Chapter 11
Why was this happening? Why did Steven always screw things up? They had been doing so well. Getting along, being a good couple. They had been Eric and Donna-esque. No turmoil –just together. So they weren't actually together. That was just a detail. She twisted the silver band on her finger and stared off in the direction Steven had left. This was so ridiculous. Why could he not trust? Her? His own good qualities? Why in the world would Jason make him feel insecure? He was so not her type. Tall, dark and rich –whatever. The guy didn't even have unruly hair.
"Jackie? You okay?" the devil spoke.
She looked up at him, wishing they had never met. "Yeah I'm fine. Could you call me a cab?"
"Why I can take you back to the B and B?"
"No thanks. You've done enough." He looked insulted and she really tried to care. But she was worried about bigger problems. Like how to convince Steven that he was good enough for her –and that they were not going home. It wasn't going to be easy. And for a minute she let herself dwell on how tired she was of it all. In the span of an hour her situation had went from hunky-dory to hopeless. Why was life hell bent on keeping her down? After a minute of self-pity she shook off the offending emotion. She went back in the bar. Got a beer for the road and got ready for the fight of her life.
When she walked into their room Steven was busy packing. He didn't turn around and he didn't speak.
"Steven we need to talk"
"No Jackie I think we are beyond that"
He was still being snide but Jackie was determined not to take the bait.
"I'm not going home Steven"
He turned around, anger plain on his face, anger and sadness. "Then stay here Jackie – I'm sure Jason will show you around."
"Screw you Steven! This isn't about him. I could give less of a damn about that guy. This is about the fact that you can't take the heat –so you are hightailing it out of the kitchen" she shouted back. He looked stunned by her anger.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
She laughed at his ignorance. For a man who seemed aware of his defense mechanisms he was sure oblivious to what made them kick in. "It means that we were getting too close again. We were having too good of a time. You were almost happy and it freaked you out –like it always does. So you had to come up with some problem –some fight – so you wouldn't have to be scared."
"I'm not scared of being happy."
"Then what is this?" she pointed to the suitcase and then to the space in between them.
"It is what was going to happen eventually anyway," he said sadly.
"Says who?"
"Says history Jacks. Seriously –everything ends badly. Don't fool yourself. We could never make it work."
"Why!?" she shouted getting upset despite her conviction to stay calm and convincing.
"Because." He stated simply
She laughed mockingly. "Oh you can do better than that"
"Oh you want a good reason. Fine let me think. I have no future. Or how about this one you are too pampered to be with someone who has no future."
"Oh please Steven I have heard that all before. Why don't you just bring up Kelso?
"Oh are those reasons not current enough for you? Fine then. Hmmm let me think… why would we never work? Let me see. Oh I remember maybe because I cheated on you!" he said harshly.
She blanched. Of all the reasons that was not the one she wanted to hear. It single handedly erased all her conviction. Leaving her feeling defeated.
"Fine Steven", she sat on the bed beside the bags that contained all that was left of their lives together. Souvenirs of the past weeks of happiness. "You win. I'll go get my stuff out of the bathroom and we can leave in the morning." She headed to the bathroom. On the way she picked up the bottle she had got at the bar and sat it down beside his side of the bed –she caught his eye seeing the same look of sadness that was surely reflected in her own "oh I forgot- I got you a beer". And with that she closed the bathroom –letting the water from the sink drown out the sound of her tears.
+Note: Look at me all angsty. Hope you guys don't mind. Hyde and Jackie are just getting out of hand. This was not what I had planned. Why are made-up people so stubborn? Okay gotta go write the next chapter before it changes again –if I don't they may do something we won't like. Oh make sure you tell me what you think.
