"Gordo? No, I'm not Gordo!" The still-anonymous boy let out a frustrated scream that caught everyone's attention.
He chuckled nervously, and his face turned a deep shade of red.
"Oh, sorry, um, I guess I didn't get a very good look at you," Miranda apologized. Now she was the one who felt embarrassed. "This is going to sound rude" she paused. "But who are you?"
"It's me" He was cut short.
"Lizzie! Miranda! How have you girls been doing?" It was Claire who was walking towards them, feigning kindness, as usual.
"A nice Claire Miller? Nobody's that thick-headed. What do you want with us now?" Miranda sounded like she'd been in the same situation a thousand times before.
"Oh, silly, silly Miranda. What's done is done. High school and junior high---it's all behind us now. All the pain I've caused you and our friendsI am deeply sorry." She stuck out her bottom lip. "Do you forgive me?"
Miranda flinched. There was a tinge of sincerity in Claire's words. What? Claire's never been honest before. Why would she start now?
Lizzie looked over at her friend. She was moving her mouth in every which way, but nothing came out.
"Wellyou know" Lizzie stared. Miranda still made no noise.
A tall figure stepped in front of them.
"No, they don't forgive you."
~~~~~~~
Larry sat on the steps outside the gym, silently basking in self-hatred. A brisk evening breeze blew against his left cheek.
He'd thought people would be more mature now, and recognize their own faults. He'd thought all grudges were let go of when they graduated high school. We are in our 20s. Isn't it time to let go? Larry sighed. Maybe I'm a hypocrite. Maybe I'm the one who's wrong. Maybe I'm the one who needs to let go.
Larry heard the gym door squeaking behind him. He flipped around to see Ethan standing there, look as shy as ever.
"HeyLarry."
~~~~~~~
"Excuse me, Kate, but did I ask you?" Claire said, her eyes glaring at her old foe.
"Whether you asked me or not, the answer is still no," Kate retorted.
Meanwhile, Lizzie and Miranda were slowly backing away.
"Um, did we start this?" Lizzie whispered to her best friend.
"I don'tthink so," Miranda whispered back.
Kate and Claire stood so close to each other that they could hear each other's breathing.
"I think Lizzie and Miranda re old enough to make their own decision by now," Claire giggled.
I don't care. They don't forgive you," Kate said, gaining more confidence in herself. Claire rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. It's not like I seek their approval' or anything. I just thought maybe one of us should be the bigger man in this situation. You geeks still have the mindset of a 10-year old. And as for you, Kate," Claire said, laughing, "do you actually think those two are going to forgive you? After you treated them so horribly? If I was them, I'd never forgive you"
"Oh, but of course, you were always a best friend to me, right, Claire? You were so caring that I should forgive you on the dot, right, Claire?" Kate yelled.
Claire scoffed.
"I don't recall ever saying I was sorry."
"It doesn't matter. I don't forgive you now and I don't think I ever will. I don't think anyone will forgive you. You might've been popular, Claire, but popularity only gets you so far."
"Don't even go there, Kate. You were popular, too, and you snubbed just as many people as I did."
"Fine, maybe I did, but at least I've changed."
"Haven't you realized that it doesn't matter? When someone's first impression of you is that you are a snob, it lasts. Forever."
Kate rolled her eyes and began to walk away.
Claire yelled after her.
"Face it, Kate! Without me, you're a nobody! A nonentity! A loser."
Kate turned around slowly, and taking a second to breathe in, said
"Maybe I am."
She grabbed Lizzie and Miranda by their hands and stomped away.
~~~~~~~
Flashing red and blue lights. An ambulance. Nearly 5 miles of traffic.
Oh great, he thought. Just make me even later, why don't you?
He glanced at the bright green numbers next to his radio.
9:17. I'm not even going to make it in time. I'm going to be stuck in this traffic for another 3 hours.
Gordo stared out at all the lights surrounding him. Yellow, red, blue, green. It was something most people ignored, but it was times like this that he'd just sit back and just to appreciate some beauty in the world. Even though there wasn't much beauty to begin with.
It was then that he faintly heard one of his favorite songs. An oldie, but a goodie. He turned up his radio and san along with John Mellencamp. Sure, he didn't have the best voice in the world, but he never cared what people thought about him, anyway.
"Oh yeah, life goes onlong after the thrill of living is gone"
-------------------
[A/N: I'm so happy I got this finished! As I wrote in a note for Chapter 5 of "Obituaries", I just finished my drama play and I've been so excited and crazy lately. I can't believe I haven't updated this story in over 2 weeks.
Yes, mystery boy ain't Gordo. I was surprised to see that so many people thought it was. Sorry to keep you waiting so long. Please, please, PLEASE review and let me know what you think of this story, particularly this chapter. Thanks!]
