I DO NOT OWN LIZZIE MCGUIRE! Thank you for the reviews. They always remind me of why I write, anyway. One of my resolutions is to be a little more consistent and don't worry, I'm going to finish what I start if it's the last thing I do!

Chapter Six: Trying

"I'm so glad this year is almost over," Lizzie said casually, as they walked home from their final day of school before winter break.

"Yeah, just think: only five more semesters and we'll graduate."

"I wasn't even thinking about school. I was thinking about all the crap with my family and everything."

Gordo shrugged, "Lizzie, I wish you would stop saying things like that. You have a great family."

"Yeah, well no one is suing your family for millions of dollars."

"Ouch. Millions?"

Lizzie rolled her eyes, "Yeah, well I wasn't supposed to say anything, but yeah…millions."

"Can they do that?"

Lizzie nodded, "Oh yeah. They get money from our insurance company, too. Who knows when this whole thing will be over? Dad hasn't gone to court yet."

"Well," Gordo said, trying to think of something positive to say, "it could be worse."

"That's true. I could be the one with the dad in the wheel chair and who might as well be dead because he'll never be the same."

"Lizzie…you have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas."

"This isn't Thanksgiving, Gordo," Lizzie said, and then she shrugged, "I'll be fine, really," Lizzie said, "I'm just a little mad because this whole thing has taken more than I thought it would. I feel like this is never ending punishment that we're all suffering. I'll be okay once the holidays are over and I can focus on the New Year."

"Are you still going to the holiday dance tonight?"

Lizzie shrugged, "Yeah, I guess," Lizzie said, "Do you want my mom to pick you up?"

"Sure," Gordo said, and then he smiled, "next year, we'll both be driving, Lizzie. That's one good thing about next year."

"Well, you'll be driving," Lizzie said, "I still don't have my permit."

Gordo shrugged, "Well, fine, then, next year, I'll drive us everywhere."

Lizzie smiled, "That'll be so much fun. Just think of all the freedom we'll have."

"I'm counting the days until April 7th. That's when I can go to the DMV."

Lizzie smiled, shaking her head, "You know, I'm surprised you didn't ask Heather or someone to the dance tonight. I mean, I'm glad you're going alone to keep me company, but are you sure you don't want to go with someone you really like?"

Gordo shrugged, nervously, "Nah," he said, "besides, I knew you weren't going with anyone and I figured I would rather be with a friend then deal with a girl a barely know."

Lizzie shrugged, "Okay, but seriously, if one of us doesn't start dating soon, I'm going to wonder if something is wrong with us."

Gordo laughed, but he was still nervous. Gordo still liked Lizzie as more than a friend, but never knew if there was ever going to be an appropriate time to tell her this, especially after what happened with her dad. He decided that it would be best for him to be a friend right now, as he was the only one in their grade that knew anything about it.

They arrived at Lizzie's house and Lizzie and Gordo hung out in her house for an hour or so before Gordo decided he would go home to get ready for the dance. They had two hours.

Lizzie showered, shaved and put on the dress she had only picked out the week before and finished getting ready.

The dance was supposed to start at seven and it was fifteen minutes before seven when she was finally ready. Dances seemed to be different once they reached high school. In middle school, it was all a popularity contest, but now they were in high school, the rules changed. Sure, there was still some type of popularity contest, but if people didn't go, it wasn't a big deal. The only dance that seemed to be a big deal was prom, and Lizzie didn't have to worry about that yet.

Her mom dropped her and Gordo off at the school gym, where the dance was, and the two friends got out and entered the gym. The dance lasted three hours.

Most people, if they didn't know better, assumed that Lizzie and Gordo were going out. It didn't really matter, though, because Lizzie really didn't feel like dating anyone and Gordo was only interested in Lizzie, so it was just as well when it came to social events.

Lizzie made an effort to have fun that evening and forget about what was happening or going to happen with her family. This was hard for her, as she was used to talking about it, but she also tried not to let it consume her life. She was progressing, although, admittedly it was hard, especially with the lawsuit and the possibility that her father could go to jail.

Lizzie and Gordo danced with each other most of the time, and when they didn't, they talked about their holiday. Every New Years, the Gordon's would go down to San Diego to visit relatives, and this time, Gordo's parents said he could invite Lizzie if he wanted.

The Gordon's also knew that Lizzie was going through a hard time. Mrs. Gordon was the one that gave the referral for Dr. Kelly for Lizzie. Normally, this trip was only for family, but they figured that Lizzie could use a little vacation from Hill Ridge and invited her along.

Lizzie gladly accepted the invitation. She hadn't left Hill Ridge at all that year and even though it was only for two nights, she was looking forward to it.

"So," Gordo said, as they danced to a Savage Garden song, "You're coming over to my house next Wednesday for dinner, right?"

"Oh, right," Lizzie said, "for Hanukkah?"

"Yeah, it's the first night."

"I'll be there."

"Great!"

"I can't believe Miranda isn't coming. This will be our first holiday season without Miranda."

"I know," Gordo said, "It's like the end of an era or something."

"The next thing you know, we'll be going to separate colleges and hardly see each other because we've made new friends and we'll have better things to do."

"Nah," Gordo said, "I'd find time to see you. Nothing could possibly be more fun than hanging out with you."

Lizzie smiled, "That's sweet. I think I agree with you, actually. I can't imagine what college will be like, you know, with you off to some Ivey league school across the country and me, I'll probably end up at some state school are something."

Gordo smiled, "Hey, don't think about it. That's in two years. You never know what will happen, anyway."

The song ended and another, faster song started, "Um, I think I'll sit this one out if you don't mind," Lizzie said, as she walked to a nearby table. Gordo followed, concerned. Lizzie seemed a little upset or depressed about something.

Lizzie sat down at the table and slumped in her chair a little. "Can I get you something?" Gordo asked, "a coke maybe?"

"No thanks," Lizzie said, "I'm fine."

Just then, Lizzie heard some people talking at a nearby table.

"Yeah, so what are you doing after this?" one girl asked.

"I don't know. Taylor is having a party. I might go," another girl said.

Another girl giggled, "Do you remember what happened last year at Taylor's Halloween thing? Was it John or Brad that was totally smashed and threw his shoe at the stereo?"

The girls laughed, "Oh yeah!" said the first one, "I'm surprised made it home that night without killing anybody."

Overhearing this, Lizzie could feel tears streaming down her face. Gordo knew what was going on and hated watching Lizzie like this. This was supposed to be a good night.

The girls laughed and talked for a few minutes and Lizzie seemed to listen to everything she said. They were upperclassmen that Lizzie didn't know that well, but Lizzie found herself wishing that they would die or suffer, just like she was doing right now. After the girls left, Lizzie excused herself to the bathroom. Gordo asked if she wanted to go home, but she said she'd be fine. Gordo found himself feeling so helpless. He could sort of help Lizzie through all of this, but he couldn't control what other people would say around her. It was then that he realized that given time, Lizzie would probably gradually get through all of this. He could only help her on a daily basis, but considering her family was still sort of going through hell at the moment, time was the only thing that could make a difference with her.

Gordo was willing to give her all the time she needed.

88

I know this was kind of a bad chapter…it sounded a lot better in my head, actually, but Lizzie's going through a lot right now and is trying so hard to get past everything. In the next chapter, Lizzie is going to go to San Diego and an important discussion or two takes place.

Also, I decided to go ahead and post the first chapter of my "new" story tonight. Tell me what you think. Thanks!