Lizzie & Gordo Finally Get Together

On a Saturday night in Hillridge, best friends, Lizzie McGuire and Miranda Sanchez, are sitting on the couch in a dimly lit living room. Miranda is sleeping over at Lizzie's house, as she does every weekend, and the two are spending their evening watching a romantic chick flick.

"Hey Miranda, could you pass the popcorn?" asks Lizzie while using a tissue to dab a tear from her eye. The soundtrack from the movie is blaring slow and cheesy music.

"Here Lizzie," bawls Miranda. The two girls watch intensely, never lifting their dripping eyes from the television screen. They don't even notice the pink, fuzzy-robed figure coming from the kitchen.

"Do you girls need anything before I go to bed?" asks Lizzie's mom, Jo McGuire, walking passed them in her pajamas.

"No thanks, Mrs. McGuire," says Miranda sniffling under her tissue. Jo takes a sip from the mug she is holding, whispers, "Goodnight girls," and quietly walks upstairs to her bedroom.

"Goodnight, Mom," says Lizzie as the soundtrack fades. The film has now ended and Lizzie leans forward to turn the television off.

"That movie was so beautiful," Miranda says before blowing her nose.

"And the way they were friends for so long before they realized their true feelings for each other," Miranda says feeling much better now that she's stopped crying.

Staring dewy-eyed up at the ceiling, Lizzie sighs, "I wish that happened to us."

Miranda looks at her with surprise, "Are you kidding. We're only 13. I don't want to get married yet."

"I don't mean getting married," Lizzie laughs as her mouth drops. "I just think it's about time that I had a boyfriend."

Miranda smiles and asks why. "Some one to leave notes in your locker, or talk to on the phone late at night?"

"Yeah, and walk 'H in H' down the hallways at school, or go to the Digital Bean and split a smoothie, like all the other couples do." Lizzie always felt jealous of the couples at school, holding hands between classes and on dates at the local coffee shop.

"Have you seen them? One cup with two straws!" Miranda says while pretending to drink out of an imaginary straw.

All of a sudden, Lizzie's bratty younger brother, Matt, sneaks up behind the couch and hits Lizzie with a pillow. "Attack of the pillow monster!" screams Matt running around the living room wearing his old Halloween werewolf mask and carrying a pillow over his head.

"Matt!" shrieks Lizzie. "You're supposed to be in bed!" The girls arm themselves and seek their revenge on the little intruder. Matt weaves his way around the coffee table and recliner as Lizzie and Miranda chase him around the room. After getting pummeled with pillows and couch cushions, Matt escapes up the stairs and his bedroom door slams shut. Lizzie stands at the bottom of the stairs looking really annoyed. "Oooh, that spikey-haired weasel! You're so lucky you don't have a little brother," she grumbles and walks back into the living room.

Miranda laughs and says, "We should probably go to bed." She unzips her sleeping bag and lays it onto the couch.

Lizzie climbs into her sleeping bag on the floor next to the couch and agrees, "Yeah, I'm beat." Miranda yawns reaching over to turn the lamp off. The room is now dark and the two girls say goodnight, but Lizzie doesn't fall asleep right away because she is thinking about her wish to get a boyfriend. "There's some one out there for me," she says smiling to herself then turning over to her side and falling asleep.

**

It's early Monday morning and Lizzie, Miranda, and David Gordon (nicknamed "Gordo") are getting ready to go to school. As usual, they start off their day with a three-way phone call.

"Did you guys finish the book report that's due today?" asks Miranda while trying to put as many colorful plastic clips into her hair as possible.

"Finished it two weeks ago," Gordo says while kicking a hackey sack to himself.

"Big surprise, Gordo," Lizzie rolls her eyes while trying to tie the laces on her blue Sketchers. "I hope Mr. Dig doesn't mind that I did my report on Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. What book did you guys read?"

"A Brief History of Time, by Stephen Hawking. It was so fascinating! Did you guys know that the universe…"

"So, Miranda," Lizzie interrupts Gordo from another one of his brainiac facts on science, "what are you wearing today?"

"I'm wearing my red hip huggers with leopard-print sandals and a black boat-neck sweater." Miranda looks into the mirror proud of the fashionable ensemble she has put together.

"Cute! I'm wearing my…" Lizzie is interrupted by Gordo's sarcastic remarks.

"Don't you guys want to know about the couture sweatshirt and imported jeans that I'm wearing today?"

"Gordo, you wear that every day," says Miranda.

"Alright, alright. I'd love to stay and chat, but you know, girl talk." Having two girls as his best friends, Gordo is often outnumbered on the conversation topics. The girls laugh and don't blame him for leaving.

"See you at school," giggles Lizzie.

"Adios," says Miranda.

"Later," Gordo says before dropping the phone on the hardwood floor of his bedroom. He picks it up and is now having trouble clicking the hang up button.

"So Lizzie, today is day one," Miranda picks up the conversation. "If you play your cards right, I think that by the end of the week, you'll finally have your first boyfriend."

"I really hope so!" Lizzie squeals with excitement and dances in front of her mirror. She pauses for a moment to look over her outfit. "Oh no! I have to change, like, another five times if I want any guys to notice me! I'll see you at school," Lizzie says running into her closet.

"Good luck, later," Miranda says and hangs up the phone. After dropping his phone on the floor, Gordo was unable to hang it up and accidentally heard their whole conversation. He is never one to eavesdrop, but is sad to hear that Lizzie wants a boyfriend. He slowly lowers his head and reaches down to pick up his backpack to leave for school.

**

All day at Hillridge Middle School, the entire seventh grade has been stirring up quite a buzz about Lizzie's full frontal fashion assault. During lunch, Lizzie struts passed each of the cafeteria tables, and the boys drop their sandwiches to point at the new hottie. Miranda and Gordo sit at a table waiting for Lizzie to join them. Gordo looks stunned.

"What are you wearing?" Gordo asks as Lizzie twirls around to show off her outfit; her denim mini-skirt flares out while she spins. In all the years that he's known Lizzie, Gordo has never seen her in anything but her usual t-shirt and jeans.

"Your outfit is rocking!" Miranda says and stands up to get a closer look. "You've got to let me borrow this halter top!"

"Thanks!" smiles Lizzie. "Guess who talked to me today?"

"I can't believe your mother let you out of the house wearing that!" Gordo tries to look upset, but can't stop focusing on Lizzie's exposed midriff. Lizzie gives him a confused look and continues talking to Miranda.

"As I was saying, Ethan Craft talked to me today!" Lizzie couldn't stop jumping with excitement.

"No way! Ethan Craft? He's the cutest guy in school! You have to tell me every thing he said. I need details…" Miranda couldn't wait for Lizzie to start when Gordo begins to clear his lunch from the table.

"Who cares if Ethan Craft talked to you? He's just an air-head of hair with baggy skater pants," Gordo sneers, jealous of Ethan's flowing blond bull-cut compared to his messy brown Afro. The year before, Gordo unsuccessfully tried to tutor Ethan in math class, but often got frustrated by Ethan's lack of focus. More than anything, Gordo couldn't stand how much Lizzie and Miranda gushed over the ever-popular, Ethan Craft. He stands up from the table and is pushed aside by a tall boy wearing a red jersey.

"Looking good Lizzie," the boy says as he checks her out while walking by, "let's hang out some time." Lizzie turns to Miranda as her mouth drops speechless.

"Lizzie! Danny Kessler wants to 'hang out' with you," Miranda says through her grin while squeezing Lizzie's arm. "The captain of the basketball team wants to 'hang out'--with you!"

"I know! This is so great! No one has ever noticed me before!" Lizzie couldn't believe the day she was having, but her onslaught of attention was still far ahead of her confidence level. "Miranda, you have to go say something for me!" Although Danny has already walked away, Miranda calls out to him.

"Hey Danny! If you like basketball, you should give Lizzie a call! Her dad coaches the Lakers!"

"Miranda!" Lizzie snaps in embarrassment. "My dad does NOT coach the Lakers!"

"Well you told me to say something," Miranda defends herself. "It was the first thing that popped into my head." The two girls begin to lightly argue and don't notice that Gordo has left. He stands in the doorway of the cafeteria and gives one last look before heading to class.

**

The next day, Lizzie wears another eye-popping ensemble, which gets even more attention than the day before. This time, she wears a black mini-skirt with a black halter-top, and knee-length, black boots. In the cafeteria, Lizzie sees Gordo and Miranda eating their lunches and walks over to their table.

"Sorry I didn't call you back last night, Miranda. My mom said I couldn't use the phone until after I cleaned my room. There were clothes everywhere."

"No problémo. Hey, Gordo, scoot over for Lizzie." Gordo starts to slide his lunch tray, but Lizzie doesn't sit down.

"Actually, Ian Samhammer invited me to sit with him at the cool table. Isn't that great?" Lizzie widens her eyes like she is about to burst. "But how about tomorrow? I promise."

"Wow, Lizzie. Ian Samhammer, the class president," Miranda says with no enthusiasm, "way to go." Miranda is already tired of Lizzie's new popularity, and even more tired of her bragging.

"I know. I just don't know what we're going to talk about," she says and straightens her perfectly crimped, blonde hair.

"Why don't you tell him your dad's in congress?" Gordo mocks. Miranda laughs remembering her comment to Danny from the day before.

"Whatever, Gordo," Lizzie shrugs off his remark and continues straightening her hair. It took her 45 minutes that morning to get it to look perfect.

"You know, seriously Lizzie. Mini-skirts and halter-tops? What are you wearing?" Gordo asks in a loud voice. "Why don't you just be yourself?"

"Mind your own business." Lizzie couldn't believe what Gordo was saying. "Miranda likes my outfit."

"But you look horrible. You don't need to wear clothes like that just to make other people like you."

"At least I wear clothes that other people will like. And by the way, you're not my father. Miranda, tell Gordo to mind his own business and leave me alone." Lizzie stomps away leaving her two best friends to their lunches. Gordo slams down his soda bottle and begins venting.

"Man, what is Lizzie's problem? With her designer clothes and her cool new friends, she thinks she's Britney Spears all of a sudden!"

"I know what you mean. I just hope all this popularity doesn't go to her…" Miranda is interrupted by the sounds of hollering and laughter coming from the cool table. They look over to see Ian Samhammer sitting at the cool table starting a food fight. Lizzie notices her friends looking at her and it makes her feel bad inside, but shrugs and pretends that she is having the time of her life.

"I can't believe she would just ditch her friends like that," Gordo shakes his head and looks down at the Salisbury steak on his tray. Miranda sees that Gordo is not eating and detects that there's something more going on.

"Don't worry, you've known Lizzie since kindergarten. She could never just forget about her friends." This comment makes Gordo raise his chin up, but he still feels afraid of losing her to another guy. He stares at Lizzie having fun with her new friends. Suddenly, Miranda realizes why Gordo has been acting so protective and gives him a wink.

"What? I didn't say anything," Gordo says with a suspecting look on his face.

"Oh sure, right." Miranda has a huge grin. "I just can't believe I never saw it before."

"What? Saw what?" There is a brief pause before Miranda drops the bomb.

"You like Lizzie!" she screams and points her finger into Gordo's chest. His mouth drops in amazement that his secret has been revealed, but he quickly tries to deny it.

"No, I don't!"

"Yes you do. You love her. You always have!" Miranda rolls with laughter.

"Stop saying that, I do not!" Gordo feels embarrassed, but knows his lies can't fool Miranda. "Alright, maybe I do like her a little, but you have to promise not to tell her." His piercing blue eyes look directly at her, "I mean it, Miranda."

"Ok, I promise I won't tell Lizzie that you love her!" Miranda continues to laugh until it eventually dies down to a chuckle. Gordo looks over to the cool table and sees that people are starting to leave to go to class. He shakes his head and lets out a sigh.

"I think I really blew it back there. You have to talk to her for me."

"Sure, I'll talk to her tomorrow. But first, you have to tell me every thing you love about Lizzie. I need details…"

**

At the end of literature class on Wednesday, Mr. Dig returns the book reports that everyone turned in on Monday. As the students gather their things to go to lunch, Lizzie finds Miranda to talk about their grades. "What did you get?"

"B+, not bad. You?"

"Another B," Lizzie shoves her report into her book bag and walks towards the door. Mr. Dig walks by Gordo's desk and it isn't surprising what he receives.

"Nice work, David. Another A+," he hands Gordo his paper.

Gordo mutters, "Thanks," and looks around to see if anyone is watching.

Lizzie squints her eyes at Gordo, "He thinks he's so smart." She tugs on Miranda's backpack and asks, "Do you want to eat lunch with me?"

Miranda is happy that Lizzie kept her promise from the day before. "What happened to the cool table?"

Lizzie examines a strand of her golden locks and says, "Well, after yesterday I realized that getting food in my hair is so not cool." They both laugh and walk out the door. Miranda gives one last look to Gordo who is still sitting at his desk. He raises his eyebrows to her, to which she replies with a nod.

**

During lunch, Lizzie and Miranda sit together and exchange the sandwiches their moms packed for them as they do every day. Miranda hands over her peanut butter and jelly and waits for Lizzie's turkey, but notices that she is not paying attention. Lizzie watches Gordo sitting alone on the other side of the cafeteria.

"Can you believe Gordo?" Lizzie asks.

Miranda looks back at him as he diddles his plastic spoon into the applesauce on his lunch tray. "He's a good person. You should go easy on him."

Lizzie quickly turns her head, "But he said some really mean things, Miranda. Whose side are you on?"

"So did you, and besides, I'm sure he didn't mean it. Look at him over there. He looks so lonely." Gordo continues to stare at the food that he normally would have gobbled up by now. Even though Gordo hasn't eaten a bite of his lunch, they watch him pick up his tray and dump the food into the garbage. He places the tray on the counter and walks out of the cafeteria.

"You're right. But he started it. I just don't understand why he got so upset."

"All I'm saying is that you're his best friend and he really cares about you." Miranda takes the last bite of the sandwich Lizzie's mom made and stands up to leave for class. Lizzie gets up to follow her, and can't stop herself from biting her lip and furrowing her eyebrows.

**

It's now Thursday, two days since Lizzie has spoken to Gordo. On her way to class, Lizzie stops by her locker to get some books. As soon as she finishes the combination and unlocks the door, a note falls on the ground by her sandaled-feet. She unfolds it and reads,

A little flattened flower is stuck inside the note. It's blue, her favorite color. Lizzie folds up the letter and repeats what she has read, "Look so pretty? With love?" She has never received a letter like this from anyone before, especially not from Gordo. Her eyes start to tear up and she hurries into the girls' restroom so no one will see her cry.

**

That afternoon, Lizzie arrives home from school and slowly walks in through the patio door. Matt looks up from the kitchen table where he has been doing his homework with their mom. He points his pencil and says, "Look, it's Lizard!" Lizzie continues passed Matt without even lifting her head. Jo notices that Lizzie doesn't fight back and figures something is wrong.

"How was school today, Lizzie?"

"Fine, Mom."

"Everything alright with your friends? How's Gordo?" It never ceases to shock Lizzie of her mom's psychic powers.

"Actually, we got into a fight." Lizzie passes through the kitchen and into the living room where she slumps onto the couch. Jo could tell that Lizzie was upset.

"Matt, I need to talk to your sister for a minute. Work on the next problem, and I'll be right back." She walks into the living room and joins Lizzie on the couch. She mimics the way Lizzie is slouching, which makes Lizzie smile. "What's wrong, honey?"

Lizzie takes a deep breath, "You know when your best friend suddenly stops acting like your best friend? Gordo said some really mean things to me the other day all because I was invited to sit at the cool table."

"Well, maybe he was jealous."

"But it was hardly cool at all. I spent all night yesterday trying to get pudding and corn niblets out of my hair. Now I don't know what to do."

"Hmmm…" Jo picks through Lizzie's scalp like a monkey and pretends to eat it. Lizzie giggles and brushes Jo's hand off of her head. "You know, Lizzie. Before I married your dad, we were the best of friends. Hanging at the beach, and going out for burgers. Then one day in high school, I was invited to Ryan Dobrowski's birthday party."

"Ryan Dobrowski, the prom king? I remember his pictures from your old yearbook," Lizzie sits up and laughs. "He was really cute!"

"That's the one. And all the cool, popular kids were going to be there. Your father never got an invitation."

"Uh oh! What happened?"

"Well it turned out that your father had overheard Ryan in the locker room talking about why he wanted to invite me to his party. Some day you'll know what I mean."

"Mom!" Lizzie squeals.

"Your father got so upset and punched him in the nose. Thank goodness it healed before yearbook pictures."

"Wait a second. So Gordo's going to punch Ian Samhammer in the nose?"

"No, at least I hope not. I just know that from that day on, I knew how your father really felt about me."

Lizzie is more confused than ever. "So what should I do?"

"I think you should talk to Gordo. He's a good person and he really cares about you." Lizzie's mom stands up and gives her a peck on the forehead. "Wash up for supper? Your father will be home from work soon."

Lizzie nods and stands to give Jo a hug. "Hey, Mom. What does dad do, anyway?"

Jo squints her eyes and says, "Oh give me a break, Lizzie," and walks back into the kitchen.

**

Later that night, Lizzie is having trouble falling asleep. After over an hour of tossing and turning, she looks at her alarm clock and it's almost midnight. She reaches for the phone, but is nervous to start dialing. She has called this number hundreds of times before, but this time it feels different.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Gordo."

"Hi."

"Can I talk to you?"

"What are you doing up this late?"

"Can't sleep."

"Yeah, me either."

"Got your note."

"Yeah?"

"Gordo, I'm really sorry. I said some mean things too. Do you still want to be my best friend?"

"Of course. We've been friends for so long. I just didn't want to lose you."

"That will never happen." They both chuckle nervously, until silence.

"Lizzie?"

"Yes?"

"I um…really need to talk to you." Lizzie could hear her parents' bedroom door open.

"Listen Gordo, I got to get off the phone before my parents ground me."

"Oh ok."

"How about we meet up tomorrow after school?"

"Sounds good."

"Goodnight, Gordo."

"Night."

Lizzie hangs up the phone and feels that she could fall asleep now that she has apologized to Gordo. She smiles and remembers the time she had a crush on him in the fourth grade. She closes her eyes just as her mom opens the door to peak in.

**

After school on Friday, Gordo waits for Lizzie on one of the benches in the courtyard in front of the entrance. His hair is combed and he's wearing a new blue shirt. Lizzie sees him waiting, walks up to the bench, and sits down. "I'm glad we're not fighting anymore," says Lizzie.

"Yeah, me too." Gordo fidgets his hands.

"Best friends have to stick together, you know?"

"I completely agree."

"So, why were you so upset about my stupid outfits?

"It was never about your clothes. I just didn't like the way all of the guys were looking at you and talking about you."

"Oh, Gordo!"

"Those guys are jerks, Lizzie. You don't need to do all that stuff. Besides, you deserve someone better than that."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you should be with a good person, someone who really cares about you."

"Like who?"

"Like me," Gordo mutters under his breath.

Lizzie looks up at Gordo who seems to be waiting for an answer. She finally understood what her mom was talking about and decides to give Gordo a shot.

"I couldn't think of anyone better."

Gordo smiles, stands up, and musters up the courage to grab Lizzie's hand. She gasps in excitement as she stands up beside him.

Gordo looks at Lizzie at asks, "Do you want to go to the Digital Bean? Maybe we could split a smoothie?"