This chapter has a few songs in it, they are listed at the end of the chapter.
Disclaimer- I have no connections, now or ever to Disney, Ren-Mar Studios, etc. I'm just a lowly peon who happens to be a fan of Lizzie McGuire. Don't own any of the show or characters or whatever...
All songs used in this chapter are property of the respective artists, labels, agents, writers, etc, and ASCAP/BMI.
On to Chapter 11.
Kate had made such a big deal about "having to play the nice one", but in reality, she had created her character. In fact, this whole thing had started as her idea. It wasn't long ago that she had been friends with Lizzie, Gordo, and Miranda, so she had known for awhile how Gordo felt. Seeing how Gordo reacted after Lizzie's reply to his letter, she actually did want to help.
She knew Lizzie wouldn't accept an invitation that Kate would give her direct, but she probably wouldn't refuse Ethan. And she didn't. Gordo would go because Lizzie had accepted, Larry and Veruca knew what was up, and Amy just accepted because Kate had never told her mother exactly what had happened at her birthday party, just how out of hand it had gotten, and she used that as leverage for a favor from Amy.
She'd never admit it to anyone, but she was scared about leaving Jr. High. Sure, she had repeatedly said she had a spot on the cheerleading team, because she had connections with the varsity squad, but was her connection for sure, and definite?
Was it worth trying to be popular in high school, if it meant she had to alienate more possible friends? Not that she didn't have friends, but she wondered how true they really were. Lizzie and Gordo and even Miranda had once been her true blue friends, but she felt they could never be so again. If she could do things over, she would. She cried herself to sleep that night, just as she had many nights. She'd have to keep up the front a little longer, at least...
Matt lay awake, just thinking. His big part of the night was to guard the door so that Lizzie and Gordo weren't interrupted. If only he hadn't drank 3 bottles of Cardio Punch... He just left for a minute, and in that minute, his father spoiled everything. Of course, Mr. McGuire was the only one who took part in the night's activities and didn't know the underlying plan. He hoped by the time he started to date, his father would get a clue...
Lizzie just couldn't get the events of the night out of her head. What Kate had said had originally shocked her, but thinking on it, it wasn't SO shocking after all. She'd had Gordo as her first crush, and honestly believed she'd loved him then. But, she'd never told him, and moved on. To Danny, Aaron, Ethan, Ronny, Frankie, and even Larry. She'd actually only been serious about one of those, and it was a very short relationship.
How many times had Gordo been serious about a girl? Two? Brooke and Parker? His relationship with Brooke didn't last much longer than her relationship with Ronny, and really nothing much happened with Parker. He'd never gone on and on about a girl, as Lizzie and Miranda did about Ethan. Was he hoping she'd notice him? Had his attempts with Brooke and Parker been legit, or just done to see Lizzie's reaction?
Many, many thoughts swirled through her mind. She slept restlessly, and her dreams only brought more questions, and she couldn't tell if they were pleasant or nightmares. She'd temporarily given up trying to interpet anything...
Gordo was also tossing and turning. Upon arriving home, he'd played many of songs from his "Lizzie Mix" CD he had now created, from songs on his PC. But now, the songs seemed to be making fun of him, and his inability to express himself.
'Cause every time I close my eyes
I think of you
And no matter what the season nears
I still love you
With all my heart
And I wanna be with you
Wherever you are
I only think of you on two occasions
That's day and night
I'd go for broke if I could be with you
Only you can make it right
Lizzie seemed to be occupying all his thoughts. His grades had yet to suffer, but it was only a matter of time...
Falling in love is such an easy thing to do,
And there's no guarantee that the one you love is gonna love you.
Oh, lovin' eyes they cannot see a certain person could never be;
Love runs deeper than any ocean,
You can cloud your mind with emotion.
Everybody plays the fool, sometime,
They use your heart like a tool.
Listen, baby, they never tell you so in school
But everybody plays the fool.
Was he a fool? He had gotten closer tonight to revealing himself than ever before, but what if she'd laughed at him? What was he going to do anyway? Did he have the nerve to steal a kiss? Would she have kissed back, or slapped him?
I don't love her, I try to tell myself
But you can see it in my eyes
So don't deny, I can't fool no one else
The truth is in the tears I cry
'Cause if it isn't love
Why do I feel this way
Why does she stay on my mind
And if it isn't love
Why does it hurt so bad
Make me feel so sad inside
He could no longer deny what he felt. The longer he remained silent, the more pain he caused himself. He had to figure out a way to express himself, or he'd bust.
I've told every little star
Just how sweet I think you are
Why haven't I told you
I've told ripples in a brook
Made my heart an open book
Why haven't I told you
Friends ask me "Am I in love?"
I always answer "yes"
Might as well confess
If I don't they guess
Maybe you may know it too
Oh my darling if you do
Why haven't you told me
Miranda was the only one to whom he had admitted his feelings. But he'd been asked several times if he and Lizzie were just friends, or more. What should he say now?
I love you, I love you, I love you
Yes I do but the words won't come
And I don't know what to say
I should tell you I love you, I do
The words should explain but the words won't come
I shouldn't hide my love deep inside
The words should explain but the words won't come
I should tell you just how I feel and I keep try-y-y-in'
But something holds me back when I try to tell you
Of all the songs he had selected that said it best. Simple and straightforward. Why was it so hard to admit something so true?
I'll say goodbye to love
No one ever cared if I should live or die
Time and time again the chance for love has passed me by
And all I know of love is how to live without it
I just can't seem to find it
At this song, he had shut off the music. That was just depressing. That was one of those "worst case scenario" songs. Things were NOT that bad yet, and he hoped they never would be.
In an attempt to put his mind elsewhere, he picked up the book Miranda had given him for Christmas. Miranda. Could she be of any help? He checked his watch. 2 AM! No way, would she be online now, but he could send an email and she'd get back to him tomorrow.
Miranda was watching an old movie, dubbed into Spanish. She'd seen it several times before, she figured it would be a good way for her to learn a little of the language. On screen, someone got shot, and the sound awakened her 1 1/2 year old cousin. She picked up the child, and tried to calm her... Quietly, she made her way to the den, and turned on the family computer. It sounded silly, but the screen savers fascinated the baby. The ever-changing patterns transfixed the girl, and soon she was asleep. Miranda returned her to her crib.
Since the PC was already on, Miranda decided to go online, and check her email. Hmmmm, message from Gordo...
Miranda,
I almost told Lizzie tonight. School is almost over and I have to say it soon... Will you please do me a favor and be online for me after school for an hour each day this week?
Friday's the last day of school, and a half day so instead of 3:15 we get out at 12:30.
Please? Let me know ASAP
Your buddy,
Gordo
Miranda sighed. Of course she would be there for him. She'd have to bribe her cousins to stay away from the PC for that hour, but after all he'd done for her, it wasn't that big a deal. She'd probably let Lizzie in on everything very soon, but it would go from "probably" to "definiely" if Gordo had success 'wooing" Lizzie, so to speak.
But should she be the one to tell Lizzie, or Gordo. She just couldn't. It would have to be Gordo. This could be an eventful week, to say the least.
Jo and Sam McGuire had finally cleaned up the last of the party. Lizzie and Matt had both been in bed for hours, now it was time for them to turn in as well. "That party tonight was a lot of fun, honey. We should do stuff like that more often." said Mr. McGuire.
"Yeah? Well, next time, stay dead!" she laughed. "I meant in the game!"
Her husband laughed and gave her a hug and kiss. "Gordo was really something, wasn't he?"
"You aren't the only one who thought that way, you know." She gave him a wink.
"Huh?" Jo rolled her eyes. Sam was SO clueless sometimes.
"Didn't you see how Lizzie was behaving after he left? And to think, you had to ruin everything with your stupid eels!"
A light bulb seemed to come on in his head. "Wait, do you mean?" He couldn't finish the sentence, but Jo knew he finally figured it out.
"Yes. This whole thing was a ruse to get Gordo and Lizzie to admit to each other and themselves how they really feel about one another. Completely set up."
Sam sighed. "When they were little, we used to joke about this, but now it seems to be actually happening. I wondered how long it would take. Should we watch them a little more carefully from now on, or act as usual?"
"Sam, parents always say they know exactly how their kids feel, but in reality, we can't know all. We've known Gordo long enough. I think he can be trusted, but we shouldn't get too lax. Let's give them a little space and see what happens, let things happen as they will."
Jo was very wise. Sam was so appreciative of his wife. He agreed with her, wholeheartedly. They both headed for the bedroom, but sleep wasn't on their minds. Their kids were. Matt would be experencing some of the same problems sooner than later.
None of the participants in the mystery game slept well that night.
A/N Well?
Next chapter, "Bye, Bye Hillridge Junior High" JP style to be up soon.
As always, review, or email JP5683@msn.com or JP5683@webtv.net.
Your input, while in no way required, is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
JP
Songs in this chapter
The Deele - Two Occasions
Main Ingredient/Aaron Neville - Everybody Plays The Fool
New Edition - If It Isn't Love
Linda Scott - I've Told Every Little Star
The People - I Love You
Carpenters - Goodbye To Love
March 16, 2003