*-*-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 Twelve

Lizzie quickly got to her feet, "Who's there? Who said that?"

Gordo stood up too, and took Lizzie's hand in his, "Yeah, who's there?!" Lizzie smiled.

"Oh my God, Liz! Like you don't know," the cocky voice retorted.

"Holy she-! MIRANDA?! What the -?"

Miranda stepped out from behind a bush. She smiled, "The one and only."

Gordo stepped in front of Lizzie, "You've got some nerve, Miranda, showing up here like this!"

"Uh, hello! I live here!"

Lizzie looked around to see where she was. She stood on her tiptoes and whispered into Gordo's ear, "She's right. She lives in the house to my left." Gordo just stood there and nodded.

"Yeah! So, back off pea-brain! If you'll excuse me, Gordo...I'd like to have my friend back now...!"

Lizzie gripped Gordo's arm tightly; she had no intention of going with Miranda, or even leaving Gordo's side. Gordo peered at Miranda, "By the feel of things, I don't think McGuire wants to go with you." Lizzie nearly melted. Gordo was standing up for her, and she loved it when he called her 'McGuire.'

"Think again, Gor-dork!" A snotty voice snarled from behind the bushes.

"Oh, Miranda, you can't be seious..." Lizzie pitied Miranda now.

The mystery girl stood up, "Oh, but she is, Loozie."

Gordo grumbled, "Kate..."

"Let's go, Lizzie!" Miranda commanded, but Lizzie only gripped Gordo's arm tighter. "I SAID..."

Suddenly, Lizzie felt the need to defend herself, "I KNOW what you said, RANDA!" Lizzie knew Miranda hated being called that, "And I'm choosing not to go. I like myself the way I am. I don't feel I need to conform to society like you. It's kinda ironic that you did too. You always told me not to conform, and here you are...C-O-N-F-O-R-M-I-N-G!!!!!"

Miranda was "as mad as a hornet" now. Kate could tell, so she grabbed Miranda's arm, and they stormed off..."together."

Lizzie turned to Gordo, feeling quite exhausted from her little escapade with Kate and Miranda. "Gordo..." she mutter softly.

"Yes, Lizzie?"

Her eyes started drooping, and she became quite weak. Having a tickle fight and then blowing up at your ex-best friend is not a good combo, "Let's go home..."

He smiled, "Sure, McGuire. Anything..."

She collapsed into his arms, "So warm...so nice...so...perfect..." She locked eyes with Gordo and smiled, "Thanks." He smiled in return.