Miranda watched Gordo and Lizzie pull out of the driveway in Lizzie's new car. They had said good-bye to her, but they hadn't said where they were going. It hurt a little that they didn't invite her to come along, especially for the first ride in Lizzie's new car. Miranda turned back to the party that was still going on. She and Brad would be the last people here, as they were planning on helping Mr. & Mrs. McGuire clean up afterwards. Brad was sitting with Kate and her friends eating some birthday cake. Miranda decided this was as good a time as any to tell him how she really felt.

Bravely Miranda approached the picnic table and said, "Brad, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Getting up from the table Brad said, "Sure Miranda."

The two let themselves into the house and went into the living room. Mr.& Mrs. McGuire had made a rule that no one could go into the house except to use the bathroom, but that didn't include Miranda and Brad. Both sat down on the couch; then Miranda got back up. Brad started to rise too and Miranda pushed him back down and said, "No, sit. I just need to stand to say what I'm going to say." Brad nodded and Miranda proceeded.

"Brad, first I would like to apologize to you. I want to apologize for the way we treated you when you were here a few summers ago. But, I also want to apologize for my behavior so far this summer," Miranda began.

"But, you've been nicer than anyone to me," Brad said.

"That was only on the outside. On the inside I was being critical and mean. I said I'd give you a second chance and I didn't. Then, when I realized that you were really a great guy, and that I might be starting to have feeling for you, I was unfair to both you and I by hiding those feeling away," Miranda said.

"What made you change your mind, to show me your feelings?" Brad asked.

"This is going to sound so shallow," Miranda said disgustedly, "But, when you were dancing with Kate and Claire and all their friends I realized that I wished it were me you were dancing with. I can see why you preferred to dance with them over me. They showed interest and I haven't."

"It was fun dancing with them, but I really only did it to try catch your attention. You are the only girl in Hill Ridge that I'm interested in," Brad said, "I'm glad my plan worked."

"I can't believe you are still interested in me after the way I acted," Miranda said.

"Like I said before. You have been nicer to me than anyone," Brad said, "I am not offended that you were wary on giving me a second chance. I remember how nerdy I used to be; it's hard for people to look past that. But, I'm glad that you were able to, even if it took you a little while."

"I feel so shallow though; why couldn't I just see what a great guy you are and look past the whole nerdy thing?" Miranda asked.

"I don't know, and it really doesn't matter," Brad said, "Now, can I get you to dance with me?"

Miranda grinned at Brad and nodded. She turned on the stereo to a light rock station and the two slowed danced in the living room. Miranda still wasn't sure that Brad was 'the one,' but she realized that she'd never know unless she gave him a chance. It wasn't that she didn't feel an attraction to him at all, because she did; it just wasn't an all-consuming desire that she expected it to be. But, she realized, maybe true love never started out that way; you probably needed to build up to it. As they danced Brad suddenly asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Miranda laughed a little and said, "I'm just thinking about how I really don't know as much about romance and relationships as I thought I did."

"Well, I'm sure I know less than you do," Brad confessed. He cleared his throat nervously and continued, "Maybe we can figure it out together."

"I'd like that," Miranda said softly as she raised her head off his shoulder. The two looked into each-others eyes and smiled.

When Miranda finally put her head back down, Brad whispered into her ear, "I'd really like to kiss you, but I don't have any experience in that area."

Impressed with how honest he was being with her, Miranda whispered back, "Just listen to what your gut is telling you and go with the flow. You'll do fine."

Brad stopped dancing and put his hands on Miranda's shoulders. Miranda stopped dancing as well and looked up into Brad's green eyes. Without looking away, Brad leaned in and softly kissed Miranda on the lips. Realizing it wasn't as difficult as he thought it would be, Brad closed his eyes and moved in for a deeper kiss. It wasn't long before the couple had moved to the couch and was lost in their own little world.

Meanwhile, Gordo and Lizzie were just arriving at the ocean. Lizzie parked her new car, which she absolutely loved, in a public beach parking lot. The two sat for a moment, just looking at one another. Gordo finally broke the silence and said, "I know today is your birthday, but it was the best day of my life. I just wanted you to know that."

"Mine too. I didn't know it was possible to be so happy. I almost feel like if I was any happier I would burst," Lizzie said smiling.

Gordo looked thoughtfully at Lizzie for a moment then said, "I know that things can change so quickly and no one can really be sure which direction their life is headed. But right now I can honestly tell you that I hope that you and I are together forever. In fact, to think that there might be a point where we are ever not together, is hard to think about."

"I understand what you are saying but let me remind you that we are 16 years old! I love you so much and I love being your girlfriend, but let's not get too serious yet. Let's just have fun!" Lizzie said.

"I know," Gordo said seriously," I know. I was just thinking that this is a day that I will remember forever; the day I told my first love that I love her. Something like that makes you wonder what the future may hold. But, you're right, let's have some fun."

Gordo pulled off his shoes, rolled up his jeans and climbed out of the car. Lizzie followed his lead and the two joined hands and lazily walked down the beach.

Lizzie loved the ocean; the roaring sound of the surf and the salty smell of it just did something to her. The roaring crash of the waves made it hard for the two of them to talk to each other. But, every once in a while they would catch eyes and smile broadly at one another.

Even though it was nearing midnight and the beach was dark and deserted the two were having a great time. They built a sandcastle high up from the tide and Gordo scratched, "Gordo loves Lizzie," into the sand next to it with a stick. They played tag and climbed the lifeguard tower and looked at the stars. Before they left to return to Hill Ridge they waded out into the cool water together. They stood facing each other. Gordo wrapped his arms around Lizzie's waist and pulled her to him. They kissed, with the waves rushing over their feet and legs. Forgetting how long they had been standing in that one spot, the rushing water wore away the sand beneath their feet enough, until it became uneven and the two lost their balance and tumbled into the water.

Laughing they rose out of the water, drenched. Not wanting to wreck the seats in Lizzie's new car they stripped out of their wet clothes. Gordo climbed into the car wearing only his boxer shorts and Lizzie with only her bra and underwear. Shivering they shyly studied one another. Gordo finally said, "Well, we might as well warm each other up." Because the emergency brake separated the two seats in the front, they opted for the back seat. Tentatively they held onto one another, overwhelmed by the sensation of their bare skin touching so intimately. The more they touched the faster their cold skin seemed to warm. Gordo became bolder, touching Lizzie all over her body. His boldness inspired Lizzie to also move further. When it became apparent how excited Gordo was, Lizzie said, "I think we need to stop."

Groaning Gordo said, "I know, I know. But it's so hard, you are so beautiful."

Blushing, Lizzie said, "Thank-you, but I'm just not ready yet."

Gordo pulled her in for a hug and whispered in her ear, "That's just fine. I'd wait forever for you."

The two put their damp shirts back on, but not their jeans and climbed back into the front seat to head back to Hill Ridge.

Back at the McGuire household things were quiet. The party had ended around midnight. Mr. & Mrs. McGuire, Brad and Miranda spent about an hour cleaning before the McGuire's decided it was good enough and decided to go to bed. They told Brad and Miranda they could stay to wait up for Gordo and Lizzie if they wanted to. Eventually the two fell asleep holding hands, sitting in side-by-side armchairs in the McGuire's living room. They slept soundly until they heard a crash in the front entryway. They woke up in time to see Gordo dash up the stairs in boxer shorts and a wet t-shirt. He had knocked over the umbrella stand by the door. A minute or so later he ran back out the front door with a towel wrapped around his waist and another in his hand. Shortly after Gordo and Lizzie both sheepishly came into the living room where Brad and Miranda were sitting.

"So," Miranda said, "Eventful evening?"

Gordo and Lizzie shared their evening's story with Brad and Miranda, leaving out the more steamy details. It was almost four in the morning, when Brad and Gordo headed back to the Gordon residence. Miranda was planning to just spend the night. Lizzie followed Gordo out to the driveway to kiss him good-bye and both were surprised to see Brad and Miranda doing the same thing.

Up in Lizzie's room after the boys had left Lizzie said, "You'll have to tell me all the details of your evening."

Miranda nodded and said, "But you have to tell me yours first."

The two talked and giggled until 6 in the morning. They both fell asleep smiling, hardly being able to wait until tomorrow.

Author's note: Thanks so much to all the encouragement I have gotten for this story. I have really, really enjoyed writing it. This is my first fan fic – and now I am looking forward to writing more. I am still not sure this is the end of this one – we'll have to see if I can come up with any more ideas. I am toying with the idea of making the story last their whole summer until they go back to school – in my mind it is late June or early July? Anyone actually know when Lizzie McGuire's birthday is? I researched it before I started this story, but couldn't come up with a date. Anyway, thanks for reading. Tinkerbell