Warm regards to my readers.

Here is the next installment of the series. I am already in the process of writing chapter four, and that will be on the way soon. This chapter has some good twists (especially toward) the end. I know the chapter are moving a little slow right now, but I'm working up to one big plot twist in the middle that I know you'll enjoy.

As per usual, reviews and story requests, as well as criticism and critique are accepted and encouraged.

And, as always, enjoy!

Chapter 3: New Perspectives

Timmy stormed back into the locker room, sliding onto the bench and burying his head in hands. "Why?" he though, tears welling in his eyes, "Almost eight years I waited for the chance to show her what I was worth and that bitch is going to walk all over me."

He sat motionless, almost unable to think except for the aching pain that was working its way over him, making him numb.

At that moment A.J. walked back in. He took a seat next to Timmy, and then let out a deep sigh. "Look, for what's it worth I'm really sorry. At least you found out, so this won't go on any longer."

They stayed like that for a while, until A.J. finally realized he had to go.

As he stood to leave, Timmy stood up too. "Thanks, at least I know at least one person I can count on."

A.J. grabbed his bag and turned toward the door. "You know where you can find me if you need me." And with that he left.

Timmy sat there numb, his brain firing in every direction, telling him a million different things. He buried his head in his hands and sobbed.

'What the hell do I do now?" he thought.

Tootie saw him storm back to the locker room, and heard the door slam shut behind him.

Her heart ached, and she longed to go in and talk to him, but she wasn't sure just what she would say if she did. She placed the camera back into the bag, and gently set it next to her backpack. She braced herself against the wall, and slid down, coming to rest with her knees pressed against her chest. Veronica came and sat next to her.

The pair just sat like that for a while, unsure of what to do or what to say, thinking over what had just happened.

After what seemed like an eternity, the door finally swung open. Tootie popped to her feet, expecting Timmy to be there, but instead A.J. loomed in the doorway, his massive silhouette cast out in front of him from the light behind.

He walked slowly over the two, his footfalls barely making a sound as he crossed the snowy corridor. He finally came to stand right in front of Tootie.

He paused for a moment, and then let out a deep breath.

"Listen", he said gently, "I want to thank the two of you for what you did today. Timmy's my best friend, and for a while I thought Chester was too, but people change I suppose-". He paused, seemingly contemplating what to say.

"I know what you did wasn't easy, and causing Timmy pain wasn't what you intended. I know why you did what you did, and for what it's worth I really do appreciate you doing what you had to do for his sake."

Content with what he had to say he turned to go. Oh, listen, I drive a smaller truck, but if you need, I can offer you a drive back to your houses. He motioned in the direction of the parking lot.

Tootie paused glancing back toward the locker room. "Truth be told, I'd rather wait for Timmy. I know he's really hurting, and I don't want him to do something he'd regret."

"But it's freezing out here" Veronica began in a stern tone, "Besides aren't your parents wondering where you are?"

Tootie just shook her head.

"Well okay" Veronica relented, and turned to A.J. "I'll take you up on that offer though, I think my parents are getting kind of worried."

A.J. looked a big disheveled. "You sure they're okay with that?"

Veronica shrugged. "I don't really have many other options. My dad works night shift, and everybody else has gone home."

A.J. nodded in understanding. Veronica turned back to Tootie. "Don't stay here too long okay. If you need anything just let me know, and I'll see you tomorrow."

She pulled Tootie into a hug. "Thanks" Tootie replied, "You two be careful. I'll talk to the both of you later."

They both nodded and made their way toward the parking lot.

Tootie snuggled deeper into her jacket and settled up against her backpack. It was getting colder, yet her jacket was so warm. She sat, pondering what she would say to Timmy when he finally came out.

She sat and watched the gentle swirl of the snowflakes just outside the corridor. As she watched the peaceful scene, her eyelids grew heavy and scarcely a few minutes had passed before she succumbed to sleep.

He wasn't sure how long he sat there. He just waited, hoping he was delusional, or that he'd simply wake in his bed, having overslept for school and that was all he would have to worry about.

But the clock ticked on, and he realized he needed to get back home before his parents began to worry about him. He gathered up all his things and headed for the door.

He wasn't even out the door before he noticed the shape of something hunched into the corner of the corridor. Thinking maybe it was some gear one of his teammates had left behind he made his way over to it when he noticed it slowly rising and falling.

Confused he made his way to the object, and found himself staring at a mop of slick, black hair. He gently brushed it from the person's face, taking a moment to comprehend who it was.

Suddenly, he realized with surprise that it was Tootie. He stopped, considering what she was still doing there.

Suddenly his heart ached. "No" he though, "No it couldn't be. She wouldn't have." Yet she had. She had settled in to wait for him, even though he had blown her off. She had stayed behind to make sure he was okay. She cared more about him than what he had though was his best friend.

Tears welled in his eyes, and he brushed them away. He realized suddenly he needed to get her out of the cold. He slung his gear over one shoulder, and lifted her backpack and camera bag over the over.

He stooped over and lifted her, holding her closely to him and making his way to the parking lot.

He was surprised at how light she was and she burrowed closer into him shivering against the cold. He hurried to his car, anxious to get her out of the horrid conditions.

He set her in the front seat of his sedan, and piled the gear into the backseat, hurrying around to the front, anxious to get the heat going.

When he started the car, she muttered and he shifted, and he was worried she might wake up, but she settled back into the seat after a few moments.

He drove quickly, both needing to get her home and to get home himself, before he got into hot water with his parents. It wasn't hard to find her home though, considering she lived three or four houses down from him in his local neighborhood

He gathered her things and lifted her gently from the seat, making his way to the front door.

The house was dark from the outside. He assumed her parents were still at work but he wasn't sure where her bitch of an older sister was. He supposed it didn't matter. The less he had to deal with Vicky, the better.

He was surprised to find the door unlocked, and he made his way up the stairs, eventually finding her room in the back right corner of the uppermost floor. You could tell it had once been a room for a small girl with its bright pink paint, but it had been more modestly decorated for someone of Tootie's age.

He set her bags in the corner, and then gently set her on the bed, drawing the blankets up and over her.

With that, he made his way back out to his car, making sure to lock the door on the way back out.

He hadn't been kidding when he had said it was small pickup truck, and Veronica was actually glad Tootie hadn't decided to accompany them. She shook her leg what seemed like the millionth time as her foot fell asleep.

She couldn't believe that someone as big as A.J. drove around in such a tiny pick-up, but he seemed fine as they made their way across town. He had even chuckled several times as she rubbed pins and needles out of her feet, swearing like a sailor.

It wasn't his demeanor that was bothering her though, it was the look in his eyes. Even though he was focused on driving, she knew he was deep in thought about what had happened earlier. For the most part they rode on in silence, until she finally grew too restless to stand it anymore.

"So" she began, "How was it that you and Timmy met anyway?"

That question did elicit a huge laugh from A.J. "Oh that" he replied, smiling.

"We met in Crocker's class. We both hated him with every fiber in our being. But Timmy did so badly in every subject that he used to copy every assignment I did. One day, I felt bad, so I finally asked if he wanted some help, and we just kind of hit it off from there. We've been best friends ever since."

"Well, me, him and Ches-" he started to say, but caught himself, a grim look coming over his face. He sighed and stared ahead solemnly.

Veronica shuffled awkwardly, and gazed out the window.

"You know, I kind of feel your pain here, right?" she replied.

A.J. looked at her quizzically. "Yeah" he shot back, "And how would that be?"

"Oh you don't know the half of it. Trixie used to be my best friend. I adored her, she had it all. Good looks, smarts, friends. She pretty much just walked all over me, until one day I finally decided I'd had enough. I told her off, and met Tootie not long after. She liked me for who I was, and I liked her too, and we became friends just like that."

A.J. glanced over at her, downtrodden and gazing out the window.

He wished he could think of something to say to console her, but the words wouldn't seem to come to him.

It wasn't long before Veronica pointed at a middle sized house. "That's my stop right there."

A.J. pulled up on the curb, and got out.

"What are you doing?" Veronica asked, and was surprised when A.J. walked around and got the door for her.

"Well, the least I can do is walk you to your door, right?"

"Well, I guess but you don't have to, it's just that, it's so cold out here and-"

She was cut off by A.J. "Nonsense" he said, "It's the least I could do, with you doing what you did for me and Timmy today."

She had to suppress a smile. "How have I never noticed him before" she thought to herself, "He's so sweet. Although she had to admit, his chiseled features and hulking frame didn't hurt him either.

They got to the door and stood, shuffling their feet and glancing down unsure of what to say.

"Well thanks for the drive" Veronica sputtered nervously, breaking the silence.

"Oh no problem" he replied, smiling, "It was the least I could do.

He started to head back to his truck, and she turned toward the door, when she heard him call, "Hey, one other thing though-"

"Yeah?" she asked, turning around to meet his gaze.

"Um, are you doing anything this weekend?"

She flushed a deep shade of scarlet and gasped out a little giggle of surprise. "Um, no. Why?"

"Well it's just, I had made plans with Chester to hang out this weekend, but, well-"

"Oh" she let out. "Well, no, I haven't made plans yet, but why don't you come get me around 10:00?"

With that he grinned. "Okay, 10 it is." He shot her one last smile before turning and walking back to his truck. She watched as he disappeared down the road, in a cloud of snow and fog.

She couldn't help but smile, at least until she opened the door, where her mother sat in the recliner.

"Young lady" she started, "Do you have any inclination of what time it is? Your father and I have been worried sick-"

She continued to rant and rave, but Veronica could barely focus, already thinking about her upcoming weekend plans.