LIZZIE

Hanging out at my house was good for Miranda. She was in a much better mood that night than she was at the end of school. I was glad.

But I couldn't pretend that Kelsey didn't bother me. She did. Whenever we talked the name Kelsey was said (usually by Gordo) at least 3 times. And something about her didn't feel right. She was nice, but almost too nice. And when Miranda and I first met her, we were sure she wasn't his type, but the day after their first date he was talking about how she was perfect for him. I caught myself wondering if she was pretending to be someone that she wasn't for him. Pretending to be someone he'd like, since he wouldn't like her being herself.

You're just jealous of her, I told myself. And I was, but I didn't know exactly how. Was I jealous that she got all of his time, or jealous that she was his girlfriend?

The feelings I was having for Gordo weren't new. I'd always liked him a little more than a friend, but wasn't sure if it was enough to like him as a boyfriend. Now that he had a girlfriend, the green-eyed jealousy monster was growing.

Maybe the movie night with Miranda was good for me, too.

On Monday, all wounds were healed and Miranda and I were as good as new. Until Gordo started talking about Kelsey, that is.

"So you had fun," Miranda said as us three walked down the halls together.

"I had a great time," Gordo replied. "We're going out to eat tomorrow for supper."

I could see the wheels turning inside Miranda's head. She was thinking, Well, invite us!

"Digital Bean?" she asked.

"Yep."

"Lizzie and I were going to go there tomorrow, too!" she said. I inwardly sighed. This was her subtle way of asking if we could come along. "Maybe we could share a table."

"Tomorrow?" he asked.

"That's right."

"Around 5?"

"Yeah."

Gordo shook his head. "OK, I know we haven't been hanging out a whole lot, but I really don't think that's such a good idea."

"Why not? As your friends, we need to get acquainted with her. Right, Lizzie?"

"Right," I said half-heartedly. It was obvious that Miranda was desperate to spend time with our friend.

"I thought you had a dentist appointment then," Gordo said. "But you can come if you want, I guess."

"Dentist? How'd you know about that?" Miranda asked suspiciously.

"You were complaining about it on Friday."

"Oh, so you do actually listen."

Gordo seemed to get a little angry at her comment. "Of course I listen! What was that supposed to mean?"

Miranda's tone was defensive. "Well, all you ever do is think about her. I was starting to wonder if we were even friends anymore."

"I have every right to hang out with my girlfriend."

"Yeah. Sometimes. But every time we ask you to do something with us you have plans with her!"

"That's not true!"

"OK, what was the last thing we did together?"

Gordo paused. "Is that a rhetorical question?"

"No! Answer it!"

"OK…" He paused, making Miranda even more mad.

"You can't even remember it!"

"Yes I can. It was shopping. I didn't want to go, but you and Lizzie dragged me along. You made me get a shirt from Abercrombie."

"It looked really good on you," I put in.

"Gordo, that was over 2 weeks ago! Ugh!" Miranda stomped off.

Gordo turned to me. "Am I that bad?"

Yes, I thought. You're worse than that, actually. But I could tell that Miranda's words got to him and that he was sorry, so I didn't want to make him feel worse.

"Well… kind of. But she's overreacting," I replied.

"Then how bad am I?" His face was totally serious.

"I don't know… we just miss you. Can you move your date to tonight and let us come along? Miranda would really appreciate it, and I would, too."

"She can't tonight, but we can move it to Wednesday if you want."

"And…" I hesitated. "It seems like you made the date on Tuesday because you knew she had the appointment. Just the way you said it…"

"Should I talk to her, or will she get more mad?"

"I will," I replied. "Wednesday?"

He nodded. "I'll see you then."

You'd better see us sooner if you want to live, I thought.