She knew it was wrong to skip class.

She knew people would talk if she skipped class.

She was at the top of the social ladder, everyone saw her storm off on Donna and her brother, and walk out the door. And yet, she couldn't bring herself to care.

She was so over being the school's princess, goodie two shoes, never does anything wrong girl. She hated pretending to be something she wasn't, all so that she could do what she likes.

She genuinely had a passion for cheer. She loved football games, she loved dancing, she loved the passion and the cheerfulness that everyone got on a Friday or Saturday night game. Even if they lost, it didn't matter. She was too focused on the fact that everyone packed together to share their joy, and was fascinated on how infectious it was.

Her feet made her way to the bleachers, and sat down. It was cold against her ass, but peaceful at the same time. The month of September had finally turned over, into October. Indian summer was over, and the leaves were already starting to tumble down. She and her mother had already gotten into her fall clothes, deciding what was good to wear, what should be donated, and when they were going on their annual shopping trip with Donna and Midge amidst her busy work schedule. The tree line was littered with beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds, with just a few specs of green. A small smile graced her face. She loved Autumn.

She made sure she was alone, and she was far away enough that she was out of eye sight, and ear shot. She pulled a sweater out of her bag, and realized it wasn't her's. She shrugged, pulling it on, and relishing in the warmth. It was probably Eric's.

"Nice sweater." A voice made her jump ten feet, and she sighed, when she noticed Hyde. "I think it's Eric's." She mumbled. "Actually it's mine. But, since I eat your food I'll give you a pass." He scooted over, and pulled a joint out of the pocket of the sweater on her body, and lit it, taking a long pull, before holding it out to her.

She took it, without hesitation, and brought the aparatus to her lips, holding, and slowly exhaling. Not giving a damn if she got caught. By cheerleaders, or otherwise. Red and Kitty be damned. Eric be damned. If she did get caught, her best bet was to throw Laurie under the bus. Not a big deal, Laurie's track record was way worse than hers.

It was silent for a while, and the bell rang for the end of first period. She didn't bother getting up to go to class, and neither did he. He cursed himself when he involuntarily said "Why'd ya skip?", and she just exhaled. Emotions were tricky with him. The same with her. They both knew this about each other, but for whatever reason, despite their constant bickering, they were more vulnerable with each other than anybody else.

"I tried to be a good friend and Donna pissed me off." She grumbled, burying her face in her coat. "That's why I don't ever offer to talk about stuff." She scrunched her face. A vivid memory of her trying to confide in her mom raced across her mind, before she shook it off.

"Can't go back and change the past. Can't take back your reaction. Just move forward. Let that shit go, and move the fuck on." She huffed out, before scrunching her knees to her chest. "I really don't wanna do this today. I just stopped constantly worrying about you. Now, I'm worried about Donna. Not about her safety, but because she's shooting herself in the foot, Steven. It's like I try so hard not to be an ass, and I opened my door, and I asked her if she was okay. Told her I was worried because she wasn't acting like Donna. And then she told me that I wouldn't understand."

Silence, until Steven passed the joint to her and exhaled. "She doesn't know half of the shit you went through Jackie. Actually, none of us do. Hell, I probably know the most, and it's only because we have those stupid two-person circles in the bed. And it's not even a circle, it's a line with no drugs." He huffed, looking over at her, before taking off his sunglasses. "Listen, Buela, I don't know what it is about you, or why we have this- this- connection, this bond, this whole thing where we're so close, yet we're constantly at each other's throats. But, besides me, you got Donna, Eric, and Fez. And Kelso, although I still think he's an asshole, I know he's got your back in some kind of twisted way. Donna'll come around. But, if she thinks that all you know is Red and Kitty, then of course she'll feel like you don't understand, and that's just fact. That's the exact reason I told Eric to screw, and it all turned around when I started staying. I know about their relationship now, and I see that he understands the whole abuse aspect."

He finished his rambling, taking the joint back. The passing went on for a while, and before they knew it, they were just watching the trees in the breeze. It was eerily quiet during a school day. No kids screaming, running around. But the eerie feeling went away, and a peace overtook her.

The roach went out a while ago, and they were both stoned. The thought of a burger sounded fantastic. "Know what sounds good right about now, doll?" He nudged her, and she giggled. "Sex." She spoke, after a thought. He threw his head back laughing, shaking his head. Something only reserved for her.

"That was number two." He shook his head. "Guess again." She cocked her head in thought, and the boy in front of her hitched his breath when the few flickers of morning sun hit her face, making her eyes look like pools of chocolate, making alarm bells go off in his head. "Something shiny." She spoke, bringing him out of his dazed state of chastising himself.

He knew that she meant a cheeseburger, and smirked, getting the reference she made. "Can't." She giggled. "I'm watching my figure." She spoke sarcastically.

"Let's go, Buela."

"I can't believe she just... skipped." The red head huffed at Eric, pursing her lips. "All I did was tell her to mind her business."

"Donna," He started, stopping to think about how he was going to put it. "You've been telling us all to mind our business. If anybody is gonna get it, it's probably gonna be Jackie. Hell, her parents are gone. She's adopted." The girl turned red with embarrassment, shoulders slumping, before she quipped back. "That's just it, Eric. She doesn't because she grew up with Red and Kitty."

"Donna, we were like nine when she moved in. Her parents were criminals, wanted by the FBI and they never took care of her. They slept with other people, had mob ties, and Jackie was just their pawn. They didn't love her. And she remembers every single minute." He told her, and she bit her lip.

"Listen, Jackie is a very, very complicated machine." He continued. "She's not an emotional person with anyone. So for her to come in and just ask you, no insults required, was a big step. You could have at least let her down gently. All she does is worry about everyone, and I see it. She found out about Edna, and didn't sleep until Hyde was in our house, with all of his stuff, showered, fed, and warm."

"Eric, I'm trying my best to stay level headed." She slammed her locker. "I tried to make it up."

"You offered to walk her to class." He deadpanned. "And, you've been crying for help. Cigs, your nails. Your grades. Half the time I see you, you're spaced out-"

"I don't wanna talk about it!" She cried. "I don't want it to be happening."

"Well, you can't just ignore it. Usually, I come equipped with sarcastic blows, and witty comebacks, and blah blah blah." He told her, grasping her face in his hands. "But this is you, and my sister, and Hyde, who's like my brother. Hell, Fez and Kelso are like our weird cousins." He frowned, realizing she wasn't getting it. "We care. We won't stop caring. We are not Point Place. We are not here to hurt you. We love you, big red. Whether your parents are with each other, or against each other, or whatever. Hell, my mom would probably give you Laurie's bed." She sighed, mumbling her agreement.

By now, they were standing beside the Vista Cruiser, Hyde and Jackie sauntering over to the car, bickering about something stupid.

"Quit it, midget." He grumbled, and stuck his hand out. "I want my sweater back." She scoffed, pulling it off and throwing it at him. "Fuck you, Steven Hyde." She roared, kicking him in the shin.

"Ms Burkhart, language!" A staff member chastised. Everyone froze, when she snapped around and looked the teacher in the eyes. "That's an insult. My parents left me and took their name with them when I was nine years old. My name is Foreman."

The outburst made all eyes land on her, including Donna's, who raised an eyebrow. "Settle down, Satan, get in the car." Her brother's voice was almost muffled at the sound, but she still moved to follow him, climbing into the back seat, away from Donna, and between Fez and Kelso. The car was silent. And, not a comfortable silent, an awkward silent.

She had never reacted like that. Usually, she would just take the Burkhart blow and move on. But, for whatever reason, she decided she didn't want to today. The name ignited something deep inside of her, and she was fueled.

And, when they got to the house, she moved towards her room, rather than the basement.