A/N: I'm pretty sure that if people are still interested in this story that they're pretty sick of hearing me apologise, but I'M SOOOOOOOOO SORRY!!!!! My only excuse (and a lame one at that) is that I've been really sick these past few days, and also I have quite a few assignment due soon, so I've been really busy with school work. Anyway, some people who I know were promised an extra long chapters. Ten or fifteen pages which would break my previous long chapters by about seven pages. But because I wanted to get a new chapter out A.S.A.P, that sort of didn't work out. It's still pretty long, but not as long as hoped. Sigh I also had to leave out a few things for my next chapter. I promise though that the next one won't take me as long, but for now, please be satisfied with this, while I go work on chapter ten (or eleven, I forget).
Again SORRY SORRY SORRY!!! _____________________________________________________________________
What Could Have Been
Chapter 9: Bunk Buddies
"Can you pass the potatoes, please?"
"Ooh, bread rolls, right here thanks."
"Hey honey, look at this, half price on special edition gnomes, can we go have a look?"
"Who's got the gravy?"
"This is so good!"
"Sam, you have too many gnomes already. Any more and they won't be called garden gnomes anymore, they'll be house gnomes."
The buzz of chatter around the diner table tonight was warm and refreshing compared to the usual banter put on by Lizzie and her brother Matt, the resident heavy weight champions in the 'destroy your siblings lives' contest. There was a reason for this, and that reason was sitting right next to Lizzie: David Gordon. Bless him.
Every time her parents weren't looking, Lizzie would sneak Gordo a knowing smile, and he would fly one back. Jo and Sam were, of course, oblivious, and not even willing to consider the fact that Matt had been telling the truth when he said they were together. They had written it of so fast, a cheetah would have to be fighting off its dust.
To them, there was no hint whatsoever of a relationship, and until that changed, their minds were made up.
Of course, that didn't necessarily mean that they wouldn't keep a look out. Matt had been pleased to see them eyeing Lizzie and asking questions. It really was only a matter of time before they figured it out.
But until then, Matt couldn't do anything, so he was forced to stay silent, and wait till they slipped up. Which, he didn't even think he wanted anymore. He liked Gordo, and if he were under torture, he'd admit to liking his sister as well. If someone threatened him, he'd actually confess that he was happy for the two of them.
But the lovey-dovey looks were making him gag.
It was Tuesday night, the first official night Gordo had spent in the company of his girlfriend and her family.
Although his parents had left town yesterday, Gordo hadn't officially moved in until today.
His parents had left on the plane late in the night, and Gordo had spent the rest of that night getting ready. He had the spent that night alone in his own home, unable to sleep knowing he'd be sleeping right next door to his girlfriend in less that twenty-four hours.
The thought had made him giddy, and he hadn't produced any sleep at all that night.
Least to say, he was tired the next day.
But Lizzie was practically the same. She was excited beyond belief, and she had also stayed up until the early hours of the morning just thinking.
Of course, she had a lot more on her mind than Gordo did.
Ever since they had told her the good - more like fantastic - news, her parents had been eying her with the weirdest of glances. She originally had put it down to parents always being weird, and her own just being ahead of the rest, but then her mum would say the strangest things.
And it was just little things at first. Inquiring questions. Asking how Gordo was when she could find out for herself. When Lizzie would go to shops, she would ask if Gordo would be coming with her.
It was strange, definitely, like they knew or something.
Because of course, they still hadn't told them. It was stupid when it came down to it, but they could never find the right time. It would happen soon, they'd tell themselves, but it never did.
One time she caught her dad eyeing Gordo with what looked like a 'you watch yourself mister' glance. Lizzie hadn't known what to make of it, and still to this day she had no idea.
Then there was also her little problem of Miranda.
Lizzie hadn't been able to get a hold of her.
Miranda hadn't given Lizzie or Gordo the number where they could reach her, and she hadn't rung Lizzie back since the day when she'd hung up on her.
Gordo reminded her constantly that it was probably only a misunderstanding, and it was only a matter of time before she rang them back. It was obvious when he said it that he was also trying to convince himself though. And as much as Lizzie appreciated it, she was much less convinced. Three days with no word at all, that was too much of a coincidence not to be connected.
Even so, Lizzie couldn't do anything to prove it, and it was driving her insane. Sometimes she just wanted to sit by the phone the whole day and use the power of her mind to make Miranda call her.
If only that worked, if only she really could focus her will power into making the phone ring.
Ring! Ring!
If only she could focus her will power into receiving a million dollars...
"I'll get it!" Lizzie exclaimed as she practically jumped of her seat and bounded for the cordless phone.
"Hello?" She asked, breathing heavily from her sprint to the phone. Her family was looking at her strangely, Gordo just nodded knowingly.
"Liz?"
Is it? Could it be? Please, let that be...
"It's Miranda."
Oh, thank you my dear God!
"Miranda, oh my gosh, it's really you. Please, don't hang up, give me a chance to explain..."
"No, actually Lizzie, I think it's my turn to explain. Are you alone?"
Lizzie took a quick peek at the dinner table, where every pair of eyes was on her.
Without a word to anyone, Lizzie left the room, giving Gordo a look that said clearly for him to not follow.
"Yeah, all alone Miranda, and I'm all ears," Lizzie answered her friends earlier question.
"Right. Cool. Liz, before I explain, I just wanna say that I think I know how you're feeling right now, and I want to apologise. I didn't mean to make it sound like that. I'm fully supportive of you and Gordo, totally."
"Then why'd you hang up, Miranda? You made me really upset. I thought you were angry with us, and you haven't called me back until now, you haven't done anything to contact us in three days, what were we supposed to think?"
"You were supposed to trust me. It wasn't me Liz, it was my mum. I was grounded when I called you. When you told me about you and Gordo, and I screamed, she yelled up and me and said I better not be on the phone. A couple of minutes later, she came up, saw me talking to you, and hung up for me. Liz, believe me, I think this is totally cool about you and Gordo. It's better than that, it's awesome! You guys finally realised."
"I believe you Miranda, but...realised what?" Lizzie was curious about the last part, and her shoulders felt much lighter now that that the whole thing was sorted out.
"Realised you were made for each other, duh! Come on Lizzie, I knew when I first came to you guys, and that was in the third grade. Don't you remember! The very first day we met, I asked if you guys were going out, coz you were always holding hands, and you did everything together. You guys denied it, of course, but everyone could see it."
"I remember," Lizzie stated, smiling at the memory. Just one year later, she had developed a crush on him, and unbidden, that crush had turned to love. And no matter how much she had tried to hide it by swooning over Ethan or someone, her feelings for Gordo never went away. In fact, they became stronger.
"So," Miranda asked happily. Her punishment was over, and she was about to get the goss on the hottest new couple at Hillridge, who also happened to be her best friends.
"What made you finally decided to admit your feelings?"
"More like 'who'," Lizzie corrected, smiling. She could practically see Miranda on her bed, feet up in the air, kicking back and forth while she listened intently with a huge grin on her face.
"It was Kate." Lizzie actually said this was an edge of disgust, but she was also a little sad. Kate had been so nice at that Murder Mystery party, and then very next day she was all sarcastic and mean again. Lizzie really felt they had the chance to be friends again, and then that was shattered in a matter of hours.
Life was unfair sometimes, but then, Lizzie thought about her relationship with Gordo, and her friendship with Miranda. Sometimes, life was the best thing in the world.
"Lizzie! Kate?!" Miranda practically screamed. Lizzie had neglected to remember that her aforementioned best friend had been slowly going insane because she hadn't fully answered her.
"It's complicated Miranda. We had a party..."
"Oh man, I miss out on the best things," Miranda pouted, cutting over the top of Lizzie.
"We had a party," Lizzie continued, a bit more forcefully.
"A Murder Mystery one where you dress up as different people and try to solve the murder. Anyway, Kate was this nice author person, or whatever, and she started acting that way, and she gave me advice. Or, more accurate, she beat me over the head with the truth. She told me Gordo liked me, and that sort of made me think. If her liked me, and I liked him, why weren't we doing anything about it? So, that night, everyone had gone home. We were standing on the porch, he asked me out on a date, and we kissed."
Miranda squealed when she heard Lizzie's retelling, and Lizzie herself almost wanted to yell out in happiness. She managed to contain herself though. The last thing she wanted was her parent's coming in to see what was the matter. She was having a hard time keeping her voice down so they would hear anyway, she didn't need that on top of it all.
"Oh, that's so romantic! If only everyone could have what you guys have, then we'd be one big, happy world, wouldn't we?" Miranda giggled a little bit, and that made Lizzie giggle, and pretty soon it was one big giggle fest.
Miranda, being the first to initiate the laughter, was also the first to stop. Becoming serious, she cleared her throat slightly.
"So, Liz. My mum came in before I could hear what else you had to say. She came in and I was too shocked and scared to listen. I heard you say that you hadn't told me the best part yet, and then I tuned out. She hung up shortly after. But from the tone in your voice, it sounded important. So spill chicka, what was so dire?"
At this Lizzie froze. Was it a good idea to tell her? The last time she did it just sort of slipped out. She had planned that for a later time. But what was the point? She was practically lying to her friend by not telling her, and she had to tell someone, she was dying to.
"Okay, but promise not to freak out, okay?"
There was silence, but not the bad kind. Lizzie smiled softly.
"Are you nodding Miranda?" She asked, a grin growing and replacing the small smile.
"Yes," answered Miranda softly. "Sorry, I must have been having a blonde moment, continue." Lizzie actually felt kind of angry at her comment, but decided now was not the time to discuss her rights as a blonde.
"Okay, here goes. I love him Miranda, and he loves me. We told each other that night." Okay, worst part over with. Lizzie held her breath while she waited for Miranda response. There was silence for a little while that made Lizzie rethink her decision to tell, and then:
"Uh, hi, Pope, I just called to say you're a Catholic," said Miranda while trying to hold in laughter.
Lizzie let go of the ball of air in her mouth and smiled. She was so happy that Miranda was taking this so well, but...hey!
"Okay, can you stop with the comments about me being dumb?" Protested Lizzie, but apparently in vain as Miranda kept on laughing, ignoring her friend's pleas to favour her own clever joke.
"I still have one more thing to tell you," Lizzie teased, and Miranda shut up straight away.
"Good girl. See, I haven't told you the best part yet. Gordo's have gone away on business for ten days, and Gordo's staying here with us until they get back. They left yesterday."
"What? Asked Miranda. "His grand mother came in and he gets to stay back instead of going with his parents?" She wasn't quite getting it, so Lizzie decided to make it clear for her.
"No Miranda, he's staying here, in this house, with us, right next door to me, for ten whole days."
Lizzie didn't have to wait long this time before she got an answer from Miranda. Or more like, incoherent screaming. But this time she wouldn't hang up on her, so Lizzie was happy. She eagerly listened to her friend's rants and giddy babble, just glad to have her to talk to again.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, while all that with Lizzie was happening in the other room, Gordo was sitting, very uncomfortably, at the table while three pairs of eyes watched him like he was in an interrogation room and they were worried he'd flee.
Ever since Lizzie had exited the room, phone in hand and smile on face, all eyes had turned to him, and if they expected him to have all the answers.
'Hey,' thought Gordo pathetically. 'I just want to eat my mashed potatoes.'
The four oddly paired people sat in silence, chewing away at the array of food placed there as a welcome dinner for Gordo. Barely a word passed between them all, except for when necessary. All the while Matt pinned Gordo with an 'I know what you've been doing' glance.
Gordo, of course noticed, and then thought, 'What's next? Threatening letters? I know what you did the other night? Or something else just as creepy?'
"So, Gordo" started Mrs McGuire, breaking the disturbing silence creeping in with each second Lizzie was not there.
"How are you feeling? Ten nights with no one but us, how will you cope?" She meant it as a joke, but she could sense something in the air, something strange. Avoidance, maybe? It seemed both teens wished to speak as little as possible to the parents.
"Oh, I think I'll survive," replied Gordo in the same tone used by Jo. But he too sensed something was up. Matt watched this silently, making little mental notes. Sam, of course, was oblivious. Having just gone back to his magazine. He too had noticed the tension, but thought nothing of it. And after eying Gordo for some time like the rest, his interest had slowly turned back to the gnomes on the page in front of him, and all his thoughts were now on that.
"Are you okay about using the bedroom down here? I know we said you could use the one upstairs, but Sam wants to make that a study, and so with all the mess around I doubt you'd be able to find the bed." Jo laughed a little and the waited for Gordo's response. It came quickly by the teen; eager to return to is meals for more than the reason of simply being hungry.
"Oh, it's fine Mrs McGuire. Anything you can offer will be alright with me," he replied and then resumed his eating.
'When had it become so hard to talk to these people?' thought Gordo dejectedly. 'They were like a second family to me and now it's hard to say two words to them without feeling weird. It's like, if I get to talking, I'll spill everything, and until Lizzie says she's ready to tell them, you can't.'
Gordo kept quiet for a few minutes while he waged an internal war. Jo and Matt watched him closely (although he didn't know that).
"Do you know what all that with Miranda is about?" Asked Jo a minute later, directing her question to the teen in front of her still fighting a war deep inside himself.
"Huh?" He said, looking up, confusion plastered on his face.
It cleared a second later as Gordo's brain deciphered her encrypted words.
"Oh, uh, no. Just girl talk, I guess, I try and stay out of those things." But as Gordo answered her, he suddenly became very interested with what the two girls were talking about. Lizzie had gone out of the room looking solemn, but she had also been gone for a while. He didn't know what to make of any of it.
He used to know everything, and now it had all became so complicated, he only wished, for Lizzie's sake much more than his own, that Miranda and forgiven and forgotten.
"Oh, okay. It's just strange, I guess. Miranda hasn't called the house in three days. That's weird if you ask me."
Oh no. The mum radar had picked up some disturbance. How do they always seem to know exactly how long it takes for a friend to call again? It was like all parents had a built in system, a sixth sense or something. It was way too freaky sometimes. Now, to defuse he situation.
"Nah, that's not strange. She was probably having too much fun in Mexico to even think about giving us a call. It's no big."
Jo nodded as she took in the teen's words, but decided to not comment, much to Gordo's relief.
He cast a quick glance over at the doorway where Lizzie had disappeared into over ten minutes ago.
'Hurry back Liz,' thought Gordo desperately. 'Please hurry back.'
_____________________________________________________________________
I know, I know, that was really boring, but I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. You've all been awesome in your reviews, so thank you so much for sticking with this story. I promise, next chapter will have so much L/G sap will be coming out your eye sockets. It won't disappoint.
Ciao for now Em
Again SORRY SORRY SORRY!!! _____________________________________________________________________
What Could Have Been
Chapter 9: Bunk Buddies
"Can you pass the potatoes, please?"
"Ooh, bread rolls, right here thanks."
"Hey honey, look at this, half price on special edition gnomes, can we go have a look?"
"Who's got the gravy?"
"This is so good!"
"Sam, you have too many gnomes already. Any more and they won't be called garden gnomes anymore, they'll be house gnomes."
The buzz of chatter around the diner table tonight was warm and refreshing compared to the usual banter put on by Lizzie and her brother Matt, the resident heavy weight champions in the 'destroy your siblings lives' contest. There was a reason for this, and that reason was sitting right next to Lizzie: David Gordon. Bless him.
Every time her parents weren't looking, Lizzie would sneak Gordo a knowing smile, and he would fly one back. Jo and Sam were, of course, oblivious, and not even willing to consider the fact that Matt had been telling the truth when he said they were together. They had written it of so fast, a cheetah would have to be fighting off its dust.
To them, there was no hint whatsoever of a relationship, and until that changed, their minds were made up.
Of course, that didn't necessarily mean that they wouldn't keep a look out. Matt had been pleased to see them eyeing Lizzie and asking questions. It really was only a matter of time before they figured it out.
But until then, Matt couldn't do anything, so he was forced to stay silent, and wait till they slipped up. Which, he didn't even think he wanted anymore. He liked Gordo, and if he were under torture, he'd admit to liking his sister as well. If someone threatened him, he'd actually confess that he was happy for the two of them.
But the lovey-dovey looks were making him gag.
It was Tuesday night, the first official night Gordo had spent in the company of his girlfriend and her family.
Although his parents had left town yesterday, Gordo hadn't officially moved in until today.
His parents had left on the plane late in the night, and Gordo had spent the rest of that night getting ready. He had the spent that night alone in his own home, unable to sleep knowing he'd be sleeping right next door to his girlfriend in less that twenty-four hours.
The thought had made him giddy, and he hadn't produced any sleep at all that night.
Least to say, he was tired the next day.
But Lizzie was practically the same. She was excited beyond belief, and she had also stayed up until the early hours of the morning just thinking.
Of course, she had a lot more on her mind than Gordo did.
Ever since they had told her the good - more like fantastic - news, her parents had been eying her with the weirdest of glances. She originally had put it down to parents always being weird, and her own just being ahead of the rest, but then her mum would say the strangest things.
And it was just little things at first. Inquiring questions. Asking how Gordo was when she could find out for herself. When Lizzie would go to shops, she would ask if Gordo would be coming with her.
It was strange, definitely, like they knew or something.
Because of course, they still hadn't told them. It was stupid when it came down to it, but they could never find the right time. It would happen soon, they'd tell themselves, but it never did.
One time she caught her dad eyeing Gordo with what looked like a 'you watch yourself mister' glance. Lizzie hadn't known what to make of it, and still to this day she had no idea.
Then there was also her little problem of Miranda.
Lizzie hadn't been able to get a hold of her.
Miranda hadn't given Lizzie or Gordo the number where they could reach her, and she hadn't rung Lizzie back since the day when she'd hung up on her.
Gordo reminded her constantly that it was probably only a misunderstanding, and it was only a matter of time before she rang them back. It was obvious when he said it that he was also trying to convince himself though. And as much as Lizzie appreciated it, she was much less convinced. Three days with no word at all, that was too much of a coincidence not to be connected.
Even so, Lizzie couldn't do anything to prove it, and it was driving her insane. Sometimes she just wanted to sit by the phone the whole day and use the power of her mind to make Miranda call her.
If only that worked, if only she really could focus her will power into making the phone ring.
Ring! Ring!
If only she could focus her will power into receiving a million dollars...
"I'll get it!" Lizzie exclaimed as she practically jumped of her seat and bounded for the cordless phone.
"Hello?" She asked, breathing heavily from her sprint to the phone. Her family was looking at her strangely, Gordo just nodded knowingly.
"Liz?"
Is it? Could it be? Please, let that be...
"It's Miranda."
Oh, thank you my dear God!
"Miranda, oh my gosh, it's really you. Please, don't hang up, give me a chance to explain..."
"No, actually Lizzie, I think it's my turn to explain. Are you alone?"
Lizzie took a quick peek at the dinner table, where every pair of eyes was on her.
Without a word to anyone, Lizzie left the room, giving Gordo a look that said clearly for him to not follow.
"Yeah, all alone Miranda, and I'm all ears," Lizzie answered her friends earlier question.
"Right. Cool. Liz, before I explain, I just wanna say that I think I know how you're feeling right now, and I want to apologise. I didn't mean to make it sound like that. I'm fully supportive of you and Gordo, totally."
"Then why'd you hang up, Miranda? You made me really upset. I thought you were angry with us, and you haven't called me back until now, you haven't done anything to contact us in three days, what were we supposed to think?"
"You were supposed to trust me. It wasn't me Liz, it was my mum. I was grounded when I called you. When you told me about you and Gordo, and I screamed, she yelled up and me and said I better not be on the phone. A couple of minutes later, she came up, saw me talking to you, and hung up for me. Liz, believe me, I think this is totally cool about you and Gordo. It's better than that, it's awesome! You guys finally realised."
"I believe you Miranda, but...realised what?" Lizzie was curious about the last part, and her shoulders felt much lighter now that that the whole thing was sorted out.
"Realised you were made for each other, duh! Come on Lizzie, I knew when I first came to you guys, and that was in the third grade. Don't you remember! The very first day we met, I asked if you guys were going out, coz you were always holding hands, and you did everything together. You guys denied it, of course, but everyone could see it."
"I remember," Lizzie stated, smiling at the memory. Just one year later, she had developed a crush on him, and unbidden, that crush had turned to love. And no matter how much she had tried to hide it by swooning over Ethan or someone, her feelings for Gordo never went away. In fact, they became stronger.
"So," Miranda asked happily. Her punishment was over, and she was about to get the goss on the hottest new couple at Hillridge, who also happened to be her best friends.
"What made you finally decided to admit your feelings?"
"More like 'who'," Lizzie corrected, smiling. She could practically see Miranda on her bed, feet up in the air, kicking back and forth while she listened intently with a huge grin on her face.
"It was Kate." Lizzie actually said this was an edge of disgust, but she was also a little sad. Kate had been so nice at that Murder Mystery party, and then very next day she was all sarcastic and mean again. Lizzie really felt they had the chance to be friends again, and then that was shattered in a matter of hours.
Life was unfair sometimes, but then, Lizzie thought about her relationship with Gordo, and her friendship with Miranda. Sometimes, life was the best thing in the world.
"Lizzie! Kate?!" Miranda practically screamed. Lizzie had neglected to remember that her aforementioned best friend had been slowly going insane because she hadn't fully answered her.
"It's complicated Miranda. We had a party..."
"Oh man, I miss out on the best things," Miranda pouted, cutting over the top of Lizzie.
"We had a party," Lizzie continued, a bit more forcefully.
"A Murder Mystery one where you dress up as different people and try to solve the murder. Anyway, Kate was this nice author person, or whatever, and she started acting that way, and she gave me advice. Or, more accurate, she beat me over the head with the truth. She told me Gordo liked me, and that sort of made me think. If her liked me, and I liked him, why weren't we doing anything about it? So, that night, everyone had gone home. We were standing on the porch, he asked me out on a date, and we kissed."
Miranda squealed when she heard Lizzie's retelling, and Lizzie herself almost wanted to yell out in happiness. She managed to contain herself though. The last thing she wanted was her parent's coming in to see what was the matter. She was having a hard time keeping her voice down so they would hear anyway, she didn't need that on top of it all.
"Oh, that's so romantic! If only everyone could have what you guys have, then we'd be one big, happy world, wouldn't we?" Miranda giggled a little bit, and that made Lizzie giggle, and pretty soon it was one big giggle fest.
Miranda, being the first to initiate the laughter, was also the first to stop. Becoming serious, she cleared her throat slightly.
"So, Liz. My mum came in before I could hear what else you had to say. She came in and I was too shocked and scared to listen. I heard you say that you hadn't told me the best part yet, and then I tuned out. She hung up shortly after. But from the tone in your voice, it sounded important. So spill chicka, what was so dire?"
At this Lizzie froze. Was it a good idea to tell her? The last time she did it just sort of slipped out. She had planned that for a later time. But what was the point? She was practically lying to her friend by not telling her, and she had to tell someone, she was dying to.
"Okay, but promise not to freak out, okay?"
There was silence, but not the bad kind. Lizzie smiled softly.
"Are you nodding Miranda?" She asked, a grin growing and replacing the small smile.
"Yes," answered Miranda softly. "Sorry, I must have been having a blonde moment, continue." Lizzie actually felt kind of angry at her comment, but decided now was not the time to discuss her rights as a blonde.
"Okay, here goes. I love him Miranda, and he loves me. We told each other that night." Okay, worst part over with. Lizzie held her breath while she waited for Miranda response. There was silence for a little while that made Lizzie rethink her decision to tell, and then:
"Uh, hi, Pope, I just called to say you're a Catholic," said Miranda while trying to hold in laughter.
Lizzie let go of the ball of air in her mouth and smiled. She was so happy that Miranda was taking this so well, but...hey!
"Okay, can you stop with the comments about me being dumb?" Protested Lizzie, but apparently in vain as Miranda kept on laughing, ignoring her friend's pleas to favour her own clever joke.
"I still have one more thing to tell you," Lizzie teased, and Miranda shut up straight away.
"Good girl. See, I haven't told you the best part yet. Gordo's have gone away on business for ten days, and Gordo's staying here with us until they get back. They left yesterday."
"What? Asked Miranda. "His grand mother came in and he gets to stay back instead of going with his parents?" She wasn't quite getting it, so Lizzie decided to make it clear for her.
"No Miranda, he's staying here, in this house, with us, right next door to me, for ten whole days."
Lizzie didn't have to wait long this time before she got an answer from Miranda. Or more like, incoherent screaming. But this time she wouldn't hang up on her, so Lizzie was happy. She eagerly listened to her friend's rants and giddy babble, just glad to have her to talk to again.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, while all that with Lizzie was happening in the other room, Gordo was sitting, very uncomfortably, at the table while three pairs of eyes watched him like he was in an interrogation room and they were worried he'd flee.
Ever since Lizzie had exited the room, phone in hand and smile on face, all eyes had turned to him, and if they expected him to have all the answers.
'Hey,' thought Gordo pathetically. 'I just want to eat my mashed potatoes.'
The four oddly paired people sat in silence, chewing away at the array of food placed there as a welcome dinner for Gordo. Barely a word passed between them all, except for when necessary. All the while Matt pinned Gordo with an 'I know what you've been doing' glance.
Gordo, of course noticed, and then thought, 'What's next? Threatening letters? I know what you did the other night? Or something else just as creepy?'
"So, Gordo" started Mrs McGuire, breaking the disturbing silence creeping in with each second Lizzie was not there.
"How are you feeling? Ten nights with no one but us, how will you cope?" She meant it as a joke, but she could sense something in the air, something strange. Avoidance, maybe? It seemed both teens wished to speak as little as possible to the parents.
"Oh, I think I'll survive," replied Gordo in the same tone used by Jo. But he too sensed something was up. Matt watched this silently, making little mental notes. Sam, of course, was oblivious. Having just gone back to his magazine. He too had noticed the tension, but thought nothing of it. And after eying Gordo for some time like the rest, his interest had slowly turned back to the gnomes on the page in front of him, and all his thoughts were now on that.
"Are you okay about using the bedroom down here? I know we said you could use the one upstairs, but Sam wants to make that a study, and so with all the mess around I doubt you'd be able to find the bed." Jo laughed a little and the waited for Gordo's response. It came quickly by the teen; eager to return to is meals for more than the reason of simply being hungry.
"Oh, it's fine Mrs McGuire. Anything you can offer will be alright with me," he replied and then resumed his eating.
'When had it become so hard to talk to these people?' thought Gordo dejectedly. 'They were like a second family to me and now it's hard to say two words to them without feeling weird. It's like, if I get to talking, I'll spill everything, and until Lizzie says she's ready to tell them, you can't.'
Gordo kept quiet for a few minutes while he waged an internal war. Jo and Matt watched him closely (although he didn't know that).
"Do you know what all that with Miranda is about?" Asked Jo a minute later, directing her question to the teen in front of her still fighting a war deep inside himself.
"Huh?" He said, looking up, confusion plastered on his face.
It cleared a second later as Gordo's brain deciphered her encrypted words.
"Oh, uh, no. Just girl talk, I guess, I try and stay out of those things." But as Gordo answered her, he suddenly became very interested with what the two girls were talking about. Lizzie had gone out of the room looking solemn, but she had also been gone for a while. He didn't know what to make of any of it.
He used to know everything, and now it had all became so complicated, he only wished, for Lizzie's sake much more than his own, that Miranda and forgiven and forgotten.
"Oh, okay. It's just strange, I guess. Miranda hasn't called the house in three days. That's weird if you ask me."
Oh no. The mum radar had picked up some disturbance. How do they always seem to know exactly how long it takes for a friend to call again? It was like all parents had a built in system, a sixth sense or something. It was way too freaky sometimes. Now, to defuse he situation.
"Nah, that's not strange. She was probably having too much fun in Mexico to even think about giving us a call. It's no big."
Jo nodded as she took in the teen's words, but decided to not comment, much to Gordo's relief.
He cast a quick glance over at the doorway where Lizzie had disappeared into over ten minutes ago.
'Hurry back Liz,' thought Gordo desperately. 'Please hurry back.'
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I know, I know, that was really boring, but I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. You've all been awesome in your reviews, so thank you so much for sticking with this story. I promise, next chapter will have so much L/G sap will be coming out your eye sockets. It won't disappoint.
Ciao for now Em