Tough Guy (That 70's Show)

Chapter 8

Technically, I was grounded. But, technically, no one is home from 7am to 6pm, so during those hours, I was not.

Donna called me around noon, waking me up from my deep sleep. She told me to come hangout with her at Eric's, I had nothing better to do, so I told her I would be there in 20 minutes. I quickly showered and threw on a plain white tee and navy blue gym shorts, not putting any effort into my appearance.

I went around the back of Eric's house, right down to his basement. I was relieved to find that it was only Eric, Donna and Fez. Donna and Eric were sitting opposite of each other on the two miscellaneous chairs and Fez was on the couch. I plopped myself right next to Fez,

"Hey guys." I said.

"Hey Emily." Eric slurred my name. He leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. His tone of voice made me nervous. "So how are you and Hyde?"

I rolled my eyes, I should've known this was coming. "Is this why Donna called me? You just wanted to bother me about Hyde?" I crossed my arms and glared at Donna, then back at Eric.

"Cmon Em, you can tell us anything." Fez egged me on.

Something told me this was a terrible idea, but part of me wanted to badly to spill everything.

"We're fine, we made up." I shrugged, staring at the TV to avoid their eye contact.

"You made out?!" Eric yelled excitedly. I leaned over and slapped his leg,

"No you idiot! We made up. As in I'm not mad at him anymore." Not a single part of that sentence was true. We did make out, and I was mad at him for ditching me last night to leave me alone with my psychotic dad.

Eric opened his mouth to reply but the basement door flew open and none other than Steven Hyde came through the door. My insides burned at his appearance, his stupid freakin' sunglasses and his stupid tshirt with his stupid jean vest. I pretended like he wasn't even there, but that became difficult when he chose to squeeze right next to me on the couch.

"Whats up, Em." Hyde swung his arm over my shoulders and I wanted so badly to shrug it away, but I didn't want to cause a scene.

"Oh, you know, just grounded for the rest of my life." I kept my gaze locked on the TV.

"Grounded? Why?" Donna said, turning her attention to us. I opened my mouth to tell her why but Hyde beat me to it.

"She was out too late, her father is crazy." Hyde answered for me. My face grew hot with anger and I bit my tongue. Once Donna had turned her attention back to the TV I punched Hyde in his side. He looked at me with apologetic eyes but I wasn't taking any of his shit. I shook his arm off of me and scooted closer to Fez, just to piss him off. "Im sorry." Hyde mouthed the words.

I ignored him and pretended to be interested in whatever was on TV. If Hyde was embarrassed to let people know that we might possibly have something between us, then fine. There was nothing between us. I should've known better than to get my hopes up about being open about our 'relationship'. Does one even call what we have a relationship? My mind was in a hundred different places as once.

"I could cut the tension in this room with a knife." Fez broke the silence. "What the hell is going on between you two?" My body was pressed up against his and he wiggled uncomfortably.

"Sorry." I mumbled, embarrassed. I was forced to scoot back to Hyde.

"Yeah. I agree with Fez. There's definitely something wrong, what are you guys not telling us?" Eric spun around in his chair, obviously listening the entire time.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I lied. I kicked my feet up so my legs hung across Hyde's lap and off the edge of the couch. "Hyde and I are just fine. Right, Roomie?" My acting skills are shit, but I think it was working.

"Mhmm, just fine. So get your stinking legs off of me." He growled, shoving my legs to the ground. My cheeks burned with rage so I threw a punch at his upper arm. "You hit like a girl." He spat. I ignored his comment.

"Ah yes, there's the Hyde I know and love." Eric smiled brightly. Everyone returned to watching TV and I became painfully bored.

"Well I'm not just going to sit here all day, let's drink." I suggested. They all looked at me like I had three heads.

"Em, its 1pm." Donna reminded me. I bit my lip, embarrassed.

"...right." I said quietly. Suddenly the basement door flew open and a peppy Jackie came skipping through, with Kelso right on her tail.

"Dinner party at my house tonight!" She yelled, waving pink invitations in the air. "The attire is semi-formal casual." She smiled and handed me one, and then one to Eric and Donna.

"Great! I can finally wear my tuxedo t-shirt!" Fez said.

Jackie's eyes widened and she glanced at Kelso, "Um, I guess it looks like I forgot to invite you and Hyde..."

"Well it's never too late!" Fez chirped, throwing his hands into the air. Jackie quickly turned on her heels and shoved Kelso out the door,

"Got to go!" She shouted and disappeared.

"Well, I better go try and find something to wear... not sure if I have semi-formal casual." Donna laughed. "You coming, Em?" She asked, getting up from her seat.

"Yeah I'll come."

I watched Donna and Eric peck on the lips and exclaim that they would see each other later. My heart ached for that kind of normal relationship. A best friend that loved you unconditionally, I was so jealous of Donna and Eric.

~

Jackies house was beautiful. It looked as though no one lived there it was so spotless. Plus, everything looked incredibly expensive, I wasn't even sure if I should be walking on the gold and red carpet.

There were a few people lounging around, people from school that I've only ever seen in the halls. Everyone was sipping on wine that Jackie had stolen from her parents cupboard but she swore they wouldn't notice, considering her dads in jail and her mom is always on some kind of business trip.

The gang had attempted to dress 'semi-formal casual', whatever that meant. Jackie had on a beautiful sheer floral two-piece set, but it looked as though she was just trying way too hard. Donna insisted on wearing a sweater but I complained that it was too hot, I kept the plain white tee that I had on earlier and paired it with pink high- waisted shorts. That was as formal as I was going to get for a house party.

I was just complaining to Donna about how bored I was when there was a knock on the door. Jackie looked confused as she began to unlock it, I suppose she wasn't expecting anyone else?

Jackie swung the door open to find Hyde and Fez. Hyde had a smug look on his face that made me want to punch him in the gut but make out with him at the same time. I groaned.

"What's wrong?" Donna asked, sipping her wine. I glanced at Hyde who pushed past Jackie and strutted through the door wearing his stupid sunglasses. I turned my attention back to Donna and grabbed her arm, tugging her to the corner of the room so no one else could hear us.

Everything poured out of me. How me and Hyde fought and then we kissed and then we made out and then we cuddled and then we slept together (just sleeping) and then we got caught and then he ditched me and now I'm so incredibly pissed at him but at the same time so incredibly in love.

"In love?!" Donnas jaw dropped. Shit, shit, shit, I don't know why I said that. I was ranting so quickly it just fell out of me.

"Oh shit Donna." I ran my hands nervously through my hair. "I didn't mean that. I mean- I don't think I meant that. I don't know! Just forget I said anything okay?!"

Donna was giggling up a storm.

"Stop it! It's not funny!" I hissed, peeking over Donnas shoulder and looking at Hyde who was chatting up some blonde bimbo.

"Emily's in love with Hyde." She sang.

I huffed my chest and rolled my eyes.

"I need alcohol."