2 days later…

Lindbergh Elementary-High School Auditorium

She played the piano very elegantly and very calmly. She wore a dazzling mild fuchsia pink gown. It suited her and accentuated her bodylines. She looked admirable and refined. She never looked at the audience which was composed of the Lindbergh students, faculty and other speakers invited to the event. She pressed keys so slowly and surely, and the audience felt her emotion, her feeling. It made them sad and melancholic. The piece was sad and slow, but it didn't bore them nor did it make them sleepy. It made them feel calm as well. Peaceful, tranquil and serene. It soothed their deepest souls. When she finished the piece, she stood up and smiled at the audience. She walked carefully to the middle and started talking about her career.

''Hello, I'm Cindy Vortex, an alumna of this high school, and I'm here today to share with you my journey towards reaching my dream. I'm here with all of you, today to give inspiration to the youth and to the other members of our society,'' she started

''I was never the most quiet, the most refined girl in my class. Instead, I was the most harsh, most blabbermouth and of course, the most fierce,'' Cindy paused as the audience whispered and laughed. They wouldn't believe her after she played the piano so gracefully, sophisticatedly.

''Believe me or not, I never even thought that I would be a pianist,'' she added.

''At first, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a lawyer, because I honestly thought that it was the most suitable career for me. And so I tried developing my communication skills, and my critical thinking skills, because that was obviously what you needed in the court,'' Cindy looked at a number of students who she thought looked bold and were like her.

''And then, I met a guy-'' Cindy was cut off by the audience's whispers and murmurs, laughs and giggles.

''No, it's not what you think,'' She was cut off again by the audience playfully smiling at her and teasing her. The girls giggled and the boys laughed with their deep voices. After the audience toned down, Cindy started speaking again.

''So I met this guy, he was so smart and he was brilliant and was a bright student like me. But he had more skills, he knew more things. And it caused me to feel bad and sad because he became the top 1, instead of me. But then it came to a point where we would fight every single day because of simple matters-''

''LOVE HATE!'' A girl yelled from the back of the auditorium.

Cindy just smiled and continued.

''We would argue about historical facts, scientific explanations and some other nonsense matters. But it developed my debating skills, which were also necessary to become a successful lawyer.'' Cindy paused.

''Then, one day, I just, I don't know, I caught myself falling for him, and it was bad,'' Cindy blushed a little.

''Awwwwwwwww, that's sweet!'' A girl was heard from the left side of the room.

''I will make this short, this guy and me, we got together and we broke up after 3 years,'' Cindy said as tears formed in her deep green eyes.

The audience felt sad and gloomy all of a sudden.

''After we broke up, I don't know, I started writing songs and poems, I changed and became a quiet and observant girl. I became reserved. But in case you're wondering, no, I didn't get depressed or lonely because of the break-up. I understood that life needed to go on. Life must go on, that's what I reminded myself everyday, each time I would wake up. Okay, and then I continued my piano lessons after we broke up so my mind can be preoccupied. Unlike the earlier years, I developed a special interest in piano. After 'some' things happened, I treated the piano like my second best friend, I would play whenever I'm stressed with school, with life, or when I was lonely. I developed my hidden talent and I never expected that the day will come that like I would change my mind and want to be a pianist. So I pursued a career in music, even if it was against the will of my parents, and I took up Conservatory of Music and Liberal Arts in **** University,'' Cindy stopped speaking.

''But the main idea here is, you can never predict the things that will happen in your life. Maybe some of you here already has their life plan, but I'm telling you, many things will not go according to your plan, that doesn't mean you're a failure, it just means that life and God want you to cooperate with them and that you guys should learn how to cope with life. Expect the unexpected, sometimes, things will go wrong, things will be turned, and things can change you. I was changed by my relationship with that man. I changed and I don't even know when, how and why. Follow your dreams, kids, no one pays for following their dreams, but don't be close-minded, be open to change, and it will lead you to greener pastures,'' Cindy concluded her talk and smiled.

''Just a question, Ms. Vortex, what is the name of the guy you talked about?'' A lovely looking girl stood up while raising her hand.

''Oh, I cannot answer that question, dear. I'll just give you his initials, it's J.N.'' Cindy said with a smile.

''Did you not forget him even once on your life?'' Another girl asked

''Nope, luckily,'' Cindy replied after a demure laugh.

''Have you been in another relationship after your break-up with him?'' 2 girls asked her while holding hands, unfortunately, this question was left unanswered for the teachers scolded the students for asking such ''unprofessional and very personal'' questions.

Cindy exited the stage and went down.

Little did she know that J.N. witnessed everything and heard every single word she said.

After the event was done, all of the people went out and some alumni and alumnae caught up with each other, but Cindy was just plain tired.

Outside the school…

Cindy, even if she was exhausted and drained, she still walked modestly, when somebody called her name from behind.

''Hey Vortex!''

It was that same voice, only deeper, that same tone, only bluer. Cindy stopped walking and stayed in her place. She slowly turned as she looked at the ground.

''Could it be?'' she thought.

What she saw blinded her eyes. As if she was numb for a moment. It was him. Jimmy Neutron. Her Jimmy Neutron. They just looked at each other even if they were a meter apart. Jimmy was wearing one of those grey tuxedoes. And he looked the same as before, only taller. Nothing has changed for Cindy Vortex. Nothing at all.

Jimmy showed a coy smiled and walked towards Cindy.

Cindy, still frozen in place, was startled by Jimmy's tight and sudden embrace. He hugged her with all his might, wrapping both of his arms around her, holding her, inhaling her scent. The embrace was bursting with emotions. Jimmy closed his eyes and didn't want to let go. At first, Cindy wanted to break away, and run, but she felt the sincerity of Jimmy's unexpected action. And after a while, she didn't want to let go. She didn't want to escape, she didn't want to go anywhere else. She returned Jimmy's hug and decided that she would never think of letting him go again. Just as she was about to tighten the hug, Jimmy pulled away, and it broke her heart, she thought that maybe, she was wrong.

''Well, I guess, I guess, I-I guess I s-should go,'' Jimmy stuttered, not looking at her as he slowly walked away.

''You don't want to see me anyway,'' Jimmy thought.

Cindy panicked, she didn't know what to do, if she did, she wouldn't know how. But she was sure that she did not want Jimmy to leaver her side. Before she knew it, she yelled and called Jimmy.

''Neutron!'' she screamed, not minding if it would ruin her poise.

Jimmy quickly turned back and smiled at her. He, once again, walked to her, and he held her shoulders. He claimed her lips. And no, she didn't mind at all. Even if it was in front of many people, specifically, students and other alumnae and alumni. Cindy closed her eyes and realized that she has been waiting for this moment to happen again for 20 years. They were waiting for this moment.

The people around them started whispering, but Jimmy and Cindy forgot all about them, as their lips touched, rigid and stiff. Then it began. Jimmy placed his hands on Cindy's back, as she placed her own on his chest. He started moving his lips and took over hers. She let him take over and followed his lead. They savoured every touch and feel, leaving them on cloud nine once again. It was the same feeling they felt during their first kiss. It was magical and marvelous, wonderful and amazing. All of the memories came back to the both of them, intensifying the kiss. All of the bitterness and sweetness they felt, all of the bitter and sweet memories they shared. It all rushed back to them like blood flowing in their veins. After a while, they slowly pulled away and opened their eyes. They looked at each other intently with a hint of nostalgia and sadness, bitterness.

''J.N. is Jimmy Neutron, oh my gosh!'' A girl whispered to her friend.

''Yeah! OMG, they look so good together,'' the friend replied.

The people around them weren't important, Jimmy and Cindy thought.

''I'll take you home,'' Jimmy offered.

''No, it's okay,'' Cindy answered.

''Really…'' Jimmy answered with an unconvinced tone.

''Well, fine, if you insist,'' Cindy replied back with a smile.

They walked together and went to Jimmy's car.

Inside the car…

Jimmy started the car as he teased Cindy about what she said in her talk.

''Seems like you never forgot about me, Vortex,'' Jimmy looked at the girl beside him and smiled playfully.

''Tch, don't be such a ego head! How am I supposed to forget the kid who had the biggest head in my school? Haha,'' Cindy defended.

''Tsk, just admit it, I never forgot about you either anyway,'' Jimmy started driving as he looked at Cindy lovingly.

''Fine,'' Cindy finally admitted, looking at the window with a smile on her face.

Jimmy dialed a number on his phone and a feminine voice was heard on the other line, Cindy looked at Jimmy.

''Hello, Mandy, I'm going to extend my vacation until the day after the day tomorrow, something err, happened. Thanks!'' Jimmy said as he looked at Cindy who was surprised and shocked by his action.

''But doctor-''

''Bye!'' Jimmy did not want any contradictions, complaints and misunderstandings, he ended the call abruptly. He looked at Cindy, whose mouth was wide open.

''Bold move, right?'' Jimmy playfully smirked at her.

Cindy blushed.

''And I ain't taking you home tonight,'' Jimmy smiled at Cindy, who was just silent, trying with all her might to control her impending smile because of the butterflies she felt in her stomach.

They went to the place where everything started, and where everything ended, and where everything will start again, the Candy Bar.

As Jimmy parked his car in front of the Candy Bar, Cindy suddenly became self-conscious and she was still blushing badly. They went out and Jimmy offered his hand. Cindy gladly took it and the pink tint on her cheeks glowed brighter.

''I'm 34 years old now, but I guess it's not too late to rekindle our relationship,'' Cindy thought to herself.

''I'm ready to fall in love again with this woman, and I'm ready to fall in love with her over and over again,'' Jimmy thought as they entered the Candy Bar, hand in hand.