Disclaimer: Not mine, don't care.

Chapter Six- The Plans Three

Glancing over at the mirror in despair, Tootie sighed and folded her arms across her chest. She'd been there when Veronica had cruelly told Timmy Trixie didn't like him and now, she realized what it meant to give up on someone. Not that she'd been planning on it (to the contrary), but it tore her apart to come to the realization that, no matter what she did, he wasn't going to like her.

All the nasty words, the rude gestures, the only half hearted attempts at appeasing her suddenly made sense. He'd only used her to rid himself of a guilty conscience, nothing more. He'd never felt anything for her and all those years were utterly wasted on him.

A hollow laugh escaped her at exactly how much time she'd wasted on him. All those statutes, everything she'd strove to make so it represented Timmy, her entire shrine- rubbish. She ought to throw it out, for all the good it did her now.

Maybe Vicky had been right all along, that he'd never like a loser like her. The truth panged, but she shook her head again, to clear the pain. She had to move on…

Even when she awoke this morning, she'd wondered what the point was of trying to give Timmy her heart. He hadn't wanted it last year, so why should this year be any different? He hadn't treated her any differently than he had when they were ten.

Nor had she done anything unique or special this year either, such as wearing heart barrettes in her hair, a pink shirt with his face on it, and a pink skirt. Everything extravagant was last year. Unconsciously, she threw in the towel long ago. After all, she'd stopped stalking him this year, only spoke to him when she wanted to shove herself back into believing she had a chance, and virtually left him alone the rest of the time. What was the use? He still thought her creepy after all these years, no matter what she tried.

Sighing heavily, she placed her hand over her real heart and wondered why she'd been so stupid to give it up to A.J. What good would it do him? No one valued her- he'd probably pound on it. He and Timmy would make a game out of it, she bet.

A sardonic smile spread across her face as she thought of how much everyone disliked her. Fine, let them. She was through with everyone. For now on in, it was 'me, myself, and I'. No middle person.

She only wished she had the power to harden her heart against everything. Unfortunately, she was too optimistic, too loving to shut everyone out. This was what made her and Vicky sisters in name only- she couldn't be as downright cruel as her. She cared too much.

But what am I supposed to? I can't go back and face the fact that I lost to them. They're sure to rub it in…but what do I care? I can finally tell everyone that I'm through with Timmy, although I kind of doubt they'll believe me. I hardly believe me.

I don't really have a choice, do I? I'd never skip a class and, right now, I'm just skipping homeroom, which should be over soon.

Giving herself another once over, she left the bathroom and prepared for the backlash. Today wasn't over by a long shot.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This was exactly what Trixie was thinking as she stormed up to her homeroom. Veronica wanted war? Fine. She'd bring it.

The really funny thing was- she didn't really like Timmy. However, she knew Veronica did and it'd simply tear her apart if she won him over. When she got him, she wasn't entirely certain what she'd do after she was done rubbing it in her face. Besides, rubbing it in her face was the whole object of the game.

Boys were a game, as far as she was concerned. Pick the right one and you can be entertained for hours. Not to mention they were surprisingly easy to train- say the right word and they'll be begging for hours. A grin spread across her face- she loved watching them sweat as they tried to appease her.

This, too, was part of the game; looking hot enough to make boys fall over. Makeup, accessories, they all figured in. Wear the right thing and you'll have half of the student boy following you, either wanting to be you or do you. Whatever the case, she laughed it off.

The funny thing is, some boys sincerely believed she cared what they thought. As long as they called her pretty, she could really give a hoot what else they thought in those puny little brains of those. Besides, she knew what else and they weren't going to get it, except in their dreams.

Unfortunately, Veronica's little speech before had deterred Timmy and she could see that now. Were he in the right state of mind, he would have rebuffed the towheaded tramp's Valentine and accepted hers, but now that he was warped against her, things might prove more difficult than she'd thought. She'd have to pull out the big guns now, that was for certain.

So, let's see…she had friends in the main office, didn't she? Well, not friends as much as people she could bully into doing her bidding. However, those were the same things in her book and she could use those friends to her advantage.

Now, what else did she have at her disposal? A little blackmail, perhaps? Hmm, that would require breaking into Veronica's locker and stealing her diary, but why not? All was fair in love and war.

Her next free period was lunch (since underclassman had only study hall and lunch as free periods), so she'd do it then. After making another attempt at Timmy's heart, she'd slip out the back and then amble down to her former best friend's locker, find the item, and then make a little 'announcement'. With any luck, she'd beat her down sooner than one could say 'fairy godparents'.

Smirking to herself, Trixie carefully slid back into her seat and waited for the festivities to begin.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Meanwhile, oblivious to Trixie's plans, Veronica waltzed her way up to her own classroom. Finally, she'd done it! Not to mention the fact Tootie was out of the running, so she only had one real opposition, whom she was fairly certain she could squash before lunch. After all, how hard was it to knock Trixie out too?

Flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder, she beamed at her accomplishment. Timmy was her Valentine now and no one, not even the vivacious Trixie Tang, could steal him from her. Oh, what a glorious day it was.

However, just in case Trixie did have something up her sleeves, she'd better prepare for it. Then again, she knew all the dark little secrets without having her diary, so, if need be, she could run a smear campaign as well. She'd wait to use it, though, just in case it changed Timmy's opinion of her.

Folding her arms across her chest, she walked into her classroom to see Trixie whispering hurriedly to the girls sitting around her. The bell was about to ring, but she paid it no mind and Veronica's eyes narrowed. What on earth could she be whispering about so frantically? Unless…

If steam could burst from her ears, it would. If she could breathe fire, she would. And if she could give them a piece of her mind before the damn bell rang, she would, but, unfortunately, it rang just as she pounced.

Giving her an eat crap smile, Trixie shoved her way past her and, swaying her hips and making boys stare, turned to her next class. Veronica burned with anger, but she forced herself to follow her and glower. Whatever that girl was up to, she didn't trust her one bit.

>>>>>>>>>

"Dude, would you just let go of that thing?" Timmy frowned, wrinkling his nose. All through the end of the homeroom to even now, as they passed in the halls, A.J. clung to Tootie's heart. If it weren't for the fact the paper cut out belonged to someone he found utterly creepy, it'd be somewhat, okay, since he was a boy, he was going with 'odd', but now... It belonged to a whole different category.

Smiling quizzically, the brown boy merely shook his head and pressed it to his chest. By owning her heart, that meant she was his Valentine for the day. Now, the only problem was- where on earth was she?

Then, as he walked to the end of the corridor, he saw, out of the corner of his eye, a small figure exit the girls' bathroom. She glanced to and fro before disappearing into the foray and he sighed, despondent. It appeared as though he'd have to wait another period to get the chance to talk to her.

Timmy, shrugging off his friend's odd behavior, looked around for Chester, who wasn't in any of the other boys' classes except lunch. Occasionally, they saw him in the halls, but that was about it. Right now, he swore he caught a glimpse of him exiting a Math class and entering a Reading/Writing class, but it could be a figment of his imagination.

Shaking his head, he waited to endure gym with A.J., who, in all likelihood, wasn't going to shut up about that heart any time soon. Honestly, he didn't see what the big deal was. So he had Tootie's heart, so what? It wasn't like he liked her or anything, was it?

Or maybe he did, but the thought caused Timmy to shudder. How could anyone like a psycho like her? It'd be like liking…well, Veronica.

Yeah, but she's not really that bad, is she? He thought, scowling at A.J. The boy needed a good, strong slap in the face to return him to planet reality.

I mean, she didn't act psychotic today, when she gave me her Valentine. Maybe she's changed since we were ten.

Pondering this over for a while, he ignored A.J.'s contented sighs as they made their way up the three stairs, down the new gym corridor, past the main lobby, and into the old gym, which always smelled like sweaty old socks, for gym. Although Veronica had beaten Trixie out and given him her heart, he had a sinking suspicion the day wasn't over by far.

>>>>>>

Yamato's Tiger Lily- Yeah, Toot has A.J., though she doesn't know it yet.

And don't worry, Trixie'll get Ver, one way or another.

ahhelga- Um, thanks...

warprince2002- One of these days, we're going to break you of the habit of putting the same thing. One of these days...

JA93- Thanks...I always wanted to try Toot/A.J. after Undercurrants.

(grins) I wanna make Trix gay again! That was fun...er, never mind.

Deacon1- Yeah...your review's kind of long...

Tootie gave up, because, as any sensible person would realize, it's hopeless. She may be fanatical at ten, but by the time she's twelve, she's realized how futile it is. Timmy won't like her, no matter what she tries.

She isn't a machine. She doesn't exist just to chase after him. She's a human too and she isn't going to put her heart out every time to be squashed on.

I may elaborate on Ver's past, I may not. Depends on my mood.

As far as Ver at the popular table, do you honestly care? What significance does that have on the story?

Everything else I'm not commenting on because you saw it in the chapter. But thanks for reviewing!

Evilgreen- You're supposed to feel for both. That's what I do. :P

Spiritual Magic- Thanks. :)