Jackie and Hyde had both decided; this….whatever it was that was going on between them….was to remain a secret. Both insisted it was because they couldn't ruin their respective reputations, but Jackie had a sneaking suspicion that they preferred secrecy because it was sexier. I mean, what's hotter than wanting to touch someone, but having to restrain yourself? And no one knows that you're all hot and bothered for the guy sitting across from you, or that he's all hot and bothered for you. Sexy. But sometimes, it was just torture.
"I still can't believe Donna's gone, man," Eric moaned, taking another hit of the joint they were passing around. "I mean, she didn't give me time to think or anything!"
"Yeah, but Forman," Hyde leaned forward. "You told her your answer. You said you wouldn't be a second choice. So this is kinda your own fault."
Jackie nodded emphatically. "Steven's right. You were being a dumbass and now Donna's gone and I've had to spend the whole summer with you dweebs."
"Eric, a woman wants to be swept off her feet and told that she is the only thing that matters," Fez said philosophically. Jackie was curious to see where he was going with this topic. "They do not want to be rejected by their lover when they were expecting comfort."
"Well?" Eric turned to Jackie. "Is he right?"
Jackie glanced across the table at Hyde. God, I would love for him to sweep me off my feet….and take me into his room….and-
"Jackie?" Eric waved a hand in front of her face. "Earth to Jackie." She shook her head quickly, trying to dispel these thoughts. Wouldn't things be different if I could just jump his bones right here? Steven would tell Eric and Fez to buzz off and we could be alone….
"Fez is absolutely right," she said authoritatively. "Girls want a guy to take charge, to-to just take control and-" she broke off, fanning her face a little. "Geez, is it hot in here? I'm hot."
"Me, too," Hyde was staring at her, eyes so wide she could see them behind his sunglasses. Jackie had a feeling Hyde's thoughts were following the same path as her own. It was so painful, knowing that he was so close, and yet so far. Fez and Eric were unintentionally blocking them, keeping them from the release that, as the afternoon wore on, Jackie so desperately needed.
"-they wouldn't just do it, you know? Like, I didn't know that, uh," Eric hesitated. "Girls' having 'alone time' was really that much of a thing. I mean, they don't need sex like we do!"
It was almost as if their friends had picked up on Jackie and Hyde's desires; the conversation was almost exclusively about sex and Jackie could feel herself about to lose it. The joints were doing nothing to calm her down.
"Yes, Jackie, tell us about your self-love habits," Fez grinned wickedly.
"Shut up, man," Hyde growled, jiggling his leg up and down.
"I'm gonna go outside, get some air," Jackie shot up out of her chair, unable to keep her cool for any longer.
"Yeah, me too," Hyde said, not even trying to come up with an excuse that wouldn't place the two of them together.
"Whatever," Eric waved his hand noncommittally. "Fez and me will be here."
Jackie almost sprinted up the basement stairs, stopping in the driveway and turning to face Hyde.
"Holy shit, can I kiss you?" he breathed, already stepping towards her. Jackie laughed, throwing her arms around his neck.
"You know, you don't have to keep asking," she reached a hand up to take his sunglasses off of his face and hook them on his shirt collar. Hyde shrugged.
"Feels kinda shitty not to ask."
"Well, you can kiss me," Jackie smiled as she felt his lips crash into hers. For a rebel from the wrong side of the tracks, Steven sure knew how to sweep a girl off her feet.
