*-*-Disclaimer: I do not own, nor have I ever owned, Lizze McGuire. All characters belong to the creators of Lizzie McGuire.-*-*

The New...Everything

Chapter Eight

Lizzie walked into the lunch room. She saw Miranda with all their friends, but no Gordo at the table. She scanned the lunch room; she smiled and whispered, "Ah, there you are Gordo!" She walked towards him, but someone interrupted her path. It was Miranda, "Oh, hey, Miranda."

"Just where do you think you're going, Liz?"

"Um...to sit with Gordo..."

"You can't do that, Lizzie."

"Why?" Lizzie was confused. She really liked Gordo's companionship.

"Because I forbid you to. And besides, Ethan's sitting at our table today..."

Lizzie glanced over at the table, "Your point?"

"Oh my gosh, Lizzie! What's gotten into you?! One minute you're totally gushing over Ethan, and now you won't even give him the time of day?"

"Look, Miranda," Lizzie stated plainly. "I've tried to be nice to you about this, but I can't take it anymore. If you can't accept the fact that I've made a new friend, then I'm sorry. But, he's new, and apparently, I'm the only one who's taken time to notice how great of a person he really is. So, if you'll excuse me..." Lizzie simply walked around Miranda and over to Gordo.

Miranda watched Lizzie walk away. "You're going to regret this, Liz," she grumbled. Having said that, she turned around and walked back to the table she had been at.

"Where's Liz-zay, Miranda?"

"Um...she won't be sitting with today...or ever again..." Miranda glared at her food. She hated it when Lizzie did this.

"Gordo!" Lizzie giggled. He jumped. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I startle you?" She smiled at him as she sat down at the table.

"Yeah, yeah. Just a little."

"I'm sorry," she studied him for a minute. "Is something wrong, Gordo?"

"No. Well, yes. Actually, no. Um, maybe. I don't know, Lizzie. I'm so confused."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" she waited earnestly for his response.

"Um, yeah. Actually, Lizzie. There is." She nodded in compliance. "Could you answer a question for me?"

"I thought you were the smart one, but yeah! Sure! I can do that!"

He smiled slightly at her comment, "Well, why are you risking everything just to hang out with me?"

"Believe it or not, Gordo. You are a great guy, but I can tell by looking around this lunch room that no one has taken the time the get to know you. Personally though, I think that they could only benefit from it. Like I have."

"But why, Lizzie?"

She thought for a minute, and then smiled, "Gordo, I've only known you for a day, but I can all ready tell that you've made me a stronger person."

"How's that?"

"Well, normally, I'd never have the mentality to do what I've done. You've gotten me to sing in public. I actually told Miranda what I was thinking, knowing that she wouldn't like it. I know this'll sound really cheesy, but you bring out the best in me."

"Lizzie, how can you say that? You don't even know me that well."

She shrugged, "I don't know. It's unexplainable."

Miranda appeared only to say one thing, "Gordo, don't believe her. That's what she always tells the new people."