Author's Note: Hello! Thank you all very much for your reviews and help. I especially want to thank BratChild2 and Mikari-Star, Eclipsed Soul, and everyone else I forgot to mention for their very helpful advice and suggestions for fixing my computer. Couldn't have done it without you. And thank you to the rest of you for your beautiful comments. I loved them all. I always do.

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It was hard now. What was he suppose to do now that he knew what he really felt?

He loved Cindy Vortex. But what exactly did that mean?

It means that you'll have to be more careful, he said to himself. Now more than ever you have to keep Cindy at bay. Don't allow her to get close. At all. Your very life could depend on it. She'll break you and leave you like everyone has before her.

He walked to class. Math was his last and final class for the day. He took a deep breath before he entered the room. Mrs. Forebell smiled at him. "Good afternoon, James," she greeted. The class suddenly turned in his direction.

"Hey, Jimmy," Carl called.

"Saved you a seat!" Sheen replied.

Libby waved him over, but Jimmy stood still. Cindy looked over at him. She sat beside Libby and the site of her, caused Jimmy's head to suddenly spin. A wave of different emotions came crashing down all at once and his barrier seemed to be crumbling down along with it. "I can't do this," he said as he turned and dashed out the door. Mrs. Forebell shouted after him, but he didn't turn around. His feet kept him going.

An ache stronger than any other over powered him and he suddenly had the need to touch Cindy's face and kiss her lips. What is happening to me?! He questioned

His pace quickened and before he knew it he was racing for the double doors.

A hand pulled him back and he violently pulled away suddenly afraid. His mind was reeling and his heart was pounding. What had Cindy done to him? He had never felt this way before. Not even for Sarah.

Mr. Hunter stood in front of him. He looked a bit surprised by Jimmy's reaction. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

"I just need some fresh air," Jimmy replied.

"Yeah, I'm sure you do," Mr. Hunter replied. He began walking toward the double doors and Jimmy watched him. The man turned around. "Well," he said. "You coming?"

Jimmy was momentarily surprised, but it wore off quickly. He followed the Criminal Law teacher to the school's lawn and sat down under a tree beside him. Jimmy tried to figure out why he had allowed Jimmy outside when the action could've cost him a lot. Mr. Hunter turned to him and smiled, but his smile was a sad one. One full of regret and of broken, old memories.

"Jimmy," Mr. Hunter began as he turned away from him. "Let me tell you a story of a young, naive boy. We'll call him. . .Anthony. He was about your age when he first found love. . ."

Jimmy wondered why Mr. Hunter would be bringing up a story like this, but his mind quickly thought of Cindy. Did Mr. Hunter know what Jimmy's situation was?

"He had fallen for the girl next door," Mr. Hunter said with a smile. "She was beautiful with her long, wavy hair and flawless skin. There was always a glow about her that attracted Anthony to her and she was always there for him when he needed a friend. She was always more than happy to lend him a hand and he was happy to help her as well. She too had fallen for Anthony, but unfortunately, he did not know. Not in time." He paused as he took a deep breath. "You see, Anthony was a lot like you. He was smart, stubborn as a mule, and even caring and he had his share of problems. But those problems had hurt him dearly. They caused him to lose faith and trust in everyone. So like you he put up a barrier to keep everyone out. Because of this he shut the world out and Marie, the girl next door along with it." Tears began to stream down his face. Jimmy continued to listen intently. He had never seen a grown man cry, except for maybe his father. "She moved away several weeks later." Mr. Hunter sniffled as he wiped away the tears.

"Apparently, something had come up. Her grandmother had fallen ill and she moved away with her family to be with her grandmother and Anthony never saw her again. He found out from a close friend of her's that her feelings for him were stronger than he could've imagined. She had actually loved him and he hated himself for keeping her away like he did. He had lost out on a love that could've lasted him his life time." The tears continued to come and Jimmy found himself tearing as Mr. Hunter began in his quivering voice. "I lost her forever!" Mr. Hunter shouted as he turned to Jimmy. Jimmy's eyes grew wide. "Anthony" was Mr. Hunter. "Because of my stubbornness, I had lost the one girl that I loved more than anything in this entire world. My heart broke and I fell into a deep depression. I couldn't eat and I couldn't sleep. My habits seemed to becoming more and more permanent by the day. My broken heart had almost cost me my life on more than one occasion." Mr. Hunter turned away.

"I'm sorry," Jimmy replied, not knowing what else to tell him. What were you suppose to say to someone with a story like that?

Mr. Hunter shook his head. "It's alright," he said. But then his face became serious as he turned to him. "But, Jimmy," he continued. "Don't you dare let Cindy fall out of your reach. If you do, you'll be in store for a world of hate and fear for as long as you'll live. Everyday you'll wonder, what if. Just what if. You'll come to loath yourself. Don't do what I did. Don't let Cindy walk away from you. Grab a hold of her and don't ever let her go. For the life of you, don't let her go! Let down your shield and let her in, for the love of god! And that anger you're harboring. . .get rid of it!" Mr. Hunter stood. "Because if you don't that will be the end of you! That's the only thing keeping you from Cindy."

"You make it sound like it's the easiest thing in the world!" Jimmy argued as he stood. There was anger in Mr. Hunters eyes and it had been an emotion that Jimmy had never seen him express. Ever. Mr. Hunter had always been known for his humorous and good-natured ways. It was obvious to Jimmy now that the real Mr. Hunter was barely any of these things at all. This man hid his emotions better than Jimmy could.

"I do not make it sound easy!" Mr. Hunter protested. "Now listen to me, Jimmy Neutron! You have to go to the source to rid your life of this excess anger. You have to forgive your father."

"No!" Jimmy shouted.

"You have to!" Mr. Hunter urged.

"I don't have to forgive him for anything!" Jimmy protested. "He left the family! My mother was only two months away from giving birth! And I. . .needed him to stay for me and my mother. She needed him more than ever! And he was never a the father he should've been for Rebecca! How does someone forgive that?!"

"You have to forgive him if you are ever going to let Cindy in your heart! Because once you forgive him you can let that barrier of your's down! You can hand over the key to your heart and allow Cindy to unlock it's secrets and the person you keep hidden, the person she fell in love with." Mr. Hunter's voice suddenly began to soften as the anger faded, being replaced by sadness and regret. "She can help you bring out that person. She can help you bring out the joy and all the love in the world along with that person you hide so well."

Tears escaped Jimmy's eyes as his heart ached, awakening the person from within.

"If you don't," Mr. Hunter continued, "You'll regret it for the rest of your life. Don't let Cindy slip through your fingers. Don't make the same mistake I did."

And with that, Mr. Hunter walked away, leaving Jimmy to take to heart his words and his wisdom.

When the bell rang, Jimmy walked back inside. He made it to his locker and opened it slowly. Mr. Wilmington walked down the hall and spotted him. He stopped to say hi. Jimmy greeted him, thankful in a way to see him.

"You look like you have a lot on your mind," he said.

"I do," Jimmy replied.

"Well, then step into my office," he said, pointing to a very familiar door.

Jimmy shot him a look of mixed confusion and disgust. "The bathroom?!"

"What?!" Mr. Wilmington questioned. "I'm human! And no, I don't mean the bathroom. I mean my room, down the hall."

"Well, you pointed to the bathroom. I only assumed that you meant-" Jimmy replied.

Mr. Wilmington stopped him. "Forgive me, but I've been thinking about the bathroom for the last hour. I didn't get the chance to go earlier when I wanted."

"I'll wait in your classroom," Jimmy said. Mr. Wilmington nodded and then dashed for the bathroom. Jimmy almost broke into laughter, but he held himself back.

"Jimmy," Cindy's voice came. He turned and his breath caught. "Are you, okay?" Her eyes expressed her concern. He nodded as he turned and began down the hall to Mr. Wilmington's classroom. "You sure? Because you ran out of class so quickly. I thought that maybe you were feeling sick. I could walk you home to make sure you don't collapse or something."

He nodded. "I'm fine."

She pulled his arm. "Jimmy," she urged. "I'm worried about you. Tell me what happened to you."

I don't even know, he said. He turned. "I'm fine, really," he said, trying to sound angry. Now I need to try to sound angry? He thought. "I need to meet with Mr. Wilmington." He walked away, hurrying down the hall.

He took a seat in the first row. Mr. Wilmington came shortly after. He sat down behind his desk as he took a deep breath.

"Refreshed," he said. Jimmy laughed. "I understand that many of the teachers have spoken to you today," he said, becoming serious.

Jimmy looked down as he stood. "I don't need another lecture," he said.

"I'm not going to give you one," Mr. Wilmington replied. Jimmy looked up. "I was hoping you would talk to me instead of me talking to you. People should hear what you have to say and that's what I'm here for. I know that you can't talk to Dr. Swanson." Mr. Wilmington smiled. "So I'm hear to listen."

"But I don't want to talk," Jimmy answered.

"It's understandable." Mr. Wilmington got up and led Jimmy to the door. "But if you need to talk don't be a stranger. I'll be here."

Jimmy nodded.

When he was far from Mr. Wilmington he sighed. Now he would have to face Sarah.

He stepped into the art room and looked up. Half expecting to see Sarah, half not. He didn't see Sarah first, he saw Mrs. Owens. She sat at her desk, looking through some papers. She looked up when she heard the door open and welcomed Jimmy when she spotted him. Sarah sat in the back, looking at Jimmy intently, her eyes gloomy. Jimmy sighed as he walked further into the room dreading his two hour stay as Mrs. Owens stood.

"Now that you're here," she began. "I want you to start on the project we are working on in class." She turned to Sarah. "Sarah, will you do me the honor in explaining what it is?"

"Sure," Sarah agreed. She didn't look into his eyes as she spoke. "We're painting a picture of a scenery and-"

"That's easy," Jimmy interrupted as he walked to the back of the classroom.

"That's not all," Mrs. Owens replied. Jimmy stopped and turned around, wondering what else the project had in store. It can't be too complicated, he thought. Right? "Sarah."

"You have to create it in a way that it expresses your feelings," Sarah continued.

Jimmy looked at them both. Doesn't sound too bad, Jimmy thought.

"Okay," he said a bit unsurely.

"And it's not just one feeling you're going to express," Sarah added. "You have to have real, intense emotions in it and it can't be a simple painting of a sunset with a blend of colors. It has to be more than that."

Jimmy's eyes opened a bit. "What else could a painting have?"

Mrs. Owens approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad you asked," she said. "A painting can have so much more than just a simple little thing and colors. It isn't just a picture. Think of it as a journal." Jimmy gave her a questioning look. "Some people are able to add emotions into their work. That's what makes it so personal to some. And a picture is worth a thousand words. So is a painting."

"Okay," he said again. "So, am I given a scenery?"

Mrs. Owens shook her head. "You have to create one. Using your imagination," Mrs. Owens answered.

"Fine," Jimmy responded. "Where are my materials?"

"Sarah knows where to find everything. Now if you'll excuse me. I have a meeting with the principal. I trust that everything will go smoothly. I'll be back shortly. And, Jimmy." She paused and he turned to look at her. "Work on that for about a half hour. I' should be back by then to explain your other projects."

Jimmy nodded and then Mrs. Owens walked out the door. A strong, tension-filled silence spread through the room. He could hear Sarah shift and he turned. She moved in the back and came back holding a canvas. She went back to get paints and paint brushes. Jimmy helped her bring the rest of the paints to a near-by table. They didn't speak as they worked together.

When everything was ready, Sarah sat back as Jimmy thought of a scenery to paint with his emotions represented in it. How do you feel? He asked himself. Words and phrases began to come to him. They floated in his mind as a picture began to surface. Alone, deep blue sky, angry, crashing waves, protective barrier, rock, confused, soft blend of gray with blue. Love. . .crumbled shield, broken, tired. Slowly he moved his paint brush and dipped it in black. He put the brush on the canvas and he began to form the shape of a rock. A large rock that seemed to be tilting toward the right, almost off to the canvas. Next came the waves. He lightly added white to make it look as if the water was crashing into the rock all the while making the image look more and more alive.

Forty-five minutes later he began painting the sky. A beautiful blend of deep blue and gray. Some how he had made the sky appear deep and real. In the far back were, fiery embers that seemed to be dying out. Within the next twenty minutes he was finished. He stood back and looked at it thoughtfully. It looked just as he had pictured it and for once, he was proud in the art he had created. The waves seemed slightly angry and yet oddly at peace as they came crashing into the rock. The rock itself looked as if it were starting to crumble and the sky seemed to be watching as a small gray cloud hovered above with the sky blending softly with a deep blue and a faint gray. The flames in the far back were fading nicely and all Jimmy could say was, "It's exactly how I feel."

"It's beautiful," Mrs. Owens announced. Jimmy turned and she stood behind him with Mr. Howard standing beside her. They were both staring in awe. He glanced over at Sarah. She had said nothing the whole time and had completely forgotten that she was there. She too was in awe.

"I-I. . ." Mr. Howard stuttered. He tilted his head as his mouth opened slightly.

"May I put this in the Art Gallery for school?" Mrs. Owens asked as she took a step forward.

"I guess," Jimmy replied. Is it that good? He asked himself. "Is it good enough?"

"Oh, yes," she said. "I can see everything." She turned to him. A slow smile crossed her lips. "Something is emerging, isn't it? A new person. A new emotion. It's turning around, isn't it? And it's scaring you. You're angry yet happy and confused by it all. It's overwhelming what's happening and you don't know what to do with yourself anymore."

Jimmy looked away, hiding his disappointment and surprise. Mrs. Owens had managed to do what no other teacher had the guts to do or even had the capability of doing: she had read him like a book. She single handedly spoke aloud the thoughts and insecurities he spoke softly to himself.

She turned around suddenly. "Let's put this where no one else can see it," she suddenly said. Jimmy looked up at her.

"So it's not as good as you made me think," he replied.

"It's too good," she answered. "I want this piece of art to be put where everyone can see. I want this in a place of honor."

"I'll make a note to announce this personally for tomorrow," Mr. Howard said as he dashed out the door.

"No!" Jimmy exclaimed, but it was too late. He was already out of the room. Apparently, the man still had speed from his old football days.

"Sarah, help me put this in the back," Mrs. Owens urged. Sarah got up, the shock had not worn off just yet. "Be careful!"

When the painting was put safely in the back Mrs. Owens turned to Jimmy as Sarah stood, staring at the painting. "Come in tomorrow morning to sign it," she said.

Jimmy nodded, not believing what was happening. Mrs. Owens looked at him and smiled sweetly. She gleefully ran for the door. "I have to tell the other teachers!" She exclaimed as she

He and Sarah were left alone again and she was still staring at the painting.

A few minutes later she looked away just as Mrs. Owens came back in. She explained the next project and Jimmy quickly went to work as Mrs. Owens ran off again. Sarah only sat and watched. Jimmy's new assignment was to sketch a portrait of someone he knew and unfortunately Mrs. Owens had suggested sketching Sarah, since she was the only other person there. Jimmy sighed as he sketched her. He wasn't able to concentrate much on sketching. It was only because of it was Sarah he was sketching.

"Jimmy," Sarah said faintly. His eyes emerged from the top of the sketch pad Mrs. Owens had given him in the beginning of the year. Every art student had one. "Do you still love me?" He stopped. His pencil fell on the table.

"Why are you asking me this?" he questioned.

"Just answer the damn question!" she shouted.

Jimmy was taken aback by her sudden outburst, but what had surprised him more were the sudden tears that streamed down her cheeks. There was longing in her eyes, mixed with anger and sorrow. He looked down at the sketch pad. He remembered when she had first asked him the question. He had hesitated only for a moment before saying "yes." He looked up at her. She needed to know the truth and he would give to her.

"Part of me still does," he said. She sighed happily and a glint of hope surfaced in her eyes. "But not all of me." The hope faded and tears seemed to suddenly pour.

"Is it because of Cindy?"

Jimmy's heart began to pound at the mention of the name. "You betrayed me when you broke up with me," he answered. "You did everything that you promised you wouldn't. My trust in you disappeared that day."

"Well, I thought you didn't care for me anymore!" she shouted. Jimmy looked at her with conviction. "Yeah, you heard me. You became distant and it seemed like you were avoiding me. You stopped calling and our relationship seemed to be disintegrating and it didn't seem like you cared. My sister noticed it, Robin noticed it. Even the mailman noticed it Jimmy!"

The mailman? He thought.

"Yeah, the mailman," Sarah replied as if reading his mind. "That's why I broke up with you. I thought it was what you wanted."

"It wasn't what I wanted!" he protested.

"Then let me make it better this time around. You say you still love me!"

"But my heart doesn't belong to you anymore," he said, thinking of Cindy. "Yes, part of me still cares for you, a small part of me, but most of me loves someone else. Someone very special to me."

"Cindy Vortex," Sarah said, as she nodded. She wiped away her tears. "Well, congratulations on that and I hope everything goes well. I. . .have to go now." She hurriedly left the room and Jimmy sat alone. He flung the sketch book across the room and grabbed his book bag. He walked out of the room and soon into the cool, later afternoon.

As he walked home he thought of Sarah. He felt guilty, but it was the truth and he had never thought of their last week with each other. Sarah was right. He had become distant and he had stopped calling her. They barely even saw each other those last few weeks, but it was only because it was the third week of January. It had been the same week his father had left and he needed to be alone. He didn't want to be around anyone at the time.

The wind suddenly blew, rustling the leaves in the distance and catching the grass in it's breeze. Think of something good, he encouraged. He closed his eyed as he took a deep breath and let it out steadily. Cindy's face emerged in his thoughts and a smile grew on his lips as a faint blush spread on his cheeks.

But a horrid knot formed in his stomach making the picture fade. She loves someone else, he thought, remembering the dreamy look in her eyes after she confessed she had broken up with Nick for this mystery man. She said so herself. He wondered who it was. Do I know this guy?

He soon enough approached the back door of his house. As soon as he opened the door, Goddard greeted him happily.

"Hey, boy," Jimmy greeted as he patted the mechanical dog. He continued in the house ans soon he found himself in the livingroom were Cindy sat on the couch with Becca sprawled on her side, laying her head on Cindy's lap. Cindy stroked the small girls hair soothingly as if reassuring her. Goddard barked once and they both turned.

"Jimmy!" Becca exclaimed as she jumped up off the couch. Becca ran to him and he opened his arms wide. Becca jumped and Jimmy caught her. She leaned her head on his shoulder and Cindy breathed a sigh of relief as she watched them.

"We've been worried about you," Cindy replied. She looked like she was fighting off tears. She stepped closer. There was a need in her eyes that Jimmy couldn't understand and before he knew it she wrapped her arms around him. She buried her head in the crook of his neck and a huge blush spread on Jimmy's cheeks. There was an uncomfortable silence and Cindy pulled away. "Sorry," she apologized.

Jimmy put Becca on her feet and the small girl looked up at him. She put her hands on her hips. "Where have you been?" she asked.

"School," Jimmy answered. Becca gave him a weird look. "I was making up some things for art. I have to stay two hours after school everyday for the rest of the week. To make up what I've missed."

Becca nodded with slight confusion, but she said nothing. "Well, mommy will figure out soon that you're back home."

"We is she?" Jimmy asked.

"She and your dad went looking for you," Cindy answered.

They actually went looking for me? He thought. He nodded and walked up the stairs.

"Jimmy," Cindy called hurriedly as she rushed to his side. She stood on the stair just below him. "I wanted to tell you something. It's important."

Jimmy could feel his adrenaline pumping as he looked down at her. Becca snuck away, but Jimmy knew that she would stick around.

"What is it?" Jimmy asked. Cindy took his hand in her's as she looked into his eyes.

"Well, I've tried to tell you before but we were interrupted," she explained. Jimmy felt her hand lightly squeeze his and he suddenly felt a chill run up his spine. "Lately, I've been thinking a lot about-" She hesitated.

Jimmy's heart pounded as if he were expecting something and he was. He just didn't know what.

"I've been thinking a lot about. . .you. . .and-" Her voice began to quiver with nervousness and she took a deep breath. "What I'm trying to say is that, I. . ."

"You?"

"I. . .I'm in-"

"We couldn't find him anywhere!" his mother's voice sounded as the front door slammed open. Cindy pulled away from him and Jimmy pulled away from her as he looked up. Becca emerged from behind the couch.

"You killed it," she said. Hugh followed Judy inside."A beautiful moment, gone. Wasted away."

Judy turned to Jimmy. Her eyes opened wide in joy and she rushed to him, careful not to knock Cindy away. She embraced her son as she bathed him in kisses. Jimmy pulled away. Cindy's cheeks turned red as she lowered her head.

"I think I have to go now," she said as she dashed for the door.

"Cindy wait!" Becca called. "You still haven't told Jimmy!"

But she had run out the door.

Becca closed the door and walked up the stairs. She said nothing to her mother or her father.

"Where were you, Jimbo?" Hugh asked.

Jimmy sneered at the name as his mother took him in her arms again. "School. Making up classes." He pulled away from his mother again and walked up stairs. Becca walked into her room as Jimmy walked into his own. He plopped on his bed, face first. He wondered what Cindy wanted to tell him. She was in what? In trouble? Why would he care if she was in trouble? He sighed. Maybe she's in some trouble with Sarah. What ever it was Becca knew about it. I'll just have to ask her about it, he thought. After I shut my eyes for a while.

Jimmy closed his eyes and he soon drifted off into a deep sleep as he dreamt of Cindy.