If I owned Jimmy Neutron it would still be on. Since it's not, let's assume I don't.
Libby and Cindy parted company at Cindy's locker.
"See ya after dance practice Cin".
"Have fun Libs", Cindy called after her best friend who returned it with a wave over her shoulder. Cindy sighed and turned to head down the hall to exit through the back door onto the field. The school was already empty due to the summer fever that had already bitten the population of Retroville High. Cindy blinked as she entered the warm May sun light. The scent of fresh cut grass tickled her nose as a light breeze wrapped around her. She smiled to herself as her skin warmed beneath the suns rays. The sounds of people running, yelling, and practicing for spring sports mixed with the warmth of the day making it a blissful afternoon. Cindy closed her eyes as she neared to the edge of the field so she never saw him walk up to her. He just matched her footsteps and waited for her to notice him. They were almost to the other end of the field when she finally relaxed enough to realize that she was no longer alone. Cindy opened her eyes and glared at him.
"Can I help you?" She asked with a hint of anger for being caught off guard by his sudden presence.
She could see vulnerability in his eyes but it was quickly replaced by the cold shell he put up every time she put him down.
"No" Jimmy responded dejectedly, "I just thought we could walk home together, since we are both headed that way. But if I'm bothering you…" he trailed off.
Cindy's heart did a little jump which caught her off guard causing a half smile to cross her lips.
"Sure Neutron…Jimmy, I mean James," She finished timidly.
Jimmy barely contained his smile. A comfortable silence fell between them. Jimmy relaxed and enjoyed the moment lacking conflict. 'Why could we never have this before?' He thought to himself. 'What made us argue so much?'
"Cindy?" Jimmy began.
"Yes?"
"Why do you think we fought so much? As kids I mean," Jimmy asked.
Cindy looked back at him. That vulnerability had returned. It was a look she had never seen in him.
'Is he scared? Scared of what?' she wondered. She gave him a reassuring smile.
"I'm not really sure Jimm… James", Cindy answered.
Jimmy's eyes turned forward again, trying to compute some answer to this question. Cindy thought about it too. Or rather about Jimmy.
'Why did we fight? Was I jealous? Scared? Of what? That he's better than me? Smarter? Well who wouldn't be jealous? But no, I don't think that's it. Then I was scared. But of what? Failing? No. I always did just as well as Jimmy. Being wrong? Possibly…maybe something else too…but what?
Jimmy grabbed her arm pulling her backwards out of the street and out of her private thoughts.
"Neutron!!" She snapped at him alarmed at having been yanked around. A car sped by them a few feet from where they were standing and where Cindy would have been had she kept walking lost in her thoughts. Cindy looked back at Jimmy with gratitude and remorse for snapping at him.
"Oh my gosh! I'm sorry Jim…"
"It's ok" Jimmy interrupted, "Someone's gotta look after you".
Cindy felt that twinge of longing to retaliate with an equally witty retort. She looked down preparing her attack when she noticed his hand still held onto her arm. Jimmy followed her gaze to his grip on her. Before he knew what he was doing he slid his hand down to hers. Cindy opened her hand and their fingers laced together. All of Cindy's tension melted instantly. His hands were big and comforting. It made her feel safe and cared for.
Jimmy didn't fully understand his actions, but the look on Cindy's face had changed from annoyance to what? Security? Peace? Something else? 'I don't think I can scientifically rationalize this' Jimmy decided.
They finished their walk home holding hands. Cindy couldn't remember ever seeing the town so empty. Or perhaps she just didn't notice anyone else. In fact, it was as if the world had come to a stand still. All movement and noise stopped, except for their steady breathing and the light tap of their feet on the ground. Jimmy walked Cindy to her front lawn and stopped just short of the steps. Still holding hands Cindy turned to face him. That glimmer in his eye had returned. A thrill rushed down her spine as he looked into her eyes.
"Well…" Jimmy's voice cracked as he spoke.
Cindy giggled at him, "Well," she responded. Jimmy smiled at her.
"Thank you for walking me home, Jimmy, James. Sorry, you'll always be the Jimmy I knew from our childhood." Cindy said. His face fell a little hearing that she still saw him as a childhood friend and nothing more. But the look she gave him made him smile a little. Cindy only saw his smile and she wondered if he liked her as more than a friend… maybe.
With a little sadness he released her hand and they broke apart. All the sounds of the surrounding world rushed into their ears like a swarm. She could her neighbors mowing the lawn, a car passing; the world was in motion again.
She gave him a small smile. "I guess I'll see you later", Cindy almost whispered. She slowly turned around and walked up to her door. As Cindy mounted the steps to her front door, her emotions were a mixture of sadness and yet complete bliss.
'Don't turn around Cindy', she mentally prepped herself, 'Don't do it. Just keep walking. Resist the urge'. She opened her door and walked inside. It to all her might to not turn around and look back as she stepped inside. Jimmy stood in her yard and watched her walk inside. He couldn't move, he just waited. The sound of the door closing snapped him out of his blissful stupor. He turned around and walked toward his house. A pair of green eyes peeked through the living room curtains and followed his slow saunter across the yard and into the house across the street.