1Get ready for another lengthy chapter as "It's All Grease to Me" concludes!
Jimmy POV
Friday at last, my week of torturous solitude and housework is finally at an end. My mom was unfortunately correct in her assumption, I started going stir crazy within the first day and couldn't wait for it to all be over with. Well I suppose I should go see what final list of demands she has left me today. I drag myself out of bed and down the stairs, no sense prolonging it.
3 hours later I'm finally free, yes no more needless housework! Basically she not only put ordinary chores on her lists but also things she's been wanting done around the house for years now but never got around to. The worst part is she banned me from using inventions, and I know she would have no way of actually knowing how I got stuff done but something tells she would find out somehow so I chose not to test that theory. Sighing in relief I toss the list in the trash then head to the kitchen to grab some lunch. After scrounging around I gather up a bag of mini pretzels and a can of Purple Flurp, food supplies are low at the moment and I can only assume it's due to the fact that it's almost the end of the week and mom won't be shopping again until Sunday. Walking back to the livingroom I settle on the couch and kick my feet up to watch tv, it's been a dull week with no one to talk to during the day so what else can I do? At least I get to claim the tv during that time, of course until Halley comes home at 3 and re-claims it. One thing is certain though; this week alone has given me ample time to think, and for me that's typically not a good thing. It usually means some crazy invention I come up with to solve a seemingly simple task, but lately due to circumstances it's an entirely different scenario; I still can't stop thinking about Cindy. I still can't believe her; treats me like a 2nd choice for most of high school, calls me her best friend, kisses me, avoids me for 3 weeks after said kiss, I defend her against the school's biggest jackass and she still chooses him over me, then she comes crying to me asking for forgiveness? I'm certain that I made the right choice cutting her out of my life, but if that's the case then why doesn't something feel right about this? I'm pinning it to guilt since it's a natural reaction to a situation like this, I'm sure by the time I see her Monday I'll be over whatever's going on with me.
As predicted the minute Halley gets home she plops herself down on the couch and takes the remote, it's really not worth arguing about so I just allow her to do so and instead head to the lab.
I see my mom as I walk through the kitchen and a thought crosses my mind "hey mom, since the school week is over does that mean Carl and Sheen can come over again?" I feel like a little kid again, during normal circumstances I would never have to ask but since I'm technically supposed to be on punishment she didn't allow them over for the week.
She scratches her chin and I can tell she's only pretending to think about it "well I suppose you're correct, alright I'll allow visitors again"
I smile and raise a fist in the air "yes thanks mom!" I peck her on the cheek then race to the lab, sometimes I swear it's like I'm still 12. I actually missed them during my week stuck here, phone calls and texts aren't exactly the same thing so I'm excited to physically see them in person.
I shoot them a quick group text
"Hey the warden finally let me out! Video games and flurp at my place?"
They respond a few minutes later and I prepare the lab for their arrival.
10 minutes later after after I have everything set up I hear the lab's doorbell ring, I hit the button to let them in.
I smile when they enter "hey guys it's great to see you-oof!" they immediately attack me from both sides with a bone crushing hug.
"Great to see you Jim!"
"Yeah man school wasn't the same without you this week!"
I barely get my words out "yeah it's great to see you guys too, but you know what's also great? Breathing!" they get the hint and back away.
"Sorry Jim"
"Yeah sorry, we just got you back so making sure you can breathe is probably good right?"
I shake my head and chuckle "you guys act like it's been months, you realize it's only been a week right?"
Carl looks down scuffing his shoe "well true, but school wasn't the same without you"
We each grab a Purple Flurp and sit in various spots "alright then fill me in, what did I miss?"
Sheen shrugs "I mean unless you count gym class and lunch not much really"
I give him a questioning look "why? What happened?"
Carl answers "well it's kinda weird actually, we've barely seen the girls all week"
"What do you mean?"
"Well they're on student council and have been helping with dance prep all week during lunch and we've had gym class outside all week since the gym is closed for the dance and every day those 2 just walk off without us"
"Yeah man it's been pretty lonely without you"
"Well no worries I'll be back in school on Monday, though there is one minor hiccup of course..."
"And what's that?"
I look at Sheen "you mean you haven't told him?"
"Oh right sorry I was too busy filling him in on everything else that's been happening, like seriously bro I feel like you completely disappeared for a while"
Carl just shrugs and I sigh "well since he forgot I'll tell you, I un-friended Cindy"
Carl gives me a questioning look "like on Facebook?"
I shake my head "no Carl, I mean like in real life. I finally had enough of how she's been treating me and stood up for myself"
"Dude that's not 'standing up for yourself ' that's literally being kind of an ass"
"Oh yeah, and what would you have done if it were Libby?"
"Well for one thing I wouldn't break her heart"
" 'Break her heart'? Really? Bit of an exaggeration don't you think?"
"Not all, Libby said she was crying when she came over after your fight plus she's been torn up about it all week so clearly she's hurt by whatever you said"
I roll my eyes "please, can't you see this all just a ruse from the school's best actress? Obviously she's doing all this to get people on her side and then she'll strike when I least expect it, exactly what she used to do when we were kids!"
"Do you hear yourself right now? Because you sound ridiculous, we're not kids anymore Jimmy! When are you going to wake up and realize that?"
At this point we're standing "I sound ridiculous? Who's the one insisting that a girl who has never shown any interest in me whatsoever suddenly cares because she found out her 'prince charming' isn't so charming?"
"Because she does care! Man are you seriously that blind? She cares about you so much that it hurts because she finally realized the truth but you're too stubborn in your ways to let her in! Did you know I talked to her after your fight with Nick? I'm the reason she apologized but the rest was on you to forgive her"
"So what, do you want a Nobel Prize for it? Just because you told her the truth about Nick doesn't mean I have to forgive her or believe anything she says"
"I can't believe you! You finally have a chance with a girl who really cares about you, a girl you've been in love with for years, and you're throwing it away because of your own damn pride!"
"Oh yeah? And where's your proof that I even feel that way about her, I think I've made it pretty clear where my feeling with her stand!"
He crosses his arms "you want proof? Fine, I know about the kiss, both of them actually"
I freeze and any verbal counter-attack I was planning vanishes, even Carl, who has been cowering behind the loveseat during this, perks up. I gape like a fish "what?"
"You heard me, I know about the kiss in ally in 5th grade and the one a month ago"
I regain my composure "so? what's your point?"
"People don't just kiss for no reason, there's always at least some kind of connection or attraction involved. Look you can argue this all you want but you're not going to win; you guys' feeling for eachother have been obvious since you met, things may not have happened for you back then but now's your chance to change it. I know you both felt something when you kissed last month so why are you still trying to deny how you feel?"
I look down "it's complicated alright"
He shakes his head "no it's not, you're just overthinking this like you do with everything else. Seriously man, when are you gonna start thinking with your heart instead of your brain? You're gonna have a pretty lonely life if you keep thinking that way"
I look up and narrow my eyes a bit "I'll have you know that I'm perfectly happy with my lifestyle thank you very much"
"Whatever keep telling yourself that, but it's bullshit and you know it"
"Oh yeah? And what's so great about having a girlfriend anyways? No more complete freedom to come and go as you please, getting roped into shopping trips for hours, someone who tells you what to do all the time..."
"Hey guys?"
"Are you really that delusional? That's not what having a girlfriend is like, you make it sound like a dictatorship"
"Right and I'm sure you and Libby get along famously 100% of the time"
"Guys?"
"Hey don't you dare bring her into this, I love Libby more than anything and will gladly do whatever she says!"
"You're whipped and you know it Sheen, do you see what having a girlfriend has tuned you into?"
"Hello?"
"Yeah a better man, which is more than I can say for you!"
"Take that back!"
"Jimmy? Sheen?"
"Not until you admit I was right!"
"I won't because you're not, I'm the genius here remember?"
"QUIET! CAN'T YOU SEE YOUR FIGHTING IS GONNA TEAR US APART?"
We stop and look at Carl, who at this point is red and breathing heavy "Carl! What the hell was that for?"
"You guys looked ready to kill each other so I had to say something"
I sigh "sorry Carl we shouldn't have put you in the middle of this, let's just play video games" they nod and I set up the PS3, we spend the next few hours playing.
As they're leaving for the night Sheen stops and puts a hand on my shoulder "I'm only gonna say this once; you and Cindy belong together and life is literally giving you another chance at it, don't blow it" and with that he leaves.
Before I can ponder any further my mom calls me upstairs for dinner and I comply with her request, my head still spinning.
After dinner I retreat to my room and fall face first on my bed, groaning.
"Goddard wake mode!" he barks and trots up to me, I sit up "I have no idea what to do; Sheen basically chewed me out in the lab for hurting Cindy which I suppose makes sense since he's dating her best friend, but then he insisted she actually has feelings for me which is impossible right?"
He opens his front panel, Do you actually wish to receive an answer for that?
"That depends, what is it?"
I'm afraid I must side with Sheen on this, I suspect Cindy's feelings for you are genuine
I roll my eyes "great not you too, aren't you supposed to be man's best friend?"
And that is precisely what I am being, attempting to make you see the truth
"We don't have feelings for each other alright? Why does everyone keep insisting we do?"
"Because it's true"
I look up somewhat startled and see Halley in my doorway "Halley?" I sigh "what are you doing here?"
She raises an eyebrow "I live here? In case you forgot my room is next to yours"
I roll my eyes again "no, I mean what are you doing in my room eavesdropping on my conversation?"
She comes over and sits on my bed "trying to help you because clearly you're still clueless"
"Fine humor me then, what do you think I should do?"
"I think you already know the answer to that big brother"
"Well forget it, this isn't gonna be some cliche romantic comedy where we confess our love for each other then ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after"
"That's not what I'm saying, I'm telling you to at least talk to her and see what she has to say"
"And what about you Goddard? Are you as crazy as everyone else?"
Not crazy, just wiser than you are being at the moment. They are all correct, you should talk to Cindy and fix this. And I believe the dance tomorrow night may be a good opportunity for that
I jump up "no way! I am not going to talk to her and I am definitely not going to that dance!"
They share a look and I know I'm in for long debate.
Sheen POV
Saturday night has finally arrived and I'm excited, Libby and I are gonna kill it in the costume contest. We decided to go as 80's disco babes, I have a wig and she told me she's gonna do something funky with her hair so I can't wait to see what we look like together. As I'm getting ready I think about Jimmy, he's being stubborn as a mule and it's ridiculous. Why can't he just accept the fact that he and Cindy have feelings for each other? No, instead he'd rather just wallow in his own stubborn self-pity. I tried to get him to at least come to the dance but he wouldn't budge for that either, whatever both the dance and the girl are his loss and not my problem. I finish getting ready, say goodbye to my dad and Maya, then head outside to wait for Carl. Normally I'd ride with Libby but she said her and Cindy had to go early for dance prep, I'm not sure how much more dance prep that gym could possibly need but I guess I'll find out when I get there.
We get out at the school and follow the hoard of kids already going inside.
"Do you see the girls anywhere?"
"Not yet but keep your eyes open" he nods and we proceed inside.
We get inside and I look around at all the decorations; streamers, a spot for a photo-op, disco ball in the ceiling, blackout dancing silhouettes all along the walls, loose balloons all over the colorful checker-covered tarp floor, and even a giant jukebox cardboard cutout in front of the dj booth. Honestly they all did a kick-ass job, looks pretty sweet in here. We look around for the girls and finally spot them by the refreshments table. I kiss Libby in greeting and Carl does the same with Brittany while Cindy just stands off to the side with a faraway look on her face, seems she's upset that her guy isn't here.
I smile at Libby "it looks great in here mi reina!"
She smiles back "thanks baby, it should with all the time and effort we put into putting this together all week"
I wrap my arms around her waist from behind and kiss her neck "that may be, but I really missed you this week"
She puts her hands over mine "I missed you too but I promise tonight I am all yours"
"I love the sound of that" I unwrap myself and take her hand "well shall we dance?"
"Absolutely, let's go show everyone why disco is the best decade for bustin' a move"
We're dancing to a fast paced song and I really take in her look for tonight; she's wearing the same white disco jumpsuit I am except obviously a female version, hoop earrings, sparkly belt with matching boots, and she got her hair permed "you look gorgeous Libs"
She smiles "why thank you, and I've gotta say my date is lookin pretty dang gorgeous himself
I smirk and raise an eyebrow "and who is this mystery date of yours? 'Cause from where I'm standing" I twirl her out then back into me and whisper in her ear "you're the only gorgeous one here"
She rolls her eyes but smiles then kisses me and we keep dancing. Carl and Brittany are dancing not too far away from us and they look pretty good themselves, they're dressed as 70's hippies and I think it suits them pretty nicely. Then I notice Cindy isn't out here with us, she's sitting in one of the chairs on the side by the wall. Her outfit consists of the classic 50's poodle skirt combo complete with a 'Pink Lady' jacket, I'm assuming she did that because of the play and everything.
"Hey is Cindy okay? Seems upset to me"
She sighs "honestly no, she's still pretty beat up about the whole Jimmy thing. Any luck getting him to come tonight?"
"Not a chance, he's being completely stubborn and won't budge. He still won't even believe that Cindy actually has feelings for him no matter what I tried to tell him"
She shakes her head "he's such an idiot sometimes, what's it gonna take to get him to listen?"
"I wish I knew the answer to that mi reina, I wish I knew..."
The dance is going fairly well so far other than the fact that Cindy still seems down, I seriously wish Jimmy wasn't acting so stupid about this whole thing but I suppose there's nothing I can do about that now.
The current song ends and another one doesn't start like it's supposed to, instead there's a single spotlight on someone in front of the dj booth. Looking closer I realize it's Cindy, what the hell is she doing? From the look on Libby's face she must know, I guess I'll find out in a minute. Cindy takes a deep breath then music starts playing, I immediately recognize it as 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' from 'Grease' and realize what's going on and what those two have been plotting all week, she's singing in the hopes that somehow he's here to listen. Fingers crossed for you Cindy...
She finishes the song then starts speaking into the microphone "I don't know if you're here right now but if you are then there's something I need to say to you; I'm sorry for the way I treated you when we were kids, the way I've treated you throughout high school, and most of all for these last few months. You're an amazing guy who didn't deserve that from me and I'm sorry, you've always been there for me when I needed you and I couldn't have asked for a better friend. James Isaac Neutron I love you with every fiber of my being and I'm sorry it took me this long to realize how much you mean to me, I hope some day you can find it in your heart to forgive me" she finishes her speech and we all hold our breath waiting for a response, after 30 seconds she's still greeted with nothing but silence. She quickly exits the gym looking utterly defeated and Libby runs after her, I am definitely kicking his ass for this when I see him Monday.
They finally return 10 minutes later and then the weirdest thing happens, the song that's playing suddenly cuts out in the middle. There's protests all over the gym and I look at the dj booth, it's clear that they didn't do this and have no idea what happend. Another song starts playing and I hear a gasp, I look around and see someone riding down from the ceiling on the disco ball and they're wearing a greaser outfit complete with a leather jacket and hair combed to the side.
Then the figure starts singing
"I got chills they're multiplying
And I'm losing control
'Cause the power you're supplying
It's electrifying"
I swear my jaw is about to rip off and drop to the floor and I rub my eyes to make sure I'm seeing right. I don't know how, I don't know why, but the mysterious figure...is the last person I expected...
Jimmy POV
I'm insane I'm insane I'm absolutely out of my fricken mind, I should really get my mental stability evaluated after this! What on Earth told me that riding from the ceiling on a disco ball and serenading a girl I just told to get out of my life was a good idea? Oh right that 'L' word did. See, Halley and Goddard eventually convinced me (rather reluctantly) to at least make an appearance at the dance but I told them I was going halfway through and hiding in the back in the shadows until I felt like making an actual appearance. Well I did as promised and snuck in on time for Cindy's little performance, and honestly it changed my opinion on things. Hearing her sing like that and say those words from her heart in front of everyone plus her reaction afterwards told me that she (and everyone else) had been telling the truth all along, I know she wouldn't put herself out there like that if she wasn't. So I quietly snuck back out, did a brain blast, crawled through the ceiling to the disco ball, hacked into the dj's computer with my phone to play that song, and set up the lovely performance you're witnessing now. Speaking of which I should probably focus on that now.
Having a photographic memory I memorized both the choreography and lyrics for this song. There's a collective gasp in the audience as I do this and they form a circle around me plenty large enough to dance in, but my eyes are only seeking out one person right now; my Sandy. She looks like a deer frozen in the headlights but recovers quickly and joins me in the middle of the floor as the ball lowers and I hop off. We preform the dance beautifully and get an ear shattering round of applause, all the while her and I are still standing close holding each other and breathing heavily. The applause dies down and we're still just standing there, shit this was such a spontaneous plan that I didn't actually plan was going to happen at this point! Um think Jimmy think, she's right here say or do something!
Luckily I'm saved when a voice speaks up "hey Jimmy!"
I turn and gulp "yeah Sheen?"
He smirks and raises an eyebrow "you gonna kiss her or what?"
I turn and look at her with wide eyes, she has the same look as Sheen "well Neutron, are you? Don't want to keep a gal waiting, do you?"
Needing no further invitation I plant my lips on hers and this time it's for real, a real kiss. Gosh she tastes just as sweet and soft as the last time but this time is still different, this time we're putting our all into it. We break apart after a few moments and there are more applause. The music resumes and I take her hand to go join our friends.
They immediately start in on me, understandably since I seemingly came out of nowhere. So I explain everything that transpired and how I came to be here and they seem satisfied with the answers.
I turn to Sheen and Carl "guys I'm sorry about the fight and just everything, you're right I was an ass" I hold my breath waiting for a response, they look at each other, nod, and give me a smile. I smile back, relieved that I still have my best friends.
Sheen pats me on the back "don't sweat it hombre I'm just glad you finally came to your senses, otherwise I literally would have had to kick your ass"
"Trust me Sheen it would have been well deserved, whatever it took to get me to see reason"
Carl finally speaks up "does this mean we're the 3 amigops again?"
"Of course we are, we never stopped. Amigops on 3 for old times sake?" they nod and we each put a fist in as we count.
"1"
"2"
"3"
"Amigops!" we bump our fists together and cheer, something we haven't done in years and it feels just like old times again.
Carl speaks up again "hey you know what this reminds me of? That ending scene in 'Grease' where they all sing about being happy cause they're all friends again, we should do that guys!" he then begins singing, very off key like his spy song from our childhood "We go togeether-" before he can continue we all cut him off with various shouts of 'no!'
"Look this is great but I came here to dance so I don't know about y'all but I wanna get my groove on. Come on Sheen!" and before he can protest she grabs his hand and drags him back out, Brittany does the same with Carl. Which leaves me with the blonde-haired beauty herself. Unsure what to do I leave to go get punch, smooth Jimmy real smooth. I take a minute to compose myself at the refreshments table then decide perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring her some punch as well, might even be a good ice breaker since I seem to be so great at this whole 'date' thing. Wait a minute, is this a date? Do I ask her if it is? Ugh females are still one subject I can't for the life of me comprehend, whatever I'm bringing her some damn punch anyways.
I get back and awkwardly hand her the punch "um here, I brought you some punch"
She smiles politely and takes the punch "thanks" our hands touch the slightest amount and I quickly withdraw and rub the back of my head.
Come one Jimmy say something, anything! Why am I so awkward around her all of a sudden? Oh yeah that's right, our feelings are out in the open now so I'm suffering from 'pretty girl syndrome' and hence making me almost incapable of intelligent speech around her. God it's like my grade school crush on Betty Quinlan all over again! I mean plus there's the whole 'I literally told her to get out of my life a week ago yet here we are now' thing, so no not awkward at all...
Alright Jimmy come on you got this, she's still the same Cindy just say something to her "so...what did you think of the weather today?" seriously!? What the hell man!?
She gives me a look "did you seriously just ask me about the weather?"
"Well you know, it's um, weathery?"
She bursts out laughing "'weathery'? What the hell was that Neutron?"
I groan in frustration "I'm nervous as hell alright? A week ago I was yelling at you to never talk to me again yet here we are now on a date so forgive me if I don't know what I'm doing here!" oh shit did I really just use the 'D' word? Maybe she won't notice?
She stops laughing and raises an eyebrow, her face still holding an amused expression "oh so we're on a date now?"
I rub the back of my neck "well I mean I kinda assumed..."
She shakes her head "nope not how it works, you've gotta ask me"
I look at her dumbfounded "what?"
She puts her hands on her hips, the amusement never leaving her face "you heard me"
Glad to see she still enjoys torturing me, at least that hasn't changed. I take a deep breath "okay fine, Cindy will you be my date for the decades dance?"
She smiles "why Jimmy I thought you'd never ask, I would love to"
I roll my eyes but smile in return then look down and notice her arms are now just hanging down by her sides. I slowly move closer to her and move my hand towards hers, our hands are hovering about a centimeter close and I hesitate reaching out. I'm still contemplating what to do when I suddenly feel her hand in mine, her fingers lacing with mine. I steal a glance at her and she's still staring straight ahead at the dance floor but the look on her face says she's quite content at the moment, as am I.
A couple more fast songs play and then a slower melody begins to play, I gesture towards the floor and she nods.
Then it occurs to me I don't actually know what I'm doing, where exactly do my hands go? And how close do we dance? Luckily she sees my rising panic and rolls her eyes taking pity on me, she guides my hands to her waist and puts hers around my neck.
Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Well I suppose now is as good a time as any to apologize "Cindy? I just want to say that I'm sorry about all the horrible stuff I said to you, I was way out of line and didn't mean it. The truth is I was scared, I'm finally ready to admit this now but I love you too and have for so long that the thought that you didn't return my feelings really hurt"
She places a hand on my cheek and I lean in " yeah I'm not gonna lie; what you said really hurt but the worst part is I knew you were right"
I had about a million smartass remarks but held my tongue, now was not the time for that "I was?"
"As much as I hate to say it yes, I've been casting you aside all these years when really you've actually been the perfect guy for me"
I smirk, no longer able to hold back my remarks "ahh, so you finally admit I'm perfect?"
She rolls her eyes "geez can't you just take a compliment for once without letting it inflate your already giant ego? I'm trying to be sentimental here"
"Well gee where's the fun in that? Besides in case your memory fails you trading insults back and forth has always been our dynamic, it's kind of how we function"
She pretends to ponder it "well I suppose you're right, it didn't work out with those other guys because honestly they were all kinda dumb and boring"
I raise an eyebrow "and you're saying I'm smarter and more fun?"
She chuckles "well Neutron you're definitely more entertaining that's for damn sure"
"You forgot smarter"
"Don't push it. So I'm curious, when did you start having feelings for me?"
"Well I suppose it started after being exposed to Pheromone 976/J. My hypothesis is that the feelings were always there it just took an outside source to help awaken them, because technically the reason I even created it in the first place was to fast forward, so to speak, to the hormones we would one day have and have no control over in order to create an antidote"
"So you were literally trying to become immune to falling in love? You do realize that's impossible right?" at this point she's laughing.
"Hey give me a break I was only 11 at the time and girls were a species unknown to me so I was doing it for my own protection, not that it worked anyways"
"Um yeah I was on the receiving end of it remember? I seriously had no idea what was wrong with you, you were acting even weirder than usual and that's saying something"
"Yeah sorry about that, it was a bit...stronger than I had anticipated. By the way I've always wondered something, why did you say yes to that date with me? Even despite you hating me and the fact that I had just embarrassed you in front of everyone at The Candy Bar"
"Well when you left after your little 'show' it was actually Libby who convinced me to go after you, she made me realize that you might actually like me so I should give you a chance"
Well now I'm slightly deflated "oh, so it was sort of a pity date?"
She offers a small smile "not at all, I actually did like you which is why it hurt so much when you kicked me out of the lab in the middle of the date"
I smile sheepishly "sorry about that, I kinda panicked when I realized I had breathed in the pheromone"
"Well I suppose I can forgive you, until you screw up again which we both know will happen"
"Gee thanks for the vote of confidence Vortex"
"Anytime Neutron" pause "you could dance closer you know"
At this point we're still dancing middle school style, close but also almost an arms length apart "Oh, um..."
Before I can even fully respond she's hugging me and resting her head on my shoulder "ahh, much better"
I smile and kiss the top of her head "definitely"
Sometime after that Principal Dumble takes the microphone and says he'll be announcing the winners of fling king and queen. I honestly didn't even know it existed but considering I hadn't even planned on coming to this nor have I been to any other dances during my school years I didn't particularly care either, these things were nothing but a popularity contest which I most certainly would never win so what's the point? Either way I'm watching with my friends and everyone else, though I'm only half paying attention.
"And your spring fling king and queen are...Jimmy Neutron and Cindy Vortex!"
There's applause and I see Cindy move through the crowd to collect her crown. Cindy won yay that's amazing! Wait a minute, who won with her? Shit I wasn't paying attention, oh well whoever it is is a lucky guy.
Suddenly Sheen is nudging me "dude you getting up there or what?"
Wait I'm the lucky guy? Woah fantastic I'm the lucky guy! I shake my head to clear it then awkwardly chase after Cindy.
I get there and he places the crown on my head "alright everyone else clear the floor, this song is only for them"
We go back out as Louis Armstrong's 'It's a Wonderful World' plays, and this time I don't hesitate pulling her close to me.
It's quiet for a second "I hope you realize your days of just fading into the background as the smart kid in class are over"
"What do you mean?"
"Well let's see; you got in a fist fight with Nick Dean and got suspended for a week (which we still need to talk about by the way), arrive halfway through the dance dressed like a T-bird riding down from the ceiling on the disco ball, sang and did a choreographed dance for me, and you just won spring fling king so people are going to be talking about you for a while"
"Great, well I hope you know this doesn't mean I'm going to suddenly succumb to the peer pressures of being noticed and join sports and other extracurriculars. I'm still me, a giant nerd whose heart and time belongs to science"
She smacks me playfully on the shoulder "hey I better be in there somewhere Nerdtron"
"Of course Dorktex" pause "you know...it's funny how our nicknames for each other that were at one time used as insults are now repurposed as means of affection"
"Must you analyze everything, why can't you ever just 'live in the moment'?"
"Hey I'm simply just making an observation" another pause "so does this mean we're like, a thing now?"
"'A thing'? Gee you make it sound so romantic"
"Alright smartass, are we like an official couple now? Like boyfriend and girlfriend?"
She chuckles "slow your roll there Romeo, take me out on an actual date first then maybe I'll consider it. And I still expect to be asked that question properly"
I roll my eyes but the smile stays "you're a pain in the ass, you know that Vortex?"
"I know, but you love me for it"
"Do I though?"
"You better, or else this was one hell of a show for just being friends"
"Yeah you're right I do, you are a sarcastic pain in the ass but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's like I said, 'you're the one that I want' "
She kisses me lightly then settles back onto my shoulder "good, because you are too"
Eventually the dance comes to an end and everyone starts to leave, the gang and I are saying our goodbyes.
"Hey Sheen? Thanks for all the pushing you did even if it took me a while to listen"
He smiles back "of course, it's what best friends are for"
I turn to Libby next, she smiles then it turns into a scowl as she punches me lightly in the arm. I rub my now sore arm "ow! What was that for?"
"For being such a dumbass to begin with!" then her expression softens "but what you did is amazing and totally makes up for it, just be sure you take care of her alright? Or else I will not hesitate to kick your ass"
You know, I've been getting a lot of this 'ass kicking' lately. I nod then give her a hug "duly noted, trust me my intentions for her are pure"
She smiles "good, well hey a bunch of people are heading to the Candy Bar, you guys coming?"
Cindy starts to answer but I turn to her and interrupt "actually Cindy, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to come watch a movie with me in the lab instead?"
She smiles "sure I'd love to, I'll call you tomorrow kay Libs?"
Libby smirks knowingly "alright and you better, don't forget I know where you live" we laugh and finish our goodbyes then head out to the hovercar, fingers laced. We still have things to talk about, like the fight, but there's plenty of time for that later.
We get in and I start it up, once we're in the air she turns to me "by the way, what are we watching?"
I put it on autopilot then turn to her and smile "I'm thinking...'Grease'"
The End.
Woo after almost half a year of hard work this story is finally complete! Alright so just these last couple authors notes: 1. the idea for the whole 'Jimmy Cindy win each other back' thing literally came to me in the middle of the night as did the title for this story (for months until my last month writing this I just called it 'Grease' as a working title) *and actually a lot of my ideas come to me at random when I'm trying to sleep, it's both a blessing and a curse* 2. I had a lot of fun writing Jimmy's inner monologue during this chapter and I actually put a bit of myself in there, I am basically just as awkward if not more so
*Disclaimer: I do not own either of the songs used in this chapter*
"You're the One That I Want" by the cast of 'Grease'
and
"I Can't Help Falling in Love With You" by Elvis Presley
Thank you so much for reading this story I hope you enjoyed it! I actually have a sequel idea in the works, no promises yet but I have a few plot points and a title planned out so it's at least a start!
