A/N: Thanks again to those who reviewed the last chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own the show. Disney does. The songs used in this chapter are properties of their respective artists.
What Dreams Are Really Made Of
Chapter 7: A Second Chance
I opened my eyes and felt an excruciating soreness all over my body. I looked around and found myself in bed inside a room I have never seen before. All over the room were pictures of famous rock bands and pop stars such as Metallica, Megadeth, Nickelback and the Backstreet Boys to name a few. I looked under the covers to find myself only in my underwear. I wonder where my clothes went. I look over to my side on the night table and found my purse sitting there. I guess I must be in the place of the person who rescued me last night. That had to have been the most frightening moment of my life but thankfully, someone came to rescue. I wonder who that person must be. I need to find that person and give him my thanks. I got up and walked out of the room.
When I stepped out of the room I was stunned to find myself in a massive two story house as indicated by the long stairway. There was even a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Wow, this guy must be rich! I made my way down the stairs and found a massive flat screen TV in the living room along with a leather couch. As soon as I got down, I heard a faucet running in the kitchen. I slowly walked towards the kitchen to see if the man who saved me was there. Sure enough, he was. He was a man of average height with curly dark hair and he was busy doing the dishes.
I cautiously walked into the kitchen, not wanting to startle him. "Umm… Hi there, I just wanted to thank you for, you know, saving me last night."
The man turned off the faucet and stopped what he was doing. He just stood there and did not speak for about a minute. The silence was really awkward so I thought I should probably just go home. "Looks like you're really busy right now… I need to get going. Thanks again."
"Wait," he suddenly said.
"It's been a while since we've spoken to each other," he said. That voice sounded very familiar. "Lizzie McGuire."
"Wait, how did you know my name?" I asked. Could this really be? The man turned around and did indeed look like a boy I used to know very well.
"How could I not, we practically grew up together," he replied with a smile. He looked a little embarrassed and tried to look away. It was him. It was really him!
"Gordo?" I asked. He smiled again while refusing to look at me. I ran towards him and hugged him tightly. I wonder why he's not hugging back. It's like he doesn't even want to touch me.
"Umm… Lizzie?" he tried to say.
"Yeah, Gordo?" I replied as I continued to squeeze him tightly and rest my head on his chest. Boy, I wish I had been able to do this before.
"You're kind of…" Before he could finish his sentence, I heard someone turning the lock of the front door.
"Gordo, what the hell are you doing?" yelled another familiar voice. Gordo gently pushed me away.
"Miranda, trust me, it's not what it looks like," Gordo replied in a nervous tone. Miranda shifted her focus towards me.
"Hey Miranda," I replied. "Long time no see." I tried to walk towards her to give her a hug but she quickly stuck out both of her hands.
"Stay away from me, slut!" she yelled. Ouch, that hurt. "What happened between you and Gordo last night? And where are your clothes?" Oh, that's why Gordo wasn't hugging me back (duh!).
"I don't know, when I woke up, I found myself in one of the bedrooms upstairs," I replied as I tried to cover up. Gordo walked towards the closet and grabbed a coat which he handed to me. I thanked him and put it on.
Miranda shot a piercing look back at Gordo. "Okay, what exactly is she doing here?" Man, looks like she's really mad at me. I don't blame her. "Are you really that much of a pig that would actually fuck a bitch like her?"
"Miranda, trust me nothing happened last night," said Gordo. Boy, it looks like one hell of task trying to keep Miranda calm. "She's here because I rescued her from a couple of potential rapists last night."
"Okay, and?"
"The VCs (investors) want me to present them with the new talent sometime soon. I think she just might be the one who could to save our company," as Gordo said this, he looked away refusing to look at Miranda or myself. What is he talking about?
"Gordo, have you forgotten that she turned on us years ago?" Miranda was livid.
Yeah, right. Looks like you two got a little too close last night," said Miranda. Before she stepped out of the house, she turned around and said, "Don't tell me I didn't warn you…"
Gordo turned towards me and tried to smile. "Sorry about that," he told me. "I didn't expect our old friend to be so rude to you."
"Don't worry about it, Gordo," I replied.
"Listen Lizzie," Gordo said. "What do you say we go on a short ride back to where your car was parked last night?"
"I would love that, Gordo," I replied.
"Great, I'm gonna call Sergei and some members of my security team right now," Gordo took out his cell phone and began to dial Sergei's number.
"Sergei? Do you mean Paolo's former bodyguard now works for you?" Wow, Gordo must be REALLY rich for him to afford his own security team.
"Yes, I was able to find him in Italy a few years ago," he told me. "Since Italy's economy is in the crapper right, Sergei had no choice but to work as a security guard at that expensive shopping district you visited years ago,"
"I see, like Paul Blart!" I replied enthusiastically. "Not much glamour there."
"Exactly," Gordo replied. "He agreed to come to America where the economy is a little bit better and work for me. In fact, I helped him acquire his green card. He is now the head of my security team in charge of security at our events. I'll tell you more about that in a little while."
"Cool," I said. "Let me go up and get my stuff."
Five minutes later...
"Sergei's here, let's go," Gordo said. Sergei greeted me by slightly nodding his head. I responded with a smile in the same manner.
"Where exactly are we going again?" I asked.
"Oh, Sergei and a couple other members of his team who are in the other car outside will escort us back to your vehicle and will follow you until you return home safely. Shall we go?" he asked with a smile.
"Sure," At this point I hooked my arm around his arm. "We sure have a lot of catching up to do, don't we?"
While we were traveling towards the industrial district, I learned that after college Gordo decided to start his own company called Hillridge Entertainment Group. Whenever I used to go window shopping in downtown Hillridge, I occasionally walked by the small office building where HEG was located as the huge sign indicated. I initially thought that the company was a small, independent film company since Gordo always used to enjoy filming random moments in our lives. But that was not the case since movies cost a lot of money to make. At this point in time, HEG is focusing on promoting musical talent and putting on shows in minor venues in different parts of the country. Somehow, we managed to avoid talking about our past.
Gordo leaned forward slightly as he took a sip from his cup of coffee. "Since when did you, Lizzie McGuire choose to become a stripper?" he asked.
"Actually, to be honest with you, I always wanted to either be a singer or a model," I told him. "Unfortunately, Ronnie ruined my life so now that dream is dead."
"He did? How so?" Seriously Gordo, do you really have to ask that question? Isn't it obvious?
"As you know his dad owns a modeling agency. Well, he actually made some phone calls after Ronnie dumped me, again. So now I can longer be earn a living as a model since Ronnie's dad got me blacklisted." I told him.
Gordo stayed silent for a minute perhaps because he was reminded of our unpleasant past. That was the time when he and Miranda were no longer my friends all because of selfish me. And now, right now, here we are speaking to each other again, not as kids but as adults.
"I'm sorry," he replied. "So what else are you doing now?"
"Don't be sorry," I told him. "This was all my fault. If I hadn't turned on you and Miranda, my two best friends in the world, my life wouldn't be like this," At this point, I couldn't help but start sobbing softly.
"No use crying over spilled milk," he told me as he put a hand on my shoulder. There was little he could do to comfort me right now. I could tell he wasn't sure what to say.
"But to answer your question, in the mornings I work part-time as a waitress at Hal's diner in the morning and into the early afternoon," I felt so ashamed right now. I mean look at Gordo, he turned out very successful. He really made something of himself unlike me.
"There's nothing shameful about honest work," Gordo said firmly. "Now, are you still interested in fulfilling your dream of becoming a singer?"
"My dream? It died a long time ago!" More tears began to fall from my eyes.
"Nonsense!" He grabbed both of my shoulders. I looked away. After everything I've told him, I just couldn't bear to look at him. He shouldn't even be wasting his time on someone 'overrated' like me. "Lizzie, look at me," he held my chin and turned my face towards his. "You've always had something great in you. Have you forgotten about the time you wowed the crowd at the coliseum in Rome?"
"That was such as long time ago, why does that still matter?" I asked him. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm a has-been, a HAS-BEEN Gordo."
Gordo showed me a caring smile on his face. Boy, do I really miss those. "Lizzie, you had the right stuff in you the whole time. You may have made a few mistakes here and there but I know you've still got it in you. And let me tell you something, I can help you make your dream come true," He used his hand to wipe the tears off my face. He had a point.
"Can you really?" I asked him.
"Sure," he replied. "That's what's great about being CEO," We both laughed at this point. "Great, you're laughing again, I like it when you laugh," Another one of Gordo's famous lines, some things never change. "I'll tell you what, I want you to quit your job at the strip club when we get there,"
"But Gordo, I can't. I need the money,"
"Don't worry about the money," he assured me. "I will gladly match the amount you're making now at the strip club."
"What about Hal's?" I asked him.
"You could keep your job there, honest work is honest work," he told me. "Our recording sessions are in the late afternoons and sometimes last until the evening,"
"You mean, you're offering me a job?" Gordo chuckled.
"I'm not just offering you a job, Lizzie," he assured me. "I'm offering you a second chance at life, a chance to claim your rightful place in this world. The only question is, are you in?"
"Of course," I told me. "I'd definitely love to perform in front of an audience again,"
"Great," he said with a smile. "Lizzie McGuire, welcome to HEG,"
"Thanks Gordo," I had my arms wide open, ready to hug him one more time but he quickly held out a hand so we sealed the deal with a handshake instead. This tells me it will take a while for our relationship to be back to the way it used to be. He is clearly keeping his distance at this point.
"Well, here we are," he said. "Sergei will escort you to your car and will follow you home because you will be putting on your first performance tonight."
"Tonight?" This totally caught me off guard. Is he insane? How am I supposed to be ready to perform tonight?"
"Don't worry, you'll do great," he tried assured me. "You are familiar with the old Laguna Beach theme song, Come Clean, are you not?"
"Well yeah, I used to watch the show,"
"Great, be ready by five o'clock today," he said. "Sergei will pick you up. And don't forget to dress nice."
"Okay, Gordo, I won't," I replied. I stepped out of the car and waved goodbye to him. He waved back.
Before I went back to my car, I decided to visit Mike and let him know I was leaving the strip club. He didn't seem surprised at all.
"You're leaving?" he said. "I'm not surprised. I always knew you were too good to be working in a place like this,"
"I wouldn't say that…" I tried to say.
"Listen, Lizzie," he said. "I'm sure whatever it is you're going to be doing, you'll do great. Just do me one little favor,"
"What's that?" I asked.
"Don't forget us little people when you make it to the top." He said with a smile. Boy, he was really nice.
"I won't," I replied.
As I walked out of the strip club, I felt that a chapter of my life had ended. Perhaps Gordo was right. This could be my chance to finally turn my life around after all these years.
Back at Lizzie's apartment…
For hours, I was thinking about my encounter with Gordo today. He has made it clear that at this point, we are not 'friends' but business partners. In other words, our relationship is strictly professional. I wonder if things could ever go back to the way they used to be. And what about Miranda? It's pretty clear that she still hasn't forgiven me for turning on her years ago. Oh well, I guess its best to just focus on the performance tonight.
Shortly before five o'clock…
I must've spent well over an hour picking out an outfit and applying my make-up. I decided on a red dress with white "cow design" straps which I bought while I was in high school. (A/N: Okay, it's pretty clear that I suck at describing outfits in detail. But to you visual readers, Lizzie chose to wear the same outfit Hilary Duff wore when she performed on the Today Show in 2007. So she looks exactly like that. This works since we all know that Hilary Duff is Lizzie McGuire.)
*Ring! Ring*
Okay, Sergei's here. I opened the door and sure enough he was there.
His eyes sure got wide. "You look good tonight, Miss McGuire," he said with utmost sincerity.
"Thanks Sergei," I replied as he escorted me to the limo. Wow, I feel like a celebrity already!
In the Recording Studio…
When I entered the building, Gordo was busy speaking to a woman who was just a little older than we were. When he turned around, he showed me a smile like he was happy to see me.
"Great, you made it," he said excitedly.
"I said I'd be here, didn't I?" I said with a grin. We both laughed lightly again. "Lizzie, meet Margaret, my assistant,"
"Nice to meet you, Miss McGuire," she said as she extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you too," I replied. "Please call me Lizzie." She nodded.
"Okay, let's head on over to the studio. It's time." Gordo said as he led the way. Boy, I sure can feel the butterflies in my stomach.
When we entered the studio, there were several men in their late forties, at the very least waiting,
"Good evening gentlemen," Gordo greeted as he walked past them and quickly led me into the recording room.
"Gordo, who are those men?" I asked.
"They're investors," he replied. Oh great, this adds some pressure to the situation. "Don't worry about them." Yeah, easy for him to say, he's not the one performing!
"I can't do this," I said nervously.
"Lizzie, trust me," he said assuredly. "You'll do fine. Just be yourself and pretend they're not even there."
I inhaled deeply before exhaling. "Okay," I told him.
"Great," he said. "Don't let me down."
"I'll try,"
Just as he was about to step out of the recording room, he turned around and faced me. "You look great, by the way," I chuckled in response, typical Gordo.
"Thanks,"
"Okay, here we go," said the producer/director. "In 3,2,1…" Okay the moment of truth is here.
Let's go back... Back to the Beginning…
Back to when the earth, the sun, the stars all aligned
Cause perfect, didn't feel so perfect
Trying to fit a square into a circle, was no life
I defy…
Let the rain fall down and wake my dreams
Let it wash away my sanity
Cause I wanna feel the thunder
I wanna scream
Let the rain fall down, I'm coming clean
I'm clean… (Oh….)
I'm shedding… shedding every color
Trying to find a pigment of truth beneath my skin (Ohhh…)
Cause different, doesn't feel so different
And going out is better than always staying in…
Feel the wind!
Let the rain fall down and wake my dreams
Let it wash away my sanity
Cause I wanna feel the thunder
I wanna scream
Let the rain fall down, I'm coming clean
Let the rain fall…
Let the rain fall…
I'm coming…
Let the rain fall down and wake my dreams
Let it wash away my sanity
Cause I wanna feel the thunder
I wanna scream
Let the rain fall down, I'm coming clean
Oh! I'm coming clean!
Oh! I'm coming clean!
Let the rain fall…
Let the rain fall…
I'm coming clean…
Let's go back… back to the beginning…
On the other end of the room, through the glass window, I could see that the men enjoyed my performance. They got up from their seats and applauded me. Gordo smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up as he followed the men outside of the recording studio.
On this day, I got a second chance at life thanks to my old friend Gordo. Now my only hope is for things to, as the song goes, "go back to the beginning" when everything in my life was good; back to when I had countless things to be thankful for…
A/N: The song used in this chapter is Come Clean by Hilary Duff as most of you know. Boy, this was a very dialogue heavy chapter. Some of you may have noticed but I also included some current events in this chapter. Let me know if you think it worked. I hope you guys like the story so far. Feel free to shoot me a review regardless. It would make my thanksgiving that much more special. I would like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! 'Til next time…
