Chapter 14: miranda's birthday
Miranda's fourteenth birthday, which Gordo recalled she'd been planning months before, loomed over him for a week up until the day came. He had her birthday gift already picked out about two months ago, which lessened the stress eating his body away inside and out. This birthday was particularly important for Miranda because, as he distinctively remembered Miranda's thrilled voice saying "this is going to be the biggest and best party ever! Better than Kate's thirteenth birthday." Of course, Lizzie chimed in with ear piercing squeals and rapid hand clapping. She nearly sent a clump of tator-tots flying across the outside lunch area.
Gordo didn't know what to expect at her party. He couldn't paint a picture of what "biggest and best" would look like, because for Miranda Sanchez, that could mean anything. There was however, something about the party Gordo knew he would expect and that was painful and deep awkwardness between the two of them. Between the dance, and up to Miranda's birthday, they weren't speaking. And it wasn't much on Gordo's end. He'd messaged her several times but ended up with them all unread.
Gordo's sweaty palms soaked the wrapping paper of Miranda's gift in his hands as their car was inches away from the Sanchez's. As he was trying to rehearse himself saying happy birthday to Miranda, his mind went another direction, and swarmed with an infinite loop of himself kissing her. And then he started to wonder of he'd made her uncomfortable, because after all, he never asked her if it was alright of he kissed her. He did though, faintly remembered a small smile from her which he believed to be genuine so that ruled out that she thought he assaulted her something.
"You ready bud?" Gordo's dad snapped him to reality.
"Uh-Huh." Gordo grabbed the car door handle. "Thanks for driving me." He swiftly avoided his dad's eye and fumbled to open the door without dropping the gift.
Near the front door of the Sanchez's, there was a small window low to the ground that revealed the basement. Gordo peeked inside from afar, seeing that it was jam packed of people from school. He whipped his wrist to check the time and that's when he realized the party didn't start at 2:00 it had started at 1:00.
"Crap," he muttered, as he clenched his teeth.
Right before he could kick a pebble down the steps, the door swung open revealing a pleasant faced Lizzie.
"Hey Gordo. Yay you finally made it!" Lizzie cheered, pulling her friend inside. "We're all downstairs playing twister and it's getting intense."
Before Gordo could come up with a picture of what an "intense" game of twister would look like, Gordo was dragged to the basement stairs and was right in the center of all the people.
He saw Ethan and Larry along with another person he didn't recognize sprawled together on a faded twister mat. Legs were extended, arms were twisted, and cups were hands. Wait cups?
"Ahh I'm gonna spill my drink," Ethan exclaimed, giving a laugh.
"Go Ethan Go!" Kate clapped.
"May the power of the force be on my side," Larry said as he tried putting his hand on a yellow circle.
Gordo leaned into Lizzie, his eyes fixed on the odd way twister was being played. "Why exactly are they holding cups?"
"It's an extra twist. You can't spill the punch," Lizzie told him.
Gordo lifted his chin. "Ah. I see. I'm gonna go to the bathroom. I'll be back."
There was a small bathroom in the hallway that led to the basement stairs. He hopped the stairs, keeping his head down and moving leisurely through the cozy home that was like your favorite movie you always revisit no matter how many times you've seen it. He knew almost every inch of that house thanks to the many hide and seek rounds with Miranda when they were little.
The moment Gordo lifted his head when he reached the bathroom his eyes were forced to look into Miranda's as she had just opened the bathroom door. He stood so close that Miranda would have to slither past his shoulders to get by.
Miranda only mumbled a quick "excuse me" before jabbing her shoulder into his while she moved passed him. Gordo rubbed the spot on his shoulder while releasing a defeated sigh. When he checked his watch and saw that he'd only been at the party for five minutes, he skipped the bathroom. He didn't actually need to go, he needed an excuse to leave the room. But after that interaction with Miranda, it was over.
"Just go in there and enjoy the party," he told himself. "If she doesn't want to talk then so be it. I don't give a crap."
Gordo went back to the basement and that's when Kate announced, in her "I'm the head cheerleader and more popular than any of you" voice, "Let's play seven minutes in heaven."
"What?" Gordo gaped. Did I say that out loud?
Kate smirked. "Relax Gordo. The 'rents are still here. There will be no kissing. Just talking." Kate grinned mischievously. "You have to tell the person your biggest, most juiciest secret."
Gordo made glances with Lizzie, and she raised her shoulders silently communicating, "it's Kate Sanders, what do you expect?"
Kate clapped her hands together like a teacher trying to get her students attention. "Come on people let's go. Or are you all too chicken?"
"Oh I'm definitely not!" Miranda chimed in. "Bring it on."
Gordo watched her push through people to make to the couch with a small table. He made a small smile. That was the most enthusiastic she'd been the whole party.
To choose pairs randomly, they used the twister spinner and gathered around the table. Parker McKenzie was picked first and to her dread she got Larry. The two were sent to the upstairs hallway closet while the rest awkwardly sat wondering what their secrets were.
After a two more pairs went, Gordo at last had the unfortunate fate of getting the arrow pointed at him. Though he swore it was the kid next to him, Kate persisted that it was him and now she had to spin it again for his partner. With a flick, it whirled, blurring it's figure. He kept his eye on the arrow as it gradually slowed and then froze.
Dang it. It was Miranda.
"Looks like Gordo and Miranda are next up," Lizzie said with a smile towards her best friends.
Gordo looked at Miranda on the other end of the couch where three other kids were squished between them. They didn't make eye contact but he was watching her face, just to see what reaction it got her. She looked chill, with her feet propped on the edge of the table; Her face just resting, no frown lines or squiggly eyebrows. Didn't seem like someone who had an awkward moment with their best friend at a school dance and was not speaking to you for one week and three days. Not that Gordo was counting.
Ethan rubbed his hands together as he leaned against a wooden post. "This should be good."
Miranda's face turned sour like a switch and she looked Ethan at the back of room. "What's that supposed to mean?" She stood up. And Gordo followed thinking they were both ready to go upstairs.
Ethan shrugged. "I don't know, I thought it would add drama. You know, extra spice."
"Well, I hate to break it to you Ethan, but your comment did nothing to make this game any less boring," Miranda said. "Can we please do something else? I mean it's my birthday after all."
"Sureeee," Kate dragged out the word and she pushed Miranda towards Gordo. "Right after you too make out."
Gordo's stomach flipped and if his eyes were any wider they might pop out of his head. "But, I thought this wasn't— you said were just gonna—"
Kate busted out her cackle that was coated in amusement. "If only you could see your face right now Gordo. I was kidding."
A few kids snickered while Gordo's face went back to normal.
"Kate, just shut up," Lizzie demanded. "How did you even get invited in the first place?"
"If Gordo and Miranda don't want to play then fine they can—"
"Nope." Miranda grabbed Gordo's wrist and the instant switch of attitude from her confused him terribly. "We're doing this," she said, pulling him by the arm to the stairs.
The closet was no bigger than then a accessible bathroom stall in public restrooms. There was a hanger with a few jackets hung, and a box with random junk. Gordo walked in first and then he stared at Miranda wondering if she was ever going to join or would he have to stand in awkward silence forever. When Gordo leaned against one wall and slid to the ground, Miranda finally entered. They sat criss crossed directly in front of each other.
Miranda propped an elbow on her knee and held her cheek, squished and red; She focused her eyes to the carpet.
After drumming his legs, Gordo spoke. "So...I guess this means we're speaking again?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry. I just had so much going on in my head."
"Like what?" He held his breath, having a strong sense of what she was thinking.
Miranda sat straighter, then leaned backed against the closet wall. "Why'd you kiss me?"
Gordo let out his breath from his nose. "I don't know." Looking down, he felt the carpet with his fingers. "I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable." He met her eyes.
"That's thing..." Miranda hugged her stomach. "It didn't."
Gordo lost his ability to speak for a good minute. When his throat opened back, he just barley said, "Oh."
He swallowed thick and heavy. "So what are you saying?"
Of course he knew what she meant. Why else would someone be fine with a forceful kiss they didn't ask for.
"I liked it," she said. "I like you."
"As more than a friend?"
Rolling her eyes she said, "No as a brother. Yes as more than a friend dummy!"
"Oh."
There was so much to process. Miranda liked him? His best friend; His partner in crime, his school project buddy. The best friend of Lizzie whom he still couldn't get over no matter how much he saw how happy she was with Zack. How long did Miranda have a crush on him? He wondered about all the times he vented to her about his feelings about Lizzie and Zack and if she had a hard time seeing him chase after her best friend.
"Oh?" echoed Miranda, the skin between her eye brows folding. "That's all you have to say? Of the years I've known you where you never shut up, the only word you remember is 'oh'?"
Even if Gordo wanted to push himself father from Miranda, he couldn't because of the tight space. Somehow she'd managed to flatter and insult him in less then thirty seconds.
"Are you telling me you wish I would shut up? Gordo uncrossed his legs and sat parallel to the wall.
Miranda crossed her arms. "No. I was just hoping my best friend who kissed me at a dance while being my date would say something besides oh."
"I'm just. Miranda, I don't want things to complicate our seven plus years of friendship. I like you. Like I mean, your the best and coolest person to be around. You make laugh harder than anyone else could but I don't see you that way."
Miranda crawled to her feet and adjusted her shirt. "That's what I figured," she mumbled.
"Then why did you want me say something so bad?" Gordo stood to his feet as well. "I'm just telling you the truth. You told me how you felt and I wanted to be honest. I regret kissing you okay? It was out of impulse. I saw Zack and Lizzie and I—"
Miranda held her forehead like she was checking to see if she had a temperature. "Just shut up Gordo. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!"
She yanked the closet door open and disappeared down the hall, leaving her own birthday party.
Gordo peered around the doorframe, shouting, "Fine then you don't get the Selena Quintanilla CD I bought you. It's vintage and I paid a lot for it."
Gordo growled and sighed at the same time. He had to face everyone downstairs without Miranda.
"How did it go?" Lizzie asked, sensing Gordo's solemn mood.
Gordo stepped down to the basement's wood floor feeling like he was on a big stage in front of a crowd of 20,000. So many eyes stared him down, he could throw up.
"Party's over guys," he announced.
"Aw man why?" Ethan whined.
Kate smirked with a hand on her hip. "Gordo what did you do to Miranda?"
"I didn't do anything." Gordo threw his hands up in defense.
"Come on guys!" Lizzie clapped her hands like she was rounding up dogs. "Like Gordo said, the party's over. Everyone out!"
After grunts and groans, the guests gradually shuffled up the basement stairs and out of the Sanchez's. Gordo shoved his hands in the pockets of his khakis. He stood by the staircase, dissociating for a moment until hr realized the once packed basement was now cold, and empty.
"What's going on Gordo?" Lizzie asked. "Where did Miranda go?"
Gordo had straight up forgot where he was for a second, and when he got back to reality, Lizzie was inches from him. He stepped back, and shifted to the stairs, sitting on the second to last step. She followed his movements and sat next to him.
"I did something that I regret." Gordo leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs.
"Like what?" Lizzie's voice was soft and tender; almost soothing.
"At the dance..." Gordo sucked in a sharp, heavy breath. "I kissed Miranda."
Instead of having a shocked reaction like Gordo expected, Lizzie just touched his arm.
"Aw, Gordo," she cooed. "Do you like Miranda?"
Gordo yanked his arm back in defense, almost knocking it against the wall. "No! I don't like Miranda like that!"
Lizzie tilted her head. "Then why did you kiss her?"
Gordo swallowed, looking down at the carpet. "Lizzie, I'm not being honest with you."
Lizzie shuffled closer, then she stepped up to level and sat beside him. "How are you not being honest with me?"
"Remember when we're out in the yard at school?" Gordo told her, looking honestly at her eyes. "When we're talking and looking at the clouds?"
Lizzie nodded.
"If you remember, I said I was really happy for you and Zack." Gordo left a long pause. He had to look away for the next part. "Well, I was, or am really jealous."
Gordo's whole insides froze, bracing for something dramatic happen, like the Sanchez's house crumbling to the ground and burying himself under the rubble.
"Gordo I don't—" Lizzie's calm, higher in range voice brought him back to reality.
"Like me that way," he finished. "I know. I just needed to get it out."
"I appreciate the honesty Gordo." Lizzie smiled, but it was faint. It wasn't forced, but it was necessary for the sweetness in her voice.
"That's why I kissed a Miranda," Gordo explained. "I saw you and Zack kiss, and I don't know, my emotions overcame me and I stupidly kissed her. That's not even the worse part."
Lizzie raised eyebrows. "There's more?"
"Earlier, when it was our time in the closet, Miranda told me she likes me."
Lizzie gaped. "Miranda has a crush on you? How could she not tell me!"
Gordo stood up. "I think I'm gonna find her."
"Gordo, wait. We're not going to talk about this?" Lizzie said.
Gordo ignored her and ran out of the Sanchez's. He had a few options of where Miranda might be. His first choice was the little park in the neighborhood and with luck, he saw Miranda alone on the swing set. She had earbuds and a portable CD player in her hand.
"What are you listening to?" Gordo asked, after sitting on the swing next to her.
Miranda pulled out an earbud. "The Foo Fighters."
"I didn't know you liked The Foo Fighters," Gordo said in pleasant surprise.
Miranda swung her legs harder so the swing went higher. "Well now you do," she said when swinging by him.
Gordo tried catching up to her speed, but his legs tired and he gave up, dragging his feet on the woodchips. "Miranda, I'm sorry, sorry for kissing you and not shutting up about Lizzie and Zack. I'm sorry for the way I reacted to what you said earlier. I just never saw that coming."
Miranda slowed down to a complete stop. She took out the other earbud and looked at Gordo. "I'm sorry too. For telling you to shut up and leaving the party."
"Hey, it's your party. You can leave whenever you want." Gordo smiled, hoping to cheer her up.
Miranda grinned. "So...about that Selena CD?"
Gordo chuckled as he reached for his coat pocket. "Here. It took me forever to find one, but when I heard that you liked her I went searching right away."
Miranda took the gift, starting to unwrap the paper. "You really didn't have to so this Gordo, It must have cost a fortune."
"You're my best friend and you deserve it Miranda."
Once the wrapping was off, Miranda marveled at how good the condition the CD was in. "Thank you Gordo, this is the best present I've ever gotten." She leaned forward, pulling her swing towards Gordo and they embraced.
"Guess what?" Miranda said when they were apart.
"Tell me."
"I'm trying out for the soccer team this Thursday."
Gordo pumped up a fist. "Yes! I was hoping you would."
Miranda narrowed her eyes. "You'll be there right?"
"Of course. I'll be front row, cheering you on."
"I'm holding you to that," Miranda smirked.
Gordo smiled. "So us? Are you we good?"
"Maybe..."
"Maybe?"
Miranda jumped off the swing. "If you beat me to my house!" She started running across the woodchips and to the grass.
"You've got to stop doing that," Gordo yelled, chasing Miranda.
"And you've got to stop being so slow." Miranda laughed, reaching the front door of her house.
When they both walk inside, Lizzie was in the living room, seemly waiting for their arrival.
"Guys, we need to talk about the elephant in the room," Lizzie stated, arms crossed and all serious.
Gordo froze, shooting Lizzie a "shut up" look.
"What elephant?" A clueless Miranda asked.
Lizzie looked directly at her best friend. "That you like Gordo."