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Disclaimer: I don't own Lizzie McGuire, Disney, or the actors and actresses. But, I *do* own this storyline! Hahahaha… Omg! I think it's original! Oh joy!
Explanation for Rating (PG-13): I decided on this rating to make it safe. I seriously, seriously doubt there will be sex, but there might be language (if I can… I have a program that doesn't allow me to use curse words…). Also, it's rated like that because it *will* be confusing in some parts (to some people). And of course, violence is another factor. Attempted rape, or mugging, possibly. Just be prepared. This is not going to be a fluffy, cute, happy story, though some parts of it might. Oh yes, and before I forget, this will be L/G – in a way. And in a way, it won't be. Cheers!
*Sigh* This is another one of my weird, scientifically-thinking stories. To all the people who liked my other story, "Blow Against the Wind", I believe you will think this one just as good, or better. This story will follow two people: these two people are exactly the same person, but are different because of one single occurrence… one girl is affected by what I call "alternative reality". Confusing? Go ahead and read the explanation…
Explanation: This story (like "Blow Against the Wind") is going to be full of twists and turns. Before I try to explain my thinking, I might clear it up for some people by saying this story is going to be based on the idea of "alternative reality", which is shown in two movies (that I know of) called "Run, Lola, Run" and "Sliding Doors". I've never seen "Run, Lola, Run", but my dad explained it to me, and I enjoyed the idea. For some of those people who are still confused (or haven't seen the movies), do this: imagine waking up in the morning, taking a shower, and going down to breakfast. Your mother (or father) gives you a choice of either having orange juice or milk. You pick orange juice. Now, stop everything. Right there, you've already had a choice. Life is full of choices, and scientists are still wondering if there actually is an "alternative reality" for every choice you make. I mean, what could've happened if you picked milk to drink? Could you end up in the hospital? Could you sponsor a famous movie star? Could you become a celebrity? No one knows. This story is based on one trivial event that happens to changes the main character's life dramatically…
Enjoy, and hope that clears it up for you! Oh, and watch those movies – they are wonderful, and very interesting. ^_^
~Tic-Tac
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The Crossing
Written by Tic-Tac
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~ June 13, 1991 – 1:02(pm) ~
Jo McGuire reached out towards her keys, coffee in hand. Upon hearing her, a small dog jumped from its bed (laid down neatly in the corner) and ran manically towards the car keys. It's miniature claws clicked across the linoleum floor as it skidded and slid towards its destination. Suddenly, it jumped up and grabbed the shiny silver keys, shaking its head as it landed on the floor.
"Bad dog! Bad dog! Give Mommy the keys…" Jo slowly reached towards the hyper Jack Russell terrier, a smile plastered on her face. "Okay… come here," she cooed. The dog just grinned in its doglike way, and ran around in circles, growling ferociously at the keys that it had in a vice-like grip between its teeth. Jo turned to her 4-year-old daughter, who was wide-eyed with fascination.
"Honey, go to the car. I've got this under control…"
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* June 13, 1991 – 1:01(pm) *
Jo reached out towards her car keys, coffee in hand. Upon hearing her, a small dog jumped from its bed (laid down neatly in the corner) and ran manically towards the car keys. Its miniature claws clicked across the linoleum floor as it skidded and slid towards its destination. Jo rolled her eyes, grabbed her keys off the hook, and held them above her head disdainfully.
"Ready, Sweetie?" she asked. The little girl nodded her head and ran to her Jack Russell terrier, which was almost hyperventilating as it watched the keys in Jo's hand reflecting the light. It panted and whined, but to no avail. The little girl wrapped her arms around the dog in a bear hug, and kissed its burgundy-tinted forehead. Jo smiled lovingly, and slipped her hand into her daughter's.
"C'mon Elizabeth, we need to go…" Jo said lightly, but still firmly. The little girl grinned, and squeezed her mother's hand tightly.
"Okay!"
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~ June 13, 1991 – 1:14(pm) ~
Jo clutched the steering wheel between her hands, mumbling profanities under her breath. She shut her eyes tightly, trying to block out the honking of the other cars, the large, earth-shattering thunder of the airplanes, and most of all, the consistent blinking of the digital clock on the dashboard, constantly reminding her that she was late for her first day of volunteer work at a daycare in Hillridge. She was supposed to show up – she was expected to.
Jo was broken out of her reverie by a sudden squeal from her daughter. She had, for the past quarter of an hour, been reciting part of the alphabet. But now, she just squealed, and Jo turned around quickly, keeping one hand on the steering wheel. She sighed.
"What is it, Honey?"
"Mommy, I –." Suddenly, the little girl's eyes widened, and her mouth opened slowly in a silent scream. Aghast at her daughter's expression, Jo turned around to face the road and let out a blood-curdling shriek. Heart pounding, she slammed her foot on the breaks, just as a girl, wrapped up tightly in a black coat, dashed across the street. As the car skidded to a stop, Jo leapt out of the vehicle and ran to the girl, who seemed unhurt, but, as Jo realized, probably terrified. Jo could see her huddled on the ground, clutching her knees. Before Jo could reach the young woman, a crowd formed around her, trying to comfort and reassure her. Jo saw a man help the young woman off the slick ground. Still shaken and unable to think clearly, Jo made her way back to her car, breathing heavily with fright.
The girl's running figure was etched permanently into her mind.
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* June 13, 1991 – 1:13(pm) *
Jo clutched the steering wheel between her hands, mumbling profanities under her breath. She shut her eyes tightly, trying to block out the honking of the other cars, the large, earth-shattering thunder of the airplanes, and most of all, the consistent blinking of the digital clock on the dashboard, constantly reminding her that she was late for her first day of volunteer work at a daycare in Hillridge. She was supposed to show up – she was expected to.
Jo was broken out of her reverie by a sudden squeal from her daughter. She had, for the past quarter of an hour, been reciting part of the alphabet. But now, she just squealed, and Jo turned around quickly, keeping one hand on the steering wheel. She sighed.
"What is it, Honey?"
"Mommy, I forgot what comes after K! What comes after K, Mommy?" Jo smiled to herself as she turned around, keeping one focused eye on the road.
"L, Sweetie, the letter L." The little girl grinned toothily, and fingered the fabric on her flowered blouse.
"L! L for lion, L for lollypops, L for lights…" she sang. Jo was concentrating on the road ahead, and didn't even notice as her daughter jumped around in her car seat, making herself giggle noisily. The sky was clear and blue, the birds were singing, the summer breeze was warm, and Jo was almost going to make it to the daycare on time.
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~ June 13, 1991 – 1:17(pm) ~
"Oh-my-God, oh-my-God…" Jo rambled, biting her lip. Her daughter's soft blue eyes stared through her.
"Mommy –,"
"Not now!" Jo snapped, shaking from head to toe. Gulping down tears, she turned the key forcefully in the ignition, and the car started up again. Trying to ignore the constant screeching of the tires that was playing over in her head, Jo pressed a sweaty palm to her forehead.
She almost killed that girl.
The girl was almost killed.
Jo McGuire almost killed a young woman.
As Jo pressed her foot down on the gas pedal, the car lurched forward, and stopped. Jo could see smoke billowing out from under the hood. Hot tears stung the side of Jo's eyes. The squealing of brakes, the girl on the ground… it was fast forwarding and rewinding over and over in her mind. From the car seat behind her, Elizabeth gave a small whimper. Guilt flooded through Jo as she opened the door and walked to the front of the car, carefully opening the car hood. Groaning, Jo looked at the damage.
"Damn!" She coughed as a gray cloud of smoke embedded her. Waving it away with her hand, she looked inside. "Radiator's overheated," she muttered.
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* June 13, 1991 – 1: 16(pm) *
"Mommy! Mommy! We're here!" little Elizabeth cried, jumping up and down enthusiastically. Jo grinned.
"Hey, hey, Sweetheart. Calm down! I'll get you out in a second."
The little girl stopped jumping, but she kept quivering in excitement. She saw across the road, past all the cars, at a small meadow, will children (all her age), sitting cross-legged on the grass, listening to who had to be the adult in charge. She wanted to be part of the fun! Her eyes scanned over her peers, and she giggled in excitement.
Jo came around the side of the car, carrying her purse, and unbuckled her daughter from the car seat. Holding her keys in her mouth, Jo picked up Elizabeth and held her in one arm, while shutting the door. She then took the keys out of her mouth and locked the car quickly. Then she started to walk over to the small meadow in a hurried pace. Soon she was running.
When she reached the daycare area, Jo bent over and put her daughter on the ground.
"I'm really sorry, Jen," she told one of the adults earnestly. "Sam…things came up… I'm really sorry…" She gasped, holding a stitch in her side.
Jen smiled. "It's fine. We haven't even started anyway. Our face-paint hasn't come yet… oh! There he is!" She waved at a navy blue Volkswagen Beatle. "My husband," she added, "is always late."
Jo smiled, trying to hide the relief that spread across her face.
Elizabeth wandered over to the circle of children, looking over them with a grin on her face. Most of them were laughing and giggling together, or making faces at the adults. The only person doing this was a small boy sitting at the back of the circle, his eyes focused at the front, his chin resting on his hand. Elizabeth looked around, saw he was with no one else, and skipped over to him. His surprised eyes followed her all the way. When she plopped down next to him, his eyes darted every which way as if he were nervous. Elizabeth grinned.
"I'm Elizabeth!" she cried enthusiastically.
The boy, frightened by this energetic girl, only could stutter, "David Gordon."
Elizabeth smiled zealously, but then frowned. "D-D-Dave-?" She shook her head and thought for a second. "Gordon? Gordo? Gordo's better."
David shook his head. "My name's Gordon."
"Gordo," Elizabeth told him firmly. "You're Gordo."
David, now known as Gordo by this strange girl, smiled for the first time since he came to the daycare. "Fine. You're… Lizzie."
She hugged him quickly. "Lizzie's good."
They smiled at each other, and hugged again.
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~ June 13, 1991 – 1: 32(pm) ~
"Is it safe to drive?" Jo asked, standing up. The technician nodded.
"A few wires were out of place, and the radiator was overheated… but otherwise, your car is fine, ma'am." He took off his leather gloves and tucked them under his arm. "Do you have money with you?"
Jo sighed. "Not enough."
The technician shrugged. "I'll send you the bill in the mail. Enjoy your day." With that, he hopped into his truck, and drove off, leaving Jo feeling tired, and grumpy.
"Just perfect," Jo muttered, going back to her car. Elizabeth was still inside, fast asleep, her thumb stuck halfway into a corner of her mouth. Jo smiled, and immediately felt bad for letting out her temper on her. With a finger, she tucked the little girl's thin blonde hair behind her ear.
"Sorry, Sweetheart…" she whispered. With a depressed groan, she lowered herself into the driver's seat and started the car. Thankfully, it started up without a problem, and Jo pulled out her cell-phone. She dialed, watching her daughter in the back seat.
"Yeah. Hi Jen. It's Jo… uh-huh… well, I'm really sorry, but I can't come today. Yeah. Total chaos. Oh, I know. I was looking forward to it, too! I'm really sorry… yeah. Okay. See you later. Bah-bye."
Jo smiled once more at her daughter, and began the drive home.
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A/N: Hello! How is it? Interesting? Don't worry, it will get interesting if it's not now!
Have fun reading, and please, please, please review! I hope I made everything clear at the beginning! ^_^
O yeah, and review my other stories, too! You know you want to!
See you guys later ~
Tic-Tac