A/N: Okay guys, second last chapter right here (third last if you include the alternate version). As always I hope you all enjoy. This particular chapter I have dedicated to my sister Sarah who is sixteen and is in France for two months. We miss her a lot and hope she comes back safely.
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What Could Have Been
Chapter 14: You
From the other side of the crowded room, a figure stood watching, his eyes never leaving the sight before him. A smile wormed its way to his lips, and a twinkle caught his eye.
This was it. His time had come.
The young blonde woman was alone at last, at the drink table getting a cup of punch. One cup, and then two. He assumed the other was for him. He would have to work quickly, if his plan was going to work. A third cup was poured, and it made him wonder who it was for. Another friend most likely. But that didn't matter. All that mattered was the plan.
He worked his way over; wary of the dancing bodies that created a block to his destination. She had her back towards him, which was what he was hoping for.
A surprise.
Hopefully a good surprise.
It seemed to take forever for him to walk the ten feet to where the young woman stood, carefully pouring out the flavoured drinks. It actuality, it was only a couple of seconds, but it felt but years.
Soon, however, the mass of bodies were behind him, and he found himself standing right behind the girl.
He tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned around. For the first time that night, he came face to face with the object of his desire. As he stared intently into her eyes, he felt a renewed sense of longing that had been there from the beginning but had never seemed so desperate.
He was about to say something when her own voice interrupted him with a high pitched squeal. But because of the blaring music, it sounded more like a whisper.
"RONNIE!" How happy he was to hear her say his name, even if it was like that. It wasn't bad, it just meant she was surprised to see him. Surprise could be a good thing. And anyway, he was going for surprise.
Ronnie Jacobs smiled, pulling the stunned girl into a hug.
"Hey Lizzie," he said once he released her. He almost shouted it so she could hear.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, but because she spoke in normal tones, he couldn't hear, and definitely didn't hear the disgust that laced her voice.
Ronnie put his hands to his ears and made a face that clearly stated; 'what?'
"Lizzie! Can we go somewhere quieter?! I can't hear you!" Without waiting for a reply, Ronnie gently tugged on Lizzie's arm, pulling her towards the door that led upstairs.
Upstairs, there weren't too many people about, a few scattered clumps here or there, and a couple or two but that was about it.
This was perfect in Ronnie's case, but dismal in Lizzie's. She was happy to just stay downstairs and not be able to hear a word this creep had to say. She liked it better when there were lots of people. She was pretty uncomfortable in the way the situation was right now, but did her best to not let it show. She promised herself she'd hear out what Ronnie wanted to say...and then pass judgment on the guy that broke her heart. Although, she did have to thank him. He led her to Gordo.
However, she waited a couple of minutes and got nothing out of the guy. He was just staring at her, and it was creeping her out. So she made the first move.
"So, what are you doing here?"
She tried to keep the anger out of her voice this time. She had however failed last time, and she really did want to hear what he said. Sounding like she hated him already was not the way to go.
"Well, Ethan told me he was having a party, he invited me, and I came. I was hoping you'd be here," he explained, a smile on his face.
Lizzie chose to ignore that last comment, but rather focused on the first.
"You know Ethan Craft?"
"Yeah."
"How?"
"I went to preschool with the guy. We've been friends forever. Just like you and that Gourd guy." Ronnie knew his name was Gordo, but he didn't trust him, Lizzie seemed too attached to him, and that wasn't good. Instantly he hated the guy.
A dark shadow had fallen over Lizzie's face as Ronnie thought about this. Her anger showing only a small amount of what she was really feeling.
"His name is Gordo. Say it right, or don't say it at all."
Instantly, Ronnie backed off. Obviously, he was a dear friend and she was protecting said friend. And if he meant that much to her, Ronnie would be able to deal somehow.
"Yeah, sorry. I haven't seen you in a long time, it must have slipped my mind. Again, sorry," he put his hands up in an appeasing gesture, but it didn't seem to work.
Lizzie still looked angry, and he could tell he struck a nerve. It hurt him how she was so protective of the guy.
Wasn't he her boyfriend once upon a time? And it really wasn't that long ago. He hadn't forgotten anything about her, why is it that it seemed she had forgotten him?
He must have looked really pathetic, because soon Lizzie's features softened, and her brow crinkled in a look that clearly said; 'are you okay?'
That was one of the things he loved about Lizzie McGuire. She always put others first, above herself. It was a rare thing to see.
The blonde girl sighed, tossing a few loose tendrils of hair behind her ears.
"It's all right Ronnie," a giggle actually broke out of her sweet lips.
"I guess I'm just a little protective is all. You didn't do anything wrong."
A smile weaved its way onto the blonde boy's features. He was happy to see her throw a look his way that wasn't filled with dislike. It was a good sign in Ronnie's eyes.
The pair was silent for a moment as each of them wondered what to say.
Ronnie was just blown away by the fact that he was standing there talking to Lizzie, the girl whose heart he had foolishly broken. He was stupid to have ever let her go, but now he was here to right the most horrible wrong he had ever been associated with.
"You asked me what I was doing here Lizzie, and I told you. I was invited, and I thought it would a great opportunity to socialise with other people who weren't from my school. I wasn't lying when I said that, but there was something else, something I wasn't telling you. But, hey, now's a good a time as any."
He paused for dramatic effect, hundreds of tiny little scenarios popping their way into his mind, all of them good. There was no way she could resist after what he was about to say. No girl has ever been able to resist him, Ronnie had found, and it had made him cocky. Too self-assured to ever be trusted.
"Lizzie, I came here tonight because I knew you'd be here and I wanted to tell you something. Something important."
Again he paused, but not for effect, but rather to gauge her reaction to that last statement. He was disappointed, however, because she gave him none. Instead her face was one of passive emotions, almost stony as she waited for him to spit out what he apparently 'came all the way here for'.
"What I did to you, last year? Dumping you for someone else, I was an idiot. A stupid idiot that couldn't even see what was right in front of him."
"I know the feeling," replied Lizzie, thinking of Gordo. She was barely even listening to the words coming out of Ronnie's mouth. If he thought this was enough to make her run back to him, he was wrong.
"Look, Lizzie, it was so wrong of me to think any girl could ever be better than you. And for a while, I did think that, but I'm over it. I've dumped the girl I dumped you for. Katie just wasn't you, that is the only reason."
Lizzie nodded absently, and then shook her head as if clearing it. Wait a minute, he really was trying to get back with her. Wow, how pathetic.
Of course, this was the perfect opportunity to get him back for hurting her. Yeah, it was a long time ago, and she was way over him, but it had still hurt.
And she was gonna make him feel that hurt.
This was going to be great. Finally, years of living with her disgusting brother were actually paying off.
"Ronnie, what are you saying?" She asked, forced tenderness placed in her voice to make it more believable.
"Lizzie, I'm saying I want to give 'us' another go. I know I screwed it up the first time, but I've changed. And I'm not just saying that. I understand that you're the only girl for me. I really like you Lizzie, and I really want you to be my girlfriend again."
And before Lizzie could say or do anything, she felt Ronnie's lips on hers in a desperate kiss on his part. He held onto her tightly, leaving her no room for escaping. She could do nothing to stop it, because his grip on her was far too tight. She was trapped.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Miranda and Gordo stood in a less crowded part of the room, dancing. They were having a great time, but something was bothering Gordo. Where was his Lizzie? Did it really take that long to get three drinks. Three drinks she offered the get herself.
"Miranda?" Asked Gordo, still dancing with her.
"Yeah?" They were shouting to be heard above the music.
"Where's Lizzie, she hasn't come back from the drink stand yet. Correct me if I'm wrong but it usually doesn't take that long to get a couple of drinks, right?"
Miranda smiled at the look of concern for his girlfriend that flashed up upon Gordo's face, and then went immediately into reassurance mode.
"Gordo, don't worry about her. Lizzie's probably just in the bathroom or something. Besides, she can't spend her entire life attached to you by the hip, can she?" The last part was meant as a joke to cheer Gordo up, but he still looked concerned as he scanned the crowd for his blonde girlfriend.
His scanning didn't go unnoticed by the dark haired Hispanic girl in front of him.
She sighed softly, knowing he wouldn't give up until he found her. She had to admit she envied Lizzie for finding such an amazing guy.
"Gordo?" She asked, hoping for his attention. She got it. He may be Lizzie's boyfriend, but that wasn't all that was on his mind. He had friends, of which he paid close attention to. He waited patiently for her to continue.
Miranda sighed again, but this time it was a happy sigh.
"Go find her," she commanded.
Instead of running like she thought he would, he simply stayed and gave her a questioning glance. Almost as if to say; 'are you sure?'
"Go," she repeated, eyes widening in effect.
He smiled at her, a grateful smile that made her realise how much Gordo cared for Lizzie.
It made her proud to be his friend.
"Thanks Miranda."
"You still here?" She asked, smiling, and with no further words, he ran up the stairs to look for Lizzie.
It didn't take him long to find her.
As Gordo neared the top of the stairs, he heard the familiar voice say: "So, what are you doing here?"
Gordo reached the landing of the stairs and turned a corner, so he could see who it was his angel was talking to. He didn't like what he saw one bit.
Ronnie Jacobs was there talking with HIS girlfriend, the girl whose heart he had crushed for some other less worthy girl. And what was worse was that Lizzie wasn't telling him to get lost.
He felt like going over there but he knew Lizzie could handle herself.
Besides, he wanted to see Lizzie knock this guy down from the pedestal he had placed himself upon.
That would be a nice payback. But instead, they talked. Gordo couldn't believe it, but then he rationalised, Lizzie was a nice person at heart, and even the most lowly of...creatures, deserved - in her mind - a fair chance.
But that's not to say he liked what they were talking about.
Ronnie was going on about how he was 'a changed man' (yeah right, he still was only a boy), and how 'he wanted to give them another go' (what they had was a fling, not a relationship. Now he and Lizzie had a relationship). He only hoped she was realising what this slime was doing, and tell him to back away.
'Don't give in Liz,' Gordo thought to himself.
'Don't give in.'
And that's when it happened. Ronnie grabbed his girlfriend by the arms and placed a big kiss on her lips, not stopping. And it didn't seem like Lizzie was trying to stop it either. One thought came into his mind; she must be liking it.
He had to get out of there...now.
And so Gordo ran, and he didn't look back. But if he had, he would've been able to see what had happened next.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lizzie pulled away sharply, disgusted with herself and him, and trying very hard not to show it.
"So, what do you think Lizzie? Can we give it another go? I really like you."
Lizzie leaned in, doing her best to look sweet and interested. Ronnie was buying it; a smile grew on his face.
"Not in a million years," she whispered so only he could hear.
Ronnie pulled away sharply, confusion etched on his face.
"What?" Anger crept into his voice now as he felt his whole plan crumble before him.
"You heard me Ronnie, I don't like you. I doubt I ever did. I had a crush on you, sure, but that was it. When you broke up with me, it hurt, but I had someone to help me get over it, and that someone means more to me now than you ever did."
Ronnie clenched his jaw, his face contorting as anger took over.
"Gordo." He said the name as if it tasted like dirt. He knew it was him, even if she hadn't said anything.
"Yeah, that's right. I love him, I only liked you. There was a reason you and I only lasted a couple of days. We weren't right together. I liked you, I did, but not anymore. Now, just leave me alone, I need to go find my boyfriend."
Lizzie tried to walk away but Ronnie's body got in the way. He grabbed her arms, digging his fingers into her flesh and make her yelp in pain and surprise.
"Let me go," she cried out, trying to loosen his grip.
"No, first you're going to say sorry," he ordered, anger still in his voice.
"For what?"
"For being a bitch and not even giving me a chance. See, this time, you made a mistake, but I'm giving you a chance to apologise."
"No," Lizzie stated, determination setting in.
"You made the mistake of thinking I would come back to you," and with those words, Lizzie sent a swift kick to Ronnie's groin. He let her go immediately, doubling over in pain.
Lizzie took this chance to leave.
"Bye Ronnie," she smiled sweetly, and then left him lying on the floor, clutching himself and wriggling in utter pain.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lizzie made her way back down the stairs, scanning the crowd for Gordo. She didn't see him anywhere, but she did see Miranda. She was dancing not far away with Larry, looking very comfortable.
For a second she almost didn't feel like disturbing them, but her need to find and talk to her boyfriend took over, and she made her way to the dancing couple.
The blonde tapped her friend on the back, and Miranda turned around, confused at first and then frustrated when she realised it was Lizzie who had interrupted her dance.
"I won't keep you too long," Lizzie promised before any other words were spoken.
"I'll be waiting," Larry said to Miranda, gesturing for her to go talk with her best friend.
Miranda smiled gratefully at Larry and then Lizzie led her off to a less crowded and noisy part of the room.
"Hey, have you seen Gordo?" Lizzie asked suddenly, not even asking how Miranda's dance was going.
"Uh, yeah, about five minutes ago. He went upstairs to go look for you and he didn't come back. I just figured he had found you. You haven't seen him?"
Lizzie shook her head, saying no, and then the full impact of Miranda's words hit her like a Mack truck.
"Oh no, this is bad," Lizzie whispered to herself, but Miranda must have somehow been given the gift to read lips because her brows knitted together in confusion.
"What's bad?" She asked, loud enough to be heard over the music.
"Gordo must have seen me with...oh God, I've gotta find him." Lizzie turned to leave, but Miranda stoped her.
"Lizzie, explain?" Miranda asked, but Lizzie didn't have time.
"Miranda, later. I've got to find Gordo. It's important. I'll see you later," Lizzie said, he sentences all chopped up as she realised what was happening. Gordo must have seen her and Ronnie together and assumed the worst. Well, who wouldn't?
She had to find him, and fast.
Lizzie took off up the stairs as fast as she could go, leaving Miranda standing alone and confused. After a couple of seconds, Miranda shrugged and then went back to find Larry. The way she figured it, she'd receive full details in the morning from Lizzie.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lizzie stopped suddenly outside of Ethan's house. She had no idea where Gordo was.
He was of course long gone from the party, so he could be anywhere. There was a chance he was at home but Lizzie doubted it. Lizzie knew he'd want somewhere quiet to think.
But where would he go?
Gordo was a sentimental guy, he would most likely go to a place he knew and loved. A place he'd had good times in, and spent a long time in.
Lizzie's head snapped up quickly, her eyes going wide and a smile worming its way onto her features.
She knew where he was, she just prayed he was still there.
She had to set things right with him, and she only hoped he would listen to her...
What Could Have Been
Chapter 14: You
From the other side of the crowded room, a figure stood watching, his eyes never leaving the sight before him. A smile wormed its way to his lips, and a twinkle caught his eye.
This was it. His time had come.
The young blonde woman was alone at last, at the drink table getting a cup of punch. One cup, and then two. He assumed the other was for him. He would have to work quickly, if his plan was going to work. A third cup was poured, and it made him wonder who it was for. Another friend most likely. But that didn't matter. All that mattered was the plan.
He worked his way over; wary of the dancing bodies that created a block to his destination. She had her back towards him, which was what he was hoping for.
A surprise.
Hopefully a good surprise.
It seemed to take forever for him to walk the ten feet to where the young woman stood, carefully pouring out the flavoured drinks. It actuality, it was only a couple of seconds, but it felt but years.
Soon, however, the mass of bodies were behind him, and he found himself standing right behind the girl.
He tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned around. For the first time that night, he came face to face with the object of his desire. As he stared intently into her eyes, he felt a renewed sense of longing that had been there from the beginning but had never seemed so desperate.
He was about to say something when her own voice interrupted him with a high pitched squeal. But because of the blaring music, it sounded more like a whisper.
"RONNIE!" How happy he was to hear her say his name, even if it was like that. It wasn't bad, it just meant she was surprised to see him. Surprise could be a good thing. And anyway, he was going for surprise.
Ronnie Jacobs smiled, pulling the stunned girl into a hug.
"Hey Lizzie," he said once he released her. He almost shouted it so she could hear.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, but because she spoke in normal tones, he couldn't hear, and definitely didn't hear the disgust that laced her voice.
Ronnie put his hands to his ears and made a face that clearly stated; 'what?'
"Lizzie! Can we go somewhere quieter?! I can't hear you!" Without waiting for a reply, Ronnie gently tugged on Lizzie's arm, pulling her towards the door that led upstairs.
Upstairs, there weren't too many people about, a few scattered clumps here or there, and a couple or two but that was about it.
This was perfect in Ronnie's case, but dismal in Lizzie's. She was happy to just stay downstairs and not be able to hear a word this creep had to say. She liked it better when there were lots of people. She was pretty uncomfortable in the way the situation was right now, but did her best to not let it show. She promised herself she'd hear out what Ronnie wanted to say...and then pass judgment on the guy that broke her heart. Although, she did have to thank him. He led her to Gordo.
However, she waited a couple of minutes and got nothing out of the guy. He was just staring at her, and it was creeping her out. So she made the first move.
"So, what are you doing here?"
She tried to keep the anger out of her voice this time. She had however failed last time, and she really did want to hear what he said. Sounding like she hated him already was not the way to go.
"Well, Ethan told me he was having a party, he invited me, and I came. I was hoping you'd be here," he explained, a smile on his face.
Lizzie chose to ignore that last comment, but rather focused on the first.
"You know Ethan Craft?"
"Yeah."
"How?"
"I went to preschool with the guy. We've been friends forever. Just like you and that Gourd guy." Ronnie knew his name was Gordo, but he didn't trust him, Lizzie seemed too attached to him, and that wasn't good. Instantly he hated the guy.
A dark shadow had fallen over Lizzie's face as Ronnie thought about this. Her anger showing only a small amount of what she was really feeling.
"His name is Gordo. Say it right, or don't say it at all."
Instantly, Ronnie backed off. Obviously, he was a dear friend and she was protecting said friend. And if he meant that much to her, Ronnie would be able to deal somehow.
"Yeah, sorry. I haven't seen you in a long time, it must have slipped my mind. Again, sorry," he put his hands up in an appeasing gesture, but it didn't seem to work.
Lizzie still looked angry, and he could tell he struck a nerve. It hurt him how she was so protective of the guy.
Wasn't he her boyfriend once upon a time? And it really wasn't that long ago. He hadn't forgotten anything about her, why is it that it seemed she had forgotten him?
He must have looked really pathetic, because soon Lizzie's features softened, and her brow crinkled in a look that clearly said; 'are you okay?'
That was one of the things he loved about Lizzie McGuire. She always put others first, above herself. It was a rare thing to see.
The blonde girl sighed, tossing a few loose tendrils of hair behind her ears.
"It's all right Ronnie," a giggle actually broke out of her sweet lips.
"I guess I'm just a little protective is all. You didn't do anything wrong."
A smile weaved its way onto the blonde boy's features. He was happy to see her throw a look his way that wasn't filled with dislike. It was a good sign in Ronnie's eyes.
The pair was silent for a moment as each of them wondered what to say.
Ronnie was just blown away by the fact that he was standing there talking to Lizzie, the girl whose heart he had foolishly broken. He was stupid to have ever let her go, but now he was here to right the most horrible wrong he had ever been associated with.
"You asked me what I was doing here Lizzie, and I told you. I was invited, and I thought it would a great opportunity to socialise with other people who weren't from my school. I wasn't lying when I said that, but there was something else, something I wasn't telling you. But, hey, now's a good a time as any."
He paused for dramatic effect, hundreds of tiny little scenarios popping their way into his mind, all of them good. There was no way she could resist after what he was about to say. No girl has ever been able to resist him, Ronnie had found, and it had made him cocky. Too self-assured to ever be trusted.
"Lizzie, I came here tonight because I knew you'd be here and I wanted to tell you something. Something important."
Again he paused, but not for effect, but rather to gauge her reaction to that last statement. He was disappointed, however, because she gave him none. Instead her face was one of passive emotions, almost stony as she waited for him to spit out what he apparently 'came all the way here for'.
"What I did to you, last year? Dumping you for someone else, I was an idiot. A stupid idiot that couldn't even see what was right in front of him."
"I know the feeling," replied Lizzie, thinking of Gordo. She was barely even listening to the words coming out of Ronnie's mouth. If he thought this was enough to make her run back to him, he was wrong.
"Look, Lizzie, it was so wrong of me to think any girl could ever be better than you. And for a while, I did think that, but I'm over it. I've dumped the girl I dumped you for. Katie just wasn't you, that is the only reason."
Lizzie nodded absently, and then shook her head as if clearing it. Wait a minute, he really was trying to get back with her. Wow, how pathetic.
Of course, this was the perfect opportunity to get him back for hurting her. Yeah, it was a long time ago, and she was way over him, but it had still hurt.
And she was gonna make him feel that hurt.
This was going to be great. Finally, years of living with her disgusting brother were actually paying off.
"Ronnie, what are you saying?" She asked, forced tenderness placed in her voice to make it more believable.
"Lizzie, I'm saying I want to give 'us' another go. I know I screwed it up the first time, but I've changed. And I'm not just saying that. I understand that you're the only girl for me. I really like you Lizzie, and I really want you to be my girlfriend again."
And before Lizzie could say or do anything, she felt Ronnie's lips on hers in a desperate kiss on his part. He held onto her tightly, leaving her no room for escaping. She could do nothing to stop it, because his grip on her was far too tight. She was trapped.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Miranda and Gordo stood in a less crowded part of the room, dancing. They were having a great time, but something was bothering Gordo. Where was his Lizzie? Did it really take that long to get three drinks. Three drinks she offered the get herself.
"Miranda?" Asked Gordo, still dancing with her.
"Yeah?" They were shouting to be heard above the music.
"Where's Lizzie, she hasn't come back from the drink stand yet. Correct me if I'm wrong but it usually doesn't take that long to get a couple of drinks, right?"
Miranda smiled at the look of concern for his girlfriend that flashed up upon Gordo's face, and then went immediately into reassurance mode.
"Gordo, don't worry about her. Lizzie's probably just in the bathroom or something. Besides, she can't spend her entire life attached to you by the hip, can she?" The last part was meant as a joke to cheer Gordo up, but he still looked concerned as he scanned the crowd for his blonde girlfriend.
His scanning didn't go unnoticed by the dark haired Hispanic girl in front of him.
She sighed softly, knowing he wouldn't give up until he found her. She had to admit she envied Lizzie for finding such an amazing guy.
"Gordo?" She asked, hoping for his attention. She got it. He may be Lizzie's boyfriend, but that wasn't all that was on his mind. He had friends, of which he paid close attention to. He waited patiently for her to continue.
Miranda sighed again, but this time it was a happy sigh.
"Go find her," she commanded.
Instead of running like she thought he would, he simply stayed and gave her a questioning glance. Almost as if to say; 'are you sure?'
"Go," she repeated, eyes widening in effect.
He smiled at her, a grateful smile that made her realise how much Gordo cared for Lizzie.
It made her proud to be his friend.
"Thanks Miranda."
"You still here?" She asked, smiling, and with no further words, he ran up the stairs to look for Lizzie.
It didn't take him long to find her.
As Gordo neared the top of the stairs, he heard the familiar voice say: "So, what are you doing here?"
Gordo reached the landing of the stairs and turned a corner, so he could see who it was his angel was talking to. He didn't like what he saw one bit.
Ronnie Jacobs was there talking with HIS girlfriend, the girl whose heart he had crushed for some other less worthy girl. And what was worse was that Lizzie wasn't telling him to get lost.
He felt like going over there but he knew Lizzie could handle herself.
Besides, he wanted to see Lizzie knock this guy down from the pedestal he had placed himself upon.
That would be a nice payback. But instead, they talked. Gordo couldn't believe it, but then he rationalised, Lizzie was a nice person at heart, and even the most lowly of...creatures, deserved - in her mind - a fair chance.
But that's not to say he liked what they were talking about.
Ronnie was going on about how he was 'a changed man' (yeah right, he still was only a boy), and how 'he wanted to give them another go' (what they had was a fling, not a relationship. Now he and Lizzie had a relationship). He only hoped she was realising what this slime was doing, and tell him to back away.
'Don't give in Liz,' Gordo thought to himself.
'Don't give in.'
And that's when it happened. Ronnie grabbed his girlfriend by the arms and placed a big kiss on her lips, not stopping. And it didn't seem like Lizzie was trying to stop it either. One thought came into his mind; she must be liking it.
He had to get out of there...now.
And so Gordo ran, and he didn't look back. But if he had, he would've been able to see what had happened next.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lizzie pulled away sharply, disgusted with herself and him, and trying very hard not to show it.
"So, what do you think Lizzie? Can we give it another go? I really like you."
Lizzie leaned in, doing her best to look sweet and interested. Ronnie was buying it; a smile grew on his face.
"Not in a million years," she whispered so only he could hear.
Ronnie pulled away sharply, confusion etched on his face.
"What?" Anger crept into his voice now as he felt his whole plan crumble before him.
"You heard me Ronnie, I don't like you. I doubt I ever did. I had a crush on you, sure, but that was it. When you broke up with me, it hurt, but I had someone to help me get over it, and that someone means more to me now than you ever did."
Ronnie clenched his jaw, his face contorting as anger took over.
"Gordo." He said the name as if it tasted like dirt. He knew it was him, even if she hadn't said anything.
"Yeah, that's right. I love him, I only liked you. There was a reason you and I only lasted a couple of days. We weren't right together. I liked you, I did, but not anymore. Now, just leave me alone, I need to go find my boyfriend."
Lizzie tried to walk away but Ronnie's body got in the way. He grabbed her arms, digging his fingers into her flesh and make her yelp in pain and surprise.
"Let me go," she cried out, trying to loosen his grip.
"No, first you're going to say sorry," he ordered, anger still in his voice.
"For what?"
"For being a bitch and not even giving me a chance. See, this time, you made a mistake, but I'm giving you a chance to apologise."
"No," Lizzie stated, determination setting in.
"You made the mistake of thinking I would come back to you," and with those words, Lizzie sent a swift kick to Ronnie's groin. He let her go immediately, doubling over in pain.
Lizzie took this chance to leave.
"Bye Ronnie," she smiled sweetly, and then left him lying on the floor, clutching himself and wriggling in utter pain.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lizzie made her way back down the stairs, scanning the crowd for Gordo. She didn't see him anywhere, but she did see Miranda. She was dancing not far away with Larry, looking very comfortable.
For a second she almost didn't feel like disturbing them, but her need to find and talk to her boyfriend took over, and she made her way to the dancing couple.
The blonde tapped her friend on the back, and Miranda turned around, confused at first and then frustrated when she realised it was Lizzie who had interrupted her dance.
"I won't keep you too long," Lizzie promised before any other words were spoken.
"I'll be waiting," Larry said to Miranda, gesturing for her to go talk with her best friend.
Miranda smiled gratefully at Larry and then Lizzie led her off to a less crowded and noisy part of the room.
"Hey, have you seen Gordo?" Lizzie asked suddenly, not even asking how Miranda's dance was going.
"Uh, yeah, about five minutes ago. He went upstairs to go look for you and he didn't come back. I just figured he had found you. You haven't seen him?"
Lizzie shook her head, saying no, and then the full impact of Miranda's words hit her like a Mack truck.
"Oh no, this is bad," Lizzie whispered to herself, but Miranda must have somehow been given the gift to read lips because her brows knitted together in confusion.
"What's bad?" She asked, loud enough to be heard over the music.
"Gordo must have seen me with...oh God, I've gotta find him." Lizzie turned to leave, but Miranda stoped her.
"Lizzie, explain?" Miranda asked, but Lizzie didn't have time.
"Miranda, later. I've got to find Gordo. It's important. I'll see you later," Lizzie said, he sentences all chopped up as she realised what was happening. Gordo must have seen her and Ronnie together and assumed the worst. Well, who wouldn't?
She had to find him, and fast.
Lizzie took off up the stairs as fast as she could go, leaving Miranda standing alone and confused. After a couple of seconds, Miranda shrugged and then went back to find Larry. The way she figured it, she'd receive full details in the morning from Lizzie.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lizzie stopped suddenly outside of Ethan's house. She had no idea where Gordo was.
He was of course long gone from the party, so he could be anywhere. There was a chance he was at home but Lizzie doubted it. Lizzie knew he'd want somewhere quiet to think.
But where would he go?
Gordo was a sentimental guy, he would most likely go to a place he knew and loved. A place he'd had good times in, and spent a long time in.
Lizzie's head snapped up quickly, her eyes going wide and a smile worming its way onto her features.
She knew where he was, she just prayed he was still there.
She had to set things right with him, and she only hoped he would listen to her...