Disclaimer: I don't own Fairly Oddparents, but I can thank Yeah Loi for giving me a couple of eps that haven't aired in the States yet. Thank you!

Chapter Nine: Guilt

Trixie stared moodily at the walls of the principal's office. What to do now, she wondered. At the moment, guilt overburdened her and all she could do, all she could think of was how she'd betrayed Veronica.

It wasn't supposed to be like that, she knew. She was supposed to be utterly remorseless, tearing her former best friend apart and ruining any chance she had at Timmy Turner. The attack was meant to drive Timmy towards her, in the hopes he'd realize just what a rotten person Veronica was.

Why hadn't it turned out like that! Why did she suddenly feel sorry for her? Why did she wish to take back everything bad she'd ever said to her? Moreover, why was it she now recalled what made them friends in the first place?

All she had was her diary, a loudspeaker, and an empty office. By the time the principal came back, she'd have only the first. And it was only a matter of time before he came back.

Sighing heavily, she idly turned the pages of her journal and wondered what on earth she was supposed to do. She'd slandered her good name more than she'd meant to and brought herself down in the process. There had to be some redeeming qualities in here, there just had to be.

However, wrinkling her nose, she noticed that a vast majority of the diary was drawings. That was one thing she did exceedingly well- draw. In fact, most of the depictions, although little but sketches, were remarkably lifelike. They took her breath away.

Yet she couldn't read a picture aloud, could she? Certainly not, so she had to keep searching. As she did, phrases popped out at her, phrases reminding her of their former friendship.

Why had she tried to waste it over a boy (Timmy Turner, sure, but a boy nonetheless)? Trixie might be considerably selfish, petty, and conceited, but she knew when to hold onto a friend. Veronica had been there for her and here she was, trying to drive her down.

She wasn't even interested in Timmy, to boot. All that chasing after her had only accomplished one thing- turning her off. He might be cute to others, but he was annoying to her. This made her wonder why she'd wanted to pretend he was hers to begin with.

Before, she'd thought it was merely to spurn Veronica, but she realized how shallow that was. Had she been popular for so long, she'd let it go to her head? Moreover, was she willing to lose a friend over a boy (Timmy Turner, but a boy nonetheless)?

Perusing the pages, she located one particular passage that caught her eye. Yes, she remembered this day, for it had occurred not too long ago. Then again, before now, she hadn't realized the damage she might have done.

"Pink or blue?" Trixie inquires, holding up a cashmere sweater and posing in front of her full-length mirror. Her perfectly manicured nails lightly graze the fabric. Tonight is another Friday night with her dates, Tad and Chad, and Veronica single again. If she weren't so popular, she'd actually pity her.

Veronica sits, perched on the edge of her bed. Once again, a sketchbook is in her hands and she sketches madly; depicting something that clearly isn't in the room for her head remains lowered to the paper. Graphite covers her hands, nowhere near as perfect as Trixie's, but she doesn't notice this or the stains. When she's done, she'll wash them off, but, for now, she doesn't care.

Trixie scoffs, spinning in her direction and glowering at her best friend. She's always drawing- she never pays any attention to her. Honestly, she's just like an art worm or something.

Veronica, paying absolutely no attention to her, raises her head briefly. "Trix, do you believe in true love?"

As she says this, she tucks the pencil inside the coiled wire at the head of her book and caresses the page lovingly. For the first time since she's arrived here, her eyes are glued to her friend's. Something secretive yet bursting to break free presents itself and Trixie blinks, taken aback temporarily.

Frowning, Trixie replies, "Not unless you mean me and a credit card. Boys are toys, Ver, nothing more. You twist 'em around your middle finger and when you're through with them, you give that one as their send off."

Shaking her head, she places her sketchbook aside for the moment and regards her friend, as though giving the topic great thought. Trixie couldn't care less if she does so- what happened to talking about fashion? She used to be interested in all these things and suddenly; she's talking about boys? Has she lost what precious little she has of her mind?

"I-I don't think so," Veronica blurts, surprised by her own initiative. A blush spreads across her face and she drops her gaze to the sketchbook, where another drawing of Timmy has been left incomplete…for the moment. Of course, Trixie hardly knows of such things, but this is only momentary. When she finds that sketchbook, she'll see for herself the extent.

"They only want a girl for their looks," The raven-haired girl admonishes her, wagging a finger. As if on cue, she thrusts the sweaters outward and poses cutely. Her actions are lost on Veronica, whose gaze has shifted downward again.

"Why? Who have you heard that likes me?" Twirling around and placing both sweaters in front to test out how they look (as well as a couple of skirts), she beams at her reflection. 'Tell me I'm pretty', that's all she wants to hear.

"Why does this always have to be about you?" Veronica snaps, surprising herself again with her hostility. "Why does everything have to be about fashion and makeup? Why do all my opinions have to be yours? What's the point of your best friend being popular if she's lost her personality to shallowness, conceit, and brattiness?"

Rising and glowering at her, she continues. "You used to be nice, Trix. I'm sure you don't remember, because it was so long ago, but we used to be friends. We used to listen to each other's concerns instead of my listening to every single damn word you say because I have no say in the matter myself. I'm sick of it, Trixie. I really am."

With that, she retrieves her sketchbook, cradling it close to her chest, and shoves her slightly into the mirror. Anger blazes in her eyes and Trixie, stunned, merely gawks at her. She cannot find anything to say to her accusations.

"I don't know when you lost your sense of decency, but when you get it back, call me. I'll be waiting." She slams the door as hard as she can and saunters out of Trixie's house. Silence reigns before Trixie, recovering, returns to her former activity. She'll come around, she reasons, she always does.

Trixie sighed heavily, placing her head on her fists. What if, when she'd called to apologize later, she'd lied to her? What if this was how she truly felt? If it was, then it justified her actions.

We used to be so close…then I let popularity take control. Am I ready to risk it, though, to make my best friend happy?

She didn't know the answer.

Every eye was on her and she retreated slightly, unaccustomed to receiving this much attention. Usually, it was Trixie who got it and everyone else gave her a once over before shifting back to her. Now, without a diversion, the heat of the room fell swiftly on her shoulders.

That apology was like a slap in the face, really. She'd stolen her diary, connived her way into the office, and broadcasted on the loudspeaker with the sole intention of destroying her. How could she apologize when her intentions were so malicious?

But the way she said it made her wonder if she hadn't suffered a change in judgment. Choosing a spot at random to read had accidentally alerted the school to the fact that Trixie had no mother. Despite reading over the gushy details of how much she loved Timmy, anything that juicy regarding herself had to carry a bigger weight. That didn't explain why everyone was staring, though…

Should she go and talk to her now that it seemed she'd at least temporarily altered her opinion? Or should she just let smoldering friendship die and choke her in the ashes? Both options seemed appealing, but she thought she'd wait for her 'friend' to make a move before she did. The ball was still in her court, she had the chance to make it right.

A hush fell over the crowd and then, like little insects, rumors began to swarm. Repeatedly, she heard Trixie's name and then theories as to what happened to her mother. The heat spread in Veronica's face, but for a different reason. Reading that journal had reminded her too of what made them so close in the first place and she wasn't sure she was comfortable with their treating her like that.

Timmy stepped forward then, scowling and glaring at the group. Before she even had a chance to make a statement, he did. When he did, he was quickly followed suit by his friends.

"She's a kid just like you!" Timmy snapped, drawing the attention away from Veronica and stiffly upon him. Given the fact the attention was often on him, he appeared not to notice.

Chester stood on his right and A.J. took his left side. A bitter smile arose on her face- Timmy's 'right and left-hand men'. Whenever he needed backup, they were usually there to support him. It had to be a nice feeling, to know someone had your back. She wouldn't know.

"You don't have a right to talk like that!" Chester supplemented, blushing as a few girls mouthed 'hello' to him. Although hardly as popular as Timmy as far as secret crushes, he had a few fans. Without the braces, Veronica could definitely see that. He was cute, in that poor way.

"Are you that willing to take her down over this?" A.J. added, not realizing the futility of his words. Another hush filled the room before it broke into rumors anew and, with a dull ache, she recognized that this diary could be her downfall. She had to get to the principal's office and save Trixie from herself.

"I can't believe them," A.J. muttered, shifting closer to Tootie. She glowered at him but didn't move away. For the moment, she was far too focused on the fact that someone, albeit someone she didn't like, had a problem. Naturally, she pitied her, but, seeing as it was Trixie Tang, the empathy was extremely limited.

"Why not? Kids are like jackals. They love to tear each other apart and watch the blood spill. The bigger you are in the hierarchy, the more they want to see you plummet to your death," Tootie replied, smirking at the shocked look he gave her in exchange. True, it was hardly the sort of analogy anyone would expect out of 'sweet, lovable Tootie', but she was through with the nice act. Where had it gotten her, anyway?

A.J. regarded her, probably wondering when she'd acquired a cruel streak. It'd always been there, but usually overpowered by the fact that she could hardly stand herself when she acted like that. Cruelty was a byproduct of Vicky, unfortunately, and highly contagious.

"What? Freaked out by me now? Going to tell all your little friends how creepy I am and how you'd love to destroy me like Trixie just destroyed herself? Fine, go ahead. I'm through with trying, anyway," She snapped, about to walk away when A.J. grabbed her arm. She glared at him, but he didn't release her.

"I don't think you're creepy," He replied. Although your analogy just now was a little disturbing, to say the least.

"I think you're trying to pretend you aren't hurt by the realization that someone you thought you loved doesn't love you back and you want to hurt whomever is in your way. I don't think you actually want to be 'destroyed', but you want to be apathetic and act like it doesn't bother you."

She stared at him, her jaw agape. No wonder he was the smartest boy in school…she wondered if there was any real point in denying all that. Within a few seconds, he'd dished out a psychoanalysis that was far more astute than anything she'd heard regarding Vicky.

"Touché," Tootie muttered, yanking him by the arm and shoving him into a seat beside her. "Let's talk and we'll see if I don't want to hurt you when we're through."

A.J. sighed. It was a start, any rate.

Okay, well, I originally had replies to reviews, but, due to the fact that I accidentally deleted all of them and I'm not in the mood (nor do I have time) to rewrite every single one, I'd like to just thank all of you by name.

Moonjava, Cutie5, warprince2000, Yeah Loi, Spiritual Magic, KIDEVIL1, MisterBlue, Stargirl, Evilevergreen, and can't think.

Please keep reading and reviewing- the more you do so, the greater chance this will be updated ahead of my other stories.