Author's Note: Sorry this took me a long time. My computer wasn't working and I finally got it back today and so I'm updating. I didn't want to keep you all waiting for this chapter. I really didn't want to disappoint any of you. I hate disappointing people. It makes me feel horrible. Anyway, this is a pretty long one too. I think you guys will like this. I hope you guys like this. Anyway, I gotta go. Please, do enjoy and do continue to review. I always enjoy your thoughts and or comments (as does any other writer). Thank you all for reviewing and reading my fic!
Jimmy sat silently in one of the chairs facing the principle's desk. A small slab on the desk read, "Mr. Philip Howard." Jimmy looked over at the wall. Pictures and certificates lined the whole wall. Pictures of Mr. Howard's High School days as a jock. A big football player. Jimmy scowled in disgust. He glanced over at the school's psychologist. She wore a black suit. She wore a white blouse underneath the slightly opened jacket. The blouse was button-downed with the first two buttons undone. She looked fairly young. Her brown hair was straight and full of volume. It sat on her shoulders. Her skirt fell down to her knees and she stood stiff trying not to stare at him. She had been truly frightened by him. He looked away. The principle was pacing back and forth behind his desk. The window curtains, were usually pulled back, but this time they covered the window. The room seemed slightly dark.
Jimmy picked up frantic footsteps outside the door. In seconds Mr. Azzara popped into the room. He was Jimmy's guidance councilor. "I came as soon as I could. I'm sorry I took so long. I was in a parent meeting."
"It's alright, George, you haven't missed anything," Mr. Howard said as he sat in his chair. Jimmy turned to Mr. Azzara.
"Hey there, George. You look like crap, you know that?" Jimmy announced with a half smile. Jimmy wasn't about to show any remorse.
Before Mr. Azzara could say anything the principal's phone rang. The big man pressed a button and the secretary's voice could be heard on the loud speaker. "Sir, Mr. And Mrs. Dean are on line one. They wish to speak with you."
"I'll take it from here," he said as he reached for the receiver and pressed another button. Shouting from the other phone line, suddenly exploded into the room. The woman speaking was furious. She wanted answers. Jimmy flinched as he heard the first scream of protest from Mrs. Dean. He hoped the psychologist or his guidance councilor hadn't noticed him. "Mrs. Dean. I am sorry about your son. He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time."
So immediately it was his fault? Blame the "bad" kid for everything. Nick had it coming. He should've stopped before he carried himself away. He knew exactly what he was getting himself into. Everyone else knew it too. He knew and yet he did not stop. He thought that he was going to get away with something like that. Jimmy wasn't going to allow that to happen. Nick had brought the beating upon himself no matter what people thought or said and Jimmy felt he should not have been blamed. He narrowed his eyes as the principle spoke.
"We called for the hospital and they had arrived fairly early. He was beaten quit badly, but I assure you that the hospital has called us and announced that Nick will be alright. Are you on your way with your husband. . .?" Jimmy was able to hear some mumbling on the other end. "Good. Your son needs you. And you don't have to worry. . .yes, the culprit will be punished." He looked over at Jimmy and then swirled his chair so he could face the window. "You want to press charges? Maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea to - "
Mr. Howard pulled the phone away from his ear as the woman's shrieking suddenly grew. He turned the chair and now was facing Jimmy once again. He held the phone far away from his ear ans he winced at the one's shrill cries of anger. Slowly and hesitantly Mr. Howard placed the phone back to his ear. "Mrs. Dean!" he shouted. "James and his family are still going through a tough time and I think pressing charges wouldn't better this students home life one bit." Jimmy's eyes widened slightly. Mr. Howard was helping him out? But why? The guy felt that Jimmy was the one to blame fort the whole thing. He didn't even take into consideration all the things that Nick had done himself.
"I don't care if the kid has a horrible home life! I want him punished not only by the school but by the law! I'm looking for justice, Mr. Howard! Not righteous leeway!" Mrs. Dean screamed. Mr. Howard held the phone away from him. His face held his astonishment. Things quieted down completely. No one spoke. It was Mrs. Dean who broke the silence, minutes later. She spoke softer this time, yet she still held her words firmly. All Jimmy could make out was, "We'll have to see what my son says about this." And then there was a loud click and then the dial tone was heard. Mr. Howard slowly put the phone back down.
The door to his office opened again at that moment. Mrs. Neutron entered the room. She frantically looked about the room, wanting to know what happened. She spotted Jimmy and ran to him. She wrapped her arms around him and sobbed. He pushed her away. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" He could hear the psychologist gasp as he spoke the words. His mother on the other hand was momentarily stunned. She had gotten used to his attitude somewhat over the years. Jimmy heard a sigh. He looked up. Rebecca stood in the doorway!
"Becca!" Jimmy shouted. He stood, suddenly.
"Don't treat mommy so bad, Jimmy," she said, exasperated.
Jimmy ran to her. He lifted her off her feet and swung her about. She giggled. "I'm sorry," he said sorrowfully. She patted his head with a bright smile. Jimmy kissed her forehead. "I've missed you," he announced. Rebecca held him tight and nodded.
"I know. I missed you too, biog brother."
Jimmy put her down as he took her hand. He led her to their mother. Mrs. Neutron smiled at Rebecca and then at Jimmy. Jimmy returned the smile, without knowing it. It had been one of the very few times when he had given her a genuine smile. He was just happy to have Becca back. He didn't want her hanging around hospital anymore. He was about ready to take her out himself. With or without a doctor's consent.
"He's innocent!" Sheen's voice broke the family moment as everyone turned to look toward the door where he stood.
"Yeah, Jimmy was defending his sister! Nick was the one who started it!" Carl shouted.
The secretary ran over to them and tried to pull them away, but they wouldn't budge. They didn't want to move and Jimmy thanked his friends at that moment. He hadn't realized how much they really cared for him. Sometimes he had felt so alone at school even with Sheen and Carl by his side. He looked at them. Sheen was struggling to be freed and Carl soon reached for his secret weapon. . .his inhaler. For a split second Jimmy thought Carl would use it against the secretary, but it was just wishful thinking. Carl placed the inhaler in his mouth and he sucked in the medicine.
"Yeah, Nick was the one who, pr-pro-procked. Proved. Provicted. What's that word?"
"Provoked?" a third voice contributed. Sheen stopped struggling.
"Yeah! That's it! Provoked!" he shouted in agreement. "Thanks, Cindy!"
"Cindy!" Carl, Sheen, Jimmy, and Mr. Howard yelled in unison. The secretary stepped aside as she let Carl and Sheen go. They all stared at her and she blushed slightly. Jimmy looked at her a confused expression on his face. He suddenly wanted to know what she was doing there ad his face expression changed from plain curious to more of a curiously angry expression. Cindy looked at Rebecca.
"Becca! Your back!" she exclaimed happily.
"Cindy!" The small girl ran to her and jumped into her welcoming arms. Cindy laughed as she lifted the young girl off the floor. She seemed so genuinely happy. Jimmy wondered if it was all just an act. He looked at closely to try and see if deep down she didn't care as much as she led on. That's when he noticed her eyes. They were slightly puffy and her nose was a slight rosey color. She had been crying. But why? He suddenly remembered the look on her face as he finally looked up at her. She was frantic and very upset. She had been crying. "Jimmy," she had said with light sobs. His eyes suddenly softened as he remembered it all. She sat on the floor with a mixture of fear and sorrow. He turned away from her. He looked down at Mr. Howard's desk and stared at one spot. "Stop!" she shouted and he had stopped. For her. He had stopped. He hadn't known why, but he had. He was a bit surprised by her sudden out burst. He silently thanked her then, for pulling him out of the trance he had been in. If it hadn't have been for her, he wouldn't have stopped beating Nick the way he had.
He had completely lost all sense and he could no longer hold the beast within. It had been safely hidden for years and Nick had managed to unleash it in a matter of seconds. He hadn't known what he had turned into. The actual beating was a blur to him, he just knew he had done it, he didn't know how. He couldn't remember any specifics. He had lost himself in the fury that was him and it scared him more than anyone would ever know. More than he would ever admit outwardly. He hoped it wouldn't happen again. He didn't want to lose himself that way he had earlier. It was torture as much for Jimmy as it had been for Nick. It hurt him in more ways then one. Now he was a bit unsure of who he was.
Cindy placed Rebecca on her feet and walked inside, taking Rebecca's hands. "It really wasn't Jimmy's fault, Mr. Howard," she admitted.
Mr. Howard was silent for a moment. "Cindy Vortex? Defending Jimmy Neutron? Are you sure you're alright, Cindy? Maybe you should lay down. You don't look too good."
"No, I'm fine," Cindy explained. "It wasn't Jimmy's fault. Nick provoked him. I witnessed it myself."
The room fell quiet. Jimmy continued to stare at the spot on Mr. Howard's desk. His eyes didn't move. He didn't want to look at the faces around him. Especially not Cindy's and he didn't want any of them to see the emotions that ran through him at the moment. He was sure his eyes held each and every emotion which he was feeling and he didn't want anyone to see them. They would think of him as just one of them. One of the other kids. But he wasn't. He wasn't like any of them and he suddenly became angry. He turned to Cindy. She was still in the damn room! Why the hell did she continue to stay?!
Cindy suddenly spoke again, "That's all I wanted to say. . ." Her voice drifted like the breeze. She looked down at Rebecca who was looking about, searching for answers. She didn't know. Jimmy realized that fortunately his mother hadn't mentioned anything to her. He was thankful for it. He didn't want her to hear what he had done. What would she think of him then? Would she still love him? Would she continue to look up to him? Or would he cease to be her role model? Cindy smiled at the little girl. "Hey." Rebecca looked up at Cindy. "What do you say we go have some lunch. I'm buying."
"I'm buying!" Rebecca protested playfully. They both laughed.
"No, I'm buying," Mr. Howard announced. He pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen. He began to scribble on the sheet of paper. "Cindy, just hand this to you teacher and tell him I said that your excused from the remainder of the period." Cindy hesitantly walked up to the desk with Rebecca at her side. She came dangerously close to Jimmy. Jimmy watched her as she took the note. Mr. Howard pulled out his wallet. He took out a ten dollar bill and handed it to Cindy. She took the money and handed it to Rebecca. Her eyes widened as she took the money.
"Wow," she whispered. Cindy turned to walk out the room. She brushed up against Jimmy and looked him in the eyes. Her emerald eyes stared into his ocean blue ones. The look in her eyes sent a shiver down his spine. Her sorrowful eyes seemed to gently smile at him as they sent a silent message. His heart skipped a beat. He hadn't even realized that his heart had been racing in his chest. He looked away, cursing himself. Cindy soon walked out with Rebecca beside her. It was then that Jimmy realized that she was silently telling him she understood that he hadn't wanted Rebecca there. He watched her go. Sheen and Carl were being pushed out the door by the secretary and the door closed behind them. They shouted their protests as they left.
"Now," Mr. Howard began, Jimmy here got into quit some trouble. I'm sorry to make you worry the way I did, Mrs. Neutron."
"You should have given me more information," she scolded like the mother she was. Mr. Howard sat down with a sheepish smile. It was the first time that Jimmy had seen his principle being scolded. He looked like a kid. Jimmy held back his laughter. "Next time if something happens, explain it all to me. I was worried sick when you told me that my son had gotten himself into trouble. At first I thought it was the usual. He played a dirty prank on someone or he exploded the science lab. . .again. But then as I'm on my way here, I see an ambulance! You don't know how many thoughts could go through a mother's head!"
"We apologize, Mrs. Neutron," the psychologist interfered.
"And who might you be? If you don't mind my asking."
"I'm Dr. Swanson," the woman introduced as she offered Jimmy's mother her hand. Mrs. Neutron shook it.
"And we've already met, Mrs. Neutron," Mr. Azzara but in. Mrs. Neutron turned to him and nodded. "By the way it's nice to see you again. I mean, it's nice to see you again, but under the circumstances it's not good. . . to. . .see. . .you. . ." His voice drifted. "What I mean is. . ."
"That's enough, George," Mr. Howard said, nervously. He turned his full attention to Mrs. Neutron. Jimmy looked at him as he sat back and relaxed in his chair. "Mrs. Neutron. Your. . .son. . . has done more damage today than he's done all year put together."
Mrs. Neutron turned to look at Jimmy, but Jimmy had turned his attention to the side wall with the principle's High School days. He glanced over at the psychologist again. She was nervously hanging by the principal.
"What do you mean?" Mrs. Neutron asked.
Jimmy looked over at the wall once again. He spotted something he hadn't noticed the first time. It was a certificate from his principle, stating something about number one all-state champ. He looked at it as Mr. Howard explained the situation to his mother.
"Well, Jimmy brutally beat Nicholas Dean. He was taken to the hospital shortly after the, uh, incident."
Jimmy looked down at his shoes. From the corner of his eye he could see his mother's face expression. She was in shock and slightly frightened by what she had heard. Jimmy found himself wondering what she was thinking. He turned his head slightly as his mother slumped back in her chair. She put a hand to her head and closed her eyes as she took a deep breath.
"What did he do, exactly?" she asked.
"He pretty much viciously assaulted the poor boy," Mr. Azzara answered.
Jimmy suddenly stood. It angered him. They were all against him. Neither on of them believed that he was truly provoked and they'd be damned if they thought he was going to sit back and watch them say crap about him while upsetting his mother the way they were. "Listen, here, Mr. Howard," Jimmy spat. "I was provoked! Nick deserved that beating! Do you think I was actually gonna let him get away with the shit he was talking about?!"
Mr. Howard stood up, his chair was pushed back in the haste to get up. "Now you Listen to me, Mr. Neutron! No kid deserves the brutal beating you gave to Nicholas Dean! No matter what he said!"
"You weren't there! You didn't hear what he said to me! He spoke of my relationship with my sister! He turned into some. . .some. . .ah!" His frustration was getting the best of him. He sat back down. "Just forget I ever said anything! Nothing I ever say matters to any of you people anyway!" He crossed his arms over his chest. Mr. Howard was about to say something, but Dr. Swanson stopped him.
"Who do you mean by 'you people', Jimmy?" Dr. Swanson asked.
"Oh, don't pull that psycho crap on me!"
Dr. Swanson was taken a back and she stiffened as she stepped aside. She no longer spoke after that, but Jimmy knew she'd try again some other day. When she had more courage. Mr. Azzara was saying nothing. He sat in his chair staring from one to the other. He was just plain goofy and clueless sometimes. Jimmy often wondered how he became a guidance councilor. The man cleared his throat.
"Maybe we should listen to what Jimmy has to say," Mr. Azzara suggested.
Every head in the room turned to look at him and then Jimmy realized how he had become a guidance councilor. He truly did care for his students and people in general. He suddenly looked very professional and Jimmy found himself seeing the person in Mr. Azzara people didn't see in him.
"Okay. . ." Mr. Howard said. "What is it that you have to say?"
Jimmy suddenly found himself in a very uncomfortable situation. Everyone was looking at him now. They all seemed t o lean toward him. He felt as if his personal space was suddenly being invaded. "I said, 'just forget I ever said anything'."
"We're listening, Jimmy," Mr. Azzara said. "Just talk to us."
"I don't want to talk to you! To any of you! Just punish me and let me get out of here!"
Mr. Howard sighed as he leaned into his chair. "I have to suspend you for the time being. I dismiss you from the remainder of the day and just remember, Jimmy, that I could've expelled you, but I didn't. Now, you cannot come within 50 feet of this facility and you'll be suspended until we talk to Nick. With his help we'll figure out how long your suspension will last."
"Then I guess this is the last time we'll see each other. Can I go now?" Jimmy asked, feeling frustrated and exhausted. He stood and headed for the door. Mr. Howard dismissed him and his mother. Jimmy led his mother to the cafeteria. Rebecca had finished eating and now she was talking to Cindy and some members of the football, basketball, soccer, and softball team. They laughed at her little jokes. Girls told her she was adorable that the guys told her she was lucky she wasn't like her big brother. As Jimmy stepped into the cafeteria the tables he passed quieted down and whispered among themselves. He was sure his mother noticed it. He walked to the table where his sister now sat. He stood behind one member from the football team. The guy was talking about him.
"You're not like your brother," he said. "Keep it that way." The table erupted with laughter. No one seemed to notice that he was standing there. Those who did, didn't say a word. "Oh, man. That Neutron is one messed up kid."
"He's not messed up," Rebecca protested. "He's misunderstood."
"That's what they all say, kido," the football jock disagreed. "He acts all tough and mean, but deep down I think he's a scared little - "
"Scared little what?" Jimmy asked as he sat down next to him. The table suddenly cleared and everyone scattered about, except for Rebecca and Cindy.
The jock turned to Jimmy. "Oh, nah-nothin', man, I wasn't gonna say nothin'."
"Good," Jimmy said. "Keep it that way."
And without another word, the jock ran off. Rebecca walked to Jimmy and took his hand.
"Ready to go home now," she said in her small little voice. Jimmy smiled as he nodded.
"Did you eat?"
"Oh, yeah!"
"She loved the cookies," Cindy added as she sat down beside Jimmy. She slowly reached for his free hand which sat on the bench. He stood up before she could touch his hand.
"I hope you didn't have just cookies," Mrs. Neutron said as she took Rebecca's other hand in her's.
"No, Cindy wouldn't let me," Rebecca said. She turned to Cindy and stuck her tongue out, jokingly and then she smiled. "But the other stuff was good. I didn't want to try it, but Cindy suggested trying out new things and I did. And it tasted good! I wasn't sure what it was, but ti was good."
Cindy laughed. "It was toasted broccoli! And I was talking about the sloppy joe!"
Rebecca blushed.
"Toasted broccoli?!" Mrs. Neutron and Jimmy exclaimed.
"It was good and I had no idea Cindy was talking about sloppy joe. She turned around for one second and I asked the lunch lady for the broccoli and some spaghetti. Anyway, to me it looked like Cindy was pointing to the broccoli, so I tried it," Rebecca explained. Mrs. Neutron laughed. Jimmy fought back a smile as he shook his head. Cindy laughed. Jimmy patted her head.
"Let's go home," he said as he led her out.
"See you, Cindy. And thank you," Rebecca called.
"Thank you, Cindy," Mrs. Neutron said.
Jimmy gave her no thanks, he didn't find it necessary. It hadn't taken them very long to get back home. On the way to the house Rebecca was the only who spoke. She said that the High School kids were great. They were so nice and they really like her. But for some reason they didn't like Jimmy much. He wasn't very popular and he thought that maybe Rebecca saw that. She was smart and she caught on quickly even if she wasn't showing it at the moment.
Jimmy was the first one to enter the house. He hurriedly went to his room. He turned on his bomb box and played the CD that was left in there. He then threw himself on his bed, his head hit the pillow. He sighed as he shut his eyes. He just wanted to sleep. He no longer wanted to think of what he had done. It was tearing him apart inside. Something he didn't think he'd tell anyone. It was hurting him. He couldn't stand himself for letting something like that get out of control, but he couldn't help him. His anger took over and now he was far from peace and serenity. He wanted it all over , but he knew it wasn't going to be easy. At least being at home would calm him and he'd be more in tune with the side of himself which he most favored. His sweet side. His loveable side. The side of him that was locked away, but only came out when his sister was around. Maybe then his anger would reside deep within him long enough for him to get a hold of it and control it when the time called for it.
About half an hour later, the door bell rang. His mother opened the door.
"I'm sorry, boys, but Jimmy can't have any visitors until I hear from the school that he'll be able to return," she said.
"Oh, come on, please, can we see him?" Sheen pleaded.
"No, I'm sorry, Sheen."
"Please, Mrs. Neutron," Carl begged.
"Nope, sorry," his mother repeated. Then the door closed. There were no more disturbances after that. Until about an hour later. This disturbance was definitely something Jimmy could've done well without. This disturbance would change his life. . .
The door bell rang once more. He could hear his sister's tiny footfalls rush toward the door. He could hear the door swing open and slam into the case that sat in the corner behind the door. Jimmy immediately sat up. A million thoughts and scenario began to swarm his head. He know knew how his mother felt when she had been worried after getting the phone call from his principal. Jimmy stood up and an image of his sister being abducted flashed in his mind. He ran to his door and fumbled with the lock. A second crash of glass came from down below. He couldn't get his hands to stay on the door knob as he finally got it to unlock. He swung opened his door and ran for the stairs as quickly as possible. He ran down the stairs and stopped mid way. His mother stood only a few feet from the kitchen. A pile of broken glass lay at her feet. The vase at the corner which Rebecca had broken was in pieces. She was standing in front of a man. A man Jimmy knew all to well. Jimmy's heart pounded in his chest as he shook his head in disbelief. No, he said to himself. No, please, no.
"Hey, there, Jimbo!"