Life goes on. Matt finally confronted Melina. They decided they would try to be friends again. Matt started to date Sheryl. Ethan moved to town and started to go out with Miranda. Gordo quit Gaming Palace and started to work at the Golden Crust. Lanny was in the middle of it all.

Lanny sat on the McGuires' couch. Matt was upstairs doing his homework so Lanny was watching TV while he waited for Matt. 'God, he better hurry up. I've been waiting for an hour. It's five math problems!' Lanny thought to himself. He laid down, making himself more comfortable. He heard the front door open and Lizzie came in crying. She made sure that her parents weren't home and sat down in the kitchen. Lanny could hear her dial a phone. "Mrs. Sanchez? Is Miranda home?" Lizzie sobbed into the phone. "Oh, she isn't? Yeah, I'm okay. I was just watching a movie. No, no message. Bye." She hung up. Lanny continued listening. Lizzie was still crying. He heard her talking to herself. He couldn't make out what she was saying. He continued to listen. Her voice got louder. "I'm pregnant. I'm nineteen years old and I'm pregnant." Lanny's eyes grew wide. 'Lizzie's pregnant! How is it possible?' Then Lizzie's voice grew a little louder, and angrier. "Damn it! Gordo and I are going to be parents! We have no money, we don't even want to get married yet!" She started to cry even more. Lanny exhaled. He felt so awful that he knew. He slipped upstairs and into Matt's room.

"Hey! I'm almost done!" Matt greeted Lanny. *Ok, good! Because...* Lanny stopped himself. "Because what?" Matt asked. *Nothing. Come on, I really want to buy that new video game.* Lanny told Matt. Matt scribbled a few more words onto his paper and stood up. "Come on, I'm done." They walked downstairs. Lizzie was lying on the couch. Her face was red and she was clutching her stomach. Jenny Jones was on. "Liz? You okay?" Matt asked. "Yeah, fine." She replied. "Ok, well Lanny and I are going to the mall. Want us to pick you up anything?" He asked. "A piece of pizza." Lizzie replied. Matt nodded. "Bye!" He closed the door. Lanny got into the car. Matt followed. "Man, she's really messed up. I wonder if her and Gordo had a fight or something..." Lanny shook his head. *I don't think so.* They drove in silence. "Hey Lan, how about some ice cream?" Lanny nodded. *Pumpkin, my good man!* They laughed remembering Lanny's silly craze with pumpkin ice cream. They pulled into the Dairy Queen. It was empty, seeing the fact that it was early February and freezing outside. They walked into the building. Ethan Craft stood behind the counter. "Ethan?" Matt asked. "What? How do you know me?" Ethan asked back. "Matt McGuire, Lizzie's brother." Matt replied. "Oh, hi! How's Liz?" Ethan asked. "I don't know. She was really upset today." "Wow, is Miranda over there with her?" He asked. "No." Matt replied. "Oh, so what will you have?" Ethan asked. "One chocolate, one strawberry." Matt ordered. "$3.85." Ethan replied. Matt fished out his wallet and proceeded to pay. Lanny took his strawberry and sat down in a booth. 'I got to tell Matt. He needs to know. I need to tell someone.' He thought. Matt came over and sat down across from him, licking the cone. "What video game are you buying?" Matt asked. Lanny didn't answer. "Lanny? Lanny come to Earth!" Matt called. *Oh, sorry. I was just thinking.* Lanny replied. They ate their ice cream silently. "Come on, let's go." Matt said and they headed out to the car. "Okay, we got to go to the Golden Crust for some pizza, and we have to go pick up that video game you want." Matt relayed. Lanny nodded. *I can't wait for that video game! It's supposed to be the best one coming out this year, and my cousin Ty got it for me!* Lanny gushed. They got out and walked into the food court. "I'll get the pizza, you get the game." Matt said. Lanny nodded and headed off. Matt stood in line for a good fifteen minutes. The Golden Crust always had slow service. When he finally got up there he saw Gordo at the cash register. "What did you do to my sister?" Matt asked. Gordo looked up. "Why? What's wrong?" He asked. "She was crying." "What? Why?" "You tell me? What did you two do? Is it over between you?" Gordo shook his head. "No, not as far as I know. Is she breaking up with me?" He asked. Matt shrugged. "I don't know." Gordo rubbed his head. "I've got to call her. Johnny, take over. He called to the kid who was manning the oven. Johnny walked over. "Okay, what do you want?" he asked. "Large pineapple and ham pizza." Johnny nodded. "$12.53." Matt gave him the money and stood in line until his pizza was ready.

Lanny was walking down the mall to find Elfie's Game Emporium where his cousin Ty worked. He was walking when all of the sudden he collided with Miranda Sanchez, Lizzie's friend. *I'm sorry.* He exclaimed. "Hey, no...Lanny? I understood Lanny?" She started to laugh. Lanny looked at her, puzzled. Then he started to think to himself. 'Maybe I should tell Miranda. she could help Lizzie.' He sighed. *Miranda...*

Hmm, will Lanny tell? Will Miranda ever find out? Will Lizzie tell Gordo? Will Matt ever get the pizza? I don't know, since I write by the seat of my pants but...no that will ruin it. I won't tell you. O BTW, I made a mistake with my spelling. *Stupid*. I said Lizzie took a bit of her pizza. I'm sorry. Again, stupid me. :) Well I hope you people like this story. It's more serious then our other ones. Hmm. Please review... if you don't want to review, then don't. If you want to flame it, go ahead. I will accept any reviews at this stage of the game! *I don't get to many, and I cherish them.* ~Lea