Title: Running In Circles

Summary: A holiday full of unfortunate events leaves Miranda in a whirlwind of feelings for the last person she ever expected to think of as more than a friend.

Disclaimer: I do not own Lizzie McGuire (Disney) or the song 'Running in Circles' (LaLaine/LVP Entertainment)

Chapter Five: 10:40 arrival at platform 2

Author Notes: Look at me, updating soon! I probably wouldn't have bothered to have as quickly if you guys weren't such fantastic reviewers! I just wanna give a big shout out to:
Abuhin: I'm so glad that I could introduce you to the great love triangle of L/M/G, thank you for such a lovely review!
Love-angel-89: You've been reviewing me all along really well and have put up with my slow updates, thanks a lot.
I3itterSweet: You've only just read my story, but had the effort to review each chapter; most would just review the last chapter they read. You're a great reviewer! Cheers!
So you three I'm counting on to carry on reviewing now!! The holiday's about to begin..... keep r&ring and enjoy!
Oh and I just want to add that I don't know what American trains are like, in fact I don't know if you have them, so I'm kinda basing the journey on my experience on British trains, though without the delays!!! But you've all read Harry Potter so I'm sure you can picture it!!

The next two days passed like a flash and time that wasn't used on packing, Miranda and Gordo spent on the phone asking each other what they were packing! Friday morning arrived and too excited to get back to sleep, Miranda woke her parents and rushed them to change and almost pushed them out of the house until they got to Gordo's. No one at the Gordon household was asleep either, Gordo greeted her with open arms and from behind him Lizzie appeared who also drew her into a hug. The buzz of excitement and chatter didn't fade until Mr. Gordon declared it was time to leave. With only room for Gordo's dad and the three amigos in the car, Miranda said goodbye to her mom and dad, blinking back tears as she did so, promising to write and phone everyday. Gordo kissed his mom goodbye and the four of them clambered into the car, cramming the boot with their luggage.

Reaching the train station, Mr. Gordon helped pull out Miranda and Gordo's bags, had a quick chat and goodbye with Gordo and stepped back into his car, leaving Lizzie to say goodbye. She took Miranda aside first.

"Randa, have a good time yeah? And get flirting with those guys, you deserve it after putting up with me and Gordo for so long!" she smiled, but it looked painful, her eyes sparkled with salty tears, "I'm sorry I was such a.... "perra", as you put it!" Miranda let out a small laugh, "and... I'm gonna miss you!" Lizzie wrapped her arms around the Spanish girl's body, both of them crying silently. The bell overhead rung and the train could be heard coming closer, Gordo placed a hand on Lizzie's shoulder and she pulled away from Miranda, after one final hug and a kiss on the cheek. Miranda went to check the time while the couple said their final goodbyes, but her deep brown eyes couldn't help but flicker over to them.

"Gordo I'm gonna miss you so much!" Lizzie wept into his shoulder as he stroked her back, an announcement let them know the 10:40 train was pulling up to platform 2, Gordo moved away.

"I'll miss you too." They shared a passionate kiss, during which Miranda forced herself to look away. "I'll call you." Gordo smiled, starting to walk over to Miranda.

"Gordo wait," Lizzie cried, pulling him back towards her, but still in earshot of Miranda, "I love you."

All three of their heartbeats stopped, Lizzie's in nerves, Gordo's in shock and Miranda's in panic. Unsure whether it was because she wanted it to happen, but Miranda was certain she saw Gordo look uncomfortable and uneasy, as if he really didn't want to be there. Dreading his reply she picked up her case, placing the strap over her shoulder and watched him put on a shaky smile and glance at the floor. Miranda felt she ought to break the silence and called out,

"C'mon Gordo, we've gotta go!"

Jumping at the chance Gordo grabbed his bags and gave the tear-stained Lizzie a quick wave before scuttling off after Miranda. Lizzie turned away and stepped back into Mr. Gordon's car where Gordo and Miranda saw her rest her head in her hands and drive off into the distance. Glancing at his watch Gordo gasped and flung his bag onto his back, he grabbed Miranda's hand and ran to the station, dragging her behind. It was hard running with heavy bags and cases, but they made it and jumped on to the train seconds before the doors shut.

They found a four seat space with a table and sat opposite each other with their bags next to them. Miranda wiped her eyes on the edge of her sleeve and Gordo gazed out of the window, his face full of sadness.

"Look at us," Miranda laughed, "You'd never guess we were on our way to the best holiday ever!"

Gordo gave her his smile that made her feel weak at the knees, she tried not to give too much away in her expression but Gordo eyed her, a puzzled look on his face.

"Randa? You okay?"

"Of course, yeah. I'm just worried about being away from everyone for so long," she lied.

"Hmmm... me too." They sat in silence for a while but after passing an old man in shorts way too tight for him, the laughter and talking began. After half an hour Miranda pulled out her walkman, and offered Gordo a headphone. He took it and moving Miranda's bags onto his seat, he clambered over onto the space next to her. He flicked through her CD collection, pausing occasional to mock her choice in music, but then rested on one.

"Clover and Daisy's Magic Train? Are you kidding me?" Gordo laughed, extremely loud. Miranda's face burned with embarrassment and she stuttered for a reply. "Well we gotta listen to this now!" Relieved that he didn't think she was completely immature, she giggled as he played it and sang along. She began to laugh so hard that she had to stop the CD to breathe. Gordo rolled his eyes, took it out and went back to her collection, continuing to flick until he found something.

"Finally a decent CD!" he exclaimed, Miranda hit him gently across the arm. He slipped the album into the player and laughed at Miranda when she jumped as the Foo-Fighters blasted through the earpiece. Waking up early was unusual for Miranda and as the music filled her ears she found herself becoming drowsy and before long had dropped off asleep.

What seemed like only minutes later Gordo elbowed her painfully in the ribs and her eyes snapped open and she blushed as she found her head rested on his shoulder. She muttered an apology and Gordo smiled, telling her she'd been asleep for over an hour and they were due to arrive at their destination in any minute. As they stopped at the station, Miranda and Gordo gathered together their bags and heard a knock at the window, Miranda turned round confused but Gordo just laughed. A pretty, brunette woman was waving madly through the window. She had Gordo's curly hair and dark meaningful eyes. They waved back. Gordo between smiles and grinning teeth muttered with a slight hint of a laugh,

"Yup that's Auntie Jacki for you!"