Chapter 4

Gordo knocked at the door to the McGuire home, waiting for Lizzie. A moment later, Sam greeted him

"Oh, hey Gordo, Lizzie'll be down in a minute or so."

"Ok, uh, thanks."

Sam shrugged his shoulders and shoved his hands in his jean pockets. "Uh, listen Gordo, I don't know if you know anything yet…"

Gordo nodded "Yeah…its alright, I know. Lizzie told me. Sorry…I guess."

"Oh, don't be. Its looking pretty good at this point. Not too far along so no real cause for any worry."

Gordo sighed "Oh, that is good!"

Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou! He called out in his heart.

After a few more moments of silent waiting, Sam turned around and called out to his absent daughter

"LIZZIE! Gordo's at the door! Hurry it up kiddo!"

Upstairs, Lizzie was hurriedly throwing clothes into the wardrobe.

"I AM GOING AS FAST AS I CAN!"

She rushed about, trying to shove all her tried-on outfits into unseen spots, to later be re-located into their correct location. She went to kick a hairbrush out of the way when she tripped on a bra and landed on the floor, with a huge thud, an even huger yelp and a sickening tear.

Jo was right outside the room at this point and ran in to investigate

"Lizzie!"

Lizzie was lying flat on her belly, legs sprawled, with a large rip in the hem of her skirt.

"Lizzie, Honey, are you okay!" Jo asked with a chuckle.

She held her hand out to Lizzie to pull her up, which she accepted.

"Thanks."

Jo stood there a moment, expecting Lizzie to initiate a conversation, or say something.

"Uh..Mom, I sorta have to change!"

"Oh…right" Jo was taken aback at this comment. Lizzie was usually open with her about her body, and never held any reservations about changing in front of her.

She's growing up, she'll get over it.

Jo nodded, opened and closed her mouth a few times and pointed backwards.

"Um…Gordo is downstairs waiting. When you change, put the skirt in my room, I'll mend it for you."

Lizzie was searching through her wardrobe.

"Yeah, whatever, I have to change now."

Jo sighed and made to leave "Have a good day at school."

After she left, Lizzie found a half-decent pair of jeans that would suffice.

She suddenly felt a little guilty about being so short with her mom. Tears sprung to her eyes and the familiar burning sensation filled the back of her throat.

Why does it have to be like this! I am so stupid! I can't get anything right!

"GRRRRR!"

With that, Lizzie left the bedroom in an even angrier mood than she had when she woke up that morning. It was angry Lizzie that greeted Gordo at the door.

"Hey Lizzie! What's up?"

"Lets go already!"

Lizzie grabbed Gordo by the arm and stormed out of the house.

"Uh…see you later Mr McGuire!" Gordo called out as he was dragged out the gate, Sam waved as a response and went inside.

Lizzie let go of Gordo as they reached the bus stop.

Gordo straightened his shirt out before looking up at Lizzie with a single raised eyebrow.

"What?" She retorted.

"Uh…nothing…" He replied, before looking down at the ground. "Sorry."

Lizzie didn't respond. She looked down the road, waiting for the bus.

Suddenly her angry mood was gone, and she felt a little guilty again.

"I'm sorry Gordo. I was a little hasty back there."

"No problem."

"I'm having a bad day. Week. Four weeks."

Gordo reached out and touched her on the hand. "I know. Its okay. I didn't take anything to heart."

Lizzie smiled. "You're a good friend Gordo!"

"Yeah. You can be too."

Lizzie snorted "Gee, now I feel appreciated!"

"Huh?"

Lizzie shook her head. "Nothing. Its just, I don't think I'm in all "chummy" with the guys at home right now."

Gordo nodded "Yeah. Maybe they have other things on their minds at the moment. Maybe it has nothing to do with you at all."

She turned to face Gordo, the tears so close to the top as they had been over the passed few days.

"Why wouldn't it? I've been a jerk!"

"How so?"

"Because…because I don't care! Because I don't want to care! I'm too preoccupied with myself! I'm selfish!"

Gordo shook his head "No, you do care, you have to for it to worry you so much. But why do you think you don't want to care?"

Lizzie flung her arms skywards "Your asking me? I have no freaking idea, Gordo! I want to, but I don't want to. I have no idea. I..I" She broke down, the trears leaving shining wet syreaks on her cheeks.

"I wish none of this was happening."

Gordo placed his arm around her shoulder. "I know. Its alright. Your dad said, well, he said it was still early. He said she has a good chance, y'know?"

Lizzie hiccuped "I k-know. I dunno, Gordo, I know its supposed to be all okay. I don't know why I feel like this. Its one of those teenager things."

Gordo nodded. "Yeah. Blame it on biology. Speaking of which…is this why you were upset about it yesterday?"

She shrugged, "I guess so." At that moment the bus rolled around the corner. She wiped her eyes and hoisted her back-pack onto her shoulder.

"Bus!" She cried

"Bus!" Replied Gordo

And with that, the bus pulled up.