jekyll & hyde | steven hyde

three point one | streaking

Melissa made her way over to Forman's basement in time to hear someone yelling inside. She didn't rush in, just went about as normal walking in to see the boys doing something in the doorways. Kelso was yelling at both Hyde and Fez to push their arms up against the doorways. Melissa assumed it was some stupid trick Kelso had learned from a kid on the street and she went to sit on the couch and wait for them to finish whatever it was.

    Eric came stomping down the stairs, carrying sodas, and Jackie jumped up from her spot on the dryer. "Oh my God, I'm so dehydrated."

    "Oh, here. Piggly-Wiggly Diet Creme Soda." Eric offered to the pretty girl with a fake smile.

    As per usual, the girl came out as an absolute diva when she said, "I told you my top three choices were Tab, Fresca, or Diet Rite."

    Melissa rolled her eyes and made room on the couch for someone else to sit. Eric began to sit down as he replied to the brunette, "Again, you get Piggly Wiggly Diet Creme Soda."

    From across the room, Melissa could see Hyde 'discreetly' trying to get her attention. She didn't pay attention to whatever prissy thing Jackie was saying, and raised her eyebrows in question at her best friend. He responded with a devilish grin and a nod in her direction, and it was at this point that Melissa realized she was wearing the shirt he had given her last year for her birthday. She stuck out her tongue at him and tried to return to the group's conversation.

    Mrs. Forman barged in, yelling at the teens to gain their attention. Melissa leaned back on the arm of the couch and responded to her yelling, "What is it, Mrs. Forman?"

    "Melissa, dear, please call me Kitty. Mrs. Forman makes me feel old. And the president is coming!" She exclaimed excitedly.

    "What president?" Eric asked.

    "The president of these United States, Gerald R. Ford, the 36th. . . 8th. . . 40th. . . I don't know, he's the president!" Mrs. Forman ran off into the back room of the basement.

    "Why would Ford come to Point Place?" Eric asked.

    Jackie chirped in, excited to be important in the conversation, "Because we are a whistle-stop along his Wisconsin campaign trail. My dad organized it."

    Again, Melissa zoned out, this time because she heard Jackie mention her father, and she had to restrain herself from plucking the girl's head clean off her shoulders. The brunette was a serious daddy's girl through and through, and it irked Melissa. She didn't appreciate her father for any of his efforts, simply took him for granted. Melissa, not having a father, had thought much of this, and after much consideration, it was decided her father wasn't worth her time. Her mother had never mentioned a word of her father to her before dying, so why would it be important now? Anyways, she'd long since told aunt Jan that if her father were to arrive, she'd give him a small opportunity to explain himself, and depending on the shitty excuse or life-changing explanation, would then make her move. It was much easier to decide these things when there wasn't an actual person to consider, of course.

* * * * *

    The school was as usual. Boring, disheartening, and life-draining. The only thing keeping Melissa from falling asleep was the funny notes she and Hyde were tossing across the classroom. They'd purposely seated themselves at far ends of the room just to see how long it'd take for the teacher to notice.

    Just as Melissa was about to throw another crumpled piece of paper, the intercom went off, startling most of the students awake, and also the teacher. She could hear Hyde's snickering. Then, her principal began speaking in his monotonous, dreary voice, "At the bell, please gather in the gymnasium for an important assembly." Then, the bell rang, and Melissa rushed to grab up her things, the piece of paper in her hand dropping to the floor. Unknowing to her, Hyde stooped to pick it up as he walked out of the classroom, quickly pocketing it as he jogged to catch up to the blonde.

    "Bet he'll mention the motor oil." The boy flashed her a wicked grin, and she had to compose herself silently. That damn smile of his. It really would be the death of her.

    The assembly was spent letting Kelso braid her hair in intricate designs Jackie had taught him. Melissa didn't mind being his dummy (hah!), it felt sort of nice to have someone play with her hair. She closed her eyes and nearly drifted off, holding onto someone's arm to keep her from falling.

    Melissa was pretty sure the school was well overdue for a call to the electrician or something, because she noticed out of the corner of her eye, light bulbs flickering on. Weird.

    After school, Donna and Melissa walked home, taking a longer route to Forman's house as they wanted some time for girl talk. "So, you and Eric?" Melissa asked, side-eyeing the redhead.

    "Uh, we're good, I think. I still don't know what we are, but I think that's okay." Donna admitted, thinking out loud for the most part. It was an unspoken agreement between the two girls that everything stayed between them. This was nice, considering Jackie had a knack for blabbing her mouth to half the school before you could even say another word.

    "That's good. You don't need to know what you are. Don't have to force ourselves into a box because Jackie thinks you should. If you're cool with whatever's between you two now, then why change it?" Melissa smiled, seeing Donna's unbearable grin. "But please, tell Jackie the details of your recent make-out session, because I've yet to get Eric's 'wee wee pee pee' phase out of my mind, so I don't need any more mental pictures." She faked a groan and pretended to puke, and the two girls laughed. They definitely needed this girl talk.

    "So, what about you and Hyde?" Donna asked.

    "Huh?" The blonde retorted, wondering why Donna was bringing up the curly-haired stoner. He was only a friend. Although, she had been having some thoughts lately. Quickly, Melissa denied them to herself, blaming her teenage hormones.

    "Don't tell me you haven't noticed. All he does anymore is talk to you, about you, I'm pretty sure you're the only one in the group he hangs out with alone anymore." The tall redhead explained as if she were stating the obvious, making a face at the end.

    "Donna, me and Hyde are just friends. Please, we've been friends since we were little kids. There's no way he thinks of me like that. Is there?"

    The question she posed was enough to confirm Donna's theory; Melissa liked Hyde. "Yeah, there is. Look, I was thinking the same thing when I first kissed Eric. Then, I started freaking out because of the whole 'boyfriend v.s best friend' thing in my head. But, I say you should go for it. If you think there's a chance that he could like you back, then go for it. I want you to have what me and Eric have."

    Melissa nodded, taking in the advice. She bit her lip in thought, then said, "Ok. I'll do it. Tonight. I'll get him to walk me home." She put the plan in place, and Donna stuck her hand out, awaiting a high five. Melissa slapped the redhead's hand in triumph.

    The girls walked into the basement just in time for them to hear the boys' big plan. Streaking. Well, this should be fun. The blonde pulled out her homework and began working on the assignment for history class. It wasn't due yet, but she thought it would be better to have it done now, rather than stress over it later. She finished it in a timely fashion and put away her things, trying to muster up the courage to grab Hyde's attention. "Uh, Hyde? Walk me home?" She asked, and the boy nodded, saying goodbye to the others. She caught the knowing gaze from Donna and sneered back, sticking out her tongue.

    Hyde grabbed the binder in Melissa's hands, letting it hang by his side as they walked across Forman's front yard over to Melissa's. She gripped the straps of her book bag tightly as she tried to ease into a conversation, "So, streaking?"

    "Yeah. Pretty genius, ironically enough since it came from Kelso." Hyde replied, his glasses making it impossible to see his eyes. How was he still able to walk in the dark with them on? "Oh, right, can I borrow a lipstick?"

    "Uh, sure?" Melissa thought about asking what for, but decided against it, shutting her mouth again. "Come on in, I'll go get it."

    She ran up the stairs, dropping her book bag by her bed as she glanced over her lipsticks. Ah, perfect. An old red shade she'd never use. She walked back downstairs, holding the lipstick with a white-knuckle grip. "Hey, so, there's this test coming up in history. I know you don't really care about your grades, but I thought maybe we could study together for it? We can come here to do it, I mean study since Jan will be working tomorrow." She nervously proposed as she handed him the lipstick.

    He nodded, pocketing the tube of make-up, feeling the paper in there too. "Yeah, sure. After school?"

    "Yeah." She agreed, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. After a moment, she realized she hadn't given him the go-ahead to leave, and he was waiting. She took a deep breath, this is it. She pushed up on her toes, grabbing his shoulders to steady herself, and planted a kiss on a surprisingly smooth cheek. "Later." She said, smiling as she turned around.

    "Later." He whispered to himself, smirking and shaking his head as he walked out, closing the door behind him.

    Just from out of view came a soft "awe" from aunt Jan, and Melissa jokingly yelled, "Shut up!"

Hey, guys. So, this chapter was insanely long. Like, this is two thirds of the actual full chapter, and I didn't want to bombard you guys with an insanely long chapter. But, I hope you enjoyed. Also, if you got time, maybe you could comment? I'd love some feedback. 
I'll be back next week with another chapter, xo.