"Where are we going? I have work to do, you know. Some people think I'm smart too." Cindy snarled as Jimmy dragged her by the hand down the street that evening. They had come down to Retroville for a night to visit Carl at his custom built ranch where had just won another award for his llama breeding capabilities. Jimmy said they'd just go for a short walk, but as they passed the dimly lit Candy Bar, Lindberg Elementary School, and other familiar places, Cindy suspected otherwise. Cindy had to get back to her hectic life tomorrow. She didn't have time for all this nostalgia. "WHERE ARE WE GOING?"
"Just wait!" He smiled.
"I am serious, Neutron. Tell me where we're going. NOW."
"Can't you just be surprised for once? I'm trying –"
"NO. Tell me where we're going now or I will MURDER you." They turned down the old street. "Wait, we're going home? Neutron, that's lame. I thought you were going to surprise me."
Jimmy looked at her in shock.
"Surprise you? You just threatened to murder me."
"But, c'mon, I didn't really mean it."
Jimmy rolled his eyes.
"So why are we visiting our old houses?" Cindy asked.
"You'll see."
"Oh, no you don't. Don't try and get all romantic and mysterious with me. We've just been over this. I. WILL. MURDER. YOU."
"Cindy, can you just play along for once?"
"Um, NO."
Cindy continued to question and threaten Jimmy. They walked along the street until they saw the pink house across from the brown one.
"Okay, now you have to tell me why we're here."
"I moved here when I was ten years old. You hated me. And I hated you. But somewhere along the line you got tangled up in my…'adventures' you might say. And I started to realize something about you. Cindy, I've known you for a very long time –"
"Don't start getting all mushy on me! I will PUMMEL you. I'm serious!" But Cindy didn't look very serious at all.
"Let me finish, for crying out loud, VORTEX!" Jimmy shouted. Cindy quieted. "I've known you for a very long time, and there's not much I can do to surprise you…"
"Yeah, so you should stop trying because –" Cindy interjected but stopped short. Jimmy had gotten down on one knee. "NEUTRON! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING? NEUTRON! STOP IT, NOW!"
Jimmy took no heed.
"Cynthia Aurora Vortex…"
"YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE ME FREAKING CRY! I'M GOING TO CRY, AND THEN I WILL KILL YOU!"
"…will you marry me?"
Cindy was tearing up as she looked down at the beautiful ring. She picked it up and put it on her finger.
"I hate you." She smiled and hugged him.
"I love you, too." He grinned as he squeezed her back.
The stars began to appear as the boy genius and the bossy girl from across the street embraced.
...
...
...
"So was that a yes?" Jimmy questioned jokingly a second later.
She punched his arm. He laughed.
"Of course it was, DWEEBTRON. Do I have to spell out everything for you? Pssh. They call you a genius." She beamed.