Chapter 4: The Rude Awakening

"So, Eric and I are just hanging in the car for hours. Completely silent. I mean, we could have so much to talk about at that very moment, and most people would be like really annoyed if you're just sitting next to some person you know and not say anything."

"Mm-hm."

"But what's so weird about it is that I really didn't mind. The silence was completely okay with me. Just the feeling of just being there beside him, holding my hand, that already means something."

I nodded for the millionth time, as if actually caring what the redheaded lumberjack's trying to say. But any sane person would know that my mind was a million miles away.

Back to the night when I had my little "quality time" with Steven Hyde.

That incident would probably top off my-most-embarrassing list. I was just there, sitting in the Forman's kitchen table, thinking of Michael, then my thoughts were already drifting to this silly daydream of mine where Hyde was involved, feeding me rainbow-colored jellybeans. The fantasy went on and on until it made me, uh, well…sexually charged.

Suddenly he talked behind me, surprising me and making me do an idiotic outburst, almost sealing my own fate. Lucky that he just ended up looking confused, most likely thinking that girls are aliens. I almost wanted to shoot myself up and die at that time.

Then my shame was replaced by sadness, feeling the sting of my disloyalty. My relationship with Michael is already heading to the rocks and here I am, screwing it up more. So when Hyde finally thought something was wrong I ended up bawling my eyes out, making up my answer as I went along with the emotion. Although the real problem was actually a little close to my statement, I had to lie to Hyde. I didn't want to, but I didn't really have a choice. I didn't want him to know that it was me I was referring to.

Then again, as soon as I was there talking to him, my problem with Michael was already forgotten. It just seemed like he always knew what to do to make me feel better. And I thought that when he gave me those marshmallows while still acting as frigidly as he is was actually the cutest and the sweetest thing.

And I didn't regret kissing him again. Not at all.

……

It was just a kiss, right? I may be taken, and I was already set on the fact that I cannot like him.

But I'm still allowed to look at him. And think about him. And talk to him. And maybe…kiss him one more time—

"Hello! Earth to Jackie!"

I jumped at the sound of my name, jolted back to reality. The memory of that magical night suddenly melted around me and was replaced with the surroundings of the Forman's garage in a chilly afternoon. Joining that was the disbelieving expression of Donna's face.

"R-right? You were saying?" I blurted out.

She cocked an eyebrow. "Seriously, that's your only reaction? I'm baring my soul like crazy here and all you do is nod or say 'mm-hm.'"

"Why…what would you want me do?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Shouldn't you advise me with something that's stupid and unorthodox at the same time?"

I wasn't able to come up with an answer. "Donna, I'm sorry," I said apologetically. "I'm…just not myself today."

"You okay?" she asked, obviously concerned. "Want to talk about it?"

I was about to open my mouth realizing that she was serious, but I hesitated. Donna was the type of person you could ultimately trust, and I can tell her absolutely anything. Just that if I told her everything it would be a total shock factor, not only for her, but for anyone who would know. And I can't bear to ruin my image.

"I can't," was my only reply.

She raised both her eyebrows this time.

"Believe me, you wouldn't understand. That's all I could say."

Donna gave me that look again, crossing her arms. "Well, I could understand you not telling me and I totally respect that. But you know that bottling everything up won't you get away with anything. That's all I could say to you, too."

She was right. "It's nothing, really. It's actually stupid. It's about a guy—''

"It's Kelso, isn't it?"

"Well, no. It's about…another guy."

The additional trivia left Donna looking perplexed. "Another guy?" she echoed.

"Another guy that I'm…totally in like with."

"You're in like with another guy?" she repeated loudly.

"Sssssh!" I scolded. "Could you get any louder?"

"This is unbelievable. Is he someone I know?"

My face was burning, embarrassed. "God, I don't care if he's someone you know! This is wrong!"

She rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me that you're still counting on that dillhole Kelso. Don't you realize that everything is about sex for him?"

Now my own voice was getting louder. "It's not fair, Donna. He is still my boyfriend. But this other guy…he gives me this giddy, warm feeling. I don't want to feel giddy-ish!"

Donna sighed, giving up. "You know what Jackie? I still pity you because you're dumb."

Her statement stung my ears. "I can't believe you guys."

"What?"

"You, Eric, Fez, and everyone else. Why are you always putting Michael down as if you totally want us to break off? I thought you're my friend, Donna. But all of you are the same!"

I turned on my heel and began to walk away, but Donna had no intention of ever dropping the subject. "Now where are you going?"

"Where do you think I'm going?" I told her incredulously. "I'm sick of hearing your 1920s romance rants! I'm going home!"

She caught hold of my coat, making me stop dead in my tracks. "You're mad because I know something about Kelso that you don't."

I snapped my head to her direction. "And pray tell me, what is that?"

There was a slight strain in Donna's expression, obviously expecting a different answer. But what she said next blew me away.

"He's cheating on you, Jackie!"

Cheating on me. The words repeated in my head over and over like a tape stuck in a recorder. Words that made my chest feel tight, depriving me of air. I put a hand over it, taking several deep breaths.

"With who?" I croaked out.

Donna was silent, taken aback. "With Laurie," she said after a few minutes.

My face was burning with anger. Michael wouldn't do that to me. Especially lie to me with someone like Laurie.

"I don't believe you," I finally said, walking away again.

Donna called my name, but the noise in my head was far more deafening to hear anything real, little voices telling me to believe her. My heart was saying anything but.

After about three to four steps, a scene inside the Forman's kitchen made me stop walking again. No one was inside except for a couple making out, taking advantage of their time alone. And it's definitely not Mr. and Mrs. Forman.

Who are those people, I thought irritably. I went and began to peer through the screen door to take a closer look.

The pair stood close together, a tall dark-haired guy with his arms embracing the girl while she leaned against him, her blonde Farrah Fawcett curls becoming messy from the guy's touch.

My heart began to pound as I continued to watch, the picture becoming clearer. The guy's back was facing me, handsome even from a distance. On the other hand the girl looked familiar, her half-lit blue eyes catching me with an almost mocking, taunting expression that I've seen before. Carefully I opened the screen door and the sight before me was as horrifying as ever. The guy was tall, and lanky, and…

"Michael!" I shrieked.

Michael turned around, his jaw dropping when he saw me. Laurie stood there, her grin widening into a smirk. Everything was blurred, tears blocking my vision.

"Jackie, it's not what you think…"

Suddenly I found myself running away, ignoring Michael and Donna's calls, running away to wherever my feet would take me. My tears ran freely from down my cheeks, but I didn't bother wiping them away. The feeling in my chest returned again, but I didn't care. I just wanted to get away from that place more than anything.

And here I thought falling for Hyde was wrong. Nothing could ever compare what Michael has done. The sight alone was a thousand words. But there are only two to end this.

It's over.

……

Yeah, I know. A spoiler alert from Season 2, may I add.

God, I'm so out of my element! I really didn't mean for Donna to sound so girly. Not to mention for this scene making the whole chapter really short. If you think this chap sucks, it's okay for me to know. :p

Read and review! (kiss kiss) Thanks!