Prom
Chapter Twelve: Patching, Part Two
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Kate drove Lizzie to Kate's house, a place Lizzie hadn't been in years. Kate led the way up to the porch and entered the house. They were greeted my Mrs. Sanders. "Lizzie? I haven't seen you in years!" she said.

"Hi, Mrs. Sanders," Lizzie said, and she followed Kate to her bedroom. They sat down on the pink-blanketed bed and Lizzie listened to Kate's plan on how to patch up her and Gordo's relationship. But it would need to include Miranda and Jason...

- - -

The next day at school, Lizzie and Kate were explaining Kate's plan to Miranda and Jason. Kate had already apologized to Miranda and Miranda hesitantly accepted.

Just then, Gordo was walking up, and Kate hurried away. Gordo opened his locker, a few feet away, and Lizzie tried part one of the plan. "Hey Gordo," she said. Gordo just looked in her direction, then went back to his combination. Part one was complete, now it was Miranda's turn. Lizzie walked away as Miranda walked up.

"Gordo?" Miranda said.

"Mm," Gordo mumbled, supposedly a acknowledgement to her greeting.

"You need to get back together with Lizzie," she said, causing him just to shake his head slightly. "Gordo. Look how sad she is. Look how sad you are. It's obvious why, because you need each other."

"No," he said, turning to face her. "I'm sad because she kissed another guy. How would you feel Miranda?"

"Gordo, it was a mistake, everyone makes mistakes. You, of all people, should know that," she replied.

"I can accept a mistake. But this isn't a mistake. How could someone cheat on you like that?"

"Gordo, it's done, nobody can change it. She feels so bad and she's going down the drain without your acceptance of her apology," Miranda said, looking at him intently.

"Yeah, well," Gordo said, not bothering to finish his sentence, and he walked away with his books.

Miranda's part was unsuccesful, now for Jason's part.

- - -

"Hey Gordo," Jason said, and sat down next to him in their study hall. Gordo was still on okay terms with Jason.

"Hey."

"I know you don't want to hear this, but-" Jason started.

"Is it about Lizzie?" Gordo asked.

"Yeah," Jason said.

"Then you're right, I don't want to hear it," he said.

"Just listen dude," Jason said. "Just hear me out. Lizzie is sad because you won't accept her back. When Lizzie's sad, Miranda's sad. When Miranda's sad, I'm sad. So none of us are progressing from this."

"What do you want me to do? Just accept what she did and believe that she won't do it again. She did it once, how do I know she won't mess up again?" Gordo said.

"You can't. But you gotta believe in people, gotta give 'em another chance. You're an awesome guy, and Lizzie deserves you. Think about it," Jason said, and went to his own seat as the bell rang. He looked over and saw Gordo with his chin rested on his fist. He was thinking about it.

- - -

"Miranda," Gordo said at lunch, causing Lizzie, Miranda, and Jason to turn around. Gordo was standing there, motioning Miranda over to him.

"Yeah?" she said, as she joined him away from the table.

"I'm gonna give her another chance," he said.

"Gordo! I'm so happy!" Miranda said, and Gordo told her to quiet down. "Don't tell her yet, I want to do something special."

"Okay," she said, and started to walk away.

"Miranda," he said again, and she turned. "Don't tell her." Miranda held up her hands in defense, as if to say 'trust me.'

Gordo left with a smile on his face, and Miranda rejoined the table. "What did he want?" Lizzie asked.

"Nothing," Miranda said, but her eyes caught Jason's, and he realized what he had talked to her about.

"Oh," Lizzie said softly, and looked down at her lunch.

- - -

That night, Gordo went over to Lizzie's house. He rang the doorbell, and Mr. and Mrs. McGuire answered. "Gordo," Jo said. She looked at Sam, then called to Lizzie. "Lizzie, you have a visitor!"

"I'm busy, ask if they can come back later!" Lizzie called down the stairs. Jo looked at Sam.

"Sam, I can't handle her being sad like this anymore," she said.

"Lizzie!" Sam called. "Come here!" Lizzie sighed and came down the stairs. She turned the corner, and when she saw Gordo, she stopped dead in her tracks.

Jo pulled Sam into the kitchen, leaving the two alone. "Lizzie," he said. She didn't answer, so he continued. "I realized that you deserve another chance. One mistake shouldn't ruin our lives. I want you to accept my apology for the way I've acted, and I want to get back together."

Her eyes were wet with tears. She leaned into his chest and started crying, and he hugged her. They stood there for at least two minutes, and finally she pulled back. "I forgive you," she said.

He pulled something out of his pocket. It was a small box, not wrapped, no ribbon. Just a plain box. He handed it to her, and she took it, looking up to his face. She wiped under her eyes and slowly opened the box. Inside it was a small bracelet, which was engraved with the word "Dream."

"Dream?" she asked.

"Because you're the girl of my dreams. And I'll always dream of you," he said. She started crying again, but this time in joy. She hugged him once more, and realized that everything was patched up.
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