Chapter Twelve
The Party
"OOOOOooh… I'll get her, if it's the LAST thing I do!" Screeched Lizzie while her and Gordo walked to class.
"And, her little dog too?" He said, quoting one of his favorite movies: The Wizard of Oz. Lizzie had to laugh. Leave it to good ole Gordo.
"I just don't even want to talk about it right now!"
"Good. Me either!"
"Well, I guess everything has a bright side. At least now I can clear things up with Larry!"
"Liz, you are over him, aren't you?" He teased, and then jumped back because he knew she would try to get back at him.
"GORDO!" She reached out and got him anyway. He was as ticklish as she was so she pinned him to the nearest locker and tickled away.
"Ok… ok, I give! I surrender!"
Lizzie smiled.
"Good!" She leaned over and kissed him on the lips. "I hope that erases any doubt you have for my strictly platonic feelings for Tudge?"
"Consider them erased!" Gordo took Lizzie by the hand again, and headed for their next class. He couldn't wait until lunch. He was starving. He wondered if the cafeteria would serve curly fries twice in one week. He doubted he could be that lucky.
Then, he changed his mind. He WAS that lucky. Lizzie McGuire was HIS girlfriend!
Lizzie caught Gordo smiling at her. He looked as if he was off in Gordo-land, as he sometimes was.
"What are you looking at?"
"My beautiful girlfriend"
Lizzie smiled at him.
Things were going to be okay, she thought.
(Meanwhile back at Hillridge Junior High)
Matt walked in to his first period class which, is Geometry, and suddenly stopped. There a few feet in front of him was Melina. He felt his stomach do flip-flops, and then started to feel a little lightheaded. So, I guess this is what Lizard breath felt like when she started to like Gordo. He thought shuffling his feet and making his way to his desk.
Melina looked up from her desk, and smiled at him.
"Hey, what you are you so happy about?"
"Oh, nothing…n…nothing at all." He said grinning and laughing nervously. "Say Melina, about you and Lanny coming over tonight, slight change in ruining my sister's life tonight."
Melina looked at him carefully as if to figure out if he had gone "normal". Melina knew that Matt McGuire was not normal; he and she always pulled pranks on Lizzie; trying to make her life miserable. It was working, Lizzie kept throwing tantrums at him, but that is what brother and sister do. So, now she was curious.
"What are you trying to say Matt? Are you giving up your king of pranks? Because if you are I--" Matt cut her off, gesturing for her to sit down again, since she was standing up and looking down at him with her eyes narrowed.
He paused.
God, she's pretty when she's mad. Whoa, time out this is Melina we are talking about? Am I getting a crush on my best friend? He thought inwardly panicking. He felt his cheeks getting hot, and his hands beginning to sweat. Quickly turning away, he explained to Melina about the party tonight. Melina had said that she wanted to prank Lizzie with something, but Matt refused.
"Why not?" She asked crossing her arms. Was it me, or did Melina secretly really hate Lizzie? He thought. Matt was about to respond when the door swung open and their teacher walked in.
(30 minutes later)
Matt and Melina walked out of their class and headed to their locker. Melina turned to him after grabbing her books and scowled.
"Okay, Matt. What is going on with you?"
Matt opened his locker and began exchanging books.
"Like I said, nothing is going on, I just want my parent's to have a nice party. That's all." He shrugged, and closed his locker.
Melina studied him with her eyes, and still couldn't figure him out. He had been acting weird to her all morning. Something was up, and I am going to find out. She thought grinning. They started walking to their next class. Out of the corner of his eye, Matt glanced at Melina. Then turned away, when Melina almost caught him looking at her. A couple of seconds later Melina looked at him, and then turned away. This flirting went on for a mere three minutes, but it had to be stopped because their other best friend Lanny was waiting for them outside their next class.
"Hey, Lanny."
Lanny--- gave a nod and then looked at Matt curiously.
"What? Guys I am telling you nothing is up with me, okay?" He said walking past both of them.
Lanny and Melina exchanged looks.
"You're right Lanny, there is something fishy going on with him."
Lanny nodded, and then they both walked in for class. While in class, Matt distinctively drew little hearts all over his notebook paper. He wasn't really paying attention to what the teacher was saying and didn't really care. He only thought about Melina, and how she really rocked. Sure she gave him a hard time all the time, but that was only because she had to keep him in line. Matt liked that she did that; he admitted that he slipped up time to time, but only to himself. At first, he thought he was crushing on Lizzie's best friend, Miranda. He remembered the day Lizzie started working and that was when he started liking Miranda, but then Melina came in and wanted him back. He smiled at that thought, and sighed dreamily. Melina was sitting in front of him, so he could stare at her without her noticing. That was immediately pulled to a halt when Melina turned around in her seat and looked at him. Matt jolted back to reality when she was staring at him. He blushed, and quickly diverted his eyes from her.
"Well, what are you waiting for McGuire?" she asked annoyed.
"Huh. What, are you talking about?" he asked distracted.
Melina sighed, and shook her head.
"Didn't you hear Mrs. Bradley assign partners, for the "get to know your mate project"?
Matt shook his head, and replied, "Sure I did, I was just thinking, (about you) what we would do."
Melina nodded to this and turned back around in her seat. Matt gave an inward phew. That was close… maybe I should talk to Lizard breath about this. She would know what to do. He thought. While Matt and Melina worked together there was another person who sort of knew that they had a thing for each other, and that person was Lanny. Sure he didn't talk to anyone, but Matt knew what he was thinking and could respond back to him. If Matt only knew what Lanny was really thinking, Matt would surely regret it big time. Matt liked Melina it was a fact, and Lanny was entitled to get them together.
(Back at Hillridge High)
Gordo walked Lizzie to her next class, and then hurried to catch up with Larry Tudgeman. Tudgeman was in his next class. Gordo had to talk to him. He didn't want to wait until lunchtime. He caught Tudge in the hallway and started walking next to him.
"Tudge! Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Why? Do you want to humiliate me some more? No one makes fun of Tudge and gets away with it!"
"No, actually, I want to talk to you about Lizzie."
"Make it quick!"
"Um…okay… well, Tudge, Lizzie has been going crazy ever since you stopped talking to her. She really cares about you as a friend, and she couldn't figure out why you just stopped talking to her without warning! Tudge, you KNOW Lizzie. She would never say anything bad about you. On the contrary, it's Lizzie who stuck up for you on many many occasions when MIRANDA made fun of you!"
Now Gordo had Larry's attention. Larry trusted Gordo. He was his Wing Commander. He knew that Gordo wouldn't lie to him. Or so he hoped. Secretly, he was completely relieved that Lizzie didn't say any of those things!
"Really? Miranda, she made fun of me?"
"Sorry Tudge, but yeah! She did. Remember when she didn't want you to go to her party right before school ended? She said you would 'ruin' it!"
Tudge remembered that. He was so hurt to find out that Miranda hadn't invited him. Lizzie felt so bad that helped him to change his 'look' so that no one would recognize him as Tudge. Oddly enough, Miranda liked the new Larry, or Lawrence, as he called himself. She was on the verge of kissing him when he revealed his true identity. Gordo noticed that Larry was off in outer space. Probably thinking about Star Trek. He kept that comment to himself though.
"Tudge? Tudge?"
"Oh, sorry, I was just thinking about Lizzie."
He lied. He gave Gordo a nudge.
"Don't worry? I wasn't thinking about her like that. You don't ever have to worry about us again!" Gordo knew that Tudge spoke the truth. He knew that Lizzie only had eyes for him!
"Oh, I know! It's cool. I know that you and Lizzie are friends!"
"Yeah. I just hope that I can apologize to her and we can put this behind us!"
"I'm sure you can." Gordo grinned.
"Thanks, Wing Commander. I am glad you cleared this up. I was having a hard time believing that Lizzie said that stuff, but? ---" Gordo interrupted.
"Miranda can be pretty convincing at times, huh?"
Tudge nodded.
"Don't worry about it, at lunch, you can talk to Lizzie about it, and everything will be fine!"
"Thanks Gordo! I hope you're right!"
The two boys headed off to their next class.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the school, Miranda sat alone on the back steps to the school. She had no intention of going to her next class. She had to sit right next to Lizzie. She silently cursed her teacher for allowing them to pick their own seat instead of going in alphabetical order! Although? Re-thinking that? Alphabetical order would mean she had to sit in front of Larry! She just could not face either one of them right now. She needed to talk to Matt. Surely he hadn't given up on her. Matt would help her put another plan in action! And Gordo! That sneaky little weasel, she thought. He didn't even try to defend her! He just sat there looking dumb, as usual. Miranda wasn't surprised though. Gordo always took Lizzie's side. Why should this be any different?
(Lunchtime)
It was finally lunchtime. Gordo walked over to meet Lizzie at her locker so he could tell her all about his talk with Larry.
"Lizzie! I talked to Larry for you!"
"You did?" She asked turning towards him.
"Yeah? Tudge is a pretty reasonable guy… sometimes… "
"Wow? Thanks, Gordo. What did he say? What did you say?"
Gordo smiled at her.
"One question at a time, please!" He said, teasing her.
Lizzie shoved him.
"Okay? Okay. Well, I caught up with him on the way to our last class, and I set him straight. At first, he didn't want to listen because he was so mad, but I know deep down, he didn't want to believe those terrible things about you," He winked at her, and took hold of her hand. "He actually did tell me that, though, that he didn't want to believe her... but you know how Miranda can get. She can be very persuasive."
Toon Lizzie was dressed up like the wicked witch of the west and said: "Ill get you, my pretty? If it's the last thing I do!" she cackled and rode off on her broomstick.
"Yeah? I know how Miranda can be. I mean, when she didn't want Larry at her party a while back, nothing was stopping her. No matter how much we tried to convince her that it was wrong."
"Yeah? That was really mean."
"What else did Larry say?"
"Well, that sums it up basically. He is going to join us for lunch. He wants to talk to you."
"Larry's BACK!" screamed a happy Toon Lizzie who was dressed as one of the Star Trek characters. Lizzie was very happy to hear that.
"Awesome! Thanks Gordo!"
Gordo studied her face for a second. Lizzie was almost too happy about that. Gordo could never resist teasing her, if he could, playfully, of course.
"Um... should I leave you two alone at lunch, or what?"
Lizzie gave him an incredulous look.
"GORDO!" she yelled.
She tried to slap him with the sleeve of her jacket. Gordo jumped back before she could get him, and started running down the hallway. Lizzie took off after him.
Toon Lizzie chased her frog as it's hopping down the hallway. "You get back her right now, Mister!"
Lizzie caught up with Gordo and was about to retaliate when they ran into Kate.
"Hey guys! What's up?"
"Hey, Kate!" said Gordo.
"Hey! I love your sweater! It's so pretty!" Lizzie pointed out.
"Thank you," she smiled. "Oh, it was a gift from my mom. She went on a trip and brought it back for me."
"Well, it's really nice! Blue is a great color on you. It brings out your eyes. Hey--why are you so dressed up today?" Lizzie gave Kate an once-over.
"What? I'm just wearing the new sweater my mom brought me…"
Lizzie could swear she saw Kate blushing.
"Oh…well what about those?" She said, pointing to Kate's obviously new black slacks.
"Oh, I've had these for years!"
Lizzie had to laugh.
"Oh, really. I could have sworn these were the same pair I saw at the Style Shack a couple of days ago. The ones you wanted? Remember?"
"Oh, um you're right! I mean black pants. You've seen them once, you've seen them all." She said nervously. Kate was up to something.
"Um, yeah… I guess." She lowered her eyes to Kate's new shoes. "Oh, and aren't those new?" She pointed out.
"What is this interrogation, Lizzie?" For a split second, the old Kate was back.
"No! No I just? I just noticed that you look really good today; extra-special. I was just wondering why."
Toon Lizzie: "A-HA! I knew the old Kate would return!"
Kate softened.
"I'm sorry Lizzie. It's just that. Well… you're right"
Toon Lizzie looked up from sleeping on her school desk. "Whoa, what, did Kate just say I'm right?"
"Right about what?"
"There is a reason that I am dressed up today." She looked from Lizzie to Gordo, and then back to Lizzie.
"There is someone… a boy that I really want to notice me. So, I thought if I dressed up, he might notice me?" Lizzie and Gordo exchange happy looks.
"Ooohh! Who is it? TELL ME!"
Kate hesitated for a moment, but then she realized that Lizzie and Gordo could be trusted completely.
"It's Ethan."
"ETHAN CRAFT?" Gordo screamed.
"No, Gordo. Ethan Hawke. Do you think Uma dumped him yet?" She asked sarcastically.
Lizzie had to cover up her mouth to keep from laughing. Good old Kate.
Gordo shook his head.
Girls! Gordo had to admit that he was tired of hearing THAT name. He liked Ethan and all, but Ethan was a sore subject for him. Lizzie liked Ethan for the past three years. Gordo spent all of Middle School trying to measure up to him. He finally figured that no one could measure up to Ethan Craft. Ethan was over six feet tall, and Gordo was barely over five feet tall, but Gordo had one thing that Ethan didn't. Gordo was very intelligent; not that Ethan wasn't sometimes; but well, Gordo was in all advanced classes. The only subject that Ethan advanced in was Lunch. Ethan did have something that Gordo didn't have (besides height). Ethan had the Slow Curve. The Ladies were powerless against it. Gordo would never admit this to anyone, but he tried many many times (in front of his mirror in the comfort of his own bedroom) to imitate the Slow Curve. Gordo fell down a lot. He was glad no one had ever seen him attempt it, especially Lizzie.
"You like Ethan?"
"Yeah. When we were in Rome, we really got to know each other..."
Lizzie looked at Gordo, and squeezed his hand.
"I know EXACTLY what you mean!" She exclaimed, "Well, come on! Let's go to lunch. Ethan is sure to be there!"
The three amigos hurried off to the cafeteria. Larry was already there and he had a table saved for them.
"Hey Guys!"
"Hey Larry, can we talk?"
"Sure Liz, have a seat."
Lizzie sat next to Larry, and Gordo sat down next to her. Kate sat down opposite of Lizzie and kept watch for Ethan.
"Hi Larry!"
Kate smiled at him.
"Kate-Zilla! What are you doing here? Aren't you at the wrong table? Don't the cheerleaders forbid mingling with the commoners?"
"Larry? Ugh… never mind!" she said then turning away to watch out for Ethan.
"Larry, Kate has changed," explained Lizzie. "Really, she is our friend now. Can't we all bury what's in the past?"
Larry knew if Lizzie McGuire spoke these words, then they were true. Larry couldn't believe it? Kate and Lizzie, friends again?
"Lizzie, I definitely want to hear all about you and...K-Kate being friends again, but let's finish up what we started, ok?"
"Deal"
"Kate? I'm sorry. I take back what I said. Can we just start over?" Kate gave him a real smile. Tudge wasn't so bad… when he wasn't drooling over her.
"Coolie!" She replied..
"Lizzie? I'm SORRY. I don't know what else to say! I can't believe I let Miranda pull one over on me like that!"
"No, I'M sorry, Larry. I should have been a better friend, and tried figure it out for myself!"
"Don't beat yourself up for it, Lizzie. Lets just say, neither one of us was at our personal best."
"Yeah?"
Larry smiled at her.
"What do you say we forget this whole thing ever happened, deal?"
"Deal!"
Larry held out his hand and Lizzie shook it. She could have sworn she felt a pair of bright blue eyes staring at her the whole time. Lizzie ignored it. She knew that Gordo knew that she and Larry were JUST FRIENDS. Still, she thought it was sweet that he always got a little jealous whenever Lizzie talked to him. Gordo was just protective of her. She loved him for it. Suddenly, Ethan came strolling up to them.
"Lizzie? Lizzie? Lizzie! What's going on? How is your day treating you?"
"Hey Ethan, it's great! Thanks!"
Toon Lizzie "Three months ago, I would have been shaking like a leaf and sweating bullets. It's a good feeling to know I am over Ethan,." She looked down at her frog that kept blinking at her. "Yes, I'm over him! Sheesh! "
"Kate! Looking' FINE today!" He said, sitting down next to her.
"Thanks!" She blushed.
"Yo, my man Gor-don! What's going on, buddy?" He gave Gordo a High-five.
"Not much, just contemplating the meaning of life." Gordo replied.
"Do you mean like the board game? I Love that game!"
All shake their heads.
"Ethan? Ethan? Ethan..." Gordo called out to him while Lizzie and Kate sat beside him.
"I'm starving! Yo Gor-don, you want to go get some food with me?"
"Yeah man lets go!"
"Lizzie, Kate, You two stays here and save us our table. Gor-don and I will bring you back some lunch, okay?"
"Coolie, thanks!"
"Yeah! Thanks! That's really sweet of you!"
"Come on Gor-don, let's go buy our ladies some lunch!"
"Lets roll, Tudge you coming?"
"Yeah, I'm right behind you, wing commander!"
Gordo, Larry, and Ethan left the table. Kate and Lizzie both squealed.
"Oh my gosh! Did you hear Ethan? He said OUR ladies! I mean, he knows you and Gordo are a couple! What does he think about US?"
"I don't know, Kate! Have you asked him?"
"DUH, of course not! ---I was hoping he would ask me!"
"Waiting for Ethan is like waiting for water to boil. You know it will happen! But when?" Kate laughed.
"Yeah. I guess you are right!" Lizzie laughed too.
"Kate. Don't do what Gordo and I did. Tell him!"
"I know, I know! I was actually thinking that same thing!"
Lizzie gave Kate a playful shove.
"Well, Friday is Gordo's birthday right? Have you thought of anything do to for him?"
"Well, I----" Kate cut her off.
"Because I was thinking, why don't we have a surprise party for him?"
"That's a GREAT idea, Kate! Why didn't I think of it? Oh, yeah I did, but you cut me off!" she winked at her. "Great minds think alike! I was thinking Friday night. We invite our closest friends. Maybe Larry and Ethan can take him out to distract him while we get everything ready! You in, Kate?"
"COOLIE! Count me in! So anyway-- I was thinking, I could tell Ethan my feelings at Gordo's party! A party is a romantic setting. Anything could happen!"
"Sounds good to me! Do I a favor, would you?"
"Sure!" said Kate.
"After lunch would you tell Ethan and Larry about the party? I would, but Gordo might hear me. Tell them to call me about it?"
"Coolie!"
"I know its kind of last minute, but I think we can pull it off nicely!"
"Oh, I know we can!" Kate gave the famous 'hair flip', because she saw the guys returning.
"Oooh, what have you got?"
"The Gordo Special: two turkey sandwiches, chips and two Pepsi's. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies"
"YUM!"
"Definitely. So, what are you eating?" He laughed at her, allowing her to throw a potato chip at him!"
"Oooh? Death by Doritos!"
They both cracked up.
"Uh, Ethan, what did you bring for us?"
"Two Chili cheese dogs-extra sour cream, onion rings, and grape soda!"
Kate looked horrified.
"Yummy…."
Lizzie and Gordo laughed.
Larry sat down next to Lizzie and began to dig into his Chili-cheese-dog-ketchup-mustard-sour cream-relish-onion-sauerkraut concoction. Lizzie had to turn away. It wasn't pretty. Larry smiled at Lizzie and she turned back to smile to him. Things were definitely looking up! Suddenly Gordo put an ice cube down her back!
"GORDO!" She shrieked.
Gordo jumped up and took off running, with Lizzie right behind him, with a handful of ice. Kate shared a laugh with Ethan and Larry and dug into her chili cheese dog. It wasn't bad!
"Wow? This is good!" She said between bites.
"Word!" was Ethan's only reply.
Larry watched Gordo and Lizzie. He was really happy for them. They were still chasing each other around the cafeteria. Aww Young love.
(Back at the McGuire House)
Lizzie walked up to her driveway, held her purse, and fiddled around looking for the house key.
Toon Lizzie: Crouched on the ground. "Okay, cover me froggy, I'm going in." She said Crawling in a dark tunnel with a flashlight searching for the key.
Finally, Lizzie slipped the key in and walked in the foyer. She heard dishes being put away in the kitchen.
"Hi, mom." She said dumping her backpack next to her on the floor.
"Hey, Honey how was school? Did you work things out with Miranda?"
Toon Lizzie: "Oh yea mom, I worked my arms, and almost pushed her to the locker, if only Gordo the Hulk didn't hold me back! I could have torn her limb from limb!
"Oh, yea we sure did, in fact we are sending thank you cards out to each other for Christmas! She replied sarcastically.
"That bad, huh? Well honey, just give it some time. Maybe over the weekend she would have cooled down, and then you guys could arrive at Gordo's party together."
Lizzie scoffed.
"Doubtful, very doubtful," she replied rolling her eyes. "In fact, I don't care if she is there; she is not going to ruin Gordo's party or my great time!" She said speaking very forward. Jo could sense that Lizzie was very angry and would probably want to change the subject. Lizzie beat her to it.
"So mom, are you looking forward to the Gnome Convention tonight?" she asked stifling a laugh.
"Well," starting to laugh. "You know how your father is with the 'Gnomes'" using her fingers to make quotation marks. Lizzie started cracking up and then seconds later so did Jo. They were having such a great time that they didn't hear the front door close.
"Hey, what are you girls laughing about?" Asked a voice.
"Hey, Matt how was school?" Jo asked after laughing. Matt had a dreamy look on his face, and Lizzie knew right off what that was.
"It was great!" He replied with a dopey grin. Jo exchanged looks with Lizzie, and Lizzie just shrugged at her. Her mom gave up trying to understand her son and just walked out of the kitchen to get ready for tonight. When she got to the banister, the doorbell rang. She opened the door and roses were shoved in her face. Lizzie and Matt were in awe, and Jo couldn't hear Matt screaming in the background.
"Whoa. Who are those from?"
After Jo signed her name on the pink slip, she closed the door. Lizzie and Matt bombarded her in the living room.
"Like, worm here said," pointing at him. "Who are they from?" Jo smiled and read out loud whom they were from.
"To my beautiful wife, I am so thankful that we are best friends. I love you with all of my heart and soul. I can't wait for tonight. Happy Anniversary! Love, Sam." Jo melted right in front of her children, and smiled blissfully. Lizzie smiled, and hoped that one day she and Gordo would have the same relationship that her parent's shared. Matt hoped that he could do that for Melina for Valentine's Day. Jo rushed upstairs to get ready, and Matt and Lizzie headed back to the kitchen to 'talk'.
"Okay, so you heard me give them some fake address right?"
Matt nodded.
"Okay, so now we just wait for them to leave, and then I will call Gordo and we will all start planning the party." again Matt nodded, not saying anything. Lizzie noticed how quiet her brother was being and countered him on it.
"You okay, worm?" She asked a little worried.
"Yes." he replied softly, "Hey, Lizzie. Can I talk to you for a sec?" He asked turning to her. Lizzie was now getting scared was Matt failing another subject?
She just helped him in English, and now he has another problem. She thought biting her lip.
"Sure, come sit down, and we will talk." She said heading over to the couch in the living room and patting the space beside her. Matt shuffled his feet and sat down.
"I think I like someone, but I don't know what to do?" UH OH, Dear Lizzie he wants, OH LORD here it comes. Lizzie thought. "I mean you did Dear Lizzie, could you maybe help me?" He continued wringing his hands.
"I hope I can. Who is the lucky girl? She asked leaning her head back on the couch. I think I know, she thought.
"Well it's--" Sam walked in the door cutting him off.
"Hey kids. Where's mom?"
Lizzie and Matt pointed to the stairs. Sam walked up the stairs, and closed the door.
"Now, where were we?" She smiled.
"Well, it's Melina!"
I knew it! She thought. Lizzie tried to calm down her nerves but they wouldn't let her, so she jumped up and down with joy.
"This is so cool, Matt. I have got to get you two together!" She said clasping her hands. Matt immediately jumped off the couch.
"No, no, she can't! NO!" He yelled out, shaking his head.
"Why not Matt, Do you think you aren't good enough for her? Or is she not good enough for you? Because if she is not I swear I will---" He cut her off.
"No, it's not that. I… I just. It's just a new feeling that's all. Like you had with Gordo." Oh God, did everybody know his crush on me, except me? Was I that blind? She thought.
"Matt, did everybody know about Gordo's crush on me? I mean---?"
"Yes, heck my school knew. The boy is crazy about you. It was so obvious…wait you aren't having second thoughts are you?" He asked concerned. He really liked Gordo, and was hoping that he could be his brother in law, some day.
"No, No. We are doing great! I just wish I could have seen this earlier. I mean I liked him in fourth grade, but kept it hidden for four years." She answered sitting back down.
They talked for a little while about Gordo, Melina, and then somewhat of the surprise party. Finally, at six-fifteen, Sam and Jo walked down the stairs wearing elegant clothing. Sam even had his favorite Gnome in the crook of his arm.
"Okay, guys. You know where we will be, and if you get hungry you can order pizza. Here is some money." She said pulling out some cash from her purse. Matt grabbed it immediately, and started jumping up and down. "And, Lizzie you are in charge. DON'T get your brother in any trouble, and keep the house nice! I don't want to remember last time." Lizzie remembered last time, her parents were sick and Matt and she ruled the house, destroying everything in their path. She was SO grounded.
Lizzie stifled a laugh about keeping the house looking nice. It won't be when you get back, hehehe. She thought.
"Have a great time, you guys!" She said waving them out the front door. Jo and Sam slipped into Sam's Camry and pulled out of the driveway. Once the door was closed, Lizzie immediately reached for the phone to call Gordo, and Matt started moving some of the furniture. You know for a little kid, he sure can be quick on his feet. She thought.
Eight minutes later, Lizzie got off the phone and ran upstairs to change. Matt then called and used three- way for Melina and Lanny. After talking to both of them, he too hurried upstairs to change. The doorbell rang five minutes later, and Lizzie rushed downstairs to answer it. She gave Gordo a kiss, grabbed his hand and led him into the living room.
"Okay, so we will hang the banner and streamers all along the ceilings. Does that sound good?" Gordo nodded, and started lining up the CDs he brought from home on a table. Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang and this time Matt answered it. Melina walked in and after her came Lanny.
Wow, she looks very beautiful, with her hair done in a French bun. Matt thought.
"Hey, guys," Lanny gave a nod. "Melina, you… loo…look nice."
He stuttered. Melina blushed.
"Thanks Matt. You look good too, where did you get that suit from… a monkey? She asked lightly touching his jacket. Matt could feel his palms sweat again. Her breath was so close to him that he almost fainted. Gordo and Lizzie watched in amazement of how those two got along really well, and was Matt actually flirting?" Lizzie thought stunned.
After a few more minutes of chatting, all five of them set up more decorations. Matt walked over to where Gordo was and grazed the CDs. He whispered in Gordo's ear, "Hey, could you maybe play this one song for me later?" He asked holding up Christina Aguilera's soundtrack. Gordo nodded and smiled. He liked Matt, and hoped that he would make a good brother in law someday. Lizzie and Melina walked in the kitchen and grabbed some chips and dip.
"So, Melina, I see that you are looking pretty tonight. Any particular reason you dressed up, maybe to impress a certain boy?" She nudged. Melina sort of blushed.
"No. I just wanted to look nice." She said softly. Lizzie nodded, but knew that she was lying. It was so obvious that she liked Matt. It's so cute. She thought. Toon Lizzie: Placing down a bride and a groom on top of a wedding cake. "Mmm cake!" She said grabbing then and putting them in her mouth. "Here comes the bride, all dressed in white"
Lizzie walked out of the kitchen and joined Gordo at the table. Melina watched Matt and Lanny dance to Backstreet Boys, Larger than Life. She
thought he was so funny, and yet so cute. Wait, am I crushing on Matt?
Hmm is Melina crushing on Matt, or is she just imagining things? Will Sam and Jo get to the Gnome Convention? Read and Review, thanks!