Ready for the big reveal? Here you all go! This chapter opens on a flash back of Cindy at the beginning of this past summer when Libby was still on her trip. Let's see what she gets up to shall we? Enjoy! ;)

3 months ago

({No POV})

"See ya, Britt!" Cindy called out as Brittnay casually responded with a slight wave, "See ya!"

Right then, Brittnay walked off toward her house as Cindy started to make her way back to hers. A pretty common summer ritual since summer cheerleading and track camp practices let out at the same time and the two would usually walk back home from the high school together.

And with Libby still off on her trip… Cindy has been spending more time with Brittany to pass the time.

Cindy readjusted her drawstring bag with her cross trainers and water bottle in it over her shoulders as she kept walking.

The streets were pretty quiet except for birds, groups of kids going by on bikes, and the occasional car… otherwise the neighborhood was almost dead silent.

She kept walking along the sidewalk until she heard what sounded like a car engine shut off and stop just a few feet behind her.

And Cindy probably would have totally ignored it and just kept going until she heard a slightly deep yet posh tone say, "Pardon me. Miss Vortex, I presume?"

At that mention; and though it confused her why anyone would call her 'Miss Vortex', she immediately turned and saw a vintage yet pristine red 2 seater 50's sports car parked along the curb.

But it wasn't the car that held her attention for very long.

Standing next to the car was a young man the same age as her, maybe a year older in a red fitted polo shirt, slate colored slacks, expensive black oxford shoes, and a black cardigan tied around his shoulders to complete his look that practically screamed 'clean cut prep'.

Once Cindy got past the clothes, she looked up at the young man himself… quite literally.

He was tall, probably around 6'2" or maybe even 6'3", and had a lean yet broad shouldered and proportionate athletic build to match. His dark brown hair was styled into a concise ivy league style haircut that framed his fairly sharp jawline and practically further brought out his green eyes.

Even though Cindy froze up and tilted her head at whoever this guy was in total confusion as to why he even practically called her out to get her attention, she secretly wasn't entirely complaining.

She'd never say it out loud, but… she thought he was definitely pretty attractive to put it lightly.

Actually she'd even go as far to say he was kind of… hot.

But, she made sure to recompose herself as she put her hands on her hips and started, quirking up an eyebrow in skepticism, "Yeah… and who wants to know?"

The young man merely smirked in amusement and chuckled a little to himself as he started, putting his hands behind his back straightening up as he started pacing toward her, "Come now, I know it's been quite some time since we last saw each other and granted we've both changed quite a bit since I went off to the academy. I know I most definitely have changed. But, surely you remember me, do you not?... Cynthia?"

At that moment her once narrowed eyes suddenly widened at him using her full name.

Aside from her parents and teachers on occasions, there was only one other who had EVER called her by her legal name. There were a couple things she immediately picked up on.

The voice inflections, calling her 'Cynthia', the slightly upturned nose, the subtle freckling patterns on his cheeks and while his overbite was no longer there and replaced with a near perfect smile… It was like her inner monologue escaped her as she managed to get out in almost shocked and flabbergasted recognition, "Eustace?"

Eustace grinned as he started, grabbing one of Cindy's hands as he started, "Clever observation. Though why am I not surprised? You've always been if my memory serves me well. However… I don't remember you looking as exquisite as you are now. If you don't mind my saying so?"

He pressed his lips to the back of her hand only for Cindy to immediately rip her hand away and give him a harsh and sharp death glare as she immediately turned on her heels and started angrily stomping away.

It was short lived though and Eustace darted out in front of her and started, surprising her for a second by how almost 'genuine' he sounded, "Cindy, please, allow me to explain."

Cindy; however, was far from looking like she was going to give him any 'time of day', "OH! WHAT?! Like I'd listen to anything you'd have to say after you used me and treated me like dirt?!"

Almost enraging and confusing her more, Eustace merely chuckled before responding, "Oh, come now, Cindy. Are you really going to hold something against me from when we were only immature children?"

However, Cindy did not seem deterred as she gave him another annoyed and furious glare and tried to side step him again.

This time; however, Eustace caught her hand, his grip firm yet still somehow gentle, as he cut in, "Cindy, please."

While she resisted, her curiosity eventually got the best of her as she slowly turned her head back only to make direct eye contact with him as he started, sounding even and eloquently serious, "Cindy… I understand why you don't trust me. But, believe me, I'm not who you remember. I've changed."

Cindy gave him a look, clearly thinking he was 'full of it', as she scoffed and said, "Yeah, right? And I'm the queen of Siam. I'll believe it when I see it on the coldest day in hell that you aren't still a total..."

"Then let me show you. All I want is for you to listen to me and allow me to explain myself. How about I take you out and we can talk over lunch? I was just about to head to the red talon bistro downtown for a bit to eat. Please, my treat. I insist on it." Eustace cut in, putting his right hand over his heart, almost as if to further emphasize his sincerity.

The two stood in silence for a moment as Cindy still looked at him with the utmost hesitation.

Eventually Cindy said with a sigh, while still seeming very hesitant, "Ugh, fine... I just need to go home and change first though."

Almost immediately Eustace said with a smile, "Splendid! Please, allow me to drive you the rest of your way home."

While seeming tempted as Eustace opened the passenger side door of his car and motioning for her to come and get in… she seemed to be sticking to her hesitant stance as she said, "I'll walk. Thanks. Besides, I only live 5 houses down from here anyway."

While seeming slightly disappointed as he closed his eyes and sighed as he conceded, "Very well. Pity, but I understand. I'll follow along and wait for you until you're ready."

Cindy started walking home as she heard Eustace jog back to his car, get in, and start up the engine.

She shook her head and held it high as she kept walking until she glanced over when she noticed Eustace slowly followed alongside her in his car. She turned her head a bit more only to see Eustace looking right back at her and flashing a slight smile at her.

Cindy was quick to look away and stomp down a reflexive blush and decided to put her front back up as she kept walking, feeling more and more conflicted by everything that was currently happening.

Present Day

(Jimmy's POV)

I was weaving through the crowd with our drinks, making sure my trajectory was correct since I knew the table we got wasn't too far away from me at this point.

Eventually I caught sight of Cindy. I smiled slightly and stopped, still not believing how amazing she looked.

I'm still not usually good with my words when it comes to things like this but… she really did look beautiful.

But… Wait… who's she talking to?

It was a guy around the same age as us in a very expensive and pristine white tie. But, I had no idea who he was. He had brown hair, green eyes, and looked about an inch or two taller than me.

I would have tried to figure him out or why he was talking to Cindy until I saw Cindy's hand clench into a fist.

Immediately, I reacted on instinct and made my way over. I stepped in and started, "Cindy, are you okay?"

"Always one to come in at just the opportune moment aren't you, Neutron?" I heard and looked over at the guy Cindy was talking to.

Despite having no idea who he was or why he was even here talking to Cindy, but… there was something familiar about him.

But... I couldn't quite get a reading on it?

I quirked up an eyebrow as I started, very hesitant and perplexed, "Um, excuse me, but can I help you?"

Right at that moment, I felt Cindy put a hand on my shoulder as she said, sounding tense and almost angry, "Just forget it. Let's go."

I looked down at Cindy and said, knowing how confused I sounded, "Cindy, what's going on?"

Just as I was about to continue to keep winding down whatever perplexing wormhole this situation was creating, both of us stopped as we heard the guy laugh and comment, "Oh, I say. You and Neutron are finally an item? Ha! How delicious…"

My confused frustration seemed to get to a breaking point as I started, "Look, who are you?! What's going on here?!"

All he did was straighten up and fold him arms behind his back as he grinned and started, "Oh Jimmy, surely you'd never forget an old acquaintance in that supposedly 'vast memory' of yours, would you? Old bean?..."

I titled my head until my eyes widened as the realization hit me faster than a photon.

Immediately I narrowed my eyes and grit my teeth, feeling almost like blood was going to a rolling boil as I strained out through my teeth, "Strych…"

All he did was smirk as he said, "Well, nice to see you finally got there, Jimmy… much like your growth spurt it seemed. Though it seems I still beat you there from my vantage point. Well, among 'other things' I beat you at it appears…"

I grit my teeth in anger about him making a comment about my height. Even though I'm tall now, I still hate it when people always bring up my height and how I used to be the shortest kid in class. I was about to comment on it until I noticed how he worded his last sentence as I started, "'Beat me' to what?"

Right then he glanced over at Cindy, confusing me even more as he started, motioning toward her and starting, "Well, would you like to tell him Cindy, or shall I?"

My confusion doubled as I looked at Cindy only to see her glaring at Eustace before scrunching her eyes shut, looking both enraged and almost… embarrassed? Her jaw looked like it was locking up for a second before she looked back at Eustace with that same glare and said, her tone sounding tense and embarrassed, "Eustace and I... used to date."

At that moment I felt every muscle in my body lock up as both the glasses I was holding dropped to the ground and shattered as I called out in pure outrage and disbelief, "You… WHAT?!"

It was liked I forgot where we were since I realized we had caught the attention of everyone surrounding us.

Meanwhile Eustace just kept smirking and narrowing his eyes at me in almost satisfaction.

Ugh… gas planet...

Okay… I know this was probably a lot to unpack. But all I will say is that there is SO much more to be explained and that it isn't all that seems. All will be explained in the coming chapters! For now; however, I will say this. To those of you who figured out Eustace Strych was the next character to be introduced, congrats! :D In my fanfic, I wanted to bring in an aged up Eustace to the mix! One of the things I always found strange was how few 'actual' villains Jimmy had that weren't adults (adult aliens or humans). Aside from his cousin baby Eddie, Eustace is pretty much the only true villain Jimmy has that's close to his age. And honestly, to me, Eustace was always in my opinion wildly underrated. His later appearances making him more of a 'comedic villain' aside, in his first appearance… he was a little sociopathic demon. After all he purposely went for Cindy and tried to destroy Goddard in front of Jimmy just to make him suffer. If that's not straight up savage and evil then I don't know what is? In my fanfic, 'League of Villains' and 'King of Mars' haven't happened and the last time Jimmy and the gang saw Eustace was after the ending of 'Billion Dollar Boy' when Mr. Strych grounded him and sent to his room. Since then no one had seen him in years… well until he ran into Cindy in the flashback at the beginning of this chapter. As you may have realized, Eustace went through a bit of a 'glow up' so to speak and became even more of a smooth talker than he used to be… and seemed to catch Cindy's attention during the flashback and eventually lead to a short stint of them going on a few dates. And seemed to also get to Jimmy. ;) Though I will leave it all at this for now. All I will say is that this is only just the tip of the iceberg. What will happen next? Stay tuned! Thank you so much for reading as always and constructive feedback is always very much appreciated if you have the time.

Stay classy, healthy, and safe!

Dexter1995