A/N – "Thoughts"

Chapter 5 – Too Late

It was Tuesday afternoon and the final bell had rung, releasing the students for the day.

Miranda picked her way through the crowds, heading towards her locker. While today had been better than yesterday, it still took a lot of her control to not be distracted by Gordo.

Sighing, she reached her locker and spun in the combination. Just as she opened it, Lizzie and Kate came walking over.

Long story short, Kate and Miranda's relationship was like a cease-fire. Ever since Rome, Kate and Lizzie had slowly repaired their friendship and were friends again. So for the sake of their mutual friend, the two girls decided to at least be civil to each other. After a few years, it slowly grew to an acceptance of the other and while they didn't hang out together alone, they at least got along when they were together.

"Hey Miranda," Lizzie said walking up.

"Hola chica," Miranda said to her. "Hey Kate."

"Hey," Kate answered softly.

"Umm, Miranda. I need to know if you're still in for the limo. I need to send in the money by Thursday and if you're not, then I need to find someone else." Lizzie didn't want to anger her friend again but really needed an answer.

A small smile appeared on Miranda's face. "Yea. I'm in."

Lizzie titled her head slightly and slowly smiled. "So you got a date?" she asked cautiously.

"Yea."

Lizzie was about to ask who but was interrupted. "Miranda," a male voice called out through the crowd.

All three girls turned towards the sound of the voice and watched Danny Kessler walk up to them.

"Hi Danny." All three girls said to him as he walked up.

"Ladies," Danny said back and then turned his attention to Miranda. "You're looking hot."

"Thanks," Miranda spooked herself at how easy that came out. Usually she giggled or played with her hair, some kind of girly nervous tick. But this time, there was nothing.

"I wanted to know if you want to go to the prom with me?" Danny asked with a cocky smile. He thought it was already in the bag.

"Sorry Danny but I already have a date," Miranda told him as she closed her locker.

Danny had a look of complete surprise on his face. "Who?"

"David asked me yesterday."

"Ok?" he said, confused. Danny walked away dazed, completely at a lost. No girl had ever turned him down before.

Lizzie grinned and Kate had a confused looked on her face. "You turned down Danny?" Kate asked in surprise. "The way you've been drooling over him for the past few years, I thought you would've jumped at being his date."

Miranda just shrugged and the trio started to walk towards the doors. "Yea, well, my crush on Danny was purely physical. I want to be with someone who as more than just good looks."

"Like Gordo," Lizzie snickered.

Miranda choked slightly. "I…I didn't say that. Any guy. Me and Gordo are just friends."

Lizzie just smiled and nodded.

Walking outside, they headed towards the student parking lot. After Kate told them goodbye and left to catch a ride with her boyfriend Ethan, Lizzie started grilling Miranda about Gordo.

"So you turn down the guy you've had a huge crush on for years, just so you can go with your best friend. Yea I believe that," Lizzie told her as they walked towards Miranda's parents' car, that they let her borrow.

"What's so hard to believe? It has nothing to do with who I like. Gordo asked me first and he was sweet about it. I'm not going to tell him the next day, that I don't want to go with him anymore just because Danny asked me."

Lizzie leaned against the passenger side of the Sanchez's car and looked over at Miranda. "So you're telling me that you're only going with Gordo because he's your friend and you agreed to be his date first?"

"Yes,." Miranda said exasperated. "We take advantage of him enough as it is," Miranda said looking Lizzie straight in the eyes.

Lizzie thought about it for a moment. "Yea." She reluctantly agreed that they did take Gordo for granted too often. "But I still think you like him," she added with a small grin.

Miranda rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. "I don't like Gordo like that," she said climbing inside the car. "He's like a brother to me."

Lizzie already sitting in the passenger seat, looked at her. "Sure. You keep saying that and maybe, just maybe, you'll actually start to believe it."

Miranda started to open her mouth to snap back but then closed it quickly. Starting the engine, she pulled out of the parking lot. She was trying to believe what she was saying, but Lizzie comments were starting to hit to close for her comfort. Miranda knew she was just baiting Lizzie with everything she tried to say and that it would be better if she just shut up, though she didn't want to.