ISLAND IN THE SUN, CHAPTER ONE, By Polka Dotted Socks

Disclaimer: I do not own Lizzie McGuire, yada yada yada. :)

Key: AN- Author's Notes; POV- Point of View (For all you un-educated people out there)

AN: This is set during Lizzie, Miranda, and Gordo's eighth grade year. Enjoy- my fanfictions are served fresh with fluffy plots, leaving you with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. :)

START OF CHAPTER ONE

POV: Lizzie, Friday after English Class

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!

I gathered my books and headed out the door. I was going to meet my two best friends, Miranda Sanchez and David Gordon at my locker. I've known Miranda since Pre-school, and I've known Gordo since we were in diapers. I can't imagine my life without these two.

Miranda has always stood up for me, starting from Pre-school to now. She always defends me when Kate Sanders gives me a hard time. And Gordo- he always has this way of making me feel good inside. Sometimes I can't explain it. From my first trip to the dentist to helping me with Algebra homework, he's always been there for me in every situation, for as long as I can remember.

"Hey Lizzie!"

Miranda's voice broke me out of my stupor.

"Hi Miranda!"

Miranda pushed a lock of her dark hair behind her ears. "Have you started packing yet?" she asked.

I nodded. She meant our eighth grade trip to Catalina. We were leaving this Monday for the terminal.

She grinned. "I'm so excited! Seeing Ethan Craft in a swim suit-"

I laughed. Just then Gordo showed up. "What a conversation to walk into," he said. "You guys shouldn't care so much about how a person looks. It's what's inside that counts."

Typical Gordo. I think he's recited this speech to us at least a hundred times already.

"Who cares?" Miranda rushed in defensively. "He's HOT!"

Miranda and I started giggling, and a sickened expression crossed Gordo's face. I could just faintly hear him mumble "girls" as we walked our separate ways.

POV: Gordo, Sunday Night

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Lizzie screamed into my ear. I almost dropped the phone from surprise.

"What's wrong, what's wrong??" asked Miranda anxiously.

"MATT SPREAD PEANUT BUTTER ONTO MY FAVORITE SANDALS!" Lizzie roared.

I stifled a small laugh. Lizzie's little brother is always pulling pranks on her. I tried to calm her down. "It's okay, Lizzie. Don't you have about a million other pairs?" I asked.

"But-these are my favorite ones! And-and-I was going to pack them for Catalina!" she wailed. Miranda attempted to console her, and I kind of zoned out a bit. This happens a lot during our phone conversations, especially when they're talking about girl stuff. Only a girl would obsess about sandals. I kicked my hackey sack around. I missed and it landed on my teddy bear.

I felt my face getting warm. It was the teddy bear Lizzie had given me for my fourth birthday. Ever since then, I've kept it near my bed. It's embarrassing to admit, but I've treasured that bear for a while. I'm not even sure why I do. I mean- it's just Lizzie, right? I've known the girl since I was a baby. She's just my best friend. Nothing more.

And, well. It's a teddy bear.

Agh, sometimes I disgust myself.

POV: Lizzie, Monday Night

I'm lying here on a bunk bed, inside my room in Catalina. Miranda's on the bunk on top of me. I can hear her breathing lightly. She must be asleep already.

I'm too excited to be sleepy.

Today started by waking up at 8:30 AM (After yelling at Matt to get out of the bathroom), and then getting to school by 9:00. We got on our bus at 9:30, and got to the terminal at 11:00. It took three hours to get to Catalina by ship, and then we had to get sorted into rooms. The boy's campus is on the right to the girl's campus. I think ours is closer to the beach.

I sat between Gordo and Miranda at dinner. Gordo sure did eat a lot of curly fries. I wonder how he stays so skinny.

I wonder if he's asleep yet. And if he isn't, I wonder what he's thinking about.

Anyway, our stay here is just starting! I have a feeling things are going to get exciting.

Come on, it's Catalina! Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

END OF CHAPTER ONE

AN: Whenever I watch the Lizzie McGuire episodes, I always think about how cute the feelings between Gordo and Lizzie are. I think that right now, they both don't know, or aren't certain, that they have a crush on each other. I'm trying to portray this in my story. Anyway, I hope you guys liked it! Please give me encouraging reviews- a sock can only take too much criticism! ;)