Author's Note: It's a bit short, but I like it. It takes place in the time after "The Diary" and before "Discretion Assured".

A Softer Side

Mandy lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Then she noticed something- Beatrice's pink diary. Smiling to herself, she got up and snatched the diary off of Beatrice's dresser. She opened the book to a random page.

That new Jimmy boy is so bad. Bad teeth, bad hair, bad smell, bad attitude! And yet, there's something about him that is just so alluring. I told Bucky about how I felt and he didn't seem happy at all. That makes me a little sad because Bucky's been such a great friend, I'd hate to think that something or someone in his life is not treating him well... Oh I knew it! I walked by him today, and he looked at me! He's such a free radical... How I'd love to pair his electrons. The thought of us making sweet organic chemistry just sends shivers down my spine!

Mandy snickered cruelly.

So Beatrice has a thing for Jimmy Hopkins? she thought. Perfect! Now she had new ammunition.

She flipped to the very next page.

Jimmy and I kissed today, outside of the girls' dorm. Mr. Hattrick took this diary and was going to read it in front of everyone! Jimmy came to the rescue. I guess he doesn't want everyone to know of his softer side…it might ruin his "bad boy" image. But I know that he's a good guy, just a bit rough around the edges.

Mandy's smile disappeared. Jimmy and Beatrice kissed? There was no way. And also, Jimmy having a softer side? Mandy had to know more.

Bucky's really unhappy and I have no idea why. This really upsets me because Jimmy gave me flowers and now I can't look at them and feel happy. They look kind of like the pretty ones that grow outside the girls' dormitory...

Today, Mr. Hattrick gave a surprise test...

Mandy grew bored and flipped a few pages later.

Bucky is no longer speaking to me. This is really starting to depress me... Jimmy asked me to another study date in the library. Note to self: apply extra Abreva.

Mandy resisted the urge to vomit for the second time that day.

The door to the room Mandy and Beatrice shared was thrown open.

"What are you doing?!" screamed Beatrice.

"Nothing," Mandy closed the diary and threw it onto Beatrice's bed.

"You read my diary!"

"Maybe I did," Mandy said nonchalantly. "Maybe I didn't." She changed the subject. "Does Jimmy really have a softer side?"

Beatrice just stared at her.

What she didn't know is that a few months later, she would know just how nice Jimmy Hopkins could be - when he wanted to be.

-Fin

(Author's Note: Abreva is a non-prescription cold sore medication.)