Chapter 5

I took a deep breath as Donna looked at me.

"Hey," She smiled. "You can do this. They're probably all getting high anyways, so it'll be that much easier."

I nodded as she opened the basement's backdoor. The moment she did, all eyes turned toward me. Jackie was the first that said something.

"Hey, Sammy!" She smiled, probably being nice so I didn't feel too awkward.

I looked around. Hyde was sitting in his lawn chair, glasses on, legs stretched out, only looking at the TV. Kelso looked from me to him, frowning frustrated.

"Hey, Hyde…" Kelso said, pointing toward me. "Sam's here."

Hyde turned his head. "Uh huh."

I looked at him, angry, then turned around and walked out the door, Donna and Jackie right on my tail.

I sat down on the edge of Eric's station wagon as tears fell from my eyes. Donna frowned and Jackie sat down next to me.

"What the hell? That douche bag!" I said, crying into Donna's shoulder.

Jackie put a hand on my shoulder. "Hyde's a jerk. No doubt about it."

Donna slapped away her hand. "No he's not. He… just doesn't want to get hurt."

I looked at her and shook my head. "No. He doesn't like me like that."

Eric walked through the sliding glass door and over to us.

"Sorry, Sam. Hyde's being… Hyde."

I wiped away my tears and stood up. "Whatever. I didn't like him anyways."

Jackie laughed. "What are you talking about? You just cried over Steven. Hyde. You like him."

I glared at Jackie. "No, I don't. I'm going to get a drink."

I walked through the sliding glass door into Eric's kitchen. Mr. Forman was sitting at the table reading the newspaper. I sat down next to him and put my head down on the table.

"Hi, Mr. Forman."

"Samantha…"

"My life… sucks."

He looked over. "Your life sucks? I spent two years in Korea, with out toilet paper and no girls." He flipped the page of the paper.

"Psht. Your life sucks." He mumbled.

I shook my head. "Mr. Forman, what can you tell me about Hyde?"

He didn't look up from the sport's section of the paper as he said, "Steven? He's a dumbass, just like the rest of them. Don't get tangled up in all their dumbass-ness."

I laughed a little. "I like those adjectives. Thanks Mr. Forman."

I smiled and walked downstairs to the basement.

I looked up at the back of Hyde's head, took a deep breath, then sat down on the couch. Kelso smiled at me.

"Hey, Sam."

I smiled back, trying not to look at Hyde. "Hi, Kelso."

Jackie, Donna, and Eric trailed behind me, whispering something.

Donna smiled and elbowed Eric. "Shut up." She whispered, then sat down next to me.

"Hey guys. I thought since the disco thing… didn't turn out as planned-"

"You mean the part when Hyde tried to get Sam into bed, but Sam denied him, breaking his fragile heart?" I looked over at Fez, who I hadn't even realized was in the room.

"Fez!" Jackie yelled at him.

"What? The elefantant in the room was getting bigger!" His broken English still didn't make me feel any better.

I looked over at Hyde and managed a smile, and turned into a full out laugh. He smiled, then laughed right along side me. Everyone looked at us crazily.

"Wow. We're stupid." I said and smiled up at Hyde.

I looked under his glasses, just to sneak a peak of his blue eyes.

"Very stupid."

"Look," He took off his sunglasses. "I'm sorry, ok?"

I heard the sincerity in his voice.

"Ok." I smiled.

He smiled. "Good."

Jackie clapped. "Hurray! Now can we do something fun tonight?"

Donna smiled. "Yeah. Let's go to the water tower!"

Kelso stood up. "Yes! I have to re-write our names, Jackie!"

Hyde looked at him. "Kelso, you've fallen off that water tower four times."

He shook his head. "Um, wrong, Hyde! It's been five!"

I laughed and looked up at Eric. "So, why the water tower?"

Hyde nodded. "Because we can drink beer."

I nodded. "Awesome! I'll go, then."

"I know Leo can score us some. Hopefully he's sane though." Hyde said standing up.

"See you guys later." He walked out the backdoor, leaving me wondering what might happen tonight, and smiling.