Lizzie and Miranda had finished swimming hours before, when Gordo finally
showed up. They had showered, changed, made themselves up and were now
sitting beside the pool playing cards. "Gordo, what took so long?"
"Yeah, my Dad turned a simple oil change into complete car maintenance 101. He spent hours showing me how to care for my car. It was great!" Gordo said rolling his eyes, "So, what did I miss here?"
"A little swimming, a little girl talk. Really, not too much," Miranda said.
"So, what are we going to do tonight?" Gordo asked.
"Any suggestions?" Lizzie asked.
"Well, I have to go home and clean my room. My grandma's coming to visit tomorrow and my Mom said I'll be grounded if my room is a mess," Miranda said.
"I thought you cleaned your room this morning," Lizzie said.
"I did my other chores this morning, but I did not clean my room," Miranda said.
"Why didn't you clean your room too? Now you can't hang out with us tonight," Lizzie asked.
Miranda just shrugged as she gathered her stuff to go. "Well, you'll just have to go have fun together, alone." Lizzie realized what she was up to when Miranda winked at her as she was leaving.
Lizzie and Gordo stood there for a second, not really sure how to respond.
"S-so, um," Gordo began nervously, "What do you want to do?"
"Um, I don't know, what do you want to do," Lizzie said as she thought, "Great, let the awkwardness commence."
"Do you want to see a movie? I heard that the old movie house, downtown is showing the best movies from the 80's," Gordo said.
"What movies exactly?" Lizzie asked.
Gordo handed her a list which included: E.T., Return of the Jedi, The Empire Strikes Back, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Batman, Rain Man, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Back to the Future and Top Gun.
"I would pick E.T. or Back to the Future," Lizzie said.
"Okay, we'll flip a coin. Heads, E.T.; tails, Back to the Future," Gordo said.
Gordo caught the coin in the air and slapped it down into Lizzie's open palm; sending tingles up both their arms.
"Heads," they said in unison. Their eyes met and they both blushed.
On the ride over to the movie theater they discussed which of the original Star Wars movies they liked the best. Lizzie said Return of the Jedi because she thought that Leia had the best costumes in that movie. Gordo said The Empire Strikes Back because he thought it had some of the better combat sequences in it.
At the theater each bought their own ticket; but they decided to share concessions. They got a large tub of popcorn, a container of Milk Duds and a large soda with two straws. Carefully they picked out seats, which they thought were in the exact middle of the theater.
"This is weird," Gordo said.
"What do you mean?" Lizzie asked.
"Us, here together, alone," Gordo said.
Lizzie panicked, she'd finally decided that she really did like him and was ready to act on her feelings and he was telling her how weird it was for them to be alone together.
"I mean, I can't remember the last time we went to a movie without Miranda," Gordo said.
"Oh, yeah. It has been a long time," Lizzie said relieved.
The movie finally started and Lizzie was glad it was a movie she'd seen before since she was fairly distracted. How was she going to let Gordo know that she liked him without being overly obvious. She was afraid to just come right out and say it. What if he didn't like her back? Then she'd be embarrassed. She decided she needed to be subtle.
As Lizzie was thinking about her plan of attack she reached into the popcorn bucket and her hand met with Gordo. Startled, both pulled their hands out, accidentally flinging several kernels of popcorn into the rows ahead of them. Assuming the popcorn was thrown intentionally, several people turned around and glared in their general direction. Too embarrassed to find the incident very funny both went back to intently watching the movie.
Lizzie had seen the movie many times as a child, so the scary parts no longer scared her, but she had an idea. She knew that coming up was a part that scared her as a kid, and she was going to use it to her advantage.
"Gordo, hold my hand. This part is scary," Lizzie whispered.
"What?" Gordo asked, thinking he had heard her wrong.
"Just hold my hand," Lizzie said.
Gordo complied, interlacing his fingers with Lizzie's. The couple watched the rest of the movie in silence, holding hands and thinking about what this could mean. In the whole scheme of things, holding hands isn't that big of a deal. But considering two life-long friends who were just starting down the road toward a place where they were more than friends this was a truly huge moment.
Lizzie was congratulating herself on her great idea and thinking about how nice it was to hold Gordo's hand. She was also thinking that she was looking forward to doing more than hold hands with him.
Gordo couldn't decide if their holding hands meant something or not. Did she really want to hold his hand because the movie scared her or was it because of some other reason? He knew things were changing between them, but never in his wildest dreams did Lizzie actually like him back. Could it really be possible?
As the credits began to roll neither wanted to let go of each other's hand. With their hands still clasped they slowly turned and faced each other.
"Did you like the movie," Gordo whispered.
"Yes, did you?" Lizzie whispered back.
Gordo shocked himself by saying what he was thinking, "I liked holding hands with you even better."
Lizzie smiled and said, "Me too."
Gordo and Lizzie grew closer together as if they were going to kiss. In fact, that was what both their intentions were, when they were interrupted.
"Were you two the kids throwing popcorn during the movie? You should be ashamed of yourselves," A grandmotherly type scolded as she walked past.
Embarrassed, the two picked up their garbage and filed out of the theater after everyone else. Gordo thought about taking Lizzie's hand again, but his nervousness had taken over. The two walked to the car in silence and drove back to Lizzie's in silence.
As they pulled into the driveway Gordo found his voice again, "So, um, my Dad won two tickets to the amusement park. Since Miranda has to visit with her Grandma tomorrow, do you want to go with me?"
"Sure. What time should I be ready?" Lizzie asked.
"How about 9:30?" Gordo suggested.
"Okay, see you then," Lizzie said and climbed out of the car. She waved as Gordo pulled out of the driveway and she went in the house.
Still frustrated by their interruption Lizzie flopped down on her bed and growled into her pillow. Then she smiled, tomorrow would be even better.
Lizzie decided to call Miranda and see how her evening had been. "Hey, did you get your room cleaned?" Lizzie asked when Miranda answered.
"My room was already clean. I skipped the movie so you and Gordo could be alone together," Miranda said. "So, how'd it go?"
"It was fine," Lizzie answered.
"Just, fine?" Miranda grilled, "Come on McGuire, I want details."
Lizzie told Miranda about how they held hands and about their almost kiss.
"So, you're Grandma is really coming over tomorrow right?" Lizzie asked.
"Yeah. What are you guys doing tomorrow?" Miranda asked.
"Going to the amusement park. I really wish you were coming too," Lizzie said.
"Yeah, but this way you guys can be alone again and maybe get that kiss this time," Miranda said.
"Yeah, I guess," Lizzie said, "Well, I better go, I'll call you tomorrow after we get back home."
"You better!" Miranda said.
"Yeah, my Dad turned a simple oil change into complete car maintenance 101. He spent hours showing me how to care for my car. It was great!" Gordo said rolling his eyes, "So, what did I miss here?"
"A little swimming, a little girl talk. Really, not too much," Miranda said.
"So, what are we going to do tonight?" Gordo asked.
"Any suggestions?" Lizzie asked.
"Well, I have to go home and clean my room. My grandma's coming to visit tomorrow and my Mom said I'll be grounded if my room is a mess," Miranda said.
"I thought you cleaned your room this morning," Lizzie said.
"I did my other chores this morning, but I did not clean my room," Miranda said.
"Why didn't you clean your room too? Now you can't hang out with us tonight," Lizzie asked.
Miranda just shrugged as she gathered her stuff to go. "Well, you'll just have to go have fun together, alone." Lizzie realized what she was up to when Miranda winked at her as she was leaving.
Lizzie and Gordo stood there for a second, not really sure how to respond.
"S-so, um," Gordo began nervously, "What do you want to do?"
"Um, I don't know, what do you want to do," Lizzie said as she thought, "Great, let the awkwardness commence."
"Do you want to see a movie? I heard that the old movie house, downtown is showing the best movies from the 80's," Gordo said.
"What movies exactly?" Lizzie asked.
Gordo handed her a list which included: E.T., Return of the Jedi, The Empire Strikes Back, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Batman, Rain Man, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Back to the Future and Top Gun.
"I would pick E.T. or Back to the Future," Lizzie said.
"Okay, we'll flip a coin. Heads, E.T.; tails, Back to the Future," Gordo said.
Gordo caught the coin in the air and slapped it down into Lizzie's open palm; sending tingles up both their arms.
"Heads," they said in unison. Their eyes met and they both blushed.
On the ride over to the movie theater they discussed which of the original Star Wars movies they liked the best. Lizzie said Return of the Jedi because she thought that Leia had the best costumes in that movie. Gordo said The Empire Strikes Back because he thought it had some of the better combat sequences in it.
At the theater each bought their own ticket; but they decided to share concessions. They got a large tub of popcorn, a container of Milk Duds and a large soda with two straws. Carefully they picked out seats, which they thought were in the exact middle of the theater.
"This is weird," Gordo said.
"What do you mean?" Lizzie asked.
"Us, here together, alone," Gordo said.
Lizzie panicked, she'd finally decided that she really did like him and was ready to act on her feelings and he was telling her how weird it was for them to be alone together.
"I mean, I can't remember the last time we went to a movie without Miranda," Gordo said.
"Oh, yeah. It has been a long time," Lizzie said relieved.
The movie finally started and Lizzie was glad it was a movie she'd seen before since she was fairly distracted. How was she going to let Gordo know that she liked him without being overly obvious. She was afraid to just come right out and say it. What if he didn't like her back? Then she'd be embarrassed. She decided she needed to be subtle.
As Lizzie was thinking about her plan of attack she reached into the popcorn bucket and her hand met with Gordo. Startled, both pulled their hands out, accidentally flinging several kernels of popcorn into the rows ahead of them. Assuming the popcorn was thrown intentionally, several people turned around and glared in their general direction. Too embarrassed to find the incident very funny both went back to intently watching the movie.
Lizzie had seen the movie many times as a child, so the scary parts no longer scared her, but she had an idea. She knew that coming up was a part that scared her as a kid, and she was going to use it to her advantage.
"Gordo, hold my hand. This part is scary," Lizzie whispered.
"What?" Gordo asked, thinking he had heard her wrong.
"Just hold my hand," Lizzie said.
Gordo complied, interlacing his fingers with Lizzie's. The couple watched the rest of the movie in silence, holding hands and thinking about what this could mean. In the whole scheme of things, holding hands isn't that big of a deal. But considering two life-long friends who were just starting down the road toward a place where they were more than friends this was a truly huge moment.
Lizzie was congratulating herself on her great idea and thinking about how nice it was to hold Gordo's hand. She was also thinking that she was looking forward to doing more than hold hands with him.
Gordo couldn't decide if their holding hands meant something or not. Did she really want to hold his hand because the movie scared her or was it because of some other reason? He knew things were changing between them, but never in his wildest dreams did Lizzie actually like him back. Could it really be possible?
As the credits began to roll neither wanted to let go of each other's hand. With their hands still clasped they slowly turned and faced each other.
"Did you like the movie," Gordo whispered.
"Yes, did you?" Lizzie whispered back.
Gordo shocked himself by saying what he was thinking, "I liked holding hands with you even better."
Lizzie smiled and said, "Me too."
Gordo and Lizzie grew closer together as if they were going to kiss. In fact, that was what both their intentions were, when they were interrupted.
"Were you two the kids throwing popcorn during the movie? You should be ashamed of yourselves," A grandmotherly type scolded as she walked past.
Embarrassed, the two picked up their garbage and filed out of the theater after everyone else. Gordo thought about taking Lizzie's hand again, but his nervousness had taken over. The two walked to the car in silence and drove back to Lizzie's in silence.
As they pulled into the driveway Gordo found his voice again, "So, um, my Dad won two tickets to the amusement park. Since Miranda has to visit with her Grandma tomorrow, do you want to go with me?"
"Sure. What time should I be ready?" Lizzie asked.
"How about 9:30?" Gordo suggested.
"Okay, see you then," Lizzie said and climbed out of the car. She waved as Gordo pulled out of the driveway and she went in the house.
Still frustrated by their interruption Lizzie flopped down on her bed and growled into her pillow. Then she smiled, tomorrow would be even better.
Lizzie decided to call Miranda and see how her evening had been. "Hey, did you get your room cleaned?" Lizzie asked when Miranda answered.
"My room was already clean. I skipped the movie so you and Gordo could be alone together," Miranda said. "So, how'd it go?"
"It was fine," Lizzie answered.
"Just, fine?" Miranda grilled, "Come on McGuire, I want details."
Lizzie told Miranda about how they held hands and about their almost kiss.
"So, you're Grandma is really coming over tomorrow right?" Lizzie asked.
"Yeah. What are you guys doing tomorrow?" Miranda asked.
"Going to the amusement park. I really wish you were coming too," Lizzie said.
"Yeah, but this way you guys can be alone again and maybe get that kiss this time," Miranda said.
"Yeah, I guess," Lizzie said, "Well, I better go, I'll call you tomorrow after we get back home."
"You better!" Miranda said.