Disclaimer: Fairly Oddparents does not belong to me.

Chapter Eleven: Perhaps

Reflecting on it, biting her lip contemplatively, she realized it didn't really matter what she thought. There was no way around the situation and, try as she might, musing endlessly changed nothing. Instead, she arrived repeatedly at the same conundrum. There simply had to be a solution, yet it eluded her.

Her social standing couldn't take a beating, could it? Well, considering what everyone knew now, perhaps it didn't matter. Wow, that was such a weird thing to think, that, for once, her popularity couldn't help her.

She couldn't believe that Veronica hadn't forgiven her yet. Moreover, she couldn't understand why her apology hadn't even helped in the slightest. There had to be something more that she could do to help, but what?

Veronica wanted Timmy, but what was she supposed to do with that tidbit? Surely she couldn't help her with that- or could she? What if she did something so tremendous, Timmy fell head over heels for her friend? Would she forgive her then? Well, it was worth a shot.

Tapping her fingers against the desk, she stared at the now empty office. A few minutes ago, Veronica had closed the door softly behind her and fled the scene. No other words had passed between them after her refusal; in the dim silence, all Trixie had were her thoughts.

So many times she'd taken her for granted, as though she could just dispose of her like a cheap outfit. But she could buy another friend, she'd reasoned before, same as another outfit could be selected off the rack. She hadn't really understood the rationale behind two people sharing more than common interests, but concerns as well. In her shallow little world, there were no such emotions that penetrated the surface. Everything was opaque; no one was who they seemed to be. In a way, she'd learned the tricks of the trade and treated her similarly.

Why was it that she only learned her lesson when it was too late to do anything? If she hadn't been so cruel to Timmy, then maybe she could have spared him the heartbreak that she'd accidentally given him. Still, she'd maintained an indifference- one she held currently. But his happiness affected Veronica's and that was the most important thing right now.

Even if he didn't like her anymore, he thought her pretty. Everyone, save for the girls, found her attractive. She could use that, couldn't she? And, for once, not just for her benefit.

No, that didn't make any sense. How would beautifying herself help her out? She had to think of something else.

What about redoing her so she outshone her? Stepping aside and letting Veronica claim her right as the head of the popular girls? Could she sacrifice herself for her joy?

There was only one way to find out. Eyes falling upon the loudspeaker once again, she gently shoved it away. Work was to be done and soon, before the time flew away from her.

Veronica wondered if she'd been overly cruel in her brush off. Did she really hate her (ex) best friend that much? Or was it frustration over at the realization that winning Timmy over might take more effort than she'd previously thought?

True, Tootie was out of the picture as well as Trixie, but that didn't mean Timmy was easy to beguile. Surprisingly, her charms alone might not suffice. She had to think about this seriously; Valentine's hearts were for sissies, anyway. She had to do something, and it had to be big. But what?

Around her, a chill wind picked up and she shivered, noticing out of the corner of her eye a shadow moving behind her. But who would be insane enough to venture out in the winter chill? Well, she wasn't counting herself, because everyone else thought her insane. She sighed heavily, hugging herself for warmth.

"Veronica?" The voice called; she turned, rubbing her hands along her red long sleeved shirt. What a fool she'd been to charge out of the side entrance by the cafeteria and yet forget to bring her jacket. Had Trixie robbed her of her common sense?

Seeing the person to whom the shadow belonged stole the breath from her lungs. Her eyes widened, but she acted just as cool and nonchalant as if she were Trixie. She was the only person she'd learned how to deal with boys from. Her mother was never around and didn't care.

Even though she maintained apathy visibly, a blush spread across her face. She couldn't help it- he always made her blush. There was something so charming about his silly pink hat, his ridiculous pink shirt, and that bucktooth. It was new, it was innovative, and it made her heart skip beats. Physical attraction aside, she admired his tenacity- until today, he'd done everything his power to get Trixie to notice him. Despite it being a failed venture, she sincerely believed that he deemed it within his power to coerce her friend.

"Timmy? What are you doing out here?" Veronica asked, pushing the words past her light pink lips. They shone in the bitter winter sun.

Swallowing hard, she watched him take her in. Today, she'd chosen to wear her hair down, so it touched her shoulders. Pink streaks coursed through, complimenting her all pink wardrobe. Other than the Goths, every girl she knew was wearing pink today. It was just a girl thing to do.

A tight pink long sleeved shirt covered her torso, including a sizeable bust that, although smaller than Trixie's, was hardly insubstantial. For a second, she felt his eyes on this, then they fell to her lower proportions. For once, he was actually checking her out.

Her ruffled blouse led to red hip hugger pants, accompanied with a loose belt around her middle. It, of course, had hearts and a portrait of what the artist envisioned Cupid looked like. She hadn't the foggiest notion if he was right or not (not having seen fairies or cherubs herself), but she didn't particularly mind at the moment. For now, all that mattered was he was looking at her.

The pink hip huggers, with slim, muscular legs (she admitted, she did jog around a bit), led to pink stiletto heels and an ankle bracelet with the only woman she'd loved deeply, her grandmother's name carved within. All together, she hoped she looked presentable; but more that he liked what he saw.

A blush spread across his face to rival hers and, very carefully (as one had to be incredibly careful in stiletto heels), she approached him. Owing to the fact that she wore heels, she easily overshadowed him, and, so, she had to crouch down to his level. If they were going to do anything other than talk, she'd like it if he could reach her.

"Y-you look nice," He stammered and she withheld a giggle. He was so cute when he was flustered. Naturally, he was cute all the time, but especially now. Oh, and then when he was upset and…wait, she was rambling.

"And you're always in the season, aren't you?" She teased lightly, indicating a bench near the fields where they could sit. Crouching, you see, wasn't an endeavor she much fancied.

"Huh?" He replied, clueless. Once again, he was so cute when he was clueless. Oh, wait, wasn't that flustered? Oh, whatever. He was always cute.

Shaking her head and trying to bite back her mirth, she instead gently led him in the direction of the metal bench, about ten feet long and nearly sunk into the mud upon which it stood. Ugh, that meant she'd have to get her shoes dirty, didn't it? Curse that rain and the above zero temperatures for creating so much moisture.

Sitting carefully down (and inspecting her shoes with distaste), she patted the space next to her. Timmy did indeed sit down…about five feet away. She sighed, wondering whether this was a combination of Trixie's reading out her diary and everyone's reaction to her or something else that she wasn't privy to. Then again, she could hardly expect him to go from thinking her crazy to wanting to go out.

"You always wear pink, Timmy," She said pointedly, refraining from rolling her eyes. Honestly, were all boys this thick or was it just him?

Blushing again, he felt the top of his head, where his trademark silly pink hat perched. What, did he suddenly think he'd forgotten to put it on this morning? Again, another moment of cuteness, but she thought she'd pass on admiring it. There were some out there that probably wanted to keep down their lunches.

"Um…Veronica?" He inquired, as though they'd just met. She decided to consider this nerves and ignored it.

"Yes?" She replied sweetly, abstaining from touching his face. He was so close…

"Did Trixie really mean what she said before?" He asked earnestly, holding her gaze in his. Grr, this was not what she wanted to talk about. Then again, she couldn't recall just what it was she'd desired before his cerulean blue eyes pulled her in.

Avoiding a verbal reply, she nodded simply. Maybe she shouldn't have begrudged her that apology. Then again, who was to say that she wasn't right? How was she supposed to know her supposed intentions?

"Did you forgive her?"

How should she answer this? If she said no, would he take that mean she was heartless or sensible? If she said yes, would he consider her a fool? When talking with Timmy Turner, you see, one had to calculate everything. However, there was always the worst approach, the one she inevitably used. She blurted out the answer.

"No! Why should I?" She fired, folding her arms across her chest. Before she could formulate the sentences in her mind (where things usually sounded so much better), the rest came tumbling out.

"She tried to upstage me for what? She doesn't even like you! She just wants to make my life miserable-"

Rising to his feet, he gave her a very cold look. Apparently, blurting out was not the proper recourse. This was what happened when her brain and her mouth didn't quite connect.

"You know what? I was half thinking of maybe doing more than seeing you in school, but if you can't give your best friend the benefit of the doubt, even if it is Trixie Tang, then maybe you're not worth it. Who can hold onto a grudge with someone they were supposed to be so close to for so long?

"And what? Over me? Thanks, but no thanks."

Casting one last damning look upon her face, he pivoted on his heel and left, rendering Veronica in a stunned state. When the bell rang, she failed to hear it.

My God, this story has a mind of its own. It likes to slide away from me…

Oh, well. By the way, this chapter was penned on the basis of a free write I started in the middle of my free period sixth. That's the only reason I updated this soon.

Replies to reviews:

warprince2000- No comment.

Moonjava- I suppose. You'll have to excuse my lack of enthusiasm- I'm not in a great mood.

He is growing up, bit by bit. Moving on from Trixie Tang definitely is a step in the right direction.

Yeah Loi- Maybe some of her reactions to Trixie go deeper than superficiality.

Thank you.

Princess Sakura- You remind me of Cardcaptor Sakura. How I loved that anime.

Thank you.

Jentastic- You're welcome and thank you.

Evilevergreen- Apparently, no one expected her not to forgive her. But I still think that there are some wounds that go deeper than what one sees. There are things we haven't seen.

Yes, Tootie is a rather sharp kid. I always depict her as thus, no matter what the writers of FOP deem fit. I believe, in order to survive a household with Vicky, one must be pretty intelligent.

And thank you.

can't think- Nor can I. I've had my fair share of bad friends myself.

Thank you.

And that's it for reviews. Thank you and come again. Oh, and please read and review. It might make me feel better.