Author's note
Sorry this chapter took so long. It's been over a month, but I still hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading.
It was the night of the party, Jackie sat at her desk and applied her makeup carefully, she wanted to look her absolute best. Jackie didn't want to look like the girl who just got dumped by her boyfriend. No, she was going into this party looking fabulous without a care in the world.
When Jackie was finished with her makeup, she stood in front of her mirror, wearing the dress she bought at the mall, admiring herself. She knew she looked hot.
Tonight was going to be amazing, Jackie was sure of that. She can't wait until some loser comes up to her and hopelessly tries to flirt with her to only turn them down. Yeah, it sounds cruel, but Jackie is single and bitter.
Jackie broke out of her thoughts when she suddenly heard a car honking in the driveway. Looking out her window, she saw that it was Eric.
Jackie then rushed out of her room, down the steps. Once she got to the driveway, she immediately opened up the car door, plopping down on the seat.
"That was fast, I thought you'd still be doing your makeup" Eric said
Jackie scoffed, closing the door "Please, I'm never late to anything"
Eric let out a small chuckle "Well, ok, then" Eric tapped his fingers on the wheel "You ready?"
"Yep" Jackie nodded "But hold on"
"Yeah?" Eric questioned.
"I look hot, righ?"
Eric raised his eyebrows, confused "Uhh, Jackie, you do realize how weird that sounds?"
Jackie tilted her head confused "Why is that weird?"
"Do I really need to explain it to you?"
Jackie rolled her eyes, shaking her head "Ok, fine, but let's say if I was a total stranger. Would you think I was hot?"
"I mean, yeah, I guess so" Eric stumbled over his words.
"That's all that I wanted to know"
"Why do you need to know anyways?"
"Because I plan on breaking some hearts tonight" A devious smile formed on her lips.
"You're that bitter?"
"Yup" Jackie confirmed
"Well, good luck with that" Eric said, backing out of the Burkhart driveway.
Jackie smiled, turning her to Eric "Thanks"
~Cut to the party~
When Jackie and Eric arrived at Katherine's house, they were immediately greeted with the smell of weed. "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath was blasting through the stereo. Kids were everywhere. Drinking, smoking and dancing.
"Damn, I didn't know are school was this big" Eric stated. observing all the unknown faces.
"It's not, some of these people are from Norwood High School"
"How do you know that?" Eric asked.
"Katherine's cousin goes to Norwood High, these must be her friends" Jackie answered.
"Beer?" An unknown face came up to them.
"Yes, please" Jackie grabbed the beer offered to her.
"Yeah sure" Eric said, also taking the beer offered to him.
"Have fun, you two"
Eric waved back, taking a sip of his drink.
"Jackie? Eric?"
Jackie and Eric turned to see who said their names. It was Katherine
"I didn't know you guys were coming. Did you come together?"
"Yeah, we did" Eric replied
"That's strang, I didn't know you were friends"
"Well, we are" Jackie confirmed.
"But you told me that you thought Eric was a Star Wars loving geek"
Jackie tried to ignore the look Eric was currently giving her "I may have said that, but after spending some time together, Eric actually isn't all that bad"
"Oh, ok then. Well, I'll see you two around" Katherine said, walking away.
"Bye" Jackie said.
"Wow, it's good to know that you put out a good word for me" Eric said sarcastically.
"Oh, don't be that way" Jackie groaned. "We weren't even friendly back then. I was just being my bitchy self"
"As long as you can admit it"
"Hey" Jackie slapped his arm "I'm trying to be nice here"
"Yeah, yeah. I know I've got no room to judge. I had a few choice words about you too" Eric admitted.
"See, none of us are innocent" Jackie said, taking another sip of her drink "Ok, enough of talking, don't forget why you're here"
"Right, to try to meet someone new"
"Exactly, but you can't do that with me by your side. So I'm going to go do my own thing, and you're going to chat up the ladies, got it?"
"Yeah, got it"
"Cool" Jackie gave a thumbs up, leaving Eric alone.
Eric stood there awkwardly for a moment taking in the chaos of everything. he wondered what the hell he was even doing here.
"Eric?"
"Buddy" Eric gasp
"How've you been? I haven't seen you in forever"
"Oh, I've been ok, I guess. Considering all things" Eric looked down at the ground.
"Yeah, I heard about Donna, sorry about that" Buddy spoke, with sympathy.
"Don't be. I'm over it" Eric replied.
"That's good to hear"
"Yeah, um. So have you been?" Eric asked
"Pretty good. I met someone"
"From Point Place?"
"Oh no, he's not from around here" Buddy paused before speaking again "I don't think it would be a good idea to date anyone from here, you know, people talk"
"Yeah, I know, and that sucks. You shouldn't have to hide who you love"
"If only everybody thought that way" Buddy scoffed "I can't want to get out of this hell hole of a town"
"Well, that won't be too long. Graduation will be here before you know it" Eric said.
"I know I can't wait"
"Do you know where you're going to school?" Eric questioned.
" Harvard hopefully"
"Well, for your sake, I hope you get in"
"Thanks man" Buddy smiled "So what about you?"
"What about me?"
"What are you going to do after high school?"
"I don't know" Eric shrugged "Before the break-up, I pictured my future with Donna. But since that's over, I'm not really sure anymore"
"Well what are you passionate about?"
Eric was caught off guard by Buddy's question. What was Eric passionate about? He thought about it for a moment but couldn't think of anything. Great, now he was having an existential crisis.
Eric once again shrugged his shoulders "I don't know"
"Don't worry you'll figure it out. Everybody does"
Eric wasn't sure if Buddy was being genuine or just trying to be nice. It seemed as if everybody his age knew what they wanted to do, or at least had an idea. But Eric hadn't yet. And it honestly scared him.
"Thanks, Buddy" Eric gave a half smile.
"No problem, and Eric, just remember, it's your life, you can do whatever you choose"
~Cut to Jackie~
Meanwhile, Jackie was sitting on the couch smoking with some idiot who wanted to get in her pants. Jackie planned to be true to her word. About breaking hearts tonight. It looks like she had her first victim.
"I think you look beautiful tonight" The boy blushed "Do you wanna go to my car?"
Jackie grinned ear to ear at the poor love-struck idiot. "Go to your car? To do what, may I ask?"
The boy's face went completely red with embarrassment "You know, umm. You know what"
"Yeah I do know what. And the answer is a big fat no"
"What! I thought you were into me?"
"Well you were wrong. Better luck next time"
"Bitch!" he shouted.
"You're right, I am a bitch" Jackie sighed, putting her hand to her chest "It's nice to know you've got some smarts"
The boy angrily walked away, muttering insults under his breath. Jackie was satisfied with herself.
"Wow, Jackie, that was a bit harsh, don't you think?" Leslie said, walking to the couch.
"Oh, who cares. If I were to sleep with him. That moron would brag endlessly to his loser friends"
Leslie chuckled, sitting down next to Jackie "I guess you're right"
"Well, duh"
"Anyways, the cheer team is going to see Peter Frampton this Saturday. Do you wanna come?"
"How the hell did you get the tickets!" Jackie's red eyes winded "I thought they were sold out"
"My dad was able to get a hold of them" Leslie answered "So are you in?"
"Ugh! I don't know" Jackie huffed.
Leslie furrowed her eyebrows, confused "I thought you loved Frampton?"
"I do. But I don't love certain people on the cheer team" Jackie confessed.
"Why not? Are you worried that they'll make fun of you because Michael ditched you?"
"Won't they?" Jackie asked.
"Probably. But who cares, it's Frampton! You might not get another chance to see him" Leslie pleaded.
"Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I'm going to go, sorry"
"Seriously? You're not going to go?"
"Why do you even care?" Jackie asked, perplexed "I'm not exactly a loved member of the team anymore"
"It doesn't matter you're still a part of the team" Leslie argued.
"I'm sorry, ok. You'll probably have more fun without me anyways"
"God you're such a downer. No wonder Michael left you" Leslie sneered.
All the color drained from Jackie's face, her eyes started to well up with tears. No, she was not going to cry in front of Leslie. Jackie quickly got up and walked away, heading to the backyard.
~Cut back to Eric~
Eric walked down the hall, people kept bumping into him. As it grew later into the night, the party got more wild. If that was even possible, Every person Eric walked by was either high off their ass, or just plain drunk.
After Eric's little chat with Buddy, Eric didn't want to think he didn't want to feel. He wanted to get wasted. He wanted to forget about the dread that was looming over him.
Just before Eric could grab a beer, he heard a loud commotion from the other room. Deciding to check it out, Eric forgot about the beer, heading to the other room.
It was pure chaos, kids were screaming and hollering, while surrounding two teen boys were fighting each other.
"Hey stop it!" Katherine shouted, trying to break them up.
They continued to fight ignoring Katherine's attempt to stop the fight.
"If you don't stop, you're going to have to leave" Katherine tried again.
With no avail the fight got worse, making Katherine fall to ground.
Acting quickly, Eric ran to Katherine helping her up "God, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I think so" Katherine said, wiping her jeans.
"Wild night isn't it?" Eric joked.
"You're damn right" Katherine growled "There's no way I'm going to let those morons stay another minute"
"Whoa, stop right there little lady" Eric grabbed her shoulders "You'll get knocked right back on your ass if you do that"
"Then what do you suggest I do then?"
Eric's eyes roamed around the room. He spotted a big bowl of "punch" what he was about to do was the most dumb-ass thing he's probably ever done in his entire life.
Eric took a deep breath before he took the bowl and knocked it off of the table. Making the "punch" get all over the two fighting teen boys.
"Hey! Who the hell did that"
Before they could see who did it, Eric quickly was out of sight.
"Wow, I can't believe you actually did that" Katherine laughed. "If they find out that was you there going to kick your ass"
"Maybe. But they probably won't remember anyway" Eric speculated.
"Let's hope not" Katherine said "Anyways, thanks for coming to my rescue"
"No problem my lady"
Katherine let out a small giggle "You're sweet"
"Yes, yes, I am" Eric agreed.
Deciding to go out to the backyard where it was a little less wild, Katherine and Eric started to ease into conversation: Upon talking more in depth, Eric liked Katherine more and more. Eric knew it was too soon, but he wondered if this could go somewhere. Maybe this could be the start of a possible new relationship.
"So, Eric" Katherine leaned back against the wall, batting her blue eyes "Do you want to come up to my Room?"
Eric couldn't believe it, Katherine Manning, one of the hottest girls in his grade, wanted to sleep with him. This night keeps getting better and better. Before Eric could answer, a very drunk Jackie, stumbling around the pool, caught his gaze.
"Eric, did you hear what I said?" Katherine spoke up.
Eric turned his head back to her. "Umm, yeah sorry"
"So?"
As much as Eric wanted to say yes. He couldn't just leave Jackie alone, not in this state. It looked like she was about to go down any second.
"Look, you're beautiful and all, but I can't leave her alone" As Eric began to walk away, Katherine grabbed his arm.
"Forget about her, she'll be fine. Maybe she'll get lucky tonight too" Katherine smirked.
The thought of Jackie getting "Lucky" as Katherine put. Made Eric feel gross inside. Jackie was in no position to make that kind of decision at the moment.
"Sorry, but I'm going"
"You leave now, it's over" Katherine threatened.
"Bye" Eric simply said, waving his hand.
Meanwhile, Jackie was on her 3rd beer, or was it her 5th? Dancing like an idiot to the song "Layla" She was so drunk and in her own head. She didn't even notice Eric was walking towards her.
"Jackie" Eric tapped his finger on her shoulder. No avail. Eric tried again, but the music was too loud for her to hear.
"Jackie!" Eric shouted.
Jackie turned to the voice that shouted her name. "Hey Eric!" Jackie giggled. "I didn't see you there"
"Having fun, are we?"
"Like you wouldn't believe. This is the best party ever!" Jackie beamed.
"How much have you had to drink?"
"How should I know? I stopped counting"
"It's getting late, I think we should go" Eric suggested.
A pout formed on Jackie's lips. "No, we can't go yet, it's not even that late" Jackie whined.
"It's 1:00am" Eric stated.
"Don't be such a Debbie downer" Jackie complained.
"I'm not being a debbie-downer, I'm tired, and I want to go home"
"Then go home. But I'm staying" Jackie walked away.
Not watching where she is going, Jackie falls into the pool.
"Jackie!" Eric yelled, hearing the loud splash of water.
When Jackie came up from the water, Eric thought she would be pissed. But he couldn't have been more wrong. Jackie was all smiles and giggles.
"Oh my God, that was so much fun" Jackie laughed, wiping the cool water from her eyes.
"Well, I'm glad you're amused" Eric kneeled down to Jackie's level. "But it's time to go"
"No" Jackie whined. "Come and take a swim with me. The water feels great" Jackie pleaded.
Eric ignored Jackie's request. "Here, I'll help you out. Take my hand"
Jackie takes the hand offered to her. Instead of using it to get out of the pool, she yanks it towards the pool. Making Eric fall in.
A loud splash of water erupts next to Jackie. Unlike Jackie, who was overjoyed when she fell into the water. Eric was pissed.
"What the hell, Jackie!" Eric yelled, pushing his hair out of his face.
"What? I wanted you to feel how amazing the water is" Jackie said, splashing Eric.
"Jackie, stop it" Eric blocked his face.
"You're no fun"
"You know what's no fun? Turning down a hot girl to save your drunk friend" Eric fumed.
"Ugh, you're so dramatic" Jackie frowned.
Eric was ready to drown her on the spot. Though he couldn't completely blame Jackie. It was him that decided to be the "hero" but that didn't mean he was any less than irritated.
"Damn it, I now have chlorine in my eyes" Eric complained. "That's it" Eric grabbed Jackie by her waist, picking her up, leading them both out of the pool.
Jackie squealed. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I'm taking us home" Eric answered.
"Why?" Jackie pouted.
Eric let out a sigh "Because your drunk and it's late"
"I'm not that drunk" Jackie stumbled trying to stand up.
Eric quickly caught her before she could fall into the pool again. "Yeah, sure, you're not drunk" Eric shook his head. "Here, hold on to me, I'll lead you to my car"
"K" Jackie complied.
When they got to the car, Eric opened the door, Jackie immediately plopped down onto the seat.
The whole car ride, Jackie babbled inconsistently about numerous topics. Such as, makeup, her hair and John Travolta. None, which Eric cared about in the slightest.
~Cut to Jackie house~
Instead of parking at the Burkhart mansion, Eric decided to park further down the road. Not wanting to wake Jackie's parents.
"This isn't my house" Jackie pointed out the obvious.
"I know. I parked here so your parents don't wake up" Eric explained.
"Wow, you're so smart Eric"
"Yep, a freaking genius" Eirc muttered under his breath.
Once they got up the stairs, opening Jackie's bedroom door. Eric took in her bedroom. It looked like a unicorn threw up. Her walls were pink, stuffed animals were everywhere and there were posters of boys. But what did he expect? It's Jackie, for crying out loud.
"You're still pretty wet, so you might wanna.." Before Eric could finish his sentence, Jackie had already plopped down onto her bed. "Ok" Eric said, awkwardly scratching his head.
Jackie head lolled towards Eric "That party was amazing"
"I don't know if you'll feel that way when you wake up" Eric chuckled.
"Ugh! Let's not talk about tomorrow" Jackie groaned "let's talk about now. Here, sit down" Jackie padded her bed.
Eric leaned up against the headboard "Ok, I'm sitting, what do you want to talk about?"
"Anything!" Jackie's eyes were winded. "Like, did you meet anyone tonight?"
"Yeah, I did" Eric answered.
Jackie sat up now on full alert "Really? Who was it?"
Eric avoided Jackie's gaze "It doesn't matter"
"Of course it matters, tell me who she is" Jackie demanded.
"Jackie, I said I met someone. I didn't say it worked out"
"Why not? What did you do?" Jackie accused.
Eric raised his eyebrows "Why do you assume It's my fault it didn't work out?"
"I don't know" Jackie shrugged her shoulders "maybe it's because you're known to stupid things. Like when you pants, Donna"
"Ok, so maybe you're right. But It wasn't me that screwed up this time"
"Wait, so that means she screwed up?" Jackie questioned, now extremely curious.
"Well, no" Eric answered.
Jackie had confusion written all over her face "Well, then what happened?"
"It's complicated, alright"
"What do you mean it's complicated?"
"Let's just say it wasn't meant to be" Eric responded.
"You're really not going to tell me the whole story, are you?" Jackie frowned.
"Maybe another time, when you're sober" Eric smirked.
"Fine" Jackie sighed.
"What about you? Did you meet anyone of interest?"
"Of course not! I told you I was done with relationships forever" Jackie reminded him.
"Oh, right. I forgot about that" Eric turned to Jackie "So you're sticking to that?"
"Of course I am" Jackie looked at Eric. "I'm tired of getting hurt"
"I know Kelso hurt you really badly. Eric began "But I don't think he should be the reason to be alone forever"
Jackie knew Eric was right. But she didn't think she could take anymore heartache. It was just too painful.
"Can we please talk about something else?" Jackie said, pulling her stuffed unicorn to her chest.
"Yeah, we can do that" Eric replied.
"Did you hear that the Dallas Cowboys are going to have their first red headed-cheerleader? Gross" Jackie scrunched her nose.
"Hey! I like redheads"
"I know, what's wrong with you?"
"Apparently a lot" Eric stated.
"You know something Eric? For a Star Wars-loving geek. You're pretty sweet, and cute" Jackie playfully slapped Eric's arm.
Eric turned his head so fast he nearly got whiplash. Did Jackie, the girl who refers to him as a skinny nerd, just call him cute?
Eric face twisted "Yeah, I think it's time you go to sleep, and that I get home"
"Are you seriously leaving because I called you cute?"
"I, well" Eric stuttered.
"Eric, I was just playing around. No need to spaz out"
"I know I'm not a idiot. It's just that it's already super late, and I want to get home before Red wakes up"
"Alright then" Jackie said.
"See ya, Jackie" Eric waved goodbye, leaving the room.
"Hey" Jackie called.
Eric came back from the hallway to Jackie's room "Yeah?"
"You better tell me what happened between you and the mystery girl" Jackie pointed her figure at him.
"Don't worry, you'll get all the juicy details" Eric promised Jackie.