Chapter Three: Back into the Swing of Things

August 10th 2006 6:45am

Retroville, TX

Go Jimmy Jimmy

That's the voice I hear inside

Everybody let's bounce

Straight up for the ride

Jimmy woke up to his alarm clock blaring the music. He groaned in exhaustion as he's too used to his summer sleeping schedule (9:30am). "Vox! I'm awake! Turn off the alarm!" he said as he attempted to sit up.

"Verification required to ensure your consciousness: What are the first 20 digits of pi?" The computer spoke in a feminine robotic voice.

"Three point one four one five nine two six five three five eight nine seven nine three two three eight four," Jimmy said in an almost monotone voice.

"Verification correct. Shutting down alarm," Vox responded. The room that Jimmy had been in had been silent again, although Jimmy knew he couldn't stay asleep. Goddard was to the side of his bed awaiting his master's command. Jimmy then got out of bed to pet him. "You know, waking up this early for school is bad for your health. It causes physical, mental fatigue. Seems ironic for an institution dedicated to teaching," he said as he was heading out the door. Goddard nodded in response. Jimmy sluggishly went downstairs to where his mother was making breakfast and his father was cleaning one of the ducks resting on the parlor table.

"Good morning Jimbo!" Hugh said excitedly as he put the duck model down on the table. "Are you looking forward to your new school?"

"Yeah dad! It'll be interesting to be in a new school after all these years," Jimmy responded as he sat down at the parlor.

"I'm sure you'll get used to it quickly sweetie," Judy said as she handed him a plate with pancakes, eggs and bacon as well as a cup of orange juice. "You always knew how to adapt quickly to any situation. I'm sure this is no different."

"Yeah you're probably right," Jimmy said. "Thanks!"

"You're welcome," Judy said as she served Hugh his breakfast.

"You know son, middle school is a dangerous place," Hugh put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Getting used to the bottom of the food chain again, multiple classes, starting to hit puberty-" Judy shot a look, "-but that's another story for another time. Needless to say, you've got a big day ahead of you, sport!"

Once Jimmy had finished eating he went to his bathroom. He brushed his teeth with his laser device, changed his hairstyle from the whippy dip once he always had to a quiff that was much shorter. He changed from his pajamas which were a sky blue to his iconic atom shirt and jean shorts. He went downstairs and put on his shoes and said goodbye to Goddard and his parents. He was out of his house and walked to the driveway where a blue twonkie was laying down in the grass. The middle school bus had passed several minutes ago, so he proceeded to activate his jetpack which unfolded from his normal backpack which was green. Once it warmed up, he flew up into the skies of Retroville. A few minutes passed and he saw the building he needed to go to. Once he began his descent, he noticed the jetpack was malfunctioning. "Leaping leptons! I knew I forgot something! I forgot to recalibrate the stabilizer! It's gonna be a rough landing!"

Meanwhile outside of A. Einstein Middle School, Carl, Sheen, Cindy and Libby among others were in the front yard. The school had brown walls on the outside and had silver text on the front with the school's name on it. The floor consisted of bricks and the area was closer to the downtown part of Retroville. Nick would've been with the group, but his popularity status was still apparent from elementary school. Libby had one earbud in while listening to "Snap Yo Fingers" by Lil Jon and Cindy was looking around the place. Carl was just standing there awkwardly since he didn't know what to talk about, that was until Sheen arrived carrying a small box. "Hey guys! I got something Ultra-special!"

"Lemme guess, is it anything Ultralord related?" Cindy asked sarcastically with a hint of annoyance.

"Okay so it is…" Sheen started, "but this one is a limited edition of Ultralord where he's entirely gold. What makes it rare is that only 100 ones were made!"

"Careful Sheen. What if somebody steals it?" Carl asked worriedly.

"Relax Carl. I bet nobody heard us. And besides…" Sheen said feeling a tad overconfident. "I have cat-like reflexes. I'd know if anyone…" He noticed a bit of empty space where the box was in his arm. "...stole it?" His demeanor immediately went from cocky to shocked/angry as his eyes became crossed. "Who dares steal my prized possession?! THEY MUST BE PUNISHED AT ALL COSTS!" He then noticed that Libby snatched it of all people with a smirk. He then became unexpectedly calm. "I have so many… mixed feelings."

Libby handed it back to him chuckling. "Here you go. That being said, you should probably put that away. I don't think they have show and tell this year."

It was like everything became all dreary and depressing for Sheen, like he was invited to a funeral or something. "No show and tell?!" He then kneeled to the ground crying. "But that was my favorite part of the school day. Showing everyone all my action figures! Why would they take it away?!"

"Man of a hundred emotions…" Cindy said with a face palm. "Get a grip. Besides, you basically show the exact same thing every day, even the teacher got annoyed by that on the 3rd week last year."

"For once, I agree with Cindy," Carl said. "That's why I've started to go before you do so that I can sleep through your Ultra-boring part."

Sheen then closed his eyes and spoke in a low voice. "Seeing that you're my best friend Carl, I'm going to pretend you didn't say that." Sheen then opened his eyes and changed the subject. "Anyone know where Jimmy is? I would think he'd be here since he's a genius and all."

Libby shrugged. "It's not unlike him to miss the bus."

"Seriously though, he should've learned to be here by now," Cindy stated.

"He'll turn up. Besides, why would you care?" Libby knew the truth, but liked to see her reaction.

"It's not that," Cindy retorted. "My guess is that he'll attempt to be "fashionably late" which will end up horribly."

"That does sound like ol' Jim," Carl said. "I just hope he doesn't land anywhere near me, because it usually affects my scapula."

The warning bell started which means there was 5 minutes left until their classes actually started.

"Was that what you meant?" Libby asked as she pointed to the road and in the distance you can see Jimmy in the jetpack screaming as he narrowly swerves passed a tree trying to get here.

"Yup," Cindy nods.

"Five bucks says he lands on the roof," Sheen said.

"Ten that he lands right here just fine," Carl said hopefully.

"Guys," Libby started and then realized this has happened before with no repercussions. "Although I think he'd land on the roof." Sheen then smirked at Carl.

Jimmy's jetpack started to stabilize a little bit as he got closer and started to land normally. Carl looked hopeful, even if it was mainly at the five bucks. "Hey everyone, how's it goi-" The jetpack then spiraled out of control as he flew around the front of the school attempting to land. All the students glanced at them for a little bit but then minded their own business since this was basically white noise for them at this point. He practically flew up and down and all around until he barreled right into Cindy and the two landed in the grass a few meters away from Sheen, Libby and Carl. "Note to self: add a parachute to this backpack," Jimmy said, feeling dizzy.

Cindy then stood up and rubbed her temple. "Nice invention Nerdtron. It'll definitely win prizes."

"Hehe, sorry about that." Jimmy explained. "I don't know what happened. I must've overlooked something."

"It's okay," Cindy said calmly, extending her hand to Jimmy who was still on the ground. Jimmy clumsily took it and was hoisted on his feet. "Just next time, remember to land anywhere except me!"

Jimmy then shook his head and was no longer dizzy. "So how's today for everyone else?" he asked awkwardly.

"Now's not the time," Libby stated. "We've gotta get to our classes!" Everyone then ran to their respective classes ready for the challenges middle school would put them through.

Hope you liked this chapter! This one's a bit more filler, but I thought I'd have some fun with making the school scene reminiscent of the first episode of the actual show where Sheen shows off an Ultralord figure and Jimmy crash landed in front of the school. However, the personalities are slightly tweaked to show how the characters have grown closer over the course of the series. Anyway, I hope you review and tell me what you liked and didn't like and I'll see if I can improve from here. Until next time, Gotta Blast!