Chapter Ten

Gordo decided for the next week he'd give Miranda the space she wanted and needed. That's how much he cared for her. Then, it'd give Lizzie and him time to make their film. Before they went out to capture statements from Miranda's family and friends, Gordo and Lizzie were at her apartment to film theirs.

"So we're really making this video?" Lizzie asked Gordo.

"I'd do anything for Miranda." He opened the video camera flap and started recording.

"Me too." Lizzie smiled at the camcorder.

"We'll call it, 'The Miranda Sanchez Project,'" Gordo decided. He aimed the lens at him and Lizzie. They pressed their heads together so they could both fit in the shot.

"Hey Miranda, it's your best friends here," Gordo said to the camera. "We're making this film to show you how much you mean to your friends and family."

"And what better way then to start with us?" Lizzie added.

"Definitely," Gordo agreed. He whipped the camera around to just capture Lizzie. "Why don't you start."

"Hey Miranda!" Lizzie waved. "You've always felt like the sister I never had. I could come to you for advice and good ideas and to talk about boys. I could never do that with Gordo. That's why you're special to me Miranda. You were always there for me when I needed you. Always. But I wish I was there for you more."

Lizzie's voice started to break and she wiped her wet eyes. "I wish I was there for you more."

A small sympathetic smile appeared on Gordo's face as he watched Lizzie cry in front of the camera. It's was then he knew, Lizzie was truly sorry and she forgave Miranda. When he let her tears subside, Gordo handed her the camera so she could film him. But once he stared into the lens, he had the inability to speak. Gordo had so many things to say about Miranda, he didn't know how to start. He smiled shyly at the camera while scratching the back of his neck. Lizzie flipped the camera to her face quickly.

"Sorry Miranda, looks like Gordo has nothing to say," Lizzie teased.

"Hey!" Gordo grinned, pulling the camera away from her hands.

"Miranda." He looked at the lens. "Remember when you asked me what was my favorite thing about you? Well I remember I gave you a lame answer. Now I know. My favorite thing about you is when we hang together and it's like we're in our own world. We talk about people, culture, and life around us. Anything. It doesn't matter what we talk about, because you can hold the best conversations. Remember your rants and how I'd always listen to you talk for minutes and minutes and minutes, without me saying a word? I'd never complain because listening to you talk was comforting. Miranda, I promise, if you still want to be my friend, I won't stop listening to you talk. To make up for the past four years I wasn't there to listen, we can spend a whole day talking about whatever you want."

Gordo closed his eyes, breathing in and out heavily. He stopped recording and closed his camcorder's screen. When he looked at Lizzie, she focused her soft eyes on him.

"Gordo, I had know idea."

He tipped his head. "About what?"

"You and Miranda."

Gordo kept his head tipped at an angle.

"The way your eyes shine when you talk about her is so sweet. I had no idea you two loved talking. I would have let you guys have more time alone."

When things got sad again, Gordo shook his head. "Nope. I'm not letting you take the blame Lizzie McGuire. You can fight all you want, but you are not taking the blame."

Lizzie laughed at how serious Gordo's face became. "Okay okay. What do you want me to do? Blame you?"

Gordo perked and pretty much jumped up. "Yes. I'll fully take all the blame. For everything."

"But this video will change things right?" Lizzie was half hopeful, but her other half was unsure.

"Only if we can get Ethan and Kate to say something." Gordo sprung off the couch. "Come on let's find them."

"You think Kate will actually say something?" Lizzie followed him to the door after taking her car keys. Gordo paused and thought about that.

After their trip to Rome, Kate and Lizzie and gotten along better; they were nicer to each other. Not exactly best friends again, but they no longer had a feud between each other. But since Miranda wasn't there, and Kate hadn't seen her in four years, Gordo wondered if they'd still act the same; tearing each other's hair out.

"I guess we'll find out," Gordo said.

"Find out what?" A different voice spoke. Lizzie and Gordo turned there heads towards the kitchen.

"Kate, I didn't know you were home," Lizzie said.

"Sorry, I was in my room," Kate said. "I heard you guys talking about Miranda. Is she okay?"

Gordo glanced at Lizzie before looking at Kate again. "She's back."

"In Hillridge?" Kate eyes grew.

"Yes, she moved back. We're making a film for her. Do you want to say something for Miranda?" Gordo asked.

Kate shrugged. "I have no idea what to say."

"Anything to make her feel appreciated," Lizzie suggested.

Gordo brought his camera up and turned it on. "Action," he called.

"Um, Miranda...Lizzie and Gordo missed you so much," Kate said. "Please come back and be their friend again so Lizzie can stop weeping every night."

Kate looked at Gordo for approval and he gave her a thumbs up behind the camera. She smiled and walked back into the kitchen.

"Thanks Kate," Lizzie said.

"Hey where's Ethan? We want to get a statement from him too." Gordo asked.

"He's with Larry," Kate said over her shoulder. "I believe they're at the mall buying that new video game."

"Let's go." Gordo pulled Lizzie to the door.

•••

Gordo and Lizzie arrived at the mall and walked to the video game store where Kate said Ethan and Larry were buying the game. Lizzie spotted Ethan's light brown hair, with golden streaks and waved them over, but since their backs were facing them, they couldn't see her.

"Lizzie," Gordo hushed. "They can't see you."

"Then come on, let's go get them." Lizzie almost ran into the store.

Gordo grabbed her arm. "Let's wait till they finishing paying first."

"Sorry I'm just so eager to make this film." Lizzie grinned.

"Me too. Me too." Gordo wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed the side of her head.

They waited for another minute until Ethan and Larry finally walked out the video game store. Ethan's eyes lit up when he saw them.

"Lizzie, Gordon!" Ethan greeted with a cheesy smile. He leaned into Gordo for a guy hug. Gordo chuckled, but accepted the hug, patting his back.

"So Ethan, Larry," Gordo said, once he was apart from Ethan. "Could you do us a favor?"

"Anything," Larry said.

"We need you to say something to Miranda. Something you loved about her, on camera," Lizzie told her friends.

"Why? You gonna send her a video or somethin'? She's not even here," Ethan said.

"We're sorry we couldn't tell you before, but Miranda's back. Here," Gordo announced. He loved being the one to tell everyone about Miranda's return. It's like he was revealing something top secret that only he knew. He felt some weird obligation, where he had the duty to inform his friends and family about Miranda, because he was responsible for her disappearance.

"Alright!" Ethan cheered. "The three amigos are back together."

"Not exactly Ethan. That's why we have to make this video. To show Miranda how much we need her in our lives and how much we care about her," Gordo explained.

"Don't worry Gordo, Miranda's our friend too. We'll help you," Larry said.

"Thank you! Miranda will be so happy."

Ethan, Larry, and Lizzie followed Gordo out of the mall. They stopped in front of a brick wall to film. Ethan was first. He stood firm and tousled his hair with his hands, making sure it looked perfect. As Gordo checked that Ethan was in frame, he gave him a thumbs up.

"You're good Ethan," Gordo said. "Just be natural. Say whatever comes to your mind. I can edit it later if we need to."

"Okay." Ethan adjusted his shoulders and cleared his throat.

"Action!"

"Miranda? What's up? We haven't seen you in like, forever. Like dude, we missed you around here. You should have been here for our graduation. Gordon over here made the greatest speech in the entire world. He dedicated it to you and said some nice things about you..."

Gordo looked at Ethan, but his eyes shot way past him, through the brick wall. Thanks to the goofball, he remembered his graduation speech, a year and a half ago.

"And here is Valedictorian, David Gordon, to give the class speech."

Gordo stepped onto the podium and adjusted the microphone. He had no paper nor note cards; he memorized his speech and would recite it from memory. His eyes went around the room, looking for his parents. Once he saw them, he began his speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen, fellow classmates. Before I begin my speech, I'd like to dedicate it to someone who I've known for thirteen years. She's one of the funniest people I know. She knows how to lighten the mood. She knows how to hold a good conversation. She knows how to be a friend.

Friendships are strange. You may meet someone you have so much in common with, but can't get on with. You might meet someone you do get on with, but having nothing in common. Or you may end up like me, and you meet someone because they ruined your drawing in first grade.

Friendships hold this school together. We wake up everyday excited to see our friends. We pair up with friends for projects. We join clubs because our friends are in them. We sit with our friends at lunch. We sit with them on the bus. Friends hold this school together.

But the sad thing about friendships, they don't last forever. As much as we say and wish they could, it's just not reality. People grow apart, have knew desires, disagreements. Sometimes, even leave you with no explanation.

Fellow classmates, please hold on to your friends. Hold onto the memories. Don't let the people closest to you slip away. Talk constantly. Talk about your issues and concerns. Talk about your fears and worries. Never stop talking to those closest to you. It will build your relationships, make them stronger.

And like I mentioned in the beginning, I dedicate this speech and the four years of my high school experience to my best friend, Miranda Samchez, wherever the heck she is.

Thank you."

Gordo blinked, coming back to the present where Ethan babbled and got off topic about the great parties Miranda had thrown and when one time Larry ate ten powdered donuts at once. Gordo's brain had been too invested in remembering his speech, he didn't hear what Ethan said about Miranda.

"Um Ethan? Could you repeat what you said? Maybe a little shorter this time?" Gordo requested.

"You mean like, the whole party thing?"

Gordo slapped a palm on his forehead. "No no. The stuff about Miranda."

"Oh right. Miranda. Okay I'm ready."

"Action!"

"Hey Miranda, it's Ethan Craft. Remember me? I missed you, like a lot. We all did. My favorite thing about you is your smile. No one could smile the way you did. It's like, when you smile, it's contagious. Makes us all want to smile too."

"Aw that's so sweet," Lizzie said, standing next to Gordo and Larry.

"Was that good?" Ethan asked Gordo.

"Perfect."

"Your turn Larry," Lizzie said.

Larry took Ethan's place in front of the brick wall and waited for Gordo's cue.

"Hi Miranda. Look I'm wearing a new shirt." Larry pointed to his yellow polo with red trim. "I just wanted to say that even though you didn't invite me to your party in eighth grade, you've been a wonderful friend. Your absence was truly felt like Obi Wan, when he died and left Luke Skywalker alone to defeat the dark side. Not to sound creepy, but I kept a picture of you as my screen saver so I could always remember you. I hope we can hangout sometime, sincerely, the Tudge."

Gordo stopped recording and smiled at Larry and Ethan. "Thanks guys. I know Miranda will love what you said about her."

"No problem Gordon. Tell Miranda we can't wait to see her," Ethan said.

"We will, trust me. See you guys later."

•••

The next stop was the McGuire's house. The place where Miranda spent almost every weekend, had loads of sleepovers and even came over with Gordo, when Lizzie was working at the Digital Bean. The McGuire's was not only special to Gordo, but to the trios friendship entirely. Mr. and Mrs. McGuire loved Miranda like a daughter and Matt, well he once had a crush on her; they'd all have plenty to say about Miranda.

Lizzie knocked on the front door with Gordo following behind. When Jo McGuire opened the door she immediately went in for a from her daughter. Then she moved on to her daughters boyfriend.

"Jo, when you're finished hugging us, could you gather up Sam and Matt? We have a project for you," Gordo gasped from under Jo's smothering hug.

"Sorry I'm done." Jo let go and laughed a little. Gordo and Lizzie followed her inside.

"Matt, Sam, get in here. Gordo and Lizzie having something for us to do," Jo called through the house.

Matt came into the living room holding a controller. Sam showed up with a sandwich.

"But mom I'm playing video games with Lanny," Matt complained.

"Well Lanny's gonna gave to wait," Jo said. She turned to Lizzie and Gordo. "So what's this project?"

"First before anything, I have important information," Gordo told the McGuire's. Lizzie couldn't stop smiling, while her parents and brother leaned closer in anticipation.

"Miranda's back in town," he announced yet again.

"Are you serious? That's fantastic. You two must be absolutely elated right?" Jo raved.

"We are. But it's going be some time before things get back to the way it used to be," Gordo said.

Lizzie nodded, agreeing with him. "For now, we're making this little film to show Miranda how much everyone loves her," she added.

Mr. McGuire took a big bite of his sandwich and smiled with his cheeks bulging. "That's cool. What do you want us to do?"

"Just say something about Miranda to the camera," Gordo instructed.

"Anything?" Matt asked with a mischievous smile.

Gordo rolled his eyes and gave Matt a scolded look. "Not anything. Just let her know you care about her. Can you do that Matt?"

"I don't know. Miranda's Lizzie's friend. Can't she just say something?"

"Matt, you had a crush on her once, just talk about that," Lizzie suggested.

Matt made a face like he had sucked on a whole lemon. "Ew no. I was trying to forget about that."

"Just think of something Matt," Sam said.

"Fine."

"Thank you. Now you three sit on the couch," Gordo said."One by one, give your little speech."

"Speech?!" Matt shrieked as she squeezed in between his parents on the couch. "I didn't know we had to say a whole speech about Miranda."

Gordo chuckled. "I didn't mean it like that Matt. Don't worry, it can be as short as you want. You guys ready?"

"Yup," Jo and Sam said.

"Okay, Sam you're first." Gordo aimed the camera at Mr. McGuire.

"Miranda, we're glad you're back. It'd be so nice to see you at the house again. You've been the most wonderful friend to Lizzie and I couldn't be more thankful that you have been in her life."

Gordo panned the camera to Matt. "Your turn."

Matt scratched his head. "Um... Miranda you are awesome and I hope you guys become friends again so Lizzie can stop bothering me. Oh and thanks for all the times you brought Mexican food over for dinner. Your super cool and stuff. So yeah."

Finally, Gordo panned to Mrs. McGuire. He knew he'd get something emotional out of her; Jo tended to get that way.

"Oh Miranda. I've missed you around the house so much. You have no idea. It still pains to remember the times Lizzie cried in her room, wishing you were there. I always told her to be patience and you'd come right back. I knew you couldn't leave forever. I knew you'd be back. I think you just needed sometime to find yourself right? I hope you know us McGuire's love you dearly."

•••

The last people Gordo and Lizzie wanted to film was of course, Miranda's parents and her younger sister Stevie. They called them ahead of time to meet at the park so Miranda wouldn't be around. The Sanchez's weren't sure what they were doing, but when Gordo explained, Daniella started tearing and hugged him tight.

"Thank you Gordo," she said softly.

"For what?"

"Being such a great friend to Miranda."

"I could have been better."

Daniella let go of him and held his cheeks. "Gordo it doesn't matter what happened, you made my daughter happy. Edward and I still want you in Miranda's life and ours too."

Gordo smiled, letting his cheeks squish against Daniella's hands. "I've missed you guys."

"Me too," Lizzie said.

Daniella moved to Lizzie and squeezed her in a hug. "Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie. Oh it's so good to see you."

"Same here Mrs. Sanchez."

"Ugh, no more being sappy, let's just film already," Stevie complained just like Matt.

Gordo put an arm around Miranda's sister. "Where have you been Stevie? You weren't at the apartment when I was there?"

"I was hanging with my old friends."

"Well it's good to see you too Stevie. I missed you. Did you miss me?"

Stevie slipped both her arms around his waist and leaned her head on Gordo's chest. She didn't answer, but he took that as a yes. A gigantic yes.

"You know before we left for Mexico, Stevie begged us to let her stay with you," Edward said.

"Oh really?" Gordo grinned at Stevie.

"They're lying," Stevie said in defense.

"If I remember correctly Stevie, you had a crush on Gordo way back when," Lizzie said.

Gordo's eyebrows went high on his forehead. "Ooh, I want to hear more about this."

"Don't we have to film?" Stevie reminded them.

"Right, we'll film first then you can tell me about it."

Stevie punched Gordo's shoulder, almost knocking him over just like her older sister.

"Yup, you are definitely Miranda's sister," Gordo said, rubbing his shoulder.

The Sanchez's took turns talking about Miranda.

Stevie:

"You're the best sister in the whole world Miranda. I love you so much. Thanks for the advice, the boy talk and for being there for me whenever I needed to vent. I will always be there for you too."

Daniella:

"My Mija, I love love love you. I'm glad you got to spend some time in Mexico where your father and I were born, but I'm happy you're back in the town you grew up in. I hope things work out and you live the life you want. Your friends and family are always here for you."

Edward:

"My precious Miranda, you are my world. You are so talented and gifted and beautiful. I'm so thankful that you are my daughter. Life will treat you well. I believe it."

It mesmerized Gordo to hear Miranda's family get emotional over her and made him realize he wasn't the only who cares about her; not the only one who could care about her. Gordo realized it wasn't right for him to leave Lizzie out of everything.

But a part of him wished Miranda could be his little secret.