I don't know what this is. I think I've officially decided once I reach 50, I am going to end this. If I write more after that, I will just start something new. Also, I have a question for those who might read this and have me on author alert or regularly . I'm thinking of re-uploading some of these chapters. Do you always get a notification when I do that? Or is it just when I originally posted the chapter? Does this question make sense? Anyway, thanks for reading.

I don't own Jimmy or Cindy.

In Retroville park, a young woman still wearing her graduation gown sits alone on a bench.

"Hello Cindy," a soft voice says.

The young woman turns to the side to see a boy with red hair standing next to the bench. "Carl?"

"Can I sit down?" Carl asks.

"Sure," Cindy answers.

The two sit in silence for a while. Then Carl extends a brown bag. "I brought you some of my famous homemade dairy-free gluten-free cookies."

Cindy reaches over and takes a chocolate chip one. The first bite is sweet and gooey perfection, as always. "Do you need something? Surely you didn't come just to give me these."

Carl fiddles with a loose thread on his shirt, and then he looks up at her. He opens his mouth, and then he snaps it again shut. His cheeks darken, and he looks away.

"What is it?" she asks.

"Your speech was excellent today. You were always a good motivator," he says.

"Is that what you wanted to say?"

"No," he answers.

"Then what is it? Just spit it out!"

"Why aren't you at Nick's? He has a big party tonight, and I know that he invited you."

It was true. Nick had made it very clear that he wanted her there and hoped for something to happen between them.

"I didn't feel like going," she finally replies.

Carl frowns, obviously disappointed with her answer. "Cindy."

"What?"

"Do you still have feelings for Jimmy?"

"No," her reply is harsher than she intends.

Carl shifts uneasily. Cindy sighs as she takes another bite of her cookie. Her mind unwillingly provides a memory of the last time she'd brought Jimmy here. They had been sitting so close that they were almost touching, but not quite. It was nice until he threw a curveball by telling her he was leaving.

"He wanted to be here today. He was sorry to miss it."

"But he wasn't. We will always be second, and I accepted that a long time ago."

"That is not true." Cindy raises an eyebrow at him, and Carl grimaces. "He got called away unexpectedly!"

"He can stay away for all I care."

"We both know you do care."

"I do not!"

"You know, he asked me to record the speech you gave."

Cindy's stomach does something funny, but she keeps her face blank. 'Nothing more than mere curiosity, I'm sure."

"You underestimate how much he cares for you," Carl argues.

"Yeah, right. Neutron is dripping with admirers. I'm sure I don't cross his mind."

"What are you talking about?"

"I follow him on social media! I see the pictures of that pretty girl on his feed," she hisses.

"You're jealous!"

"I am not. "

"You are, but you don't need to be. He's not with her. I happen to know he hasn't been on a date with anyone since he left," Carl says.

She snaps her head towards him. "Not even one?"

"Nope."

"Why?" she whispers.

"Don't you know the answer to that?" He shakes his head. "Cindy, he's waiting for you. I don't know if he's completely aware of it, but it's obvious to me."

Denial courses through her. It couldn't be. Could it? He hadn't said anything, but she hadn't either. If it was true, would she do anything about it?

"I don't know what to do with that information," she admits.

"You could start by talking to him."

"I don't know if that's a good idea."

"I'm not saying you have to date him. Just talk, and you'll feel better. Trust me," Carl stands up from the bench. "Now, I'll leave you with your thoughts. You can have the rest of the cookies."

Her mind is spinning with thoughts, but she somehow manages to say, "Thanks, Carl."

"Anytime."