[Hyde POV]
'What kind of song should I sing?'
I stood backstage scrolling through my Spotify playlist on my iPhone, trying to find something good enough to win the bet with Donna.
"Should I just sing some AI-generated song?" I muttered to myself.
Scratching my head in frustration, I reminded myself about the giant prize waiting for me at the end.
Then a sudden thought came to mind.
There weren't any official recordings of tonight's concert. Without albums, tapes, or hard copies floating around, I didn't really have to worry about whatever impact this song might have on the era.
Four-fifths of the people here were high anyway. Even my friends were all high on weed right now.
'Maybe I can get away with this?'
Finally, Leslie called me up to the stage.
I had already connected my phone to the speaker system, and I could start the instrumental with my smartwatch.
The crowd cheered loudly as I walked onto the stage. The festival lights were blinding from up here.
"Hello everyone." I adjusted the microphone slightly. "I know some of you are probably disappointed that I'm here instead of Miss Gaynor. She had another gig she needed to honor first."
"NO WE'RE NOT!" Jackie's voice rang clearly across the crowd since she was standing right against the front railing.
I exhaled softly and admitted, "Anyway… I'm definitely not a professional singer, so forgive me if this becomes the worst performance of your entire lives."
A lot of people laughed again.
Most rock stars acted larger than life on stage, so it was strangely fascinating for the audience to see someone who genuinely looked like he'd been dragged up there against his will.
The instrumental started playing through the speakers.
And suddenly, the entire festival grounds became quiet.
The rock stars watched from backstage curiously.
I adjusted the microphone slightly, tapping my boot against the stage to count the beat.
The cold patch was still attached to my bruised cheek, and the white bandages wrapping around my forearm were visible beneath the rolled sleeves of my leather jacket.
Under the stage lights, it made me look less like a singer and more like someone who got dragged out of a street fight and shoved onto a stage.
Then I started singing. My voice wasn't high, but it was soulful. Similar to the singer– Teddy Swims.
"♫♪ I was so high, I did not recognize… the fire burning in her eyes ♫♪"
Donna's face froze. Jackie squealed. A few girls near the front immediately screamed.
"Oh my god! He's so hot!" Jackie shouted.
"♫♪ The chaos that controlled my mind ♫♪"
The crowd grew quieter instead of louder. People were actually listening.
"♫♪ Whispered goodbye as she got on a plane ♫♪"
"♫♪ Never to return again. But always in my heart, oh♫♪"
Some of the older rock fans folded their arms at first, skeptical about the softer sound, but even they stopped talking once the chorus started building up.
"♫♪ This love has taken its toll on me! She said goodbye too many times before ♫♪"
"No way…" Donna muttered under her breath, holding her head in astonishment.
Eric looked genuinely disturbed. "No! My boobies!" he cried.
"♫♪And her heart is breaking in front of me! And I have no choice, 'cause I won't say goodbye anymore♫♪"
"♫♪Whoa♫♪"
Fez muttered, "Whispered goodbye as she got on a plane?"
Donna heard it and her eyes widened in realization. "That bitch tricked me! He wrote this a long time ago!"
"♫♪WhoOa♫♪" I was enjoying myself as I danced– just bouncing my body slightly to the beat. "♫♪WhoOa♫♪"
Backstage, Eddie Van Halen lowered his drink slightly.
"What the hell…" he muttered.
David Lee Roth looked delighted instead.
"I knew it." He pointed dramatically toward the stage. "I knew it the first time I saw him!"
A group of teenage girls near the barricade grabbed each other's arms and screamed every time I looked vaguely in their direction.
"♫♪ I tried my best to feed her appetite~ Keep her coming every night. So hard to keep her satisfied, oh♫♪"
Some of the girls there blushed instantly as they understood the lyrics.
"♫♪ Kept playing love like it was just a game. Pretending to feel the same. Then turn around and leave again, but uh-oh ♫♪"
Some of the crowd were already mouthing off the chorus as I continued.
"♫♪This love has taken its toll on me~ She said goodbye too many times before~♫♪"
"♫♪ And her heart is breaking in front of me. And I have no choice, 'cause I won't say goodbye anymore ♫♪"
Not quite disco. Not quite rock. Something in-between. And the crowd loved it.
"♫♪ I'll fix these broken things, repair your broken wings! And make sure everything's alright (it's alright, it's alright), oh, oh♫♪"
The instrumental already included the background vocals for me.
"♫♪ My pressure on your hips, sinking my fingertips! Into every inch of you because I know that's what you want me to do ♫♪"
Talia watched the performance and was a bit confused by the lyrics. "Is it a massage?"
I walked to the left side of the stage and then to the right. The crowd sang the chorus together with me now.
"♫♪ This love has taken its toll on me! She said goodbye too many times before ♫♪"
"♫♪ Her heart is breaking in front of me! And I have no choice 'cause I won't say goodbye anymore~~ ♫♪"
As I brought the song to a close, the crowd erupted thunderously.
People screamed. Whistled. Stomped their feet against the ground hard enough that I could feel the vibrations through the stage.
I quickly turned around and paused the instrumental with my watch before another song accidentally autoplayed.
When I faced the crowd again, thousands of voices were already chanting.
"ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!"
I coughed lightly as the singing put pressure on my bruised ribs.
"Sorry, but that's it from me tonight. I hope that—"
"NOOOOOOO!!"
The collective despair genuinely startled me.
"Please sing one more!"
"HYDE!"
"COME ON!"
"PLEASE!"
"ONE MORE SONG!"
Some girls near the barricade were literally jumping up and down while waving their hands desperately toward the stage.
I blinked beneath my sunglasses and looked toward Leslie helplessly.
She laughed and cupped her hands around her mouth.
"Do a cover song!"
The crowd exploded in approval immediately.
"YEAH!"
"COVER SONG!"
"ANYTHING!"
"WE DON'T CARE!"
I scratched my cheek awkwardly and asked, "What if it's both?"
The audience quieted slightly.
"A cover song. But rearranged enough that it sounds new."
"YESSSSS!!"
"PLAY IT!"
I nodded slowly.
"Alright then." I adjusted the microphone stand slightly. "The original song is called 'Beggin'' by The Four Seasons. I changed it around a little bit."
A little bit was a massive understatement.
I turned around and searched for Måneskin's version on my smartwatch. Then I took a deep breath.
And started crooning soulfully.
"♫♪ Putttt your loooooviiiiing haaaaand ooooout, baby~ ;Cause I'mmm Beeegggin'! ♫♪"
The crowd exploded almost instantly as the beats came.
Compared to "This Love," this song was dirtier. Rougher.
The rhythm had a swagger to it that fit the festival atmosphere perfectly.
…
I lifted the microphone one last time while the crowd continued roaring uncontrollably.
"With this song…" I coughed lightly and pressed a hand against my ribs. "The festival's officially over."
The audience immediately booed.
I laughed despite myself.
"I might organize another concert next month, so keep checking your newspapers for updates."
The cheering immediately started up again.
I flashed a peace sign toward the crowd.
"Goodnight, everybody."
And before they could force me into another encore, I immediately escaped backstage while thousands of people continued screaming my name behind me.
"Ah. That was tiring." I sighed as I slumped down near the wall, clutching my ribs.
Leslie looked taken aback. Tyrell rushed toward me and helped me stay upright.
"Hyde. You okay?"
"Yeah. It really hurts when I sing." I replied, my face burning slightly with fever. "Leslie, can you call my friends over here? I came with them."
"I can send you home," Leslie replied, her tone slightly irritated. "Or to the hospital."
"Nah, I just need painkillers. For a rib fracture, there's not much doctors can do besides throwing pain meds at you anyway." I took out a pill bottle and swallowed a painkiller.
"Are you sure?" Tyrell asked, concern flickering across his face.
"Yeah." I shrugged. "If you want to help me, you can deal with those guys." I pointed behind him.
The managers from Van Halen, Blue Öyster Cult, and Journey were all standing there, trying to approach me.
"Mr. Hyde. Are you serious about music? Because we can help you release your debut album—"
Tyrell immediately stepped in and escorted everyone away.
"Can't you people see he's injured? If you want to talk to him, come back tomorrow. Not today." He spread his arms wide to block the managers and forced them back.
Eric came over and helped me up, his face full of concern.
"Hyde. Leslie told me what happened. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Let's just go home."
The painkillers were already kicking in. I walked side by side with him toward the car. Along the way, a lot of girls squealed and called out my name.
Some even came up to ask me questions.
"Are you releasing an album soon?"
"Are you looking for a girlfriend?"
"Who's the girl you mentioned in the song?"
The five-hundred-meter walk felt like forever.
By the time I reached Eric's station wagon, Jackie and Fez approached me excitedly.
"Hyde! That was amazing!" Fez nearly hugged me, but Jackie shoved him aside and grabbed my arm first.
"Steven! You're like a rock star! You were seriously amazing! Oh my god, I could literally sleep with you tonight."
I grimaced and pushed her forehead away with my free hand, shooing her back.
"No. Where's Donna and Kelso?"
"They left first," Eric replied warily. "You're not really gonna do that, are you?"
"Do what?" I asked, confused.
"You know… the bet?" he replied, swallowing nervously.
I looked at him blankly.
"I made a bet? With who?"
"You don't remember?" Jackie asked in confusion.
I took out my pain pills again and shook the bottle slightly.
"I barely even remember getting here. I've been popping these pills all day long… Why were those people acting like I sang on stage or something?"
"You don't—" A smile slowly spread across Eric's face. "You don't remember. That's great."
"What's great?"
"Nothing."
Fez immediately tried to explain.
"You made a bet with Donna—"
"AH! Fez! No!" Eric interrupted quickly and shoved me gently toward the car. "He's injured. It's better to tell him later."
…
In the Forman's basement. Suddenly I realized that my ribs weren't hurting anymore. The cold patch on my face suddenly disappeared. The bandages on my arm and chest also disappeared.
"Wait–"
I checked the system and it said, "Recording In Progress". Maybe it was recording Eric or Red's plotline upstairs.
"Fez. Was I wearing a bandage before?" I asked Fez curiously.
He looked at me with confusion and replied, "You're wearing what now? Are you high? You don't even ask me to join you in your circle?"
"No. Forget it, Fez." I replied.
Fez took out a Playboy magazine and suddenly said, "You should be thankful to this magazine. I'm only letting this go because I want to test out a few things on Jackie."
"Fez. We just came back from a concert, right?" I asked him.
"You really are high! You betrayer! Of course we've just come back from a concert!" He yelled and walked away angrily.
I nodded in satisfaction as I realized it only changed our physical condition, not our memories.
"Ah. I forgot to ask him if he remembers the fight. Did it change the fighting event or just heal my wounds?"
While I was having some questions, Donna stomped to the basement angrily and sat on the couch.
"What happened? No hanky-panky?" I asked teasingly.
"Do you know that Eric kept a stack of dirty magazines under his bed?" Donna asked me angrily.
"Oh yeah." I grinned and said, "His treasure chest is exposed huh."
Mrs Forman suddenly walked down the stairs halfway and called me sweetly, "Steven. Come upstairs! Leo is here!"
"Oh. Okay Mrs Forman." I agreed and stood up from my seat. Then, I teased Donna, "Ha-ha! Your boyfriend's a huge pervert."
"Shut up Hyde! You don't even have a girlfriend!" Donna threw a throw pillow at me.
"At least I don't have a stack of dirty magazines under my bed."
"You have a stack of dirty movies under your bed!" She snapped.
"Hey! That's art! There are no pornos in my collection!" I pointed my finger at her and argued.
I went upstairs and saw Leo in the living room. He wasn't wearing any shoes, only black socks with a hole in it and he was eating a nut mix.
Grabbing some nuts, I asked them, "Hey. What's going on?"
Mrs Forman glanced at Red before taking a deep breath and said excitedly, "Oh, good news, Steven. Your dad's coming over tonight."
My smile vanished instantly. "Screw that!"
I stormed off.
"No, Steven, it's a good thing, I think." Mrs Forman followed me from behind.
"I have nothing to say to him!" I yelled.
"Well, we have fancy nut mix." She tried to convince me to stay, even following me to the kitchen.
The doorbell rang, and Red opened the door. My dad– Bud, entered and asked, "Hey, Red! Remember me?"
Red replied sarcastically, "Of course. I wasn't the one passed out in the gutter."
Bud guffawed fakely and said, "Yeah, I had this weird condition where I'd drink a case of beer and fall down."
He held Red's shoulder and asked, "Hey, Red. Man, you're looking good. Have you lost…hair?"
He laughed again. Red looked at him flatly and said, "Steven will be right out."
In the kitchen, Mrs Forman held my hand to stop me from leaving and begged, "Steven. Just do me a favor, just this once."
"Mrs Forman. You know that's unfair to me. I can't say no if you ask me like that." I sighed, slightly irked.
"I know that you don't want to see him. But you never know. Maybe he had changed. You can't know unless you met with him."
"Fine." I rolled my eyes slightly and entered the living room again.
"Hello, Bud." I greeted my dad.
He replied, standing by the piano, "Hi."
"I told you we don't need to pretend to be a family anymore. So why are you here?" I asked rudely.
Mrs Forman gasped and said, "Steven. You don't talk that way to your father. Sit down first."
I sighed and sat down reluctantly.
Red asked Bud playfully, "So, Bud, can I get you a drink?"
Mrs Forman laughed awkwardly.
"A drink! A drink of soda." Mrs Forman faked giddiness. " A nice drink of soda, Bud. Plus, we have cheese."
Bud walked past Leo and sat next to me.
"Soda sounds great, Kitty. Yeah, I'm off the hooch." He said casually.
"Oh, really? So, no more boozing." Mrs Forman whispered the sentence to my face as she handed him a cup of soda.
"I heard him." I said to her with annoyance.
"Yeah. I can finally see clearly." Bud said while Leo held onto his shoulder.
"Isn't it great, man?" Leo asked, already sounding completely fried.
"It is." Bud turned toward me again. "I got a job now. An apartment too. Color TV."
"Ooh, a color TV. That's nice." Mrs. Forman tried to encourage him gently.
"Wow, Bud. Really moving up in the world, huh?" I said, my temper already nearing its limit. "Color TV? Man… I remember when I was a kid, I didn't even have a father."
"Steven…" he called softly, his voice defeated.
"I told you to stay away from me." I stood up sharply, and he immediately stood up too.
"You want another kid? Go make another one."
The words came out colder than I expected.
"I already learned how to live without you." I pointed at him angrily. "And I'm not gonna stand here pretending you had anything to do with the person I became."
Nobody said a word.
"So I'll say it again." I glared at him directly. "Stay away from me."
Silence filled the room after my outburst.
Even Leo looked sobered up for a second.
Red finally broke the tension with a dry snort. "Well, well. Who could have foreseen this terrible…"
"Can it!" Mrs Forman snapped at him.
…
In the basement, I taunted Donna and said, "Did I make a bet with someone at the festival?"
Donna grinned slightly as she said, "You made a bet with Jackie. If you sing on the stage, you can touch her boobs."
"Oh god." I shuddered, face full of horror. "Then I went up there to sing?"
Eric nodded and said, "Yeah. I tried to stop you, but you slipped away."
"Damn." I cursed slowly. "I don't want that boob."
The two of them snickered.
I smirked and said, "You guys really thought you could get away with it."
Both of their faces froze.
"Now, give me my reward Donna. Let me honk that thonk."
Donna gasped. "You son of a bitch! You remember!"
"You were faking it?" Eric asked in shock. "Why?" He exclaimed desperately.
I smirked and said, "Because you're driving me home. I don't want you to go crazy and drive us off a cliff or something."
He immediately covered Donna's body with his back. "Donna run!"
"How can I run with you on top of me, you dillhole!" Donna shoved him to the side and almost ran away when Fez blocked her way.
"Fez. It's fine." I told him.
"Wait, it's fine?" Donna was taken aback.
"Yeah, I'm not going to force her if she's uncomfortable." I stood up and approached them. "But, they'll have to make it worth my while, going up there and singing while being injured… You know, taking a huge risk up there."
Donna gritted her teeth in frustration. Eric immediately stepped in and said, "I'll give you all of the money I have saved."
"How much?" Fez asked.
"One thousand three hundred dollars." Eric replied with a whimper.
Donna was shocked. "You had that much money?!"
"I was saving up for a car!" Eric turned to her and whined. "Now I'll have to use to– to prevent my friend from having his way with your breast."
Donna gasped, fully offended. "Maybe I should just let him touch me!" She said tauntingly. Then she yelled, "Like you touched yourself to all of the women in those magazines!"
Eric stammered and said, "F-Fine."
"So? Am I honking it or not?" I asked, confused.
Eric turned to Donna and gestured for her to move forward.
"Fine!" Donna yelped, grabbed my hand roughly and pushed it inside her shirt. She honked herself with my hand and blushed.
"That's it!" She slapped my hand away.
I grinned and said, "That's great. But wasn't I supposed to see it too? Like bare–"
"You've already seen it before!" She blushed and snapped at me.
I nodded and said, "Yeah. I did."
When we went skinny dipping in the lake, when I accidentally walked into her room when she was changing, and plenty more times as we grew up together.
Fez approached me and asked, "How did it feel?"
"Very soft." I replied.
"Damn. I want to honk it too!" He whined. "Donna–"
"NO!" Donna shot him down immediately.
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