Author's Note: Okay, so I want you all to know that I wrote this chapter WHILE ON VACATION!!! It just... um... took me three weeks?! to post it. Oy... you all have my deepest apologies! I'm so sorry! My excuse is this: I met a great guy while on vacation, and I've spent every night just talking to him... which is when I used to write... uh, yeah.... I hearby solemnly swear that I will no longer foresake the good readers of this fine story! You just won't get chapter updates every day like you used to. Maybe once or twice a week now... but they will be equally as long!
picklesniper: Adam Lamberg really *does* have the cutest hair... it makes me sad to know it had to go for my story... but yes'm, I am updating as you ordered... er... requested! :)
Angel21: Then tell yourself it's because you're twice as nice! :) (hope that doesn't offend anyone else...) And I will read your story when I have time (I find I am inexplicably busy these days... hmm....)
pinkelephant- emerald eye: You know, it's really freaky when my little sister *and* her little friend find my story... and I didn't even tell you guys! Freaky, Nikki, freaky, I have to say that. I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!!! And you've sucked my little sister into the dark world of fanfiction.net? Oh, the horror! The inexplicable *horror*!
SVZ: Oooh, very good addition... voodoo doll it is! Heehee... Good to hear you're liking it so much!
drawwilhoit: You know, dear, I'll tell you the same thing I told Nikki: this is JUST FREAKY. You're reviewing my story? We sleep in the same room , you couldn't just say to me 'Hey, I like your story, it's pretty cool'? I dunno... but dude, I know your little secret, k? K? I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!!! And like I couldn't tell that the review was from you? You use the same name for *every*thing, from Neopets to AIM!
Phoenix28: Good to hear, sure thing!
LizzieC: I'm not sure if I should be relieved that I'm not alone, or just scared that someone else has done it too... ;)
Weird123: See? That's what you get for *not reviewing*!! But rest assured in the knowledge that if I do such a thing in the future, you will now be included in it as well! I'm glad to know that you've been a faithful reader, though, thanks for letting me know!
lizzie-fan: Well, it didn't happen soon, but... uh... here it is for your reading pleasure!
Purplerks: Good deal! Glad to know it made you smile. And hey, my name would be right next to yours so no worries. ;)
Lara: You made it into a story, yes! And I'm wondering if I should tell you about the many more creative ways I have to write about beating up Kevin...? heeheehee... MOOHOOHAHAHAH!!!!!!
Persephone: You know, I love Gordo's hair, it's probably his cutest feature (as I've said many times). But I assure you, it *had* to be done! Serious swimmers do not have longer hair. Many of them shave bald before big meets. It was all done to make it seem more realistic (and like I know what I'm talking about!)
Tinker-Bell-Greenleaf: Wow, that's, like, 200 Tink points! Sa-weet! I was glad to do it all, and I thought most, if not all, would appreciate the humor, so... Thanks for the encouragement!
~*~*~*~
It was a week after 'The Incident', as Gordo had come to think of it, and neither he nor Lizzie had mentioned it. Figures, he thought bitterly. Why would anything with Lizzie be something even approaching easy? Or at least bearable? Miranda was home from visiting her 'sick' aunt, and so here they all were at their favorite little coffee shop, Easy Bean, chatting away like it was nothing. Strike that, Gordo thought sourly. He and *Miranda* were chatting, Lizzie was up at the counter flirting with the--absolutely gorgeous, he believed were her exact words--cashier behind the counter. He was so... grr, he didn't know, but upset and hurt and frustrated were three words that instantly came to mind. And as he watched with a sort of sadistic fascination, Lizzie slowly leaned against the counter and started twirling a lock of her hair around her finger. Gordo groaned slightly and shook his head. He really couldn't watch any more.
Now Gordo, while intelligent, was a simple guy. Simple needs, simple wants... and Gordo had, for as long as he could remember, wanted nothing more than to have Lizzie look at *him* like that from underneath her eyelashes and twirl her hair. Because when Lizzie did those two things, *then* she meant business. And that usually meant she got what she wanted. Of course, if Lizzie wanted *him*, it wouldn't be too much of a fight.... Gordo's thoughts trailed off as he heard Miranda's voice yelling at him and noticed her waving her hand around in front of his face.
"What?" he snapped.
"Yo, earth to Gordo, come in Gordo." Miranda smirked, looking as if she knew something he did not. Or maybe something he just didn't want her to say. "I realize Lizzie is more interesting than me," she began sarcastically, shaking her finger at him, "but do you think I might warrant a few minutes of your time?" she finished. She watched in satisfaction as Gordo's jaw flapped up and down. This, she thought evilly, was just *too* much fun.
"Why would Lizzie be any more interesting than you?" he asked Miranda innocently. Oh, *way* too innocently, Miranda thought.
"Hmm, let me think. Oh yeah, I know," Miranda said, snapping her fingers. "Maybe because ever since Lizzie went up to the counter to make cow eyes at--" Miranda squinted at the guy's nametag--"Bobby, you've done nothing but stare in that direction."
"No way," Gordo argued. Miranda arched an eyebrow at him, giving him the 'you-don't-honestly-believe-I'm-that-stupid-do-you?' look.
"Yyyyyeah..." Miranda said slowly. "Look, you two have been acting really weird around each other ever since I got back. And maybe before, who knows. But I wanna know what's going on." Miranda paused. "And oh yeah, Gordo, I've known since *fourth* *grade* that you have a thing for Lizzie, so don't even try to pull that over on me." More up-and-down flapping jaw.
"Well-- you see-- that is-- I don't really-- you know--" Gordo spluttered, very flustered by Miranda's fairly accurate pinning of him. Really, he thought, it was *third* grade, but he wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
"Strike that," Miranda said. "Third grade. Because we were all in Ms. Helmeyer's class." Drat! thought Gordo.
"So maybe," he began slowly, "I have an eensy weensy teeny tiny small inconsequential and yet very huge thing for Lizzie." Miranda just looked at him. Damn, he thought, does this girl know *everything*? "Okay, I'm in love with her," Gordo admitted.
"Good," Miranda said approvingly, giving a decisive nod of her head. "Because admitting it is the first step towards getting a powerful ally." Gordo looked at her. "Namely me," she explained. "I'm gonna help you." It was Gordo's turn to arch an eyebrow. "Excuse me," Miranda said defensively, "but when Lizzie has guy problems, who do you think she comes to more? Me, or you?"
"You," Gordo answered, defeated.
"Good boy," Miranda said with a grin. "Now here's what we're gonna do...."
~*~
Lizzie stood up at the counter, talking to--she had to glance at his nametag again--Bobby. What am I doing? she thought to herself, irritated. Bobby was boring as hell, and while he might be cute that just seemed to be the *only* thing he knew. He reminded her a little of Ethan Craft, Lizzie decided, except not so adorably clueless. But Lizzie went through the motions, batting her eyelashes, leaning towards him, twirling her hair... all of it, and she wasn't really interested in the guy. So why was she putting forth so much effort? Why was she still up here with--she had to glance at the nametag *again*--Bobby and not back at the table with Miranda? And Gordo?
And there, she thought to herself, was her biggest problem. Gordo. Gordo liked her. Like, *like* liked her. How did she handle that? How *could* she handle that? The whole thing just made her feel all messed up inside. And he'd said he loved her. Well, not to her face, because he'd thought she was asleep, but still, love. Love! *LOVE*!!!! Gordo wasn't supposed to love her. Gordo couldn't love her. No *way* did he love her! At least, not like *that*! And the thought that maybe he was wasn't supposed to make her think that she notreally kinda sorta maybe liked him back! ARRRRGH! Lizzie giggled at whatever Bobby had just said, not really paying attention, and went back to her thoughts. She'd decided, that night they'd kissed, that things *COULD* *NOT* *CHANGE*! They were Lizzie and Gordo. Gordo and Lizzie. Lizzie and Gordo and Miranda, the three amigos! It was as constant as the sun, or the ocean.... Lizzie resurfaced from her thoughts just in time to hear--umm... Bobby--ask for her phone number. She giggled again.
"Oh, of course," she said flirtatiously. As Bobby reached for a pen and paper Lizzie thought to herself, No chance in *hell* am I gonna go out with this guy.... She wrote down her name and number and handed back the slip of paper with a wink and a smile, then headed back to Gordo and Miranda, more than happy to be out of that *idiot's* company. Just as she was approaching the table, Gordo and Miranda glanced at her and stopped talking. Oooo-kay, Lizzie thought. Weird....
~*~*~*~
Author's Note: Okay, there it is in all of its splendid glory... CHAPTER 1 of PART 2 of The College Years! Short, I know, but they should get longer, I needed to set up the plotline! I hope you guys enjoy it...
picklesniper: Adam Lamberg really *does* have the cutest hair... it makes me sad to know it had to go for my story... but yes'm, I am updating as you ordered... er... requested! :)
Angel21: Then tell yourself it's because you're twice as nice! :) (hope that doesn't offend anyone else...) And I will read your story when I have time (I find I am inexplicably busy these days... hmm....)
pinkelephant- emerald eye: You know, it's really freaky when my little sister *and* her little friend find my story... and I didn't even tell you guys! Freaky, Nikki, freaky, I have to say that. I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!!! And you've sucked my little sister into the dark world of fanfiction.net? Oh, the horror! The inexplicable *horror*!
SVZ: Oooh, very good addition... voodoo doll it is! Heehee... Good to hear you're liking it so much!
drawwilhoit: You know, dear, I'll tell you the same thing I told Nikki: this is JUST FREAKY. You're reviewing my story? We sleep in the same room , you couldn't just say to me 'Hey, I like your story, it's pretty cool'? I dunno... but dude, I know your little secret, k? K? I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!!! And like I couldn't tell that the review was from you? You use the same name for *every*thing, from Neopets to AIM!
Phoenix28: Good to hear, sure thing!
LizzieC: I'm not sure if I should be relieved that I'm not alone, or just scared that someone else has done it too... ;)
Weird123: See? That's what you get for *not reviewing*!! But rest assured in the knowledge that if I do such a thing in the future, you will now be included in it as well! I'm glad to know that you've been a faithful reader, though, thanks for letting me know!
lizzie-fan: Well, it didn't happen soon, but... uh... here it is for your reading pleasure!
Purplerks: Good deal! Glad to know it made you smile. And hey, my name would be right next to yours so no worries. ;)
Lara: You made it into a story, yes! And I'm wondering if I should tell you about the many more creative ways I have to write about beating up Kevin...? heeheehee... MOOHOOHAHAHAH!!!!!!
Persephone: You know, I love Gordo's hair, it's probably his cutest feature (as I've said many times). But I assure you, it *had* to be done! Serious swimmers do not have longer hair. Many of them shave bald before big meets. It was all done to make it seem more realistic (and like I know what I'm talking about!)
Tinker-Bell-Greenleaf: Wow, that's, like, 200 Tink points! Sa-weet! I was glad to do it all, and I thought most, if not all, would appreciate the humor, so... Thanks for the encouragement!
~*~*~*~
It was a week after 'The Incident', as Gordo had come to think of it, and neither he nor Lizzie had mentioned it. Figures, he thought bitterly. Why would anything with Lizzie be something even approaching easy? Or at least bearable? Miranda was home from visiting her 'sick' aunt, and so here they all were at their favorite little coffee shop, Easy Bean, chatting away like it was nothing. Strike that, Gordo thought sourly. He and *Miranda* were chatting, Lizzie was up at the counter flirting with the--absolutely gorgeous, he believed were her exact words--cashier behind the counter. He was so... grr, he didn't know, but upset and hurt and frustrated were three words that instantly came to mind. And as he watched with a sort of sadistic fascination, Lizzie slowly leaned against the counter and started twirling a lock of her hair around her finger. Gordo groaned slightly and shook his head. He really couldn't watch any more.
Now Gordo, while intelligent, was a simple guy. Simple needs, simple wants... and Gordo had, for as long as he could remember, wanted nothing more than to have Lizzie look at *him* like that from underneath her eyelashes and twirl her hair. Because when Lizzie did those two things, *then* she meant business. And that usually meant she got what she wanted. Of course, if Lizzie wanted *him*, it wouldn't be too much of a fight.... Gordo's thoughts trailed off as he heard Miranda's voice yelling at him and noticed her waving her hand around in front of his face.
"What?" he snapped.
"Yo, earth to Gordo, come in Gordo." Miranda smirked, looking as if she knew something he did not. Or maybe something he just didn't want her to say. "I realize Lizzie is more interesting than me," she began sarcastically, shaking her finger at him, "but do you think I might warrant a few minutes of your time?" she finished. She watched in satisfaction as Gordo's jaw flapped up and down. This, she thought evilly, was just *too* much fun.
"Why would Lizzie be any more interesting than you?" he asked Miranda innocently. Oh, *way* too innocently, Miranda thought.
"Hmm, let me think. Oh yeah, I know," Miranda said, snapping her fingers. "Maybe because ever since Lizzie went up to the counter to make cow eyes at--" Miranda squinted at the guy's nametag--"Bobby, you've done nothing but stare in that direction."
"No way," Gordo argued. Miranda arched an eyebrow at him, giving him the 'you-don't-honestly-believe-I'm-that-stupid-do-you?' look.
"Yyyyyeah..." Miranda said slowly. "Look, you two have been acting really weird around each other ever since I got back. And maybe before, who knows. But I wanna know what's going on." Miranda paused. "And oh yeah, Gordo, I've known since *fourth* *grade* that you have a thing for Lizzie, so don't even try to pull that over on me." More up-and-down flapping jaw.
"Well-- you see-- that is-- I don't really-- you know--" Gordo spluttered, very flustered by Miranda's fairly accurate pinning of him. Really, he thought, it was *third* grade, but he wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
"Strike that," Miranda said. "Third grade. Because we were all in Ms. Helmeyer's class." Drat! thought Gordo.
"So maybe," he began slowly, "I have an eensy weensy teeny tiny small inconsequential and yet very huge thing for Lizzie." Miranda just looked at him. Damn, he thought, does this girl know *everything*? "Okay, I'm in love with her," Gordo admitted.
"Good," Miranda said approvingly, giving a decisive nod of her head. "Because admitting it is the first step towards getting a powerful ally." Gordo looked at her. "Namely me," she explained. "I'm gonna help you." It was Gordo's turn to arch an eyebrow. "Excuse me," Miranda said defensively, "but when Lizzie has guy problems, who do you think she comes to more? Me, or you?"
"You," Gordo answered, defeated.
"Good boy," Miranda said with a grin. "Now here's what we're gonna do...."
~*~
Lizzie stood up at the counter, talking to--she had to glance at his nametag again--Bobby. What am I doing? she thought to herself, irritated. Bobby was boring as hell, and while he might be cute that just seemed to be the *only* thing he knew. He reminded her a little of Ethan Craft, Lizzie decided, except not so adorably clueless. But Lizzie went through the motions, batting her eyelashes, leaning towards him, twirling her hair... all of it, and she wasn't really interested in the guy. So why was she putting forth so much effort? Why was she still up here with--she had to glance at the nametag *again*--Bobby and not back at the table with Miranda? And Gordo?
And there, she thought to herself, was her biggest problem. Gordo. Gordo liked her. Like, *like* liked her. How did she handle that? How *could* she handle that? The whole thing just made her feel all messed up inside. And he'd said he loved her. Well, not to her face, because he'd thought she was asleep, but still, love. Love! *LOVE*!!!! Gordo wasn't supposed to love her. Gordo couldn't love her. No *way* did he love her! At least, not like *that*! And the thought that maybe he was wasn't supposed to make her think that she notreally kinda sorta maybe liked him back! ARRRRGH! Lizzie giggled at whatever Bobby had just said, not really paying attention, and went back to her thoughts. She'd decided, that night they'd kissed, that things *COULD* *NOT* *CHANGE*! They were Lizzie and Gordo. Gordo and Lizzie. Lizzie and Gordo and Miranda, the three amigos! It was as constant as the sun, or the ocean.... Lizzie resurfaced from her thoughts just in time to hear--umm... Bobby--ask for her phone number. She giggled again.
"Oh, of course," she said flirtatiously. As Bobby reached for a pen and paper Lizzie thought to herself, No chance in *hell* am I gonna go out with this guy.... She wrote down her name and number and handed back the slip of paper with a wink and a smile, then headed back to Gordo and Miranda, more than happy to be out of that *idiot's* company. Just as she was approaching the table, Gordo and Miranda glanced at her and stopped talking. Oooo-kay, Lizzie thought. Weird....
~*~*~*~
Author's Note: Okay, there it is in all of its splendid glory... CHAPTER 1 of PART 2 of The College Years! Short, I know, but they should get longer, I needed to set up the plotline! I hope you guys enjoy it...