Hey guys! I appreciate all of the good reviews and I hope you continue to enjoy the story! I've changed the rating to M due to the last chapter and this chapter, which will deal with some "mature themes." A couple of people have complained that they feel the other characters are pretty much ostracizing Miranda for no reason, so I'm going to work on having her mean side really come through in the next chapter. I'm sorry if the language and drinking, sex, etc. offend people but I'm writing based on my high school experience and I didn't know any high schoolers who didn't use profanity on a pretty regular basis! Pretty much everything I've written so far is based on real events and customized to include Lizzie, Gordo, Kate, and Miranda.

The next night at Ethan's party, Lizzie was sipping a diet coke with lime and dancing with Kate, who was currently enjoying her third jack and coke. "Where the hell is Gordo?" Kate asked loudly, looking around.

"His parents are making him go to Oregon this weekend to visit some relatives or something," Lizzie said. "He'll be back late Sunday night." Kate finished her drink and then tossed the empty cup onto the floor behind a large fake plant.

"Well, then! I guess we'll just have to have some fun without your boyfriend," she remarked, winking. Lizzie laughed.

"Oh my God, Kate, I have to talk to you about him." Kate tilted her head.

"What's up?" Lizzie looked around to make sure no one could overhear her.

"Well," she whispered. "Last night…"

"I can't hear you," Kate said. Lizzie pulled into her the dining room, where the rap music wasn't as loud.

"Last night Gordo and I almost did it."

"Did what?" Lizzie was pretty sure Kate knew exactly what she was talking about, but she decided to indulge her.

"I almost had sex with Gordo," she blurted out. Kate formed her mouth into a perfect 'O' of mock surprise.

"Well my little Lizzie! You're growing up!" Lizzie laughed.

"Whatever. I chickened out at the last minute. I'm still going to save myself. And he's totally okay with that. He's so sweet. He's perfect." She smiled dreamily, imagining Gordo's warm smile and sexy green eyes. Lizzie told Kate the whole story. "I wasn't even really embarrassed around him," she confided.

"I can't believe that you and Gordo almost had sex." Kate never would have imagined Lizzie initiating something like that.

"Keyword: Almost," Miranda winked at Lizzie and Lizzie felt her face turn red. How much had Miranda heard? She didn't have any idea she was even listening.

"Hi, Miranda….." Lizzie stammered. "You came!" Lizzie was actually glad to see Miranda there. Hopefully they could have some fun and hang out like they used to. It looked like Carlos wasn't around so that was good. Miranda felt like something was wrong in her relationship with Carlos anyway. He was never around anymore, and he got insanely jealous when she talked to other guys. Miranda raised her Corona in the air.

"Hell yeah!" She exclaimed. "Carlos and I are going through some problems, and tonight, I'm going to make my move on Ethan." Lizzie pulled her aside.

"Listen, I would really appreciate it if you would keep whatever you heard to yourself. That was kind of a private conversation, and.." Miranda cut her off.

"And what, Lizzie? I'm not included in it? I was your best friend, and now I'm not worthy of your super secret gossip about your nonexistent sex life?" Miranda was clearly insulted.

"Miranda, that's not what I meant and you know it," Lizzie said. But Miranda had already walked away. "Fuck!" Lizzie shouted. "What is her fucking problem!" Ethan walked up to Kate and Lizzie, high fiving them both.

"Katieeee! Lizz-ayyyy!" Lizzie smelled weed on his button down shirt and could tell that he was high.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll stop calling me Katie," Kate said icily. "No one's called me that since like 4th grade." Ethan didn't even seem to hear her comment. He started to dance with Lizzie as they talked.

"So, you're looking hot Lizz-ay. Where's the BF?"

"Gordo's in Oregon with his parents," Lizzie answered. Ethan nodded.

"Cool, cool." Ethan saw Miranda walking towards the punch bowl.

"Miranda's here?" He didn't remember inviting her, but he was pretty excited. Miranda could dance like a professional and he really thought she was cute. "Is that going to be a problem for you?" He knew about Lizzie and Miranda's recent rift.

"No, I actually invited her," Lizzie said. "I'm trying to patch things up." Ethan smiled.

"Excellent. Well, I'm going to go welcome her to the par-tay. Do you think she'd sleep with me?" Miranda looked over at Ethan dancing with Lizzie and felt enraged. What is she doing? She knows I wanted to spend time with Ethan tonight. Lizzie made eye contact Miranda and Miranda made a desperate and angry face. Lizzie could tell that Miranda was upset.

"Ethan, is that all you think about?" Lizzie scolded. "Well, it looks like this is your chance to go talk to her she told him, gesturing at Miranda, who was standing by herself having a drink.

"Score. I'll see you later Lizz-ay." Lizzie turned to Kate.

"I miss Gordo!" she pouted, looking around for more of their friends. Kate ignored her.

"Ethan better not sleep with Miranda," Kate said. Even though she and Ethan were over, she was still possessive, and she liked to make sure he wasn't dating anyone she didn't approve of. And she didn't approve of Miranda. "Who knows what kind of diseases she has?" Kate muttered. Lizzie was kind of taken aback.

"I doubt she has any STDs. Carlos is the only guy she's been with." Kate smirked.

"Well, she's not the only girl that Carlos has been with." Lizzie was confused.

"What?"

"He's been fucking half of the JV cheerleading squad since October. Miranda has no idea." Kate glanced over at Miranda.

"Wait, he's cheating on her?" Lizzie was suddenly angry. She and Miranda may not be close anymore, but she had no tolerance for cheaters. She pushed her way through the crowd of people towards Miranda, who was talking to Ethan.

"Miranda!" Miranda looked over at Lizzie, who was frantically walking towards her.

"So, Ethan, let's go upstairs," Miranda quickly suggested. As soon as they got into Ethan's room, Lizzie stopped them.

"Miranda, I have to talk to you!"

"Now's not a good time." Miranda flicked off the lights, then turned to Ethan and started to kiss him. Lizzie grabbed Miranda's shoulder.

"Carlos is cheating on you." Miranda looked shocked.

"What?" she asked, tears forming in her eyes. She knew Carlos had been distracted, but she didn't suspect him to cheat on her. "How do you know?"

"Kate told me. Carlos has been sleeping with some of the girls on the JV cheerleading squad. It's been going on since October." Miranda pushed past Lizzie and stormed into the living room. She found Kate and knocked into her hard.

"You knew Carlos has been cheating on me all year and you didn't say anything!" she shouted. Kate raised her eyebrows.

"I thought you knew about it. It's not really a secret. Besides, why should you care? You were just about to fuck Ethan. You're cheating too." Miranda slapped her across the face and ran outside.

Lizzie sat on Ethan's bed with her face in her hands. Was telling Miranda a mistake? She looked up at Ethan, who looked pissed.

"What's wrong?" Lizzie asked slowly. Ethan slammed his door.

"I was about to get laid. I wanted to get laid tonight. And you just scared away the girl that wanted to do it."

"Ethan, you're drunk. And you're acting crazy." Ethan pushed her down onto the bed and started to fumble with his jeans.

"Get off of me!" Lizzie screamed. But he was too strong for her. He pinned her down with one arm and tried to force himself into her, but Lizzie was struggling and making it impossible.Tears streamed down her face as she kicked at him and tried to escape. Suddenly the door was flung open. Miranda had forgotten her purse. The lights were off, but she could see two familiar shapes in the bed. Ethan and Lizzie, having what Miranda mistook for very enthusiastic sex. Lizzie screamed something incoherent at her.

"Shut up! You stupid hypocritical bitch!" Miranda yelled. She turned ran out of the room as Lizzie sobbed helplessly. Lizzie used all of her strength and kicked Ethan in the groin, causing him to release his grip on her.She jumped out from underneath him, grabbedMiranda's purse,and ran out of the room. She couldn't believe that Ethan Craft had just tried to rape her. As she burst through the front door and ran down the street, she took Miranda's cell phone out of the purse and dialed Kate's number.

"Kate? I need Lonny to pick me up. NOW," she sobbed hysterically.