Siv- I'm not sure how much fun I had packing my room, but at least I got a lot done :o)
Neithan- I think the Mark thing kind of failed there. I added it in (it wasn't in the last version of this story) and it didn't play out as well as I had hoped. Basic gist- Mark flirts with Lizzie, Gordo gets jealous. But I'm glad you liked everything else!
Mitchel-musso-lver- I loved the part before they jumped off the cliff too- with the countdown and all!
Dario8676- lol I'm a bigger fan of grilled chicken myself, but crispy chicken does sound good to me too!
JuanPablo- Thanks so much for the comments!
RoxyAnne- The peek in the story isn't quite here just yet- we've still got a bit more to go, especially now that I've switched the story a lot from the previous version. Just wait!
Jake- Wow, your comments are right on there with what I was trying to convey with the 'trust me' line, I think it was definitely the best line in the chapter.
Fanfiction06- I've been looking forward to when Lizzie told Jay she would quit so I am glad you liked it too!
EstellaB- I have never heard Dizzy Gillespie before but I should give her a try! Just out of curiosity, What makes you say that Lizzie is self-centered in this story? I do agree with you about it though, in the show and in the movie she is a bit self-centered and so I guess that just came through in my writing. I think Gordo does a good job of pulling her out of that though. As far as having read this before- you probably have- see the author's note on the first chapter for an explanation!
KittyDoggyLover- Thanks so much- it was one of my favorite chapters too!
KelBel- Thanks! I am glad you notice about the details- they are actually quite difficult to write, it takes a lot more attention to the story but it makes a huge difference!
Maliek- Thanks for the encouragement- this chapter took a lot longer because of Christmas and all!
Ali Oldman- Great to hear from you again- I hope that you keep liking it as much!
Randomblobofnothing- Wow! Favorite fanfic ever?? I don't know, I've read some pretty good ones in the past :o) Either way, thanks for your praise and your awesome review!!
Note to everyone- I am headed to Costa Rica for the next 3 weeks so I won't be able to update until I get back! Sorry this chapter isn't very long, I meant for it to be longer but I have to leave for my plane in a few hours and I need to run!!!
PS This chapter really really changes from what the story was before- the graveyard scene from the last version is completely cut out- so from here on out it is all new stuff!
Chapter 9- Ms. Wilderness
The sun had just hit the mountains, casting a blood red shadow across the landscape. Lizzie glanced up at the setting sun in her rearview mirror and then back quickly to the road. Up ahead the sky was a deep blue, and as it curved upwards to the sun it was followed quickly by deep shades of green, yellow, orange, a lighter red and finally a deep crimson.
She smiled and let out a sigh of contentment, letting the beauty of the moment surround her.
"It's amazing isn't it?" Gordo's voice whispered, as if he was afraid to ruin the moment.
"It is." Lizzie whispered back, surprised to see him up. She had taken over driving after they stopped at the diner and he had fallen asleep, his head dangerously close to her side of the car.
"So…how far are we from Miranda's?" she asked, keeping her eyes on the deserted road ahead of her.
"Let me check" Gordo grabbed the map off the dash, wiping the sleep from his eyes with a yawn. "Looks like we are only about 2 hours from the border…and from there it should just be about another half an hour or so to her house."
"Oh." Lizzie said this quietly, her brain thinking fast, "You know, we could just sleep at a motel or something, I mean, we don't need to get in late and be an inconvenience to her family." She spoke this quickly and glanced over at Gordo, who simply raised an eyebrow at her. "Or you know, we could stay at a campsite or something, that would be fun."
"Yeah…" Gordo said this very slowly, "Because you, Lizzie McGuire, are Ms. Wilderness."
"Hey" Lizzie said defensively, "Just because I've never joined the wilderness club doesn't mean I can't be outdoorsy."
"Have you ever slept outside before?" he asked, a huge grin on his face.
Lizzie was quiet for a second, still staring at the road in front of her, "Not… technically."
"You know there are spiders in the woods" Gordo teased, and lightly ran his fingers up Lizzie's arm, mimicking a spider's movements.
Lizzie squealed and the car jerked a bit as she squirmed in her seat, goosebumps rising up her arm, "Fine!" she cried out, exasperated. "You win, I'm not outdoorsy." She sighed, trying to get the feeling of Gordo's fingers off of her mind.
"Lizzie." Gordo said softly after a second, "I know you're worried about seeing Miranda again." Lizzie didn't respond and kept her eyes on the road. Why is it that he always knows exactly what I am thinking? "No matter what has happened, you are still best friends. Just talk to her. She'll forgive you. What is in the past…" he said this softly and Lizzie had to strain to hear him, "…is in the past."
Lizzie bit her lip and glanced over at Gordo, who looked at her reassuringly. "I hope you're right."
It was dark and past 10pm by the time they arrived. Miranda's house was much different than the one that she owned while living down the street from Lizzie growing up. In fact, all of the houses in Mexico were different, not the same exact cutout with different colored paneling like in the U.S., but it seemed each house had a story, a personality.
Hesitant, Lizzie stepped out of the truck one step behind Gordo, letting him lead the way. He stopped halfway up the driveway, turned and looked at her. "It's going to be okay Lizzie" he said quietly, looking as if he wanted to give her a hug but settled on placing his hands in his pockets after a moment of hesitation. Lizzie and Gordo made their way down the sidewalk to the door. Gordo knocked and without warning the door sprang open and a tall and very tan dark brown haired girl jumped into Gordo's arms. "You're so tall!" she whispered, leaning back and taking a long look at him. "Sorry we have to be quiet, my family is already asleep."
"It's so good to see you" he said, giving her another hug. Lizzie inched herself behind Gordo so she was partway hidden.
"How was the trip? Was traffic bad? Did you make it across the border okay? I can't wait to show you everything here" she was talking a mile a minute, her Spanish accent thick.
"Great, sort of, we got across okay, and sounds good" Gordo answered all of her questions at once.
Miranda laughed at his answer but questioned, "We?" Feeling Lizzie hiding behind him, Gordo took a big step to the left, leaving Lizzie and Miranda face to face.
Lizzie froze, the ice cold feeling of not having a clue of what to do spreading throughout her limbs. Miranda was not the same girl who left California 4 years ago. For one, she was much taller, and had a good 4 or so inches on Lizzie. Her hair was shorter, chin length, with choppy layers and slightly lighter with blond and red streaks running through it. They both just stared at each other for a moment, taking in the whole situation before Miranda's face curved into a smile and she wrapped Lizzie up into a large hug.
"I'm so glad you're here" Miranda whispered.
Lizzie was in shock but suddenly found her voice, and, feeling rather choked, whispered back, "Me too."
Miranda leaned back and looked into Lizzie's eyes, now half filled with tears, "I want you to meet my family, but everyone is asleep."
"We've already met your family" Gordo said, puzzled.
"Not my family…my family" she emphasized, leading them into the foyer. "Aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, husbands, childen…My grandma and aunt are living with us but everyone else lives close by. My little cousin Ana's birthday is tomorrow so you can see them all then" she said with a smile.
"Oh." Lizzie said, as she stepped through the doorway, "Does everyone speak only Spanish?"
"A few of my younger cousins and my Grandmother do not know English but most of the family does, since we live so close to the border." Miranda explained.
"Here, let's get your luggage inside." They headed outside, and Gordo jumped into the back of his truck and began to untie the bungee cords.
"Wow it's hot down here." Lizzie commented, wiping the sweat off her forehead.
"Oh just wait until the daytime and the sun starts beating down on you" Miranda said, taking some cords from Gordo as he handed them to her and putting them in the front seat of the truck. "Oh, and a heads up, my mom is really anal about this whole, 'boy sleeping in our house' sort of thing, so Lizzie is in my room upstairs but Gordo you'll be on the couch in the basement. I hope you don't mind." Miranda apologized.
"Not at all." Gordo said, handing Lizzie one of her smaller bags and grabbing Lizzie's much larger one to carry himself.
"Thanks" Lizzie said softly, smiling at Gordo.
"No problem" he said, closing the door to the back of the truck.
"Just follow me" Miranda called to the pair and headed up to the door, with an interesting gleam in her eyes. They followed suit, Gordo struggling with the weight of Lizzie's monstrous bag.
"Wait, let me check that I heard that right, Larry Tudgeman and Veruca are dating!" Miranda asked unbelievingly.
"Yep" Gordo said, "And Larry told me he is planning on buying an engagement ring soon".
"But…" her mouth fell open, "They're only 18 like us, when are they planning on getting married?" she questioned.
"I'm not sure, probably this fall or winter." Gordo shrugged.
Miranda shook her head in disbelief for a moment before asking, "What about Ethan and Kate? Are they still dating?"
"Last I heard" Lizzie said, "It all depends on which week it is."
Miranda laughed, "Nothing new there." She paused for a second, "Wow, I wish I could see everyone." Disappointment was evident in her voice.
"Well, we're here" Lizzie said, wrapping an arm around Miranda on the couch and laying her head on her friend's shoulder. They were all lying around in the basement, talking and half watching Ferris Bueller, which was on in the background. Miranda let Lizzie's arm fall around her for a second before she sat up and pulled away from Lizzie's grasp. Lizzie bit her lip, Did she do that because she is mad at me?
"So you've heard all about how everyone is doing at home but you still have yet to tell us how you are doing Miranda" Gordo said, turning to look at her seriously.
She hesitated, pulling her arms around her knees and staring blankly at the TV. "I'm doing fine."
"Are you really?" Lizzie asked.
Miranda looked at her hands. "They're getting a divorce."
A thick silence fell over the room. Lizzie had no idea what to say, because she knew that she had no way of identifying with how Miranda must be feeling at the moment.
"Have you spoken to your dad since he left?" Gordo asked after a moment.
"He called last week..." she sighed, "But I hung up on him."
"I'm so sorry Miranda" Lizzie whispered.
"It's not your fault" she mumbled still looking at her hands.
"No, but we're sorry that it is happening to you" Gordo said, speaking for him and Lizzie both.
"Miranda?" Mrs. Sanchez was standing at the foot of the stairs, looking tired.
Miranda turned sideways on the couch. "Yes Mama?"
"It's almost midnight, you and Lizzie should get up to bed, okay?"
"We'll be right up Mama" she said, sitting up on the couch and looking to Gordo.
After showing Gordo how to pull the bed out and making sure he had enough pillows and blankets she gave him a big hug. "Thank you so much for coming Gordo, you have no idea how much this means to me right now" her voice slightly choked.
"It was our pleasure" he said, patting her on the back.
She pulled back, "Goodnight, get some sleep, and I'm sorry again for making you sleep downstairs"
"No problem" he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets and looking to Lizzie with a nod. "Goodnight" he said somewhat awkwardly.
Lizzie nodded back, "Night."
They headed upstairs and Lizzie looked around Miranda's room as Miranda pulled the air bed out.
"Is this your prom?" Lizzie asked, staring at a picture hung on the wall.
"It was a fall dance we had" Miranda answered, peering over Lizzie's shoulder to look into the picture. "That was my date" she pointed into the picture.
"Woah" Lizzie said, "He's hot."
"And a great dancer" Miranda said, bending down to pull the sheet across the bed.
"Anything happen between you two?" Lizzie asked.
"Uh…Yeah, actually we dated for 2 years" she sounded uncomfortable, "But things kind of fell apart when everything happened with my parents" she continued to pull the sheet on the bed and said, "When things got tough, he got out."
"Well then he doesn't deserve you" Lizzie said. There was a silence and Miranda put a pillow into place, her back to Lizzie. Lizzie took a deep breath and said, "I can't believe I didn't know you were dating someone for 2 years."
Miranda didn't say anything for a minute as she roughly put the covers over the bed. "Yeah well, that's what happens when you loose touch" Miranda said, her voice kind of tight.
Lizzie walked over to the bed and turned to face Miranda. "Miranda?" she asked.
Miranda looked up, "Yeah?"
Lizzie took a deep breath, "I'm sorry I didn't keep in touch for so long." She sighed, "I've been an awful friend to you…"
"I left you messages for the first two months or so." Miranda said quietly, her voice choking slightly. "I probably should have tried harder… but I thought that maybe you didn't want to talk to me so I thought I'd let you be the one to call me." Miranda looked at Lizzie, her eyes filling with tears, "Only you never did."
"I guess I just was focused so much on everything I had going in my life I became selfish and stopped considering everyone else." Lizzie said softly, feeling rooted to the spot. "Especially the two people who really mattered the most…I am so sorry Miranda…"
Miranda didn't say anything but just turned around and sat on her own bed. Lizzie sat down next to her. "When I started dating Mario 2 years ago I lost touch with a lot of my girl friends here. It wasn't that I wanted to do it… I guess he just wanted to spend a lot of time with me and didn't like it when I hung out with them too much." Miranda said this in an even voice but Lizzie could tell it was taking a lot for her to say it. "So when Mario broke it off I realized I didn't really have any friends left I could turn to."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there." Lizzie said.
"But you're here now." Miranda said softly.
"I am…" Lizzie said, pulling her arms around Miranda into a hug, "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
