Chapter 5. Playing with Fire.
My father didn't notice the fact that I didn't attend school, which was good, because I didn't want him to think that I'd be getting myself into trouble again. He didn't really talk much when he got home from work, which I was very thankful for considering that I was incredibly moody from my morning experience. I couldn't pin point why it bothered me so much, however it did. I kept trying to tell myself that I'd still get along with the others and he'd just be missing out on my rad personality anyways, however it didn't work. I mean, I wasn't in to him – at least not to my coherent knowledge. Sure, he was attractive, but so am I and therefore I can date myself or someone better.
Wednesday rolled around quite nicely and I was able to catch a ride from Jackie. However, with Kelso being in the car with us, it changed Jackie from annoying to annoying and needy which made her borderline unbearable. There was an uncomfortable buzz surrounding my new group of friends, which I later discovered the reasoning from Eric. Apparently, Saturday was Eric's birthday and he knew he was getting a lame surprise party, which he couldn't convince his parents of otherwise hosting for him.
School was becoming exceedingly boring but I didn't have a car yet and therefore skipping would be difficult. I knew I'd have to discuss transportation with my father later, but I knew his answer would be hesitant unless I was able to find a way to pay…. That inevitably meant that I'd have to get a job and get off my lazy ass which I was not yet in the mood for.
At the end of the school day, we all met outside to converse (and smoke – for some of us) before going home. To my surprise, Eric had a car – a vista cruiser which honestly sounded better than something I'd be able to afford even with a steady job at a fast food joint.
"Nice ride, Eric," I complimented. The group kind of stood around it, admiring the fact that it was indeed a real vehicle and not some toy.
"My dad just gave it to me," Eric, trying to show off, just shrugged like it was nothing.
Hyde chuckled, "Okay, hotshot, calm down and take me home." He threw his cigarette on the ground and crushed it.
I did the same with my cigarette. I looked beside me to find that Jackie and Kelso left without telling me which meant I'd have to find my own ride or walk. I sighed and waved at them, muttering a quiet, "Later" before walking away.
"And where are you going?" Donna grabbed me by the shoulder and twisted me to facing them again.
"Home," I stated, with obvious sass slithering into my voice.
"Well, I can drive you," Eric said.
"Its fine, man, just let her walk," Hyde retaliated. Well, I changed my mind.
I smiled sourly at Hyde, "Yknow, actually, I think I'll accept Eric's offer." I turned my gaze back to Eric and said, "Thank you."
As I walked past Hyde to get into the backseat of the car, I whispered, "Get bent" in his ear. Since Donna and Eric are practically a thing, Donna rode shotgun, which meant I had Hyde next to me in the back. While the ride back to the house wasn't long, it was kind of aggravating. I wanted to get inside his head, understand what his problem with me was, and try to fix it…. Fix it? Why?
I had no clue why I was fixating myself on the fact that he didn't like me – without even getting to know me or expressing any valid, logical reasoning. It's like he determined right when he looked at me that he was not whatsoever interested in getting to know me, which made no sense at all.
Eric made it to my house and dropped me off. On my way out of the car, Eric and Donna both cheerfully told me goodbye while Hyde just grunted at me. Once I got upstairs to my bedroom, I lit incense, put on a Zeppelin record, opened a window, and fell asleep.
I was awoken what felt like a few hours later by the noise of what appeared to be someone trying to get into my house from my mirror. I almost screamed until I realized who it was. Hyde. It was already dark out, so nobody must've noticed this criminal act he committed. I had no clue why he was here.
I opened my mouth to speak when he tangled his lips around mine. His arms wrapped themselves around my waist as he deepened the kiss.
My eyes flew open. Everything around me was dark. None of that was real. It was a dream. But, why would I dream about that?