Oops! I just realized I forgot to add a disclaimer to the two previous chapters, so here it is: I don't own Lizzie McGuire, or anything pertaining to the show. I don't own Ryan Cabrera's song, "On The Way Down" that I used for the title, either. The only thing I do own so far is the name Covington Financial Corporation (from chapter 2), and a pack of gum. Want a piece?

ON THE WAY DOWN

Chapter 3

Lizzie walked into her home on a Friday evening just in time to hear the phone ring. Once she found the receiver on the headboard of her bed, she answered breathlessly. "Hello?"

"Hey, Liz. What are you doing tonight?" It was Miranda Sanchez, her lifelong best friend.

"A whole lot of nothing. But, there's a Blockbuster right around the corner, and a grocery store right next to it. Want to join me for a chick flick night?" Lizzie suggested, cradling the phone on her shoulder as she put her dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

"Sounds good to me. Your place or mine?"

"We had it at your place last time, so mine this time. Want to meet me at the Publix on Wakemont Drive to pick up some good food? Then we can head over to Blockbuster and pick out some movies," Lizzie said. She pushed a button on the dishwasher and it started to hum steadily.

"Sure. I need to change, I'm still in work clothes, but I can meet you there in about fifteen minutes. Is that okay?"

"No problem. I just got home from work, too, so I need to change. I'll see you in a bit."

Lizzie turned the phone off and proceeded to hurry to her room, pulling off clothing as she went, then laughing to herself when she realized she'd just walked in front of four windows in only her underwear and bra, and the curtains were open. "Oops!"

"Can I help you out to your car with that, ma'am?" Gordo looked at the customer standing in front of him and cursed himself for taking the job. It was the only thing he'd been able to find, and at least he was making more money bagging people's groceries than he had been while he was sitting around at home without a job.

"Sure! Thank you!"

He pushed the cart out behind the customer and helped her load them into her car, then gathered the rest of the carts from the parking lot. As he was pushing them back into the store, a convertible BMW zipped past him with the top down and the stereo blaring. He caught a glimpse of blonde hair flying everywhere and sighed to himself.

'Lizzie had blonde hair… God, what I wouldn't give to go back to Hillridge and junior high and not having to care,' he thought.

Lizzie McGuire. She'd been his closest friend throughout his childhood, up until he went away to film school in New York and she'd gone to Michigan. They'd lost touch over the years, and the last time he'd heard from her was the summer after their freshman year of college. They'd both gone home to Hillridge for the summer, and spent as much time together as possible.

But inevitably, there was no stopping time. Summer drew to a close and before he knew it, they were saying goodbye in an airport, Gordo going back to New York and she to Michigan.