Hey guys, here is a new chapter to you guys as a late Christmas present from me xD
I wanted to get this chapter out sooner, but i have been going through some crappy friend drama stuff that as been making it really hard to do anything lately. But nevertheless, here it is and I really hope that you guys enjoy because a lot of things go down here.
And on an unrelated note, Dan and Phil from Youtube have pretty much taken over my life
Enjoy!
Jimmy Neutron is not miiiiiinnnnneeeee!
Jimmy and Cindy walked out of the closet quietly past a red-faced Dee who was covering his mouth with both of his hands in a pathetic effort of not laughing. They both avoided eye contact with each other because they did not really knew what else to do at the moment. How does one recover from almost having a make-out session with their teacher in a locked closet?
You pretend like it did not happen.
Cindy had tried that before, it did not really work.
Dee tagged behind the pair towards the front of the store like a kitten who was chasing a ball of yarn in delight. He could not help but let out a small giggle and say, "Who knew that all you had to do was press the latch on the inside of the missing handle in order for it to open. Seems relatively simple, so why did you not try to investigate, Neutron? Or was there, dare I say, some reason for wanting you to stay in the closet for some time?"
Cindy glanced at Neutron where she saw that he was completely red and was looking furious. He quickly went up to his former roommate and hissed into his ear, "A word, please?" The younger man dragged the other into the back room.
Cindy sighed to herself (she was really doing that a lot lately) and looked down to see that she was still wearing her work clothes from her earlier shift. She went to her work locker in the back and grabbed a spare of clothes that she recently started to keep at the expense of Zoe. She headed towards the bathrooms to change. The time outside was just 8:30 at night so there was still some time left if she had wanted to squeeze her Christmas shopping in. It seemed like there was barely any time to do anything since the teachers from all her classes have been giving out their exams before break. Other than Neutron's class, she had a final in every class for the past week which gave her barely any time to breath. This might have been the only time that she was able to do her shopping before break so that she could send her presents in time.
This would be the first time that Cindy would not be spending Christmas in Retroville because there seemed to be no point of coming. Everyone she cared about was not going to be there. Her mother and father were taking some cruise to some tropical location that had an endless supply of pina coladas and beach chairs. Libby had to stay and work her internship because "fashion never takes a holiday" and even Carl and Sheen are stuck with their own affairs other than home. It was essential that she sends in the presents soon if she wanted them to be arrive by Christmas.
Which was only eight days away.
Changed into a maroon sweater and green parka with black leggings under her trusty Uggs, she was determined to get her shopping done all today.
When she got back to the front of the store, she saw that Jimmy was standing around as if he was waiting for something.
As if he was waiting for her.
Which was something she was not sure how to feel about.
She was greeted with a floppy hair smug smile as she approached him with her bag in hand. He leaned back against the counter and said, "Do you need another ride home? The streets are not like Retroville, you know, there is actual real danger."
Cindy smirked and retaliated, "You mean there is no danger that involves aliens nor malfunctioned inventions?"
"Nope, just real life and normal danger. It does seem a bit dull when you say it out loud, right?"
She smiled and him, "I suppose it does. But, I am guessing for you danger is never too far?"
He have her a devilish smile and replied, "Well, it seems like lately danger has been springing up in every corner. It's not a bad thing, it's nice to have a little unexpected danger."
So they were flirting, that's different.
Cindy tried to change the subject by saying, "I actually have to get some Christmas shopping done before break starts, so there really is no need for you to stick around."
Jimmy raised and eyebrow and said, "What if I want to?" He walked a bit closer to her and closed the space between them a bit more.
"Why would you?"
"Maybe I have to do some shopping of my own?"
She scoffed at him, "Try again."
"Maybe because I just want to make sure that you make it back home in one piece."
She rolled her eyes at him and replied, "Come on Neutron, this is not the moon. I am pretty sure I can handle myself."
He gently grabbed her hand and spoke in a soft voice, "Maybe it's because I want to see you finish your dare."
Cindy was screwed.
"Why could we have not just taken the hover car? It would have been so much easier than taking the god forsaken subway. Are you aware of the number germs that are crawling around in that metal death trap? It is a nightmare to know that thousands of people use them everyday."
Cindy laughed out loud a bit as the two walked out of the underground station up into Times Square to where the main shops were. She replied back with a cheeky tone, "If we were to take the car, parking would be hell. Besides, you would have missed out of seeing the real New York charm."
"Ah yes. The crazy man who yelled at an empty seat really adds more flavor to the city."
"You know what I mean."
So far things were going surprisingly normal for both of them as they went off on their little domestic adventure. Cindy was worried that she would have been a big puddle of nerves (because when is she not?) but is now relieved to find out that she is totally fine. Walking with Neutron has been surprisingly easy and comfortable.
They stopped to go inside a giant mall complex in the city that seemed to be crawling with other shoppers who were trying to get their gifts as well.
Seeing the entire scene made Jimmy say to Cindy, "I know this may come as a shock to you, but have you ever considered online shopping? It is a wonderful thing."
Cindy snorted and charged forward like she owned the place, "This is nothing, you should see the place when it is Christmas Eve. That is when all hell breaks loose. You lose all the fun and experience with online shopping."
He scratched the back of his head with hesitation and said back, "The experience, huh?"
Realization hit her like a brick as Cindy whirled around to face him and exclaimed happily, "You have never done this have you?"
Jimmy looked around the room with caution as he bit his lip and replied back reluctantly, "Like I said, online shopping is a wonderful thing."
Cindy laughed out loud and grabbed him by the arm and said, "Come on."
The next three and a half hours were spent going through countless amounts of clothing and makeup swatches to make sure that everything was perfect for everyone. Cindy got her mother some boots and her father a watch. She bought Libby a new makeup palette and Sheen an Ultralord phone case. She got Carl a new Christmas sweater with llamas instead of reindeer. Zoe was to be given a few vinyls of her favorite bands as well as some fuzzy black socks because Zoe found those to be "like heaven for feet."
Jimmy also bought some gifts for Carl and Sheen as well much to Cindy surprise. She questioned him about it at the check-out booth where he replied back, "I think that my apology for my absence is long overdue. I do miss them and need to eventually confront them about this. Better to do it with a gift I suppose.
By the time they got out of the store, all the shops were closing and it was nearly approaching midnight. Thank God that Cindy only had Poetry tomorrow in the evening and that she already finished her work for the class.
They walked down the street late at night with about a dozen bags in their hands. The atmosphere was much more at ease since the city was starting to wind down and people were now going home with their loved ones. Cindy could not help but marvel over the fact that she just finished shopping all her gifts with Jimmy. Her old enemy and present poetry teacher. Life is strange.
Jimmy insisted that they get a cab in order to drop her off and Cindy agreed. She was starting to feel very sleepy with the entire trip and her vision was starting to become hazy and distorted from drowsiness. She was shaken awake gently by Neutron after the taxi has stopped in front of her apartment complex. He had started to get out too to make sure that she got inside okay and Cindy wanted to protest but her heart was not in it. She was so tired that she could probably fall asleep standing up.
They got into the building with Cindy stumbling around a bit and blinking furiously to keep herself awake. Jimmy sighed and grabbed her arm in order to keep her stable and drag her in the right direction.
Cindy leaned into him and took a small sniff.
He smelled nice.
They walked up the stairs to Cindy's floor where she fumbled to get the keys out of her crossbody bag. All the stress and work from the past finals week was finally starting to take a toll of her sleeping schedule.
She finally was able to get her keys out with the help of Jimmy and unlock her door with questionable success. When she opened her door and took the first few steps into the living room where she saw the last thing that she wanted to see at 12:30 in the morning.
Adam and Zoe.
Zoe on top of Adam.
In their apartment.
"What the actual hell?!" Cindy exclaimed as the two scrambled from the couch and shrugged their falling down clothing back on.
Zoe put her hands up and said, "I can explain!"
Adam looked flushed and scratched the back of his head while stumbling out"Look mate, we were just.."
Cindy was wide awake now.