[Disclaimer: I don't own the TV show Lizzie McGuire, I don't own the episode , and much to my dismay, I don't own Gordo either. What do I own? I own Gordo's thoughts and any scenes you don't recall from the episode. Recognize.]
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I was such an idiot.
I just left the last clue, the clue to the solution of the puzzle, in plain view. And Lizzie was the only other person actually looking for clues. She'd find it, and figure this out...
I was such an idiot.
Disheartened didn't begin to describe it. How could I mess up my life like this? I could grow up to be a famous director and have all the power and money in the world, but if Lizzie wasn't there to relish it all with me, it didn't mean a thing, as sappy and oversentimental as it sounds. This was the perfect night to tell her. Perfect, absolutely flawless.
So this was it. I'd tell Lizzie I liked her, even if it killed me. Tonight, I'd do it.
My heart raced at the thought. The ultimate question of is it worth it?' kept coming back up. If Lizzie did like me back, then it was. But if she didn't, I wasn't just risking rejection. I was risking an entire friendship built on the sole fact that we tell each other practically everything. I couldn't stomach a friendship with Lizzie if she said she didn't like me.
Lady trouble again, young lad? Larry said, taking a seat next to me on the steps. It wasn't just lady' trouble. This wasn't Brooke or any other girl where our relationship was strictly romantic. This was Lizzie. We had a history together...it was complicated. Lucky boy.
Lucky? Far from it, I grumbled.
I know your predicament, Gordo, he said in his normal voice. I know your predicament probably better than you do.
I said superciliously.
Fine, you don't have to believe me. But take my advice: don't tell her. He trotted away.
Was Larry some sort of mind-reader? Maybe he did know my predicament. It was too eerie, too ironic for it to be true. Why should I listen to Larry, anyway? He might've been smart, but what did he know about friendship?
Suddenly, Lizzie ran down the stairs, panicking. Her face was flushed.
Hey, Lizzie, I said to her. Are you okay?
Oh, hey, Gordo, she said nervously.
Well, I was just thinking... I started.
Listen, Gordo, I'd....love to stay and talk...but um....I can't. I...I found out the killer...person...dude...guy...and I'm revealing...gonna go...see you, she said as she ran around the corner to the living room.
She found it....now it was official. She'd found it and my life was over. Call me melodramatic, but I don't think anyone could understand what I was going through at that second.
So I trudged my way towards the seats in the living room and plopped down in one. Larry and Veruca were already sitting next to each other on the couch.
EVERYBODY GATHER IN THE LIVING ROOM! THE MURDERER HAS BEEN FOUND! Mrs. McGuire screamed, loud enough to wake the dead (no pun intended).
One by one, everyone gathered and took their seats.
The meeting shall begin...now, Mrs. McGuire said, before slipping away into the shadows.
Lizzie got up and stood in front of her audience.
Someone in this audience poisoned Lord McGuffin. And I know who that one person is, she huffed pompously.
I saw her gripping a small piece of paper in her hands. She did know who it was. I hated myself in those moments. I hated myself wih a passion.
I'll bet it was the butler, Mr. McGuire said, matter-of-factly.
We don't have a butler, Lizzie protested.
I thought there was always a butler, he said quizzically.
Dad, be quiet. You're supposed to be dead. I heard Mr. McGuire grunt behind me. Lizzie continued, Everyone in this room had a reason to want Lord McGuffin out of the way. She looked over at Ethan. My fiance and I would have inherited all of his money. She peered over at her mom. The maid was jealous that he was having a secret romance with Esme Upshaw.
I sighed. She knew, and it's my fault. I could be up there, announcing to the world that I figured it out. But instead, I had to go and leave the clue there for her to find out. She should thank me...but I knew she'd just gloat.
Aubrey Carstairs never forgave him for marrying his sister. She gave me a quick glance and inhaled. And there's one other person that I would have never suspected. And I didn't know until I found this 1,000 pound note. She held up the paper.
I hate me. I hate me. I hate me.
That little piece of paper weighs a thousand pounds? Ethan asked, astonished. Just when you're beginning to think Ethan's not that stupid, he comes back with a comment like that.
No...it's British money. A pound is like a dollar, Larry began to explain. It...why am I even bothering to explain this? The world may never know.
As I was saying, Lizzie resumed, This thousand-pound note was loot from the Great Train Robbery, and only one person could've had it...
She stole a quick glance at me. I was just shaking my head disapprovingly at myself. I hated me so much. I'd give so much to be with her and I screw up the best chance I've had in a while. Things weren't over yet, though..
And, um... Lizzie kept looking down at me. I saw her in the corner of my eye. I shouldn't have been so mean to her today, and I know I shouldn't have. I was a dirk and a half. That one person, our mystery culprit, is... She inhaled. It's Guy Gaviotta!
What? That didn't make any sense...Guy Gaviotta wasn't anywhere near the Great Train Robbery. I shot her a look as to say, What were you thinking?'
Larry and Veruca stood up.
He did not do it! Veruca said, quick to his defense.
I looked up and smiled.
I'd been given a second chance.
I stood up.
Guy Gaviotta did not do it. The thousand pound note was the last piece of the puzzle. Now, Lord McGuffin was an avid golfer, and he always liked to wager on a game. I glanced over at Lizzie. She was smiling. My plan was working... So he won that thousand pounds from none other than... I turned and pointed to Mrs. McGuire. The maid.
Which one was that again? Ethan's stepmom asked, interrupting my big moment.
Mrs. McGuire? Something in the water, I'm telling you...
C'mon, Tawny, you're embarrassing me, Ethan said as he turned red. I laughed at the stupidity of the whole situation.
Mrs. McGuire stomped back into the loight.
That's right, I did it, she announced once again in her thick Cockney acent. And I'd do it again! McGuffin promised to marry me but cheated on me. He cheated at horse racing and he cheated on his taxes. He was a monster...a louse, and I'm glad he's dead. I'm happy about it, don't you see? He's dead! He's dead! He's dead, he's dead, he's dead! I'm happy about it! The words overly dramatic' came to mind.
Finally, Mr. McGuire put a hand on her shoulder.
he said, gently.
she yelled, still in character. He just grinned at her. She chuckled. Gordo caught me. She tried to recover herself. Found me out.
Wow, Gordo, you're like one giant brain, Ethan said, brilliantly. Except...you have legs. So you're....not in a jar...
I nodded sarcastically.
Soon everyone was out of their chair and mobbing me with congratulations. I shook practically everyone's hand. For just a second, I looked over at Lizzie and smiled. And she smiled back.
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I opened the front door to the front porch, Lizzie following close behind me. I knew I was in for something big to happen here. Now I'd figured out the mystery....so things could go my way, after all. It was just a matter of whether I could work up the courage.
Lizzie said, happily. Congratulations, old chap.
I said, uncomfortably. You did really well, too.
Well, you're the one that everyone was talking about. I mean...people noticed you. If only she realized I didn't care. If only she realized that I only cared if she noticed me. All I had to do was tell her. And she'd know. It was that simple...but it wasn't.
Yeah, well... I swallowed the lump in my throat. I shouldn't care what people think. It's not that important. I still hadn't made eye contact with her yet. I looked her face, her hair, her hands, anything but her eyes.
She looked down and smiled faintly.
she sighed. You impressed me.
I wanted to scream at that moment. Things were rocky in the beginning, but everything seemed to be falling into place. I knew what I had to do now.
I did? Great! Oh, God, that was a little too enthusiastic. I had to save myself from further humiliation... You're my best friend. Why wouldn't I want to impress you? Nice save, but I was still nervous beyond reason. And...and you were very impressive, too, I said shakily. You know, with the uh... The words were on the tip of my tongue, but my nerves got the best of me, and it wouldn't come out. I looked straight at her, and she was smiling...knowingly. She knew...she knew.
she started. I impressed you, and you impressed me. It's all good.
I said, barely looking up. All systems go.
I sensed a bit of a lull in our conversation. I had to seize the opportunity. I could do this. It wasn't that bad. This was Lizzie...she wouldn't be too harsh. Would she? No, she wouldn't. My palms were sweating and my heart pace quickened. This was beyond monumental. There were no words to describe what I was feeling. Somewhere in the back of my head lurked the thought that was one of those defining moments, whether it worked out in my favor, or not. I sensed it. I couldn't stand here all day. So I took one last breath and began...
You know, Lizzie... I inched closer towards her. Maybe sometime we could um... Don't forget the words now, Gordon! You're so close...two more words, just two more words and you can calm down. I was so close to her now I could feel her uneasy breath. You know... No, not those two words...just say them. Say them!
I nearly had a heart attack as Mr. McGuire suddenly busted open the door, interrupting the moment.
Hey, Lizzie, he said, eagerly. You're missing the eel-cooking competition!
She looked away from both me and her dad.
I'll be right there, Dad, she said, dispiritedly.
And so the mood was gone and my confidence shattered. It was a now or never kind of moment...one second too late and I couldn't have.
Fixing her headband, she tried to bring back the mood from just a few seconds ago. Maybe sometime we could...what? She egged me on, urging me to finish my sentence.
But the mood was lost. I couldn't do it now. Not telling her at all hurt more than being rejected would've. I'd just have to tell her...some other time.
I said, as my heart sank to the floor. Just...you know...do this again sometime. I smiled weakly. It's your turn to win.
Sounds good, she sighed, she too sounding a little disheartened. As if she were expecting me to say more. Maybe I'm reading it in too much. Or maybe my hearing is jilted... Um...like, so I guess I'll... She fidgeted. See you later?
I said, feigning enthusiasm. See you.
Good night.
And I walked away. I walked away from the McGuires' house that night the same way I came in...just Gordo. Just Lizzie's friend. And I can't say I'm not disappointed in myself. But it might've been for the best.
So I let Kate be proven correct once again. And I guess I'd just have to deal with the ridicule on Monday. Tonight just...wasn't the night. There'd be other times. Somehow, I felt like my big chance was right around the corner...
Hopefully.
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[A/N: WOO! I'm finally done this. This chapter was over 2,000 words...insane, no? And I got this chapter out a lotttt sooner than I thought I would. That's because I haven't done any work today. Even though I should. So I finished 2 stories today...that is so cool. Now I can get to work on some other stuff. Wahoo for this.
Pleaseee lemme know what you think about this, especially about the ending! Don't be too harsh, though, because I love this chapter and if people diss it, I think I'll cry. Please review. Thanks!
Signing off for this story...keeponwritin. Booyah, recognize.]
