Disclaimer: I don't own Lizzie McGuire. The show belongs to Disney.
What Dreams Are Really Made Of
Chapter 2: Bad Choices Part I
Gordo and I haven't talked about our rooftop kiss at all after it happened, not even on the plane. For the rest of the summer, I did not see Gordo all that much although my parents were nice enough to allow us to talk on the phone. When Miranda finally returned, she and Gordo started hanging out a lot more. I suddenly felt like a total outcast even around my two best friends.
And then came my high school debut. As soon as I entered the hallway of Hillridge High School, before I could join Gordo and Miranda, I was met by a standing ovation from all my peers. Word about my great performance in Rome had spread. Suddenly, I was Miss Popular.
Parker was the first person to approach me with a smile on her face. "Lizzie, I saw your performance in Rome on the news the other night,"
"You did?" I replied, unsure of how to respond. I mean this was mean old Parker, we were talking about here.
"I was totally impressed. Would you mind signing this?" She handed me a sheet of notebook paper.
"Sure." I signed the sheet.
"Thanks," she replied as I handed the sheet back to her. "See you around." I simply waved at her.
"Lizzie, could I have your autograph too?" asked another kid. Suddenly everyone wanted my autograph.
"Me too! Me too!" I could not believe it. I, Lizzie McGuire, had officially become a superstar. Best part was it pretty much happened overnight. In the distance, Gordo and Miranda were giving me dirty looks.
I really missed them a lot. However, they suddenly became just two of my "friends" or to be more accurate, my "peeps". At that time, I felt that they were not that important. After all, everyone in the whole school wanted to be my "friend". I simply faked a smile and waved at them. They both raised their eyebrows and simply walked away.
"Who needs those losers anyway?" Kate said cockily as she walked up to me along with Claire and the rest of the posse. I was not sure how to respond to this so I remained silent.
"Look Lizzie," Kate started. "You don't need those two in your life. They were only holding you back all those years."
"But…" She appeared to be right at the time. Gordo and Miranda were part of my past when I was a nobody, a second class citizen of Loserville, USA. This time there was a new Lizzie in town.
"Now that they're out of your life, look at the payoff," I smiled and replied, "You're right, maybe its about time I stop looking back and start looking forward."
"That's the spirit, Lizzie," said Kate. "Meet us at the cafeteria at lunch?"
"Sure." I replied with a smile.
Later that night…
Despite my decision to ignore Gordo and Miranda all day, they still decided to call me that night.
"Lizzie, what just happened today?" Miranda asked.
"Yeah, you just pretty much ignored us today, you know, your two best friends in the world," Gordo commented. I felt a little bad but at the time, I did not really care.
"Well, I can't help it if everyone wants to be my friend," I responded. "Besides since when did you guys have a problem with me meeting other people?"
"We have nothing against it," said Gordo.
"Yeah, but you could've at least said hi," said Miranda. "What ever happened to friends forever?"
"Okay, fine. Let's hang out tomorrow." I replied just to try to keep the peace.
"Great, Miranda and I wanted to see a movie this weekend," said Gordo.
"You're welcome to join us…. If you want" said Miranda.
"You know what, I can't," I replied. "Kate invited me to this party at Ethan's house…"
"What about next weekend," asked Gordo.
"Sorry, I can't," I replied. "There's another party at Kate's house…."
"Okay, little miss popular let us know when you're available," Miranda said.
"Sure, talk to you guys later, bye," I said and hung up.
The next day…
Gordo and I were in the same English class. We had our brunch period after that class.
"Lizzie, can I talk to you?" Gordo grabbed me by the arm and pulled me aside.
"Sure," I replied as I rolled my eyes. "What's up?"
"Lizzie, what's happened to you?" he asked. I remembered what Kate said the other day. She was right Gordo was a remnant of the past, being his friend was only holding me back.
"Nothing, it's still the same old me,"
"No, its not," he said. "The old Lizzie always cared about her friends. You always had time for the most important people in your life. Now I don't even know who you are anymore."
"Oh yeah, maybe it's you who's confused," I replied angrily. "For all those years, your interests and hobbies were always changing, like you were not sure of who you are,"
"So?" he asked. "It's normal for young boys and girls to try different things to discover who they are."
"Don't lecture me about being normal, Gordo," I said. "It's that same confusion and fickle mindedness that made me change my mind about you," I was on a roll and there was no turning back now even though I know I was going to regret what I was going to say next.
Tears were beginning to form in his eyes. "W…what do you mean?" he said.
"You know what Gordo, I always had feelings for you," I said. "But you never had the guts to take the hint. Like that kiss on the rooftop, I hoped you would actually have the sense to make the next move." He was speechless and looked away.
"Kate was right, you were simply a fickle minded boy who did nothing but hold me back all these years, I don't want to be with a BOY, what I need is a MAN… and Guess what? You're not it!" I wish I could take back what I just said. Unfortunately, that was not possible.
"Fine, if you really want to push me and Miranda away, I respect your wish," Gordo said with tears in his eyes. He turned around and walked away from my life forever.
"Goodbye Gordo… Goodbye Miranda…." I said softly as I stood there alone in the hallway.
