As they pulled out of Lizzie's driveway Gordo said, "This is perfect. I can
talk to you guys about my plan without Lizzie here."
"What plan?" Miranda asked.
"As you know, Lizzie's 16th birthday is this weekend," Gordo said, "I was thinking we could collaborate with her parents to throw her a surprise birthday party!"
"That's a good idea!" Miranda squealed, "We could invite kids from school! That would be super fun!"
"So, are you guys willing to help me?" Gordo asked.
Brad and Miranda both nodded and Gordo sheepishly admitted, "Miranda, I need your help with one other thing."
"Yeah?" Miranda asked.
"Yeah, I always have a hard time buying Lizzie a birthday present. Now that she'd my girlfriend, I'm sure it will be even harder. Can you help me out?" Gordo asked.
"Sure!" Miranda said, "I have a lot of good ideas."
Gordo dropped Miranda off at home and he and Brad continued on.
The next morning Gordo was trying to figure out how he could get Lizzie's mom on the phone without Lizzie knowing it was him she was talking to. He knew the McGuire's had caller ID and that Lizzie would automatically think it was for her. He decided she would have his mom call and pretend that she wanted to talk to Jo.
The phone rang at the McGuire house. Lizzie was eating breakfast and smiled when she saw that it was Gordo calling.
"Hey Gordo!" Lizzie answered.
"Actually, this is Ms. Gordon, can I talk to your mother, Lizzie?" Ms. Gordon asked.
"Sure!" Lizzie said, brightly, wondering what Ms. Gordon needed to speak with her mother about.
Her mother got on the phone. "Hello?" Her mother was silent for a long time. Occasionally she nodded and said uh-huh, but other than that, Lizzie could not deduce anything from the conversation. Finally after about 10 minutes of un-huh's and nodding her mother said, "Well, that sounds just great! Thanks for calling!"
"What were you and Ms. Gordon talking about for so long?" Lizzie asked.
"It is none of your business!" Jo said.
"How can it not be my business? That was my boyfriend's mother you were on the phone with," Lizzie demanded.
"You forget that I was friends with Gordo's mother long before you or Gordo were even born," Jo said, "That reminds me, I have to talk to you about some new rules."
"What rules?" Lizzie asked.
"From now on when Gordo is over, he can be in your bedroom as long as you leave the bedroom door all the way open," Jo said.
"What? Gordo has always been allowed in my room," Lizzie protested.
"Yes, but since I saw the two of your making out in there the other day, I would be more comfortable if you left it open. It isn't that I don't trust the two of you, but I know how quickly things can happen and I just feel that things are less likely to happen if the door is open," Jo said wisely.
"Fine," Lizzie pouted.
"You haven't already done these things I am trying to prevent are you?" her mother asked nervously.
"Is it really any of your business?" Lizzie asked.
"As you mother, I feel that in a way, yes, but if you'd rather not share that with me, all I can do is respect your choice," leaning closer to Lizzie, Jo said, "Is that a hickey on your neck?"
Quietly Lizzie said, "No, Gordo and I are not doing anything that you wouldn't want us to be doing, yet," getting even quieter and mumbling she continued, "yes, it's a hickey."
Jo visibly sighed in relief then continued, "I think you know how your father and I feel about certain things and I hope you keep those in mind. I respect that you will make your own decisions, but know that you can always come and talk to me about anything. And, please be careful! And no more hickeys, they are just tacky, no self respecting girl walks around with a hickey on her neck."
Lizzie smiled at her mom and said, "Thanks." She was relieved that he mother didn't over react about the hickey.
Her mother said she had to run to the grocery store for a few things, but that she would be back later. Lizzie still wondered what the phone call with Ms. Gordon was really about. Was the phone call what prompted the serious conversation they'd just had? She'd have to ask Gordo.
Ms. McGuire wasn't actually going to the grocery store. Gordo had asked her to tell Lizzie that so she could come to his house and plan the party. Gordo was expected at Lizzie's shortly, but the plan was for Miranda to feed Lizzie a bogus story about where he was.
Lizzie was sitting beside the pool alone, painting a fresh coat of polish on her toenails. This time she had decided on shooting stars in various shades of purple. As she was finishing applying the topcoat, Miranda walked around the corner.
"Hey Lizzie!" Miranda called.
"Hey!" Lizzie called back.
"Gordo wanted me to tell you that he is running late. He has some chores to finish before he could come over," Miranda said.
"Okay," Lizzie answered. She thought it seemed weird that Gordo wouldn't call her himself, but she decided not to let it bother her.
"So, what were you and Gordo up to yesterday at the drive in?" Miranda asked mischievously.
"Well, you spotted my hickey, didn't that make it obvious?" Lizzie asked.
"I guess what I'm asking is how far has it gone?" Miranda asked.
"Oh," Lizzie said, slightly uncomfortable, "Just kissing really."
"Yeah?" Miranda seemed surprised.
"Yeah, I think Gordo would go further, but I'm not ready. Plus this morning my mom gave me the sex talk," Lizzie said.
"Ew!" Miranda said.
"It wasn't so bad. I felt like she was talking to me as a adult, telling me to be careful and setting down some rules," Lizzie explained.
"Rules?" Miranda asked.
"Gordo can still come in my room, but only if we keep the door all the way open," Lizzie said, "And no more hickeys."
"Ah, "Miranda said understanding, "I don't think I'd be ready yet either. Does Gordo respect your decision?"
"So far. I'm sure he's not totally ready either. I mean when we are making out it would be so easy to keep going, but I don't think he has it as a goal or anything," Lizzie said.
"Well, just be careful," Miranda said.
"Thanks. Now I'm going to change the subject," Lizzie said.
"To what?" Miranda asked.
"To, Brad!" Lizzie said, "What do you think?"
Lizzie had expected Miranda to perk up at the mention of his name, but instead she frowned a little then said, "I guess right now I'm leaning towards no; that I'm not interested."
"But why?" Lizzie pouted.
"I just don't really feel that spark. I just really want what you and Gordo have and I don't think Brad does that for me. He is nice and gentlemanly, but I want to feel a real attraction, but physically and mentally," Miranda said, "Sorry."
"That's okay. I just wanted you to have someone too," Lizzie said.
"Yeah, me too," Miranda said and sighed.
Just as the conversation ended Gordo and Brad came around the corner of the house. Gordo winked at Miranda to tell her that the plans were all set! Gordo joined Lizzie on her lounge chair and planted a major kiss on her.
"What was that for?" Lizzie asked.
"I just missed you!" Gordo responded sweetly.
"I missed you too!" Lizzie said, "Can I talk to you in the house for a minute?"
Gordo and Lizzie went into the house and Brad joined Miranda in the pool. Brad had been there during the party-planning phase and took the time to explain all the plans to Miranda.
"You know Miranda, I don't think I've ever had such a pretty girl talk to me as much as you have. Thanks for giving me another chance this summer," Brad said honestly.
Miranda's heart fluttered in her chest and she pushed the feeling away, he was not her Mr. Right, "Thanks Brad, that's sweet," she said stiffly.
"Do you think you'd be willing to dance with me a few times at Lizzie's party?" Brad asked shyly, "I've never been to a school dance and I think I'd be scared to ask a girl I didn't know to dance. Besides, you're the only one I'm interested in dancing with anyway."
Miranda's heart fluttered and her stomach did a flip, yet she still refused to let her heart give in, "Sure Brad, no problem." If she wasn't careful, this reformed nerd would win her yet, she couldn't let that happen.
Inside the house Gordo and Lizzie had not yet gotten to their conversation. Hurriedly they were making out on the couch, Lizzie was running her hands over Gordo's bare chest and Gordo was playing with the strings on the back of Lizzie's top. Gordo's mouth came in contact with Lizzie's neck and Lizzie pulled away and panted, "Stop!"
"I brought you in here to tell you that I got the sex talk from my mom this morning," Lizzie explained, "And she set down a few new rules."
Regaining composure Gordo asked, "What rules."
"Well, from now on we can't close the door to my room if you are in there with me. And no more hickeys, my mom says they are tacky and only girls with no self-respect have them," Lizzie said.
"Okay. Tell me about the sex talk," Gordo said.
"Well, she just wanted to make sure we weren't doing things we shouldn't be doing yet. Then she said she respected my decision, but that she hoped I would keep in mind the expectations she and my father have for me in this area," Lizzie said,
"What are the expectations?" Gordo asked.
"That I will wait until I'm married or if not until then, at least until I'm older and in a very committed relationship with someone I love very much," Lizzie answered warily.
Gordo noticed the look on her face and said, "Don't worry. I'm not in a rush, I will try not to get carried away and pressure you. We will only do what you are comfortable with."
"Thanks Gordo!" Lizzie said and smiled, "By the way, did you and your mom have this talk too? Your mom called here this morning and talked to my mom for like 10 minutes, then when she got off the phone she started the whole sex talk."
"Um, no," Gordo said and smiled.
"Well, be prepared, it's probably coming," Lizzie said.
"What plan?" Miranda asked.
"As you know, Lizzie's 16th birthday is this weekend," Gordo said, "I was thinking we could collaborate with her parents to throw her a surprise birthday party!"
"That's a good idea!" Miranda squealed, "We could invite kids from school! That would be super fun!"
"So, are you guys willing to help me?" Gordo asked.
Brad and Miranda both nodded and Gordo sheepishly admitted, "Miranda, I need your help with one other thing."
"Yeah?" Miranda asked.
"Yeah, I always have a hard time buying Lizzie a birthday present. Now that she'd my girlfriend, I'm sure it will be even harder. Can you help me out?" Gordo asked.
"Sure!" Miranda said, "I have a lot of good ideas."
Gordo dropped Miranda off at home and he and Brad continued on.
The next morning Gordo was trying to figure out how he could get Lizzie's mom on the phone without Lizzie knowing it was him she was talking to. He knew the McGuire's had caller ID and that Lizzie would automatically think it was for her. He decided she would have his mom call and pretend that she wanted to talk to Jo.
The phone rang at the McGuire house. Lizzie was eating breakfast and smiled when she saw that it was Gordo calling.
"Hey Gordo!" Lizzie answered.
"Actually, this is Ms. Gordon, can I talk to your mother, Lizzie?" Ms. Gordon asked.
"Sure!" Lizzie said, brightly, wondering what Ms. Gordon needed to speak with her mother about.
Her mother got on the phone. "Hello?" Her mother was silent for a long time. Occasionally she nodded and said uh-huh, but other than that, Lizzie could not deduce anything from the conversation. Finally after about 10 minutes of un-huh's and nodding her mother said, "Well, that sounds just great! Thanks for calling!"
"What were you and Ms. Gordon talking about for so long?" Lizzie asked.
"It is none of your business!" Jo said.
"How can it not be my business? That was my boyfriend's mother you were on the phone with," Lizzie demanded.
"You forget that I was friends with Gordo's mother long before you or Gordo were even born," Jo said, "That reminds me, I have to talk to you about some new rules."
"What rules?" Lizzie asked.
"From now on when Gordo is over, he can be in your bedroom as long as you leave the bedroom door all the way open," Jo said.
"What? Gordo has always been allowed in my room," Lizzie protested.
"Yes, but since I saw the two of your making out in there the other day, I would be more comfortable if you left it open. It isn't that I don't trust the two of you, but I know how quickly things can happen and I just feel that things are less likely to happen if the door is open," Jo said wisely.
"Fine," Lizzie pouted.
"You haven't already done these things I am trying to prevent are you?" her mother asked nervously.
"Is it really any of your business?" Lizzie asked.
"As you mother, I feel that in a way, yes, but if you'd rather not share that with me, all I can do is respect your choice," leaning closer to Lizzie, Jo said, "Is that a hickey on your neck?"
Quietly Lizzie said, "No, Gordo and I are not doing anything that you wouldn't want us to be doing, yet," getting even quieter and mumbling she continued, "yes, it's a hickey."
Jo visibly sighed in relief then continued, "I think you know how your father and I feel about certain things and I hope you keep those in mind. I respect that you will make your own decisions, but know that you can always come and talk to me about anything. And, please be careful! And no more hickeys, they are just tacky, no self respecting girl walks around with a hickey on her neck."
Lizzie smiled at her mom and said, "Thanks." She was relieved that he mother didn't over react about the hickey.
Her mother said she had to run to the grocery store for a few things, but that she would be back later. Lizzie still wondered what the phone call with Ms. Gordon was really about. Was the phone call what prompted the serious conversation they'd just had? She'd have to ask Gordo.
Ms. McGuire wasn't actually going to the grocery store. Gordo had asked her to tell Lizzie that so she could come to his house and plan the party. Gordo was expected at Lizzie's shortly, but the plan was for Miranda to feed Lizzie a bogus story about where he was.
Lizzie was sitting beside the pool alone, painting a fresh coat of polish on her toenails. This time she had decided on shooting stars in various shades of purple. As she was finishing applying the topcoat, Miranda walked around the corner.
"Hey Lizzie!" Miranda called.
"Hey!" Lizzie called back.
"Gordo wanted me to tell you that he is running late. He has some chores to finish before he could come over," Miranda said.
"Okay," Lizzie answered. She thought it seemed weird that Gordo wouldn't call her himself, but she decided not to let it bother her.
"So, what were you and Gordo up to yesterday at the drive in?" Miranda asked mischievously.
"Well, you spotted my hickey, didn't that make it obvious?" Lizzie asked.
"I guess what I'm asking is how far has it gone?" Miranda asked.
"Oh," Lizzie said, slightly uncomfortable, "Just kissing really."
"Yeah?" Miranda seemed surprised.
"Yeah, I think Gordo would go further, but I'm not ready. Plus this morning my mom gave me the sex talk," Lizzie said.
"Ew!" Miranda said.
"It wasn't so bad. I felt like she was talking to me as a adult, telling me to be careful and setting down some rules," Lizzie explained.
"Rules?" Miranda asked.
"Gordo can still come in my room, but only if we keep the door all the way open," Lizzie said, "And no more hickeys."
"Ah, "Miranda said understanding, "I don't think I'd be ready yet either. Does Gordo respect your decision?"
"So far. I'm sure he's not totally ready either. I mean when we are making out it would be so easy to keep going, but I don't think he has it as a goal or anything," Lizzie said.
"Well, just be careful," Miranda said.
"Thanks. Now I'm going to change the subject," Lizzie said.
"To what?" Miranda asked.
"To, Brad!" Lizzie said, "What do you think?"
Lizzie had expected Miranda to perk up at the mention of his name, but instead she frowned a little then said, "I guess right now I'm leaning towards no; that I'm not interested."
"But why?" Lizzie pouted.
"I just don't really feel that spark. I just really want what you and Gordo have and I don't think Brad does that for me. He is nice and gentlemanly, but I want to feel a real attraction, but physically and mentally," Miranda said, "Sorry."
"That's okay. I just wanted you to have someone too," Lizzie said.
"Yeah, me too," Miranda said and sighed.
Just as the conversation ended Gordo and Brad came around the corner of the house. Gordo winked at Miranda to tell her that the plans were all set! Gordo joined Lizzie on her lounge chair and planted a major kiss on her.
"What was that for?" Lizzie asked.
"I just missed you!" Gordo responded sweetly.
"I missed you too!" Lizzie said, "Can I talk to you in the house for a minute?"
Gordo and Lizzie went into the house and Brad joined Miranda in the pool. Brad had been there during the party-planning phase and took the time to explain all the plans to Miranda.
"You know Miranda, I don't think I've ever had such a pretty girl talk to me as much as you have. Thanks for giving me another chance this summer," Brad said honestly.
Miranda's heart fluttered in her chest and she pushed the feeling away, he was not her Mr. Right, "Thanks Brad, that's sweet," she said stiffly.
"Do you think you'd be willing to dance with me a few times at Lizzie's party?" Brad asked shyly, "I've never been to a school dance and I think I'd be scared to ask a girl I didn't know to dance. Besides, you're the only one I'm interested in dancing with anyway."
Miranda's heart fluttered and her stomach did a flip, yet she still refused to let her heart give in, "Sure Brad, no problem." If she wasn't careful, this reformed nerd would win her yet, she couldn't let that happen.
Inside the house Gordo and Lizzie had not yet gotten to their conversation. Hurriedly they were making out on the couch, Lizzie was running her hands over Gordo's bare chest and Gordo was playing with the strings on the back of Lizzie's top. Gordo's mouth came in contact with Lizzie's neck and Lizzie pulled away and panted, "Stop!"
"I brought you in here to tell you that I got the sex talk from my mom this morning," Lizzie explained, "And she set down a few new rules."
Regaining composure Gordo asked, "What rules."
"Well, from now on we can't close the door to my room if you are in there with me. And no more hickeys, my mom says they are tacky and only girls with no self-respect have them," Lizzie said.
"Okay. Tell me about the sex talk," Gordo said.
"Well, she just wanted to make sure we weren't doing things we shouldn't be doing yet. Then she said she respected my decision, but that she hoped I would keep in mind the expectations she and my father have for me in this area," Lizzie said,
"What are the expectations?" Gordo asked.
"That I will wait until I'm married or if not until then, at least until I'm older and in a very committed relationship with someone I love very much," Lizzie answered warily.
Gordo noticed the look on her face and said, "Don't worry. I'm not in a rush, I will try not to get carried away and pressure you. We will only do what you are comfortable with."
"Thanks Gordo!" Lizzie said and smiled, "By the way, did you and your mom have this talk too? Your mom called here this morning and talked to my mom for like 10 minutes, then when she got off the phone she started the whole sex talk."
"Um, no," Gordo said and smiled.
"Well, be prepared, it's probably coming," Lizzie said.