Mrs. McGuire opened the front door. "Hi Gordo."

"G'Morning. Is Lizzie awake yet?"

She stepped back from the door. "She'll probably be down in a few minutes."

"Already? She must have had an early start this morning."

We sat at the kitchen table as usual. "Lizzie practically sprang out of bed with the alarm this morning," she said. "She's been a little antsy since she came home last night."

One of my legs started to bounce up and down. "Oh?"

Last night had been the most eventful evening of my life. And that includes all the birthdays, family gatherings, parties, and childhood adventures. Nothing could have prepared me for last night and I certainly wouldn't forget it in the coming days. First, my oldest friend in the world confesses a traumatizing experience she's been burdening herself with for some time. And somehow, before the night reaches its end, we end up sharing a kiss.

My first instinct was to avoid her as long as humanly possible. I didn't know what to make of any of it...except I did. The emotions hit me at such a high velocity that I didn't know if I could survive a rejection from my best friend. Had it been a fluke? I wasn't sure I could bear a retraction.

Mrs. McGuire's voice cut into my thoughts. "Gordo? Do you know what's bothering her?"

"Not really," I lied and nervously chugged down my second cup of milk.

Books dropped onto the kitchen counter behind me. Lizzie's sigh ruffled her longish bangs. "I finally get to unload these Teen Torture Bricks."

"You're turning in all of your school books today, sweetie?" Her mom asked.

"Yeah. This is - " Lizzie took her first observation of the kitchen. From the look on her face, she clearly hadn't expected me to show up this morning. "Oh, hi."

She was smiling. I took that as a good sign and smiled back. "Hi."

In the short silence that followed afterwards, I wasn't aware of anything else.

The car ride to school was mostly quiet. Mostly small talk conversation. Questions that only returned one-worded answers.

"Did you tell Miranda?"

Her voice was panicky. "Tell her what?"

"About Steven."

"Oh...um, no. Not yet."

We didn't hug goodbye like we normally did. Instead, we awkwardly waved in parting instead.

My English exam was tougher than I had expected but I was thankful for the distraction. Before I knew it, the test was over and the teacher released us for our half hour break.

Denisse was the first of my friends that I managed to spot out in the halls.

"I haven't seen you in awhile. Alone," I teased.

She blushed lightly which is what I had hoped for. She really was too cute sometimes. "How are you?"

A pair of burly arms suddenly slipped around her petite frame from behind. "Blake!" Denisse yelled after shrieking in surprise. All he did was grin and give her a peck on the cheek.

"Hey man," I said and we slapped hands. "Where's your brother?"

Blake had already wrapped his bearish arms around Denisse again. "I'm not sure," he shrugged. "He's probably scrambling to find a list minute date for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow..."

Denisse sensed my confusion. "The dance."

I hastily slid a hand through my hair. "Shit. I forgot about that."

"Don't let Lizzie know that," her smile amused.

I returned the smile. "I'm not backing out of the date if that's what you're thinking."

"Maybe she's the one that's backing out," Harold added as he slapped me on the back.

"What's with your guys sneaking up on people?" I accused, a little startled. Denisse agreed wholeheartedly. "And what did you mean by that, anyway?"

Harold jerked his thumb to point backwards. "I just came from thattaway, and it looks like someone else is trying to ask our blonde friend to the dance tomorrow."

What the hell? I searched through cluters of people until my eyes landed on Lizzie with Steven. Her back was pressed against the lockers, trying to scrunch away from him, while he had one of his hands against the same lockers, placed beside her head, his body learning in.

"Who is that?" Blake questioned.

Harold spoke first. "Hey, I recognize that dude. He showed up at a party awhile back."

"Well, who is he?" his twin persisted.

Harold only shrugged. "Heck if I know. Miranda talked to him for a second, I remember. From what I could tell, she didn't really care for him."

"And neither do I," I said as I began to back away. "I'll be right back."

More than a handful of people I had to shoulder through just to approach the pair I had my eyes on. I made sure to level my temper before I allowed myself to speak. "How'd your exam go, Lizzie?"

The tension seemed to leave her face. "Hey!" She walked out of the small, enclosed space Steven had trapped her in. This time, we did hug. My grin was broad, I'm sure.

Steven made sure his presence wasn't forgotten. "Is it true you asked her to the dance?"

"Yeah," I attempted to sound nonchalant. "A bunch of us decided to pair off and I thought it would be a good idea."

"But you two are friends so it isn't a big deal. So, I was thinking she and I should go together. She deserves that. A real date I mean."

My blood was boiling like never before. If he kept this up I'd go into berserk mode and see nothing but red. I managed to force out a chuckle. "Don't you think you're being a little unfair about this?"

"Aren't you?" His perfect, manufactured smile was polite. "This girl deserves a real date, don't you think? I thought she was your friend, man. Shouldn't her happiness mean something to you?"

Lizzie found her voice. "Steven, aren't you forgetting that this is my choice? Thanks for asking and everything but I think I'd rather go with David."

"Anything I could do to change your mind?" He winked and stepped closer to her.

I placed myself between them, my voice low. "Haven't you done enough?" I said as more as a statement than a question.

His jaw bones flexed a couple of times. "What's that supposed to mean, Gordon?"

"You know damn well what I mean. Don't play stupid."

Lizzie pulled on my wrist. "Gordo, don't."

Steven's face was close. "That was between me and her. Mind your own damn business."

"Now it's my business. Leave her alone, you got it?"

"Or what?" He dared to smirk.

At this point, I had him pinned between a locker and myself. My hand slammed into the locker beside his head. "Stop. Just. Stop," I nearly growled. As soon as I noticed the flame in his eyes, I knew we were beyond the point of just walking away.

Steven shoved me solidly with his hands and yelled. "Are you threatening me, little shit?!"

My only response was to shove him back with equal force.

Fists were flying before I knew it. And because I had never been a violent person, I didn't have much experience in this aspect of life. However, my male instincts must have taken over and whatever I lacked in form and technique, I more than made up for with my rage.

We somehow ended up on the floor. I never took my attention away from my opponent but I sensed the crowd formed around us. Shouts of excitement filled my ears along with my pounding heart and haggard breathing.

"Kick his ass!"

"Get up!"

"Punch 'em again!"

By now, we were standing and hunched over. Steven had me in a headlock. His grip was strong and I didn't have enough room to elbow him in the stomach. I pressed my feet to the ground in an abrupt jolt to throw my body's weight background, which lead to Steven's back roughly colliding with a locker.

Someone pulled us apart. I looked up and saw one of the school's security guards holding back Steven while a teacher I faintly recognized was roughly pulling me away.

"The show's over folks!" the teacher hollered. The crowd parted as he teacher dragged me toward the office.

Harold rushed to my side with a grin. "Remind me to stay on your good side. That dude sailed!"

I suddenly felt exhausted. Who knew a brief fight could be so draining?

Lizzie pushed Harold out of the way. "Oh my God, Gordo! Why did you do that? Are you crazy? Look at you - you're bleeding!"

Was I? I felt numb.

The bell rang and the teacher jerked on my arm. "Tell your friends goodbye, Rocky." He turned his head. "You kids better get to class or I'm taking you to the office, too."

"See ya," Harold said.

Lizzie looked me over with concerned eyes.

"Get to class," the teacher urged.

A/N: "The dude sailed!" An Eric line I stole from one of the later episodes of Boy Meets World. I effin love that show ;)