This is to make up for the last one. Happy Valentine's Day! I don't own Jimmy Neutron.
Triumphant music swells as the narrator talks about the vast and complex universe. The images of several Nebulas and planets are entrancing on this scale. She can see almost every line of color on Pluto's surface. She has to admit that the Retroville Planteratium Star Show is kind of cool. But, it's a bit hard to concentrate with Neutron making almost nonstop commentary beside her.
"Will you be quiet? I am trying to listen to the presentation," she snaps at him.
"Why bother? It's years behind on data."
"Is this about Pluto again?"
"It's a dwarf planet, not a real planet! Why is Retroville Planetarium still running a show that classifies it as such? It's scientific heresy!"
"Poor Pluto."
"It's a fact," he argues.
"That doesn't mean it's not interesting," she snaps back quickly.
"But it's not a planet," he repeats, enunciating every word.
"Vort-ex! Neut-ron! Be quiet!" Ms. Fowl declares from a row in front of them.
"It's not my fault Neutron can't keep his mouth shut," Cindy argues.
"I can't listen to this. I am a scientist!"
"I'll separate you two," Miss Fowl threatens.
Here is the part where Cindy would usually insist that Miss Fowl do precisely that. Not anymore. She closes her mouth, and Miss Fowl raises a curious eyebrow but then turns back to the front.
For a moment, there is silence. Then Cindy opens her mouth to speak, but Jimmy beats her to it. "Sorry," he whispers.
She knows he's talking about getting caught up in the argument. They'd been trying hard not to do that as much lately. Sometimes, he's the one who apologizes, sometimes it her. But it was getting less awkward with practice.
"Me too," she answers without hesitation.
Jimmy's hand brushes tentatively against hers. Heat rises into her cheeks. She doesn't pull away, and he doesn't either. She smiles as her fingers slide between his, wordlessly reciprocating his affection. She spots a light pink hue on his cheeks, and it sends her heart pitter-pattering in her chest.
When the show ends, Jimmy gets up from his seat, letting his hand detangle from hers. But he gives her a shy smile, which she returns. He moves down the row of seats, and Cindy cradles the hand he'd been holding in her other hand. Her skin is tingling pleasantly.
"Cind, are you okay?" Libby asks as she joins her.
"Hmm?"
"Girl," Libby teases with a smirk.
"Sorry."
"I like seeing you happy," Libby says as her smirk shifts into a real smile.
Cindy sees Jimmy looking at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "I like being happy."
"And Neutron is the cause, who'd have thought?"
Cindy looks at her best friend and smiles from ear to ear. "You."
"I am the smart one."
"That you are," Cindy echoes back without a beat.
They laugh as they exit the theater trailing close behind Sheen, Carl, and Jimmy. Her heart is full of happiness, contentment, and even a thread of optimism. Cindy can't help but think that her future might not be so bad with her friends by her side.