A/N: Hey, guys. I'm sick again. -_- When am I gonna get better? :P Oh, well, at least I don't have a headache this time, so I can write more. :) I forgot to do shout outs last time! So this time, all of yours are twice as long as normal! ^^

Littlemick: Welcome! Thank you for reviewing! Your story is really great and I hope to see an update soon! Enjoy this chapter!

River Tam: bFishstix said the same thing about Miranda…I guess you'll just have to wait and see! I didn't even think of those guys! XD Oh, the memories you just brought back with that! No problem! That plug only took a second, and your story needs to be discovered! ^^ Enjoy this chapter!

Bubbles237: You'll just have to wait and see! Mwahahah! Well…actually, to be completely honest, I don't quite know what they did yet. I'll come up with something! And thank you! I take great pride in my cliffhangers! :P Enjoy this chapter!

bFishstix: :O Do you like it? This truly is where the story begins. :) And yes, poor Gordo. Things will look up for him, though! And, btw, I loved the LM video you made to "Good Life." It was really super cute! ^^

Boris Yeltsin: I thought it was time to get some Matt in there! Glad you liked it. :) You'll find out who they were eventually. Just not in this chapter. ^^ I know, right? So much for proposing! Guess what I found out! There's a guy named Boris Yeltsin coming to my town! I thought of you right away, lol. Enjoy this chapter!

Tomboy22: CHICKEN! Yeah, though, that can be a scary thing. (I've never proposed to anyone…it's just kinda common knowledge ^^) Yes, he better ask next time! Here's your update! Enjoy!

Okay, guys, I know that I just used 322 words on shout-outs, but the chapter will be long, I promise! Plus your reviews mean so much to me, and I want to thank you all! And I'm really shy in real life, so I guess I like to talk a lot when I get behind a keyboard. Anyway, here's the very looooong chapter I promised you! Enjoy!

Gordo folded his shirts. He was leaving today. For NYU. This is the start of the rest of my life, he thought, I can leave everything behind and start over. His talk with Lizzie on the car ride home last night hadn't ended well, and instead of kissing goodnight, they were screaming and slamming car doors. Gordo kicked his door as he remembered the break up. Well, it wasn't really a break up; they had never ended their relationship, but Gordo was still leaving town and flying 2000 miles across the United States. And he sure as heck wasn't going to come back. But he had to say goodbye. Gordo picked up his cell phone and dialed the McGuire's home number.

"Hello?" Matt asked.

"Matt?"

"Yeah…who's this?"

"It's Gordo."

"Oh," Matt sounded slightly disappointed. "Are you looking for my sister?"

"No! Actually, can you just give her a message for me?"

"Sure. Shoot."

"Tell her I'm leaving for NYU in an hour and a half…and tell her goodbye and thanks for everything."

"Are you telling me to break up with Lizzie for you? 'Cause that's really lame."

"Just tell her, Matt," Gordo said. Yes, he knew how lame he had sounded, but Matt didn't need to point it out. "And bye to you, too, buddy."

"Bye, Gordo," Matt hung up the phone, confused. What had happened between Gordo and his sister? "Uh, Lizzie," he called up the stairs, "I have something to tell you…"

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"Bye, Mom. I'll call when I get there," Gordo said, trying unsuccessfully to wriggle out of his mother's grasp. She just kept hugging him.

"Oh, my baby boy's leaving for college," she said, finally letting go and wiping her tears.

"I'll be fine, Mom." Gordo then turned to his dad and they shook hands. "See you, Dad."

"Son," Howard said, "Have a nice trip."

"I will." And then he was gone. That had been quicker than he thought it would be. In fact, he was surprised he wasn't feeling any nostalgia…he didn't feel any nostalgia until he reached into his pocket and found the engagement ring, that is. Then leaving was a whole lot tougher than he thought. But he headed to the airport anyway, as if some invisible magnet was pulling him there.

He walked to the Delta Airlines counter to pick up his boarding pass and then walked towards security.

"GORDO!"

Gordo turned around at the sound of his voice, but didn't see anyone he knew. "I'm delusional," he whispered to himself, and continued forward.

"GORDO, PLEASE! WAIT!"

Gordo turned around again. There was Lizzie, running towards him, blonde hair flying. She finally caught up, out of breath. "Gordo, where are you going?"

"Didn't Matt tell you?"

"Yes, but you can't just dump me over the phone and then expect me to be perfectly fine with it."

"I'm going to New York. For college."

"Didn't you say we were going to go to UCLA together?"

"Well, people change their minds, Liz."

"Oh," she inhaled deeply, blinking rapidly to keep herself from crying. "But, why?"

He hated to see her cry…but there was no turning back now. "I almost died for you last night, Liz."

"I know. And I owe you my life, Gordo."

"So you do see the urgency of this situation. So, why do you still refuse to get help?"

"Gordo…"

"No, Liz. I only help people who try to help themselves. I need a break." He nervously ran his hands through his hair.

"A-a break from me?"

"Yeah…a break from us."

She sniffled, wiping at her already smeared mascara. "I see."

"I'm sorry?"

"No. Don't be," she started to sound a little more forceful.

He leaned down and kissed her. But it wasn't an "I love you, see you soon" kind of kiss; it was a quick, fearful "goodbye" peck on the lips. Then he turned and left Lizzie standing there alone in the middle of the airport.

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Three weeks had passed. Lizzie had spent most of the time alone in her room, listening to music. "If this Was a Movie" by Taylor Swift became her theme song. She even took up reading romance novels to put a little romantic hope back in her mind.

Once, Miranda came over. She ripped the ear buds out of her best friend's ears, and closed her book. "Lizzie! This is ridiculous! You have been sitting here, sulking, for like…a month! Get a life!"

"Miranda, you're not the one who got dumped over the phone, and then when you asked why, he practically said that he was tired of you."

"You know…you still never told me why he did that."

"Forget it."

"Okay…come on." Miranda grabbed Lizzie's hand.

"What?"

"We're going out. We're gonna get you to be happy again."

"Miranda, please, no."

"Come on. A little mingling can't hurt. There's this hot new club downtown, and you only have to be 18 to get in because there's no alcohol. It'll be fun!"

Lizzie sighed. "Miranda, I'm really not ready. I dated Gordo for three years…I can't just bounce back from this that quickly."

"Okay," Miradna sighed and handed Lizzie her book.

"Thanks. I knew you'd understand."

"Yeah, yeah." The two girls were silent for a moment. "Hey, did you hear that Ethan Craft is single again?"

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Miranda, that was a stupid middle school crush. I mean, let's face it: Ethan Craft's a few cans short of a six pack. In fact, I think he's six cans short of a six pack."

Miranda giggled, "Yeah, I guess you're right. He certainly hasn't gotten any smarter since middle school."

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"The rent's due on the 15th of next month." Mr. Karbronsky, Gordo's new landlord handed Gordo a bill and turned to leave.

"Thanks, sir." Gordo unlocked his new apartment. He was going job hunting tomorrow, and would keep a job (and his apartment) up until he could move into a dorm in September.

Gordo looked around his apartment, placing the last few of his items around the rooms. He had decided to unpack over a longer period of time, and now, in the middle of July, he was done. Finally. He was also truly grateful that the apartment had come fully furnished; furniture was something he did not have the money for. Gordo collapsed onto the bed and fell into sleep.

The next morning, Gordo changed his clothes and was off. His first stop was Macy's. A job was available in the "Home Goods" department.

Gordo approached the front desk. "Hi. Are you Liza?"

"That's me," the girl said, tucking her blonde hair behind her ears. "And you are…?"

"David. David Gordon. I'm applying to the open job here."

"David. I like it," she flashed him an irresistible smile and dug out an application. "Here. Just fill this out and have a seat."

"Are you conducting the interview?" Gordo asked hopefully.

"Well, I am the manager, so…yes!"

"Very good."

"I've gotta tell you, David, you're already a whole lot nicer than anyone who's come around so far."

"Does that mean I have the advantage?"

"We'll see…"

David studied the girl for a minute. "Has anyone ever told you that you have really beautiful green eyes?"

She blushed. "Thanks."

"It's true. In fact, all of you is pretty. You must be fighting off the guys with a stick." Gordo even surprised himself with his last comment. Whoa, he thought, I should get a ticket for reckless flirting.

Liza laughed. "Actually, I haven't been on a date in a couple years."

"Well…maybe I could change that?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"How about dinner and a movie?" No, dating your potential boss is not a good idea! Gordo's inner voice screamed.

"Sounds nice. You free on Saturday?"

"Yeah. Um, I'll come get you at 7?"

"Do you have a car?"

"Um, no I was going to just take a cab…"

"Well, I do have a car, so how about I pick you up at 7 instead?"

"Sure."

"Now, ready for that interview?"

"Yeah," Gordo said, and followed Liza into a back room.

After the interview, Liza and Gordo were standing by the front desk. "Your application looks very promising, David."

"Thanks."

"Well…you've got the job!"

"Great, you don't know how much this means to me!"

Liza reached out and shook Gordo's hand, holding on for longer than necessary. "You start tomorrow at noon."

"Cool. See you, then."

"Bye, David."

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It was well into August now, and Lizzie was still shaken up over her breakup with Gordo. The only thing that reassured her was that no more letters came, and those two guys had never tried anything again. Yet.

Lizzie turned away from the bulletin board she had been looking at. She really needed to take those pictures of her and Gordo down. They were getting to be too much to handle. She logged onto her computer and went to Facebook. There, in her news feed, was a new picture Gordo had uploaded. He had his arm slung around some girl with blonde hair and dazzling green eyes. The caption read, "Liza and Me. She's been so good to me!" This was the third picture of this girl he had uploaded that month. Lizzie logged out. Maybe she should just unfriend him…

There was a knock at her door. "Come in," Lizzie said, snapping out of her fantasy.

Miranda made herself present. She curled her nose. "Taylor Swift? Again?"

"What? I like this song."

"You never liked it before…you know."

"So? My tastes are changing."

"Listen, I came to say goodbye."

"What?"

"I'm heading to New York for a week. My aunt lives there and needs some help around her house. She has cancer."

"Oh…" Lizzie turned back to her computer and absentmindedly hit the "replay" button. Taylor began to boom through the speakers again.

"Liz, are you going to be okay without me here for a while?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, sometimes it seems like I'm the only thing that keeps you in reality. If I didn't know you better, I'd think you were plotting some gory suicide attempt."

Lizzie looked at her hands, tears beginning to fall. "I wouldn't kill myself…"

"I know. You were always afraid of dying." There was an awkward pause before she added, "You really love him, don't you?"

"More than anything."

Miranda hugged Lizzie close. "I'm so sorry."

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"David?" Liza called from the kitchen.

"Yeah?" Gordo came out of the living room and stepped into Liza's spacious kitchen. Apparently Macy's paid their managers well.

"Can you hand me the pepper?"

"Sure." One great thing about Liza was that she was a fantastic cook. And baker. Her fudge brownies were to die for. "Here, honey."

"Thanks," she planted a quick kiss on his lips and then returned to cooking. Just then, Gordo's phone rang. He stepped out onto the balcony before answering. "Hello?"

"How could you, Gordo?"

"Miranda?"

"Yeah, it's me. Now spill."

"How could I what?"

"Gordo! Don't play dumb. You totally destroyed Lizzie's heart. It's like you took a hammer and shattered it!"

Gordo sighed and shook his head. "She's still moping?"

"Moping is an understatement. She's like…she's delusional with grief, Gordo! And you already have another girlfriend? Sheesh…it's like you never loved her in the first place."

"Did you call for any special reason? Or did you just decide to make today 'attack Gordo day'?"

She snorted. "I'm flying into JFK to visit my aunt. I need a ride to somewhere."

"Ever heard of a cab?"

"DAVID GORDON!"

"Fine, fine. What time does your plane land?"

"5:30."

"I'll see you then." He hung up and went back inside.

"Who was that?" Liza asked.

"An old friend. Can I borrow your car to pick her up and take her where she needs to be?

"Sure."

"Liza, are you jealous?"

"No. Why would I be?"

"You know you're not going to lose me, right?"

"Yeah. What time does the plane land?"

"5:30."

"Okay. Did she call from the plane? It's five now."

"Oh, crap. She must have. Keys, please?"

"In my purse."

Gordo grabbed the keys and was on his way.

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"That is so like my aunt…" Miranda mumbled.

"Yeah, yeah, I know: your family's dysfunctional."

"Shut it, Gordon. You're still not forgiven. Are we there, yet?"

"Yeah, Miranda, we're there. Why don't you just get out of the car right here on the freeway?"

"Shut it! So, who is this girl you're with?"

"Her name's Liza."

"Details, please?"

"Just meet her and find out."

Soon enough, they were all in Liza's apartment. Miranda wrapped her hands around the warm mug of coffee Liza had given her. "So, California, huh? That's such a long flight!" Liza said.

"Tell me about it," Miranda replied coolly.

"And then you finally get here to discover that your aunt's spending the weekend in Buffalo with some friends. You're not getting much of a first impression of New York."

"This is okay." Miranda cuddled back into the couch. "So, Liza, are you going to college this year?"

"Actually, I graduated…a few years ago."

"How old are you?" Miranda asked cautiously.

"27."

Miranda's eyes went wide. "Oh," she said.

"Well, I've got to get to work. Nice meeting you, Miranda." Then she was out the door.

"Gordo…" Miranda started.

"So she's a few years older than me…that doesn't matter," Gordo said.

"Try nine years older than you, Gordo! And don't you notice all the similarities?"

"What on Earth are you talking about?"

"Her name, her looks, she's a good cook…come on, Gordo. You're not that stupid."

"What?"

"She's just like Lizzie! Right down to the kind of clothes she wears!" Suddenly it all clicked together in Miranda's brain. "You still love Lizzie! That's it! You still love Lizzie, and your brain automatically looked for someone like Lizzie to fill that hole. And you didn't even realize it!"

"You're insane."

"No, I'm being logical. Think about it! Haven't your parents talked about stuff like this before?"

"The mind automatically attaches itself to things that it has grown used to. I was used to Lizzie…so I guess my mind was looking for someone like her?"

"Or just her."

"No."

"You still love Lizzie, and she still loves you, so what are you doing here?"

"I don't love Lizzie," Gordo stated calmly.

"Look me in the eye and say that again." He shook his head, clearly exasperated.

"Even if Lizzie would take me back, I can't just break Liza's heart."

"You jackass."

"Excuse me?"

"You'll break Lizzie's heart after knowing her for 18 years and dating her for three of those, but you won't break up with Liza whom you've known for a month. You're a jerk."

"Miranda…"

"You still love her! Admit it!"

"FINE! I STILL LOVE LIZZIE, OKAY? ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?"

"Very."

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Jo knocked hesitantly on Lizzie's door. "Come in," Lizzie said. It was apparent that she had been crying; you could hear it in her voice.

"Hey, honey," Jo said. "I brought you some cookies."

"Thanks," Lizzie said, and took one off the plate.

Jo decided to cut right to the chase. "Liz, sweetheart…you can't just sit here in your room all summer. You've got to get over Gordo sometime." Lizzie tuned her mother out and sang along to the music playing. "Ignore me, but you know it's true."

"Mom, what would you say if I decided to kill myself?"

"I'd take you straight to the hospital and tell them to do something."

"Well, I wasn't going to kill myself anyway. I was just wondering."

"Good. I don't want you to ever kill yourself. Liz, I think we need to get you a counselor. It would be good for you to have someone to talk to about all this."

"I don't need a counselor," Lizzie yelled, exasperated. "What I need is Gordo!" She began to cry again, but wiped the tears away quickly.

"My point exactly. You don't need Gordo, you want Gordo. We could just go to the doctor if you want. Maybe we can get you on some anti-depressants."

"I'm 18 and I can make my own decisions."

"Not as long as you live under my roof, Missy."

Lizzie snorted. "Maybe I should just move out, then."

"Elizabeth Brooke McGuire! You are having a miserable time dealing with this, and I am having one hell of a time watching you try to deal with it. I made a doctor's appointment. We go in tomorrow."

"Whatever. Even if you get anti-depressants for me, I don't have to take them."

"I will force feed them to you if I have to. I can't watch you be like this, anymore. You need help, sweetheart, and I want to get it for you."

"Whatever." The phone rang, and Jo retreated down-stairs to answer it. When she came back, she looked a ghostly white. "Mom?" Lizzie asked, concerned.

"Get in the car."

"Why?"

"Roberta Gordon's in the hospital. We need to go visit her."

A/N: There, my longest chapter ever! Hope you enjoyed.