Cindy Vortex arrived at the Neutron residence at exactly 4:30 p.m. Right after cheerleading practice. She wore her outfit. Mrs. Neutron had answered the door.

"Hello, Cindy," she greeted her with a warm smile. Cindy returned the smile with one of her own. "I didn't know you were coming over. You here to see Jimmy?"

Cindy nodded. "Yes, ma'am. We're working on a project together."

"Oh, that's nice. Hold on a sec, Cindy. I'll get Jimmy for you." Mrs. Neutron turned around. "Jimmy! Cindy is here to see you!" She turned back to Cindy. "Please come in." Mrs. Neutron led Cindy inside with a friendly gesture of her hand.

"Bark, bark," came Goddard's voice. He ran down the stairs with a small girl following him. Her short, brown hair bounced on her shoulders. She screamed and giggled at the same time. Jimmy was not to far behind her. He chased her down the stairs as she chased Goddard while running from Jimmy.

"I'll get you!" he shouted playfully. Cindy noticed a devilish smile on Mrs. Neutron's face.

"Rebecca Anne Neutron, put that thing down!"

"Huh?" The small girl stopped, confusion written all over her face. Cindy was a bit confused as well, but then she realized that Mrs. Neutron was playing along with the game and had distracted Rebecca long enough for Jimmy to catch her and win.

"Got you!" Jimmy picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

"No, not fair! Mommy tricked me so you could win!"

Mrs. Neutron and Jimmy laughed.

Cindy smiled brightly. This was the first time she had ever seen Jimmy smile in years. He looked happier than usual. Actually, he looked happy in general. He was always so down and so angry at school. Everyone thought he was depressed, but here at his own home he was a completely different person and frankly, she liked the "home" Jimmy better than the "school" Jimmy. Why wasn't he ever like this at school? Probably because his sister wasn't there.

"Jimmy, put your sister down," Mrs. Neutron said sternly, but playfully.

"Calm down, mom," Jimmy replied with a bit a sarcasm as he set his sister back on her small feet. He turned his attention toward the door where Cindy stood. His smile slowly faded, but the smile on Cindy's face remained.

Jimmy had looked so cute playing with his sister and that had made Cindy smile. Seeing a different side of Jimmy wasn't at all a bad thing. She waved, but Jimmy did not wave back. Instead he turned away from her. He squatted down in front of his sister.

"Play with Goddard while I work on a project," Jimmy said. Rebecca nodded. Goddard walked away toward the kitchen and Rebecca turned to follow, but paused. She turned back to Jimmy who was still squatted on the floor.

"Jimmy?" she asked.

"Yeah," Jimmy said, softly.

"Is this pretty girl your girlfriend?"

Jimmy shook his head and then Rebecca nodded almost as if she knew better and didnt exactly believe him. She smiled, kissed him on the nose and ran off with Goddard by her side, who had turned back to her while she talked to Jimmy.

Cindy watched him as he turned to her. His eyes never once meeting her's.

"I'll leave you two alone," Mrs. Neutron said, leaving the livingroom.

"She's cute. I can tell you care about her a lot. You're so - "

"Don't act all nice, Vortex," Jimmy interrupted her, his voice harsh.

"Sorry," she scoffed. Jimmy rolled his eyes.

"Let's just get this over with," Jimmy said.

The house was actually really warm and unexpectedly cozy. Even with all the tension between them, Cindy felt quit at home. It struck her as strange, but it was truly homey. Except that there was something that made her feel like maybe something was wrong. Something seemed to be missing in the house, but she couldn't quit put her finger on it.

"Are we gonna work here or in your room?" Cindy asked as she followed Jimmy into the livingroom.

Jimmy suddenly stopped. He turned to her. "Here. Why would we work in my room?" he replied.

"I don't know. I just thought we'd get more privacy," she answered.

"Privacy? We don't need any privacy."

Cindy turned away and set herself on the floor. She took out a huge book of medical diseases. She turned to Jimmy who had placed his book from the school library on the coffee table in the middle of the room. She then looked down into her book and turned to the "T" section and looked up tuberculosis. Unconsciously, she looked up and watched Jimmy. She began to wonder where their friendship had gone wrong. Things had been. . .better. Things were never actually really good, but at least they had some sort of friendship. Even if it didn't look like it.

And though she would never admit to anyone, Cindy thought that Jimmy was indeed a better guy than Nick could ever be. True, Nick was nice to her (every once in a while) and Jimmy was not, but Jimmy was still better than Nick. See, unlike Nick, Jimmy shows how much he cares for a person. He's not afraid to show how he feels (at least that's how he is when it comes to his sister). Nick on the other hand shows more love and care for his hair than anything.

"Jimmy," came a small, breathy voice from behind.

Cindy turned to Rebecca. The small girl held a hand to her chest. Jimmy put his things down and stood. He walked to Rebecca.

"What's wrong?" Jimmy asked his voice was filled with concern. He leaned toward his sister. Cindy stood and walked toward the two.

"It hurts," Rebecca answered. Her voice was a small whisper.

"Where?" Jimmy moved closer to his sister. "Just tell me where."

"Here," she replied, still holding her hand to her chest. "It hurts and it won't stop."

Soon she began to cry and that's when Jimmy had fallen to his knees. He held her and rubbed her back to sooth her. He told her that things would be just fine and that the pain would go away. He promised. He then picked her up. He walked over to the couch, sat down and sat Rebecca in his lap.

"Will she be okay?" Cindy asked as she watched Jimmy comfort his sister.

"Don't start acting all concerned when you're not, Vortex," Jimmy said harshly. "Mom! Becca is hurting again!" he shouted over his shoulder.

Mrs. Neutron ran into the livingroom . "My poor baby! Come with mommy, sweetheart."

Rebecca opened her arms up wide as her mother leaned toward her. Soon Mrs. Neutron had ordered Jimmy to get Rebecca's medication. Quickly, he shot up off the couch and ran as fast as he could toward the staircase. He had soon disappeared into one of the rooms. Mrs. Neutron then turned to Cindy.

"Cindy will you please call the number by the phone and ask for Doctor Smith?"

Cindy nodded. She went to the phone, picked it up, and dialed the number on the sheet of paper by the phone. She wanted to ask so many questions, but thought better of it. Maybe Mrs. Neutron would fill her in on it later or maybe even Jimmy. If he was up to it anyway. There was a constant ringing and it seemed like a lifetime. Cindy was growing very impatient. Maybe the doctor would mention something before Jimmy or his mom. She really wanted to know what Rebecca was going through. What was happening to her? And it was obvious that this wasn't the first time that this was had happened to her. And where was Mr. Neutron? Should wondered if she should ask Mrs. Neutron if she should call up Mr. Neutron at work or something.

"Hello?" came a voice on the other end of the line.

"Hello, my name is Cindy Vortex calling about Rebecca Neutron. I need to speak with Dr. Smith, please."

"Hold, please."

After a while a woman's voice came up on the other end. The woman seemed a bit out of breath. "What's going on? Is Becca having problems breathing again?"

"Yes," Cindy answered.

"Bring her over now!"

Soon Cindy, Mrs. Neutron, and Rebecca where all outside. Jimmy ran out with the bottle of prescription drugs in his hand. He ran to the car as his mother got into the front seat. Cindy opened the door and was just about ready to climb in beside Rebecca when Jimmy pulled her aside. Cindy was a bit startled at first.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Don't act so tough, Neutron. I can see behind that," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest and stared straight at him. He rolled his eyes at her and walked to the car. Cindy quickly caught up and stepped in front of him. She stood in front of the Station Wagon's door, blocking Jimmy's path.

"Move away from the car" he said. He glared at her and when she didn't move he pushed her away.

"Jimmy, apologize to her and get in the car. Please," his mother pleaded. "We don't have time."

Cindy stepped before him once more and he pushed her away again. He then got into the car. He slammed the door behind him and Cindy could see him move closer to his sister. Rebecca had taken his hand in hers. Cindy sighed. Suddenly, she wanted very much to be good friends with Jimmy. She tried to remember when things had gotten so bad. Oh, right. When they hit the Middle School and she desperately wanted to be "cool."

"Come along, Cindy," Mrs. Neutron offered. "Come. Sit up front with me."

Cindy looked at Jimmy who only narrowed his eyes at her. She looked away and walked toward the passenger's side and climbed in. She buckled herself in and then they were off to the hospital.