Chapter 5: The Only News That's Fit To Print
For the first time since Matt was murdered Lizzie finally managed to sleep through the entire night. Normally she and her mother would wake up at some point screaming. The nightmares that their minds created rarely stopped and one or the other would spend the rest of the night trying to comfort each other. As Lizzie's eye's fluttered open she looked at the alarm clock stationed right in front of her. The time read; 6:30 AM. She had actually managed to sleep for seven hours. Lizzie was flabbergasted. She couldn't imagine what in the world had been able to sooth her to the point of her being able to sleep for seven hours. It was then that she felt a warm presence next to her. She slowly turned and saw one David Gordon sleeping next to her.
Lizzie momentarily panicked until she noticed that he was still clad in the clothes he had worn the previous day, his hands firmly under his pillow. Lizzie thought back and remembered that he was hugging her and trying his best to sooth her to sleep last night. Gordo must have been too tired to move, or didn't want to risk waking her and just snuggled up next to her and passed out. Lizzie, her heart so filled with joy since she was fully rested for the first time in ages, leaned over and gently kissed her best friend on his forehead.
The sudden contact caused Gordo to rouse himself from his slumber. Barely conscious, Gordo wrapped his arms around his best friend and pulled her into a tight embrace. Lizzie let out a little yelp in surprise. The two were now physically closer than they'd ever been and Lizzie felt torn. Despite the fact that she had a loving boyfriend she felt extremely comfortable in Gordo's embrace. If she allowed herself she could easily fall right back to sleep in his arms. The warmth and love she felt, reminded her of the girl she was in Rome, the Lizzie that once dared to cross a line from best friend to something more with only a kiss.
Unfortunately her rational side was also telling her that she belonged to another. Even thought that other person, in his immature days, had left her in an emotional rut. Another that had raised her hopes then dropped her for someone better. As Lizzie thought about it and wondered how what she did to Gordo was any different than what Ronny did to her all those years ago. Lizzie and Gordo, while not dating had grown incredibly close since the end of their Junior High School days.
Just when it seemed like they would finally be together, Lizzie left Gordo for Ronny. A tear fell from the blonde girl's eye. She couldn't imagine how much she'd hurt Gordo that day. Then she thought back to the day Ronny told her there was someone else and she remembered the pain that caused her. Thinking that she must have caused the same pain to Gordo made her feel like slime. Looking over at her best friend Lizzie whispered, "I'm sorry Gordo."
"I forgave you a long time ago." Gordo mumbled shocking the girl so bad that she fell off the bed.
Lizzie sprang up and looked at the young man with a grin on his face. "David Gordon." She said her face turning red, "You've been awake all this time?"
"Not all this time. I didn't start to wake up till after I pulled you close to me." Gordo responded his eyes still shut. It wasn't long before a pillow came crashing down on his face.
"You. you."
"You're welcome." Gordo said as he removed the pillow covering his head and then proceeded to slide ever so slowly from the bed.
"How could you do that to me?" Lizzie asked, still quite upset her best friend had just tricked her.
"Easy. I was hoping we could stay like that forever." Gordo told her. He knew what he was saying, he just couldn't believe he was actually saying it. He had spent the last two years trying to bury his feelings for the beautiful young blonde, and now he was completely blowing all his heard work in a matter of moments.
"But what about."
"Lizzie, I love you. I always will. I can't make up your mind for you on whom you love, and whom you want to be with. I'm just glad that you managed to get a good night sleep for a change. Now if you'll excuse me, the shower is calling me." Gordo stated as he rose from the bed and walked out of the guest room.
Closing the door, Gordo let out a sigh. He only wished that he were as strong as he appeared before leaving the room. It took all his will power not to kiss Lizzie when he pulled her into his embrace. The whole night his thoughts and dreams were of her. How much he loved her, and what he wished he could do with her.
"Cold shower. I need a very cold shower." Gordo mumbled as he headed into the bathroom.
~ * ~
It was now second period and Lizzie McGuire was spending her study hall class typing up her column for the school paper. Gordo, the paper's editor was currently in the principal's office. He'd been called in there first period and never returned. Lizzie knew this as fact because they had the same first hour class. It was not like him to be gone for that length of time.
Like he'd ever get into serious trouble. She thought to herself.
There was a knock at the door and Lizzie looked up. Kate Sanders, head varsity cheerleader for Hillridge High School, gossip columnist for the school paper, and occasional friend was making her presence known so Lizzie didn't freak. Lizzie had been so enraptured in her column that she indeed would have hit the ceiling if Kate had walked in and just spoken to her.
"Morning Kate." Lizzie energetically stated.
"Morning sunshine. What has you all fired up and ready to go this morning."
"I managed to get some sleep last night." Lizzie informed her.
"Uh huh." Muttered Kate as she began to walk around Lizzie observing her for a few minutes. After the events of the previous day Kate expected to see a very disenchanted Lizzie McGuire. That girl was not present. In her place stood a rather robust Lizzie McGuire. Then something struck her. Lizzie had that look. Kate smacked herself for not recognizing it immediately.
Lizzie, after watching Kate encircle for a few minutes Lizzie finally said, "yes?"
Kate stopped, looked Lizzie right in the eyes and came to the only answer that made any sense to her. "You slept with Gordo last night didn't you."
Lizzie fell out of her chair in shock at the statement. "Kate, I would never."
Kate chuckled and said, "I don't mean that Lizzie. God, get your mind out of the gutter. I meant that the two of you actually 'slept' together. As in the same bed."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Lizzie said climbing back into her chair.
"Ok Lizzie, I'll make you a deal." Kate offered.
"What kind of deal?" A skeptical Lizzie inquired.
"You answer my question, honestly, and I'll tell you who's behind the underground newspaper." Kate now had Lizzie's full attention.
"How do I know that you're telling me the truth?" Lizzie wondered.
"If I'm lying I'll streak naked through the gym during a winter basketball game." Kate said.
Now Lizzie knew she could trust her. Kate would never offer to do something so embarrassing.
"Deal." Lizzie agreed.
She took a deep breath and said, "Yes, Gordo and I fell asleep in the same bed last night. Nothing happened, but I managed to actually sleep very well, thus I'm incredibly well rested." Lizzie stated.
"You still love him don't you?" Kate asked her.
Kate Sanders had been the first person to make Lizzie realize that there were feelings between Gordo and herself. It had occurred during a period of time that Lizzie and Kate were still at each other's throats. Kate, acting completely out of character for herself (yet in the character's character) informed Lizzie of Gordo's obvious feelings. Later during the class trip to Rome Kate explained to Lizzie that Gordo was kicked of the class trip for covering for Lizzie while she was crushing on Italian pop sensation phony, Paulo Valisari.
"I don't know. sometimes I wonder why I gave Ronny a second chance. I mean he hasn't done anything to not deserve it. But Gordo never did anything bad to me and what did I do. I crushed his heart."
"Yeah. you did." Kate said.
"Thanks for the comfort." Lizzie smugly replied.
"Just stating the facts." Kate reminded her.
"If he's such a nice guy, which he is, why is it that you've never dated him?" Lizzie asked.
Kate didn't respond she just looked away.
"You didn't." Lizzie stated but Kate didn't respond.
"Did you?" Lizzie wondered. When Kate still didn't reply Lizzie stared at her in disbelief.
"You did! When???" She asked, almost yelling.
"We went out a for awhile during our sophomore year, after he got his license." Kate admitted in a low voice. She could obviously recall the events in great detail. "We didn't even realize what was going on between us at the time. We were just talking, we've been doing that a lot since Rome after eight grade." Kate informed her friend.
"One day we were here working late. Gordo had just complemented me on an excellent article. I guess I was just so excited that he thought my article was that good. I. well, I kissed him."
Lizzie just looked at her dumbfounded. She heard the words from her mouth but at times barely comprehended what she was saying.
"We were never intimate incase your wondering." Kate informed Lizzie. Lizzie looked to be holding her breath shortly after Kate told her that the two of them had kissed.
"Gordo was the perfect gentleman, not that I have to tell you that. He treated me better than most of the guys I've every dated. actually he treated me better than any of the guys I ever dated. Except Ethan, Ethan is a sweetheart, just not quite on the same level as David."
"So why did you keep it a secret." Lizzie asked.
"Actually, he didn't want to ruin my reputation." Kate explained.
"Pardon." She asked in disbelief. "Did you just say it was his idea?"
"Yeap, it was all his idea. Although I think part of it was that he didn't want you to know." Kate explained.
"He didn't want my reputation to be tarnished by being associating with him in a romantic capacity. After a couple of months though we decided that it would be better if we just remain friend. Our personal relationship only consisted of a few. we quite a few kisses." Kate blushed.
"So how did you.?"
"He and I... we fell asleep together one night. He was over at my house, my parent's were out and they totally trusted him. Like I said he was the perfect gentleman. To this day my mom still asks me why I let him slip away." Kate said still blushing. "We were making out and when we stopped we were just snuggled together. We both must have been exhausted because the next thing I knew it was morning and it just felt to wake up in that kind of loving embrace." Kate said, her face now extremely red.
Lizzie nodded in agreement. She didn't like the fact that someone else knew how wonderful it felt being that close to Gordo, but she couldn't blame Kate, or Gordo. Lizzie had given up any right to be jealous the day she started dating Ronny. She noticed that Kate was continuing to gush about her best friend.
"He could have taken advantage of me. Any other guy would have in his place." Lizzie nodded in agreement.
"If he had wanted to do anything more at that moment I would have let him." Kate said in a very serious tone. "But he didn't, and if he didn't have such strong feelings for you I'd make a play for him now." Kate informed Lizzie.
"Fascinating." Lizzie answered really wanting to change the subject. "Now what about your end of the bargain." Lizzie asked choosing to ignore Kate's rather vocal challenge.
"Ah yes. the underground newspaper." Kate said pacing back and forth for a moment.
"I wrote yesterday's article." Kate said nonchalantly.
"YOU!" Lizzie said standing straight up a look of utter disgust on her face.
"Now before you fly off the handle let me explain a few things." Kate said backing up towards the door.
"I'm listening." Lizzie said a pair of very sharp scissors in her hand.
"Claire and Brooke came up with the idea around the time Matt was murdered to try and do a smear campaign against you. It should be painfully obvious that they still don't like that most people consider you more popular than them."
"Go on." Lizzie instructed.
"They wanted to write the nastiest article about you. The two of them had purchased a police scanner some time ago and that's how they got all the information for the article. They just turned it on and listened to the police band. I happened to be with them and told them I'd write the article. They agreed since it meant they didn't have to do any work. I tried to make it as fact based as possible, unfortunately I had throw in a few snide remarks or else they might do another one more to their liking."
"So you're behind the newspaper?" Lizzie reiterated.
"No, I'm behind the article you read yesterday. Claire and Brooke are behind the newspaper. They're the ones that broke into the school and printed those newspapers."
"What did you write for today's article?" Lizzie asked.
"I didn't write anything. I have no idea what they're up to."
"We do." Said Ethan and Gordo. The two had entered the room quietly and only Lizzie had noticed they'd walked in.
Gordo tossed a copy onto Lizzie's desk.
Lizzie the Jinx.
As many in the school know Lizzie McGuire seems to be cursed. Her
father and brother were murdered, her best friend [the girl] is moving
away. Someone tried to kill her boyfriend, and know it seems that
someone else will be targeted by a madman bent on taking out his
frustrations on someone close to Lizzie.
As many heard yesterday someone snuck into the school and attacked
Lizzie in the washroom. This caused the school to be locked down thus
disrupting our learning environment. We were then kept in the classes
for almost two hours with nothing to do while the police checked the
building. This reporter would suspect Lizzie was seeking more
attention if it weren't for the deranged lunatic that stupidly made a
death threat over the PA System.
I implore the student body to complain to your parents that Lizzie
McGuire is a jinx that needs to be removed from our school so that we
may go back to our carefree lives.
Lizzie tossed the article in the garbage.
"I liked your article better. You have a clue, Claire doesn't." Lizzie informed Kate.
For the first time since Matt was murdered Lizzie finally managed to sleep through the entire night. Normally she and her mother would wake up at some point screaming. The nightmares that their minds created rarely stopped and one or the other would spend the rest of the night trying to comfort each other. As Lizzie's eye's fluttered open she looked at the alarm clock stationed right in front of her. The time read; 6:30 AM. She had actually managed to sleep for seven hours. Lizzie was flabbergasted. She couldn't imagine what in the world had been able to sooth her to the point of her being able to sleep for seven hours. It was then that she felt a warm presence next to her. She slowly turned and saw one David Gordon sleeping next to her.
Lizzie momentarily panicked until she noticed that he was still clad in the clothes he had worn the previous day, his hands firmly under his pillow. Lizzie thought back and remembered that he was hugging her and trying his best to sooth her to sleep last night. Gordo must have been too tired to move, or didn't want to risk waking her and just snuggled up next to her and passed out. Lizzie, her heart so filled with joy since she was fully rested for the first time in ages, leaned over and gently kissed her best friend on his forehead.
The sudden contact caused Gordo to rouse himself from his slumber. Barely conscious, Gordo wrapped his arms around his best friend and pulled her into a tight embrace. Lizzie let out a little yelp in surprise. The two were now physically closer than they'd ever been and Lizzie felt torn. Despite the fact that she had a loving boyfriend she felt extremely comfortable in Gordo's embrace. If she allowed herself she could easily fall right back to sleep in his arms. The warmth and love she felt, reminded her of the girl she was in Rome, the Lizzie that once dared to cross a line from best friend to something more with only a kiss.
Unfortunately her rational side was also telling her that she belonged to another. Even thought that other person, in his immature days, had left her in an emotional rut. Another that had raised her hopes then dropped her for someone better. As Lizzie thought about it and wondered how what she did to Gordo was any different than what Ronny did to her all those years ago. Lizzie and Gordo, while not dating had grown incredibly close since the end of their Junior High School days.
Just when it seemed like they would finally be together, Lizzie left Gordo for Ronny. A tear fell from the blonde girl's eye. She couldn't imagine how much she'd hurt Gordo that day. Then she thought back to the day Ronny told her there was someone else and she remembered the pain that caused her. Thinking that she must have caused the same pain to Gordo made her feel like slime. Looking over at her best friend Lizzie whispered, "I'm sorry Gordo."
"I forgave you a long time ago." Gordo mumbled shocking the girl so bad that she fell off the bed.
Lizzie sprang up and looked at the young man with a grin on his face. "David Gordon." She said her face turning red, "You've been awake all this time?"
"Not all this time. I didn't start to wake up till after I pulled you close to me." Gordo responded his eyes still shut. It wasn't long before a pillow came crashing down on his face.
"You. you."
"You're welcome." Gordo said as he removed the pillow covering his head and then proceeded to slide ever so slowly from the bed.
"How could you do that to me?" Lizzie asked, still quite upset her best friend had just tricked her.
"Easy. I was hoping we could stay like that forever." Gordo told her. He knew what he was saying, he just couldn't believe he was actually saying it. He had spent the last two years trying to bury his feelings for the beautiful young blonde, and now he was completely blowing all his heard work in a matter of moments.
"But what about."
"Lizzie, I love you. I always will. I can't make up your mind for you on whom you love, and whom you want to be with. I'm just glad that you managed to get a good night sleep for a change. Now if you'll excuse me, the shower is calling me." Gordo stated as he rose from the bed and walked out of the guest room.
Closing the door, Gordo let out a sigh. He only wished that he were as strong as he appeared before leaving the room. It took all his will power not to kiss Lizzie when he pulled her into his embrace. The whole night his thoughts and dreams were of her. How much he loved her, and what he wished he could do with her.
"Cold shower. I need a very cold shower." Gordo mumbled as he headed into the bathroom.
~ * ~
It was now second period and Lizzie McGuire was spending her study hall class typing up her column for the school paper. Gordo, the paper's editor was currently in the principal's office. He'd been called in there first period and never returned. Lizzie knew this as fact because they had the same first hour class. It was not like him to be gone for that length of time.
Like he'd ever get into serious trouble. She thought to herself.
There was a knock at the door and Lizzie looked up. Kate Sanders, head varsity cheerleader for Hillridge High School, gossip columnist for the school paper, and occasional friend was making her presence known so Lizzie didn't freak. Lizzie had been so enraptured in her column that she indeed would have hit the ceiling if Kate had walked in and just spoken to her.
"Morning Kate." Lizzie energetically stated.
"Morning sunshine. What has you all fired up and ready to go this morning."
"I managed to get some sleep last night." Lizzie informed her.
"Uh huh." Muttered Kate as she began to walk around Lizzie observing her for a few minutes. After the events of the previous day Kate expected to see a very disenchanted Lizzie McGuire. That girl was not present. In her place stood a rather robust Lizzie McGuire. Then something struck her. Lizzie had that look. Kate smacked herself for not recognizing it immediately.
Lizzie, after watching Kate encircle for a few minutes Lizzie finally said, "yes?"
Kate stopped, looked Lizzie right in the eyes and came to the only answer that made any sense to her. "You slept with Gordo last night didn't you."
Lizzie fell out of her chair in shock at the statement. "Kate, I would never."
Kate chuckled and said, "I don't mean that Lizzie. God, get your mind out of the gutter. I meant that the two of you actually 'slept' together. As in the same bed."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Lizzie said climbing back into her chair.
"Ok Lizzie, I'll make you a deal." Kate offered.
"What kind of deal?" A skeptical Lizzie inquired.
"You answer my question, honestly, and I'll tell you who's behind the underground newspaper." Kate now had Lizzie's full attention.
"How do I know that you're telling me the truth?" Lizzie wondered.
"If I'm lying I'll streak naked through the gym during a winter basketball game." Kate said.
Now Lizzie knew she could trust her. Kate would never offer to do something so embarrassing.
"Deal." Lizzie agreed.
She took a deep breath and said, "Yes, Gordo and I fell asleep in the same bed last night. Nothing happened, but I managed to actually sleep very well, thus I'm incredibly well rested." Lizzie stated.
"You still love him don't you?" Kate asked her.
Kate Sanders had been the first person to make Lizzie realize that there were feelings between Gordo and herself. It had occurred during a period of time that Lizzie and Kate were still at each other's throats. Kate, acting completely out of character for herself (yet in the character's character) informed Lizzie of Gordo's obvious feelings. Later during the class trip to Rome Kate explained to Lizzie that Gordo was kicked of the class trip for covering for Lizzie while she was crushing on Italian pop sensation phony, Paulo Valisari.
"I don't know. sometimes I wonder why I gave Ronny a second chance. I mean he hasn't done anything to not deserve it. But Gordo never did anything bad to me and what did I do. I crushed his heart."
"Yeah. you did." Kate said.
"Thanks for the comfort." Lizzie smugly replied.
"Just stating the facts." Kate reminded her.
"If he's such a nice guy, which he is, why is it that you've never dated him?" Lizzie asked.
Kate didn't respond she just looked away.
"You didn't." Lizzie stated but Kate didn't respond.
"Did you?" Lizzie wondered. When Kate still didn't reply Lizzie stared at her in disbelief.
"You did! When???" She asked, almost yelling.
"We went out a for awhile during our sophomore year, after he got his license." Kate admitted in a low voice. She could obviously recall the events in great detail. "We didn't even realize what was going on between us at the time. We were just talking, we've been doing that a lot since Rome after eight grade." Kate informed her friend.
"One day we were here working late. Gordo had just complemented me on an excellent article. I guess I was just so excited that he thought my article was that good. I. well, I kissed him."
Lizzie just looked at her dumbfounded. She heard the words from her mouth but at times barely comprehended what she was saying.
"We were never intimate incase your wondering." Kate informed Lizzie. Lizzie looked to be holding her breath shortly after Kate told her that the two of them had kissed.
"Gordo was the perfect gentleman, not that I have to tell you that. He treated me better than most of the guys I've every dated. actually he treated me better than any of the guys I ever dated. Except Ethan, Ethan is a sweetheart, just not quite on the same level as David."
"So why did you keep it a secret." Lizzie asked.
"Actually, he didn't want to ruin my reputation." Kate explained.
"Pardon." She asked in disbelief. "Did you just say it was his idea?"
"Yeap, it was all his idea. Although I think part of it was that he didn't want you to know." Kate explained.
"He didn't want my reputation to be tarnished by being associating with him in a romantic capacity. After a couple of months though we decided that it would be better if we just remain friend. Our personal relationship only consisted of a few. we quite a few kisses." Kate blushed.
"So how did you.?"
"He and I... we fell asleep together one night. He was over at my house, my parent's were out and they totally trusted him. Like I said he was the perfect gentleman. To this day my mom still asks me why I let him slip away." Kate said still blushing. "We were making out and when we stopped we were just snuggled together. We both must have been exhausted because the next thing I knew it was morning and it just felt to wake up in that kind of loving embrace." Kate said, her face now extremely red.
Lizzie nodded in agreement. She didn't like the fact that someone else knew how wonderful it felt being that close to Gordo, but she couldn't blame Kate, or Gordo. Lizzie had given up any right to be jealous the day she started dating Ronny. She noticed that Kate was continuing to gush about her best friend.
"He could have taken advantage of me. Any other guy would have in his place." Lizzie nodded in agreement.
"If he had wanted to do anything more at that moment I would have let him." Kate said in a very serious tone. "But he didn't, and if he didn't have such strong feelings for you I'd make a play for him now." Kate informed Lizzie.
"Fascinating." Lizzie answered really wanting to change the subject. "Now what about your end of the bargain." Lizzie asked choosing to ignore Kate's rather vocal challenge.
"Ah yes. the underground newspaper." Kate said pacing back and forth for a moment.
"I wrote yesterday's article." Kate said nonchalantly.
"YOU!" Lizzie said standing straight up a look of utter disgust on her face.
"Now before you fly off the handle let me explain a few things." Kate said backing up towards the door.
"I'm listening." Lizzie said a pair of very sharp scissors in her hand.
"Claire and Brooke came up with the idea around the time Matt was murdered to try and do a smear campaign against you. It should be painfully obvious that they still don't like that most people consider you more popular than them."
"Go on." Lizzie instructed.
"They wanted to write the nastiest article about you. The two of them had purchased a police scanner some time ago and that's how they got all the information for the article. They just turned it on and listened to the police band. I happened to be with them and told them I'd write the article. They agreed since it meant they didn't have to do any work. I tried to make it as fact based as possible, unfortunately I had throw in a few snide remarks or else they might do another one more to their liking."
"So you're behind the newspaper?" Lizzie reiterated.
"No, I'm behind the article you read yesterday. Claire and Brooke are behind the newspaper. They're the ones that broke into the school and printed those newspapers."
"What did you write for today's article?" Lizzie asked.
"I didn't write anything. I have no idea what they're up to."
"We do." Said Ethan and Gordo. The two had entered the room quietly and only Lizzie had noticed they'd walked in.
Gordo tossed a copy onto Lizzie's desk.
Lizzie the Jinx.
As many in the school know Lizzie McGuire seems to be cursed. Her
father and brother were murdered, her best friend [the girl] is moving
away. Someone tried to kill her boyfriend, and know it seems that
someone else will be targeted by a madman bent on taking out his
frustrations on someone close to Lizzie.
As many heard yesterday someone snuck into the school and attacked
Lizzie in the washroom. This caused the school to be locked down thus
disrupting our learning environment. We were then kept in the classes
for almost two hours with nothing to do while the police checked the
building. This reporter would suspect Lizzie was seeking more
attention if it weren't for the deranged lunatic that stupidly made a
death threat over the PA System.
I implore the student body to complain to your parents that Lizzie
McGuire is a jinx that needs to be removed from our school so that we
may go back to our carefree lives.
Lizzie tossed the article in the garbage.
"I liked your article better. You have a clue, Claire doesn't." Lizzie informed Kate.