Chapter 4:
Title: Somewhere I belong
Author: hweasley
Rating: G
Warning: Rating may go up as the story progresses.
Summary: Post Lizzie McGuire movie. Takes place the summer after Rome.
"Lizzie," Jo said as the car slowed to a stop. "I know this morning started off on a very rough slope but I also know if you give it half a chance this will be your best year ever."
Lizzie wanted to groan out loud. This pep talk was not helping her. But she knew her mom meant well so she forced a smile on her face. "Ok mom." She told her. Lizzie looked at her watch. "I should go. I don't want to be late."
Jo nodded and leaned forward to give Lizzie a kiss. "Good luck sweetheart." She said with tears in her eyes.
"Thanks," Lizzie said as she grabbed her backpack and climbed out of the car. She watched her mom drive away and then turned to look at the school. It was big. Too big. She felt panic rise in her chest. Her middle school was a normal size and it felt like she never found her way there either. How would she ever learn the paths in and around this place?
She readjusted her backpack and took a deep breath. "It's now or never," she thought and readied herself to climb the steps. Before she could even move two boys ran past her and almost knocked her over.
"Watch where you are going freshman." One laughed and nudged the other.
"Jerks." She muttered.
"Hi, you ok?" someone asked. She turned around and saw a tall, thin good-looking boy. He was watching her with concern.
Lizzie couldn't speak. He was obviously older and she had no idea why he was talking to her. Pity?
"You ok?" he asked again, looking even more concerned.
"Yeah." She answered. "I am ok. Thanks."
"Sorry about them." He said. "My friends are…well, jerks." He stuck his hand out. "I am Tyler."
Lizzie shook his hand, "I am Lizzie."
Tyler's mouth dropped. "Wait, you're Lizzie McGuire. The kid who preformed at the Music award thing in Italy?"
Lizzie smiled, "Yeah, but, it's not as glamorous as people think. I am not running off to become a diva."
Tyler laughed and looked at his watch. "Ok, well, it's about time for school to start." He said.
"Oh no." Lizzie said. "I don't know where my locker is or my first class or…anything…?"
"Let me see." Tyler told her. She handed him her schedule and other things. He took them and they walked inside together. "Your locker is on the same hall mine was freshman year. I can show you where it is and you have homeroom first with Mrs. Knight. That's on the same hall as my homeroom..."
"Wow." Lizzie said. "My lucky day."
"Sure is." Tyler said and he opened the door for her.
Tyler walked Lizzie to her locker and to her homeroom. When she got inside the bell was just about to ring and she was horrified to see that everyone was a stranger to her. Well, almost everyone.
"Lizzie," Kate hissed. "Over here."
Lizzie smiled gratefully as she slipped into the seat beside Kate. "Hi. How was your summer?"
"Fine." Kate replied. "Who is the hottie that walked you to class?"
Lizzie hesitated, "I don't really know him." She finally said. "His name is Tyler."
"Tyler?" The girl next to Kate asked. "Tyler Williams?"
"Uh, don't know." Lizzie said. "Why?"
"Oh, he is just the hottest and most popular guy in school." The girl replied. "Junior. Varsity football player. He was prom king last year and he was only a sophomore."
Lizzie felt frozen in fear. She had just spent 20 minutes with the Golden god of her new school. Why would a guy like that talk to someone like her?
"Way to go Lizzie." Kate teased then frowned. "What about Gordo? I thought you guys were like a couple."
Lizzie coughed, "I don't know what me and Gordo are but that has nothing to do with Tyler. We aren't even friends. He was just being nice."
Kate smirked, "Lizzie you have got to get a clue."
When homeroom was over Lizzie moved on to her next class. It was English and she was thrilled to see Miranda. "Oh my …" Lizzie whispered to her friend. "Am I glad to see you. You will not believe the morning I had."
Miranda shot Lizzie a look. "Does it have anything to do with Tyler Williams?" she asked.
Lizzie dropped her bag. "What-? How did you-?"
Miranda helped Lizzie pick her bag up, "Larry saw you guys walking to homeroom." She replied.
Lizzie groaned, "He was just helping me. His two idiot friends almost ran me down and he was being nice. That's it."
"That's it?" Miranda asked.
"That's it." Lizzie repeated.
"Good." Miranda said with a smile. "Because you can't kiss Gordo and then crush on some football hottie. That's just not right." Miranda paused and then said. "So, what about Gordo? Have you seen him this morning?"
Lizzie shook her head. "Have you?"
"Yeah" Miranda said. "He asked about you."
"Like I said, I had a rough morning."
"Tell me about it." Miranda suggested.
Lizzie told her about her great first day ensemble and Matt ruining it. "That is so like your brother." Miranda said. "Sorry."
"Thanks." Lizzie replied.
When class was over they walked toward their lockers and passed Gordo along the way. Lizzie felt her face brighten as Gordo slipped between her and Miranda. "Hi." He said.
"Hi" Lizzie said. "How are you?" How was your morning?"
"Good." Gordo said, "And yours?"
Lizzie felt awkward when she answered, "Oh fine."
The two walked in silence. Miranda gave Lizzie a look. Lizzie cleared her throat and whispered to Gordo. "What are you doing after school?"
"Nothing." He replied.
"I think maybe-" Lizzie paused. "Maybe we should talk or something?"
Gordo nodded, "Sure, yeah…" he answered.
"Good." Lizzie said and the three started share their fears and hopes for the next year.
Lizzie was walking out to the parking lot when the two boys from that morning came speeding by again.
"Seriously!" Lizzie called as she tried to regain her balance.
"Guys." Tyler called. "Cut it out." He put a hand on Lizzie's arm to make sure she was steady. "So sorry about them."
"That's ok." She replied. "Thanks for your help this morning"
"No problem." He said with a wink. "I love to help a nice looking girl."
She giggled and then grew silent. She didn't know what was going on here. But the attention felt nice.
"Some of my friends are going to grab a bite to eat. Want to come?" he asked breaking the awkward silence.
"Sure." Lizzie replied quickly.
"Great. Come on." He said. "I will drive."
As Lizzie climbed into Tyler's car she felt like something was wrong. Like she was forgetting something.