Disclaimer: Lizzie McGuire and all other related characters, episodes, etc., is owned by Disney and the other owners, whoever they may be. Not me. I know, amazing, right?

AN: This is set in the trio's junior year of high school. No POV yet, possibly journal entries later on, though. This should be a long story, even though it's my first. I'm looking for a beta reader, email me at gmterg@aol.com if you're interested.

AN 2: Italics represent either thoughts or flashbacks.

Every Morning: Chapter 2

Lizzie sigh inwardly and wriggled free of Gordo's grasp. Not that she wanted to, but she had to go to the bathroom. When Gordo felt her trying to get up, he opened his eyes and loosened his grip. He watched her stand up and stretch, then make her way to the bathroom. As she returned to the living room, he watched her pull her hair into a ponytail, then quickly closed his eyes. She glanced at the clock on the DVD player and then he heard her scream "Ten thirty?" and then some (mostly) inaudible cursing. He opened his eyes and smirked, but inwardly he was telling him self to be witty. When she finally realized she had screamed, she gasped and he watched her turn around to look at him with the guiltiest eyes he'd seen since...last night after she ate the last strawberry poptart. He stared at her and cocked one eyebrow.

"Whataya trying to do, McGuire?" He dragged one of his hands up to his ear and rubbed it to emphasize his point. "Kill me before tomorrow's swim meet?"

"Shut up, you dirk. It's freaking ten thirty...scratch that, ten thirty-two Sunday morning, and that AP US essay is due tomorrow, third period." He realized she was seriously upset and sat up. He rubbed his eyes for a minute and then spoke.

"Breath, Liz, breathe. I'm helping you write that essay, remember?"

"Yeah, sure. Not like you won't just dis..." she trailed off, realizing she was going to reveal her childish feelings if she finished that sentence with "distract me," and tried not to blush when he looked at her like that. He could tell she had cut her sentence short for a reason, but he knew it couldn't possibly be the reason he hoped it was. She hadn't realized she had been silent for almost a minute until he started to talk.

"Not like I won't just dis- what, Liz?" She really hoped she wasn't blushing.

"Not like you won't just…destroy my self-confidence." It was more a question than a statement. "I mean, you'd just be so smart and understand everything, and I'd just be the dumb blonde, like always."

"Shut up. You know you're as smart as anyone. You just don't always try your hardest." And she could tell he was sincere.

"Hey Gordo?"

"Yeah?" When she looked up, she thought that he'd know exactly what she wanted to say, but she saw confusion, worry, and wait, thought Lizzie…is that hope in his eyes? No, it couldn't be…I'm kidding myself. Great, now what am I going to say???

"Umm…thanks. For everything." Crap, Gordo thought. I was kidding myself. She'd never confess to having feelings for me. And even if she does, why should she…I never have.

"So…do you want to work on that…essay thing now?" Great, now she'll think I'm a bumbling idiot on top of it all. Good job, Gordon.

"Yeah. Let me get my backpack." God, he's so cute when he's nervous. Wait, nervous??? Why is he nervous? Or am I just way to optimistic?

She walks so cute. Oh god, I need to stop doing this. I wonder what would happen if she found out about the sweatshirt she's wearing. But the only person who knows is Miranda…"Oh crap! Miranda!"