I am soooooooo sorry this took so long, I'm a terrible person, I know, and I'm very ashamed. I'll definitely make a huge effort to not take that long again.

I haven't been doing this lately, so I'll do it now. To all the people who reviewed, thank you guys so much, you are my inspiration for keeping this story going, and I think you are all wonderful for the support you have given me.

Black Knight03- You've reviewed every single chapter, and I'm so grateful for it, you give me advice, and answers to the questions I ask, and I wanted to tell you how much it means.

JuicyBabe- hehe thanks so much. That made me smile. :o)

Lilangel413- Thanks so much, you've reviewed many of my chapters as well, and they always make me smile.

Purplegirl1818- Thanks. I know!!! I cry every single time I watch it, it's so sad!!! ahhhh

Annika- I'm sorry I took so long, I hope this chapter and the next one will make it up to everyone.

And without further ado...

-

Chapter 13: Just a Day, an Ordinary Day

"So what did you guys do after I left?" Miranda asked her friend the next day.

The two girls were by the pool at the camp watching their group of girls play water polo with three of the lifeguards and a group of boys their age. The game had gradually turned into a game of 'keep-away' between the boys and the girls, and naturally, the boys were screaming every time the girls got the ball.

"Well you left in the middle of the movie, so we just finished it, talked for a while, and they went back to the hotel," Lizzie explained.

"Did you like the movie?" Miranda asked her happily.

"No!" the blonde shouted, "How could you let us watch something like that? It was so sad! I was practically sobbing at the end! What kind of horrible people would make a movie like that? It's ridiculous, I-"

"Lizzie! You're rambling!" Miranda laughed.

"Sorry," Lizzie smiled sheepishly, "but still!"

"Did Gordo like it?"

"I doubt it," Lizzie confirmed," it's kind of a chick-flick," she said.

"True," Miranda agreed, "Aw, you cried?"

Lizzie laughed and Miranda looked confused.

"Miranda! I said that like, 5 minutes ago!"

The girls laughed and sighed; lying on the pool deck propped up by their elbows.

"But yeah, I cried, it was so sad!" Lizzie exclaimed.

"True, I cried when I saw it too," the brunette admitted, "so then what?"

"Um. Well, he hugged me and told me it was just a movie, and then we went upstairs," Lizzie said.

"I meant after the movie, genius," Miranda joked.

"I knew that," Lizzie giggled, dangling her feet in the water, "we just went outside and talked for a while. They're coming over for dinner tonight, you guys should definitely come." She turned to her friend, a hopeful look on her face.

"Sorry, chica, we're all going to my uncle's house. It's my cousin's birthday; she's turning 17. It's a surprise party, though, shh! Don't tell anyone," she chided and elbowed the blonde lightly, a widespread grin on her face.

"Oh, I'll try not to!" Lizzie shot back.

The two girls laughed, then laid down to catch some rays before it was time to take the girls to lunch.

-

When it was time to go home, Lizzie said goodbye to Miranda, who was leaving for her uncle's house straight from camp, then sat down to wait for the campers to be picked up.

At around ten after 4, it was time for her to go home, and she walked out the exit of the camp. She saw a familiar figure across the street and he waved her over.

"Hey, Gordo!" she said happily.

"Hey!" he smiled at her, "my parents are at you house, but you mom said you'd be here."

Lizzie laughed.

"Wanna go get an ice cream or something?" she asked him.

"Sure!" he agreed enthusiastically, "sounds a lot better than being interviewed by our moms."

The two teens shared a laugh and walked to the nearest Baskin Robbins. Gordo opened the door and they walked in. Lizzie got a strawberry milkshake, and Gordo got rocky road on a cone.

They paid and left, walking absentmindedly around the back streets of Hillridge, when a familiar sight filled their eyes. The park.

Lizzie turned to Gordo, an unreadable, but definitely happy look etched on her face.

"Care for a stroll down Memory Lane?"

He looked down the dirt path of the park with a faraway look in his eyes, then turned back to Lizzie with an adorable smile.

"Lets go!"

He offered Lizzie an elbow, she linked hers through his, and the pair started walking down the path, side by side like they used to.

-

"This was you idea?" Jo McGuire screamed at her husband, who was grinning proudly at her.

"Well, yeah," he said, "Howard called one day a month or so ago, and I told him there was a house for sale next door, and-"

"You knew about this?" Roberta yelled, hugging her husband, then running over to Jo and hugging her as well.

Both men grinned and shook hands, thrilled that their wives were good friends again, and their kids seemed to be getting along so well.

The two couples sat down in the living room and talked excitedly about past years and memories of the three kids from when they were young, figuring it would only embarrass them if they were present for such a conversation.

"So where are you staying? Close by?" Jo asked in a hopeful tone.

"At the Marriott, about a half hour from here," Howard replied quickly.

"Oh! That's too far! Sam exclaimed, "Come stay here for the rest of the week," he suggested, explaining the guest bed and bathrooms down the hall. Jo finished his idea, giving Gordo any couch he wanted from the next few days.

The Gordons were thrilled at the proposal and accepted at once, saying they'd return to the hotel after dinner and fetch their belongings. The women stood up and practically danced and skipped into the kitchen to prepare dinner, and the men journeyed next door to the 'Gordon-household-to-be,' to figure out the type of work that would need to be done.

-

Lizzie and Gordo strolled aimlessly through the park, still linked at the elbows, listening to the squeals and giggles of the children, and feeling the tender caress of the summer breeze in their faces.

They wandered off the trail of their childhood fairyland and approached a lake under the evening sky.

The lake was beautiful, surrounded by soft green grass and blossoming flowers, decorated with lilypads and ducklings. A big willow tree stood on the side of it, bellowing over a piece of the crystal clear water. A family of rabbits huddled together with twitching noses and bushy tails, enjoying an early dinner on the grass. The night was young, and the stars few, but those that shined shone iridescently like diamonds painted on an indigo sky.

"Wow," Lizzie whispered, afraid too much noise would spoil the enchanting splendor of the scenery.

"It's so peaceful," Gordo said, his voice showing complete awe and amazement.

Lizzie tugged on his arm and he turned, smiling warmly at her.

"We should probably go back for dinner, huh?" he said gently.

"Yeah," she whispered back, "lets go."

The old friends turned around and walked back down the path together.

When they got to the McGuire's door, Lizzie detached her arm from Gordo's and opened the door.

They found everyone in the living room and went in to say hello.

"Why don't you kids go upstairs, we'll call you down when everything's ready," Jo said, taking a sip of wine.

"Sure, mom," Lizzie said cheerfully.

The two teenagers went into Lizzie's room, and Lizzie flopped down on her bed, leaving room for Gordo to sit down next to her. The waves crashed in the distance and the calming noise flooded into the room. Lizzie edged over and patted the bed next to her. Gordo laid down and both teens let their feet dangle over the side of the bed. They lay there several minutes in complete quiet, looking up at Lizzie's ceiling until Gordo broke the silence.

"What do you think would have happened it I hadn't moved? Do you think we'd still be friends?" he asked her, his voice quiet and calm.

"Yeah," she whispered, "I do."

-

Dinner was pretty uneventful besides Jo and Roberta crooning over stories of Lizzie and Gordo from when they were little. Sam and Howard were in a deep discussion about garden gnomes, and Lizzie and Gordo were in their own little world. Matt was at Lanny's once again, but had promised to be present the next day.

"You're staying here tonight?" Lizzie said to Gordo, before a mouthful of salad, "that's so cool! What do you want to do?"

"Well," Gordo replied, putting his hand to his chin pretending to be in deep thought, "I've actually never been on the beach at night," he admitted, a small twinkle in his eye.

"We were just on the beach last night with Miranda, or has that left your memory already?" she teased.

"Funny," he smiled, "that was more of... dusk, than really night," he said mischievously.

Lizzie caught on, and her eyes flashed the same twinkle.

"We'll have to sneak out," she whispered into his ear.

"I'm game if you are."

-

There it is! Finally! I'm sorry once again I took so long, let me know what you think! Thanks also to LilAngel413, luckyducky8200, saltwatergal89, stormynights78613, LoveMeTender, bluegirl03, clarktom, I3ittersweet, harrypottergirlie89, Elementals, Loopylou1, peaches n pears, and Laney-wood for reviewing my other story, Under the Stars, Lara783, your review didn't get posted on the site for some reason, but I got the review email, thank you. Ambrosia-, Thank you so much for the longest review I've ever gotten, hehe.

I'll update sooner! I promise. Also, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.