Chapter 9

The next morning Jackie ate breakfast before meeting Joanne, who was driving her to the cheerleading practice. She thought about last night and how mad she continued to be at Steven. Donna had come by to talk but Jackie afterwards but she left when all Jackie did was take her anger out on her. Jackie had gone to bed and lay there until about 2 am. She had kept waiting for Steven to show up and apologize or something. He didn't.

Joanne had offered to drive Jackie during the week before coming down. Joanne had become like a big sister for Jackie who was there when Jackie needed someone but never demanding. Living with Bob and Joanne was like being in a real family as they ate supper together and Joanne was pretty insistent on having Sunday dinner together. Jackie had spent more time with them in 2 months then with either of her parents in 2 years and they showed more interest. Both had come to her first cheerleading performance once she started back and had taken her for dinner afterwards; like parents would. It was really nice.

"Good morning Jackie" Joanne walked up to the table where Jackie was finishing her breakfast. "Ready to go?"

"You're not going to eat anything?"

"No, Bob and I are going to go out for breakfast buffet after I drop you off. He's upstairs getting ready."

"Let's go then" the two walked out of the hotel together talking about supper the night before and got in the car. After driving for a few minutes, Jackie spoke. "Joanne, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything but no guarantee you'll like my answer."

"Do you think cheerleading is dumb?" Joanne glanced at Jackie before answering.

"Personally, Jackie, I don't like cheerleading but that doesn't really matter because YOU do. You told me you like it because it combines dancing, gymnastics plus popularity. If it is what you want and makes you happy then it doesn't matter what anyone says."

"Really, you think so? After all I am the most important person, aren't I?"

"You bet, Jackie," Joanne said with a smile and they drove the rest in silence. Arriving, Jackie jumped out of the car and turned to thank Joanne for the ride. "What time will you be done at?"

"Practice is suppose to be about 2 hours then Melissa's sister is going to show me the frat she belongs too then we're going for lunch. I would think by 2 or so."

"Okay, when you're done just call and either Bob or I will come get you. Most likely me as Bob and Donna are doing some father/daughter bonding." On impulse Jackie leaned a cross the car and hugged Joanne. "Thanks Joanne." Then she was off across the lot to the practice. Still mad but not willing to let it ruin her day.

**************

Steven groaned loudly. His head wouldn't stop throbbing and someone was talking very, very loudly. "I need candy" he heard Fez say.

"Fez shut up," Steven grated. "Shouldn't you be passed out somewhere?" Steven slowly got out of bed. He groaned again. He hadn't gotten that drunk in a while. Not since Jackie had dumped him and he had gone on a 3 day binge.

"So, Hyde," Kelso asked "how's your head?" "Fuck off Kelso. Why are you all happy happy? You drank just as much as I did last night?" Steven felt the top of his head, still sticky from the beer. Ugh. He had to go talk to Jackie. . . but not until his head stopped pounding. Groaning, he fell backward onto the bed. Definitely too much beer and weed.

Two hours later, Steven was downstairs and feeling better, at least physically. Having showered and eaten his head wasn't pounding anymore and he could function. He had gone looking for Jackie but Joanne had said she would not be back until probably 2 or so. Steven waited in the lobby for Jackie to come back but by 5 o'clock she wasn't back and he was getting frustrated. Getting up, Steven walked backed to his room frustrated. Where the hell is she?

From 5pm on, Steven knocked on Jackie's door every half hour. The rest of the gang went out for drinks at 9 pm but not Steven. He knocked on Jackie's door, 4 doors down from his, every half hour like clock work. By 11:30, he was furious and ready to murder. Someone was going to get shit.

At 12, Steven went down to knock on Jackie's door. Again. This time after he knocked he could hear movement. Finally, she was home. The door opened. "Where the hell have you been?" Steven asked, "I have been waiting for you all afternoon."

"Hello Steven," Jackie said coolly. "Why is that any business of yours?" She was not going to be nice about this. He had trashed her dreams with very little regard and he wasn't getting off that easily.

"My business? I'm your boyfriend and you have been gone all day without anyone knowing where you were. You didn't even call me or have Joanne come tell me or, or. ."

"Why Steven? Were you worried about me? Poor little immature me or are you looking to trash my dreams some more? Should I get some of my immature cheerleader friends so you can trash them too?" Jackie crossed her arms and stared at Steven. She didn't move to let him into the room or in anyway invite him in.

"Listen, about last night, I'm really sorry and-"

"And what Steven? What? You feel like making out and decided to apologize or did you think of something else of mine you want to insult?"

"Jackie, I want to explain why I say what I said. I wanted to make you mad- "

"Steven no one wants to make me made. Even you. Even Micheal never really intentionally wanted to make me mad. He just couldn't keep his pants up. You, you are suppose to be better then that."

"Jackie don't ever compare me to Kelso. I am NOT in anyway Kelso." Now he was getting mad. "I want to explain and you are going to listen to me. Now let me in so we can talk and I'll explain." He looked down at her and added, "Please." Jackie looked at Steven for a few minutes then moved aside so he could enter the room.