Extra long chappie for you guys!! Hope you enjoy… please review when you're done!
*Chapter twenty-two*
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I wanna squeeze her but I'm way too low,
I would be runnin' but my feets' too slow
Young man's rhythm's got a hold on me too
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
- Excerpt from "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu", by Johnny Rivers
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Miranda and Matt watched in exasperation and shame as Lizzie rushed off to the bathroom, her high-heeled shoes clicking on the linoleum with each frantic step. Gordo, as they expected, glanced one more time at them, and, as calmly as possible… ran after her.
"I think she overreacted," Miranda stated bluntly.
Matt shrugged. "I'm not sure. My parents are pretty weird about that sort of thing. I wouldn't be surprised if they grounded her for life."
She turned to him quickly. "I hate you, you know."
"I hate you too," Matt said affectionately. He picked at his nails and pulled at the tie of his tux. Nonchalantly, he coughed to get Miranda's attention.
"Two bucks they make out in the bathroom," he said quickly, casually glancing around the empty hallway.
"Five bucks." Miranda grinned, and then covered her mouth with her hand. She glared daggers at Matt.
Matt laughed. "You can't get away from their love life, can you?"
"Listen Matt, you shouldn't be making bets like that! You saw how mad Lizzie was!"
"Yeah… but Miranda? Wasn't it worth it? The money, the partnership, the short-lived pleasure…"
Miranda looked stricken. "I-,"
"No regrets, right?"
"I don't -,"
"It's pretty cute…"
Miranda threw up her hands. "All right! I don't regret it, okay? And yes, it is cute!"
"Aha! I knew it!" Matt snickered, and Miranda put her hands on her hips crossly.
"Knew what, Matt?"
"No questions asked; you'd accept the role of a matchmaker in a heartbeat."
***********~**********
Gordo and Lizzie released each other quickly, and smiled bashfully.
Lizzie averted her eyes from his face, blushing bright red. It was amazing how he made her feel… accepted, special, optimistic… loved… She glanced at him, and smiled shyly. Yes. If he weren't there for her, Lizzie wouldn't be Lizzie. She wouldn't be the happy-go-lucky, lighthearted, kind girl she had become during the past fourteen years.
Unexpectedly, hazel eyes met blue, and Lizzie stared at Gordo as if seeing him in a whole different light. Her lips parted vaguely in surprise.
Who are you, and what have you done with Gordo?
Gordo's heart did a three-sixty as he watched his best friend's eyes grace over him, a confused, yet jovial smile tugging at the corner of her lips. His eyes glazed over, and he began to lean forward just slightly, trying with all his might to focus on Lizzie's eyes, not her lips. She watched him move closer, and instead of backing up and slapping him (like he expected), she took a tentative step forward and closed her eyes. Suddenly, Gordo's hands found themselves framing her face eagerly. He inclined toward her, yearning to feel his lips against hers once again…
The door opened, and in the back of their minds, Gordo and Lizzie could hear footsteps echoing throughout the room. And then, out of the blue, a screech interrupted their almost-kiss.
"Ahhhhhh!" a female voice yelled. Gordo and Lizzie, completely mortified, spun around, hands flopping to their sides. A small, mousy seventh grader was standing in the doorway, her eyes large.
"What is –," Gordo stopped. "Oh."
The girl waved her arms around. "This is a GIRL'S bathroom!" she squeaked in a high, chipper voice. Gordo flushed red, and Lizzie, if possible, blushed redder.
"Eww! That is SO gross!" The girl glared at Gordo, obviously recovering from the shock of seeing him in a girl's lavatory. "PERV –!" she began to yell. But, before she could finish the word, Lizzie clapped a hand over her mouth and gave her a death glare.
"Don't. He's my friend - I wanted him to come in."
The girl struggled to free herself from Lizzie's hand, still trying to yell. Lizzie's defiant stare relaxed, and she sighed.
"Please don't yell…" she pleaded. The girl stopped, and Lizzie removed her hand.
"What was that for?" The girl immediately asked, rubbing her lips tenderly. "Ow! Jeez."
Lizzie had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes. "You nearly got my friend in trouble."
"Well!" the girl cried indignantly, "He's in the girl's bathroom!"
"Yes, I know." Lizzie gritted her teeth together.
The girl pursed her lips, and sighed edgily. "Whatever." With a flick of her raven-black hair, she strode into one of the bathroom stalls in a huff.
Thoroughly embarrassed, Gordo and Lizzie walked quickly out of the bathroom. Luckily, no other people were in sight.
Lizzie massaged the side of her head. "Well," she stated, trying to lighten up the situation, "That was uncomfortable."
Gordo chuckled quickly, and scratched his arm absentmindedly. His mind, usually so witty in response and so keen to talk, wandered aimlessly.
It was remarkable that both friends chose to ignore their near-kiss.
***********~**********
Matt and Miranda walked back into the gymnasium, and were immediately attacked by curious onlookers, wondering what the argument was about, if it had ended, if anyone had died… Matt seemed to be enjoying the attention, smiling and waving as if he were a famous celebrity walking down a red velvet carpet. However, when the crowd turned their gaze to Miranda, they were met with a death glare that paralyzed them in mid-sentence.
Finally, the duo was separated from the crowds. Miranda immediately strode to the punch table angrily without even a second glance at Matt.
"What's up with you?" he asked as soon as he caught up to her, "Why are you being so…so…"
Miranda picked up a ladle and began to transfer fruit punch into her plastic cup. She ignored him completely, and wheeled around, so her back was facing him. Matt seemed to realize that he had lost her attention completely, and sighed exasperatedly.
"Talk to me, Miranda!" he pleaded, walking around to face her. She glared at him, and clenched her teeth.
"Talk?!" She spat out the word as if it were a disgusting profanity. "Talk?! Sure. I'll talk!"
With an angry thrust of her arm, the punch in her cup flew two feet and met its destination; in Matt's face. The liquid splashed all over his face and hair, cascading down to his clean-cut tuxedo. Miranda smirked as Matt sputtered, spitting out the crimson drink in surprise. Drenched from head to foot, he wiped his sleeve across his face. The remains dripped off his face to the ground, and soon, he was surrounded in a miniature puddle of tropical pinch.
The commotion had attracted much attention, and people were turning around in their chairs to stare at Matt, who, for once in his young life, was completely and utterly humiliated.
"What -? Miranda, what was that for?" He was speechless.
Miranda stood stalk-still, her flashing russet orbs glaring at his sodden figure. Fearful chills trekked up his spine.
"THAT, Matt McGuire, was for being a total, ignorant, arrogant, careless BRAT," she told him calmly.
He opened his mouth in protest, but Miranda had already spun around, clenched her fists, and walked away.
***********~**********
Gordo and Lizzie found their way to a far corner of the gym, still subdued in an uncomfortable silence. It was overwhelming, and the tension was so thick, Lizzie swore he could have cut it with a knife.
She sighed, ignored the chairs, and slid down the wall to the floor. Gordo looked down at her quickly, and saw her watching him. Suddenly, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a speeding car.
"What?" she asked. He blushed and averted his eyes.
"Nothing," he lied. Lizzie inhaled some of the stuffy, gymnasium air, and wiped her hand across her moist brow.
Beckoning to him, she patted the seat next to her.
"Lizzie…" he started. He licked his lips nervously.
"Sit," she demanded. He dropped gracelessly to the floor, and Lizzie had to grin. Then, with a fleeting feeling of insecurity, she stared back at him. "Gordo, we need to talk."
There. That was easy enough!
Lizzie could have, on oath, sworn Gordo twitched. "What about, McGuire?"
She sighed in exasperation. "We can't go on like this. You know that."
"Oh! Listen, I love this song!" Gordo broke in quickly, anxiously looking for an escape. He jumped up, but Lizzie grabbed onto his arm and held fast.
"Stop it!" she cried, beginning to feel desperate, "Gordo, if you're a my real friend, you'll listen to me! Please!"
Gordo stopped in his tracks, and turned to face Lizzie, feeling the blood rush to his cheeks.
She was almost in tears. "Do you realize what you're doing to me, Gordo?" she asked quietly, grasping one of his hands, "You're tearing me apart! One day, you want to be with me, another day, you turn away whenever I enter the room…"
Gordo just stood next to her, and realized that no blush came to his cheeks. No awkward quietness threatened to weaken his knees into total collapse mode.
His best friend was suffering, and he would have to do all he could do to soothe her pain.
Lizzie was full out crying now, wringing her hands. "I knew I was wrong, Jesus Christ, I knew it. I don't deserve to even be your friend. You're too smart, and funny, and wonderful. God, Gordo, you're perfect. I mean, here I am, klutzy McGuire…" She shook her head. "I was wrong, I guess… yeah. I was wrong. How could you ever love me the way I love -,"
Gordo's lips, caressing hers, cut off Lizzie's rambling. Before they even knew what they were doing, Gordo had pressed Lizzie up against the wall, and was cradling her tear-streaked face lovingly. Lizzie smiled through the kiss, pushing up against him. Both friends deepened the passionate kiss even further, totally oblivious to the open-mouthed stares and jolly smiles of the watching crowd.
For both of them, it was heaven. Nothing mattered anymore; they were lost in their own world; the world that made up of instincts and passion; leading them onward. It was a developed rhythm of 'kiss-breathe-kiss-touch-kiss'. It was altered, yes, but the basic pattern continued for minutes at a time, binding them together not just physically, but psychologically.
Lizzie ran her hands through Gordo's hair, and felt him tremble beneath her touch. His hands groped around until they found a hold on her waist, and he held her securely. Quickly, she came up for air. Before Gordo could say anything (or run away, for that matter), she pulled him back in for another kiss. He accepted this invitation happily, but suddenly became aware of… another presence. His lips unlocked from hers, and carefully, he turned around.
Lizzie felt suddenly cold. She opened her eyes fluently; her lips still somewhat parted; and widened her eyes in surprise.
Gordo and Lizzie were gaping, wide-eyed, at the eerily silent gym. Their cheeks began to flush crimson.
Kate spun around to face Claire. "Oh-my-God," she whispered, "That is totally cute."
"They're so oblivious." Claire smiled despite herself, and sighed. "It's so romantic."
"It took long enough," Kate added in her normal manner, trying not to smile with satisfaction. "I mean, dear God."
"But still…" Claire started.
"Yes, very dreamy. True love is priceless, isn't it, my sweet?"
Larry, who was passing by the two girls, had slicked his hair back, and put an arm around Kate's shoulders. She flailed her arms in disgust, and shivered, pushing Larry's arm off of her disdainfully.
"Don't touch me ever again." She wiped her hands off on the punch table's tablecloth, "Don't you… have to go and wait for your mother ship or something?" she added as an afterthought. Larry looked thoughtful.
"Yes indeed, that would be the paramount intent." He smiled, and walked off.
"Ew…" Claire and Kate said together. Simultaneously, they ran to the bathroom.
Lizzie's eyes followed Kate and Claire's running figures all the way to the bathroom, blushing bright red.
Why did it seem as if everybody in the whole building had seen them making out in the corner?
Finally, the disbelieving stares melted into different emotions; not all easy to read. But, it did seem that most of the girls were smiling and sighing happily, and the guys were raising their eyebrows smugly, trying not to grin in amusement.
Lizzie and Gordo's hidden infatuation had been the hot topic of the school all year. It was both discussed and pondered over, usually dismissed for a month, then brought back up even if something trivial had occurred between the two best friends. Of course, it wasn't an official subject to talk about; it was just a spontaneous reaction to anything the students at Hillridge junior high school liked to call, "out of the ordinary behavior". But, mostly it was just them talking seriously, or a small touch of their hands - nothing worth getting into a social tizzy about.
So, when half of the students at the Spring Dance saw their beloved couple making out in the corner, it was quite shocking.
And to others, it was like a perfect romance movie.
But Lizzie, oblivious to all the veiled bets and giggles, suddenly became very defensive.
Eyes flashing dangerously, she rounded on the haphazardly arranged circle of interested people.
"What?" she asked of them, "Why are you staring?"
A few seventh graders giggled, and Lizzie glared at them.
"Have you idiots even seen people kiss?" She gritted her teeth together, making a sound inside her mouth that sounded remarkably like squeaky tire breaks. Behind her, Gordo blushed furiously, lowering his eyes to the ground.
"Is anyone, anyone going to answer my question?" Lizzie was rambling now, trying to convince herself that kissing her best friend was indeed an acceptable thing to do, and it wasn't some sort of sin.
A few people started whispering, but nobody told her what was on their minds.
Then, unexpectedly, a person stepped out from the crowd and smiled warmly.
"Hey Liz."
Lizzie's eyes filled with tears. "Miranda, h-hey." She then rubbed her shoulders nervously, glancing back at Gordo. "Listen, I can explain-."
"No need," said Miranda, walking up to her best friend and embracing her tightly, "No need."
Lizzie hugged her snugly, and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her poodle skirt. "Thank you, Miranda…"
Miranda grinned, and whispered in her ear, "About time." She then walked up to Gordo and smiled.
"Put 'em here, bud," she whispered quietly. He gave her a quick hug.
Miranda stepped back from her two best friends, and clapped her hands together. "My work is done here!" she announced, beaming from ear to ear. "Shoo!" She began pushing everybody away, and soon, the gym was once again filled with bustling and hustling students. Of course, people kept glancing Gordo and Lizzie's way, but for the most part, everything was normal.
Well, almost normal.
When everything had quieted down some, Gordo motioned for Lizzie to follow him, and she did, feeling only slightly apprehensive and nervous. He led her out into the hallway, and after checking the door for any eavesdroppers, smiled goofily.
"Thank you," was all he said. Lizzie crinkled her eyebrow, nonplussed.
"Why?" she asked. To her, she was the one who should be thanking him.
Gordo sighed, smiling slightly, and threw up his arms, defeated. "Isn't it obvious?"
Lizzie was catching on, but somehow, teasing him found its way to the top of her priority list.
"I don't think anything's obvious, Gordo," Lizzie drawled, grinning playfully. She smoothed her dress automatically.
"Oh really?" replied Gordo. His goofy grin altered into a lighthearted smile. He cleared his throat, and blushed. "Listen, Lizzie, I don't really know how to say this…"
Suddenly, a memory sprang into her mind, and she stopped all train of thought, just thinking. Gordo watched her curiously.
"Um… I don't really know what to say…" he said, looking at our laced fingers in fascination. I lowered our hands from my face, and unlocking them, then putting both of his hands on my each side of my waist. He looked at me in surprise when I wrapped my arms around his neck. I rested my blonde-strewn forehead against his curly one, moving closer to him.
"Then do." I replied softly, barely breathing.
Our heads tilted forward…
She closed her eyes.
Our first unintentional kiss, she thought.
Well, aren't all kisses unintentional in a way? You don't plan them weeks ahead of schedule… You don't ask your partner if tomorrow you can kiss them at five o'clock. It just happens at the right time - the right moment in time. Almost everything that happens is an impulsive action; two people caught up in the romantic environment, and tempted to do something to demonstrate their love.
It just happens, a kiss does.
Lizzie opened her eyes.
"Gordo," she started, her eyes burning into his, "I understand. There's no need to explain."
And with that, she lightly kissed him.
"C'mon," she said softly to the dazed boy in front of her, "I promised you two dances."
Gordo just smiled brightly, his cheeks flushed from the heat of her breath.
***********~**********
Miranda watched in satisfaction as Gordo and Lizzie walked out of the doors to the hallway. They deserved some time together.
She sighed, and looked around, casting and reeling in colorful images of the gymnasium.
All was right.
All was right, but why wasn't she happy?
In the very corner of her mind, she knew. But knowing this didn't make her feel any better. Truth be told, it made her feel sick and confused.
Her eyes swept over the DJ, and she smiled. That's what she needed - a song to calm her nerves.
***********~**********
Lizzie and Gordo walked back into the gymnasium, ignoring the looks of the crowd around them, and stood by the side of the dance floor for the next song.
Soon, the song playing ended, and in seconds, a new song started.
Just an old-fashioned love song
Playing on the radio
And wrapped around the music,
Is the sound of someone promising they'll never go
Smiling, Lizzie and Gordo took the dance floor. Their arms immediately wrapped around each other, and they sighed in contentment. Lizzie rested her head on his shoulder.
You'll swear you've heard it before
As it slowly rambles on and on,
No need in bringing 'em back
Cause they've never really gone
Miranda sang the song softly under her breath, smiling to herself. Her foot was tapping impatiently, waiting for the song to play, but not wanting it to end.
Suddenly, and hand was placed on her shoulder, and she turned around.
"Matt?" she asked in distraught anger.
Just an old-fashioned love song
Coming down in three part harmony
Matt shuffled his feet. "Miranda, I'm really sorry. Please, can we at least be friends?" he asked almost desperately. Miranda took one look at his apologetic face, and nodded.
"You can start by dancing with me," she said with a small smile, "I mean, look at that." She pointed to Lizzie and Gordo across the room, "How can I hate you for helping that coming into place?"
They both smiled.
Just an old-fashioned love song
One I'm sure they wrote for you and me
To weave our dreams upon and
Listen to each evening when the lights are low
To underscore our love affair
With tenderness and feeling
That we've come to know
Gordo and Lizzie danced on, faces smiling, their breath being broken every once in a while by the comfortable laughter of their partner.
You'll swear you've heard it before
As it slowly rambles on and on
No need in bringing 'em back
Cause they've never really gone
Matt and Miranda grinned at each other as they watched Gordo and Lizzie dance. Matt looked away, blushing.
Just an old-fashioned love song
Coming down in three part harmony
Just an old-fashioned love song
One I'm sure they wrote for you and me
Miranda smiled. "Thanks Matt… For the dance, I mean."
"You're welcome," he replied.
Her smile widened. "You know, you're more mature than I thought."
She kissed his cheek. "Until then, Matt."
He grinned, blushing. "Until then, partner."
They shook hands, beaming widely.
The song ended, and Lizzie pulled Gordo off of the dance floor.
"How'd you learn to dance like that?" she asked, almost buckling over in uncontrollable laughter. She wiped tears from her eyes.
Gordo just grinned. "It's like an adrenaline rush," he told her, "It comes and goes. But, I'm usually motivated when I'm with a beautiful girl."
"Aw… Gordo, you're so sweet," Lizzie cooed, kissing him quickly. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of true bliss.
"I'll never get enough of that," she announced to him.
"Of what?" Gordo asked. Lizzie ###### an eyebrow.
"If I didn't know you better, I'd say you were flirting with me, Mr. Gordon," Lizzie said, grinning. Gordo just smiled.
"I guess you don't know me then," he replied, making Lizzie blush.
She turned away, and began walking to the door, smiling shyly. Gordo followed after her, and she turned around to kiss him, but her eyes fell for a split-second on the clock, and she stopped short. Gordo followed her gaze.
"What is it, Liz?" he asked, standing beside her.
Suddenly a voice came out over the intercom. "STUDENTS, THE DANCE IS NOW OVER. PLEASE COLLECT YOUR BELONGINGS AND RETURN HOME. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, AND WE'LL SEE YOU MONDAY!"
"Oh," Gordo softly said.
A/N: Yay! I actually finished this chapter! I'm sorry it has taken so long… I just started school, and I've been really busy mentoring the seventh graders (haha, SEVIES!) *grins* No offense to any sevies out there, but I just feel so free, being an eighth grader. Who else is in eighth grade here on fanfiction.net? Hello!
Parent reactions next chapter. I swear. There is NO possible way I can stretch it out any longer. *looks around furtively* Not like I'm trying to do that… lol… *laughs* nah, why would I do *that*?
Have a great day, and review! Be happy – it's the weekend!
Love,
~Tic-Tac
