Chapter Four

" I really like that!" Miranda checked out Lizzie's outfit as she exited the dressing room.

The baby blue dress hugged her curves as she turned around to look at her reflection. Looking over her shoulder, she looked at the back and shook her head once her vision locked on the price tag marked $89.99.

" I don't know, Miranda. For that price, shouldn't my ass look a lot better in this dress?"

They both giggled as she still studied it. Gordo was right, she deserved to go out shopping for a day to try to take her mind off of things. Spending the day with her best girl friend was exactly what she needed, especially since she was gone for so long to her grandparents house in California.

She hadn't realised how much she had actually missed her until she popped in as a suprise this morning. Gordo had informed her on everything and she insisted on coming home early to be there for her friend.

Gordo had also insisted on staying there with Matt until he was discharged so Lizzie could relax and take a little break before the hell really began to burn. The aftermath of this whole tragedy will be hell for her.

" Lizzie, you deserve to feel beautiful tonight when you have dinner with Gordo's family. We have to find you the perfect dress!"

' Well, it's half true...' Miranda thought to herself slyly. ' only she is having dinner with Gordo minus the parents and it's at his apartment.'

Miranda stopped in thought as a light pink dress that t-length with a black ribbon that sat below the bust line caught her eye. There was a sheer material over the pink so the color was toned down. She smiled and went to grab it off of the rack as she wondered how Gordos dinner was coming along.

She cringed at the thought of him behind a stove.

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A hand raked through his hair as he examined the promise ring in his hand. The white gold band was decorated by a heart and swirl design in the sides of it while the biggest square-cut diamond rested on the center of the top, two smaller ones rested on both sides while the entire band held three very small diamonds down the side.

He wasn't a girl, hell he wasn't even close to being able to think like one. Especially not Lizzie McGuire but if he knew her as well as he thought he did, she would love it.

The table held two empty plates, prepared to hold the dinner warming in the oven. It wouldnt be long until he would confess every feeling inside his being. He didn't know what he was going to say, he didn't know what she was going to do or how she would react...the only thing he knew was he was scared.

Not that he wanted to add stress ontop of everything occuring but if she felt the way he did, it would make her happy...wouldnt it?

After that kiss, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He couln't lose her to anyone else, he had to admit his feelings. If they were meant to be then this night would make his relationship...if not, it would break it. He needed her in a way that he couldn't even begin to describe to himself let alone her...

He was scared to death.

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Lizzie watched as her friend finished the final spiral in her hair and combed her fingers through the mass of long, blond curls. After a touch of pink lip gloss and a little more mascara, she was finished to go. She stood up, carefully balancing on the black heeled sandles Miranda had barrowed to her to match the dress she picked out at the mall.

She tried to push the recent events from her mind as she examined her reflection.

A smile lit up her face as she stared back at herself. Long curls touched her elbows, the new mascara had brightened up her eyes so they appeared larger and more sexy, the dress complimented her figure and the gloss complimented the dress. To her, it seemed to be the perfect look. Everything just looked...well, perfect to her.

She spun around to give Miranda a tight hug, and then grabbed her purse and keys to drive from Miranda's house to Gordo's. Glancing at the clock, she made a mental note that she had fifteen minutes to make it there.

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The candles were starting to burn dangerously low, the flames swaying to the same old dance...they had been holding Gordo's attention for the past thirty-five minutes. The smell of burnt chicken filled the air.

He remained slumped down in the chair as he tried to call Lizzie for the sixth time in the past hour and a half. His heart beat quickened as he heard the same old thing.

One...

Two...

Three...

A cheerful, perky voice filled the end of the line. " Hey, you've reached Lizzie! Im sorry I missed your call, but leave a mess-"

Click.

He had began to seriously worry about Lizzie. She was never late, if anything she was always early. The first fifteen minutes he ruled out due to fashionably late but when it grew to 9:30 he had begun to worry. When 10:05 rolled around he panicked. He was having a hard time keeping his body in that chair.

The phone startled him, causing him to almost jump out of his seat. With a catch of a breath he picked it up, hoping to God it was who he longed for it to be.

" Hello?"

" Is Elizabeth McGuire available?" An older male asked.

" No...Can I take a message?" He asked, confused.

" Uh...yes, can you have her contact the police department? Samuel McGuire has been released as of 6:30pm and we are required to notify the family. It says here you are listed as a contact with Lizzie. Can you please give her the message and have her call us right away? His health condition is poor but he released himself, he should have had more healthcare but he refused it."

" Why in the hell didn't you hold him?" He demanded as a million and one horrible thoughts ran through his mind.

" We haven't proven Mr. Mcguire to be responsible for the crime yet. Until then he has to only stay within the area. He was taken to a different healthcare facility then the remaining family members for safety rea-"

Gordo slammed down the phone and grabbed his coat as he headed for the door. Remembering his promise to take care of her, he felt as if he already was failing.As he flung open the door a small body slammed into his. She didn't say anything, but she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his strong frame. At first, he was too relieved to even move as he felt her body press against his and caught the smell of her.

As he caught that look in her eye he couldnt bring himself to tell her just yet of the danger that might lay ahead. That look...he was so happy to see that look.

The look was indeed almost happy.

Maybe he was being selfish but what could it hurt as long as he wasnt leaving her side...

...Right?