Disclaimer: I do not own Lizzie McGuire or any of the characters. I am not getting paid for any of this.

A/N: Italics are flashbacks

Lizzie McGuire sat at the table playing with her grilled ham & cheese sandwich while thinking about how her life couldn't possibly get any worse. She remembered thinking the same thing yesterday when Matt had soaped their bathroom floor just inside the door. So when Lizzie went to the bathroom she fell flat on her back. My butt's still sore and mom didn't even punish him.

Toon Lizzie pops up steaming mad glaring wildly then launches into a rant yelling "No he gets to go spend the day with Lanny & Melina over at Lanny's house while she had to clean up the mess he made. Then today he gets to go with dad to sports thingy show. When Miranda got back from Mexico last week and I couldn't go see her or have her come over. When she called, mom answered it then told Miranda that I was grounded and wasn't allowed to use the phone. I can't IM or even email her either, because when we got back from Rome dad disconnected the phone line and the Internet connection in my room. On top of that Matt's pranks were getting worse and mom won't let me do anything about it."

Jo McGuire watched Lizzie pout as she ate her lunch in silence, which she did a lot of since they returned from Rome. Jo was determined to stick what she had said about Lizzie being grounded for the rest of the summer no matter how much she wanted to give in and end the punishment early. She knew Lizzie was getting desperate to leave the house because she wanted to go with her father and Matt to the Sports Memorabilia & Collectibles show, which she hated.

As Sam McGuire got into bed with Jo he said "Honey we've got to do something about Matt and his pranks because if we don't Lizzie's gonna get hurt."

"I know Sam," Jo replied, " but I can't think of anything to do right now except to keep them separated until I come up with something better. Normally I'd let Lizzie retaliate but I can't now, not after telling her that she couldn't as part of her punishment."

"I guess you can't do that. I suppose that I can take Matt with me to the Sports Memorabilia & Collectibles show tomorrow. I'll make sure we're gone all afternoon also." Sam paused a few moments to think a moment before grinning slyly and said "It's too bad Lizzie can't have Miranda & Gordo over to catch up with before summers over."

After giving what Sam had had hinted at the previous night some more though Jo said "Lizzie, your father and I have decided that since there are only two weeks of summer left you can have Gordo and Miranda over to visit this afternoon while your dad is gone." Jo watched Lizzie's face light up as realized had just been said. "Remember," Jo continued, "your still grounded and you can't go anywhere" as Lizzie got up and rushed to the phone.

After Miranda & Gordo arrived Jo went to the tool shed to get out the rake so she could do Lizzie's yard work for her while she was visiting with her friends. When she entered the shed a bucket full of potting soil that Matt had set up as a prank on Lizzie was dumped on her instead. "Matt you are going to regret this." she said with a growl in her voice that would have filled Matt with fear if he had been there to hear it. She shook herself off then went in the house.

When she went came into the kitchen Lizzie, Miranda & Gordo were busy getting themselves a snack.

"Mrs. McGuire, what at happened to you?" asked Miranda.

"Matt!" exclaimed both Lizzie & Jo at the same time while Gordo struggled to keep from laughing out loud.

"Listen kids I'm going upstairs to clean up and I'd appreciate it if you would keep quiet about this." Jo said.

"Sure mom, you can count on us" Lizzie replied with a mischievous grin on her face.

Jo could hear all three of them break out in laughter after she left the room to go upstairs. When she got ready to take a shower she remembered that Sam had said he needed to pick up a part to fix the shower in their bathroom on the way home. So she grabbed what she need and went to use the shower in the kids bathroom.

Mean while after they had finished laughing and gone into the living room to watch some music videos on TV. Lizzie said to Miranda "I love what you've done to your hair." commenting on the red streaks in Miranda's hair.

"Thanks I just had to get my hair done this way when I saw my cousins hair like this. I thought it turned out great and I was hoping that you'd like it too."

"Your kidding, how could I not like it." Lizzie said squealing with delight. "I want to do that to my hair now. What color do you think would make my hair look better, Randa?

Gordo's eyes widened with surprise. He thought there was no way Lizzie's hair could look than it already did. 'Her hairs perfect, she's perfect and there's no way you can improve upon perfection' he thought.

"I thought you might say that so I brought the kit my cousin helped me put together for doing it." Miranda said then went over to the bag she had brought over. "If you want we can get started right now."

"Sure, what we need to do." Lizzie said as she got up. She could see Gordo rolling his eyes at that sound of that.

"First we need to wash your hair," Miranda answered as she headed for the downstairs bathroom.

Lizzie looked over at Gordo who looked completely disinterested in the whole thing then said "Gordo why don't you watch some TV or play some video games while we go do some streaking."

Lizzie had unintentionally timed it so she had said that just as he was taking a drink. Gordo sprayed soda and his eyes bulged out in surprise. Even though they didn't understand why he had reacted that way Lizzie and Miranda both thought it was hilarious and were giggling hysterically when they went into the bathroom. Gordo tried playing video games for a few minutes but gave up when he couldn't get his mind on the game and off the picture he had of Lizzie running through the house naked. After about 15 minutes he went and knocked on the bathroom door.

"What?" asked Lizzie's voice.

"Could you guy's hurry it up in there I gotta go" Gordo said impatiently.

"It's gonna take while so go use the bathroom upstairs." came the reply.

"Ok" said Gordo as he turned to go up stairs.

Jo said to herself "Ahh, it feels good to be clean again" as she quickly dried herself with the towel. Then she stepped out of the shower as started drying off her hair with the towel. After a few seconds she heard a gasp so she peeked out from under the towel and saw Gordo standing there. His eyes and mouth wide open in surprise. His mouth started to move soundlessly for a few moments as she quickly covered herself with the towel. She could feel the back of her neck grow warm and she knew she was becoming just as red with embarrassment as Gordo was.

Gordo managed to say " I ... I .... I didn't know ..... the door was open ..... bye."before he quickly fled the room closing the door behind him.

Jo stood there stunned thinking 'I know I shut the door". As she stood there in front of the shower in shock she saw the door slowly and noiselessly swing open. When she took a closer look she saw a piece of clear packing tape on the door keeping the door knob from latching.