A/N: I decided to leave out Wednesday and Tuesday from this story. Nothing really interesting was going to happen, and besides a bigger pep rally, it would have been pretty much the same as the other ones. So this chapter is the Monday of Homecoming week, and then it will start going back farther.

Back to the Beginning

Chapter 5: Monday

Lizzie squealed happily. It was finally Homecoming week, as week she looked forward to from the end of one Homecoming week to the beginning of the next Homecoming. She got out of bed, and into the shower, with an extra hop in her step.

After her shower she turned her radio on. The best way to get ready in the morning was by dancing around to music. Lizzie smiled into the mirror as she blow-dried her hair. She sung a few words along to the music before nodded with satisfactory at her newly dried hair.

After finishing her make-up, she headed over to her closet to find something to wear. Monday was 'crazy day', and Lizzie had decided not to dress up for it. It could really turn out to be embarrassing, and she preferred to look her best today. She pulled out a pair of jeans along with a pink top.

Again, she nodded in satisfaction.

Lizzie entered the school and took a deep breath. This would be the last first day of homecoming in her entire high school career. It was kind of sad to think about, really.

Lizzie was shaken from her thoughts when Gordo arrived at his locker, which was right beside hers. "Hey, Gordo."

He nodded slightly. "Hey, Liz," he told her, leaning towards her to give her a quick kiss.

She giggled slightly, "Hey, Gordo," she repeated through her giggles, as she brought her lips back to his. He smiled through their kisses, as he subconsciously dropped his books to the ground. He wrapped his arms happily around Lizzie's waist, pulling her closer to him. Lizzie's arms entangled themselves around his neck.

Both involved in their own world, neither noticed when Miranda came up behind Lizzie. She shook her head, chuckling slightly. "Jeez, you guys. Get a room."

The two pulled away quickly at the sound of her voice. They jumped apart from each other. Lizzie blushed, refusing to meet Miranda's eyes, and Gordo had suddenly found the floor a very interesting subject.

Miranda chuckled again. "You two are funny."

Lizzie rolled her eyes, now looking up, "Yeah, ha-ha-ha."

Suddenly, Miranda widened her eyes. "Lizzie!" She called out, in an appalled manner, "You didn't dress up for crazy day!"

Lizzie shrugged, turning back to her locker. "Yeah, well," she told Miranda simply.

Parker set her books down on her desk and leaned closer to Amber. "I've got it!" She exclaimed excitedly.

Amber raised an eyebrow, "Got what?"

"The solution to all my problems."

Amber kept her eyebrow raised, "What problems?" Amber muttered to herself, but loud enough for Parker to hear. Parker said nothing, only glanced at Parker.

Amber threw her head back slightly. "Oh, you mean you love problems? The fact that for some reason you've decided that you and Gordo belong together?" Amber started, and then gasped, "Oh my gosh! Lizzie and Gordo didn't break up, did they?" Amber exclaimed, concern etched all over her face.

Parker scoffed. "Of course not, they'll never break up without a little outside help, which is why I've decided to be that outside help."

Amber took a sharp intake of breath. "Parker! You can't break them up!"

Parker nodded, happily. "Oh yes I can. And I will too. And not to burst your bubble, but you're going to help me."

Amber shook her head quickly, declining the offer. "No way! No way. I am not going to help you break up the happiest couple in this entire school. It's not going to happen."

The other girl simply nodded smugly. "Oh, you're going to help me alright."

Amber, becoming suspicious, raised her eyebrow again. "And just how are planning to get me to do that?"

Parker clicked her tongue before responding. "Well, I just happen to have my next class with a certain Danny Kessler, and I'm sure he'd just love to know that his ex-girlfriend, who he dumped for another girl, was still madly in love with him."

Amber stared, speechless and shocked. "Wait! You're going to blackmail me into helping you?"

Her friend nodded. When she gave no indication of saying anything, Amber took up the opportunity. "I can't believe you'd tell him that."

Once again, Parker nodded. "And that's not all I'll tell him."

Amber glared at her friend and closed her blue notebook. She slammed her textbook closed, and set her pen down on top of it. She didn't know what else to say though, so she was silent, knowing that Parker would begin talking sooner or later.

"Well?"

"Well what?" Amber snapped, knowing exactly what Parker wanted to know.

"Are you going to help me, or let your reputation be ruined, and have me make the love of your life hate you forever?"

Amber sneered, knowing that Parker was completely serious. She stayed silent though, hoping that Parker would realize how deceitful she was being.

"Come on, Amber. It's a simple ultimatum. What's it going to be?"

Amber sighed, knowing she had no other choice. "I'll help you," she mumbled, under her breath.

Parker smiled, but decided to put Amber through a little more torture. "What was that, Amb?"

Amber looked up, seething. "You heard exactly what I said, Parker. I said I'd help you destroy everyone's lives. Is that what you wanted? Because you got it," Amber finished by picking up her stuff and stalking away angrily. She didn't get mad often, but when she did, it was best to just say out of her wrath.

Parker shrugging, knowing that although she had just made her best friend incredibly mad, she had gotten exactly what she wanted.

Lizzie hummed slightly as she headed towards the lunch table that Gordo was currently occupying. She continued to hum, although very quietly, as she snuck up behind Gordo. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning her mouth towards his ear.

"I love you," she whispered very quietly.

Gordo let a small smile fall across his face. He turned his head a little, so that he was facing Lizzie. He ran his index finger across her jaw, "You're very beautiful, but I'm afraid I'm already taken."

Lizzie stuck out her bottom lip, to appear very sad. Unlocking her arms from around his neck, she sat down beside him. She set her elbow on the edge of the table, and laid her head inside her hand. "Oh, well that's to bad," she started, putting a dazzling smile on her face. "What's she like?"

Gordo's smile widened, as a love struck look appeared over his face. "Oh, she perfect. Very beautiful, and smart, and tons of fun to be around. She's absolutely amazing."

Lizzie blushed slightly, but continued to play their little game. "Do you love her?" She asked.

Gordo nodded. "Of course. I love her more than anything in the world. I wouldn't give her up for anything, and I'd drop anything in my life if it was what she wanted."

Lizzie licked her lips slightly. "What if she wanted you to get rid of that lousy best friend of yours, Lizzie McGuire?"

"Well then, I guess it'd be a good excuse for me to get rid of that lousy best friend of mine, wouldn't it?" Gordo said, repeating her words.

Lizzie lifted her head from her hand, and sat up straight. She opened her mouth so that it resembled an 'o'. She smacked Gordo lightly on the arm, as she gasped. "Well fine, then. If that's the way you feel, then I'll just leave," she joked around. She quickly stood, and attempted to walk away.

Gordo chuckled slightly, and grabbed her arm before she could get out of reach. He pulled her back to him, sitting her onto his lap. "Okay, maybe I'd have to tell her that Lizzie's a keeper."

"A keeper, huh?" Lizzie asked, leaning her forehead against his.

Gordo nodded slightly, never breaking eye contact with Lizzie. "Definitely a keeper," he responded, his voice a bit huskier than it had been before. Reaching up, he supported the back of Lizzie's neck, as he brought her mouth down to his. They were broken apart a few minutes later by Miranda slamming her tray down onto the table. Lizzie gave Gordo one more quick kiss on the cheek before getting off of his lap, and sitting next to Miranda.

"Have you guys noticed anything weird with Parker today?" Miranda asked.

Lizzie shook her head, taking a bite of a potato chip. She swallowed. "No, why?"

Miranda shrugged, "I don't know, I was talking to her earlier and she was being really weird. And right now, she's giving you guys a serious death glare."

Lizzie slowly peaked over to where Parker was, a confused look on her face. She noticed Parker had been looking their way, but had immediately looked down when Lizzie looked up.

Lizzie shrugged, "I'm sure it's nothing."

Miranda returned the shrug. "Maybe, but just be careful around her."

"Why?" Lizzie questioned, not understanding.

"I just get the feeling that she's up to something."

"Okay," Lizzie responded, with a simple shrug.

Miranda quickly tossed a folded note over to Lizzie's desk, careful that the teacher wouldn't see.

Lizzie glanced at Miranda before unfolding it. Once it was unfolded, she looked at the teacher to make sure he wasn't watching.

Liz-

What are you doing tonight?

Miranda

Lizzie shook her head at her friends forgetfulness and picked up her purple sparkly pen, and began to write a reply.

Miranda--

Are you super forgetful or just really tired?? Remember-- tonight's the car parade, and the bonfire. And after the bonfire is the powderpuff game?? So anyways, I have practice right after school at the park, and then the cheerleaders are judging the car parade, riding in it to the football field, performing at the bonfire, then I'll meet you outside the school to get ready for the powderpuff game. Plan??

Liz

Lizzie watched as Miranda silently slapped her forehead as she read the beginning of the note. Glancing back and forth between Miranda scribbling with her green pen, and the teacher giving some sort of lecture on the American Revolution or something, Lizzie was excited when she watched as Miranda folded up the note.

Liz

Oh my gosh! I can't believe I forgot about that-- I guess this boring lecture is turning my brain to goo!! But anyways, it sounds like a plan. Can't wait to whip everyone's butt at the game!

Miranda

Lizzie smiled, re-folding the note and sticking it in her folder. Lizzie turned her attention back to the teacher, to appear to have been paying full attention to the lecture.

Lizzie slowly jogged to the rest of the cheerleaders. "Sorry I'm late," she told them, "I got caught up at school."

The coach nodded, acceptingly, and they began practice.

A few hours later Lizzie waved as she rode in the car parade. It wasn't a big parade, but their one on Friday would make up for it.

After the parade, it was relatively dark, and Lizzie watched as the Homecoming King and Queen lit the bonfire. The fire blazed warmly, making sure to warm up everyone's chilled bones. Lizzie smiled as the cheerleaders began to do a few sideline stunts.

It wasn't to long later that the cheerleaders performances were done, and Lizzie was headed off to the school to meet up with Miranda.

Once Lizzie was changed into a pair of shorts and her powederpuff jersey, the two girls walked out of the school to meet up with all the other girls.

Gordo spotted Nicole on the bleachers, surrounded by a few close friends. Running a quick hand through his hair, he headed up to the top step of the bleachers. He cleared his throat quietly, "Nicole?"

The brunette flipped her head towards him. "Hey, Gordo! What's up."

"I was wondering if I could talk to you for a second?"

Nicole glanced at her friends for a moment and then nodded. She stood up, "Sure, no prob."

Nicole followed him down the metal bleachers, and then as he rounded the side of them.

He stopped and cautiously looked around, making sure no one was going to be able to hear there conversation.

Nicole shot him a semi-weird look. "Okay, so what did you want to talk to me about?"

Gordo took a deep breath and began to talk.

The senior girls successfully managed to beat the freshman, letting them score not even one touchdown. Then they beat the juniors, although it was a little bit of a closer call.

Lizzie smiled brightly as she headed off of the football field, arms linked with her teammates'.

It had been a wonderful first day to homecoming week, she just hoped it would end as wonderfully.

A/N: Okay, so that's it for homecoming week! The next chapter will be about a month before this, when Lizzie and Gordo get together.