"We need a plan."
"Okay."
"Okay? That's it?"
"That's what I said, yes."
"I'm being serious, Jimmy. If we're ever caught –"
"We won't be."
"If we are, then I'll never be able to see you again –"
"You will."
"Stop it. Seriously."
"Genius, remember?" He tapped the side of his head and smirked. "Do you really think I can't stop us from being caught? And even if we are – which we won't –I would fix it. The Hypno-Ray still works."
"Do you think for once you could snap out of your own self-focused brain and actually discuss this with me?" Cindy could feel the anger building in her blood and tried her hardest to stop it. His smirk faded as he looked at her and she sighed. "Jimmy, if my mother ever finds out, she'll...she'll do something drastic. And believe it or not, I actually like spending time with you."
"What about your dad?" The question caught her off guard and she could feel the spike in her heart rate.
"What about him?" she managed.
"I know your mom doesn't like me, but..." Something flashed in his eyes, only briefly, but it was enough. "What if your dad found out?"
"I doubt he would care," she said. They stared at each other for a moment. "He's not really...all that involved, in my life."
"He is in a way."
"I don't want to talk about this." They stared each other down and his eyes were blue fire, pulsing with an anger she knew wasn't directed at her.
"Fair enough," was all he said. She exhaled slowly and shoved a hand through her hair.
"Okay, so, here's what I'm thinking: if my mother ever happens to walk in on us when we're together, you'll need to leave. Immediately."
"What?" He frowned. "Why?"
"Because I will not have a repeat incident of her attempting to manipulate you."
"But she didn't really. I know my reaction wasn't the best, but –"
"Do you remember what happened that day, Jimmy?" The serious tone of her voice gave him pause. "I asked you...to stay home. I told you that coming to my house with me would make it worse. But you didn't listen then, and you're not listening now. I know you want to support me, and believe me...I adore that about you. But this isn't up for debate. You've only seen the tip of the iceberg."
"Cindy, I -"
"Jimmy –"
"No, listen." He leaned forward and grabbed her hands in his. "I wasn't mad over the things she said. I wasn't. I just don't like situations being out of my control – you know that about me – and I was worried about you. You,okay?"
"Yeah, well." She pulled her hands from his touch and leaned back in the chair she was sitting in. "I will not let her say such horrible things to you ever again."
"Even if she did I can take it Cindy. Her opinion doesn't matter."
"I know it doesn't, but you know what does?" She leaned in close. "You.You matter to me. And I can't handle hearing any of those things, especially things I've said, being repeated. I know you don't care, but I do. Hearing that hurts me, Jimmy." Silence reigned for a few moments and his face softened.
"Okay," he murmured. He tugged gently on the end of her hair and swallowed. "Okay. If she catches us, I'll leave. If that's what you want."
"It is." She took a hold of his hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. "I've been dealing with her insanity for my entire life. Trust me, I can face whatever shit she wants to throw at me on my own." She stopped herself from verbalizing the single truth in this conversation:
If you didn't leave it would make everything worse for me.
Too hard to explain.
"Just know that you don't have to." He ran his fingers up and down her arm, almost reverently. "I'm...I'm always here for you. No matter what."
"I know you are." Something in his demeanor made her feel like she'd been punched, so she stood and sat down on his lap. "But just remember this conversation, okay?" He gave a weak smile.
"Eidetic memory, remember?"
"Right, genius, how could I forget?" She placed her forehead on his. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Just not enough to hurt you.