In The Beginning
Chapter Thirty One: The Summer Dance, Part 1
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Eric, guess what?!"
Jackie burst through the basement door, freezing as soon as she spotted Kelso, sitting on the arm of the sofa, slurping carelessly at a dripping orange popsicle. Kelso's attention turned to Jackie as she let her muscles relax and folded her arms across her chest, scanning the room for anyone else.
"What!?" Kelso asked eagerly.
"Sorry," Jackie mumbled nervously, sidestepping Kelso and walking briskly to the back room, to check up on Hyde. She knew he wasn't there, since she just got back from visiting him at work, but she just couldn't stand to spend any alone time with her former flame. Things were just too weird between them. Maybe it was more on her part then his, since he seemed pretty comfortable with just being friends. But in the back of Jackie's mind, she almost regrets the fact that she dumped Michael Kelso, the boy she thought she was supposed to be with. The old her still wanted to have that safety net. She had become really good at avoiding him, but now she was stuck, between Hyde's empty room and Kelso, shoving the wooden popsicle stick into his throat, finishing it off with one bite, staring at her intently. "Um," Jackie paused, darting her eyes back and forth, "Where's Eric?"
"He's upstairs, finishing up some chores before Red gets home." Kelso slid onto the cushions of the couch, lying down as he threw his bare Popsicle stick onto the table in front of him.
"Oh, well, I should..." Jackie started walking towards the stairs, ready to make a run for it.
"What color is your dress going to be?" Jackie froze once more, intrigued by Kelso's question. Kelso's eyes were deeply focused on the flashing TV screen in front of him. Jackie was so distracted by Kelso's presence that she couldn't even comprehend what show was on.
"Huh?" Jackie managed to slip out as she leaned against a wooden beam for support.
"Your dress, for the Summer Dance. What color is it going to be?" Kelso never lifted his gaze off the TV, which Jackie now recognized was featuring a rerun of Charlie's Angels. No wonder he was so focused. "You always look really good in purple."
"Lavender," Jackie smiled to herself, "My dress is lavender."
Kelso turned his head towards Jackie, sharing her internal smile.
Jackie's stomach started to ache from the goofy look in Kelso's eyes. She glanced up the stairs, praying that Eric would suddenly parade down them.
"Jackie," Jackie whipped her head around at her name, waiting for Kelso to continue. "Do you have any friends who need a date for the dance?"
"Why?" Jackie laughed, glancing up the stairs again, a bitter tone rising in her voice. "Did the Barbie twins kill each other over you or something?"
"No, but that would be sweet!" Kelso laughed whole-heartedly. "Actually, I decided not to go with Lacey, or Stacey." Kelso frowned at how similar the names were. It was quite a nuisance.
A painful knot formed in Jackie's queasy stomach as she wearily sat down on the bottom steps, leaning her head on the beam.
"They're just not..." He turned to face Jackie, making her knot grow as his eyes became serious and almost sad.
He sighed, hard and deep, wiping at his eyes and turned back to Charlie's Angels.
"They're just not the type of girl I'm looking for, I guess."
The knot took over Jackie's senses and her eyes started to water with worry.
"Hey, Jackie. What's up?"
Thank god, Jackie thought to herself as Eric's feet passed her. She watched as he grabbed a Popsicle from the freezer and sat on the back of the couch, kicking Kelso's legs jokingly.
"Eric, I have some awesome news!" Jackie's main reason for coming by the basement suddenly popped back into her confused head as soon as she saw him. Jackie felt joy wash over her as she stood up, waving her hands frantically as she ran towards the boys, blocking their view of the TV.
Eric and Kelso exchanged glances before turning to Jackie, waiting for her to explain.
"Ok, well, it all started this morning. I was doing my hair, which takes so long because Donna's blow dryer is so cheap. No wonder Donna's hair is so...blah." Jackie huffed sadly, snapping out of it as Eric's eyes widened in annoyance. "Anyway, this lawyer came by Donna's house and he was wearing a really ugly suit. I mean, you would think a big time lawyer could afford a nicer suit, but..."
"Jackie, can you just get to the point?" Eric muttered.
Jackie closed her eyes and sat in Hyde's chair, opening her eyes as she went on.
"Some aunt of mine died last week..."
"Oh, gosh, Jackie, I'm sorry about your aunt." Eric said instantly.
"Oh, whatever. I only met her once and she had buck teeth. But anyway, she left me a lot of money in her will!" Jackie jumped up. "I'm rich again!"
"Oh, wow, Jackie that is awesome." Eric said unenthusiastically, getting up to switch the channel on the TV.
Jackie raised her eyebrows in question, leaning in angrily, "Aren't you happy for me, Eric? Now, when you take me shopping, I can actually buy clothes."
"Ok, one – we are never going shopping together again and two, you did buy clothes Jackie, remember?"
"But not any overpriced ones!"
"Well, I for one, am very happy for you, Jackie." Kelso smirked, standing up and patting Jackie's shoulder awkwardly. "So, can I borrow five bucks?"
"No, Michael." Jackie pursed her lips in frustration, angrily staring at Eric who simply stared at the screen in return.
"That is so like the rich." Kelso huffed, heading towards the door. "They don't know how to share!"
Jackie rolled her eyes as Kelso slammed the door behind him, then stood up and moved herself to the couch, next to Eric, staring at him till he cocked his head her way, demanding to know why she was burning holes into him with her angry gaze.
"So," Eric rolled his eyes bitterly and turned to face her completely, "I guess this means you aren't going to work at Pricemart."
Jackie leaned back onto the couch, biting her lip as her eyes softened.
"I guess so..." Jackie paused, furrowing her brow in thought. "I mean, I don't really need to work anymore, but," She glanced at Eric, giving him a bright smile, "I think I kind of want to."
"You do?" Eric asked, slightly shocked.
"Well," Jackie cleared her throat, staring at the screen ahead of her, "Just in case my funds run low again, you know."
"Right." Eric paused, glancing sideways towards Jackie. "Jackie, are we like, friends now?"
"I thought we already were friends." Jackie said with an innocent grin, before punching him in the arm gently. "I got to go back to Donna's. Bob said that if I set the table I won't have to clean up afterwards, and well, dirty dishes are gross."
Eric grinned at Jackie as she left the basement.
It was nice to have a girl, besides Donna, to hang out with. Even if Jackie was bossy, shrill, and extremely self centered. She was also sweet and funny. And she was easy on the eyes. Yeah, Eric would much rather be hanging with Jackie then let's say, Fez, or Kelso. Cause while Kelso, Fez, and Jackie all say dumb things, at least looking at Jackie would be fun.
"Is she gone?" Kelso's head popped out from the stairs. Eric nodded in confirmation as Kelso trampled down the stairs and sat back down on the couch. "Thank god you came down the stairs when you did, Eric. Things with Jackie are..."
Kelso's voice trailed off as Hyde slammed the door behind him, throwing his jacket and keys on the record player and taking his seat.
"Things with Jackie are what, Kelso?" Hyde asked, keeping his zen on.
"Weird." Kelso finished, "Yeah, I have to go..." Kelso nearly tripped over Hyde's feet as he ran back up the stairs.
"I guess things with you and Kelso are weird as well." Eric said lamely.
"Whatever, man." Hyde groaned, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I just bumped into Jackie in the driveway. I mean I love the girl, but she's annoying as hell. All day she was bugging me at work about that lame dance coming up." Hyde got up to grab himself a popsicle, turning back to Eric. "Steven, what color corsage are you getting me? Steven, what time should we go? Steven, I can't wait to be Summer Queen!" Eric laughed at Hyde's impersonations. "Steven, I'm rich again so now I can buy a new dress! I mean, does she really think I care?"
"Well, all girls are like that." Eric groaned. "Donna was bugging me about the dance all day too."
"God, I just don't get girls." Hyde muttered, nodding towards Fez as he entered through the basement door, his ears perking up at the mention of girls. "It's a stupid school dance. It's being held in the gym, for Christ sake's."
"I love school dances." Fez smiled gleefully.
Eric and Hyde pretended not to hear that.
"Yeah, I know." Eric muttered. "And they expect you to be super nice to them just because it's a dance. Like, opening doors and fetching them punch."
"It's the '70's, man." Hyde groaned. "One second they're all, I am woman, here me roar and the next minute you're their bitch."
"I want to be someone's bitch." Fez grumbled sadly.
"You can be Jackie's bitch." Hyde laughed. "I don't even want to go this dance."
"It's not like we have a choice..." Eric raised his voice towards the end. "Do we?"
"Forman, if I could get out of it, I would." Hyde leaned back, pondering the idea as Eric stood up, snapping his fingers.
"We could go on strike!"
"On strike?" Fez laughed. "Are you insane?"
"Wait, Fez, Forman might actually have something here." Hyde stood up promptly, pacing the room and waving his Popsicle in thought, "I'm tired of doing everything Jackie wants. I'm not her servant, man. If we join together, we'll be unstoppable."
"But it'll never work!" Fez stood up. "Jackie is too powerful!"
"What about Donna?" Eric whispered. "She can hit really hard."
"We can take them." Hyde scoffed. "Come on, Forman. Are you going to be Donna's slave or are you going to fight the man?"
"The woman." Fez corrected.
"Whatever." Hyde muttered. "Are you in?"
Eric glanced at Fez who mouthed a huge 'no'. Then to Hyde, who was nodding his head ecstatically. Eric shoved his hand into Hyde's.
"Oh, I am so in!" Eric shouted happily.
"Ai." Fez mumbled. "I can't wait to see this."
"Here's your chance..." Hyde muttered, taking a seat as the two girls bounced into the basement, each holding a catalogue.
"Oh, Steven." Jackie smiled, plopping down on his lap and pointing to a picture in the catalogue. "I think this dress would compliment your eyes. What do you think?"
"Jackie, that dress is worth five of my paychecks." Hyde laughed, wrapping his arm around her.
"Well, you're not paying for it, silly." Jackie rolled her eyes towards Donna, who smirked as she sat next to Eric.
Eric, Fez, and Hyde exchanged glances as Donna and Jackie switched catalogues, each complimenting the other's choice in apparel.
"So, we were thinking of renting a limo." Donna glanced at Eric. "And since you boys are the only ones with jobs..."
"You want us to pay for a limo?" Eric asked girlishly.
"Eric, the Summer Dance only comes once a year!" Donna smiled seductively. "It would mean so much..."
"Be strong." Hyde said, surprising Jackie as he stood up, letting her body fall into his spot.
Donna and Jackie looked at each other, then at Eric as he stood up as well.
"We are not paying for a limo." Eric said sternly, earning a nod from Hyde.
"Fine." Donna said angrily. "I guess we'll just all go in your stinky Vista Cruiser."
"The Cruiser does that stink!" Eric shouted defiantly.
"Actually, Eric..." Fez stood up shyly, "I had left some of my tootsie rolls in there and they kind of melted...so..."
"Your car smells like crap." Jackie said wildly, stomping her foot in disapproval.
"At least I have a car!" Eric's eyes popped out in anger.
"Um, Eric..." Hyde mumbled towards his friend. "Jackie has a Lincoln."
"And it doesn't reek of melted tootsie rolls." Donna said bitterly.
"You don't even have your license." Eric scoffed at Jackie.
"Yeah, well in a few, short weeks, Steven will and he'll be driving my nice smelling Lincoln." Jackie's words stung Eric's face. "So there."
"Really?" Hyde glanced at Jackie, who nodded proudly.
"Hyde." Eric punched his friend's side softly.
"Oh, right..." Hyde mumbled. "Eric won't be able to drive us."
"Why not?" Donna demanded.
"This is so exciting!" Fez screeched suddenly, causing the four angry heads to rear his way. "Ai." Fez went towards the couch, watching TV and half listening to the couples argue.
"Because..." Eric mumbled nervously. "Because we are on strike!"
"Yeah, we're not going to the dance with you girls." Hyde said shakily.
Jackie and Donna's heads reeled back in shock as they glanced at each other.
"On strike?" They both asked angrily, laughing gently.
"Very funny, Steven." Jackie grabbed his arm. "Now, let's discuss what you're wearing."
"No, Jackie." Hyde pushed Jackie's arm off of his, "I'm not going to the dance."
Kelso appeared, smiling goofily. "What's up guys?"
"Eric, tell me that you are kidding." Donna bit her tongue to prevent herself from screaming.
"Don't hurt me." Eric jumped behind Hyde, using him as a shield as Donna's jaw dropped.
"I cannot believe you two!" Donna screamed.
"Buddy, give me the recap." Kelso sat next to Fez, who turned away from the TV.
"Eric and Hyde are fools who are on strike because they do not appreciate a woman's love and control." Fez said plainly, frustrated at Kelso's confused look. "Eric and Hyde aren't going to the dance." Kelso nodded in understanding as the two boys both glanced at the couples, each looking angrier by the second.
"You!" Jackie pointed at Hyde bitterly, "And you!" She pointed at Eric, who was taken aback by the tiny girl's anger. "Have about five seconds to take this all back."
"One." Donna counted gently.
"Two." Jackie continued, crossing her arms as Eric and Hyde glanced at one another.
"Three..." Donna's voice began to waver.
"Four..." Jackie and Donna exchanged worried glances.
A long pause was followed by Kelso screaming, "Five!"
"Oh my god!" Donna looked at Jackie in a panic. Jackie waved off Donna's confusion and let a knowing smile settle on her lips.
"I don't like that look.." Hyde said softly to Eric, who nodded.
Jackie grinned at the boys, turning around brashly towards Kelso.
"Michael, will you go the dance with me?" Jackie walked over to Kelso, holding out her hand.
"Me?" Kelso jumped up excitedly.
"Jackie..." Hyde started; angered by this attempt at making him jealous, since it was working.
Jackie turned around, "Well, are you going to go with me?"
Hyde looked at Eric for support, who clapped him on the back.
"I was just going to say..." Hyde started once more, walking towards Kelso. "That dress you picked won't match Kelso's eyes." Hyde batted his eyes in Jackie's direction, knowing that she loved the fierce blue that they were.
"I'll just wear my lavender one then." Jackie looped her arm into Kelso's, fighting the sensation Hyde's icy glare was giving her. "Michael was just telling me how much he loves me in lavender."
"That's purple, right?" Kelso asked.
"Oh, Michael." Jackie threw her head back laughing. "You're a riot."
She pulled him along upstairs, leaving an angry Hyde, an amused Fez, a concerned Eric, and a newly confident Donna.
"Now, who will I take to the dance?" Donna pouted her lips towards Eric, who sighed. "Fez..."
"Yes!" Fez stood up quickly. "Yes, I will go to the dance with you!"
"Good, let's go talk about how much fun will be having at the dance!" Donna gripped Fez's arms, pulling him towards the basement door, slamming it with an evil laugh.
"That did not go so well." Eric sat down on the edge of the couch.
"She can't go with Kelso." Hyde sat down. "He'll try to do stuff."
"What about Fez?" Eric whined. "You know how needy he gets!"
"Nice plan, Forman." Hyde muttered angrily, heading towards his back room.
Eric sighed once more, leaning back on the couch, trying to form another plan. As of now, the only thing he could thin of was pleading, sobbing, begging on his knees for Donna to let him take her to the dance. Maybe he'll do that.
But first he needs to get melted tootsie roll off his car seats.
Chapter Thirty One: The Summer Dance, Part 1
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Eric, guess what?!"
Jackie burst through the basement door, freezing as soon as she spotted Kelso, sitting on the arm of the sofa, slurping carelessly at a dripping orange popsicle. Kelso's attention turned to Jackie as she let her muscles relax and folded her arms across her chest, scanning the room for anyone else.
"What!?" Kelso asked eagerly.
"Sorry," Jackie mumbled nervously, sidestepping Kelso and walking briskly to the back room, to check up on Hyde. She knew he wasn't there, since she just got back from visiting him at work, but she just couldn't stand to spend any alone time with her former flame. Things were just too weird between them. Maybe it was more on her part then his, since he seemed pretty comfortable with just being friends. But in the back of Jackie's mind, she almost regrets the fact that she dumped Michael Kelso, the boy she thought she was supposed to be with. The old her still wanted to have that safety net. She had become really good at avoiding him, but now she was stuck, between Hyde's empty room and Kelso, shoving the wooden popsicle stick into his throat, finishing it off with one bite, staring at her intently. "Um," Jackie paused, darting her eyes back and forth, "Where's Eric?"
"He's upstairs, finishing up some chores before Red gets home." Kelso slid onto the cushions of the couch, lying down as he threw his bare Popsicle stick onto the table in front of him.
"Oh, well, I should..." Jackie started walking towards the stairs, ready to make a run for it.
"What color is your dress going to be?" Jackie froze once more, intrigued by Kelso's question. Kelso's eyes were deeply focused on the flashing TV screen in front of him. Jackie was so distracted by Kelso's presence that she couldn't even comprehend what show was on.
"Huh?" Jackie managed to slip out as she leaned against a wooden beam for support.
"Your dress, for the Summer Dance. What color is it going to be?" Kelso never lifted his gaze off the TV, which Jackie now recognized was featuring a rerun of Charlie's Angels. No wonder he was so focused. "You always look really good in purple."
"Lavender," Jackie smiled to herself, "My dress is lavender."
Kelso turned his head towards Jackie, sharing her internal smile.
Jackie's stomach started to ache from the goofy look in Kelso's eyes. She glanced up the stairs, praying that Eric would suddenly parade down them.
"Jackie," Jackie whipped her head around at her name, waiting for Kelso to continue. "Do you have any friends who need a date for the dance?"
"Why?" Jackie laughed, glancing up the stairs again, a bitter tone rising in her voice. "Did the Barbie twins kill each other over you or something?"
"No, but that would be sweet!" Kelso laughed whole-heartedly. "Actually, I decided not to go with Lacey, or Stacey." Kelso frowned at how similar the names were. It was quite a nuisance.
A painful knot formed in Jackie's queasy stomach as she wearily sat down on the bottom steps, leaning her head on the beam.
"They're just not..." He turned to face Jackie, making her knot grow as his eyes became serious and almost sad.
He sighed, hard and deep, wiping at his eyes and turned back to Charlie's Angels.
"They're just not the type of girl I'm looking for, I guess."
The knot took over Jackie's senses and her eyes started to water with worry.
"Hey, Jackie. What's up?"
Thank god, Jackie thought to herself as Eric's feet passed her. She watched as he grabbed a Popsicle from the freezer and sat on the back of the couch, kicking Kelso's legs jokingly.
"Eric, I have some awesome news!" Jackie's main reason for coming by the basement suddenly popped back into her confused head as soon as she saw him. Jackie felt joy wash over her as she stood up, waving her hands frantically as she ran towards the boys, blocking their view of the TV.
Eric and Kelso exchanged glances before turning to Jackie, waiting for her to explain.
"Ok, well, it all started this morning. I was doing my hair, which takes so long because Donna's blow dryer is so cheap. No wonder Donna's hair is so...blah." Jackie huffed sadly, snapping out of it as Eric's eyes widened in annoyance. "Anyway, this lawyer came by Donna's house and he was wearing a really ugly suit. I mean, you would think a big time lawyer could afford a nicer suit, but..."
"Jackie, can you just get to the point?" Eric muttered.
Jackie closed her eyes and sat in Hyde's chair, opening her eyes as she went on.
"Some aunt of mine died last week..."
"Oh, gosh, Jackie, I'm sorry about your aunt." Eric said instantly.
"Oh, whatever. I only met her once and she had buck teeth. But anyway, she left me a lot of money in her will!" Jackie jumped up. "I'm rich again!"
"Oh, wow, Jackie that is awesome." Eric said unenthusiastically, getting up to switch the channel on the TV.
Jackie raised her eyebrows in question, leaning in angrily, "Aren't you happy for me, Eric? Now, when you take me shopping, I can actually buy clothes."
"Ok, one – we are never going shopping together again and two, you did buy clothes Jackie, remember?"
"But not any overpriced ones!"
"Well, I for one, am very happy for you, Jackie." Kelso smirked, standing up and patting Jackie's shoulder awkwardly. "So, can I borrow five bucks?"
"No, Michael." Jackie pursed her lips in frustration, angrily staring at Eric who simply stared at the screen in return.
"That is so like the rich." Kelso huffed, heading towards the door. "They don't know how to share!"
Jackie rolled her eyes as Kelso slammed the door behind him, then stood up and moved herself to the couch, next to Eric, staring at him till he cocked his head her way, demanding to know why she was burning holes into him with her angry gaze.
"So," Eric rolled his eyes bitterly and turned to face her completely, "I guess this means you aren't going to work at Pricemart."
Jackie leaned back onto the couch, biting her lip as her eyes softened.
"I guess so..." Jackie paused, furrowing her brow in thought. "I mean, I don't really need to work anymore, but," She glanced at Eric, giving him a bright smile, "I think I kind of want to."
"You do?" Eric asked, slightly shocked.
"Well," Jackie cleared her throat, staring at the screen ahead of her, "Just in case my funds run low again, you know."
"Right." Eric paused, glancing sideways towards Jackie. "Jackie, are we like, friends now?"
"I thought we already were friends." Jackie said with an innocent grin, before punching him in the arm gently. "I got to go back to Donna's. Bob said that if I set the table I won't have to clean up afterwards, and well, dirty dishes are gross."
Eric grinned at Jackie as she left the basement.
It was nice to have a girl, besides Donna, to hang out with. Even if Jackie was bossy, shrill, and extremely self centered. She was also sweet and funny. And she was easy on the eyes. Yeah, Eric would much rather be hanging with Jackie then let's say, Fez, or Kelso. Cause while Kelso, Fez, and Jackie all say dumb things, at least looking at Jackie would be fun.
"Is she gone?" Kelso's head popped out from the stairs. Eric nodded in confirmation as Kelso trampled down the stairs and sat back down on the couch. "Thank god you came down the stairs when you did, Eric. Things with Jackie are..."
Kelso's voice trailed off as Hyde slammed the door behind him, throwing his jacket and keys on the record player and taking his seat.
"Things with Jackie are what, Kelso?" Hyde asked, keeping his zen on.
"Weird." Kelso finished, "Yeah, I have to go..." Kelso nearly tripped over Hyde's feet as he ran back up the stairs.
"I guess things with you and Kelso are weird as well." Eric said lamely.
"Whatever, man." Hyde groaned, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I just bumped into Jackie in the driveway. I mean I love the girl, but she's annoying as hell. All day she was bugging me at work about that lame dance coming up." Hyde got up to grab himself a popsicle, turning back to Eric. "Steven, what color corsage are you getting me? Steven, what time should we go? Steven, I can't wait to be Summer Queen!" Eric laughed at Hyde's impersonations. "Steven, I'm rich again so now I can buy a new dress! I mean, does she really think I care?"
"Well, all girls are like that." Eric groaned. "Donna was bugging me about the dance all day too."
"God, I just don't get girls." Hyde muttered, nodding towards Fez as he entered through the basement door, his ears perking up at the mention of girls. "It's a stupid school dance. It's being held in the gym, for Christ sake's."
"I love school dances." Fez smiled gleefully.
Eric and Hyde pretended not to hear that.
"Yeah, I know." Eric muttered. "And they expect you to be super nice to them just because it's a dance. Like, opening doors and fetching them punch."
"It's the '70's, man." Hyde groaned. "One second they're all, I am woman, here me roar and the next minute you're their bitch."
"I want to be someone's bitch." Fez grumbled sadly.
"You can be Jackie's bitch." Hyde laughed. "I don't even want to go this dance."
"It's not like we have a choice..." Eric raised his voice towards the end. "Do we?"
"Forman, if I could get out of it, I would." Hyde leaned back, pondering the idea as Eric stood up, snapping his fingers.
"We could go on strike!"
"On strike?" Fez laughed. "Are you insane?"
"Wait, Fez, Forman might actually have something here." Hyde stood up promptly, pacing the room and waving his Popsicle in thought, "I'm tired of doing everything Jackie wants. I'm not her servant, man. If we join together, we'll be unstoppable."
"But it'll never work!" Fez stood up. "Jackie is too powerful!"
"What about Donna?" Eric whispered. "She can hit really hard."
"We can take them." Hyde scoffed. "Come on, Forman. Are you going to be Donna's slave or are you going to fight the man?"
"The woman." Fez corrected.
"Whatever." Hyde muttered. "Are you in?"
Eric glanced at Fez who mouthed a huge 'no'. Then to Hyde, who was nodding his head ecstatically. Eric shoved his hand into Hyde's.
"Oh, I am so in!" Eric shouted happily.
"Ai." Fez mumbled. "I can't wait to see this."
"Here's your chance..." Hyde muttered, taking a seat as the two girls bounced into the basement, each holding a catalogue.
"Oh, Steven." Jackie smiled, plopping down on his lap and pointing to a picture in the catalogue. "I think this dress would compliment your eyes. What do you think?"
"Jackie, that dress is worth five of my paychecks." Hyde laughed, wrapping his arm around her.
"Well, you're not paying for it, silly." Jackie rolled her eyes towards Donna, who smirked as she sat next to Eric.
Eric, Fez, and Hyde exchanged glances as Donna and Jackie switched catalogues, each complimenting the other's choice in apparel.
"So, we were thinking of renting a limo." Donna glanced at Eric. "And since you boys are the only ones with jobs..."
"You want us to pay for a limo?" Eric asked girlishly.
"Eric, the Summer Dance only comes once a year!" Donna smiled seductively. "It would mean so much..."
"Be strong." Hyde said, surprising Jackie as he stood up, letting her body fall into his spot.
Donna and Jackie looked at each other, then at Eric as he stood up as well.
"We are not paying for a limo." Eric said sternly, earning a nod from Hyde.
"Fine." Donna said angrily. "I guess we'll just all go in your stinky Vista Cruiser."
"The Cruiser does that stink!" Eric shouted defiantly.
"Actually, Eric..." Fez stood up shyly, "I had left some of my tootsie rolls in there and they kind of melted...so..."
"Your car smells like crap." Jackie said wildly, stomping her foot in disapproval.
"At least I have a car!" Eric's eyes popped out in anger.
"Um, Eric..." Hyde mumbled towards his friend. "Jackie has a Lincoln."
"And it doesn't reek of melted tootsie rolls." Donna said bitterly.
"You don't even have your license." Eric scoffed at Jackie.
"Yeah, well in a few, short weeks, Steven will and he'll be driving my nice smelling Lincoln." Jackie's words stung Eric's face. "So there."
"Really?" Hyde glanced at Jackie, who nodded proudly.
"Hyde." Eric punched his friend's side softly.
"Oh, right..." Hyde mumbled. "Eric won't be able to drive us."
"Why not?" Donna demanded.
"This is so exciting!" Fez screeched suddenly, causing the four angry heads to rear his way. "Ai." Fez went towards the couch, watching TV and half listening to the couples argue.
"Because..." Eric mumbled nervously. "Because we are on strike!"
"Yeah, we're not going to the dance with you girls." Hyde said shakily.
Jackie and Donna's heads reeled back in shock as they glanced at each other.
"On strike?" They both asked angrily, laughing gently.
"Very funny, Steven." Jackie grabbed his arm. "Now, let's discuss what you're wearing."
"No, Jackie." Hyde pushed Jackie's arm off of his, "I'm not going to the dance."
Kelso appeared, smiling goofily. "What's up guys?"
"Eric, tell me that you are kidding." Donna bit her tongue to prevent herself from screaming.
"Don't hurt me." Eric jumped behind Hyde, using him as a shield as Donna's jaw dropped.
"I cannot believe you two!" Donna screamed.
"Buddy, give me the recap." Kelso sat next to Fez, who turned away from the TV.
"Eric and Hyde are fools who are on strike because they do not appreciate a woman's love and control." Fez said plainly, frustrated at Kelso's confused look. "Eric and Hyde aren't going to the dance." Kelso nodded in understanding as the two boys both glanced at the couples, each looking angrier by the second.
"You!" Jackie pointed at Hyde bitterly, "And you!" She pointed at Eric, who was taken aback by the tiny girl's anger. "Have about five seconds to take this all back."
"One." Donna counted gently.
"Two." Jackie continued, crossing her arms as Eric and Hyde glanced at one another.
"Three..." Donna's voice began to waver.
"Four..." Jackie and Donna exchanged worried glances.
A long pause was followed by Kelso screaming, "Five!"
"Oh my god!" Donna looked at Jackie in a panic. Jackie waved off Donna's confusion and let a knowing smile settle on her lips.
"I don't like that look.." Hyde said softly to Eric, who nodded.
Jackie grinned at the boys, turning around brashly towards Kelso.
"Michael, will you go the dance with me?" Jackie walked over to Kelso, holding out her hand.
"Me?" Kelso jumped up excitedly.
"Jackie..." Hyde started; angered by this attempt at making him jealous, since it was working.
Jackie turned around, "Well, are you going to go with me?"
Hyde looked at Eric for support, who clapped him on the back.
"I was just going to say..." Hyde started once more, walking towards Kelso. "That dress you picked won't match Kelso's eyes." Hyde batted his eyes in Jackie's direction, knowing that she loved the fierce blue that they were.
"I'll just wear my lavender one then." Jackie looped her arm into Kelso's, fighting the sensation Hyde's icy glare was giving her. "Michael was just telling me how much he loves me in lavender."
"That's purple, right?" Kelso asked.
"Oh, Michael." Jackie threw her head back laughing. "You're a riot."
She pulled him along upstairs, leaving an angry Hyde, an amused Fez, a concerned Eric, and a newly confident Donna.
"Now, who will I take to the dance?" Donna pouted her lips towards Eric, who sighed. "Fez..."
"Yes!" Fez stood up quickly. "Yes, I will go to the dance with you!"
"Good, let's go talk about how much fun will be having at the dance!" Donna gripped Fez's arms, pulling him towards the basement door, slamming it with an evil laugh.
"That did not go so well." Eric sat down on the edge of the couch.
"She can't go with Kelso." Hyde sat down. "He'll try to do stuff."
"What about Fez?" Eric whined. "You know how needy he gets!"
"Nice plan, Forman." Hyde muttered angrily, heading towards his back room.
Eric sighed once more, leaning back on the couch, trying to form another plan. As of now, the only thing he could thin of was pleading, sobbing, begging on his knees for Donna to let him take her to the dance. Maybe he'll do that.
But first he needs to get melted tootsie roll off his car seats.