"Hello?"

"Hey bitch."

I couldn't keep the shock out of my voice. "Who's this?"

Then, hysterical laughter. "Damn Davey, way to make a girl feel loved. You already forget about your friends back here?"

"Vicki?"

"The one and only."

"Whoa. H-how are you?"

"Pretty damn good, if I say so myself. About to graduate in a few months."

"Oh that's right! Congratulations."

I could hear the smile in her voice. "I see you've lost your accent."

"Huh?"

"Before you left back to California, you were slowly startin' to get a New York accent."

I laughed. "You're still full of shit."

"Show me a teenage girl who isn't."

"So how's Danielle?" I asked.

"That girl has changed since you up and left us."

"How do you mean?"

"Well...she ain't exactly shy anymore."

"I get the feeling you're being cautious with your choice of words."

"Homegirl finally broke out, and that's all I gotta say."

I laughed. "I'll get the details out of you later."

"Mmm, good luck." Slight pause. "So really, how are you Davey? We really miss you back here."

"Yeah, I miss you guys too."

She snorted. "Obviously not enough to pick up a damn phone."

I knew she really wasn't angry at me so I played along. "Aw, c'mon don't be like that. I've just been keeping busy. Things changed a lot while I way away."

"Do you still think you made the right choice to go back home?"

I didn't even have to think about it. "Absolutely."

"So..." her tone was playful. "Gimme the dibs on the girlies out there."

I had to laugh. "Why?"

"Any luckier out there than you were back here?"

I chuckled and shook my head. "I get by just fine, thanks."

"Well dish, boy!"

"If you must know I just got back from a date."

She hooted loudly into the phone and I held it away at a short distance. "So, who is she? It's that blonde girl, isn't?" Her voice grew with excitement.

"Um no."

"Okay...then who?"

"A girl I met at school."

"What's her name?"

"Veronica."

"Sounds like a prostitute's name."

I tried to defend her name, but ended up laughing in the process. I was pleased to discover that my old friend hadn't changed much.

"So, how 'bout you? Is there a special guy in your life?"

"As a matter of fact there is. Has been for the last four months."

I whistled. "He must be pretty amazing if he's managed to hold your attention this long."

"Mmm, so true. Well I hate to bail but I gotta start heading out."

"All right. I'll took to you soon, okay?"

Another laugh. "Oh you'd better keep in touch this time, Davey. Maybe you'll come back and visit some friends this summer."

"That sounds doable. Take care, Vicki."

"Peace."

Valentine's Day was today and I still had no idea what to do for Veronica. We'd only been on three dates so nothing was official yet. I didn't want to go over the top because things were moving along slowly between the two of us, which I had taken a liking to. But I wanted to do something to let her know that she was special to me. From our first encounter until now, there had been a great chemistry between us. And I could already tell that it was just going to continue growing.

It turns out she was a year younger than me which still surprised me from time to time. She had an airy confidence that I had immediately admired about her. She also came from a Puerto Rican background which meant one thing. Big family. I had only met her older brother, Henry. That was an experience I would rather forget. Veronica teased me afterward saying, "He went easy on you compared to the last guy I went out with."

All I knew was that in that instant I respected the guy, whoever he is, for making it through that. It felt like nothing short of an interrogation. The real tragedy was that Veronica stood by and did nothing to stop it. The whole time she was grinning, obviously finding enjoyment in my torture. Oh well.

My dad spoke from behind his mug of coffee. "What's in the bag, son?"

I had my usual backpack full of books, but also a messenger shoulder bag. I couldn't squeeze all the goodies into my backpack.

"Just a few gifts for this momentous day," I said dryly.

He smiled, with a brow raised. "This girl must be pretty special if you need an entire bag to hold all of her presents."

"Only half of that sentence is true," I smiled coyly. "Here," I set down the bag. "I've got presents in here only for the important women in my life."

I pulled out a nicely wrapped box and placed it on the kitchen table. "This is for mom. Let her know when she wakes up. Will you?"

He took a quick sip from his drink. "I hope you didn't outdo me this year, son. Who knows what your mother would think of me."

I caught Lizzie's dad in the driveway as I crossed our lawn over to their's. "Hey Mr. McGuire."

"Hi Gordo. What's in the bag?"

"Gifts for today," I proudly announced.

"Anything for Jo in there?"

"Of course."

A look of distress crossed his face. "Nothing fancy. Right?"

"If you mean jewelry, then no."

Then utter relief. "Okay good. I'll see you later, Gordo. Feel free to drop by the house sometime. I haven't seen you around in a while."

"Will do," I saluted as he backed out of the driveway.

I was just about to knock on the McGuire's front door when someone threw it open. Lizzie.

In a miniskirt.

Avert your eyes... Avert your eyes...

"Hey Gordo!" she greeted with a grin. "What's with the bag?"

"That seems to be the million dollar question today."

"Huh?"

"Ah nothing," I pulled a small box out of my mail carrier, much similar to the one I left for my mom. "Here, this is for–"

Lizzie briefly gasped. "Oh Gordo! Thank you."

"Uh, actually it's for your mom."

She turned scarlet. "Oh right."

Silence.

"I'll uh, um, I'll just give it to her for-for you. And then we can leave. Okay?"

Before I had a chance toagree she dashed into the house and returned a few moments later. Let's just say the ride to school was awkward. She was obviously embarrassed and when I tried to reassure her she'd get embarrassed all over again. Lizzie drove faster than usual, desperate to exit the high-tensioned vehicle. After arriving at the high school she nearly sprang from the driver's seat, anxious to get away. I had to jog around the Honda just to catch up, and when I did I caught her wrist.

She turned slowly, reluctant to face me. I didn't let go of her wrist until she looked at me. When she finally did I spoke.

"Listen, I was going to wait until after school to give you this. But I feel bad about the confusion, so..."

I extracted a sizeable gift-wrapped box with a homemade card attached to the top. I had put a considerable amount of time into both and her response was more than worth it. My memory had always been sharp but I couldn't remember the last time I had ever seen such a luminous smile from her. Seeing her in this state fueled a happiness of my own.

"Oh, wow! I wasn't expecting...thank you, Gordo."

On an impulse I kissed her cheek. "No problem."

Another beautiful smile was my reward.

"Lizzie."

I turned to face the anonymous caller. Enter Steven.

"H-hey Steven. How are you?"

"I'm great. I haven't seen you since that Wilson party."

"Oh right."

I knew he was ignoring my presence to belittle me in front of Lizzie. I couldn't care less. This guy was a jerk and he wasn't worth me getting bitter over. Yet, I couldn't help it. The punk had a knack for getting under my skin. I was about to interrupt their conversation when I felt a pair of hands cover my eyes from behind. I smiled, already knowing who the owner of these hands belonged to.

"Miranda, is that you?"

I received a sock in my back in response. I turned to face an annoyed looking Veronica. Then I feigned surprise to let her know that I was just putting her on. She laughed at my stupid antics then gave me a tender kiss.

I felt a not so light tapping on my shoulder. "Gordo, I didn't know you had a girlfriend."

Man, this guys a prick. And I hated hearing my nickname from him of all people. I forced a smile and turned to face him. His smile was smug, as usual. He obviously delighted in the fact that I had a different girl at the center of my life that wasn't Lizzie. I suppose he took that to mean he had zero obstacles to get to her, now.

"Mind if Iaccompany you to class?" he asked her

For some inexplicable reason I realized right then that things were going to get complicated. When I looked between the four of us I knew that each of our predicaments were going to be anything but elementary.

A/N: So. This is the second half to The Beginning. Hope you all like it. Review and let me know what you think. Woohoo!

Oh yeah. Go to my profile for a little goodie on Mr. Lamberg. Later gators.