Title: "Don't Panic"

Author: Cinemathequex

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own Miranda, Gordo, or Lizzie. Disney does. However, I may own a few characters that show up later on.

A/N: This is the first fic I've written in a long time. If the issue of cutting easily freaks you out, I don't recommend this story. Read and review. I don't mind criticism. And, this is just an introduction, that's why it's fairly short.

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She traced the recent scars, her fingertips trailing up and down her arm. No one ever had a reason for inflicting pain on themselves - solve emotional pain with physical pain? It made no sense.

She had contemplated this for a long time. At one time, a close friend of her's had done it. But Liz never had a reason. It was always something insignificant. A bad grade in calc could set her off, or even just a fight with Matt.

But Miranda had a reason. She couldn't handle the pressure anymore. Her entire life, she strived to be perfect, for everyone. She never bothered anyone else with her problems, only occasionally her best friend, David Gordon, had listened to her ranting. 'Just put on a happy face. Smile, Miranda.' That's what she always told herself. That's how she got by. A simple phrase she'd repeat over and over in her head, it helped her survive.

He approached her desk, as she tugged down the sleeves of her shirt, focusing on the textbook that lay in front of her.

"Sanchez, lunch." she didn't respond, just kept skimming the text on the pages, none of which made sense. Everything had been a blur lately.

He snapped his fingers in front of her, "Miranda? Sanchez, you alive?"

She glanced up at him, only to see those familiar brown eyes staring back at her. "Huh? What, Gordo?" Her eyes darted around the empty room, then to the clock. 12:45, it was time for lunch.

He tossed his backpack over his shoulder. "What's been up with you lately, Mir? Whenever I look at you, your eyes are glazed over. You're just asking for a lecture from Davidson, you know."

She stood up, sighing, "Yeah, sorry Gordo. I've just had a lot on my mind.."

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