It had been about a month since the breakup. In the meantime, Lucy poured all her efforts into her exams and scholarships to colleges. It was a welcomed distraction, considering that the alternative was moping around all day because of her breakup. And she'd be damned if she cried over Steven Hyde one more time.

One day, she was sitting in her room, writing away furiously for a scholarship where Eric was sitting next to her, reading through the paper for a job the next town over he could possibly get.

"You know Luce," Eric spoke up suddenly, "The way you handle things is really freaky."

Lucy sighed and looked up, pushing her hair behind her ears, "How so?"

"Well, just, um, you're really distant," Eric shrugged.

"You spent an entire month away in your room after you broke up with Donna. That was pretty distant," Lucy pointed out.

Eric's eyes went wide before he furrowed his eyebrows, "Well that's rude. Listen, I'm telling you from a place of experience. Make sure you don't shut everyone else out. And make sure you don't swear off relationships completely."

"Eric, have I shut you out?" the blonde sighed. Her twin shook his head, "Then I'm not really worried about it if I still have you. Plus, I have other friends besides you guys you know?"

"Oh really?" Eric scoffed.

"Yes!" Lucy insisted, "I've been talking to this guy and he's real sweet."

"Alright, alright," Eric chuckled slightly before becoming somber again, "Hey, um, but have you guys talked?"

"Besides the cordial good morning asshole, good night asshole, get out of my way dillhole, no. Why would I talk to him?" Lucy sighed.

"I'm really sorry you're going through this Luce," Eric said seriously, looking over at his sister.

Lucy swallowed down her urge to cry and shrugged, "Few more months right? And he didn't even apply or want to be with me so then I'll be away from him and this town. I can make it."

And that was the most she talked about it with anyone. She refused to let herself dwell on it or what it could've been.

❁

It was the weekend of the nurse's convention at the hotel Kelso and Hyde worked at. Meaning that her mom was given access to alcohol, and all the guys were able to gawk at the nurses in their uniforms. But it was really just another night in the Forman household: Eric got back from his new job at the dog food factory; Red called Donna and Eric out about stalling their wedding; Kelso and Fez were bumming around the basement for some reason; Hyde was off at the hotel, and Kitty was getting drinks at the convention. And Lucy was on the phone with a friend, making plans—determined to not close herself off.

It was later that night and Lucy was in the hotel, looking for a particular room number. It was late enough that most everyone was in their rooms, but for some reason these nurses had the ability to party all night and it completely baffled the blonde to see her mother in that state—luckily she wouldn't remember seeing her daughter sneaking around the hotel.

Just as Lucy found the number she had been looking for, the adjacent door opened. And a beautiful woman in a robe stepped out and all the blonde saw was the back of a boy's head with curly hair and Lucy's heart dropped to her stomach. She quickly ducked to try to crouch behind a housekeeping cart to avoid being seen but made too much racket, causing the pair to turn around and look at her standing up and brushing her bootleg jeans off.

"Hi!" She waved awkwardly, taken aback slightly when she saw Hyde without his beard.

Hyde stammered, furrowing his eyebrows, "Lucy! This is um—"

"Rozonda," the nurse held her hand out and Lucy smiled politely as she shook it. "Good seeing you," she nodded to Hyde with a smile before retreating back to her room.

"Um, hey," Hyde started awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck, "It's kinda weird seeing you here."

"Kinda weird exchanging more than two words, but yeah we'll focus on that," Lucy laughed nervously as she rocked on the balls of her feet. "Your belt is undone," she nodded down while looking anywhere but the boy in front of her.

"Shit," Hyde mumbled before fumbling with his belt. "Listen, I'm sorry you saw that but—you shouldn't follow me around ya know?" he said gently, as if to spare her feelings.

Lucy's jaw dropped and she had to stop herself from scoffing, "Don't look at me like I'm about to cry. I wasn't following you around, you're literally the last thing on my mind right now." The blonde turned around at the sound of a door shutting.

"You were literally hiding behind the cart L—Lucy, that's spying, so then the next thing you would do is like," he scratched the back of his neck, "cry. And if you weren't, then why are you here?"

With one eyebrow raised the blonde shook her head, "I've already cried over you twice—and no one gets a third cry. No one." Lucy began rummaging through her purse and felt her front and back pockets for a key, "Besides, this is my room," she nodded to the one directly next to the nurse's.

Hyde furrowed his eyebrows and opened his mouth to speak before a boy with sand colored hair walked up behind Lucy. "Hey Lu, you forgot your key."

The blonde jumped suddenly at the voice beside her before smiling, taking the key from him while placing a kiss on his cheek, "Thank you. And—"

"I talked to the kitchen," he nodded reassuringly, a hand around her waist.

The girl beamed up at him before nodding, snapped back to reality by Hyde clearing his throat. "Right, George, this is Hyde. Hyde, George."

At this, Hyde looked at Lucy curiously, not quite sure why the way she said that didn't sit right with him. George stuck his hand out to shake Hyde's who hesitated before shaking his hand while nodding, "You're the one she made out with at the college tour."

"Oh, you're the ex," George said, not in a rude way just in realization.

"The one and only," Hyde quipped, his eyes darting to Lucy quickly, who was wringing her hands nervously, she made a quick reach for a wrist before realizing she didn't have her charm anymore.

"I got a large plate of fries, some Malibu and two hamburgers for Harrison," Kelso's booming voice came from down the hall.

"That's me!" George shot his hand up and waved to the boy. Lucy now rolling her eyes at how much attention she felt was being drawn to them.

"You're name is freaking George Harrison?" Hyde asked, unamused.

"Yeah, uh, no relation obviously," George chuckled

Lucy laughed giddily, "Isn't it great?"

Kelso finally seeing behind the tall Australian spoke up in shock, "Oh my gosh, Luce! What are you doing here?"

"Yeah, what are you doing here Lucy?" Hyde questioned, tilting his head slightly.

Lucy bit the inside of her cheek and forced a smile, "I'm here with George," she responded simply and vaguely.

Kelso tried physically biting his tongue, "Ouch! Dude, burn!" He shouted, turning to Hyde.

"Well, um, we'll see you guys around," Lucy nodded, tugging on George's sleeve towards the door.

Kelso whistled, "You guys got a shit ton of Malibu."

"Yup," Lucy nodded curtly, "And it's nice because it's only two of us," dragging the words out slowly so that one of the three boys would get her hint.

"Well, you're right, why don't you guys join us?" George asked politely.

"That's a great idea, don't you think Kelso?" Hyde said with fake cheeriness, making eye contact with Lucy as he said so.

"You mother—" Lucy began mouthing as she stared daggers at the curly haired boy but was interrupted as Kelso shouted, "Free booze and time off work? Hell yeah!"

"Great!" Lucy faked a smile, "Kelso, you're sneaking us more booze on the house when we run out."

As George unlocked the door Lucy stared holes into Hyde's head, Kelso looking all around the hall as if he's never seen it before, "Hyde man, why is your coat all open?" He asked dumbly.

❁

Lucy was in her personal hell. George and Kelso got along too well and she sat on the bed as them two sat on the foot of the bed joking and Hyde sat in the lounge chair.

The blonde stared blankly ahead as she picked up the Malibu bottle and felt that it was about half full. She grabbed one of the glasses Kelso had brought up and filled it to the rim before placing it meticulously on the side table. She then took the bottle of Malibu and began drinking it.

"Shouldn't you go a little slow on that Lucy?" Hyde spoke up from his spot where he stole some fries from the tray.

Lucy glared at him, "Nooo, stop being a killjoy," she slurred drunkenly.

"I'm not a killjoy Luce, you're a lightweight," Hyde insisted, walking over to snatch the bottle from her.

"No I'm not!" Lucy shouted unintentionally, "I was when we were like 14, but not anymore!" she whined.

George looked over at her with an endearing smile, "You sound a bit like a lightweight babe," before getting up to grab the full cup of Malibu and sitting back down to continue his conversation with Kelso about how Kelso once made Pong paddles slightly smaller.

Hyde stiffened slightly before walking back to his seat with the bottle of alcohol, taking a swig for himself. "Killjoy," Lucy mumbled, as her head fell back onto the headrest, "You ruin everything." She let her eyes close slowly.

It felt as if no time had passed. But then Hyde's voice shouted, "Sit up Lucy!" as Lucy shook her head while coughing up something that tasted like acid. And then she was yanked to sit up by Hyde, as she threw the contents of her stomach up into an empty ice bucket.

"Shit," she mumbled lowly, crying in her drunken and scared state before throwing up again. Hyde moving to sit behind her and pulling her hair out of the way and rubbing her back with the other.

"You're alright," he whispered. Once she was done, he stood up and started pulling her up.

"What?" Lucy asked groggily, very disoriented as she looked around the room to see George and Michael passed out on the floor with the rest of the Malibu.

Hyde sighed, "You got it in your hair and on the pillow, you gotta shower."

"Yucky," Lucy dragged out childishly and rubbed her already swollen eyes as she held her arms up to the boy.

He simply grabbed her by the hand and guided her to the bathroom. He sat her on the toilet as he started the shower, and the girl tiredly pulled off her shirt and her jeans, sitting in her underwear, her eyelids heavy.

"Alright, come on, up," he held her hands as she stood up.

"Sorry Hydey," the blonde mumbled.

Hyde nodded as he pulled the curtain back for her, "It's fine. I'm gonna leave the door open, is that okay?" She hummed tiredly before the boy sighed and pinched her arm.

"Ouch!" She squealed, her eyes snapping open.

"In the shower. Go," he nodded before leaving the bathroom, picking up her clothes.

Lucy let out a yelp of shock when she stepped in the shower. "Shit," she mumbled, once realizing she was still in her bra and underwear. She leaned against the tile of the shower and let the water run over her, she moved weakly and tried to get the vomit out of her hair. "Idiot," she quietly scolded herself as she washed her hair; she had never overdone it that much with alcohol before, even when she got inadvertently drunk on Laurie's spiked Christmas punch. And for a moment, her mind drifted, and she realized both times she was lucky she had Hyde there for her. At that, she quickly shut off the shower.

Lucy walked out of the bathroom, her hair dripping and a towel wrapped tightly around her, much more awake now than before. On the bed, Hyde had laid out an oversized shirt she had packed. "Is my toothbrush in there?" she asked, exhausted.

Hyde dug through the bag, ignoring the small square packages and bag of oregano, before finally finding it. He held it out to her before joking, "You didn't want to share your stash?"

The blonde rolled her eyes, "It's my hard earned stash alright, mine," she chastised, pointing the toothbrush at him.

Hyde sat back in his seat and watched the girl intently, "Told you you're a lightweight."

She turned to look at him in the middle of brushing her teeth but remained silent before walking to grab the t-shirt, shutting the bathroom door behind her, "You knew exactly what you were doing you dillhole."

"What? Being right?" Hyde quipped, his annoyance rising as he heard it laced in her voice.

The door still shut, she sighed, "You cockblocked me like an ass."

Shaking his head, he stood up and walked closer to the bathroom door, "Well there's no reason for you to be immature and sleep with him just cause we broke up."

The door swung open and she glared up at him, "You hypocrite!" She jabbed a finger at his chest. "You didn't even know her name!" she pointed to the adjacent wall, "And maybe, maybe everything doesn't revolve around you okay?" she raised her eyebrows comically and she waved her hands in front of her. "I like him and you're cockblocking me!"

"I'm not cockblocking you Lucy!" he whispered harshly, "You thought I was mean to Dick Thompson but guess who was right?" he pointed to himself.

"Okay? Then name something wrong with him!" she demanded.

"He doesn't know you Lucy! He's in college, how many girls do you think he's talking to?" Hyde pointed out.

Lucy scoffed, crossing her arms, "Why does that matter? How many girls do you see in this hotel room? He likes me Hyde." She began to pass him to go to the bed.

"He didn't wake up," Hyde said seriously, "You're over here coughing and choking and he doesn't wake up."

The blonde shook her head, "So he's a deep sleeper? Kelso didn't wake up either. And don't act like it's a regular thing for me to do! It's not like you knew!" She pulled the covers over her and laid down. Hyde stalking over to the door. "Where are you going?" she jolted up suddenly.

"Out," Hyde said as if it were obvious. She nodded and laid back down slowly. It was then he realized that her eyes were still swollen and her hands were shaking slightly. He looked to the two passed out on the floor and the terrified girl in the bed. "It's pretty late—so, it's probably best if I crash here," he nodded tiredly, walking back to the chair and pulling it close to the bed before propping his feet up.

"Oh, okay," Lucy whispered, her eyes fluttering shut and falling quickly to sleep. Her shaky hands steadied, feeling a bit safer.

Softly, Hyde said, "You know I'm always here for you."

❁

Lucy woke up, rubbing her eyes as the sunlight cane in through the window. She looked over to see Hyde slumped in the chair, his feet up on the bed. It was weird, watching him sleep—she used to be able to do it all the time and it was one of her favorite things. When he was sleeping he wasn't scowling and looked peaceful.

"Morning," George said, opening the door and bringing in a tray of food.

Hyde sat up in his chair, grabbing his glasses off the side table. "I should go and help Roy. Do you guys need help with your stuff for checkout?" He asked expectedly as he looked at his watch, since check in was in half an hour.

"We're good," Lucy smiled softly.

Hyde furrowed his eyebrows before saying, "It's 8:30?"

"Oh I'm here for the week," George explained.

Hyde looking back to Lucy in confusion while she merely shrugged and avoided eye contact. "Kelso! Wake up!" She hollered as the boy shot up.

The two walked out of the room, the door closing behind them before Lucy clapped, "Waffles? Oh my god you're the best!" She picked one up excitedly when she saw there weren't any forks. "How'd you sleep?"

George sat down on the bed beside her, taking a strip of bacon. "Like a rock. That Malibu really knocks you out."

"Tell me about it," Lucy rolled her eyes with a nod.

The boy leaned forward to place a kiss on her forehead, "When did you shower?"

The girl merely chuckled before pulling him in for another kiss. Quickly pulling away, "Lemme finish my waffle."

"Well, duh, priorities Lu!" George laughed.

❁

Lucy was pulled into George's lap as they made out, George placing kisses along her neck and a few she was sure would bruise. His hands slid up her shirt but rested on her hips.

Suddenly, the blonde pulled away. "You okay?" George asked.

"Yeah," Lucy nodded, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Um, just before we get too carried away, I think it would be best if we took things slow. I've uh, I was only ever with Hyde and I don't want to rush anything." George nodded but Lucy continued rambling, dragging her hands down her face, "I feel terrible, I mean you came all this way and got this hotel and the drinks and I know I'm probably coming across as a tease—"

"Lucy, it's fine," George reassured her with a smile, pecking her on the lips softly. "I'm totally fine with waiting. I came here to see you, anything else we do is bonus—it's nice—great, but not necessary okay?" Lucy thought her heart was literally swelling, and she kissed her chastely. "But hey," George interrupted, pulling away, "Do you still like him? Is that why?"

Lucy's face fell and she chewed her lip nervously, "He was like my first everything—uh, he's just in my head or something. But I like you," she affirmed, kissing along his jaw and neck, "I like you so much."

❁

The petite blonde walked back up her front porch almost in a daze of giddiness, before she was stopped by Jackie, "You slept with someone!" the young brunette pried excitedly.

"No!" Lucy sighed, rolling her eyes, "Who gave you that idea, Kelso or Hyde?"

"Both, plus that look on your face," Jackie shrugged. "Okay, you can never leave me alone that long again. Your dad is having Eric and Donna get married—"

"Knew that," Lucy interrupted.

"This week," Jackie continued. Causing Lucy to gasp, "Laurie is back and is actually being nice. Fez had a sexy dream about Kelso. And Mitch heard the story about it and now look at the front paper for tomorrow!" She shoved a print out in her hand and she saw Fez and Kelso kissing by the lake.

"Laurie's back?" Lucy asked bewildered. "Fez couldn't keep a secret?"

"And worse. Steven is listening to country music," Jackie nodded theatrically. "Man, I feel like I'm in a real life soap opera!"

"Yeah?" Lucy nodded, "The tagline would be Nothing much happens in Point Place but here's what you missed."

"Oh! And Marlon Brando makes a guest appearance!" Jackie squealed as the two walked tentatively through the front door.

❁