Here it is, people.

This one's Cindy-centric ... again ... yeah, I broke the little "pattern" I had going - sorry.

ooo

Highs and Lows

"J-J-Jimmy?" Cindy whispered, hating how weak and fragile her voice sounded — and she'd called him Jimmy, not a Spew-tron, or Fudge-head, or Geek-troid to be found in her throat.

"Cindy!" he cried, his voice one of pure elation – he was actually glad to hear her voice — glad she wasn't Betty! The thought bubbling inside her, presenting a rush to her veins.

Like Purple Flurp

She thought

Only ... maybe, better.

Focus, Cindy, focus! she scolded, shaking her head clear of the faux sugar-high and mental giggles.

You're supposed to be mad at the dork, REMEMBER?

Listen, Cindy came his voice – I may have ... caused this power-outage ...

Leave it to Neutron.

"You what?" she cried, Cindy wasn't at all surprised at his actions — this had been one of the thousands of times that some crisis in this town had been Neutron's doing. But rage helped stamp down other ... feelings — and, course there was the little issue of Betty-brainless to irritate her into a state of normalcy.

She'd have to thank her – with a Wu Chan-kick to the throat!

"I caused the blackout, Cindy." Jimmy said, and the tone in his voice suggested a few counts of foot-shuffling, and a pair of blue-eyes cast downward.

Puppy-ish ... almost ... cute.

Her eyes clamped shut – stupid ... thoughts.

Focus, say something back!

"L-Look, Neutron ... I..."

"I-was-wondering-if-you-wanna-come-over!" he blurted into the receiver, the speed and volume of his voice startling her for a second.

"Um ... peg pardon?"

"You wanna come over?" he asked, at half-speed.

"Ummm ... sure?"

Stupid!

Her palm met her forehead, abruptly – and thankfully, the 'talkie' was out of ear-shot.

"Great!" he chirped, "Be over in about ten minutes, rain'll stop by then ..."

"'Kay!" she called back, too excited, now for any self-loathing at lack of will-power.

Her pulled on her favorite pink hoodie, and covered her still-damp hair – but, not-so-shockingly, as she looked outside her window, the rain slowed to drizzle, the clouds already beginning to depart.

ooo

"H– uh ... nice of you to show, Vortex!"

"Nice of you to invite me, King-Cranium!"

He grumbled in response, and breathed an un-heard sigh of relief.

Seems all is back to normal.

"So ... Neutron?"

If everything's so normal, then what's she doing in my house – upon my invitation?

Oh, Gas Planets!

"What's this all about?" she questioned, ignoring his slow decent into madness, as she ran her fingers through her ... soft ... sweet-smelling ... blonde– hair!

She turned her head, and he caught wind of it ... Jasmines ...Snap out of it, genius!

"Need me to help fix whatever stupid invention caused this mess?" she snapped, a coy smile on her face, a stern blonde-brow raised to her hairline.

"Huh-? ... uh ... nope!" he coughed, his voice attempting brightness. "Nope, nope, turns out its totally fixed ... yup, totally fixed – so-uh ... you can just ...!"

He's made her angry.

She stands, and turns for the door.

"You can just — stay here!" he shouts, words exiting his mouth like some involuntary shock-wave to the brain had been set off. And, to make matters worse, she was staring at him like he'd gone completely mental — This was just great!

She takes another step toward the door.

"Wait, Cindy – don't go – the ... uh ... the storm's bad."

"What are you ...?"

A quick press of a button on the Neutronic-Weather-Manipulator and the thunder flashed.

He grinned up at her, sheepily.

ooo

Her brow raised again, at the spectacle.

He sure was cute when he was desperate — and this was what she'd been hoping for.

Dare she give him the satisfaction?

"Please, Vortex – j-just one quick Flurp – some hot cocoa?"

Oh, she was such a sucker for those eyes – always had been.

"Sure, Neutron ... why, not?"

ooo

Next up:

Sha-la-la-la-la-la, My, oh my, look like the boy's too shy, he gotta kiss de girl.

But will he do it?

Or, will a certain masked interruption – and his [in-an-attempt-to-be-supportive] ultra-lady - ruin things?

Oh, and in my mind, a little crap-fest called Planet Sheen never existed – it helps keep my childhood from writhing in pain - so, certain quote-un-quote "plot-points" will not be included. Thank you - and good day ... I SAID GOOD DAY!