Flashback Attack

A romantic-comedy piece of fanfiction by Madam Crackerjack.

Why it's a romance: Jimmy contemplates, invents, and saves the day for Cindy. J/C

Why it's a comedy: I don't like being too serious with my stories, anyway. I'm no comedian, but I do try.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything associated with this television series.

Author's note: For desired further information, check my profile.

Special Announcement: This is my very first JN fanfic.

chapter 1- Public Displays of Affection

Cindy cleared her throat, rubbing it tenderly. It was slightly sore from her last class: sixth-grade biology at Lindbergh Middle School. It was only her first day at that school and she already felt horrible. As it turns out, the sixth graders were at the bottom of the popularity food chain- except for Nick, of course. But even for Nick were circumstances much more difficult than in elementary school. No matter what the school seemed to throw at them (ie. gym class, tryouts, etc.) it was as if they were purposefully pitting them against eachother; the sixth and eighth-graders, that is.

Cindy felt wrecked, as if she had been fighting a neverending battle all day long and the best part was that she got to look forward to another series of struggles tomorrow. So she climbed the steps of her house feeling a tad bit depressed and anxious when-

"Cindy! Hey, Cindy!"

Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. Nevertheless, she frowned.

"What do you want, Neutron? I'm not in the mood."

"I forgot the biology homework."

At the sight of his sweaty brow and face, pinkened from running after her, as well as his tossled hair and clothes (which though they ascended a grade, remained the same as always)... she blushed a little, and it flared her annoyance.

"You-!" She paused, her eyes widening at how scratchy her voice sounded. She lowered her voice, "Maybe you should have paid attention rather than trying to be a big jerk!"

He looked a little serious, "I, I'm..." but it turned to anger, "Are you gonna tell me or not?"

The last thing he heard before she shut the door between the two of them was "numbers twenty through thirty on page seventeen."

Jimmy sighed angrily and shook his head as his hands began to ball into fists. In his frustration, he hardly noticed Cindy spying on him through her window. He knew the homework, of course; he only needed an excuse to consult his friend after a day like today. He wanted to apologize for what happened to throw her into a screaming fit earlier, but something wouldn't let him- something that even a genius couldn't figure out. Was it pride? He wasn't sure. All he knew was that there were things left unsaid, leaving their relationship tense and awkward... again.

One would think that the two of them would get used to the constant rollercoaster that was their relationship, but each time the track dipped, the days seemed just as dark as their first fight. But were the climbs worth it?

Yes.

This he could conclude as he recalled this morning, how they sat together on a bench outside of the school before being rushed into class for the day...

-flashback.start-

Cindy was wringing her fingers in her lap nervously, sliding her feet past eachother under the bench. Jimmy also looked a little unsettled, sweeping his hands across his knees and tapping his fingers.

"This summer was amazing." Cindy breathed out.

"Yeah." Jimmy replied, "But um, so.. just because summer is over," He attempted to look at her but shyed away, "It-It doesn't mean that the adventures are over!"

"No way!" Cindy exclaimed. She seemed to brighten up, "This is middle school- they're just beginning!"

Just then, the bell rang, signaling the official start of the first day of school. Some students trudged into the building while other were excitedly chatting amongst themselves. Jimmy and Cindy stood, their hands brushing up against eachother. Jimmy smiled a little and grabbed her hand, earning a giggle from Cindy. They escorted eachother into t he building, only to be bombarded by:

"Isn't that cute?"

"Is that that kid, Jimmy Neutron? Who's that girl?"

"..Little kids holding hands..."

"Cindy? Jimmy?" That last remark was made by none other than Libby, whom was busy adjusting her make-up.

"Uh, yeah...?" Cindy asked nervously, looking up at her best friend, a little embarrassed. She did not drop Jimmy's hand, but she did try to hide their connection by inching in front of him. Libby noticed this and smiled warmly.

"Girl, you don't got to hide anything. Everyone knows that you two are practically an item by now."

And although her feelings for Jimmy were natural, Cindy could not help but feel that their connected hands, which were currently sweating profusely, were symbolizing weakness in her character. This was something that her family did not approve of, and no matter how hard she tried to ignore the glares from surrounding "superiors", they reminded her of her mother...

But Cindy loved him.

She started marching down the hall, giving angry "what are you looking at?" glares to anyone who stared at them. She didn't care what her mother thought!

Jimmy, on the other hand, was confused by the whole situation. He could recall her blushing and giggling only seconds ago, and now something seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and posessed Cindy into a furious rampage. Apparently, something had struck a chord in her, but Jimmy assumed it was best not to ask right now...

He saw Sheen cruising by and greeted him with a wave, but Cindy pulled Jimmy closer, triggering a look of sympathy from Sheen but his concern only lasted until he bumped into Libby.

As they reared the corner, Cindy ran into Butch, whom was befriending the older, more advanced bullies of the middle school.

"Hey!" He growled, giving his best to look tough for the other bullies, "watch where you're goin', blondy!"

Jimmy looked slightly offended for a second, but Cindy caught it and quickened her pace, shaking her head.

"I've got to get to class, Cindy." Jimmy suddenly pointed out.

"Yeah," Cindy replied, slowing to a stop. Her anger seemed to be diminishing as she fell lost in her thoughts, "Yeah, sure."

Jimmy automatically moved to kiss her cheek, but seemed to have decided against it at the last second. His eyes darted around the school hallways and he looked down at his feet, a little embarrassed. Cindy watched him as he hesitated and she grabbed his other hand. With both of their hands connected, she leaned in and softly brushed her lips against his.

"I'll see you after school." Cindy announced, breaking the kiss perhaps too soon. "Maybe we'll go to the Candy Bar, or somethin'."

Jimmy fell silent for a moment, staring past Cindy in a daze and he suddenly shook his head, "Huh? Oh. Ok. Uh- class. So... bye." He said awkwardly.

"Heheh, see you later." Cindy dreamily waved after their hands fell apart.

Just as she turned around, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Hi James."

Spinning around, she saw that Betty had approached Jimmy from behind and she stood there, straightening her hair with her hand with a sweet smile on her shiny lips.

And she was wearing a push-up.

Cindy fumed. She stomped back up to Jimmy (oh yeah, class is completely forgotten by now) whom had a look of utmost discomfort, but the way, and she stuck a finger out a Betty. "You said you'd back off!"

Betty looked surprised for a second, but she laughed a little. "Oh, Cindy. I just wanted to say hi to an old friend, that's all."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's all." Cindy replied sarcastically, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Well, yeah." Betty's voice lowered a little and she shifted her weight nervously, "I wasn't sure if you two got together yet, so I thought maybe-"

A look of terror took over Jimmy as he witnessed a few kids scramble down the hallway in a hurry. He clutched his bookbag and bolted off, leaving Betty and Cindy in their heated discussion.

"Sorrygottablast!" He called out over his shoulder.

Cindy panicked and she sped off down another hallway, leaving Betty without another word. She couldn't be late on her first day. What would mother think?

Betty simply smiled and entered the classroom behind her, shaking her head gently.

-flashback.end-

Jimmy groaned and turned his heel on the asphalt of the street. He headed towards his own house as his complex mind reeled in thoughts consisting nothing more than Cindy, and his current predicament including Cindy, or everything that involved Cindy.

Do you know what Cindy asked just the other day? Jimmy remembered this suddenly as he plucked his hair to hold up to the DNA scanner to get into his lab. He chuckled a little at how lost the question made him feel, even when he figured it out. As he recalled the question, he could hear her sweet voice in his head: "Jimmy? How come our adventures aren't as fun, anymore?"

Fun?

Sure, Jimmy always wanted his adventures with his friends to be fun. Educationally satisfying, but fun as well. He didn't like to be a bad host, so it was in his nature to want to show his friends a good time when they went along with him to Egypt, or under the ocean, or to the moon. Heck, he would spend countless hours inventing things that would make the trip go smoothly, not only for scientific purposes, but also to spend time with his friends in the comfort of his own creations.

And although he wanted to ignore this, he knew that Cindy was not short of the truth. He knew that, ever so slowly, their adventures began to become more and more... boring. Had he lost his love for science? Had he replaced it with his love of friends, or even... Cindy?

Science and Cindy could coexist, right?

Suddenly, his head hurt. Jimmy scowled and rubbed his temples. He could not even remember the last time one of his brain blasts "went wrong".

"Okay, okay," Jimmy calmly told himself as he patted the air. He took a deep breath and looked around his lab.

All over were his inventions askewed on the floor or tipped against he walls. There were potato chip crumbs and empty cans of Purple Flurp here and there. His lab was a mess, but it made him feel strangely comforted. This was the familiarity that he enjoyed. This lab was where he could concentrate on anything but Cindy.

Now, standing in front of her house looking up at her window longingly was not very comforting. Why did he do that, again?

Oh, that's right. Love.

But that sort of thing is for outside of the lab. Jimmy grinned as he and his conscience made a "deal". In the lab Science. Outside the lab... Cindy. In his mind (which was extansively large and in charge), it all made sense to him.

With this new revelation, he suddenly felt something that he hasn't felt in a long time. He suddenly felt like... inventing.