A/N HIYA!!!! Well, I know I said that this entire story would have all Arwen and Isabelle e-mails, but I realized that I can't tell the entire story that way. So I am incorporating some of the other characters in the story as well (like in chapter five that is all Lizzie and Miranda.) And BTW, I'd like to thank everyone for the generous reviews of my piece.
*beats self* I just realized that I said that Gordo has roses but he lives in an APARTMENT. Well, for my sanity, we're going to say that HIS roses can grow in pots, okay? (And as for the other plants, I knew that they were like little house plants, so I don't have to change that….)
To: mcguirem@la.net
From: gordond@nyu.filmdepartment.net
Date: 3-25-16 9:58 p.m.
Subj: Going Mad or The One I Left Behind
For the last 8 years I have been attempting to convince myself that the girl I had been longing for didn't exist. The Lizzie McGuire (Craft. Ugh!) I remembered was just a figment of my imagination, an illusion of the girl I had once known. It was my way of slowly moving on. After all, if I could believe that Lizzie had never been kind, or beautiful, or loving, or generous, or fun then I could believe that the feelings I am still carrying cannot be love. And I had been succeeding, sort of, thus far.
Until I saw her at the hospital.
I'm sure someone has filled you in, whether it be your sister or your mother or someone else, so I will spare you the details. Suffice it to say that the moment I laid my eyes on her after all these years, I knew that all the things I had been telling myself were in vain. I loved, ached, NEEDED Lizzie McGuire… Craft. And there she was, but a few feet away.
Oops, sorry. I promised no details. But, Matt, seeing her there… I wanted to drop to my knees and BEG for her to leave Ethan. To marry me, to let me love her. To let me kiss away her pain. To let me… Okay, okay. I guess that's probably too much imagery for her brother. J
I miss her. Even though it's only been 24 hours since I saw her, I MISS her. I miss the way her eyes twinkle when she's pleased. I miss her laughter… I always loved it when she laughed. WHY DID SHE CHOOSE HIM?! WHAT IS SO GREAT ABOUT ETHAN, ANYWAY?! *takes deep breath* Sorry. But it's so frustrating. I just… I'm meant to be with her.
Okay, change of subject.
How's L.A.? You don't have to thank me for getting you that part. You deserved it. It's so you.
Call me crazy but at the hospital, I could have sworn she was going to tell me something. (Okay, I can't do it. If you don't want to hear my inner turmoil just delete this e-mail.) She got that look that I am so familiar with. The one I always got when I came close to telling her that I loved her, but chickened out. But that I can't be it. She's married now. And if I know Lizzie (and I think we can agree that I DO) she wouldn't do something like that to her husband.
Maybe she's beginning to realize that she made a mistake?
(Yes, I AM aware of just how incredibly pathetic I am sounding.)
What would you do if you were in my shoes? Let me know.
Gotta run,
Gordo
P.S. How's the little woman? Too bad that I never got to go to your wedding. I would have liked to see the marriage.
To: gordond@nyu.filmdepartment.net
From: mcguirem@la.net
Date: 3-26-16 8:35 a.m.
Subj: Someone gag me!
G-
First of all, AHH!!!! Who would want to hear all that about their SISTER, I ask you? No sane male, that's who! And NOT ME! Look, here's the deal. You TELL HER HOW YOU FEEL. The end, end of story. I mean, I am as sentimental as the next guy but how many times are we going to have this conversation or a variaion of it? May I remind you of the last TELEPHONE conversation we had?
You: You think I should ask your parents for her phone number? I mean, just so I can see how she is?
Me: You COULD ask Yours Truly.
You: But I wouldn't want to get you in the middle. After all, if it doesn't work, I wouldn't want to hate you for the rest of our lives.
Me: Uh… Thanks. And YES, get her number and call.
You: But Ethan might get jealous.
Me: He wouldn't get jealous if you called her. Trust me on this one.
You: But he's her husband. If I were her husband, I would get jealous.
Me: Yes, but you're crazy. And Ethan won't care.
You: You call.
Me: What?
You: Matt, you call and pretend to be me and see what he says.
Me: Um… That's a toughie, but NO.
You: Why not?
Me: Because. It's nuts. And what if she picks up?
You: Hang up.
Me: Newsflash, Direct-O, but I'm over 10. I don't call and hang up anymore. And I think she has caller I.D. anyway.
You: Please?
Me: No! YOU call. You're the one that's ga ga over her.
You: I am not "ga ga." I just, you know, would like to make sure she is doing okay.
Me: By acting like a stalker?
You: So you DON'T think I should call her?
AHHH!!!!! I can't take it. If you want to call, just do it. I would. I know that all your life people have told you that amid all the people you date when you're younger you are probably NOT going to find your soul mate. But you did. And so did I. Heck, I MARRIED mine. Anyway, the point is, I'll tell you the same thing I told you when you got the wedding invitation. If you want her, FIGHT for her. Even now, even though she's married… FIGHT for her. I can't really say much. It's up to Lizzie to tell you what's going on in her life. But I WILL say this. She misses you, her best friend, if for no other reason.
As for L.A., it is great, and I STILL think I should thank you for the part one more time. So thanks. The director is great, really nice. He understands that I have never really had a lead in a movie before and he's been good about showing me the ropes. Melina has been amazing about this whole thing. Not once has she complained about the work schedule, but nevertheless I feel that I need to do something for her, so I've planned a just the two of us evening tomorrow that she isn't suspecting. How I love my wife.
Heh, NOW who's being mushy?
I heard from Miranda the other day. You haven't asked about her, but I know you're wondering. After all, before this mess with Lizzie, you were her best friend too. She's doing well. Met some guy. Well, with that girl, it's always some guy. J She asks about you a lot, but I can never figure out what to say. After all, you requested that all Gordo-info be kept between us. But she's worried about you, man. She said it's like you dropped off the face of the earth. I want to tell her you're okay, that you're teaching in NYC simply because of your love of people, that you live in this monstrous apartment, that you have roses that can grow in POTS… But because I am such a good friend to you, and because you hold my current job in your hands (*wink*) I shall say nothing.
I know that you think she chose Lizzie and that's why you haven't spoken to her in so many years. I know you believe that because she knew Lizzie was dating Ethan and she didn't tell you, that she let you down. I know you wish you'd had some sort of warning so that when you got the letter you wouldn't have been so shocked. But forgive and forget. Relive and regret.
Send my best to your parents, and tell your father he is in my prayers. Well, you all are.
Completely,
Matt
*beats self* I just realized that I said that Gordo has roses but he lives in an APARTMENT. Well, for my sanity, we're going to say that HIS roses can grow in pots, okay? (And as for the other plants, I knew that they were like little house plants, so I don't have to change that….)
To: mcguirem@la.net
From: gordond@nyu.filmdepartment.net
Date: 3-25-16 9:58 p.m.
Subj: Going Mad or The One I Left Behind
For the last 8 years I have been attempting to convince myself that the girl I had been longing for didn't exist. The Lizzie McGuire (Craft. Ugh!) I remembered was just a figment of my imagination, an illusion of the girl I had once known. It was my way of slowly moving on. After all, if I could believe that Lizzie had never been kind, or beautiful, or loving, or generous, or fun then I could believe that the feelings I am still carrying cannot be love. And I had been succeeding, sort of, thus far.
Until I saw her at the hospital.
I'm sure someone has filled you in, whether it be your sister or your mother or someone else, so I will spare you the details. Suffice it to say that the moment I laid my eyes on her after all these years, I knew that all the things I had been telling myself were in vain. I loved, ached, NEEDED Lizzie McGuire… Craft. And there she was, but a few feet away.
Oops, sorry. I promised no details. But, Matt, seeing her there… I wanted to drop to my knees and BEG for her to leave Ethan. To marry me, to let me love her. To let me kiss away her pain. To let me… Okay, okay. I guess that's probably too much imagery for her brother. J
I miss her. Even though it's only been 24 hours since I saw her, I MISS her. I miss the way her eyes twinkle when she's pleased. I miss her laughter… I always loved it when she laughed. WHY DID SHE CHOOSE HIM?! WHAT IS SO GREAT ABOUT ETHAN, ANYWAY?! *takes deep breath* Sorry. But it's so frustrating. I just… I'm meant to be with her.
Okay, change of subject.
How's L.A.? You don't have to thank me for getting you that part. You deserved it. It's so you.
Call me crazy but at the hospital, I could have sworn she was going to tell me something. (Okay, I can't do it. If you don't want to hear my inner turmoil just delete this e-mail.) She got that look that I am so familiar with. The one I always got when I came close to telling her that I loved her, but chickened out. But that I can't be it. She's married now. And if I know Lizzie (and I think we can agree that I DO) she wouldn't do something like that to her husband.
Maybe she's beginning to realize that she made a mistake?
(Yes, I AM aware of just how incredibly pathetic I am sounding.)
What would you do if you were in my shoes? Let me know.
Gotta run,
Gordo
P.S. How's the little woman? Too bad that I never got to go to your wedding. I would have liked to see the marriage.
To: gordond@nyu.filmdepartment.net
From: mcguirem@la.net
Date: 3-26-16 8:35 a.m.
Subj: Someone gag me!
G-
First of all, AHH!!!! Who would want to hear all that about their SISTER, I ask you? No sane male, that's who! And NOT ME! Look, here's the deal. You TELL HER HOW YOU FEEL. The end, end of story. I mean, I am as sentimental as the next guy but how many times are we going to have this conversation or a variaion of it? May I remind you of the last TELEPHONE conversation we had?
You: You think I should ask your parents for her phone number? I mean, just so I can see how she is?
Me: You COULD ask Yours Truly.
You: But I wouldn't want to get you in the middle. After all, if it doesn't work, I wouldn't want to hate you for the rest of our lives.
Me: Uh… Thanks. And YES, get her number and call.
You: But Ethan might get jealous.
Me: He wouldn't get jealous if you called her. Trust me on this one.
You: But he's her husband. If I were her husband, I would get jealous.
Me: Yes, but you're crazy. And Ethan won't care.
You: You call.
Me: What?
You: Matt, you call and pretend to be me and see what he says.
Me: Um… That's a toughie, but NO.
You: Why not?
Me: Because. It's nuts. And what if she picks up?
You: Hang up.
Me: Newsflash, Direct-O, but I'm over 10. I don't call and hang up anymore. And I think she has caller I.D. anyway.
You: Please?
Me: No! YOU call. You're the one that's ga ga over her.
You: I am not "ga ga." I just, you know, would like to make sure she is doing okay.
Me: By acting like a stalker?
You: So you DON'T think I should call her?
AHHH!!!!! I can't take it. If you want to call, just do it. I would. I know that all your life people have told you that amid all the people you date when you're younger you are probably NOT going to find your soul mate. But you did. And so did I. Heck, I MARRIED mine. Anyway, the point is, I'll tell you the same thing I told you when you got the wedding invitation. If you want her, FIGHT for her. Even now, even though she's married… FIGHT for her. I can't really say much. It's up to Lizzie to tell you what's going on in her life. But I WILL say this. She misses you, her best friend, if for no other reason.
As for L.A., it is great, and I STILL think I should thank you for the part one more time. So thanks. The director is great, really nice. He understands that I have never really had a lead in a movie before and he's been good about showing me the ropes. Melina has been amazing about this whole thing. Not once has she complained about the work schedule, but nevertheless I feel that I need to do something for her, so I've planned a just the two of us evening tomorrow that she isn't suspecting. How I love my wife.
Heh, NOW who's being mushy?
I heard from Miranda the other day. You haven't asked about her, but I know you're wondering. After all, before this mess with Lizzie, you were her best friend too. She's doing well. Met some guy. Well, with that girl, it's always some guy. J She asks about you a lot, but I can never figure out what to say. After all, you requested that all Gordo-info be kept between us. But she's worried about you, man. She said it's like you dropped off the face of the earth. I want to tell her you're okay, that you're teaching in NYC simply because of your love of people, that you live in this monstrous apartment, that you have roses that can grow in POTS… But because I am such a good friend to you, and because you hold my current job in your hands (*wink*) I shall say nothing.
I know that you think she chose Lizzie and that's why you haven't spoken to her in so many years. I know you believe that because she knew Lizzie was dating Ethan and she didn't tell you, that she let you down. I know you wish you'd had some sort of warning so that when you got the letter you wouldn't have been so shocked. But forgive and forget. Relive and regret.
Send my best to your parents, and tell your father he is in my prayers. Well, you all are.
Completely,
Matt