Won't You Fly High, Free Bird?

2. Hello, It's Me

May 21, 1977
Driving to Kenosha

"I'm riding shotgun!" announced Kelso.

"No you're not!" said Donna.

"Well I'm not riding in the back."

"Why don't we let Eric decide?"

"Kelso," said Eric. "Get in back."

"Fine!" said Kelso in defeat. "At least I get to sit with Katie." He put his arm on the back of the seat around Katie, as she rolled her eyes. Although Katie thought Kelso had become pretty attractive since middle school, he would always be the annoying goofy friend in her eyes.

"Kelso, do I have to remind you that you have a girlfriend?" said Donna.

"Yeah, Jackie-pain-in-the-ass-Burkhart," said Eric.

"I'm breaking up with her!"

"Mhmm..." said Donna.

"Yeah, right," said Eric.

"Especially now that this hot chick's back in town," said Kelso, nodding at Katie. Katie smacks him on the back of the head.

"Get a grip, Kelso!"

"Ow!"

"Nice one, Free Bird!" Hyde laughed as he walked up the driveway. The car immediately smelled strongly of marajuana as he got in the car. "Alright, let's hit the road!"

Eric drove to Fez's house first.

"And who might this beautiful goddess be?" Fez inquired, looking at Katie.

"Hi, I'm Katie. I just moved back into town."

"Hello, Katie. I'm Fez," he said smoothly. Fez grabbed Katie hand and kissed the back of it. Katie was slightly flattered, but more so confused.

"Katie, Fez is the new foreign exchange student. He's a nice guy when he's not being a weirdo," explained Donna jokingly. They all climbed back in the Vista Cruiser, with Fez in the trunk, and headed to pick up Jackie next.

"Who's the whore?" said Jackie as she looked into the car, glaring at Katie who was squished in the back seat closely against Kelso .

"Woooww, okay. Hi, I'm Katie. You must be Jackie," said Katie, putting two and two together and brushing off Jackie's greeting.

"Michael! Where am I going to sit?" whined Jackie.

"Here, take my seat," said Katie as she climbed to the front beside Donna.

***

Getting to the concert was an adventure in itself. The Vista Cruiser broke down and they made Kelso and Jackie give up their tickets to trade for a new car battery. Once the rest of the gang got into the concert, Katie realized how much she had missed her friends. She enjoyed sharing a joint with her friends, loudly singing offkey with them, and she didn't even mind when Hyde put an arm around her shoulders when Todd Rundgren sang "Hello It's Me".

***

After the concert and dropping off Kelso, Jackie and Fez, the four friends hung out in Eric's driveway.

"That concert was bitchin'!" said Eric, lying on the hood of the Vista Cruiser. Donna shot Katie a look, hinting she was ready to make her big move.

"Well, I'm tired! Hyde, walk me home?" said Katie, trying to give her friend some alone time with Eric.

"But I'm crashing in Forman's basement to-" Katie grabbed Hyde's arm leading him away from their two friends.

"Have a good night! Thanks for driving, Forman!"

"It's good to have you back in this shithole, Freberg," said Hyde as they walked towards Katie's house next door.

"It's good to be back, Hyde," said Katie, lying down on the freshly cut grass in front of her house and trying to buy more time for Donna. Hyde lay down beside her, with one hand behind his head and the other in his pocket, as they stared in silence up at the perfectly clear night sky.

"For as much as I wanted to get out of Point Place when I was here, I have to say, I've missed it." Katie looked over at Hyde. He turned to look at her.

"It hasn't been the same since you've left, man." They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity.

"Well, I think we've given the lovebirds enough time alone," said Hyde, breaking the silence. He got up and held out his hand to help Katie off the ground.

"Yup!" Katie said quickly. "Well... good night, Hyde." She ran up to her house and looked back to see Hyde walking back to Eric's basement.