Song belongs to Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam

Chapter 9

Lost in emotion
Some guys will promise you a
Marriage made in heaven
But I'm gonna stick to my guns
Like waitin for their love
That I might be gettin
My dreams have yet begun
Am I a fool Cause I don't know
Just how you feel
And this love for you, oh my
I can't conceal oh oh
Lost in emotion

It had been a couple weeks since Jackie and Mike's first date. Since the party they had begun to spend more and more time together. Of course this meant Jackie spent less and less time with Hyde. Of course he never complained or even mentioned it, instead he found his own way to spend his days.

It was as if he was going for some kind of record. In 2 weeks Hyde had been seen with at least 7 different girls. It seemed like every day there was a different girl sitting with him at the Hub, or seen getting into his car. Jackie hadn't been as successful as Hyde in keeping silent about his new hobby.

"I don't know what he sees in these skanks he's been running around with lately" Jackie glared at him form across the Hub.

"I don't think he's really interested in what qualities they have to offer Jackie" Donna pointed out trying not to laugh at Jackie's obvious jealousy. "Who cares about Hyde's latest "activity", what's going on with you and Mike?"

"What? Oh nothing really we're just hanging out. Things are going ok" Jackie continued to sneak glances at Hyde and company.

"Well has he asked you to be his girlfriend yet? Donna struggled with keeping this conversation alive.

"No, but what's the rush anyway" Jackie said annoyed at the subject. "Things are fine the way they are"

"I just think if you aren't into Mike as much as he's into you then maybe you shouldn't lead him on" Donna cautiously suggested to Jackie.

Silently Jackie stared at Donna, unable to actually believe what she just said to her.

"I'm not leading him on" Jackie responded defensively. "We have a lot of fun and I do like him"

"Then why have you spent the better part of the afternoon concerned with Hyde and his newest eye candy" Donna pointed out.

"I'm so sick of this. I'll see you at home" Jackie got up and stormed off. Stealing one last look before walking out the door, however this time she found he was doing the same.

Just how true are the rumors
I am hearing
About this crush you have on me
Maybe I'm blind
cause I just don't see it
But I want to believe
what they see

Later in the basement

"Hey Jackie nice of you to stop by and visit" Eric nagged as soon as she was seated.

"Yeah I though it would be a treat for you guys since I've been absent lately, and it seems I was right" Jackie smiled.

"I was being sarcastic" Eric pointed out.

"Well then get better at it" Jackie said earning a laugh from the rest in the room.

Just then the basement door opened and in walked Hyde and some chick they had never met before.

"Hey what's going on?" Hyde asked with the blonde in the skimpy outfit followed closely behind.

"Jackie's here!" Fez stated the obvious, very excited.

"I see that" Hyde stared at her for only a moment but it felt like longer for the both of them. "Well everyone this is Nikki, Nikki this is everyone"

"Hi everyone" Nikki waved unenthused.

"Hi Nikki" Jackie spoke up. "I would offer you a seat but it looks like we just don't have room for anyone else" Jackie said in her sweetest yet purposely obvious fake tone.

"Oh that's ok we'll just go to my room then" Hyde smirked which let Jackie know he was trying to piss her off. "C'mon Nikki"

Nikki smiled victoriously as she followed Hyde "Nice meeting you all" she spoke to Jackie specifically then disappeared to the back.

No one said a word as Jackie sat fuming for a few minutes before finally blowing.

"I have things to do. See you guys later" Jackie stormed out.

"So how long is this gonna go on" Kelso asked breaking the silence.

"From the looks of things a long time" Donna answered feeling just as frustrated.

Mike didn't know how long they had been sitting in silence, but it was definitely starting to worry him.

"Jackie are you okay?" Mike asked bringing her from her thoughts where she had been lost for a moment.

"Huh? Oh sorry I'm fine I was just thinking" Jackie smiled and took a drink of her soda avoiding eye contact.

"Wanna talk about it?" he asked concerned.

"Oh no it's nothing" she insisted. She wouldn't know how to answer if she wanted to. She found herself thinking about Hyde more and more. Nothing specific really just random memories from the past summer. In no way did she intend to share them with Mike.

"Well, there was something I wanted to talk to you about" he began feeling very nervous. "I've really had a lot of fun these last few weeks hanging out with you and I think you've had fun with me too"

She nodded her head in agreement.

"I was thinking that maybe we could, well if you wanted to be my girlfriend." he finally finished and now waited for her response hopefully.

"Mike" she smiled sweetly and tilted her head in an "awww" kind of way "Yes of course"

"Great, ok good" he beamed obviously relieved. Then pulled her in for a kiss. During the kiss Jackie tried to concentrate on giving him all her attention but was unable to clear Hyde from her thoughts and she felt herself begin to feel guilty already.

I find myself telling you things
I don't even tell my best friend
I keep showin emotions, not knowin
Just wear it all stems from
Sometimes I wonder
if I am in your heart
Even though I don't live there yet
I'm afraid it'll be cold and dark
I'm lost in emotion

She heard him drive off after walking her to the door and once he was gone she headed straight out the back door to the Forman's. Hyde was there shooting hoops alone and though she knew he noticed her he didn't stop playing to acknowledge her.

" Hey Steven" Jackie leaned against the Vista Cruiser watching him play.

"What's going on Jackie?" he asked not really caring since he knew where'd she's just returned from.

"So where's everyone?"

"Down in the basement. I couldn't sit through another Charlie's Angels"

"Since when?" Jackie asked unconvinced.

"Ok I couldn't sit through another Kelso vs. Fez debate"

"Can't say I blame you"

It was extremely uncomfortable as neither continued to carry on the small talk. Jackie decided to break the ice in her own special way.

"So I'm surprised to be able to catch you between dates." she smiled teasing him about his recent popularity.

"Yeah well I guess it's your lucky night then" his cocky smirk had much more of an effect. It infuriated her how easy she let him get to her.

"So what's up with you lately?" Jackie realized beating around the bush was pointless. "Did I do something to make you mad"

"Now why do you think that"

"We've barely spoken for almost a month"

"So what? Since when are we required to keep in constant contact" Hyde bit feeling as if she were blaming him the past few weeks.

"God Steven All I'm saying is- Argh Just forget it Steven" Jackie threw her hands in the air and turned to retreat home to her own room but couldn't resist. "I don't know why you've been such a jerk lately. I don't know if it's because you're more interested in Point Place's most eligible skanks, or if I did something to piss you off. Do you have a problem with Mike or something"

"Please Jackie I could care less about who you go out with" Hyde finally displayed a reaction to her last suspicion about Mike.

"Obviously there isn't much you do care about" Jackie sadly responded and walked away from her temporary best friend she had enjoyed for only 4 months.

Hit the beat now
When I'm feelin,
I hate this feelin
Lost in emotion
I can't redeem it
I wanna be with you
But I don't know how
In my heart babe,
I can feel the beat now.