[Hyde POV]
"So, we're telling everyone, right?" I smirked as I drove Jackie back to the Formans.
"Won't it feel weird… with you being Micheal's best friend and all?" Jackie asked.
"You mean, won't it feel awesome?" I laughed. "I get to burn him while he's at his lowest. Besides, he was being so smug and telling everyone that he dumped you."
"That bitch!" Jackie widened her eyes in anger. "Now, let's go break his heart!"
We got into the basement. Eric and Donna were sitting together on the couch. Fez was eating candy. And Kelso was putting on a new record.
"Hey. Jackie." Micheal called out to her softly. "Remember what part of my body you nicknamed Pink Floyd?"
Jackie grimaced and hugged my arm. Kelso froze in shock.
"Everyone. We have wonderful news." Jackie said cheerfully. "Steven and I, are dating!"
"WHAT?!" Fez dropped his candy and stood next to Kelso. Both of them dropped their jaws at the news. Their mouths stayed open until I finally talked to them.
I turned to Kelso, placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Sorry man. It just happened."
"You… You snake!" Kelso slapped my hand. "How could you? You're my best friend, and you stabbed me in the back."
"I stabbed nothing. Do you really think that you still have a chance with her, after everything?" I said seriously.
Kelso was taken aback, and he left frantically.
"That's… too much Hyde." Eric said to me while frowning.
"He's going to be fine. Chances are, he's going to get even and date my ex." I said casually and sat on my usual spot.
Jackie walked near me and shouted at Eric without even looking at him, "MOVE!"
Eric and Donna scooted over and she sat next to me.
"Jackie. You're just pretending to date him. So you don't have to act while Kelso's not around." Donna laughed.
"Pretending?" Fez finally snapped out of it and asked. "It's not real?"
"No. It's not. I'm just helping Jackie get back to her feet." I said casually.
Jackie nodded and added, "Yes. My reputation had tanked since Micheal dumped me. I became the school's laughing stock."
She laid her hand on my thigh. "Steven is just helping me act as my boyfriend until the head cheerleader election."
"We need some ground rules." I pinched the skin on the back of her hand and moved it away. "No touching me unnecessarily."
Donna snorted at Jackie's embarrassment and teased, "So when is it necessary?"
"When they need it to get support." Fez said derisively, mocking Donna slightly.
Donna got pissed at him. Eric intervened and said, "So. What's the next rule?"
"Definitely no kissing." I added.
Jackie got pissed off and said, "No talking with other girls."
"No hand holding." I said, which made her even more pissed off.
"Hyde. You won't tell her to not talk with another guy?" Donna teased me.
"Oh yeah." I turned to Jackie slightly. She held her breath with expectation.
"You should talk with other guys. Like Fez. In fact, why don't you go out to dinner with him tonight?" I said casually.
"Ugh!" Jackie groaned in exasperation and hugged Donna.
I turned to Eric and said, "You'll go to the farm now and take some pictures of the shed I told my people to build this morning."
"Ugh. Right now?"
"Chop chop bitch." I smirked at him.
He rolled his eyes and stood up reluctantly. "Fine."
"Where are you going now Steven?" Jackie asked me.
"Autoshop." I replied curtly.
"Can I come?" She leaned in close to me, blinking slightly.
"Um. Alright." I agreed while feeling awkward about it. "But it's going to be quite boring there."
"It's fine! I just want to be with you– Just in case Micheal comes to the shop to confront you!"
I thought about the possibility of him doing that and Jackie was quite right here.
So I brought her to the auto shop with me.
…
In the autoshop. Megan, Tyrell and Jeff were standing beside the Pontiac Firebird TransAm car.
"Smile." I snapped a picture of them abruptly while they weren't ready.
"Boss! You heard about the win!?" Megan asked excitedly. Jackie hugged my side the second she saw Megan.
"What's with the kid?" Megan asked, which irked Jackie.
"What kid?! I'm his girlfriend!" Jackie snapped at Megan.
Tyrell shook his head slightly at me. I grimaced and said, "She's my fake girlfriend. I'm helping her get back at her boyfriend who cheated on her. The guy happens to be my best friend."
"Ah." Jeff snapped his finger in realization. "You sure live a colorful life boss. Want to see the trophy?"
"Sure." I replied casually.
Jeff brought back a silver trophy we got from the stock car race. He made me hold it and snapped my picture with it. Jackie wanted to get into the picture, but Megan politely turned her away.
"We're putting this on the wall. There's no need for a stranger to be up there with him." She said passive aggressively.
Jackie gasped and whined to me, "Steven!"
I rolled my eyes and said, "We can take a picture after this. I'll develop it and send it to you."
"Great." She smiled and gave a dirty look at Megan.
While I was taking the picture, the system notification chimed in.
'Took you long enough.'
Then, I realized something. It was a notification for two episodes.
First was the normal episode.
{Episode 22: Kelso's Serenade.
Old Rating: 7.5
New Rating: 7.6
Rating point: +0.1}
Then, the additional episode.
{Episode 23: Bro-Trial.
Rating: 7.6.
Rating point: +7.6}
{Total rating point: 12.8}
The episode consisted of the trial, and it ended with the fake girlfriend deal. It showed how Jackie's life needed some help as she was mocked by a few girls at school.
I was quite sure my favorability would shoot up—if it wasn't already at the max.
[Top counter: 8/10]
'Hopefully I'll find out what happens when I hit 10/10 soon.'
Jackie caught my gaze as I stared at her. She blushed and said coyly, "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Don't get on Megan's nerves. I'll be in huge trouble if she quits," I said flatly, which made Jackie gasp in protest.
Megan snorted, giving Jackie a smug look. I walked over to Tyrell, who started briefing me about the race.
"We filmed everything if you want to see it. Our car pulled almost a two-car gap from second place. We also got invited to a bigger race." Tyrell touched his mustache slightly. He did that when he was excited.
"Good. I'll leave it to you," I said with a satisfied smirk. Then, I asked, furrowing my eyebrows, "Did Tony say anything?"
"Say what?" Tyrell frowned.
"Anything about sponsorship?"
"Oh. Right. No, we haven't found any sponsors yet." Tyrell shook his head slightly.
"I figured. We still need a better track record. Get into as many races as we can. We need exposure," I said with a sigh. "I can't keep Tony on standby without paying him properly."
That was one of my main concerns. Tony was a racer, but even he needed money to survive.
"You did pay him," Tyrell said, looking at me with disbelief.
"It's only five hundred bucks."
"And you let him keep the prize money. That's another thousand," Tyrell added, staring at me.
"If we break into bigger events, sponsorships will come," I said, ignoring his gaze. "That's when this actually becomes profitable. And when Tony's career starts moving."
Tyrell smiled and said, "We all wish for that."
"I know you do." I scoffed slightly. "He's the local hero now. Everyone is wishing the best for him." I leaned against the workbench.
"We're just the mechanics. Once Tony gets noticed and moves up, he'll leave us behind for better teams and better cars."
Tyrell and Megan flinched a little. Jackie snorted and said, "He's right. No one will turn down 'better'."
I glanced at the Firebird, agreeing with Jackie with a nod. Megan had a sour look on her face, but she listened intently to my words.
"At best, we dominate regionals. USAC races, bigger circuits… that's our lane." I added.
Jeff crossed his arms, his expression faltered slightly. "So, we're not going to Nascar?"
"I don't think we should," I replied honestly.
"Why not?" Tyrell asked, confused and a bit annoyed.
"Well… even if we win everything out here, we still have to qualify. That means running like a full professional team—pit crew, crew chief, support staff. The whole package."
Tyrell, Megan, and Jeff listened closely.
"And the car?" I continued. "They're not letting this roll onto the track as-is. It has to be a proper NASCAR chassis. Same body, different machine underneath."
I paused for a second and said, "I can build one."
That made all three of them smile slightly.
"Sure you can." Megan said, partly sarcastic, mostly being honest.
"But that's where it gets expensive," I went on with a reluctant expression. "Even if we make it in, we'll be up against teams that have been doing this for years. Better crews. Better data. Better everything."
"We'd be walking in blind. First few races, we'd be lucky just to finish clean, let alone place."
"And if we actually want to compete…not just show up…. that's not one race. That's a full commitment. Multiple entries. More money. Probably a couple of years before anyone takes us seriously."
The shop went quiet for a moment.
"Not impossible," I added flatly. "Just expensive." I made the universal money gesture and showed it to everyone.
"How much will it cost?" Tyrell asked.
"Around fifty grand just to get our foot through the door. A full season… we're looking at over one-fifty to two hundred grand."
"Damn." Megan was shocked.
"If we get the sponsorship?" Tyrell asked.
I nodded slightly and said, "That will ease up our burden. But like I said before, they are going to sponsor Tony, not us. Chances are, they are going to stick him with a Nascar team if he keeps winning races– not; bringing us to Nascar with him."
Everyone has a look of realization on their faces.
Jeff broke the silence by clearing his throat and asking me coyly, "Boss. You're rich, right?"
"Not for Nascar. I won't do it since the expenses are not even tax deductible."
"Aww." Jeff whined.
Megan and Tyrell went back to check on the mechanics while I went to my office. Jackie sat on my spare bed there and said, "You know, you look really handsome just now."
"Huh?" I grimaced slightly.
"When… you give orders to all of those barbarians? And the way you explain stuff. You really look like a CEO."
"Barbarian?" I looked at her with disbelief. "Does that mean I'm the King of the barbarian?"
"No. I didn't say that." Jackie backtracked a bit. "What are you doing right now?"
"Checking inventory." I looked at her with disbelief. "I told you it's going to be boring."
Jackie sighed and said, "I'll get you some snacks. Where's the nearest place around here–"
"There's a snacks bar at the lounge. There's even ice cream, so help yourself over there."
She left me alone, and finally I could get some work done.
…
"Do you want to hear my plan to get Micheal to regret cheating on me?" Jackie asked as she ate some jerky.
"A revenge dress?" I guessed, not even looking at her.
"What's that?" She asked, intrigued.
I turned to her and said, "You know. The one dress in movies, where the girl who got cheated on wears. Like it shows a little skin, quite elegant, and it will make the ex regret not being able to–"
Jackie finished my sentence excited, "take it off me anymore!"
"In a way. Yes." I agreed with her.
"Steven! That's a very good idea! What movie is this?!"
"You know… Just movies." I said vaguely and turned to check inventory again. "Hmm, I am running low on engine oil stock."
"Steven! We should go shopping right now!" Jackie pulled my arm slightly.
"How about, instead of that, I'll buy you the dress?" I countered as I stiffened myself, not wanting to get out of the chair.
"How can you buy them without going shopping!?" She pulled my arm harder.
I sighed and said, "Fine."
She smiled in satisfaction and led me out of the room. I could buy her some dresses online, but girl's dresses had a myriad of concerns that it was better for her to find it herself.
Inside a boutique at the mall. Jackie was excitedly checking a few clothes in front of the mirror. However, for me, I felt like all of the designs were outdated.
It was still trendy in the 70s though.
"Which one is better?"
She held a floral brown one piece dress with strap shoulders. The other one was the same, in different colors.
"The peach one."
"No, this is beige." She corrected me while laughing.
The sales lady approached Jackie, already used to her since Jackie shopped here constantly and said, "We have some new items from California if you want to take a look."
"I want to!"
I checked her size, and it turned out she was a size 6.
'Wait. That seems too big for someone her size.'
I turned to ChatGPT and realized there was a size difference in girls' sizes between now and in the future. It was similar to an Asian sizing right now.
While she was picking out the dress, I opened up my internet and entered an Asian boutique store.
Asian style of dresses in the future was similar in terms of conservativeness in the 70s America.
Then, I realized that I could align the semi-translucent panel which showed the dress to Jackie who stood in front of me.
'Should I buy her these clothes? As a gift?'
I felt indebted to Jackie since she gave me the chance to get the new episode. Finally, I could buy another Build Mode and Appraisal because of her.
Since that would give me around hundreds of dollars in profit, I decided to give her a few gifts to show my gratitude.
"Hyde. What about this dress? Which one is better?" She showed me a couple more dresses.
"Hey, why don't you try it all on?" I told her.
She widened her eyes in excitement and said, "Oh! That's an amazing suggestion."
The sales lady sighed a bit as she led Jackie to the fitting room.
'I guess I'll buy it for her.'
I laughed and sat on the bench nearby. Then, I scrolled on the web and bought Jackie 1500$ worth of outfits.
"She's really late." I sighed slightly.
Suddenly, I saw a couple of students from my school get into the store.
They were shopping too and they saw me. Jackie came out at this time and showed her dress to me.
"Steven! I think this one looks the best on me! It's only 25 dollars too!"
She twirled the one piece dress at me. I smiled, glancing at the girls who was staring at us.
"What about the rest?" I asked.
"No. I think this one looks the best–"
"Do you like them too? Despite them not being the best one?"
"Of course I like them." Jackie rolled her eyes in disbelief, still not seeing the girls there.
"Then. Get them all. I'll buy you everything you want today." I stood up, put my hand on her shoulder and locked eyes with her.
Jackie froze slightly. The girls at the side of the store squealed, and it finally captured her attention.
The saleslady approached me and said with disbelief, "You want to buy everything? She tested more than 10–"
"Get some shoes and purses for her too." I added. "Anything my baby wants."
Jackie's jaw dropped slightly. The girls at the side of the store squealed again, and they left in a hurry to tell everyone about it.
"Steven!" Jackie scolded me as the girls left. "Why did you do that?"
"I am helping you regain your popularity. You will definitely be the talk of the school tomorrow." I said casually.
"No. Not that. You don't have to pretend you're buying me everything. Now I have to pay for them–"
"I'm buying." I interjected before she could finish.
Jackie was shocked. "Really? Why?"
"You're my girl for the week, right?" I said teasingly.
Jackie blushed a bit and grumbled to herself. I signalled the saleslady to ring up everything and I even picked some shoes and purses for her randomly.
It cost me more than 300 bucks. Jackie was elated when she saw all of the shopping bags. Even the saleslady was excited, since she worked on commissions.
"Hmm. Do you need anything else for your revenge scene?" I muttered with my hand on my chin.
"What about makeup?" The saleslady suggested. Jackie told her about the revenge, and she was on Jackie's side here.
"Oh. Great suggestion. Let's go grab some makeup too." I said, grabbing all of the bags from Jackie and helped her bring it to the other store.
…
On the drive home, Jackie kept stealing glances at me as I drove.
"What do you want to say?" I asked curtly.
"Nothing." She pretended to be coy.
I sighed and said, "Jackie. In the one year that I know you, there's never a moment where you have nothing to say."
She glared at me and asked, "Are you in love with me?"
"Not in a million years. Why?" I turned to her, confused.
"Well. Then, why are you helping me so much?" Jackie asked. "It doesn't make any sense if you're not in love with me."
"Does it make sense if I say, I'm doing this to burn kelso?"
She paused for a few seconds before replying, "That does make sense. Damn it."
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