The television in the classroom was turned to the local news station and everyone was watching intently (because their teacher threatened to take points off their test if they didn't.)

"Whiz kid Cornelius Robinson has graduated from college at the age of fourteen," the newscaster announced. On screen, a video of Cornelius played. He was outside a large building, taking pictures with his mom and dad. Even with the alterations they must have done, the robes he was wearing seemed to big for him. "Since his first breakthrough invention two years ago, Cornelius has been taking Inventco by storm with his inventions that are doing their part in shaping our tomorrow. We were lucky enough to get a quick interview with him after the graduation about an hour ago.

Another video came up, this time featuring Cornelius, his parents, and a reporter with a microphone. Cornelius shuffled his feet and pulled at the collar of his shirt. You would think he'd be used to interviews. The reporter smiled at the camera.

"Hello, I'm Benny Smith here with Cornelius Robinson and his proud parents. This is his mother..." the reporter turned to her.

"My name is Lucille. I work with Inventco Labs so I get to take our little man to work alot!" Lucille ruffled his hair and Cornelius muttered "Mom!"

"And this is his father..." Benny Smith turned to Bud and stopped when he saw his outfit. "Um...sir, I think you got your-"

Bud laughed. "Oh, no, Mr. Clip-on. My clothes aren't on backwards. My head is! Ha ha! Hoo hoo! I tell that to my science students all the time! The name's Bud Robinson."

Franny covered her mouth and giggled. She was the only one in the class who did. She had laughed for quite a few minutes when he told her that for the first time and Cornelius laughed along with her. She had enjoyed that day she got to visit Inventco Labs. Cornelius and Lucille exchanged smiles at Bud's antics and Benny smoothed his tie nervously.

"So, Cornelius. How does it feel to be fourteen and a college graduate?"

Cornelius swallowed. "Uh, it's kind of cool, but...nobody hires fourteen year olds, so I don't have a lot of job offers like my classmates do." Cornelius shrugged. A redheaded girl that sat next to Franny leaned over to her.

"Don't you know that Cornelius kid?" she whispered. Franny nodded proudly. "Is he your boyfriend or something?" the redhead pressed. Franny sighed sadly and muttered "No." She had liked Cornelius for the longest time. Ever since they met two years ago at the science fair and he expressed his belief in her project with Frankie and the rest of her frogs she started to think about him. He'd call her occasionally to ask her about her project and he had invited her to Inventco Labs for a tour one time. But he had been busy with finishing up college and had hardly been able to talk to her. He had hardly been able to remember to give her a CD of popular 40's bands and singers for her birthday. Maybe now...but she didn't want to get her hopes up.

"Do you have any final words or advice for those out there who hope to find success like you have?"

Cornelius smiled right at the camera. "What I always say: keep moving forward." The bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Franny shoved her science book into her backpack and shuffled toward the exit like everybody else. When she stepped outside, she got a big and very pleasant surprise. Cornelius was pacing back and forth on the sidewalk outside the school. He was out of his graduation robes, but he still held the cap. He was fiddling with it nervously as his lips flew at a million miles an hour. He was muttering about something, but Franny had no idea what. She resisted the urge to run to him and instead started walking a little bit faster. Another student in a baseball cap stopped and did a double-take when they saw Cornelius.

"Hey Cornelius," she heard the student say. "Congratulations, man." He held up a fist. Cornelius smiled and tapped the fist with his.

"Thanks, Goob." Goob walked away, revealing Franny standing behind him. Cornelius' eyes went wide, then he relaxed into a smile.

"Congratulations, Cornelius," Franny said, a little shyly. "I saw your interview today in class."

"Really?" His voice cracked and he cleared his throat. "I mean 'really'?" he asked again, this time his voice going several pitches deeper than normal. Franny nodded.

"I was the only who laughed at Bud saying his head was on backwards," Franny admitted. Cornelius laughed at that.

"Well, not even his own students laugh at it, so it's no big deal." Cornelius fell silent. It just now occured to Franny that he seemed nervous. She'd have to take this into her own hands.

"So...um....is there a reason you're here?" she asked. Cornelius jumped.

"Yes! Yes there is. You see, Mom and Dad are taking me out for a graduation dinner and they said that I could invite someone along if I wanted and the first person that popped into my mind was you so I've been waiting out here for school to get out so I could catch you and ask you and they're waiting at the restaurant now and it's only a couple blocks away-"

"I'd love to go," Franny interrupted. Cornelius visibly relaxed. "So how far away is the restaurant again?"

"Not too far. It's an easy walk and it's a nice day..." he trailed off.

He wasn't moving. He was nervous again. "Do you have a cell phone I can call my house with so everyone knows where I am?" Franny asked. Cornelius dug through his pockets and produced one. "Great. We'll walk and talk." Franny dialed the number as she and Cornelius walked alongside each other. "Hey, Art. It's Franny. No I do not want to order a pizza! Yes I know you're heading to a superhero convention today. Listen-oops!" Her backpack, which had been hanging from one shoulder, nearly dropped on the sidewalk. Cornelius grabbed it and put it on his own shoulder. Franny smiled warmly at him. "Nothing, Art. I just nearly dropped my backpack. Look, just leave mom and dad a note and let them know I'm out having dinner with someone. Where?" she looked at Cornelius.

"Tony's," he replied.

"Tony's," Franny repeated into the phone. "Yes, I know that's a rival pizza place but really, they have more than just pizza on their menu. Well I didn't pick the restaurant and I want to go so-" She paused for a moment when she realized Cornelius had grabbed her hand to help her across the street and he hadn't let go. She was in heaven. "So get over it. I know karate. OK, thanks Art. Have fun at your convention. Bye." She pressed the end button on the phone and smiled at her companion. "All taken care of." She didn't dare look down at their hands in case he let go. He didn't. Sigh. Maybe he had forgotten it was there? She could test it out and see.

"Here's your cell phone." She held it out for him. "Thanks for letting me borrow it." Instead of dropping her hand to get it, he reached over with his other hand and slipped the phone into his shirt pocket.

"No problem." Hm, maybe he didn't forget. Just to make sure, Franny swayed their arms back and forth. Not in a really big motion, but just enough so it was noticeable. Cornelius tightened his grip slightly on her hand. He knew all along. She was sure now that she'd melt. He dropped her hand when they reached the door to Tony's, but he held it open for her. That had to count for something. He steered her to the left to a large room that was partially blocked off from the rest of the restaurant. Inside the room a large colored banner with the words CONGRATULATIONS CORNELIUS hung above the table. And at the table was seated not just Cornelius' parents, but a whole big group.

"Franny...meet the Robinsons." Cornelius laughed nervously as he gestured to the whole table. One by one, he introduced them all to her. "You already know my parents Bud and Lucille. Those two are Bud's brothers and my uncles, Joe and Fritz. That's Joe's girlfriend, Billie. Aunt Petunia is married to Uncle Fritz and those are their twins: Tallulah and Lazlo, they just turned ten."

They were all an odd ensemble, but Franny had never felt more at home or herself. Cornelius held out her chair for her when she sat down and the whole group all talked endlessly, mostly about how proud they were of Cornelius while handing him presents to unwrap. They asked about Franny, too. She told them about her frogs and how she wasn't just stopping at getting them to sing and play instruments, but to talk, too.

"Frankie, my star pupil, can actually say 'Hello, how are you? My name is Frankie.' But nobody believes me."

"But Cornelius says you're always right!" Tallulah blurted out. Billie elbowed her.

"Well she is!" Cornelius insisted. Franny couldn't help but smile at that.

"Anyway," she continued, feeling her face turn red, "people just think I'm odd."

Bud leaned across the table. "This may surprise you, but," he whispered, "people think we're odd too." Franny giggled. That was fine by her.

After the dinner was over, Cornelius offered to walk Franny home. They talked and walked at the same time. She went into more detail on her frogs and Cornelius told her more about some of the inventions he was working on. He was working on a robot named Carl ("It just seems to fit him," he explained.) and a new fuel for cars that would last longer than regular fuel. If he could get it to work, that would mean no more drilling. He didn't try to hold her hand again. As they got closer to her home, he sighed.

"I was really worried about tonight," he admitted. Franny raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding. "I was worried that you'd run off scared if you saw everyone. People do tend to avoid us."

"Why? Because you're all a little odd?" Franny teased. "I have a brother who wants to be a superhero and another brother who's obsessed with meatballs and cannons. I'm used to odd."

"I think you're right," he told her, smiling widely. Franny, not being able to help herself, grabbed his hand herself. He gasped quietly.

"I had fun today," she told him honestly when they reached the steps that led to her front door. The setting sun made Cornelius' hair glow bright.

"Me, too," he breathed. "So, um, I think Carl is ready for a test run with real people, actually. So if you wanted to come over sometime and meet him and help me test him out-"

"I'd love that!" Franny said eagerly. She felt herself turn red again and worked to control her emotions. "When do you want me to come over?"

"I'll call you," Cornelius promised. "Just give me a few more days to put some finishing touches on him. But remember: he's only a prototype."

Franny nodded. Cornelius stood there for a moment before turning and walking away.

"Cornelius!" Franny called. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at her. "You may be done with school, but I still have to go." Only then did he realize that he still had her backpack. He walked back over to her and gave it to her. "You know, I feel bad that I didn't get you a graduation present."

He shrugged. "It's fine. You were busy with school and your frogs, too. It's no big deal." Franny kissed him swiftly on the cheek. He touched his cheek where she had kissed him. "That'll do."