Chapter 3

Afterschool. Perhaps even worse than going to school with Jimmy and Cindy. Probably because this was the time whenI would go hang out with Jimmy and Cindy for most likely 4 hours in a row. Sometimes witnessing them make-out in certain places, like Jimmy's lab, or Cindy's room. How I dreaded this time. Yes, more than when I was alone with Jimmy sometimes.

I was in the public library reading the book, "The Revolt".

"So, Libby. What's up? Why the long face?"

It was Cindy, sitting down next to me. Without Jimmy.

"Where's Jimmy? I mean, He's usually stuck to your shoulder or something."

"He's at his lab."

"Oh."

"You still haven't answered my questions."

"Uh...Okay. Umm..Nothing's up. And...What long face?"

"That one. The one that looks very sad and in demise."

"It's nothing...Just thinking of something."

"What?"

I thought of a way to talk to Cindy about my 'situation'.

"Well...Ilike this guy."

"Yeah?"

"And he's going out with someone. And I know him pretty well. But I don't know if he likes me the same way, and I don't want to break him up with his girlfriend."

Cindy nodded. "I see. So your conscience is in the way."

"What?"

"Well, you don't want to break them up."

"I know that."

She shook her head.

"I mean that since you don't want to break them up, your conscience is in play. Wouldn't you say?"

"I-I guess..."

Cindy nodded and smiled.

"So, who's the lucky boy?"

I blushed a crimson color.

"I-I can't tell you."

"Of course you can, I'm your best friend, remember?"

I nodded.

"I just..I don't want to tell you."

"Why? Is it...Jimmy?"

I blushed even more, but thanks to my dark skin, she didn't notice.

"I'm only kidding, Libs. Anyway, are you sure you don't want to come to Retroland tonight?"

I nodded. "I have a book report to do, remember? For Lorenz."

Cindy smiled. "Oh, yeah. Okay then. Bye, Libs."

I waved as she walked away.

"Thank god," I whispered.

I turned on my iPod and resumed reading my book.

The next day, during nutrition,I watched Cindy and Jimmy make-out again behind the school.

I groaned, "I can't believe you guys are doing this again! What if you guys get caught?"

Jimmy turned around.

"We're not going to get caught. All right...Whatever."

He stepped away from Cindy to pick up his backpack.

"Anyway, the bell's about to ring. So..."

He kissed Cindy lightly on the cheek.

"I'll see you later, Cin'."

I rolled my eyes.

"My, aren't you fluffy today?"

Jimmy just grinned at me.

"And what of it?"

I smiled back.

"Nothing."

He smiled even wider.

"Well, I'll see you ladies later. So, bye!"

Jimmy waved and walked around the corner.

"So, Cin'. What's up?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Nothing...You?"

"Nothing. Just...sitting here. With you there. And the bell's gonna ring in like 30 seconds..So..."

Cindy picked up her backpack, and thenshe finished my sentence.

"...We should go."

I smiled at her.

"I miss how we used to do that. But you're never around anymore."

She looked at me. "I'm sorry. But I've just been spending so much time with Jimmy..."

Cindy stopped. "And that's the reason why we don't hang out much, isn't it?"

I nodded at her. "Yeah."

"Well. I'll tell Jimmy that I need some time to hang with my friends..."

"No, you don't have to do that... It's just... I miss you, Cin'..."

She looked at me with drooping eyes.

"But... It's fine, Cindy, you really don't have to do that. I'm serious."

She smiled at me apologetically.

"Okay, Libs. If you say so."

I forced a smile back at her.

"Yeah, I do say so. But I really think we should get back to class or something, cuz we have like two seconds left before 3rd period."

Cindy laughed and nudged me lightly.

"All right, let's go!"

Fourth period. The only class I had with Jimmy. History class.

"All right, class, settle down! I mentioned this a couple days ago, but do any of you remember what I told you?" asked Mr. Bower.

Jimmy raised his hand. Of course he would.

"You told us that there was going to be a project."

Mr. Bower smiled at Jimmy.

"Very good, Mr. Neutron. Yes, as Jimmy here said, there IS a project."

The class groaned. Jimmy just grinned slightly.

"Don't worry, for the project, you'll have partners."

Both the class and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"But I will be deciding on who is paired with whom."

The class groaned again.

"All right, for the first pair...It will be...Let's see... Brittany... And...Carl."

Carl cheered in silence. Brittany groaned very audibly.

"The second group will be...Jimmy.. And...Libby."

I grew numb. I thought of all that could happen while we worked on a project together. 'Damn, why couldn't this have happened BEFORE Cindy and Jimmy started going out?' I cursed my bad luck.

When Mr. Bower finished grouping everyone, he explained the details of the project.

"The project will be on biblical times, any subject that there is about it. I don't personally care what, just nothing bad like sex. Or torture. But wars are acceptable. You will not be allowed to work on the project during class, but you can work on it afterschool and before school at the library. Otherwise, you'll have to make arrangements to go over your partner's house or to go to the public library. You can go talk to your partners until the end of class."

I saw Jimmy walk over to my desk. I felt slightly nauseous.

"So, Libby, want to come over today afterschool?"

All I could do was nod.

"Cool. So...Can you come to my house at about 3:30 or 4:00?"

I managed to mutter, "Four is fine."

He smiled at me and went back to his desk.

How will I manage to not practically jump on Jimmy at his house?

A/N: Yay! Scary situation for Libby! Guess what's going to happen! I can't tell you, nah nah nah nah nah nah!

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