A/N: Not much time to muck around anymore, school is about to start again and this time it's serious. I'll do my best to get this one out as fast as possible though.

--Gordo--

She held his hand as an infant would hold its' mothers. It was uncomfortable but still had an essence of safety. Gordo sweated slightly and she felt it but thought nothing of it. After all, they were about to enter Hillridge Junior High, for the first time, as a couple.

Gordo wasn't one for living lies. The whole prospect didn't sit well with him. He figured that if someone had something to hide, they'd be living in fear for- however long they wanted to. He didn't want that. He didn't want to live in fear of things that were, after all, trivial and experienced by many other people.

Still, his heart fought on. This was all for Lizzie. It was what she wanted and he wasn't ready to let her down. To disappoint her. That would be- disastrous. So much, that he shied away from even thinking about such things.

"Just. . .take it easy and play along with it. . .just go with it. . ." Lizzie muttered, looking at the ground all the while. She squeezed his hand to get a response out him.

He swallowed and nodded.

Perhaps she had gone *slightly* over the top, what with forcing him to hold hands all the way from the bus stop to the main gates. She probably figured she was being meticulous and covering herself from every angle.

What was she protecting herself from though?

Kate and her cronies?

"There's going to be a lot of fuss Gordo," Lizzie whispered, edging towards the steps leading into the main complex of Hillridge Junior High, "people could be pointing, staring, whispering- you never know. . .but whatever you do, just don't lose your cool".

Gordo looked at her sarcastically.

"What?" she whispered again, "it's happened before," she giggled. That was perfect. She was giggling, holding his hand and whispering to him. All the hallmarks of teenage relationships.

Gordo sighed heavily.

"Yes?" she inquired, looking up at him a little.

"N-nothing," he stuttered, "just thinking".

Normally he was laid back and comfortable. No situation could ever get Gordo to the point where he felt uneasy. If anything, it was probably having to hold hands with Lizzie that and he had-

"Ready?" she whispered, not waiting for his response and pushing the doors inwards.

They stood in the doorway for a moment; waiting for heads to turn and gasps to fly around.

None did.

Lizzie narrowed her eyes. Gordo wondered for a moment what she was thinking. He didn't want to suggest anything. She was confident the plan was flawless and he wasn't about to rain down on her parade.

They took a few steps forward.

Lizzie was undeniably, positively drop-dead gorgeous. She'd woken up earlier than usual, she had told him, to find the perfect outfit and matching accessories. And there she stood, decked out impeccably. Slightly more tight fitting clothes than usual, hugging her body. Her hair was cut at that seemingly ideal length and pulled back with

Gordo wasn't superficial, he really didn't care for fantastic clothes and trinkets. . .but it had a profound effect on him either way. Lizzie wasn't your usual catch. Not that Gordo had technically 'caught her'-

"Keep up with me," she whispered, smiling at all whom they passed.

No one particularly noticed, that was except, for Miranda.

"I *knew* this day would come! I KNEW, this day, would come!" she squealed, grabbing Lizzie and Gordo by their necks and pulling them all together in one big 'group hug'.

"Mi-randaaa!" Lizzie struggled for breath, "you're making a scene".

Miranda let the pair go and stood back, "OH! Right, right. . .so when did this happen?" she asked, grinning mischievously.

Lizzie looked a Gordo for reassurance. He wasn't certain of what Lizzie was going to tell Miranda. Perhaps she would let her in on the plan? It didn't trouble him-

"Isn't this nice?" Kate observed, raising an eyebrow at the trio.

Kate troubled him. She had the audacity to gamble anything for her benefit.

Gordo looked at Lizzie, he remained holding her hand and she showed no sign of release.

"So what, Kate?" Lizzie blabbed, using her free hand to gesture and attempting to match Kate's semi-wicked look.

"I guess I should have scene this happening," Kate motioned between Gordo and Lizzie, "the love birds have been together since. . .whenever-"

"Oh get a hobby, Kate!" Miranda shouted.

Kate gasped for air, "did- did you-" she spun around looking at her cheerleading friends for recognition, "did she just interrupt me?"

Cowering, the cheerleaders all nodded in unison causing Kate to turn once more and focus her gaze on Lizzie and Miranda. Gordo remained steadfast, squeezing Lizzie's hand softly.

She looked at him briefly before returning to the front for more combat.

"No one and I mean NO ONE," Kate raised her voice, ensuring everyone in the hall was aware of just what she was saying, "speaks to me like THAT!"

"Yeah well, you can't push us around simply because you think you're better than us, which, just in case you hadn't heard, you're *not*," Miranda fought back, starring Kate down.

Kate stood for a moment, searching quickly for a counter-attack but was broken, she screwed up her face and stomped off quickly.

"So," Miranda said triumphantly, "where were we?"

Lizzie blushed at Gordo and looked at the ground.

"So it's finally happened," Miranda continued softly.

"Lizzie. . ." Gordo trailed, squeezing her hand again.

"It- I mean. . .we've- we're uhhh. . ." Lizzie fumbled, searching for the right words.

Miranda shook her head, "I knew it was coming. . .I *so* knew this was coming," she beamed, "I'm happy for you guys".

"Miranda," Lizzie interrupted, "why the sudden change of attitude. . .I mean we were going to try and make today- some fantastic send-off-"

"We were?" Gordo interrupted, looking up at Lizzie, then quickly shooting his vision elsewhere.

"Yes," Lizzie picked up, "we were- but. . .yeah things got in the way. . ."

Miranda eyed the pair with descent and Gordo sensed immediately what was coming. Gordo and Lizzie weren't exactly *acting* as a couple would. There seemed to be an air of-

"Lizzie, I think we better get to class," Gordo insisted, pulling her away from Miranda and where the conversation was going. He wasn't for the plan from the outset, but he had made it his mission to ensure he did his best- for Lizzie. It was boundless to say the whole thing was going to be a two way street and if anything was going to work for her, he needed to help.

"Gordo!" she fought, alarmed and confused by his sudden change.

"I *think*," he motioned to Miranda, then starring her in the eyes for the first time, "we best move on, before any *trouble* arises".

Miranda looked at the pair sceptically. If she could see through them, then it would only be a matter of time before the whole thing fell to pieces.

"Really, Lizzie," Gordo urged, pulling her a bit more, "let's get a move on- we have- that thing. . .you know that thing?"

Lizzie snapped, clicking to his want to move, but unsure of why, "OH!" she exclaimed, "yeah that *thing*, let's get to it".

Gordo rolled his eyes. Lizzie wasn't the greatest liar going around.

Miranda watched them as the stumbled away, avoiding exposure.

When Gordo was quite sure they had evaded Miranda, he stopped Lizzie and pulled her into a corner, under the stairs, "how badly do you want this to work?" he asked, looking at her seriously.

"Well, seeing as our entire high school lives rest on what we do between now and then. . .I would say I value this- unbelievably, entirely, absolutely with my whole life!" she spluttered.

"Then- then we're going to have to relax and pretend- no *act* as if we really *are* a couple. Miranda almost saw right through us," he pointed out, "and if she can figure it out- you can bet you bottom dollar Kate and her lot will too. That Lizzie McGuire, would be a fate worse than social death".

She looked at him strangely for a moment. It was a tight spot under the stairs and quite obviously not meant for housing two people.

Gordo thought for a moment about what he wanted to say. He wanted to tell her then and there, that they needn't act. That they could've easily made the plan work- if they were willing to be serious about it. . .willing to-

"We better move it," she interrupted, licking her lips.

Gordo bit his tongue.