[Disclaimer: I don't own Lizzie McGuire. Duhhh.

Recap: Mysteryboy confronts Larry; Veruca confronts Claire; Kate finds Ethan and gives him advice about Miranda.]

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Larry groaned. He'd witnessed the confrontation between Claire and Veruca. All he'd wanted for most of his life was to have girls fighting over him. And now they were, and he didn't understand why he had wished this upon himself.

He hadn't even realized Veruca still liked him in the least. After all, soon after he ditched' them in 10th grade, she started dating another guy, the guy who now seemed to be the leader' of their group. He thought she had moved on.

And the worst feeling was, they weren't even fighting for him because of his personality or his charm: they wanted his money. It sounds narcissistic when I say it aloud, but one of the biggest detriments to being rich was that no one liked you for who you really were anymore.

He'd wanted girls to argue over him. Him. Not his assets.

He'd convinced himself, when he got his first call from Claire about going out sometime, that she was a changed woman, and that, somehow, she wasn't quite as superficial as in her high school days. Now, though, he had to second-guess his first assumptions. How could anyone go from tormenting and teasing someone to loving them? Even six years could not forgive the cruelty so quickly. Somehow, though, he had. He didn't want to face reality that he was being completely naive about the situation. His past desires for popularity kept springing back into his mind, dizzying him into thinking dating Claire would help his social status. What he did not realize was that he was an adult now, and that the importance of popularity was no longer there.

But what if he was right? He saw Kate talking to Lizzie earlier. And Ethan seemed to have gain some insight. Other people had changed. Why not Claire? Although it didn't seem like it at times, she was a human being.

I need to talk to someone about this...

Across the room, Larry spotted someone at the punch bowl who he thought could help him. Hopefully...?

He practically ran into her, he was so glad he'd found someone he could talk to.

Oh, hey, Larry. She took a small sip of her punch and looked around at the people dancing around her. Um, so, how ar---

Miranda, I need your help.

~~~~~~~~~

Ethan said irately, Now she's talking to Larry. Ethan huffed out breath like an indignant 5 year old. Can we give up now?

No! I told you, you're going to get that girl no matter how many tries it takes. You're going to talk to her, and you're going to tell her how you feel. And whatever you do, don't kiss her unless you're sure the feelings are mutual. Kisses only cause problems, Kate stated matter-of-factly. If you she won't listen to you, I'll talk some sense into her.

Kate tried to shut herself up. She didn't want to be so supportive. If she hadn't been, then Ethan would see what's right under his nose...her.

But I don't like Ethan like that! I mean, the only reason I started to like him was because he was popular, right? That's not true love. That's shallow and superficial.

With every word she uttered, Ethan was becoming more and more sure of himself. And while it was nice she was improving his self-esteem, it encouraged him to ask Miranda out. And Kate knew Miranda returned the feelings. What she did earlier was just...an act of confusion. Once Ethan told her the truth, she'd tell him she felt, and that would be the end of it. No chance in hell for Kate.

I appreciate your support, Kate. God, I am screwing up my life. But I really don't think Miranda even remotely likes me. I mean, she liked me when I was this hot popular guy with great hair. Now that none of that matters... He shook his head. She just doesn't.

You really think Miranda's that shallow? She kind of is.... She was just confused. I mean, if the girl you liked suddenly told she's had a crush on you for years, wouldn't you be a little shellshocked?

he heaved out, I guess so. He looked up at her with a lighthearted smile on his face. We were kind of pathetic in junior high, weren't we?

Kate scoffed.

Speak for yourself, she replied sarcastically. And they both laughed together, something neither of them had done in a while.

~~~~~~~~

Gordo took a seat on a squeaky barstool.

What'll it---hey, you look awfully familiar. You from around these parts? the bartender asked him. The bartender was the stereotypical bartender: big, ugly, overweight guy with a grease-stained shirt and dirty gray hair.

he mumbled.

Where ya been livin'? the bartender asked again, leaning onto the bar, interested.

Gordo said boredly.

Oh, fancy-schmancy-ville. What's ya name?

David Gordon.

David Gordon...oh! You're that director guy! My mother loves your movies! Especially the one about the running shoes...

Can I just have a coffee? he said, agitated.

Right, sorry, sorry. The guy went back to the kitchen for a minute, leaving Gordo by myself.

All by myself. Like the song.

Gordo looked around him. The whole diner was desolate, and looked no one had gone it for years. But besides the Digital Bean, it was the only place nearby he could stop where he was sure he wouldn't run into anyone.

He still wanted to go back to the reunion, but he just wasn't sure. He could tell that if he went, his life would quickly turn into this crazy melodramatic mess. He just didn't need the complications. His life was fine as it was. But Lizzie...

No. It's not all about Lizzie. What about everyone else? Miranda? Tudgeman? He sighed. I won't be able to stand it.

The bartender came back into the room and placed the coffee in front of Gordo, along with sugar packets and a cup of cream. But he didn't use either. He picked up the cup and took a sip and drank it plain.

the bartender started up again, did you go to school around here?

Gordo was beginning to warm up to the guy a bit.

Ah, Hillridge! I love the little elementary kids that come into here from there. They're so sweet and innocent.

Too bad they don't stay that way, Gordo said quietly.

Speaking of Hillridge, the junior high's got a reunion there tonight for the class of 2002. Which class was you?



the bartender cooed, why ain't you there?

I don't really want to talk about it, okay? he sneered.

Alright, alright. He backed off. But lemme tell ya: I didn't really want to go to my junior high reunion either. But when I left, my life felt just a little more complete. I'm not saying you have to go, but if you want my opinion, you're gonna regret it if you don't. He went back into the kitchen to clean up.

Gordo sat there for a second, contemplating.

Then, he picked up his stuff, and walked out the door.

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[A/N: Groovynocity! I love summer vacation. Look at the updating I'm doing! Wheeee! I just updated Obit, and now TGHJHR! Happiness!

Guess what? I have a schedule! Yes, I know what's going to happen in the next 2 chapters! That's why I was able to write this chapter so easily and quickly. Nice, eh?

Well, I have no real comments. Let me know what you think! Please review. Thanks!!]