Disclaimer: Lizzie, Gordo, I'm so sorry, but…*sniff* Disney owns you! You must do whatever they please with you! If only you were mine (particularly Gordo) you could live free and happy forever and ever and ever.  *Bethany briefly considers stage career*

~Chapter 3~

(Alternate chapter title: Something To Sleep To*)

Lizzie stepped out of the bathroom and looked around for Gordo. Where is he? She wondered. She took another step and saw him on the balcony, leaning on the stone railing, staring out into the night.

Staring at him, seeing the wind rustle through his hair, her vision began to blur and she saw a short of halo around Gordo.

The stars, she though distractedly. And the moon. It's just, like, a reflection or something.

But despite all her distracted explanations, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was seeing Gordo, her best friend in the world – besides Miranda – in a new light.

Do they mean that literally, though, or figuratively? Funny, I even sound like Gordo.

She saw Gordo sigh and shake his head in, what, a sort of defeated way?

What's up with him? He was happy as a loon earlier.

She had the sudden, crazy impulse to run out and – what? Hug him? She was no good at things like that. Gordo had always been the one to comfort her. He was the expert on that. Besides, maybe he didn't need comfort. Maybe he had just wanted to change in the bathroom. Yes, that was probably it. Get a grip, Lizzie. What's wrong with you? Can't you comfort your friend – best, best, best friend – when it's apparent that he needs someone to lean on? What's all this changing-in-the-bathroom nonsense? You know that isn't it. You know you know it.

Why are you being this way anyway? Is it because of what's happened over the past few days? Because of the sacrifices that Gordo made for you? Because of the way you treated him -- taking his friendship and constant loyalty for granted – trusting him to still be devoted to you even when you're out singing love songs with extremely famous, totally hot Italian guys? Because of that one romantic moment out on the roof earlier, in which you, Lizzie McGuire, kissed your best friend, David Gordon? Is that why you're shying away from him? Or is it a combination of all if this?

Yes. That's it. It's because you ignored him, deserted him, treated him as an afterthought, and then touched your lips with his in attempts to make it all up to him.

But how in anyway is that better?

How could you have kissed him, knowing that you felt little more than the deepest friendship between you? By kissing him, you gave him the impression that you held more for him. That you like him. That you love him? Well, maybe you do. You're known him your entire life, and he's the person you see everyday. It is entirely possible that you love him. But as a friend loves another friend. As you love Miranda – as your sister. So she loved Gordo – as her brother. (Though, truth be told, I don't exactly have that much experience in loving brothers, but …whatever.)

Ignoring all this, I should still go out and talk to him. Honestly, he's still my best friend. Has everything I've even knows suddenly slipped out my ears?

But just then, Gordo made to get up, and Lizzie panicked and dove under the covers, pretending to sleep.

Author's note: Hey, I'm going to try to get a new chapter up every day, but there are no promises. Also, school for me starts back up in about 6 days, so after that I'll try to get new chapters up at least twice a week. And don't worry, there'll still be plenty of time for me to write – what's French class for, anyway?

*This is a song by Michelle Branch, which I think sort of goes along with this chapter. Even if it doesn't, it's still an awesome song. Go, Michelle!!