In The Beginning
Chapter Four: The Winter Dance, Part 2
She didn't answer, she didn't even look up. She just kept sobbing into her hands, wiping tears, only to have more come in their place.
"Jackie..." Hyde groaned, leaning against the wall.
Hyde had spent many nights in the school courtyard.
Whenever his parents were fighting, or missing, he would break into the courtyard and sit here under the stars, on this very bench, and just think, zone out. Ironic how his special place had been invaded by Jackie Burkhart of all people.
He was deep in thought when he realized that Jackie's constant sobs had subdued, and she was rubbing her arms gently, as a light breeze pushed her tangled brown hair around.
He looked down at her, happy that she wasn't a crying mess any longer.
In fact, she looked really tranquil and calm, but only for a second, as Kelso came running into the courtyard, calling out for her.
The courtyard was dark, except for the one lantern that was in the middle, by the trees. Of course, Jackie and Hyde were by the dimly lit bench.
Jackie's face scrunched up with uncertainty when she heard Kelso call her and before he knew what he was doing, Hyde held out his hand to Jackie, and she took it.
He stood up on the bench and helped her climb the wall of the courtyard, whispering for her to sit on the top of the cement wall. She did as she was told as he hopped over the wall and landed on the other side, and held his arms up for her.
Her eyes gleamed down at his with extreme confusion.
"Jackie," Hyde whispered, "Trust me."
She shut her eyes, and jumped down, relieved when Hyde's arms caught her frail body. He lowered to the ground and dusted himself off, and started to walk off into the street.
"Jackie!" She heard Michael scream from the other side. "Are you here?"
She ran off after Hyde, holding up her dress as her tiny white heels clicked against the pavement. Her feet were incredibly sore, and she really didn't care what her mother said about beauty demanding sacrifice, she couldn't bear to wear them any longer. She hopped along as she took off her shoes, holding them by the straps as she caught up with Hyde, who had his hands stuffed in his pockets.
The breeze began to pick up and Hyde noticed tiny goosebumps popping up on Jackie's arms.
"Here." He muttered, slipping off his denim jacket and handing it to her.
She smiled appreciatively, as she slipped it onto her shoulders and tiptoed down the street carefully.
"Watch out for that broken glass." Hyde instructed, pointing to an area in front of her.
Jackie stepped around it and whispered, "Thanks."
"Where do you live?"
Jackie gaped at him suddenly, since everyone who was anyone knew where the Burkhart's lived. But, well, she had to face it: Steven Hyde wasn't just anyone.
"Why?" She asked cautiously.
"It's practically midnight. I can't just let you walk home by yourself."
"Yes, you can." She said, in a frustrated tone.
"Fine." He huffed, pushing past her.
"Fine!" She screamed, crossing her arms, and marching up the street, making sure she was going fast enough to be able to break into a run, and slow enough so that she won't catch up to him.
Jackie couldn't help but hear all these strange noises and see all these strange shadows and soon she did break into a run and practically ran right into him. As she caught her breath, he simply smirked at her.
"I live in The Pavilion." She managed to get out. "Walk me home."
"Well, since you asked so nicely..."
"Shut up." Jackie muttered, gearing her eyes towards the floor.
"Only if you do."
Jackie gave him a nod in agreement and the two walked in silence, finally reaching Jackie's street.
As she reached the front door, Hyde quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her aside, off the lit porch.
"What the hell are you doing?" She screeched.
He clamped his hand over her mouth, but quickly withdrew his hand in disgust. "I was going to help you sneak into your room. It's like, two in the morning."
"So?" Jackie asked nonchalantly.
"Don't you have a curfew?"
"Curfews are for babies."
"Baby," Hyde cooed quietly, giving Jackie a whole new set of Goosebumps, "I repeat, don't you have a curfew?"
Jackie sighed, walking back to the door, "My parents aren't even home."
"Oh." Hyde muttered, crossing his arms. "That's cool."
"Well, thanks for walking me home..." She said with a unsure smile as she opened the door, "If you tell anyone, I'll kill you."
"Why would I tell someone that I was with YOU?"
"Why wouldn't you?" Jackie counterattacked, flipping her hair. She slipped into the house, but Hyde caught the door before she could close it.
"Jackie, wait..."
"Yes?" She asked, growing impatient. She was tired. She was upset. She wanted to sleep it all off.
"Kelso's my best friend. And as his best friend I can tell you that if you're going to ..." He paused, not sure of how to word this, "If you're going to see him, you know, that way..."
Jackie yawned with slight annoyance.
"This isn't the first time you're going to get hurt."
"Okay, you know what?" Jackie said, with more emotion then she intended. "I am Jackie freakin' Burkhart and I can do whatever I want. So if I want to see Michael Kelso, in *that* way, then I can."
Hyde didn't flinch. "I was just trying to warn you."
"Ha." Jackie hadn't realized that her eyes had begun to well up. "Michael likes me. A lot. And that's all I need to know."
"Yeah," He began, "You and every other girl."
"Get out of my house!" Jackie screamed, her voice echoing throughout the main hall.
"I'm not in your house." Hyde said - which was true, since he was standing on the porch.
"Fine!" Jackie screamed, slamming the door in his face.
She ran upstairs quickly, slamming her bedroom door as well, and sheepishly looked out her window, watching his figure walk off into the street, without a care in the world.
God, she hated him.
Who gave him the right to judge her?
He was always trying to tell her what to do, but he didn't even know her.
He was so...so...
Jackie paced across her room furiously, and suddenly realized she still had his jacket on. She took it off, folding it carefully, and smelled it.
It smelled like alcohol and cigarettes, but deep down, by the collar there was a different smell. It reminded her of her father's aftershave, clean and crisp.
She threw the jacket into her closet, all the way on the top so no one, not even her, could see the evidence that would prove that she actually hung out with someone so poor and so freakish.
Meanwhile, Hyde had started to make his way back to the courtyard, to spend another restless night there, when Kelso popped out, Pam Macy on his arm.
"Hey Hyde!" Kelso shouted, which Pam punched him for.
"Michael, you'll wake up my parents!"
Hyde looked up and down the street and realized that he was standing in front of Pam's house, and that Michael and Pam were sitting on the curb of Pam's street. Which also happened to be Jackie's street.
"Why are you here?" Pam asked inquisitively.
"Oh, you know me. I'm a wandering delinquent."
"A what?" Pam asked, smacking her gum down.
"Never mind." Hyde said, shaking his head sadly. "Kelso, can we talk for a second?"
Kelso went off to the side with Hyde, while Pam picked at her nails.
"Why are you consorting with the devil?" Hyde asked, staring at Pam.
"Hey, Hyde, dude, we've only been to second base. We haven't consorted. Not yet."
Hyde just grimaced and ignored this comment. "Why are you with her, Kelso?"
"Oh." Kelso said, "She's hot, man."
"She's Pam Macy, man, come on." Hyde groaned. "Didn't you have a different date?"
"Jackie?" Kelso rolled his eyes. "She ditched me."
"Because you were dancing with Amber." Hyde reminded him.
"So, two wrongs make a right."
"No, you idiot, two wrongs don't make a right."
"They don't?" Kelso scratched his head and laughed it off. "Oops."
"Listen, Jackie likes you, for some reason." Hyde said, trying not to sound concerned. "Go to her, she's home alone and she's upset, because of you."
"She's home alone?" Kelso asked with concern.
"Go." He looked back at Pam, "I'll take care of Pam Macy."
"I don't know Hyde, Pam doesn't just get with anyone, you know."
"Kelso, leave. Now." He pushed Kelso in the right direction and watching him walk up the hill. He then turned back to Pam, who was still staring at her nails.
"Hey, Pam." He sat down next to her, grimacing slightly.
"Ew." She muttered. "Where did Kelso go?"
"He went to go apologize to Jackie. You know, your best friend."
"Oh, yeah." She rolled her eyes. "Dammit, I really wanted to make out with him or something." She gazed at Hyde, pulling at his loosened tie, "I guess you'll have to do."
She pulled him in for a sloppy kiss, and then let go.
"Ew." She muttered again, and Hyde grabbed her, kissing her with all his might.
"I thought you hated me..." Pam said with slight surprise.
"I do." Hyde confirmed, as he stood up. "Later."
"What, where are you going?"
"Away. From. You." He said slowly, smirking.
"But that kiss...it was..."
"Hot. I know." He smiled at Pam with slight redemption.
"You can't just leave after a kiss like that!" She screamed out to him as he walked away, smirking with success.
"Watch me." He muttered, sarcastically, in a way he's known for as Pam Macy stomped into her house, upset and annoyed.
Kelso wasn't sure if he should ring the bell or knock or what...the house looked so big and looming, that it kind of scared him. So, he decided to climb through one of the windows, which involved climbing onto a tree next to the house and then jumping to the closest window, which he knew from many years of stalking Jackie, was her bedroom. He flung himself at the window, smiling with brilliance as he grabbed the banister of the small balcony outside of Jackie's window. He heard some rustling inside, since he had made such a loud noise, Jackie had probably heard him. He saw her head appear in the window, a stream of light poured out as she opened the window and came out to the balcony, in a white nightgown. He had never seen anything so gorgeous in his life, as her bare feet came out first, then the rest of her, her brown curls cascading down her shoulders.
"Michael?" She asked timidly, squinting to see.
He came around the banister and was careful not to stop on her toes and took her hand.
"Jackie, I am so sorry." He said quietly. "I never meant to hurt you."
"It's ok." Jackie said with a smile, giving him a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I forgive you."
"Good." He said happily, his eyes slightly dreamy. "Well,"
"Well," She repeated, staring off at the stars, the very same stars that Hyde was presently staring at from the courtyard bench.
"I'll see you in school?" Kelso offered.
Jackie nodded, laughing as Kelso started to climb back over the balcony.
"Michael, we're three stories up. Why don't you leave through the front door?"
"Good idea." He said with a laugh, hauling his legs back to her side of the banister. "You're so smart."
One of us has to be if we're going to do this, she thought, as she led him to the door.
"Michael, what made you come up here?" She asked, as she opened the front door for him.
"Hyde." He said, "Which is weird, cause usually he doesn't want me to have anything to do with you."
"Well, maybe someone set him straight." She said, smiling to herself.
"Maybe." Kelso said, shrugging. "See you later, Jackie."
"Good night, Michael." She shut the door and went back to her bedroom, feeling slightly better then she did before.
She couldn't wait for her mother to come back from Mexico, if that's where she even is, and tell her about her new boyfriend and the dance and everything. Of course, she'd have to leave out the whole part about Hyde, but still...it's not like he meant anything to Jackie anyway.
Well...
No, he's not important.
He can't be.
He's poor and scruffy and a freak.
Michael's cute...and...
Jackie shrugged, feeling absolutely torn.
All she knew was that Michael Kelso was popular and Steven Hyde wasn't.
And when her mom comes back, it's Michael Kelso she would want to hear about, not Steven Hyde.
So it was settled.
It would be Mrs. Jackie Kelso.
Forever and always...
Chapter Four: The Winter Dance, Part 2
She didn't answer, she didn't even look up. She just kept sobbing into her hands, wiping tears, only to have more come in their place.
"Jackie..." Hyde groaned, leaning against the wall.
Hyde had spent many nights in the school courtyard.
Whenever his parents were fighting, or missing, he would break into the courtyard and sit here under the stars, on this very bench, and just think, zone out. Ironic how his special place had been invaded by Jackie Burkhart of all people.
He was deep in thought when he realized that Jackie's constant sobs had subdued, and she was rubbing her arms gently, as a light breeze pushed her tangled brown hair around.
He looked down at her, happy that she wasn't a crying mess any longer.
In fact, she looked really tranquil and calm, but only for a second, as Kelso came running into the courtyard, calling out for her.
The courtyard was dark, except for the one lantern that was in the middle, by the trees. Of course, Jackie and Hyde were by the dimly lit bench.
Jackie's face scrunched up with uncertainty when she heard Kelso call her and before he knew what he was doing, Hyde held out his hand to Jackie, and she took it.
He stood up on the bench and helped her climb the wall of the courtyard, whispering for her to sit on the top of the cement wall. She did as she was told as he hopped over the wall and landed on the other side, and held his arms up for her.
Her eyes gleamed down at his with extreme confusion.
"Jackie," Hyde whispered, "Trust me."
She shut her eyes, and jumped down, relieved when Hyde's arms caught her frail body. He lowered to the ground and dusted himself off, and started to walk off into the street.
"Jackie!" She heard Michael scream from the other side. "Are you here?"
She ran off after Hyde, holding up her dress as her tiny white heels clicked against the pavement. Her feet were incredibly sore, and she really didn't care what her mother said about beauty demanding sacrifice, she couldn't bear to wear them any longer. She hopped along as she took off her shoes, holding them by the straps as she caught up with Hyde, who had his hands stuffed in his pockets.
The breeze began to pick up and Hyde noticed tiny goosebumps popping up on Jackie's arms.
"Here." He muttered, slipping off his denim jacket and handing it to her.
She smiled appreciatively, as she slipped it onto her shoulders and tiptoed down the street carefully.
"Watch out for that broken glass." Hyde instructed, pointing to an area in front of her.
Jackie stepped around it and whispered, "Thanks."
"Where do you live?"
Jackie gaped at him suddenly, since everyone who was anyone knew where the Burkhart's lived. But, well, she had to face it: Steven Hyde wasn't just anyone.
"Why?" She asked cautiously.
"It's practically midnight. I can't just let you walk home by yourself."
"Yes, you can." She said, in a frustrated tone.
"Fine." He huffed, pushing past her.
"Fine!" She screamed, crossing her arms, and marching up the street, making sure she was going fast enough to be able to break into a run, and slow enough so that she won't catch up to him.
Jackie couldn't help but hear all these strange noises and see all these strange shadows and soon she did break into a run and practically ran right into him. As she caught her breath, he simply smirked at her.
"I live in The Pavilion." She managed to get out. "Walk me home."
"Well, since you asked so nicely..."
"Shut up." Jackie muttered, gearing her eyes towards the floor.
"Only if you do."
Jackie gave him a nod in agreement and the two walked in silence, finally reaching Jackie's street.
As she reached the front door, Hyde quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her aside, off the lit porch.
"What the hell are you doing?" She screeched.
He clamped his hand over her mouth, but quickly withdrew his hand in disgust. "I was going to help you sneak into your room. It's like, two in the morning."
"So?" Jackie asked nonchalantly.
"Don't you have a curfew?"
"Curfews are for babies."
"Baby," Hyde cooed quietly, giving Jackie a whole new set of Goosebumps, "I repeat, don't you have a curfew?"
Jackie sighed, walking back to the door, "My parents aren't even home."
"Oh." Hyde muttered, crossing his arms. "That's cool."
"Well, thanks for walking me home..." She said with a unsure smile as she opened the door, "If you tell anyone, I'll kill you."
"Why would I tell someone that I was with YOU?"
"Why wouldn't you?" Jackie counterattacked, flipping her hair. She slipped into the house, but Hyde caught the door before she could close it.
"Jackie, wait..."
"Yes?" She asked, growing impatient. She was tired. She was upset. She wanted to sleep it all off.
"Kelso's my best friend. And as his best friend I can tell you that if you're going to ..." He paused, not sure of how to word this, "If you're going to see him, you know, that way..."
Jackie yawned with slight annoyance.
"This isn't the first time you're going to get hurt."
"Okay, you know what?" Jackie said, with more emotion then she intended. "I am Jackie freakin' Burkhart and I can do whatever I want. So if I want to see Michael Kelso, in *that* way, then I can."
Hyde didn't flinch. "I was just trying to warn you."
"Ha." Jackie hadn't realized that her eyes had begun to well up. "Michael likes me. A lot. And that's all I need to know."
"Yeah," He began, "You and every other girl."
"Get out of my house!" Jackie screamed, her voice echoing throughout the main hall.
"I'm not in your house." Hyde said - which was true, since he was standing on the porch.
"Fine!" Jackie screamed, slamming the door in his face.
She ran upstairs quickly, slamming her bedroom door as well, and sheepishly looked out her window, watching his figure walk off into the street, without a care in the world.
God, she hated him.
Who gave him the right to judge her?
He was always trying to tell her what to do, but he didn't even know her.
He was so...so...
Jackie paced across her room furiously, and suddenly realized she still had his jacket on. She took it off, folding it carefully, and smelled it.
It smelled like alcohol and cigarettes, but deep down, by the collar there was a different smell. It reminded her of her father's aftershave, clean and crisp.
She threw the jacket into her closet, all the way on the top so no one, not even her, could see the evidence that would prove that she actually hung out with someone so poor and so freakish.
Meanwhile, Hyde had started to make his way back to the courtyard, to spend another restless night there, when Kelso popped out, Pam Macy on his arm.
"Hey Hyde!" Kelso shouted, which Pam punched him for.
"Michael, you'll wake up my parents!"
Hyde looked up and down the street and realized that he was standing in front of Pam's house, and that Michael and Pam were sitting on the curb of Pam's street. Which also happened to be Jackie's street.
"Why are you here?" Pam asked inquisitively.
"Oh, you know me. I'm a wandering delinquent."
"A what?" Pam asked, smacking her gum down.
"Never mind." Hyde said, shaking his head sadly. "Kelso, can we talk for a second?"
Kelso went off to the side with Hyde, while Pam picked at her nails.
"Why are you consorting with the devil?" Hyde asked, staring at Pam.
"Hey, Hyde, dude, we've only been to second base. We haven't consorted. Not yet."
Hyde just grimaced and ignored this comment. "Why are you with her, Kelso?"
"Oh." Kelso said, "She's hot, man."
"She's Pam Macy, man, come on." Hyde groaned. "Didn't you have a different date?"
"Jackie?" Kelso rolled his eyes. "She ditched me."
"Because you were dancing with Amber." Hyde reminded him.
"So, two wrongs make a right."
"No, you idiot, two wrongs don't make a right."
"They don't?" Kelso scratched his head and laughed it off. "Oops."
"Listen, Jackie likes you, for some reason." Hyde said, trying not to sound concerned. "Go to her, she's home alone and she's upset, because of you."
"She's home alone?" Kelso asked with concern.
"Go." He looked back at Pam, "I'll take care of Pam Macy."
"I don't know Hyde, Pam doesn't just get with anyone, you know."
"Kelso, leave. Now." He pushed Kelso in the right direction and watching him walk up the hill. He then turned back to Pam, who was still staring at her nails.
"Hey, Pam." He sat down next to her, grimacing slightly.
"Ew." She muttered. "Where did Kelso go?"
"He went to go apologize to Jackie. You know, your best friend."
"Oh, yeah." She rolled her eyes. "Dammit, I really wanted to make out with him or something." She gazed at Hyde, pulling at his loosened tie, "I guess you'll have to do."
She pulled him in for a sloppy kiss, and then let go.
"Ew." She muttered again, and Hyde grabbed her, kissing her with all his might.
"I thought you hated me..." Pam said with slight surprise.
"I do." Hyde confirmed, as he stood up. "Later."
"What, where are you going?"
"Away. From. You." He said slowly, smirking.
"But that kiss...it was..."
"Hot. I know." He smiled at Pam with slight redemption.
"You can't just leave after a kiss like that!" She screamed out to him as he walked away, smirking with success.
"Watch me." He muttered, sarcastically, in a way he's known for as Pam Macy stomped into her house, upset and annoyed.
Kelso wasn't sure if he should ring the bell or knock or what...the house looked so big and looming, that it kind of scared him. So, he decided to climb through one of the windows, which involved climbing onto a tree next to the house and then jumping to the closest window, which he knew from many years of stalking Jackie, was her bedroom. He flung himself at the window, smiling with brilliance as he grabbed the banister of the small balcony outside of Jackie's window. He heard some rustling inside, since he had made such a loud noise, Jackie had probably heard him. He saw her head appear in the window, a stream of light poured out as she opened the window and came out to the balcony, in a white nightgown. He had never seen anything so gorgeous in his life, as her bare feet came out first, then the rest of her, her brown curls cascading down her shoulders.
"Michael?" She asked timidly, squinting to see.
He came around the banister and was careful not to stop on her toes and took her hand.
"Jackie, I am so sorry." He said quietly. "I never meant to hurt you."
"It's ok." Jackie said with a smile, giving him a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I forgive you."
"Good." He said happily, his eyes slightly dreamy. "Well,"
"Well," She repeated, staring off at the stars, the very same stars that Hyde was presently staring at from the courtyard bench.
"I'll see you in school?" Kelso offered.
Jackie nodded, laughing as Kelso started to climb back over the balcony.
"Michael, we're three stories up. Why don't you leave through the front door?"
"Good idea." He said with a laugh, hauling his legs back to her side of the banister. "You're so smart."
One of us has to be if we're going to do this, she thought, as she led him to the door.
"Michael, what made you come up here?" She asked, as she opened the front door for him.
"Hyde." He said, "Which is weird, cause usually he doesn't want me to have anything to do with you."
"Well, maybe someone set him straight." She said, smiling to herself.
"Maybe." Kelso said, shrugging. "See you later, Jackie."
"Good night, Michael." She shut the door and went back to her bedroom, feeling slightly better then she did before.
She couldn't wait for her mother to come back from Mexico, if that's where she even is, and tell her about her new boyfriend and the dance and everything. Of course, she'd have to leave out the whole part about Hyde, but still...it's not like he meant anything to Jackie anyway.
Well...
No, he's not important.
He can't be.
He's poor and scruffy and a freak.
Michael's cute...and...
Jackie shrugged, feeling absolutely torn.
All she knew was that Michael Kelso was popular and Steven Hyde wasn't.
And when her mom comes back, it's Michael Kelso she would want to hear about, not Steven Hyde.
So it was settled.
It would be Mrs. Jackie Kelso.
Forever and always...