Chapter 3: How to Explain

It's a long story, Goddard flashed. I really don't know how to begin.

"Well, try and remember. It'll help," Libby encouraged. Cindy just scoffed.

Goddard angled his head slightly, thinking. Then he nodded to himself.

It was awhile ago. I remember that. Jimmy started acting really weird about you, Cindy, in the lab. Not in a bad way, I mean. Goddard blinked. I'm not sure how to explain it. He just didn't seem like himself whenever you were mentioned. Goddard growled softly in frustration. I'm just messing this up!

"Hey, hey. Goddard, relax." That was Cindy now, coming over to pet him. "You're doing fine."

Goddard whined. No I'm not. I don't know how to explain how Jimmy's feeling right now.

"What?"

Told you. It's just… he's really upset right now. Depressed. Whatever.

"Depressed?" Was that… concern in Cindy's eyes? "What about?"

Libby rolled her eyes, miming a gag behind Cindy's back. Goddard's tail swished once in amusement.

Something to do with… what's his name? Timmy?

Cindy blushed. "Uh, about that…"

Libby rolled her eyes. "Here we go again."

I don't want excuses or reasons, Goddard typed. I just want you to understand.

"Understand what? What, Goddard?"

Goddard hesitated, then he opened his screen, showing a re-run of what had happened earlier, before he had made the decision to come here.

"I guess I'm making no sense to you, huh boy?" He laughed. "You're probably wondering why I'm moping around."

Goddard cocked his head to one side and woofed softly.

"It's Cindy. Remember her, boy?"

A soft whine.

"I knew you would. I'm so mixed up when it comes to her, Goddard."

Another whine. Goddard licked Jimmy's hand.

"I mean, between me and Timmy, I was the genius. I was the smart one. But… I wasn't acting like it. I was fighting. Over Cindy, Goddard! Of all people!"

Goddard blinked a couple times; despite what Jimmy seemed to believe, this wasn't news to him, but he listened anyway, wagging his tail encouragingly.

"And I… I said to Timmy that I liked her! I almost said that I loved her, Goddard!"

Goddard angled his head to one side. And this was new to him?

"I guess it was bound to happen, right Goddard? I mean, you can't save the world with someone numerous times and not fall for them, right?"

Goddard barked.

"I mean yeah, she was nice to me sometimes, but I was always wondering about Betty, you know? But then I just stopped wondering about Betty and started wondering about Cindy."

A screen opened on Goddard's chest: So what are you going to do about it?

"I don't know, Goddard." The young genius sank even lower into his chair, if that was possible, and gazed sadly at Cindy's face. "I just don't know."

I thought you were a genius. Goddard woofed softly in confusion.

"That's the problem with love, boy. You don't know when it's happened, and when it does, you don't know what to do about it." Jimmy sighed at Goddard's confused look. "I'm sorry, Goddard, but I don't know how to explain it, okay?"

Goddard slowly closed the screen.

"Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor," Libby gasped, exchanging shocked looks with Cindy. "When did he say this, Goddard?"

A few minutes ago. I decided to come over to talk to Cindy after that. I've never seen him like this before. Goddard woofed softly.

Listen, Vortex. You can do whatever you want… I don't care. But all I know is Jimmy cares about you, maybe more then he cares about himself, and I've never known him to care about someone this much… not even Betty. Goddard gazed at Cindy. I just need to know whether you like him as much as he likes you, so I can tell him and put him out of his misery.

There was a moment of silence as Cindy considered this; her face clouded over for an instant, then cleared. Her face was firm, her eyes taking on the impression of an emerald storm brewing. Goddard woofed uneasily.

"You're not telling Neutron anything, robot boy. I'm coming with you. It's about time I gave that boy a piece of my mind."

Goddard's ears swiveled forward, and his tail began to wag.

I was hoping you'd say that!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After reading this chapter over, I have only one thing to say... GO CINDY!