The feeling of honey slowly seeped through Lizzie's body as her mouth moved with Gordo's. Her hand moved to his hair.
"You've gotta get it together, girl."
Lizzie jumped as someone bumped her shoulder, pulling her back to the present. Miranda plopped on the stool next to her and gave her a meaningful look.
"What?" Lizzie asked, flustered. Sometimes having a best friend who knows you better than you know yourself had its disadvantages.
She could still feel the memory of Gordo's lips. His hair.
"Oh, c'mon. I know that face. I see who you're staring at. It's creepy and you got to stop." Miranda reached across and took a sip of her soda. Lizzie glanced at Gordo, sitting a couple of tables over with his girlfriend, Cassandra. The Digital Bean was crowded so she doubt Gordo saw her. He was too preoccupied. She watched as Cassandra ran her fingers through his curls and laughed at something he said. A pang as familiar as breathing pierced her heart, but she buried it as quickly as it started.
"Have you guys ever even, you know, talked about any of this?" Miranda asked, now munching Lizzie's chocolate chip muffin.
"You know we haven't." Lizzie replied.
"You're right, I know you haven't. It's still a stupid decision and I don't understand why not."
Lizzie didn't know what to say to that. She didn't really understand why either. Well, she knew her excuses. "We're better as friends." "We don't want to ruin what we have if we break up." "We're too young." She could recite them forwards and backwards. They were nothing but a cover. She knew it. Miranda knew it. And she suspected Gordo knew it. But it was easier this way. She watched Cassandra peck Gordo on the lips as she got up. Lizzie sighed and forced her gaze away before Gordo saw her staring.
Maybe easier wasn't the right word.
"Let's get started. I want to look like I've at least tried these problems before asking Gordo to help. You know how he gets." Miranda pulled her math book out of her backpack.
Lizzie laughed. At least Miranda knew how to keep her balanced.
