review! :)

A loud clattering sound that seemed to have come from downstairs woke me up in alert. My first immediate thought was someone came in here to rob or murder us. I'm pretty sure I heard something or my ears was probably playing tricks on me. I waited for the sound to come again, but it didn't.

So, I decided to go back to sleep, but a few seconds later there was that same banging noise again!

This second time I didn't play any games. I was on alert and got out my pocket knife from the drawers that Bud gave to me to protect myself. It was one of the few smart things he did for me. He figured Steven could handle himself since he was a man, but he thought I needed the knife more.

Don't freak out. It's not like I was going to kill anybody! It's just for intimidation and threatening purposes. Honest.

With my knife in hand, I hurriedly walked outside of my bedroom and saw Red, Kitty, and Eric already out of bed discussing the noise. Kitty was carrying that damn wiener dog in her arms (I hate dogs and pets) that Red got for her. Eric had himself covered with his bedsheet and was holding a bat. I knew he likes to sleep naked so that was why.

"I heard a noise!" I warned them. "I thought someone was breaking in!"

"You have a knife?" Red asked, eyeing my hand that I was holding it with. "Since when did you have a knife?"

"Bud gave it to me when I was younger," Eric looked surprised at me and Kitty was just disturbed. However, Red seemed to be a little bit impressed. "He said it's for my protection and I should use it when necessary. He said the world isn't so nice to a little girl like me."

"You don't plan on using it now, do you?" Kitty asked a little scared and worried.

I rolled my eyes and I replied seriously. "No! But if I must, you guys need to get me out of jail."

Red just raised an unamused eyebrow at me while Kitty and even Eric too looked disturbed. "It's a joke!" I broke the ice to them. "Besides, who would you trust with a weapon if it was an actual intruder? Me with a knife or naked bat boy over there?" I nodded my head to Eric and Kitty looked at their son and then back at me.

"You, definitely," Red blandly answered and Kitty gave him a look. "Look at him," We all looked at Eric. "Bare assed and holding a plastic bat. That's your son, Kitty."

Red shook his head as we went downstairs. I smirked at Eric and pursed my lips in trying not to chuckle at him.

My hand clutched onto the pocket knife tighter as we walked down the stairs. Since I had the knife, I made sure I was in front first with Red. The Formans did everything for Steven and I. They became my family. I wouldn't let anything happen to them on my watch. If anything happens to one of them (yes, even Laurie) I'll...

Let's not think about that, okay?

"What kind of burglar robs people on a weeknight?" Kitty asked. "Doesn't he have a job to go to in the morning?"

Red rolled his eyes and was about to go in, but I didn't want him to at first. I immediately stood in his way.

"Maybe I should go in first, Red," I suggested. "I could be like a bodyguard for you."

Red just gave me a look. "Maybe you should get out of my way before I could shove my foot up your ass!"

I sighed and rolled my eyes as I stepped aside for him to go into Steven's room.

Red turned the lights on and we found out Jackie was sleeping with Steven.

"Jackie?!" Kitty was shocked.

"What the hell?!" Red yelled.

"Oh my god!" Jackie was mortified.

I let my guard down when it was just the two of them. I lowered my arm at my side and loosened my grip onto my pocket knife.

"Forman, are you naked?" Steven asked in surprised.

After that commotion, we're in the kitchen as Red was lecturing Steven. I really wanted to care, but I was way too tired to do so. I wasn't a morning person or a waking up in the middle of the night person either.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Red angrily asked him. "Bringing a girl into my house in the middle of the night."

"And right in our basement. We keep our Christmas decorations down there. Baby Jesus was watching!"

My arms was crossed as I shook my head in disapproval. "How could you scar sweet and innocent baby Jesus like that?"

"I told you to look where you were going." Steven scolded his girlfriend.

"What idiot leaves a Lego set right in front of the door?" Jackie snapped.

"You knocked over my space command center?" Eric asked being upset.

I just rolled my eyes. Really wasn't in the mood to care about his stupid toys.

"I spent three hours building that!"

"Alright. Now what's been going on in my basement?" Red demanded, changing the subject.

"Jackie's been sleeping here the last couple of weeks." Steven confessed.

I was shocked because Jackie never told me that. We've been talking more often lately ever since her Mom abandoned her. Cause let's be honest, Pam did. She still wasn't coping well that her Dad was in jail and I didn't blame her. She told me her Mom wasn't back yet which put more stress and depression on her. Her world really was falling apart and she never thought it would have down like this.

Sure, I always believed Jackie needed a wake up call to reality unlike the superficial and mean girl world she was in, but even I didn't want her to suffer like this.

"Couple of weeks?! This is not the Playboy Mansion, you know!" Kitty exclaimed.

"Look, nothing was going on!" Steven said sternly.

"Nothing was going on?" Eric doubted. "Um, space command centers were ruined!"

I rolled my eyes again and got irritated.

"Eric, it's past midnight. Nobody cares about your stupid toys!" I hissed in annoyance.

"Would you please go put some pants on?" Red turned to him. "This is where I eat!"

Eric left the kitchen and I was about to leave too so I can go back to sleep.

"As much as I love to stay around and chat, I need my beauty sleep." I yawned and follow Eric upstairs.

In the hallway upstairs, Eric and I was about to go into our rooms until he asked me a question.

"What do you think is up with Jackie lately? Do you know anything?"

"I do, but I promised not to tell anyone." I answered.

"Not even me?"

"Nope," I shook my head and kissed him. "Goodnight, Mr. Nude." I teased because of how Red was so weirded out seeing his son unexpectedly like that.

"It's not like you haven't seen me naked." Eric pointed out and I just smiled at him.

"Oh, I know." I said and went to my room and closed the door.

After that episode was over, I finally went back to sleep. But then later on, (I didn't know how long time had passed) the door opened and I got out my pocket knife again and aimed it at the mysterious person ready to attack.

"Who's there?!" I demanded, getting off from my bed.

Jackie was taken aback and put her hands up in surrender.

"It's just me, Rachel!"

"Oh," I calmed down and said to myself. "I guess I really should sleep with my knife under my pillow," So, I did just that. Put my knife safely under my bed. I looked at her. "What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Forman let me sleep up here for the night. He thought Steven and I would do something or whatever and didn't trust us."

"Did you two do something before we came down?" I wondered skeptically.

"No! We just slept," She answered. "Ugh! My life became such a huge mess!"

"I know you hate hearing this, but I really am sorry for how things turned out, Jackie," I felt sorry for her even though I knew she didn't want that. "Your parents are horrible. Just like mine. I wish there was something I could do-"

"Well, you can't. It's fine, anyway. I'm fine. Just don't pity me, please? I hate that," Jackie said annoyed and went over to Laurie's bed to pull the covers down and got under them. "It sucks that I have to sleep on Laurie's bed. Want to switch?"

"No." I deadpanned with my eyes closed.

"What if there's slutty bed bugs in here?" She frowned.

"Don't get bitten." I advised and went back to sleep.

Jackie was going to live at Donna's for a while. Donna made her offer seemed like she's in desperate need to be popular like her. Hah. Donna never wanted to be popular and not like Jackie at all. But it helped Jackie to not make her feel like she's some charity case. While Donna's been having some difficult times being roommates with Jackie, I contemplated on something I never thought I would do.

I wanted to break up with Eric.

It's just that Eric deserved way more than me. Than what I could offer for him. I was too much of a hot mess and he was the complete opposite of that. He went through so much with me and I didn't want to be a burden to him. And I hated how he obviously still had feelings for Donna. He really didn't like it that she's dating Tyler now, but her heart wasn't really that to him. Eric tried to act as if he wasn't bothered by Donna's new relationship, but I know that he was.

Was I just a rebound to Eric and didn't know it? Or did I refuse to see the truth?

After my pregnancy scare, that really gave me a new perspective on life. Would I have been genuinely ready to start a family with Eric? Absolutely not. I didn't want to be a mother.

Especially, not now. No matter what anyone said, I knew I won't be a good one. I was way too terrified about being a mother and that wasn't just because of Edna's great parenting skills. Eric wanted all of that; marriage and a happy family. Live in a cute house with a white fence. I thought I could picture myself being in his future, but I knew I wouldn't make it. I'd probably run off just like Edna and Bud did on Steven and I.

"You look like you're in deep thought," Steven noticed while the two of us was sitting down in the basement. "What are you thinking about?"

"You don't want to know." I muttered unwilling to share because I was unsure of my decision.

"Rachel, what have we talked about?" He reminded. "Just be open with me."

I sighed and looked at him. "I thought about breaking up with Eric...but I don't know."

Steven definitely didn't expect that. "Seriously?" I sadly nodded.

"Why?"

"Don't you ever think about doing that with Jackie at times? I mean, we're not the type of people to be with someone like them. People like Eric and Jackie, they're the last ones we should be dating. We're totally different from them. They wouldn't consider dating us at first. In a way, they really didn't. Eric was obsessed with Donna and I think he still is. Jackie was obsessed with Kelso until after everything that's happened. But we would never date them. I don't know about you, but I know Eric doesn't deserve me. And I don't mean it like how it sounds. He deserves someone way better. Maybe like Donna or somebody else. Eric can deny it all he wants, but I know that deep down, he really wants to be with her. And I just can't be in the way of that anymore."

Tears were behind my eyes after my speech.

"Rachel, I know Eric loves you. He told me that before and how much you mean to him. If you really want to break up with him, maybe he wouldn't." Steven said.

"I know how Eric feels about me. But you can't just ignore your first love like that." I shook my head. Eric gave Donna a promise ring so I know how special that was to couples even though she didn't see it. He never gave me one.

"You think I don't worry that Jackie could go back to Kelso? Cause I do. But I know that we love each other and she wouldn't get back with that moron again."

"Are you really sure about that?" I doubted. "That's what I thought about Eric and I, too. I know Eric and Donna had a huge history together and there was no way I could compete with that. Just like how you couldn't compete with Jackie and Kelso. Remember Brian, my first boyfriend? I still have a soft spot for him and made sure a girl was good enough for him. I know it's hard to let go of things. I'm just doing Eric a favor and I'll cut off the ties first."

Steven was silent at first as if taking everything I have said in. "I don't think this is such a good idea, Rachel. Forman is not going back to Donna. She used him when she needed him like what happened after her and Casey broke up. He would be an idiot if he did that to you."

"The break up will give him an option. If he wants me or Donna. I'm just giving him a choice. You don't have to take sides if you want. I just have to do this. Eric can do a lot better than me."

"Whatever happens, I will always be on your side." Steven got up from his chair and hugged me and I hug him back as I tried not to cry.

Word eventually spread around the group that I planned to break up with Eric. The only one who didn't know was Eric. Jackie was the first to know after Steven told her. I guess I should've made him promise not to tell anyone, but what's the point.

"Are you really going to do it?" Jackie curiously asked me as we're in Donna's bedroom. Donna wasn't at her house, she was working at the radio station.

I nodded. "Yeah, I think so. It'll be for the best."

"You can do so much better than Eric, Rachel," Jackie encouraged, but she always said the same thing to Donna and wanted her to break up with him. "Eric's too scrawny and girly."

"He's not scrawny and girly," I defended and she just rolled her eyes. "He has an ass. You just need to take his clothing off to see it."

"Okay. Ew," Jackie was grossed out then perked up again. "You need a man! You need someone like Steven."

I gave her an odd look and raised an eyebrow. "You want me to date someone like my brother?"

"Yeah! I've been with way too many idiot guys, but with Steven, he's not like them. You can find another guy who's not like Eric."

"Well, I don't think I'm going to date after a while I break up with Eric," I sighed. "Maybe all I had was just a crush on him and that's it. But I really do love him."

My heart would always have a soft spot for Eric. Because of my crush and how he was such a good brother to Steven.

"You should do what feels right, Rachel. If you want to dump Eric then dump him. You can date Charlie Reid. He's pretty hot. I heard a he has a thing for you."

I made a face as I shake my head. "No thanks. I heard he cheated on Helena Stabler," I gave her an amused look. "You're really into rough and rugged looking guys, Jackie. I would have never guessed. I thought you'd still be into pretty boys like Michael Kelso, too."

"My tastes in men have changed and matured, Rachel," She explained. "I've learned that there's more to men than being handsome and good looking. I guess there can be hope for the ugly ones after all. That's why girls like you and Donna exist for them."

I just gave her a look because of her backhanded comment. It was really hard to get used to them.

Later, I went upstairs to Eric's bedroom. I saw he was rebuilding his new Lego space command center that Jackie tripped over a few nights ago. He wanted Jackie to rebuild it for her in return which she tried to, but quickly got bored of it so Eric build it instead.

"Hey." I softly greeted him.

"Hey," Eric greeted back being way too focused with his toy. In a way, it was cute. He was like a little kid again. "Want to help me build this?"

I shrugged. "Sure." Then I joined him on his bed. He helped me to figure out the pieces and where they should go. Eventually, I got the hang of it. It was like making a puzzle.

"Do you think the guys are being weird lately? They're all just looking at me as if something bad had happened." Eric said and I felt bad at how clueless he was.

I'm surprised Kelso didn't say anything. Steven probably made him that he shouldn't. Kelso was always bound to say something stupid and his voice was loud enough.

"You know how they are, Eric. Just ignore them." I muttered my advice as I distract myself with the Legos.

We've been playing with them for a while in somewhat comfortable silence.

"You're being very quiet." Eric noted, glancing at me.

"So are you." I quipped.

"Anything on your mind?"

I sighed. It should be the perfect time now for me to do it. To break Eric Forman's heart.

"Eric," I began and tried to be strong. This would be very hard for me. "You know that I love you and that I always will, right? And I will always care about you a lot. Because you're very important and mean so much to me."

Eric stopped building his Lego set and gave me a solemn stare.

"Where are you going with this, Rachel?" He asked me slowly and being confused.

"Eric," I nervously said his name and was unable to make direct contact with his green eyes. "I want to break up with you."

He got caught off guard. "What? Why?" He asked in a soft and confused voice that made my heart slightly broke.

"Eric, you have to know that we aren't good for each other. I thought we always would be, but then I realize we're not."

"How can you say that?"

Might as well just give the truth to him bluntly.

"Look, Eric, I know that you still are very much into Donna-"

"What? No, I'm not-" Eric denied, but it was the truth.

"Oh, come on, Eric," I rolled my eyes at his delusion. "I know you. And I know you don't like the fact that Donna is dating someone else again. And I know how you still look at her when you think that I don't notice. You obviously still like Donna and I knew I was just a rebound this entire time for you-"

"Rachel, you are not a rebound to me," Eric said seriously, but I couldn't believe. His space toy was completely forgotten and he was entirely focused on me. He was even holding my hands, but I couldn't let my fingers wrap around his. The tears that I was fighting hard to stay back was threatening to pour out. "You know that I love you and I won't go to Donna. It is different seeing her with another guy that's not Casey and I wish her all the best, but it's nothing compared to how I feel for you."

"I wish I can believe that, Eric, but I can't," I felt a few tear drops slide down on my face. "You and Donna have an entire history together. There was no way I could compete with that. We started off our relationship in secret and that wasn't a good way to start it off, was it? We ended up hurting everyone and we outed Steven and Jackie. What I had with you was just a crush and you hardly noticed me at all until you and Donna broke up. I just liked you a lot because you weren't a male douchebag like every other guy in my life. You are the only kindest and sweetest guy I know. And, I don't know, maybe I used your vulnerability after your breakup with Donna to my advantage and took my chance. Maybe I took advantage of you because it was like you finally wasn't with Donna anymore and you're with me and I won. That isn't right either."

"Rachel..." Eric was about to say something, but I didn't want him to. This was my decision and there'll be no arguments.

"No, Eric. We should be over. We started dating too fast and then hurt everyone. And I know your Mom prefers to have you with Donna than with me. I do notice how disappointed she looks whenever we're together as if I stolen you from Donna-"

"What? My Mom doesn't feel that way-"

I had to roll my eyes because of how blind he was. "Oh, yes, she does, Eric! Of course she wants you to be happy, but she wants you to be with Donna, too, because she was the one who made you be the most happy and in love. And, Eric, can you honestly say that you were ever happy with me?"

When Eric took to long for me to answer, I knew it anyway because of his hesitation.

"I got it. You don't really have to say anything." I got off from his bed and wanted to throw his Lego space command center across the room, but didn't. I just rushed out of there and went into mine and slammed the door before he could see me bawling like a hot mess onto my bed.

Not only did I break up with Eric, Fez had broken up with his girlfriend, Nina, as well. It was a time of heartache in our basement group and I avoided going down there for a long while.

Jackie and Donna did their best to comfort me and I tried to accept it even though I just went to be alone. But Jackie wouldn't have it and had us go out for girl time. Which consisted of going to a mall and shop. Jackie said that buying clothes would make you feel better after a break up, but I digress.

"I really am sorry what happened to you and Eric," Donna genuinely said while we're at the mall. "I was surprised that you did it. I knew how much you liked him."

"Yeah, but I didn't think it was for good reasons and I got together so soon after you and him broke up. I just took the initiative and decide to end it before he did or something else happens. I hurt him before he could hurt me."

Donna looked like she was going to respond, but got interrupted by Jackie. She was holding a bunch of tops by the hangers.

"Rachel, you have to go to the dressing room with me." Jackie demanded.

"I am not going to wait on you while you try on clothes again." I said in boredom.

"No, you're not. You are going to try out these clothes and change up your wardrobe because..." Her brown eyes looked up and down at me unpleasantly. "You really need it."

The tops Jackie picked out was more of her style. It was extremely the opposite of my darker colored ones and I dressed like a tomboy similar to Donna.

"I don't need a fashion makeover from you-"

"Oh, yes, you do!" She insisted. "You will look so different and much more beautiful! Well, not like me, but close enough. These colors will brighten you up and say 'hello world!' More guys will notice you when you don't look frumpy anymore."

"You think I look frumpy...?" I asked feeling slightly insulted.

Right now, I was wearing ripped jeans, converse sneakers, a band shirt with an opened navy blue plaid shirt. I always made myself look decent and presentable.

"Jackie, if Rachel doesn't want a fashion makeover, she shouldn't have one," Donna reasoned. Always being the voice of logic than Jackie. "Besides it's not what the outside that counts, it's the inside-"

"Yeah, yeah, we know. And as if there's no such thing as ugly people," She said with irritation and looked at me being more excited. "This could really boost your self esteem. It doesn't just have to be for a guy's attention. Come on, please? I've been dying to do this to you. I tried it once with Donna, but that was a loss cause."

"And now you know to never do that again." Donna strictly said with her arms crossed.

"Fine!" I caved in making Jackie happy. "I'll go through with the torture..."

"Yay!" She squealed and took me to the dressing room area. Donna followed us as well and sat on the chair to wait. She hated shopping like me.

I tried on some clothes that was brighter and had a lot of pretty designs. Nothing I'd typically wear, but it was alright. Jackie didn't get me anything too flashy, but there was some okay picks that I actually like. I paid for the clothing that Jackie picked for me and thanked her for it.

I even wore the new clothes and got different stares and compliments. It was like people saw my body in a different way. For Steven, it was like he saw me as a different person. Eric was even impressed too at my new wardrobe and I caught him making double glances at me, but I didn't do for him. I did it for me. I wore a yellow lantern sleeved blouse that had pretty, colorful patterns and brown pants with flats.

I tried to avoid Eric as best as I could even though it was hard because we live in the same house. It's known by now to everyone that we've broke up. Of course, Steven was there to comfort me. What had my mind off of it was while I'm playing basketball with Donna, Fez, Kelso, and...Eric. It was a nice distraction until Fez revealed he had a dirty wet dream with Kelso in it. It was the best thing ever that made me truly laugh for the first time in weeks. Definitely brightened up my day.

Fez's wet dream had really disturbed Kelso and I didn't know how to help him other than to just get over it. I knew he went to Donna's because Jackie was there and I didn't think anything of it. I knew nothing would happen between the two because I trusted Jackie a lot more than Kelso. But when my brother opened the basement's door, he looked absolutely livid, and was holding his rage in.

"Woah, what's wrong with you?" I asked Steven as he barges in here. I was barely watching the TV and turned it off.

"Jackie and Kelso, that's what! I saw them together!"

"What do you mean by 'together'?" I asked confusedly. I knew how my brother was when he jumped into conclusions.

"They were sitting on the couch together real close. Kelso had his head on Jackie's shoulder as she petted his hair. What else could have happened before I walked in?" Steven answered as he was angrily pacing.

I stood up from the couch to go to him. "You don't really know if they have done anything for sure-"

"But it's Kelso and I'm a ninety nine percent sure they've done something."

"Don't you trust Jackie?"

"No! Would you have trusted Eric if he was alone with Donna like that?" Steven countered knowing I would feel the same way and I hate he did that.

"...No." I confessed.

"Exactly." He snapped and stormed out of the basement before I could stop him.

I just have a bad feeling what Steven might do and I hoped I was wrong.