Chapter 9

Gordo made it halfway home when he turned his car around. He knew he couldn't leave like that. He needed to apologize. To everyone. He couldn't believe how he had acted, and what he said. He said it not really even thinking about it. The second the words came flowing out of his mouth, he knew he messed up…again. His stomach became an instant knot and he wished he could reverse time. He wanted to take back the words, take back the hurt. Lizzie meant so much to him, but he always seemed to hurt her. It was like everyone he cared for in his life, he somehow hurt them.

His thoughts were cut short as he rounded the corner and saw Miranda's house. Out side stood Lizzie and Miranda by Lizzie's car, and he could see that Lizzie was still crying. He pulled his car over as Miranda and Lizzie looked over at him. Lizzie quickly jumped into her and started it. Gordo jumped out his car as fast as he could.

"LIZZIE! WAIT!" Gordo yelled after her, and running to her car. Miranda stepped in front of him.

"Gordo, STOP! You've done enough." Gordo just moved by her and grabbed Lizzie's car window as she was backing up. She suddenly slammed the brakes which caused Gordo to stumble a bit. He regained himself and stared in the window at Lizzie, who was staring straight ahead, making sure not to even look over at Gordo.

"Lizzie…I'm sorry." Gordo said bowing his head. "I should have never said that."

"No, Gordo, I'm glad you did." She turned and looked Gordo square in the eye. "I know how you feel about me. Its fine."
"No, Lizzie…" But before Gordo could say anything Lizzie slammed the gas down, making Gordo jump back so she didn't run him over. "LIZZIE!" She peeled out as she tore off down the street. Gordo ran after her, but soon stopped. He just stood there staring down the road as he watched Lizzie car get smaller and smaller until it disappeared. He then turned to Miranda.

"Miranda, I'm sor…" Miranda held up her hand.

"Cut it Gordo. You had your chance to be a man. To fix some of what you did. But did you, NO!" She walked in her house and slammed the door shut. Gordo stood on the side walk with is head held low. He took a deep breath and walked towards the Sanchez house. He walked in the front door and went to the dinning room, where they were still having dinner, a little more silent now. He stood in the doorway and cleared his throat. Everyone turned to look at him, except for Miranda.

"I just wanted to come back and apologize for what just happened. Um…I was wrong for saying what I said. In fact it was a lie. I was…and well…still am in love with Lizzie." Miranda turned her head slowly towards Gordo who was looking right at her. "I was just hurt to find out she had a boyfriend, and I…well…I guess I wanted to hurt her. It was a very, very big mistake. And I am sorry for ruining dinner, which was lovely by the way Mrs. Sanchez. Umm…well…I'm sorry." Gordo walked out the room and out the front door.

"So you still love her huh?" He heard Miranda's voice behind him. Gordo stopped, but never turned around to look at her, mostly because he was too ashamed to look at her.

"Yeah, Miranda. I think I do."
"You have a funny way of showing it." Gordo was silent for a minute.

"Is Lizzie mad?"

"Mad? Yeah Gordo, she is. She loved you then, and to hear you say you never loved her. Well it hurt her."

"Ok." Gordo again was silent, letting Miranda's words sink in. "Well, I guess I'm not allowed in the wedding now huh?"

"Gordo, look at me." He turned to face Miranda. "You are still my best friend. You just need to straighten you life out, but I want you to be there for me, like I was there for you." Gordo smiled. "Just please, PLEASE, don't ruin my wedding with something like this. Promise me."

"I promise Miranda." They gave each other a hug. "Well I better get goin. I gotta show your man a good time tonight."

"Make sure he is good." Miranda said with a laugh.

"Oh, I'll take care of him."

"Yeah, that what I'm afraid of!" Miranda smiled as she watched her friends get in his car and leave. "God, please take care of him." She prayed as she watched him go down the road.