***Hey, okay, so, like, this story is written by piacere and myself. We go
to school together, and are really good friends. Anyway, I hope you enjoy
the story. We do not own Lizzie McGuire. E-mail me (elephante17@yahoo.com)
or piacere (piacere6@yahoo.com) if you have any suggestions.***
Summary: Lizzie and Gordo are having a pretty boring summer going into high school, until Lizzie's mom asks them to clean the attic. In the attic, they find a diary and letters exchanged that remind them a lot about their friendship. It is a journey and adventure to find the truth and finding out how they feel about each other.
Chapter One
"Boredom"
Lizzie McGuire and her best friend, David Gordon, fondly known as "Gordo," were sitting in Lizzie's room. Lizzie was on the computer and Gordo was lying on Lizzie's bed throwing a hackey sack up and down. It was raining outside. Oh, summer rain and how it limits activities.
One might ask about Italy, and what happened between them afterwards. Well, actually, nothing had happened. Sure, they spent almost everyday together, but they hadn't really talked about it. Both of them were too scared to bring it up. Miranda was still gone, which didn't help. Both of them wanted to talk about it with someone, but they had no one to talk to.
Anyway, they were in Lizzie's room, doing their own thing, when Lizzie suddenly sighed loudly and said, "So, what do you want to do now?"
She had been asking this to him since he got there and every single time, he answered, "I don't know. Whatever you want to do is fine with me." She didn't know why she figured this time would be any different.
A few minutes later, they were still on the computer and throwing the hackey sack, when Lizzie's mom, Jo, walked in with a pile of clean laundry. While these two friends were pondering about what to do, Jo McGuire decided today would be a good day to clean the house, and had on her cleaning clothes. "You two look bored," Jo observed.
"That is because we are bored, mom," Lizzie said.
"Well, do you want me to drop you off at the movie theatre?"
Lizzie sighed, "No, we have seen all the movies already."
"Oh," Jo said, "Well, why don't you help me clean?"
Lizzie looked at her mom as if she were insane, "Are you crazy?"
"No, I am just trying to help you not be so bored. That is part of my job as being a mom, you know," Jo said.
"Well, thanks but no thanks, Mrs. McGuire," Gordo said.
"You sure?" Jo said.
"Positive," Lizzie said.
Jo left Lizzie's room and was about to close the door, when her head popped in, "Even if I pay you?"
Lizzie was about to say no, but then she realized when her mom said, "How much?"
"Uh, if you work hard enough, I will give you each at least forty bucks," Jo said.
"Forty bucks? Really? Why?" Lizzie asked.
"Because what I want you to do may be pretty time consuming and it may take more that a day."
Lizzie gave her mom a look of disgust, "What do you want us to do?"
"Clean the attic," Jo said.
"We have an attic?" Lizzie asked.
"Yeah," Jo answered.
"Since when?"
"Lizzie, honey, we have always had an attic. We just never really go up there much anymore."
Lizzie looked at Gordo, who looked at Lizzie, and they both shrugged, "Okay, fine, we will clean the attic," Lizzie said finally.
"Good. All you really need to do is organize it and throw away anything that we wouldn't want to keep."
"Okay. I guess I should change into some clothes suitable for the occasion, then," Lizzie said.
Jo smiled, "Good girl. When you are ready, come downstairs and I will give you some dusters and cleaning solution."
"Okay," Lizzie said.
Jo left and Lizzie said Gordo could borrow one of Matt's old shirts, and sent him off to Matt's room to change as Lizzie changed into some old jeans and an old oversized t-shirt that was fading.
A few minutes later, they met outside of their rooms. "Are you sure you don't mind doing this?" Lizzie asked.
Gordo shrugged, "Nah. I mean, we are getting paid, aren't we?"
Lizzie shook her head and headed down he stairs. Gordo followed.
They found her mom in the kitchen, polishing some silver trays, "Okay, mom. We are ready. Now, where is this attic you speak of?" Lizzie said.
Matt appeared from another room, with silverware, "Here, mom. I just finished polishing every single utensil. What do you want me to do now?"
Lizzie looked at Matt, "What are you doing here, worm?" she asked.
"I am helping mom clean. Normally, stuff like this isn't of my caliber, but she is paying me to do this. In fact, all of this cleaning has given me an idea for a business," Matt said as he rubbed his hands together and smiled evilly. He left the room, "I will be right back, mom."
Jo shook her head and handed Lizzie a basket filled with cleaning stuff, including rags, dusters, and cleaning spray stuff. "Like I said, all you really need to do is organize everything so it looks need. It is also probable a little dusty up there. Here is a trash bag to throw away anything that looks like trash. Anything you have a question about, just make a pile and ask me later. Any questions?"
"Yeah, where is the attic?" Lizzie repeated.
Matt reappeared, "Don't you ever look up?" he asked.
"Yeah," Lizzie said, "and I also look down, and all I see is dirt, which is exactly what you are," Lizzie retorted.
"Ohh, I am scared now."
"Oh, bite me," Lizzie said.
Matt raised his eyebrow, "With pleasure, sis."
"Oh, you two! Stop it!" Jo cut in. "Lizzie, the attic is right upstairs between our room and Matt's room. There is a little string that if you pull it, a door will come down and steps will appear. Its on the ceiling. You can't miss it."
Lizzie rolled her eyes, "Fine. Come on, Gordo. We have some cleaning to do." Lizzie and Gordo went upstairs and found the attic door. Gordo pulled the string, and the door sprung open, and steps fell down. A little dust also fell. Lizzie coughed, "Go ahead, Gordo. I will follow you."
"Oh, no, you don't, McGuire. This is your house and your attic. You should go first. Besides, ladies first," Gordo said.
Lizzie rolled her eyes. Forty dollars she reminded herself. She pulled the stairs all the way down to the floor and started climbing into the dark abyss. Once up there, she yelled down for Gordo. Gordo set the basket of cleaning material on the floor of the attic and climbed into the attic.
"Its dark up here," Lizzie observed.
"Well, there should be a light," Gordo said, looking around for a light.
"Its right above the door!" they heard Matt yell from below. Gordo looked, and sure enough there was a string right above the door.
"Thanks," Gordo said, as the room brightened.
Once it was lighter, they could see a lot of boxes on the floor as well as books and an empty bookshelf. "This looks like it used to be someone's bedroom," Gordo said.
Lizzie nodded her head, "Yeah, a really long time ago," Lizzie said.
"Well, where should we start?" Gordo said, getting a duster.
"I guess one of us should dust the book shelf and place books on them while the other sorts boxes," Lizzie suggested.
"All right," Gordo said. "I will dust the shelves." Gordo walked over to the bookshelf and examined it, "How old is this house anyway?"
"Uh, it had a few owners before us. I think my mom told me it was built in the late twenties or something."
"Hmm. Maybe we will find some old left behind records or something," Gordo said.
"Maybe," Lizzie said as she opened her first box. Most of the boxes were labeled with marks such as "Baby clothes," "Matt's Toys," and "School work," so Lizzie sorted through every box and organized them. Eventually, Gordo helped her sort through boxes.
An hour later, they had one wall of the room organized. They hadn't really found anything interesting yet, though. The trash bag was getting pretty full, so Gordo offered to get another trash bag. In the mean time, Lizzie walked to another pile of boxes, and started sorting them. After going through a box filled with clothes, Lizzie was about to move onto another box, when she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. It looked like a small door attached to the wall hidden in the corner. She was staring at the door when Gordo came back up.
"Here's another trash bag. Your mom said we could call it a day in about a half an hour," Gordo said, but then he noticed she was looking at something. "What are you looking at?"
Lizzie looked at him "Come here, Gordo," she whispered and motioned with her hands
Gordo looked at her. Boxes were blocking Gordo from what she was looking at. He walked over to her. "Why are we whispering?" he whispered.
"Look," Lizzie said, "Don't you think that looks like some sort of secret door or something?" Lizzie said, still whispering.
Gordo looked at the door, and walked closer to it, "Well, there is only one way to find out." He took the handle attached to the door and tried to open it.
"Gordo! Do you think that is a good idea?" Lizzie asked, "I mean, what if there is a dead body in there or something?"
Gordo looked at Lizzie and rolled his eyes, "So? Dead bodies won't hurt anyone. Its probably just an extra room for storage."
Gordo tried again to open the door, this time, using a little more power. The door flung open. Lizzie walked closer to Gordo.
"What is it?" Lizzie asked.
"I can't tell. It's dark," Gordo said.
Lizzie looked around and found an old street lantern that she put in the questionable pile. The lantern was so old it was powered by candlelight. She handed the lantern to Gordo and found a candle and a match, and handed it to Gordo.
Gordo struck the match and lit the candle inside the lantern. He then proceeded to crawl into the small door. Lizzie followed, a little more reluctantly than Gordo. The lantern helped some, but it only made the room dimly lit as opposed to total darkness.
The room was pretty small, and looked pretty empty, with the exception of a few boxes. As soon as Lizzie noticed the boxes, she walked toward them and sat down with them. They were all huddled in a corner. Gordo followed, and sat down next to her with the lantern.
"I wonder how these boxes got in here," Lizzie said. She was noticeable calmer, after she realized there were no dead bodies or anything.
"Don't know. Are any labeled?" Gordo asked.
Lizzie inspected each one, "Most of them are empty, except this one," Lizzie said, picking up a box a little larger than a size of a shoebox. It was the only one with a label, and the label said, "Private! Do not open this box!" Lizzie looked at Gordo, "You think we should open it?"
"Sure, I mean, it looks pretty old, so it probably isn't as private anymore," Gordo said.
"True," Lizzie said, looking at the box.
Just then, they heard Jo's voice, "Kids! You can stop cleaning for now. Gordo, you are welcome to stay for dinner!"
Lizzie and Gordo looked at each other. "Let's go," Gordo said as he got up with the lantern. He looked at the box and hesitated, "take the box with you. We can look at it in your room after dinner."
Lizzie nodded her head and got up with the box. Gordo and Lizzie climbed out of the door and shut the door. Gordo blew out the candle in the lantern. Then, Lizzie and Gordo walked down the attic stairs, turning the light off and closing the door behind them.
Lizzie and Gordo went to Lizzie's room, "Alright, what should I do with the box?" Lizzie asked.
"I don't know."
"Dinner's ready!" Jo called from downstairs.
"Just put it under your bed or something. That way, if it belongs to your mom or something, she won't notice."
"Okay," Lizzie said and she put the box under her bed.
"Good. Now, let's go downstairs and eat before your mom suspects anything."
Lizzie and Gordo went downstairs, where Matt and Jo were sitting. Sam McGuire was out of town on business. Jo put their dinner in front of them. "How is the attic looking?" Jo asked.
"It is coming right along," Lizzie said.
"Yeah, there is some cool stuff up there," Gordo said.
Lizzie looked at Gordo sternly, as if she didn't want Jo to know about the box, which could in fact be nothing.
"Really?" Jo said with interest, "Like what?"
"Eh, just old books and stuff," Gordo said.
"Yeah, mom. Your old clothes, they are very retro," Lizzie said.
Jo laughed, "Thanks Lizzie. Those seventies were pretty wild."
After eating dinner quickly, Lizzie and Gordo excused themselves and ran up to Lizzie's room.
Lizzie cleared a spot on the floor and they sat down. Lizzie retrieved the box from under her bed. Gordo sat across from Lizzie. Lizzie placed the box in between them, "I have a feeling this box will be very interesting," Lizzie said.
"Maybe so," Gordo said, "But then again, it might be nothing."
"I know, I know. But, it may be something," Lizzie said.
Lizzie opened the box slowly, and they both looked inside. Inside, there were pictures and letters and a book or some sort. Looking at the pictures, which were black and white, Lizzie noticed they were mostly of a boy, with an occasional picture of a girl. There were about ten pictures in total. "I wonder who these people are. They look about our age," Lizzie said.
"I don't know, but whoever they are, they are pretty old now," Gordo said.
"How do you know?"
"Well, look at the postmark on this envelope. It is dated 18 July 1947," Gordo said, pointing at the postmark.
Lizzie took the envelope and took out contents in it. It was a letter. Lizzie opened it, and read it aloud.
" 'Dear Addy,
How are you? I am fine. Summer camp is pretty cool. We swim in a lake and do other activities. I am having fun, but I do miss you. Being here without you makes me miss you even more. I made a new friend, William, who came all the way from Tennessee to go to camp. He says hello. Anyway, how are your parents? Is Lillian still driving you nuts? When I get back, we need to spend as much time together as possible before school starts. I miss my best friend more than anything. You are so special and I am counting the days until I come home.
Your friend,
Rob.
P.S. Stay sweet!'"
"Aww!" Lizzie said, "How sweet!"
"What is so sweet about it?" Gordo asked.
"Well, it seems like Rob and Addy are going together," Lizzie said.
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, he just misses her so much, and he seems like he really likes her."
"Don't take this the wrong way, Lizzie, but I don't think they are dating. Well, at least not on July 18, 1947," Gordo said.
"Why?"
"Well, first of all, he signed it 'your friend,' and second of all, her diary says other wise," Gordo said, holding up the book.
Lizzie took it. The first page had the date, "Dec. 15, 1946." Lizzie read the entry.
" 'Dear Alberto,
"Diary" is such an impersonal beginning to things, so I thought I would give you a name. Anyway, tonight, we had a Christmas dance at school. I danced with a few people, but mostly stuck with Rob and Cynthia the whole time. I mean, no offense, but the boys at our school are a little immature. Well, Cynthia doesn't think that. Cynthia has had a crush on Dennis for the past, like, seven years. Anyway, Rob and I danced a few times. Rob is probably the coolest guy at our school. He is really nice and sweet. In fact, I think I am falling in love with Rob. My mother would argue that I don't know what love is. How typical! I am fourteen years old. I have known Rob since we were babies. Anyway, I may like Rob as more than a friend, but I don't think he will ever know that. Rob is my best friend, and I don't want to ruin that friendship. Besides, Alberto, he probably doesn't like me back. Oh, well, maybe this is just another crush. I have a feeling it is a little more than a crush, though. Boy, I wish you could talk and give me advice. I sure could use it.
Love, Adrienne'
"Gordo, that was like before that letter. They probably got together between that time," Lizzie said.
"I still think the letter was written when they were friends," Gordo said.
"Well," Lizzie said, "I guess there is only one way to find out. I have to read ahead in the diary," Lizzie said and took the diary and went to her bed.
"So, is that all you are doing to do? Read all of this?"
"Yeah," Lizzie said, "I think it may be interesting to walk in the shoes of Addy."
Gordo stood up, "Well, if you don't mind, I think I will go home before it gets dark."
"Okay," Lizzie said, "I will tell you tomorrow if anything good happens."
"Okay," Gordo said, but he couldn't help but sound less that excited about this whole thing. He left her room and headed downstairs.
As he walked himself home (it was not raining at the moment) he couldn't help but think that Addy and Rob sounded a lot like Lizzie and him. Maybe this would be interesting. Maybe the best friends would end up together after all. He hoped they would. He also hoped Lizzie felt the way Addy did about Rob toward him. He could only hope for such luck.
***
***End of chapter one. Please review! I hope you like this. In the meantime, piacere and I will go on with our own stories!***
Summary: Lizzie and Gordo are having a pretty boring summer going into high school, until Lizzie's mom asks them to clean the attic. In the attic, they find a diary and letters exchanged that remind them a lot about their friendship. It is a journey and adventure to find the truth and finding out how they feel about each other.
Chapter One
"Boredom"
Lizzie McGuire and her best friend, David Gordon, fondly known as "Gordo," were sitting in Lizzie's room. Lizzie was on the computer and Gordo was lying on Lizzie's bed throwing a hackey sack up and down. It was raining outside. Oh, summer rain and how it limits activities.
One might ask about Italy, and what happened between them afterwards. Well, actually, nothing had happened. Sure, they spent almost everyday together, but they hadn't really talked about it. Both of them were too scared to bring it up. Miranda was still gone, which didn't help. Both of them wanted to talk about it with someone, but they had no one to talk to.
Anyway, they were in Lizzie's room, doing their own thing, when Lizzie suddenly sighed loudly and said, "So, what do you want to do now?"
She had been asking this to him since he got there and every single time, he answered, "I don't know. Whatever you want to do is fine with me." She didn't know why she figured this time would be any different.
A few minutes later, they were still on the computer and throwing the hackey sack, when Lizzie's mom, Jo, walked in with a pile of clean laundry. While these two friends were pondering about what to do, Jo McGuire decided today would be a good day to clean the house, and had on her cleaning clothes. "You two look bored," Jo observed.
"That is because we are bored, mom," Lizzie said.
"Well, do you want me to drop you off at the movie theatre?"
Lizzie sighed, "No, we have seen all the movies already."
"Oh," Jo said, "Well, why don't you help me clean?"
Lizzie looked at her mom as if she were insane, "Are you crazy?"
"No, I am just trying to help you not be so bored. That is part of my job as being a mom, you know," Jo said.
"Well, thanks but no thanks, Mrs. McGuire," Gordo said.
"You sure?" Jo said.
"Positive," Lizzie said.
Jo left Lizzie's room and was about to close the door, when her head popped in, "Even if I pay you?"
Lizzie was about to say no, but then she realized when her mom said, "How much?"
"Uh, if you work hard enough, I will give you each at least forty bucks," Jo said.
"Forty bucks? Really? Why?" Lizzie asked.
"Because what I want you to do may be pretty time consuming and it may take more that a day."
Lizzie gave her mom a look of disgust, "What do you want us to do?"
"Clean the attic," Jo said.
"We have an attic?" Lizzie asked.
"Yeah," Jo answered.
"Since when?"
"Lizzie, honey, we have always had an attic. We just never really go up there much anymore."
Lizzie looked at Gordo, who looked at Lizzie, and they both shrugged, "Okay, fine, we will clean the attic," Lizzie said finally.
"Good. All you really need to do is organize it and throw away anything that we wouldn't want to keep."
"Okay. I guess I should change into some clothes suitable for the occasion, then," Lizzie said.
Jo smiled, "Good girl. When you are ready, come downstairs and I will give you some dusters and cleaning solution."
"Okay," Lizzie said.
Jo left and Lizzie said Gordo could borrow one of Matt's old shirts, and sent him off to Matt's room to change as Lizzie changed into some old jeans and an old oversized t-shirt that was fading.
A few minutes later, they met outside of their rooms. "Are you sure you don't mind doing this?" Lizzie asked.
Gordo shrugged, "Nah. I mean, we are getting paid, aren't we?"
Lizzie shook her head and headed down he stairs. Gordo followed.
They found her mom in the kitchen, polishing some silver trays, "Okay, mom. We are ready. Now, where is this attic you speak of?" Lizzie said.
Matt appeared from another room, with silverware, "Here, mom. I just finished polishing every single utensil. What do you want me to do now?"
Lizzie looked at Matt, "What are you doing here, worm?" she asked.
"I am helping mom clean. Normally, stuff like this isn't of my caliber, but she is paying me to do this. In fact, all of this cleaning has given me an idea for a business," Matt said as he rubbed his hands together and smiled evilly. He left the room, "I will be right back, mom."
Jo shook her head and handed Lizzie a basket filled with cleaning stuff, including rags, dusters, and cleaning spray stuff. "Like I said, all you really need to do is organize everything so it looks need. It is also probable a little dusty up there. Here is a trash bag to throw away anything that looks like trash. Anything you have a question about, just make a pile and ask me later. Any questions?"
"Yeah, where is the attic?" Lizzie repeated.
Matt reappeared, "Don't you ever look up?" he asked.
"Yeah," Lizzie said, "and I also look down, and all I see is dirt, which is exactly what you are," Lizzie retorted.
"Ohh, I am scared now."
"Oh, bite me," Lizzie said.
Matt raised his eyebrow, "With pleasure, sis."
"Oh, you two! Stop it!" Jo cut in. "Lizzie, the attic is right upstairs between our room and Matt's room. There is a little string that if you pull it, a door will come down and steps will appear. Its on the ceiling. You can't miss it."
Lizzie rolled her eyes, "Fine. Come on, Gordo. We have some cleaning to do." Lizzie and Gordo went upstairs and found the attic door. Gordo pulled the string, and the door sprung open, and steps fell down. A little dust also fell. Lizzie coughed, "Go ahead, Gordo. I will follow you."
"Oh, no, you don't, McGuire. This is your house and your attic. You should go first. Besides, ladies first," Gordo said.
Lizzie rolled her eyes. Forty dollars she reminded herself. She pulled the stairs all the way down to the floor and started climbing into the dark abyss. Once up there, she yelled down for Gordo. Gordo set the basket of cleaning material on the floor of the attic and climbed into the attic.
"Its dark up here," Lizzie observed.
"Well, there should be a light," Gordo said, looking around for a light.
"Its right above the door!" they heard Matt yell from below. Gordo looked, and sure enough there was a string right above the door.
"Thanks," Gordo said, as the room brightened.
Once it was lighter, they could see a lot of boxes on the floor as well as books and an empty bookshelf. "This looks like it used to be someone's bedroom," Gordo said.
Lizzie nodded her head, "Yeah, a really long time ago," Lizzie said.
"Well, where should we start?" Gordo said, getting a duster.
"I guess one of us should dust the book shelf and place books on them while the other sorts boxes," Lizzie suggested.
"All right," Gordo said. "I will dust the shelves." Gordo walked over to the bookshelf and examined it, "How old is this house anyway?"
"Uh, it had a few owners before us. I think my mom told me it was built in the late twenties or something."
"Hmm. Maybe we will find some old left behind records or something," Gordo said.
"Maybe," Lizzie said as she opened her first box. Most of the boxes were labeled with marks such as "Baby clothes," "Matt's Toys," and "School work," so Lizzie sorted through every box and organized them. Eventually, Gordo helped her sort through boxes.
An hour later, they had one wall of the room organized. They hadn't really found anything interesting yet, though. The trash bag was getting pretty full, so Gordo offered to get another trash bag. In the mean time, Lizzie walked to another pile of boxes, and started sorting them. After going through a box filled with clothes, Lizzie was about to move onto another box, when she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. It looked like a small door attached to the wall hidden in the corner. She was staring at the door when Gordo came back up.
"Here's another trash bag. Your mom said we could call it a day in about a half an hour," Gordo said, but then he noticed she was looking at something. "What are you looking at?"
Lizzie looked at him "Come here, Gordo," she whispered and motioned with her hands
Gordo looked at her. Boxes were blocking Gordo from what she was looking at. He walked over to her. "Why are we whispering?" he whispered.
"Look," Lizzie said, "Don't you think that looks like some sort of secret door or something?" Lizzie said, still whispering.
Gordo looked at the door, and walked closer to it, "Well, there is only one way to find out." He took the handle attached to the door and tried to open it.
"Gordo! Do you think that is a good idea?" Lizzie asked, "I mean, what if there is a dead body in there or something?"
Gordo looked at Lizzie and rolled his eyes, "So? Dead bodies won't hurt anyone. Its probably just an extra room for storage."
Gordo tried again to open the door, this time, using a little more power. The door flung open. Lizzie walked closer to Gordo.
"What is it?" Lizzie asked.
"I can't tell. It's dark," Gordo said.
Lizzie looked around and found an old street lantern that she put in the questionable pile. The lantern was so old it was powered by candlelight. She handed the lantern to Gordo and found a candle and a match, and handed it to Gordo.
Gordo struck the match and lit the candle inside the lantern. He then proceeded to crawl into the small door. Lizzie followed, a little more reluctantly than Gordo. The lantern helped some, but it only made the room dimly lit as opposed to total darkness.
The room was pretty small, and looked pretty empty, with the exception of a few boxes. As soon as Lizzie noticed the boxes, she walked toward them and sat down with them. They were all huddled in a corner. Gordo followed, and sat down next to her with the lantern.
"I wonder how these boxes got in here," Lizzie said. She was noticeable calmer, after she realized there were no dead bodies or anything.
"Don't know. Are any labeled?" Gordo asked.
Lizzie inspected each one, "Most of them are empty, except this one," Lizzie said, picking up a box a little larger than a size of a shoebox. It was the only one with a label, and the label said, "Private! Do not open this box!" Lizzie looked at Gordo, "You think we should open it?"
"Sure, I mean, it looks pretty old, so it probably isn't as private anymore," Gordo said.
"True," Lizzie said, looking at the box.
Just then, they heard Jo's voice, "Kids! You can stop cleaning for now. Gordo, you are welcome to stay for dinner!"
Lizzie and Gordo looked at each other. "Let's go," Gordo said as he got up with the lantern. He looked at the box and hesitated, "take the box with you. We can look at it in your room after dinner."
Lizzie nodded her head and got up with the box. Gordo and Lizzie climbed out of the door and shut the door. Gordo blew out the candle in the lantern. Then, Lizzie and Gordo walked down the attic stairs, turning the light off and closing the door behind them.
Lizzie and Gordo went to Lizzie's room, "Alright, what should I do with the box?" Lizzie asked.
"I don't know."
"Dinner's ready!" Jo called from downstairs.
"Just put it under your bed or something. That way, if it belongs to your mom or something, she won't notice."
"Okay," Lizzie said and she put the box under her bed.
"Good. Now, let's go downstairs and eat before your mom suspects anything."
Lizzie and Gordo went downstairs, where Matt and Jo were sitting. Sam McGuire was out of town on business. Jo put their dinner in front of them. "How is the attic looking?" Jo asked.
"It is coming right along," Lizzie said.
"Yeah, there is some cool stuff up there," Gordo said.
Lizzie looked at Gordo sternly, as if she didn't want Jo to know about the box, which could in fact be nothing.
"Really?" Jo said with interest, "Like what?"
"Eh, just old books and stuff," Gordo said.
"Yeah, mom. Your old clothes, they are very retro," Lizzie said.
Jo laughed, "Thanks Lizzie. Those seventies were pretty wild."
After eating dinner quickly, Lizzie and Gordo excused themselves and ran up to Lizzie's room.
Lizzie cleared a spot on the floor and they sat down. Lizzie retrieved the box from under her bed. Gordo sat across from Lizzie. Lizzie placed the box in between them, "I have a feeling this box will be very interesting," Lizzie said.
"Maybe so," Gordo said, "But then again, it might be nothing."
"I know, I know. But, it may be something," Lizzie said.
Lizzie opened the box slowly, and they both looked inside. Inside, there were pictures and letters and a book or some sort. Looking at the pictures, which were black and white, Lizzie noticed they were mostly of a boy, with an occasional picture of a girl. There were about ten pictures in total. "I wonder who these people are. They look about our age," Lizzie said.
"I don't know, but whoever they are, they are pretty old now," Gordo said.
"How do you know?"
"Well, look at the postmark on this envelope. It is dated 18 July 1947," Gordo said, pointing at the postmark.
Lizzie took the envelope and took out contents in it. It was a letter. Lizzie opened it, and read it aloud.
" 'Dear Addy,
How are you? I am fine. Summer camp is pretty cool. We swim in a lake and do other activities. I am having fun, but I do miss you. Being here without you makes me miss you even more. I made a new friend, William, who came all the way from Tennessee to go to camp. He says hello. Anyway, how are your parents? Is Lillian still driving you nuts? When I get back, we need to spend as much time together as possible before school starts. I miss my best friend more than anything. You are so special and I am counting the days until I come home.
Your friend,
Rob.
P.S. Stay sweet!'"
"Aww!" Lizzie said, "How sweet!"
"What is so sweet about it?" Gordo asked.
"Well, it seems like Rob and Addy are going together," Lizzie said.
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, he just misses her so much, and he seems like he really likes her."
"Don't take this the wrong way, Lizzie, but I don't think they are dating. Well, at least not on July 18, 1947," Gordo said.
"Why?"
"Well, first of all, he signed it 'your friend,' and second of all, her diary says other wise," Gordo said, holding up the book.
Lizzie took it. The first page had the date, "Dec. 15, 1946." Lizzie read the entry.
" 'Dear Alberto,
"Diary" is such an impersonal beginning to things, so I thought I would give you a name. Anyway, tonight, we had a Christmas dance at school. I danced with a few people, but mostly stuck with Rob and Cynthia the whole time. I mean, no offense, but the boys at our school are a little immature. Well, Cynthia doesn't think that. Cynthia has had a crush on Dennis for the past, like, seven years. Anyway, Rob and I danced a few times. Rob is probably the coolest guy at our school. He is really nice and sweet. In fact, I think I am falling in love with Rob. My mother would argue that I don't know what love is. How typical! I am fourteen years old. I have known Rob since we were babies. Anyway, I may like Rob as more than a friend, but I don't think he will ever know that. Rob is my best friend, and I don't want to ruin that friendship. Besides, Alberto, he probably doesn't like me back. Oh, well, maybe this is just another crush. I have a feeling it is a little more than a crush, though. Boy, I wish you could talk and give me advice. I sure could use it.
Love, Adrienne'
"Gordo, that was like before that letter. They probably got together between that time," Lizzie said.
"I still think the letter was written when they were friends," Gordo said.
"Well," Lizzie said, "I guess there is only one way to find out. I have to read ahead in the diary," Lizzie said and took the diary and went to her bed.
"So, is that all you are doing to do? Read all of this?"
"Yeah," Lizzie said, "I think it may be interesting to walk in the shoes of Addy."
Gordo stood up, "Well, if you don't mind, I think I will go home before it gets dark."
"Okay," Lizzie said, "I will tell you tomorrow if anything good happens."
"Okay," Gordo said, but he couldn't help but sound less that excited about this whole thing. He left her room and headed downstairs.
As he walked himself home (it was not raining at the moment) he couldn't help but think that Addy and Rob sounded a lot like Lizzie and him. Maybe this would be interesting. Maybe the best friends would end up together after all. He hoped they would. He also hoped Lizzie felt the way Addy did about Rob toward him. He could only hope for such luck.
***
***End of chapter one. Please review! I hope you like this. In the meantime, piacere and I will go on with our own stories!***