Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story.

A/N: This Lizzie fanfic is a sequel to my story "Everything at Once." Hope y'all enjoy it!

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Chapter 7 LIZZIE'S POV:

I thought about what Gordo and Miranda had said to me. I tried to just brush it off and not think about it, but it was hard. I needed to talk to Isabella about Kate, but I wasn't sure how to.

"Isabella," I said that night when we were getting ready to go to bed. I had my pajamas on and teeth brushed. All I needed to do was hop into bed.

"Yeah," she said.

"Would you mind if I told you...if I told you...some history of my life with Kate?" I asked.

"You don't like her?" she asked.

"Well...not actually. She's ok. She used to be my best friend," I said.

"And you're telling me this because..." she said. She made a gesture with her hand telling me silently to give her an explanation.

"See we used to be best friends. Then she went to camp and came back all 'mature' and all. She had a major attitude, and she didn't want to hang out with me anymore. She's acted like a total jerk to me all through school," I said.

"I didn't see that when she came for dinner," said Isabella.

"Well, all I'm saying is that I'm a little suspicious about her. You know, her party and all," I said.

"You don't wanna sing?" she asked.

I bit my lip. "I'm not sure. We should just be careful," I said.

"She's my friend; in fact my first friend here in America. I don't want to not trust her," she said.

"People aren't always what they seem," I said.

She immediately looked flustered. "Wait a second...you don't want us to be friends, do you? Are you...jealous?" she asked.

I was taken back. "Me? Jealous? No! I'm just smart." I said.

"I get a friend, and you want to take her away?" she asked.

"No. Don't take this the wrong way. Please understand. Let's just be careful," I said. She didn't get it, did she? Kate is mean. At least she has been for a long time. Why would she change her attitude on a dime? I looked at Isabella who was twiddling with her hands. Then she looked me solemnly in the face.

"I know you do not mean anything wrong, Lizzie, but I must give Kate the benefit of the doubt. There's always room for change," she said.

"You didn't say that about Paolo," I said.

She glared at me. "We are never to talk about HIM again, you remember! I should think you didn't want to either," she yelled.

I wondered now, what other experiences she had had with Paolo that she hadn't told me. "Isabella, I know you hate him, as do I, but...if you don't mind my asking, what has he done to you?" I asked.

Isabella started sniffling. She looked towards the ground then looked back up at me. Her eyes were red and tears streamed down her face. She was silent for a while. "It was painful. I-I'm not sure I want to talk about it. Let's just leave it at he was a user and an abuser. I was his girlfriend for a while, but...when he got tired of me..." she stopped there and burst into tears. I had never experienced this weak side of Isabella. She seemed so strong. What Paolo must have done must've destroyed her. I didn't want to think about it. I wanted to comfort my sister. I crawled towards her and patted her back. She grabbed me and gave me a hug and cried. We stayed like that for a while. My thoughts wandering off thinking about what Paolo did to Isabella, and my thoughts also came back to my own experience with Paolo. The tears started rolling down my face, and Isabella and I sat in embrace crying for a long time. No other words about Paolo were shared that night.

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I woke up that next morning thinking about the previous night's experience. It was weird, but I thought that my sister was turning into one of my best friends. What had Paolo done to her? I didn't want to think about it.

"Hey, Gordo," I said.

"You sound tired. Anything on your mind? Besides the geography test?" he asked.

"Oh my gosh! A geography test? When?" I asked. I started pacing frantically with the cordless phone in my hand.

"Tomorrow," he said.

"Oh my gosh, Gordo. I totally spaced it out," he said.

"I'd certainly say so," he said.

"I've just...I dunno. I don't feel myself right now," I sighed. I grabbed my pillow off my bed and squeezed it. "I need you right now, Gordo."

"You don't sound too good, Lizzie," he said. He sounded worried.

"Don't worry. I don't think I'm coming down with anything. Can you come over and help me study? And...for mental help," I said.

"Sure thing. I'll be over in a few minutes," he said.

"Have you had dinner yet?" I asked.

"No. I'll just grab something on the way out the door," he said.

"You sure? We have some leftovers. Green bean casserole," I said.

"Uh...I'm fine," he said.

"I don't blame you either. Well, see you," I said.

"Bye," he said and hung up. I ran to the mirror. Even though I knew that Gordo liked me no matter what I looked like, I still liked to look nice for him. Boy, I sure looked tired. My hair was worn straight down today. My white shirt that said "Princess" on it had a stain on it.

"Darn it anyway. Where did that come from?" I asked. "You're such a slob, Lizzie. It's a wonder what Gordo sees in you," I spoke to myself aloud.

"Yeah, it is," said Matt standing in the doorway.

"Matt! Shut your trap. I didn't ask for YOUR opinion, you dweeb!" I yelled. "What are you doing standing in MY room anyway!"

"I'm not standing in your room, Lizzie. I'm standing in the hallway just outside your room. I'm allowed to, you know," he said. He annoyed me so much. I felt like going over there and slapping him, but then I knew that he'd yell for his mommy. Psh! Typical!

"Get away from my room! I don't want to be bothered by you!" I yelled.

"Fine! Who wants to be near you anyway, Lizard breath!" he yelled.

"Matt, that's really old, you know," I said trying not to seem annoyed.

"But it never stops doing it's trick, which is to get you really annoyed," he said. Then he walked away laughing his stupid little laugh. He thinks he's so funny. But he always gets away with everything.

I looked in the mirror and put on some lip-gloss. I heard a tap on my door. "Matt, you little dweeb. I said go away!" I yelled.

"Sorry," a voice replied. I turned my head and saw Gordo.

"Oh my gosh, Gordo, I'm so sorry," I apologized. I put the cap back on my lip-gloss and greeted Gordo with a hug. "I'm so glad you're here," I whispered in his ear.

He looked me in the eyes. His eyes were so gorgeous, but when he looked at me today, his eyes looked concerned. "What's wrong, Lizzie?" he asked.

"Wrong? Me? Something wrong?" I asked. I tried to sound happy, but Gordo knows me too well.

"Lizzie, I see it in your eyes. There's sadness, and I want to make things better," he said.

"You already helped right when you stepped in the door," I said. He gave a little smile. Then he looked concerned again.

"Something IS wrong," he said.

I gulped. I hated him to worry so much about me. "Oh, Gordo," I said, "it's...it's him." Then my eyes started watering.

Gordo's look of concern grew even more and his eyebrows drew closer as his forehead wrinkled. He stepped closer to me and put his arm around me. He grabbed my arm and walked me towards my bed. We sat down.

"I can't stop thinking about him, Gordo. I can't stop thinking of what he's done to me. Having Isabella around reminds me everyday of what happened in Rome. Don't get me wrong, I like my sister, it's all cool. We talked yesterday and I think that Paolo might have hurt her just as bad or even worse than he hurt me. I can't even begin to imagine all the things that Paolo has done. Gordo, I tried to shake it off, I really did. I've tried to be strong, I really have, but I just can't do it. I can't stop thinking about how traumatizing it was. I think I—I think I will be affected the rest of my life. Things are happening now, to me. I-I hate the dark now. It scares me to death. I even have problems sleeping at night. For the first time in my life, I'm considering a night-light. I have nightmares about him, and I see him and sense his presence around me still. I'm scared, Gordo. I'm scared of everything. I've tried to be strong, but I'm losing the fight," I sobbed. I laid my head against Gordo's chest and cried. He laid his hand on my head and gently rocked me back and forth. I felt comforted feeling the warmth of his body.

"I'm sorry for what you've gone through, Lizzie. I'd give anything to reverse what happened to you," he whispered, "even my life."

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A/N: Ok, so here is the next chapter. So for the long wait. School is hectic. And hopefully, next chapter will be the party! YAY! I just thought this chapter was very important to the story to show that Paolo has affected Lizzie, and that she needs Gordo to help heal the pain. If you have any ideas, let me know and I might incorporate them into my story. I always am looking for new ideas. Please review! Have a great day! :-)

I want to thank everyone who ahs reviewed this chapter.

D.Torres: Thank you so much for the compliment. Now, I'll try to add more detail into my story. That's my trouble spot there. Thanx again!

OsuwariTetsusaiga: Thanx for the review. I'm debating what to do for Kate's party, that's why I've been putting it off for a couple of chapters. I think I have an idea though...

Black Knight 03: I love you M/G stories! Be sure to update soon. I know that you recently updated, but I just love your stories. Thanx for the review.

Ambiecat88: Thanx for the review! I'm not sure what Kate's gonna do yet. Please update your "Paolo's Revenge" story soon. I love that story!

:essychi: Thanx for the review! I'm glad you liked the L/G fluff.

MissIndependentEowynTahiriSiri: I'm glad you like the fluffy stuff! It makes me happy. The fluffier the better, I say. I'm thinking about putting Larry into the picture soon... So, thanx for the review. Please, please, please update your story soon! I order you too! ;)

:artsigirl16: Thanx for the review. I'll have to check out your best friend's story.

:lizzies awesome: Thanx for the review. I'm glad you like my story.