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Your LiveJournal Pirate Crew LiveJournal Username Fifteen men on a dead man's chest! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!Ew... How unsanitary.*dances a jig on a dead man's chest* Cutlass or pistol? CutlassPistolTorpedoHeat vision What is the name of your pirate ship? Where is your secret pirate base? Jolly Pirate IslandTreasure IslandPleasure IslandIsland of DoomGilligan's IslandWindfall Island What kind of loot do you prefer? Pieces of eight!Bling!Babes!Booze!Crowns and scepters!Target giftcards! What do you and your crew prefer to be called? Freebooters!Swashbucklers!Corsairs!Seadogs!Desperados!Pirates, of course! Parrot or monkey? ParrotMonkeyUnicornKittenT-Rex Argh! Ahoy, matey!Avast!Shiver me timbers!I'll see you to Davy Jones!Argh! Ack! Gah! *thud* Your capable first mate georgia31 Your bumbling cabin boy with a heart of gold jenniebreeden The aloof, yet honorable, pirate with a mysterious past itunes Is always the first one into the fray jenniebreeden Is the naval officer who ruthlessly pursues your ship desirestreet Is the comical pirate who is always drunk on grog stormy_whispers Is currently in Davy Jones's locker stormy_whispers The amount of money you make as a pirate $141,331 This Fun Quiz created by Lynn at BlogQuiz.Net

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The Rules:

- List ten things you want to say to people but know you never will.
- Don't say who they are, use people only once.
- All who read this must post in their own journal (if they want to)
( Random musings from the dark side? )

"Abducted" from 'just blue'

Okay,been thinking about this one for awhile,since I decided that this lj was gonna be solely for my RP posts. As such,here goes nothing...meaning,I was able to rebuild one of my lost sl fragments!

Stolen from anjel

*Torture room 10 minutes later*

*Stares straight ahead thereby avoiding eye contact with my ‘friends’. An act which is mirrored by them as well. For different reasons. Eventually the ‘dean of students’ tires of the ‘mime act’ and clears her throat thereby starting the ‘meeting’*
Principal: Okay….what am I looking at here? Who started this fight?
Tina: *Sitting there with her head lowered to hide her tears and her shame* *Quietly from her* I did….and I doubt you want to hear why as it might send Lizzie into more random acts of violence.
Principal: Oh but I insist on hearing it Ms. Vargas. Why do you believe you started this fight when its obvious that it was clearly Elizabeth’s fault?
Tina: Well in a way….it is my fault.
Yeah….the ***** had sex with my boyfriend!
Principal: Elizabeth. Brooke. MCGUIRE. I am in charge of this school and all its students. Not YOU. As such you will not call someone a ***** for something that obviously happened off campus.

*Clams up and sits back fuming silently*

Principal: *Turning back to Tina* Now then Ms. Vargas. Do you have any proof of what you are telling me?
Tina: *Raising her head* Yeah. Afraid I do. I went to a free clinic 3 days ago and they did the test that tells if a gal is in a ‘family way’. They called me on my cell when I was in homeroom,and I was allowed to go out in the hall and take the call. While I'm not pregnant. What I stand accused of did indeed happen at the Halloween party end of last month.
*Mutters* Yeah and you tried to use my BOYFRIEND as a sperm dispenser!
Principal: Alright I have heard enough from you Elizabeth. Go out into the hall NOW!
*Flips her off*

Principal: *To me* You’re suspended. Starting Monday. And I am calling your parents. Yours as well Tina.

Tina: *Eyes wide from fear* No! Don’t call my dad!
Principal: I am afraid that I will have to in this case,given the circumstances,this event warrants more than a good talking to from the principal.
Tina: *Lowering her head again* ~I’m so past dead it isn’t funny~ Okay….

*Smirking* Serves ya right….
Tina: *Raising her head anew and looking right at me her eyes aflame* Get a life you half empty Dixie Cup! The world doesn’t revolve around you!
*Snarls* At least I don’t have a mother who was a total raving lunatic when she wasn’t on her medication!
Tina: *After standing and hauling me to my feet by my hair* If you EVER talk about my birth mother in that way again I will pull your hair out strand by strand! NOW SHUT UP! Then go tap dance up the onramp of the local interstate out of town!

*Wincing in pain before spitting in her face* Screw you! Not gonna happen!
Miranda: *Jumping up to wedge herself between us* Stop it! Both of you!
Tina/Me: NO! She started it!
Principal: And I am ending it. NOW. Tina you are free to stay in the office until your parent [s] can get here to take you home. Same applies to you Ms. McGuire. When your parents arrive to escort you ladies home I don’t want to see either of your faces until after the holiday next Thursday. Understood?!?
Me/Tina: Yeah.
Principal: And as for you Miranda….you can go back to class. Stop off and get a note from my secretary.
Miranda: Thanks. *before leaving she glares at me as she walks by and then mimes ‘call me later’ to both of us on her way out the door*

*After school at home*

My mom: ELIZABETH BROOKE MCGUIRE! You are so lucky we don’t send you AWAY or wash your mouth out with laundry soap for what you said to Tina! You know how bad off she has had her life compared to yours!
*Sighs* So what? Gordo cheated on me then demanded I DO the same as what he got from her! *Soon as I said that I wish I came with an automatic ‘rewind button’*
My dad: YOU ARE NOT HAVING SEX WITH YOUR TEEN…oh man….why is the room starting to spin? *at that he starts to crumple towards the floor*

Dad? MOM! What’s wrong with dad?!?
My mom: LIZZIE! Go and call 911! NOW! I think he’s in trouble! *her words send me running for the phone in the kitchen. After dialing the number I don‘t bother to compose myself*

911 Operator: What is the problem?
Hello! Yes….there is a problem! My dad started to yell at me and then said the room was spinning!
911 Operator: Calm down miss. Then slowly tell me your full name and address and what the problem might be.

*Takes a deep breath* Okay. My name is Lizzie McGuire. I live at 16250 Iceberry Lane. I think my dad is having a heart attack because I accidentally told him I was thinking of having sex with my teenage boyfriend!
911 Operator: Okay Lizzie. Thank you. The ambulance should be on its way to your house in the next….3 minutes. They have the call and are now going out to the vehicle. Best thing for you to do is to go and try to calm down further and help your mom watch for the paramedics.

Thank you. Um….what else should I do?
911 Operator: That’s it Lizzie. Oh and make sure your dad doesn’t move or anything.

*Later at the hospital*

My mom: Honey….even though you are going to be grounded when I get you home….tell me honestly now….while we are here….is any of what we discussed on the way home the truth?
*Starting to cry because of both events* Mommy….its all true! Miranda told me that Kate and Ethan were at the party and during the 20 minutes that Tina and Gordo were absent….Ethan and Kate were in her line of sight the whole time!

Then Tina told me this morning that she went to the free clinic on Blackberry street 3 days ago and they called her cell phone yesterday to confirm that the test was negative. Which means that even though she isn't pregnant...Gordo wanted me to be part of his ‘harem’!
My mom: Oh Lizzie….baby….I don’t know what to tell you. When we get home….do you want to get rid of the lingerie we bought?

*Shaking my tear stained head&the face attached to it* No momma….I want to keep them and I still want to be ‘in bed’ with Gordo next weekend.
My mom: NO! You can’t! I won’t let you and your father will agree with me! He already has! I suspect that Gordo may have raped Tina and if he did that to her….he might do it to you! He was also clearly not ‘acting of his own accord’ when he helped her deal with what had happened to her!

*Blinks* You mean he was high on something?

Mom: He might have been. And he might not have known about it. Was there anyone at the party you didn’t know?
*Shakes my head* Other than Amy….that cousin of Kate….no. Wait….there was someone else there. Some friend of Amy’s. He looked kinda ’unkempt’ is what I could describe him as being.
Mom: Well there you go. There was something at the party that didn’t need to be there and no one stopped him until it was too late.

[Toon Lizzie] Well I wanted to stop him….but the rat in his pocket kinda scared me….[fade] Oh. So that means that I owe 2 people an apology? Gordo and Tina?
Mom: Yes I guess you do sweetie. Do you want to call one of them now?
I think I will wait until I get home. Hopefully by then Tina will be ‘out of danger’.

*Friday morning finds me wishing I had stayed home. Its not so much the looks I get from the other ‘perfect people’….what hurts more is the way that my dad didn’t even say one word to me before I left for school. Which again makes me wonder if he knows how stupid his ‘broken puppet of a daughter’ really is. When that thought has gone I find that a tear has started to well in the corner of my left eye. A sure sign that being ‘the one and only’ is not going to happen for me today. Rather I have to face another day of being the ‘one and lonely’. And when I get like that….even my sister Megan doesn’t want to be around me. Which I don’t blame her for wanting to do. Heck when I get like this….I don’t even wanna be ‘in my own skin’ either. Luckily now…I have friends who can bring me out of it*

Lizzie: Hey Tina….how do you feel today?
*after a weak smile when I have come to a halt at the bus stop* Okay I guess. I might still have the flu so be careful.
Lizzie: *Chipper as usual* Don’t have to be careful. I got my flu shot yesterday at the free clinic.
*at that I turn pale* The one over on Blackberry street?
Lizzie: *Brighter than what she was 2 minutes ago* Yep. That one. Why?
*eyes wide from fear*~OMG. She knows~ *Quietly* No reason. Just thought maybe you went somewhere else is all.
Lizzie: Well that is the only ‘free clinic’ within walking distance of my house and the school. Why does it bother you that I went there?
~Lizzie….please….don’t ask me that again. More for my sake than yours.~ *Sighs* Okay….if I tell you why I am so upset about what you told me….you can’t tell anyone else. Do you promise?
Lizzie: Sure do.
Okay….well at the Halloween party we had at the Digital Bean….
Lizzie: Let me guess….you ate too much and almost threw up. I heard that someone did….*my look at her tells her that she was way off base. Afterwards she whispers* omg….no….its you….isn’t it. The one who was the subject of the rumor yesterday.

Lizzie you so can’t tell anyone! Not even Miranda! Please! You promised!
Lizzie: Why? They would only want to….*and then it dawns on her* oh. You fear what would happen to you when…not if….Kate finds out don’t you?
No….her I can handle. I just don’t want anyone thinking I’m ‘easy’. That and if my dad finds out from someone that I’m like his ex-wife….well that will be all she wrote for me attending school here.
Lizzie: Oh yeah. I could see how that would be bad. You don’t think he would pull you from school do you?
He might. Or worse. So can we please not talk about it anymore?
Lizzie: Gotcha. *luckily the bus pulls up and we have to stop anyways*



[Lizzies p.o.v.]

*Later during lunch*

Lizzie! Tina! Over here! *Watches as Miranda makes enough noise to draw in a ship from a fogbank and walks over to where she is sitting as Tina follows along behind me slowly as if she fears someone will pop out and accuse her of what she mentioned to me earlier today* Hey Miranda….what’s good in the way of news on your front today?
Miranda: Well I found out something that might be more on the ‘bad side’ of the chalkboard.
*Blinks as does Tina* Oh yeah? Like what?
Miranda: Well I did some digging and I found out that the guy who pulled the disappearing act wasn’t Ethan as someone first mentioned it might be. Turns out that its someone else.
*Frowns as does Tina* Yeah….who?
Tina: Um I don’t think I want to hear….*at that she stands and bolts for the nearest tree that she can hide under. Before I can pursue her Miranda looks at me and its then that I see in her eyes….that I need to hear the rest of what she has to say*

Miranda: Lizzie? When I tell you who the suspected possible ’father’ is….you might have more of a reason than what you thought you did at first….to go and check on Tina. Matter of fact….you might feel more like joining her for what is no doubt a good cry.
~Okay this is really starting to creep me out~ Am I going to need to sit back down for this?
Miranda: *all she does is nod*
~Okay~ *does what I asked*
Miranda: Brace yourself. I went to Kate and I hope what she told me is nothing more than one of her jokes….well….I asked her who the guy was that she told me she saw ‘duck out’ of the party for about 20 minutes….
And….?
Miranda: She told me it wasn’t Ethan. And I saw proof with my own eyes as he was right by her side while the guy was missing….
And….?
Miranda: She told me that the guy….was….*she pauses after that*
Spit it out!
Miranda: It was Gordo.
~OMG….NO way!~

Miranda: Lizzie?
*Blinks….fighting the tears that threaten to ruin my makeup* Yeah?
Miranda: You okay? ~Smooth Miranda…..real smooth. Go and state the obvious why don‘t ya?~
No….um listen….I gotta go talk to Tina right now. *at that I stand and make my way over to where Tina is sitting slowly….looking at the sea of faces that are my classmates imagining how they are talking about me after I walk past and scan their faces. Eventually I make my way to where Tina is sitting. At which point she looks up and my blazing eyes that are starting to well up with unshed tears make her want to run again*

Tina: *Quietly* Obviously you know the….
Shut up you miserable,rotten *****! HOW DARE YOU….you….*****! *before she can say or do anything I launch a kick towards her stomach. Upon seeing me draw my coltish leg back Miranda is up and running tackling me before I can make good on what I was intending to do. An act which has me laying on the ground looking up at Miranda breathing hard and looking at her as she kneels on my arms pinning me to the ground* You’re defending that tramp!?!
Miranda: Cool it Elizabeth!
**** you Miranda Isabella Sanchez! *Glares at Tina* And you! That also applies to you! I thought you were both my friends and this is how you both betray me? I bet you two cooked this up with Gordo just to get back at me for being so lousy towards you after the events of the first part of the summer!
Miranda: *at that she slaps me* Don’t you even DARE! You need to hear what happened! All of it! From Tina! Then you decide if you hate us! Am I GETTING THROUGH ALL THAT HAIRSPRAY?!?
*Slumps* Yeah I understand.
Principal: *After wisely choosing to stride over and insert herself into this matter* Well I don’t think I DO. So why don’t the 3 of you talk this out between yourselves while I am monitoring the conversation? In say….my office?

*Thursday morning finds me back where I love being as it helps take my mind off of everything that is going on around me. Strangely though….as the bus empties and then drives away Tina is absent. All that does is make me shrug and then head into the building to my locker where I am greeted by a slightly welcome sight. The sight of Miranda. 4 lockers down from where mine is*

Hey!
Miranda: Hey. *after that is when we have arrived at our shared classroom*

*Later at lunch finds me still wondering where the heck Tina is. Until I happen to spot Miranda flagging me down so that I can be at the right table. The table that is shared by someone who I have finally managed to deal with. And for some strange reason,that other party seems to be avoiding the table in question today. Once I have exchanged the usual stuff we have to look forward to I sit down and then it begins*
Miranda: Hey do you know anything about this rumor that I have been hearing?
*Blinks* Rumor? What rumor?
Miranda: Well from what I have managed to piece together via the gossip mill that runs through here….one of the people at the party we had at the Digital Bean might have ended up pregnant.
~No way….! Wait until my mom hears this….! I’ll be grounded for sure!~ Do you know who it was on either side?
Miranda: Nope. All I do know is the name of the guy.
Who is it?
Miranda: Ethan.
*Feels my eyes widen in shock while spitting some of my juice towards the tray in front of me* Does Kate know that he was cheating on her?
Miranda: Doubt it. So don’t tell her.
I won’t. But you know she is gonna find out sooner or later.
Miranda: Later being the key word. So lets just try to get through the day. *before we can get any further the stepsister who I talked with approaches our table clearly on a break from work*

Megan: Hey Lizzie….can I talk to you for a sec?
Sure.
Megan: Tina wanted me to ask if you could get her class assignments today for her. She came down with the flu over the weekend and she is almost over it. She should be back tomorrow.
Okay.
Megan: Cool. Drop them off later where I work okay? I gotta get back.
No problem. *After that she is gone*
Miranda: That was….weird.
You know she is like that.
Miranda: Yeah. Guess I forgot. Well later. During study hall we can talk further.
Deal. *at that the 3 of us are gone our separate ways*

*Later still finds almost all of us sitting around talking about the events of earlier. As much as we can much to the ‘satisfaction’ of the person watching over us*

Miranda: *Quietly* [as will the whole conversation be] what do you think Tina is really sick from?
Dunno. But I am guessing it isn‘t the flu.
Miranda: You think she is ‘the one’? The girl?
Like I said….I’m not getting into it. So lets not bother okay?
Miranda: Works for me. Well I did manage to get some of her assignments. Turns out we have some of the same classes.
I got the ones that she has in the morning. So we should be all set.
Miranda: Cool. Do you want the ones I have so far or should we both take them later to her sister?
Maybe we should do that. Both take them to her sister that is.
Miranda: Another good idea McGuire. Well….back to work then.
*Giggles then returns to the problem that I was working on earlier*


[Tinas p.o.v.]

*Meanwhile during all of this*

My mom: Well how are we feeling today?
Kinda scared still. I don’t know what I am going to do. I think dad suspects something is going on.
My mom: Well you do have a difficult decision to face you know. And a father that has only wanted you to be as safe as what he can make you,given the situation that you had to deal with.
Mom….please. I don’t think I will repeat the mistakes of my mother….if that’s what ends up happening. Just like I know it wasn’t her fault that any of it happened. What she did to me. And how I hated myself for what I thought was my fault.
My mom: You sound like you plan to keep the child growing inside of you,should there be one,and not kill it.
*Whispers* I can’t….don’t you see? It would tear me up inside if I lost something that important to myself.
My mom: Well what about giving it away? As in letting someone else raise him or her?

*Sighs* That would remind me of what she did….and how much I hated what my life became when you walked into the picture and replaced my real mother.
My mom: Tina….please. Stop doing this to yourself. You have a sound mind and good judgment. Just like we knew you did all along. Which is why I know that you'd make the right choice not to abort its life. That of what might someday be your first child. But you know once he finds out….your dad….he might be less likely to be as understanding as what you hope,when all is said and done about the aftermath of that party.
*Sits silently starting to cry* I know….and I didn’t want this! I let my guard down and someone was there to make me feel like I needed to after that happened! All of it! And he wouldn’t listen to me when I said….’if we have unprotected sex you’ll be both cheating on your girlfriend and opening ‘Pandora’s box’ at the same time. He replied….’so? Kate could care less about me. She thinks I’m only good for one thing. Looking good and not saying anything when someone talks to me. She thinks I’m as vapid and shallow as what people thought her to be when she was in middle school.’ And you know what mom? I’ve seen they way they ‘fake being a couple’ and I know that they want to be closer to one another but neither one knows how to take the first step.

My mom: So why don’t you tell them such a thing?
Because I know it wouldn’t change anything. I have way too much to deal with on my own. So why should I try to solve all the problems of the world except my own?
My mom: *Lifting my head so she can look at my tear stained eyes and cheeks* And that my girl is what you should focus on. Because if you aren’t ‘happy with yourself’ how can you expect to make someone else understand you?
Wow. I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing. Pushing away the people who matter the most to me. Thanks.
My mom: Not a problem Tina. Now….why don‘t we go and have something to eat outside of here? You need some fresh air and so do I.
Sounds good to me mom.

*Late Wednesday finds me in my room. What a shock that must be for some people. Unlike the last time there is only me. Because I don’t get many visitors. Except for one. And she doesn’t really count because she is family*
*from downstairs comes the voice of my mom* : Tina….dinner.
*at her words I just roll back over and stare at the wall huddled under the blanket that has been trying to slip off of me every chance it gets*
*still downstairs* My mom: Albertina Vargas I said DINNER. Now get your backside down here this instant. *When she doesn’t get a reply that sends her towards the stairs and eventually my room. One which obviously she doesn’t see the need to bother asking first before walking into*
My mom: Look Tina I know you have this ‘rebellious phase’ going through you right now….but you need to eat honey. Your dad has been worried about you. He fears that you might be suffering a relapse of what happened to you,since all you've been doing this week,okay the first few days of it...is come home and crawl into bed. What’s wrong?

*Quietly* I’m….in trouble. Big trouble. Trouble he can’t know about.
My mom: *Leaning in to hear me better* What kind of trouble?
There’s a good chance that I might be pregnant.
My mom: ~Oh no….please tell me your not serious~ *looking down at my tear stained face* who did this to you?
A friend of Lizzie’s.
My mom: Does he have a name?
Ethan Craft.
My mom: I’m going to call this Lizzie and have her come over here.
No! She would go and talk to the guy to make sure it was the truth!
My mom: Well is it?
I’m afraid it is. I went to the free clinic yesterday after school and they did a test on me to see what was wrong.
My mom: And that’s when you found out?
*Shaking my head* No. I won‘t know until tomorrow.
My mom: How far along do you think you might be,if in fact you learn that what you have to face is the 'worst case scenario?'
Not even a month.
My mom: What are you going to do when you find out what might be going on?
I don’t KNOW! I’m still trying to get over the whole mess that happened around this time last month!
My mom: Well I think I need to go back downstairs before the food gets cold. If you feel like coming down later when he’s elsewhere I’ll save you a plate in the microwave.
Thanks.
My mom: Not a problem. Now try to keep your thoughts happy.
I’ll do what I can. *at that she is gone*

*Later*
*Manages to slip out of the house without being spotted by dad and heads over to the space over the garage occupied by someone who might be able to help. When she sees me looking like I will die if I don‘t find someone to talk to she asks me in and banishes Willa from the place they are currently sharing then leads me into her bedroom….by that I mean the one my stepsister is using and all but pushes me down on the bed while sitting down opposite me*

Megan: Okay spill it. Why are you here?
I’m in big trouble. You remember the party last month?
Megan: What about it?
Remember when I went missing for a little while?
Megan: Again…..what about it?
Well it turns out that I left the party with something other than a few burgers and some other food…..’in the oven’.
Megan: You better be talking about something other than what I think you are talking about….
I wish I was…and there is a chance that I might be. The free clinic I went to before I came home said they‘d let me know tomorrow about the test they did when I was there.
Megan: And….?
Its possible that there is a chance that I’m pregnant.
Megan: You know he’ll kill you if he finds out.
Tell me something I don’t know already.

Megan: Sorry. So who’s the suspected ‘daddy to be?’
The boyfriend of that gal who gave me and a few choice others grief.
Megan: Does she know?
*Shakes my head* Only mom knows….so don’t say anything okay?
Megan: Deal. Promise me one thing though.
And that would be….?
Megan: When he kills you….make it so that your will states I get your cd collection and your stereo. They would look good in here.
No chance of that happening.
Megan: Seriously though….do you think you wanna confront the guy yet?
No not yet. Let me see what might happen when and by that I guess I mean ‘if’ I tell dad first.
Megan: Fair enough.

hillridgerpx's Halloween party:

cardigan_anjel dressed as a devil.
desirestreet dressed as a Level 10 thief.
haneulggoom dressed as a character from Harry Potter and the Crystal of the Conversion.
incendiary dressed as a new member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Tough Wanderer, and it suited them disturbingly well.
jh4e dressed as a pimp.
joeyrenee dressed as Donald Trump.
luna_belle dressed as a new superhero: Black Robot.
moonshinefaerie dressed as Paris Hilton.
pesh dressed as Mary-Kate Olsen with her very own conjoined Ashley.
simplisticgrace didn't dress up, spoilsport.
sortellisfangrl dressed as Harry S Truman.
yami_jhoney didn't dress up, spoilsport.

Throw your own party at the Hallomeme!
Created with phpNonsense

*Early Monday morning/late Sunday evening flashback to the events of the previously mentioned party*
Miranda: *upon seeing my ‘costume’* Wow! Did you buy those as they are or did you have to make them by hand?
*Laughs while fluttering my ‘wings’* Nah. I was lucky enough to find them as they look. Of course it looked as if getting them home was not going to be an easy task until someone showed me that they could be folded like you would a deck chair and then snapped back into the shape they are now. What about you? I thought maybe you would opt for something different.
Miranda: Well I was going to do something other than this *at that she shrugs* if I hadn’t waited maybe I would’ve been able to. Then I remembered that none of the people that are on the guest list have seen me in this outfit so I thought ‘what the heck? Either way its cool.’
Yeah that it is.
Miranda: Anyway….you think the others are still a little bit upset at the tantrum that you threw?
Nah. They understand as I’m sure you explained what was causing it to happen.
Miranda: Yeah. Well that’s about all that we can say about this matter right now. So lets get our ‘happy faces on’ and see what we can do to make this a night that will change a lot of things and just not for us!
I second that emotion!

*Later as the party is in full swing*

Amy: *after wandering by where Miranda and I are sitting and taking a break* Wow….! Look at you two! Those wings real? ‘Cause if they are I so don’t want to be the one who gets in trouble for breaking them if I reach out and touch them ya know?
*Laughs* No its okay. They won’t break or anything. Go ahead.
Amy: Cool. So what’s the deal anyways? I thought that someone else was going to be here yet I haven’t seen him all night.
Well….*luckily someone else besides Miranda cuts off my explanation in mid sentence*
Tina: Hey….Amy right? Why don’t you give our other two ‘hostesses’ a chance to enjoy their food while you and I go see about getting you some of your own?
Amy: Cool. I was starting to get kinda hungry.
*Mouths ‘thanks’ to Tina as she walks away with our guest and she slips back to where we are sitting when Kate’s cousin has managed to secure a place in line to get some of the food*
Tina: Not a problem. I know we are….*before she can finish Miranda happens to nudge my elbow and make me spill some of my drink on the floor* What was that for?
Miranda: Um Lizzie…remember when I told you that it might not be possible for Gordo to be here?
Yeah? What about it?
*Cue the untimely entrance of the boyfriend* Gordo: Can I have a moment to talk to my girlfriend alone?
Tina/Miranda: Wow….look at that line move! I'll be back in a few Lizzie.

Gordo! What are you….
Gordo: *after sitting down in one of the empty seats which he’s first turned to face me as its at a different table* Shut up and listen to what I have to say first okay?
*Blinks* Okay….
Gordo: I’ve been doing some thinking about us….
And?
Gordo: What did I just ask of you huh?
Sorry.
Gordo: Just forget it okay? Just like you can go and pretend that I wasn’t here at all when I am walking out the door. *at that he stands up and makes his way towards the doors pausing to look at me over his shoulder at which point he walks back to the table* Oh and don’t be looking for me tomorrow at school McGuire….I need some ‘space’. *after that he’s once again heading towards the door. Before he leaves he turns to look at me one more time then turns back around shaking his head as he pushes the door open and heads out into the night*

*Sighs while watching him leave then Miranda returns to talk to me. Only when she does she acts all weird*
Miranda: Wake up wake up wake up wake up wake up! Time to wake up and see what is going to be the rest of your life now Lizzie! Come on rise and shine McGuire! Shower isn’t going to turn itself on you know! Nothing else is gonna magically happen for ya either! *her incessant droning finally has me reaching for the snooze button and then rolling over onto my back to stare at the ceiling until the alarm once again sets my mind towards thinking about the day ahead*

*Slightly later this wonderful morning finds me wishing that maybe the weekend had lasted a little longer. That being due to how much fun the party turned out to be. Not so much the cleanup that was the major occupation of yesterday. Even though I told myself that ‘its no big deal that my life might be at a crossroads right now….I’ve got the best darn thing going on for me right now that I could hope to have’….I really was a little bit disappointed that Gordo wasn’t in the mood to stay once he got there even though he was kind of a surprise when he did show up*

*Grabs my book bag and slides out of the half empty seat heading inside when the bus has come to a complete stop wondering what might be wrong that I don’t know about. The part that bothered me the most were the whispers that some people were quickly stopping when they saw me walk close to where they were standing then resume whatever the heck was so darn important when I was out of earshot. By the time I managed to get to my locker and see the note that was taped to it much like the one which Kate left me my heart is somewhere near my stomach*

*Rather than take any longer than I need to solve this problem I snatch the envelope from the front of my locker and then slip it into one of my books to read later. After that’s done I grab the dial of my locker between two fingers on my right hand and open it once the combination has been dialed in. The minute I do I almost wish I hadn’t as the second letter that was placed in there slips out and lands face up near one of my shoes. Unlike the one which was probably just a ‘thank you’ from the party Saturday night this one is one which will probably be one that makes things a little different than what I need them to be right now. As if the telltale traces of handwriting that are as unmistakable as what mine are didn’t give away the fact that its from Gordo. Letting the letter lay there for a few seconds longer turns out to be a mistake as a passerby takes one look at where it is laying then looks at me and silently mouths ‘I hope you feel better after a good cry’. Scant seconds before the first bell rings I manage to muster enough courage to pick the letter up and slip it into the smallish pile of books that I’ve gathered prior to heading off to class*

*Study hall finds me in another one of those flashbacks like I went through during ‘dreamtime’*

[this part is being told from Tinas p.o.v.]

And then the princess who was so distraught over the loss of the beloved prince and her father in the same day took the sword which had been used to behead her fiancée and sliced off her own head by setting it between 2 low hanging branches and then riding her horse beneath the same branches that held the weapon. *at that I fold up the story and then place it back in my pocket*
Miranda: Aww how sad….just like Romeo and Juliet.
Lizzie: Way tragic. Which made it perfect for this kind of night. Now then! Who wants to hear her tell it again? *surprisingly no one raises their hands yet something else does act to draw my attention. That being the sudden materialization of a book that slams softly down onto my lap and jars me back into the real world* [and now back to the regularly scheduled portion of our story]

Study hall [vulture] teacher: MISS McGuire….

*Gulps* Hello….is there a problem?
Study hall [vulture] teacher: Not especially for me that is. However can we say the same about you?
Sorry. I was just thinking about something that happened this weekend. At the Halloween party that I was running.
Study hall [vulture] teacher: Ah yes. I heard that you had a great turn out. However I do believe that such matters are ones which only serve to interrupt what it is we strive to accomplish here in these hallowed halls. That being said try not to let your mind wander too much okay? We need you here with the rest of us.
Gotcha.

~By the time the end of the day rolls around its very obvious [well to me anyways] that my fate as far as whatever I had with Gordo is either totally over or its on what might turn out to be the ‘last leg of the trip to being the end of the road’~ *And as I suspected the bus ride home didn’t do much to make me forget about the ’letter’ that I tucked into my stack of take home books along with the other envelope. Rather it made me even more curious about what the one that was inside my locker along with the other one was about. After walking into the house and then going through the usual motions with my mom which included shuffling upstairs when we were done with our usual chatter….is right around the time that I decided that there was no need to be so worked up over a silly little envelope that probably meant nothing anyways. So much so that I set it up near my computer monitor and just walked away from it heading downstairs to go and do something else that would help me think less about this matter*

Mom I’m gonna go to the Digital Bean is that okay?
Mom: Sure sweetie. *after pausing for a second* Wait….is there something that you might want to talk to me about? Miranda’s mother called while you were at school and she told me that her daughter said something happened at the party Saturday. Would you rather talk about it with me here?

No….I kinda promised myself that I was going to put what happened out of my mind. ~At least for as long as I can avoid looking at that letter upstairs that is~ So it would kind of seem silly to go and talk about it right now don’t you think?
Mom: Yes maybe it would. Well enjoy yourself and make sure to call me in case you eat something while you’re there. Wouldn’t want you to come home and say that you’re not hungry because you ate thereby wasting the food that was set aside for you when I made dinner.

Gotcha mom. Don’t worry I will. *which is about where the conversation ends as I’m heading out the door and walking towards my destination after shutting said backdoor and leaving the yard*

*Slightly later*

Yeah talk to you when you get here Miranda. Bye. *Clicks off the phone after she does and pockets the cell before stepping up to the counter to see if the person that I did intend to talk to rather than my mother is both here and working. Luckily its not long of a wait before someone manages to give me the help which I desire*

Manager: I’m sorry. She’s not working today. I thought maybe she might need the time off after I worked her so hard when her and her sister got back from their little road trip. If you like I could give her the message that you were here when she gets in tomorrow and then she can decide what she might want to do. Is that okay with you miss McGuire?
Actually I could save us both some trouble by going over to where they live and talking to them in person. ~Yeah I could do that and then leave Miranda hanging when she gets here. Which would no doubt make her mad at me.~ Probably after my friend gets here though. She was going to meet me here.

Manager: Or you could do that. Either way is not a problem for me. That being said what would you like in the way of some liquid refreshment?
*Laughs* Just my usual.
Manager: Okay then. I’ll have Willa bring it to you when its ready.
Thanks. *Meanders over to the couch and flops down waiting for Miranda. Which is not a long wait as she slides in the door not more than
5 minutes after I sit down and close my eyes to think about what has happened to me thus far today*

Miranda: Hey you….what was the big emergency?
Wasn’t really one. Just thought maybe we could talk about some things that we didn’t get a chance to as we were cleaning this place yesterday.
Miranda: Well normally I would agree with you. Just one problem though. My reason for agreeing to meet you here was kinda included in the real reason I went out of my way to journey here.
Oh? What’s going on then?
Miranda: I was planning to meet Gordo here.
*Blinks* I see. Well then there really isn’t any need for me to stay here until he arrives now is there. I’ll call you after?

Miranda: Lizzie….wait.
Sorry can’t. Got something I need to do. *Stands up and heads to the counter to fetch my drink and have it switched over to a to go cup since I now need some ’space of my own’. After walking outside I pause long enough to inform my mom of my recently revised plans and click the phone off when she tells me that its not a big deal for me to do what I am about to do. Even though she says that I know she was lying*

Okay,this is whats known as an 'out of character post',where much of what I'm posting here..has been seen previously. And its being done so people can understand 'Whos Who'

Elizabeth Brooke 'Lizzie' McGuire:

Oldest child of one Sam and Jo McGuire. Girlfriend of the 'male lead' in these stories. Aspires to be unlike she was in middle school.

David Zephyr 'Gordo' Gordon:

Former 'smartest kid in his class' at his old middle school. Looks like his trend is continuing,since hes the leader of one of the best study groups in his new digs. Boyfriend of Lizzie. Keeper of the key to her heart.

Miranda Isabella Sanchez:

Tough talking rebel who never lets anyone who push her around,when its coming from her circle of peers who look down on her for not being more 'popular.' '3rd Amigo' from the trio that has been together since middle school,and prior to that time. Harbors a secret crush on Lizzies boyfriend.

Albertina 'Tina' Vargas [formerly Romero] :

Introverted,haunted by the specters of her past. Remembered next to nothing about her life before she was adopted from a neglectful mother. Suffered a nervous breakdown when she found out her 'dad' was divorcing her mother. Later found out the truth about her early childhood,which she had forgotten.

Margaret Marissa 'Megan' Vargas [formerly Romero] :

A wild child dreamer who found herself

Was also abandonded by a neglectful mother [though not by choice,as was the case for her younger sister]. Oldest child of Vivian and Emerson Romero. 45 minute older fraternal twin of Daniel Ezra Romero. Unwed mother of Samantha Vargas [never known as Romero]. Raped at 14-15 while in a mental hospital under suicide watch. Former girlfriend/fiancee of Rocco [deceased,the boyfriend/finacee]. Recent high school graduate-adult ed. 'Worker drone' [read general laborer] at 'The Digital Bean'

Kate Sanders:

Likened to 'Cruella De Ville' [at least not where SHE can hear it]
Cheerleader co captain of the now Varsity Squad at the new school she rules over,since she is one of the popular people [or so she thinks,as it pertains to the 'ruling the school nonsense']. Off and on girlfriend of one of the other males in the 'cast' Ethan Craft [note-he is rarely seen since I can't find a way to write for him...too busy]. Head of the 'self proclaimed best study group in the school.' Has recently tried to make amends with Lizzie and the rest of the gang she looked down on in the past,by default. Time will tell if she succeeds.

Daniel Ezra Romero:

Middle child of Vivian&Emerson Romero. Raised by his paternal grandparents after his birth mother realized she couldn't keep her precious miracles,since she was a single working [lower middle class] parent. Home schooled and working on his law degree [online graduate school/distance education]. Former guardian of his sisters only child.

Jo McGuire:

Lizzie,Matt&Isabellas mom. Recently widowed. Doing what she can to make sure that there are no more mishaps for her oldest,and hoping that her youngest will see that she has the best mom/older sister in the world.

Well...thats about all the 'main characters' that I have used from time to time. I'll update this from time to time,when I get more of the info I stashed on another site I made.

Friday morning finds me hard at work getting everything set in motion for later:

Willa: All set to finish the streamers on this end
Since thats the case Willa….bring me the other end of that black streamer will you?
Willa: Hang on a sec or two Megan. You have the tack to secure it right?
Yep. *after she hands it to the other person helping on this task and its tacked down,afterwards,the friend hands the rest of the streamer to Willa,so she can begin to walk with it,twisting it so that it conforms to the planned shape that it is going to take*
Willa: *after reaching the other end of the room,where I am of course* Here ya go Megan.
Thanks. *at that,its my turn to tack this end of the last streamer that we have to hang into place,sliding down from the ladder once its mission accomplished* Okay,thats done,now what should we tackle before taking a break?

Willa: Your choice really. We’re pretty much ahead of schedule for the time being. Since this party is the brainchild of Lizzie and her other friends along with my sister its really under your control how much we do right now and how much is left for the 4 of you to accomplish
True. Though I don’t know if Lizzie is going to be in the mood to want to do anything when she gets here

Willa: Why? Is she not feeling good or something?
*Shrugs* She’s in a weird mood. Tina told me she was earlier when I talked to her during lunch at school anyway
Willa: Well I hope its not something that happened because of what Tina might’ve done,wait why would you think that your sister had something to do with what was bugging Lizzie?

Tina has been kinda strung out since that incident back in Malibu. Something happened to her that was….well I don’t know if I should say anymore,since you witnessed the worst part of it
Willa: If its about something after she gained the bandage she's been sportin' since we got back,maybe you shouldn't. I know that you don’t like to discuss ‘personal issues’ and I don’t see why you should if its something that is a private matter then it should stay that way

Well! This isn’t getting anything done. So why don’t we get back to work on the decorations huh? ‘Idle hands’ and all that nonsense

Slightly later as Lizzie and the aforementioned sister arrive to give us a hand:

Tina: Hi guys. Well this place is starting to look spooky. Mind if I lend a hand with getting the ‘atmosphere’ improved in this place?
Megan/Willa: Knock yourself out Tina. Lizzie? You feel up to helping or do you wanna just sit back and relax?

Lizzie: *Snappishly* Just show me what you want me to do okay?
Megan: *Blinks* Um would you guys excuse me for a minute? I think I need to talk to Lizzie outside
Willa/Tina: Go right ahead. We can handle things in here while you’re gone

Megan: Okay. *Looks at Lizzie for a second then heads outside hoping she will join me so I can attempt to find out what happened after she cut me off at school earlier which is exactly what she wants to avoid when we get outside*

Lizzie: Okay. WHAT was so important that I had to come out here to talk about it?
*Holds up a hand traffic cop style* First of all what is with the ‘who cares about anything’ attitude?
Lizzie: Nothing. Look do you want me to help with the decorations or not? If so I fail to see how being out here and flapping my lips making noise with you is getting that task done!
*Sighs* Lizzie….I don’t know what’s wrong…
Lizzie: That’s right. You don’t

I want to though,so could you please TELL ME what happened after you finished talking to Tina during lunch at school! And don’t try to say ‘nothing’. Because we both know that ‘nothing’ wouldn’t be making you act this way!
Lizzie: FINE. I had a fight with Gordo okay! You HAPPY now? My boyfriend is thinking about dumping me and I’m supposed to care about a stupid Halloween party!
*Blinks taken aback* WHAT?!? When did this happen?

Lizzie: *Fighting the urge to start crying* Yesterday during study hall. He slipped me a note via Tina and he told me that we need to take things a little slower as he feels that I’m trying to rush him into doing things he doesn’t want to

That doesn’t sound like Gordo….
Lizzie: I know! That’s why when I told him….’if we go any slower this relationship that we have might stall like a car that idles too long’. That’s when HE told me ‘well maybe we SHOULD let the relationship stall.’
~Something very ‘not right’ is going on here.~ Lizzie….? What else did he say?

Lizzie: He thinks I don’t appreciate him! He wants me to prove that I care about him in a way that’s more ‘intense’ than what we did the last time!
~Now I know that something weird is going on~ Well are you going to?
Lizzie: I don’t know! What do you think I should do?

I think whatever you decide to do….you better be sure that its something that you want to do and are willing to do. Before that though you need to talk to someone who might be better equipped to handle such a problem as this one. I don’t know enough to be of much use to you in this situation and we both know it

Lizzie: But who should I talk to? I know I can’t go to my mom on this one! She will just be waiting for me with a big speech!
Well if you know that your mom is the wrong person I’m guessing that you would also not be thinking about going to your dad right?
Lizzie: *Nods*
Well there must be someone you could talk to...what about Miranda?
Lizzie: Now I know part of the reason why the group keeps you around. You always seem to have the answers to my problems when I can’t think straight

*Laughs slightly* Gonna come a time when I’m going to be too busy to help you all the time McGuire and we both know that day might not be very far away
Lizzie: I know. And don’t think I haven’t been trying not to ‘run to everyone else to solve all my problems’ like I used to in the past. True I do still need some help in situations like this one….but other than that I can take care of myself

Yeah I know. Things have changed for a lot of us. Even Tina,and not too long ago
Lizzie: Yeah?
Yeah. Don’t wanna say much because it was a personal thing you know? All I will say is that something happened,something to do with her ending up with the bandage that she's sporting on her right wrist
Lizzie: Well that’s a given. Just wish she would open up to us some more and maybe tell us how things were where she lived before moving here
I thought she did talk to you about that right after she moved here?
Lizzie: Oh yeah. I must’ve forgotten about it
Well obviously. Now come on. We better get back in there and help those guys get the rest of the decorations for the party taken care of
Lizzie: *Giggling and following me* Yeah. Guess we better. They might think we ran off and left them to do all the work or something

Back inside about 5 minutes later:

Tina: You sure you guys don’t mind if I take a break?
All of the rest of us: No go right ahead
Tina: Okay. Um….could someone give me a hand with this? I think I need to change the bandages again
Megan/Willa: Well if we weren’t all busy….
I’ll do it
Tina: You sure you wanna McGuire?
*Small shrug* No not really. But since the others are all busy with getting the rest of the decorations set up don’t look like either one of us has much of a choice in the matter

Tina: Okay. But if you have to hurl please make sure that you don’t do it anywhere near the wrist okay?
Promise. *at that she pulls back the slightly bloodied bandages* ~I think I’m gonna be….~
Tina: *Noticing my discomfort* I tried to warn you….
Yes you did. Its okay. I’m fine. So what do I do here?
Tina: All you have to do clean around the stitches then help me wrap the stitches with the gauze. I can handle the rest of it on my own
That sounds easy. So how did this happen if you don’t mind my asking?

Tina: Not here okay. Maybe after this party is over. And please don’t ask me anything more about it until then okay?
Sure. Well I’m done how did I do?
Tina: Just fine
Thanks. Well I think I’ll go help the others some more now. Let me know if you need my help again okay?
Tina: Yeah sure. No problem

Megan: Just in time Lizzie. Here. *At that she hands me a sack filled with orange and black balloons*
What am I supposed to….? Oh yeah. Duh. Balloons
Megan: Yep. And instead of using all your ‘hot air’ I got a small helium tank for them. Actually Kate did. So don’t worry about being ‘out of breath’
Cool. Wait….why would….
Megan: I don’t know either and I’m not gonna try to figure it out. I’m just going to keep busy getting everything ready
Works for me!

Roughly 25 minutes later:

Well that was fun. Wait….why are you guys laughing?
Megan: Did you accidentally inhale some of the gas? ‘Cause it sounds that way!
Oh. Hopefully it’ll wear off before the party. Speaking of which do you think we have everything just about done here? I have to go back home and get my outfit together for the party. Or did I already bring it with me? Crud. I bet I didn’t. I might’ve left in such a hurry to first get home and then get over here I forgot some of it

Megan: Lizzie relax. We have about *quickly checking her watch* 4 hours until we are supposed to get the party started. You have time to go and get the rest of it together. You can change when you get back

Okay. Cool. Um….do me a favor will you?
Willa: Whatcha need?
If Gordo shows up looking for me don’t tell him I was here?
Willa: Sure. Not thinking that he might be here I take it? Hoping that he is here and maybe he has had a chance to think things over?
Kinda halfway in between both of them
Willa: He’s probably forgotten all about the fight by now. If there was one that is. You know how he is

Yeah. Should by now huh? Well I don’t see how this is getting me ready for what will be going on later so I better get myself in gear and go and get my ‘costume’ together. Be back as soon as I can. *which is the last thing that I have time to say before Miranda hustles me out the door so I can make good on my promise*

*After walking back in and heading into the kitchen*

Finally! I thought she was going to be here forever! Okay how’s the food preparation coming?
Willa: Everything is right on schedule
Good. Well I think I’ll go back out and start setting out the stuff that is supposed to go around the punchbowl and some of the other assorted things that have to be done while you guys finish up in here
Willa/Tina: Cool. Think you might need an extra set of hands? Boss said she was already out there making sure that the punch was getting mixed and she might be willing to do something else when she gets done with that

We’ll see when I get back out there. *unfortunately she doesn’t get much farther than the door before seeing someone walk into the main portion of the Digital Bean through one of the small ‘portholes’ in the swinging doors* Oh crud what is she doing here so soon?
Willa/Tina: What’s wrong?
Not really sure. But I think maybe I should go and find out
Willa/Tina: Okay

Main portion of the Digital Bean:

Your early. Is there something wrong?
Amy: Nah. Not really. Just thought maybe I’d see about having a look at how the decorating is progressing. Wow cool! You guys got all this done by yourselves?!?
Yeah. We’ve been working since about 11 this morning. So you think maybe you’ll stay or are you pressed for time?
Amy: Nah. Got things to do before later. Unless of course you need me to maybe lend a hand real quick? If not I gotta motor and get my other errands finished
We got it covered for now
Amy: Cool. Well I’ll be back later. *and after that she too is gone and I head back into the kitchen*

*After stepping out of the way of the swinging door and then glancing at my watch* Crud!

Willa/Tina: What’s wrong?
Its almost 5 is what’s wrong!
Willa/Tina: Oh
Hope we get everything finished in time
Willa/Tina: Relax,I'm sure the food is going to be okay,and we have very little left to do in the way of decorations...we'll finish on time
Okay. See you guys in a little bit. *then just like that I’m on my way out so

Slightly later:

Hey Tina you got a sec? Needed to ask you something real quick
Tina: *Wiping her hands off and then sliding onto a stool on the other side of the counter* What’s up?

Well you know how I might’ve mentioned to Miranda that things were kind of not ‘okay’ with you earlier?
Tina: Yeah….so what does that have to do with….right now?
Well I think maybe you should tell a reworked version of your ‘accident’ as a scary story later on. That sound okay to you?

Tina: You know….that just might be a way for me to have some fun and let loose some of what has been making things tense for more than just me lately
So you’ll do it?
Tina: *Small shrug* Sure. Why not? You want me to maybe write up what I remember in a different format first?
That might be even better. Tell ya what. Willa and I will keep an eye on the food for about oh….10 minutes or so. That going to be enough time or do you need more?

Tina: Actually….25 minutes might be better. I haven’t really got much practice doing something like this you know. Wait…! I could add some of the ‘dream’ into it. Or maybe that would be too much
Yeah it might

Tina: Then I’ll just write out the ‘motel room’ event and make do with that

Cool. Now get to work
Tina: Gotcha

*Right afterwards she sits down at one of the tables farthest away from the door so she can write without interruptions. Which is a good thing as Lizzie slips back in shortly after Tina begins her task*

Sorry I took so long. My mom was just finishing up helping me by putting part of my ‘costume’ in a separate bag as I was getting in the door at home. Luckily for me she had already managed to select some other stuff and place it in a travel bag so I could bring it with me
Megan/Willa: Its cool. Oh,the boss told me to tell you that you could just leave your makeup bag in the bathroom or you could set it in the office

Cool. Um….so what should I do with my clothes?
Megan: Hmm. Well we can’t have them hanging in the bathroom unwatched. Tell ya what. Why don’t you put both larger bags in the office along with the smaller one. That way we know that they are in a safe place
Sounds good to me. Then what?
Megan: THEN you get to help us finish preparing some of the food that we will be putting on the table on the end opposite where the punchbowl is already sitting
Sounds like you guys have this all worked out already

Megan: Yeah well….we have to make sure that there are no mishaps like the last time when a private party was held here
Oh I know what ya mean. So where’s Tina? Did she leave or something?
Megan: Nah. She’s writing a ‘ghost story’ for later. Its gonna be a good one from what she told me after she got started. So don’t go over there where she is sitting okay? She needs to have total concentration so she can get it finished

Gotcha. Well I better get this done so I can get back and help you guys. Oh wait! Did Gordo show up while I was gone?
Megan/Willa: Nope. Gordo? Who is that?
Darn. Well if he does show up let me know ahead of time okay? In case I have to do a ‘quick disappearing act’
Willa: Why would you have to do that?
We had a fight and I’m sure that dragging it out any further tonight would be a way to go and ruin the fun we have planned for tonight ya know what I’m saying?

Megan/Willa: No arguments there. Now hurry it up will ya? Its getting late and we need to get busy so we can keep to the schedule!
Gotcha. *Slips into the office and sets all the bags down on the floor so I can remember where they are before heading back out into the Digital Bean itself*

*Walks back into the kitchen area and grabs one of the pans that has the black and orange wrapped silverware heading out into the main portion of the ‘dungeon’ pausing at every table to drop off at least 4 sets of silverware 2 orange and 2 black*

~This is so cool! I never thought it was going to be so much fun to be right in on the ground floor of something like this!~

*Watches the front door area out of the corner of my eye every chance I get hoping that someone will walk through it and offer to help* ~Funny I thought maybe someone other than Miranda would be here by now
Oh well if someone doesn’t want to show up then what makes me think that I can just cause it to happen by using my mind to force him to show up then say that maybe he was wrong for what he said to me yesterday~ *Smiles as I head back into the kitchen for something else to place on the tables when the pan which is holding the silverware is emptied* Hey guys! Mmm….food sure is starting to smell good in here!

Megan: Yeah. We thought it would be okay if we went ahead and made some chili in case people don’t want regular hot dogs. That okay with you McGuire?
Not a problem here. So what all are we having in the way of food anyways? I know that we made some suggestions as far as the menu is concerned then left it up to you guys as to what was actually going to be prepared

Megan: Well we thought we’d go with some easy stuff. You know like what you’d find around a campfire? Just the standards. Hamburgers and hot dogs along with the fixings that anyone might want. Instead of opting for candy and other stuff we thought we’d get some marshmallows and graham crackers along with some semi sweet chocolate bars and let the guests make smores. Plus we got a cake and you saw the punch that was being made
You know….that sounds like it was a good idea you guys had. The campfire theme. Good thing we did include someone else in the decision process
Willa: Thanks. I wasn’t sure if the others would appreciate a suggestion from someone who’s not part of the usual group

Megan: Oh don‘t worry about it Willa. My friends and I including Tina don’t feel that we have all the answers and appreciate when someone helps us out when we need such a favor. Just as long as they allow us to repay them when its required you know a favor for a favor….we listen to whatever someone offers and then decide as a group what to do or we decide on our own if the situation requires it

Well what do you want me to do now? The tables have been prepared and I don’t have anything else to do you know?
Well you could take a turn stirring the chili while I go and get started on the next batch of ‘burgers
Cool. I can handle that. Um….when should I go and change for the party?
Soon as Miranda gets here or someone else arrives to give us a hand
Lizzie: Including Tina?

Yeah including her. Since the other guy who works here was given the night off its just me and Willa along with my boss and another gal holding down the fort. And as you can see its taking at least 3 of us at any given time to handle the food preparations
Lizzie: Yeah. Sorry about that
No big deal. Now keep stirring!

*5 minutes or so later after dropping my ‘story’ off in the same office that is being used as a coat room/costume storage area* Hey guys! Need a hand in here?

Me/Willa: Actually we could use someone to help Lizzie out so she will stop asking ‘is it time for me to start getting ready yet?’
Tina: Sounds like I can handle that. Um….what am I supposed to do anyway?

Lizzie: Well you could help me out by taking over with the chili stirring while I go and retouch my makeup. Since I’m already wearing the clothes that are part of my ‘costume’ when I get that small matter out of the way I’m ready to get back to work
Tina: Cool. Doesn’t sound like I have to worry about getting anything near the stitches. When she gets back what should I do then?
Megan: When Lizzie gets back on chili detail you can help me out by cutting a few onions for the burgers. Or making the smaller pieces of onion for the hot dogs. Your choice

Tina: Okay. Still not seeing anything I can’t handle. Give me something to wear to keep my clothes clean and I’m all set

*While I’m out in the bathroom getting myself refreshed Miranda slides into the area beside me and waits for me to finish with what I’m doing before clearing her throat* What’s up?
Miranda: Well I got good news and I got bad news. Which do you want first?

Um….good news?

Miranda: In that case I think you might want to hear this then. I was talking with Gordo when I was on my way back here and he told me that there was no need for you to feel like he was mad at you anymore
~Okay liking this so far~ Is that it?
Miranda: Well not exactly. There is still the matter of the bad with the good remember?

*Raises one eyebrow as if asking ‘okay why am I suddenly expecting something that is gonna be major bad news?’ So spill it. What’s the other half?
Miranda: He also wanted me to tell you that he wasn’t sure if he was going to come to the party tonight
What? Did he say why?
Miranda: Not really. But I kinda got the impression that he had other plans

*Sighs* I see. Well no sense worrying about it ya know? Hand me a tissue will you? This is so not my color of blush
Miranda: Um Lizzie you gonna be okay?
*Blinks* Yeah. Just peachy. Now if you don’t mind I have a date with a chili pot and a spoon. *Before she can ask me again what might be wrong I’m shoving past her slightly and heading back to the kitchen*

*Watches as Lizzie walks back into the kitchen and just stands there hovering by where I am standing* Yeah?
Lizzie: You gonna hog the chili stirring all night or do I get a turn again sometime soon?

~Okay….what happened to her between here and the bathroom?~ Um sure. Not like there aren’t….*watches her all but take off a couple of my fingers as she reclaims the ladle and pushes me aside slightly roughly* Well sorry! Next time I’ll let the stupid chili stick to the bottom of the pan!
Megan: Okay Lizzie? First of all that wasn’t very nice to my sister. Second. DON’T do it again. You could have accidentally caused her to pull out a stitch or two when you shoved her like you did

Lizzie: Not my fault she can’t get out of my way fast enough now is it?
Megan: *grabbing a towel and wiping her hands off as she continues to watch Lizzie* Okay can I talk to you outside of here for a minute MISS McGuire?
Lizzie: Fine by me
Megan: You 2 going to be okay in here by yourselves?
Me/Willa: We got it covered. Go and straighten this mess out if there is one to be dealt with that is

*Slightly out of earshot of the kitchen doors*

Okay WHAT is your problem? First you show up here in a grumpy mood which disappears when we put you to work. Then when you go and get the rest of your outfit for the party you seem to have brought the ‘sour patch Lizzie’ attitude with you again!

*Before Lizzie can try to say anything in her defense Miranda walks out of the bathroom in her ‘costume’*
Miranda: I’m afraid its my fault this time. I told Lizzie that it looked like Gordo might not be coming to the party and it clearly upset her. So if you have to blame someone blame me and not her
*Shakes my head* First of all I’m not blaming anyone for anything. I’m just more concerned about what Lizzie said earlier. About how she didn’t want any ‘bad blood/moods’ ruining tonight
Lizzie: *Looking down at her feet slightly* Sorry

Its okay. Not like you intended for your boyfriend to not be here. Do you want to maybe have a few minutes to get your thoughts back in a ‘happy place’?

Lizzie: What about Miranda? She can’t….well look at what she’s wearing! She gets something on that and its ruined!
Miranda: Oh hush. It’ll be fine if I don’t stir the chili. I’m sure they can use me for something else while you think about something. Go on and take a break. Do something. Just try to get out of this bad mood okay?
Lizzie: Promise

Over by the cash register area a couple of minutes later:

My boss: You okay McGuire?
Not really. Hit me with a pineapple smoothie
My boss: Um how about something that won’t ruin your appetite for the party food instead
Like what?

My boss: How about some punch? I’m sure that there is more of that than even you could drink
Doubt it
My boss: Boyfriend troubles huh?
You got it
My boss: Want to talk about it or would you rather just think about something else?
*Small shrug* Nothing to talk about. We hit a ‘speed bump’ is all. Everything will probably be okay after this weekend

My boss: Okay I suppose that’s probably what is going to happen. *at that she hands me a plastic cup and I head over to where the punchbowl is sitting then head back towards the kitchen taking small sips from time to time on my way back* Thanks
My boss: Not a problem