Disclaimer: I don't own Lizzie McGuire...I mean, why would I? Only high-powered Disney people who film episodes and then rearrange the airing order for no reason can own it...I've said too much.

A/N: I hope you all liked the first chapter. I'll try and update more frequently. I'll try to make the chapters longer, too. By the way, I forgot to mention that the trio is in high school. Enjoy!

Chapter 2- Fantasy vs. Reality

Lizzie awoke, finding herself on the floor with a bunch of people standing above her. Gordo and Miranda were completely pale looking down at their best friend.

"Wha...what happened? I remember trying to console Gordo and now...I'm here."

"You started screaming and passed out," Miranda informed her.

"Screaming? What was I screaming?"

"Something about somebody leaving you."

"Leaving me...wait! The dream I had last night! I was screaming that in my dream!"

"But...what does that mean? Who's leaving you?"

"I don't know..." Lizzie said in deep thought.

"Gordo, don't you have any words of wisdom here?" Miranda asked. "Gordo?"

Gordo had been staring at Lizzie the whole time with wide eyes and open jaw.

"GORDO!"

"Wha...Oh, what?"

"I said, 'Don't you have any words of wisdom here?'"

"Of course I do," he said, not having narrowed his eyes or closed his mouth.

"Well?"

"Um...elevate your legs, take deep breaths, look toward the sky..."

"GORDO, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Miranda cut in.

"Wait, let me try that again." He knelt down next to Lizzie and put his right arm around her waist, then grabbed her left hand with his and helped her stand on her feet. Not letting go, he said, "Can you stand?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

"No problem." Gordo released her.

"Well, you seem to be okay. Let's go, we've got to go to English class," Miranda's voice came.

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The trio walked into English class and sat down in the front of the room, by the teacher's desk. The teacher, Mr. Jehle, was writing the words "FANTASY VS. REALITY", rather sloppily, on the board.

"Alright. Everybody sit down, if you value your lives." Lizzie gave him a surprised look. He looked at Gordo and saw his chuckle. "I'm only kidding, Ms. McGuire. I see Mr. Gordon here gets it." Gordo gave a nod in approval, making Mr. Jehle chuckle, as well. "Okay, today we're going to be talking about Fantasy vs. Reality, as you can see from my cave painting on the board." Kids laughed. "Your homework for tonight..." Kids groaned. "Yeah, like you've never gotten homework before," he said with a sarcastic look and tone. "Your homework is to write me an at least one-page paper on what you think is real, and what you think is fantastic. And by 'fantastic' I don't mean like a new pair of pants you bought. I mean things that are out of grasp, too abstract for you to understand, not solid enough to be made a thing. So, you can have one or hundred things for each, just make sure it's a page. And, if I see any spelling mistakes, you all lose an appendage. So, on with the lesson."

"He's cool," Lizzie said to Miranda.

"And kind of cute. He's only 24, you know."

"I'm going to be him in 10 years," Gordo said with a half-smile.

"It wouldn't be bad to be a suave ladies man," came Mr. Jehle's voice. At this, the three realized he had heard them talking.

"At ease, soldiers." The three laughed when he said that, realizing they were out of danger. "Okay, Mr. Craft, what's your idea of reality?"

"Well...I think that Joe Millionaire is great," was Ethan's completely dull-witted, and characteristic, response.

"Um...yeah...anyway, Ms. Sanchez, how about you?"

"Well, reality is something that you can explain. Something factual is something real."

"Hmm, good answer. How about you, Ms. McGuire?"

"Well," Lizzie began, "reality is the tangible things in life. Things that you can actually do or say, and not just think, are real."

"Okay, and Mr. Gordon. What do you think is fantasy?"

"Fantasy, eh?" Gordo took a breath, trying to arrange his thoughts. "Fantasy is difference."

"Difference. What do you mean by that?"

"If something is fantastic, it's different from the normal, monotonous things of your life. Love, for example. People say it's a worldly thing, but it isn't. Love is on a plane of it's own, a whole separate level of existence. People have reduced fantasy to movies and TV. Fantasy is something totally different, though. Not many people appreciate fantasy, but I do. I may seem a little arrogant here, but I'm just trying to make my point. Fantasy is something I have, and you have," he said pointing at Mr. Jehle, "and that is DIFFERENCE. We have a certain appreciation for life that other people can't see. So, good luck in showing them."

WHen he was done, the entire class was staring at him, even Mr. Jehle. No one said a word, until the teacher broke the silence:

"You should have no trouble in my class..." was all he could say.

After class ended, so did the school day.

"Mr. Gordon, can I see you for a minute?" Gordo walked over to Mr. Jehle's desk. "I need to say, Mr. Gordon, that I'm very impressed with the way you spoke."

"Well, thank you, sir."

"You're welcome. Oh, by the way, I'm 24, I'm not exactly 'sir' yet," he said with a smile.

"I'll remember that."

"See you tomorrow, then, and I'm looking forward to a solid paper from you."

"You can count on it," Gordo said, walking off.

"What was that about?" Lizzie asked, when Gordo came out of class.

"He said he was impressed with me, and he was looking forward to a solid paper from me."

"Well, you shouldn't have trouble," Miranda encouraged him.

"That's what he said..." was Gordo's reply.

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After school, everyone went to Lizzie's house.

"Mom, are you home? Dad? Matt?" No answer. "That's weird." In the kitchen, Lizzie finds a note that says,

"Lizzie, went to the outlet mall to get Matt some clothes for Reggie's party Friday night. I'll pick you up something, too. We'll be back at 7. Love, Mom.

Lizzie looked at the clock. Only 3:30. "Great, we've got 3 and a half hours before my parents get home. So, what do you want to do?"

"Your room sounds like a place to start," Miranda suggested.

"Okay."

They went up to Lizzie's room, with Gordo immediately claiming the stereo. From his bookbag, he pulled out a CD, which, when played, was revealed to be one of Billy Joel's. "Big Man on Mulberry Street" came on, and Gordo broke out into song:

"But you know in my own heart
I'm a big man on Mulberry Street.
I play the whole part.
I leave a big tip with every receipt.

I'm so romantic.
I'm such a passionate man.
Sometimes I panic.
What if nobody finds out who I am?"

"Gordo, my parents listen to Billy Joel," Lizzie said.

"And mine," Miranda chimed in.

"And mine," Gordo said. "What's your point?"

Lizzie looked at Miranda. "He wouldn't get it even if we told him."

"Wait. Let me guess. It's for older people. It's adult music, right?"

"I hate it when he does that," Miranda said.

Gordo just smirked and "polished" his right hand. (A/N: You know, the whole breathing on your hand and then rubbing it on your shirt...Okay, enough of my notes.)

"Well, it is," Lizzie said.

"No, it isn't. Didn't you two hear anything I said in English?"

"Of course!" Miranda exclaimed. "How could we not?"

"Then how can you say that Billy Joel is old people music?"

"Well...because...My parents listen to him!" Lizzie was grasping for words.

"Right. Well, I'll see you later."

"Gordo, where are you going? My parents won't be home for another 3 hours!"

"I gotta take a walk."

"Oh, we'll go with you," Miranda chimed in.

"No. I need to be alone. Bye." Gordo grabbed his stuff and left, but accidentally left the CD behind.

'Nobody understands me...' Gordo though as he walked. 'Not even my best friends. And I can't even tell them...'

A/N: What can't Gordo say? What will happen with Lizzie's nightmare? Find out when this aspiring author posts his next chapter in what is hopefully a story read by many. Well, let me know. Review!