Chapter 9

Lizzie ran inside, stunned from the last moment's occurrences. She still
wasn't sure exactly what happened. Her backpack was tossed on the living
room sofa and she sprinted into the kitchen to find her brother. Her face
had gained a reddish pink shade.

"What's up with you?" her younger brother questioned. Knowing
this was not a topic neither she nor her brother wanted to share, she
stopped herself, trying to regain her composure, and pretend that nothing
had happened.

"Are you hungry? I can make us something."

"Um, I guess."

"Ok. Hmmm.what to make." the teenage girl rummaged through the
kitchen cupboards. Spotting a can of Campbell's soup, she snatched it from
its place. "Does soup sound ok?"

"Yeah, whatever."

"Ok, and I'll make us some turkey sandwiches. Soup and
sandwiches, sounds good to me." She poured the cold soup into a pot and
placed it on the stove. She then retrieved the proper items from the
cupboard and fridge and began to fix two turkey sandwiches. She sloppily
fixed the two sandwiches, too many other things on her mind, and placed them
on two plates. "I need to make a quick phone call. Just watch the stove,
ok?"

"Ok," Matt replied, half listening.

Lizzie grabbed her cell and flipped it open to call Miranda.
She had to know about the kiss. But Lizzie frowned as she looked down at the
screen. "Darn it, I forgot to charge it." She mumbled as she through it back
onto the coffee table in the living-room. Retrieving the home phone from the
cradle in the kitchen, she quietly climbed the staircase, and entered her
bedroom. She didn't want to bother her mother, but the home phone wouldn't
work outside, the reception only reached so far. "Why do we have to have
such a lame phone?" she grumbled to herself.
She quietly closed the bedroom door, and sat gently on her bed.
"Hello Mrs. Sanchez, could I talk to Miranda. Thanks"

"Hi Lizzie, what's up? How's your Mom?"

"She's ok. She's been in bed since I got home. She's not feeling
too hot, but it's expected."

"Oh, Lizzie. That sucks, for all of you. I'm so sorry."

"Thanks"

"You guys must not be able to do much at your house then, huh?"

"Yeah, I actually went over to Gordo's house to do homework."

"Really, how'd that go?"

"Um, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. It went really
well, really, really well. I don't know, lately, he's just been awesome. You
know, with everything with my Mom."

"Uh huh. You two definitely have been spending a lot of time
together." Her best friend put in.

"And, when he brought me home tonight, he walked me to the door.
And, Miranda, he."

"He what?"

"He kissed me, Miranda."

"What?"

"He kissed me."

"Oh my gosh, are you serious?"

"Yep."

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" Lizzie could tell her best friend was
moving wildly around her bedroom.

"Is that a good oh my gosh?"

"Of course. I've only been waiting for you two to get together
since like seventh grade."

"Wait, we're not even together yet," Lizzie injected.

"Lizzie, seriously, you've been all over each other, and now you
kissed. Do the math girl."

"I guess you're right. Oh my gosh, you're right." Now Lizzie was
moving wildly around her bedroom as well.

"Lizzie, this is awesome. I'm excited for you two."

"Thanks, Miranda. When do you think he'll officially ask me?"

"I don't know. I might have to put my two cents in. He's kind of
dumb in that area."

Lizzie laughed. Her best friend was a little more aggressive
than her.

"Ok, you do that," she laughed, "But I have to go. I need to
finish up dinner for Matt and me."

"Ok, I'll talk to you tomorrow, and congrats on the kiss."

"Thanks."

Lizzie clicked the phone off and danced around her room. Miranda
was right, it was finally happening. The thing that had been in the back of
her mind forever might actually be coming true. For the longest time she
wouldn't even admit to herself that she liked him. They were friends, that
was all. But sometimes best friends made the best couples. Phone still in
hand, she twirled and whirled in front of her vanity. A smile had crept
across her face. This was the happiest she'd been in the last week.

Her excitement was interrupted by a knock at her bedroom door.
Jumping, she realized she might have made more noise than she should have.

Opening the door, she viewed her mother, who was much paler than
usual. It was evident she was not feeling her best. "Mom, I'm so sorry for
the noise. I was trying to keep quiet, but."

"Lizzie, its ok, Sweetie, I'm fine. You and your brother have
been perfect, and I appreciate it. But I can't expect two teenagers to be
quiet all the time." she explained, "I just wanted to know what my beautiful
daughter was so excited about?" she added with a smile.

"Was it that obvious?" Lizzie responded, blushing.

"You were almost jumping up and down," her mom smiled back.

"Um, it's nothing mom."

"Hey, don't think that because I'm sick, I don't have time to
listen to my daughter. Spill it."

"Ok," she replied. She didn't want to burden her mom right now,
but it was obvious that her mom wanted to remain involved. She didn't want
to be treated differently. "Mom," she breathed in, "Gordo kissed me tonight.
We went to his house to do homework, and when he brought me back home, he
kissed me." She said turning red again.

"Oh my gosh"

"Is that a good oh my gosh?" Lizzie asked for the second time
that night.

"Yes, yes it is!" her mother said as she embraced her teenage
daughter. "Has he asked you out yet or not?"

"No, but Miranda says it's been pretty obvious lately how he
feels about me. And now that I step back and look at it, I think she's
right."

"Lizzie, I'm so excited for you. I like Gordo a lot. He's a
great kid. You deserve a good guy like him."

"Thanks, Mom"

The two women hugged each other once more. Lizzie was happy that
her Mom was happy for her, and that her Mom could still be a part of it.
Lizzie almost thought what happened with Gordo was a good thing for the two;
it was something that they could bond over during her Moms illness.

Another knock was heard at her door.

"Honey, are you ok? Do you need to lie down again?" Mr. McGuire
looked at his wife. He was obviously concerned for his wife's well-being.

"Honey, I'm more than fine. Our little girl was kissed tonight."

"What?" his face turned an indescribable color.

The two women laughed.

"Who kissed my daughter?"

"Dad, it's ok. It was Gordo. We've become a lot closer. Miranda
thinks he might ask me out soon."

Mr. McGuire said nothing but just shook his head. He had taken
on the same role any father takes when he finds out that someone likes their
baby girl. He didn't care how much he liked Gordo, Lizzie was still his
little girl.

The two women just laughed once more at his reaction. "You have an awesome
father, Lizzie."

She laughed. "I know." Mrs. McGuire escorted her daughter
downstairs, and sat with her while she ate her dinner. The two enjoyed each
others company. Lizzie was glad to still have her Mom. Mrs. McGuire was
still happy to be the mom.

A/N:

Thanks again for the reviews. Wow, I'm always surprised and thankful for the amazing response I'm receiving for this fic. Please keep them coming. I just want to thank my beta, ZiggyBomb. I appreciate the help. Everyone thank her for her awesome work.