DISCLAIMER: No, nothing belongs to me…yet! ;)
Chapter 6: Angry Departures
"I like you a lot. I like you as much more than a friend. I've been in denial for months. I'm glad you had the courage to tell me how you felt. You've always been stronger than me, Gordo."
"I wouldn't be able to take a step without you. You are my strength Lizzie McGuire."
Gordo took Lizzie's face in his hands. Lizzie gazed into his gorgeous brown eyes.
ANIMATED LIZZIE: * taking off blindfold * How come I never saw Gordo like this before?
Lizzie leaned forward and kissed him. Shivers went through her body.
"Now that I'm with you," Gordo whispered after they broke apart, "I'm complete."
"No, WE'RE complete," Lizzie corrected.
They shared another kiss.
"I think it's time for us to leave. What do you think?" Gordo asked.
"I think you're right." Lizzie smiled and the couple walked hand in hand back to the party.
Lizzie searched the crowd for Miranda. She began to get worried when she couldn't find her best friend.
"Gordo, I can't see her!" Lizzie shouted over the music.
Gordo scanned the scene. "Over there!" he shouted. "She's in the corner!"
Lizzie found where Gordo was pointing. Yes, Miranda was there. She was making out with Ethan Craft.
ANIMATED LIZZIE: * hands over eyes * Please! Young people are present!
Lizzie immediately marched over to where Miranda and Ethan were. She tapped Miranda on the shoulder, interrupting their tongue-wresting match. Miranda shot Lizzie a look of pure evil that froze Lizzie's blood.
"What do you want?" Miranda asked harshly.
"I think we should get going. How about you give your mom a call and she could—"
"No way! I'm having a great time." Miranda turned back to Ethan and they resumed their make-out session.
Lizzie walked back to Gordo.
"What are we going to do? We can't just leave her here!" Lizzie was very concerned about her best friend.
Gordo thought for a moment.
"Did you smell any alcohol on her breath?" Gordo asked.
"I don't think so, but I'm not sure."
"I'm worried about her."
"Me too, Gordo."
"We'll get her out of here. Come on." Gordo and Lizzie hurried back to Miranda and Ethan.
"Miranda!" Gordo called loudly.
Miranda and Ethan broke apart.
"What now?" Miranda asked impatiently.
"We're leaving, Miranda."
"All right. I'll talk to you guys later." Miranda turned back to Ethan.
"No, Miranda. We—as in the three of us—are leaving," he ordered sternly.
"What if I don't want to leave?"
"Hey, we were all having fun, but it's getting really late. Besides, it's not like this is going to be the only party this summer."
"Maybe not, but I like this party. Stop trying to take over my life, Gordo. Leave if you want, but I'm staying."
"We're not leaving without you."
"Then you're not leaving at all."
Gordo took hold of Miranda's arm.
"Come on," he coaxed.
Lizzie rushed forward and took Miranda's other arm. Together, Gordo and Lizzie were able to drag Miranda out of the house. Ethan stood watching dumbfounded.
When they got outside, Miranda struggled against Lizzie's and Gordo's hold on her.
"Let me go!" she shouted.
"No," Gordo said. "We're taking you home."
"Fine! But I don't need you two to cut off the circulation to my fingers!" They kept walking with a tight grip on Miranda. "What? Do you think I'm just going to run back in there like a dog?"
ANIMATED LIZZIE: What's the nicest way to say YES?
Lizzie and Gordo exchanged a glance. Once they got to the sidewalk in front of the house next door, they let go of Miranda.
"Thanks," she muttered angrily. She hesitated. "I still don't see why you two had to make me leave."
"We care about you, Miranda. That party was way out-of-control. It was not a good place for us to be. We didn't want you to get hurt," Lizzie said sincerely.
"You didn't want me to get hurt?" Miranda asked skeptically. "Bullshit Lizzie! You're just jealous because Ethan Craft likes me and not you!"
"Jealous? Of you having Ethan? Now who's talking bullshit?" Lizzie shot back.
ANIMATED LIZZIE: Why would I want Ethan Craft? I've got Gordo now!
"I can't believe you Lizzie. I thought you were more of my friend than that! Is it too much to ask you to be happy for me?" Miranda's voice was shaking.
"Calm down, Miranda." Gordo jumped into the shark-infested waters. "Everything's—"
"And you, Gordo!" Miranda shouted, turning to him. "What was up in there? I didn't know you could be such an asshole!"
"Miranda!" Lizzie exclaimed defensively.
ANIMATED LIZZIE: Don't mess with my man! * breaks out the boxing gloves * You want to fight, I'm ready!
"Oh! I'm sorry! Did I offend poor goody-tooshoes Lizzie McGuire? Maybe you should cover your ears!"
Lizzie was taken aback. What could she say to that?
"Miranda, calm down," Gordo said.
"I'm out of here. I can walk home by myself. I don't need personal escorts." Miranda quickly left Lizzie and Gordo.
Lizzie started to cry.
"What's happened to her?" she choked out.
"I'm not sure, but I can assure you she's not herself tonight. If she was with Ethan the entire night, I find it highly unlikely that she's still sober." Lizzie cried even harder. "Don't worry, Lizzie. She'll be fine in a day or two. We'll talk to her then. Okay?"
"Sounds good," she sniffled.
Gordo brought Lizzie into his arms and held her tightly. He released her slightly, enough to kiss her softly on the lips.
"Everything will be okay," Gordo whispered.
"I believe you."
[A/N:] Don't flame me for the way Miranda acted in this chapter, PLEASE! She'll redeem herself…fear not! J
[A/N:] Thanks for reading! PLEASE REVIEW!!!