Chapter 33 – Decision time (Ok so I'm finally writing again. I'm so sorry to have been gone for so long. My life is a mess. My aunt finally got to where we knew she was going to be ok and my grandmother fell and hurt herself very bad. She broke her arm, her wrist, her hip, and cracked her fibula. She made it through her surgeries ok but now she is in a nursing home and is getting mistreated badly. Also someone very special to me, my sweetie, my future wife Emily has had a major setback in her life. You all know her by her penname: MissEmmy. Her grandfather had a stroke and we just don't know if he is going to make it. You guys are always so great but now I must ask you to pray for Emily's and mine families again. On a positive note, I have started my original story and if you would like to read it just provide me with email information and I'll be happy to send it to you. Ok now finally on with the story.)

Gordo opened the front door to his house. He had stayed after school for a meeting with his fellow class officers and then dropped by Larry's home to give him the notes from science that he had missed due to his doctor's appointment. Jo greeted him as he walked through the door.

"Hey sweetie," Jo greeted him.

"Hey mom," Gordo greeted her.

"How was school?" she inquired.

"Pretty much the usual. I had to attend a presidential meeting then I went by Larry's to give him the notes since he was sick today," he informed his adoptive mother.

"Oh, how is he?" Jo questioned.

"He's ok. Doctor gave him some antibiotics and told him it's just a virus and he should be ok in a few days," Gordo responded.

"Well that's good. Guess who came home with Lizzie," Jo requested.

"Who?" he asked, not wanting to guess.

"Miranda," Jo told her elder son.

"Miranda?" Gordo questioned, taken aback. Jo just gave him a look that said she didn't understand it either. He was on his way to Matt's room when both Lizzie and Miranda met him.

"Hey," Lizzie greeted him.

"Hi," Miranda followed.

"Hey," he responded to both of them.

"Listen Gordo, we need to talk to you." The blonde started.

We? Gordo thought to himself and was immediately concerned that they had magically patched things up and now they wanted to talk to him together. After a few minutes his intrigue convinced him to comply with their wishes.

"Ok, I'm listening," he answered.

"David we have talked about it and we decided that you need to make a decision," Miranda stated.

"Make a decision?" he repeated not really getting it.

"Yes, you can be with me or Miranda or neither of us," Lizzie explained.

"But you can't be with both of us. And we have agreed to be cool with whatever decision you make. So David, the ball is in your court." Miranda finished.

Gordo just stood there for a minute letting what had just happened sink in. He was shocked but at the same time he knew this all had to come to a head eventually and now seemed like as good a time as any to resolve it all. He took a deep breath and responded.

"You're right we need to figure this all out and get on with our lives....Lizzie can I talk to you in your room please?" he voiced as he decided once in for all to lay it all on the line.

"Umm yeah sure, lets go," Lizzie agreed not really knowing why he wanted to talk to her first.

"Ok...I'm gonna go watch T.V. for a while then," the latina informed them getting the hint. Lizzie made her way to her room and sat on her bed. Gordo followed her and stood in front of her. Neither of them said anything for a few minutes, as it was obvious that neither knew where to start. Finally Gordo grew tired of stalling.

"Lizzie, you know that I love you and you mean the world to me." He started as he began to pace and run his fingers through his hair.

"Yeah I know," she answered not really knowing what else to say.

"I'm so sorry about all this Lizzie. I would rather die than hurt you. I never thought that anything like this could ever happen. And I know that it has been so hard on you and Miranda. I just wish there was a way for everyone to get what they want." He stated basically just thinking out loud.

Lizzie just watched him pace for a few seconds before telling him that, "Yeah well that's not gonna happen so you have to decide," she reminded him. Gordo stopped his pacing and sat down beside her. He grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. He sighed deeply as he realized that there was no turning back now.

"Lizzie...I love you to death and you are so special to me but...this just can't work. At least not now, I mean here we are living together. Your mom and dad are basically my parents now. I just feel right now we are too much like a brother and sister. It just took this thing with Miranda to realize it." Gordo explained to Lizzie. She turned away from him and began to stare at the floor.

"You're right," she responded, still looking at her floor.

"What?" he inquired making sure he heard her right.

"You're right Gordo," she repeated as she turned back to look at the young man sitting next to her. "You're right about all of it. There is just no way to make us work like this. Right now we are just too close and too much like siblings to be boyfriend and girlfriend. It was stupid to think that it could work out," Lizzie admitted starting to fight back tears.

"Hey we had to try. If we hadn't then we would still be wondering what if. Who knows maybe one day we will find our way back to each other. If its meant to be then it will happen in time, but right now I have to find out what this is with me and Miranda. I've been so involved with you all these years that I never even thought about her like that and now there is something real between us and I have to see where that leads us." he explained to the blonde beauty.

"Yeah I understand. Just do me a favor, ok?" Lizzie begged of her now ex boyfriend as the tears began to roll down her cheek.

"Sure Lizzie, anything," Gordo readily agreed.

"Take care of her," she ordered.

"I will," he informed her as it sunk in that she was agreeing to allow him to be with Miranda. He smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks. He kissed her forehead before getting off her bed and starting to pace again. Lizzie stood as well as she searched for the words to say.

"Thanks," she finally managed. He just turned and gave her a look that said you're welcome among other things.

"Lizzie, I'm always going to be here for you no matter what," he reminded her.

"I know, me too," Lizzie replied as she laughed a little and finally smiled.

"Friends?" Gordo asked.

"Friends," Lizzie agreed as she walked up to him and embraced him a tight hug.

"I better go talk to Miranda now," he stated.

"Ok but I've got something I want to say to her first," Lizzie responded as she let go and started to walk towards the hall.

"Ok," Gordo agreed as he followed her out the door.