The Assignment

by starcraze

(A/N) Yay! So, I'm going to start posting my second Lizzie fic. This one isn't too long, but I might have to explain a little bit. Basically, what it is is Mr. Dig gives an essay assignment in class and then each of the main characters has a chapter from their own POV. Lizzie, Gordo, Miranda, Tudge, Ethan and Kate are in the 9th grade and will each have a chapter where they talk about their lives and Mr. Dig's assignment. There really isn't much of a plot, just insights into the minds of the characters.

Also, this isn't really a romance fic, but it does allude to certain pairings. I'm not telling you what they are ahead of time, because I'm mean. Be warned: They are NOT your typical pairings.

I disclaim everything. I don't own anybody and don't want to.

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Chapter 1

It was a typical Monday at Hillridge High School. Mr. Dig walked into his classroom minutes before the bell to find his students, as usual, engaged in their own pursuits with their fellow classmates. Or more matter of factly, engaged in their own arguments and gripe fests with their fellow classmates.

To put it bluntly, not one of the students had even noticed he'd entered the room. Granted, he was shorter than a lot of them now, but he still wasn't invisible. Mr. Dig set his lesson plan down on his desk.

He wasn't about to interrupt them just yet. The bell hadn't rung and none were causing any major disturbances that required teacher intervention.

Mr. Dig sat in his chair, hands folded behind his head, and watched his favorite ninth graders in action.

"Gordo, how dare you call me shallow. I am NOT shallow", Lizzie McGuire was saying defensively to the young Mr. Gordon.

"Lizzie...did you or did you not just tell me you couldn't go to the spring dance with me because your mom won't buy you the expensive dress you want?"

"It's not that simple Gordo", Lizzie whined. "If I wear anything I've already worn to a dance, Kate will rag on me for at least a week."

Gordo rolled his eyes. "So what? She rags on you. What's the big deal? Why do you care so much what. . ."

"Other people think", Lizzie cut him off. "I know the lecture. I've heard it all my life from you." She folded her arms across her chest and lowered her voice. "Too bad you don't follow your own advice."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gordo asked in disbelief at her insinuation.

"Nothing. You just wouldn't understand."

Directly across from them, Kate Saunders and Miranda Sanchez were squaring off, hands on hips. This was a daily occurrence.

"If I find out you were the one who told Mr. Young I cheated on that quiz, you might as well wish you'd never been born", Miranda was saying to the girl who had a clear height and size advantage over her.

Kate looked at her innocently. "Why Miranda? Why would I do something like that?"

"Cause you're a witch", Miranda finished triumphantly. "And it gives you great joy to bring other people down. Especially since you know as well as I that you cheated on the same said quiz", she said grinning wickedly. "It sure would be a shame if Mr. Young just happened to find out."

Kate put her hand in Miranda's face. "Don't threaten me Sanchez. I own you and I don't waste my time on losers." Kate backed up and looked Miranda up and down. "Especially not ones that dress like circus freaks."

Miranda took a step towards Kate, temper boiling, but then thought better of it. She took a deep breath to restore calm to her body. She went back to her own seat never letting Kate out of her sight. "Don't worry. This is far from over", she announced.

On the other side of the room, the popular kids Ethan Craft and Danny Kessler were heavily involved in a discussion with Claire Miller and a few other girls from the in-crowd. Larry Tudgeman and Veruca Johnson were sitting directly behind them.

"Yo, you girls should totally check out my swim meet after school", Ethan was saying to the group.

Claire giggled as did the other girls--except Veruca "Sure Ethan. Of course we'll be there. We gotta cheer you on to victory, right?"

"Hey girls", Larry Tudgeman interrupted. "If you want to check out something really cool you should come to the debate meet after school. Today's topic is animal testing-- makeup, pharmecuticals, stuff like that. Should be a doozy", he said grinning wildly like a little kid whose birthday came early this year.

Claire rolled her eyes and tossed her hair. "Only nerds do debate club."

Danny laughed. "Well, well, well—Tudge is definitely a nerd, so no problems there.

Ethan looked hurt. "Yo, why do you got to be like that? Let him be. I like debate club too", he protested. "I'd totally go if I didn't have my meet."

"But you're not like them", Danny laughed, nodding his head in Larry and Veruca's direction.

Veruca glared at Larry. "I don't know why you even bother."

Larry shrugged and looked away. He opened his social studies book. "No big deal Veruca. Just drop it."

Veruca didn't drop it. "They treat you like crap and you keep going back."

"I said drop it okay", Larry said forcefully. "I've got work to do."

The bell rang for the start of class.

"People", Mr. Dig boomed out. "Be seated."

After two years as the resident substitute at Hillridge Junior High, he'd finally gotten a full time job teaching 9th grade Social Studies at Hillridge High. This also meant he was teaching the same kids for the third year in a row.

They were pretty good kids, but their fighting and bickering could wear even the most dedicated teacher down.

At fifteen, most were just starting to figure out or get a clue as to who they were as individuals, something he generally encouraged, but lately it had been taking its toll.

"Take out your Social Studies books and open to page 109. We're going to continue or lesson on Southeast Asia."

While most of the students had followed his instructions, several were still focused on their earlier battles.

Kate balled up a piece of notebook paper and chucked it in Miranda's direction causing Miranda to send her a death glare and a few choice words that one could only assume were some sort of Spanish curse words. Next to her, Lizzie and Gordo furiously passed notes back and forth trying to resolve their earlier disagreement to no avail. Further back, Danny worked on perfecting his spitball collection--his favorite pastime, and shot them at Larry and Veruca, who were doing their best to desperately ignore him. And this was just the tip of the iceburg.

It was obvious he had no control over his class today.

"ENOUGH!", Mr. Dig yelled out louder than intended. "Pay attention. Close your books. We have a change of plans."

The class looked up suddenly, not used to hearing his raised voice.

Seeing that he had their attention, Mr. Dig smiled and lowered his voice to its normal level. "I have something a little different for today. A writing assignment, it's not exactly social studies, but I am the teacher so what I say goes."

"Is this some sort of stealth pop quiz?" Lizzie asked nervously.

"No Ms. McGuire", he assured. "It's more of a character study. It's something I want you all to think long and hard about. If you could be anyone else in this room for a day, week, whatever...who would you be and why? And in talking about them and why you picked them, I want you to tell me a little about yourself."

The class groaned collectively. You could always count on Mr. Dig for an unorthodox assignment. "Uh, Mr. Dig? We have to choose someone in this room?" Kate asked looking around warily.

"No. If you're truly comfortable with yourself you can write about that, but I doubt most of you will exercise that option. Otherwise it has to be one of your classmates."

Larry raised his hand. "Is this for a grade?"

"No, no grades", Mr. Dig informed them. "There are more important things than grades sometimes."

"Way to go professor!", Ethan exclaimed excitedly giving him a thumbs up.

Mr. Dig sat on his desk and looked directly at his students. "Well, what I want instead is honesty. Write an essay detailing your choice and reasons." He smiled knowingly. "I think some of your answers might surprise you."

"No offense", Claire pointed out. "But everyone is just going to pick someone popular", she said smiling smugly.

"Not all of us dream in life to be stuck up cheerleaders", Miranda loudly pointed out.

Kate looked at Mr. Dig. "Can you contain her? Do you see what I have to put up with?" she said, eyes locking with Miranda's.

"She's right you know", Larry agreed. "Claire, you should really get over yourself."

Mr. Dig cleared his throat, regaining their attention. "I wouldn't worry about it Ms. Miller. The answers are generally far from generic. But there are two rules. Write the essay in the first person so as not to include your name and no bad mouthing or saying negative things about anybody in this room. Agreed?" he asked.

"Agreed", the class mumbled back.

"Good", Mr. Dig nodded. "So get to it."

The class turned to their empty notebooks and sat quietly.

Lizzie raised her hand tentatively. "Are we going to have to share these with the class? You know, read them out loud?"

It was obvious that the thought hadn't occurred to many of his students and it was amusing to see their deer stuck in headlights expressions as they realized the possibility of having to "open up" in front of the class.

"That depends", Mr. Dig said hoping to calm them down. "You have options. After I'm satisfied with your work it will be up to you. For the brave souls who don't mind a little humiliation, you will read your essays for the class."

Noticing the lack of response, he quickly moved on. "But a more popular choice I believe will be to have me read your essays to the class, no authors' names included."

"But without names we can still tell who wrote what", Miranda noted.

"That's up to you", Mr. Dig said. "The more you write about yourself, the more likely your peers will be able to figure you out. That's a risk you will have to face."

The room fell silent and Mr. Dig returned to his seat to grade some papers. He chuckled to himself as his students glared at their empty notebooks questioningly, eyes darting around the room covertly.

He knew the thoughts of terror that must be running through some of their heads. He remembered all too well what it was like to be their age, the fears and confusion. But these guys would come around. They always did. He just needed to give them a little nudge to get them started in the right direction.