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Author's notes: Now, whom shall I thank first? You guys are awesome, reviewing this story. I know it's probably confusing some of you (maybe)… but I'm really glad that you are enjoying it (or at least I hope so! *grin*) I really like to write this. It's different from *anything* that I've ever read or written (and I've read a lot). But, I think all of you will be surprised where I'm going to take this. *Winks at Em* BATW is as similar to this story as it's going to get. And *that's* not really even that comparable…
Does everyone understand this? (Just to make sure) The thing that's different between the two realities is: Lizzie and Gordo are friends, or they are enemies. So, the realities are going to be freakishly similar, yet in the same way, dreadfully different.
And, Kobe-Mac, Pirates of the Caribbean was incredible! I loved it! Johnny Depp was amazing. And savvy is a spiffy word. I love using it. Savior-faire. ^_^
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= = = = = = March, 2001 = = = = = = =
= = = * * = = = Lizzie = = = * * = = = =
Lizzie plopped on her couch and sighed, sitting Indian style next to Gordo. "I am seriously not happy with teachers right now!" She frowned. "I mean, c'mon! Pop quiz? I am sure to fail. I knew nothing on the Pythagorean theorem. Nothing."
Gordo laughed. "You have to know something, Liz." His tone was supportive, but Lizzie didn't trust his judgment in the least. Grinning good-naturedly, she whacked him with one of the pillows lying next to her on the couch.
"So says the man who befriended Larry Trudgeman, and hung out with him for a week!"
"So says the woman who dated Larry Trudgeman, and admitted that he was an okay guy!" retorted Gordo smugly, crossing his arms. Lizzie raised her eyebrows, and shrugged sheepishly.
"That's not fair," she said pathetically. But, the corners of her lips were twitching. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Hey! Gordo! I just realized! You're feeling better!" Her voice became hushed. "Did you throw up?"
A subtle blush crept across his face. "Uh… I… didn't throw up…" he started. "Er… Why don't we… watch a movie?" Quick as a flash, he jumped up. Too hurried was his haste. He almost tripped over his feet; in embarrassment, he staggered to the shelf, trying to explain his sudden lunging.
Lizzie just smiled. "Gordo, you're acting really weird. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just fine!" he chimed, shuffling blindly through the movies. "Actually, better than fine!"
"Oh," Lizzie said, raising her eyebrows, "For a second, you were klutzy. And that's my limelight. Don't steal it, Gordo." She grinned, and he laughed awkwardly.
"What do you want to watch, Liz?" he asked, his eyes not quite meeting hers.
She shrugged. "Titanic? I don't know."
"Sure. Why not." Gordo pulled out the first tape and urged it into the VCR. Lizzie grinned at him.
"Your turn to get the popcorn!"
He groaned and rolled his eyes. "Actually, it was Miranda's turn."
"But Miranda isn't here, is she?" Lizzie smiled brightly, and gave him a gentle push. "Go. The torture will soon cease."
Almost breaking down in convulsions because of her touch, Gordo grinned weakly. "Yeah." He stared at her for what seemed like eternity. She raised her eyebrows, and gazed back at him thoughtfully, subconsciously chewing her bottom lip.
"I don't think you're well, Gordo…" she began. "Your eyes are all glassy, and… Gordo! You're trembling!"
"It's fine, Liz… I'm just feeling -,"
But Lizzie had sprung up from the couch, strode over to her best friend, and pushed him back down on the couch with a determined shove. After wagging her finger threateningly, she had piled blankets on him, and forced him to lie down. Her hand was immediately pressed tenderly to his forehead, and her eyebrows became scrunched with concentration. Gordo closed his eyes, a brief smile flying subtly to his lips. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.
"There. Now, you stay here, Gordo," Lizzie told him, turning around quickly and striding to the kitchen.
He grinned in elation, and folded his arms behind his head. He took a deep breath, and yawned comfortably.
Sooner than expected, Lizzie walked back into the room, holding a thermometer in one hand, and a glass of water in the other. She grinned confusedly.
"You on cloud nine, Gordo?" She sat down on the couch and put down the water. He immediately reddened in embarrassment.
"Just thinking about… stuff," he replied, gladly accepting the water that Lizzie handed him. She gave him a sidelong glance, and twirled the thermometer between her fingers.
"What kind of stuff?" she asked. Nonchalant, Gordo took a sip of the water and shrugged coolly.
"Oh, just stuff stuff."
Lizzie rolled her eyes. "You really are sick. Physically and mentally."
"You would know, Lizzie," Gordo retorted, grinning. In response, she shoved the thermometer in his mouth. Gagging, Gordo began to cough unremittingly, holding his throat dramatically. Lizzie smirked and patted his head affectionately.
"There you go, sweetheart," she cooed playfully, smiling smugly, "Now you can't talk to me."
Gordo just smiled and settled back on the couch, emitting one last cough. She watched him intently, propping her head dreamily on her hand. Smiling absentmindedly, she rubbed her eyes and yawned. With that, she began to incline forward almost drunkenly, until her blonde-haired head was almost resting on Gordo's lap. Apprehensively, he gave her a gentle push, and leaned close to her.
"You there, Lizzie?" Her eyes fluttered open, and she beamed.
"Yup. I'm just a little tired right now…" She yawned again. Gordo tousled her hair, grinning.
"Did you know when you yawn, it means your brain lacks oxygen?" he informed her, receiving a dark look in return. She rolled her eyes, grabbed his hand hastily, and attempted to tame her hair.
"Gordo! I don't care how deprived of oxygen my brain is… I just want to sleep!" She scowled at his laugh. "It's not funny!"
"Oh, but it is, Lizzie." He smiled widely, and Lizzie, with a startled jolt, realized how cute his smile was. She tilted her head to the side, staring at him in subtle disbelief. This was her best friend… she wasn't supposed to think his smile was attractive! It wasn't right to have mutual feelings for him and Ethan! Ethan. Gordo. Two totally different people… no mutual charisma. Lizzie abruptly slapped her head.
Gordo's smile faded, until the tiniest flicker of amusement twinkled in his sapphire eyes. "Lizzie? Are you okay?" He moved closer, until his shoulder was touching hers. In the back of her mind, Lizzie wondered if he purposely invaded her personal space.
Not that she minded…
Lizzie's eyes widened at the thought, and a strange dizzying sensation flew unexpectedly to her stomach.
She smiled fixedly at him, still lightheaded, "I'm just great… You know what sounds good though?"
Gordo smiled and hugged her shoulders quickly. "Some popcorn and a movie?"
"Close enough," replied Lizzie, softly smiling at him.
Was it just her, or did she detect a trace of a blush on his face?
= = = = = = March, 2001 = = = = = = =
= = = * * = = = Beth = = = * * = = = =
Beth inattentively picked up her ice water and held it to her lips. Her friends had invited her to come with them to the Digital Bean, but she had refused. Right now, she just needed some time alone. Sometimes her friends annoyed her. But other times, it was nice to have a monotonous posse following her around.
She sighed. Sure, it was nice, but it got old. She needed more.
Beth let her finger slide over her misted glass. Yes, more would be nice.
Glaring angrily at the glass of water, she stood up and began to pace once more. Her mind was reeling. She felt as if she were suffocating in someone's wake… why did she feel this way? Beth's freshly manicured nails dug deeply into the palm of her hand, and a red streak soon appeared on her palm.
Hands on hips, she spun around.
"What is up with that David guy?!" she finally asked of the silent room, her mouth twitching in irritation as it always did when she was frustrated or angry, "Ugh! He's so… annoying!" She frowned and pursed her lips.
It wasn't the way he talked to her that made her confused.
It was just him.
Beth hit her fist on the countertop. "He's egocentric, and arrogant, and irritating…" She sat down, and sighed, tilting her head backwards so that her eyes were looking at the door behind her. "Yes, irritating. And overly smart."
She flipped her head forward in exasperation, and her blonde hair spilled across her shoulders.
= = = = = = March, 2001 = = = = = = =
= = = * * = = = Lizzie = = = * * = = = =
"Ah… this is better!" she said tiredly, pulling the blanket over herself and Gordo. He and she stared across the room at the black, blank, screen. Soon, Gordo looked down at his best friend, who was gazing aimlessly at the television.
"Lizzie?" he asked, gently pushing her shoulder again, "Aren't you going to turn on the TV?"
She blinked. "Oh… OH!" Embarrassed, she jumped up quickly, ran to the television and turned it on, and sprinted back to her spot next to Gordo. He grinned, and raised his eyebrows meaningfully.
"Um… Liz? VCR?"
Lizzie laughed. "I, at least, remembered that. This is what remotes are for." She leaned back comfortably, put her feet up on the coffee table, and lifted the remote control in the air, pressing a few buttons. Gordo chuckled softly. She had a way of being cute even when she wasn't even trying.
She definitely wasn't trying now.
Why would she choose flirt with him, of all people?
Laughing acidly to himself, he tried to focus on the previews. Lizzie, he noticed, was grinning slightly as she always did when she watched a movie for the millionth time; she always believed that if she watched it enough times, it could possibly turn out differently. Gordo had always laughed at her, especially when this idea was tried on "Titanic".
The ship sank: end of story.
Gordo sighed with contentment, and Lizzie looked over at him with a half exasperated, half affectionate expression playing across her facial features. She smiled, and hugged her knees.
"Gordo?" she asked suddenly, "Do you want me to get popcorn? I know you're feeling weird…"
He shrugged. "I'm better now."
"Oh!" Lizzie looked bewildered. "Okay…"
Stretching his arms, Gordo walked into the kitchen. He pulled out a bag of popcorn, and threw it carelessly into the microwave, setting to timer for five minutes. He leaned casually by the countertop, mulling restlessly over his thoughts.
What had Miranda said? "Just talk to her."
Gordo groaned inwardly. Oh yes. He could talk… but how? Gordo sighed. How to confess a secret, knowing what kind of bombshell would drop? If Lizzie knew he liked – no, loved – her, and she didn't return those feelings, how would it change their current friendship? Would Lizzie pity him? Would she feel awkward around him? All Gordo ever wanted was her trust and love… if he bargained for more, and lost everything - Gordo felt his head hang - he would be heartbroken.
"Just talk to her."
But, just as Gordo was beginning to doubt himself, Miranda's wise words echoed endlessly in his head; spinning out of control; forming sentences that could possibly woo Lizzie into a romantic relationship.
Gordo inhaled deeply. "Knowing my luck," he muttered to himself, "I'll probably have a wooing disorder."
= = = = = = March, 2001 = = = = = = =
= = = * * = = = Beth = = = * * = = = =
Beth pursed her lips angrily, and jumped off the couch. "I cannot deal with this anymore!" She gritted her teeth together. "That geek is driving me insane!" Rolling her eyes to the ceiling, she began to walk towards the door, throwing on her coat.
"Mom!" she called, "I'm going to the DB!"
Jo McGuire appeared from around the corner, and put her hands on her hips. "Young lady, you are not going anywhere. Remember? You're grounded."
Beth groaned, and set her jaw. "Sorry," she spat, not sounding sorry at all, "I forgot."
Jo moved closer to her, a softer expression returning to her eyes. "Honey, do you need to talk about something? You've been really distant lately…"
"You're always butting into my life!" Beth exploded, a fire building up inside her, "I can't do anything without you…you… ruining it!"
Her mother sighed. "Beth, I'm really sorry…"
"I'm not a baby, Mom! I'm fourteen years old!"
"I know…"
Beth shook her head. "No. You know what? You don't know anything." She glared. "STAY OUT OF MY LIFE!"
It was Jo's turn to stare fiercely at her daughter. "You're still grounded, no matter how loud you yell."
"Ugh! You're so difficult!" Beth stormed up to her room. "I HATE YOU!"
Jo's kindhearted eyes followed Beth's retreating back. "I love you."
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Author's notes: Oooh, interesting. Looks like Beth's got family problems. *puts hand to mouth* Oops, I shouldn't tell you anything! *grins* I love to give you guys weird endings, cause that's just me.
This story is gonna be *long*… at least I think so. It's going to be pretty interesting. How is Lizzie's life going to turn out? How is Beth's life going to turn out? It may be different than you think. *grins*
Anyway, that's all I'm going to say on the subject. For now. Muahahahaha….
Review, review, review! TTFN!
~ Tic-Tac
Btw, "Titanic" doesn't belong to me, just if you were wondering. *grins*
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