A/N: Thank you again for all the reviews! I really appreciate it! They were inspiration for me to finish this story, so... enjoy! Oh, and for those that wondered if our dear Gordo will feel jealous as well, why what else do we have our sweet Ethan for? ;-)

Chapter Four: A different type of thunder

"Do my eyes deceive me or is Miss McGuire all by her lonesome?"

It still amazes Lizzie how just one book can change someone. Normally, upon hearing such a voice, she would be at attention. Partly nervous attention, but at attention non the less. However... this was literally a different story...

"Liz?" A soft, yet firm, hand grasped her shoulder, causing the young woman to fall back to her reality. She glanced up to meet eyes with the person that made contact, and practically forced a smile.

"Hey Ethan..." Lizzie felt a twinge of guilt at having to force a smile at Ethan. He was afterall still her friend. No matter how many times she would develop a crush on him, Ethan was still her good friend. Friendships meant more to her than silly crushes, though often times the crushes felt anything but silly.

"How's my favorite McGuire? And why is she all alone in a classroom when lunch isn't even over yet?" He smiled, taking the seat next to her.

Lizzie needed to get away from the crowd and rush of the lunch hour. She figured that the only place that students avoided at all cost during that free hour was the one place they spent the rest of the day in... a classroom.

She shrugged to his questions, though she still smiled thoughtfully at him. "I'm doing fine, Ethan." Raising her book up so that he can see the cover, "Just needed some peace and quiet."

Ethan ran a hand through his dirty blond hair, causing Lizzie to give him a semi-once over. Hey, she was still human afterall! Not to mention that though it hasn't been twenty-four hours since her newly discovered crush on David, she still was at least physically attracted to Ethan. It was sort of like having a crush on a celebrity-- you know that nothing is going to happen but it doesn't hurt to check them out!

"Hey," He regarded the book, grinning, "That was an awesome movie!"

With a teasing grin, "Oh... and let me guess, you thought Apollonia was a babe?"

"Totally!" Ethan replied, "Yeah, I was amazed they filmed her topless for this one scene..."

"What?!" Lizzie squeeked, stunned that Ethan would mention such a scene to her.

"Granted that they had much more graphic scenes in the film and all..." He added.

"How graphic?" She slowly asked, afraid for the answer.

"It's a mafia movie, Liz. Guns, violence, blood, guys getting shot in the head point blank... you can't get more graphic than that!"

Half joking, "That's why it's such a guy movie..."

"About as much as that Mandy Moore movie is such a chick flick!" He chuckled in retort, causing Lizzie to also laugh.

"Ethan? You in here... oh, you."

Lizzie looked up, meeting eyes with her once best friend turned enemy, Kate Sanders. Wanting to be the bigger person, as is always the case with Kate, "Hey Kate!" She smiled brightly.

For the sake of Ethan's presence, Kate returned the smile, though Lizzie knew it was as fake as... well, Lizzie just didn't feel like going there.

"Hey McGuire..." She smiled sweetly at Ethan, then turned back to Lizzie, "I just saw your boyfriend outside. Why aren't you with him?"

Lizzie gritted her teeth, hating how Kate sneered the word "boyfriend" in reference to David.

"Lizzie just wanted some quiet time to read, is all, Kate." Ethan answered for Lizzie. Though he sometimes didn't show it, he knew very well of the tension and competition between Lizzie and Kate.

"Oh," Kate replied dejectedly, but bounced back with, "Book over boyfriend... huh. That book must be more interesting than poor ol' David, huh?"

Lizzie pounced up, her eyes flaming, "It certainly is more interesting than your highlights!"

Ethan stood up, getting in between Lizzie and Kate, as per usual... some things never change since junior high. "Kate, Lizzie... can you please refrain from the claws?" Ethan turned to Kate, "Wait for me outside, okay? Let me just say bye to Lizzie."

He turned his back to Lizzie, who flew a haughty smirk at Kate. Kate's eyes were ready to kill. When Ethan glanced back at her, Lizzie turned into one of innocence.

With a huff, Kate glared one last time at Lizzie, then smiled sweetly at Ethan. "Okay, Ethan." Putting on more of a show than she usually does, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be waiting..." To Lizzie, "Outside."

"She wasn't born with a stick up her butt, y'know..." Lizzie quipped. She quickly bit her tongue though, afraid of Ethan reprimanding her. However, she was surprised to see him laugh at her joke. She gave him a small smile, "Sorry... I shouldn't have said that." Sighing, "If you haven't noticed, she gets on my nerves."

"It's kind of hard not to notice." He replied.

"Why do put up with her, Ethan?" Lizzie then asked, surprising herself by that question. It was something that was always on her mind, but over the years was afraid to ask. Why now wasn't she so scared? Did it have anything to do with her developing feelings for her Gordo?

Ethan paused, as if weighing his answer carefully. He then smiled shyly at Lizzie, "Honestly?"

Lizzie nodded. To her shock, she found her heart pounding wildly in anticipation of his answer. It was as if his answer could make or break her. "Yeah... of course."

Shrugging, "I don't know. It's kinda..." He trailed off, trying to find the right word. Then, "Complicated."

"Oh," She trailed off, her eyes turning away from his. Lizzie then glanced up at him, holding his gaze. "Well," She grinned, "When you figure it out, let me know, okay? I could maybe sleep better without wondering every night how someone as sweet and cool as you would like someone as... well, Kate."

Ethan laughed, held out his hand as if to seal a deal. "You got a deal, Miss Lizzie!"

They shook hands, both sharing not only a laugh, but an inside joke that only they knew of.

Upon contact, Lizzie found herself startled by his touch. Not only startled, but undoubtedly confused! Wasn't it just a few hours ago her heart was pounding over her Gordo mere presence?

"You and I should hang out more often, Liz." Now Lizzie knew that Ethan was flirting with the Craft charm because of what he said next. "Maybe I can see why our David's so crazy about you!" He winked.

Just to show that she wasn't at all nervous and uncomfortable by her recent confusion, Lizzie laughed.

And to make matters worse...or other various things like bad, good, more confusing, all depending on how one views the situation... Ethan acted like a gentleman and kissed her hand.

"I'll see you later, Lizzie."

Lizzie waved good-bye, and managing a small "See ya!"

As she watched him leave, her mouth was nearly dropped in shock over his lips meeting her knuckles. "Oh. My. God!" Lizzie couldn't contain a triumphant grin. It was as if her old eight grade self was coming out and cheering her on to fulfill a dream abandoned just a few hours ago because of...

Her smile slowly faded, "Gordo..." She whispered. She glanced at her book and guilt bit the hand Ethan kissed. "Oi..." Lizzie winced.

@ ~ ~ ~ @ ~ ~ ~ @

That wince would have lasted twice as long had Lizzie been aware of a pair of eyes witnessing the Lizzie-Ethan exchange a few moments ago...

David had just run into Kate moments after his Lizzie left. It was an unfortunate incident that happened as he was making his way inside to his locker.

"Hey David! Have you seen my Ethan?"

He feigned shock at the fact that Kate was actually talking to him! "You talkin' to me?"

Giving him a look, "Uh, I am looking at you." Giving him a smirk, "You should be so lucky..."

"Kate, if I was, we wouldn't be talking and I wouldn't need," He reached into his pack, bringing out his sunglasses and putting them on. Returning her smirk, and pointing at his shades, "This to prevent the glare off your highlights."

"Ha. Very funny, Gordo."

Luckily he was wearing his shades, or else Kate would have noticed his blue eyes flashing. "Kate, it's David. Only Lizzie is allowed to call me that name, got it?"

"Whatever, David. I could careless about you and Lizzie's love affair," She heard David chuckle but pointedly ignored him and continued, "I'm just looking for Ethan. Have you seen him?"

Giving her his best smart-ass reply, "Kate, to answer your question on if I've seen Ethan... are they real?"

He heard her give a low growl, to which he knew that she had gotten the point because when he turned to face her, Kate began to walk ahead of him in that oh so superior attitude that he knew so well.

Much to his dismay, her absence was short lived because David had seen her yet again moments after he made it to his locker. Kate had just stalked out of a classroom, arms crossed in a huff.

Surprising himself, yet knowing how tempting it was to give Kate more grief, David walked up to her with a wise-ass grin. The closer he was to her, he knew that something happened to her, making Kate in an even more fowl mood than usual.

"What's the matter, Kate?" He grinned, "Someone stole your lip gloss?"

He heard her growl at him, causing him to back off. "Whoa!" He held his hands up in defense, "Geez, that's attractive of you! What? Did you forget how to say 'Hello'?"

Kate regarded him, giving David a once-over. Then, casting him a sneer before walking away, "Hello, David... your girlfriend's trying to steal my man!"

David didn't know what threw him off more; having Kate still refering to Lizzie as his "girlfriend", or briefly seeing Kate's eyes glistening.

However, both were topped off at the sight now before him. He glanced into the classroom and just stood there watching his Lizzie and Ethan laughing... and flirting?

He turned away though upon the moment Ethan leaned over and kissed Lizzie's hand.

And before he could allow Ethan to acknowledge his presence, David quickly walked away and around the corner. His chest was pounding wildly with confusion and, well, a feeling he couldn't explain. A feeling that he knew one thing about... he hadn't felt that way since the day he saw Lizzie and Ronny share a kiss.

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A/N: David's not the only one that couldn't forget the Lizzie/Ronny incident! I still recall the look on Gordo's face! Give Adam Lamberg (Gordo) an Emmy for that look!