I cannot believe we're on chapter 75! Thank you guys so much for the patience with this series, the love, criticism, and more. All of it has been appreciated. I am thankful for the fact this story now has over 45,000 views! Omgosh! Wow, just wow! Thank you so much, that really is amazing. You guys are awesome, from those who leave reviews, to those who read this over and over, and even those who didn't leave a review and just read once! I love you all, so thank you again. Please enjoy and I will see you at the end of the chapter.

Valentine's Troubles:

As Jackie got more secret admirer notes, finding out who some of them were from, given that her boyfriend admitted to being one, she couldn't help feel a bit happier as the day came. Although, both girls were happy given that there was going to be a four day weekend from school, since Valentine's Day miraculously coincided with some holidays that the school would take off. Granted knowing that Gordie's dance would be that night, and many places packed because it was the day of love, the girls didn't mind having dates after the day. However, Gunther and Kick didn't mind getting them a few gifts before the girls spent the night together, being they liked having girls' nights now.

Kendall and Jackie were at the mall together late in the evening as they were looking through the few boutiques. The mall and boutiques weren't busy thankfully given that many people were either out on their dates for the night, or if they were a student at their high school, even a few others, were most likely at Gordie's dance. The girls liked that it was kind of quiet and they could hang out. Jackie, though, still had a few things clouding her mind given her last date with Gunther and other things, which Kendall noticed. In fact she's been noticing for a while.

"Okay Jackie." Kendall got her attention as she put down a shirt, walking over to another rack, Jackie following. "What's up?" Jackie gave her a curious look. "I know you. You've been down for a while. What's going on, talk to me." Kendall was concerned. Jackie let out a breath, as she glanced down looking at some of the fancier blouses, just fiddling with them. "Jackie…"

"Its…I mean it's not…" Jackie tried to counter.

"Don't tell me it's not anything or just a silly thought again." Kendall argued. "What's wrong? Please tell me." Kendall placed a hand on her shoulder, which made Jackie look at her. Jackie pressed her lips together before letting out another sigh.

"Okay…" She relented. "Just…I…." She swallowed, before breathing again. "Look…um…I know that…well…" She went to another section of clothes, looking at the various types of undergarments and pajamas they offered, letting out another breath. "I know you and Kick just started going out…" She started. "And…well you just celebrated your month not even a few days ago…"

"Uh huh." Kendall kept by her, somewhat looking at the underwear, but also paying attention to what Jackie was saying.

"But well…." She let out another breath, her cheeks heating up. "I um….do you guys….are you…." She was trying to figure out how to ask this. "Have you….well um….ah…How far have you guys gone?" Jackie was blushing a lot now, as was Kendall with that question as she glanced at Jackie, almost coughing on her own saliva and air.

"Um…can I…that's ah…" Kendall was also feeling embarrassed now. "Ah, Jackie can I ask why, um…why you're uh…asking?" She glanced at her friend as she tried to calm down a bit and find a way to answer her question. Both of them mindlessly looking at the clothes now.

"Well….um…." She breathed out, looking down. "It's…It's been over a year now." Jackie began. "Since…since Gunther and I started dating…and…and I just…I don't…I'm not enough…" She finally said.

"What do you mean?" Kendall was confused, seeing Jackie was so down. "I thought you guys were doing well, plus he was one of your secret admirers, and…"

"I know. I know…" Jackie came in. "It's just…I just…" She couldn't help letting out another breath, holding herself. "That's why I asked…" She glanced at Kendall. "Maybe…maybe this is all me…but maybe…" Kendall saw she was really conflicted about this and saw it was hurting her.

"Well…" Kendall swallowed. "Kick and I…we're not…I mean…" She also let out a breath now, still feeling embarrassed. "We've only had two dates and they were great. Plus we hang out quite a bit together alone, where I help him with homework or something." She commented. "But…well we really haven't gone past like…making out, you know…" Kendall admitted. "They were good…well good make out sessions…but you know…that's all we've done." She replied. Jackie glanced down, Kendall noticing. "Can I ask why…why you…where this is coming from?" Kendall wondered as she was still confused by this.

"Like I said…It's been over a year." Jackie responded. "I just…I don't think Gunther….well…." She let out another breath. "I don't think he's actually that into me…" She finally confessed.

"What?" Kendall was shocked to hear this. "What makes you think that?" She wasn't understanding. Jackie held herself again, as she turned around, leaning against the wall, still pretending to look at the rack of nightgowns. Her expression still seeming to be depressed. Kendall just stared at her.

"Gunther….I admit he is amazing and nice…" She commented. "And I am in love with him." She held herself closer. "But…he's….well…." Kendall just kept listening, giving her a comfort arm rub. Jackie breathed again. "It's no secret that…that he's ben with other girls…like Sally, his fans…and even Teena" Jackie informed, knowing Gunther and her had a small thing. "Prior to me." She added. "Much prettier, more….experienced girls…" She stated, which Kendall was finally starting to realize where this might be going. "I know….I know I'm not at all…not experienced…but…I…" Jackie just looked down again. "Since we've been together…all we do is kiss…" She told Kendall. "And when…when I think our make outs might go further…well…." She swallowed, her heart pounding and face heating up more. "He just….he stops….and finds a reason to leave…or not to continue…" Kendall could see how hurt Jackie was by this. "And…I know I'm not like them…and that…well that sex is still off….but…." She breathed as she continued to explain. "I…I want to do some things… I want to continue…" She admitted. "He just…We just…." She was fumbling out. "I don't think he does…" She glanced away.

"Jackie…" Kendall wanted to comfort her. "Have you talked to him? Maybe…there has to be…maybe he's taking things slow…" She tried to reason. "I mean like you said, he's had a lot of experience like Kick, and I know Kick wants to do things slow, maybe…" Kendall tried to help, knowing Jackie was feeling hurt by this. "Maybe he just really cares and doesn't want to hurt you or something because he knows you are a virgin..." She added. "Maybe he's… he's just trying to…"

"For over a year?" Jackie questioned. Kendall went quiet. Jackie let out another breath, still pretending to look at the underwear and nightgowns. "I admit…I have been trying….trying to say he's been wanting to take it slow, that he doesn't want to rush, doesn't want to hurt me, scare me or even force me into doing things, you know…I admit yeah in the beginning I gave him that but…for over a year Kends…" Jackie told her. Kendall just looked at her, unsure how to respond at the moment. "What if…what if I'm not enough for him?"

"Jackie…" Kendall wanted to try and argue.

"No what if I'm not?" Jackie asked. "What if….what if I don't turn him on? What if….what if I'm not his type?" Kendall got shocked by that.

"Jackie…" Kendall spoke.

"Let's face it I'm probably not." Jackie stated. "I mean, look at all who he's been with." She continued. "They're…." She looked down at herself. "They're all blonde, gorgeous…" She let out another breath, feeling more depressed by the second, as she didn't like what her mind kept speculating. "Nothing…nothing like me."

"Jackie, you are beautiful, amazing, smart, creative, and so many things." Kendall assured her. "Don't start comparing yourself to those girls."

"Well if that's what Gunther likes." Jackie countered. "What if what he wants is some blonde bombshell?" She questioned. "I look nothing like his fan girls that he has been with or Sally or….Teena…" She added.

"So?" Kendall retorted. "I… I don't think Gunther would be the type to just… you know string you along like that." Kendall defended. "I think he cares and really likes you Jackie, he wouldn't hurt you like this." Jackie glanced away. "You said it yourself he's sweet and amazing, plus he's really kind and likes you." Kendall mentioned.

"Yeah, but does that make me his type?" Jackie argued. Kendall just looked at her. "What….what if…" She shook her head a bit, looking at the clothes now. "Maybe if I start wearing push up bras and dye my hair…"

"Jackie!" Kendall couldn't believe she just heard that.

"What?" Jackie glanced back at her. "I love him okay, he drives me crazy and makes me feel dizzy, and I love that I feel like I can be myself, and there's just so much, but…" She turned, feeling more frustrated, embarrassed and depressed by this whole thing. "But if…if don't turn him on…then…"

"Jackie, I think you need to talk to him about this." Kendall came in, placing a hand on Jackie's arm. "If you two talk about this, I am positive things can be cleared up, like when you told me to clear things up with Kick."

"Are you kidding?" Jackie shot back. "If I told him any of this, I be like you, I die of embarrassment." She held her cheeks. "I barely could tell you about this." She added. "And I been feeling like this for a while now…but to tell him…I can't do that…" She was losing confidence the more she thought about it. Kendall thought it best they head out of the store. They started to walk towards the exit of the mall, so they could walk home. "Plus what if….what if I were to talk to him about it…and he tells me…it's true…" Jackie held herself as she walked. "That I can't…" She glanced away. "It's bad enough I…we have….have to deal with his fans…Sally being one of them…" Kendall remembered how Sally and Ira taunted them, and are always some of the first few fans to get pictures and be next to the boys. She knew why Jackie was feeling the way she was, because those girls never really made it easy to watch, especially with how they flirted with the boys. "Plus let's face it, I know what the others said when he danced with Teena, and when he was her escort, plus whenever their together." She glanced down. "They look amazing together, a perfect couple…" Jackie was down again. "Hell even his fans don't mind if he was with her, but me…I don't measure up." She looked at Kendall. "I'm not enough, I'm…I'm just….I can't do what they do…" She confessed. "Maybe….maybe he rather have them than me…" Her voice was quiet, as they walked passed some boutiques on the sidewalk.

"You know that is not true." Kendall reassured, getting Jackie to look at her. "He loves you." She affirmed. "You just have to talk to him, get this all cleared up." Kendall encouraged. "Gunther would not do that to you, especially for this long, and especially with Kick and Brianna as his friends. I know damn well they wouldn't let him do that to you." Kendall had a small smile aimed at her hoping to comfort her.

"Maybe…" Jackie thought about it.

"Trust me Jackie, you just need to talk to him, like you told me to do with Kick. I am positive this will get cleared up." She assured.

"I don't…I just…this is really embarrassing…" Jackie was feeling her cheeks heat up. "You have to promise me Kends, you will not tell anyone any of this." She pointed.

"I know…" Kendall nodded.

"No I mean no one, not Kick, not Brianna, nobody…I just…" Jackie glanced away. "I have to….maybe if I find a way to talk to him…but still you cannot tell anyone, promise."

"I promise Jackie." Kendall reassured her as they rounded a few corners. "I won't tell anyone." Jackie seemed to breathe a sigh of relief with that, as she placed a hand on her heart. Kendall just gave her a small smile at her and light chuckle. "So what is Gunther up to tonight anyway?"

"Said he was staying home to play a game he hasn't played in while." She also chuckled thinking about it. "I guess he doesn't get to play some of his games as often as he wants to."

"So he's just relaxing at home huh?" Kendall questioned.

"Yeah." Jackie placed a hair behind her ear." Guess he's been wanting to do that for a while, not that I mind since our date is tomorrow." Jackie explained as they continued to walk.

"Understandable." Kendall lightly laughed.

"Well aren't you two lovelies looking lonely?" A strange voice interrupted their conversation. The girls glanced seeing two random guys in front of them. Jackie got closer to Kendall, while Kendall just narrowed her eyes a bit. "You girls looking to have some fun?" The same guy asked.

"No thanks." Kendall's voice was harsh as she grabbed Jackie's arm. "Come on, let's go." She tried to walk around them, Jackie closely following, however, the second guy seemed to be quick in blocking them from going around. The girls were surprised by that.

"Oh come on, a little fun could be interesting." The second smirked, something malicious in his tone. The girls backed up a bit.

"Ah, Kends…" Jackie glanced at her.

"Just…ah…follow my lead…" Kendall whispered. Jackie nodded.

"Come on girls, this can be fun." The first one had a similar maliciousness like the second one, as they both stepped forward. Kendall thought quick as she grabbed her perfume spray, spraying it in their eyes and hitting them with her purse.

"Shit!" Both exclaimed.

"Run Jackie!" She turned back to where they came, grabbing Jackie as they both ran. They ran down the sidewalk only to find one of the guys at the corner, waiting for them. Both stopped, as it scared and shocked them, however Jackie saw an alley way that she knew they might be able to lose them in since it had a maze like design. She grabbed Kendall and ran down the alley, making a few turns hoping to outrun the guys to get to an exit.

"Come on." Jackie called, as they ran, turning another corner, but were shocked to see the other guy down the alley way, which made them have to double back around and go down a few different paths. Before either knew, they turned into a dead end, both panicking a little. "Shit…" Jackie let out.

"We need to turn back around, maybe there's a way…" Kendall suggested as they both turned around only to find they were cornered. They both felt their heartrates increase as their fear levels rose.

"My, that was quite a clever move you did there girls…" The first one complimented in a somewhat sarcastic and still wicked tone.

"Too bad it wasn't good enough." The other laughed. Jackie glanced around as she saw a pipe on the ground. She picked it up hoping to use it to defend Kendall and herself. She went charging, however the first guy caught the pipe with his hand, which surprised both girls. He easily yanked it out of her hand before pushing her back swiftly, causing her to scream, as she found herself hitting the wall with her back and sinking to the floor, holding her stomach and ribs. Jackie started to cough as she felt the air was taken right out of her.

"Jackie!" Kendall was concerned for her, even more now after seeing that. 'What the hell?!' She thought, not believing what she just saw. 'All… all he did was push her, why did she fly back like that?' She was scared now as she ran towards her, however before she knew it she was thrown back as well. She screamed when she hit the adjacent wall to where Jackie was, except she felt she was in excruciating pain. She glanced down, seeing she was bleeding. She somehow had a claw-like gash from her chest going down part way to her stomach. The blood dripping down the rest of her stomach and legs and onto the concrete. 'What….what, how…There's….They didn't have any weapons…' She wondered, as she was in pain, seeing the blood on her hands, and glancing up, seeing the second guy come closer to her.

"Call it payback for the little trick." He remarked. She was breathing hard.

"Kendall!" Jackie exclaimed wanting to help, except found that the first guy picked her up by the arm roughly and had her against the wall roughly. 'Who…who are these guys…how…how are they so fast? And so strong…How…how did they do that…' Jackie had one eye open as the guy tilted her head back, so she look at him. She was afraid.

"This should be interesting." The first guy smirked.

"Oh I think I am going have fun with this one." The one that had Kendall commented, slightly looking back at his friend. "Besides, she fits the bill for me." He chuckled. Kendall was trying to breath. 'I…how…how do I…" She thought, as tried to struggle in his grasp, which was only causing her more pain.

"Don't play with your food too much." The other replied.

"Like I care." The guy countered. "Although best make it so this one doesn't fight too much." He glanced back at Kendall. "You won't fight me anymore and will just relax." He told her, looking in her eyes.

"We'll…we'll always fight you…" Kendall retorted, breathless. "Like anyone…anyone can relax…when they're attacked…" She added. He was shocked. 'That's….that's impossible…' He thought.

"Kends…" Jackie tried to speak, hoping she could get out of this and help her. The guy just laughed though.

"You can't help her." He spoke. "Too bad. Though you can't help yourself, either…" He started to say until something caught his attention, his friend also glancing behind him.

"You two better put them down, now." The girls glanced as they recognized whose voice that was.

"Or else." Another voice they knew added, as they heard the person crack their knuckles, plus some crackles in the sky. "Although, to be fair we're going to kick your asses anyway." The girls were shocked to see the two of them there.

To be continued… In part 2!

L: Part 2?! Part 2? What, that better be out like, immediately! I need to keep reading this, please! Ugh!

S: It shall be out soon…

L: Soon, better mean like now!

S: Patience is a virtue.

L: Gah! I want the next chapter now!

S: Okay I get it, now let me get to writing jeez…

L: YAY! Hope you guys enjoyed! And thank you again for so many reviews, so many views, the favs and more! You guys rock.

S: Yes thank you! I also really appreciate the continued support, continued help, and more. Plus thank you, just thank you for sticking with me, as we got through this first part of the series. (Especially since when I began, i sadly had no idea where i was going the first few chapters, if not a bit more, and didn't have it well organized. So thank you!)

L: You guys are amazing fans, and we appreciate all of the love! This even includes for our lovely commentary at the end! We also love the feedback we got, from the reviews, pms, and such, so thank you!

S: Thank you for reading part one and we shall see you in part 2!

Both: See you soon! Bye. And please keep safe!

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE! Stay festive guys!

See you next year!