After getting off the plane, David and Leo walked together towards the baggage claim in silence. David's head was filled with a million thoughts at once, and Leo was nodding his head to an inaudible song. When they reached their destination, David set down his small carry-on bag and sighed, leaning against a pole. Leo crossed his arms, waiting for the machinery to begin. Suddenly, a family staggered up to them. The father was carrying a digital camera, desperately trying to get his kids and wife in place. The two young boys were chasing each other, each holding small racecars. David looked at the camera clasped in the man's hands.
"Sir?" asked David, coming up to them, "would you like some help?"
The man sighed in relief. "Thank you son. Oh my…" He wiped his forehead. "Here you go. You know how to work digitals, right?"
"Yep," David said, feeling comfortable holding this stranger's camera. The family assembled around their bags and smiled for the camera - the mother and father holding onto their squirming kids with hidden hands. David grinned and looked through the screen at the family.
"Say cheese!" he said, and clicked the button at the top. He looked at the viewing screen and peered over the top at the father. "Would you like another one?"
"Sure, why not?" he replied, panting slightly. David finished and handed the man the camera. He smiled and returned to Leo, who was pulling out his bag from the baggage claim. David grinned, a little giddy from being able to handle a camera. At Harvard, he had been too depressed to even take a camera with him, and he missed working with them. Leo looked at him thoughtfully. David was oblivious as he reached down to retrieve his own bag.
Soon, it was time for Leo and David to go their separate ways. Leo wrung David's hand tightly and grinned goofily.
"Hey, it was great knowing you Dave." Leo lifted his bag up. "We should stay in touch." Leo reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a rectangular card. "Here, take this." Leo handed the card to David, who stuck it in his pants pocket.
"Thanks Leo. It was – um - fun having you sitting next to me."
Leo laughed. "Oh that." Leo paused. "Listen Dave… good luck."
"With what?" David asked, surprised. Leo shifted nervously where he was standing.
"Well, while you were asleep, you said – er – things…"
David flushed red. "Oh. Sorry."
Leo smiled. "No matter. Just good luck – you're a great guy, and she should know that by now."
"Thanks Leo, it means a lot."
David grinned and they shook hands (Leo with difficulty because of the bags). Then, they parted ways. As Leo walked away, David felt a sharp pain as if all of life's responsibilities were suddenly loaded onto his shoulders. Leo turned back and waved, and David smiled painfully. The fluttering in his stomach had gotten to the point that it felt like he was about to vomit his turkey sandwich.
"I wonder if they have a remedy for nervousness," David muttered, passing by an airport gift shop. He sighed, and clutched his bags protectively to his side.
**********
"Joe, no!" Elizabeth McGuire cried exasperatedly, prying the paste from out of the seven-year-olds' hands. Joe grinned, showing off a white paste moustache that had formed around his mouth. "You don't eat the glue. You're supposed to be gluing your picture to your nametag, see?" Lizzie held up a finished project that she had constructed the night before. She kneeled before the little boy and motioned to her picture neatly glued to the front. Joe nodded his head.
"Okay, Ms. M," he replied reluctantly, sticking his tongue between the wide gap in the front of his mouth. He spread the paste clumsily over the nametag, and Lizzie smiled, patting his blonde-haired head.
"Good job, buddy!"
Lizzie sighed and walked over to her desk, sitting down with a large yawn. She peered at her students, whom were all working on their nametags for the year. She grinned and watched their attempts. Lizzie loved kids; that's why she decided, just a few months ago, that she would become a teacher. Her job did not pay well, but she enjoyed her work, and it kept her mind off of the simple – and not so simple – problems of life.
See, it was over three years since a certain David Gordon was accepted in Harvard. Of course, Lizzie was very happy for him. She couldn't be anything but happy. But, somewhere deep down in her heart, she knew that she wanted him to stay in California - with her. Lizzie was ashamed of this. She never told anyone – not even her other best friend, Miranda Sanchez – that she desperately wanted David to stay where he was. She often cursed herself for being upset, for being such a heartless narcissist. So Lizzie tried to forget. Helping children learn and grow made Lizzie feel as if she was completing a goal in life, and she could cast her mind away to the children when she was feeling lonely or fraught with emotions.
It had been over four years since Lizzie had discovered something that changed her life forever. Whenever she would go on dates with all the hot, popular guys, she would feel lonely and not herself. And, she would always compare them to her childhood friend, none other than David. Lizzie was distraught at first, but got used to her feelings, hoping that maybe, somehow, David could feel the same way about her. Lizzie had noticed subtle gestures and smiles directed her way, and soon, she was hopelessly in love. She was head-over-heels in love with her best friend.
Then, her perfect world had been shattered with the sending of one letter. It was the one letter that sealed her fate, and made her life into an everlasting hellhole without any escape. Lizzie attended college in California for a few years, and, finally desperate, turned her attentions to work that dealt with children. She weighed her options, finally deciding that teaching was just right for her. She had applied at an elementary school just north of Hillridge, and rented an apartment within walking distance. Lizzie began her new life, hopeful that maybe she would meet someone nice, kind, and charming, and she would begin to date again. Maybe she would even get married and have children of her own.
Lizzie smiled at her students, watching their silly antics. Whenever Lizzie was with them, she felt her maternal instincts begin to take affect. It felt right to be with them, and Lizzie loved all of them like they were her own. Often she dreamt of being a real mother, and it during those daydreams and classes with the kids that she felt chaste harmony and ecstasy.
"Everyone done?" Lizzie asked, standing up in front of the classroom and smiling. Her pupils nodded, and held up their nametags for her to see. Lizzie felt an unsuppressed pride transfer into a lighthearted grin.
**********
David yawned, waiting for a taxi to pick him up. He looked at his watch. This was his luck. As soon as he went to the side of the street to wait for a ride, none came. David took a deep breath. His mind was racing, thinking of what he was going to say to Lizzie.
Hey, Lizzie! I decided to – uh – come home for a while!
No… she wouldn't believe it.
The headmasters at Harvard decided that I wasn't smart enough to stay… so…
Yeah, right.
I left for you, darling. I am hopelessly in love with you, and my heart was splitting from just being away from you.
True, but somehow… too cliché.
I decided to take a break?
Jeez. How sad.
David ran a hand through his hair. He had never been this nervous or confused. It wasn't even this bad when he had tried to ask Lizzie to Prom. He flushed, embarrassed, at the thought.
::FLASHBACK::
Gordo sat next to Lizzie on the sofa, more anxious than he had ever been in his life. He was about to ask his best friend if she wanted to go to Prom with him. Gordo had led her into the room, asking to be alone. Miranda, who left right after Gordo said this, feigned confusion as she walked out. Lizzie nodded her head and followed Gordo in bewilderment. Now, he just needed to talk.
Speak now, Gordon, or forever hold your peace.
Lizzie was staring at him expectantly, waiting for him to begin the conversation. Gordo's mouth went dry, and he looked around the room. Lizzie's eyes followed him.
"Gordo? Did you want something?"
"N – I mean, yeah…" he stammered, feeling a warm sensation travel up his neck to his cheeks. He hung his head, looking at the couch cushions. Gordo cleared his throat. Shaking in fear, he saw Lizzie's hand right next to his.
Just reach out…
"Uh, Lizzie… um… I was wondering –," Gordo trailed off, staring at her hand.
It's right there…
"Gordo? You okay? Calm down, and begin slowly," Lizzie cooed, trying to calm her best friend, who was twitching involuntarily in his seat.
Place your hand over hers…
"I would really love it if you -,"
"Oh, Lizzie, there you are!" Jo McGuire burst into the room. Her happy face fell at the sight of her daughter and Gordo sitting on the couch, obviously in the middle of an important conversation. Her eyes traveled from Lizzie's pleading face to Gordo's flushed cheeks. She held out the phone and cleared her throat, not looking her daughter. "Phone for you."
Gordo stood up as Lizzie took the phone, and backed towards the door. "I-I need to go."
Lizzie smiled sadly at him and took the phone reluctantly, her eyes still focused on his.
"Hello?" she asked of the phone. Gordo averted his eyes and pushed through the door. As he walked down the hallway, he passed a disappointed-looking Miranda. She smiled wistfully at him, pools of tears forming in her eyes.
"I'm sorry Gordo."
::END OF FLASHBACK::
David sighed, thinking of this awkward moment in his life. But, that embarrassment was nothing compared to the anxiety and apprehension he was feeling now. He had left Harvard for her, and now, doing that, his feelings could not be put on hold. He would have to tell her – there was no avoiding it.
David hailed a taxi and dragged his bags to the back of the mustard-colored car. With a small groan, he tossed them into the trunk and pulled open the car door. He climbed inside, and strapped the seatbelt across his lap. The man driving the taxi peered at him through his rearview mirror.
"Where to?"
"Uh… Hillridge," David responded, not thinking clearly.
The man raised his eyebrows, and sighed. "Where in Hillridge, sir? Which hotel?"
David stared at him, taken aback. Hotel? He had just assumed that he would stay with Lizzie… but…
"Hilton," David replied, naming the closet hotel he could think of. The man snorted quietly, and looked David up and down, as if he were expecting priceless jewels and gems to trickle out of his pockets.
"Right, sure. Hilton." He turned back in his seat and yawned. "It'll cost you about five dollars."
David lifted off the seat just enough to reach in his jeans' pocket to get his cash out. He fingered it, a small knot starting to clench in his stomach. What was he thinking? How could he fly all the way across the United States, expecting a convenient room? He laughed nervously at himself. Hopefully the McGuire's still lived where he hoped they did, right next door to his old house. Of course, he would have had a place to stay with his parents, but they had moved – he heard everything on the phone. Angry and disappointed, David had hung up, and hadn't spoken to them since. It was ######## him especially, because he had lived there all his life, and, of course, his parents had not even discussed their moving plans with him. David glared at the back of the taxi driver's seat. Didn't he have a say? David himself could've taken the house, not some random family that paid the highest bid.
David sighed, and stared out the window at the cars flashing by.
**********
"Home at last." Lizzie heaved a sigh and placed her coat on a silver hook by her apartment door. She yawned, and brought her books over to her kitchen table. They were set down with a heavy sigh, and Lizzie put her head in her hand, looking at the phone. Mumbling about the rising cost of phone bills, Lizzie dialed.
Ring…ring…ring…
"Hello?" a familiar voice asked. Lizzie smiled tiredly, and twirled a lock of hair around her index finger.
"Hey Randa."
"Hola, chica! How are you and your many children?"
Lizzie laughed quietly. "Holding on."
There was a small pause. "Oh." Another pause. "Liz, you okay? You are usually so excited to talk about the school! How great it is, the wonderful facilities, the cute, precious kids…"
Lizzie rolled her eyes. "They're not always precious!" she protested. Miranda laughed on the other line.
"C'mon! To you, they're baby angels."
Lizzie grew quiet. Why did she even call Miranda? How was she supposed to help? She loved the girl like the sister she never had, but… this, this was way past her area of 'friend-help'. Lizzie glared at the table, frustrated with herself. Miranda noticed the pause, and spoke up.
"So…" she trailed off. Lizzie's bottom lip began to quiver, and she held her hand to her forehead, shaking uncontrollably. Pools of tears were shimmering in her eyes.
"M-Miranda… d-do you believe in soul mates?" Lizzie asked, willing herself not to burst into tears. Miranda, taken aback, chose her words slowly. Lizzie heard her take a deep breath.
"Kindred spirits? Definitely."
Lizzie began to sob quietly, tears cascading down her face onto the table below her. "Have you found yours, Randa?"
There was a long silence as Miranda considered this. "I don't know." She waited for her friend to answer, but when she didn't, she spoke again.
"Liz… is there something bothering you?" Lizzie wiped her face with her shirt.
"N-no."
"Do you want me to come over?"
"I-I'm fine."
"Okay," Miranda responded carefully, not fully believing her. "Um… I'll see you soon, Liz."
"C-ciao."
Click.
Lizzie buried her head in her hands, tears streaming silently down her flushed cheeks.
***********
"We're here," the driver announced, holding out a hand. David quickly gave him the five dollars, and the man helped him get his luggage out of the back of the car. David lugged it over to the front of the Hilton, and smiled quickly at the driver.
"Thank –,"
But the taxi had already sped off. David shrugged, and began to haul his suitcase down the sidewalk towards, hopefully, the McGuire household. David tried to hide his embarrassment at heaving his suitcase down the sidewalk. He knew he probably looked like a homeless guy with nice clothes. At that thought, David grinned and began to walk faster.
Soon, he was so close that he could see his old junior high, still standing tall and proud. He closed his eyes, fighting off a wave of emotions that threatened to end up with him bursting into tears. He took a deep breath, and opened his eyes, averting them from his former school. The memories were too much… it was like traveling to the past, and it was making David feel sick.
**********
Jo McGuire smiled and handed her son the bag of chrysanthemum seeds.
"Matt honey, could you put this in the freezer?" she asked, patting the dirt gently to smooth it. She picked up the watering can, and looked at Matt out of the corner of her eye. He grinned innocently at her, and she raised her eyebrows.
Matt laughed and hung his head, still grinning. "I give up, Mom. You got the puppy-dog eyes down. You know I have to help you now…"
Chuckling quietly, Jo sprinkled the water on the thirsty seeds. Matt watched her, and switched the bag to his right hand, wiping his sweaty left hand on his jeans. Yawning, he made his way into the house.
Matt stuffed the seed packet into a shelf in the freezer. With huge sigh, he pulled out a pitcher of lemonade from the refrigerator and poured himself a cup. Matt held the glass to his lips and drank his fill, sighing in content as the cold liquid slid down his parched throat. He put down the cup with a loud moan of happiness.
"It's so hot today," Matt muttered, pouring more lemonade. Suddenly, there was a quiet knock at the door, and Matt jumped, surprised. He wasn't expecting any visitors today…
"Got it!" Matt yelled to his mother. He strolled quickly to the door, still holding his glass of lemonade. Heaving a gigantic sigh, Matt opened the door.
"Hello, sir. How may I help you?" Matt asked, frowning in thought at the young man standing in front of him. For a second, the man stared back at Matt in amazement.
"Matt?" he asked, his bright azure eyes growing wide with disbelief. Matt's breath caught in his throat as he looked at the gentleman. He was awfully familiar… inquisitive blue eyes… out-of-control hair… short frame… Suddenly, Matt's frown vanished as he took in these characteristics. He almost dropped his lemonade.
"Gordo?!" he cried, a smile lighting up his face. He began to mouth like a goldfish out of water. "W-what are you doing here?" Matt noticed that Gordo flushed a light pink.
"Long story," he mumbled. Then he smiled broadly. "Matt… it's been so long!"
In an instant, Jo came walking up to Matt, putting a hand on his shoulder. She looked up. "Matt? Who's this –?"
She stared at Gordo, scrunching up her face. After a second, her eyes grew wide and she put her hand to her mouth, grinning from ear to ear. "Gordo? Is that really you?"
He shrugged, but his face was shining with happiness. "More or less."
In less than a second, Jo had Gordo in a tight embrace. He looked at Matt, who shrugged. Jo squeezed Gordo's shoulder and smiled happily. "Gordo… it's really great to see you… all those years… I can't believe it's really you!"
"It's great to see you too," Gordo said, slightly frazzled. Jo looked at him and smiled sadly.
"Oh honey, you look worn out." She stared at his bags and grinned. "You need a place to stay?"
Gordo looked at the floor, toying with his shoelace. "Well, actually, I was wondering… um…" – he flushed crimson – "where is Lizzie?"
Matt and Jo exchanged glances, but Jo answered first, practically screaming inside. She knew this would come…she knew. Of course, being a mother, she predicted this moment from when Gordo and Lizzie got past their 'eww… boys are yucky' slash 'eww… girls are gross' stages. She grinned proudly at the man that Gordo had become, and put an arm around him.
"She's not here Gordo –" – his face fell – " – but – " – Jo grabbed a pen and paper and scribbled down an address – " – this is where she lives. You two really need to catch up now, don't you?" Gordo smiled, and took the paper, folding it and thrusting it into his pocket.
"Thank you, Mrs. McGuire," he said, trying to avert his gaze from Matt, who was grinning gaily, as if he knew exactly what Gordo was thinking. Gordo shifted where he was standing, turning towards the door. Jo looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Would you like to leave your suitcase here?"
Gordo sighed thankfully. "That would be great."
Jo smiled and gave him another hug. "Lizzie will be so happy to see you," she whispered in his ear. Gordo blushed, and turned around to go. Jo sighed, taking the suitcase up to the old guest room. You just don't know how happy you'll make her, Jo thought, sitting down on an old wicker chair and grinning cheerfully.
When Jo came back, she looked past Gordo to the driveway. "How did you get here from the airport, Gordo?" He grinned.
"Walked."
Matt snorted into his glass of lemonade. "Damn Gordo, you could have called us!" Gordo shrugged.
"I didn't even know if you lived here. I guess I was taking a big chance, huh?" Jo looked at him strangely, but shook her head, as if ignoring her inaudible question. She leaned against the banister.
"I bet you would like to borrow a car, right?"
Gordo smiled sheepishly. "That would be nice."
"Hey, you can use mine!" Matt exclaimed, becoming excited. He grinned proudly, and Jo clapped her hands.
"Well, that settles it," she said. In one swift motion, she hugged Gordo again and kissed his cheek. "It's wonderful to see you again Gordo." Matt patted Gordo's back.
"How 'bout I show you to the car?"
**********
Lizzie turned the television up louder, tilting her head back on the pillow propped behind her head. Although the screen had begun to blur, and her feet and hands were tingling with restlessness, she still watched the television with dull eyes, occasionally yawning or turning in her seat on the couch. She took another drink of her coke, sipping the caffeine-filled liquid through a pinstriped straw. With a loud sigh, she tried to focus on the figures portrayed on the screen.
Suddenly, Lizzie heard a tentative knock on her apartment door. It was almost inaudible because of the noise and chaos of the television, but Lizzie heard it all the same. She got up off her seat tiredly and quickly ran a hand through her disheveled hair, hoping to look somewhat civilized for the guest.
Lizzie walked to the front of her apartment and reached out a hand to open the door.
*hahaha* evil cliffie! Well, actually, it's not a *real* cliffhanger, because I'm assuming all of you might know who's at the door. If you don't…then…well…okay.
Ahhhh… I love writing this story. It's so sweet… ^_^
Anyways, please review, and I hope you like this chapter! LOL – of course ya do! *hehe* see you guys around… luv ya, and have more fun this summer! Yay!
Btw… I was thinking of maybe writing a Harry Potter fanfic… omg – I am starting to get obsessed over L/J – anyways, any Harry Potter fans; look for that – maybe – in the future, k? ^_^ thanx-
Luv always –
The one and only
Tic-Tac ^_~
