The next day, Lizzie got dressed in the outfit she'd picked out. She brushed her hair, and put lip gloss, a little bit of eye shadow, mascara, and a little bit of blush.

Toon Lizzie: I want to look extra nice for Gordo. Wait... did I just say that?

She went downstairs, where she saw her mom making pancakes. "Oh, those look good." Lizzie complemented. Jo gave her a plate, and stacked pancakes onto it.

"The butter and syrup is over there." Jo told her, pointing to it. Lizzie nodded, and sat down. As she started eating here breakfast, Matt walked into the room. He took one of Lizzie's pancakes on his way to the fridge, and Lizzie made him give it back by threatening to give him a wedgie.

"Don't fight kids." Jo said. But secretly she was pleased that they liked her pancakes so much. "Gordo invited you and Miranda to spend the night at his house tonight. He rented a movie for you guys to watch."

"Cool!" Lizzie said.

"How come I never get do anything like that?" Matt pouted.

"Because no one likes you!" Lizzie told him.

"Lizzie..." Jo warned.

Finally it was time for Lizzie to go the bus stop. She said good-bye to Jo, made sure her hair looked good, and left. Once she got on the bus, she went and sat down next to Miranda.

"My mom told me about Gordo's tonight. I can't wait. We haven't had a sleepover since the time we went to Grubby Gulch!" Miranda squealed.

"Yeah, I know! He rented a movie for us to watch, and I read the label." Lizzie replied, setting her backpack down.

"Coolie. I hope it's a romance. They're so beautiful!" Miranda exclaimed.

"Knowing Gordo, I bet it isn't." Lizzie replied. She started thinking. I can't really talk to Gordo alone while we're at school, but we might be able to at the sleepover tonight. Maybe Miranda will get up from the movie for more popcorn or something, and I can ask him. He never did call me about his problem.

"Earth to Lizzie!" Miranda said, tapping her shoulder. The bus had stopped, and everyone was getting out.

"Huh? Oh!" Lizzie replied, realizing what Miranda had just told her. They stood up, and walked off of the bus.

Lizzie saw Gordo in their usually meeting place, by the benches outside. "Hi Gordo." Lizzie said. We heard about the sleepover. We're both going to be able to come."

"Oh! Great!" Gordo replied, and they walked inside the school.

Toon Lizzie: I haven't been this excited in a long time. Staying up late, watching movies with all kinds of junk food, and doing it all with your friends has got to be the best way to spend the night. (Eats a slice of pizza)

School seemed to pass slowly for the three, and when it finally let out, they all raced each other to the bus stop. Of course, Gordo had to go on a different bus, but they could still talk with each other while they were waiting.

"I'll bring the newer scrapbook so we can work on it." Gordo told Lizzie.

"Good! I have some pictures I took at the ice skating rink to put in it." Lizzie replied, taking some gum from her purse. She gave a piece to Gordo and Miranda, and pulled out another for herself.

"You guys went ice skating?" Miranda asked, through chews. She gave Lizzie a raised eyebrow while Gordo was unwrapping his gum.

"Uh-huh. I think it was the day you went to Ethan's house." Gordo explained, tying his shoe.

"How did you know I went there? You weren't on the phone with Lizzie and I!" Miranda asked him, puzzled.

"Oh... I uh, saw you go into his house." He told her.

"Oh." Miranda said. I never did talk to him about what's been bothering him. Maybe I'll get a chance to at the sleepover tonight. She thought to herself, not knowing that Lizzie was planning to talk to him about the exact same thing.

The bus arrived, and Lizzie and Miranda started getting on it. "I'll see you later!" Lizzie told Gordo, and waved. He smiled, and waved back.

Back at home, Matt was rigging up a new prank for Lizzie. Yes, he had ended up having to pay Lizzie and Miranda for their jeans, but this next prank wouldn't ruin any belongings.

All it would do was scare Lizzie half to death! Once his prank was set, he sneaked back to his room, and chuckled to himself.

Lizzie waved good-bye to Miranda as she got off of the bus, and walked to her house. She opened the front door, and went up to her room to do her homework. It seemed like it would never end!

Toon Lizzie: I know high school is supposed to be hard, but this is ridiculous! I don't have time for four hours worth of homework. I need to start packing for tonight!

She rested her chin on her hand, and read over assignment notebook. Oh great. Last year it was a book report on "The Red Pony". Now it's one on White Fang! Lizzie thought with a sigh. Sometimes I wonder if teachers just sit around and try to find boring books to make us read!

Just then she heard a knock. Jo came in her room. "Hi sweetie. Need help with anything?"

"Thanks for offering, Mom, but basically this is something I have to do by myself. I have to read White Fang, and write a 10-page book report on it." Lizzie explained.

"Oh... okay." Jo replied, a little disappointed. My baby is growing up so fast. She never needs help with her homework anymore, she's in 9th grade, she's growing so tall...I guess that's just life.

"So, how have you been feeling?" Lizzie asked, looking at Jo. The twins were growing bigger and bigger.

"Well, I've had some morning sickness, and I've felt really tired a lot. I'm just glad I don't have to help out much with the nursery. You're father volunteered to do the decorating." Jo said, sitting down next to Lizzie on the bed.

"Dad... decorating? I mean... no offense to him, but..." Lizzie tried to say.

"Don't worry. I'll be there to supervise. But he'll just be doing most of the work!" Jo laughed. "You can help some if you want too. After all, they're not just my twins. They're your siblings!"

Lizzie nodded. "I know. It just... seems so hard to believe sometimes, you know? It's been so long since you had Matt, it's hard to remember what it was like to have any new siblings." She looked down at her flower comforter.

"I'm sure you'll love it, Lizzie. This is a big change for all of us, but it's something I really want." Jo told her. She gave Lizzie a reassuring smile. smile. "Well, I better go get dinner started."

"Want some help?" Lizzie asked.

"I think I've got it this time. I wouldn't want you to slack off on White Fang." Jo replied. Lizzie groaned.

Toon Lizzie: Just when you've forgotten about your problem, it always comes right back to you! (Looks at tall, thick book)