Never had an elevator ride seemed to last so long. Gordo and Lizzie stood in silence, each lost in their own thoughts on the events of that night. Lizzie chewed on her bottom lip nervously, knowing she would eventually have to confront Gordo about the kiss, and wondering what he would say. As the elevator finally came to a stop, Gordo opened the doors and stepped out into the lobby of their hotel.
"I don't think I'm ever going to forget this place." He said with a goofy grin as he looked up at the spectacular chapel-style ceiling.
Animated Lizzie sat with her arms folded across her chest, feeling slightly disturbed. "I just kissed him for Pete's sake, and all he can do is admire the architecture of the hotel? Fine, if he wants to just forget about it, I can so do that," she said.
"Yeah," Lizzie said. "Tons of memories here, now."
"Yeah." Gordo mumbled. "Hey, I'm going to head up to bed. Got a long flight ahead of us tomorrow."
"Okay. Goodnight, Gordo." Lizzie called out as he stepped back into the elevator. He gave a small grin and waved.
LM LM LM LM LM LM LM
As Gordo entered his room, he spotted Ethan sitting on his bed, holding a skateboard and facing the window. Not wanting a "mano-a-mano," Gordo snagged his PJ's off the dresser and tried to sneak into the bathroom. His plan didn't work.
"Hey, Gor-don! Lizzay was pretty awesome up there, wasn't she?
Gordo sighed, reliving how beautiful she had been up on stage. "Yeah, she was really good."
"Where'd you two go after you snuck away from the partay?"
"Up to the roof." Gordo then locked himself into the bathroom, not wanting to allow the interrogation any further. For a moment, Ethan was silent. Gordo, feeling relieved, changed clothes and lied down on his bed. He picked up a book off his reading list.
"You seem kinda, you know, off in your own little world, dude. Anything happen with you and Liz."
"No!" Gordo snapped. Ethan sent him a look that clearly said, "You're not telling the truth."
Gordo ignored the look, and opened to the bookmark in his novel. Not being able to concentrate, he finally gave in and said, "Okay, fine. She kissed me! There, you happy?"
Ethan stared at Gordo, causing him to blush. "What?" Gordo asked.
"It don't matter if I'm happy, Gordon. Are you happy?"
Gordo sighed. "I don't know." He muttered. He tossed his book aside and flipped the light off. He could at least try to get some sleep.
LM LM LM LM LM LM
"Hello?" The voice on the other end of the phone asked.
"Miranda!" Lizzie exclaimed, relieved that her best friend had answered the phone. Lizzie needed someone to talk to about that night's events, even though the long distance from Rome to Mexico was probably adding a fortune to their hotel tab.
"Lizzie? Hola! Aren't you still in Rome?"
"Yes, but I need to talk to you…"
"Shoot," Miranda encouraged Lizzie to go on.
"Well," Lizzie started nervously and told her friend everything that had happened on the trip. "And he had been so sweet with everything and…and I kissed him." She finished.
"You did what?" Miranda asked, clearly in shock. "You kissed…Gordo?"
"Yeah, but I'm not sure what I meant by it! Was I just saying thank you for everything, or do I actually have feelings for him? Ugh, I never knew that sorting out your own feelings could be so confusing!"
"I'm sure he's going through the same thing right now, Liz."
"What?"
"You know he's liked you since, like, 7th grade right?"
"I know that he likes me, but since 7th grade? Wait, then why did he go out with Brooke and Parker?"
"Because they noticed him as a date-able guy and you didn't. As much as he likes to think he doesn't, Gordo wants people to notice and like him."
Lizzie sighed into the phone. "Poor Gordo."
"You know I'm 100% behind you guys no matter what, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Miranda."
"Keep me posted!"
Lizzie said goodbye and hung up. Kate strutted out of the bathroom just then, and shrieked, "You kissed Gordo?"
Lizzie flopped back onto her bed. "Thanks for listening in on my phone conversation, Kate."
"It was kind of hard to avoid…so what's going to happen now?"
"Between me and Gordo? Probably nothing; I don't want to ruin our friendship. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost him, Kate."
"Don't you like him, though?"
Lizzie sat there in silence for a moment, contemplating her emotions. Gordo had always been there for her, and supported her even when he thought what she wanted was stupid. He had helped her through everything, from her break up with Ronnie to trying to make Ethan notice her. He was smart, kind, funny, and loveable all tied up in one. He was…perfect in his own "Gordo-weird" way. "Yes." Lizzie said confidently.
"Then why are you living on what-if's? 'What if we break up, what if things aren't perfect?' Well think about this, Lizzie McGuire: What if it all works out?"
"Why are you trying to help me? All you've done for the past three years is make me miserable."
"Don't ask questions; just let me help you before I change my mind."
Lizzie smiled half-heartedly. "I need to think about this."
"Okay, just don't take too long, he won't wait forever. Now, did I tell you that Ethan and I got back together?" Lizzie lied there on top of her bed sheets for a good hour while Kate blabbed away about herself. So like Kate, Lizzie thought, always self-centered.
When Kate finally fell asleep, Lizzie flipped off her lamp and curled up under the covers, not caring that she was still fully dressed. She began to cry silently. I need to tell him sometime…why am I so scared? It's not like he'll reject me.
You seem so afraid, afraid you'll regret
Regret getting closer and connected to me
And I feel like that too but I'm scared
Scared you'll leave while you still feel you can
So I'll just wait and see Let our eyes say words we'll leave unspoken Fear, it has its place folded in squares Let's not wait and see Let our eyes say words we'll leave unspoken What's the average number of times people feel this way in a lifetime?
So I'll just wait and see and see
When we're trying to be careful
And words can be so confusing
When we're trying to be careful
But not too careful...
Squarely tucked in the back pocket of our minds
And yes, it's reckless to act but pointless to decide
Just let your world collide with mine
When we're trying to be careful
And words can be so confusing
When we're trying to be careful
But not too careful...
Let's not waste more time…
"Our Eyes" by Teddy Greiger.
A/N: I love this TV show and haven't seen a "Home after Rome" story made in a while so I decided to give it a shot. Please review and tell me what you think! I am very open to criticism, and remember: reviews let me know people are reading this. It's a waste to post it online if no one reads it. This is my first fanfic, so please R&R!