2.4- The Longest Time
I don't care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad- "The Longest Time"-Billy Joel
Summary: After months of dating, Holder becomes annoyed with Emma and tries to break up with her-only she won't let him. Parker, Pez, and Chase get roped into working at the church fair. Jon does something for Vista he thought he'd never do.
Disclaimer: I own nothing from That 70s Show nor am I making any money off this story. The songs are also owned by their respective writers, producers, singers, etc. Also, I do not own General Hospital or any other television show, movie, comic, etc mentioned in this chapter.
A/N: All reviews welcomed. In addition, lyrics that best fit the 'mood' of the chapter will be placed at the top. I am also adding 'chapter soundtracks' to each chapter. (some songs may not be from 2004, but might be from 2005-it's my story. If you guys don't like it-I'll stop.)
I would also like to thank all my reviewers and Devon's help with coming up for things for the site. (which will be around one of these days.)
Also, there's a rather corny/fluffy scene between Jon and Vista. All I can say is that I'm sorry. I've been reading a lot of fluff as of late.
February 6th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
2:47 p.m.
The Forman Basement
Pez and Jon sat together in the basement. Pez mindlessly played with her dark hair while Jon read his newest car magazine. It was a fairly boring time. Pez sighed heavily before moving her hands to play with the hair on the other side of her face.
"Pst!" A voice whispered from the stairs. Both Pez and Jon turned their bodies to see Holder, knelt at the top of the stairs. "Is Emma down there?"
Jon briefly put his magazine down. "Holder, why would your bitchy girlfriend me down here with us?"
Holder thought about that. "Good point." He bounced down the rest of the stairs and grabbed a Popsicle from the deep freeze before taking a seat on the couch. "I'm kind of avoiding her." He explained.
Pez stopped playing with her hair. "Have you finally noticed that she is a spoiled brat?" Pez guessed.
"No!" Holder told them quickly. Jon gave him a look. "I just noticed that she's annoying."
Jon chuckled. "Dude, we could have told you that months ago."
Holder made a face. "Whatever, Jon. It's just, she's always going on and on." He cleared his throat and made his voice higher to mimic Emma. "'Wesley, let's go to the mall.' or 'Wesley, tell me again that you love me.' or 'Wesley, let's go to Pier 1.' or 'Wesley, stop teasing Great-aunt Gertrude.'" He folded his arms over his chest. "She never lets me have any fun. I'm sorry, but that old lady had no teeth in her mouth; I totally had to call her on it."
Pez glanced over at Holder. "She's elderly, Holder. She came to the school last month for the talk on Pearl Harbor. Where she was a nurse."
"She had no teeth in her mouth!" Holder protested. "I had to call her on it." Pez and Jon exchanged a look. "Anyway," Holder went on. "I'm breakin' up with Emma soon."
"But, you're avoiding her." Jon reminded him.
The older teen gave Jon a 'duh' look. "Jon, I'm going to break up with Emma just as soon as she fines me. Yeah, that girl is like a blood hound. Sure, I'll avoid her for a few hours, but she'll find me by tonight."
February 6th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
2:57 p.m.
Forman Driveway
Parker had just finished throwing the trash, when he spotted Chase rushing over to him. She appeared nervous and kept glancing around. It was enough to make him think that she had done a circle all by herself or something.
Chase cornered him under the basketball pole. "Parker, I need you." She breathed.
Parker slid his long arms around her waist. "Oh, you have no idea how long I've been waiting for you to say that."
"What? No, get off." She pushed him away lightly. "I need your help. Help. Your grandmother wants me to work at this church fair thing this weekend."
Parker didn't get what the big deal was. "So?"
"So? It's a church fair. Pastor Ned will be there." She made a face. "He's always going on and on about how hip he is. Plus, and this might not matter, but I hope it does-I'm not even your religion."
"Wait, what religion are you?" Parker wondered out loud. "You were always out of school for some holiday."
"Oh, well, there was Mum and then I put all four of my past stepfathers and Ray and then I made my own choice. So, pretty much anyone with a holiday that gets me out of school." Chase explained. She waved a hand. "That's not the point. The point is, I need your help to get out of this church fair."
Parker held a hand up. "Whoa, calm down, Muffin. There is a simple way to solve this problem." He cleared his throat, trying to give some dramatic pause. "Tell her no."
"Tell her no? Parker, if I tell Mrs. Forman that, she'll use it to make me feel guilty. Thus, she'll be able to guilt me into something even worse. Like helping her bake for a church bake sale or something." Chase visually shivered at that thought. "I don't even know how to turn on an oven."
"Huh." Parker had to ambit she was right about that. He paused in thought for a moment. "You're pretty much screwed then."
"Who is going to screw?" Parker and Chase glanced over to the sliding doors to see Pez walking over. "Who and would it be possible for me to watch?"
Parker shook his head and laughed softly. "Pez, firstly-don't say creepy things like that. Secondly, screwed not screw. Grandma Kitty wants Chase to help out at a church thing this weekend."
Pez made a face. "Oo….yes, I know about that. My mother's already had Grandma Kitty sign me up." She stood a little straighter. "I am in charge of the tickets for the rides. Just think of the power I will lord over everybody. I don't like you-no tickets for you." She laughed. "Oh, good one, Pez."
Chase and Parker exchanged a smile. Pez was one freaky little chick.
"Well," Chase started slowly. "I guess having a friend there will make things a little better." She looked over at Parker. "Having a boyfriend there would make it the best." She raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Park, suffer with us."
He looked between his cousin and his girlfriend. Did he even really have a choice? "Yeah, yeah…fine." Chase and Pez exchanged smiles before Chase kissed Parker. "Oh, I'll expect more of those as payment."
February 6th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
3:23 p.m.
Vista Forman's Bedroom
(Here In My Room-Incubus)
Vista sat on her bed, mindlessly typing in her journal. She typed up the day's events, or at least the shallow ones. The computer journal was for the shallow thoughts. The written diary, currently locked in a small blue case in her closet, was for the real thoughts. Thoughts about life, the universe, and everything.
The young teen didn't even glance up when her door opened. "Yeah?"
"Why are you in your room?" Vista looked up to see Jon standing in her doorway, his hands on his large belt. He smirked at her like he always did. "Don't tell me you're actually punishing yourself for what happened. Get over it, man."
Jon walked deeper into the room and flopped down on the computer chair. "You typing in your journal, young Skywalker." He gave her a pointed look.
Vista's brown eyes narrowed on his. "You read my shallow journal?"
"Yes, I read your very shallow-wait, what?" His brow became knitted in confusion. Had she really just told him that he journal was indead shallow?
"My shallow journal." Vista explained. She closed her lap top and got out of her bed. "It's where I type all my shallow teenage feelings." She laughed and ended up snorting a little. "My real thoughts are kept safely somewhere else." Vista put a hand on her hip. "You actually read my shallow journal?"
"Well….I, uh…" Jon coughed nervously. "Whatever."
She began to giggle. "Not whatever. You read it and you must have thought I was a shallow and selfish brat." She gave Jon a look. "You know me better then that, Jonathan Hyde."
He smirked at her. "Yeah, I guess I do." He stood up. "Uh, you know, I guess I'm-"
"Sorry for thinking one of your oldest friends was actually a shallow and selfish little brat? Yeah, you're forgiven."
The sixteen and the fourteen year old stood in a comfortable silence for a few moments. They always had an easy comfort between them and both liked it that. They needed that comfortable silence in a lot of ways. They enjoyed it-usually.
"Come on," Jon started out the room. "Holder's hiding from Emma in the basement and I think I might kill him if I'm left alone with him for to long." Vista nodded and followed Jon out.
February 7th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
9:50 a.m.
Church Fair
Parker Forman, Sayherfirstnameanddie Chase, and Pez Whatsherlastname all stood outside a tiny square building. The church fair would be opening in ten minutes and all four of them had been placed in charge of tickets for rides. Pez said they should feel powerful about it, but Parker and Chase weren't feeling it as much. After all, they were all being forced to wear bright yellow vest with huge buttons that said 'How Can I Help?' in huge bright letters. Chase felt like a tool. Parker felt like a geek.
In front of the three seventeen year olds stood Pastor Ned, a young man in his mid-thirties. He was attractive enough; nice blond hair, pretty green eyes, good teeth. But, he wore sweater vests and slacks and he said 'yo' and 'dawg' at very weird times. He tried too hard to be cool.
"So guys-this church fair is going to be off the hook, dawgs." Pastor Ned gave the three of them a wink. "Off the hook." He gave them a thumbs up sign. "So you dudes get in there and crank it up, babies. And remember-"
"Jesus is the bomb." The teens finished for him. Pastor Ned nodded approvingly and walked past them and over to where Joey and Ally Nelson were working the ferries wheel.
The teens stood around for a moment before going into the tiny square building.
The tiny square building was about the size of an average half-bath. In other words, three people was a tight fit. It took the three of them a few moments to figure out how they could all comfortably stand and move. Once that was done, the task then became who would hand out the tickets first-somehow Chase had ended up closest to the tiny window-she'd go first.
"It smells like cheese." Pez mused.
"God, I hope this thing has vents." Parker muttered to himself. " 'Cause I had beans last night."
Pez and Chase awkwardly moved as far away from him as they could.
February 7th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
10:18 a.m.
Church Fair
(Cold Hard Bitch-Jet)
Emma Palmer walked through the fair. She led a pack of four other girls: Heidi Blake, Gwen Campiti, Christina Egler, and Lishanne Torchio. They were commonly known as the nasty five of the junior class. Emma walked a little ahead of the others and as always she was telling them what to do and say.
"If Wesley shows up begging for my forgiveness, you guys have to ignore him." Emma flipped her hair over a shoulder. "He ignores me-I ignore him. It's really that simple."
"Emma?" Lishanne, a pretty dark skinned spoke up. "Are you and Wesley over?"
"As over as bell bottoms." Emma replied.
Lishanne and Gwen exchanged a look as Christina asked: "So…if he asks one of us out?"
Emma whirled around to face her friends. "You say no! Wesley is my boyfriend. Just because we're ignoring each other, that doesn't mean you three can jump on him."
The three girls nodded, clearly disappointed that they still couldn't have a crack at Wesley Kelso-king of the make out.
Gwen tossed her blond hair, trying her hardest to look like Emma. "Uh, Emma….if you two are ignoring each other-"
"We're still together! Emma bit. "We love one another and we're just having some problems."
Christina nodded slowly. "Yeah…sure." She really didn't believe Emma. "It'll get better. I mean, when Derek and I have problems, we take some time."
"Right!" Lishanne spoke up. "The same thing with me and Angelo."
"And me and Greg." Gwen added helpfully.
All her friends were so happy, it made Emma want to vomit. "Oh, shut up." She rolled her eyes and stormed off and toward the rides.
February 7th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
10:24 a.m.
Hyde Den
(My TV and You-Vast)
The television blared out the words of the dark haired mob boss. He was muttering and giving out orders. Jon and Vista sat together on the couch and watched him. Every few moments, Vista would roll her eyes upward and sigh in that 'is he serious?' way of hers. Behind his sunglasses, Jon was doing the same.
"The police in this town are mourns." Vista commented. "For-why can't they get him on these things?"
"Soap operas, man." Jon shook his head. "Totally unrealistic. Like people who don't work can afford houses like that." He paused in thought. "I bet they all work for the government."
"Jon," Vista glanced over at him. "I think they're all supposed to be rich from their parents or something." She watched the screen for a moment. "Like, those Q people….they come from money."
"Yeah, but you just know they're spending it all on crap." Jon commented. He stared at the screen for a moment. "You just know one of them spent hundreds of dollars on something like an umbrella stand that is shaped like a dog or something."
Vista took a moment to muse over that thought. "I bet your right. People who have money never do the right things with it." She inwardly groaned. "Oh, just turn it off."
Jon did as the object of his affections asked and turned off the VCR and the television. Jackie would have to rewind the tape on her own time. He sat still for a moment and just watched Vista. She gave him a little smile before going over to the radio and turning it on.
The girl moved the dial around before finally stopping on a station.
Vista excitedly jumped around, so she could look at Jon. "Do you know what this is?"
She began swaying her hips back and forth. "Do you? Come on, you have to."
Jon listened to the opening notes of the song. It was unmistakable. Free Bird-a total classic. He smirked. "Free Bird's opening notes."
(Freebird- Lynyrd Skynyrd)
"Yes!" Vista smiled widely. Skynyrd was classic, Freebird even more so. It was at that moment that Vista wished she had a lighter, so she could wave it in the air or something equally as stereotypical and corny. "Sing with me?" She asked her friend. He just shook his head. Vista started to sing: "If I leave here tomorrow…."
"Would you still remember me?" Jon filled in.
"For I must be traveling on, now, 'cause there's too many places I've got to see." Vista went on.
"But, if I stayed here with you, girl, Things just couldn't be the same." Jon shook his head and chuckled softly. He stood up and walked over to the radio. Jon made a move to change the station, but Vista stopped him. She took his hand.
Vista sang the next part. " 'cause I'm as free as a bird now, And this bird you can not change. Lord knows, I can't change."
Vista began dancing again, this time moving Jon's arm. She hoped he'd take the hint and dance. After all there were just certain songs that demanded to be danced to. Jon didn't even have to dance well, that was the whole point. Freebird was a song you could just let lose to. Besides, Jon was always telling Vista to act like a normal fourteen year old and not an adult.
Vista went on singing with the song, a little louder then she had to. But, it was all in fun. "Bye, bye, it's been a sweet love. Though this feeling I can't change. But please don't take it badly, 'cause lord knows I'm to blame."
Jon took a chance and pulled Vista to him. He took her hand in his and then placed his other hand on the small of Vista's back. Vista giggled, almost nervously, and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Jon leaned closer to her and sang softly. "But, if I stayed here with you girl, things just couldn't be the same. Cause I'm as free as a bird now, and this bird you'll never change. And this bird you can not change."
"Jonathan Hyde, I had no idea you could dance and sing." Vista told him with a shy smile. "You've been keeping secrets."
Jon moved their hands up, so he could take his sunglasses off. The older teen's brown eyes stared into Vista's for a moment. "Yeah, yeah…the things I do for you."
"Yeah, yeah….the things I do for you." Vista mocked.
Jon just smirked. "Lord knows, I can't change." He sang softly.
"Lord help me, I can't change." Vista finished off.
As the ending of the song started, Jon and Vista did not stop dancing. It's now or never. Jon thought to himself. With a deep breath, Jon took the next step. He stop dancing with Vista. She looked at him with her sweet look, the one that said: 'That was fun and completely childish…thanks.'
Jon stared at her for a long moment. "Vista….you wantta go to the church fair?" Jon asked her.
Vista raised an eyebrow, but didn't bother asking about his sudden interest in church affairs. "Yeah, sure."
February 7th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
11:23 a.m.
Church Fair
In the crowded ticket booth, things were getting hot and sticky.
Pez leaned her body against one of the walls and took off her black sweater. She put her hair into a pair of pigtails and fanned herself with a flyer for the fried food stand. "It has been less then two hours. There's no air in here, is there?"
Parker, who had also taken off his jacket, looked up at the ceiling. "No." He dried the sweat from his face with the long sleeve of his Star Wars shirt. "It's got to be, like, a hundred degrees in here."
Chase lifted her red skirt up a little, trying to get some air. "I feel sick. It's February and Wisconsin and I think I'm going to pass out from the heat." She glared at the little ticket window and hated it because it couldn't be opened. "Can't we open the door?" She questioned the others.
Parker and Pez both glanced at the door. They could open it, but Pastor Ned had told them not to. People could steal the tickets for the rides. The twenty-five cents per ticket, tickets.
"Screw it." Parker muttered to himself. He reached over and opened the large wooden door. All three teens breathed a sigh of relief as some cool air hit them. It was short lived however as a moment later, the door closed itself.
All three of them stared in disbelief for a long moment.
Finally, Pez spoke all their thoughts: "Shit."
Parker threw his hands into the air and let them fall to his side. "Unbelievable! It's like we're trapped in here. Trapped like rats. Can't leave and can't get any cool air."
Chase shook her head with disgust. "Church fairs, guys. Church fairs suck."
Pez pouted. "What did we do? I think Pastor Ned hates us. Well, Pastor Ned can rot in hell."
Parker and Chase exchanged a look. He cleared his throat. "Pez-"
His cousin held up a hand. "I said rot in hell!"
February 7th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
11:27 a.m.
Church Fair
Holder took a large chuck of his cotton candy and placed it in his mouth. He let the pink cotton candy melt inside his mouth and he smiled. The church fair was awesome. Tons of food and girls. Ok, sure, he was still hiding from Emma (whom he was still dating), but other then that it was great.
"Holder!" He jumped, thinking Emma had finally found him. Then he remembered that she called him Wesley. Holder turned around to see Vista. She smiled, waved, and came walking over. "Hey, I thought you won't be here."
Holder raised an eyebrow. "And miss that hot good Christian girls just waiting to be bad?" He laughed. "Vista, please."
She rolled her eyes as the two of them started walking away. "I thought you were still dating Emma. Did you finally break up with her?'
"No." He lowered his head. "She won't let me. I tried to break up over the phone and she hung up on me after I said: 'Sweet thang, I need to talk to you about us.'" He offered Vista his cotton candy and she politely refused. "So, I tried email, text message, and all forms of instant messages. Emma didn't reply to any."
"Hmm." Vista had to think on that for a second. "So, you decided the best way to deal with it was to come here? Where she is?" Holder shrugged. "Wesley Michael Holder-Kelso!" Vista lightly slapped him in the arm. "You're leading Emma on. Just find her and break up. It's not that hard. Jess Bradley did it to me."
Holder gave his youngest friend a look. "You dated Jess Bradley?"
Vista blushed a bit. The truth was they had kissed a few times before she had gone to California and her party had sort of been their first and only date. "Well, no. I thought we might, but when I got back he pulled me aside after lab and told me he's dating someone now." She paused for a moment and then wrinkled her nose up in slightly disgust. "But, he did say if they break up that I'm next on his list. Whatever that is."
Holder smiled brightly. "Hey, good for you, Vista." She just gave him a look. He was such a guy when it came to dating. "Way to play the game." Holder finished off his cotton candy before speaking again. "I guess I should find Emma and break up with her. Hey," he looked around, as if suddenly noticing something important. "where's Jon? You two were hanging out this morning."
"Yeah." Vista nodded slowly. "But, when we got here….he got all quiet and nervous. It was unsettling." She shivered at the memory. "So, I kind of….I kind of ditched him and left him with our moms at the craft booths."
Holder laughed loudly. "Blow!"
"Hey." Vista hit him again. "I'm not proud of it." She shook her head with a sigh. "It was very immature of me."
"Aw," Holder patted her on the shoulder. "You're still growing, Vis. I wouldn't worry about your height."
That one made Vista giggle. "Right. Thank you, Holder." He smiled. "Now, we should find Emma so you can break up with her." Holder groaned, and followed Vista.
February 7th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
11:53 a.m.
Church Fair
(The Kids Are Alright (remake)-Green Day)
They had come up with a plan that was working. The plan had been to air out the ticket booth, (because it smelt like cheese), and to get some cool air, (because it was hundreds of degrees). And as an added bonus, they ended up with more room for the three of them. The three of them would take turns standing in front the huge door to the ticket booth. They switched up every five or ten minutes. Currently, Chase was holding the door open. Parker and Pez were handling the tickets.
Pez sighed heavily as she worried if anyone had ever actually died of boredom. She put the tickets in neat little piles and hummed the Winnie the Pooh theme song to herself. She was taken out of her day dreams by a little tap at the ticket window. Pez didn't even bother to look up, she just removed the piece of plastic from the tiny hole and spoke: "How many tickets?"
"None, because-"
"Then please move away from the ticket booth, you cheap-o." Pez stated.
"Pez!" Pez glanced up to see Pastor Ned staring back at her. "Language. Cheap-o isn't a cool word, yo."
"Cheap-o isn't a bad word." Pez explained in a condescending tone.
"Yeah." Parker joined in. He rolled his sleeves up. "It's not like she called you a dumbass."
"Or a bastard." Chase called from the door.
"Children!" Pastor Ned was shocked and didn't try and hid it. "Your language is simply awful." He looked past Pez and Parker. "Chase? Chase…why are you standing in front of the open door?"
" 'Cause its hot as hell in here." Chase answered simply.
"And it smells like cheese." Parker added helpfully. "What, do you use it to make cheese on the weekends?"
"Parker Forman, that kind of language has just stopped you from getting four free tickets for rides." Pastor Ned said. He folded his arms over his sweater vest. "I was going to let you three off for lunch, but now I'm not so sure. I don't want your neg 'tudes ruining the apt, dawgs."
Pez looked at Pastor Ned and her forehead became knitted in confusion. "Naked dudes?" She glanced back at Parker and Chase. "There are naked boys at lunch?"
"No, no…Pez, man….he said neg 'tudes. Like bad attitudes." Parker explained to his cousin. "He doesn't want to let us go to lunch now because we're mad that we've been in here for, like three hours, and its hot."
"Oh." Pez stared at Pastor Ned through the glass for a moment. "You sir….are….an ass." The other two people in the ticket booth gasped, as did Pastor Ned. Pez lowered her body, so she could be heard more clearly through the glass. "An ass! A big, stupid, dumbass!" Pez ripped off her bright yellow vest with huge button that said 'How Can I Help?' in huge bright letters. She threw the vest to the ground and stepped on it. "I quit. Good day, Edward." Pez started to the door.
Pastor Ned could only choke out: "Pez-"
She whirled back. "I said good day." With that said, she walked out of the tiny ticket booth.
Parker and Chase exchanged smiles, before doing the same thing. Chase let out a little whoop of joy and gave Parker a kiss as the huge door slammed behind them.
February 7th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
12:12 p.m.
Emma Palmer's Bedroom
Holder knocked on Emma's bedroom door and let himself in before she could answer. He found Emma, in sweats, sitting on her bed and flipping through a fashion magazine. Holder stood in the doorway and cleared his throat. Emma looked up and gave him an icy glare.
"I've been looking for you all morning. Gwen told me you went home with a head ache." Holder explained.
"Yeah." Emma put her magazine on the night stand. "So, you found me. Of course, you've been avoiding me for two days."
"Actually, it's only been a little over a day." Holder told her. He gestured to the bed and Emma nodded.
Holder walked quietly over to the bed and sat beside his girlfriend. He turned his body to face her. "Emma, we need to talk." Emma silently stared at him. "I think we should break up. 'Cause, you're you know, annoying."
Emma scoffed. She held her hand up to her chest, as if horrified by the idea of someone thinking she was annoying. "I'm annoying. Have you met your friends?"
"Yes." Holder answered in a matter-of-fact tone. "They're interesting and strange and I like them. You're the one I'm trying to get rid of."
"No." Emma told Holder.
"No, what?"
"No, I don't want to break up with you." Emma replied.
Holder gasped in that girly way he gasped. "What? No, no I'm breaking up with you. You have no say in it."
"Uh-huh and I'm rejecting your break up." Emma explained helpfully. "I'm not ready to break up, Wesley."
He said there, dumbfounded for a moment. "But, we have nothing in common. Just the fact that we're shallow."
"So?" Emma raised a perfect eyebrow. "Who cares about common interest?"
"I do." Holder told her seriously. He looked at her and spoke with a maturity that he often hid. "Emma, our relationship is based solely on looks."
"That's not true." She protested. "You make me smile." She took his hands in hers. "You might not see it, but you treat me better then any guy ever has. You're actually nice to me. And you talk to me before, after, and in between make out sessions. I love you."
Holder smiled sadly. "Emma…you do the same for me. You make me feel like more then just a hot body. You make me feel smart. Like when you ask me to mentally add the tax when we go shoe shopping." He took a deep breath: "I love you, too."
(Love Someone-Robbie Williams)
"Oh, Wesley." Emma gave him a little smile and cupped his face in her hands. She kissed him deeply. "I think that was the first time we were actually truly honest and mature with one another."
Holder shrugged. "Guess so." He licked his lips and kissed Emma again. Moving his hands to her waist, he pressed the popular girl against his body and the two went down on the bed.
February 7th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
1:43 p.m.
Forman Basement
Vista found Jon sitting in his chair watching some old rerun of ER. She bounced down the last of the stairs and sat on the couch. The young teen looked up at Jon for a few moments and when he didn't say anything, she knew he was still mad at her for ditching him earlier in the day.
"Jon, I'm sorry for ditching you at the craft booths." Vista told him honestly. "but, you were all nervous and silent and sweaty."
"I don't sweat." Jon bit. He had come out more angry then he had wanted, but he didn't try and make up for that.
"Everyone sweats." Vista told him. "Except for pigs, they don't sweat. You're not a pig." She nervously giggled. "I kind of thought maybe you had a crush on a girl and she was at the fair and that's why you were acting all nervous. It was kind of sweet, you know?"
Jon glanced over at her. "Yeah? You think I'm sweet?"
"Sure." Vista shrugged lightly. "I mean, you can be a jerk. But for the most part you're sweet."
Jon took the remote from his left leg and turned the television off. He took his sunglasses off, wanting things to be more personal. "Vista…."
"Oh, did I tell you I ran into Holder? He says he's going to break up with Emma. But, I don't think he will. I mean, we all want him to, but there's still unfinished business between the two of them."
Vista stood and went to the freezer where she grabbed a can of Coke. "You want?" Jon just looked at her. "Okay, then." Vista popped the top and took a long sip. "I also ran into Jess." Jon blinked. "My lab partner, Jess Bradley. He's doing this thing with his hair, I don't know it's a little to metro for me. His girlfriend, you know his girlfriend, she's a freshman.. uh, Mariah Wheeler. Yeah, well Mariah likes his hair that way." Vista giggled again. "The things you do for love. Holder's staying with a girl that annoys him and you should see the things Parker and Chase do to make the other happy. Chase has seen the first Star Trek series five times since she and Parker started dating. Don't even get me-"
"Vista!" Vista looked wide-eyed at Jon. He had raised his voice, broken the whole Zen thing. Of course, she had been rambling. Vista had wanted to get Jon to start talking to her again and apparently it had worked. "Shut up." Or not.
Vista blushed. "Sorry." She put her coke and herself on the freezer. "I-"
"Tend to ramble when you're nervous or on a roll or when things get awkward." Jon finished for her. "Yeah, I know." He stood from his chair and found himself standing just in front of Vista.
Jon took a deep breath. "Vista, just shut up for a second, okay? There's something I've been trying to say for a couple of months and now's a good as time as any to get it out." Vista just looked at him, completely unsure about what was going on. "I…." He decided things would go better if he were sitting with Vista. "join me on the couch?"
Vista jumped off the freezer and the two of them sat together at the couch a second later. They were silent for a moment, before Jon turned to Vista. He began speaking, softly and slowly, finding his voice and thoughts as he went.
(1000 Things-Jason Mraz)
"You're smart and you stand up for what you believe. Even when people tell you otherwise, you still have faith in everything and everyone. You speak your mind, even when you know its unpopular. You…you hang with me. You laugh at Holder's stupid jokes, just to make him feel good about himself. You tutor half the school. You-you do things for everyone and you don't ask for things in return. You're totally humble. Plus, you're beautiful." Vista silently looked at him. She had never had anyone tell her so many good things about herself in one sitting. It was strange and lovely and humbling.
"Jon, that's very sweet of you to say." Vista blushed again.
He smiled sweetly at her. "I like you, Vista." Vista returned the smile. "A lot." Slowly, maybe even a little hesitantly, the two of them moved their faces closer together and into a kiss. It was simple and closed mouth at first, but the two of them shortly got into a bit more and the kiss became deeper.
A minute later, the two pulled apart for breathe and Vista grinned widely. "Now I'm sweaty." Jon laughed at her and kissed her again.
February 7th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
1:56 p.m.
The Hub
After their rebellion, which had been more of a dud then anything else, Parker, Pez, and Chase had pretty much been kicked out of the church fair. They had also be warned that, yes, they would be called on again to work fairs and bake sales and all that stuff. Now the three of them shared some burgers, drinks, and fries. They all looked up when they heard the door to the Hub open and Holder shout out: "I've got news!"
Holder quickly joined them at the table and stole a few fries and a sip from Pez's drink before going on. "Emma and I aren't broken up." There was a collective groan. "In fact, we've joined together." All three people at the table just looked at Holder. "What's the matter, am I being to linear for you guys?" He asked. They all gave him a 'what?' look. Holder smiled smugly. "Word of the day calendar, people. Pick one up."
Parker went to open his mouth, to ask if Holder read anything besides the words on his word of the day calendar, but decided against it.
Holder went on. "I'm now better then all of you." He pointed his finger around the table. " 'Cause I had sex with Emma this afternoon. I'll now be killed in horror movies!"
The rest of the people at the table were quiet, their mouths slightly agape. The three of them exchanged looks, but it was Pez who voiced all their thoughts: "Ew….that's gross."
A/N 2.0: Sorry for the delay, but that was 16 pages, so I hope it was worth the wait. Yes, Holder and Emma have now had sex. For the record: they are both minors. Nothing against the law there. Secondly, I'll say it: Pastor Ned is based on a couple of characters from other shows. Guess who and from what? Thirdly- FINALLY- Jon and Vista have kissed!
The next episode should be fun. Finally, an episode (mostly) about Pez!
Next- 2.5- "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me"-Pez gets solos in the choir's 'musical night' and becomes upset when she learns that Jon and Holder have tickets to a concert that night; while Parker and Chase have a date they don't seem willing to give up.