I spent the next couple days just hanging out with Lizzie, Miranda, and Gordo and trying not to stare at Gordo too much...his eyes are just SO blue, it's like, mesmerizing. Or is it memorizing? I always get those confused.

Then, finally, Thursday came.

I fell out of bed (seriously) around 7:30 and brushed my teeth. Then I was about to put on my favorite pair of Old Navy jeans, when I thought about Gordo. These jeans were way too tomboy-ish. Why would Gordo like a girl who dresses like a boy? That would mean Gordo likes boys, and I really don't think he's like that. So, instead, I found this denim skirt in my closet that I only wore for special occasions and basically, I really hated, but if it would get Gordo to notice me, I'd do anything.

Why did I like Gordo so much? He was such an unpopular nerd. But gosh, I couldn't help liking him...ugh, I hate doing things and not knowing why I do them!

Then, for the sake of matching, I threw on a black tank top. Black is not only sophisticated, but it takes the attention away from my way-too-big-for-my-age....things. I'm like a circus freak!

Even though it didn't match, I slipped into my pink high tops, grabbed my lunch and started to run out the door around 7:44. The bus would be outside in a minute.

Bye, daddy, love you! I yelled to my dad in the kitchen. He came around the corner to give me a kiss goodbye, and stopped in his tracks.

Whoa, honey, trying out a new look, I see, he said, even though it sounded more like a question than a comment.

I said nervously, yeah, I guess so. Well, um, gotta go, see you! And I ran out the door. I don't know what my dad meant by new look'. I always dress like this! Okay...so maybe I don't. But is it really that drastic? I didn't mean to...I just want to impress Gordo.

One of the best things about going on the bus in the morning was that Gordo was on the bus before me, and Lizzie and Miranda weren't. We got our own 5 minutes of alone time before we were interrupted by Lizzie's presence.

The bus approached and I hopped on. I was the only person from my stop on this bus.

I quickly located Gordo...he always sat in the same seat. Every day of our lives. It was in the middle yet closer to the back. I don't even know how he got back on the bus that far...that's where the popular 6th graders (and some extremely popular 5th graders, like Danny and Claire) sat.

Normally, I would've sat down in front of him and spun around to talk a little before I did anything. But my plan popped into my mind, and I plopped down next to him. He was a little surprised, but didn't seem too disturbed.

Hi, Gordo, I said, kind of flirtatiously. What's up?

Uh...uh, nothing, he said, shifting uncomfortably. Was that ME doing that to him? Was I making Gordo uncomfortable? Oh my gosh, I never knew I had this power in me...



I wanted so bad just to kiss him right there. His face was only about 6 inches away from mine. If I had turned just a little bit, our lips would almost be touching!

I said, getting more into it, new school year. Got any resolutions?

Well, yeah, I've um...decided not to be so...jaunty. I'm really gonna buckle down and work this year. And I'm not going to be so narcissistic. Or infatuated with uninmportant things. Um...okay, and I know what those words mean, too. He noticed my strange expression and nodded. I've given it some thought. He turned to me and looked up into my eyes. How about you?

Well, this year I'm going to get my first kiss. And it's going to be from you.'

As if! If you really thought I would say anything like that to this guy I am totally crushing on, you don't know me very well.

I'm going to try to um... Think quick, Sanders! Something Gordo would find admirable...anything.. I'm going to try to not be so concerned with like, clothes and stuff. Like how a person looks.

Superficial, you mean? he asked, nodding.

My 4th grade English teacher was right. I do need to improve my vocabulary.

That's actually kinda cool of you, Sanders. Oh my gosh, he just called me Sanders! He never calls me Sanders! I mean, even I have a hard time doing that. Good luck with that, though. I bit my lower lip, awaiting the smile he always gave Lizzie and Miranda right after they did something that made him happy. I looked over, but no smile. Well, a slight one, but it wasn't even directed at me.

He hates me. That's it, he hates my guts. Why do I even bother on smart guys like him? Just because I'm a little more developed than other girls my age, they think that I am some snotty snob who cares about nothing more than getting a boyfriend. I am so much more than that! I want to have an intelligent conversation with someone! Anyone!

No, not just anyone. Gordo. David Gordon, the nicest guy I have ever met.

The bus came to an quick halt, throwing both me and Gordo against the seat in front of us. When we came to after the stop, a line of kids were piling in. At the very end of the line was Lizzie. She smiled when she saw us and ran towards the seat in front of us. She looked so happy, like she hadn't seen us in a gazillion years. We actually just saw her yesterday.

Hey, Gordo! Hey, Kate! Why did I always come last? Lizzie liked Gordo more than me.

Gordo said enthusiastically. Why didn't he say hey' to me when I go on the bus? Gordo liked Lizzie more than me.

I said angrily.

What's wrong, Kate? Lizzie asked with those concerned eyes of hers.

Nothing's wrong, I sighed. I'm fine.

'Nothing's wrong' and I'm fine' are the biggest tell-tale signs that something is wrong and you're really not fine, Gordo commented. It's what I say to my parents when they're trying to psychoanalyze me.

Great for you, Gordon, I said in a tone of voice that had Claire Miller' written all over it. But unlike you, I'm not some mental case. I'm FINE.

Gordo screwed up his face in this sneer, and Lizzie scrunched up her face in what was either thought or anger.

No need to take out your anger on Gordo, Kate, said Lizzie. He didn't do anything to you.

And that's where you're wrong, McGuire. The whole reason you're angry at me right now is all his fault. if he would just stop being such a dirk, I would be in a good mood.

The bus came to another halt, and on hopped Miranda. She flew back to us and sat at the window seat next to Lizzie, in front of Gordo.

She was genuinely happy, until she saw Lizzie and Gordo's angry faces, and my ignorant, silent treatment' face.

Um..I'll be...slinking back...into my seat now... she said, doing so. Thank God. The last thing we needed was Miranda messing up things even more. After a couple minutes of dead silence between the four of us, the bus stopped, and I knew we were at school. I was the first one, with my arms folded across my chest, to walk off the bus.

This is all Gordo's fault.


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[A/N: Yahoo, another chapter! I know this is supposed to be on hiatus, but I couldn't help myself. It's so easy to write. Kate's a fun character, and I like making them young. It's just easier. I don't have to use big vocabulary (well, I choose to with Gordo, because obviously, I think he would have a big vocabuiary, even in 5th grade) and my grammar ain't that great, either. So it's fun.

Lemme know what you think: please review. Thanks!]