Chapter 9: Years in Between

            ~* After graduation we all went our separate ways. Miranda went to the University of California to major in music, Larry went to some place in Washington D.C. to major in Astrophysics, Alex left for University of Boston to study law, Lizzie went with Miranda but she majored in journalism. As for me, I was accepted to New York University to study film. College was some of the best years of my life. I did get the occasional e-mail from Miranda and Lizzie to tell me about their lives and I would tell them about mine. It seemed since Alex was out of the picture, Lizzie talked to me a lot more. But soon, we did have to get on with our lives.

            After college I landed a directing deal to make a major movie right in New York. My dream finally came true. Miranda moved to Hollywood where she owns a music store. She even sings back up for these hot new bands every once in awhile. And Lizzie, Lizzie came to New York. She writes the Lifetimes column for the New York Times and I have every article she has written so far. You could say that I am here biggest fan. I looked her up one day but I have not yet had the heart to see her. I don't know what to say.  But I did not have to see her because yesterday, she came to see me. *~

            Gordo paced around his apartment on the phone. "No, we can't shoot there! But that's not where the scene should take place! I'm the director and we are going to do things my way!" He hung up the phone and lay on the couch. Just then the doorbell rang.

            "What now!" He moaned to himself. He got up and went to the door. He gasped when he saw the girl in is doorway.

            "Hey Gordo." It was Lizzie.

            "Lizzie? What are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.

            "I just came to see an old friend. Can I come in?"

            "Of course." He stepped aside and let her walk in.

            "You have done pretty well for yourself. I mean, an apartment in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It's an amazing place by the way."

            "Thank you. So why are you here exactly?"

            "Not happy to see me?"

            "No, not that. It has just been such a long time. Why now?"

            "Did you know that it has been five years today that we graduated? When I realized that, I had to see you. I was thinking about what happened in high school and I thought I should say, I'm sorry."

            "Sorry? For what?"

            "Ignoring you for so long. And for Alex beating you up at prom. I just felt so guilty."

            "But we discussed this already. I'm fine with it."

            "We discussed it through an e-mail. I had to tell you this in person. Do you know why I moved to New York?"

            "Not exactly."

            "I came for you. I just had to be near you. When I came here my intent was to find you but then I got the newspaper job and I have just been so busy. But the point is I thought I still loved you."

            "What? You came all this way for me and you haven't come to actually see me until today? What do you mean by you thought you still loved me? When did you ever love me?"

            "I always loved you. And yes I couldn't find the courage until today to tell you."

            "So what happens now?"

            "Don't know."

            "Am I suppose to be with you now after all these years because now you have the courage to speak up?"

            "Well, no but I thought you should know because I had to let my feelings out. I just needed to know how you feel and now I do so I can get on with my life."

            "What is that suppose to mean? You don't know how I feel about you."

            "Then tell me."

            "I was in love with you in high school. I still might be. If we would have given each other another chance then maybe I would know."

            "Oh, I see."

            "Is that what you came here for? Another chance?"

            "No, I came to tell you I'm getting married!"

            Silence fell in the room. Gordo was the first to speak.

            "Then why did you have to know how I felt about you?"

            "To know if I made the right choice."

            "And did you?"

            "I think so. You said in your speech that we should move on and I have. I just hope you can to."

            "I have too until you came here. Now I'm questioning everything."

            "So am I. Gordo, I don't want to live in the past."

            "Neither do I. I guess we can't stay in high school forever."

            "Guess not. But I would love for us to stay friends."

            "That I can do."

            "So will you come to my wedding?"

            "Of course. I would never miss one of my best friends getting married."

            "Great. Well, I have to go. I have a deadline." She handed Gordo an invitation and turned to go to the door. Gordo followed her and opened the door. She turned back to him. "I'm glad everything worked out. I am sorry for everything, though."

            "Don't be. I'll see you at the wedding."

            "Ok, bye."

            "Bye Lizzie." She walked out the door and Gordo closed it after her. He went back and sat in the living room. He looked at the invitation. It was final then, Lizzie belonged to someone else now. He grabbed a pen and checked "yes" on the reply card. At least he knew they could still be friends.

            ~* So here ends my story. I did not get the girl of my dreams and we did not live happily ever after. So why did I tell it? I told this story because there are things that you wish you could have done but did not. I am telling you this because when you have something that feels right, fight like hell for it. Things may work themselves out in the end but wouldn't you rather take control? Just remember to never let go of something special to you and never let go of love. Who knows, maybe your story will turn out differently if you take control of your life. *~

                                    THE END