The Devil and Jimmy Neutron

by Gary D. Snyder

Part 9:

When he woke up on Thursday morning Jimmy was still determined to discuss the situation with Cindy. The problem was that he was still unsure about what to discuss. Goddard had suggested that he tell Cindy how he felt, but he didn't feel that he knew how he really felt. Before leaving for school he had tried talking things through with Goddard once more to get things more clear in his mind.

"It's like we're both two different people, Goddard," he had said while Shoebot was lacing his sneakers. "One one hand there are times when Cindy can actually be a pretty decent person. For a girl," he added quickly. "But on the other hand there are times when it's like she's my worst enemy. Then too, there are times when I can't wait to get away from her. But then there are times when Cindy's gone and it's like there's a part of me that's gone as well. Kind of like yesterday when she wouldn't even speak to me."

Goddard extended his audio speakers and Jimmy heard strains of Paul Young's song "Every Time You Go Away" begin to play.

"Very funny, Goddard," Jimmy said. He turned to head for the door and fell flat on his face. He cast an annoyed looked at his shoelaces that were tied together and then shot an irritated one at Shoebot. Shoebot shrugged and then pointed to Goddard, who was trying his best to look innocent. "As I said, very funny Goddard," Jimmy grunted as he retied his shoes. "Remind me to have a look at your humor subroutines later. You've been acting kind of odd lately." He jumped up and headed for the door, but just before he left he scooped up a small device and carefully put it into his pocket.

On the way to school, however, Jimmy thought about the song Goddard had played. The lyrics did say something about someone taking a piece of somebody else with them when they went away, and it was classified as a love song. Was it possible that the incomplete feeling he sometimes felt was love? He mulled on that until he finally reached Lindbergh Elementary and class began.

Cindy still was doing her best to ignore Neutron, apparently convinced that what had worked yesterday was still the best way to go. For his part Jimmy also avoided any attempt at conversation with her, having decided to approach her later when there was a chance to be alone. He knew, or instinctively sensed, that she would again try to avoid him so he had made sure to bring something to help solve that particular problem. Cindy also knew, or instinctively sensed, that something was up and when the lunch bell rang she was off like a shot. Jimmy anticipating that raced after her, determined to keep her in sight.

"Cindy! Wait up!" he called.

"Just stay away from me, Neutron!" she called back after her, doing her best to lose him. Cindy had a good knowledge of the school building and grounds, but so did Jimmy. Cindy's main advantage was her greater speed and she pressed it for all it was worth. Slowly she put distance between her and Jimmy and neared a side exit where she could break contact with him in preparation for losing him outside. Thirty feet more, twenty feet, ten…and then her path was blocked by Principal Willoughby.

"Well, well, well," he said, frowning severely. "What's this, Cindy? Running in the halls?"

"Principal Willoughby," she panted, aware that Jimmy had also stopped and was nonchalantly strolling towards her. "I'm sorry. I was just…uh…that is…I had to…uh…"

"Cindy, Cindy, Cindy," Principal Willoughby clucked disapprovingly. "Running in hallways leads to accidents. Remember that the school rules are there to protect you. Don't you think that once in a while I would like to run through the halls, maybe even with scissors? You bet I would. Well, maybe not with scissors. Unless they're the approved kind with the rounded corners, those can't really cut you." In a confidential tone he whispered to the thoroughly perturbed Cindy, "Truth of the matter is that they can't even cut paper most of the time. Most of the children in the lower grades end up having to tear their project cutouts and make a terrible mess of them. Don't tell anyone I told you." And with that the principal walked off, leaving Jimmy to walk up to Cindy.

Cindy knew any hopes of eluding Jimmy were gone and walked off, determined to continue ignoring him. Jimmy decided that this place was as good as any. He removed the portable force field projector he had brought from home and activated it, enclosing himself and Cindy in an invisible but impenetrable cube. Cindy walked right into one of the walls, and immediately recognizing what it was whirled furiously on Jimmy.

"Okay, Neutron, let me out of here," she demanded. "Now!"

"Cindy, please listen to me," Jimmy pleaded. "I know what's going on and…and I'm sorry."

"What?" asked Cindy, startled.

"I overheard you talking yesterday. I didn't plan to eavesdrop, but you sounded so upset that I had to listen. I know you're angry and I know it's mostly my fault. But you have to believe that I didn't mean to upset you."

Cindy's anger gave way to annoyed curiosity. "What are you talking about?"

Jimmy took a deep breath. "Well, we've known each other a long time. And I know that we sometimes get on each other's nerves. I mean, sometimes you bother me, and sometimes I annoy you –"

"Like now, you mean?" Cindy interrupted.

Jimmy didn't bother to answer, determined to get through this before he lost his nerve. "But despite that, I think we've always been there for each other. That has to mean something, doesn't it?"

Cindy was puzzled, trying to figure it out. Was Jimmy offering to help her out with voiding the contract? If he actually knew all about it she could tell him all about the escape clause without danger of forfeiting. But if he was only guessing or knew part of it then it would be perilous to chance it. "I suppose so," she answered slowly.

"Well, I think it does too. And I think that what it means is, deep down there could be some strong feelings that neither of us is willing to admit. And while you've apparently realized it for quite a while, I've been a lot slower at it."

Cindy's expression slowly changed to one of horror as she began to realize what Jimmy was leading up to. Her mouth hung open as she tried to get the words out to stop him from going on.

"And…I'm not sure…but I think…" Jimmy went on.

"Don't!" Cindy whispered hoarsely.

"…that maybe…" he continued.

"Don't say it!" Cindy tried to scream, but her voice was dry with fear and came out as a squeak.

"…I love you."

"NOOOO!" Cindy shrieked. It seemed to her that she had been overwhelmed by a massive wave, pulling her down into unimaginable darkness. She couldn't see and a dull pounding throbbed in her ears. Her last chance to break the contract was gone. She collapsed to her knees and began sobbing uncontrollably. Jimmy looked down in blank astonishment at the sight of Cindy crying hysterically at his feet.

"I think that could have gone better," he remarked to himself.

End of Part 9.