Disclaimer: I do not own Jimmy Neutron or it's characters.

Chapter 10,

What a moronic concept. Jamie couldn't date Nick. Even if she wanted him, there was no way Nick could ever want her. But then again, it was really nice to talk to him. It was comfortable, and familiar, and Nick treated her like an equal.

Jamie thought about the feather-like touch of his soft hands. If she trembled when Nick held her hands, then imagine the sensation if Nick touched her arm, or neck, or even her mouth. She swallowed as her lips began to tremble at the thought and she bit them to stop the sensation.

Was this a mistake? She couldn't turn back now. Nick was expecting her any moment. She took a deep breath. It was fine. Everything was gonna be ok. It's not just gonna be her and Nick... her and NIck... Jamie and Nick... Jamie found herself smiling at the concept of dating Nick. Despite how idiotic the premise was, she liked Nick. And as she walked up to the Dean house, she had to note how strong her heart was beating.

"Jamie, you look so cute." Valentina said. Jamie stopped and turned her gaze toward the sound. She saw Valentina sitting on the porch rocker.

"Oh, thank you." Jamie said and Valentina smiled at her.

"Are you nervous?" Valentina asked and Jamie rubbed the back of her neck.

"I, uh... do I look nervous?" Jamie asked, and Valentina patted the spot beside her. Jamie was a little reluctant to have a heart-to-heart with Nick's mother, but sat down anyways.

"Tell me, sweetheart. What type of girl are you?" Valentina asked and Jamie blinked. How the hell was she suppose to answer that question?

"How do you mean?" Jamie asked.

"Well, are you perky and cheerful girl? Or an extremely friendly to most, but perhaps disliked by several of her peers girl? Or perhaps you are a strict but renowned leader?" Valentina asked. Jamie paused as she contemplated these words. It only took her a second to realize what his mother was saying. Was Jamie a cheerleader, promiscuous, or a popular girl? Heh, it makes sense for these to be the types of girls Nick usually dates.

"I guess I haven't really decided what type of girl I am yet. I've always loved science, and I try to help my friends when I can. I guess you could say that I'm a bookworm." Jasmine said and Valentina nodded gently.

"Hm. I like that answer." Valentina said and Jamie furrowed her eyebrow.

"Thank you?" Jamie said and Valentina chuckled.

"There's nothing wrong with someone who is still figuring out who they are. Sometimes it takes a whole lifetime to figure out who you are. And sometimes you change, and that's ok too. It's ok to change who you are, the more you learn about yourself." Valentina said and Jamie smiled.

"I haven't really thought about it like that." Jamie admitted and then the front door opened, and Nick stepped out with a mug in his hand.

"Oh, mom, I got your tea but I couldn't find the splen- oh, hi Jamie." Nick said with a smile. What is it about Nick's smile that makes her blush.

"Hi Nick." Jamie said, trying not to look directly in his bright gaze.

"Thank you Nick." Valentina said. She took the cup and sighed.

"I was worried we were out of Splenda. I'll add it to the grocery list." Valentina said, sipping her drink.

"Are you ready to watch Scream?" Nick asked and Jamie smiled at him.

"Sure." Jamie said, and she stood up. Together, she and Nick walked in the house, and Nick lead her to the kitchen.

"So, mom is going shopping tomorrow, and you're welcome to whatever drink you'd like." Nick said and Jamie shrugged.

"How about a beer?" Jamie asked sarcastically. But apparently not sarcastic enough for Nick.

"You drink?" Nick asked confused and Jamie hesitated.

"Well... no... I thought it would be funny." Jamie said and Nick chuckled.

"Mmm ok, ok. You like to play games, I can play game. I can make jokes too." Nick said in a tone that makes Jamie nervous.

"Games? Like... like what?" She asked. She was almost afraid of the answer but her heartbeat increased at what the answer might be.

"I already started the popcorn." Nick said, ignoring her question and turning his back to her, and facing the stovetop.

"We're out of microwave popcorn, but we have this popcorn maker. Mom actually prefers making it herself." Nick said and Jamie was still for a moment. Weren't they just flirting? What happened?

"You don't like it?" Jamie asked, walking over to him, and Nick shrugged.

"Well you make the popcorn, then you melt some butter and dump that on the popcorn before adding salt. It's just kinda frustrating to me. First of all it's not a consistent flavor, half the time you're just eating popcorn with nothing on it. The other annoying thing is the butter makes the popcorn wet and it disintegrates the popcorn it lands on. And then, when the butter cools, it leaves a layer of solidified fat on all the popcorn the butter touched. Not to mention the fact that the salt can't really stick to the dry popcorn, and can easily over-salt the wet popcorn. Half the time I eat, I dip the dry popcorn in the salt at the bottom of the bowl." Nick said and then he smiled at Jamie.

"But it's still nice to have popcorn during movie night." Nick said with a wink and Jamie chuckled.

"Couldn't you just add the butter and salt on the kernels while they are cooking?" Jamie asked and Nick shrugged again.

"I mentioned that to mom, but I guess it's not a very good idea. She ignored the question completely." Nick said.

"Oh." Jamie said softly. Nick looked at her and chuckled.

"Calm down. It's an accurate observation after all." Nick said and Jamie nodded.

"Right." She said a little flatly. Why did she suddenly feel so awkward?

"So, are you ready to watch the movie?" Nick asked as the popcorn finally started to pop.

"Yeah. It's been so long, I'm kinda excited." Jamie said and Nick chuckled.

"Nothin' like excited girls." He said and Jamie blushed.

"Nick!" Jamie complained as Nick dumped the popcorn in a bowl and then poured butter and salt on top.

"Sorry, it was too easy." Nick said and Jamie rolled her eyes.

"Whatever." Jamie said and Nick's warm smile almost melted her.

"Why don't you grab a blanket from the closet." Nick said, pointing at a door.

"Just one? Or should I grab 2?" Jamie asked.

"Well, two if you insist, but my mom taught me to share." Nick said and Jamie paused for a moment. Her body felt a little warm when she thought about sharing a blanket with Nick. One one hand, she was nervous- like it was foreshadowing a fornicating relationship. On the other hand, she desperately wanted to be that close to Nick. Jamie took a calming breath.

"The three of us are gonna share a blanket?" Jamie asked, turning to Nick who looked confused.

"What do you mean?" Nick asked.

"You, me, and your mom are gonna share the blanket as she watch the movie?" She asked, hoping this clarified her question. But when realization struck Nick, he started laughing, which only made Jamie more nervous.

"You are precious. But my mom hates horror movies. It's just gonna be the two of us, downstairs." Nick said and Jamie froze for a moment. Could she handle being alone with Nick?

"Oh... well... Then I guess we can share a blanket." Jamie said and Nick smiled.

"Well, alright." He commented. He poured the fresh popcorn into a metal bowl, then he grabbed a 6-pack of Purple Flurp out of the fridge and set them on the island.

"Here. You can go ahead and take the blanket of soda downstairs to the game room. I'll bring down the popcorn and pizza in a minute." Nick said.

"Pizza?" Jamie asked and Nick nodded.

"3 movies close to 2 hours long, not including bathroom breaks of talking. Even if you ate, you'll probably get a little snackish is the next 6 hours. We got a cheese and pepperoni pizza, is that ok?" Nick asked and Jamie smiled at how generous Nick was being.

"Sounds great." Jamie said as she put the Purple Flurp on top of the blanket to make it easier to hold.

"This is gonna be a lot of fun." Jamie said and Nick smiled lovingly.

"I hope so." He said, almost bashfully and Jamie couldn't help but notice how cute this was.