Disclaimer: I do not own Jimmy Neutron and I never will.
"No Libby. I don't do blind dates."
"Oh, come on you might like it. What can go wrong?"
22-year-old Cindy Vortex gave her best friend a stern look.
"I can think of many things that can go wrong."
"Damn Cindy stop being so cynical." Libby Folfax walks over to the dinner table and sits down on a chair. She looks on as Cindy arranges some books on a bookcase. Libby knew she was avoiding any further inquires. It was something Libby has noticed after over 15 years of friendship: whenever Cindy wanted to avoided a conversation, she would do the most mundane thing at the slowest pace. Cindy probably figured the person would get annoyed and change the subject. Most often that will happen but Libby knew better.
"You've never done a blind date so how do you know something bad will happen?" Libby asks gently.
"Trust me; I have heard enough about them to make me avoid it."
"Girl don't you think I would know what kind of guy you would like to date. Do you really think I would pick someone just for the heck of making you look bad?" Libby grabs the book in Cindy's hand and places it on the table.
"No, but-"
"No 'buts' just go on this one date. If you have a bad time I will never do it again and I might let you rub it in my face," Cindy smirks at that " but if you have a great time, then you owe me a girls spa day."
Cindy thinks about it for a bit and then sighs. "Fine, I'll try it out. But no funny business, ok?"
Libby squeals and hugs her. "I promise nothing but dinner and talking, a harmless first date."
"You better hope so."Cindy sits on the couch "So who is this guy anyways?"
"Nope can't say or it wouldn't be a blind date." She emphasizes on 'blind'.
"Come on, at least give me something. How do I know you just didn't pick him from the supermarket aisle or something?"
Libby rolls her eyes "I'd never do that. Anyways, the guy is friends with Sheen and me…from school. He's smart, charming-"
"Good looking?"
"Now that is a matter of opinion. I mean he is not ugly by any means but I wouldn't say 'O.M.G he is to die for' either." Libby reaches for her cell, checking her texts. She smiles as she reads one from her fiancé. He is on his way to talk to Cindy's "blind" date.
"Sheen texted you?"
"Yeah. So why are you against blind dates?" Libby asks.
"Its not that I am against them, it's that I'm not-"
"-ready to start dating again?" Libby finishes for her. Cindy nodded.
"It's only been 8 months since Adrian left me and I really don't feel like going through this whole dating thing again."
"Cindy…Adrian was a jerk for leaving you. And with no explanation, only a coward does that." Libby sits next to her "You've move back home and it is time for you to start fresh."
"By going on a blind date?"
"Something is better than nothing. In all seriousness, I do believe you will enjoy yourself. It is just a date, I'm not asking you to marry the guy."
Silence fills the apartment. Libby takes a chance to study her friend. Cindy has changed since their days in high school. Gone were the days of angry fists and words. She seems to have mellowed out during college. Though they separated after high school, Cindy to Princeton while Libby staying local, their friendship remained in tack. Cindy also acquired a change in wardrobe, going from sporty chic to a more sophisticated but still casual style. Her hair long and blonde like it has always been. Green eyes that stand out and capture your attention from the get-go.
Libby's cell vibrates and after checking it, she stands up.
"Sheen?"
"Naw, it was my mom. I need to help with some remodeling she is doing in her bathroom."
"Ok cool. Oh! Before I forget: when is this blind date?"
"Friday at 8, I'll give you the restaurant's name when I find out."
"Whoa, this Friday? That's two days from now!"
"I know I figured if I told you closer to the date, you wouldn't have time to skip out even if you agreed to it."
Cindy rolls her eyes and walks her friend to the door.
"So I'll see you tomorrow morning?" Libby digs through her bag for her keys.
"Sure, for what?"
"Shopping of course! Girl you need a hot outfit for Friday." Libby laughs as she heads to her car. Cindy shakes her head before closing the door.
"This is going to be a long two days," Cindy says aloud.
**Other side of town**
Sheen Estevez watches as one of his best friend paces back and forth, ranting about something.
"Dude, come on-"
"No Sheen, I am not going on some blind date."
"Why not Jimmy? You might like it."
"I don't have time for one. I have to finish some experiments and a couple inventions and they don't exactly do it themselves. Moreover, I have to finishing unpacking some of my things into my apartment. I've been too busy to do it with so much on my plate. Do you really think I have time to go on some date?
"You could relax a bit. It won't kill you or anything. Look all this date is dinner, nothing too challenging. If you don't like her then fine whatever. Libby just wants you to go out with this chick because she thinks she is perfect for you. "
"Why is Libby so interested in my love life?" Jimmy asked. He holds a screwdriver and quickly fastens a bolt on what seems like some weird contraption to Sheen. Of course, everything that Jimmy makes is weird to Sheen but he just goes along with it.
"She just wants you to be happy. Anyway, she wouldn't give up the chance to hook up people. She seems to be making it a mission to get people together. I really don't get it but whatever makes her happy." Sheen reaches out to something on Jimmy's workbench but his hand quickly smacked away.
"Don't touch that. Look Sheen thanks for wanting to help but really I am not up for it."
"Just go on it dude."
"No!"
"Fine you leave me with no choice but to bug you until you say yes and I know you don't want that."
Jimmy sighs in annoyance, slowly feeling regret for what he is going to say.
"Fine, I'll go on the date. But she better be as perfect as Libby thinks she is for me."
Sheen pumped his fist in the air "Dude, don't worry. It will be great and you never know you might like it more than you think."
"Whatever, so when is this date?"
"Friday and I already got the reservation at the restaurant."
Jimmy gaped at him "This Friday? That's two days from now! And you already did the reservations? How did you know I would say yes?"
Sheen wraps his arm around Jimmy's shoulders.
"Yeah it's this Friday. Libby and I figured if we told you closer to the date you wouldn't have time to skip out even if you said yes. I knew you say yes if I threaten to annoy the hell out you." Jimmy shrugs off Sheen's arm.
"You better be right about this date. I'd hate to waste my Friday night on some disaster of a date."
"Trust me dude it will be worth it." Silence filled the lab but was quickly gone by the sound of footsteps approaching. The door opens to reveal their other best friend Carl Wheezer. The last few years have been good to the red head. He was able to maintain a healthy diet regime and even control over his many allergies. What was most surprising was he found a woman who is willing to keep up with his weird obsessions. They are now happily engage, like Sheen. Jimmy is the only one of the trio not to have someone. Not that it matter but they wanted someone to keep the genius company, romantically of course.
"Hey Carl." Jimmy and Sheen greet their best friend.
"Hey guys, what's going on?" Carl sat on the lab chair. He just came back from a rather intense house cleaning his fiancé had been doing. Once she starts, it is hard to stop her or get away for that matter.
"Nothing, just telling Jimmy about that blind date Libby wants to set up for him."
"Oh, so are you going Jim?" Carl asks. He and Sheen have learned over the years to keep certain things a secret, at least for the time being. He knew about this whole thing and as long as Jimmy didn't pressure to spill he will be fine.
"Well when I am being threatened to be annoyed by Sheen, I figure I should go with it or I'd do something that can land me jail." Jimmy sends a hard look to Sheen. Sheen pretends to be absorbed by a complicated math equation on a black board.
"Aw Jim don't worry. I'm sure it will be fine."
"That's what he keeps saying." Jimmy pauses "Wow Carl, I'm surprised that you didn't go on some rant about it could end in misery or something."
Carl smiles "That is the old me, the new me sees the good in everything."
"Man, Elkie has really done a number on you. I have to give her props."
The trio spent the next hour talking about whatever came to mind: family, friends, etc. They had not gone to the same university but they had figured after everything they went through as kids that they be friends for life. How can they not?
"Alright guys, I really need to finish these inventions. We'll go to the Candy Bar or something tomorrow," says Jimmy.
"Okay, I have to head home to Elkie anyways." Carl jogs up the stairs. Sheen lingers for a moment.
"What's wrong Sheen?"
"Nothing, just glad you decided to go on the date. I know it looks like we are butting into your love life but we do it because we care."
"I know that and sorry if I was being a jerk about it."
"You weren't, I have to go too. Later, man." With a wave, Sheen heads out. Jimmy shakes his head.
"It's going to be a long two days," he says aloud.
Outside, Carl is waiting for Sheen. The two meet under a tree and look around, as if expecting someone to overhear them.
"I really hope that this works."
"Me too. I don't think I can stand it a minute longer of Libby going on about them being perfect for each other."
"I agree. So, now what?"
"I'm texting Libby the news and the restaurant name. She will then tell Cindy and they'll probably go shopping tomorrow. I better get something tonight for not spilling the secret." Sheen smiled
"I'm surprised that Jimmy didn't ask who his date is. If he did, I'd pretty sing like a canary." Carl looked around, wiping his glasses.
"Alright, Libby text that Cindy is going."
"Cool, so catch you later?"
"Later, dude. Hope this goes well." Carl nodded and then turns to his car. Sheen heads to his, feeling good about himself.
Operation 'Hook up best friends' is on track.
Author's Note: Yay! Another story by me. Okay I have to say that I was going to make it a long one shot but thought about it and it made more sense to split it into parts. Don't know yet if it will be two or three total but I will try to get them out as fast as possible. I have other story ideas that I will post on my profile soon and I do hope that I am able to write them all or at least most. Sorry if this first part sounds lame but it will get better. You will find out about Cindy's jerk of an ex and some secrets may be spilled.
Stay tuned! And of course don't forget to review.