Well, look! I'm back with this one! I know it's been forever and I'm really sorry. So I made this one twice as long as the usual chapters for this story, and look for an update very soon because this will be finished by Thanksgiving! So same deal as always, read and REVIEW, and enjoy! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Miranda shook her head as she pulled the door the to the McGuire's silver van shut, how could adults find idiotic things like pies to argue about?
She felt a bit of annoyance rise up. Probably the same way she and her best friend could argue on Thanksgiving. It wasn't that she liked being mad at Lizzie, it was just too much with the stress of the holiday and her parents battling with everyone else parents.
"Miranda," Lizzie began, her voice soft. "I'm sorry about what I said."
She was grateful Lizzie had brought it up first, because Miranda wouldn't have done it. "Me too," she agreed softly.
"Friends?"
"Always."
Lizzie grinned and turned on the radio. Miranda felt a sense of comfort taking over again, but it didn't last long.
"I have to tell you something," Lizzie began, Miranda didn't like that tone at all.
"What?" she asked cautiously.
"It's about Gordo."
What could she possibly tell her about Gordo that was making her sound like this, Miranda wondered. "Go ahead."
"Well, I-I like him," she stated.
"You what?" she repeated.
"I know it's weird, but I can't help it. I like Gordo," Lizzie insisted. She waited for a reply, but Miranda was silent. "Say something please."
"I don't know what to say," she answered, staring out the window. The drove past several stores. Hardly anything was open, it was a holiday after all, but her parents had said they knew a store that was open, and though it was a far drive away, the girls had been sent on the task anyway and Gordo had been assigned to help Sam with setting up a large table.
"You don't like him do you?" Lizzie asked suddenly.
"No!" Miranda exclaimed, her voice shrill. "Why would I like Gordo?"
"Then what's wrong, why are you not talking to me, are you still mad at me?"
"No, I'm not mad," Miranda exclaimed, trying to sort out her feelings so she could explain them to her best friend. "Look, I'm worried."
"Worried about what?"
Miranda sighed, she knew she was going to sound completely unreasonable. "You and Gordo. It's been the three amigos forever. If you get together, it's not going to be the three amigos anymore, it's going to be Lizzie and Gordo, then the third wheel Miranda. And not that that's bad, I don't want to keep you guys apart, cause he likes you too. But I just don't want things to change."
"Things won't change," Lizzie stated softly.
"Things always change," Miranda stated, firmly.
Lizzie fell silent, and Miranda never thought she would be so happy to see the 'Mom and Pop' shop as she was when they pulled into that parking lot. She'd climbed quickly out of the car before Lizzie had even turned off the engine. She walked up to the door, then paused, waiting.
She really did want to see them together, because she'd know it probably before either of them did. It was in glances and their tones. But if they officially became a couple, Friday night movies, would become dates, and when on dates, you didn't want someone extra hanging around. Sighing, she smiled as Lizzie walked up to her. Oh well, regardless of what happened, she would be there, for both of them no matter what. ***
Lizzie walked through the store. It was small and completely cluttered, but cozy. There wasn't anyone at the counter, but a bell had rang when they'd walked through the door, so she supposed someone would come up in a moment.
She glanced at Miranda and shrugged, then walked towards the freezer in the back.
"It's people like us, who make the people who have to work on Thanksgiving have a really horrible day," Miranda stated.
"What?" Lizzie laughed.
"Well, if it wasn't for people like us with burnt pies, they wouldn't have to work," Miranda reasoned.
Lizzie pulled open the freezer door and grabbed two pie boxes. "You've got a point." She smiled and walked to the front counter.
Now, a cute Hispanic boy was standing there, at first, Lizzie didn't recognize him, but as she placed the pies on the counter, she recognized him, he was in several of her classes at school. "José?"
His head shot up at the mention of her name and he smiled. "Hey, Monster," he grinned, using the nickname she'd been given when she'd taken up playing flag football with the guys. "Hey, Miranda."
"I didn't know you worked here," Lizzie stated.
José shrugged. "It's not really work. My parents own this place, and they are visiting my brother in Missouri."
"And they left you here all alone?" Lizzie asked, shocked.
José shook his head. "My brother and I don't really get along, so I stayed behind."
"What are you doing for dinner?" Lizzie asked.
José stared at her. "Nothing, I'm working the store."
Lizzie returned the state. "Well, close the store and grab a coat. You can't spend Thanksgiving all alone. We have more than enough food." She grabbed the pies and held them up. "And look! We have dessert too!"
José looked like he didn't know what to say, he glanced from silent Miranda to Lizzie. "I could not impose on you like that, I will be fine."
"Either you come with me, or you're dealing with me for the rest of the day," Lizzie stated stubbornly.
José laughed. "Monster, you're persistent aren't you, McGuire?"
Lizzie smiled and grinned. "Yeah, I am. Here's the money for the pies now go get your coat."
José pushed the money back at her. "Think of the pies as my addition to dinner," he smiled, running a hand through his black hair. "I'll grab my coat."
He disappeared through a door and Lizzie whirled around to face Miranda. "What happened to you? You haven't said a word."
"I was watching you," Miranda replied.
Lizzie smiled and brushed her blonde hair back. "Do you think I should have asked before I invited him? Oh well, it doesn't matter. Too late now."
Miranda laughed and smiled at José as he came back out.
"I'm ready," he replied.
Lizzie picked up the pies, and pulled her keys out of her pockets. "Let's go home then."