NB – this story is written in the FIRST PERSON, through the eyes of Lizzie.

Doorbell rings

"I'm coming, I'm coming," I mutter irritably. Seriously, I have NOT been having a good day. I've been really moody. For the last few weeks everything seems to be going wrong. I mean, the whole thing in Rome truly was an experience, but a 14 year old girl can only take so much. The performance really was amazing; but things have NOT been looking up for me and Gordo. He hasn't spoken to me since our awkward kiss…and I'm finding that I'm beginning to like him even more. I wish he would just talk to me.

I open the door and guess who I see?

"Miranda!" I squeal. "Wow, it's GREAT to see you!"

I haven't been this happy in WEEKS!

We give each other a big hug. "I've missed you so much." says Miranda.

"Me too!" I laugh. "And oh my gosh, you won't believe how much I've got to tell you…Come on, let's sit on the sofa…"

But just then, Mom interrupts.

"Hey, Miranda!" she smiles, "How was your trip?"

"Oh…great, Mrs McGuire…I had a lot of fun."

"Well that's good to know – "

"Mom!" I hiss, "Please! I haven't seen Miranda in weeks!"

"Sorry honey," says Mom, and whisks off yelling, "Matt! Get down here right now – look at the mess you've made in the kitchen!"

I shake my head, laughing.

"Anyway, yeah, like I was saying…OH MY GOD you heard about the whole Isabella thing right…and me performing?"

"Yeah I've been dying to talk to you about that!" exclaims Miranda, "It was on the news – and I was like 'That's Lizzie!'"

"I know, I know, it really was weird. But I mean, that's all sorted out now. The main thing I want to talk about you is…Gordo.

I take a deep breath. I really don't know how to explain this to Miranda.

"Gordo?" she frowns, "What…about him? Oh right, you wanna call him over? Yeah it is kinda weird us being here without him, plus, I haven't seen him in so long – "

"No, no!" I interrupt, "No…it's…I want to talk about him."

We pause awkwardly. "Um…okay," says Miranda slowly, "but…what's there to talk about? He's okay right – he's not in hospital or anything?"

"No, nothing like that," I say, forcing a laugh, "It's…just…everyone's been saying that he's had a crush on me for such a long time…"

"Really?" says Miranda, not letting me finish, "I've never noticed."

I stop talking and hesitate. Surely she knows where this conversation is going…so why is she acting all clammed up?

"Um…well maybe you haven't because you're our best friend. I mean, everyone else has. And…while you were away we got sort of…close. We had moments, and I really began to feel attracted to him, like he was to me."

"Attracted to Gordo?" exclaims Miranda.

"Yeah…" I say, feeling hurt. Why is she being so mean? She hasn't seen me for weeks – and the least I expected from her was to be supportive. I thought she'd be the happiest one about this. "I really like him Miranda. And he likes me. Maybe you're acting disgusted because we're best friends…and you think our friendship might change. But that's never going to happen."

Miranda doesn't say anything, and sports an expressionless face.

"And in Rome…we kind of, kissed…."

"YOU WHAT!" Miranda loses her expressionless face.

"But since then," I continue, acting as if I haven't heard her, "I haven't really spoken to him – and I was thinking…maybe…you could talk to him since you're our best friend. I really like him Miranda and I think this is meant to be. So…would you, please?"

I really hope she agrees to. Seriously, she is NOT giving me the reaction I thought she'd give me. In fact, she's acting really strange about this and I have no idea why.

For a few seconds there is silence, until Miranda says sharply, "Forget it."

She gets up, walks straight to the front door and slams it behind her.