In The Beginning
Chapter Three: The Winter Dance, Part 1
"Oh my god!" Pam Macy shrieked as she reached the lunch table. "Guess what I just heard?"
Stacey, Lacey, and Jackie all screeched simultaneously, "What?"
"Michael Kelso is going to ask Jackie to go to the Winter Dance with him!"
Jackie grinned widely, "Oh my god!"
She had the biggest crush on Michael Kelso since, well, forever.
Pam Macy sat down, squeezing Jackie's shoulder, "You are so lucky!"
The four girls giggled as they discussed today's other gossip, until they realized that someone was standing before them, eavesdropping.
"Um, can I help you?" Pam laughed, as Stacey, Lacey, and Jackie hushed up.
"Hey Pam, I was um, wondering..." The boy chuckled nervously.
"No." Pam said flatly, picking at her nails.
"Ok." The boy turned around, with a sad look, walking back to his friends.
"Ew, that is like the third time that stupid Forman kid has talked to me!" Pam complained.
"He's so tragic." Stacey laughed.
"Completely clueless." Lacey agreed.
"I don't know..." Jackie said softly, "He's friends with Michael, after all."
"Yeah, I never quite understood that." Pam said, as the four continued to watch the Gang of Four, who over the years had moved from the monkey bars to a spot underneath a tree. They sat there in a circle, laughing and talking. Jackie always wondered what went on in that circle...
"I mean," Pam continued, breaking Jackie's thoughts. "There are only two flaws with Michael Kelso. He's really dumb and he has bad friends. Otherwise," She sighed, "He's perfection." She grinned at Jackie with pride and envy, "Jackie, he's going to be the perfect boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" Jackie laughed. "He didn't even ask me to the dance yet, Pam."
"But he will!" Stacey laughed.
"And then you'll be going steady!" Lacey continued.
"And then one day you'll get married and have gorgeous kids!" Pam finished it off and the three giggled.
Jackie wasn't so sure she was ready for that type of commitment, but didn't want to look stupid in front of her friends so nodded her head happily and giggled right along.
"Now, back to what I was saying before Eric rudely interrupted us," Pam continued, "Next year, I'm moving onto Junior High, and you losers will still be here." She laughed horrendously, giving Jackie Goosebumps, "But once you guys get to 6th grade, I will be the most popular 7th grader ever and I'll make sure you guys are popular too."
"Thanks Pam, you're so sweet!" Lacey giggled.
"You really are," Jackie said, smiling sweetly.
"You guys are the best!" Pam said, giving each one a hug as the bell rang. "Damn, well, I'll see you guys after school!"
Jackie frowned slightly...
Lunch had been her very favorite part of the day... since then she could see her friends. Pam was a 5th grader, and so she was in a class full of other 5th graders, while Lacey, Stacey, and Jackie were still in 4th. Lacey and Stacey were in one of the 4th grade classes, but Jackie was stuck in another, with no one, except for Michael Kelso, who was placed there because of low test scores, but he was still graduating with his friends.
Her and Michael had really bonded because of this situation.
She sat quietly in her desk, relieved when Michael waltzed in and sat in front of her, turning around and striking up conversation.
"Wow, Jackie." He said, grabbing his chest with a flirty look, "You've done the impossible."
"And what's that?" Jackie laughed.
"You look even more beautiful then Pam Macy ever did."
Jackie laughed, knowing that Pam would freak out if she had heard that.
"Why thank you, Micheal." She laughed.
"Seriously though," He placed his hands on her desk, very close to hers. "I have to ask you something."
She nodded for him to continue.
"Will you go to the dance with me?"
Jackie feigned a look of surprise and joy and grinned as she screamed, "Yes!"
"All right!" Michael screeched as the teacher began today's lesson.
Jackie couldn't wait to tell Pam. She couldn't wait to tell her mom that she had a boyfriend! She wondered if the Kelso's had any money.. because her mother said that money is very important when it came to marriage.
Jackie opened her notebook and started doodling, Mrs. Jackie Kelso, all over her notebook, staring at the back of his head with a huge grin.
The Winter Dance was a big deal, according to Pam Macy.
And Jackie Burkhart was the only 4th grader invited to go.
Which made it an even bigger deal, according to Pam Macy.
As soon as the final bell rang on Friday afternoon, Pam and Jackie ran to Pam's house and started to get ready for the Winter Dance. Jackie's mom had bought her the prettiest dress, with white lace and rhinestones that sparkled when she moved. It even made her chest look slightly bigger, almost like Pam's.
Pam was the first girl to grow boobs, and she made sure everyone noticed.
Jackie kept puffing out her chest when Pam wasn't looking, as she put on some diamond earrings and swished some white eye shadow onto her eyelids.
Pam was going with another 5th grader, Timmy, and he and Michael would be over any minute, and they would all walk over to the school for the dance.
Jackie had never been so nervous in her life.
She had never been on any sort of date with a boy, and Michael was known for his kissing skills.
She didn't think she would mind if he kissed her, she just wasn't sure how to do it.
Soon enough, the boys arrived, looking awfully adorable in their tuxes.
Timmy and Pam walked on ahead, holding hands, and Michael and Jackie walked slowly behind them, practically shaking with nerves.
"You know, Jackie." Michael said quietly, "I've liked you for a really long time."
"Really?" Jackie said, smiling widely. "I've liked you for the longest time too!"
"Really?" He grinned, slipping his hand into hers.
For some reason, Jackie cringed.
His hands were kind of lanky and sweaty and not at all what she imagined Michael's hands to feel like. Either way, she squeezed his hand and held to it tightly as they made their way to the school.
Jackie didn't think the dance was that great, after all.
Maybe it was because so many random people came up to her, telling her how gorgeous her dress was, and she didn't know any of them. And because Pam had disappeared with Timmy, probably to make out, since that's all Pam does, apparently. Michael had pulled her over to a table, where Eric and Donna were sitting.
Jackie immediately tensed up as Michael held a seat out for her, but took it.
"I'll be right back." He said to her, making a beeline towards the dance floor and disappearing from view.
"Hi Jackie." Eric said sheepishly from her side. "How are you?"
Jackie had never spoken to Eric Forman in her life, and she didn't plan on starting now. She just nodded, staring at the spot where Michael had disappeared, waiting for him to reappear. She felt someone brush her side and sit next to her, and assuming it was Michael she whipped her head around, smiling fiercely.
"Let's dance!" She screamed loudly over the music, but her smile vanished into a look of extreme distaste at the curly haired boy in front of her. "Oh."
"Hey man." Hyde said, looking past Jackie and at Eric who was laughing at Jackie's distraught look.
Jackie stood up quickly, scanning the room for Michael.
"What's the matter, Juliet?" She heard Hyde say from underneath her. She watched him tediously as he stood up, towering over her. "Did you lose Romeo?"
"No." She muttered, continuing to gaze at the dance floor. "But when exactly did you lose your soul?"
"Oh, nice burn." Eric said with surprise.
Jackie looked down at him with slight amusement. "Um, thanks, I guess."
"Actually, that's kind of a ridiculous question." Hyde said, smiling sharply at Jackie and Eric. "Souls don't exist."
"Of course they do." Jackie said matter of factly.
"Really, can you show me yours?" Hyde asked her, crossing his arms with satisfaction when she rolled her eyes and shook her head no.
"Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it's not there." She said, frowning.
"True." Hyde said. "Kind of like how you can't see that Kelso is dancing with Amber Thompson," He smirked, "But he is."
Jackie frowned, pushing past Hyde and running franticly around the dance floor till she spotted Michael, pushing against Amber Thompson.
"Michael!" She screamed, feeling extremely hurt.
"Oh, hey, Jackie..." Michael frowned, pushing Amber aside. "I got sidetracked."
"Don't touch me." She said, pushing him away from her and running away, feeling her eyes clench up with tears.
Michael watched her with regret and then turned his attention on his friends, who were trying not to laugh. "What the hell, man?" He said upon reaching them, punching Hyde gently.
"Why did you take Jackie Burkhart to this dance anyway, man?" Hyde said in return. "She's a snob."
"No, she's not." Kelso said defensively. "She's cool."
Hyde burst out laughing, "If by cool, you mean cold and therefore, heartless, then yes, you're right. She's real cool."
"You're just pissed because you couldn't find a date as pretty as her." Kelso said matter of factly.
Hyde shook his head sadly, "No, Kelso. I wasn't even going to come to this stupid dance, but I knew you would screw yourself over with Jackie, and I knew I had to see it happen."
"You know what?" Kelso shouted, "I got to go console my date, but when I'm done, I'm going to kick your ass."
Hyde smirked, "You're going to kick my ass?"
Kelso just frowned and stormed off.
"Man, what's with you anyway?" Eric asked timidly. "Why are you always on Kelso's case when it comes to Jackie Burkhart?"
"What are you talking about Forman?" Hyde asked as he sat back down.
"You're always trying to make sure they never happen." Donna said curiously.
"That's because I don't want Kelso being sucked over to the dark side."
"The dark side?" Eric laughed. "That sounds like it could come from a movie that I so want to see..." Eric's mind wandered for a minute, which it tends to do sometimes.
"Anyway," Donna said, with an eye roll, "Just let Kelso screw up by himself. He really doesn't need your help."
"You're right, Donna." Hyde said. "Well, I'm going to leave, seeing as how all the fun is over."
Hyde nodded a goodbye to his friends and loosened the tie he had taken from his father's wardrobe, since he figured good old dad wouldn't be by anytime soon to use it, and stormed off towards the courtyard, hoping he could slip out from there before anyone realized he was at this lame dance.
He cursed to himself when he realized the only thing blocking him from the courtyard entrance was Jackie Burkhart, huddled up on the bench in front of the wall he could climb over. He slowly walked over, realizing that she couldn't see him, as her hands were covering her eyes as she sobbed.
He cursed again, this time out loud, because he couldn't stand to see anyone cry.
She looked up immediately, her eyes red and splotchy, her eye make up streaming down her sad little face.
"Dammit." Hyde said out loud, taking a seat next to her. "Are you ok?"
Chapter Three: The Winter Dance, Part 1
"Oh my god!" Pam Macy shrieked as she reached the lunch table. "Guess what I just heard?"
Stacey, Lacey, and Jackie all screeched simultaneously, "What?"
"Michael Kelso is going to ask Jackie to go to the Winter Dance with him!"
Jackie grinned widely, "Oh my god!"
She had the biggest crush on Michael Kelso since, well, forever.
Pam Macy sat down, squeezing Jackie's shoulder, "You are so lucky!"
The four girls giggled as they discussed today's other gossip, until they realized that someone was standing before them, eavesdropping.
"Um, can I help you?" Pam laughed, as Stacey, Lacey, and Jackie hushed up.
"Hey Pam, I was um, wondering..." The boy chuckled nervously.
"No." Pam said flatly, picking at her nails.
"Ok." The boy turned around, with a sad look, walking back to his friends.
"Ew, that is like the third time that stupid Forman kid has talked to me!" Pam complained.
"He's so tragic." Stacey laughed.
"Completely clueless." Lacey agreed.
"I don't know..." Jackie said softly, "He's friends with Michael, after all."
"Yeah, I never quite understood that." Pam said, as the four continued to watch the Gang of Four, who over the years had moved from the monkey bars to a spot underneath a tree. They sat there in a circle, laughing and talking. Jackie always wondered what went on in that circle...
"I mean," Pam continued, breaking Jackie's thoughts. "There are only two flaws with Michael Kelso. He's really dumb and he has bad friends. Otherwise," She sighed, "He's perfection." She grinned at Jackie with pride and envy, "Jackie, he's going to be the perfect boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" Jackie laughed. "He didn't even ask me to the dance yet, Pam."
"But he will!" Stacey laughed.
"And then you'll be going steady!" Lacey continued.
"And then one day you'll get married and have gorgeous kids!" Pam finished it off and the three giggled.
Jackie wasn't so sure she was ready for that type of commitment, but didn't want to look stupid in front of her friends so nodded her head happily and giggled right along.
"Now, back to what I was saying before Eric rudely interrupted us," Pam continued, "Next year, I'm moving onto Junior High, and you losers will still be here." She laughed horrendously, giving Jackie Goosebumps, "But once you guys get to 6th grade, I will be the most popular 7th grader ever and I'll make sure you guys are popular too."
"Thanks Pam, you're so sweet!" Lacey giggled.
"You really are," Jackie said, smiling sweetly.
"You guys are the best!" Pam said, giving each one a hug as the bell rang. "Damn, well, I'll see you guys after school!"
Jackie frowned slightly...
Lunch had been her very favorite part of the day... since then she could see her friends. Pam was a 5th grader, and so she was in a class full of other 5th graders, while Lacey, Stacey, and Jackie were still in 4th. Lacey and Stacey were in one of the 4th grade classes, but Jackie was stuck in another, with no one, except for Michael Kelso, who was placed there because of low test scores, but he was still graduating with his friends.
Her and Michael had really bonded because of this situation.
She sat quietly in her desk, relieved when Michael waltzed in and sat in front of her, turning around and striking up conversation.
"Wow, Jackie." He said, grabbing his chest with a flirty look, "You've done the impossible."
"And what's that?" Jackie laughed.
"You look even more beautiful then Pam Macy ever did."
Jackie laughed, knowing that Pam would freak out if she had heard that.
"Why thank you, Micheal." She laughed.
"Seriously though," He placed his hands on her desk, very close to hers. "I have to ask you something."
She nodded for him to continue.
"Will you go to the dance with me?"
Jackie feigned a look of surprise and joy and grinned as she screamed, "Yes!"
"All right!" Michael screeched as the teacher began today's lesson.
Jackie couldn't wait to tell Pam. She couldn't wait to tell her mom that she had a boyfriend! She wondered if the Kelso's had any money.. because her mother said that money is very important when it came to marriage.
Jackie opened her notebook and started doodling, Mrs. Jackie Kelso, all over her notebook, staring at the back of his head with a huge grin.
The Winter Dance was a big deal, according to Pam Macy.
And Jackie Burkhart was the only 4th grader invited to go.
Which made it an even bigger deal, according to Pam Macy.
As soon as the final bell rang on Friday afternoon, Pam and Jackie ran to Pam's house and started to get ready for the Winter Dance. Jackie's mom had bought her the prettiest dress, with white lace and rhinestones that sparkled when she moved. It even made her chest look slightly bigger, almost like Pam's.
Pam was the first girl to grow boobs, and she made sure everyone noticed.
Jackie kept puffing out her chest when Pam wasn't looking, as she put on some diamond earrings and swished some white eye shadow onto her eyelids.
Pam was going with another 5th grader, Timmy, and he and Michael would be over any minute, and they would all walk over to the school for the dance.
Jackie had never been so nervous in her life.
She had never been on any sort of date with a boy, and Michael was known for his kissing skills.
She didn't think she would mind if he kissed her, she just wasn't sure how to do it.
Soon enough, the boys arrived, looking awfully adorable in their tuxes.
Timmy and Pam walked on ahead, holding hands, and Michael and Jackie walked slowly behind them, practically shaking with nerves.
"You know, Jackie." Michael said quietly, "I've liked you for a really long time."
"Really?" Jackie said, smiling widely. "I've liked you for the longest time too!"
"Really?" He grinned, slipping his hand into hers.
For some reason, Jackie cringed.
His hands were kind of lanky and sweaty and not at all what she imagined Michael's hands to feel like. Either way, she squeezed his hand and held to it tightly as they made their way to the school.
Jackie didn't think the dance was that great, after all.
Maybe it was because so many random people came up to her, telling her how gorgeous her dress was, and she didn't know any of them. And because Pam had disappeared with Timmy, probably to make out, since that's all Pam does, apparently. Michael had pulled her over to a table, where Eric and Donna were sitting.
Jackie immediately tensed up as Michael held a seat out for her, but took it.
"I'll be right back." He said to her, making a beeline towards the dance floor and disappearing from view.
"Hi Jackie." Eric said sheepishly from her side. "How are you?"
Jackie had never spoken to Eric Forman in her life, and she didn't plan on starting now. She just nodded, staring at the spot where Michael had disappeared, waiting for him to reappear. She felt someone brush her side and sit next to her, and assuming it was Michael she whipped her head around, smiling fiercely.
"Let's dance!" She screamed loudly over the music, but her smile vanished into a look of extreme distaste at the curly haired boy in front of her. "Oh."
"Hey man." Hyde said, looking past Jackie and at Eric who was laughing at Jackie's distraught look.
Jackie stood up quickly, scanning the room for Michael.
"What's the matter, Juliet?" She heard Hyde say from underneath her. She watched him tediously as he stood up, towering over her. "Did you lose Romeo?"
"No." She muttered, continuing to gaze at the dance floor. "But when exactly did you lose your soul?"
"Oh, nice burn." Eric said with surprise.
Jackie looked down at him with slight amusement. "Um, thanks, I guess."
"Actually, that's kind of a ridiculous question." Hyde said, smiling sharply at Jackie and Eric. "Souls don't exist."
"Of course they do." Jackie said matter of factly.
"Really, can you show me yours?" Hyde asked her, crossing his arms with satisfaction when she rolled her eyes and shook her head no.
"Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it's not there." She said, frowning.
"True." Hyde said. "Kind of like how you can't see that Kelso is dancing with Amber Thompson," He smirked, "But he is."
Jackie frowned, pushing past Hyde and running franticly around the dance floor till she spotted Michael, pushing against Amber Thompson.
"Michael!" She screamed, feeling extremely hurt.
"Oh, hey, Jackie..." Michael frowned, pushing Amber aside. "I got sidetracked."
"Don't touch me." She said, pushing him away from her and running away, feeling her eyes clench up with tears.
Michael watched her with regret and then turned his attention on his friends, who were trying not to laugh. "What the hell, man?" He said upon reaching them, punching Hyde gently.
"Why did you take Jackie Burkhart to this dance anyway, man?" Hyde said in return. "She's a snob."
"No, she's not." Kelso said defensively. "She's cool."
Hyde burst out laughing, "If by cool, you mean cold and therefore, heartless, then yes, you're right. She's real cool."
"You're just pissed because you couldn't find a date as pretty as her." Kelso said matter of factly.
Hyde shook his head sadly, "No, Kelso. I wasn't even going to come to this stupid dance, but I knew you would screw yourself over with Jackie, and I knew I had to see it happen."
"You know what?" Kelso shouted, "I got to go console my date, but when I'm done, I'm going to kick your ass."
Hyde smirked, "You're going to kick my ass?"
Kelso just frowned and stormed off.
"Man, what's with you anyway?" Eric asked timidly. "Why are you always on Kelso's case when it comes to Jackie Burkhart?"
"What are you talking about Forman?" Hyde asked as he sat back down.
"You're always trying to make sure they never happen." Donna said curiously.
"That's because I don't want Kelso being sucked over to the dark side."
"The dark side?" Eric laughed. "That sounds like it could come from a movie that I so want to see..." Eric's mind wandered for a minute, which it tends to do sometimes.
"Anyway," Donna said, with an eye roll, "Just let Kelso screw up by himself. He really doesn't need your help."
"You're right, Donna." Hyde said. "Well, I'm going to leave, seeing as how all the fun is over."
Hyde nodded a goodbye to his friends and loosened the tie he had taken from his father's wardrobe, since he figured good old dad wouldn't be by anytime soon to use it, and stormed off towards the courtyard, hoping he could slip out from there before anyone realized he was at this lame dance.
He cursed to himself when he realized the only thing blocking him from the courtyard entrance was Jackie Burkhart, huddled up on the bench in front of the wall he could climb over. He slowly walked over, realizing that she couldn't see him, as her hands were covering her eyes as she sobbed.
He cursed again, this time out loud, because he couldn't stand to see anyone cry.
She looked up immediately, her eyes red and splotchy, her eye make up streaming down her sad little face.
"Dammit." Hyde said out loud, taking a seat next to her. "Are you ok?"