[A/N: I don't own Lizzie McGuire. I believe that's a given, children.
Recap: Parker ponders her friendship with Gordo; Claire reevaluates her relationship with Larry; Kate and Ethan *dun dun dunnn* kiss.]
---------------------------
Miranda couldn't keep her eyes focused on Larry as he spoke. All she could hear was Claire this and Claire that. It was such a sight to pity, to see a boy--a man, even--so in love with someone, clueless as to the truth. And you'd think somewhere down the line, somene would drop him a hint. But by the way he spoke of her, obviously no one had.In his naive mind, he still had that psychological need for acceptance, yet refused to change himself to do so. So the fact that a beautiful, popular girl had accepted him and learned to love him just the way he was...he just became enamored. She couldn't think of a more terrible way to break a guy. Everyone knew Claire was a rotten, cold-hearted wench, but no one expected her to sink so low.
It certainly wasn't making Miranda any more willing to admit to her feelings. In fact, the more she stood there and listened to the boy talk, the more she questioned the existence of said feelings. He'd always made her feel good about herself, and made her laugh. But now, when all his attentions were focused on this supposed of his, he wasn't quite as...carefree and amusing.
Her eyes wandered the room for one a second or two, but the sight before her eyes was unmistakable. There, by the punch bowl, Kate and Ethan, lips locked. She had just been kissing him only an hour or two prior, and already he was kissing that...that...girl. It wasn't like Ethan to cheat on a girl. He'd gone through so many girlfriends that way when he was younger. He'd date them, get bored, and feel too guilty about cheating on them. The sight of Ethan and Kate engaged in such a passionate kiss rose no visible fury or resentment in Miranda. It was simply fascinating to her, to watch two people make fools of themselves for all to see. And she just stared, stared as if nonplussed, blank expression plastered on her face, unamused yet enthralled. The moment seemed to go on forever, until she wondered when one would need to come up for a breath. But it was her mind prolonging the kiss, making it slow motion, scrutinizing the details. All in a moment, the nonchalance caught up with her, and she just had to walk away. Not run as if her life were some overtly melodramatic soap opera. Just walk in contemplation of her general feelings. Towards life, towards others, towards herself.
She found herself walking towards the girl's bathroom, her refuge from the tempest that was this reunion. But the notion of comfort quickly ceased when Miranda opened the door to find Lizzie there. Not trying to escape anything, as she was, just washing her hands. That was so like Lizzie. To be completely oblivious to nearly everything that going on. Or even worse, to know and to try to ignore it.
Hey, Miranda. Oh, don't you Hey, Miranda' me. And don't stand there, drying your hands and looking innocent and pretending like nothing happened and that we were never fighting in the first place. Don't you dare...
For the moment, as Miranda saw how wonderful their salutations had gone thus far, she, for once in that pitiful night, saw hope. Why had she even begun to fight with Lizzie, when it was so blatantly obvious Lizzie was the only one that could understand her at this point? And why hadn't she thought of this earlier, when there might not have been this strange, awkward silence?
Um, Miranda, I'm...really sorry, Lizzie said. And Miranda loved her all the more for it. I was just really frustrated earlier. I wasn't even sure I wanted to come to this reunion and now everything's spinning around my head faster than I can move. Miranda only paused for a moment before offering up her apologies too.
No, Lizzie, Miranda said, in a serious tone. I should be the one apologizing here. I don't even know what I was thinking earlier. I was really just caught up in everything. Lizzie smiled, and gently bit her lower lip.
Remind me never to fight with you again.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Larry just wanted to leave.
This whole reunion thing seemed like a good idea. Flaunt his beautiful fiancee, rub in some people's faces, perhaps, mingle with some old chaps and be on his way home. The night was payback for the abuse he suffered through in junior high and high school. And it wasn't like it wasn't working. He saw the jaws drop when Claire entered the room behind Tudgeman of all people. But somehow, it wasn't quite as gratifying as he thought once upon a time. And then, when his life-long dream of being a ladies' man was finally becoming a reality, it just dawned on him. It wasn't what he wanted. He didn't mind the ladies fawning over him, but he had always hoped for girls to like him, yet there would be one that stood out, one he knew he truly loved. This wasn't exactly the case now.
First, there was Claire. An obvious choice, since she was his fiancee and all. But now that he was doubting if there were love in the relationship in all, it worried him. The mere thought of doubt made him feel the need to reevaluate the relationship. And things weren't looking too good.
Then there was Veruca. He'd always had a slight crush on Veruca. Nothing came of it because at the same time they were getting the closest they'd ever been, Larry's popularity was waning. And this, to rather-shallow Veruca, was not an okay thing. But still, she didn't seem happy with that Scott guy.
And lastly, there was Miranda. His oldest flame, and the dullest....or so he thought. When he started out this night, Miranda was in the back of his mind. Now that he was here and he had talked to her...things changed. He was reminded of her intelligence, and beauty, and her radiance. That bizarre, yet addictive glow she possessed. He wouldn't pursue anything with her--he was pretty sure she was with someone at the moment--but still, the thought was intriguing.
He was contemplating all three decisions when that tall, lanky boy walked over to him. Scott, it was, with Veruca begrudgingly following along behind him. Larry hated such confrontations. First of all, he should've left Veruca out of it. And secondly, it was like Scott was pleading for attention by pretentiously striding up here like he felt he was someone important.
How are you, Lawrence, Scott said, emphasizing the name with such contempt.
I'm fine, Larry said curtly, trying not to cause trouble where trouble needn't be caused.
That's wonderful, Scott chimed in. He paused for effect, and went on. Tell me, Lawrence, do you believe you're someone important? It really took the will power of several men not to punch Scott right then and there.
I believe everyone's important in their own special way.
Do you now, the boy said, seemingly ignoring the answer. Do you think you're any more important than anyone else in the room? Behind him, Larry said Veruca wince a bit and keep her face down.
Oh, really, the boy went on, laughing dryly. Then what makes you think you can just send messages around and not think of the consequences? I don't care how much effing money you have, Tudgeman, you still don't own me, and I don't have to put up with your crap if I don't want to. You don't own the world, Lawrence.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ethan's lips broke abruptly away from Kate's, as they both stood back in semi-shock, semi-horror at the incident at hand. Kate, whose face seemed to be deepening in shades of pink to shades of red as the seconds went by, mumbled some incoherent excuse to flee the scene before questions arose.
His heart was still racing as he waited for questions to be thought of. There was always the questions. The second after you do something you feel you regret, questions come into your brain. But he couldn't think of many. He knew he didn't have feelings for Kate. Their past relationship was a result of social pressure to conform into their proper stereotypes. A thing of junior high naivete.
So then why had it happened?
----------------------
[A/N: Yeah, I COULD make it longer. But guess what? In 34 hours I'll be leaving for the airport to fly to Costa Rica. So I want to post this now. So...here you go. Haha, I started this at the beginning of 8th grade. Now we're starting course planning for 10th grade. Pretty crazy, I know, but I'll be working on this a lot. I'll try to finish most by the end of the summer.
Thanks to those who reminded me to start working on this. I'd only done half the first paragraph before Monday.
Lemme know what you think: please review, yo.]
