Chapter 5

Matt and Lanny arrived at the high school. "Okay Lanny, we've gotta be cool. We're at the high school. We gotta blend."

Lanny nods in agreement and moves his hands around.

"Good point, Lanny," Matt answers, "We should be proud that we're in the play and so much younger than the rest of them. Let's go!"

Matt marches into the auditorium and strides right into Kate and knocks her down.

"You little - hey, you're a little McGuire. Figures. Go away, you little dirk."

Matt turns to Lanny. "Nobody messes with a McGuire that way. That blonde beast is going down."

Lizzie and Miranda are sitting in the front row, gabbing away.

"So, then Mr. Kevins was like, sorry Claire, but you -"

"Gordo!"

"Lizzie? I'm not talking about -"

Gordo came over and sat down next to Lizzie. Mmmm, she smelled so nice. "Hey, guys."

"You couldn't stay away from us for even an afternoon?" Lizzie teased. Wow, Gordo's eyes are really blue.

"Yeah, Gordo, what's the deal? What are you doing here?" Miranda inquired.

"Well, I figured since my two best friends are going to be missing in action for the next month, I could probably find something to do with the play that doesn't require being onstage. So I'm doing the stage crew." Lizzie's huge smile just reaffirmed his decision.

Miranda saw the goofy look no both their faces, shook her head and said, "I'm going to find Tudgeman. I'll be right back." Find Tudgeman? Lizzie and Gordo both looked at each other, then started to question Miranda, but she was gone.

GORDO V.O.

I knew signing up for stage crew was the right choice. Now I can spend more time with her. And keep an eye on Ethan. Stop it, Gordo, that's not right. But what if he finally realizes how great she is? He'll be spending all this time with her...shit, it's bound to happen. I've gotta say something to Lizzie before he realizes it. Not yet, though. ::Sigh::

END OF GORDO'S V.O.

Lizzie looked at Gordo, then around the auditorium, then back at Gordo. He was so deep in thought. She was about to ask him what the first thing on his mind was, when Mr. Diggs leaped onto the stage.

"Good afternoon, thespians of mine," he cried, "and welcome to...the theatre."

Rehearsal that day was short, just a read-through of the play and the stage crew drew out some plans. Mrs. McGuire was waiting in the parking lot to pick them up. They all squeezed in - she didn't have the minivan that day. Matt and Lanny called shotgun and scrambled in the front, leaving Lizzie, Miranda, and Gordo to cram themselves in the backseat. Lizzie, of course, got stuck with the middle - she was never fast enough calling the window seat. As she climbed in behind Gordo, she lost her balance and fell into Gordo's lap.

"Sorry! Sorry!" she spluttered as she rushed out of his lap. Gordo turned a pretty shade of maroon, which Matt was nice enough to point out.

"That's enough, Matt!" Mrs. McGuire said sharply. And with that, she drove off. Miranda smiled to herself as Lizzie and Gordo kept their hands in their laps the whole car ride home.