Alright, alright, I give in. I'll give you guys a second chapter. cx I have no promises on how many more chapters I'll put in this story. If people continue to show interest, then I will probably (eventually) add other chapters. For now, we'll sit with these two and see how it goes. I already have way too many story commitments as it is; I never intended to add another. Oh well, guess it couldn't be helped!

Cindy's Point of View

I gulp inwardly before managing to say, "Everywhere else just couldn't handle me." That was a lot smoother than I expected. Thank goodness I haven't made myself look like a complete idiot.

Jimmy laughs, shaking his head. "Glad to see you haven't changed." But the look in his eyes suggests he doesn't realize how much I have, as if he's waiting for me to jump on the chance to bring back our rivalry.

I shift, trying to think of something to say to break the awkward silence that is about to settle. However, despite my best efforts, I come up dry. How am I supposed to respond to that? I honestly have no idea on what to do when confronted with Jimmy in a conversation for the first time in years.

Thankfully, Libby is here to save the day, swooping in and asking, "So, how did the invention inquiries go?"

"Oh ya!" Sheen eagerly follows the new train of conversation, just as easily distracted as before. "Go on and tell us already! I can't wait any longer!"

"Don't get too excited, Sheen." Though the genius rolls his eyes, he laughs at the Ultra Dork's behavior, shaking his head. "Honestly, it was the same as the other few I've had. Our interest in the uses of my inventions just didn't line up, you know?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Jimmy." Carl frowns, obviously disappointed for his friend's sake.

But Jimmy just laughs again, waving off the concern. "No worries, I honestly don't mind. I'm fine with waiting."

"You'll get the right offer eventually, Jimmy." Libby pats him on the shoulder.

"Jimmy!" This new speaker breaks into the conversation before I can offer my comfort, and I turn to face them. I suppose I should expect it to be who I see, and yet I'm still surprised. Betty plops herself down right next to him, putting a hand on his arm. "Well? How did the meeting go?"

He turns his attention to her, and I have to shove the jealousy building in my chest down. "The same as the others. Fingers crossed that the offer I'm hoping for will come around eventually."

She smiles and tilts her head back, laughing at his words. "Typically Jimmy. You always have been an optimist."

He rubs the back of his neck and laughs. "That's certainly a new one."

"Wait," Betty pauses, leaning past Jimmy and raising her eyebrows as her gaze land on me, "is that Cindy? Cindy Vortex? What are you doing back here?"

This is the first time I'm able to get a good look at her. Her hair is longer now, reaching her shoulder with a bit of a wave to it. She's wearing a pink summer dress, as well as red sandals. The most eye catching bit is her bright red lipstick, and I can't help but shudder as I imagine them touching Jimmy's. Oh gosh, Libby is never going to let me live this down. I briefly catch her eye, and she raises a single eyebrow at me, obviously catching on to my mounting envy.

"Hey, Betty," I say, offering her a forced smile. "Nowhere else could handle me."

"Same old Cindy." She shakes her head and giggles, causing me to cringe.

Same old Cindy? How is no one able to see that I'm not the same? I don't know how to show it. How can I express how different I am? I want them to see that I aged just like them, that I've grown up.

But I want Jimmy to see it most of all.

"Well, I'm leaving for the day," Betty says, snapping me out of my trance as she gives Jimmy a quick peck on the cheek. Then she stands, smiling at us as she waves goodbye. "Mr. Wile called in sick, plus my other class is calculus, and I'm just not feeling it. See you guys. Jimmy, are we still on for tomorrow night?"

"Of course." Jimmy nods, and Betty bounces off, leaving me to sit and try not to gape.

Libby elbows me in the side, and I scowl at her smirk. "Hey, what do you say we all hang out tonight? What with Cindy being back and all, it could be a fun reunion."

Carl claps his hands together and nods his head a bit too furiously, his smile shifting to a grimace as he adds, "Ya, then she can see the lab!"

"The lab?" I raise an eyebrow, anger at Betty and Libby momentarily forgotten. "What happened to the lab?"

Jimmy eyes me suspiciously before leaning forward on the table. I have to assume he's not aware that, when he shifts how he sits, he gives me the chance to observe the effects of his obvious working out. He definitely as muscles.

"Promise not to mess with anything?" Jimmy suddenly asks, forcing me to quickly look to his eyes instead of his arms and try to pretend I wasn't gawking.

"Why would I do that?" I realize after I say the words where he's getting that idea.

Dang, I really was horrible during our elementary school days. But hadn't we bonded? I mean, we were stranded on a freaking island together. We'd thought we were just going to stay there forever. Heck, I'd asked him to stay there with me forever! Has he forgotten all about that?

Had...I forgotten all about that?

Sighing, I stare down at my food. "I promise I won't mess with anything, Neutron." I can't help calling him by his last name; my heart aches so badly and I need to distance myself from him somehow.

The bell rings, and Jimmy stands up first, with Libby quickly following suit. "Jimmy and I both have calculas next. See you next period, girl, alright?"

I nod, watching them turn and go. I wish I could hear what they're discussing once they're out of earshot. Are they discussing me? Is Libby going to vouch for me?

Carl taps my shoulder, and I realize Sheen has already fled, leaving the two of us standing alone. "Hey Cindy, ready for AP Stats?" I nod, starting to ask where Sheen has gone, but the redhead is ahead of me. "Sheen's gone to his art class."

"Oh."

Carl makes his way for the door, and I follow suit. We're some of the last people to leave the lunch room, but it almost feels like I've left a piece of me behind, sitting and staring at where Jimmy sat. Wondering how to prove that things are different now. Inside, I know I'm screaming. Look at me! See me for who I am now! I've changed. Can you see that? I love you!

I nearly stop in my tracks, though someone bumps into me and forces me to continue trailing after Carl. Love? Do I love Jimmy?

That's insane. I can't love a childhood crush. I've barely even seen him and I'm already drooling. It must just be because he's changed. He's just more interesting than any other guy I've met. It has nothing to do with his intelligence, or how much fun it is to debate with him, or those newly acquired muscles...

Even worse, I know that I've been clinging to him for a while. Despite my best efforts, those few times I saw him after I left the school, when we were younger, I missed him desperately. We'd barely even talked as kids! I shouldn't have missed him at all, and yet...here we are.

As we pass by the front of the school, I grab Carl's arm and mutter, "I'm not feeling great. I think I'm going to head home. Let Libby know for me, okay?"

Carl looks concerned, but nods in affirmation, lips tightening to a frown. He waves as I adjust my backpack and turn away, walking out the door. It's my first day at a new school; I really shouldn't be skipping any classes. But I'm suddenly so exhausted by this day, and I know I won't make it to the end.

With a groan, I walk towards the nearest bus stop, grateful that I didn't have to just walk home. As I slide my backpack off to pull my wallet out, I hear the distinct sound of a skateboard rolling up. At first, I think nothing of it, but then they speak up, and I realize I know exactly who this is.

"Cindy?" I look up, and sure enough, there's Nick, staring down at me. He barely looks like he's aged at all, besides getting taller. He's obviously worked out as well. But when he pops a lollipop in his mouth, I know he definitely hasn't changed much personality-wise either.

"Nick?" I echo as he sits down beside me. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." He pulls the orange lollipop from his mouth and points it at me. "Skipping class?"

"Something like that. You too?"

He shrugs. "I could care less if I do well in my art class." There's a lull in the conversation, but then he says, "So, what made you come back?"

I stare at my shoes and say, "Well, there wasn't anywhere better." When I look up, I find him staring at me rather intetly as he sucks on his lollipop. "What?"

"You'd like Lydia. She's my friend, started coming here a year after you left. She's home sick today though. How about we make an improptu 'get better' trip?"

Alright, so there's the end of chapter two! Was it good? Bad? I'm flying completely by the seat of my pants, so while I have a vague plan, I don't necessarily know where this is going. Let me know if you want to see more chapters! c: As I said before, I'll consider writing some more if there's interest.

For now though, that's it! See you guys around. ;p And thank you for all your support! I was floored by the reception that chapter one got.

~ Dagger