Title: That Long Hot Summer
Notes: I'm destined to be the slowest writer ever, and have the shortest chapters possible. Sorry about that. Thanks go out to Annie, who always makes me feel good about my writing.
Chapter Two
"I won't be back 'till later Mrs. Forman." Hyde said as he entered the kitchen.
"Oh Steven, are you sure you can't take Eric with you?" Kitty asked as Hyde walked towards the patio door.
"About that." He stopped and turned to face her. "He hasn't come out of his room for a week, and the last time I saw him all he could do was mumble something about how he shouldn't have let love slip through his fingers. So…yeah, I'm pretty sure I can't take your son with me."
Kitty looked stunned for a second, then burst out laughing. "Oh that poor boy. Well you go and have fun; I'll stay here with Mr. Mopeypants."
She was right about Eric's moping. He had spent the first week of summer vacation in his room, hiding under the covers; or in the basement lamenting his love life. It was understandable for the first couple of days, but now he was at the point where nobody wanted to be brought down by his constant ramblings.
Hyde opened the patio door and saw Jackie and Fez sitting on the patio chairs, huddled together, deep in conversation. As he approached them, he noticed they were bent over one of Jackie's magazines.
Fez nodded his head. "Oh, I would definitely go with the blue."
"What are you doing?" Hyde asked.
"Helping pick out napkins and tablecloths, I have an eye for colour." Fez beamed.
Hyde stared at him for a second. Jackie had spent the entire week in the basement flipping through wedding magazines and asking him annoying questions. Nothing he said would change her mind, she was convinced Kelso would be back in a few weeks and be as enthusiastic as she was. He didn't want to acknowledge the nagging feeling in the back of his mind that told him she was going to get hurt.
"Picking out napkin colours? Why are you encouraging her? And you—"He pointed at Jackie. "you know what…never mind, I'm outta here."
His path was blocked by Jackie and Fez, who had both bolted out of their chairs and demanded, in unison, to know where he was going.
"Away from you losers." He raised his hand and gave them a short wave. "See ya."
He was two steps closer to the car when Jackie let out a small squeal, ran around Fez and stood in front of him. "Oh my god. You're going to a party!"
"No I'm not." He deadpanned. How did she know these things? She must have some weird sixth sense that saw right through him. Unless she actually listened to what he was saying.
"Yes you are." She persisted. "You're going to that big party in Kenosha. Everyone who is anyone is going to be there."
Hyde looked down at her and couldn't resist a burn. "Well, that everyone won't include you, now will it?" He smiled as she stomped her foot in frustration and glared at him.
Fez came up beside him with his hands on his hips. "Come on Hyde. Take your buddy Fez along. We'll help each other out in the hunt for hot slutty women."
Hyde laughed at the thought. "Don't need your help man."
"But this could be my only chance to become a man." Fez tried to argue.
"Well that's too bad, 'cause you're still not coming." He smirked and patted Fez on the shoulder.
"But…you…you can't do that!" Fez sputtered and looked over at Jackie who didn't even try to mask her displeasure at being left behind. Hyde waggled his eyebrows at them, which made Fez sit down on one of the chairs and pout. They continued to stare at each other for a few moments, each trying to silently wear the other down. Just when Hyde decided they had played this game long enough, he saw Mrs. Forman walking towards the door.
"Oh good, you two kids are still here. You can help me get my sad little boy out of bed." Kitty said through the screen door.
Two sets of wide eyes stared at Hyde, pleading for him to take them away. They had both been witness to Eric's constant lamentation over losing Donna to the lure of the Pacific. And Mrs. Forman had on her 'I won't take no for an answer' look. He could imagine how much fun they would have trying to get a depressed, and smelly, Eric Forman out of his room.
Hyde closed his eyes, knowing that he would regret what he was about to do. "Actually Mrs. Forman, they're coming with me to Kenosha." As soon as the words were out of his mouth he could see Jackie and Fez hopping up and down excitedly.
Mrs. Forman tilted her head to the side and gave him a strange look. "huh…Oh…Ok, kids. Have a good time." She said with a laugh and a wink. He thought, for a second, that she was going to give him a hard time. She always managed to insinuate there was something going on between him and Jackie. And it had gotten worse since Kelso had been away.
Hyde let out a small groan, and turned towards the car. It had started out as such a good day. How did he get himself into these situations?
"Thank you Steven." Jackie said as she softly kissed him on the cheek.
"Just…get in the car."
Hyde watched as Jackie raced around the back of the vehicle, opened the door and let Fez slide in before her. He shook his head in exasperation.
"Jackie, what are you doing?" His voice stopped her before she could slide onto the seat.
"I want to sit by the window."
"Oh no you don't."
"Yes, I do."
He rested his arms on the roof of the El Camino and laced his fingers together. "You just don't get it, do you?"
She raised her eyebrows in silent challenge.
"Fez," he raised his voice, but didn't look away from Jackie, "Get out of the car."
"But—"
"Now!" Hyde's voice reverberated throughout the car.
Jackie tilted her head and watched as a startled Fez scurried out of the car and stood beside her. "You--" Hyde pointed a finger at Jackie, "get in and shut up or you're not going anywhere."
When he finally saw them seated in the proper spot he slid into the drivers seat, and turned to face his two friends.
"Here are the ground rules. If you do anything stupid, I don't know you; If I can't find you when I'm ready to go, I leave you; and if, by some miracle of god, either of you hook up with someone, do –not- use this car for your perverse pleasure. Understood?" He looked pointedly at the two sitting beside him.
"Ten four good buddy." Fez nodded.
"Jackie?" Hyde prodded when she didn't answer.
"What?"
"Are we clear?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes. Crystal clear."
He let out a short huff, she was going to be the death of him, only two weeks into the summer and he was already letting her tag along. At this rate they would be best friends by the end of the month. The thought sickened him. There was no good reason why they should be friends or even get along. And he certainly shouldn't be watching out for her while her idiot boyfriend was away.
But he did. And he couldn't quite figure out why.
Hyde looked at her for a few seconds before shaking his head and starting the car. The radio cut through the occupants silent musings.
"—Farmers Almanac calls for one of the hottest summers on record. Current temperature is 90 and will drop to a low of 75 tonight—"
"Sounds like it's gonna be a hot one." Fez said absently as Hyde backed the vehicle out of the driveway and headed for the highway.
…to be continued.