I couldn't help but feel apprehensive on the flight back to California. As soon as we landed my nervousness reached a new high. My mom noticed my discomfort but I told her it was just the flight that had meon edge. I couldn't tell if she believed me or not. Either way she let it pass. We took a cab back to our old house. The ride there was bittersweet.

Almost every establishment we passed seemed to tag along a string of memories. Most were good. Then I noticed the high school that I'd begin attending less than 48 hours from now. I rubbed my hands together.

As soon as I spotted the park, I remembered that my house was less than two blocks away. We made a left turn and came to my street. I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat. My parents were happily pointing out the surroundings to each other. They were so engrossed with nostalgia that they failed to notice my fidgety state. I cleared my throat again and scratched the back of my neck.

Lizzie's house. My house.

Things looked almost exactly the same. Minus an added car in the McGuire driveway. I sat up and took a closer look at the vehicle. Must be Lizzie's.

I smiled. She must've been a nervous wreck when she first started driving. Suddenly I felt myself frowning. I must've missed dozens of things while I was gone.

Unpacking was a pain in the ass as usual. I helped my parents a bit with the living room and kitchen. My dad ordered pizza while I ventured upstairs to my room. The air-conditioning was acting up so I decided to open both my windows instead. After accomplishing said task I collapsed on my bed. Getting my bed upstairs was amusing to say the least. If I recall correctly, the last time we hauled my bed downstairs my dad had to do most of the work. Now this time around, he kept gasping for breath and ordering me to slow down.

I laughed lightly, even though no one was around.

I must've dozed off because the next thing I knew the sun was gone and was now replaced with the moon. The street lamps filtered in the room. I heard the doorbell.

"David! Could you get that?"

I sighed and jogged downstairs. I passed my dad's study and saw both my parents trying to arrange the furniture. I proceeded to the front door. I opened the door. Pizza guy.

"$17. 82," he announced.

"Yeah hold on a sec, man." I backed away from the door and asked my dad for the money. He hastily handed me a $20 bill and returned his attention to the couch in the corner that appeared to be stuck underneath the desk.

I smiled lightly and exchanged the money for the food. I inhaled deeply. Damn I didn't realize how hungry I was.

"David!" my mother hollered. "Hurry it up we need some help in here. You're father thinks he's superman with all this heavy lifting."

I was just about the shut the door when the delivery boy gave me a quizzical stare. "David?"

"Yeah?" I asked him curiously.

He smiled. "Gordon?"

I studied him quickly. I didn't recognize this guy at all. I laughed slightly. "Sorry man, but am I supposed to know you?"

"Your friends call you Gordo, right?"

"Some, yeah. Who are you?"

"Oh sorry." he held out his hand. "Name's Daniel. I'm a good friend of Miranda's."

I brightened at the mention of my old friend's name. "So I take it your familiar with her other half?"

He appeared confused.

"Lizzie?" I offered.

His laugh was hearty. "Yeah of course, man. Those girls are closer than sisters sometimes."

"David!" my mom was quickly growing impatient.

I regarded him with an apologetic smile and shook his hand again. "See ya around, bro."

10 minutes later I was still laughing to myself. My mother was right with my father thinking he was superman. That look of determination combined with his puffing cheeks was hysterical. My mother had to keep scolding me to cut it out. The look of distress and her wired hair made me laugh all the more. After I dislodged the couch from the desk my mother shooed me away.

That's how I found myself lying in my bed...laughing. Still...

I heard feminine laughter close by. Much like that of a teenage girl. I sat up and looked out the window. Directly across from that particular window was Lizzie's window. And that, my friend is exactly where the laugh had come from. Her window was open too which made her laughter that much more clear. She was on the phone, obviously having an amusing conversation with whomever. She was pacing and threw her head back in laughter. I smiled at the sight.

I took a moment to study my former best friend.. My she had changed. Her hair was longer than ever, and she was more uh, mature. She had always been quite a looker in my opinion. But now she was plain beautiful. Long hair was definitely a plus in my book. She was a lot more curvy than I recalled. And her smile was as luminous as ever. I was so taken that I didn't hear my mother call for me. Not until the footsteps pounded against the steps did I hear the approach.

"David! Didn't you hear me?"

I reluctantly turned away from the window. "What?"

"Your father and I are heading next door to greet the McGuire's. Are you coming?"

"Yeah. Just give me a sec. I have the use the bathroom."

She nodded and exited the room. I didn't have to use the bathroom, but I couldn't seem to tear myself away. I shook my head and stood up. I kneeled at my window and my upper body sort of hung out a bit. I cupped my hands around my mouth. "Lizzie!"

She stopped mid-sentence of her phone conversation and looked around curiously. "Lizzie!" I screamed louder.

"Hold on," she said to her phone buddy. She stuck her head out the window and scanned the street for the 'anonymous' shouter. I chuckled lightly. I was less than 10 feet away from her!

"Over her blondie," I said.

Her head snapped in my direction.

"Hey McGuire," I waved nonchalantly.

"G-Gordo?" her mouth hung open a bit.

I laughed.

"Ohmygosh!" she squealed. She banged the back of her head against the window. I laughed loudly then asked if she was okay.

"You laugh now, just wait til I get my hands on you Gordo." she threatened.

I laughed again. "Me and my folks are heading over right now. Then you can have your way with me."

"It has been a good while since I've roughed you up a bit." her eyes were full of mischief. I couldn't help but smile back at her.

"OH!" she suddenly remembered the phone in her hand. "Tommy I'll call you back later, bye!"

I whistled. "Ooh is that your boyfriend?" I teased.

"Hardly," she snorted.

"David!" My mother seemed to be in a screaming frenzy tonight. "C'mon we're leaving!"

"Be right there, mom!" I shouted back.

I returned my attention back to Lizzie. "I'll see you in about," I checked my watch "30 seconds."

She laughed and started backing into her room until she hit her head again. "Damn!" she cursed and rubbed the back of her head.

I pointed and laughed. "Ha! It doesn't get much blonder than that!"

"30 seconds?" she asked and narrowed her glare. "I can't wait."