"So, are you ready to meet Todd?" asked Miranda. It had been a couple of days after the races and Miranda had made plans with Lizzie to meet Todd.

"No, but I have to I guess." Said Gordo.

"Just try to be as nice as possible ok."

"No promises."

Miranda rang the doorbell to the McGuire residence. The knob turned to reveal Matt.

"Miranda?" he asked surprised yet happy. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, Gordo and I came to see Todd and Lizzie."

He eyed Gordo carefully. Gordo noticed and stepped away from Miranda.

"Todd," he snickered. "I don't see what Lizzard Breath sees in him. Even Gordo would be better. She's upstairs."

"Thanks Matt." Said Miranda. She kissed him on the forehead and headed upstairs. Matt watched Gordo's every step until he reached the stairs.

"I guess Melina isn't seeing Matt anymore." Said Gordo.

"Why do you say that?"

"Didn't you see the way he looked at me and then at you? He still likes you."

"Oh please, he's just a good friend."

"Whatever you say."

They walked into Lizzie's room only to find Todd and Lizzie in a brief make out session. He was a short guy, even shorter than Lizzie. He had brown hair that had blonde highlights and was spiked. He wasn't exactly buff but he wasn't scrawny. He was just average. Miranda cleared her throat.

"Too much face sucking not enough talking." She said.

Lizzie and Todd quickly pulled away blushing. Gordo had been clenching his fists so hard that he had nail imprints in his palm.

"Hey Miranda, Gordo! Todd and I weren't expecting you so early."

"Early? We're late!"

"Time flies when you're having fun right, Lizzie?"

She smiled at Todd and it looked like they were about to start up again.

"If now's not a good time, we can come back." Said Miranda.

"No, let's go to the Digital Bean" said Lizzie.

They all exited the McGuire house heading towards the Digital Bean. The whole way, Gordo had not said one word. His expression had calmed and it looked like he was thinking very hard about something. Miranda was trying to survive one of Todd's conversations.

"So my uncle once told me that all Mexicans are illegal. Are you over here illegally?"

"No."

"Is it true that all Mexican firemen name their kid Hose A?"

"No."

While this was going on, Lizzie noticed Gordo. She decided to go and talk to him.

"Gordo? Yo, hello in there!"

He looked up at her. "What?"

"Something's on your mind. Tell me."

"No, it's something you wouldn't understand."

"Gordo, please tell me."

"Lizzie, I can't."

"Please Gordo!" she put on her puppy dog eyes.

"I like someone but I don't think she likes me the same way."

"Aww, Gordo, I know that you like me but I have a boyfriend who is just perfect. I'm sorry Gordo."

"I didn't.." but before he could finish she had gone back up to Todd and Miranda. Todd was just telling Lizzie about his conversation with Miranda.

"I don't know about your friend here. I think she's here illegally. Oh, and she said her dad's friend named his first kid Hose A."

Miranda looked back to Gordo and caught his eye. She slapped her hand against her head and rolled her eyes. He smiled at her and motioned for her to come and walk with him.

"So I take it you didn't have the best conversation with Todd."

"The boy thinks I have an older brother named Hose B!"

He laughed.

"So, Gordo, how are things with you and Lizzie. I mean is this Todd thing ok?"

"Personally, I want to beat the crap out of him."

"Well, that's just fine and dandy but he won't be here long and that's when you can make your move and then you get to go out with her again."

"Yeah."

"And hug her and hold hands and kiss her..wait, I don't want to think about that. Todd's saliva was in her mouth. Ewww!" She pretended to throw up.

"Miranda, you have a habit of pointing out all the bad things."

"Well, I sure as hell don't want Todd's saliva in my mouth. I don't think you want it either!"

"It's ok, calm down. You're causing a scene."

She looked around. Some of the people who were watering their lawns had stopped and looked at them.

"Hygiene fears" said Gordo. They all looked at him and then went back to watering.

The four of them finally made it to the Digital Bean. Lizzie and Todd couldn't keep their eyes off each other and weren't really listening to a thing Miranda or Gordo said.

"So, Lizzie, how did you two meet?" asked Miranda.

"Yeah." She said dreamily.

This went on for a while. All they ever got was yeah or no. It was like one time yeah and then no and then yeah. Miranda was getting pretty fed up but Gordo was having a good time.

"Todd, are you gay?"

"Yeah."

"Are you lying to me?"

"No"

"Have you ever made out with a pig?"

"Yeah."

Miranda watched and silently laughed.

"So what can we do to get them out of this.hypnotizing state?"

"You can do whatever. I'm having fun with this guy."

"Ok, well you all can have fun. I'm going to leave."

"No, don't leave. I have a plan."

"Oh yeah? What?"

"Watch. Hey Lizzie?"

"Yeah?"

"I need to tell you something."

"No"

"About that girl I like." He winked at Miranda

"What? What about me?"

"No, it's not you that I like. You see, I.well.Miranda, will you go out with me?"

Miranda sat with her jaw wide open. She wasn't expecting that. She looked at Lizzie who had quit staring at Todd a long time ago. She had a very surprised expression. It showed some hurt too. Then she looked at Todd who looked like he was about to laugh his head off. Then she looked at Gordo. He gave her a look that said 'just go with it for now. We can talk later.' She then regained herself.

"Yes, I will."

Miranda then looked around the table again. Lizzie looked like she was going to cry and Gordo had a look that said 'thank you' a thousand times. She looked at Todd and he was laughing.

"What's so funny?" asked Gordo.

"Oh, just that a little man like you would like a princess like Lizzie. She would never go out with you. As for this illegal one here, I'm glad you two have each other. You can go live illegally for the rest of your life."

"Ok, first off, have you looked in the mirror? You are up to my chin! Second, Miranda is not here illegally."

"Yeah, check the passport buddy." Said Miranda.

"Third, I *did* go out with Lizzie. She put our relationship on hold the night before she left for vacation."

"I can't blame her for doing so. She now has a prince charming compared to a frog."

Gordo got up and punched him. Todd's nose was bleeding and he had no idea what was going on. Gordo kept trying to get at him and Todd was on his back and already had what seemed like a broken nose.

"GORDO! STOP!" screamed Lizzie.

Miranda tried to hold him back as best as possible.

"Stop, the dog is belly up. He's not going to fight anymore."

Gordo finally stopped. Lizzie was kneeling down next to Todd and Miranda was trying her best to calm Gordo down.

"Let's get out of here." Said Gordo with a nasty tone as he glared at Lizzie.

He grabbed Miranda's arm and practically drug her out of the Digital Bean.

"You do realize that you could get into major trouble for that right?"

"Miranda, I frankly don't give a shit."

"Ok, ok calm down tiger."

They walked in silence for a bit.

"So what was with you asking me out? Was it for real or what?"

"I know you're going to be angry with me, but it was to make Lizzie jealous."

"Gordo! I told you I wouldn't do that!"

"I know, it's just until she comes back to me. Then you can make it seem like *you* are breaking up with me."

"Gordo! NO!"

"Well, then you are going to have to explain why you broke up with me and we weren't even going our for more than about 15 minutes."

"Ok, fine. Since you drug me into this."

"Good, I knew you would pull through."

"What!?"

"Never mind. So did you like Todd?"

"That name is never to be mentioned around me for as long as possible."

"Todd."

She put a hand over his mouth.

"No."

"Todd, Todd, Todd."

"What do I have to do to shut you up?"

"A kiss."

"Gordo, we are *pretending* to go out. We aren't really going out!"

"Ok, then a kiss on the cheek like they do in Mexico City."

"Ok."

She leaned to kiss him on the cheek but he moved so that she kissed him on the lips.

"Gordo!"

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist."

"Are you truly going out with me for the sake of Lizzie or because you like me?"

"The first one."

"Then no kissing!"

"OK, but your lip gloss tastes a lot like Dr. Pepper. I don't think I can promise you anything."

*~*~*Back at the Digital Bean*~*~*

"Todd, are you ok?"

"What?"

"Todd, it's me Lizzie. How many fingers do you see?" she held up two fingers.

"I don't know, but I see one beautiful girl."

She blushed.

"I think your friend has anger problems Lizzie."

"No, he's really sweet it's just if you piss him off he over reacts a little."

"I don't trust you around him. Don't go near him"

"Todd, he's my friend!"

"Yeah well a friend wouldn't have done that to me."

"He did it because you were being vile to Miranda. I guess he really likes her."

"I can't blame him. She's one hot chick. I mean she really is a walking felony."

"Todd, are you still dizzy or are we not going out anymore?"

"Lizzie, you're pretty and all, but I just don't think that you are my type. Maybe you are just a little too.klutzy.you know?"

"No Todd, I don't know. But really, I don't go out with ass holes like you."

Lizzie got up and left Todd sitting there looking after her.

*~*~*

It had already been a couple of days since the Todd incident. Miranda had decided that now was the time to act in getting Lizzie and Gordo together. As much as she like Gordo, as a friend, it felt really weird to be going out with him. They held hands and hugged when the occasion called for it but they had both decided that they would never kiss. They acted like best friends when Lizzie wasn't around. Miranda decided that she would try her first attempt of getting Lizzie and Gordo together at the roller rink. Lizzie wasn't really all that good at skating and Gordo well, he was ok but he was better than her so why not have him catch her a few times. They all decided to meet at the rink. There was quite a line and Gordo and Miranda were standing in line next to each other.

"Now remember, always try to be in a position where you can catch her ok."

"Ok. So what happens once I do catch her?"

"Whisper something in her ear like 'I'm falling hard for you.'"

"So in other words feed off cheesy lines?"

"Exactly. Two please." She said to the ticket guy. "Now, when we walk in, don't hold my hand or anything. Try to give some extra space. If everything goes well, flash me the thumbs up and then I'll create a dramatic break up scene."

"Ok, oh and Miranda, thanks." He went and gave her a big hug.

"Oh God, I think I'm being attacked by King Kong."

He let her go and they walked in. There was a slow song playing meaning that it was couple skate time. They looked for Lizzie at the snack bar. No Lizzie. They looked for Lizzie where the skate rental was. No Lizzie. Miranda even went to the girls' bathroom to look for her. No Lizzie. When Miranda walked out, the slow song had ended. She went back to Gordo.

"No Lizzie?" he yelled over the music.

"No." Miranda said somewhat quietly as she examined the place again. Then she saw her. She was sitting at a table smiling.

"There she is." She yelled.

They walked over to her.

"Hey guys." Said Lizzie.

"We've been looking for you Liz." Said Miranda.

"Oh, I was couple skating."

"With who?" asked Miranda surprised.

"Here Lizzie." Miranda looked up to find a blonde haired boy carrying two drinks.

"Miranda, you remember Ronnie right?"

Miranda just looked at him and then to her.

"Are you two here together?"

"Oh, we met up here thought why not make it a date for old times sake."

"Oh." She plastered a fake smile and turned around to face Gordo only to find he wasn't there.

"Well, it seems your friend ran off." Said Ronnie.

"Yeah, you better go grab him Miranda. Don't let your man run away."

Miranda ran out of the room searching for Gordo. Besides, he was her ride there. She ran out to the parking lot to where his car was parked only to find it wasn't there. He had left with out her. She wasn't going to go back inside and try to hitch a ride with Lizzie and Ronnie so she did the only thing she could do. She took the bus home.

All in all, it took her an hour and a half to get back home. The bus stopped a couple of streets away from Gordo's house. She walked over to his house. She was so pissed. She walked up to his door and rang the doorbell. When no one answered, she started to bang on his door.

"What!?" came a muffled answer from inside the house.

"Get your ass out here now Gordo!" she yelled causing the neighbors to look at her. She gave them an evil stare and they quickly went back to their watering.

"What?" he asked as he opened the door.

"I had to take the bus home thanks to you."

"You could have gotten a ride with Lizzie and.Ronnie."

"You know what, forget this."

"Miranda."

"No, don't you Miranda me. I am sick and tired of helping you! I never get anything in return. Not even a ride home."

"Well, I was."

"Don't give me some sob story. This whole scam is over."

With that she walked away leaving Gordo standing in his door way with the neighbors looking at him again.

"We're practicing for the school soap opera." He said.

They nodded and went back to what ever they were doing. He bolted out the door towards Miranda.

"Miranda, wait!"

She kept on walking. He stopped in front of her causing her to stop.

"I'm sorry."

"Too bad." She kept on walking.

He ran and stopped in front of her again. "Miranda, don't do this."

"Gordo, I can and I will."

He stopped her again.

"Will you just listen to me?"

She looked at him straight in the eye. She was quite intimidating. "15 seconds. Spill."

"Ok, I am very, very sorry. You out of all people know how I feel about Ronnie and I'm sure you feel the same way. Just please keep helping me. I really need your help and I promise not to leave you out anymore."

She continued looking at him and then walked away. He didn't bother to catch up with her. He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed as he looked at the floor.

"What's in it for me?" she asked.

At this he perked up and ran straight to her.

"Anything you want."

She thought for a minute. "You introduce me to any guy I want to meet and also put in a good word for me for as long as you and Lizzie go out."

"Deal."

"And you do all my homework for the first semester."

"Miranda."

"No deal? Ok. Good luck trying to get Lizzie back Gordo." She turned around and started to walk again.

"Ok, deal and deal. I introduce you to any guy and do your homework for the first semester."

She turned around and squealed. "You never let me down."

He smiled as Miranda ran up to him and gave him a small hug. "So, what's our next plan?"

"Ethan Craft is having a party in a couple of nights. We are going."

"Ok."

"If you get far enough with Lizzie, then tell her we broke up. If you don't, we're still together."

"Ok."

"Now, I expect you to wear something attractive."

"What, am I not attractive enough?"

"You know what I mean."

"Ok."

She squealed again and jumped up and down.

"This is going to be the most fun Gordo!"