hockeylover – I've been a big Red Wings fan for years. They had they're farm team near where I live back in the '70s - '90s, Adirondack Red Wings. About 1/3 of the way through the season, Hasek got hurt (knee?) and is out for the season. Good thing they had three goalies, lol. I'm a fan of hockey but unlike other sports (baseball, basketball, etc…), I pay more attention to the teams than I do the players. If you want to talk hockey or whatever, email me.

Espanachick – Yea, another chapter. I really do like the story, its something about the way you write Miranda that has me hooked. If I think of any ideas, I'll send you an email.

A/N – "Thoughts" , Lizzie and Gordo are seniors

Chapter 2 - Playing With Fire

It was a two hour bus ride to Big Bear Lake and it gave Ethan a lot of time to think, a bit too much time.

For years, everyone had written him off as dumb and slow, but those closest to him knew the truth. He was just unmotivated when it came to school. It took him longer to understand things, whereas Gordo and Larry were very bright and could learn things almost immediately.

Most of his teachers just thought he was slow but would pass him off to the next grade without really caring. It wasn't until High School, when Mr. Dig, actually took the time to talk Ethan and learned there was more than just empty space in his head. From his urging, Ethan had Gordo and Larry tutor him to help him catch up. Not only did it get him a low B average but two very good, close friends.

But even before them, there was Kate. He often compared them to what Lizzie and Gordo had. They saw things in each other that no one else saw from the outside. To the outsider, Ethan was a dumb jock and Kate was the stuck up cheerleader. Ethan and Kate saw the true person on the inside.

Ethan looked towards the back of the bus for like tenth time in the past twenty minutes. From the seat next to him, Larry laughed softly.

Ethan glanced at him, "What?"

"You're almost as bad as Lizzie," Larry answered with a grin and not looking up from his Gameboy Advanced.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Before Larry could answer, the bus pulled up in front of the Lodge. After the students had all filed out, they were told to wait in the lobby for the room assignments. As Lizzie, Miranda, and a few of the other girls were checking out the landscape from the lobby's huge glass windows; Ethan, Larry, and Gordo were standing along one of the walls.

"Alright Tudgeman. Tell me what you meant on the bus."

Larry grinned and let out another laugh. Gordo looked at Tudgeman questioningly and then glanced at Ethan. Larry looked Ethan in the eye, "You're still in love with Kate and its annoying the hell out of you that she's with that prima donna.

Larry was referring to Kate's current boyfriend Brian Krieg. At the moment in Ethan and Kate's on and off again relationship, they were off.

Brian and Ethan were rivals and would compete in everything. That's what had Ethan concerned.

He knew Brian was only going out with Kate to get a rise out of him and Ethan didn't know how far he would take it.

"Well, well. If it isn't the dork patrol," Brian said walking up to them with his arm around Kate.

"Brian," Kate kinda off scolded him.

"Sorry baby," He leaned in and gave her a deep kiss.

Ethan bit his lip from saying something he would regret.

Pulling back, Brian gave Ethan an evil grin. "Why don't you go back with the girls, I've got something I want to talk to Ethan about."

"Sure Bri," Kate turned to walk away and Brian gave her butt a quick pat.

Ethan's hands clenched into fists as he tried to keep his temper in check.

Brian turned towards him, his grin broadening. "So how does it feel to be second best?"

Ethan stepped forward and towered over him. "If you hurt her," he threatened as he tried to keep his hands off of Brian's neck.

Brian kept grinning, knowing he had hit Ethan's biggest weak spot. He laughed for a minute at Ethan's threat, then he glared at Ethan. "By the end of this trip I'll have her moaning by name over and over and over."

Ethan hands started to rise and Gordo stepped in. "Easy Ethan."

"Yea Ethan. Wouldn't want to do anything stupid with Katie watching," he taunted before walking away.

Ethan slammed his fist into his palm and watched him walk away.

Danny Kessler, who had heard them, walked over. "Dude. You gonna take that from that twerp?"

"What choice do I have?" Ethan snapped at his friend.

"You beat the shit out of him."

Larry snickered, "Yea and drive, Kate further away from him."

Ethan swore under his breath and walked away, needing sometime alone to clear his head.

Danny shook his head in disbelief and walked towards his girlfriend Claire.

"This should be a fun weekend," Larry said sarcastically. Then he grinned and chuckled softly, as he saw something from across the lobby, "From one soap opera to the next."

Gordo who was facing him, looked at him confused. "What?"

"Behind you."

Gordo turned around and looked around for a minute before he found a familiar pair of hazel eyes watching him. When Gordo caught Lizzie staring at him, she quickly looked away, embarrassed.

Turning back towards Larry, Gordo groaned. "Just what I need."

Larry bit his lip, trying not to laugh out loud. "Come on David. She only cares about you."

"I know that," he said reluctantly. He then ran a hand through his hair. "There's just too much between us already."

"Gordo?" Larry waited a minute to make sure he had his attention. "What did happen between you and Dana?"

"Nothing happened," Gordo snapped, getting defensive. "It was a normal High School relationship. We were hot and heavy for a while, then it died out. End of story."

"Gordo,"

Gordo glared at him, "Drop it Tudgeman."

Larry let it go, knowing you didn't get Gordo to open up by pushing him. "Just don't keep it in for too long."

Gordo studied Larry for a moment, then let out a deep breath. "Look when I'm ready to talk, I'll talk. But not till I'm ready, got it?"

Larry nodded. A few minutes later, the chaperones came back into the lobby to announce the room assignments and ground rules.

Ethan walked back to them and the three leaned against the wall, waiting to hear what room they each would be assigned to. Larry, standing in the middle, glanced at the guy on either side of him, "Let the Soap Opera begin."