Title: Not How You Expected

Summary: After Rome, Lizzie is at a crossroads and her life didn't turn out how she expected. While her popularity soars, she finds herself drifiting from her true friends. When a mistake happens, what will she do? And who will be there for her? L/G

Black Knight 03: Thanks for all of your help so far and for your future help. It means a lot to me.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters you recognize in this story.

"Lizzie!" yelled Mrs. McGuire. "I'm not going to ask you one more time to get your butt down here."

"Ok," sighed Lizzie. She was up in her room sitting on the floor next to Kate. Kate was her best friend and they were having a serious conversation. "We'd better get going."

"Yeah," said Kate rolling her eyes, "we know how moms are."

They ran down the stairs to see a set of aggravated looking parents.

"Lizzie," said Mr. McGuire, "when we ask you to come, you come right away, ok?"

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, whatever," she mumbled.

"Correct response, or you're grounded," threatened Mrs. McGuire.

"Yes, sir. I'll come right away," said Lizzie.

"Better," commented Mr. McGuire.

"What we wanted to tell you, is that your dad and I are going on a little honeymoon to Las Vegas for a few weeks, so Grandma is coming to watch you and Matt," explained Mrs. McGuire.

"So why isn't Matt here listening to all of this?" asked Lizzie.

"You know he's over at Melina's today," said Mr. McGuire.

"On a date," laughed Lizzie.

"No," he said. "They are just friends."

"That's what you think," said Lizzie. "They're tight...they just hide it well."

"Enough about your brother!" yelled Mrs. McGuire. "The reason we're talking to you about it first is that we want to know if you'll be able to handle it. Of course Grandma will be here to supervise you two, but it will be a big responsibility for both of you."

Suddenly, Lizzie perked up her ears. "Well..." she thought, "it will be a chance to be parent free."

"Ok," said Lizzie aloud, "we'll be fine. Matt and I are totally capable of this trip. You and mom have a great time and we'll hold down the fort...er, of course with Nana's help." She beamed a smile, trying to look confident and mature.

Mrs. McGuire wasn't so sure of Lizzie's smile. She tugged on her husband's shirt and pulled him aside. "Sam," she whispered in his ear, "I don't think she really means what she's saying."

"Of course she does," he said, "why wouldn't she?"

"Don't you get our daughter?" she whispered. "She's a teenager for one, and that basically says it all."

"We were teenagers once," he said.

"Yeah," she said, "and we got into trouble."

"True," said Mr. McGuire. "So you're saying we forget this honeymoon?"

"No," she said, "I just say that we have more than my mom taking care of her. We should also have your friends stop by once in a while to keep an eye on them. I'm not saying that they will do anything, but just in case. I know they're growing up, and we can't keep an eye on them all the time, but we can get help. They won't even know that we have more then one set of eyes on them."

"Good plan," whispered Mr. McGuire.

"Ok, Lizzie," said Mrs. McGuire raising her voice. "Your father and I have come up with a plan, and we think you can handle it."

Lizzie and Kate screeched. "You so won't regret it mom. You have a great time with dad, why don't you start packing now?" she jumbled really fast.

"Hold your horses," said Mr. McGuire. "Your mother and I won't be leaving for a couple of days. At that time we'll pick your Grandma up from the airport."

"It will all be cool," said Lizzie. "See ya."

"Not so fast," said Mrs. McGuire in a stern voice. "Come here right this moment."

"What's the problem?" asked Lizzie turning around. She stepped up to her mom but kept half of her face hidden.

"Face me," demanded her mom.

With a look of annoyance on her face, she did so.

"What is that!" yelled Mrs. McGuire.

"Oh this?" asked Lizzie like it was nothing. She pointed to a ring in her nose.

"You know what I have to say about piercing parts other than your ear," said Mrs. McGuire.

"Mom," whined Lizzie, "it's just a small little diamond ring in the side of my nose. It's hardly noticeable."

"Oh yes it is," said Mrs. McGuire. "I don't know why you go behind my back and do things like that. It doesn't get you anywhere. It just makes you look low class."

"It's cool, mom, and besides. It's nothing like Miranda's two eyebrow piercings or Kate's tongue piercing," said Lizzie.

Mrs. McGuire looked at Kate. "You have a tongue piercing?" she asked.

"Guilty," commented Kate. She slightly stuck out her tongue to reveal the ring pierced through it.

"You know what. I'm not going to deal with it now. I have to think about my honeymoon. But when I get back, Miss-Do-things-behind-her-mother's back, you are going to be grounded," said Mrs. McGuire.

"You can't do that!" exclaimed Lizzie. "Everyone has their nose pierced. I bet their moms didn't care."

"Well I care, and I will do something about it," said her mom, "just be happy you have three weeks before your punishment."

Lizzie was annoyed, but didn't see any point in arguing with her mom. It never got her anywhere. "Sorry," she mumbled just to satisfy her parents.

"Go back to you room," said Mrs. McGuire.

The two girls went back up the stairs to Lizzie's room. When the door was shut behind them Lizzie sighed. She looked over at Kate and let out a deep breath and pulled up her shirt. "At least my mom hasn't caught this yet," said Lizzie pointing to her bellybutton ring. "That would be the end of the world."

"So you regret it?" asked Kate.

"No," said Lizzie. "I'm glad you pierced it for me. On a happier note, it will be totally awesome once my parents leave. I can't wait!"

A/N: Please review and let me know what you think so far. Thanks! I'll be updating within a few days I promise, so please check back. And for my readers of "Never a Boring Moment" and "Moving On 2" I am so sorry that I haven't updated in so long. I am in a block at the moment, and hope to come up with some more ideas soon. Thanks.