Chapter Three

a/n: I'm not quite sure how I'll be continuing this story. I can't decide whether to cut it off as a short fic, or keep it going to build into a large story line. Let me know what you think, and as always, reviews are appreciated.

Gordo had settled things with his mom, who'd been uneasy about letting him spend the night at first, but had finally given in after talking with Miranda's parents on the phone. Lizzie couldn't have been more excited and she refused to let Gordo out of her sight for a good half hour in fear that the whole thing would turn out to be a big joke and he'd be gone. Once things calmed down a bit the trio decided to pick up with their plans to watch the movie. Gordo took a seat in a recliner in the corner of the room, which upset Lizzie since she'd expected to sit next to him. Feeling brave because of how well the night was going, she boldly straddled his legs and looked him in the face.

"You're not really going to sit here by yourself are you?" she looked at him intently, knowing that he couldn't refuse her anything when she looked at him directly in the eyes, "There's an entire couch!" she added this fact just to push her opinion a little more.

"Of course I'm not sitting by myself!" Gordo answered matter- of-factly and stood as Lizzie pulled herself off of him. Both of them sat on the couch, close enough to touch but not close enough to look too obvious. Miranda opted for a seat on the floor; it provided better viewing opportunities of Johnny Deep.

"Miranda we're going to the neighbors for a while, give us a call if you need anything" Mrs. Sanchez picked up her purse and walked out, as Lizzie felt even more love for the woman who'd created such a wonderful evening for her.

"Well I guess it's just us, God knows they won't be back for quite some time" Miranda looked up at her two best friends, she'd known them long enough to realize where this night was going but turned back to the TV without making a comment. Gordo's hand instinctively found Lizzie's and he intertwined his fingers in hers. It all felt so familiar, yet so new, it'd been a long time since they'd done this out in the open. Lizzie "readjusted" herself into the couch which put her right next to Gordo.

The movie continued and Lizzie mindfully kept her gaze focused on the TV, whether she was paying attention to it or not. Every once and while she'd feel Gordo look at her, she'd loved the feeling of him looking at her and she recognized it almost instantly when it happened. Somewhere during the movie the pair had entwined and moved closer to each other in a way that caused them to be more of a single person than two.

When the movie ended the trio let the TV play in the background while they played a game of Life. Although Lizzie practically detested the game, Miranda loved it and it was, after all, her birthday. As Lizzie counted money out she quickly remember what this game was going to entail.

flashback

Lizzie was 12 and lying on her bedroom floor, listening to Miranda spill the details of the party she'd missed for a family reunion. At the party she'd asked Miranda to tell Gordo how she felt about him, it was the first time either one had admitted liking each other out loud.

Miranda told her about how Gordo how reacted well, giggling and then saying "I'd already guessed that" and Lizzie was instantly filled up with excitement for the annual trip to the Outer Banks that was only a week away. It's going to be the best ever, that's what she kept telling herself.

Miranda quickly went into a story of how'd they'd played Life to pass the time.

"And I mean I don't know if you know this, but when I play you've got to say who you're going to marry and name your kids and all. And oh, Lizzie, it was just the cutest thing ever. Guess who Gordo said he was going to marry? YOU!" Lizzie wasn't surprised that her heart didn't burst right then and she jumped up, hugging the first thing in sight, her full length mirror.

end of flashback

Lizzie became suddenly panicked, what was she going to say? What was he going to say? She became far too interested in the game, hoping maybe Miranda would be too tired to ask her these personal questions. No such luck. She landed on the spot and picked up a small blue figure which she fastened into her car.

"So who's your husband Liz?" Miranda looked at her, enjoying what she knew was an uncomfortable situation for both of her friends. Gordo looked down at the floor, fussing with his money piles.

"Ohh I don't know!" Lizzie quickly racked her brain for the first attractive actor or singer she could think of and spit out his name to keep the game moving. Problem avoided!! Gordo claimed a celebrity for his wife, and while Lizzie was a little disappointed he hadn't selected her, she hadn't picked him either.

The life game ended and everyone's energy started to dwindle. Gordo fell asleep on the floor, still holding Lizzie's hand and pressing their hands together under his practically unconscious body. Lizzie gingerly woke them up when Miranda decided it was time to go to bed.

"Gordo" she whispered in his ear and gently nudged his shoulder, his eyes fluttered open and he smiled at her. It seemed to her that it couldn't be possible for him to look that cute after just waking up.

"I'm a coming" he let go of her hand and pushed himself up off the floor, then grabbed the sides of her arms to steady himself.

"Alright sleeping beauty" she started walking and Gordo tailed closely behind drawing small circles on her back with his fingers. They all congregated in Miranda's room while she made Gordo's bed in the guest t room. Lizzie suddenly realized how cold it was, and started shivering. Gordo seemed to notice the cold as well, when she turned around to look at him she was frantically rubbing his hands together.

"It got cold!" he looked her in the eye and she moved closer to him, nodding her head in agreement. He reached out and started rubbing the outside of her arms and she reached up to put her hands on his face.

"Crap!! Your fingers are freezing!" she immediately withdrew them from his face and looked down, feeling stupid for thinking he'd want her to touch him there. Just as she was about to step away though, he pulled her in close and held her while she shivered some more.

"Are you guys cold or something?" Miranda had walked in and just by the look on her face Lizzie could tell that she was secretly laughing at the two of them.

"Well yeah! Aren't you?" Lizzie had to smile, imagining what Miranda must be thinking in her head.

"Do you want my sweatshirt?" Gordo asked Lizzie as he started to pull the hem towards his head, but Lizzie put her hand on his and gently guided it back to where it'd been.

"Then you'll be cold! I have another sweatshirt anyways and I'll be alright." Lizzie was going to have a hard enough time as it was falling asleep and knowing this night was over, wearing his sweatshirt was not going to help that problem.

"If you say so" he looked at her straight in the eye, as if daring her to tell him she'd changed her mind, but she looked away and at Miranda who still had that smirk on her face, watching her friends.

"Well your bed is all ready for you; I put an extra blanket at the end, in case you need it." Miranda interrupted Gordo's thoughts and he looked up at her, nodding to show that he understood. Lizzie took this as the cue to say goodnight, but waited for Gordo to say something to Miranda first.

"Alright well I'll see you guys in the morning, happy birthday!" he pulled Miranda into a friendly hug and then looked at Lizzie, "Night Night Lizzie", it was their signature goodnight only used for each other in place of an "I love you" or an "I miss you so much it's making me insane". Lizzie entered his arms and he pulled her close, holding on for as long as possible. Lizzie pulled away slightly and Gordo grabbed her hand as he started to walk out of the room. Their fingers slowly came apart until they were no longer touching and Gordo looked back at her, smiling.

"Ok! BEDTIME!", Miranda rushed to her favorite side of the bed climbing in, "oh Liz can you hit the lights please?"

"Sure" Lizzie turned the lights off and found her way over the bed, "goodnight birthday girl!" she nudged Miranda and then focused her attention on the task ahead. Get some sleep. Yeah right she thought to herself before resuming her ceiling staring.