"I'm worried about Lizzie," Gordo stated, sitting down next to Miranda inside McDonald's.
Miranda took a large bite out of her hamburger then looked up at him. "I wonder who it is?"
"She's not taking it seriously. Its like its all some big joke to her, and I don't know how to make her see it's not funny," he mused, playing with the straw to his Coke. "First her tire, now a dead frog in her locker."
"Gordo, she doesn't think it's funny, she's just trying not to obsess over it," Miranda answered.
He sighed, knowing he was defeated.
"What's bothering you?" Miranda asked, tilting her head at him. Her long black hair falling over her shoulder.
He shot her a quizzical look. "What makes you think something's wrong?"
"Don't answer my question with another question," she commanded, nibbling on a French fry. "Besides what's been happening to Lizzie, you've been acting funny."
He nodded, he knew what she was talking about. He glanced down at the table, sighed and placed his hands upon it. Miranda stared at him expectantly. He raked his eyes over her, her pretty face, almond eyes, full lips, she was beautiful too, but she didn't compare. He sighed. "Who's Lizzie taking to the dance?"
"Changing the subject isn't going to work this time," she stated firmly.
"I'm not changing the subject," he stated softly.
"Do you want to take her?"
He slowly ran a hand through her hair. "She asked me to take her, the day changed her tire."
"What!? And you guys didn't find the time to tell me!?" Miranda exploded.
"It's not like that," he stated. "She needs an escort, and with Ronnie back, and the princess nomination, and her tires, it was just a hassle she didn't want to deal with."
Miranda sat back, a expression of understanding crossed her face as she crossed her arms. "Do you want it to be platonic?"
He shrugged, dropping his eyes.
"No, no getting out of it now," Miranda insisted, leaning towards him. "What's going on Gordo?"
"Are you honestly as blind as Lizzie?"
"What?" she asked, slightly dumbfounded.
Gordo shook his head and let out a derisive laugh. "No, Miranda, I don't want it to be platonic," he stated.
Her eyes grew wide at this bit of information and a grin spread quickly over her face. "Really? Gordo, that's great!"
"No, it's not," he stated.
"What? Why not?" she asked quickly.
"Because, Lizzie doesn't see me that way, and I'm not going to suggest it to her," he stated.
"You don't have to," Miranda said, sipping her drink.
"No. I'm going to be here for her through during whatever freaky thing is going on, and maybe, she'll come to see me another way," he answered. "No hints or anything either. I want her to realize it all on her own."
Miranda nodded, realizing what she was being entrusted with. "I won't tell her," she regretfully stated.
Gordo smiled at her, he knew that she would keep this promise. "But in all seriousness, I'm worried about Lizzie. Who could be doing this?"
Miranda shrugged. "We should probably talk to Lizzie and see who she's made mad and who would want to do this."
"Why would anyone want to hang a frog in someone's locker?" he demanded.
Miranda leaned forward. "It sounds like a crazy psycho."
Gordo nodded somberly. "Why don't you give her rides to school in the morning, and I'll give her rides in the afternoon, and we could like alternate between staying with her during classes."
Miranda nodded. "Safety in numbers."
"We can at least hope," he agreed.