I would like to dedicate my entire story to maggie-mae-pie, for motivating me to finish it. For any one who ends up falling in love with this story and these characters as much as I have, please thank her for it. I, for one, am eternally grateful. (Not to quote Toy Story, but there you go.)

**AU INFO ALERT: Lizzie and Miranda have not yet met Gordo, as will be explained. The story starts off in Orlando, Florida. Enjoy!


OPPOSITES ATTRACT

evilblackleprican


CHAPTER ONE

Saying Goodbye


"But that's not true!"

My words were for naught. Miranda continued giggling all over the place, making a complete fool out of herself in my opinion. I chose to stay out of it. I was not about to encourage her any further.

"Oh, Elizabeth! It is so true! You have had the biggest thing against Kate Sanders ever since she and Ethan started going together. Well, more so than you had before." Taking another sip of her drink, she continued. "Come on, Liz. Just let it go and say goodbye to her. She's standing right over there. It won't be that bad, I promise."

We were at the mall, sneaking in one last shopping trip before I left for Cali the following day. It was going great, until we spotted my archenemy pigging out in the Food Court. And I use that term loosely.

I huffed. "No freaking way, Miranda! I am going to make a total fool out of myself. She hates me, and I'm not too fond of her. There's no reason I need to say goodbye to anybody but you! Well, and maybe a couple of others."

She sighed. "Come on, Liz. You don't want the remnants of bad blood between you and any other person to follow you to the grave. I say you end it here and now, and you'll never have to deal with it again."

"But that's the beauty of leaving, Miranda. I will never have to deal with her again. Ever."

"You don't know that. The only thing you avoid by leaving is the confrontation scene. And trust me, it's time for a confrontation scene."

"Oh, didn't I tell you? The script has been rewritten, and, look at that, the confrontation scene has been cut! Oh well."

"Go!" She forced me to the other side of the room. Not that I didn't put up a good fight. It's just that, this is Miranda we're talking about. Only she can force me to do anything she wants! She possesses this power. And what's worse, she knows it too.

"What do you two dimwits want? I am actually trying to enjoy my post-graduation vacation over here and I don't need you all ruining it for me."

"Hi, Kate," Miranda slurred with fake kindness. "It's good to see there's still someone out there who hasn't changed at all since the fourth grade."

"At all." I muttered.

Kate started but Miranda cut her off. "Elizabeth here, you remember her right?" she pulled me out in front of her, with an iron grip I should say, "is actually leaving today. You know, because of her big fancy scholarship and all to UCLA. But before she moves on to bigger and better things, she just really wants to remember the little people who helped her get there."

Kate smiled. I wished she wouldn't. "So, Elizabeth, still have Miranda speaking for you, I see. You know, it's going to be hard to find another speaker in California, especially one just as bitchy. No worries though. Your scholarship will probably cover it. I wonder if it covers babysitters as well? Personal servants? Parents?"

"Shut up, Kate. We all know you're just jealous that you have to stay here in Florida while me and Miranda go off and do something better with our lives. I guess daddy's money can't buy everything, especially a brain."

There was a blur of vision before I went tumbling backwards, the wind knocked out of me. I ended up on the ground, looking up at her. I hated this position. "Don't you dare compare yourself to me, McGuire! Don't you get it? We're not even in the same league! I am so filthy rich, I can do whatever I want for the rest of my life! You, McGuire, will always have to work a hundred times harder to get half as far as me. You, McGuire, will always be my inferior. You better get used to that." With that, Kate stormed off in the opposite direction, leaving all her food behind. What a waste.

Dazed, I looked up at Miranda who was staring back at me with a sheepish grin splashed across her face. "Heh, maybe the confrontation scene was cancelled."

I smiled. "I told you."


THE NEXT DAY, at Kyle's House

"Aw! Aw! Yes! No! Wait! Shit! Agh! Man! No! Yes! Shit! Yes! Aw! YES! YES! Aw! Yes! Ah-haa! VICTORY! Suck on that, David! SUCK...ON...IT!" Kyle went wild. He threw himself across the room, onto the couch, up and down, every which way.

"Ef this!" I threw down my controller. Legend of Zelda was so not worth the aggravation.

Kyle continued. "Ah-haa! Whoo-hoo! Yeah! You sir," he said, pointing at me, "just got OWNED!"

I just shook my head. "Ef you."

He laughed. "Aww…poor David. Now, come on, pay up, pay up."

Begrudgingly, I reached for my wallet. Somehow, I did not expect to spend my last day in Florida losing what was left of my savings to my best friend. I was on the verge of becoming broke before our trip even began, but, somehow, I didn't care. I looked up at Kyle's mischievous eyes and smiled. It was impossible for me to stay mad at him, which really wasn't fair. He was a dick most of the time, and to me anyways. He didn't care. But that was Kyle. We were best friends regardless, and he was coming with me to UCLA. We were going to be roommates for the next four years. I had plenty of time to con him back.

Kyle quickly snatched up the bills that I lay before him. "Whoo-hoo! Yeah! Awesome!" Then, to me, as seriously as he could muster, "I just want you to know, your money is greatly appreciated."

I rolled my eyes and punched him in the shoulder. "Don't get too attached. I have every intention of winning it back, plus interest. But first, we need to get you packing. You do realize we need to leave in an hour to catch our flight? And you haven't even begun to pack, idiot."

His smile quickly evaporated. There was a look of confusion in his eyes. "Umm…flight?"

I laughed and punched him again. "Yeah. Flight. How else are we going to get to California?"

He froze. "California?"

I laughed again, a little more nervously this time. "Yeah. California. Home of UCLA? We have to get there two months before the fall semester begins in order to claim our dorm room? Remember? Any of this a-ringing a bell?"

Without a word, Kyle quickly got up and left the room. As if he had forgotten about something. I stood there, a bit put off. Okay? It didn't last long though because as swiftly as he left, he came back, a letter in hand. And a very important one by the looks of it.

"Yeah…um," he said, keeping his head down, running his free hand through his dark brown hair. I had a feeling this wasn't going to be good. "About that whole…UCLA thing, um…," he handed me the letter, "…yeah."

I snatched the letter and tore it open.

Dear Kyle Pennyworth,

CONGRATULATIONS! You have been accepted into Harvard University.

I stared at the congratulatory opening lines, willing them to bleed off the page. They never did. "Kyle...wh-what is the meaning of this?"

Kyle put on his best joking, affable, charismatic face. The weasel. "Well, as the letter obviously states, David, I've been accepted to Harvard," he laughed. Like an idiot. Like a dick. I told you.

I, however, was not laughing. "Yes. I see that Kyle," I stated in a dangerous tone. I glared, "I thought you were rejected. You told me you were rejected."

"Oh, I was. I mean…the letter explains it. Further down. You see, it was all just a big mistake. I mean, I didn't even know until a couple of *cough* days ago."

"A couple of days." My head was pounding. "You're telling me, you didn't know until a couple of days ago?"

"Well…," he stammered. He was treading hot water, and he knew it. "I would say more like a few weeks."

I started. "It was two months, Kyle! Read the eff-ing date!"

He backed away. The coward. "Okay, okay. Calm down. I just—I-"

"And when exactly were you planning on telling me this? Y'know, since I'm supposed to be leaving in AN HOUR, and all?" I stalked towards him, with every intention of pounding his face in.

"We-well. Ok. That part I might've forgotten."

He forgot. He forgot his best friend, the only one capable of dealing with all his shit, was leaving for good in an hour. Too mad to see straight, and too scared as to what that might entail, I left-slamming the door hard behind me.

It's times like these you wish you were 21.


MEANWHILE, at Lizzie's House

The time had come. How was I supposed to deal with this? I was leaving, without Miranda, MIRANDA! The one person who has truly been there through it all. A lifetime of memories we had built together were now dissipating before my eyes. And she was telling me to calm down?

I was in the process of a complete nervous breakdown, and Miranda was helpless to do anything. "Liz, deep breaths, ok? This is not a never-ending separation. We'll see each other real soon, I promise. And we'll talk every day. There's nothing to get this upset over."

I nodded, trying to understand, trying to refrain from becoming this blubbering baby. But no such luck. The harder I tried to stop from crying, the more tears popped out. Miranda gently grabbed my hand and rested it under her chin. Letting out a deep sigh, she pleaded, "Please, Liz. You have to be strong about this. You have to be mature about this. You just have to."

I looked up at her. Her signature smirk was irresistible. I rolled my eyes. "I'm not stupid, Miranda. I know I'm overreacting, but I can't help it. I just feel like, I'm being separated from everything I know, from everyone I know." I sighed, looking back down. "Maybe this UCLA thing isn't a good idea after all."

As soon as I said it, I knew I didn't mean it. But it was too late. Miranda's stern look was as scary as my mom's and I instantly wished I could have taken my last sentence back. "Elizabeth." Her voice was audible and even. Scary. "You and I both know your dream is in Los Angeles, not in Boston. You belong there, Liz, not with me."

I nodded, understanding completely. I mean, it was a full-ride scholarship they were offering...to the school of my dreams! I'd be a fool to pass it up, even if I wanted to. Miranda's dream was to become a lawyer, go to law school. I couldn't blame her for going after it. Ay, Elizabeth, you're being selfish as usual. "Oh, Miranda," I cracked. "I'm going to miss you so much." I attacked her, giving her an elaborate health-hazardous squeeze.

"Oof! Liz! Control yourself!" Breaking free from my grip, she quickly straightened out any signs of dishevelment. I smiled. "Oh, Liz. You know I'm gonna miss you, too. You don't think I'm just as scared? I don't know anybody at Harvard! But you just gotta think positive. And don't you dare use me as a cop out either!"

I started. "A cop out? How would I use you as a cop out?"

She gave me a stern look. Again. "I know you, Liz. You're gonna use me as a crutch in order to get out of meeting new people. And I won't allow it."

My face flushed. "Y'know Miranda, your concern touches me, really, but, um, I already have a mother. Yeah, and I don't think she needs your help."

Miranda just calmly shrugged her shoulders. "No need to get defensive, Liz. I'm just saying."

"Just saying what? That I'm incapable of meeting new friends? Do you honestly think that?" That hurt.

Miranda shook her head, waving her hands in the air as if trying to brush off the whole thing. "No, no, no, that's not what I'm saying."

"Then what are you saying?" I pressed.

"Forget it."

"No," I wasn't gonna let her get away with this. "You brought it up. What are you saying?"

"No, I'm not gonna say. It's only gonna lead to another argument, and you have to get going or else you're gonna miss your flight."

"It's not gonna lead to another argument."

"We're already in an argument!"

"No we're not. Just tell me. I promise, I won't take offense. I promise."

She gave me a look.

I placed my hand over my heart. "I promise."

"Fine," she said, pointing a finger at me. "You promised."

I nodded.

"Well," she began. "I get worried, Liz."

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. "Worried? About what, 'Randa?"

She sighed. "Oh, Liz. You know how you get around boys." I started. "It's just not healthy!"

"There's nothing wrong with the way I deal with boys." I shot.

She raised her eyebrows. "You've only gone on one date in your entire life, Liz. And ever since then, you push guys away like they're the plague!"

"I do not."

"Yes, you do! No one even tries to ask you out here anymore 'cause they already know what the answer's gonna be."

"I resent that Miranda, I really do. You're lucky I even tried. You've seen our friend Kelly and the abusive relationship she's in. I've told you a million times, I will never be a victim to male pleasure!"

"You really think one date constitutes as trying? Are you an idiot? You have no idea what it's like to be in a real relationship with true companionship."

"Don't you preach to me, Miranda Sanchez. You don't have any idea what a real relationship feels like either."

"No I don't, but I know how it's supposed to work, which is more than I can say for you. Tell me, Liz, exactly what is it about finding your soulmate that's so scary it's not worth the effort? Is it that there might actually be someone perfect for you out there, and you don't have a choice as to who it is? Or is it that you might actually fall in love with someone besides yourself?"

"Where is all this coming from, Miranda? You're never this nasty."

She took a deep breath. "It's coming from a place I've been hiding for the past couple of years, Liz. And I'm sorry to unleash it all on you like this. I guess if you want to give up on love based on one lousy date, that's your decision to make. And I have to respect it."

"It is my decision to make, 'Randa. And I've made it. I just never thought I would need to explain to you of all people my reasons for it."

She nodded. "If you don't want to talk about what happened that night, I won't push it. But you gotta understand, Liz. You tell me everything. Everything. But you won't tell me this. What am I supposed to think?"

"Just trust me, 'Randa. Have a little faith in me. I know what I'm doing."

"I want to believe you, Liz. You know I do. But I also don't want to see you make a horrible mistake that leaves you unhappy for the rest of your life." She hugged me then. A true hug, a friendship hug. "Just be careful, Liz. Please?"

I nodded, hugging her back. I needed Miranda. I don't know how she could deny it, but I did. She is my best friend; leaving her didn't feel right.

"Ok," Miranda pulled away. "Now let's get you on your way!"


ONE HOUR LATER, at Gordo's House

I don't know why I was so surprised. Kyle had always been a jerk, he was known to be a jerk, but like this? I thought I knew him a little better than that. I slammed my trunk, having finished packing my last bit of luggage. I went inside to retrieve my keys, taking everything in one last time before I left to the airport.

I knew this whole Kyle thing was stupid and immature, and if I was totally honest with myself I knew I was just jealous. Kyle and I talked about going to Harvard together, me to go into filming, him to go into producing. We were gonna be the perfect power pair. We were gonna take Hollywood by storm. But when push came to shove, I chickened out, and he didn't.

Still, he didn't seem the slightest bit worried about it. As long as Kyle got what Kyle wanted, it didn't matter how anybody else felt. I must've not been that much of a friend to him in the first place.

With one final grunt, I turned my back on this place and started to my car. Gravity caught hold of me, however, and I toppled to the asphalt. Looking up at the clouds, I cursed my life. After a second, I brushed myself off and continued with my bruised ego, and what was left of my dignity. I took out my keys and put them in the lock. They turned, but the door wouldn't open. "Damn door!" I yelled. Struggling, I pushed the key a little further and the whole thing broke all together.

I glanced up to catch of glimpse of my neighbor staring through is garden window quite amused. Now I was furious. I kicked and scratched and punched at the door until, finally, it popped open. I climbed in, took out my pocket knife and started the car. At first the battery sputtered, but then I heard smoke blow out of the back with such force it took the bumper down with it.

And with that, I took off, the door still hanging wide open, the engine stuttering and dying, and my neighbor rolling on the ground laughing. I didn't care, though. I had a whole new life waiting for me in California. And I was never looking back.


K. It's a bit different. But...in a good way? Maybe?

Let me know what you guys think! And happy late thanksgiving to everyone!