A/N: Right, got plenty of demands for more, so here's the next update =) enjoy!

--Gordo--

Lizzie and Gordo both walked home slowly. Normally, Miranda would be there too, but since she'd recently accepted an invitation to go to the Summer Ball with Joey Crowther, she decided to stick with him more. Gordo felt a little uneasy about the whole thing. It meant a *lot* more time alone with Lizzie.

He liked that. Alone time with Lizzie. But it didn't live up to what he really wanted. Of course, what he really wanted would mean coming clean and levelling with her. That is, telling her the truth. Telling her what he *really* felt.

"What would you say if I said 'I've got a plan'?" Lizzie asked, interrupting Gordo's thoughts.

"I'd say 'uh oh'," he replied, playing with her, hiding an element of truth to his statement.

She narrowed her eyes and attempted to look serious, "come on, I've had some pretty good ideas in the past".

"Yes," Gordo answered, becoming more serious himself, "you have, but. . .realistically McGuire, they've had a few kinks".

Lizzie sighed and rolled her eyes, "well then Mr. 'Ever-so-flawless' at planning. . .what have you got?"

"I told you what I've got," he sighed. That was the problem with Lizzie. When she had her mind set on something, she just wouldn't move on, "I suggested that we just get past it and let it go".

"But that doesn't even slightly help in any way, Gordo! In fact- yes- that makes it WORSE, Gordo!" Lizzie yelled. She wasn't exactly angry, but Gordo could tell the prospect of not going was entirely frustrating to her. He didn't like disappointing her or letting her down.

"I suppose- you know- maybe we could go. . .?" Gordo asked softly.

"There's no way we can do that Gordo. Everyone knows the Summer Ball is for the couples before we all head on up to high school," Lizzie replied matter-of-factly.

Even with blatant hints like that she still couldn't see what he really felt. Gordo hid his sudden feeling of anguish and regret at having even decided to go there.

"Oh. My. Gosh!" Lizzie squealed, eyes widening. She stopped dead and grabbed Gordo by the shoulders, turning him to face her.

He was still entirely uncomfortable and perturbed at having to look at her. The easy way out would have been to run off, but he stayed, stifling all his thoughts of just how important the girl before him, was.

"I just had the *most* brilliant idea," she bubbled, not trying to contain her joy at such a sudden stroke of pure genius as it seemed, "Gordo, how about you and I *pretend* to be a couple and go to the dance together?"

She stood there, hands on his shoulders, smiling for good measure. Her face pleaded- no begged him to agree with her. He hated it. Not only was the plan totally radical in terms of living a lie, but it was heartbreaking to think that she could go through with it.

He nodded in defeat.

She jumped, throwing her arms around his neck and embraced him.

"See, I figure, everyone already- you know, thinks there's something going on and this would be like, the most perfect way to get away with it," she added, trying to convince him further.

To be fair, he was in two minds. He was about to fake being Lizzie's- partner of sorts, which didn't seem like such a bad idea; on the other hand, it was all just a farce. Needless to say, it was going to be a totally extroverted relationship. Superficial and nothing more.

There wouldn't be any true connection between them, they'd just be smiling and waving at the cameras after all. Gordo imagined himself quickly, as one of those Hollywood actors husbands- not rich or world famous; rather, infamous and dastardly. It was plain to see that most Hollywood marriages were shams.

Ironically, Gordo had once criticised Hollywood relationships in a debate with Miranda. If only she had been there to see the whole thing-

"Earth to Gordo," Lizzie's voice floated, interrupting his train of though, "you haven't said anything in- years," she teased.

"Oh. . .right," he garbled.

"Are- are you okay?" Lizzie asked confusedly, cocking her head slightly.

"No!" he spluttered, snapping back to reality, "I'm fine- I was just. . .yeah we should probably get- home".

"This is *so* great! We're going to show Kate that we won't take this lieing down," Lizzie threw in excitedly. Gordo was contented that Lizzie was pleased about the new arrangement, but continued to suppress any thoughts of the preparation being 'a bad idea'. He swallowed.

The pair continued around the corner to Lizzie's street.

"There's just a few things we need to- to talk about before we go ahead and do this Gordo," Lizzie said softly.

"Like?" Gordo asked, looking over at her slightly. He was prepared to go above and beyond for his best friend, but this idea had already put him behind enemy lines.

"Oh. . .you know," she continued, "we just have to sort of pretend that we've been close for a while".

"But we *have* been close, Lizzie! We're best friends! You're treating me like- like I'm a doll you can- you can dress up or dress down however you want. Here's some news-" Gordo shouted, but he ended his sentence before he felt he said something that would jeopardise an already delicate situation.

There was a pause as they both stopped. Lizzie stood with her mouth agape, shocked by his outburst.

"It's just-" he said timidly, "I need to think about all this before we- we," but once again, he couldn't talk to her, the whole moment was a whir of emotions, "I'm going home," he muttered and turned in the direction of his house.

Lizzie continued to stand on the corner, watching him walk away.

Gordo walked for some time that afternoon. It was late when he arrived home. Not that it really mattered; his parents had left a note saying that they too would be late home. Gordo loved his parents as any teenager would, but often felt rejected by their constant need to work.

And then he thought about it all again.

That was his problem. No one bothered to talk to 'Gordo'. Everyone wanted to speak with the ever intelligent, problem solving, politically correct, David Gordon. Sure Lizzie *called* him Gordo, but she didn't bother to search inside his mind.

Or did she?

Was he listening to her?

Were his parents listening to him?

Was he listening to his parents? Plenty of things needed answering. Perhaps the only way to acquire answers was to go along with what the crowd wanted.

Perhaps going along with Lizzie and pretending to be her boyfriend wasn't such a bad idea after all. It still stood to reason that it was going to be all one big lie. It was against his morals and ethics as a friend and as a human.

He bit down softly on his lower lip.

Maybe it was time to bite the bullet. Maybe it was time to rethink the values and ethics he had held in such high esteem.

Lizzie had always called him evolved. Maybe it was time to evolve again.

It was decided.

He was about to be Lizzie McGuire's boyfriend- well- in a matter of speaking. . .