A/N: Hey people, well, well, well, an update. Who'd have guessed? Uh, listen, this story is now on it's last leg. There are just two more chapters *sob* until the end. I want to thank everyone that has reviewed this story, you've made my very first chaptered fic an honour to write. At the end, I will thank everyone by name, but for now enjoy this. And also, a bonus along with the last two chapters, there will be an alternate ending, just coz I wanna put it in. Yay me. Now, go, read.
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What Could Have Been
Chapter 13: Party People
"Remind me again, why am I here?" David Gordon stated abruptly as the three figures neared the doorstep of Ethan Craft's three-story mansion-type home.
"Because Gordo, you love me and you'd do anything for me," replied Miranda, trying to look innocent but failing. Gordo coughed while Lizzie mock glared.
"Hey, that's my line, want to step outside and do something about it?" she challenged, grinning.
"Ah, Liz, we are outside," Miranda reminded her, dropping her voice to a stage whisper.
Lizzie rolled her eyes, meanwhile Gordo was trying very hard not to laugh.
"Whatever," Lizzie said in defeat.
"Oh, that's why I came," whispered Gordo to no one in particular.
He received two slaps on either arm for that comment, and he just laughed some more, pretending to be hurt by the girl-y slaps.
Giggling, all three friends walked up to the front door, and Gordo, being the one closest to the doorbell, rang it once and then stepped back. They waited a couple of minutes but got no answer. So Gordo rang again, twice this time and for longer.
They could hear music faintly playing in the background, and figured Ethan must have been having the party down in his basement, which was apparently huge, and had so much room it was supposedly as big as their school gym.
They waited a little longer but still no one came to the door.
So this time, Miranda knocked loudly on the door, and within seconds they could hear someone inside hurrying to the door.
Miranda flashed Gordo a smug look, and he looked away in defeat.
Within a couple of seconds, the door flung open, and the trio was greeted with the smiling face of Tawny, Ethan's step-mum, who he had apparently caught his brains from.
She had the cordless phone in her hand, a look of slight confusion marring her otherwise cheery features.
"Sorry kids," she started apologetically.
"I didn't hear the door. The phone rang and when I went to pick it up no one was there. It happened two times just then, and the strangest part was it sounded more like our doorbell than our telephone, but then you three knocked, and I guess the person on the phone decided it was a wrong number. It's been happening all night though."
Through that whole spiel, the woman at the door never lost her smile.
The three friends shared a look, all immediately thinking the same thing; 'this woman was nuts'. She obviously thought the phone was ringing when it really was them at the door. Oh, boy.
"Well, come on kids, party and drinks are downstairs, food is upstairs."
Mrs Craft opened the door wider so as to allow the trio entry, and as they stepped inside, Gordo leaned in so only Miranda and Lizzie could hear and whispered; "Well, this should be fun."
The two girls gigged quietly, as they headed in the direction of the stairs leading to the basement.
On the way down, they heard the doorbell ring again and Mrs Craft go to answer the phone.
The three giggled again.
"Definitely," Lizzie agreed with Gordo's earlier statement.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Being the closest to the door leading to the basement, Miranda pulled it open, and immediately pounding music was let out of the sound proof room, taking them off guard for a moment until they regained their composure and stepped inside.
Miranda felt a little weird being there, seeing as she wasn't really officially invited, but Lizzie and Gordo convinced her that Ethan would have asked her anyway if he knew.
She only hoped Larry would be there.
Stepping fully into the room, they were bombarded by a sea of dancing figures, and tried desperately to not get trampled.
Almost immediately, the three amigos were stopped in their tracks by the towering figure that was than Ethan Craft, his wavy hair projected the mirror ball and made it look extra shiny.
"Liz-zay! Gordon!" He greeted in typical Ethan fashion, and then his eyes found Miranda's.
"Miranda! Wassup my lovely lady? You have been gone for quite some time now."
Miranda nodded. "Yeah, I've been vacationing in Mexico City with my parents, but we're back now."
Ethan nodded.
"Cool, cool. So, how was it, going overseas?"
Miranda stared blankly at Ethan, trying to figure out what he meant, and then she realised, he thought Mexico City was a country.
Oh well, it was Ethan, go figure. She played along anyway, meanwhile Gordo's stifled laughter could just be heard above the blaring music.
"Yeah, Ethan, it was great. Listen, um, sorry I came here uninvited, I just thought that it would be okay," she looked at Ethan hopefully, and a dumb grin lit up his face.
"Oh, no worries Miranda! Wouldn't want a party without you, right guys?" He looked towards Lizzie and Gordo for confirmation.
Lizzie and Gordo nodded simultaneously, automatically remembering the Murder Mystery party. Ethan had wanted Miranda there, but had conveniently forgotten the fact that she was away on holiday.
"Well, in that case," Miranda trailed off, smiling.
"Okay guys, gotta jet, gotta mingle, you guys do the same. Thanks for coming."
And with those parting words, Ethan Craft got lost in the mass of bodies gyrating to the music.
The three friends scanned the crowd, hoping to find a familiar face, but they didn't. In fact, it was like totally different people. They didn't recognise anyone.
So, instead, they all started dancing together to the music, trying very hard not to get squashed in the process.
And that's when they heard it...
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Loozie and Gor-dork, and look, you two actually managed to find another friend, little 'Randa." All three turned around to see the smirking face of Kate Sanders come up to a stop just behind them, flagged by her group of wannabes that looked and talked, and acted like their 'leader'.
And the night was just starting to get good.
"You know, just because Ethan invited all of you, doesn't mean you have a right to be here. Or, that you're welcome either," she stated, looking proud of herself while her drones laughed.
Gordo rolled his eyes, as did the other two girls, but he stepped forward.
"Kate, don't you have a hole to crawl into or something?" He retaliated, impressing two of the girls, and pissing off the third.
"My, aren't we snippy," Kate responded sarcastically, hiding her hurt.
Gordo regarded her closely, eyeing her outfit. She had on a black mini skirt that expressed the reason why it was called 'mini', and a red tank top that was a little too revealing for a girl her age. Topping it of were strappy three-inch heels that actually looked painful to wear, but were no doubt for show. Altogether, the outfit wasn't what a person would call 'suitable', for any time.
"My," Gordo started, smiling. "Aren't we sluty." Gordo 2, Kate 0.
The bitch queen had no retort for the comment, and so instead she simply left, leaving her drones trailing along not that far behind.
And suddenly, the night was looking a whole lot better.
Lizzie grabbed Gordo in a big bear hug and gave him a quick kiss.
"See, that's why I love you," she told him smiling.
"Why, because I can beat off girls? Yeah, must be the manly part of me," Gordo responded, striking a 'tough' pose.
"What do you mean 'manly part'? We've never seen any side to you other than the wimpy side," Miranda retorted, laughing.
Gordo punched her in the arm. Hard.
"Ow!" She yelped, rubbing her forearm.
Gordo raised his eyebrows.
"You want to repeat you're last comment to me now, huh Miranda?"
"Wimp," Miranda replied weakly, still clutching her arm.
"Okay, okay, I think it's time for referee McGuire to step in and call a time out. Gordo, nice job. Miranda, you have my permission to hit my boyfriend," Lizzie stated, grinning from ear to ear.
A sly grin made it to Miranda's lips and she reached over to Gordo. He was too quick for her however and started running, getting lost in the sea of people. But Miranda was not far behind. She caught up to him at a small drink stand the Craft's had set up just in case anyone was dying of thirst and couldn't make it upstairs.
After a satisfied punch in the arm, Miranda let go of Gordo, but he was laughing too hard to feel any pain.
His laughter was contagious, and soon a giggle erupted from Miranda and she too was laughing along with him.
And Lizzie, who had finally caught up to the pair, took one look at her two best friends rolling around on the floor laughing and joined in herself, not really knowing why, just knowing that it felt good. People were staring, they knew it, because it must have looked totally stupid that three fifteen year olds were on the floor laughing their heads off for no particular reason. But it didn't matter to them, because this was the most fun they'd had in ages, and it was great to have the gang back together.
It was a good ten minutes before either one of them could find the strength to stop laughing long enough to get up.
It was one of those times when you were laughing so hard you forgot why you started laughing in the first place.
Soon after though, they were back on their feet, and started dancing again.
Miranda thought she spotted Larry, so she went over to make sure, leaving Lizzie and Gordo alone. Which was fine by them.
The second they started dancing together a slow song came on. Lizzie wrapped her arms around Gordo's neck and Gordo placed his hands gently on her small waist.
They danced, lost in each other for so long they didn't even realise the song had changed to a fast paced beat. They just kept dancing slowly, barely moving their feet, but just swaying along to the slow music only they could hear.
Out of the corner of their eye, they caught Miranda dancing with someone they barely recognised. But on closer inspection they realised it was Larry, with a better haircut and a new shirt...thank God.
But soon they went back to only watching each other, and dismissed everyone else in the room.
They didn't realise that someone was watching them.
This person acted like they were dancing along with the rest, but instead they kept a close eye on the dancing couple, particularly the blonde girl.
He knew the guy she was dancing with, he remembered his name. But he didn't pose any threat, at least he didn't think so. But the way they were dancing made him weary that he would have to act fast or nothing could be done.
He'd get his chance later that night, but until then, he was happy to watch.
Watch...and wait. _______________________________________________________________________
Oh to write some more. Hope you enjoyed it.
Ciao for now Em
What Could Have Been
Chapter 13: Party People
"Remind me again, why am I here?" David Gordon stated abruptly as the three figures neared the doorstep of Ethan Craft's three-story mansion-type home.
"Because Gordo, you love me and you'd do anything for me," replied Miranda, trying to look innocent but failing. Gordo coughed while Lizzie mock glared.
"Hey, that's my line, want to step outside and do something about it?" she challenged, grinning.
"Ah, Liz, we are outside," Miranda reminded her, dropping her voice to a stage whisper.
Lizzie rolled her eyes, meanwhile Gordo was trying very hard not to laugh.
"Whatever," Lizzie said in defeat.
"Oh, that's why I came," whispered Gordo to no one in particular.
He received two slaps on either arm for that comment, and he just laughed some more, pretending to be hurt by the girl-y slaps.
Giggling, all three friends walked up to the front door, and Gordo, being the one closest to the doorbell, rang it once and then stepped back. They waited a couple of minutes but got no answer. So Gordo rang again, twice this time and for longer.
They could hear music faintly playing in the background, and figured Ethan must have been having the party down in his basement, which was apparently huge, and had so much room it was supposedly as big as their school gym.
They waited a little longer but still no one came to the door.
So this time, Miranda knocked loudly on the door, and within seconds they could hear someone inside hurrying to the door.
Miranda flashed Gordo a smug look, and he looked away in defeat.
Within a couple of seconds, the door flung open, and the trio was greeted with the smiling face of Tawny, Ethan's step-mum, who he had apparently caught his brains from.
She had the cordless phone in her hand, a look of slight confusion marring her otherwise cheery features.
"Sorry kids," she started apologetically.
"I didn't hear the door. The phone rang and when I went to pick it up no one was there. It happened two times just then, and the strangest part was it sounded more like our doorbell than our telephone, but then you three knocked, and I guess the person on the phone decided it was a wrong number. It's been happening all night though."
Through that whole spiel, the woman at the door never lost her smile.
The three friends shared a look, all immediately thinking the same thing; 'this woman was nuts'. She obviously thought the phone was ringing when it really was them at the door. Oh, boy.
"Well, come on kids, party and drinks are downstairs, food is upstairs."
Mrs Craft opened the door wider so as to allow the trio entry, and as they stepped inside, Gordo leaned in so only Miranda and Lizzie could hear and whispered; "Well, this should be fun."
The two girls gigged quietly, as they headed in the direction of the stairs leading to the basement.
On the way down, they heard the doorbell ring again and Mrs Craft go to answer the phone.
The three giggled again.
"Definitely," Lizzie agreed with Gordo's earlier statement.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Being the closest to the door leading to the basement, Miranda pulled it open, and immediately pounding music was let out of the sound proof room, taking them off guard for a moment until they regained their composure and stepped inside.
Miranda felt a little weird being there, seeing as she wasn't really officially invited, but Lizzie and Gordo convinced her that Ethan would have asked her anyway if he knew.
She only hoped Larry would be there.
Stepping fully into the room, they were bombarded by a sea of dancing figures, and tried desperately to not get trampled.
Almost immediately, the three amigos were stopped in their tracks by the towering figure that was than Ethan Craft, his wavy hair projected the mirror ball and made it look extra shiny.
"Liz-zay! Gordon!" He greeted in typical Ethan fashion, and then his eyes found Miranda's.
"Miranda! Wassup my lovely lady? You have been gone for quite some time now."
Miranda nodded. "Yeah, I've been vacationing in Mexico City with my parents, but we're back now."
Ethan nodded.
"Cool, cool. So, how was it, going overseas?"
Miranda stared blankly at Ethan, trying to figure out what he meant, and then she realised, he thought Mexico City was a country.
Oh well, it was Ethan, go figure. She played along anyway, meanwhile Gordo's stifled laughter could just be heard above the blaring music.
"Yeah, Ethan, it was great. Listen, um, sorry I came here uninvited, I just thought that it would be okay," she looked at Ethan hopefully, and a dumb grin lit up his face.
"Oh, no worries Miranda! Wouldn't want a party without you, right guys?" He looked towards Lizzie and Gordo for confirmation.
Lizzie and Gordo nodded simultaneously, automatically remembering the Murder Mystery party. Ethan had wanted Miranda there, but had conveniently forgotten the fact that she was away on holiday.
"Well, in that case," Miranda trailed off, smiling.
"Okay guys, gotta jet, gotta mingle, you guys do the same. Thanks for coming."
And with those parting words, Ethan Craft got lost in the mass of bodies gyrating to the music.
The three friends scanned the crowd, hoping to find a familiar face, but they didn't. In fact, it was like totally different people. They didn't recognise anyone.
So, instead, they all started dancing together to the music, trying very hard not to get squashed in the process.
And that's when they heard it...
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Loozie and Gor-dork, and look, you two actually managed to find another friend, little 'Randa." All three turned around to see the smirking face of Kate Sanders come up to a stop just behind them, flagged by her group of wannabes that looked and talked, and acted like their 'leader'.
And the night was just starting to get good.
"You know, just because Ethan invited all of you, doesn't mean you have a right to be here. Or, that you're welcome either," she stated, looking proud of herself while her drones laughed.
Gordo rolled his eyes, as did the other two girls, but he stepped forward.
"Kate, don't you have a hole to crawl into or something?" He retaliated, impressing two of the girls, and pissing off the third.
"My, aren't we snippy," Kate responded sarcastically, hiding her hurt.
Gordo regarded her closely, eyeing her outfit. She had on a black mini skirt that expressed the reason why it was called 'mini', and a red tank top that was a little too revealing for a girl her age. Topping it of were strappy three-inch heels that actually looked painful to wear, but were no doubt for show. Altogether, the outfit wasn't what a person would call 'suitable', for any time.
"My," Gordo started, smiling. "Aren't we sluty." Gordo 2, Kate 0.
The bitch queen had no retort for the comment, and so instead she simply left, leaving her drones trailing along not that far behind.
And suddenly, the night was looking a whole lot better.
Lizzie grabbed Gordo in a big bear hug and gave him a quick kiss.
"See, that's why I love you," she told him smiling.
"Why, because I can beat off girls? Yeah, must be the manly part of me," Gordo responded, striking a 'tough' pose.
"What do you mean 'manly part'? We've never seen any side to you other than the wimpy side," Miranda retorted, laughing.
Gordo punched her in the arm. Hard.
"Ow!" She yelped, rubbing her forearm.
Gordo raised his eyebrows.
"You want to repeat you're last comment to me now, huh Miranda?"
"Wimp," Miranda replied weakly, still clutching her arm.
"Okay, okay, I think it's time for referee McGuire to step in and call a time out. Gordo, nice job. Miranda, you have my permission to hit my boyfriend," Lizzie stated, grinning from ear to ear.
A sly grin made it to Miranda's lips and she reached over to Gordo. He was too quick for her however and started running, getting lost in the sea of people. But Miranda was not far behind. She caught up to him at a small drink stand the Craft's had set up just in case anyone was dying of thirst and couldn't make it upstairs.
After a satisfied punch in the arm, Miranda let go of Gordo, but he was laughing too hard to feel any pain.
His laughter was contagious, and soon a giggle erupted from Miranda and she too was laughing along with him.
And Lizzie, who had finally caught up to the pair, took one look at her two best friends rolling around on the floor laughing and joined in herself, not really knowing why, just knowing that it felt good. People were staring, they knew it, because it must have looked totally stupid that three fifteen year olds were on the floor laughing their heads off for no particular reason. But it didn't matter to them, because this was the most fun they'd had in ages, and it was great to have the gang back together.
It was a good ten minutes before either one of them could find the strength to stop laughing long enough to get up.
It was one of those times when you were laughing so hard you forgot why you started laughing in the first place.
Soon after though, they were back on their feet, and started dancing again.
Miranda thought she spotted Larry, so she went over to make sure, leaving Lizzie and Gordo alone. Which was fine by them.
The second they started dancing together a slow song came on. Lizzie wrapped her arms around Gordo's neck and Gordo placed his hands gently on her small waist.
They danced, lost in each other for so long they didn't even realise the song had changed to a fast paced beat. They just kept dancing slowly, barely moving their feet, but just swaying along to the slow music only they could hear.
Out of the corner of their eye, they caught Miranda dancing with someone they barely recognised. But on closer inspection they realised it was Larry, with a better haircut and a new shirt...thank God.
But soon they went back to only watching each other, and dismissed everyone else in the room.
They didn't realise that someone was watching them.
This person acted like they were dancing along with the rest, but instead they kept a close eye on the dancing couple, particularly the blonde girl.
He knew the guy she was dancing with, he remembered his name. But he didn't pose any threat, at least he didn't think so. But the way they were dancing made him weary that he would have to act fast or nothing could be done.
He'd get his chance later that night, but until then, he was happy to watch.
Watch...and wait. _______________________________________________________________________
Oh to write some more. Hope you enjoyed it.
Ciao for now Em