Changes, For Better or Worse?
A/N-I don't have much to say, so on with the story. This picks up the same day. Again, Kate's plot really isn't that great but I don't think she'd really plan anything that elaborate. Basically her motives are to put Miranda in her place, get Ethan back and restore the proper social order once again. Also, there is some major cheese towards the end, but I like cheese.
Chapter 10- A Date Gone Wrong
6:00 on the dot. Ethan Craft was on time. Kate smirked as she watched her pray standing there all alone. He was so hot and so unassuming, but that was Ethan in a nutshell. She watched as he glanced at his watch before glancing back up to search the crowd for familiar faces.
Time to put her plan in motion. Kate motioned Claire across the lobby. All Claire had to do was stroll by Ethan, engage him in conversation and when she got the signal kiss him and hang all over him. Easy as pie, especially since Claire was a known flirt.
If everything went well, Lizzie and Gordo would show up just in time for the show and do the rest of her job for her. Miranda would get the hint that Ethan wasn't interested and realize what a loser she really was and when the time was right, Kate could make her move on Ethan.
Sure she'd make Ethan pay a little first; after all he had ditched her for a bunch of no status abnormalities. But Ethan could be coaxed and guided. Kate just had to make sure he understood the way things worked. He was popular, she was popular and therefore they belonged together. Things had always worked that way in junior high. Why should things be any different now?
She watched as Claire approached Ethan slowly, dressed in her best miniskirt and halter. Kate moved closer to observe the action.
"Hiya Ethan", Claire said playfully as she tossed her long dark hair casually over her shoulder. "What are you doing here?"
Ethan stuck his hands in his pockets. "Hey Claire. I'm just meeting some friends. You?"
Claire pretended to look around. "I'm supposed to meet Kate here, but I don't know where she. Can I wait with you?" she asked as she batted her eyelashes flirtatiously.
He shrugged and looked uninterested. "Sure. Why not."
"Good", Claire responded as she inched closer to Ethan. "I just hate waiting alone", she cooed.
"Okay, but I'm meeting Miranda any second." Ethan craned his neck to peer through the crowd. Where was everybody? It was already ten after. And he wanted to get away from Claire as soon as possible.
Just then Kate eyed Lizzie and Gordo making their way to the snack counter. Good, they were early. Kate gave Claire a thumbs up.
Claire took her cue and giggled loudly and reached for Ethan's arm. "So Ethan, you've been working out lately. You're so strong."
He tried to break free of her grasp, but Claire had a pretty good hold on his bicep.
At the sight of the two, Lizzie stopped dead in her tracks. She motioned silently to Gordo and was about to confront Ethan, but Gordo pulled her back. "No, let's just watch. Don't jump to conclusions."
Lizzie's eyes narrowed, but she relented. "Okay, but let's get close enough to hear."
Claire, aware of her audience, kicked her performance into high gear. "Kiss me Ethan, just like before. You know you want to." She inched closer to Ethan closing all space between them. She planted one hand on either side of his face and leaned in for a searing kiss.
Though Ethan was struggling to get away, Claire kept a strong hold. She knew he was too much of a gentleman to hurt a girl so it was working to her advantage, and Lizzie and company weren't close enough to see his struggle. "Oh, Ethan. You're such an animal", she cooed loudly as she pulled back. "I'm so glad you decided to dump Miranda for me", she giggled tossing her hair for all to see.
Lizzie and Gordo had seen enough and Lizzie was livid. "Gordo-do you see that little two timing twit? We can't let Miranda see this. She'll be heartbroken."
Gordo sighed. "Certainly looks like Kate was right for once, but still--- let's not jump to any conclusions. Appearances can be deceiving. Besides Miranda and Ethan aren't dating or anything."
Lizzie rushed off in the other direction away from Ethan. "Jump to conclusions? They were making out minutes before we were all supposed to go on a double date. You heard what Claire said. I have to find Miranda. I can't let her walk into humiliation, it won't be the first time."
"I'm right here. What's up?" Miranda strolled up to Lizzie and Gordo. "Choir ran a little over today."
Lizzie and Gordo stared at her in silence, unsure of what to say. Not sure of what was really going on.
"What's up guys? Where's Ethan?" Miranda looked around before looking Gordo straight in the eye. "Gordo?" she asked again. If anyone gave her a straight answer it would be him.
"Umm, not sure. I have to go. Lizzie?" Gordo rushed off leaving Lizzie open mouthed and tongue tied.
Miranda was getting impatient. She raised her eyebrow ever so slightly. "Lizzie, tell me, what is it?"
"Okay", Lizzie relented. "But over here." She pulled Miranda off to the side, far away from the scene of the crime. Lizzie hated Gordo right now with a passion. How could he have left her? She hoped at least he'd gone to confront Ethan. "It's about Ethan."
"Is he okay?" Miranda started to panic.
"He's fine, right now, but I just want to prepare you so you don't get hurt. He's here with Claire. Gordo and I saw them kissing before."
Miranda lowered her eyes. "They were?" she asked quietly. Miranda was filled instantaneously with about a thousand different emotions, many of them emotions she had no right to be feeling towards Ethan. She snapped her head back up to look at Lizzie. "So what if they were, we're just friends. He's free to kiss whomever he wants", she snapped, obvious hurt written all over her face.
Lizzie reached out to squeeze Miranda's shoulder. "I'm sorry, but don't you get it---he's just using you. Leading you on and hot and heavy with every cheerleader on the side. What he really needed was a B in science, which just so happens to be your best subject." There, Lizzie had gotten it out. "He's not your friend."
Miranda was in disbelief. "I don't believe it", her voice cracked. She was getting louder and louder and starting to attract an audience. This was so not happening. She was not hearing this.
"I'm sorry", Lizzie said quietly.
Miranda's face screwed up into a scowl. "No, I don't believe you! Who told you that? Ethan is NOT using me for a better grade. I know the difference between a real friend and a fake friend. We are friends and that's that. Despite what you may think, I'm not the same crush struck girl I was last year. Ethan's free to do whatever he wants with whomever he wants. Even Claire."
She knew Ethan. He wouldn't do that to her. And so what if she lied to Lizzie about the crush thing, but how dare Lizzie just assume.
Lizzie started to speak. "Well Kate said"-
"Kate? You listened to Kate?", Miranda screeched.
"She said, that you know you guys were sort of friends now", Lizzie started to explain.
"Friends? Never. Look, I know you're trying to protect me, but I'm a big girl. I don't like Ethan like that anymore." Miranda was lying through her teeth. Emotions were swelling within her that she was having trouble containing. Of course, she felt hurt but she wasn't about to show it. "You're just jealous", Miranda accused Lizzie. "Even though you're with Gordo you're still jealous of mine and Ethan's relationship."
"I am not", Lizzie countered. It was true, she wasn't. She was completely happy with Gordo.
"Well if it's not that than you just don't want me to be happy. Ethan would never hurt me. Do you think I'm so horrible that all guys can't stand to be near me. I'm just some sort of big reject loser who's not good enough for guys like Ethan", she finished letting out the breath she'd been holding.
"No Miranda no", Lizzie insisted. "I didn't mean that at all. But with everything else that's been going on---I didn't want to believe Kate, but then after I saw him with Claire."
Miranda took a few deep breaths to calm down, trying to see things from Lizzie's point of view. She lowered her voice. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. But listen, we're different. I'm sort of used to rejection. You might not understand, but do you remember how you felt when Gordo was dating Brooke. It was like he broke up with us too, well that's the way it's felt for me this year when you and Gordo started dating. Rejection. And now I'm happy again, in large part due to Ethan. He's been an amazing friend, so don't deny me that. Please."
"Miranda, I'm sorry", Lizzie said. "I didn't realize how tough it was for you, but we've always been like sisters and I care about you so much. If you're happy than I'm happy", she smiled. Still Lizzie wasn't convinced about Ethan's intentions. She was pretty sure Miranda still did like him, but it was going to be up to Miranda to figure that out on her own.
"Thanks Lizzie. And please believe me, I am happy for you and Gordo. I really am. I'm not trying to make it all about me."
"I know. So you still wanna go find Gordo and um, Ethan and go catch that movie?"
Miranda didn't feel like seeing Gordo or Ethan right now. "No, that's okay. I think I'm going to go. I want to be alone and sort some stuff out. Let Ethan hang with Claire. But I'll talk to you later."
Lizzie and Miranda hugged. "From now on things are gonna be different", Lizzie said. "I so need my best friend in my life."
Miranda smiled. "Me too. I'm sorry for getting upset. I know you meant well", she said staring down at the ground.
"Right", Lizzie said noticing the visible hurt evident in Miranda's eyes. "That's what friends are for."
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A/N-The next chapter picks up with more of the same, namely Gordo and Ethan. But basically it tells you everything that happened over at the snack area while Miranda and Lizzie had their conversation.
A/N-I don't have much to say, so on with the story. This picks up the same day. Again, Kate's plot really isn't that great but I don't think she'd really plan anything that elaborate. Basically her motives are to put Miranda in her place, get Ethan back and restore the proper social order once again. Also, there is some major cheese towards the end, but I like cheese.
Chapter 10- A Date Gone Wrong
6:00 on the dot. Ethan Craft was on time. Kate smirked as she watched her pray standing there all alone. He was so hot and so unassuming, but that was Ethan in a nutshell. She watched as he glanced at his watch before glancing back up to search the crowd for familiar faces.
Time to put her plan in motion. Kate motioned Claire across the lobby. All Claire had to do was stroll by Ethan, engage him in conversation and when she got the signal kiss him and hang all over him. Easy as pie, especially since Claire was a known flirt.
If everything went well, Lizzie and Gordo would show up just in time for the show and do the rest of her job for her. Miranda would get the hint that Ethan wasn't interested and realize what a loser she really was and when the time was right, Kate could make her move on Ethan.
Sure she'd make Ethan pay a little first; after all he had ditched her for a bunch of no status abnormalities. But Ethan could be coaxed and guided. Kate just had to make sure he understood the way things worked. He was popular, she was popular and therefore they belonged together. Things had always worked that way in junior high. Why should things be any different now?
She watched as Claire approached Ethan slowly, dressed in her best miniskirt and halter. Kate moved closer to observe the action.
"Hiya Ethan", Claire said playfully as she tossed her long dark hair casually over her shoulder. "What are you doing here?"
Ethan stuck his hands in his pockets. "Hey Claire. I'm just meeting some friends. You?"
Claire pretended to look around. "I'm supposed to meet Kate here, but I don't know where she. Can I wait with you?" she asked as she batted her eyelashes flirtatiously.
He shrugged and looked uninterested. "Sure. Why not."
"Good", Claire responded as she inched closer to Ethan. "I just hate waiting alone", she cooed.
"Okay, but I'm meeting Miranda any second." Ethan craned his neck to peer through the crowd. Where was everybody? It was already ten after. And he wanted to get away from Claire as soon as possible.
Just then Kate eyed Lizzie and Gordo making their way to the snack counter. Good, they were early. Kate gave Claire a thumbs up.
Claire took her cue and giggled loudly and reached for Ethan's arm. "So Ethan, you've been working out lately. You're so strong."
He tried to break free of her grasp, but Claire had a pretty good hold on his bicep.
At the sight of the two, Lizzie stopped dead in her tracks. She motioned silently to Gordo and was about to confront Ethan, but Gordo pulled her back. "No, let's just watch. Don't jump to conclusions."
Lizzie's eyes narrowed, but she relented. "Okay, but let's get close enough to hear."
Claire, aware of her audience, kicked her performance into high gear. "Kiss me Ethan, just like before. You know you want to." She inched closer to Ethan closing all space between them. She planted one hand on either side of his face and leaned in for a searing kiss.
Though Ethan was struggling to get away, Claire kept a strong hold. She knew he was too much of a gentleman to hurt a girl so it was working to her advantage, and Lizzie and company weren't close enough to see his struggle. "Oh, Ethan. You're such an animal", she cooed loudly as she pulled back. "I'm so glad you decided to dump Miranda for me", she giggled tossing her hair for all to see.
Lizzie and Gordo had seen enough and Lizzie was livid. "Gordo-do you see that little two timing twit? We can't let Miranda see this. She'll be heartbroken."
Gordo sighed. "Certainly looks like Kate was right for once, but still--- let's not jump to any conclusions. Appearances can be deceiving. Besides Miranda and Ethan aren't dating or anything."
Lizzie rushed off in the other direction away from Ethan. "Jump to conclusions? They were making out minutes before we were all supposed to go on a double date. You heard what Claire said. I have to find Miranda. I can't let her walk into humiliation, it won't be the first time."
"I'm right here. What's up?" Miranda strolled up to Lizzie and Gordo. "Choir ran a little over today."
Lizzie and Gordo stared at her in silence, unsure of what to say. Not sure of what was really going on.
"What's up guys? Where's Ethan?" Miranda looked around before looking Gordo straight in the eye. "Gordo?" she asked again. If anyone gave her a straight answer it would be him.
"Umm, not sure. I have to go. Lizzie?" Gordo rushed off leaving Lizzie open mouthed and tongue tied.
Miranda was getting impatient. She raised her eyebrow ever so slightly. "Lizzie, tell me, what is it?"
"Okay", Lizzie relented. "But over here." She pulled Miranda off to the side, far away from the scene of the crime. Lizzie hated Gordo right now with a passion. How could he have left her? She hoped at least he'd gone to confront Ethan. "It's about Ethan."
"Is he okay?" Miranda started to panic.
"He's fine, right now, but I just want to prepare you so you don't get hurt. He's here with Claire. Gordo and I saw them kissing before."
Miranda lowered her eyes. "They were?" she asked quietly. Miranda was filled instantaneously with about a thousand different emotions, many of them emotions she had no right to be feeling towards Ethan. She snapped her head back up to look at Lizzie. "So what if they were, we're just friends. He's free to kiss whomever he wants", she snapped, obvious hurt written all over her face.
Lizzie reached out to squeeze Miranda's shoulder. "I'm sorry, but don't you get it---he's just using you. Leading you on and hot and heavy with every cheerleader on the side. What he really needed was a B in science, which just so happens to be your best subject." There, Lizzie had gotten it out. "He's not your friend."
Miranda was in disbelief. "I don't believe it", her voice cracked. She was getting louder and louder and starting to attract an audience. This was so not happening. She was not hearing this.
"I'm sorry", Lizzie said quietly.
Miranda's face screwed up into a scowl. "No, I don't believe you! Who told you that? Ethan is NOT using me for a better grade. I know the difference between a real friend and a fake friend. We are friends and that's that. Despite what you may think, I'm not the same crush struck girl I was last year. Ethan's free to do whatever he wants with whomever he wants. Even Claire."
She knew Ethan. He wouldn't do that to her. And so what if she lied to Lizzie about the crush thing, but how dare Lizzie just assume.
Lizzie started to speak. "Well Kate said"-
"Kate? You listened to Kate?", Miranda screeched.
"She said, that you know you guys were sort of friends now", Lizzie started to explain.
"Friends? Never. Look, I know you're trying to protect me, but I'm a big girl. I don't like Ethan like that anymore." Miranda was lying through her teeth. Emotions were swelling within her that she was having trouble containing. Of course, she felt hurt but she wasn't about to show it. "You're just jealous", Miranda accused Lizzie. "Even though you're with Gordo you're still jealous of mine and Ethan's relationship."
"I am not", Lizzie countered. It was true, she wasn't. She was completely happy with Gordo.
"Well if it's not that than you just don't want me to be happy. Ethan would never hurt me. Do you think I'm so horrible that all guys can't stand to be near me. I'm just some sort of big reject loser who's not good enough for guys like Ethan", she finished letting out the breath she'd been holding.
"No Miranda no", Lizzie insisted. "I didn't mean that at all. But with everything else that's been going on---I didn't want to believe Kate, but then after I saw him with Claire."
Miranda took a few deep breaths to calm down, trying to see things from Lizzie's point of view. She lowered her voice. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. But listen, we're different. I'm sort of used to rejection. You might not understand, but do you remember how you felt when Gordo was dating Brooke. It was like he broke up with us too, well that's the way it's felt for me this year when you and Gordo started dating. Rejection. And now I'm happy again, in large part due to Ethan. He's been an amazing friend, so don't deny me that. Please."
"Miranda, I'm sorry", Lizzie said. "I didn't realize how tough it was for you, but we've always been like sisters and I care about you so much. If you're happy than I'm happy", she smiled. Still Lizzie wasn't convinced about Ethan's intentions. She was pretty sure Miranda still did like him, but it was going to be up to Miranda to figure that out on her own.
"Thanks Lizzie. And please believe me, I am happy for you and Gordo. I really am. I'm not trying to make it all about me."
"I know. So you still wanna go find Gordo and um, Ethan and go catch that movie?"
Miranda didn't feel like seeing Gordo or Ethan right now. "No, that's okay. I think I'm going to go. I want to be alone and sort some stuff out. Let Ethan hang with Claire. But I'll talk to you later."
Lizzie and Miranda hugged. "From now on things are gonna be different", Lizzie said. "I so need my best friend in my life."
Miranda smiled. "Me too. I'm sorry for getting upset. I know you meant well", she said staring down at the ground.
"Right", Lizzie said noticing the visible hurt evident in Miranda's eyes. "That's what friends are for."
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A/N-The next chapter picks up with more of the same, namely Gordo and Ethan. But basically it tells you everything that happened over at the snack area while Miranda and Lizzie had their conversation.