Title: Am I Pretty Now?
Summary: Cindy starts to worry too much about her outer appearances and no one notices what's going on with her, except Jimmy. Will Jimmy be able to save her? Or is it Jimmy that really needs to be saved? PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!! J/C and S/L
A/N Hey All! Thank you so much for the reviews, so many already! WOW I'm so excited!!! Throws Cookies Keeps 'em comin PLEASE!!!! Well here's chapter 2
SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG TO UPDATE!!! I've been working on my research paper, you see where I live, when you're a junior you have to write a research paper, and if you don't pass the paper you don't graduate from high school so all my attention has been on that.
I promise to try to be quicker, so don't be mad! And please review!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Jimmy Neutron!!! Would I be writing a FANfic if I did? Don't think so.
Chapter 2: Guilt Trip
Cindy
I looked around and found I was in a curtain surrounded bed. I realized that I was in a hospital and I tried to sit up, but someone was lying on top of me. I looked down and Libby was drooling on my sheets, I wonder how long she's been there.
"Cindy! You're awaaake…" She said amidst a yawn. She stretched, her eyes losing their sleepiness.
"Your parents are here in the hospital but I told them they needed to get some fresh air, they've been at your side the entire time."
Sitting up I realized my stomach still hurt where Nick had punched me, wait a minute…why would it still hurt this bad?
"What do you mean they've been here the entire time? How long have I been out?"
"3 days."
"WHAT??!!! How could I have possibly slept that long?"
"Girl, what did you expect, with all of the blood you lost...?"
"What happened to me? The last thing I remember is that I was in a fight with Nick."
"Right, and Nick stabbed you in the stomach, didn't you realize that? He's being arrested for the assault and Battery of you and Jimmy."
"Jimmy? What happened to him?"
"Well, I heard that soon after Nick had stabbed you Jimmy came around the corner, saw what was going on and stood up to Nick."
Why would Neutron try to help me?
"So what did Nerd-tron do, equation him to a pulp?" Libby chuckled uneasily and I stopped laughing.
"Actually…I wasn't there, but Sheen said that he tackled Nick, and surprisingly, was doing very well against him…until Butch decided to help out a fellow Jock and held Jimmy down. Sheen tried to help Jimmy, but he was knocked out soon after he jumped in."
"So…Neutron got hurt?" Libby nodded.
"H-How badly?" Libby stared at me for a moment before sighing.
"Well…he hasn't woken up yet…but the doctors say he should any time now…"
"What are his injuries Libby?"
"Um…uh…oh yeah, they said on the news that the drugs that Nick was taking was screwing with his brain, but uh…that might just be so he can get a lighter sentence." He must be in bad shape if Libby is resorting to changing the subject.
"Libby tell me, how is Jimmy?" I looked sternly into her mocha eyes; I wasn't going to give up so easily.
"Cindy, I don't know…I'm going to go get your parents; they'll want to see you." She got up and walked out without another word.
I pushed the covers down off my legs and swiftly got out of bed. I realized I was wearing a hospital gown and was hooked up to an IV. I made sure to keep the back of my gown closed with my right hand and I dragged the IV behind me with my left. I walked out of my room and up to the desk that was conveniently right outside my room.
"Excuse me, um could you tell me what room James Isaac Neutron is in?" The nurse looked over at me and I watched as her wrinkled features all curled down.
"You shouldn't be out of bed missy; I suggest you get on back in it." She glared at me as if she expected me to go trotting back to my room; ha yea, like that was going to happen.
"Listen lady, I want to see how Jimmy Neutron is, he…did a lot for me. Look if you don't tell me which room he's in right now I am not only going to look in each and every room in this entire hospital until I find him; I swear I'll take this IV stand and shove it right up where it belongs." She scowled down at me for a moment before sighing and looking down at the clipboard in her hand.
"He's in room 206, actually it's the room right beside yours. Now hurry and see him or what not cause only family is technically allowed to see him." I thanked her and saw my way into Jimmy's room.
I looked into the room and felt the air in my lungs constrict in my chest.
He looked so fragile laying there, his left arm in a cast; his face was badly banged up with his eyes black and blue, a large bruise on his left cheek and a large cut across his forehead. As I got closer I realized his chest was also heavily bandaged. The lump in my throat grew as I looked down on him. He was so pale so…fragile…
"Jimmy…?" I was hoping he would answer my whisper, but no response came from his lithe form.
Tears began trickled down my cheeks.
"Jimmy?"
My heart skipped a beat. A light flutter of his eyes. I quickly wiped my eyes and moved closer to his bedside.
"Jimmy?" I asked somewhat louder
"Cindy, you there? His voice was ragged and he cringed with each word.
"Where are we Cindy?" He wasn't looking at me, his eyes softly gazing up at the ceiling.
"The hospital" I didn't know what else to say, did he remember what happened? His face contorted like he was thinking and then relaxed.
"Are you ok, Cindy? I mean, did he hurt you severely?" I guess he remembered.
"Am I ok? Where did that big old head of yours hide your brain? I should be asking you that!"
"Sorry." I guess I sounded angry…like I always do.
"Why are you sorry? You saved me…and I'm grateful." His eyes opened wider, he turned his large cranium towards me and looked me in the eyes like he couldn't believe I was saying that to him, he didn't answer me, so I went on,
"I'm grateful but, you shouldn't have butt in, I would have been ok…and you wouldn't be so…" My eyes coated with a fresh set of tears ready and willing to slide down my face, like children at the park in line for the slide.
His eyes were closed again, but I couldn't stop myself.
"Why did you do that? Why did you help me, Jimmy? Why?!" I wasn't sure that he heard me, or even if he was awake.
"Because I L-L-L…just because, I couldn't watch him hurt you." His answer struck me, why couldn't he? Everyone else had. He looked tired, so I decided to end it, for now…later when he's better, I'll bring it up again.
"Well, thanks Neutron, I guess I owe you big time huh?"
He chuckled out a cough and smiled, his eyes still closed.
"Yep, guess so Vortex." I was about to say something else but I realized he was fast asleep again. So I pulled the covers up to his chin and looked down at his face.
I couldn't help but notice, people are so fragile, the people we would like to think are invincible are just as vulnerable as everyone else, but I never really realized till just now that none of us are immortal.
I walked back to my room and my parents were already there.
That was quick…
My mom smothered me with hugs and tucked me back into bed. I told them that Jimmy had woken up and my dad went to tell a nurse.
But as he left I realized something that should have been more obvious before now.
"Where are Mr. and Mrs. Neutron, they weren't in Jimmy's room."
"No one has been able to get a hold of them, but I'm sure as soon as they are notified they will be in to see him." My mother said.
"But wouldn't they be worried about him being missing for three days?" I asked.
"Yea, but Cindy think about it, how many times does Neutron just disappear for weeks at a time without telling anyone where he's going or what he's doing? They probably don't get as worried since they think he cold be in another galaxy somewhere." Libby reassured me.
"I guess you're right. I guess I'm just being paranoid."
We spoke to the doctors, I get to go home tomorrow afternoon, they want to keep me one more night for observation just to be on the safe side. As for Jimmy, they think it will be at least 2 more weeks before he is able to go home. I found out that his left arm and two of his ribs were fractured.
And what Libby said about Butch holding him down was true, that's why they were able to inflict so much damage…because he couldn't defend himself.
I felt sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I knew Butch and Nick were sometimes ruff with Jimmy, even on their own, on a regular basis…but nothing like this, I mean Nick would always make fun of him, and sometimes even got into a small fight but nothing like this. I can't even begin to comprehend anyone doing that, definitely not people I know.
Jimmy
It's been 3 weeks since my fight with Nick. I get to leave the hospital today, that is if mom and dad show up. Not once has mom or dad come to visit me. Dad's probably mad and he won't let mom come because she'll cry…boy am I in for it when I get home…
Cindy keeps me company though. She visits me all the time, and for some reason it makes it all worth while. She keeps asking me about my parents though, I keep having to tell her that they were just here and she missed them, or something to that effect. I just hope they show up to pick me up today, I did call them after all…
"Jimmy?" I looked over towards the door, Cindy Vortex standing in its wake a soft glow from the hall emanating behind her.
"Hi Cindy." My heart pounded as she got closer. Her hair was up in a high pony tail and her long golden locks swished back and forth as she walked. She was beautiful, thank you Mr. And Mrs. Vortex for putting her on this earth.
But as she got closer, I realized there was something different about her. She was wearing a long sleeved baggy shirt, which didn't make sense since it had to be hot outside, it was almost summer and the sun was shining bright, she even looked a little paler than usual, something was definitely up.
"What's wrong Cindy?" I saw her face faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered with a smile.
"Nothing, why do you ask?" She smiled at me, but her eyes…where was the sparkle that I've grown so used to seeing, where was it hiding?
"Aren't you hot?" I asked ignoring her question.
"No, not at all I was somewhat cold actually."
"I hear they are letting you go home today" She was changing the subject…I guess I'll let her, for now…
"Yep! I'm just waiting for my parents to come pick me up." hoping for my parents to show up is more like it.
"Oh, well then, I'll wait with you! I'll keep you company." That's not good, what if they don't come at all?
"Well, you don't have to…I mean…"
"Jimmy?" We looked at the door and my father was standing in its wake.
"Hi Mr. Neutron, how are you? I haven't seen you in to see Jimmy, I guess I keep missing you." She said it nicely enough her hand outstretched to be shaken, but I knew she was skeptical about whether he had ever been in to see me, and so could my Dad.
"Hello Miss Vortex, Yes, it is odd that we didn't run into you any of the times we were here to visit Jimmy." He spat my name as he looked passed her to me.
"Well, thanks for stopping by, but I'm sure Jimbo would like to get dressed and go home." She nodded feebly before looking back at me.
"Bye Jimmy, I'll see you, later."
"B-bye Cindy." I tried to keep my voice steady, but I knew Dad heard it quiver…
Cindy walked out of the room and shut the door behind her.
"Get dressed." Was all he said to me. I did, though it took a long time without any help because of my arm. We got someone to come up with a wheelchair to take me down to the front where my dad went and got the car.
It was a pretty much silent trip home, the only noise was Dad breathing heavily through his mouth.
When we got home he parked in the driveway, got out and slammed the door, yep…he was mad. He went into the house and slammed the front door.
It took a few minutes but I was finally able to open my door and get out. It still hurt to move around a lot.
I got up to the door and opened it slowly.
Mom was there to greet me.
"Jimmy! I'm so sorry I didn't come visit you it's just…." She began crying as she hugged me. It was the most painful thing I have ever felt, my ribs held together by a metal plate they put into my chest and she was squeezing me, but I didn't care.
"It's ok mom, I know." It was all I had to offer. She finally let go of me and I could breath again. I guess I had a painful look on my face cause she apologized and began crying into her hands.
"Mom, it's ok…really I'm fine." I smiled my best smile and it made her feel better, I hope.
I didn't notice till just then that my father was standing right there in the living room, one of his wooden ducks in hand.
"Judy, go on up to bed. I want to talk to Jimbo for awhile. You can see him more tomorrow, I'm sure he'll want to go to bed soon himself." She nodded kissing me on the forehead, not having any clue to what was in store for me, but I knew…
After we both heard the door click upstairs, he turned to look at me.
"How could you do this to her?" His eyes had that same fire, the same flame as last time.
"I'm sorry." It was all I could say, and I knew it wouldn't be enough.
"She worries about you Jimbo! First you needed therapy because of you're condition, and now this! Do you know what this does to her? She cries herself to sleep, worrying about you!" His saliva hit my face, but I didn't dare wipe it off.
"If you weren't always inventing things, and getting in to trouble, if you weren't sick, if you weren't here, she wouldn't cry, she wouldn't be…it's all your fault!"
My cheek stung anew and I stumbled back slightly.
I felt a strong grip around my neck and I tried to breathe.
"D-Dad…I…" No words would escape my lips, I couldn't breath. My good hand was over top of his trying to remove them…I felt light headed as black cornered my vision.
My hands and feet were going numb, no air…but as I felt unconsciousness coming closer, he dropped me to the ground.
I gulped down the air like I was drinking water and had been in the desert for days.
The pain from my broken arm became reality when he kicked me in the side colliding with me cast. I was unable to stop myself, I cried out. I heard my mother open the door up stairs before a sharp pain to my stomach consumed all sane thoughts in my head.
I woke up the next morning in my bed, like always, but this time my mother was hovering over me.
"Mom?" I blinked sleepily and sat up painfully.
"Jimmy, you should rest. I know they let you out of the hospital, but that doesn't mean you're fully recuperated, and added to your condition…" Tears were coming to her eyes again.
"Mom, I'm alright, seriously…it hurts me when you cry." More than you know…
She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled.
"Well, alright, but Carl and Sheen are here to see you, they've been waiting for you to wake up. Do you feel up to visitors?" I smiled at her and nodded.
"Ok then, I'll send them up." She leaned over to me and kissed me on the forehead, got up, and went down stairs.
Sheen and Carl were up moments later.
"Hey Jim!" Carl said somewhat uneasily. "How 're ya feelin?"
"Yea Jimmy, are you ok?" Sheen asked adding his own support. I smiled and this seemed to calm their nerves greatly.
"I'm fine guys, hey Sheen, shouldn't you be getting ready to go tonight?" He looked uneasy for a moment and nodded.
"Unless…you know…you want me to…stay." He whispered.
"Sheen, I wouldn't want you to miss it for the world, I'm fine, really." Sheen let out a deep breath and smiled. "I'm glad your ok Jimmy, and you know I'll be back in a few weeks and we can hang out then."
Was Sheen really afraid that I was going to die? Is that the reason he offered to stay? I could tell it was taking everything he had just to stay focused, but he had grown to know when a serious situation needed his full attention. Even though it was only as deep as a gnat's.
"And I would stay here Jimmy to keep you company and all but I have to go with me folks…"
"Guys, seriously, you don't have to worry about me, I'm fine…go on, I bet you guys have plenty to do to get ready." Sheen and Carl both nodded feebly.
"Yea, but we'll be back before we leave, ok?" I nodded.
"Go on, you guys have a great time."
"Bye Jim!"
"Yeah, bye Jimmy! See ya later this afternoon."
I'm really going to miss them this summer…
A/N So? What do you think? Next chapter I am REALLY going to be getting in to the plot, so please be patient I know it's slow right now, but I promise it will get better!!! Thank you again for all the reviews and I beg that you keep reviewing, OR I WILL NOT CONTINUE,
Because without reviews, I never really have the will power or attention span to write, I have the attention span of a gnat (just like Sheen! MUHAHAHAHA!) people, so the more reviews the better!
REVIEW AND MAKE AN AUTHOR SMILE!!