This chapter has a lot of corny sappy L/Gness in it. Hope you enjoy!
~tawny
After exiting the restaurant, they visit a few of the stores. One of the stores has beaded bracelets and shell jewelery. Another has collectors cards and old records. Others are a mixture of clothing stores and souvenir shops. Gordo orders him and Lizzie icecream and they both sit on the Boardwalk railing listening to a band playing. The band, a mixture of a few guys and a girl, does a blend of popular songs and oldies to compensate the different ages present.
A guy and a girl take the stage. The guy takes the mic. "Hey, how's everyone tonight?" Applause and cheers are heard. "Me and my girl here are going to do a cover of a popular European song. I'm sure a lot of you younger ones know it."
With that, the young man starts singing. "Have you ever seen such a beautiful night?"
The girl steps up to the mic and answers him, "I could almost kiss the stars for shining so bright."
"When I see you smiling, I go, oh oh oh."
Lizzie, finished with her icecream, joins in quietly. "I would never want to miss this. In my heart I know what this is. This is what dreams are made of. This is what dreams are made of. I've got somewhere I belong. I've got somebody to love. This is what dreams are made."
Gordo stares at her. "I didn't know you could sing like that."
Lizzie looks at him. "I don't sing in front of people often."
"You should. You're good."
"I'M good? You forget I've heard you sing, Mr. Gordon."
"What have you heard me sing, besides 'O, Canada'?"
"You don't notice when you do it. Its kinda like those people who whistle without knowing it."
"Well, next time I do it, let me know so I won't make such a dirk of myself."
"I don't know if you do it in front of anyone but me. Or I might be the only one who notices."
Gordo thinks a minute about that. Then, another band member steps forward and a familiar song begins playing. "I could stay awake just to hear you breathing, watch you smile while you are sleeping, while you're far away and dreaming."
Gordo and Lizzie look at each other astounded. Lizzie is the first to come to her senses. She hops down from the railing and says, "So, dance with me." Gordo smiles his half smile at her before slipping off the railing and taking her hand. They walk over to an unoccupied part of the Boardwalk. Gordo is about to place his hands gently on her waist, therefore providing a space between them, when Lizzie places her head on his shoulder. She wraps her arms around his neck and her hand gently touches the curls on the back of his head. His mouth gapes open in surprise, until finally he gains understanding and wraps his arms tightly around her back. They shift slightly from one foot to another. It isn't quite dancing. It didn't have to be.
As Lizzie continues to stroke his neck, Gordo rests his head on top of hers and sings in a soft voice, "Lying close to you, feeling your heart beating. And I'm wondering what you're dreaming, wondering if its me you're seeing."
Lizzie, thinking Gordo is singing subconsciously, lifts her head from his shoulder. "Gordo, you're singing."
Gordo moves his head off of hers and gives her a half smile, yet he doesn't move his arms from around her. He simply whispers, "I know."
Lizzie smiles and places her head back on his shoulder, content that Gordo knows that he is singing the song to her, as opposed to doing it on accident.
Gordo holds her even tighter and continues singing, with more emotion than before, "I don't wanna miss one smile, I don't wanna miss one kiss. I just wanna be with you right here with you just like this. I just wanna hold you close, feel your heart so close to mine. And just stay here in this moment for all the rest of time." Gordo stops there, and lets the vocalist take over all of the crazy Steven Tyler screaming parts.
After the song, Lizzie all too quickly moves from Gordo and heads back to the beach. Gordo calls after her to ask what she's doing. "I'm walking. Come on!"
Gordo walks after her, still amazed at the moment they had both experienced, and surprised once again at his bravery (this time, of singing out loud to her). By the time Gordo catches up to Lizzie, she's standing in the ocean with the water gushing around her ankles. He walks up and stands beside her.
"Promise me something, Gordo," Lizzie asks, kicking her feet in the water.
"Anything."
"No matter what happens in the future, we'll always be friends. We can't let anything come between us, okay?"
"Of course we'll always be friends. But what sparked that?" Gordo asks, crossing his arms over his chest and shivering slightly because of the cold ocean breeze.
"Things just seem to be," she pauses, not really knowing what to say. Gordo finishes for her. "Different."
"Yeah. I guess cause we're getting older. We'll be starting high school soon. And then on to college. And then we'll be falling in love and getting jobs and starting families," she says, as she moves the hair blowing in her face.
Gordo laughs slightly at how fast Lizzie could jump to conclusions. "White picket fence, 2.5 kids, and a golden retriever."
"Do you ever see yourself like that?"
"What, the average American dream fulfiller? No."
"Really? Why not?"
Gordo takes off his outer shirt and wraps it around Lizzie's shoulders. They both start to walk back to the hotel. "Cause most people end of marrying someone they hardly know, having 2.5 kids, then getting a divorce over who was suppose to walk the golden retriever. When I fall in love, it'll be real. With someone I know and respect." Gordo turns away quickly. He remembers telling Lizzie earlier how much he respected her, and hopes she doesn't catch the significance of his statement.
Lizzie catches it and smiles, though decides not to bring it up.
Gordo knocks on the door to his parent's room. "Mom, Dad, we're back."
He opens his and Lizzie's room. Lizzie steps inside first but then spins around in the door way, handing him back his shirt. "Thanks," she says, smiling. As if her smile isn't enough to make Gordo melt, she then leans in. She places a hand on his chest and one on his shoulder as she kisses him on the cheek. Whirling back around, she enters the hotel room. "Do you need the bathroom?"
Gordo, still standing in shock in the doorway, says nothing. Lizzie turns toward him, and noticing his unmoving position, laughs. He finally snaps out of it. "No. Go ahead. I'll be right here."
She laughs again as she gathers up her pajamas and heads into the bathroom to change. Gordo thinks to himself as he sheds his jeans and t-shirt. He then gets out his camera and lays down on the bed, holding the camera over him.
Gordo's Cam May 31st 11:07 P.M.
Gordo: I have had the best night! Remember that romantic night I talked about earlier? Well, it came true! Alright, so I didn't tell her how I feel, but it was still romantic. We danced again to Aerosmith. Same song. I love holding her close to me like that. I even sang to her! She probably didn't realize it was to her, but that's okay. Hopefully some day she'll know.
[Lizzie, in her boxer shorts and t-shirt, lays down on the bed beside Gordo.]
Lizzie: Nice boxers. [Lizzie points to his shorts which have little black and red hearts on them.]
Gordo: [Gordo laughs at Lizzie's boxers which have a similar pattern of pink hearts] Yeah, you too. You know, it's kinda scary when your best friend has the same underwear as you.
Lizzie: Not really. Miranda and me have a lot of similar clothes.
Gordo: Okay, yeah, but I'm a guy.
Lizzie: [Lizzie smiles.] I know. Hey, aren't you suppose to be making a journal entry?
Gordo: [Gordo turns back to the camera with the intent of lessoning his embarrassment from earlier about his shocked expression concerning the kiss on the cheek. He doesn't succeed.] Lizzie kissed me.
Lizzie: [laughs.] Yes, I did. And I'll do it again! [Lizzie kisses his cheek again.]
Gordo: [Blushes] Flirt.
Lizzie: [Lizzie blushes also.] I'm not a flirt. I'm just friendly.
[Gordo turns off camera and sets it aside.]
Narration
"How's this for friendly!" he says as he jumps up and grabs her feet, tickling them. Lizzie kicks trying to free herself, but falls onto the floor, dragging the blankets and pillows from the bed with her. Gordo slides into the floor also, planning on continuing his tickling. Lizzie picks up a pillow that fell with her and throws it at him. He catches it and beats her with it.
"Alright! That's friendly enough!" she shouts, through giggles.
Suddenly, the door ajoining the two rooms opens, and Mr. Gordon enters the room. "Hey, what's going on here?" Mr. Gordon looks down at the two teens in the floor with their hair tasseled and feathers flying about. He smiles. "Do you two mind being a little quieter?"
They both apologize and he leaves the room still laughing at them. "See, you got us in trouble!" Lizzie exclaims.
"Me? Alright, Miss Clueless, I'll get you later. When the parents aren't trying to sleep." Gordo rises to his feet and offers his hand to help Lizzie. She accepts it as he jerks her to her feet and into his arms. He hugs her and whispers goodnight in her ear before gathering up his blankets. Lizzie shivers and swallows the lump rising in her throat. She then aids Gordo in making his bed before crawling into her own.
"Goodnight, Zephyr," Lizzie says.
"Goodnight, um, Brooke." He says before adding, "Why did you just use my middle name?"
"I don't know."
Gordo laughs. "See, that's what makes you so loveable, McGuire." He shuts up fast. Did he really just call her loveable? Well, she is, he concludes to himself.
"I don't think I've ever been called loveable before," Lizzie replies with a yawn.
Gordo rolls over to face her. "Go to sleep, Lizzie."
"You go to sleep first."
"Maybe I will," he answers, but notices Lizzie already has her eyes closed. He smiles and watches her for a few more minutes before dozing off himself.
After exiting the restaurant, they visit a few of the stores. One of the stores has beaded bracelets and shell jewelery. Another has collectors cards and old records. Others are a mixture of clothing stores and souvenir shops. Gordo orders him and Lizzie icecream and they both sit on the Boardwalk railing listening to a band playing. The band, a mixture of a few guys and a girl, does a blend of popular songs and oldies to compensate the different ages present.
A guy and a girl take the stage. The guy takes the mic. "Hey, how's everyone tonight?" Applause and cheers are heard. "Me and my girl here are going to do a cover of a popular European song. I'm sure a lot of you younger ones know it."
With that, the young man starts singing. "Have you ever seen such a beautiful night?"
The girl steps up to the mic and answers him, "I could almost kiss the stars for shining so bright."
"When I see you smiling, I go, oh oh oh."
Lizzie, finished with her icecream, joins in quietly. "I would never want to miss this. In my heart I know what this is. This is what dreams are made of. This is what dreams are made of. I've got somewhere I belong. I've got somebody to love. This is what dreams are made."
Gordo stares at her. "I didn't know you could sing like that."
Lizzie looks at him. "I don't sing in front of people often."
"You should. You're good."
"I'M good? You forget I've heard you sing, Mr. Gordon."
"What have you heard me sing, besides 'O, Canada'?"
"You don't notice when you do it. Its kinda like those people who whistle without knowing it."
"Well, next time I do it, let me know so I won't make such a dirk of myself."
"I don't know if you do it in front of anyone but me. Or I might be the only one who notices."
Gordo thinks a minute about that. Then, another band member steps forward and a familiar song begins playing. "I could stay awake just to hear you breathing, watch you smile while you are sleeping, while you're far away and dreaming."
Gordo and Lizzie look at each other astounded. Lizzie is the first to come to her senses. She hops down from the railing and says, "So, dance with me." Gordo smiles his half smile at her before slipping off the railing and taking her hand. They walk over to an unoccupied part of the Boardwalk. Gordo is about to place his hands gently on her waist, therefore providing a space between them, when Lizzie places her head on his shoulder. She wraps her arms around his neck and her hand gently touches the curls on the back of his head. His mouth gapes open in surprise, until finally he gains understanding and wraps his arms tightly around her back. They shift slightly from one foot to another. It isn't quite dancing. It didn't have to be.
As Lizzie continues to stroke his neck, Gordo rests his head on top of hers and sings in a soft voice, "Lying close to you, feeling your heart beating. And I'm wondering what you're dreaming, wondering if its me you're seeing."
Lizzie, thinking Gordo is singing subconsciously, lifts her head from his shoulder. "Gordo, you're singing."
Gordo moves his head off of hers and gives her a half smile, yet he doesn't move his arms from around her. He simply whispers, "I know."
Lizzie smiles and places her head back on his shoulder, content that Gordo knows that he is singing the song to her, as opposed to doing it on accident.
Gordo holds her even tighter and continues singing, with more emotion than before, "I don't wanna miss one smile, I don't wanna miss one kiss. I just wanna be with you right here with you just like this. I just wanna hold you close, feel your heart so close to mine. And just stay here in this moment for all the rest of time." Gordo stops there, and lets the vocalist take over all of the crazy Steven Tyler screaming parts.
After the song, Lizzie all too quickly moves from Gordo and heads back to the beach. Gordo calls after her to ask what she's doing. "I'm walking. Come on!"
Gordo walks after her, still amazed at the moment they had both experienced, and surprised once again at his bravery (this time, of singing out loud to her). By the time Gordo catches up to Lizzie, she's standing in the ocean with the water gushing around her ankles. He walks up and stands beside her.
"Promise me something, Gordo," Lizzie asks, kicking her feet in the water.
"Anything."
"No matter what happens in the future, we'll always be friends. We can't let anything come between us, okay?"
"Of course we'll always be friends. But what sparked that?" Gordo asks, crossing his arms over his chest and shivering slightly because of the cold ocean breeze.
"Things just seem to be," she pauses, not really knowing what to say. Gordo finishes for her. "Different."
"Yeah. I guess cause we're getting older. We'll be starting high school soon. And then on to college. And then we'll be falling in love and getting jobs and starting families," she says, as she moves the hair blowing in her face.
Gordo laughs slightly at how fast Lizzie could jump to conclusions. "White picket fence, 2.5 kids, and a golden retriever."
"Do you ever see yourself like that?"
"What, the average American dream fulfiller? No."
"Really? Why not?"
Gordo takes off his outer shirt and wraps it around Lizzie's shoulders. They both start to walk back to the hotel. "Cause most people end of marrying someone they hardly know, having 2.5 kids, then getting a divorce over who was suppose to walk the golden retriever. When I fall in love, it'll be real. With someone I know and respect." Gordo turns away quickly. He remembers telling Lizzie earlier how much he respected her, and hopes she doesn't catch the significance of his statement.
Lizzie catches it and smiles, though decides not to bring it up.
Gordo knocks on the door to his parent's room. "Mom, Dad, we're back."
He opens his and Lizzie's room. Lizzie steps inside first but then spins around in the door way, handing him back his shirt. "Thanks," she says, smiling. As if her smile isn't enough to make Gordo melt, she then leans in. She places a hand on his chest and one on his shoulder as she kisses him on the cheek. Whirling back around, she enters the hotel room. "Do you need the bathroom?"
Gordo, still standing in shock in the doorway, says nothing. Lizzie turns toward him, and noticing his unmoving position, laughs. He finally snaps out of it. "No. Go ahead. I'll be right here."
She laughs again as she gathers up her pajamas and heads into the bathroom to change. Gordo thinks to himself as he sheds his jeans and t-shirt. He then gets out his camera and lays down on the bed, holding the camera over him.
Gordo's Cam May 31st 11:07 P.M.
Gordo: I have had the best night! Remember that romantic night I talked about earlier? Well, it came true! Alright, so I didn't tell her how I feel, but it was still romantic. We danced again to Aerosmith. Same song. I love holding her close to me like that. I even sang to her! She probably didn't realize it was to her, but that's okay. Hopefully some day she'll know.
[Lizzie, in her boxer shorts and t-shirt, lays down on the bed beside Gordo.]
Lizzie: Nice boxers. [Lizzie points to his shorts which have little black and red hearts on them.]
Gordo: [Gordo laughs at Lizzie's boxers which have a similar pattern of pink hearts] Yeah, you too. You know, it's kinda scary when your best friend has the same underwear as you.
Lizzie: Not really. Miranda and me have a lot of similar clothes.
Gordo: Okay, yeah, but I'm a guy.
Lizzie: [Lizzie smiles.] I know. Hey, aren't you suppose to be making a journal entry?
Gordo: [Gordo turns back to the camera with the intent of lessoning his embarrassment from earlier about his shocked expression concerning the kiss on the cheek. He doesn't succeed.] Lizzie kissed me.
Lizzie: [laughs.] Yes, I did. And I'll do it again! [Lizzie kisses his cheek again.]
Gordo: [Blushes] Flirt.
Lizzie: [Lizzie blushes also.] I'm not a flirt. I'm just friendly.
[Gordo turns off camera and sets it aside.]
Narration
"How's this for friendly!" he says as he jumps up and grabs her feet, tickling them. Lizzie kicks trying to free herself, but falls onto the floor, dragging the blankets and pillows from the bed with her. Gordo slides into the floor also, planning on continuing his tickling. Lizzie picks up a pillow that fell with her and throws it at him. He catches it and beats her with it.
"Alright! That's friendly enough!" she shouts, through giggles.
Suddenly, the door ajoining the two rooms opens, and Mr. Gordon enters the room. "Hey, what's going on here?" Mr. Gordon looks down at the two teens in the floor with their hair tasseled and feathers flying about. He smiles. "Do you two mind being a little quieter?"
They both apologize and he leaves the room still laughing at them. "See, you got us in trouble!" Lizzie exclaims.
"Me? Alright, Miss Clueless, I'll get you later. When the parents aren't trying to sleep." Gordo rises to his feet and offers his hand to help Lizzie. She accepts it as he jerks her to her feet and into his arms. He hugs her and whispers goodnight in her ear before gathering up his blankets. Lizzie shivers and swallows the lump rising in her throat. She then aids Gordo in making his bed before crawling into her own.
"Goodnight, Zephyr," Lizzie says.
"Goodnight, um, Brooke." He says before adding, "Why did you just use my middle name?"
"I don't know."
Gordo laughs. "See, that's what makes you so loveable, McGuire." He shuts up fast. Did he really just call her loveable? Well, she is, he concludes to himself.
"I don't think I've ever been called loveable before," Lizzie replies with a yawn.
Gordo rolls over to face her. "Go to sleep, Lizzie."
"You go to sleep first."
"Maybe I will," he answers, but notices Lizzie already has her eyes closed. He smiles and watches her for a few more minutes before dozing off himself.