Yesterday I got an email from one of the best writers here telling me they might stop reading my story because of different things, and an anonymous reviewer calling me "ignorant beyond all hope of education." If I hadn't revealed my age at the beginning, you wouldn't probably wouldn't be so upset with me. But I did, oh well. This whole Miranda thing came about because I was annoyed that in all the Miranda-less episodes, EXCEPT for Bye, Bye, Hillridge High, they just mention Miranda's absence then never talk about her again. They don't even mention her in the Christmas episode.
When I said it couldn't be that serious, I was referring to the fact people think I am going to make Miranda pregnant. It's not serious as in, having long-term effects unless she refuses help. The starvation diet thing was VERY serious, and that also factors into what I will write. And no, I don't think any of this happened to Miranda on the show. It's FICTION. I said something happened at Christmas, then later. And could happen again.
Like I said, you don't have to read this story, nobody's forcing you. That may seem a strange attitude for me to take, but it's the truth. If you don't like what I'm saying, then find another story you like better. I'm not trying to please everyone here. I will say this story is about halfway complete. Give me time, and I'll explain everything.
I will say Miranda is NOT pregnant, something happened, and she's simply depressed. It's not that she can't tell Lizzie what's going on, it's that she's hidden it so long, that she feels she can't say anything about it, until she feels she's over it. She knows Lizzie could have helped her, but it's too late now, and Lizzie will be upset either way when she finds out, so might as well tell her after the fact, and give her some good news that everything is resolved.
Only one person knows what I've written, and I haven't received a response to what they think of it, but that's ok. There is a method to my madness, and if you stay tuned, you'll be clued in...
I tweaked the last chapter a little, I did put at the end that even Gordo knew Lizzie didn't pay attention to lyrics, so uh, she just heard them wrong.
Disclaimer - I have no connections to Disney, or any of the companies associated with Lizzie McGuire.
On to Chapter 10.
Chapter 10
Matt could hear his sister crying. Should he try to talk to her? No, she'd probably think he was just going to pick on her. He wasn't that mean. He wasn't serious about most of his insults, it was just his job as her little brother. She was probably crying over some guy, most likely Ethan. Matt knew Ethan was a good guy, and a good friend, but she was just after him for his looks. How could Lizzie be so shallow? If she could only open her eyes, she'd see that she had a guy who loved her already.
Yes, even Matt knew the way Gordo felt about Lizzie. He felt like Gordo was like a big brother, or if you will, brother-in-law, to him. A couple of times, when Lizzie and Miranda had been off doing, "girl stuff", he and Gordo had hung out, and though Gordo wouldn't actually admit it, he sensed that Gordo wanted his friendship with Lizzie upgraded to a different type of friendship. Lately, it seemed as if Gordo's feelings toward Lizzie had intensified x1000.
Huh, if Lizzie would just shut up for one minute about Ethan, maybe she'd realize how good she had it. He hoped when he was Lizzie's age, he could find someone for himself that cared for him as much as Gordo did for Lizzie. Maybe it was Melina, maybe not...
He went downstairs for a snack, and his Mom revealed to him a plan that Kate and some of the other kids from Lizzie's school had come up with. It was so crazy, it just might work. Matt didn't play that big a part, but he'd give it his all...
Ethan was trying to call a few friends and tell them Kate's plan, but everyone was hanging up on him. Larry Tudgeman was his last call, and he seemed annoyed that Ethan would bother him. He'd have to just ask all involved to meet after school, and hoped Lizzie and Gordo would play along.
Lizzie was pre-occupied when suddenly, there was Ethan. She didn't quite know what he wanted, and when he started to ramble about "bug gas", she was really lost. "Bug gas. Bugs get it from eating spicy food." She thought this only to herself, she couldn't tell Ethan that.
A/N That's the only line you'll find from "Toon Lizzie" here, I love that line.
He told her all about how he was scheduled to have a murder mystery party, but now it had to be cancelled, because his house had been tented. He was going to invite her too... Wait, an invitation to a party at Ethan's? How about a party by Ethan? It didn't have to be AT Ethan's. She couldn't believe what she was volunteering. "Uh, you could have the party at my house, Ethan."
"Great!" He seemed relieved, and happy. He told her all about how it was to be staged as a wedding, but someone would die (at least she hoped it would be pretend), and everyone would have to solve "whodunit". "This should be interesting. Wonder who else is coming?" she thought as she ran to her next class...
She met Ethan in an empty classroom after school, where she was to meet the rest of the "players". Lizzie wasn't surprised at the first participant, Kate Sanders, but was at the rest of the list... Larry Tudgeman, Kate's cousin Amy, Veruca, and he asked if Miranda could make it, but Lizzie said, no, she was still out of town. Gordo heard, but still was sworn to secrecy about Miranda's whereabouts.
They then began to pick parts for the party. Ethan, as host, picked first, and drew the name of the groom. Gordo picked second, and drew the name of the bride, and was allowed to re-pick, and picked the part of the groom's best friend. Larry picked next, and as instructed, took his time, making an elaborate show of cracking parts of his body. When Lizzie yelled at him to "just pick", that was his cue to add the names of rest of the characters to the mix. Everyone was marked, it was planned who would be who. Kate, Veruca, and Amy all picked, then it was Lizzie's turn. Only one name left. Lizzie was the bride.
Gordo tried to hide the way he felt, as Lizzie danced around. She seemed so giddy, as if this is what she'd always dreamed of. When the classroom cleared, he confronted her. "This is going to be another party where everyone drools over Ethan, and I get to play the low-key best friend no one notices," he grumbled. "I'll just be a footnote."
Lizzie looked at Gordo, "People notice you. and if you win, I will totally notice you. But, I've been reading Nancy Drew books all my life, and I'm going to win."
Gordo got an idea. "But first, you'll have to beat the low-key best friend no one notices. Stiff competition."
For the rest of the week, Gordo barely saw Lizzie, he couldn't stand to hear her say how wonderful it was for her to be the bride, and Ethan the groom. He talked to Miranda, and she confirmed what she had earlier said was a possibility, she wouldn't be back until summer. But she was doing much better, and even doing her school assignments, and would be able to graduate to high school as well...
When Gordo arrived at the party, he admired everyone's costumes. He was surprised to see Mr. and Mrs. McGuire in costume. He thought Ethan's stepmom was supposed to supervise. Lizzie looked great, as always, and he laughed inwardly that Kate was cast as a "nice" lady who wrote children's books. It hurt to see Lizzie walk down the aisle with Ethan, but it didn't really happen, of course. Mr. McGuire played the guy who was poisioned, and the game was on. He'd get Lizzie to notice him now, or die trying...
Lizzie was amazed at how quickly the game moved. She didn't notice that Gordo and she seemed to be the only ones trying to sove the mystery, but she did notice that Gordo was increasingly rude, stealing all her clues. Even Matt had to jump in, and attempt to embarass her...
The "cast" did as instructed, they mingled, and pretended to get clues, but let Lizzie and Gordo do the bulk of the work. Larry seemed smitten by Veruca, and Amy looked bored. Ethan had his hands full trying to keep his stepmother from embarrasing him. Everyone knew now why he had to ask the McGuires to help...
Lizzie found "the clue" and declared she was going to reveal the killer before "that lousy Gordo" beat her to it. Kate saw Lizzie's frustrations, and acosted her, in character, before she could return to the main party. "Tsk, Tsk. So very gifted at solving mysteries, yet so very blind to what's happening in front of her own nose."
The last thing Lizzie needed now was Kate picking on her. She didn't understand what Kate was getting at. Kate broke character. "Why do you think Gordo's behaving this way?"
"Because he's obnoxious, and he wants to win." Lizzie said.
"Well he's human too, he's probably just tired of being treated like a doormat. Why does he want to win?" probed Kate.
"Because he wants to impress people, and be noticed." said Lizzie, matter-of-factly. Duh, it wasn't that hard to figure out. But, Kate kept pushing.
"That's partly it. Who does he want to notice him? You, that's who!" There, she'd said it.
Lizzie still didn't quite get it. "He wants me to notice him? Why?"
"Hell-lo! Everyone at school can tell, except probably you. Gordo's had a crush on you, since like, forever! You've just been too busy paying attention to Ethan. He thinks if he wins, you'll pay attention to him!" Kate stopped suddenly. Here she was yelling at Lizzie, but she was helping her as well... She had to get out of here, and let Lizzie deal with what she'd said. "Do yourself a favor. Pay attention to Gordo, and I'LL pay attention to Ethan!" She stormed off, leaving Lizzie with a muddled state of mind.
Lizzie couldn't comprehend what Kate had said. No, she couldn't be that blind. This was GORDO, after all. He was just her best friend, always had been, and that's the way it always would be, or would it? Should she let him win, and see if what Kate said was true? But would that mean she felt the same way about him? She had to get back to the party.
Lizzie addressed the group, and started to explain the last clue she had found. She looked over at Gordo to see his reaction, and she wanted to believe he was angry that she was going to win, but he looked sad, about as sad as she'd ever seen him. Should she let him win? At the last second, she named the wrong suspect, and Gordo sprang to attention.
"He did not do it!" He explained her last clue, and said, "It was the maid that killed him!" Mrs. McGuire, in character, admitted to her part, and Mr. McGuire, who was still very much alive in real life, had to keep her from getting carried away... Everyone but Lizzie gathered around Gordo, to offer congratulations.
After many pats on the back for a good game, it was time for Gordo to leave. Lizzie walked with him to the door, and they stopped to talk. "Congratulations, old chap. You did well."
Gordo convinced her she did good as well, and she was very impressive. "But, you won," she said.
"Uh, I shouldn't care what people think," Gordo admitted.
"Well, you impressed me," Lizzie said, as she smiled at him.
"I-I did? Why wouldn't I want to impress you? You're my best friend!" Gordo was getting very nervous.
Lizzie didn't know what to say. "So, I impressed you, and you impressed me. It's all good."
"Yeah, all systems go." Huh? What did that mean? Gordo didn't seem to be able to make sense. It was true, Gordo LIKED liked her. Gordo started to inch closer to Lizzie. She stood her ground, wondering what Gordo would do.
"Uh, Lizzie, I was wondering, do you think?" He couldn't finish.
"Yes?" She waited. What would he say?
"Maybe sometime we could, you know, we could..." Gordo was interrupted when the door opened and Mr. McGuire peeked out.
"Lizzie! You're missing the eel cooking compitetion!" Only Mr. McGuire would get so worked up over Iron Chef.
"Dad, dad, dad," she thought. "Now, I'll never know what Gordo was going to say or do." "Uh, I'll be there in a minute, Dad." He smiled at the two kids, and closed the door, and went back to his eels.
Lizzie looked at Gordo. He'd tried so hard, and the moment was ruined. She adjusted her costume, and faced Gordo again. She'd give him another chance. "Maybe sometime we could WHAT, Gordo?"
She seemed to be interested in what he had to say, but he just couldn't say what he wanted. "Uh, nothing, Just maybe we could do this again sometime. It's your turn to win." He gave her a half smile.
Lizzie knew that wasn't what he wanted to say, but decided not to push him further. "Sounds good." She waited, and Gordo offered nothing more. "So, I'll see you later?"
"Yeah, I guess. Later." He turned and walked away, headed for home.
Lizzie watched him leave, and resisted the urge to tell him she knew of his feelings for her. "It's official. He likes me. But he's just my friend. At least, that's the way I've always thought of him," she tried to convince herself. But why did she feel the way she did? Flushed and light headed? She had had enough fresh air, she'd better get back inside, and relax. She turned and went back inside. This could be a LONG night.
A/N About 2 or 3 more chapters until we get past "the kiss" from Bye Bye Hillridge Junior High. This story WILL go past that. Stay tuned, please. The "murder mystery is a set-up" is not entirely my idea, I read about it online somewhere...
The next chapter is back to being all my own work, and not just mostly a summary of an episode. For those still reading, thanks. Review if you like, or email JP5683 @msn.com or @ webtv.net
Thanks,
JP
March 15, 2003