Author's Note: *Still* feeling the love people. You guys are great! K... yeah... I'm completely bummin' about this no more Lizzie thing. I was asking my little sister today what she'd heard, and my mom answered me. (My *mom*, guys. And she read about it in *The Wall Street Journal*. Can you believe that?) Anyway, she said Disney wasn't sure if they were going to be able to afford Hilary Duff anymore, since she was in that 'Agent Cody Banks' and then they did a Lizzie McGuire movie, and both of them did pretty well in the box office. MsJML also backed that up, plus I guess Mrs. Duff wants more money... but let's face it: people who debut on Disney TV shows aren't exactly reknowned for making it big anywhere else in the industry. At least, not in the past decade. Yeah, there were the three from The Mickey Mouse Club in the early 90's, but that's about it. Hilary gets a singing career (half-ass as it is. I like the songs, but I think it'll be like an Annie thing from 'So Weird', you know?), occasional movie roles (seeing as Agent Cody Banks did so well), and a hit TV show. Why pass that up on the not-so-great *hope* for a better career? Call me a pessimist... I'll just tell ya what every pessimist says: I'm not pessimistic, I'm realistic. :-D Okay, ~end rant. There we go.
Lara: Hey, thanks for the info. And of *course* it had to be a Lizzie-and-Gordo lump! I'll keep my fingers crossed for that primetime series... thanks for the review!
LizzieC: *Thank you*. That is exactly why I made them similar! I'm sure that it's got some sort of technical writing term, but I think when it's used sparingly it can really emphasize. And I love redlights... my older sister has them, and they just look so awesome. And she's not even the 'punky' type, you know? She's a very conservative dresser and such, but they are just so cool. But she has brown hair and I have dark blonde, so I can't pull it off... :'( Thanks for the feedback about responding to reviews!
liz3386: Wow, what a long review! Okay, first, I *love* 'Someone Like You'. I own it on DVD! If you don't have it on DVD, rent it, because it's got the coolest alternate ending that I almost like better than the one on the movie.... Thank you! I love your reviews, you're always telling me what you liked and what you think I could do better and that is just so helpful. Let's say Miranda has been photographing our favorite couple for a while... but I'm not gonna say anything more! And about that last part...? Shhh... ;)
swim6516: Oh no, a real swimmer reading the story! Ack! :-D If I get anything wrong in regards to swimming, you must tell me, okay? I know a little bit about it, but not a whole lot. And about the Dork Pride... dude, read my bio... hahaha.... Dork Pride right here, as I am obsessive about LM and am no longer even a teenager... :)
dramaqueen214: Yeah... wouldn't it just be so cute to have a poster of them like that? :) I *had* to incorporate Miranda into the story. I really think she's great, and I love her sense of style. I'm glad you like that I respond! I always thought it was pretty cool when authors did that, but I wanted to make sure you all did too! And about the 'Princess Bride' thing? I *swear* you will not regret it. Not in a million years. It truly is a wonderful movie! As for the rest, you probably read the above, and I totally agree!
Taygeta: Thank you! But they really *are* the cutest couple-in-denial, right? Right? :)
starcraze: In my whole life, I have only ever met one person who *didn't* like 'The Princess Bride'. I had to incorporate it into the story... :-D Thanks!
MsJML: Like I already said in my author's note up there, that really *really* sucks. If they only have a 66-episode limit, then Disney should definitely continue with a high school series of Lizzie McGuire. That would rock. I just really love Lizzie McGuire because you could see these kids as being so real. And they don't try and sweet-talk and downplay the whole school hierarchy cuz let's face it: popular people are generally not nice. Some are, but most aren't. It's stupid to try and portray middle school or high school as a happy place where everyone always gets along, because that's not real life, and LM does such a great of making it seems realistic. That, and I mean, come on, Gordo and Lizzie haven't even dated yet. They've *gotta* continue... :) BTW, who is Hayley? Hilary? I mean, is that like her real name and Hilary is just her screen name, or is Hayley someone else?
I'm looking at the above and thinking I really need to keep my LM ranting to a minimum... heh... :)
~*~*~*~
Gordo woke up to find Lizzie gone from the couch. Rubbing his eyes sleepily, he looked around to get his bearings. Ah, there she was! In the kitchen. Making... mmm... Gordo's mouth watered. Pancakes. He *loved* pancakes. She was singing along with some new song on the radio while flipping them onto a plate. Lizzie always made the best pancakes, he thought. Getting a (not very) clever idea, he crept up behind her and poked her in the back, making her jump in the air and spin around with a shriek, beaning him with the spatula she held in her hand, ready to strike again until she saw that it was Gordo lying on the ground. He was holding his face and moaning, rolling back and forth. Was she just the most terrible friend or what? she thought to herself frantically. Quickly kneeling down, she put a hand on his shoulder and shook him a little.
"Gordo?" she asked, scared. "Gordo, are you okay? Oh my goodness!" she wailed, tears running down her face as Gordo pulled his hands away to look up at her, allowing her to see the spatula-shaped welt on the side of his face. It stood out stark white in his red face. And damn, Gordo thought, did that hurt.
"Wow Lizzie," Gordo joked weakly, "did anyone ever tell you you have a *great* spatula?" Lizzie gave a watery giggle, wiping at her eyes.
"Should I start a self-defense class?" she asked. "Your Spatula and You." Gordo grinned at her.
"Good girl," he said, standing up and giving her a hand. "Now, how about those pancakes?" he asked.
"Sure," she murmured, still fighting a few tears.
"Hey," Gordo said, tilting her head up to look at him. "I'm okay. And I learned my lesson," he told her. At her questioning look, he said, "*Never* cross a woman with a spatula." They grinned.
~*~
The pancakes were eaten, and they were just sitting on the couch, side by side, comfortable in their silence. After awhile, Lizzie asked, "When's that big swim meet coming up?"
"Oh," Gordo scratched his head. "Two weeks from today. You're coming, right?" he asked hopefully.
Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Duh, Gordo. When *don't* I come?"
"True." He paused, then asked, "What time is it?"
"Uhh..." Lizzie looked around. The clock on the microwave was blinking, so she went to kitchen stove. "11:00," she yelled back to him.
Gordo groaned. "I have practice today," he told her. "At 1:00. Mind giving me a ride?" he asked, giving her a lost puppydog look.
She was *such* a sucker for that look. She'd have given him a ride anyway, but still.... "Of course, Gordo."
"Gonna stick around?"
"Hmm," Lizzie thought, head cocked to the side. "Gonna make it worth my while?" she asked with a smile.
"Isn't getting to see me in a Speedo payment enough?" he asked with an answering grin.
She rolled her eyes at him. "Oh baby, oh baby."
"Fine, fine," he said. "How about I buy you dinner?" he offered.
"I'm thinking this is going to entail the best $5 can buy me off of the Wendy's Value Menu," Lizzie said, narrowing her eyes at him.
"You're thinking wrong," Gordo answered.
"Really?" she asked, slightly impressed.
"Yep. The best Chinese takeout $15 can buy."
Lizzie's eyes lit up. "You mean--"
"Szechwan Garden," Gordo said with a grin. LIzzie squealed and hugged him, jumping up and down.
"Gordo, I *love* that place!" she cried. "I am *so* there."
"Like I didn't know that? Come on, get ready, we gotta get going!" he said with a push in the direction of her bedroom.
~*~
A freshly-scrubbed Lizzie exited her bathroom about 45 minutes later wearing jeans and an overly large t-shirt, ready to put the pedal to the metal and get Gordo to swim practice.
"It kinda sucks that you have practice on a Saturday," she commented.
"Yeah, it does, but we need every minute we can get for that meet," Gordo answered. Lizzie shrugged and continued driving to the building that housed the university pool. At about 12:30, they pulled into the parking lot.
"What time will your practice be done?" Lizzie asked.
"Should be wrapping up around 4:00."
"Hmm," Lizzie said, thinking. "Well, I brought a book, so I'll just stick around for the whole thing," she decided.
"You better," Gordo replied with a grin. She just arched an eyebrow at him. "Err..." Gordo scratched his head. "Better start heading in, eh?"
"Yeah," she answered. "Head on in, I'll be there in just a minute, okay?"
Gordo nodded his head and grabbed his duffel bag, and with that headed into the building.
~*~
After changing into his Speedo and grabbing his towel, Gordo headed out to the pool, where most of the other guys on the swim team were standing around talking. Glancing at the bleachers, Gordo noticed Lizzie just settling down on a bench. She saw him and waved, and he waved back with a smile. Then he sat down on a bench and laid the towel down, waiting for the coach to arrive. While he was okay with most of the guys on the team, none of them were really his friends or anything. Especially--
"Yo, Gor-don," Kevin, another member of the swim team, hollered as he sat next to Gordo. Gordo sighed. *Kevin*. He especially did *not* like Kevin.
"What's up?" Gordo asked, not really caring either way.
"Nothin' much, man," Kevin answered. "I see your girlfriend's here," he commented with a smile. Gordo rolled his eyes. How many times were they gonna go through this?
"She isn't my girlfriend," Gordo said, slowly and carefully, as if speaking to a small child. No matter how much I want her to be, he finished to himself silently.
"Yeah, sure she ain't," Kevin said with a grin, nudging him in the side. Gordo sighed with barely-conealed annoyance. Just as he was about to open his mouth to say something else, though, the coach entered through the locker room doors and blew his whistle, signifying practice was ready to start.
~*~
Lizzie sat, contentedly reading her book and glancing up to see how Gordo was doing from time to time. It was... 3:45 she saw, after glancing at her watch. Just about time for the swim-off, she thought, watching the guys line up at the edge of the pool. Here, they would swim to the end and back, and whoever finished first, practice was over for, and so it continued until the last person was in the pool. Lizzie was relieved; Gordo always finished first or second, so she should be out of there by 4:00.
As she watched, the first round began, with Gordo finishing first. Thank God, she thought. She'd *definitely* be out of there by 4:00.
~*~
With a frown, Lizzie glanced at her watch. It was 4:30, and *still* no sign of Gordo. Where the hell is he? she thought angrily. She tossed her book into her bag and stood up. Well, if she had to go into the locker room to find him, then that's what she'd do, she thought huffily. Hurrying down the steps and out into the hallway, she walked to where she knew the main entrance was for the men's locker room. As she approached the door, she saw one of the guys on Gordo's swim team walking swiftly down the hallway away from her. She pounded on the thick, heavy door, hoping someone would answer it. She *really* didn't want to walk in and see one of those guys in the buff. That would be *so* embarrassing. Tapping her foot impatiently, she pounded on the door a second time. Thirty seconds, she thought, and then I'll go in. Still, no one came to the door. With a heavy sigh, she pulled the door open and entered the brightly lit, cold locker room.
Lizzie glanced around, getting her bearings. Hmm. About ten rows of bright orange lockers, all with padlocks, and to her left she could see the showering area, but no one was in there. In fact, the entire locker room seemed pretty deserted.... I am gonna be *so* pissed if Gordo isn't in here, she thought. Straining her ears, she could hear a faint sound over in the far corner, on the other side of the lockers. Gordo? she thought. Well, she'd never know until she went over there.
Marching down one of the rows, Lizzie reached the end and turned. Her hand flew to her mouth at what she saw.
"Oh my God, Gordo," she whispered, her hands shaking.
There, underneath the harsh fluorescent lights, Gordo was lying on the ground wearing only his boxer briefs. He was on his side, facing her, but his body was curled into the fetal position; she could see where blood had trickled from one nostril, drying a crusty brownish-red; and a large bruise, fresh green-and-purple, had already formed over one eye, swelling it shut.
Shaking herself from her daze, Lizzie ran the few feet to his side, kneeling down next to him. Very gently, she brushed her fingers over the side of his face, but even that light contact elicited a groan from his otherwise unresponsive body.
"Gordo," she whispered with tears in her eyes. "What the hell happened to you?" Cracking open his good eye, he looked at her.
"Would you believe," he whispered through dry, puffy lips, "that I tripped and landed on the doorknob?"
Lizzie tried to give him a stern look through her tears, but failed miserably. She could only shake her head no.
"Good," he whispered, "because it'd be a lie." And he closed his eye again. Lizzie could only sit there with tears pouring down her face, rocking back and forth whispering "oh my God, oh my God" over and over again.
~*~*~*~
Author's Note: Wow, that took a terminal turn for the angsty, didn't it? ::shocked:: Um... that kinda came out of left field. And I just hate cliffhangers, but now I think I understand... they're just such a perfect place to stop. It's like, you don't even think about it. I AM EVIL! You have my permission to pelt me with rotten vegetables. Anyway, general concensus seems to be that you guys like it when I reply to your reviews, so I'm going to continue doing that. But now I'm going to go work on chapter 8 so I can have it out tomorrow and at least *most* (right?) of you won't hate me forever.
Lara: Hey, thanks for the info. And of *course* it had to be a Lizzie-and-Gordo lump! I'll keep my fingers crossed for that primetime series... thanks for the review!
LizzieC: *Thank you*. That is exactly why I made them similar! I'm sure that it's got some sort of technical writing term, but I think when it's used sparingly it can really emphasize. And I love redlights... my older sister has them, and they just look so awesome. And she's not even the 'punky' type, you know? She's a very conservative dresser and such, but they are just so cool. But she has brown hair and I have dark blonde, so I can't pull it off... :'( Thanks for the feedback about responding to reviews!
liz3386: Wow, what a long review! Okay, first, I *love* 'Someone Like You'. I own it on DVD! If you don't have it on DVD, rent it, because it's got the coolest alternate ending that I almost like better than the one on the movie.... Thank you! I love your reviews, you're always telling me what you liked and what you think I could do better and that is just so helpful. Let's say Miranda has been photographing our favorite couple for a while... but I'm not gonna say anything more! And about that last part...? Shhh... ;)
swim6516: Oh no, a real swimmer reading the story! Ack! :-D If I get anything wrong in regards to swimming, you must tell me, okay? I know a little bit about it, but not a whole lot. And about the Dork Pride... dude, read my bio... hahaha.... Dork Pride right here, as I am obsessive about LM and am no longer even a teenager... :)
dramaqueen214: Yeah... wouldn't it just be so cute to have a poster of them like that? :) I *had* to incorporate Miranda into the story. I really think she's great, and I love her sense of style. I'm glad you like that I respond! I always thought it was pretty cool when authors did that, but I wanted to make sure you all did too! And about the 'Princess Bride' thing? I *swear* you will not regret it. Not in a million years. It truly is a wonderful movie! As for the rest, you probably read the above, and I totally agree!
Taygeta: Thank you! But they really *are* the cutest couple-in-denial, right? Right? :)
starcraze: In my whole life, I have only ever met one person who *didn't* like 'The Princess Bride'. I had to incorporate it into the story... :-D Thanks!
MsJML: Like I already said in my author's note up there, that really *really* sucks. If they only have a 66-episode limit, then Disney should definitely continue with a high school series of Lizzie McGuire. That would rock. I just really love Lizzie McGuire because you could see these kids as being so real. And they don't try and sweet-talk and downplay the whole school hierarchy cuz let's face it: popular people are generally not nice. Some are, but most aren't. It's stupid to try and portray middle school or high school as a happy place where everyone always gets along, because that's not real life, and LM does such a great of making it seems realistic. That, and I mean, come on, Gordo and Lizzie haven't even dated yet. They've *gotta* continue... :) BTW, who is Hayley? Hilary? I mean, is that like her real name and Hilary is just her screen name, or is Hayley someone else?
I'm looking at the above and thinking I really need to keep my LM ranting to a minimum... heh... :)
~*~*~*~
Gordo woke up to find Lizzie gone from the couch. Rubbing his eyes sleepily, he looked around to get his bearings. Ah, there she was! In the kitchen. Making... mmm... Gordo's mouth watered. Pancakes. He *loved* pancakes. She was singing along with some new song on the radio while flipping them onto a plate. Lizzie always made the best pancakes, he thought. Getting a (not very) clever idea, he crept up behind her and poked her in the back, making her jump in the air and spin around with a shriek, beaning him with the spatula she held in her hand, ready to strike again until she saw that it was Gordo lying on the ground. He was holding his face and moaning, rolling back and forth. Was she just the most terrible friend or what? she thought to herself frantically. Quickly kneeling down, she put a hand on his shoulder and shook him a little.
"Gordo?" she asked, scared. "Gordo, are you okay? Oh my goodness!" she wailed, tears running down her face as Gordo pulled his hands away to look up at her, allowing her to see the spatula-shaped welt on the side of his face. It stood out stark white in his red face. And damn, Gordo thought, did that hurt.
"Wow Lizzie," Gordo joked weakly, "did anyone ever tell you you have a *great* spatula?" Lizzie gave a watery giggle, wiping at her eyes.
"Should I start a self-defense class?" she asked. "Your Spatula and You." Gordo grinned at her.
"Good girl," he said, standing up and giving her a hand. "Now, how about those pancakes?" he asked.
"Sure," she murmured, still fighting a few tears.
"Hey," Gordo said, tilting her head up to look at him. "I'm okay. And I learned my lesson," he told her. At her questioning look, he said, "*Never* cross a woman with a spatula." They grinned.
~*~
The pancakes were eaten, and they were just sitting on the couch, side by side, comfortable in their silence. After awhile, Lizzie asked, "When's that big swim meet coming up?"
"Oh," Gordo scratched his head. "Two weeks from today. You're coming, right?" he asked hopefully.
Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Duh, Gordo. When *don't* I come?"
"True." He paused, then asked, "What time is it?"
"Uhh..." Lizzie looked around. The clock on the microwave was blinking, so she went to kitchen stove. "11:00," she yelled back to him.
Gordo groaned. "I have practice today," he told her. "At 1:00. Mind giving me a ride?" he asked, giving her a lost puppydog look.
She was *such* a sucker for that look. She'd have given him a ride anyway, but still.... "Of course, Gordo."
"Gonna stick around?"
"Hmm," Lizzie thought, head cocked to the side. "Gonna make it worth my while?" she asked with a smile.
"Isn't getting to see me in a Speedo payment enough?" he asked with an answering grin.
She rolled her eyes at him. "Oh baby, oh baby."
"Fine, fine," he said. "How about I buy you dinner?" he offered.
"I'm thinking this is going to entail the best $5 can buy me off of the Wendy's Value Menu," Lizzie said, narrowing her eyes at him.
"You're thinking wrong," Gordo answered.
"Really?" she asked, slightly impressed.
"Yep. The best Chinese takeout $15 can buy."
Lizzie's eyes lit up. "You mean--"
"Szechwan Garden," Gordo said with a grin. LIzzie squealed and hugged him, jumping up and down.
"Gordo, I *love* that place!" she cried. "I am *so* there."
"Like I didn't know that? Come on, get ready, we gotta get going!" he said with a push in the direction of her bedroom.
~*~
A freshly-scrubbed Lizzie exited her bathroom about 45 minutes later wearing jeans and an overly large t-shirt, ready to put the pedal to the metal and get Gordo to swim practice.
"It kinda sucks that you have practice on a Saturday," she commented.
"Yeah, it does, but we need every minute we can get for that meet," Gordo answered. Lizzie shrugged and continued driving to the building that housed the university pool. At about 12:30, they pulled into the parking lot.
"What time will your practice be done?" Lizzie asked.
"Should be wrapping up around 4:00."
"Hmm," Lizzie said, thinking. "Well, I brought a book, so I'll just stick around for the whole thing," she decided.
"You better," Gordo replied with a grin. She just arched an eyebrow at him. "Err..." Gordo scratched his head. "Better start heading in, eh?"
"Yeah," she answered. "Head on in, I'll be there in just a minute, okay?"
Gordo nodded his head and grabbed his duffel bag, and with that headed into the building.
~*~
After changing into his Speedo and grabbing his towel, Gordo headed out to the pool, where most of the other guys on the swim team were standing around talking. Glancing at the bleachers, Gordo noticed Lizzie just settling down on a bench. She saw him and waved, and he waved back with a smile. Then he sat down on a bench and laid the towel down, waiting for the coach to arrive. While he was okay with most of the guys on the team, none of them were really his friends or anything. Especially--
"Yo, Gor-don," Kevin, another member of the swim team, hollered as he sat next to Gordo. Gordo sighed. *Kevin*. He especially did *not* like Kevin.
"What's up?" Gordo asked, not really caring either way.
"Nothin' much, man," Kevin answered. "I see your girlfriend's here," he commented with a smile. Gordo rolled his eyes. How many times were they gonna go through this?
"She isn't my girlfriend," Gordo said, slowly and carefully, as if speaking to a small child. No matter how much I want her to be, he finished to himself silently.
"Yeah, sure she ain't," Kevin said with a grin, nudging him in the side. Gordo sighed with barely-conealed annoyance. Just as he was about to open his mouth to say something else, though, the coach entered through the locker room doors and blew his whistle, signifying practice was ready to start.
~*~
Lizzie sat, contentedly reading her book and glancing up to see how Gordo was doing from time to time. It was... 3:45 she saw, after glancing at her watch. Just about time for the swim-off, she thought, watching the guys line up at the edge of the pool. Here, they would swim to the end and back, and whoever finished first, practice was over for, and so it continued until the last person was in the pool. Lizzie was relieved; Gordo always finished first or second, so she should be out of there by 4:00.
As she watched, the first round began, with Gordo finishing first. Thank God, she thought. She'd *definitely* be out of there by 4:00.
~*~
With a frown, Lizzie glanced at her watch. It was 4:30, and *still* no sign of Gordo. Where the hell is he? she thought angrily. She tossed her book into her bag and stood up. Well, if she had to go into the locker room to find him, then that's what she'd do, she thought huffily. Hurrying down the steps and out into the hallway, she walked to where she knew the main entrance was for the men's locker room. As she approached the door, she saw one of the guys on Gordo's swim team walking swiftly down the hallway away from her. She pounded on the thick, heavy door, hoping someone would answer it. She *really* didn't want to walk in and see one of those guys in the buff. That would be *so* embarrassing. Tapping her foot impatiently, she pounded on the door a second time. Thirty seconds, she thought, and then I'll go in. Still, no one came to the door. With a heavy sigh, she pulled the door open and entered the brightly lit, cold locker room.
Lizzie glanced around, getting her bearings. Hmm. About ten rows of bright orange lockers, all with padlocks, and to her left she could see the showering area, but no one was in there. In fact, the entire locker room seemed pretty deserted.... I am gonna be *so* pissed if Gordo isn't in here, she thought. Straining her ears, she could hear a faint sound over in the far corner, on the other side of the lockers. Gordo? she thought. Well, she'd never know until she went over there.
Marching down one of the rows, Lizzie reached the end and turned. Her hand flew to her mouth at what she saw.
"Oh my God, Gordo," she whispered, her hands shaking.
There, underneath the harsh fluorescent lights, Gordo was lying on the ground wearing only his boxer briefs. He was on his side, facing her, but his body was curled into the fetal position; she could see where blood had trickled from one nostril, drying a crusty brownish-red; and a large bruise, fresh green-and-purple, had already formed over one eye, swelling it shut.
Shaking herself from her daze, Lizzie ran the few feet to his side, kneeling down next to him. Very gently, she brushed her fingers over the side of his face, but even that light contact elicited a groan from his otherwise unresponsive body.
"Gordo," she whispered with tears in her eyes. "What the hell happened to you?" Cracking open his good eye, he looked at her.
"Would you believe," he whispered through dry, puffy lips, "that I tripped and landed on the doorknob?"
Lizzie tried to give him a stern look through her tears, but failed miserably. She could only shake her head no.
"Good," he whispered, "because it'd be a lie." And he closed his eye again. Lizzie could only sit there with tears pouring down her face, rocking back and forth whispering "oh my God, oh my God" over and over again.
~*~*~*~
Author's Note: Wow, that took a terminal turn for the angsty, didn't it? ::shocked:: Um... that kinda came out of left field. And I just hate cliffhangers, but now I think I understand... they're just such a perfect place to stop. It's like, you don't even think about it. I AM EVIL! You have my permission to pelt me with rotten vegetables. Anyway, general concensus seems to be that you guys like it when I reply to your reviews, so I'm going to continue doing that. But now I'm going to go work on chapter 8 so I can have it out tomorrow and at least *most* (right?) of you won't hate me forever.