Chapter 8: In Which Miranda Learns Something Very Important

I woke up on Tuesday feeling refreshed and awake. Sighing happily to myself, I thought over the conversation I had had with Gordo over InstantMessenger last night.

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scienceman86: so I'm really glad our project went well
baby_chica_me: me too
scienceman86: I think you did just awesome when you demonstrated how the blood travels through the heart
baby_chica_me: thanks, but can we stop discussing that, it's kinda grossing me out
scienceman86: sure, anything for you
baby_chica_me: 'blushes' Gordo, stoooop that!
scienceman86: it's true though, Miranda, I'd seriously do anything for you, even go shopping for shoes with you
baby_chica_me: really?
scienceman86: yes, really, I just, well, I really like you, and sometimes, boyfriends do things to please their girlfriends that they wouldn't ordinarily do
baby_chica_me: Gordo, you are too sweet, but I gotta go, Lizzie needs to use the computer
scienceman86: okay, sleep well
baby_chica_me: you too!!! 'kisses'
*

Yes, it had been a perfect end to a perfect day. I strolled through the hallway and turned the doorknob on the bathroom door.

Which didn't open.

Which was locked.

I banged on the door.

"What's going on?" I shouted.

"Sorry, Miranda, I'm almost done, I promise!" came Lizzie's voice through the door.

"Sorry, Lizzie! I didn't know it was you!" I called back.

I padded off to my room to wait. And wait I did. About 20 minutes later, Lizzie strolled in, looking impeccable.

"Sorry, Miranda, I just needed to fix my hair," she explained.

"It looks really cute," I said as I dashed to the bathroom.

As I locked the door, I looked at the time. If I took a five-minute shower, I'd have plenty of time to get ready. I dashed to the shower and turned it on, jumping in at the same time.

"IIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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"Bye sweetie, bye Lizzie, see you after school!"

"Bye, mom!"

"Bye, Mrs. Sanchez, thanks for driving us!"

As Mom's car peeled out of the parking lot, I turned to Lizzie.

"Lizzie?" I asked, "Next time you hit the shower before me, could you please leave some hot water?"

Lizzie bit her lip guiltily, "Sure, Miranda, I'm sorry, tomorrow you can shower first."

"Who's showering?" asked Gordo, walking up to us.

I turned, "Nobody's showering...well, not right now, I mean, I DID shower this morning, but the water was icy."

Oh great, I'm babbling.

"I'm so sorry, Miranda," apologized Lizzie again as the bell rang and we raced into the school to get to class on time.
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"Now," said Mr. Dig, pacing through the aisles, "Today, we're going to be discussing, according to Mr. Coppersmith..." he shuffled through the papers, "Robin Hood."

He stopped pacing as he reached the front of the room and turned to us.

"Now," he began, "also according to Mr. Coppersmith, I'm supposed to read it to you, and then we're supposed to take this little quiz right here. But I say- no."

I turned to Lizzie and we gave each other a high-five.

"Instead," he continued, "We're going to act it out. Now, I'll need a Robin Hood. Let's get a show of hands people!"

I turned to Gordo and whispered, "You should do it."

"Me?" he whispered back, "No way!"

"But if you're Robin Hood, I could be Maid Marion," I hissed.

Gordo's hand shot up.

"Mister Gordon, how about you?" said Mr. Dig with a smirk on his face.

Gordo shrugged, "Sure," he said, wincing when Mr. Dig took a feathered cap out of his briefcase and placed it on Gordo's desk. Gordo reluctantly put on the hat and glared at me.

"Sorry!" I whispered, "I didn't know!"

"This is your fault!" he hissed.

"But when I'm-"

"Maid Marion! How about you, Lizzie?" said Mr. Dig, looking encouragingly at Lizzie.

"Uh...sure?" she said, placing the lacy crown of flowers Mr. Dig put on her desk on her head.
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"The baker!" I seethed, "I was the baker! I had one line!"

Lizzie placed her tray down at our table and slid into her seat opposite me.

"I'm so sorry, Miranda, I didn't know you wanted to be Marion," she said.

"You were great though," said Gordo, sliding into his seat next to me.

"What?" he asked turning to me as I smacked his arm, "She was!"

"Well, I could've been great too," I sighed, picking at a French fry.

"Oh, come on," said Gordo, "it was just a class play, and you were a great baker. You made me want to go buy a bagel."

"And I'd kill for a doughnut," added Lizzie, biting into her pizza.

I weakly smiled as Gordo patted my shoulder. Perhaps I was overreacting.
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That afternoon, Gordo came over so that him, Lizzie, and I could work on our math homework together. We had just set everything up on the back porch when the telephone rang.

"I'll get it," I said, turning and jogging back into the house.

It was my Aunt Sofia, and after we had talked for about 15 minutes, I remembered that my friends were here. I bid goodbye to Aunt Sofia, and turned and began to walk back through the living room. As I reached the couch, I glanced outside. Lizzie and Gordo sat at the table, their backs towards me. They were talking to each other, Lizzie let out a loud laugh, and Gordo lightly punched her on the arm.

"They're my friends, they wouldn't hurt me, they're my friends, they wouldn't hurt me..." I whispered, a large lump stuck in my throat.

My eyes grew wider as Gordo said something and Lizzie tossed her hair back and patted Gordo's arm. Biting my lip, I watched in horror as Gordo leaned over towards Lizzie.

I couldn't watch anymore, I bolted though the house, up to my room, and slammed the door shut.