ＦＲＥＥ ＢＩＲＤ

𝔩𝔶𝔫𝔶𝔯𝔡 𝔰𝔨𝔶𝔫𝔶𝔯𝔡

♟

I stroll over to Donna's house with my garment bag and footwear in my hands and kick the door to knock. It swings open, and I'm welcomed in by the ginger and Jackie.

"I can't wait to show you guys my stuff," Donna gushes, ushering me into the kitchen. 

She shows off a pair of silver sandals with thick heels that give her about another inch of height. "These are the shoes I'm wearing to the prom."

"They're gorgeous!" I grin.

Jackie grabs them and examines them. "Oh my god! I was going to get new shoes... except Michael didn't ask me."

I truly felt bad for the girl. Of course, we get our own prom next year but it's nice to be able to go twice. Since we're sophomores, we can't go to the junior prom unless we're someone's plus-one. I'm going with Buddy Morgan so I can hang out with my friends and he can flirt with his crush, but Jackie refuses to let me set someone up with her. She has no problem getting boys, like me, but she tells me that she wants to wait until Kelso asks her. If he even does.

Donna ignores her and turns to the refrigerator that her outfit hangs on. "And you like my prom dress, right?" 

I peer over Jackie's shoulder and examine it. It's a long, violet dress with spaghetti straps and a free form. It will surely look stunning on her tall figure. 

"I love it," I assure her.

"Oh my god," Jackie sighs. "I was going to get a new prom dress... except Michael didn't ask me."

"I'm so nervous about the prom," the girl continues. "I think it's going to be the night that Eric and I... you know."

"Oh my gosh! That's when Michael and I were going to do it for the first time!"

"Jackie, you and Kelso did it, like, two months ago. And, like, thirty times after that."

"Yeah, but it would've been our first time at a prom. Except Michael didn't ask me."

"Jackie, you broke up with him."

"I know. Isn't it sad?"

I lay my items on a nearby chair. "Just ask him to take you," I scoff.

Her face contorts in repulsion. "God, no! This is the prom. It's no time for your stupid feminist crap."

Donna brushes it off. "Whatever. Show us your outfit, Anastasia."

I smile and exhibit my heels, which are black stilettos that have a slight shine to them and a lace-up front. After they compliment my choice, I reveal the dress.

Although it sounds cliche, when I saw it, I just felt like it was so right. It's so... me. It's a black dress, matching my shoes, with lace replacing the fabric on my midriff and my arms. It stops just above my knees and hugs my figure slightly, fanning out at the ends. The neckline is low and stops at around the bottom of my breastbone. It's slightly unorthodox for the current fashions, but I like it.

"You're going to look amazing in that," Donna chuckles. 

"Thank you," I beam.

"I'm sure your date will be drooling all over you. Who is it, again?"

"Buddy. So I doubt he'll appreciate it that much, but thanks."

The door slams open as Kelso and Eric barge in. The former is immediately taken aback by Jackie, who glares at him with her arms crossed.

"Hello, Michael," she drawls.

"Hello, Jackie."

"I'm just over here helping Donna and Anastasia get ready for the prom. Because they're going to the prom with Eric and Buddy Morgan."

"Yes, we are," Donna's date confirms uncomfortably.

"I'm going to the prom," Kelso giggles. "I'm taking Pam Macy."

I immediately collect my things, push past him, and run out the door, hoping to avoid the tense conversation that is bound to happen. On my way home, I fall into step with Hyde, who is walking home from Eric's.

"Hey, Princess," he nods.

"Hi."

He points to the clothing in my arms. "What's the body bag for? Did you kill someone or something? I knew you were involved with the Mafia."

"I am not involved with the Mafia. This is a garment bag. For garments. It's my prom dress."

"You're wearing a bag to prom?"

I send him a look before speaking. "Are you going to prom?"

"No, man! That stuff is lame. Plus, it's made up by the government to get us all in one area. That way they can examine our behaviors and make sure a teenager uprising never happens."

"You're so weird," I laugh.

"I don't even need to try. Who are you going with?"

"Buddy Morgan."

"Oh, crap. Princess, man, I hate to break it to you, but he's gay."

I roll my eyes. "I know, you asshole."

He snickers under his breath as we approach my house.

"I guess I'll see you... not at prom, then," I smirk.

"Yeah, see you."

"Bye."

"G'bye."

♟

On the night of the prom, I drive to Buddy's house after getting ready. We have agreed to use my car, as I'm more likely to take someone home tonight. I have braided my hair and weaved roses into it. I sport a rose pendant with dark crimson lipstick. As a last-minute addition, the ring Hyde has gifted me for Christmas sits on my finger.

Luckily, since my outfit's color is black with hints of red, we don't too obviously match. He wears a black and white suit with a red rose in his blazer's pocket.

"Good evening," I smile, kissing his cheek. "You clean up nicely."

"As do you," he shoots back. "I didn't get you a corsage. Is that okay?"

"It is. We're going as friends, even if it looks like we're the perfect prom king/queen poster couple. That reminds me... if I win and I'm not there, let the runner-up take the crown."

"Got it," he laughs.

"Do you want to drive?"

"Sure."

I toss the keys to him and climb into the passenger's seat. As we pull up to the school and step out, all eyes turn to us. I don't mean to sound egotistical, but I feel like a goddess. We seem to glow like stars amongst the other students.

I nonchalantly shut the door and strut into the gym on my date's arm. I spot my friends and rush over to them.

"Damn, Anastasia!" Kelso grins.

"Hey!" Pam snarls, nudging him.

"Hi, Pam," I greet. I hug her and turn to Donna. "I don't know how you do it, but you look like a hot queen."

She scoffs. "That is such a lie."

"It really isn't."

"Where did Hyde go? I wanted to get a picture with him," Eric queries, standing on his toes to see over the heads of people dancing.

I furrow my eyebrows. "Hyde's here?"

"Yeah, he came with Jackie."

"Oh."

A slow song switches on. While the couples pair off to dance, I locate Buddy and take his hand. We sway to the beat calmly. 

I turn to see the boy he's looking at over my shoulder. "Ask him out," I advise.

"What?"

"You're practically undressing each other with your eyes. Just ask him out."

"What if he's straight?"

"Then I'll help you convince him that he's drunk."

"Ana-"

The song switches to a more upbeat tune and I pat his shoulder. "No excuses. Now, go."

About an hour later, I find Jackie sitting alone at a table and join her. "Where did Hyde go?"

"He's getting punch," she sulks. I see him talking to Kelso. In his purple tuxedo, he looks... handsome.

"How's it going with Michael?"

"Terribly. He's still with Pam Macy."

Steven exits through the back door as Kelso slowly approaches us. Jackie seems to forget that she was just upset and rises, drifting gracefully to him. After watching them return to each other, I decide to talk to Hyde outside.

He's smoking by the wall of the school and turns his head when he notices the door open. His posture straightens when his gaze lands on me and he puts his cigarette out. 

"Hey, Princess," he mumbles in some sort of a daze.

"Hey."

"You look good."

"Thanks. You aren't too bad yourself. What are you doing out here?"

"Kelso and Jackie are working their mess of a relationship out, so I don't have to be here anymore."

"If you want, I can drive you home," I offer.

"Actually, could you drive me to Forman's house instead?"

I nod. "Come on."

I lead him to my car and slip into the driver's seat. The ride is silent, which is normal except for his glances at me. I quietly park by my house. Once I get out, I give him a small wave. "Bye."

"Wait."

I rotate on my heels. "What?"

"Uh..." he walks up the driveway and to me. "You're... You look beautiful tonight."

I scan his face in confusion, having to look up despite my heels. "Steven, you already told me-"

I jump when he grabs my waist and gently pushes his lips against mine. I don't even have time to react before he pulls away. His icy eyes search me for any sign of negativity. 

As the shock fades, I realize what I want at this moment. Him. I snake my arms around his neck and kiss him back. His arms grip my hips again and he pulls me closer as the kiss becomes more and more heated. His hands rest on my midriff, drawing circles in the lace.

We break apart, panting lightly. "Let's take this inside," I murmur.

I unlock my door as quickly as possible and we stumble into my room. He sits by the headboard of my bed as we kick our shoes off. I straddle his lap and connect our lips again, tangling my fingers into his hair. His hands wander down to my thighs and my skirt slowly hikes up.

I untie his bow while he shrugs his jacket off and rips off his shirt. I marginally open my mouth while his tongue slips in. He releases a low groan when I trace my hands down his chest.

It gives me a sense of satisfaction to hear that. To know that he feels as good as I do, which is, quite frankly, very good.

He trails kisses down my neck and collarbone while I grind against him. "Shit, Princess," he mutters.

I chuckle as I step away from him and unzip my dress, noting the way his pants rise slightly in his crotch area. "Enjoying yourself?"

He doesn't say anything. Instead, he watches the dress fall from my figure. His eyes rake my exposed body.

"You're wearing lace."

"Yes, I am."

I climb back onto the bed and he hovers over me as I lay myself down. 

"You're so hot," he whispers.

"So I've heard."

♟

My bare chest heaves as the boy above me rolls to the side.

"What did we just do?" I breathe.

"I don't know, but I liked it."

I laugh and kiss his cheek. "Shut up."

"Oh, don't pretend like you didn't like it, too. I know I'm a sex god."

"Of course." I toss him a clean towel and freshen up before locating an oversized sweater.

"Do you mind if I stay the night?"

"No. I can check if Nikolai has something in his room for you to wear tomorrow so you don't get ridiculed for hooking up with me. If someone sees you coming out of my house tomorrow morning in tonight's clothes."

"Thanks."

I choose a Rolling Stones shirt, just to spite him, and one of my brother's many pairs of black jeans. I return to my room and toss them over the back of a chair.

I yawn as I cover us with my blanket and snuggle into Hyde's chest. Now that he's put some underwear on and his arm is comfortably draped over my waist, I can absorb the reality of what has happened.

I just... I just did it with Steven Hyde. Steven Hyde. The one guy I never thought I'd enjoy having sex with. And he was good. Really good.

My cheeks heat as he snores softly next to me.

And to think, a year ago, I wanted nothing to do with him.

♟

*insert Lenny Face*

As always, feedback, comments, and votes are always appreciated!

Love you guys,

Lissy