So obviously Jackie wasn't ready to face school on Tuesday either and sitting at home with her drunk mom all day didn't sound very appealing either. She took the keys to the Lincoln and decided to just start driving. She was exhausted after driving an hour to a secluded look-out spot where she usually found herself whenever she wanted to get away from things. She had never stopped here with anyone and only mentioned it once to Steven a long time ago, back when he thought she was a blabbering idiot and never paid attention to her. She felt safe there and reached back for a blanket of some sort and found her father's thick, old jacket that still held his scent. She wrapped herself in the jacket and let herself just rest for the first time in weeks. She thought over what a mess she'd gotten herself into with Steven. He really was the love of her life and she knew it because she had never been as happy as the day her test came back positive. But was she the love of his life? She supposed that if she meant anything to him that he would surely come up with some big gesture to prove it. And with this thought she drifted into a deep, sound sleep.
Hyde had called everyone and even went beyond cruising the school, he went in and had them call her over the intercom. He highly doubted she would go to school but he was pretty desperate. He needed to apologize for how he could never find the right words to comfort her with. Finally, he was driving around searching his mind for any place she might be when he turned on the main road and he remembered her talking about a spot she used to go. It was eons ago but he was at his wits end. When he saw the Lincoln he got out of his car and marched up to hers. He really had no idea what he was going to do or say but he just wanted to hold her again.
Jackie heard light rapping on the window and groggily looked over. Before her memory came back completely she grinned openly at the sight of her boyfriend. God she loved him! Then it hit her. Her smile faded and she slowly shifted over a seat unlocking the door so he could slide in. Hyde opened the door and sat next to Jackie without looking at her.
Steven: Jackie. I'm sorry, I just was so surprised that…my guard was down and I had no idea what to say so…I was worried about you and…everything came out wrong cause I'm just not the type of guy who's good with words.
Jackie slowly took his hand and lead his arm to wrap around her shoulder. She rest her head on his shoulder and leaned in to kiss his neck.
Jackie: I need you right now. My whole life is falling apart and I can't go threw this alone.
Steven: I don't know how to be there for anyone.
Jackie: I know. It's hard to care for someone when no one has cared for you.
There was a silence in the car that felt like a ton of bricks. Jackie needed him and he knew he should be a good boyfriend but he didn't know how. She had to know that he cared for her, he had to show her. Slowly he turned to her and was about to kiss her slow and caring like he had earlier but instead his face contorted.
Steven: Jackie, what the hell happened to your face?
Jackie's hand flew up to her cheek that had swelled and it hurt to touch it.
Jackie: Oh, is it bad?
Steven: Well…don't worry about that, just tell me what the hell happened.
Jackie: My…my dad got arrested last night and when I came home she was drunk already and we both said some things and she got mad and—
Steven: I don't care. I don't want her near you again.
Jackie: Steven, she's my mom!
Steven: Jackie, she hit you hard enough to leave a huge mark, you're not going back there unless I'm with you!
Jackie sighed and leaned back into him wrapping his arms around her again.
Jackie: I knew there was a mark…
Jackie and Steven sat content for a while. He was rubbing his fingers over hers and planting light kisses on her head and neck.
Jackie: Steven?
Steven: Hmm?
Jackie: I love you.
Steven stilled for a moment. He always kind of figured that she really cared for him but, no one had ever really loved him except for Mrs. Foreman.
Steven: So, are we cool now?
Jackie: The only thing I'm sure of right now, at this moment is that I love you.
Steven felt uncomfortable. He wasn't sure how to respond to such strong feelings. He let his body do the talking he couldn't. His soft kisses became more teasing as he kissed her neck, sucking at it slightly. His touch was so soft and so wonderful. Jackie understood his care for her when he held her like that and touched her so gloriously. She was beginning to moan slightly and he could tell she wanted him. He looked at her and through her, it seemed. They kissed slowly and he sat back up breathing hard.
Steven: Jackie, babe we gotta stop. I don't have anything.
Jackie nodded in response and attempted to steady her own breathing. There was silence for a moment and Steven turned to her and saw her looking down at her stomach sadly. He sighed and opened the door.
Steven: I'll follow you home and then you can get some stuff so you can stay with me for a while.
Jackie pulled into the drive and waited for Steven to walk to the door with her. They walked in to see her mom passed out with vodka nearby. Jackie sighed heavily and let go of Steven's hand. Her mom had tear stained cheeks and Jackie knew that she didn't have anyone.
Jackie: Steven, go home.
Steven: What?
Jackie: I'm gonna clean up around here and…I can't leave her.
Steven: Jackie you're not supposed to take care of your mom, it's supposed to be the other way around.
Jackie whipped around with her eyes glaring at him when she told him again: Steven, go home!
Steven: Jackie, we have one thing in common and that's crappy parents. I left mine, now you need to do the same.
Jackie: Steven, when I was pregnant I kept thinking about how great it would be to have someone love me unconditionally. That's how a family is supposed to be, just because you never knew what it was like to have a loving family doesn't mean I don't. She's my mother and she's going through a rough patch, she needs me.
Steven: Why are you so niave! (Zen) Fine, I'll be in the basement.