[Hyde POV]
Donna and I went into the Nova to talk privately. The scene was rolling so I have to keep it simple and in character.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Donna asked casually.
"I need your help…" I paused and looked at her. "With a girl."
[-10 Favorability]
'Wait a second.' I was shaken internally. 'What am I doing wrong here? Oh… Is it because it seems like I was making a move on her?'
The system notification chimed again.
[All delivery would be cancelled, everything will disappear if the episode close with a favorability under 70]
'FUCKKK!' I almost cursed out loud. 'My mattress! My clothes! My watch! My suit!'
I had spent 1200 dollars last night to buy the stuff. A lot of them were still in transit so I would be losing a lot of money.
"Oh." Donna became excited. "Who's she? Is she someone I know?"
"I guess you do know her." I replied ambiguously.
[-20 Favorability]
Eric walked to Fez and peeked at our conversation from afar. "What's going on Fez?" Eric asked.
"I don't know." Fez replied. "I couldn't hear them."
"Damn it. What could they possibly be talking about?!" Eric asked with frustration.
In the car, I continued the conversation quickly.
"Remember Victoria?" I asked.
[Favorability +30]
With the expectation of me confessing to Donna went out the window, the fans finally became neutral again.
But I still have to be careful.
"Oh, isn't she the senior you went out with?" Donna replied, leaning in closer as she became interested.
I nodded and said, "I need you to be her friend."
"Huh? Why?" Donna was confused. "Wait… Isn't she married?" She turned to me and asked with a slightly heated tone, "Hyde, what are you doing with a married woman?"
[-10 favorability]
I sighed and said, "I'll explain, so judge me after you hear all of the facts."
"Well it's going to be hard since I'm judging you right now, but go on." Donna replied with a slight chortle.
"I met her yesterday. And I went to her house last night."
"WHAT?!" Donna was startled. "HYDE. JUDGING NOW!"
"Hold on, I said." I said with exasperation. "We didn't do anything. I went to deliver her new fridge, and I saw something worrisome. Her husband left about 6 months ago."
"Oh." Donna calmed down a bit. "Is that why you want me to be her friend?"
[+10 favorability.]
"Yeah. She seems to be punishing herself by living in the house… the cold, freezing house that she's afraid of. She slept in the living room, too afraid of even sleeping in her bedroom at night."
As I continued, Donna turned serious and no longer was she joking around.
"Wait. What's going on?" She asked.
The camera wasn't on me anymore, so I could tell her the truth.
"It's hard to explain, so I'm going to try to do it chronologically, so you get what's happening." I said, then I told her about her church camp after her parents found out she's not a virgin anymore, she married a man who lived with a guy for 10 years, and everything about John.
Donna widened her eyes, her face froze in shock as I told her everything.
The camera went back on me, I think it went to Eric before this.
"That's… so, let me get this straight, she was forced into a marriage at church camp, with a gay husband, and now he left her to go to California, and she had to live alone for 6 months?"
I added, "In the middle of knowhere. And the house was really scary. And by scary, I mean, exorcist level scary."
"Why didn't you just tell her about her husband?" Donna asked with confusion.
"Because she would not believe it if it came from me. She would think I'm just doing this to sleep with her." I replied.
Donna went into deep thought before she smirked mischievously. "So, you're worried about her? You… LOVE HER? Right?"
As she was teasing and laughing, Eric saw she was touching my shoulder a bit– although in reality she was punching it, and panicked. His rationale began to lose, and his insecurity took the front seat in his mind.
"I don't love her. I just want to help because I feel a bit responsible." I replied.
"Hmm? Why do you feel responsible?" Donna asked.
"Well, who do you think got her thrown into church camp in the first place?" I asked with a serious face.
"Wait… You, Hyde!" Donna got mad. As she calmed down, she said, "Alright, I'll help. Also, I'm flattered that you picked me." She giggled slightly.
"Eh, you're not my first choice. But Mrs Forman will be back late, and I want to get to her house before sundown."
Donna smirked and teased again, "Because you loooove her."
"Get bent." I muttered with a piss off tone. Donna laughed and nudged my arm.
"Can I tell Eric?" She asked.
"It's fine. I'm going to bring him too. Since he's a good guy–"
Then, Eric stomped towards the car.
"HYDE! GET OUT! WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT!" Eric shouted, banging on the car hood.
"What?" Donna was taken aback, her face dropped.
I didn't have any reaction for a few seconds before I said, "Okay. Sure."
Donna grabbed my arm and said, "Wait. You're going to fight him? Why?"
"Do we need a reason to fight?" I pretended to be confused.
[+10 favorability]
It seemed that the fans loved it.
I went outside and rolled my sleeves. Eric entered a fighting stance and shouted, "You want to get my girl? You'll have to go through me first! So come on!"
"Wait. That's why we're fighting?" I said casually and put my hands down. "I don't want her, so you can keep your scrawny baby hands to yourself."
"Yeah. I thought so." Eric said tauntingly, acting as if he won.
"ERIC!" Donna came out of the car, fuming madly. "What are you doing you idiot?!"
"Donna, he's trying to make a move–"
"Not on me! On another girl! He's just asking me to help him with it!" Donna shouted loudly.
"Oh." Eric exclaimed flatly,
I was taken aback and whispered, "Donna. That thing we just talked about, it's just between the two of us."
Kelso, Fez and Jackie approached us and joined the conversation. "What girl? Who is this mystery girl Hyde is keeping away from us?" Fez asked.
Jackie laughed and said, "She must be an uggo since he didn't want to be caught making a move on her."
I turned to Jackie and gave her a look.
Donna shouted, "No. She's quite pretty, but you are all not a part of this! And Eric, you could've been a part of it, since Hyde literally said you're a good guy and wants your help before you get all huffy."
"What?" Eric was taken aback. "Wait. You were going to tell me?"
"Of course." I replied.
"Great. Now, I feel really bad." Eric was dejected.
"You should be!" Donna crossed her arms and admonished him. "Now you're not going to be included in the secret."
"Hey! Donna! You'll tell me, right?" Jackie said, slightly interested.
"No." Donna said flatly. Jackie yelped, taking offense and said, "Well… I'm not going to tell you my secret either!"
"Jackie, you don't have any secrets. If you want to keep a secret, you must learn how to actually keep your mouth shut." I said, which made her offended again.
"BURN!" Kelso shouted. Jackie yelped and she stomped away angrily, grabbing Kelso with her.
Donna and Eric went to have a talk about Eric's possessiveness and the fact that he didn't trust her. He said it was because he couldn't see a reason why she was together with her, except for the car.
It was a slightly cringe, yet heartwarming moment between the two main characters. A side character like me, my job was done after the almost-fight.
…
Eric went to have a talk with Donna, and the episode ended. It was a short episode, focusing more on Eric's insecurity, and some Kitty and Red's adventure in their workplace as they were really tired.
Like Kitty sleeping on the bed of a coma patient, and Red almost got caught sleeping but pretended it was a thinking skill.
I went to my room for a bit to prepare for the drive and read the system notification.
[Episode 3: Competition. (Rating 7.1 /10)]
It wasn't a great episode, but it was entertaining enough in a sitcom setting.
"Do I get IMDb points?" I asked.
The system went silent for a bit before it was calculating.
[7.1 point. Would you like to upgrade your internet speed?]
Last time, 0.1 point managed to get me 10 mbps internet speed. A 710 mbps internet speed would make my work much much easier. But it was also quite wasteful to spend it all on the internet speed.
"I only need, like, 50 Mbps to run Netflix or YouTube without crashing out from the slow internet speed."
"System. What else can I get with the points?"
There was a mechanical ding and the display screen changed.
[AVAILABLE UPGRADES]
Internet Speed: 1 point = +100 Mbps
Storage Expansion: 2 points for 1 slot
Build Mode: 5 points = 1 hour automated construction (materials & tools required)
System store inventory: 0.5 points for 1 random item ]
I blinked. "Build mode?"
The system elaborated.
[Build Mode: When activated, the system will perform construction or assembly tasks instantly, provided tools and materials are pre-gathered. User physical labor is not required.
Caution: Build depends on material availability. Better materials and preparation, better results.]
My eyes flickered in excitement.
"Wait—so I gather the supplies, stand back, and just… Minecraft-auto-build it?"
It didn't answer, but I guess it was true.
"Um, could I split the build into stages, like pausing the build time? Because I'm living with people and they will ask questions.
[Yes. It depends on the user to use his hours creatively.]
"Nice." I muttered with excitement.
"I'll upgrade the internet with 0.5 points, then I'll get an hour of build time. I'll keep the rest of the points for the next upgrade."
For now, I didn't have a need for the storage slot upgrade. Maybe in the future.
[Favorability point: 84/150]
'I received a gift when I passed 50 points. I wonder if I could choose a gift too after 100 points.'
"Wait. I have the random item stuff. Um, let's use 0.5 points there."
The system page refreshes. Before, only the lightbulb function was there. But now, it added something else.
[Gummy worm (100g) - 50 cents]
"Oh." I muttered flatly. "It's candy."
I guess the items were really random.
"I have 1.1 points left. Ahh screw it. System, out 0.1 in the internet speed, 1.0 for two random items."
Now, my internet speed has reached 70 mbps.
And I got two more random items in the system store.
[Fake Potted Plant (Fern) – $19.99]
[Latex Mattress Topper– $75.00]
…
Donna, Eric and I went to Victoria's house in the Vista Cruiser.
"Gummy Worm?" I offered to them as I sat on the back while the two of them were sitting in the front although the bench could easily fit 3.
"Worms?" Eric was confused. "I have never seen a gummy worm before."
"Is it new?" Donna grabbed the bag from me. The worms were packed neatly inside a transparent bag.
As Donna ripped apart the ribbon, she grabbed one worm, a blue and yellow one.
"It's very chewy… AND DELICIOUS!" she widened her eyes, taking another one greedily.
"Wait. Really? Give me one!" Eric asked, but Donna almost slapped his hand away. I bought another one and gave it to Eric. "Here, don't fight."
"Oh my god, Hyde. Are you actually the Easter Bunny? Or, the witch in Hansel and Gretel."
I smirked and said, "Eat well, my dears. We're going to arrive at the old house soon."
"Oh god, we're going to be eaten." Eric played along.
Donna ate another candy and said, "I don't mind. Hyde, I want more of these."
I was shocked. "You've finished already? What did you do– drink them?"
I took out another bag. Eric was startled and asked, "How much do you have with you?"
"Around 10." I replied with a smirk. "But I only brought 4."
There was a reason why they were reacting so strongly.
Back in the 70s, soft candies like these barely existed in America. Gummy bears were only just introduced and were really rare outside specialty stores.
Most kids were used to hard candy, chocolate bars, taffy, or caramel—nothing like the soft, bouncy, neon-colored gummy worms.
So to them, this tasted like some kind of insane treat. Extra chewy, extra fruity, bright colors they'd never seen in candy before.
"Can I have another one?" Donna asked.
"No. The last one's for Victoria." I stopped her. She turned to Eric and sneakily put her hand into his bag.
"Hey! That's my candy!" Eric snapped teasingly. "But I was an ass earlier, so I'm going to give the rest of my candy to you."
"What about me? You tried to fight me." I added teasingly.
Eric sighed and said, "Um.. I'm driving you, in the snow, to get to a married woman's house so… Yeah, we're even."
"Cheapskate. From now on, if you want the worms, you'll have to pay double." I said with a sniffle and laid down on the backseat.
I was quite tired from the hectic couple of days.
"Hey! That's not fair. What if Donna wants me to buy it for her? And she's getting addicted to it too!" Eric whined.
We arrived at Victoria's house after 40 minutes of driving. She really lived quite far away from the town.
"The house is all dark. Are you sure she's in?" Donna asked as Eric parked his car in front of the farmhouse.
I saw the curtains move, so I replied, "Yeah. She's in. Let's go."
Eric panicked slightly and said, "Can't I just stay here?"
"Are you sure you're going to be safe sitting out here alone?" I asked.
He became more scared and shouted, "Hey! Wait up!"
I knocked on her door, "Victoria. Open up!"
"Hyde?!" Victoria was startled and she unlocked the door quickly. Wearing thick robes and carrying a lit candle in her hand, she asked, "What are you doing here? In the snow?"
"What are you doing? Why is there no light?" I asked.
"Um… The electricity is out again." She replied.
"Can we come in?" I asked. Victoria hesitated, her eyes glancing at Donna and Eric, both greeted her cheerfully, and said, "Alright. But only for a little while."
As Donna went in, I whispered to her, "Do your job properly."
Eric whispered in a scared tone, "It's like the House of the Prairie out here. I miss my warm bed."
I pushed him in and closed the door behind us. Donna began asking Victoria about her time at the church, and although Victoria hesitated at first, she began talking when I told her I had told Donna some stuff.
"Hyde. I dare you to walk to the kitchen and come back." Eric whispered while Donna and Victoria were in deep conversation. The both of us sat back until Donna needed us.
"You first." I whispered back to him.
"What? No. I dared you first." He argued.
"I'll give you 10 bucks if you succeed." I offered.
"Ten?" Eric turned to the dark hallway and then said, "That's not worth my life."
He gave up easily.
"Victoria, it's really cold here." Donna shuddered. "I don't think you can stay here tonight.
"I can't go with you," she whispered. "Pastor Timothy said… this is my punishment. No friends. No distractions. No socializing until I fix myself. And if I marry a good man, then maybe I can redeem myself."
I stared at her. "…What?"
She continued, voice shaking.
"God wants me isolated. Quiet. Humble. Safe from… temptation." She looked at the floor. "If I talk to people, I become a bad influence."
Donna mouthed as she turned to me, 'What the hell?'
Eric whispered, "Man. This is some cult stuff."
"You know. Hyde actually bought you a blanket." Donna changed the subject. "It's a warm electric blanket since he's afraid you're going to be cold."
"What?" Victoria's eyes flickered, seemingly touched. "You did that?"
I nodded and said, "Yeah. But there's no electricity, so I can't even give it to you if I wanted to."
Victoria smiled, lowered her eyes and whispered bitterly. "That's very thoughtful Hyde."
"Victoria." Eric began to speak. "I know this whole cult– I mean, church things are good, but you need to have some thinking of your own. Sometimes, the simplest things are the best things. This place is cold, so… let's find a warmer place."
Victoria shook her head and said, "I'll be fine with some more blankets. It's not like this is the first time."
I rolled my eyes back.
"Why are you insisting on this?" I asked with an irked tone.
"Hyde!" Donna called out to me, wanting me to calm down, but I couldn't.
Victoria gritted her teeth and said, "You won't understand it Steven."
"I'm the only one who can. Remember what you told me yesterday? We're peas in the pod. But you never saw me opting to live like this."
"That's because…" Victoria trailed off, she didn't really know how to argue about it.
I exhaled sharply. "Alright. Victoria? Let's break this down. With the actual Bible.."
I searched about it yesterday using Chatgpt. I didn't think I would have to use it, but now, I need to. I took out a piece of paper.
"First: God isolating you? Psalm 68:6 — 'God sets the lonely in families.' Not exile. Family. Community. Support."
Donna blinked. "Wait—that's actually nice."
"Second," I continued, "punishment? Romans 8:1 — 'There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ.' Zero. Nada. You don't get lifelong grounding for one mistake."
Eric suddenly smiled and whispered to Donna. "Hyde read a bible."
"Shut up Forman." I scolded him.
Victoria's lips parted. "…But Pastor Timothy said—"
"Matthew 7:15," I shot back instantly. 'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.' Translation: sometimes the loudest religious person is the one you should run from."
Donna raised her hand like she was in school. "I'm sorry—Hyde, since when are you a theologian?" Both her and Eric were thoroughly amused.
I ignored her and turned to Victoria again.
"Hyde. But!" Victoria tried to argue.
"1 Timothy 2:12 — 'I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be quiet.'" I interjected.
Donna snapped, "HEY."
"Wait. Is that real?" Eric peeked on my paper. I nodded and said, "It's real."
Victoria's eyes shook. Donna was really mad. "Hyde. You're never going to use that to make her leave."
"I'm not saying it to force her," I clarified, "I'm saying your pastor cherry-picks rules he likes, and ignores everything he doesn't."
I read something else, "And also, according to Dr. Saltz's 1974 paper on interpersonal dynamics, isolating someone is literally a textbook sign of a toxic social environment where power is used to restrict autonomy, and—"
I froze.
Donna stared. Eric stared. Victoria stared.
Donna squinted. "…Hyde. Who the hell is Dr. Saltz?"
I coughed. "Uh… a guy. From a thing." It was something Chatgpt gave me. I just wrote it down and accidentally said it out loud.
"You just quoted… psychology." Donna stepped back.
Eric pointed accusingly. "YOU READ THINGS."
I ignored both of them.
"But the point is," I said firmly, turning back to Victoria, "that what your church calls 'punishment' is actually emotional isolation. And that's not holy. That's harmful."
Victoria's eyes trembled. I softened my tone.
"God isn't keeping you in a cage," I said gruffly. "People are."
Donna laughed in amazement and said, "Hyde, that's awesome!"
Eric nodded slightly, looking impressed. "That's a really great line."
"Shut up both of you. You did nothing!" I scolded them, but they just laughed.
Victoria swallowed. "But… what if I'm making a mistake leaving?"
I stepped closer, offering my hand.
"Then you make the mistake with friends around you," I said quietly. "Not alone in this creepy house waiting for lightning to strike."
Victoria hesitated… then slowly reached for my hand.
"I… I'll come." Victoria finally agreed.
Donna raised her arms in excitement and said, "yeah! One more points for the progressives."
"Good on you for being so supportive. So you wouldn't mind Victoria sleeping in your room tonight, right?" I said with a smiling eyes.
"WHat?!" Donna was taken aback. I added, "You won't let her go to a hotel and be alone again, would you?"
"Um…" Donna hesitated. "Alright. I'll do it. For 2 bags of gummy worms!" She negotiated fiercely.
"Aright. Deal." I replied. "Victoria. Go pack your stuff. I'll drive your car."
Once we brought her back, Mrs Forman was all over her.
She made her food, sympathized with her, and began planning what to do next. She even called a youth pastor to come home that night to tell Victoria it was okay.
Like I said before, Mrs Forman was truly the first, and best choice in this type of stuff. Community related stuff.
(There's free chapter up to chapter 30 in my patreon page. I already set up a one chapter per day using the WN timer, to push the story out there. If you want to read early, just go to my patreon page.
patreon.com/relifewithkarmicgacha)