1So certain aspects of this story gained inspiration from a story I read a LONG time ago; "Perfection" by DistrictThirteenTribute, really good 4 chapter story I definitely recommend checking it out!
Anyways enjoy!
High school, the time that everyone says is 'the best years of your life!'...yeah that's a load of bull...let me tell what high school is really like: awkward teen years as you grow into your body, trying to figure out who you are but changing it a million times, growing apart from your old friends (keeping most or all of them if you're lucky) as you all become absorbed in your own activities, more difficult schoolwork and thus more responsibility you didn't ask for, and don't even get me started on dating. It's not like it's all bad, but it's not all good either..it's just eh. My school is literally full of idiots, none of them appealing...well except maybe one...alright fine I give, there is only one guy in this entire school that I find even remotely appealing. See the thing is though...I've never been very good at expressing my feelings, so instead I just insult him. Gee, I wonder why he has no idea you're into him? *inner eyeroll* Anyways...in case you haven't figured it out I'm talking about Nerdtron. In elementary and middle school he was a nerdy short kid, I guess he was sorta cute in a way but nothing fully of interest. Then little by little in high school he started getting taller and losing the nerd thing until finally becoming (and Libby would never let me hear the end of it if she heard me saying this) a 'hunk-muffin', worst part is the bastard knows it too; he's still an, arrogant, cocky son of a bitch with an ego the size of Jupiter and has had plenty girls interested in him during our time at Retroville high.
So here we are now, senior year at a new year's eve party at Nick Dean's house (or at least whatever condemned building this is that he uses for parties). Nick is pretty decent looking himself but he's also pretty stupid and all he's interested in is partying and being with his 'fangirls', so glad I'm over that. Okay So Neutron isn't actually on Nick's level of 'womanizer'; he's still a nice guy with a heart of gold and hasn't actually dated any of his own 'fangirls', he flirts a little but as far as I know nothing has ever actually happened. Come to think of it I'm not sure why, he's an attractive guy and clearly half of the female student body is throwing themselves at him so why isn't he interested? It's generally in a male's instincts to go after anything with female anatomy, wait a minute why do I even care what he does or doesn't do with other girls? Oh right that whole 'being really attracted to him' thing...damn him and his good lucks and perfect smile and baby blue eyes...
"Yo Cindy think fast!" then suddenly I'm hit in the face with a nerf football.
"Ow! What the hell Brian!?" Brian Duboy, captain of the football team and the neanderthals.
"Hey I gave you a warning, Aaron go long!" Aaron Dexter, his best friend and not much smarter. They continue on past me and I'm alone again, well alone as you can be in a house full of partying idiots.
Our group of 5 got here together at 9 but we all split off; Libby left me not long after getting here, took off with Sheen in tow and it's safe to say they probably won't be seen for the rest of the party.
Carl started chatting up some cute girl from his chemistry class about an hour in so it was better to just leave him to it.
Jimmy actually stayed with me the longest, 2 hours, but he left to use the bathroom 30 minutes ago and I haven't seen him since. I could go look for him but I don't really care, he can do whatever he wants it's not like he's my boyfriend or anything...not even close.
"So did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Apparently Betty Quinlan is in the kitchen with Jimmy Neutron flirting up a storm"
"Oh my God no way! But I mean how could you not?" He's gorgeous!"
"I know right! Ugh what I wouldn't give to date him!"
"Well you better hurry, word is that she's making a move and sticking her claim to him at midnight" the two girls walk away still talking and my red cup is currently crushed in my hand, Quinlan and Neutron? Oh hell no! Without a second thought I throw my cup down and march to the kitchen.
I can already hear her sickeningly sweet voice and it makes me want to vomit.
"Wow you're so strong Jimmy! Do you work out?" she has her hand on his bicep and all I want to do is rip it off along with that stupid smile off her stupid perfect face.
He shrugs and takes a sip of his drink with the other arm "not really, it's mostly from moving equipment around the lab all these years"
"Wow it's so admirable how dedicated you are to all your science stuff...you know, I've never seen your lab before and I'd love to see it sometime" now she's rubbing his arm.
Alright that's it! I stomp over to them "Neutron a word?" I take his arm and yank him away from Quinlan, who I'm sure is shooting me daggers from behind but I really don't give a damn, looks I foiled your little plan bitch!
We're good distance away from the kitchen before he takes his arm away and says something "what the hell was that Vortex?"
"Um if anything you should be thanking me"
"Thanking you? For what? I was in the middle of a conversation"
I roll my eyes "that was definitely not a conversation"
"Oh yeah? Then what was it?"
"Um Earth to freak brain, she was clearly all over you! Do you really think she actually gives a damn about science?"
"Hey she could, but you didn't let me stay long enough to find out"
"Please, why can't you just admit that she isn't?"
"And why can't you just admit that you're jealous?" he crosses his arms and smirks while raising an eyebrow.
See? Cocky. I scoff and laugh "Jealous? Of her? As if, she's just a bimbo who thinks looks are everything and wouldn't know the difference between a bunsen burner and a stove burner"
"Gee that's a lot of smack from a girl who's supposedly 'not jealous' "
"Well I'm not! And FYI apparently she's been trying to seduce you so she claim you as hers at midnight!"
"You don't say? And why is that such a bad thing?"
"Are you serious? You would actually want to get with that?"
He shrugs "who's to say what I do or don't want to do, isn't it my decision?"
"Fine go ahead! Waste your life with her and make out all night for all I care!"
"Give me one good reason not to"
"Well for starters she's a ditsy bimbo"
"Already said that"
"Okay, how about the fact that all she cares about is looks?"
"That too"
"She doesn't actually like science"
"And that, come one Vortex give me a real reason"
"Um..." I can hear people starting to count to midnight
"I'm waiting"
"10...9...8..."
Come on Cindy think, do not say or do anything stupid!
"...7...6..5..."
"Well since you can't think of anything and are 'not jealous' I'll go find Betty for that new year's kiss"
"..4...3...2..."
Before he can walk away I grab him by the front of his shirt and pull his mouth down to mine.
"...1...happy new year!" there's cheering and noise makers everywhere but neither of us are paying attention, so much for not doing anything stupid...
We break apart and just look at each other, I cannot believe I just did that! Great he's probably gonna run now...
"Well happy new year to you too, what was that for?"
I do the only thing I know how to, go on the defensive "what, two friends can't kiss at midnight?"
"Well generally they don't, no. And you still didn't answer my question"
Alright I can't take it anymore, time to give brain boy a clue "ugh you're such an idiot Neutron, I kissed you so you wouldn't go kiss her!"
"And why can't I kiss her?"
"Because then she'll get her claws into you!"
"And what's so bad about that?"
"Because I can't let her do that!"
"And why's that? I thought you 'weren't jealous'?"
"Okay fine I am alright!? I couldn't let miss Betty perfect swoop in and steal you, I kissed you so I could hopefully keep you away from her and claim you myself! But clearly you aren't interested so go ahead and run back to your little bimbo, it's obviously what you-" his mouth is on mine again...some part of me has always dreamed of him shutting me up like this.
We break apart after a few minutes "and who says I want her?"
"Well the previous conversation could be an indication"
"What if" he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear "it's been you the whole time?"
"Then why were you flirting with 'little miss perfect'?"
He scratches his chin in thought "well perhaps I've known about your little infatuation with me and feel the same about you,but have been waiting for you to admit it because quite frankly I was done with the games and mixed signals. Then when you still wouldn't I took matters into my own hands and sought out the one person I know can get under your skin better than anyone else, it was mere coincidence that I was her 'goal' for tonight but it worked in my favor" he's smirking, and I either want to smack it off his face or kiss him again.
I choose the former and smack him on the arm "you're such an ass Neutron... alright if we're going to do this I have some conditions"
He rolls his eyes but the smirk stays "I wouldn't expect anything less from you Vortex, alright shoot"
"One, unless you've got a legitimate excuse Friday nights are reserved for me"
"That's reasonable"
"Two, I forever get shotgun in your hovercar or any other vehicle you drive"
"Deal"
"Three, this is exclusive; meaning your heart, your time, your hand, and your lips are mine and mine only"
"Yes I'm aware of what exclusive means, but I easily agree to those terms"
"And one last thing" I reach up and kiss him on the right cheek, leaving a lipstick mark.
"What was that for?"
I smile and take his hand "gotta mark you, you're off the market now and I'm calling dibs"
Alright so just a couple notes:
1. I want to make something clear: during their conversation Jimmy was very calm and nonchalant while Cindy was the one who was yelling and getting irritated, this is simply because his intentions were never to actually get together with Betty but to make Cindy jealous in order to get her to admit her feelings
2. Looks wise for Jimmy in this one I'm picturing actor Luke Benward; kinda cute in a nerdy sorta way as a kid but grew into a very good looking young man, and honestly he could pass for a real life version since they look kinda similar (or am the only one who sees it?)
