Disclaimer: I do not own Jimmy Neutron or any related characters.

Cindy shoveled down her breakfast the following Monday. She took a final swig of orange juice and headed out the door. "Have fun at school, dear!" she could hear her mom shout from the living room.

"I will! Love you, mom!" she shouted back while running out the front door.

Cindy got to the bus stop just as the large vehicle was pulling up. She took a few seconds to straighten out her hair before climbing aboard. She waved hello to her various classmates and took a seat next to her best friend, Libby.

"So, how's the birthday girl doing?" Libby asked while turning off her walkman.

Cindy laughed. "Shut up, Libs. I've still got five more days until I turn thirteen."

Libby nodded and looked out the window. Suddenly Sheen popped his head up from the seat behind them. "Ah yes, thirteen. It was a golden age, full of adventure and delight. I call it the year of adventure and delight."

Cindy shook her head in distress as the bus rolled onward towards its destination. "Estavez, why do I hang out with you again?" she tiredly asked.

Libby sighed. "Because you're friends with me, I'm Sheen's girlfriend, he's friends with Carl, Carl is Jimmy's best friend, and Jimmy is your secret crush."

Carl poked his head up as well. "It's a vicious cycle," he agreed.

Cindy blushed a little at the mention of Jimmy. "And what exactly makes you think I love that big-headed Nerdtron?" she quietly asked.

Sheen, Carl, and Libby looked at each other for a second before exploding into conversation. "The whole stranded on an island thing."

"You asked him to help you at that talent show."

"You got in a catfight with April."

"You're always checking him out."

"You said he was a hunk muffin."

"She said that?"

"Yeah, at Jet's wedding."

"Wow, that is so creepy."

"That's what I thought."

Everybody immediately shut up as Cindy cast them an evil glare. "It's not my fault we fell over the side, I needed someone to help me, April was a jerk, I was looking behind him, and I never said that," she explained as she hopped off the bus.

Cindy was clenched her teeth as she climbed the stairs and headed towards her locker. How dare they think I like him! I so do not! Well, maybe a little...but it's none of their damn business!

"I so do not love that Neutron!" she said to herself as she slammed her locker door shut.

"Nobody said you did," Jimmy told her. Cindy jumped backwards as he appeared from behind the door to the locker she had just slammed shut.

"I was, uh, and Libby, she...she had this crazy, uh, idea," Cindy muttered as she slung her backpack around her shoulder and headed towards her first class.

Jimmy nodded his head as if deep in thought. "Uh-huh. Very interesting."

After a few more minutes had passed, she looked behind her to see that Jimmy was still following her. "Isn't your class on a different floor?"

Jimmy shrugged. "There's still ten minutes until the bell rings. Why, am I disturbing your ever so precious psyche?"

Cindy tightened her grip around her backpack in anger. "No, it's just that you're following me around like some stupid lovesick puppy."

She turned around to see Jimmy's reaction. He was just leaning against a locker, smiling. "Ouch. That really hurts, Cind."

Cindy took a step closer and glared at him. She opened her mouth to speak, but the bell rang. She stepped into her classroom, which was right in front of her. "You're late," she said with a small laugh.

Jimmy stared after her for a moment before running to his class.