So after some dabbling, I finally came up with the next chapter in this story. Enjoy!
I don't own Jimmy. Sorry for the LONG absence. Almost sickening, isn't it? SORRY! =)
Goodbye Cindy Helpless, Hello Cindy Vortex
As Cindy climbed into Libby's car, she was still trying to figure out her next clue.
"Libs, do you think he could be talking about the old Adventure to Atlantis ride at Retroland?"
Libby frowned and shrugged.
"I don't remember a mermaid there."
"Don't you remember? At the entrance to the ride there was a mermaid fountain."
"Girl, I don't remember! That place has been closed for years. Why would he put a clue there?"
"I don't know," she responded. "But just take me there," she commanded.
"Cindy, if we get caught."
"Just DO it!"
Libby blinked stupidly.
"Okay, okay jeepers!" She sighed. "Girl, you've been acting so bipolar lately girl. I don't know what emotion to expect out of you! One minute you're swoonin' over Jimmy like a lost puppy and the next your back to your old self bossing people around! What is going on with you?"
Cindy shrugged as they drove into the old, abandoned parking lot of Retroland.
"I guess this week has just been confusing for me."
"I think you're still upset about the divorce."
"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want to talk about it."
Libby shrugged.
"I think that you could maybe think clearer if you did talk about it. After all, it's only been a month. And I saw your mom with that other guy…"
Cindy growled.
"FINE, you want me to talk? I'll talk! It drives me crazy that my mom is dating only a month after the divorce has been finalized. It drives me crazy that all she talks about is this character. It drives me crazy that she's got no sense of ethics. I still miss my dad, I miss his laugh. I miss everything. He's halfway across the country and he's so depressed. I just don't understand why they had to split. He never hurt us, he worked to support us and he was a sweet man. I just don't understand he wasn't good enough for her! I hate that I feel so helpless!"
There were a few moments of silence and Libby actually laughed.
"So basically, you're in love with Jimmy. But, because of what happened with your parents you're afraid to confront it directly."
"What are you a shrink now?"
Libby laughed again.
"You're afraid right now Cind, I understand that. But, I also know that you want Jimmy, and I know that you'll snap eventually, just make sure I'm not in your way when you do."
"But, you said yourself that it would be good for me to move on!"
Libby smiled thoughtfully.
"Only IF your heart isn't stuck on Jim, but girl, you've got some serious STUCK issues."
"I am not stuck! I'm searching for this mystery guy, aren't I?"
"Because you are hoping that it's Jimmy."
Cindy flushed.
"Cind, please just talk to Jimmy. Be vulnerable. I know it's scary, but it needs to happen if you EVER want him to love you."
Cindy blinked at her friend, obviously shocked by this glaring truth.
All along she had been afraid of being vulnerable. She was so deathly afraid to let him in on her secret, being afraid that he would reject her.
"Cindy, it hurts me to see you like this. I know this isn't who you are. You've always been so strong, always sure of what you want. I know that somewhere beneath this fear lurks the Cindy I know and love. The Cindy who was willing to wear space makeup to catch his eye even though it gave you a rash, the Cindy who was special girl, the Cindy who could kick Neutron's ass any day. And once you stop running, you'll be able to find her again."
There were a few moments of silence and then Cindy let a few tears slide from her eyes. She sniffled.
"We should go get the next clue."
Libby nodded and followed her into the rusty old gates. The old abandoned Park was creepy and dark.
"Why didn't they just tear this place down?" She whispered in the dark.
"I don't know, but it's sort of creepy."
"Agreed," Cindy stated. Then she saw it, a huge fountain not far from where they were. It was a beautiful fountain, about the height of a person, and the water was glowing.
"Okay, that's REALLY creepy."
Cindy turned around and glared at Libby. They walked over to the fountain, and in the water lay a small box sunk at the bottom of the fountain. It was emitting a light blue light, and Cindy picked it out of the water. It sort of looked like Jimmy's old hypercube. She pushed the button and it opened to reveal a piece of paper and a key. Cindy thought it was odd that the piece of paper was completely dry.
"What does the note say?"
Hard you have searched, well search no more.
I am the mystery man you've been looking for.
Who I am?
I am a shadow, a mystery that you shall discover
One last clue remains,
You shall find it hidden in plain sight,
Only opened by this key,
And revealed in the darkest of night.
Love, the Mystery Man
"Ugh, this is getting old." Libby sighed looking at the note in her hands.
"I don't know what he means though. Hidden in plain sight?
"I don't know Cind, but I'm tired and I want to go home. We've got school tomorrow."
"Right," she said as she tucked the key into her back pocket and closed the box.
Libby yawned as they drove past the Neutron's house. Cindy was discouraged to see that Amber's car was parked out front.
But, Libby smiled.
"Get some sleep."
"Okay," she responded and walked into the house.
All the lights were off and the house was completely dark. When she got home she put the box on her dresser, and the key she put near her computer. But, as she walked over to her bed she noticed an odd script that appeared on the key. She lifted up the key and read the elegant words.
This final clue you have found,
Now find me where we shared our kiss…
Play our song
And I shall appear to you.
Love, the Mystery Man
Cindy's breath froze in her throat. Was this for real? She could finally make her move. She could finally put all her wondering to an end. Her heart felt like it could fly. But, this feeling abruptly stopped as she looked across the street and saw Amber's car still parked outside of the Neutron house. Libby was right, this was stupid…. This was idiotic. Why should that bimbo have him without Cindy giving her a reasonable fight? No, she needed to do something.
She needed to stop running and just kiss him until he was blue in the face. She needed to stop being afraid! She looked up at Jimmy's house one last time and put the key on the table. It was time to risk it all for love.
Not listening to the fear in her heart. She walked straight out the door ignoring her mother's questions. She knocked on the Neutron's door, and when the door opened she was a little disappointed to discover Mrs. Neutron. She was smiling however.
"Yes Cindy, how can I help you?"
"Is Jimmy here? I have something to discuss with him."
"Uh, I think he's down in his lab but I'll buzz him up."
She pressed a red button and spoke into the speaker.
"Yes mom?" Jimmy's voice spoke.
"There's someone here to see you, Jimmy."
"Who is it?"
"Cindy."
There were a few moments of silence and then he responded.
"Okay, I'll be up in a minute."
"He'll be inside in a few minutes."
"No, I'll just go meet him outside."
"All right sweetie," she replied. The night was clear and the stars were out, the night was perfect. Except for the fact her body was shaking. Jimmy came out of his clubhouse, wearing his familiar blue lab coat.
"Hey Cindy, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Can you seriously NOT know, at least a little bit?"
"Cindy, if this is about your mystery guy."
"No. This is about you, Neutron!"
"What did I do?"
"HAH! What did you do?"
"I think it's a reasonable question."
"See? This is why I hate you! I hate that you can see right through me, and yet you're clueless. I hate that you have such a big head. I hate that you still do your hair like that. I hate the way you can make me feel so vulnerable. I hate that you could snap my heart in two with a simple word. I HATE you!"
She had advanced towards him now only a few inches away from him.
"Uh, Cindy you are starting to scare me."
"Shut up, I'm not done yet."
His mouth snapped shut.
"I hate that no matter how I fight you are the one in my head. Your eyes are the ones that make me feel lightheaded; your hand is the one I want to hold. Your lips are the ones I want to kiss."
Jimmy was blinking at her rather stupidly, like he'd been hit on the head with something heavy.
"Here, let me show you."
Before he could resist, she pulled on the front of his lab coat and crashed her lips onto his. There was an abrupt, loud crash from the kitchen. Obviously Mrs. Neutron had been watching the scene unfolding in her backyard.
But, Cindy didn't care. All she could think about was the heavenly taste emitting from the boy genius. The butterflies inside of her were fluttering wildly, and her feet had left the ground.
For a moment she feared that he would just stand there, stiff as a board, but then he finally wrapped his arms around her waist and they swayed as he deepened the kiss even further. When they pulled away she sighed deeply, knowing that the next step had to be made. There was no turning back.
"I tried to tell you before; I don't want the mystery man anymore, I'm in love with you."
"Whoa," an all too familiar voice said.
Amber was standing in the doorway of the clubhouse, her face as pale as a ghost and her fists clenched at her sides.
-x-
"Kiss today goodbye, the sweetness and the sorrow
Wish me luck, the same to you
But, I can't regret what I did for love.
What I did for love.
Look my eyes are dry,
The gift was ours to borrow
Oh, it's as if we always knew.
And I won't forget what I did for love,
What I did for love.
Love is never gone
As we travel on, love's what we'll remember.
Kiss today goodbye, and point me toward tomorrow
We did what we had to do.
Oh, once again can't regret
What I did for love.
What I did for love.
Love is never gone
As we travel on, love's what we'll remember.
Kiss today goodbye and point me toward tomorrow
We did what we had to do.
Whoa, won't forget, can't forget,
What I did for love.
What I did for love.
What I did for love.
What I did for Love, Glee Cast Version
-x-