Mirror Image
Last Chapter~
Gordo stood up to and hugged her but didn't let go, "Well you see, I have a twin and he's probably going to come and live with me soon and I just thought you should know. I only found out today also!" He smelled the strawberry scent in her hair and closed his eyes.
Lizzie nestled into his arms, "Oh really? Well one Gordo is never enough! What's his name?"
"Daniel." Gordo whispered, "Daniel Smith" ~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~
Chapter 2~ Almost but not quite
"Daniel." Lizzie repeated, and then smiled, "That's a sweet name."
Gordo didn't hear her, his eyes had closed and he was breathing in her strawberry scent and feeling her hair on his face. Suddenly the scent was gone and so was the silky feel of blond locks. Lizzie had turned around and was facing him. She looked confused and wary, as though he had violated her boundaries.
"Gordo, what are you doing?" Lizzie asked frowning up into his sea blue eyes. She felt a lump in her throat and swallowed. What was it about his eyes that made them so enchanting? Lizzie took a deep breath and waited for his answer.
"Oh uh-" Gordo stuttered, not wanting to tell her the truth. 'Actually McGuire, I was smelling your hair because I love you and want to keep you forever safe in my arms' Gordo nearly burst out laughing. "I was up real late last night and was almost falling asleep." He rushed, coloring at the lie.
Lizzie shook her head at him and hugged him tightly. "You might want to go rest!"
He solemnly nodded and let her go. Sighing, Gordo shoved his hands into his pockets and headed back to his house.
~*~
Gordo slowly pushed the front door wondering if he had to get his key. To his surprise it opened easily and quietly. A suitcase was leaning against the hall wall and Gordo stared at it. He heard voices from the kitchen and frowning, went to see who was there.
His parents sat around the kitchen table with a boy that looked exactly like him. As he entered the room, the look alike stood and held out a hand.
"Hey I'm Daniel Smith. You must be David." He gave Gordo a hundred watt smile that Gordo was sure could only come from Lizzie.
The two shook hands and smiled.
"Yeah I'm David but everyone calls me Gordo" the teen replied to the stranger just as parental unit number one stood.
"David," Gordo's mom cut in tentatively, "Daniel will be sharing your room for now. We set up a second bed so that no one has to sleep on the floor and tomorrow we'll show Daniel around town." Gordo nodded and motioned for Daniel to follow him up the stairs.
"I'll show you where my- I mean our room is." He headed up the stairs, turning back every few steps to remind himself that the other boy was following him. The stairs ended at a dark hallway and Gordo groped the white walls, feeling for the light switch. He found it and his fingers fumbled over the ceramic tile and the light blared.
The two boys blinked as their eyes adjusted and Gordo beckoned over his shoulder to Daniel. Gordo led his brother to the room at the far left. Throwing open the door and flicking on the light in the usual way, he glanced at the other boy to see his reaction. Daniel was gazing around the room and nodding occasionally. His mirror eyes washed in the white walls with blue border. Two beds sat near the window, across from the door and they had matching coverlets. Gordo recognized his immediately by the bleached circle near the pillows. He and Lizzie had been five and drinking grape juice, Gordo's old cat Beanbag, had startled the two and glasses went flying. Gordo had refused to get a new bedspread, insisting that this way he would never forget Lizzie or their friendship.
Daniel hauled a large green and black suitcase over to the opposite bad and sat down. The two boys faced each other and took in the resemblance; there were only a few differences. Daniel had straightened his hair and had a darker tan. His body was muscled but not as well as Gordo's. Daniel ran a hand through his dark hair and half smiled. Swallowing, Gordo tried to start a conversation.
"So what kinds of things do you like to do?" he voice sounded strained and weak. He forced a smile.
Daniel furrowed his brow, "I like to play any kind of sport as long as it's worthwhile. I like to play the electric guitar and I like to go on dates with hot girls. Know any?" Daniel's answer was fast and to the point and Gordo had to ask him to repeat it twice.
The phone rang and Gordo jumped, while Daniel calmly looked at the black cordless.
"Are you going to get that?" Daniel said after the third ring, gesturing towards the phone on the desk.
Gordo didn't make a move for it so Daniel did. He walked to the desk and picked the receiver. Putting it to his ear he sat back down on Gordo's desk chair.
"Hi Gordo, It's Lizzie!" Lizzie voice came from the phone and Gordo heard every word. He colored and his eyes flicked to a photograph by his bed. He and Elizabeth McGuire were dying bed sheets in interesting shades of pink, orange, green, and yellow. The picture had been taken the day of Danny Kessler's pool party in sixth grade.
Daniel watched Gordo and smiled.
"Hold on one second!" covering the mouthpiece with one hand he turned to Gordo and raised and eyebrow. "That Lizzie?" he asked, nodding towards the picture and Gordo nodded. Daniel took his hand away from the phone. "This is Daniel. Suppose you come over and I can meet you," he suggested and Gordo blushed ever redder (if that was possible). He heard Lizzie giggle a 'yes' and then the phone click.
Daniel put the phone down and smiled at Gordo. "I'm gonna meet your girlfriend anything I should know?" Gordo colored again.
"She's not my girlfriend!" he mumbled and Daniel laughed.
"You love her though right?" his eyes tried to penetrate Gordo's.
"N-no!" Gordo lied, feeling like he should have a sign saying LIAR taped to his forehead.
"Good, because she is really cute!" he smiled and reached for the picture. Gordo felt his muscles tense and he held his breath. Daniel must have noticed since his hands went to the clock instead and started fiddling with the radio.
Daniel had settled on This Love, by Maroon 5 and was singing along, when Lizzie opened the door. She walked towards the tow boys then stopped and shook her head, confused. Gordo recognized the girl's dilemma and stood up.
"Hey Liz!" he mumbled and pulled her into a loose hug. "This is my twin Daniel!"
Lizzie smiled her gorgeous smile at Daniel and he stood and bowed slightly. Lizzie blushed and Daniel straightened.
"Are you always this shy around your friends' brothers?" Daniel teased the blond and she swatted his arm in mock anger.
"You are so going to get it!" she muttered and tackled the boy, tickling him mercilessly. Daniel's laugh was deep and calm. IT made Lizzie laugh too.
Gordo stood by his bed and watched the two struggle in play. It reminded him of the time all the girls in the eighth grade had fallen in love with their English teacher, Mr. Keith. Gordo had felt awful then too when Lizzie had been in love with the teacher. His ear still ached at the memory of the chimp hanging on his ear. Gordo felt out of place watching the two tussle and laugh. Gordo turned away feeling anger well up inside of him. Suddenly he noticed that the screaming and laughing had stopped, turning towards the opposite bed, he saw Daniel and Lizzie looking into each other's eyes. Daniel was lying on his back on the coverlet and Lizzie was sitting on top of his chest. She was leaning forward on her elbows and Daniel was grinning. His white t-shirt had ridden up and Lizzie's jeans were tickling his stomach. Her blue halter was at eye level and he raised an eyebrow.
Gordo tensed. HE took a step forward and a rosy, pink, cloud spread across Lizzie's cheeks. She slid from the bed, carefully looking anywhere but Daniel and went over to stand by Gordo. The color still hadn't left her face and she bit her lip hard. A drop of blood trickled down her chin and Gordo looked shocked. He reached out a gentle hand and wiped the blood away. Lizzie leaned back into him and closed her eyes, trying to regain her composure. Gordo reached his arms around her slim waist and she took a deep breath.
"Thanks a lot Daniel," she kidded in mock anger, "I'm all tired out now!"
Daniel laughed and so did Lizzie even Gordo forced a titter. Lizzie absentmindedly checked her watch and gasped. –Oh my god, quarter to 6, I have to baby sit Melina's younger brother, in fifteen minutes- she thought looking at the boys.
"I have to go!" she said and smiled at Daniel. She walked away from Gordo and tickled his brother before giving him a friendly hug. Daniel stood up and the two boys escorted her to the door of the room. Gordo walked next to her on the stairs and Daniel held open the door.
"Oh no!" Lizzie cried, suddenly remembering something," I walked here and now I have to go to Melina's to baby sit Adam in Fifteen minutes. They live across town, I'll never make it!" She started to panic. Gordo firmly grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him.
"Hey Liz, look at me, it's okay, I'll give you a ride to Melina's in my car! Don't panic that's for Miranda to do!" Gordo looked down at her and smiled.
Lizzie smiled back, "Thanks Gordo! I really appreciate it!"
Gordo turned around to stare at his twin. "Why don't you unpack, I'll only be a minute!"
Lizzie got into the passenger seat of Gordo's car and he backed down the driveway. Daniel quietly closed the door of the house and watched the red, Toyota RV4 drive down the road. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The couple slowly drove towards the Bianco's house. Lizzie stared out the side window and thought about Miranda. The girl had gone away for the summer and was staying in Mexico, Lizzie missed her terribly. Gordo kept glancing over at the girl in the car and then back at the street. He turned into the Bianco's driveway and put on the emergency brake. Lizzie didn't hop out of the car.
She turned to Gordo and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. The boy however had turned his head to face hers at the last minute and their lips briefly touched before Lizzie pulled back coloring.
She got out of the car and watched Gordo drive away before she groaned. Touching her lips with her hand, an amazing thought hit her.
-I was falling in love with Daniel until that kiss, almost was in love, almost but not quite-
Then she quietly opened the door to greet Adam.
Last Chapter~
Gordo stood up to and hugged her but didn't let go, "Well you see, I have a twin and he's probably going to come and live with me soon and I just thought you should know. I only found out today also!" He smelled the strawberry scent in her hair and closed his eyes.
Lizzie nestled into his arms, "Oh really? Well one Gordo is never enough! What's his name?"
"Daniel." Gordo whispered, "Daniel Smith" ~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~
Chapter 2~ Almost but not quite
"Daniel." Lizzie repeated, and then smiled, "That's a sweet name."
Gordo didn't hear her, his eyes had closed and he was breathing in her strawberry scent and feeling her hair on his face. Suddenly the scent was gone and so was the silky feel of blond locks. Lizzie had turned around and was facing him. She looked confused and wary, as though he had violated her boundaries.
"Gordo, what are you doing?" Lizzie asked frowning up into his sea blue eyes. She felt a lump in her throat and swallowed. What was it about his eyes that made them so enchanting? Lizzie took a deep breath and waited for his answer.
"Oh uh-" Gordo stuttered, not wanting to tell her the truth. 'Actually McGuire, I was smelling your hair because I love you and want to keep you forever safe in my arms' Gordo nearly burst out laughing. "I was up real late last night and was almost falling asleep." He rushed, coloring at the lie.
Lizzie shook her head at him and hugged him tightly. "You might want to go rest!"
He solemnly nodded and let her go. Sighing, Gordo shoved his hands into his pockets and headed back to his house.
~*~
Gordo slowly pushed the front door wondering if he had to get his key. To his surprise it opened easily and quietly. A suitcase was leaning against the hall wall and Gordo stared at it. He heard voices from the kitchen and frowning, went to see who was there.
His parents sat around the kitchen table with a boy that looked exactly like him. As he entered the room, the look alike stood and held out a hand.
"Hey I'm Daniel Smith. You must be David." He gave Gordo a hundred watt smile that Gordo was sure could only come from Lizzie.
The two shook hands and smiled.
"Yeah I'm David but everyone calls me Gordo" the teen replied to the stranger just as parental unit number one stood.
"David," Gordo's mom cut in tentatively, "Daniel will be sharing your room for now. We set up a second bed so that no one has to sleep on the floor and tomorrow we'll show Daniel around town." Gordo nodded and motioned for Daniel to follow him up the stairs.
"I'll show you where my- I mean our room is." He headed up the stairs, turning back every few steps to remind himself that the other boy was following him. The stairs ended at a dark hallway and Gordo groped the white walls, feeling for the light switch. He found it and his fingers fumbled over the ceramic tile and the light blared.
The two boys blinked as their eyes adjusted and Gordo beckoned over his shoulder to Daniel. Gordo led his brother to the room at the far left. Throwing open the door and flicking on the light in the usual way, he glanced at the other boy to see his reaction. Daniel was gazing around the room and nodding occasionally. His mirror eyes washed in the white walls with blue border. Two beds sat near the window, across from the door and they had matching coverlets. Gordo recognized his immediately by the bleached circle near the pillows. He and Lizzie had been five and drinking grape juice, Gordo's old cat Beanbag, had startled the two and glasses went flying. Gordo had refused to get a new bedspread, insisting that this way he would never forget Lizzie or their friendship.
Daniel hauled a large green and black suitcase over to the opposite bad and sat down. The two boys faced each other and took in the resemblance; there were only a few differences. Daniel had straightened his hair and had a darker tan. His body was muscled but not as well as Gordo's. Daniel ran a hand through his dark hair and half smiled. Swallowing, Gordo tried to start a conversation.
"So what kinds of things do you like to do?" he voice sounded strained and weak. He forced a smile.
Daniel furrowed his brow, "I like to play any kind of sport as long as it's worthwhile. I like to play the electric guitar and I like to go on dates with hot girls. Know any?" Daniel's answer was fast and to the point and Gordo had to ask him to repeat it twice.
The phone rang and Gordo jumped, while Daniel calmly looked at the black cordless.
"Are you going to get that?" Daniel said after the third ring, gesturing towards the phone on the desk.
Gordo didn't make a move for it so Daniel did. He walked to the desk and picked the receiver. Putting it to his ear he sat back down on Gordo's desk chair.
"Hi Gordo, It's Lizzie!" Lizzie voice came from the phone and Gordo heard every word. He colored and his eyes flicked to a photograph by his bed. He and Elizabeth McGuire were dying bed sheets in interesting shades of pink, orange, green, and yellow. The picture had been taken the day of Danny Kessler's pool party in sixth grade.
Daniel watched Gordo and smiled.
"Hold on one second!" covering the mouthpiece with one hand he turned to Gordo and raised and eyebrow. "That Lizzie?" he asked, nodding towards the picture and Gordo nodded. Daniel took his hand away from the phone. "This is Daniel. Suppose you come over and I can meet you," he suggested and Gordo blushed ever redder (if that was possible). He heard Lizzie giggle a 'yes' and then the phone click.
Daniel put the phone down and smiled at Gordo. "I'm gonna meet your girlfriend anything I should know?" Gordo colored again.
"She's not my girlfriend!" he mumbled and Daniel laughed.
"You love her though right?" his eyes tried to penetrate Gordo's.
"N-no!" Gordo lied, feeling like he should have a sign saying LIAR taped to his forehead.
"Good, because she is really cute!" he smiled and reached for the picture. Gordo felt his muscles tense and he held his breath. Daniel must have noticed since his hands went to the clock instead and started fiddling with the radio.
Daniel had settled on This Love, by Maroon 5 and was singing along, when Lizzie opened the door. She walked towards the tow boys then stopped and shook her head, confused. Gordo recognized the girl's dilemma and stood up.
"Hey Liz!" he mumbled and pulled her into a loose hug. "This is my twin Daniel!"
Lizzie smiled her gorgeous smile at Daniel and he stood and bowed slightly. Lizzie blushed and Daniel straightened.
"Are you always this shy around your friends' brothers?" Daniel teased the blond and she swatted his arm in mock anger.
"You are so going to get it!" she muttered and tackled the boy, tickling him mercilessly. Daniel's laugh was deep and calm. IT made Lizzie laugh too.
Gordo stood by his bed and watched the two struggle in play. It reminded him of the time all the girls in the eighth grade had fallen in love with their English teacher, Mr. Keith. Gordo had felt awful then too when Lizzie had been in love with the teacher. His ear still ached at the memory of the chimp hanging on his ear. Gordo felt out of place watching the two tussle and laugh. Gordo turned away feeling anger well up inside of him. Suddenly he noticed that the screaming and laughing had stopped, turning towards the opposite bed, he saw Daniel and Lizzie looking into each other's eyes. Daniel was lying on his back on the coverlet and Lizzie was sitting on top of his chest. She was leaning forward on her elbows and Daniel was grinning. His white t-shirt had ridden up and Lizzie's jeans were tickling his stomach. Her blue halter was at eye level and he raised an eyebrow.
Gordo tensed. HE took a step forward and a rosy, pink, cloud spread across Lizzie's cheeks. She slid from the bed, carefully looking anywhere but Daniel and went over to stand by Gordo. The color still hadn't left her face and she bit her lip hard. A drop of blood trickled down her chin and Gordo looked shocked. He reached out a gentle hand and wiped the blood away. Lizzie leaned back into him and closed her eyes, trying to regain her composure. Gordo reached his arms around her slim waist and she took a deep breath.
"Thanks a lot Daniel," she kidded in mock anger, "I'm all tired out now!"
Daniel laughed and so did Lizzie even Gordo forced a titter. Lizzie absentmindedly checked her watch and gasped. –Oh my god, quarter to 6, I have to baby sit Melina's younger brother, in fifteen minutes- she thought looking at the boys.
"I have to go!" she said and smiled at Daniel. She walked away from Gordo and tickled his brother before giving him a friendly hug. Daniel stood up and the two boys escorted her to the door of the room. Gordo walked next to her on the stairs and Daniel held open the door.
"Oh no!" Lizzie cried, suddenly remembering something," I walked here and now I have to go to Melina's to baby sit Adam in Fifteen minutes. They live across town, I'll never make it!" She started to panic. Gordo firmly grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him.
"Hey Liz, look at me, it's okay, I'll give you a ride to Melina's in my car! Don't panic that's for Miranda to do!" Gordo looked down at her and smiled.
Lizzie smiled back, "Thanks Gordo! I really appreciate it!"
Gordo turned around to stare at his twin. "Why don't you unpack, I'll only be a minute!"
Lizzie got into the passenger seat of Gordo's car and he backed down the driveway. Daniel quietly closed the door of the house and watched the red, Toyota RV4 drive down the road. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The couple slowly drove towards the Bianco's house. Lizzie stared out the side window and thought about Miranda. The girl had gone away for the summer and was staying in Mexico, Lizzie missed her terribly. Gordo kept glancing over at the girl in the car and then back at the street. He turned into the Bianco's driveway and put on the emergency brake. Lizzie didn't hop out of the car.
She turned to Gordo and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. The boy however had turned his head to face hers at the last minute and their lips briefly touched before Lizzie pulled back coloring.
She got out of the car and watched Gordo drive away before she groaned. Touching her lips with her hand, an amazing thought hit her.
-I was falling in love with Daniel until that kiss, almost was in love, almost but not quite-
Then she quietly opened the door to greet Adam.