* Chapter fourteen – Miranda *
I never know what to do when I go to the mall. There are so many choices, and so little time.
The whole shopping mall is one huge advertisement, and I am one consistent consumer. Every time I get the chance, I try to convince my mom that the mall is a good, wonderful place, and that she should take me there every so often. Unfortunately, my mom doesn't share the same ideas as me about the mall. While she is content just reading magazines about it, I could make it my home. People – namely Gordo – say that I am too self-conscious, that I should 'lighten up' a bit. Well, that shows how much he knows.
"So," I said, after going through the front doors and looking around, "what to do first?"
Gordo stared at me as if I had uttered a disgusting swearword, and Lizzie bit her lip, thinking. She shrugged.
"Well, we can start with clothes. Then, when we go look around at accessories, we will know what goes with what…" – she laughed – "we wouldn't want to get an orange necklace, and then get a dark blue shirt! Eww. That would look so weird!" We laughed, but Gordo nodded his head as if he were falling asleep. He yawned pointedly. I rolled my eyes.
"Just because you don't understand the mystical art of shopping doesn't mean you have to ruin it for Lizzie and me!" I glared at Gordo, but grinned slightly. Lizzie just peered at him, her smile wide.
"Yeah – well," he replied, mouth seemingly dry. He shoved his hands in his pockets and said no more.
"Well, okay then!" I said enthusiastically, glancing at my silent friend, "let's go!" Lizzie nodded, spinning around and looking throughout the mall as if she were a cat looking for something to chase. Suddenly, she squealed, grabbing my hand.
"50% off at Old Navy!" she cried, starting to walk forward. Gordo just shook his head exasperatedly, following us obediently. I laughed at his expression. He looked at me, mumbling something under his breath. He grinned. I rolled my eyes again.
"You know," said Gordo seriously, "your eyes could get stuck that way." I rolled my eyes for good effect and followed Lizzie, punching Gordo on the arm, and he laughed loudly. Lizzie turned around, eyes flaring. She stopped walking towards her destination.
"Gordo!" she said, narrowing her eyes, "don't. I'm trying to concentrate." Gordo smiled and shut his mouth. Lizzie grinned quickly, beginning to walk again. I smiled inwardly, following her.
Over the next hour, we went to various stores, trying on clothes for warm weather. At each place, we would grab as many clothes as we could carry in our arms, and go to the desk, requesting a room to try them on in. Gordo would sit outside on a bench, occasionally glancing at his watch. When we tried something on, we would come outside and show him. He would give his opinion, shrugging his shoulders. "How would I know?" was usually his response. After a while of this clothing mayhem, we headed off to Fireworks and Claire's to buy accessories. By this time, Gordo looked about ready to count people for his amusement.
"It's 2:30," Gordo announced as soon as we walked inside Fireworks, "remember? We need to meet Mrs. McGuire in a half hour."
"Got it," I said, fingering a rock inscribed with the word 'spirit'. I picked it up and looked at the price.
"'Randa!" Lizzie said, motioning for me to come over, "look!"
She pointed to a fluffy blue pen, complete with sparkles and a feathery look. She laughed, and touched it.
"Very soft," she informed, nodding her head. Some sparkles came off in her hand. I smiled – it was cute. Gordo came over too, looking at it disdainfully.
"What is that?" he asked, looking disgusted. He narrowed his eyes in concentration. "Looks like an afro glued to a straw."
Lizzie laughed. "Like yours?" Gordo raised his eyebrows at her, and ran a hand through his hair.
"It's not a fro. It's just curly." I laughed at the pure stupidity at this conversing between my friends, and started looking at the pictures on the wall. Gordo and Lizzie were still arguing. I peered at the paintings, transfixed. They were very beautiful with all their colors; blues, greens, beige – running together into one piece of art. Suddenly, I yawned, rubbing my tired eyes. Gordo and Lizzie were now quarrelling about food - which ones are the best. I sighed, putting a hand over my belly.
"C'mon guys," I said, feeling hungry and tired. My stomach rumbled. "Stop flirting."
Lizzie and Gordo snapped their heads around. Lizzie was in mid-sentence, mouth open slightly. Gordo flushed slightly, but his expression was incomprehensible.
"W-we weren't…" Lizzie started, looking at me, her face growing hot. I couldn't tell if it was from rage or embarrassment.
"Sure," I said, humoring her. Gordo coughed, and I turned my head.
"It's quarter to three," he told us, clearly trying to change the subject, "why don't we go to McDonalds now?"
"Good idea," Lizzie said, putting the fluffy pen away. We walked out of Fireworks and towards McDonalds. No one talked. I guess my hint about flirting made Gordo and Lizzie self-conscious. I didn't care though – I was hungry.
We met Jo fifteen minutes later at a table in Mickey D's. She walked in and glanced at the bags under our table.
"Looks like you've been on a shopping frenzy," she said, placing her purse down on the table. She started to walk towards the counter to buy her food. I picked up a fry and held it between my fingers. Finally, my no-food toleration level had gone back to normal. I felt ready to shop some more! Lizzie seemed to share the same thought, but Gordo appeared to be trying to make his meal last as long as possible. He took a bite of burger, chewing slowly.
"So… what do we do now?" asked Lizzie, apparently thinking like me. I shrugged, and Gordo took another bite of his hamburger.
"I know," Jo said, returning with her food, "Lizzie told me about a certain dance coming up –"
Gordo choked on his burger, and I slapped his back instinctively. Jo looked at him strangely, taking a sip of water.
"Why don't you three get something for that?" she finished. Lizzie looked stricken, glancing discreetly at Gordo. Jo continued, completely unaware of the current situation she got herself in – again.
"I heard all about it. It's so wonderful that you three are going!" she peered at us over her spectacles. "Do you have dates yet?"
"Well –" Lizzie started. Suddenly, she grabbed my arm.
"I need to go to the ladies room!" she cried, tugging me towards it; "Miranda, isn't my makeup smudging? Yes? C'mon!"
From Lizzie's wake I could see Jo glance again at Gordo, narrowing her eyes. Gordo looked around nervously, not looking at Jo, who was now opening her mouth like she was about to talk.
Lizzie pulled me all the way to the bathroom. When we got inside, Lizzie looked in all of the stalls. No one was there.
"Where's the makeup catastrophe?" I asked calmly. Lizzie laughed uncertainly.
"It was just a spur of the moment thing –" she finished, "what am I going to do?" She bit her lip.
"What?" I asked stupidly. I mentally shook myself. What? Is that the best you can do? Some friend.
Lizzie stared at me and bent her head closer. "The dance," she hissed, "remember? I'm going with Ethan." Suddenly, it dawned on me.
"Oh," I replied, thinking, "oh…" Lizzie looked exasperated. She sighed.
"Listen. Okay, if you must know…" she blushed, "Gordo and I – we –" she looked around the bathroom and cleared her throat. "We… um – kissed…" She ended quietly, but I heard her all the same.
"Kissed?" I repeated, looking at Lizzie in awe. She nodded nervously, blushing.
"Yeah."
"Wow," I said, a grin forming on my face. "That's great!"
She smiled and leaned against the wall casually. "It was great…" – she shook her head quickly – "listen Randa… I don't know what to do! I mean, I want to go with Gordo, but –"
"So, what's the big deal, Liz?" I asked, confused.
" – But," Lizzie continued, "if I don't go with Ethan, then…" – she smiled guiltily – "then Kate and her posse will think I'm losing my nerve…" Lizzie said this last part so softly that I had to lean in to hear her. When I did, I put my hands on my hips. Lizzie twiddled her fingers uncertainly.
"Gordo always said –"
"Listen, Miranda! I don't want to talk about Gordo right now, okay? I am seriously not happy. I really like Gordo, but I don't want to ruin my social status."
I looked at her, slightly appalled. "What is this? All of a sudden, you care about your social status more than your friends – or the guy you want to be with?"
Lizzie glared at me. "You know it's not that."
"What is it then?" I asked, shaking my head in exasperation. Lizzie shot me an angry look, and then hung her head.
"I don't know, Randa…" – she sighed – "you know Kate… she's made our life hell ever since she came home from that summer camp, a-and I just can't face her right now." Lizzie ran her hand through her hair; "if I don't go with Ethan to the dance, not only will I hurt his feelings, but Kate – she'll just make my life worse. Besides, I don't even know about Gordo… did I tell you? I kissed him. He didn't kiss me. What if he doesn't even like me?" Lizzie looked lost and sad, and I pulled her into a hug, which she returned gratefully. We pulled away, and I grasped her shoulders, looking her straight in the face.
"Well, do whatever you need to do, Liz. I'll back you up."
Hellooo all fellow fans! ^_^
Sorry this chapter took so long… my mom spilled water on my keyboard upstairs, and well… just guess. I still don't have another yet! grrr….
Anyways, I hope you like…. Plz review! It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside! *kisses*
Btw… remember to read sunshine belle and my new story, "No One Knows" – thank ya'll! *teehee*
Cheers and luv **
Tic-Tac ^_~
You know what's really strange? I am actually almost in this exact situation. I won't name any names, but I have a best guy friend, and he likes one of my best girl friends. Isn't that weird? I'm like Miranda – I am totally playing the matchmaker. This guy, he told me all about his crush, and then asked me to ask my other friend if she liked him! *sigh* he's been calling me, asking desperately if I have asked her yet. I don't really know what to do… I have the girl's #, but… *sigh* I don't know how to go about this! Ahhhh!
