Disclaimer: FOP is not mine.
Chapter Ten: Reevaluation
He wished he could say she was being civil, but that was a lie. Every time he gazed into those brilliant purple eyes, he saw open rebellion and self-loathing, tremendous self-loathing to say the least. He wished he could coerce her into not openly rejecting every single thing he said, but there was just no helping it. With every fiber of her being, she didn't want to be here.
At least she didn't intentionally outwardly drive him away. It was in the little things, like her hints that he could just walk right down next to his best friends and leave her be. The fact remained that he had no intention of doing that and if she wanted him to go away, she'd have to drag him away with a herd of wild horses. Nothing short of that would carry him an inch away.
Today, she'd worn all red and pink, differing vastly from her usual outfit. A pink rose clip held her hair together and, blinking, he realized she'd taken out her customary pigtails. Instead, a long, thin braid dangled down to about mid-back.
She wore, quite literally, a pink shirt with the saying, "My heart's on my sleeve". If it were any other time and she were in any other mood, he might smirk, but now was neither the time nor the place. Besides, he didn't need her to vent anymore than she already had on him. It might be detrimental to his health.
They'd kept the conversation light, nothing terribly deep. Once in a while, he caught her gaze flickering over to Timmy, and, in that instant, he could swear she swore mentally. For so long, she'd quested in vain for him and, for so long, she'd thrown herself headlong into something that she knew was never going to work. Yes, he knew it hurt and he wanted her to know he was there for her, but she didn't appear to give a crap.
"I hate you, Timmy Turner," She growled lightly and, despite himself, he smirked. No, she didn't and could not hate him, as much as she sincerely wanted to. It wasn't in her nature.
"Was it a crush or was it love?" A.J. found himself asking, aghast at the question. They'd purposefully steered clear of any topics that could deemed deep and this, unfortunately, crossed the line. As if in synch with his thoughts, she growled.
Folding her arms across her chest, she peered at him as if to ask, 'who are you to judge me?' Her eyes were narrowed in distaste, but it was hard to tell whom she disliked more- Timmy or herself. A.J. wished he could get a straight answer out of her, but it seemed damn near impossible. Whenever he broached any subject, she gave him the runaround.
"What does it matter to you?" Tootie hissed, anger flashing in her eyes. You weren't madly in love with someone that you could never hope to attain as long as you lived. And if you were, you gave it up. I didn't have anything else.
I ran and ran until my gas went empty and then I still ran, choking out exhaust fumes.
Folding his arms across his own chest and matching her glare, he retorted. "It means the world to me."
Truly, it did. If it were just a crush, perhaps she'd get over it soon. Yes, he knew her home life was hardly anything to boast about, but maybe it was just a crush to alleviate the pain of living in the same house as Vicky. Tootie desperately needed to love and be loved and her needs weren't met in a house ruled by a dictator.
"Then get a new world," Tootie snapped, rising from the table and looking sorely tempted to shove her food tray down his throat. Grand, so that particular conversation hadn't worked out at all. Still, that didn't mean he was going to let her off the hook and permit her to just leave like this.
Gently, he seized one of her wrists and her eyes widened in shock. However, she didn't move to hit him or do anything else, just as he thought she wouldn't. This probably was the first time anyone had willingly touched her, other than Vicky, and she didn't really count as she hadn't done it in the same manner as him.
Underneath his fingers, her pulse raced and her cool façade broke down. Soundlessly, she dropped into the seat next to him and placed her tray back on the table. He could see the little gears working in her head and he wanted in- if she'd open herself up.
Nonetheless, even though he'd achieved his goal, he still held her wrist. It was a tiny, delicate thing, the translucent blue veins tracing her circulatory system. Unadorned by any bracelet or watch, it was still a thing of beauty, even if no one else saw it that way.
Tootie's eyes fell upon him, but a nasty retort died on her lips. She wasn't used to being this cruel, despite being around it constantly. On one hand, all she desired was to be left alone, but, on the other, it was probably the most tenderly she'd been dealt with in such a long time. She'd stay, if only for the moment.
Thinking aloud, A.J. inquired, in as soft a voice as he could muster, "When's the last time anyone willingly touched you?"
Turning her head, she gazed instead at the commotion regarding Veronica. That girl was in over her head, no doubt. She could see her fighting throngs of Trixie's supporters, some claiming that she'd made up the stuff in the diary and others mocking Trixie derisively. Distant cries of defense from her former best friend (although maybe they'd bridge the gap today) reached her and the towheaded girl shoved, kicked, and otherwise hurt her way through the group. She had to get to Trixie.
Timmy gazed after her, a woeful expression on his face. Were it not for the fact A.J. was holding her wrist tightly, she'd spit bitterly. Of course, leave him to go after the even more psychotic girl than her. Leave him to be so terribly shallow that he couldn't see the beauty that was right in front of him. Leave him-
Waving a hand in front of her face, he smiled at her. Despite being unable to read her innermost thoughts, it was apparent to anyone that she was ranting about something. And, given the fact her eyes were narrowed furiously at Veronica, he had a fairly good idea who the target was.
"Do you want to go outside?" He offered, sliding his hand from her wrist to her own. A blush spread across her face. For once, she was coy.
"I guess…" Glancing once more at the boy she'd thought she'd loved and the girl that perhaps he was interested in, Tootie permitted A.J. to hold her hand and walk her outside, to talk in the courtyard. She could do this…she hoped.
…
This was the very same thing Veronica thought, only under a completely different circumstance. She was going to confront Trixie about what she'd done and get some answers, whether or not it killed her. Unbeknownst to her, she kept defending her ex best friend, despite believing herself that she hated her guts. Perhaps in that moment, she felt pity for her and what they used to be.
The walkway was very ominous to her and, as she stood outside the principal's office, she wondered if she was doing the right thing, confronting her. Wouldn't it be better to just let sleeping dragons lie? What good could she possibly do, talking to her now after she tried to sabotage her?
A shadow moved within- no sense in running away now, she knew she was here. However, no less than a minute passed before Trixie opened the door and they were face to face. She could see in her eyes her sorrow.
"Ver, I…" However, she couldn't quite figure out what she was supposed to say and the words died on her lips. Instead, she retreated, inviting her into the office. Maybe here, she could redeem what was left of their good name.
"You what?" Veronica spat, surprising them both with her open hostility. Nonetheless, she walked into the office and sat down next to her. They'd never actually been in here on punishment, it was a new experience. Then again, when the principal found out that she'd done this, she'd probably be back in here.
"I'm sorry," Trixie murmured, bereft of any other explanation. Inclining her head, Trixie half bowed in her seat and Veronica maintained her scowl, seeing her through only a mass quantity of black hair. She hadn't even bothered to tuck it behind her ears, maybe she was sorry.
On the desk was her journal, open to the last page Trixie had read. At least it wasn't the page she'd read aloud, but she remembered that day just as well. Her fingers traced the words, but not lovingly. She'd hated that day and finding out that her best friend couldn't give a damn about her hurt; it really did.
"Ver, I do care about you," Trixie sighed, her eyes upon the loudspeaker and not her. There were things she could do or say to make this right, but what? What could she really say to her?
Instead of replying like a calm, decent rich girl, she cursed back at her. Trixie flinched, unaccustomed to such vulgar terms. Besides, she hadn't hung around that sort of beast long enough to see its droppings.
"And if you really cared about me," Veronica continued, rising and pointing a finger at her accusingly. "You'd drop out! Leave Timmy to me, because you clearly don't care!"
Her eyes were anywhere but upon her and Veronica hissed in anger. Abandoning all pretenses, she grabbed her by the hair and forced her to look into her eyes. This she did, but flinching again.
"Admit you don't love him and drop out. You could cause everyone less strife that way, including me. If you're such a good friend, then you'd only want to make me happy, right?"
Sighing heavily, Trixie turned to the mike again. Yes, she was right in so many ways. But should she tender her resignation just yet? Did she have any feelings for Timmy, buried deep within? Or did she just enjoy playing with his head in whatever way she deemed fit?
"Well?" Veronica pressed when Trixie didn't answer. There was an answer, but not the one she expected.
Seizing the mike, Trixie pressed down on the speaker button one last time and spoke loudly and clearly into the microphone. Silence rang in the office, unbroken by even breathing. Veronica couldn't stop staring.
"I, Trixie Elizabeth Tang, hereby give up on Timmy Turner. I don't like him, I never liked him, and I wholeheartedly give Veronica my support in trying to win him over.
"I never meant to treat Veronica like a third wheel and I shouldn't have been so self absorbed. I know I probably lost myself a friend because of that and I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I never listened to you, I'm sorry that I pretended my problems over my wardrobe, although substantial, were larger than yours.
"Do you forgive me?" She finished, looking at her for guidance.
"No."
…
Replies to reviews!
Moonjava- Thanks. I never thought of this story as deep before, though…Heh.
Can't think- Veronica might be a good friend, she might not. Right now, don't begrudge her because she doesn't trust Trix.
Yeah…it did stink. I didn't hit save and they were all gone. (sobs)
And, uh, you're welcome?
Evilevergreen- No comment for the first one.
Yeah…they, well, I won't say it.
Yeah Loi- She wasn't a bitch in Undercurrants, either. I don't know if anyone of you remember and miss that story.
Um, thanks and yeah, we need more icons.
Jentastic- Word doesn't like any of your pennames, apparently. Ugh.
At any rate, I'm a Timmy/Tootie fan too, believe it or not. I still can't see Timmy/Veronica, no matter how much I get into this story.
Um, thank you and TOS is very long indeed, but worth the reading. It really is.
I don't know if this changed or not, but I don't see "When the Magic Dies" among your list. Are you reading that?
Warprince2002- Yeah…just…no…
Ahhelga- I guess there are such things as pleasant surprises…and unpleasant ones too. This would be the former.
Thank you…and you need to get reading the latest TOS chapter, I think.
MisterBlue- Last but not least, we come to Blue. Hey, Blue!
Well, of course Trixie's childish, she's a child. And she could have prevented it from happening, but she didn't. She doesn't think before she acts unless it affects her social status.
Yeah…I'm thinking of actually ending this soon. I don't have a real big plot here.
Tootie is trying to protect herself. She's not about to put her love life on the line again. Poor, poor Toot.
Thank you…
And now I'm out of time and reviews! Come back later, won't you? And read and review, as always.
Later!
