"Thank God," Gordo muttered under his breath as the bell rang. Sometimes Honors Physics can just be a tad trying on the nerves. He gathered up his backpack and walked into the hallway. He just wanted this day to be over so he could go home and crawl into his bed. The whole thing with Ethan and Lizzie really weirded him out, even though it wasn't true. He was tempted to just go home, but he still had stage crew to go to. Gordo opened his locker and heaved a huge sigh as the contents of his locker spilled out onto the floor. Today was NOT his day.

"Hey, Gor-don! Wait up!" Gordo turned around to see none other than Ethan sauntering up to him.

Gordo took a deep breath and put on a smile. "Hey Ethan. What's up?"

Ethan looked a little...nervous? He licked him lips and swallow twice before he began speaking again.

"I need to talk to you Gor-don, guy to guy."

GORDO V.O.

"Uh...okay." What was going on? I mean, Ethan and I were friendly, but he's never needed to have a serious conversation with me. It was never more than 'Hey Gor-don!' 'Hey Ethan.' Wait a second - Ethan Craft wanting to have a serious conversation? With me? Why am I the lucky person who gets to witness the miracle? And what's with the overwhelming abundance of Ethan I've been exposed to today? Oh. I just realized I've been thinking all this time and Ethan's been standing here, waiting. Well, let's get this over with. It looks like today is 'Ethan Day' for Gordo.

END OF GORDO'S V.O.

"Sure, Ethan. What's on your mind."

"Well," Ethan licked his lips again, "I was wondering if you could help me."

Gordo just looked at him questioningly. Ethan continued.

"I need you to help me be more...more like you."

Gordo's jaw dropped for the second time that day. Then he looked up at the sky to make sure there were flying pigs around. "Uh...What exactly do you mean, Ethan? You're gonna have to elaborate -" he saw the confused look on Ethan's face, "explain this a little better for me."

Ethan squirmed a little. "Okay, dude."

And then came the words from Gordo's worst nightmare:

"I kinda like Lizzie, dude. "

Lizzie was putting her books away in her locker as Miranda scampered up to her. "Hey chica."

"Hey Randa. Ready for play practice?"

"Oh yeah. Hey, do you know what I just saw?"

Lizzie didn't answer. She was busy battling with the mess in her locker.

"Lizzie!"

Lizzie jerked her head up. "What?"

"I just saw Gordo and ...Ethan."

"So?"

"Well, it looked like they were having a conversation."

Lizzie's jaw dropped open. "Ethan? Having a conversation? With Gordo?"

::Cartoon Lizzie:: Huh. And I thought Ethan was just a pretty face with an empty head. But him able to

hold a conversation with Gordo? Gordo's so smart!

Just then, the two boys walked by Miranda and Lizzie. Ethan was talking his head off and Gordo had this sort of sick expression on his face. Miranda caught his eye and knew something really bad was going on.

"And dude, like, I never noticed how babelicious Lizzie is. She's got these killer eyes, man. They're...so...so..."

"Blue." Gordo interrupted Ethan, then instantly regretted it.

"Yeah," Ethan said dreamily, "And she's got this hair thing going on. I never saw it before. And she's got a killer sense of humor. And she's smart, bro. And she's, like, really good at Shakespeare. I can't believe I never saw it before."

"Yeah. Me neither," Gordo mumbled. This can't be happening. Gordo's world was crumbling to nothing in a mere span of 10 minutes.

"But, dude, I need your help. You're her boy."

Gordo's ears perked up at that, but then realized what Ethan meant - he was Lizzie's male sidekick. Always pushed to the side, but ever present.

"What do you need my help for, Ethan? I don't get it."

"Well...you know her pretty well, right bro?"

'You know her pretty well.' Those words echoed in Gordo's ears. Lizzie was his first friend ever. He'd known her since she was one week old and he was 6 months and 5 days old. Their moms had been best friends since they were kids and had brought their two families together. Gordo and Lizzie grew up side by side. They did everything together. Gordo, dragging Lizzie along when she was just learning to walk. Gordo, having pretzel fights with Lizzie. Gordo, eating worms while Lizzie threw up from watching him. Gordo, having swing contests with Lizzie to see who can go higher. Gordo, holding Lizzie's hand when she was scared to go into the kindergarten classroom. Gordo, laying on the ground with a bloody nose while Lizzie defended him from the school bully. Gordo, cheering Lizzie on when she was the star of her soccer team. Gordo, listening to incessant girl talk when Miranda joined the duo. Gordo, watching Lizzie get her heart broken from the jerks that she always fell for. Gordo, there to pick up the pieces of her heart just in time for it to be broken yet again. He knew the meaning of every twitch of her nose, every sparkle in her eye, every little movement of her mouth. Gordo had been there for every happening in Lizzie's life, just as she had been for his.

"Yeah, Ethan. I know her pretty well."

Ethan looked so hopeful. "So you'll help me, dude? You'll help me get Lizzie to like me?"

GORDO V.O.

He really likes her. I can't believe this stupid play. I knew one day he'd realize how amazing she is. I just thought I had more time. But look at him. He really likes her. And I know she likes him. God, I can't believe I'm gonna do this. Gordo, you're just a wimp.

END OF GORDO'S V.O.

"Okay, Ethan. I'll help you."

Ethan's face lit up with that. "Thanks a lot, Gor-don. You're a real friend." And with that, Ethan bounced happily into the auditorium.

"Yeah. That's me. A real friend," Gordo muttered.