The days until Lizzie's surprise 16th birthday party were busy and flew by; they did all the same activities they had been doing previously that summer, but in addition they were planning the party and getting the supplies they'd need ready. Before they knew it, Friday had arrived and Lizzie's birthday and party were the next day. Ms. McGuire and Gordo had planned for Gordo to take Lizzie out for a fancy dinner for her birthday, then when they came back from dinner Brad, Miranda and Lizzie's parents would have the surprise party ready. Earlier in the week Gordo and Miranda sent out invitations via email to all the kids from school that they were friends with. They had debated about whether or not to invite Kate, Ethan and their obnoxious crowd, and decided that they would risk it.

It was Friday morning and Lizzie was sleeping in. There was no reason to get up yet; Gordo had a dentist appointment and strangely enough, so did Miranda. They had both said not to expect them until noon.

Gordo picked up Miranda and they headed to the mall. Gordo needed to get Lizzie's birthday present and he had recruited Miranda to help him. "So, what excuse did you give Lizzie about where you were going to be this morning?" Gordo asked.

"I said I had a dentist appointment," Miranda said and smiled proudly.

"Oh man," Gordo exclaimed, "That's what I said too. I'm not sure it's very believable that we have dentist appointments on the same day."

"Oh well, too late now," Miranda said, "So, do you have any idea what you want to get Lizzie?"

"I just know I want it to be special," Gordo said.

"Well, if you want something special, jewelry is always a good way to go," Miranda offered, "What is your price range?"

"Well, I brought all the money I had saved and it comes to $150," Gordo said.

"Okay. If you were interested in doing an item of jewelry I would recommend a necklace, bracelet or a watch. But, not a ring," Miranda said.

"Why not a ring?" Gordo asked.

"A ring implies a larger commitment; like an engagement ring or a promise ring. You should probably steer clear of rings for now," Miranda said wisely.

Gordo nodded in agreement and said, "Well, let's see what they have for the other three you mentioned, any of those sounded fine."

At home, Lizzie had gotten out of bed and was walking down the stairs to the kitchen. Jo was in the kitchen working on food for the party. Hearing Lizzie she panicked and started hiding various items, which would imply to Lizzie that there was a party in the works if she saw them. Lizzie was rounding the corner into the kitchen when Jo stuck a large bowl of chocolate cake batter into a cupboard. Jo turned around and cheerily said, "Good Morning Lizzie! Did you sleep well?"

Lizzie gave her mother a weird look and answered, "Same as always." Lizzie walked into the kitchen and was preparing to pour herself some cereal. Jo was circling around the kitchen trying to protect her party stashes from Lizzie. "Mom, you're in my way, I need a bowl out of that cupboard," Lizzie finally said.

"Oh, sorry honey, want me to get it for you?" Jo asked.

"That's okay, just move," Lizzie said.

Jo moved and could see the frown on Lizzie's face upon discovering the bowl of cake batter in the cupboard. "Mom, what is this?"

"Oh, I wondered where I left that," Jo said while quickly reaching around Lizzie and taking the bowl out of the cupboard.

"Why would you leave a bowl of cake batter in the cupboard?" Lizzie asked.

Thinking quickly Jo answered, "The recipe says to let the batter rest in a dark place."

"Weird recipe," Lizzie responded and returned to her cereal.

At the mall Gordo and Miranda had been in a jewelry store for about ten minutes. Gordo had warily circled the store a few times checking prices and trying to decide which item he thought Lizzie would like the best. Miranda was looking too, but was waiting for Gordo to ask for her opinion on an item. She wanted him to pick something on his own. She didn't mind giving her opinion on what he picked, but it would be more special if he choose on his own. She knew that Gordo didn't really need her help picking the perfect gift; he just thought that he did. Miranda noticed that Gordo had finally stopped at one showcase and was seriously studying the contents. Slowly she headed over to where he stood.

Sensing she was near Gordo said, "Miranda, do you think Lizzie would like a charm bracelet?"

Miranda looked into the showcase at what Gordo was studying and said, "That looks like an excellent choice."

Gordo took another half an hour to decide on a silver charm bracelet and 4 charms. He chose a charm with an 'L' for Lizzie. He chose a charm that was shaped like a cute Hawaiian flip-flop because Lizzie loved shoe shopping so much. He chose a heart charm that was speckled with diamonds, because he loved her so much. The final charm was a simple oval, which Gordo had engraved with, "Happy 16th, Lizzie! Love, Gordo."

Once they were done getting Lizzie's gift they headed back to Gordo's to hide the gift, then it was off to Lizzie's. When they arrived at Lizzie's she was still sitting in the kitchen. She was looking through a magazine as her mother was baking her cake.

"Hey Lizzie," they both said.

"Hey guys, how were your dentist appointments?" Lizzie asked suspiciously.

"Fine!" Miranda said cheerfully.

"Yeah, fine!" Gordo echoed.

"How is it that you both arrived here together?" Lizzie asked.

"We go to the same dentist," Miranda lied.

"Yeah, and when I saw Miranda in the waiting room when I was done with my appointment, I decided to wait for her because she needed a ride home," Gordo said.

"What is your dentist's name?" Lizzie asked.

Miranda and Gordo looked at each other and at the same time blurted out two different names.

"So, you go to the same dentist, but you have different dentists?" Lizzie asked, frustrated.

"You see, it's a practice with lots of dentists all in the same office space," Gordo said unconvincingly.

Sensing that Lizzie was coming dangerously close to making her friends give up their secret, Jo interrupted the interrogation, "So, what are you kids' plans for today?"

Lizzie knew something was going on. In a huff she walked up to her room without answering her mom's question. Worriedly Jo, Gordo and Miranda looked at each other. Jo sensed that she had become the leader of the operation and said, "Let's continue with the plan, she'll get over it when she understands what's going on. Miranda, why don't you and I go over plans for a minute while Gordo goes and talks to Lizzie."

Gordo knocked softly on Lizzie's door and said, "Lizzie, it's me, can I come in?"

Lizzie didn't answer, but Gordo went in anyway. She was lying on her bed, facing away from the door. Gordo sat down next to Lizzie on the bed. He started rubbing her back a little and said, "What's the matter?" He felt like a creep, he knew exactly what was the matter.

"I feel like everyone is keeping secrets from me. People keep doing and saying weird things around me and I feel like they are hiding things," Lizzie said, "It makes me feel bad."

Feeling like a jerk he gulped and said, "Are you sure it isn't in your imagination? Why would anyone do that to you?"

"I don't know. Maybe you're right. Maybe it's all just weird coincidences," Lizzie said turning toward him.

"I'm sure that's all it is," Gordo said reassuringly, while feeling like scum. He just needed to remind himself that tomorrow would be worth his deceiving her. "So, I was hoping that I could take you out for a nice dinner tomorrow night."

"I usually go to dinner with my Mom and Dad on my birthday; it's kind of a tradition," Lizzie said.

"I know, that is why I already asked them if I could take you out instead," Gordo said,

"And they said that was fine?" Lizzie asked.

"Yeah!" Gordo said happily.

Feeling confused that her parents would so easily give up a tradition that they deemed so important; Lizzie smiled at Gordo and half-heartedly said, "That's great."

Gordo smiled back and told her what time their reservations were and what kind of attire would be appropriate, he didn't notice at first that Lizzie was not as happy as she should be. As Gordo excitedly continued to explain their plans, Lizzie got up from the bed and started pacing around the room. Upon finishing his explanation he grabbed Lizzie's hand and pulled her onto his lap. He leaned in for a kiss and Lizzie turned her head.

"Lizzie, what's the matter," Gordo asked.

"I don't know, I just know that something is going on and I'm being left out," Lizzie said.

"Lizzie you have to get over this," Gordo insisted.

"Why. Wouldn't you want to figure it out if you felt this way?" Lizzie asked.

"You have to leave it alone," Gordo tried to insist again.

"You have to tell me why!" Lizzie complained. Starting to loose patience Gordo blurted out, "Because, it's going to ruin the surprise."

"What surprise?" Lizzie asked.

"Shoot," Gordo said, "It was all my idea and I wrecked it."

"What?" Lizzie demanded.

"I don't want to totally ruin it, but there's a surprise and it involves your birthday, which is tomorrow. Please don't ask me anymore questions and don't tell your mom and Miranda that you know. You have to act totally surprised," Gordo said, "All the weird things going on, have been related to the surprise. I'm sorry."

Lizzie squealed and said, "Gordo, I'm not mad. Can't you tell me anything about the surprise?"

"No," Gordo said defiantly.

"Please?" Lizzie said as she kissed his neck and ran her hands under his shirt.

Gordo's hormones kicked in and he blurted out, "It's a party." Gordo groaned and pushed Lizzie off his lap, how could he let her get it out of him?

"Don't worry, I won't tell," Lizzie said, "I'll act very surprised."

"You better, McGuire. Or I'll make you pay," Gordo said.

"What's my punishment?" Lizzie asked seductively.

"Just this," Gordo said as he pushed her onto the bed, climbed on top of her and began kissing her.

Lizzie giggled and surrendered.