As they drove to the drive-in Miranda thought she should fill Brad in about
the last time they'd gone to the drive-in. "So, the three of us went to the
drive-in on the last day of school. Gordo and Lizzie weren't together then;
but it was very obvious that they both liked each other," Miranda said.
"It was?" Gordo and Lizzie asked simultaneously.
"Yes! I let Lizzie sit in the front and both of you kept sneaking peeks at each other. Then, when Gordo was trying to help Lizzie with the pop and your hands touched and you dropped the pop. Then Lizzie cut her arm and Gordo was all holding her hand and stuff!" Miranda said, "It was so obvious.
Feeling a little of Miranda's match making spirit in her, Lizzie said, "Well, we're together now. So, maybe tonight there is room for another couple to get their start."
Gordo watched in the rearview mirror as both Brad and Miranda blushed deeply and avoided looking at each other. Gordo smiled at Lizzie, took her hand and said; "I'd forgotten how awkward we'd gotten around each other before we hooked up."
"You were so sweet when I cut my arm," Lizzie said, "Had I not had a cut arm and a bruised knee, it would have been so romantic."
Raising his eyebrows at Lizzie, Gordo said, "Maybe we can reenact it?"
"You two are going to make Brad and I sick if you don't knock it off," Miranda said. Really she thought it was sweet to see her friends acting this way, but she just had to give them some grief.
When they got to the drive-in, Gordo and Lizzie got the hatchback ready and set up the lounge chairs, while Brad and Miranda went to the concession stand. When they returned Miranda said, "You and Gordo can sit in the Honda."
"No," Gordo said, "If we want Brad to get the full experience of the drive- in, he needs to sit in the hatch back, Lizzie and I will sit in the lounge chairs."
Miranda protested, "How about guys in the Honda, girls on the lounge chairs?"
"No way Sanchez, I want to sit with my girlfriend!" Gordo said.
"Fine," Miranda grumbled. Secretly she was excited, but she didn't want Brad to know that yet.
Brad and Miranda climbed into the Honda and settled in without incident. Gordo moved one of the lounge chairs to the side and the couple settled into the remaining chair together.
Miranda watched as Gordo wrapped Lizzie in his arms from behind. Lizzie leaned into him and sighed. It was once of those sighs that said, "At this moment, everything is perfect." Gordo was whispering something in Lizzie's ear and she was smiling. Miranda felt a pang of jealousy, but she smiled at them anyway, they were so cute together.
Miranda realized that Gordo and Lizzie were trying to do to her and Brad, what she had done to them. She wasn't completely against the idea, she just wasn't as swept away by Brad as Gordo and Lizzie were by each other. Miranda couldn't decide if she should give in and let herself be set up with Brad, or if she should protest a little. After all, she had the right to hold out for true love too, didn't she?
Brad was no dummy either. He could tell that nothing would make Gordo and Lizzie happier than to have Miranda set up with a boyfriend of her own for the summer. He knew they wanted this out of the goodness of their hearts. But, how did either of them know if he and Miranda were even interested in each other. He could tell that Miranda had some reservations about him and he didn't blame her. Brad decided that he wouldn't mind being set up with Miranda, she was cute; but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable if she wasn't interested in him.
Since Gordo, Lizzie and Miranda had just been here a few nights earlier, the same movies were still playing. Miranda was only half concentrating on the movie. She was contemplating the Brad issue and what she wanted to do. He was awfully cute, she thought. He had strawberry blonde hair and deep green eyes. He had straight teeth and a nice smile. But, looks aren't everything. Miranda wanted to be with someone who really interested her; not just physically, but mentally as well. She wanted someone who gave her chills and butterflies in her stomach. She wanted to feel like she and this person were meant to be. She didn't want to just settle for someone.
Gordo and Lizzie were not paying much attention to the movie either. They were still sitting together on one lounge chair and were playfully flirting with one another. Lizzie had taken an extra blanket from the Honda and draped it over them. Gordo and Lizzie had both removed their shoes and were mischievously playing footsie under the blanket. Gordo was whispering in Lizzie's ear, "I wish we were here alone so we could sit in the car and make-out. I feel weird kissing you in front of them."
Lizzie giggled and whispered back, "I wish that too. I was thinking about that the last time we were here, how much I wanted to kiss you."
"I want to kiss you so bad. I need a distraction. Let's go for a walk," Gordo said.
Quietly the two put their shoes back on and rose off of their chair. Lizzie whispered to Miranda that they were going to the concession stand for a minute. Miranda nodded, then chuckled as she realized that they were quickly walking hand in hand, in the opposite direction of the concession stand; how dumb did they think she was? Gordo led Lizzie toward a huge weeping willow tree that stood at the edge of the drive-in's parking lot. The branches had not been pruned recently and hung all the way down to the ground. Gordo parted the branches like the curtains on a stage and he led Lizzie under the leafy canopy. It was like a secret room.
"Gordo, this is so cool!" Lizzie exclaimed, "Did you know this was here?"
"No," Gordo answered, "But, it's the perfect place to be alone for a little while. And, now I can kiss you." Gordo took Lizzie's hand and slowly pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned down to kiss her. Their lips met and it was like magic. Neither Gordo nor Lizzie had ever felt anything that felt so special and right. Quickly the kiss deepened and became very heated and passionate. Gordo's hands were under her shirt, on her back, he was gently rubbing her smooth skin. Lizzie's hands were in his hair and on his neck. Gordo's mouth moved down and consumed the delicate skin of her neck. His hands slowly moved around to her stomach, then started to move upwards. Lizzie whispered in Gordo's ear that she thought they should slow down. While he was disappointed, Gordo nodded his agreement and removed his hands from her shirt. He pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. "We will only ever move as quickly as you want to. I just like kissing you so much, it is easy to get carried away," Gordo said.
"It's not that I didn't like how it felt. I just want to move slow and really enjoy everything. Besides, I'm not sure I feel ready for that yet; I will let you know," Lizzie said.
The two resumed kissing, but were more cautious not to get carried away.
Back at the Honda the first movie had ended and there was a 20-minute intermission before the next movie began. Brad and Miranda were sitting in uncomfortable silence. "So, where did those two say they were going?" Brad asked.
"Well, Lizzie said the concession stand, but they went in that direction," Miranda said pointing away from the concession stand, "Not to mention that I am pretty sure that it doesn't take a half an hour to get snacks."
"Tell me about yourself Miranda," Brad said, "At dinner we were so busy talking about how I've changed that I didn't get to catch up on what you have been up to since I saw you last."
"Well, I'm 15. I'll be in 10th grade next year. I love to dance," Miranda started, "I don't know, this is hard. What do you want to know?"
"Are you in any sports or clubs at school?" Brad asked.
"No sports. I thought about joining the Spanish club, but I never did. I guess I just pretty much get by with doing what I have to for school and nothing more," Miranda said, "I hang out with Gordo and Lizzie a lot too, sometimes I consider them to be my recreational activity."
Brad laughed at her answer. He was about to ask her some more questions when Gordo and Lizzie arrived back at the Honda. "Hey guys!" Gordo tried to say casually.
"Where the heck have you two been?" Miranda demanded.
"We just went for a walk," Lizzie said innocently.
Noticing the mark on Lizzie's neck, Miranda decided to give the couple a little more teasing, "Oh my gosh, Lizzie, you have something on your neck!" Panicked, Lizzie felt around her neck, thinking it was a bug.
"Oh, never mind, it's just a hickey," Miranda said.
Gordo and Lizzie both blushed but neither said anything. They couldn't really blame Miranda for being upset with them. They had ditched her and left her with someone she barely knew.
The four watched the second movie in silence. When the movie finished they climbed back into the car and headed toward the McGuire house. Even though it was late they sat on the porch drinking iced-tea and deciding what to do tomorrow. Miranda requested a day of just sitting around the pool and the others agreed.
Lizzie walked Miranda, Gordo and Brad out to Gordo's car; Gordo was going to drop Miranda off at home before he and Brad headed home. Gordo and Lizzie separated from Brad and Miranda so they could kiss goodnight.
"It was nice talking to you Miranda. I am looking forward to getting to know you more over the summer," Brad said sincerely.
"Yeah," Miranda said tentatively, "me too."
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing and giving me such great ideas with this story. It is so fun to read the reviews and see what people think of my story. One question I was asked recently in a review was: If you are going to set Miranda up with a reformed nerd, why not Larry? This is a great question! My answer: Larry is the nerd character...for me he will always be the nerd and I have a hard time reforming him and making it feel believable. So, I opted for someone that I created completely. But, I haven't quite decided how that is going to go. Thanks again! Tinkerbell (
"It was?" Gordo and Lizzie asked simultaneously.
"Yes! I let Lizzie sit in the front and both of you kept sneaking peeks at each other. Then, when Gordo was trying to help Lizzie with the pop and your hands touched and you dropped the pop. Then Lizzie cut her arm and Gordo was all holding her hand and stuff!" Miranda said, "It was so obvious.
Feeling a little of Miranda's match making spirit in her, Lizzie said, "Well, we're together now. So, maybe tonight there is room for another couple to get their start."
Gordo watched in the rearview mirror as both Brad and Miranda blushed deeply and avoided looking at each other. Gordo smiled at Lizzie, took her hand and said; "I'd forgotten how awkward we'd gotten around each other before we hooked up."
"You were so sweet when I cut my arm," Lizzie said, "Had I not had a cut arm and a bruised knee, it would have been so romantic."
Raising his eyebrows at Lizzie, Gordo said, "Maybe we can reenact it?"
"You two are going to make Brad and I sick if you don't knock it off," Miranda said. Really she thought it was sweet to see her friends acting this way, but she just had to give them some grief.
When they got to the drive-in, Gordo and Lizzie got the hatchback ready and set up the lounge chairs, while Brad and Miranda went to the concession stand. When they returned Miranda said, "You and Gordo can sit in the Honda."
"No," Gordo said, "If we want Brad to get the full experience of the drive- in, he needs to sit in the hatch back, Lizzie and I will sit in the lounge chairs."
Miranda protested, "How about guys in the Honda, girls on the lounge chairs?"
"No way Sanchez, I want to sit with my girlfriend!" Gordo said.
"Fine," Miranda grumbled. Secretly she was excited, but she didn't want Brad to know that yet.
Brad and Miranda climbed into the Honda and settled in without incident. Gordo moved one of the lounge chairs to the side and the couple settled into the remaining chair together.
Miranda watched as Gordo wrapped Lizzie in his arms from behind. Lizzie leaned into him and sighed. It was once of those sighs that said, "At this moment, everything is perfect." Gordo was whispering something in Lizzie's ear and she was smiling. Miranda felt a pang of jealousy, but she smiled at them anyway, they were so cute together.
Miranda realized that Gordo and Lizzie were trying to do to her and Brad, what she had done to them. She wasn't completely against the idea, she just wasn't as swept away by Brad as Gordo and Lizzie were by each other. Miranda couldn't decide if she should give in and let herself be set up with Brad, or if she should protest a little. After all, she had the right to hold out for true love too, didn't she?
Brad was no dummy either. He could tell that nothing would make Gordo and Lizzie happier than to have Miranda set up with a boyfriend of her own for the summer. He knew they wanted this out of the goodness of their hearts. But, how did either of them know if he and Miranda were even interested in each other. He could tell that Miranda had some reservations about him and he didn't blame her. Brad decided that he wouldn't mind being set up with Miranda, she was cute; but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable if she wasn't interested in him.
Since Gordo, Lizzie and Miranda had just been here a few nights earlier, the same movies were still playing. Miranda was only half concentrating on the movie. She was contemplating the Brad issue and what she wanted to do. He was awfully cute, she thought. He had strawberry blonde hair and deep green eyes. He had straight teeth and a nice smile. But, looks aren't everything. Miranda wanted to be with someone who really interested her; not just physically, but mentally as well. She wanted someone who gave her chills and butterflies in her stomach. She wanted to feel like she and this person were meant to be. She didn't want to just settle for someone.
Gordo and Lizzie were not paying much attention to the movie either. They were still sitting together on one lounge chair and were playfully flirting with one another. Lizzie had taken an extra blanket from the Honda and draped it over them. Gordo and Lizzie had both removed their shoes and were mischievously playing footsie under the blanket. Gordo was whispering in Lizzie's ear, "I wish we were here alone so we could sit in the car and make-out. I feel weird kissing you in front of them."
Lizzie giggled and whispered back, "I wish that too. I was thinking about that the last time we were here, how much I wanted to kiss you."
"I want to kiss you so bad. I need a distraction. Let's go for a walk," Gordo said.
Quietly the two put their shoes back on and rose off of their chair. Lizzie whispered to Miranda that they were going to the concession stand for a minute. Miranda nodded, then chuckled as she realized that they were quickly walking hand in hand, in the opposite direction of the concession stand; how dumb did they think she was? Gordo led Lizzie toward a huge weeping willow tree that stood at the edge of the drive-in's parking lot. The branches had not been pruned recently and hung all the way down to the ground. Gordo parted the branches like the curtains on a stage and he led Lizzie under the leafy canopy. It was like a secret room.
"Gordo, this is so cool!" Lizzie exclaimed, "Did you know this was here?"
"No," Gordo answered, "But, it's the perfect place to be alone for a little while. And, now I can kiss you." Gordo took Lizzie's hand and slowly pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned down to kiss her. Their lips met and it was like magic. Neither Gordo nor Lizzie had ever felt anything that felt so special and right. Quickly the kiss deepened and became very heated and passionate. Gordo's hands were under her shirt, on her back, he was gently rubbing her smooth skin. Lizzie's hands were in his hair and on his neck. Gordo's mouth moved down and consumed the delicate skin of her neck. His hands slowly moved around to her stomach, then started to move upwards. Lizzie whispered in Gordo's ear that she thought they should slow down. While he was disappointed, Gordo nodded his agreement and removed his hands from her shirt. He pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. "We will only ever move as quickly as you want to. I just like kissing you so much, it is easy to get carried away," Gordo said.
"It's not that I didn't like how it felt. I just want to move slow and really enjoy everything. Besides, I'm not sure I feel ready for that yet; I will let you know," Lizzie said.
The two resumed kissing, but were more cautious not to get carried away.
Back at the Honda the first movie had ended and there was a 20-minute intermission before the next movie began. Brad and Miranda were sitting in uncomfortable silence. "So, where did those two say they were going?" Brad asked.
"Well, Lizzie said the concession stand, but they went in that direction," Miranda said pointing away from the concession stand, "Not to mention that I am pretty sure that it doesn't take a half an hour to get snacks."
"Tell me about yourself Miranda," Brad said, "At dinner we were so busy talking about how I've changed that I didn't get to catch up on what you have been up to since I saw you last."
"Well, I'm 15. I'll be in 10th grade next year. I love to dance," Miranda started, "I don't know, this is hard. What do you want to know?"
"Are you in any sports or clubs at school?" Brad asked.
"No sports. I thought about joining the Spanish club, but I never did. I guess I just pretty much get by with doing what I have to for school and nothing more," Miranda said, "I hang out with Gordo and Lizzie a lot too, sometimes I consider them to be my recreational activity."
Brad laughed at her answer. He was about to ask her some more questions when Gordo and Lizzie arrived back at the Honda. "Hey guys!" Gordo tried to say casually.
"Where the heck have you two been?" Miranda demanded.
"We just went for a walk," Lizzie said innocently.
Noticing the mark on Lizzie's neck, Miranda decided to give the couple a little more teasing, "Oh my gosh, Lizzie, you have something on your neck!" Panicked, Lizzie felt around her neck, thinking it was a bug.
"Oh, never mind, it's just a hickey," Miranda said.
Gordo and Lizzie both blushed but neither said anything. They couldn't really blame Miranda for being upset with them. They had ditched her and left her with someone she barely knew.
The four watched the second movie in silence. When the movie finished they climbed back into the car and headed toward the McGuire house. Even though it was late they sat on the porch drinking iced-tea and deciding what to do tomorrow. Miranda requested a day of just sitting around the pool and the others agreed.
Lizzie walked Miranda, Gordo and Brad out to Gordo's car; Gordo was going to drop Miranda off at home before he and Brad headed home. Gordo and Lizzie separated from Brad and Miranda so they could kiss goodnight.
"It was nice talking to you Miranda. I am looking forward to getting to know you more over the summer," Brad said sincerely.
"Yeah," Miranda said tentatively, "me too."
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing and giving me such great ideas with this story. It is so fun to read the reviews and see what people think of my story. One question I was asked recently in a review was: If you are going to set Miranda up with a reformed nerd, why not Larry? This is a great question! My answer: Larry is the nerd character...for me he will always be the nerd and I have a hard time reforming him and making it feel believable. So, I opted for someone that I created completely. But, I haven't quite decided how that is going to go. Thanks again! Tinkerbell (