I have a good defence, but I doubt you guys want to hear it, so just read the story. I'm doing exams this week, but I'm working hard on chapter 13. Let's pray for a weekend update.
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What Could Have Been
Chapter 12: How To Deal
Lizzie McGuire sat in the third row, second to the left, watching as her English teacher, Ms Rygate, ran on about some the great uses of description in the book they had been assigned to read as a class task.
Lizzie wasn't paying attention, not really anyway. Instead, she was in deep thought. Ever since Gordo and her had officially become a 'couple', rumors had started to spread all across the school; and not all of them were good.
Lizzie knew that that was what happened with every new couple, but still, she couldn't help feeling hurt sometimes. She would walk through a corridor, spot some girls looking at her, and then when she passed them she would hear them whispering; "Did you hear? I found out from Ashley that, what's his name? Oh yeah, that David Gordon guy is cheating on his new girlfriend!"
Lizzie knew it was all-bogus, for not only would Gordo never do that to her, but it was also painfully obvious girls like them wanted Lizzie to hear those sort's of things.
How could one thing be so good and so bad all at the same time?
It just wasn't fair.
And to make matters worse, at home her mother kept an even closer watch on her than she usually did. Especially when she was around Gordo. It was getting more and more obvious that Jo was just about to figure out their secret, so Lizzie had decided something. Instead of waiting to be caught out, she would actually finally admit to her mother what was really going on, and hopefully stop her breathing down her neck.
Just as she decided that, a piece of paper landed on her desk, coming from behind her.
The word 'Lizzie' was written in beautiful, neat handwriting, meaning only one person could have sent it.
Checking to see if her teacher was still scribbling away on the whiteboard as she usually did, Lizzie hastily unfolded the paper and read the short note silently.
_______________________________________________________
Hey Beautiful,
I sense your not feeling too well today. You love this class, and you're not paying attention.
If there's something wrong, please tell me, maybe I can help
Love Gordo
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A smile lit up Lizzie's features simply by Gordo's words, and she used the back of the paper to reply to him.
_______________________________________________________
It's nothing. I'm just not comfortable with the rumors that fly around this place about us. You've heard them, I'm sure.
But, I do want to talk to you about something. It's nothing bad, so don't worry, but I'll speak to you at lunch, okay?
Luv you Liz
_______________________________________________________
Satisfied with her answer, and sure he wouldn't freak out thinking something was wrong, Lizzie again waited for the teacher to turn her back on the class and then tossed the note behind her to Gordo's desk, which just happened to be right behind her.
Lizzie heard the rustling of paper, which was no doubt Gordo reading the note. She chanced a quick glance and saw Gordo nod slightly and smile.
Okay, that's settled. Now, what was Ms Rygate talking about the lighting in a movie the foreshadowing of the character?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lizzie entered through the double doors into her school cafeteria, eyes searching for a familiar head of brown curls.
She spotted her target at their usual table, his back facing her so he couldn't see her coming.
Lunch clutched firmly in hand - because who in their right would eat cafeteria food? - Lizzie made her way over to the table, keeping quiet enough so she could sneak up on her unsuspecting prey.
"Guess who?" Lizzie stated in a high pitched squealing voice, her hands covering his eyes.
Gordo sighed, slumping over his meal a bit more.
"Look, Kate, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, I'm not interested! I'm with Lizzie," Gordo teased, breaking Lizzie's grip.
He turned around so he could look at her.
"You're not Kate," he gasped, covering his mouth with his hand in mock horror.
Lizzie glared half-heartedly, while at the same removing her lunch from the bag her mum put it in.
"Haha. Very funny," she stated in a tone that clearly didn't match her words, not even liking the thought of Kate with her Gordo.
"How'd you know it was me?"
Gordo rolled his eyes and chuckled.
"Lizzie, I've known you since I was born, I was bound to pick up on your traits sometime."
Lizzie raised her eyebrows slightly as if to say; 'good point', and then proceeded to find out what Gordo had for lunch, seeing as hers wasn't as appealing to her as it was this morning when she was making it.
"Hey! You've got your own lunch!" Gordo protested, trying to keep his lunch away from her prying hands (and mouth).
Lizzie pouted, and knew she had him right then and there. He could never escape her puppy dog pout.
"But Gordo! You have ham and turkey on wheat bread, and that's my favourite. I have PB and J, my second favourite, can we please swap, just for today. Please!" She kicked up her pout another notch, and he was defenceless. He took one look at her, and that was all he needed to break.
"Fine! I give! Here's your sandwich, but next time, no pout, it's cruel, you know I can't protect myself from it."
Lizzie just smiled at that.
"I know," she replied happily, already chomping away on Gordo's sandwich, which had now become the property of Lizzie McGuire's stomach.
"So," Gordo started after a minute of silent eating.
"What did you have to tell me?" He asked in between bites. At his question, Lizzie stopped eating and put her sandwich down, Gordo following suit knowing instinctively whatever she had to say was important.
"What's up?" He asked again when she didn't say anything.
Lizzie shrugged, trying to find the words.
"It's just, I know how we said we'd keep us a secret from everyone, especially now while we're living together temporarily, but my mum's really suspicious of me right now, and I hate having to sneak around. I want to be able to tell everyone openly that we're dating. I want to tell my mum and dad tonight."
'Well, that actually wasn't hard,' Lizzie thought to herself. 'Now, how will Gordo react?'
After a minute, Gordo shrugged. He wasn't too concerned. Personally, they had taken it too far by not telling them so far. They had nothing to worry about, really, it was more telling his parents that would be hard, but he didn't tell Lizzie that. He didn't want to worry her.
"Whatever makes you happy. It's just, do I have to be there? I remember when you told me how your dad freaked out when Ronnie gave you that friendship ring." Okay, so he did say that he wasn't concerned, but Mr McGuire was scary when he was angry, likewise with Mrs McGuire. It might do well if he wasn't in the room at the time.
Luckily, Lizzie felt the same way.
"I agree," Lizzie responded, nodding her head and letting with tendrils of hair fall out of her high ponytail.
"But, can we please not mention Ronnie again. I really don't want to be thinking about him, ever."
It was Gordo's turn to nod. No sane male wanted to hear about their girlfriend's ex, and he was sure it went both ways.
"Deal," he answered, and for good measure, he shook her hand, and placed a soft kissed to her palm before letting her go. Even though Lizzie was used to these sorts of actions by her boyfriend, she couldn't help but blush. She still couldn't believe this was the same Gordo she had known her whole life. He was so different, more romantic. Of course, he'd never really had a chance to show that side of himself to her, or anyone else for that matter, but it was still strange. It was like the old Gordo was gone, and replaced with a newer, more romantic model, but who still had all of the same traits. Lizzie definitely liked it.
"Hey, Liz-zay!" A voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned to see the owner walking towards her, a huge grin on his face.
Ethan Craft. The former object of Lizzie's affection. Funny how her crush seemed to just melt away. Of course, she had been lying about it for a while now, but there had once been a time, and then she had just simply stopped. But there was no point thinking about it now, she had a boyfriend.
"Gordon! 'Sup dude and dudette? What are you guys doin'?"
Gordo raised his eyebrows and looked back and forth between Ethan and Lizzie. Lizzie did the same; they had twin smiles on their faces.
"We're eating lunch, Ethan. 'Cos, you know, it's lunch and all," Gordo replied, in an obviously sarcastic tone, but Ethan didn't seem to get it. He kept on smiling.
"Awesome! Anyway, I'm having, this like, party this Saturday, coz the last one was just, uh, awesome! Props Lizzie for setting it up. Anyway, my house is bug free, so you wanna come? It's gonna be slammin'!"
Lizzie looked quickly to Gordo and he shrugged, Lizzie did too. It sounded great, but Ethan didn't really make it clear. Were they both invited? She asked him.
"Oh, yeah, totally. Wouldn't be a party without you Gordon," Ethan replied, clapping Gordo on the back.
Lizzie looked to Gordo once more, and he again shrugged in an approving manner.
"Yeah, sure Ethan, we'll be there," Lizzie replied, a big smile on her face.
"Awesome! You won't regret it, promise. My house, Saturday, seven o'clock." With that, Ethan walked away, or more correctly strutted away, waving to a couple of the 'ladies' that created a puddle out of their drool as they watched him go.
Lizzie and Gordo watched him go with an amused look on their faces and then quickly turned back to each other. Gordo stuck up an eyebrow.
"You really liked that guy once?" He asked, deep confusion laced in his voice.
Lizzie shrugged.
"Well, yeah. I mean, every girl did at some point," she flashed him a sweet smile then. "But I've liked you longer." She leaned over the table and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"Well, that's all that matters then," he responded, grinning.
They sat silently, eating their lunch quietly for a little while.
"So, we're going to this thing on Saturday?" Gordo asked, and Lizzie nodded slightly.
"Yeah, I mean, why not? It sounds fun, plus, we haven't been to a party since the Murder Mystery..."
"And that went quite well if I do say so myself," Gordo interrupted, his trademark grin firmly in place.
Lizzie rolled her eyes, but she agreed.
"So why shouldn't we?" Lizzie ended, and Gordo shrugged, seeing no point in arguing with his girlfriend. She seemed to want to go, so he had no real problem with it.
"If your parents say it's okay, then we'll go," Gordo stated, and Lizzie hugged him tightly, thanking him for agreeing to it, as she knew he wasn't one for parties and doing things that others did.
She knew he would be going solely for her, and she was lucky to have a boyfriend that would do something like that for her.
After that, Lizzie pondered out loud what the party would be like, already getting excited about it, and Gordo just listened, not really commenting unless she wanted him to.
Pretty soon, however, she seemed to get bored of the subject, and they went onto other matters. Just talking quietly to them selves until the bell rang for them to get back to class.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was late when Lizzie and Gordo arrived home (they kept on stopping every ten minutes to make out) and when they walked through the front door they were greeted with silence.
"Mum! Dad!" Lizzie yelled, but no one answered her.
"Matt!" She tried, shrugging at Gordo when he gave her a weird look. Again, they both got no answer.
Walking into the kitchen, the pair spotted a note lying on the counter.
'Dear Lizzie,
You're father and I had to go into your brothers' school tonight. It seems he's been acting up again in class, so we're not sure how long we're going to be. I left money for you and Gordo to order a pizza or something in case we're too late getting home. Try to behave until we get back. If you need anything I have my cell.
Love mum'
Lizzie looked towards Gordo and saw he was already looking at her. They both thought the same thing.
'Sweet, no parents'.
At that exact moment, the phone rang, and the pair cut their glance as Lizzie went to answer it.
"Hello?" She spoke, and waited for the person to respond.
"Hola Chicka!" A female voice replied, and Lizzie knew exactly who it was.
"Miranda! Hey, how are you doing?"
On the other end of the line, Miranda shrugged, although she knew Lizzie couldn't see the action.
"I'm cool. Kind of tired, but really excited as well!" Miranda giggled slightly.
"Miranda, where are you? You sound like you're in a car or something."
"That's because I am," Miranda answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh," replied Lizzie, sounding a little confused.
There was a pause.
"Lizzie, look out your front window now."
Okay, if Lizzie was confused before, now she had absolutely no idea what was going on.
"Huh? What are you talking about Miranda?" She asked, and Gordo, who had been sitting patiently, waiting for Lizzie, looked up, also confused.
He mouthed what was up, and Lizzie mouthed back to him to hold on.
She walked over the to the front window and peered out like Miranda instructed, and what she saw made her squeal so loud in delight Gordo had to cover his ears and Miranda had to hold her cell phone about a metre away from her ear.
There, waiting on her driveway, was the Sanchez mini-van, and Miranda was just getting out of it, a huge grin on her face.
Before Gordo could ask her again what was up, Lizzie was out the door, leaving him to trail along, still confused.
As soon as he got out side, however, the confusion gave way to happiness, as he watched his two favourite people in the world hug each other tightly. He soon joined, and the three of them were involved in one big group hug.
When they pulled apart, Gordo placed his arm around Lizzie's waist, and this action didn't pass Miranda's watchful eyes. A grin spread across her face when she saw the display, and she had to keep herself from squealing.
"MIRANDA!" Lizzie yelled, almost damaging her eardrums.
"What are you doing here?!"
Miranda put on an expression of mock hurt.
"Oh, I'm not wanted, am I? Fine, I'll just be going then," she turned to make her way to the car, when Lizzie stopped her with her arm and hugged her again.
"That's not what I meant and you know it. I'm so glad you're here, but you weren't due back for another three weeks. What happened?"
Miranda rolled her eyes and gestured quickly to her car where he parents looked like that were just about to leave.
"It seemed my parents hate my relatives even more than I do," she explained with another eye roll.
Before the pair had a chance to comment, the car horn honked and Miranda's parents backed out of the driveway.
The trio waved goodbye and then headed inside. Apparently Miranda would be staying at the McGuire household for the rest of the afternoon while the Sanchez' got properly settled back into their home. They had apparently arrived back earlier that day, but hadn't had enough time to put their clothes and stuff away.
Which was more than fine with the three of them.
The trio settled themselves down on the comfy couches in the living room, and Gordo and Lizzie listened to the tales both good and bad of her stay in Mexico City.
They heard in full detail - much to Gordo's annoyance - about the boy that had gotten Miranda in trouble, and how much of a 'spunk' he was.
"So, you guys gonna keep in touch, or what?" Gordo asked. He had been the loyal best friend and had kept on listening, even though he was nearly bored to death.
Miranda thought for a minute, and then shook her head.
"I like him, the guy," she started, then trailed off, unsure of how to say this. When Lizzie prompted her, Miranda sighed and gave in, opting to just tell them.
"But I like someone else more, and he lives here. It's just so much more convenient."
Lizzie had a weird look on her face; it was half-surprise, half-impressed. Miranda hadn't liked anyone since Ethan Craft, but that little crush was most certainly over, from the sounds of it.
"Well," Lizzie found herself prompting yet again.
"Who is he?"
Miranda looked down, suddenly finding the carpet a very interesting shade of white.
Oh look, there was lint on her shirt. Better just pick that off right now...
She was wasting time, but she had no idea how to tell the only two people in the world that she'd ever trusted her deep dark secrets too.
She was stalling, badly, but how exactly do you say something like this?
Finally, Lizzie got bored of the silence.
"Miranda if you don't tell me who the guy is right now, I will personally find your journal and read for myself," Lizzie threatened, knowing full well that Miranda would die before she let that happen.
And, as if to prove Lizzie right, Miranda widened her eyes and started sputtering.
"Alright! Okay, I'll tell you," she responded as quickly as the words could get past her mouth.
With her head hanging down as if in shame, Miranda let the words out of her mouth in a mumble. So quiet it was barely audible.
"It's Larry," she admitted.
But no matter how low she kept her voice, her best girl friend Lizzie could always understood her.
"TUDGEMAN!" she practically screamed, letting Gordo know finally - he didn't have the best friend ears Lizzie had and couldn't understand Miranda.
"You like Tudgeman?" Lizzie asked, getting her voice back to normal, but not able to keep the surprise out of her tone.
Miranda nodded, still looking sheepish. She had no idea how her friends felt about this. Lizzie had reacted with screaming and then proceeded with reaffirming the notion, and Gordo hadn't said a word, he'd been silent the entire time.
She really needed her friend's on this, so she decided to test their friendship.
"So," she pondered.
"What do you think?"
Her question was met - surprisingly - with two happy faces.
"Miranda, that's great that you like someone, and Larry's a cool guy, take it from someone who actually went out on a date with him," Lizzie replied, genuinely happy for her friend.
"Yeah," Gordo backed up, smiling also.
"He's a good guy. He has his quirks, but that's just him, no one can change that. It's good though that you're able to look beyond that sort of thing," he added.
Miranda's face was one of total relief.
"Thanks you guys, you have no idea how much that means to me," she responded, a beaming smile on her face.
"One question," Lizzie started, a sly grin forming its way onto her features.
"Shoot," Miranda replied, looking uncomfortable and visibly gulping. Gordo let out a sort of half-laugh, half-snort. It was funny; Miranda was being intimidated by Lizzie.
"Why the sudden interest in Larry? Before you went away, if I had asked you who you liked Larry would have been the farthest possibility from your mind, now you're saying you want to go out with him."
Miranda nodded, not denying any of what Lizzie was saying, because pretty much all of it was true.
"Yeah, you're right, but remember my party? He actually looked hot in what he was wearing, and, I don't know, he was just so different, he seemed more comfortable with himself somehow, like that was what he was meant to be. And, I got to talk to him on IM, and we actually have quite a lot in common. I was so surprised, but he's really a cool guy. I guess I just was never willing to look beyond the 'geek' stuff. I was afraid of what you guys would say."
"Hey, again must I remind you that I dated the guy?" Lizzie stated, pointing to herself.
"And it actually was pretty nice. We had a fun time."
Miranda looked between Gordo and Lizzie, an eyebrow raising.
"Ooh, Gordo, looks like you have some competition mister," she mocked, grinning.
Gordo pretended to laugh.
"Haha, very funny," he replied un-enthusiastically.
Miranda wasn't put off.
"What, are you afraid to fight for your woman?" She teased, and in return got a pillow in the face from Gordo.
Mouth open in surprise, Miranda looked to Lizzie for help.
"Are you just going to sit back and let me take that Liz, this is your boyfriend, tell him to stop," she requested, to which she got a shake of the head.
"Go to it Gordo," she half ordered instead, grinning.
And so a pillow fight ensued.
"Sorry Miranda, but you did deserve it," said Lizzie, before quickly joining in on the antics, and a fully-fledged pillow war was started, with a fair amount of laughter thrown in for good measure.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The trio spent the afternoon in the living room, just chatting, joking around, discussing the upcoming dance at Ethan's (much to Gordo's dismay), and Lizzie getting the details out of Miranda about her chat's with Larry and the 'mysterious boy' in Mexico. After some delving, Lizzie had been informed that he had in fact been a lot older than Miranda, and that was why her mum was so mad.
It was around six 0'clock, and Jo and Sam had been home for a while, so they asked if Miranda wanted to stay for dinner and the rest of the night, seeing as tomorrow would be Saturday.
After a quick call to her folks, everything was settled, and the Sanchez's stopped by not long after to drop off some of Miranda's things.
During that time, the three very cleverly cornered the parents to ask if they could actually go to the party the next day.
It was agreed that they could, assuming there would be a chaperone and that the trio behaved them selves.
After many reassurances that there would be an adult there and that they would behave, the parents gave the final nod.
And through that whole thing, Lizzie totally forgot that she had went on a spiel earlier that day that she would finally tell her parent's about her and Gordo's relationship. It had totally slipped her mind.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They went to bed late that night, again just talking and observing on Miranda's part. She thought it was so cute how Gordo would always grab Lizzie's hand or vice versa. She had known for so long that her two friends' were meant to be, and now that she had someone in mind, everything was going great.
As they started getting ready for bed, Miranda whispered her feelings to the other two.
"We're so lucky right now, nothing can bring us down," she stated, and the others nodded in full agreement, smiles on each of their faces as they started to drift off.
Of course, Miranda had a habit of getting things wrong...
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Yay! An update! However could this be? Anyway, hoped you liked it, the next chapter will deal with the party and some unexpected things happen, hmmm? Whatever could I mean? Anyway, fingers crossed for a weekend update. As I said, I'm doing exams at the moment, so it's a wonder how I got this up.
Okay, well, better get started on chap 13
Ciao for now Em
What Could Have Been
Chapter 12: How To Deal
Lizzie McGuire sat in the third row, second to the left, watching as her English teacher, Ms Rygate, ran on about some the great uses of description in the book they had been assigned to read as a class task.
Lizzie wasn't paying attention, not really anyway. Instead, she was in deep thought. Ever since Gordo and her had officially become a 'couple', rumors had started to spread all across the school; and not all of them were good.
Lizzie knew that that was what happened with every new couple, but still, she couldn't help feeling hurt sometimes. She would walk through a corridor, spot some girls looking at her, and then when she passed them she would hear them whispering; "Did you hear? I found out from Ashley that, what's his name? Oh yeah, that David Gordon guy is cheating on his new girlfriend!"
Lizzie knew it was all-bogus, for not only would Gordo never do that to her, but it was also painfully obvious girls like them wanted Lizzie to hear those sort's of things.
How could one thing be so good and so bad all at the same time?
It just wasn't fair.
And to make matters worse, at home her mother kept an even closer watch on her than she usually did. Especially when she was around Gordo. It was getting more and more obvious that Jo was just about to figure out their secret, so Lizzie had decided something. Instead of waiting to be caught out, she would actually finally admit to her mother what was really going on, and hopefully stop her breathing down her neck.
Just as she decided that, a piece of paper landed on her desk, coming from behind her.
The word 'Lizzie' was written in beautiful, neat handwriting, meaning only one person could have sent it.
Checking to see if her teacher was still scribbling away on the whiteboard as she usually did, Lizzie hastily unfolded the paper and read the short note silently.
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Hey Beautiful,
I sense your not feeling too well today. You love this class, and you're not paying attention.
If there's something wrong, please tell me, maybe I can help
Love Gordo
_______________________________________________________
A smile lit up Lizzie's features simply by Gordo's words, and she used the back of the paper to reply to him.
_______________________________________________________
It's nothing. I'm just not comfortable with the rumors that fly around this place about us. You've heard them, I'm sure.
But, I do want to talk to you about something. It's nothing bad, so don't worry, but I'll speak to you at lunch, okay?
Luv you Liz
_______________________________________________________
Satisfied with her answer, and sure he wouldn't freak out thinking something was wrong, Lizzie again waited for the teacher to turn her back on the class and then tossed the note behind her to Gordo's desk, which just happened to be right behind her.
Lizzie heard the rustling of paper, which was no doubt Gordo reading the note. She chanced a quick glance and saw Gordo nod slightly and smile.
Okay, that's settled. Now, what was Ms Rygate talking about the lighting in a movie the foreshadowing of the character?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lizzie entered through the double doors into her school cafeteria, eyes searching for a familiar head of brown curls.
She spotted her target at their usual table, his back facing her so he couldn't see her coming.
Lunch clutched firmly in hand - because who in their right would eat cafeteria food? - Lizzie made her way over to the table, keeping quiet enough so she could sneak up on her unsuspecting prey.
"Guess who?" Lizzie stated in a high pitched squealing voice, her hands covering his eyes.
Gordo sighed, slumping over his meal a bit more.
"Look, Kate, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, I'm not interested! I'm with Lizzie," Gordo teased, breaking Lizzie's grip.
He turned around so he could look at her.
"You're not Kate," he gasped, covering his mouth with his hand in mock horror.
Lizzie glared half-heartedly, while at the same removing her lunch from the bag her mum put it in.
"Haha. Very funny," she stated in a tone that clearly didn't match her words, not even liking the thought of Kate with her Gordo.
"How'd you know it was me?"
Gordo rolled his eyes and chuckled.
"Lizzie, I've known you since I was born, I was bound to pick up on your traits sometime."
Lizzie raised her eyebrows slightly as if to say; 'good point', and then proceeded to find out what Gordo had for lunch, seeing as hers wasn't as appealing to her as it was this morning when she was making it.
"Hey! You've got your own lunch!" Gordo protested, trying to keep his lunch away from her prying hands (and mouth).
Lizzie pouted, and knew she had him right then and there. He could never escape her puppy dog pout.
"But Gordo! You have ham and turkey on wheat bread, and that's my favourite. I have PB and J, my second favourite, can we please swap, just for today. Please!" She kicked up her pout another notch, and he was defenceless. He took one look at her, and that was all he needed to break.
"Fine! I give! Here's your sandwich, but next time, no pout, it's cruel, you know I can't protect myself from it."
Lizzie just smiled at that.
"I know," she replied happily, already chomping away on Gordo's sandwich, which had now become the property of Lizzie McGuire's stomach.
"So," Gordo started after a minute of silent eating.
"What did you have to tell me?" He asked in between bites. At his question, Lizzie stopped eating and put her sandwich down, Gordo following suit knowing instinctively whatever she had to say was important.
"What's up?" He asked again when she didn't say anything.
Lizzie shrugged, trying to find the words.
"It's just, I know how we said we'd keep us a secret from everyone, especially now while we're living together temporarily, but my mum's really suspicious of me right now, and I hate having to sneak around. I want to be able to tell everyone openly that we're dating. I want to tell my mum and dad tonight."
'Well, that actually wasn't hard,' Lizzie thought to herself. 'Now, how will Gordo react?'
After a minute, Gordo shrugged. He wasn't too concerned. Personally, they had taken it too far by not telling them so far. They had nothing to worry about, really, it was more telling his parents that would be hard, but he didn't tell Lizzie that. He didn't want to worry her.
"Whatever makes you happy. It's just, do I have to be there? I remember when you told me how your dad freaked out when Ronnie gave you that friendship ring." Okay, so he did say that he wasn't concerned, but Mr McGuire was scary when he was angry, likewise with Mrs McGuire. It might do well if he wasn't in the room at the time.
Luckily, Lizzie felt the same way.
"I agree," Lizzie responded, nodding her head and letting with tendrils of hair fall out of her high ponytail.
"But, can we please not mention Ronnie again. I really don't want to be thinking about him, ever."
It was Gordo's turn to nod. No sane male wanted to hear about their girlfriend's ex, and he was sure it went both ways.
"Deal," he answered, and for good measure, he shook her hand, and placed a soft kissed to her palm before letting her go. Even though Lizzie was used to these sorts of actions by her boyfriend, she couldn't help but blush. She still couldn't believe this was the same Gordo she had known her whole life. He was so different, more romantic. Of course, he'd never really had a chance to show that side of himself to her, or anyone else for that matter, but it was still strange. It was like the old Gordo was gone, and replaced with a newer, more romantic model, but who still had all of the same traits. Lizzie definitely liked it.
"Hey, Liz-zay!" A voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned to see the owner walking towards her, a huge grin on his face.
Ethan Craft. The former object of Lizzie's affection. Funny how her crush seemed to just melt away. Of course, she had been lying about it for a while now, but there had once been a time, and then she had just simply stopped. But there was no point thinking about it now, she had a boyfriend.
"Gordon! 'Sup dude and dudette? What are you guys doin'?"
Gordo raised his eyebrows and looked back and forth between Ethan and Lizzie. Lizzie did the same; they had twin smiles on their faces.
"We're eating lunch, Ethan. 'Cos, you know, it's lunch and all," Gordo replied, in an obviously sarcastic tone, but Ethan didn't seem to get it. He kept on smiling.
"Awesome! Anyway, I'm having, this like, party this Saturday, coz the last one was just, uh, awesome! Props Lizzie for setting it up. Anyway, my house is bug free, so you wanna come? It's gonna be slammin'!"
Lizzie looked quickly to Gordo and he shrugged, Lizzie did too. It sounded great, but Ethan didn't really make it clear. Were they both invited? She asked him.
"Oh, yeah, totally. Wouldn't be a party without you Gordon," Ethan replied, clapping Gordo on the back.
Lizzie looked to Gordo once more, and he again shrugged in an approving manner.
"Yeah, sure Ethan, we'll be there," Lizzie replied, a big smile on her face.
"Awesome! You won't regret it, promise. My house, Saturday, seven o'clock." With that, Ethan walked away, or more correctly strutted away, waving to a couple of the 'ladies' that created a puddle out of their drool as they watched him go.
Lizzie and Gordo watched him go with an amused look on their faces and then quickly turned back to each other. Gordo stuck up an eyebrow.
"You really liked that guy once?" He asked, deep confusion laced in his voice.
Lizzie shrugged.
"Well, yeah. I mean, every girl did at some point," she flashed him a sweet smile then. "But I've liked you longer." She leaned over the table and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"Well, that's all that matters then," he responded, grinning.
They sat silently, eating their lunch quietly for a little while.
"So, we're going to this thing on Saturday?" Gordo asked, and Lizzie nodded slightly.
"Yeah, I mean, why not? It sounds fun, plus, we haven't been to a party since the Murder Mystery..."
"And that went quite well if I do say so myself," Gordo interrupted, his trademark grin firmly in place.
Lizzie rolled her eyes, but she agreed.
"So why shouldn't we?" Lizzie ended, and Gordo shrugged, seeing no point in arguing with his girlfriend. She seemed to want to go, so he had no real problem with it.
"If your parents say it's okay, then we'll go," Gordo stated, and Lizzie hugged him tightly, thanking him for agreeing to it, as she knew he wasn't one for parties and doing things that others did.
She knew he would be going solely for her, and she was lucky to have a boyfriend that would do something like that for her.
After that, Lizzie pondered out loud what the party would be like, already getting excited about it, and Gordo just listened, not really commenting unless she wanted him to.
Pretty soon, however, she seemed to get bored of the subject, and they went onto other matters. Just talking quietly to them selves until the bell rang for them to get back to class.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was late when Lizzie and Gordo arrived home (they kept on stopping every ten minutes to make out) and when they walked through the front door they were greeted with silence.
"Mum! Dad!" Lizzie yelled, but no one answered her.
"Matt!" She tried, shrugging at Gordo when he gave her a weird look. Again, they both got no answer.
Walking into the kitchen, the pair spotted a note lying on the counter.
'Dear Lizzie,
You're father and I had to go into your brothers' school tonight. It seems he's been acting up again in class, so we're not sure how long we're going to be. I left money for you and Gordo to order a pizza or something in case we're too late getting home. Try to behave until we get back. If you need anything I have my cell.
Love mum'
Lizzie looked towards Gordo and saw he was already looking at her. They both thought the same thing.
'Sweet, no parents'.
At that exact moment, the phone rang, and the pair cut their glance as Lizzie went to answer it.
"Hello?" She spoke, and waited for the person to respond.
"Hola Chicka!" A female voice replied, and Lizzie knew exactly who it was.
"Miranda! Hey, how are you doing?"
On the other end of the line, Miranda shrugged, although she knew Lizzie couldn't see the action.
"I'm cool. Kind of tired, but really excited as well!" Miranda giggled slightly.
"Miranda, where are you? You sound like you're in a car or something."
"That's because I am," Miranda answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh," replied Lizzie, sounding a little confused.
There was a pause.
"Lizzie, look out your front window now."
Okay, if Lizzie was confused before, now she had absolutely no idea what was going on.
"Huh? What are you talking about Miranda?" She asked, and Gordo, who had been sitting patiently, waiting for Lizzie, looked up, also confused.
He mouthed what was up, and Lizzie mouthed back to him to hold on.
She walked over the to the front window and peered out like Miranda instructed, and what she saw made her squeal so loud in delight Gordo had to cover his ears and Miranda had to hold her cell phone about a metre away from her ear.
There, waiting on her driveway, was the Sanchez mini-van, and Miranda was just getting out of it, a huge grin on her face.
Before Gordo could ask her again what was up, Lizzie was out the door, leaving him to trail along, still confused.
As soon as he got out side, however, the confusion gave way to happiness, as he watched his two favourite people in the world hug each other tightly. He soon joined, and the three of them were involved in one big group hug.
When they pulled apart, Gordo placed his arm around Lizzie's waist, and this action didn't pass Miranda's watchful eyes. A grin spread across her face when she saw the display, and she had to keep herself from squealing.
"MIRANDA!" Lizzie yelled, almost damaging her eardrums.
"What are you doing here?!"
Miranda put on an expression of mock hurt.
"Oh, I'm not wanted, am I? Fine, I'll just be going then," she turned to make her way to the car, when Lizzie stopped her with her arm and hugged her again.
"That's not what I meant and you know it. I'm so glad you're here, but you weren't due back for another three weeks. What happened?"
Miranda rolled her eyes and gestured quickly to her car where he parents looked like that were just about to leave.
"It seemed my parents hate my relatives even more than I do," she explained with another eye roll.
Before the pair had a chance to comment, the car horn honked and Miranda's parents backed out of the driveway.
The trio waved goodbye and then headed inside. Apparently Miranda would be staying at the McGuire household for the rest of the afternoon while the Sanchez' got properly settled back into their home. They had apparently arrived back earlier that day, but hadn't had enough time to put their clothes and stuff away.
Which was more than fine with the three of them.
The trio settled themselves down on the comfy couches in the living room, and Gordo and Lizzie listened to the tales both good and bad of her stay in Mexico City.
They heard in full detail - much to Gordo's annoyance - about the boy that had gotten Miranda in trouble, and how much of a 'spunk' he was.
"So, you guys gonna keep in touch, or what?" Gordo asked. He had been the loyal best friend and had kept on listening, even though he was nearly bored to death.
Miranda thought for a minute, and then shook her head.
"I like him, the guy," she started, then trailed off, unsure of how to say this. When Lizzie prompted her, Miranda sighed and gave in, opting to just tell them.
"But I like someone else more, and he lives here. It's just so much more convenient."
Lizzie had a weird look on her face; it was half-surprise, half-impressed. Miranda hadn't liked anyone since Ethan Craft, but that little crush was most certainly over, from the sounds of it.
"Well," Lizzie found herself prompting yet again.
"Who is he?"
Miranda looked down, suddenly finding the carpet a very interesting shade of white.
Oh look, there was lint on her shirt. Better just pick that off right now...
She was wasting time, but she had no idea how to tell the only two people in the world that she'd ever trusted her deep dark secrets too.
She was stalling, badly, but how exactly do you say something like this?
Finally, Lizzie got bored of the silence.
"Miranda if you don't tell me who the guy is right now, I will personally find your journal and read for myself," Lizzie threatened, knowing full well that Miranda would die before she let that happen.
And, as if to prove Lizzie right, Miranda widened her eyes and started sputtering.
"Alright! Okay, I'll tell you," she responded as quickly as the words could get past her mouth.
With her head hanging down as if in shame, Miranda let the words out of her mouth in a mumble. So quiet it was barely audible.
"It's Larry," she admitted.
But no matter how low she kept her voice, her best girl friend Lizzie could always understood her.
"TUDGEMAN!" she practically screamed, letting Gordo know finally - he didn't have the best friend ears Lizzie had and couldn't understand Miranda.
"You like Tudgeman?" Lizzie asked, getting her voice back to normal, but not able to keep the surprise out of her tone.
Miranda nodded, still looking sheepish. She had no idea how her friends felt about this. Lizzie had reacted with screaming and then proceeded with reaffirming the notion, and Gordo hadn't said a word, he'd been silent the entire time.
She really needed her friend's on this, so she decided to test their friendship.
"So," she pondered.
"What do you think?"
Her question was met - surprisingly - with two happy faces.
"Miranda, that's great that you like someone, and Larry's a cool guy, take it from someone who actually went out on a date with him," Lizzie replied, genuinely happy for her friend.
"Yeah," Gordo backed up, smiling also.
"He's a good guy. He has his quirks, but that's just him, no one can change that. It's good though that you're able to look beyond that sort of thing," he added.
Miranda's face was one of total relief.
"Thanks you guys, you have no idea how much that means to me," she responded, a beaming smile on her face.
"One question," Lizzie started, a sly grin forming its way onto her features.
"Shoot," Miranda replied, looking uncomfortable and visibly gulping. Gordo let out a sort of half-laugh, half-snort. It was funny; Miranda was being intimidated by Lizzie.
"Why the sudden interest in Larry? Before you went away, if I had asked you who you liked Larry would have been the farthest possibility from your mind, now you're saying you want to go out with him."
Miranda nodded, not denying any of what Lizzie was saying, because pretty much all of it was true.
"Yeah, you're right, but remember my party? He actually looked hot in what he was wearing, and, I don't know, he was just so different, he seemed more comfortable with himself somehow, like that was what he was meant to be. And, I got to talk to him on IM, and we actually have quite a lot in common. I was so surprised, but he's really a cool guy. I guess I just was never willing to look beyond the 'geek' stuff. I was afraid of what you guys would say."
"Hey, again must I remind you that I dated the guy?" Lizzie stated, pointing to herself.
"And it actually was pretty nice. We had a fun time."
Miranda looked between Gordo and Lizzie, an eyebrow raising.
"Ooh, Gordo, looks like you have some competition mister," she mocked, grinning.
Gordo pretended to laugh.
"Haha, very funny," he replied un-enthusiastically.
Miranda wasn't put off.
"What, are you afraid to fight for your woman?" She teased, and in return got a pillow in the face from Gordo.
Mouth open in surprise, Miranda looked to Lizzie for help.
"Are you just going to sit back and let me take that Liz, this is your boyfriend, tell him to stop," she requested, to which she got a shake of the head.
"Go to it Gordo," she half ordered instead, grinning.
And so a pillow fight ensued.
"Sorry Miranda, but you did deserve it," said Lizzie, before quickly joining in on the antics, and a fully-fledged pillow war was started, with a fair amount of laughter thrown in for good measure.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The trio spent the afternoon in the living room, just chatting, joking around, discussing the upcoming dance at Ethan's (much to Gordo's dismay), and Lizzie getting the details out of Miranda about her chat's with Larry and the 'mysterious boy' in Mexico. After some delving, Lizzie had been informed that he had in fact been a lot older than Miranda, and that was why her mum was so mad.
It was around six 0'clock, and Jo and Sam had been home for a while, so they asked if Miranda wanted to stay for dinner and the rest of the night, seeing as tomorrow would be Saturday.
After a quick call to her folks, everything was settled, and the Sanchez's stopped by not long after to drop off some of Miranda's things.
During that time, the three very cleverly cornered the parents to ask if they could actually go to the party the next day.
It was agreed that they could, assuming there would be a chaperone and that the trio behaved them selves.
After many reassurances that there would be an adult there and that they would behave, the parents gave the final nod.
And through that whole thing, Lizzie totally forgot that she had went on a spiel earlier that day that she would finally tell her parent's about her and Gordo's relationship. It had totally slipped her mind.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They went to bed late that night, again just talking and observing on Miranda's part. She thought it was so cute how Gordo would always grab Lizzie's hand or vice versa. She had known for so long that her two friends' were meant to be, and now that she had someone in mind, everything was going great.
As they started getting ready for bed, Miranda whispered her feelings to the other two.
"We're so lucky right now, nothing can bring us down," she stated, and the others nodded in full agreement, smiles on each of their faces as they started to drift off.
Of course, Miranda had a habit of getting things wrong...
______________________________________________________________________
Yay! An update! However could this be? Anyway, hoped you liked it, the next chapter will deal with the party and some unexpected things happen, hmmm? Whatever could I mean? Anyway, fingers crossed for a weekend update. As I said, I'm doing exams at the moment, so it's a wonder how I got this up.
Okay, well, better get started on chap 13
Ciao for now Em