* Chapter fourteen – Gordo *

Soon, I was riding in the McGuire's van to the place that I hated most – the mall. The only thing that was remotely good about that place was the inviting smell of curly fries. That was about it.

I guess it was my fault. I was friends with two girls – what was I expecting? It was almost certain that I would get mall trips if I befriended that gender; especially when the two girls who I befriended could be obsessive over their appearance. Of course, they looked just fine to me.

All of that didn't really matter now. Even a trip to that godforsaken mall couldn't clear my mind off of Lizzie. It was like a leech, sinking deeper and deeper into my already vulnerable skin. Everything about her filled my head, and it didn't help that we were sitting alone in the back of the van together, touching shoulders.

For some reason, Miranda was very determined to sit up front with Jo.

As soon as they started a conversation, I tried to listen. I was extremely desperate to do anything to take my mind off the beautiful girl sitting beside me, especially when we had shared a kiss only an hour beforehand. I was practically shaking in my seat, breathing in little gasps. I tried to calm myself, I really did. But, it couldn't be helped. I was a wreck – a wreck in love.

"Gordo," I heard a voice whisper beside me; "what did you say to my mom?" I twisted around in my seat to look at Lizzie, and smiled nervously. My heart was beating frantically. I unstuck my jaws and forced myself to speak. Jo quickly looked back at us and smiled, but Miranda forced her into conversation again.

"I told her," I began, lowering my voice to a bare hiss, "that your crush moved to Italy." Now that I said it, the notion sounded really dumb, and I almost laughed. Lizzie stifled a giggle, but smiled thankfully, leaning closer so that she could whisper in my ear. I shivered as her hair brushed by my neck, and cascaded down my shoulders.

"Good. You know, for a second, I thought that maybe…" she trailed off, waving her hands nervously. I could see her blushing. She smiled bashfully and bent so close to me that I could smell her shampoo.

"Thanks Gordo," she said quickly, and kissed me on the cheek. I could actually feel the heat radiating off her face, which was mingled together with mine. I nodded my head in acknowledgement, sighing in pure bliss.

"I'm just doing the never-ending job of a best friend," I said quickly, blushing scarlet. Lizzie grinned sheepishly, and moved away from me, looking at the back of her mother's seat.

"It never does end, does it?" she whispered, smiling slightly, the corner's of her lips twitching. Suddenly, Jo spun around, keeping one hand on the wheel. My insides began to wriggle nervously. Had she seen our affectionate more-than-friend encounter? Was she going to yell at us and make us even more self-conscious? I cringed, waiting for a row to begin between Lizzie and her mother.

Instead of focusing on us, Jo pointed out of the window, gripping Miranda's shoulder with her hand. She grabbed the wheel again, looking as though she had just discovered a new aroma of fragrant bath soap.

"Look, kids!" exclaimed Jo, licking her lips, "it's the new Krispy Kreme! My Lord, it's heavenly." She sighed. Lizzie, who had instinctively clutched my shoulder tightly, let go with a shuddering breath. She rolled her eyes, trying to smile at me. I tried to smile back, but I probably gave her a look of disgust instead; I couldn't seem to control my muscles anymore. The hectic commotion of this act had caused my head to hurt. It was amazing the effect that it had on me.

Jo continued to watch the Krispy Kreme like a hawk until it was out of sight, then settled back into the driver's seat, grabbing the steering wheel securely with both hands. I saw Lizzie purse her lips next to me.

"Mom – it – was – just – a – doughnut - shop," she said hotly, stretching out each word. Jo adjusted the rearview mirror and stared back at her daughter.

"Lizzie, your friends already know about my obsession on sweets. You don't have to worry about me embarrassing you…" – she laughed innocently – "I've already got that covered!" Jo smiled broadly as if she had just said a brilliant joke, and turned back to the road hastily. Lizzie slumped in her seat, staring at her mother's reflection in the mirror.

"Whatever, Mom." She crossed her arms over her chest and glowered at the back of the seat in front of her. Miranda just gave me a look of amusement and exasperation, and sniggered beneath her breath. I just shrugged. Personally, I feel that normal communication between family members is essential to sustain sanity – namely parents and their offspring.

Oh god, no more psychiatric lectures from my parents - I'll have to remember that one.

The rest of the trip to the mall was completely boring. For about ten minutes, I amused myself by trying to guess the amount of money Jo would have to spend on clothes for Lizzie. I sure hoped Miranda brought money, or she would be sitting in the waiting room with me, talking about how well everything fits, and how she just has to get it. Of course, I would probably end up giving her my money that I had saved for our so-called trip to the Digital Bean. Shaking my head, I realized that my ingenious plan of pretending not to have money wouldn't work. Miranda knew by now that I didn't go a single place without money; less there are sales or discounts on video cameras. Unlike my parents, I have decided that I will try for a job in photography, and all of my extra earnings are spent on equipment for my hobby.

I was just about to go into a game of 'I Spy' when I saw the mall. For one fleeting moment, I actually appreciated that busy, over-crowded palace of doom. Then, the thankfulness vanished as quickly as it had come.

"The mall, the mall, the mall, the mall –" Lizzie and Miranda chanted, jumping up and down enthusiastically. I rolled my eyes.

"Well, here we are!" Jo said, shouting over my friend's squeals. "Gordo? Doy ouneda nythin?"

"The mall, the mall, the mall, the mall –"

"What?" I yelled loudly, resisting the urge to clamp my hands over my friends' mouths. I couldn't hear Jo clearly because of them. I squinted.

"The mall, the mall, the mall, the mall…"

"Lizzie! Miranda!" Jo finally snapped, smiling slowly at me. "Gordo – do you need anything? Boxers… anything? I don't really know what boys your age need…"

Lizzie and Miranda stopped short, and I blushed bright red. Smiling embarrassedly, I shook my head from side to side, turning my head to stare in the other direction. Lizzie glared at her mom, pursing her lips again. My friends didn't meet my eye, too taken aback to speak. That was okay; I didn't want to look at them either.

"Well then…" Jo started leisurely, realizing the mess she had gotten herself into. She looked at her watch. "Why don't you three meet up with me at McDonalds at about three? Then, we can get some lunch or something."

Lizzie smiled stonily at her mother; "that sounds great."

Jo looked at us, and sighed. Then, she walked off in the other direction – in which I could see a Starbuck's coffee. That is a parent's duty: humiliate their children – or their children's friends -, and then summon caffeine. We watched Jo until her sweatshirt blended in with the bustling crowd.

"I guess we'd better go then," Miranda said tentatively, glancing my way. I blushed as Lizzie tried to catch my eye, undoubtedly wanting to apologize. I couldn't look at either of them. It was bad enough that my friends were girls. Why did one of them have to be the girl I was in love with? I looked towards the sky. Why?

A feeling of dread was cast upon me as we began to walk towards the mall. Lizzie and Miranda shared a contrary feeling as they skipped ahead of me, singing together happily. I had no choice but to follow. Sometimes, choices are mandatory – you can't change them.

Finally! I actually updated this story! OMG! … I was thinking what I was going to do for this story (you know, the rest of the plot…) I don't even think I'm halfway done yet *dies* omg… ahhhh, but in a good way. I like to write this story. It's interesting! ^_^

Cheers **

Oh, I AM SO HAPPY! I LOVE THE NEW HARRY POTTER BOOK SO FAR! If you don't like Harry Potter *purses lips* don't comment. I will sic my fanfic-internet pals on you. Just don't do it – I'm serious.

Luv to all! ~*~

Tic-Tac  ^_~

Btw… I am starting a new account with a buddy in fanfic (Sunshine Belle – stupid spell-check… won't let me put her name right…) look around for us! (Sunshine_Mint – auto spell-check again…) *picks up hammer* die computer, die! *looks around nervously*

kk… *heheee….*

THANX AGAIN! Plz review… it means a lot to me! Yay!