Disclaimer: I don't own Lizzie McGuire or the characters. Disney does.
"Hey," Lizzie sat on her bed, smiling at him as he entered the room.
Gordo folded his overshirt and piled it on top of his shoes near Lizzie's dresser. "Hey."
He could feel her gaze on him as he climbed into the sleeping bag, pulling it over his lap.
"So-I'm so sorry about ruining our movie night. I can't believe how scared I got."
Gordo gave her an understanding smile, "It's alright."
"No, seriously. That was like, a hundred year old horror movie. I'm so pathetic."
"No you're not. Even I got a little freaked out when the door slammed."
"Yeah, but you didn't start crying and shaking and jump into my Mom's arms."
"That would have been a bit strange," Gordo chuckled, pulling his pillow into his lap as he chatted to Lizzie.
Lizzie rolled her eyes, but giggled, "Yeah, I can just imagine…But seriously. Thanks."
Gordo smiled, "No problem."
Lizzie frowned as she stared at him.
"What?" he finally asked.
"Aren't you gonna-…You've been acting differently lately…" Lizzie started.
Gordo panicked, Oh God, here was the moment he'd dreaded. He must have been acting really obvious. "Wh-what do you mean?" he finally choked out.
Lizzie thought about it for a moment, "You haven't really been weird-Gordoweird- for…like, since after Miranda left."
"Gordoweird?"
"Yeah, you know…coming out with obscure facts, being smug about your intelligence, being boyish about gross stuff, teasing me when I do something stupid."
"God, I sound like a horrible person!" Gordo exclaimed.
Lizzie smirked, "No, just Gordoweird. And I was used to it. You-this…you've been very…sweet."
Gordo blushed.
"I gave you so many opportunities tonight to tease me, but you didn't. You've just been really nice, hugging me, saying reassuring stuff, staying on my bedroom floor to protect me…" Lizzie trailed off, blushing herself as she realised that she was gushing a bit much.
Gordo paused for quite a while, wondering how to reply. His first instinct was to come up with an excuse, or deny everything. Then, he just told the truth. "I guess…Miranda kinda brings out a playful side of me. She makes me treat you like my buddies. That's not to say that I don't have fun with you. But you're like…my little sister or something (okay, one little white lie wasn't bad), I'm protective of you."
Lizzie's eyes were soft, and she looked absolutely charmed with what he'd just said. "Gosh, Gordo- that's so sweet. You're gonna make me cry again."
"Sorry," Gordo gazed at her, smiling.
Lizzie lifted her eyes to the ceiling as she tried to control her emotions.
Gordo smirked, girls. "Well, we should get some sleep, Lizzie."
"Right," Lizzie slid off her bed, crawling over on her knees across the floor toward him. "Now, I know you're gonna complain and try to run away."
"What?" he asked nervously as she got closer.
"That moment called for a hug," she said and leaned in and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
He was frozen in shock for a second, before he got his stubborn arms up and around Lizzie's form. Her chin hooked over his shoulder as he pulled her in, squeezing her lightly. Her skin was warm through her tanktop.
With his nose near her neck and hair, he breathed in her scent, and he was entranced.
She squeezed him again, moving her hands to his shoulders so that she could push herself up, "Goodnight Gordo."
"G'night Liz," Gordo breathed softly.
They had both settled in to sleep, when Lizzie spoke up, "Oh, sorry, I forgot to ask if you wanted some of Matt's shorts to sleep in?"
"Oh! No-um. I'm fine. If I get hot I'll just, take my pants off-" Gordo said, and then blushed.
Lizzie snorted, "As long as you have something on underneath."
"Yes! Of course! My God!" Gordo exclaimed, face burning, so glad that the room was pitch black.
Lizzie snickered, "Ok than. Night David," she teased.
"Goodnight Elizabeth," he replied sternly
"G'morning Gordo," Lizzie's mom said cheerfully as he stumbled into the kitchen.
Gordo grunted, almost tripping over an end-table leg.
"Gordo's grumpy in the mornings," Lizzie said.
"Oh yes- I remember!" Mrs McGuire laughed.
Gordo collapsed into a chair at the table beside Lizzie, leaning his elbows on the table, head in his hands.
"You want toast or cereal, honey?"
Lizzie elbowed him, causing him to whip his head up, "Huh?...Oh! Just cereal thanks Mrs McGuire."
Gordo thanked her when she placed a bowl in front of him. Mr McGuire walked in and greeted everyone. By this point, Gordo was alert enough to respond.
"So, Gordo," Lizzie started, leaning in, smirking, "Did you get hot enough last night to take your pants off?"
Gordo choked on his cereal in shock. He wiped his mouth of dripped milk, glancing at Mr and Mrs McGuire's suspicious and worried glares. He blushed as he glanced back at Lizzie, "Lizzie!"
Lizzie giggled innocently, "What?"
"Lizzie, Gordo…?" Mr McGuire started sternly.
"What?" Lizzie repeated, "I'm kidding. I got up last night and checked."
"Lizzie!" Gordo, and both parents exclaimed.
Lizzie was giggling constantly now, "Relax! I was just kidding!" She stumbled up with her empty breakfast bowl, punching Gordo in the shoulder.
Gordo slung his arm back, hitting Lizzie in the stomach with the back of his hand, "You're such a brat McG."
Gordo watched out of the corner of his eye as Lizzie parents gave her disapproving looks.
Lizzie ignored them, calling to Gordo, "Hey Gordo, ya wanna go to the Digital Bean, then the mall? We could go to the park maybe too."
Gordo paused, looking into his cereal. He was going a bit crazy spending all of this time with Lizzie. And he could tell that he was being more and more obvious about how he felt for her. Any more time with her and he may start declaring his undying love for her and singing her celine dion songs. "Um…you know what? I think I wanna get a start on that English assignment. Besides, if you spend too much time with me you might start getting sick of me…or hit me some more or something."
"Ha ha. Fine. Weakling."
Gordo shrugged, "Well, I'd prefer a blow to my pride than bruises."
Lizzie rolled her eyes, "Do you have to be so logical?!"
Gordo gave her a look over his cereal bowl, "You do know who you're talking to, right?"
"Eugh!" Lizzie made her little grunt of frustration and started storming out of the room. Gordo smiled, he loved that noise. God, he was pathetic. He needed to get away, and now.
He shoved the last spoonful into his mouth and stood, "Hey, I'll just grab my shoes and shirt and head home."
Lizzie stopped, "Oh. Well, I'm having a shower, so- I probably won't see you."
"Alright."
Lizzie started for him, and threw her arms around him, yanking him into a tight hug, "Thanks for staying last night."
Gordo placed a hand on her back awkwardly, "Um…sure."
Lizzie released him just as quickly as she'd grabbed him, and spun around, bounding up the stairs.
Gordo shook himself and started for the stairs himself, not daring to glance at Mr and Mrs McGuire. He was sure that he must have been obvious just then.
He had to get out of here. Lizzie was driving him crazy.