Disclaimer: Nope, nothing. Believe me, if I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction. Right? Don't you agree? Yeah, I thought so.
'nyways, this is my first Lizzie McGuire fic, so go easy on me, k? I hope the people aren't totally out of character, and I hope u guys like this story!
A few more things:
Plz, plz, plz, if you like Animorphs, read my stories! (yay!) GO T/R! Awww…
AND, if you guys have any Lizzie/Gordo fics you would like me to R/R, recommend them to me! L/G ROCKZ! It's just soooo cute! J Ya know what I mean, right?
:: Flashbacks say, well, flashback ::
:: Italics occur when the person is thinking ::
:: There will be NO animated Lizzie in this story. I found it too hard to balance reality and well, thinking. Yep, thinking. That's what I'm talking about. *Pats myself on the back* Good job, Lauren! ::
FeelingsBy Tic-Tac
* Chapter one – No POV *
"Hello?"
"Oh, hi Mrs. Sanchez! This is Lizzie. Could I talk to Miranda?" Lizzie twirled the phone cord around her finger. She brushed a lock of blonde hair out of her eyes, nearly jumping around her room in giddy excitement.
"Sure. Hold on." She heard Miranda's mom yell up the stairs in Spanish. Lizzie grinned as she heard her friend's voice on the phone a few seconds later.
"Hey Lizzie! What's up?" Miranda said.
"Guess –,"
"Okay, okay, I'm going. Jeez, don't have a cow!" Miranda yelled. Lizzie heard a slam of a door and a sigh at the other end of the line.
"Sorry Liz. Mom's are so annoying!" Lizzie could almost picture her friend roll her eyes, "so, I repeat, what's up?"
"Well, only that Ethan Craft asked me to the dance!" Lizzie almost screamed. Both girls started squealing into the phone.
"What did he say? Tell me!" Miranda asked, still squealing. Lizzie sat down on her bed, feet up in the air. She grinned.
"He said, 'hey Lizz-ay! Are you going to the dance?'" Lizzie said excitedly.
There was silence at the end of the line.
"So?" Lizzie said impatiently, "Isn't that totally awesome?"
"Great!" Miranda said, way too late. Lizzie sighed and rolled her eyes.
"You're not jealous, right?" She asked, still sighing.
"No, it's just, he didn't really ask you, did he? I mean, he just asked if you would be there." Miranda said. Lizzie rolled her eyes.
"Miranda, it's not what he says, it's how he says it. He wanted me to be there!" She persisted.
"Okay, cool. Maybe now I can get a date, too. If you can get one, I most definitely can!" Miranda joked. Lizzie laughed.
"Oh, funny. Yes, joke about me. Yeah, I appreciate it." Lizzie said between giggles.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Lizzie. Digital Bean at one, right?"
"Yep. See you there!"
"Bye!"
"Ciao!"
Click.
Lizzie set the phone down and stared at her bed sheets, grinning and giggling. She couldn't believe it. The cutest guy in the whole school had asked her if she was going to the dance.
She pinched herself. Yep, still alive.
Lizzie rolled on her back and looked at her ceiling, the only part of her room not covered in her junk and prized possessions. Her heart fluttered nervously. She would need to find a good outfit for the dance. Lizzie bit her lip, thinking. What would look the best?
What about - -
"Lizzie! Come here please!" Lizzie slowly got up and walked downstairs, holding the phone. She met her mom at the bottom of the stairs. She was grasping Lizzie's brother, Matt, by an ear. Matt mouthed, 'help me'. Lizzie grinned and shook her head. Matt gave her a look of pure terror.
"Your brother," Jo McGuire said angrily, tugging Matt's ear, "Is in trouble with the school."
"Big surprise there." Lizzie said sarcastically. Jo raised her eyebrows and put a hand on her hip.
"Your father and I are going to talk with his principal. Matt somehow 'mysteriously' forgot he had detention today. Anyways, you need to stay home for a while."
"Sure Mom." Lizzie smiled at Matt. He glared at her.
"Two things. One: we'll be at the school. Two: there's dinner in the fridge. I don't know how long we'll be at Matt's school." Jo narrowed her eyes at her son. He grinned innocently up at her and blinked his eyes. Lizzie rolled her eyes and nodded.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Great. We'll be leaving now. C'mon young man!" Jo marched Matt out the door. Lizzie just smiled at Matt and waved. Seconds later, Lizzie's dad rushed out the door, holding the car keys.
"Good luck!" Lizzie called to the departing car. As soon as they left, she sighed with relief. Lizzie loved her family, but sometimes everything was too chaotic for her to think clearly. She grinned as she thought back to the conversation with Ethan earlier that day.
::FLASHBACK::
"Hey Lizz-ay! Are you going to the dance?" Ethan said, grinning and nodding. Lizzie blushed.
"Yeah, of course I'm going! You're going to be there too, right?" She said, smiling.
"Well, yeah, I just asked you, didn't I?" Ethan said, confused. Lizzie sighed. He's so cute when he does that!
"You did."
"Oh. Good. I remembered saying something! See you Monday, along with all the other pretty ladies!" Ethan said, running his hand through his hair. He started to walk away. After a second, he turned around.
"Hey, Lizz-ay?" Ethan asked.
"What?" Lizzie spun around, her heart fluttering madly. He called her pretty!
"Does my hair look good?"
"Oh. It looks fine."
:: END OF FLASHBACK::
He totally likes me, Lizzie thought, sitting on the couch and turning on the television. She flipped through the channels, rolling her eyes at each one.
Click. Cooking. Boring.
Click. Animal Planet. Not now.
Click. Tennis. Maybe later.
Click. News. Lizzie turned up the volume and sat back, listening.
"So, over to the weather. Dave?"
"Thanks Cathy. Here's the weather for this week." Dave pointed to the weather screen behind him.
"Okay. Watch out for storms tonight, possibly thunder and lightning. Also there might be some rain moving in on the west side. So, I guess you shouldn't hold up a metal rod this evening!" Dave laughed and continued, "Saturday and Sunday should have some - - - -,"
Lizzie muted the TV and frowned. She didn't like thunder and lightning, not to mention both at the same time! She shivered and pulled a blanket over herself. She glanced at the window. The sky was starting to get grayish, and droplets of rain beat the window. Lizzie bit her lip nervously and looked at the phone lying beside her. She picked it up and dialed.
Ring... ring... ring ---"Hello? Jo McGuire speaking."
"Mom, it's Lizzie."
"What did you do?"
"Nothing!"
"Okay. What is it?"
"Well," Lizzie said, picking at the stitches in her pillow, "I was wondering if I could invite Miranda and Gordo over. You know, to keep me company…"
"Why do you really want them to come over?"
"There's going to be a storm tonight. You know me…"
"Sure, honey. If it's okay with their parents."
"Oh, thank you Mom!" Lizzie grinned happily.
"Have fun. Don't get into trouble." Lizzie rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Don't worry. I'll see you later! Make sure the brat gets what he deserves!"
"Lizzie!"
"Sorry. Bye!"
"I'll see you later tonight."
Lizzie hung up the phone, and immediately dialed again.
Pick up, pick up, please...
"Hello?"
"Gordo, this is Lizzie."
"Oh, hi!"
"Yeah, well, I was wondering if you could come over. If it's okay with your mom and dad." Lizzie said into the phone, twisting the cord around her finger.
"Just a sec." Lizzie heard the phone being set down. She waited, crossing her fingers. After a minute the phone was picked up again.
"Lizzie? They say yes."
"Great!"
"I'll see you in a few."
"Okay, bye!" Lizzie smiled, hanging up the phone. Taking a deep breath, she again dialed the phone, warm from talking for so long. This time, Miranda picked up.
"Hello?"
"This is Lizzie--,"
"Hi Liz!"
"Can you come over?" She heard a distant click along with yelling and shuffling. Finally, Lizzie heard her friend's voice.
"I'm there." Miranda said, out of breath.
"See ya. Gordo's coming too."
"Bye!"
Finally. Lizzie grinned and jumped up. She was excited. Her best friends were coming! Not just one, but both! Lizzie squealed. They were going to have so much fun. She then glanced outside again. The trees were swaying in the wind and rain. A flash illuminated the sky for a second, and went out as quickly as it had come. Lizzie walked over to the refrigerator. Jo had left cold pizza.
So much for dinner!Lizzie pulled a slice out and set it on a plate. She shoved it in the microwave and set the timer. As soon as she started the countdown, there was a ring at the door. Lizzie rushed to the door and opened it hurriedly.
Gordo stood at the door, hands in his pockets. He smiled at Lizzie and looked past her into the house.
"So, Miranda here yet?" He asked, grinning at her. Lizzie gave him a sidelong look.
"How'd you know she was coming, Gordo?" She asked. He shrugged.
"Let's just say I know you well." He said, stepping into the house and running a hand through his unruly brown hair. Thunder crashed somewhere in the distance. Gordo looked at Lizzie quickly and raised his eyebrows.
"Scared?" He asked. Lizzie looked away and shrugged. Gordo smiled.
"Maybe."
"Yeah, well," Gordo said, putting an arm around her shoulders, "You've got your best friend here to call 911 if you struck by lightning."
"Gordo!" Lizzie said, glaring lightheartedly at him. She laughed and tugged at his arm.
"Hungry?" She asked, motioning towards the kitchen, "I've got a real delicacy in there: cold pizza."
"I love America!" Gordo said, holding his hands up in prayer. Lizzie grinned at him.
"C'mon, let's have some. I'm starving."
* Chapter two – Lizzie's POV *
I led Gordo into the kitchen and went right to the microwave. I opened it and my pizza sat on a plate, sizzling. The smell was so great. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I saw that perfect slice topped off with piles of cheese and sauce. Gordo was right – America's the greatest!
"Mmmm… looks good." Gordo said, taking a seat at the table. I sat down next to him. I took a bite and nodded, mouth full. Gordo grinned at me.
When I finished chewing, I swallowed and looked at Gordo. He took a deep breath.
"So, um, Lizzie. How's your day been going?" He said, clasping his hands together. I looked at him. I tried to think of anything special…
Then I remembered. Ethan! Oh, Ethan! He invited me to the dance! I smiled at Gordo, positively bursting with happiness and nervousness again at the prospect.
"Ethan asked me if I was going to the dance! As in, Ethan Craft. The Ethan Craft." I squealed, waiting for a response from Gordo. His face fell slightly. He looked away and smiled quickly, nodding his head.
"Great. You always wanted that," Gordo said unenthusiastically. I gave him a worried glance. I wonder what's wrong with him! I knew he didn't like Ethan very much, but he has to deal with our 'girl talk' all the time. Isn't he used to it now?
"So, uh, I guess - -," He said, picking up a napkin and folding it.
"What?" I asked.
Ding, dong! Ding, dong!Gordo jumped up and scooted out his chair. The napkin fell to the floor.
"I'll get it. It's probably 'Randa," he said, picking it up. I put a hand on his arm. He turned around sharply.
"Nice try, Gordo. Spill. You can tell me anything! I'm your best friend. So answer this: did you get a date to the dance?" I asked quickly, almost running out of breath. I smiled at him.
"No. No, it's nothing Lizzie. I just wanted to make sure we'll still hang out at the dance. You know, as the three amigos." He said, rushing into the hall. I frowned and walked after him, thinking.
"Lizzie! Gordo! Hey guys!" Miranda called to us from the doorway. Gordo let her in, and I was surprised to see her carrying some bags.
"What are those for?" I asked, eyeing the bags and raising an eyebrow in her direction. Miranda laughed.
"Oh, come now, Lizzie! How could you invite both of your favorite friends over on a Friday night without having a sleepover?" She said, grinning like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I just shrugged and looked at Gordo. He was looking at the floor and toying with a pebble on the carpet. Miranda coughed.
"Huh?" Gordo asked, looking up, "What?" Miranda laughed.
"C'mon Miranda," I said, "Your bags can't put themselves away." I started walking up the stairs, Miranda following. I looked back. Gordo went back to the kitchen and I heard the microwave begin its humming. I helped heave Miranda's stuff all the way up to my room and finally, exhausted, I threw it on my bed.
"What do you have in there, bricks?" I asked, feeling around the edges. Miranda shook her head and grinned.
"Nah, only rocks."
When we went downstairs, Gordo was sitting at the kitchen table, eating a slice of pepperoni pizza. Miranda drooled.
"That looks good! I'm hungry. Mom forgot to feed me," she said, pouting and sniffing pathetically. Gordo snorted into his pizza.
"Eww! Gordo!" Miranda said, scrunching up her nose, "I'm not hungry anymore!" Then she laughed.
"So, what do you guys want to do?" I asked, looking at them. Miranda raised her hand.
"Miranda?" I asked, pointing to her.
"Truth or dare, talking about guys…" Miranda grinned at Gordo. He put on a look of pain and shook his head sadly.
"That's what happens when you have boy-crazy girls for best friends," he muttered, loud enough for us to hear.
"Hey! I'm not boy-crazy!" I argued, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Are to!" Gordo said, grinning smugly at me. That just made me madder.
"How would you know, Mr. Knows-His-Best-Friend-So-Well?" I asked. Gordo just smiled at me, and I smiled back. I couldn't stop grinning at him, and when I finally looked away, I felt a strange fluttering in my stomach. Miranda waved a hand in front of my face.
"Hello? Lizzie? Are you there?" She asked, looking thoughtfully from me to Gordo and back again. A blush rose from my neck to my cheeks and I looked at the floor, thoroughly embarrassed.
"I won," I heard Gordo say softly. My heart surged and my stomach fluttered. I looked up at my two best friends.
"I'll…I'll be right back!" I blurted loudly, rushing to the bathroom. It was the only safe place to go. I charged into the small room and slammed the door behind me. Breathing heavily, I looked at myself in the mirror.
What's wrong with you? I asked myself, turning on the faucet and rubbing my face with a damp washcloth. Why had I acted so strange?
Suddenly, I thought of the seemingly impossible.
Did I like Gordo?
No! I thought, correcting myself. He's my best friend. Best. Friend. Do I have to spell it for myself?
But, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I mean, he's the coolest guy I've ever known, and probably ever will know. He's funny, nice, kind, sweet, caring, cute… cute? Did I just say cute? Did I just call my best friend cute? Lizzie McGuire, you've got serious problems.
I grabbed the washcloth and tried to tear it apart. Didn't work to well. Furious, I stuffed my face into the cloth and screamed, my yell sounding dull and muddy through the towel. The question haunted me.
Did I like Gordo?
David Zephyr Gordon has been my best friend ever since we were in diapers. I gave him the name Gordo, and he gave me the name Lizzie. We were always there for each other, watching one another's back. Of course I love him – as a best friend. And as a best friend only. Right?
I thought back to recent memories. Gordo comforting me after Ronnie dumped me for another girl, Gordo warding off Kate, Gordo just being Gordo when I got in a bad mood... who wouldn't want a great best friend like him?
Then why did I suddenly feel so strange around Gordo?
I buried my face in the wet washcloth again and attempted to hit my head on the counter. I was halfway there when I heard a knock on the bathroom door.
"Lizzie? You've been in there for ten minutes! Did you fall in?" I heard Miranda say through the door. I dried my face and opened the door quickly.
"I'm fine. I just discovered a major makeup 'don't'," I lied, laughing. Miranda laughed, but she was staring at me as though she was expecting more. I ignored the look and walked back into the kitchen where Gordo was cleaning up his dishes. He turned around and my stomach did a strange flop.
"She lives!" Gordo shouted, grinning. I blushed and he looked at me, confused. Does he suspect anything?
"Oh," I said, grinning, "too much blush." Gordo looked relieved and sat down. I breathed deeply.
"Really?" A voice from behind me said, "I thought - -," I turned around and clasped a hand over Miranda's mouth and smiled at Gordo.
"Ha!" I practically screamed, "Miranda, you're such a joker! You could be a comedian, you know!" I laughed hysterically. Miranda rolled her eyes and Gordo just looked confused. I almost felt sorry for him, except for the fact that I was feeling sorry for myself right then.
"Did I miss something?" Gordo asked, speaking to me. I shook my head frantically.
"Nope, nothing. Nothing at all. Zip. Nada. Zilch." I said.
"Okay…" He said, now looking at Miranda. She just smiled sweetly at him. I glared at her. Okay, she knew. Somehow or another, she knew.
She knew, but did I?
* Chapter three – Gordo's POV *
Say something! I thought, lowering my head. Lizzie was stuttering and twirling her thumbs, looking everywhere except where I was sitting. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
I felt like a goldfish out of water.
"So!" Miranda said loudly, coming to my rescue, "let's do something! How 'bout making some popcorn, Liz?" Lizzie nodded and rushed to the cupboard and pulled out a microwave popcorn bag. She shoved it in the microwave and set the timer for five minutes.
"What do you guys want to do?" I asked, breaking my silence at last. Miranda grinned.
"That's easy! Truth or dare! How many times do I have to tell you people?" She asked. Lizzie smiled, but sent Miranda a look of pure hate.
"Miranda, Gordo, don't you think that truth or dare is a little, babyish?" She asked hopefully, looking at me in particular. I nodded at Miranda.
"Yeah." I agreed, "totally."
"There's no escaping it," Lizzie said.
"Yup." I agreed again. I was starting to feel like a total idiot. Especially since Miranda was looking at Lizzie and me in a strange way. She was partly smiling, listening to us bicker with no one.
It made me really uncomfortable. I squirmed in my seat.
Beep! Beep! Beep!Saved by the microwave! I jumped up and ran towards it, only to run into…Lizzie.
"Ow!" Lizzie yelled as our heads collided. I jumped back, rubbing my forehead. Lizzie bit her lip and grabbed my arm to balance herself.
"How cute!" Miranda laughed. Head spinning, I glared at her and turned back to Lizzie.
"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned. She just grinned at me. I rubbed my head.
"You've got one hard noggin, McGuire," I whispered, chuckling. She giggled and rolled her eyes. My heart melted.
Right then, I wanted to do nothing but tell her how I feel.
But she's my best friend. She trusts me.
It would be so awkward being around her if I told her how I feel. If I told her I am hopelessly in love with her.
It would ruin our friendship. I just know it. I mean, we've been friends since we were both in diapers. Would I really want to tilt the balance and cause her and me to tumble off different sides? How could I live with myself? We had such a great relationship how it was. Right here, right now. I couldn't be selfish and wreck it.
That's what I would be, selfish. Selfish, egocentric, and self-centered.
"Gordo? Gordo? You in there?" I heard my Lizzie's voice say. My Lizzie? Am I crazy? I mentally slapped myself and focused my eyes.
"Yeah." I said, breathing deeply. The blood must have gone to my head. Lizzie grinned at me and touched my arm. The feeling sent shivers down my spine. My heart rate increased when her eyes locked on mine.
"Good." She said, nodding her head and smiling dazzlingly.
All of a sudden, I heard coughing from behind me. Lizzie's hand shot off my arm and I stuck a hand in a pocket and ran the other through my curly mop of brown hair. I smiled at Miranda.
"Sorry I had to disrupt, but it was getting too cute." Miranda giggled and I blushed about five shades of red, but I turned away just in time so that Lizzie and Miranda couldn't see my face burning up.
"Uh-huh," Lizzie said, rolling her eyes, "I'd like to see you run into Gordo. It hurts!" Miranda just grinned and sat down, shaking her head.
"Well, it wouldn't be funny that way. Let's just say you two were, hmmm… meant to crash." She laughed. I decided to bring to an end this conversation quickly.
"Right," I said, "Could we stop? The, the popcorn's done." I reached over and grabbed the hot bag of popcorn, switching it from hand to hand because of the heat.
"Sure," Lizzie and Miranda said, Miranda still smiling. I opened the bag, and we dug in.